Words for Life Articles

In Ephesians 4:11 -12 Paul writes to the Ephesians Church saying that, Jesus-

11 He gave some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints, for the work of service, and for the building up of the body of Christ,

These gifts we have come to know and recognise as the ascension gifts and commonly referred to as the Five-Fold Ministry. After the crucifixion and the resurrection, Jesus ascended to heaven to take His place at the right hand of the father.

As the executive ruler of the universe and as the head of the Church, He released gifts to the body divided into five great capacities, when we break these gifts down we will realise that Jesus Himself operated in all these gifts.

1 King 18:41-45

41 Then Elijah said to Ahab, “Go up, eat and drink; for there is the sound of abundance of rain.” 42 So Ahab went up to eat and drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; then he bowed down on the ground, and put his face between his knees, 43 and said to his servant, “Go up now, look toward the sea.”

So, he went up and looked, and said, “There is nothing.” And seven times he said, “Go again.”

44 Then it came to pass the seventh time, that he said, “There is a cloud, as small as a man’s hand, rising out of the sea!” So he said, “Go up, say to Ahab, ‘Prepare your chariot, and go down before the rain stops you.’

45 Now it happened in the meantime that the sky became black with clouds and wind, and there was a heavy rain. So Ahab rode away and went to Jezreel.

There are two stories that I have heard over the years that have been a blessing to me.

1 Peter 3:15

15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defence to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;

I recently had someone ask me “why do you Christians sing and dance”. In short, the person wanted a reason for my hope. What makes you happy? What is it that keeps you going? Why do you still trust God with everything you are going through?

What reasons are there for the hope we have in Christ? I am sure you and I will have many reasons for our hope in Christ Jesus.

"In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus" Phil 2:5 NIV

In Philippians 2:5, we are encouraged to have the same mindset as Jesus Christ, who even though he was God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped or behold. It says he made himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, he humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

Jesus Christ through his actions, attitudes and interaction with everyone exhibited specific mindsets. As believers, being like-minded or having the same mindset as Christ means thinking, believing, behaving just the same way Christ would in every situation. Let’s take a look at some of these Christ mindsets.

Romans 12: 2

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.

A person with a renewed mind has a choice as to what he/she wants to do or be in life.

Paul in this scripture calls believers to a transformed life, a life that is not conformed to that of the world. I strongly believe that no one can live a transformed life without a renewed mind.

Transformation starts from the mind. The only way you and I can recognise the perfect will of God for our lives is to have a renewed mind.

Digging deep and launching into the deep is going beyond the status quo. It is going away from the way you have always done things. We see in the bible that Jesus always went beyond the status quo of His time. Why don’t you go beyond the expectations of people? They expect you to fail – be a success in what you do.

They expect you to remain dependent on them, you go ahead and be a blessing. They do not expect anything good to come from you, go ahead and be blessing anyway.

One of Jesus’ disciples said this of Him - John 1:45-46

“Philip went to look for Nathanael and told him, “We have found the very person Moses and the prophets wrote about! His name is Jesus, the son of Joseph from Nazareth.”

“Nazareth!” exclaimed Nathanael. “Can anything good come from Nazareth?”

Welcome to a brand new glorious year, 2018.

This year God’s desire for us as a Church is to dig deeper into Him, His Word, His will, and a living and dynamic relationship with the precious Holy Spirit. The Lord is our treasure and pearl of great price that we have to go after this year at all costs.

Matthew 13: 44 - 46
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.”