Cast Not Your Pearls before Swine 2
Matthew 7:5-6 (KJV)Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. Mr. and Mrs. Akowe were Marriage ministers who had a very great track record of success. They had seen the Lord use them to restore many wounded and broken marriages in the church. But they recently discovered that they were no longer fruitful in their ministry. As they waited on the Lord to know why they were no longer succeeding in healing marriages through their ministry, they discovered that it was because they were now hypocrites who refused to remove the beam in their own eyes. There was now deep-rooted recentness they had towards each other, but they both covered it up and continued with the ministry. This was the reason they were no longer fruitful. In today’s verses, the Lord says we should first cast out the beam from our own eyes before we can see clearly to cast out the mote in our brother’s eyes. He then goes on to say that we should not give that which is holy to dogs and our pearls to swine. There are a number of lessons here: One is that it is impossible for a hypocritical believer to successfully remove the impurities and specs in the life of another believer. It’s a spiritual principle. See 2 Corinthians 10:6. Before you begin to attempt to help remove the mote in your Christian Brother or sister’s eye, you must be sure that the one in your eye has been removed or you would never succeed in helping. Another lesson is that the person whose eye you are to remove the spec from should be your [Christian] brother, not an outsider- for outside are the dogs (Rev 22:15). In removing the mote from your brother’s eyes, you are giving that which is Holy and precious. This kind of painstaking task is only reserved for your [Christian] brother and not for the metaphorical swine and pigs: those who do not care about God. Prayer: Lord, show me the log in my eyes and help me be fruitful in ministry. —Abraham Damilola Arigi Bible In One Year: Matthew 11-13 (In Devotional Audio) Kindly share this Devotional with your contacts and let’s touch lives together. If you wish to start getting Streamglobe Devotional Text & Audio early every day, Send us a message or Click here to join a Streamglobe WhatsApp Group☞ https://chat.whatsapp.com/JdPNz4wRtMdHc6vii1ERn2 Send message to (WhatsApp): +1 (515) 519-5600, +2348138224547 Tune In to Our 24/7 Online Radio Here (open with Chrome or Safari): https://streamglobe.radio Streamglobe Online Radio is optimized to minimize data consumption http://listen.streamglobe.org/Devotional%20Audio%202772.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download ()Subscribe: RSS
Cast Not Your Pearls before Swine
Matthew 7:6 (KJV) Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you. After Henry believed in the Lord and was delivered from many dangerous habits like smoking and gambling, he now saw more clearly how those habits were destroying his life before he believed. Because of this, he tried persuading his old friends from such habits, trying to show them how bad these habits are for their health and even their finances, but they laughed at him and hated him even more. All he tried to do was to help them, but it was working the other way round.We can see from scripture (see 2 Pet 2:22) that the metaphor of dogs and swine are used for rebellious ‘believers’ (who would not be corrected because they have turned from the way and are not deceived or ignorant but know what they are doing) or unbelievers. We are not to expend our teaching, counseling, prayers and time on such believers who have denied the faith (see 1 John 5:16). There is no need to waste your time to convince an unbeliever about the dangers of his habits (he most likely already knows), what he needs is the gospel. It is when you see a speck in the eye of your [Christian] brother or sister that you can expend your resources and time in removing it through prayer, teaching, and loving counsel. But you can only be effective in this when you have already removed the log in your own eyes (see Matt 7:5). Go into today remembering that you have limited time on this side of eternity. Make the most of it for God’s kingdom profit (see Eph 5:15-16). Prayer: Ask the Lord to help you to be more fruitful in His kingdom this new week. Want to be saved? Go here: streamglobe.org/33 —Abraham Damilola Arigi Streamglobe is nondenominational. Kindly share this Devotional with your contacts and let’s touch lives together. BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Isaiah 23-28 (In Devotional Audio) Streamglobe is nondenominational. Kindly share this Devotional with your contacts and let’s touch lives together. If you wish to start getting Streamglobe Devotional Text & Audio early every day, Send us a message or Click here to join a Streamglobe WhatsApp Group☞ https://chat.whatsapp.com/JdPNz4wRtMdHc6vii1ERn2 Send message to (WhatsApp): +1 (515) 519-5600, +2348138224547 Tune In to Our 24/7 Online Radio Here (open with Chrome or Safari): https://streamglobe.radio Streamglobe Online Radio is optimized to minimize data consumption http://listen.streamglobe.org/Devotional%20Audio%201918.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download ()Subscribe: RSS
Be Quiet or Shout Louder: Your Choice
