Your Rights Are Subjected Unto Christ Jesus

Join this HeartCry Prayer - Every Friday 12:30pm - 1:25pm (UK time)

Acts 16: 16 – 40 (TLB)

As co-labourers in His vineyard whom the Lord has called in this end-time revival labour for His Kingdom and His glory, there are diverse revelations that the Spirit of God is opening to us through the above scriptures and wanting us to pray concerning these for our lives:

·      What led to Paul and Silas being tortured and imprisoned - verses 16-18.

·       Verses 22-23a - But why whip them if they were going to be jailed? Does this ring a bell? This same punishment was accorded to our master Jesus (John 19:1; Mark 15:15; which was predicted earlier in Isaiah 53:3).

·      But let us see God at work – Verses 25-34 – If God did not permit Paul and Silas to be thrown into the prison, how could the jailer, his household and perhaps, other prisoners be saved and become believers?

·        Verses 35-38 “…we are Roman citizens...”

ü Why did Paul not declare this in verse 20 when they were accused as ‘these Jews’?

ü Why did he not exercise his rights there and then in verse 20 when he was wrongly accused?

ü Why did he allow the maltreatment of being stripped, beaten and thrown into prison if he was a Roman citizen?

         Prayers - Philippians 2:5-8.

·      Lord Jesus, as a carrier of Your life, I thank You that You humbly laid down and gave up all Your rights – for the glory ahead – for all mankind. Help us like Your men-labourers, Paul and Silas, to forsake all our rights and position for Your glory and purpose. Help us Holy Spirit, as Your labourers, to be ready to endure persecution and judgement in order to gain souls and believers for Your kingdom.

·      Only the man/woman touched by the Cross will surrender his rights in order to gain others. Let the humility of Jesus reign inside of us, so that we are ready to do the bidding of Him whom we carry, than to exercise our earthly or temporal rights; let us be content with the joy of the rights that Christ has made available for us in heaven.

·      Holy Spirit, deaden us as co-labourers in Christ Jesus to feel indifferent to all earthly rights, in order to gain our heavenly treasures that awaits us above; help us to keep knowing that Christ laid all for us and so we must imitate Him while we await His coming.

“Again and again the rods slashed down across their bared backs; and afterwards they were thrown into prison…” [verse 23]

2 Corinthians 4:10-11

·      Help us our Saviour Jesus to know that these dying bodies are not of importance to You, it is only useful now because You dwell within it; take away from our minds every fear of what happens to these weak bodies in the labours that You have set before us, and help us to know that serving You – is all that matters.

·      Whether we are living or dying, give us, You our Redeemer, the daily confident assurance, that as labourers - living for You matters more than claiming all the rights in the world. Therefore, help us Holy Spirit to sacrifice all our rights for Jesus – sowing it to gain lives for Him, knowing that one day He will return to reap great harvest. Halleluiah!

“…as Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to the Lord…” [Verse 25] - They were not murmuring, not complaining, not claiming their rights nor defending their rights. Why? Because He that lives in them was their defence – they became dead to their rights and were alive and satisfied with Christ who was in them, the hope of glory!

·      Amidst the trials, tribulations and persecution which come our way in the labour that You have committed into our hands, O Lord, let us see You, our living Saviour; help us to behold Your glory and give us the grace to endure. Give unto us Your patience, let every spirit of hastiness to reject every reproach, be removed and terminated at the place of the Cross, so that You are able to accomplish Your divine purpose.

“But Paul replied, “Oh no they don’t! They have publicly beaten us without trials and jailed us – and we are Roman citizens”! [Verse 37] Paul used his citizenship as a Roman to play the last trump (last card) in order to win and gain souls for God. He waited for the right time to use his right as a citizen. Even though in Macedonia he could not save all, he still saved some!

1 Corinthians 9:15-20

·      Lord Jesus, as co-labourers with You, help us to know that necessity is laid upon us to labour with/for You like brother Paul declared; help us not to abuse Your power by demanding for any rights or privileges. Holy Spirit, with all humility, help us to be happy and satisfied with being a slave labourer of Jesus, with the main purpose of drawing men to Christ.

·      Spirit of God, consecrate our hearts and change our perspectives, so that we can find common ground with as many diverse men (no matter their spiritual levels and differences) by preaching Christ to them and they accepting the embrace of salvation from Jesus, so that more men may be gained for Christ.

·       As labourers with You and inside You, forbid it Lord that we should boast unto any man (saved or unsaved) except that which the Cross has completed in our lives; and so help us as Your Kingdom labourers to be ready to lose our earthly citizenship rights for the heavenly citizenship which You have birthed us into and the rights and privileges available to us all.

