Can God Trust You With The Scars?

So many of us have been blemished with physical scars and scars from the pain of  Betrayal, Disappointment, Horrible Hairdressers, Jail, Denial, Injury, Shame, Poverty, Accidents, Family hurt, Religious damage, Abuse, Trouble, Sickness, etc.

We have wondered does God really exist and if he does why would he allow us to experience such horrific and painstaking tribulations.

Well God didn’t do it to you but ….He didn’t stop it from happening either!

God did not prevent the trials and troubles from occurring in your life, because he knew he could trust you with the scars to help bring others out and through the pain of recovery.

God knew he could trust you when so many other people have given up on him and committed suicide.

God knew he could trust you to help heal those their broken and stony hearts towards people and God.

God knew he could trust you to help others to trust God again, not to hate anymore or seek revenge.

God knew he could trust you to bring others back to the Love of Christ-so that they could be made whole.

God knew he could trust you to bring others to trust in his Word in Psalm 147:3(Amplified)  “ He heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds [curing their pains and their sorrows].”  And in Psalm 46:7-8(Amplified) “Who executes justice for the oppressed, Who gives food to the hungry, The Lord sets free the prisoners, The Lord opens the eyes of the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down…….”

Spiritual Principles Of Wealth In The Holy Bible Are Shared By The Holy Quran

Both the Bible and Quran emphatically emphasize that “righteous will be rewarded.”  In the Quran(Surah 21:105-A. Yussuf Ali translation) says “ My servants, The righteous, shall inherit the earth.” The Bible(Psalms 37:29--Amplified) says “[Then] the [consistently] righteous shall inherit the land and dwell upon it forever.

Islam means the submission to the Will of God.  As a Muslim(one who practices Islam) they are obliged under the Five Pillars of Islam to perform charity-it is considered an act of worship and a form of social investment.  

As in Christianity we have Tithes, Offerings, Sowing of Seeds, and First Fruits; Islam also has different types of giving Zakat, Sadaqah, Ata(giving) and Da’wah. One of the most important principles of Islam is that all things belong to God and that wealth is therefore held by human beings in trust. 

Zakat  means grow (in goodness) or ‘increase’, ‘purifying’ or ‘making pure’.  According to Islam the act of giving zakat means purifying ones’ wealth to gain God’s blessings to make it grow in goodness. Zakat is the major economic means for establishing social justice and leading the Muslim society to prosperity and security.

Giving the Zakat is considered an act of worship because it is a form of offering thanks to God for the means of material well-being one has acquired.  It is obligatory upon all Muslims to 2.5% of wealth, savings,  and assets each year.  It is one of the five pillars of Islam.  

Sadaqah is a voluntary act of giving alms for the cause of God.  It is for Muslims that want to contribute more than their obligatory Zakah payment.  It may be given in periods of sadness or happiness as a sign of gratitude

Da’wah is also another form of charitable giving to the poor and needy.

Covenant With God

The basis for understanding the spiritual principles of wealth is first understanding that we have a covenant with God.  And it is the love, respect ,obedience  and desire to uphold this covenant with God that enables us to practice covenant principles.

All men who come to God are under a spiritual obligation-an implied covenant that is wholly based on the love God has for us.  “And call in remembrance the favor of God unto you, and his covenant which he ratified with you, when ye said: ‘We hear and we obey’….”(Surah 5:8--A. Yussuf Ali translation) 

In Genesis 9:9-12, God told Noah that “Behold , I establish My covenant or pledge with you and with your descendants after you….” In Genesis 17:7, God told Abraham that “And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting, solemn pledge, to be a God to you and to your posterity after you.” 

In the book of John 6 of  the Bible and  Surah 5 of the Quran Jesus tells the people to have faith; especially when Jesus shows them that God can send manna(bread) from heaven.

The Quran states that “…..The hand of God is over their hands:  then anyone who violates his oath, does so to the harm of his own  Soul, and any one who Fulfils what he has Covenanted with God, God will soon grant him a great reward.”(Surah 48:10-A. Yussuf Ali translation) 

Giving

The Bible consistently tells Christians to give especially since it is God’s good pleasure to give us the kingdom.  2^nd Corinthians 9:7(Amplified), explicitly states that “Let each one give as he has made up his own mind……..for God loves (he takes pleasure in , prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, “prompt to do it”) giver [whose heart is in his giving].”