Mark 10:48 (NET) Many scolded him to get him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Do you remember the parable Jesus told in Luke chapter 18? It is he story of a woman who brought a petition to a very hard judge. The judge had no fear of God nor of man. He refused to hear or heed the widow’s petition, but as a result of the widow’s importunity, that is her persistence to the point of wearing him out, he gave in and heard and heeded the widow’s plea. The Bible tells us that Jesus told this parable to the end that men ought always to pray and not to lose heart (Luke 18:1).When you are at the point of need, you will always encounter voices that seek to disparage and discourage your faith. Bartimaeus was no stranger to such voices/influences. He was crying out for help to the one who could help however the crowd will have none of it. “Keep quiet!” they scolded him, “Don’t create a scene,” they said. At that point, he had a choice to make. Act sophisticated and remain blind or be branded uncultured and receive your sight. You might still refer to him as Blind Bartimaeus, but I tell you, he shouted all the louder and was healed of that blindness. Many today will crumble under the weight of the pressure to fit into people’s expectations to the detriment of their faith. That is not for you child of God. The righteous are as bold as a lion, importunate in prayers, persistent in faith, holding fast their confession of faith until they through faith and patience obtain the promise of God over their lives. The victorious Christian has settled it in his heart that there is nothing to be ashamed of about his faith in God. He will pray in tongues without self-consciousness, he will boldly affirm that God reigns in the affairs of men, he will continually stand upon his watch to hear what God has to say to him. He doesn’t wish to the mountain, he says to it, “Be moved and be cast into the sea”, not fearing what people would say. That was Bartimaeus story, what will yours be? Quiet or louder? Go into today determined to always pray and not to lose heart. Pray like this: Lord I thank you for your word is true. Therefore, I will be importunate in prayer, persistent in faith and continual in thanksgiving. Want to be saved? Go here: streamglobe.org/33 —Ikechukwu Mpama Bible In One Year: Job 9-10 (in Devotional Audio) Streamglobe is nondenominational. Kindly share this Devotional with your contacts and let’s touch lives together. If you wish to start getting Streamglobe Devotional Text & Audio early every day, Send us a message or Click here to join a Streamglobe WhatsApp Group☞ https://chat.whatsapp.com/JdPNz4wRtMdHc6vii1ERn2 Send message to (WhatsApp): +1 (515) 519-5600, +2348138224547 Tune In to Our 24/7 Online Radio Here (open with Chrome or Safari): https://streamglobe.radio Streamglobe Online Radio is optimized to minimize data consumption http://listen.streamglobe.org/Devotional%20Audio%202198.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download ()Subscribe: RSS
Laying On Of Hands 3
Hebrews 6:1-2 (NET) Therefore we must progress beyond the elementary instructions about Christ and move on to maturity, not laying this foundation again: repentance from dead works and faith in God, teaching about baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. Kemi was confused and disappointed with the conduct of Ben, her colleague, who was a pastor. He was a cheat, a womanizer, and a liar. When she could take it no more, she found the church that ordained him and reported him to the leadership. He was put under discipline and was stripped of his title until his repentance was evident. The church felt so embarrassed because they were now associated with the bad name of Ben. They now knew that concerning Ben, they were too hasty to lay hands on him. In 1 Timothy 5:22, Paul instructed Timothy not to lay hands on anyone hastily so that he would not identify with their sins. Kemi could help Ben by reporting him to the people that ordained him because even though he had a call upon his life and was now operating independently as a pastor, he could be traced to an apostolic community that he was still accountable to. After the period of Ben’s discipline, he was restored and later became eternally grateful for the bitter process that brought about his restoration. Go into today remembering that the doctrine of laying on of hands, when properly understood, would safeguard the Lord’s sheep from wolves in sheep’s clothing. If a person comes as a servant of the Lord, but cannot be traced to anyone or a group of known accredited people of God to whom he is accountable, it is a danger sign. Prayer: Heavenly Father, please help the church in my generation awaken to all the preserving truths you have given as our safeguard, in Jesus’s name. Amen. —Abraham Damilola Arigi Bible In One Year: Psalms 12-14 (In Devotional Audio) Streamglobe is nondenominational. Kindly share this Devotional with your contacts and let’s touch lives together. If you wish to start getting Streamglobe Devotional Text & Audio early every day, Send us a message or Click here to join a Streamglobe WhatsApp Group☞ https://chat.whatsapp.com/JdPNz4wRtMdHc6vii1ERn2 Send message to (WhatsApp): +1 (515) 519-5600, +2348138224547 Tune In to Our 24/7 Online Radio Here (open with Chrome or Safari): https://streamglobe.radio Streamglobe Online Radio is optimized to minimize data consumption http://listen.streamglobe.org/Devotional%20Audio%202462.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download ()Subscribe: RSS
Laying On Of Hands 2
