Why You Have a Body

 For you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. (1 Corinthians 6:20)

God did not create the physical-material universe willy-nilly. He had a purpose, namely, to add to the ways his glory is externalized and made manifest. “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork” (Psalm 19:1).

Our bodies fit into that same category of physical things that God created for this reason. He is not going to back out on his plan to glorify himself through human beings and human bodies. 

Why does God go to all the trouble to dirty his hands, as it were, with our decaying, sin-stained flesh, in order to reestablish it as a resurrection body and clothe it with glory and immortality? Answer: Because his Son paid the price of death so that the Father’s purpose for the material universe would be fulfilled, namely, that he would be glorified in it, including in our bodies, forever and ever. 

That’s what the text says: “You were bought with a price [namely, the death of his Son]. So glorify God in your body.” God will not disregard or dishonor the work of his Son. God will honor the work of his Son by raising our bodies from the dead, and we will use our bodies to glorify him forever and ever. 

That is why you have a body now. And that is why it will be raised to be like Christ’s glorious body.

Our Twenty Years Celebration Special.

 Tomorrow is House of Joy Ministry 20 years annversary of ministry to over 500,000 souls world wide through Gospel also double as my birthday.

20years of online published books online on Amazon.

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THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD FOR US!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

THURSDAY AUGUST 03, 2023.

SUBJECT : THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD FOR US!

Memory verse: "For I say to you, that except your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5 vs 20.) 

READ: Romans 3 vs 21 - 26:

3:21: But now the righteousness of God without the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets;

3:22: even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference;

3:23: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God,

3:24: being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

3:25: whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 

3:26: to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

INTIMATION:

Righteousness is the character or quality of being right or just. It is formerly spelled ‘rightwiseness’ which clearly expresses the meaning. It is used to denote an attribute of God. The righteousness of God means essentially the same as His faithfulness, or truthfulness, and it is consistent with His own nature and promises. The righteousness of God as manifested, is the justification of God that is revealed in order to save men regardless of their inability to keep law. It is the righteousness (justification) that is accredited to those who seek God by faith. 

The righteousness of God is the justification of those who obediently respond to the grace of God that was revealed on the cross. It was through Jesus’ faithfulness to go to the cross that the righteousness of God was accomplished because of the faith of those who believed in the cross. The righteousness of God that leads to the justification of man, therefore, was not accomplished through the keeping of the law. 

Our righteousness must (1) come from what God does in us, not what we can do by ourselves, (2) be God-centered, not self-centered, (3) be based on reverence for God, not approval from people, and (4) go beyond keeping the law to living by the principles behind the law. We should be just as concerned about our attitudes that people don’t see as about our actions that are seen by all. 

The righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ is the righteous dealing of God with sin and with sinners on the ground of the Death of Christ. God’s righteousness is exhibited in the Death of Christ, which is sufficient to show men that God is neither indifferent to sin nor regards it lightly. On the contrary, it demonstrates that quality of holiness in Him which must find expression in His condemnation of sin. Righteousness is not said to be imputed to the believer save in the sense that faith is reckoned for righteousness. The faith thus exercised brings the soul into vital union with God in Christ, and inevitably produces righteousness of life, that is, conformity to the will of God.

The man who trusts in Christ becomes the righteousness of God in Him. (Second Corinthians 5 vs 21), that is, becomes in Christ all that God requires a man to be, all that he could never be in himself. When we trust in Christ, we make an exchange: He takes our sin and makes us right with God. Our sin was laid on Christ at His crucifixion. His righteousness is given to us at our conversion. This is what Christians mean by ‘Christ’s atonement for sin.’ God offers to trade His righteousness for our sin—something of immeasurable worth for something completely worthless. How grateful we should be for His kindness to us. 

Since we cannot establish our own righteousness on the basis of perfect keeping of law or meritorious good works, then all men must be drawn to the cross in order to be justified from sin. It is at the cross we are justified by the grace of God (Ephesians 2 vs 8). This is the only way to be declared not guilty, that is, by trusting Jesus Christ to take away our sins. Trusting means putting our confidence in Christ to forgive our sins, to make us right with God, and to empower us to live the way He taught us. God’s solution is available to all of us regardless of our background or past behavior.

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for all You did for us in redemption, imputing Your righteousness to us through the sacrifice of Your Son Jesus Christ on the cross. Endue me with the spirit of obedience to Your will that I may lead a life acceptable to You, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD! 

Afraid of Death No More

 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. (Hebrews 2:14–15)

How does Christ deliver us from the fear of death and set us free to live with the kind of loving abandon that can “let goods and kindred go, this mortal life also”?

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood . . .

The term “children” is taken from the previous verse and refers to the spiritual offspring of Christ, the Messiah. These are also the “children of God.” In other words, in sending Christ, God has the salvation of his “children” especially in view. “Since the children share in flesh and blood . . . ”

he himself likewise partook of the same [flesh and blood] . . .

The Son of God, who existed before the incarnation as the eternal Word (John 1:1), took on flesh and blood, and clothed his deity with humanity. He became fully man and remained fully God. 

that through death . . .