Join this HeartCry Prayer - Every Friday 12:30pm - 1:25pm (UK time)

Go, Declare And Arise Unto Righteousness

Join this HeartCry Prayer - Every Friday 12:30pm - 1:25pm (UK time) 

2 Corinthians 4:1-6 (AKJV)

“Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ”.

Points for Prayer

v    Let us thank God for this is the ministry of the new agreement which God in His mercy has given us. God, who first ordered ‘light to shine in darkness’, has flooded our hearts with His light.

v   That nothing can, nothing will intimidate, discourage or frighten us. Lord, having come to You, help us not to throw up our hands and walk away, and walk off the “walk” just because we face or walk into occasional hardship, difficulties, and challenges.

v   O Lord, that they will answer the gods of this age thus, “Must I not take heed to speak that which the Lord hath put in my mouth?”  - Numbers 23:12.

Lord, help us to speak thy Word only. Lord, please help us not to play games, wear masks of dishonour. Lord, that we do not manipulate or twist Your Word to suit ourselves. Lord, make us real and open.

v    Holy Lord, we pray, that (we) Your men and women will not join forces with the gods of this age to curse, bring havoc or make the people to sin against God. We will not bring sin or evil counsel that will be a plague on the people, particularly the Church. Numbers 31:14-16.

v    Holy Spirit, please help us, Your men and women, not to use clever tricks, no dishonest manipulation of the Word of God when declaring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to people. Lord, help us speak the plain truth, the unadulterated, raw Word of God. Lord, we pray that (we) men and women will not entice people into worship of self, or engage people in the shameless worship of satan and gods.

v    Holy Spirit, please we commend every man’s conscience in the sight of God, that in teaching, sharing the Word of God, we may enlighten men only out of the knowledge of the glory of God, as we see it in the face of Jesus Christ.

The instruction of God is - “The people shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations”. 1 John 2:15 - “Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him”.

v    Holy Spirit, please unveil the minds of men, women, youths and children that You choose before time; to the Gospel of Jesus.  That they may make known through the power of the Holy Spirit this saving message of our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ, those who are spiritually dying; those that the spirit of this world has blinded their minds unto unbelieving.

v    Lord, please let the image of God, the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ shine on men and women, that they may not be blinded by greed and ambition. That Your women and men do not rush in on forbidden paths, transgressing God’s divine instruction.

v    Holy Spirit, help us, Your men and women to preach Christ Jesus as Lord, His Cross, and His love; that we do not preach another message: “themselves or mammon” - Galatians 1:8; but recognise that they are servants of God for His sake. Holy Spirit, help Your men and women to speak only the Word of God.

v   Lord, we pray that Your men and women are not slow or slack in our generation to comprehend Your great love and mercy. Wake them to discern the wonderful power of Yours which is constantly exerted on their behalf. Lord, that their hearts be filled with gratitude for Your love.

v    Holy Spirit, please make Your men, and women become imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved them and gave Himself up for them. Lord, that our consecration and commitment may be an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. Ephesians 5: 1-2.

Join this HeartCry Prayer - Every Friday 12:30pm - 1:25pm (UK time)

Discipling Other Women

Join this HeartCry Prayer - Every Friday 12:30pm - 1:25pm (UK time)

This is part of the labour of this end-time that our Saviour will have us, as women, to prayerfully consider as He has commissioned us to go and spread the gospel – Matthew 28:19.

It is also part of the harvest that the Lord God of the harvest desires that we disciple other women, sowing the seed of the righteousness of God. This is not for our intent only, i.e. to disciple them like ourselves, but for them to be like Jesus, to be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit.

It is one of the important role and responsibility of the Church that the Bridegroom expects to be taken up. But what do we see nowadays in the Church?

Why Will The Lord Jesus Want Us To Disciple Other Women? To bring all women to the following truths that:

v As the Lord is preparing women as labourers in/for His harvest, so also is the enemy harvesting the souls of women at this end-time for His evil kingdom.

v Because right from the onset in Genesis, the enemy targeted the first woman in the garden for the fall of all mankind, hence the hatred between the woman and the enemy – Genesis 3:15. But the promise of her offspring being able to crush the head of the serpent has been fulfilled in Christ Jesus by His death and resurrection.

v Romans 15:1 – to stretch out Jesus’ hand of fellowship to the failings of our weak sisters (out there or within our fold) in order to bring them to the fullness and the newness of the life in Christ Jesus.

v Hebrews 13:16 – to share with others the goodness of the life inside of Jesus.