Acts 13:2-3 (KJV) As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. What is the difference between a prayer group or Christian fellowship and a local church? A local church is a community of believers who have [Church] government. This is appointed by the Apostolic ministry or Presbytery of an existing approved church community. Originally, local church government was appointed by either the apostles who took the gospel to them or the elders/Shepherds/presbytery of another established accredited church community responsible for the establishment of the new church group. Timothy, as an apostolic representative, was to go and appoint elders over certain Christian groups in Ephesus so that they would become bonafide churches(see 1 Timothy 3). He was instructed to lay hands on no one hastily (1 Timothy 5:22). The doctrine of “Laying on of hands” establishes that before a person can be approved as a minister to the body, they need to receive the “right hand of fellowship” of an existing established church/apostolic community through its leadership. We call it ordination these days. A Minister should be ordained. Does this mean God cannot call a man without the involvement of any church? God certainly does, but that call will have to be confirmed by other approved ministers of God on the ground if the call is genuine. Apostle Paul’s call into ministry was very unique and peculiar. See what he says in Galatians: Galatians 2:2 (KJV) “And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain.” Apostle Paul understood that despite His true and unique call from the Lord, he would have run in vain if he did not get the approval of the Apostles that were there before him. It is because of this approval that his writings were accepted into the Canon of scripture. Go into today remembering that the church of the living God is very well ordered and guided. Any minster that cannot get the approval of other minsters that were there before him, is not safe. — Abraham Damilola Arigi Bible In One Year: Joshua 21-24 (In Devotional Audio) Streamglobe is nondenominational. Kindly share this Devotional with your contacts and let’s touch lives together. If you wish to start getting Streamglobe Devotional Text & Audio early every day, Send us a message or Click here to join a Streamglobe WhatsApp Group☞ https://chat.whatsapp.com/JdPNz4wRtMdHc6vii1ERn2 Send message to (WhatsApp): +1 (515) 519-5600, +2348138224547 Tune In to Our 24/7 Online Radio Here (open with Chrome or Safari): https://streamglobe.radio Streamglobe Online Radio is optimized to minimize data consumption http://listen.streamglobe.org/Devotional%20Audio%202461.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download ()Subscribe: RSS
Laying On Of Hands 1
Hebrews 6:1-2 (NET) Therefore we must progress beyond the elementary instructions about Christ and move on to maturity, not laying this foundation again: repentance from dead works and faith in God, teaching about baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. One of the very remarkable things that Sandra observed after she received the Holy Spirit was that the power of God was now tangibly in her life. She knew this for sure because after she received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, she gave herself to much praying in the spirit on a daily basis. She was so filled with the power of the Holy Ghost that at certain times it was as though she was drunk. You know, Ephesians says do not be drunk with wine but be filled with the Holy Spirit (see Ephesians 5:18). As Sandra continued to learn the Foundational teachings of the faith, she learned that the tangible power of the Holy Spirit that so filled her can flow to other people and cause them to be healed, delivered, etc. She also learned that this happened more easily through the laying on of hands. After the tongue (which the Bible refers to as our glory(compare Psalm 16:9 and Acts 2:26 in KJV)), I believe that the hands are the most important body parts for spiritual manifestation and activity. Through the lifting of our hands, we can more easily demonstrate spiritual surrender and connect with the power of heaven, and through our hands, we can more easily transmit spiritual power. It is important for us to understand this because the Lord wants us to share the virtue and power we have received from Him and help people. He says we shall lay our hands on the sick and they shall recover (see Mark 16:18). The next time you lay your hands on someone or something, be intentional about it and know that power will literally flow out of your spirit through your hands and cause a miracle or healing. Even a broken car can be miraculously fixed because you allowed power to flow from you to it through the laying on of your hands. Go into today remembering that if you’re baptized in the Holy Spirit, you have received power and this power is transmittable through the laying on of your hands. This power increases when we pray in the spirit.Prayer: Ask the Lord to help you maintain a spirit-filled life so that your body will be able to transmit His power and heal the sick, cast out devils, and solve problems. Etc. —Abraham Damilola Arigi Bible In One Year: Romans 9-10 (In Devotional Audio) Streamglobe is interdenominational and nondenominational. Kindly share this Devotional with your contacts and let’s touch lives together. Send inquiries, testimonies, and prayer requests here(WhatsApp): +2348021680251, +2348138224547 http://listen.streamglobe.org/Devotional%20Audio%202459.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download ()Subscribe: RSS
False Prophets