The Quran indisputably gives so much of the same guidance.  In (Surah 2:195-A. Yussuf Ali translation)  says “ And spend of your substance in the cause of God, And make not your own hands contribute to (your) destruction…….”

(Surah 2:245-A. Yussuf Ali translation)says “Who is he that will loan to God a beautiful loan, which God will double unto his credit and multiply many times?  It is God that giveth (you) Want or Plenty and to him shall  be your return.”  

(Surah 2:265-A. Yussuf Ali translation) says “ And the likeness of those Who spend their substance, seeking to please God and to strengthen their souls, is as a garden, high and fertile:  heavy rain falls on it but makes it yield a double increase of harvest, and if it receives not heavy rain, light moisture sufficieth it.  

God seeth well whatever ye do.”  

Sowing Seed

In the Bible, (1^st Corint 3:7-Amplified) says “So neither he who plants is anything now he who waters, but [only] God who makes it grow and become greater.”

(Surah 56:63-64-A. Yussuf Ali translation)  says “ See ye the seed that ye sow in the ground? Is it ye that cause it to grow, or are we the cause?”

Both holy books speak on making vows to God.  (Surah 2:270)-King Fahd Cmplx translation)  says “…..or whatever vow you make, be sure God knows it all……..”  , (Psalms 61:5-Amplified) says “For You, O God, have heard my vows;………” 

Wealth is a Promise

God wants us to be wealthy.  In fact in Deuteronomy 28, he tells us that blessings will come upon us and overtake us.  He will command blessings in all we undertake.  He wants our wealth to be a sign to all people.  In Genesis 12, God tells us that he will make our names famous and distinguished and we will be blessings (dispensing good to others).  

In the Quran-Surah 48:20 says “God has promised you many gains that ye shall acquire and he has given you these beforehand and he has restrained the hands of men from you; that it may be a sign for the believers……”

God has infinite resources available to us.  In the Bible in in (Isaiah 45:3-Amplified ), God says “And I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places that you may know that it is I the Lord, the God……..” 

This  is interrelated to the Quran in Surah 48:21--King Fahd Cmplx translation) which states  “And (other victories and much booty he promises you)which are not yet within your power; indeed God compasses them and God is Ever Able to do all things.”

Rain of Abundance

Throughout the Bible we are told that we can have the rain of abundance, in Deuterononmy 11:14,  God tells us he will give us the early and  latter rain so we many gather in our grain, new wine and oil. 

 This blessing from God is also consistent in the Quran(Surah 71:11-12--A. Yussuf Ali translation) says  “ He will send  rain to you in abudance; Give you increase in wealth and sons; and bestow on you gardens and bestow on you rivers(of flowing water).”

True charity is like a field with good soil that catches good showers of rain, and supposing the rain is not abundant, it catches dew that is sufficient for it- therefore a man of true charity is spiritually healthy. ( A Yussuf Ali)

ARE YOU A COUNTERFEIT CHRISTIAN ?

Are you desiring to enrich, empower and encourage others to emulate your example in your walk with Jesus Christ, or are people calling you a hypocrite?

Curry R. Blake said: “If your Gospel isn’t touching others, it hasn’t touched you!” Is your time, treasures and talents being used to populate heaven? God has enabled you to discover your talent, has taught you how to develop it and now that you have been deployed to profit from that talent- we have to help others to never give up on their dormant dreams and talents.

2^nd Corinthians 13:5(Amplified) says “Examine and test and evaluate your own selves to see whether you are holding to your faith and showing proper fruits of it. Test and prove your selves [not Christ]. Do you not yourselves realize and know [thoroughly by an ever-increasing experience] that Jesus Christ is in you-unless you are [counterfeits] disapproved on trial and rejected?" 

