February 2017 Theme: Developing Kingdom Character
Inspirational Monthly Devotional
We need to keep developing Godly character so as not to fall to the temptation of the latter times. The bible says 'in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron'. Character is defined as strength of moral fibre. Persons of character are noted for their vision, morals and ethics. Character formation and development starts with a vision - the picture of an attainable future given by God. God sometimes uses trials (amongst other things) to strengthen our character and keep us in the hope of actualising His vision for our lives. Every assignment God gives to us as kingdom citizens is expressed in visions. Understanding these helps to define our values, morals, ethics and ultimately our character. May God's vision for our lives continue to be real to us to the extent that our character remains Godly in the pursuit thereof in Jesus name. Amen. Meditation: I Timothy 4:1-16; Genesis 15:1-6;vI Samuel 13:14; Hebrews 12:28-29
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Week 1 Developing Kingdom Character by Vision (Download audio message here)
Week 2 The Kingdom Character of Love (Download audio message here)
There are many Godly values that the bible commands us to maintain in the development of Kingdom Character. The Kingdom Character of LOVE for example is developed in obedience to commandment to love God and People when embraced as a core value of one's life. According to the words of Jesus Christ, love is the greatest commandment. Love is defined in FOUR Ways: Philio (Brotherly); Eros (Fleshly); Sterego (Friendship) and Agape (Divine). Whilst the first three are conditional and would seek mutual benefit, the fourth is unconditional and is the God ordained means of fulfilling the commandment to love. Agape love is acquired by the Spirit of God. May the Lord continue help us to indeed walk in the fullness of Agape love in Jesus name. Meditation: Matt. 22:36-40; I Cor. 13:4-6; John 13:34-35; I John 4:7-8
Your God-given abilities are the inherent driving forces of your life. Life is meaningless and frustrating without the discovery of one's purpose. God gives everyone talents and abilities which are like the engines that drive each person's life. Although on their own, engines are not useful as such; in the right automobile and when empowered (fueled and lubricated) they give meaning to the car and make the car useful in the fulfillment of its purpose. As an outreach mission at Lifegate our second core value is to use our God-given abilities to serve God and humanity at all times. These abilities are empowered by the grace of God but require us to discover, take responsibility and deploy them in the right environment always. This we do by diligence - consistently doing all that God commands through focus, learning, mentorship and faithfulness. May the Lord Himself continue to empower us accordingly in Jesus name. Amen. Meditation: I Pet. 4:7-11; Rom. 12:3-13; II Cor. 9:8; Luke 4:16-24.
Week 3 Diligently working out your Godly abilities (Download audio message here)
Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. Faith is acting as commanded by God regardless of emotional and physical evidences. Without faith it is impossible to please God. God wants us to have child-like faith. This does not mean immaturity but rather humility and simplicity. As a matter of fact, we cannot please God or truly receive the kingdom if we are not child-like in our faith. A child has a simple mindset that obeys the instructions of the father when asked to take actions. We are usually the same with God at the outset of our spiritual journey. However, just like physical children, as we grow our reasoning faculties also develop. Whilst this is good, we must make sure that they do not hinder us from being child-like in faith. All our elders - Abraham, Joshua, David, Moses, etc who did this overcame their life challenges by faith. As a church mission, our third core value is: To always act in faith as the Lord directs us. This is our prayer even as individuals and families. May the Lord Himself continue to help us to do so in Jesus name. Amen. Meditation: Heb. 11:1-35; Eph. 2:8; II Cor. 5:7; Luke 18:15-17
Week 4 The Kingdom Character of Faith (Download audio message here)
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