The reason Christ became human was to die. As preincarnate God, he could not die for sinners. But united to flesh and blood, he could. His aim was to die. Therefore, he had to be born human, mortal. 

that he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil . . .

In dying, Christ defanged the devil. How? By covering all our sin (Hebrews 10:12). This means that Satan has no legitimate grounds to accuse us before God. “Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies” (Romans 8:33). On what grounds does he justify? Through the blood of Jesus (Hebrews 9:14; Romans 5:9).

Satan’s ultimate weapon against us is our own sin. If the death of Jesus takes it away, the chief weapon the devil has is taken out of his hand. In that sense, he is rendered powerless. 

and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.

So, we are free from the fear of death. God has justified us. There is only future grace in front of us. Satan cannot overturn that decree. And God means for our ultimate safety to have an immediate effect on our lives. He means for the happy ending to take away the slavery anHouse of Joy Ministry celebrate her 20 years annversary of ministry to over 500,000 souls world wide through Gospel of our Lord Jesus on August 4th, 2023 also double my birthday. Join us on +2349016233784 on WhatsApp or on https://miheanyi.blogspot.com. Menu botton.d fear of the present.

CRAVE FOR THE GUIDANCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

WEDNESDAY AUGUST 02, 2023.

SUBJECT : CRAVE FOR THE GUIDANCE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!

Memory verse: "Nevertheless I tell you the truth, It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart I will send Him to you." (John 16 vs 7.) 

READ: John 16 vs 12 - 15:

16:12: I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.

16:13: However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth: for He will not speak of His own authority, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

16:14: He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare to you.

16:15: All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine, and declare it to you.

INTIMATION:

How are you guided or driven? Who, and what guides or drives you determines how purposeful your life will be. Everyone is guided or driven in life by something. What guides you determines the driving force in your life. Many of us are driven by life's circumstances they face at a time. Some are driven by a problem, a pressure, or a deadline. Some by painful memory, a haunting fear, or an unconscious belief. 

There are several circumstances, values, and emotions that can drive your life. But your ultimate, and God ordained guide is the Holy Spirit—the Spirit of God Himself. When you are driven by circumstance(s), it unfortunately leads to a life outside God's purpose because these are the works of the flesh. The most common ways people are driven, outside God's purpose for their lives include the following:

1. Driven by guilt.

Many people are driven by guilt. They spend their entire lives running from regrets and hiding their shame. Guilt driven people are manipulated by memories. They allow their past to control their future. They often unconsciously punish themselves by sabotaging their own future.

2. Driven by resentment and anger.

These category of people hold on to hurts and never get over them. Instead of releasing their pain through forgiveness, they rehearse it over and over in their minds. Resentment always hurts you more than it does the person you resent. While your offender has probably forgotten the offense and gone on with life, you continue to stew in your pain, perpetuating the past.

3. Driven by fear.

Many people are driven by fear. Their fears may be a result of a traumatic experience, unrealistic expectations, growing up in a high-control home, or even genetic predisposition. Regardless of the cause, fear-driven people often miss great opportunities because they're afraid to venture out. Fear is a self-imposed prison that keeps you from becoming what God intends for you to be.

4. Driven by materialism.

Many people are driven by materialism. Their desire to acquire becomes the whole goal of their lives. The drive to always want more is based on the misconception that having more will make them more happy, more important, and more secure, but all three ideas are untrue. Possessions only provide temporary happiness. It's a myth that if I get more, I will be more important. Self-worth and net worth are not the same. Your value is not determined by your valuables, and God says the most valuable things in life are not things—possessions!

5. Driven by the need for approval.

Many people are driven by the need of approval. They allow the expectations of parents or spouses, or children or teacher or friends to control their lives. Others are driven by peer pressure, always worried by what others might think. Unfortunately, those who follow the crowd usually get lost in it. One known key to failure is to try to please everyone. Being controlled by the opinions of others is a guaranteed way to miss God's purposes for your life.

These aforementioned forces, and many others, which are the works of the flesh, can drive your life, but all lead to the same dead end: unused potential, unnecessary stress, and unfulfilled life—life outside the God’s purpose. Nothing matters more than knowing God's purpose(s) for your life, and nothing can compensate for not knowing it; not success, wealth, fame, or pleasure. 

It’s only God, through His Holy Spirit indwelling the believer, that will reveal His purpose for your life. The Spirit-driven life is a purposeful life in accordance with the will of God. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of God who knows the things and thoughts of God, and only Him can lead you accordingly. If your life is not guided or driven by the Holy Spirit, you are completely walking toward a dead-end, away from the will of God for you. Therefore, we should be concerned about how much of us the Holy Spirit has. Submit yourself daily to His leading and draw constantly on His power to be in tune with God’s purpose for your life. 

Those who seek a spiritual relationship with God will seek God’s direction through the inspired word of God. Therefore, those who are led by the Spirit depend on God. Those who have turned from depending on themselves, that is the works of the flesh, have turned to depend on the direction of God. Thus, the fruit of the Spirit is brought forth in the lives of those who seek direction from God for moral attitudes and behavior. 