Even during Bible times, so many people did not “get” the Gospel.  In Acts 8:27-31, Even an Ethiopian eunuch of great authority under Candance the Queen of Ethiopian in charge of all her treasure was reading the  book of Prophet Isaiah when the holy spirit sent Philip to ask him “Do you really understand what you are reading?”  The man of great authority then says “ How is it possible for me to do unless someone explains it to me and guides me [in the right way]?”  Then he requested inertly for Phillip to come and sit beside him.

Millions of people go to church and just do not understand the Gospel.

There are people who have died and are asking God to send people like us to warn their relations and friends who are in church or in the world to have a relationship with God. Lets start serving and saving the lost in and outside of the church with what the Gospel is in works. Ask God to make your life daily proof of the millions of examples of his greatness in the Bible. The daily works of Jesus Christ not only showed proof of the faith he professed-but that God is real.
 We must use our time and treasures that we gain to be used to populate heaven. We can demonstrate heaven on earth when we stir up God’s gift in us and give it to propagate the Gospel/ Good News of Jesus Christ.

Hairdressers….. Is God A Partner In Your Business?

When we decided to follow Jesus Christ, we asked God to come into every aspect of our lives and take control. So therefore everything we do impinges on the kingdom of God.

Great partnerships flourish when each partner does their part. God will always do his part, but we have to do our part to see real results and testimonies.

In Philippians 1:5 (Amplified) Paul writes “[I thank my God] for your fellowship(your sympathetic cooperation and contributions and partnership) in advancing the good news(the Gospel) from the first day [you heard it] until now.”


Romans 8:28 (Amplified) says that “ We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.

Most people wish for the Midas Touch as it were-that everything we touch turns to Gold. Well throughout Deuteronomy, God tells us that he wants to bless the works of our hands so that in everything we do- we prosper abundantly.

However most people want these blessings, but they want to cut their major partner out of the deal. How you ask? Are you paying your tithes consistently? Or are you waiting for consistent clients in order to pay your tithes?

Deuteronomy 28:12(Amplified) says “The Lord shall open to you his good treasury, the heavens, to give the rain of your land in its season and to bless all the work of your hands……” Deut 15:10 says “……because of this the Lord will bless you in all your work and in all you undertake.”

Why would you want to "cheat your partner," when he is the source of your wealth. You thank him for your job/business everyday in your prayers anyway!

Having The Faith That Takes & Not the Faith That Waits!

I was watching the American Pastor Bill Winston preach this message at Winners Chapel -Shiloh Program (Pastor David Oyedepo) in Nigeria, West Africa and I was flabbergasted. Is that really possible? He gave example testimonies and elaborated that God loves to put us in situations that we don’t know how we will get out of.

Well it is possible- if we use our faith to take the word of God and make it ours. In John 7:6 (Amplified) it says “ Whereupon Jesus said to them My time (opportunity) has not come yet; but any time is suitable for you and your opportunity is ready any time [is always here].”

Taking the word and making it yours means to tell God that what he did for Joshua-he can do for you also.  So what ever situation your are experiencing, find it in the Bible. By faith replace every ones name with your name and circumstances. And watch God work.

Having the faith that takes the word of God- fixes and makes it flesh(human) in their situations will not have to wait.

I Don’t Feel Like Reading My Bible Today!

Because Christians will have days like this we must read our Bibles daily so that there will be enough of the word of God already stored within us to counteract these emotions.

Many Christians who read their Bibles daily have felt like this or even feel like this right now. We get so overwhelmed with situations that have surrounded our lives that our numb feelings begin to flaw our faith. Even Jesus had distressful circumstances at times. (Luke 22:44-Amplified) “ And being in an agony [of mind],…” Angels were sent to strengthen him in stressful situations. (Luke 22:43-Amplified) “ And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him in spirit.

From time to time we are incapable of gathering up the strength to read the word of God, whether we are angry at God, ourselves or our situations. Nevertheless if you have the word of God stored within you can battle every thought that does not align with God’s plan to give you the expected end you desire.

Walking by faith ain’t always easy. We sometimes have stronger faith for certain things and less faith for others. Which doesn’t make sense-but that’s why human beings have to renew their minds with the word daily. There will be days like this in your Christian journey.
Worship and praise songs heal the soul and help connect the spirit man with the holy spirit of God. Television or radio ministries also help to charge our faith as well.