Matthew 24:11-12 (KJV)And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. After suffering greatly in the hand of a particular false prophet, Bimbo was now generally cold towards ministers of the gospel and believers. She fell prey to that false prophet because he was claiming to be a genuine man of God who preaches holiness and righteousness, but ultimately was a charlatan who used witchcraft to turn people like her into his personal ATM. Because of the things she had experienced, her love for the body of Christ had grown cold. She didn’t trust anybody again and was now closed-hearted and tight-fisted towards the work of God. I believe it is no coincidence that after the Lord Jesus talks about many false prophets rising that He informs us that iniquity shall abound. Every church assembly is meant to be the light of its territory(see Rev 1:20, Matt 5:14), but through the invasion of false prophets claiming to be men of God, what is meant to bring territorial light becomes darkness, and if the light [of a territory] becomes darkness, how great is that darkness! (Matt 6:23). One of the most effective ways to identify false prophets is by their fruits in relation to money. They serve mammon and not God. Money is more important to them than the souls of men. What then is the solution? Believers must beware of false prophets (Matt 7:15). Do not follow people because of signs and wonders, but follow them because the words they speak impart life to your righteous spirit (see John 6:63, 68). False prophets can perform lying wonders and magic, but cannot impart the life of the Holy Spirit into their words. Go into today remembering that it is not a light thing before the Lord for the love of a believer to wax cold. The Lord’s first letter to the Churches makes this clear (see Rev 2:4-5). Prayer focus: Revelation 2:5 (KJV) Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. —Abraham Damilola Arigi Bible In One Year: Matthew 8-10 (In Devotional Audio) Streamglobe is nondenominational. Kindly share this Devotional with your contacts and let’s touch lives together. If you wish to start getting Streamglobe Devotional Text & Audio early every day, Send us a message or Click here to join a Streamglobe WhatsApp Group☞ https://chat.whatsapp.com/JdPNz4wRtMdHc6vii1ERn2 Send message to (WhatsApp): +1 (515) 519-5600, +2348138224547 Tune In to Our 24/7 Online Radio Here (open with Chrome or Safari): https://streamglobe.radio Streamglobe Online Radio is optimized to minimize data consumption http://listen.streamglobe.org/Devotional%20Audio%202458.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download ()Subscribe: RSS
Foundational Truths 3
Hebrews 6:1-2 (NET) Therefore we must progress beyond the elementary instructions about Christ and move on to maturity, not laying this foundation again: repentance from dead works and faith in God, teaching about baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. Patrick didn’t know that the baptism in the Holy Spirit was given to empower the believer. He thought all it does is to give us the ability to speak in tongues. After he received the baptism in the Holy Spirit, he noticed that he was no longer as shy as he used to be. He now had the boldness to preach the gospel to his old friends he was afraid of telling that he was now born again. From experience, he observed that the infilling of the Holy Ghost does much more than to simply give us the ability to speak in tongues, it is our enduement with power. He also observed that when he prayed in tongues, this power was generated within him (1 Corinthians 14:4). The Lord Jesus told His disciples that they would receive power after the Holy Ghost comes upon them, and then they would be witnesses unto Him(Acts 1:8). I don’t know if the disciples expected to speak in tongues when they received the infilling of the Holy Spirit, but one thing they surely expected was divine empowerment. This empowerment was the reason why fearful Peter that denied Jesus thrice in the city of Jerusalem could stand boldly in that same city and PREACH Jesus. This power was the reason the apostles and disciples walked in the miraculous, etc. The empowerment of the Holy Spirit is so we can be effective witnesses unto the Lord. It is not given to us as a Christian accessory. If there is no willingness to be a witness unto the Lord, there is no readiness for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Go into today remembering that the baptism of the Holy Ghost empowers us to fulfill our destinies in God. Every believer who desires this empowerment must be determined to be a witness unto the Lord. Prayer: Lord, please empower me to fulfill my destiny in you. Fill me with the Holy Spirit. —Abraham Damilola Arigi Bible In One Year: Isaiah 18-22 (In Devotional Audio) Streamglobe is nondenominational. Kindly share this Devotional with your contacts and let’s touch lives together. If you wish to start getting Streamglobe Devotional Text & Audio early every day, Send us a message or Click here to join a Streamglobe WhatsApp Group☞ https://chat.whatsapp.com/JdPNz4wRtMdHc6vii1ERn2 Send message to (WhatsApp): +1 (515) 519-5600, +2348138224547 Tune In to Our 24/7 Online Radio Here (open with Chrome or Safari): https://streamglobe.radio Streamglobe Online Radio is optimized to minimize data consumption Click Here for the Audio Version: https://bit.ly/aud2457 http://listen.streamglobe.org/Devotional%20Audio%202457.mp3Podcast: Play in new window | Download ()Subscribe: RSS