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” (Galatians 5 vs 22 - 23.) The fruit of the Spirit is the spontaneous work of the Holy Spirit in us. The Spirit produces these character traits that are found in the nature of Christ. They are the by-products of Christ’s control—we can’t obtain them by trying to get them without His help. If we want the fruit of the Spirit to grow in us, we must join our lives to His: We must know Him, love Him, remember Him, and imitate Him. As a result, we will fulfill the intended purpose of the law—to love God and our neighbors.

Because the God who sent the law also sent the Spirit, the by-products of the Spirit-filled life are in perfect harmony with the intent of God’s law. A person who exhibits the fruit of the Spirit fulfills the law better than a person who observes the rituals but has little love in his or her heart.

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit. I call Him my senior partner because He is my Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Standby, Strengthener, Counselor, Comforter, Empowerer, and Encourager. Strengthen me in my inner man through the leading of the Holy Spirit to live for You, dedicated to You in all aspects of my life, in Jesus’ great Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

ENTRANCE INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD!

 

EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

TUESDAY AUGUST 01, 2023.

SUBJECT : ENTRANCE INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD!

Memory verse: "Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3 vs 5.) 

READ: John 3 vs 3 - 9:

3:3: Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

3:4: Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? C an he enter a second time into his mother's womb, and be born?”

3:5: Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

3:6: That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

3:7: Do not marvel not that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’

3:8: The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes, and where it goes. So is every one who is born of the Spirit.”

INTIMATION:

The Kingdom of God is the sphere of God’s rule; it’s the sphere in which, at any given time, His rule is acknowledged. God has not relinquished His sovereignty in the face of rebellion, demoniac or human, but has declared His purpose of establishing His Kingdom. God calls upon all humans everywhere, without distinction of race or nationality, to submit voluntarily to His rule. Speaking generally, references to the Kingdom fall into two classes, the first, in which it is viewed as present and involving suffering for those who enter it (Second Thessalonians 1 vs 5); The second, in which it is viewed as future and is associated with reward (Matthew 25 vs 34), and glory (Matthew 13 vs 43).

The fundamental principle of the Kingdom is declared in the words of the Lord, “The Kingdom of God is in the midst of you,” (Luke 17 vs 21), that is, where the King is, there is the Kingdom. Thus at the present time and so far as the earth is concerned, where the King is and where His rule is acknowledged, is, first, in the heart of the individual believer, and then in the churches of God. 

Entrance into the Kingdom of God is by the “new birth,” for nothing that anyone may be by nature, or can attain to by any form of self-culture, avails in the spiritual realm. And as the new nature, received in the new birth, is made evident by obedience, it is further said that only such as do the will of God shall enter into His Kingdom.

Jesus stated what is necessary for the inclusion of the kingdom reign of Jesus in the heart of men, and thus, one’s participation in the community of God. The condition is the ‘new birth,’ the birth of the spirit by being regenerated by the power of God. The condition will be the manifestation of one’s response to all that God has done in order to bring one into a covenant relationship with Him. 

Based on the redemptive work of Jesus, God the Father forgives us, and sends the Holy Spirit to wash away our sins and continually renew us. All who welcome Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives are reborn spiritually, receiving new life from God—the new birth. Through faith in Christ, the new birth changes us from the inside—rearranging our attitudes, desires, and motives. 

Being born of God makes you spiritually alive and puts you in God’s family. When one is born of the Spirit, he or she is spiritually rejuvenated by the Holy Spirit through the sacrificial blood of Jesus (Ephesians 1 vs 7). In new birth, the Spirit does the work of sanctification without the perception of men. One must be born of the water of baptism, at which point, one is renewed by the Holy Spirit. Born of water is the response of the individual to the grace of God. 

What Jesus is saying is that unless one truly repents because of obedient faith, and is immersed into Christ, he or she cannot participate with Jesus in the kingdom of God. One is thus born anew in baptism by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. Born of the Spirit is the work of God in the spirit realm beyond our understanding. The Spirit does His work to bring us forth from the grace of baptism pure of sin because we have relinquished by obedience to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for the new nature You have imparted to me though my obedient faith in what Christ wrought for us in redemption. Give me the grace to live according to Your will, to avail me entrance to Your kingdom, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!

Our Weakness Reveals His Worth

 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

God’s design for suffering is that it should magnify Christ’s worth and power. This is grace, because the greatest joy of Christians is to experience Christ magnified in our lives. 

When Paul was told by the Lord Jesus that his “thorn in the flesh” would not be taken away, he supported Paul’s faith by explaining why. The Lord said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). God ordains that Paul be weak so that Christ might be seen as strong on Paul’s behalf. 

If we feel and look self-sufficient, we will get the glory, not Christ. So, Christ chooses the weak things of the world “so that no human being might boast in the presence of God” (1 Corinthians 1:29). And sometimes he makes seemingly strong people weaker so that the divine power will be the more evident. 

We know that Paul experienced this as grace because he rejoiced in it: “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:9–10). 

Living by faith in God’s grace means being satisfied with all that God is for us in Jesus. Therefore, faith will not shrink back from what reveals and magnifies all that God is for us in Jesus. That is what our own weakness and suffering are meant to do.