If you are reading this article and don’t feel like reading your Bible today-its okay. Just praise God, thank God for sending Jesus Christ for your life. Use the prayer of Reinhold Niebuhr “ God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”

God said that he will never fail you four times in Hebrews 13:5(Amplified) “…….; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will ] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax my hold on you)! [Assuredly not!].”

Please be assured today that without a doubt- you have been called to virtue, predestined to live the good life . You are a wonderful creation of God and no matter what your present situation will enrich, empower, and encourage others to emulate your example when you demonstrate your sincere dependency on God.

Don’t let the tradition of your feelings flaw your faith and make the work of God void in your present circumstances( Mark 7:13-Amplified). Ask God to strengthen your faith as he said he can do in Romans 16:25(Amplified) “ Now to him Who is able to strengthen you in the faith which is in accordance with my Gospel and the preaching of (concerning)Jesus Christ (the Messiah),…”

God will give you a ray of hope to get through the days you don’t feel like reading your Bible-so you can wait on his plan for you to manifest. Then you will be strengthened in faith to read your Bible the next day.

On these days, take the word you know and make it yours. Give it back to God as David did in 2^nd Samuel 7:25-29(Amplified) “ Now, O Lord God, confirm forever the word You have given as to Your servant and his house; and do as You have said,…………..for You, O Lord God, have spoken it,…….”

Tell God that just as you need assistance in your present situation, that enable you will be of assistance to someone else with their circumstances-while you wait for someone to help you. The American Pastor Mike Murdoch has a book of 7 spiritual principles for success of which one of them states that “ Because I help make things happen for others-God makes things happen for me.” 

 Also go to a near by church-not necessarily your place of worship and volunteer for that day. This will take your mind off your own issue, which will ultimately remind you of how big and great your God is.

Jesus was an Apostle, Prophet, High Priest,Slave & Servant of God- The Bible Says So!

What is a Prophet? By definition- according to Oxford Dictionary- is a person sent by God to teach people about his intentions. A person who predicts the future.

 Jesus tells us specifically in John 5 that he only does what he is taught by God and as he gets Gods orders. He even elaborates by adamantly saying that he has no desire to do what is pleasing to himself-his only aim is the will of the Father who sent him.

Muslim and Christians should really stop disputing over this issue. Lets focus on serving God and transforming our lives daily to represent that we are of Gods goodness and righteousness. Which is what Jesus Christ was sent with the Good News for.  Abraham had two sons Isaac and Ishmael. It was God who provided both children. And both Islam and Christianity can not deny that both religions are byproducts of Abraham.

This way we can begin to prove that God does answer prayers and he is real. Jesus even had to depend on God’s angels at times for strength in this wicked world. Matthew 4 :11 (Amplified) says “ Then the devil departed from Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him.” Also Luke 22:43 says “ And there appeared to Him an angel from heaven, strengthening Him in the spirit.”

In Philippians 2:7(Amplified) states that Jesus in all humility was even a slave for God. “But stripped himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant(Slave), in that he became like men and was born a human being.” 

For those who want to argue this point, please open your bible and read Hebrews 3:1-2 (Amplified) says “ So then, brethren, consecrated and set apart for God, who share in the heavenly calling, [thoughtfully and attentively] consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest Whom we confessed [as ours when we embraced the Christian faith]. [See how] faithful He was to Him Who appointed Him [Apostle and High Priest],…….”

Romans 15:8 (Amplified)says “ For I tell you that Christ (the Messiah) became a Servant and a minister to the circumcised (the Jews) in order to show God’s truthfulness and honesty by confirming (verifying) the promises [given] to our fathers. 
 
Luke 24:19 (Amplified) says “ And he said to them, What [kind of] things? And they said to Him, About Jesus of Nazareth, Who was a Prophet might in work and word before God and all the people.” Also in both the KJV and Amplified versions of the bible, in Mathew 21:11KJV- says “ And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.” The Amplified version says “And the crowds replied, This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth of Galilee.”