v To correct from going astray – James 5:20; Galatians 6:1

v To remind us of His purpose for which He had for us – to live in perfect  and full fellowship with our Creator – Ephesians 2:10; Hebrews 10:24.

v Not to be served but to serve others like our Master, who had to give His life as a ransom for many – Matthew 20:28.

v To know that the thief is still there to steal, to kill and to destroy every life of a woman and of her seed – John 10:10.

v We ought to, with humility, look out for the interest of others, having the mind of Jesus Christ among ourselves – Philippians 2:3-4.

v We are to be imitators of God and the good which comes from God – 3 John 1:11, Ephesians 5:1.

v Once we were slaves to the laws, but Jesus came to buy freedom for us so that that He could adopt us as His very own children –Galatians 4:3-7.

v It is an ongoing labour that the Lord desires to continue. See examples from characters in the Bible:

-         Naomi with Ruth;

-         Deborah – Judges 4 & 5

-         Huldah – 2 Kings 22:14; 2 Chronicles 34:22

-        Women who supported and served Christ throughout His earthly ministry – Mary Magdalene (the proclaimer of Christ’s resurrection), Mary the mother of James and Joseph, Joanna, Susanna, Salome etc

-         Tabitha [Dorcas] – Acts 9

-         Euodia and Syntyche – Phillippians 4:2

-         Priscilla – Romans 16:3

How And In What Way Can We Disciple Other Women?

·        By waiting on the Lord in prayer; for them and for ourselves – 1 Timothy 2:1].

·        By counselling – 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

·        By encouraging in a gentle and respectable manner.

·        By giving moral biblical teachings.

·        Opening our heart and our house to them – remember Zacchaeus?

·        It is best to listen much, speak little and not become angry – James 1:19.

·        Invite them to ongoing Discipleship fellowships/meetings where the process of that divine exchange begins.

ABC 1 – https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/235775862

·        Follow up.

Prayers

§  Thank You for this aspect of labour which You have called us into – to disciple other women; thank You because of a truth, this harvest [out there] is plentiful with different and diverse women [lost and blind] in the grip of evil taskmaster or even in different Christian denominations.

§  Your mercy of forgiveness do we cry for – for any woman/teenager/girl that You have sent on our way or unto us, whom we have not done according to Your will with.

^11 “For the free gift of eternal salvation is now being offered to everyone; ¹² and along with this gift comes the realization that God wants us to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures and to live good, God-fearing lives day after day, ¹³ looking forward to that wonderful time we’ve been expecting, when his glory shall be seen—the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ ¹⁴ He died under God’s judgment against our sins so that he could rescue us from constant falling into sin and make us his very own people, with cleansed hearts and real enthusiasm for doing kind things for others”. – Titus 2:11-14

§  Thank You for bringing us to Calvary by Your grace divine; thank You for all the desires and passions that You put to death in us; thank You for how You are still at work in us helping us to be fully complete in You. Holy Spirit, help us to keep knowing that we were saved only by Your grace, so that we do not boast to others of what we are not.

§  In the field of harvest, help us to stand and start on the premise of being ‘Christ Alone’ in our relationship of discipling other women; help us to channel them to the feet of their Saviour Jesus and not unto ourselves; give us a copy of Your heart which was always doing good unto men.

§  By Your Grace (free gift of eternal salvation) which You granted us as women, help us O Lord to do Your bidding concerning every soul You sent our way; set our heart right to stand on the truth of Your Word; help us not feed them with falsehood or adulterated messages but on what Jesus did for them on the Cross, through the Cross and by the Cross.

§  Holy Spirit, as You bid them come, give us a pure and a contrite heart to receive and to give the undiluted truth of Your Word; consecrate their hearts to see how the Lord wants them to live their lives day-in day-out.  

Titus 2:3-4 - ^3 “Teach the older women to be quiet and respectful in everything they do. They must not go around speaking evil of others and must not be heavy drinkers, but they should be teachers of goodness. ⁴ These older women must train the younger women to live quietly, to love their husbands and their children”.

§  Holy Spirit, clothe us up with Your meekness and humility, so that in our interaction and discipling of our sisters, we do not condemn or persecute them; let the love of Jesus overwhelm our heart, always bearing with them.

§  God, You desire faithfulness in all that we do, therefore help us to be faithful even as we sow the seed of righteousness – through Your Word or counsel or interceding into the lives of our sisters before You; help us not to forget that the enemy is always lurking around ready to pull back.

§  Enlarge our hearts O Lord to do Your instructions as You want us to, let us not get encumbered with “womanly talks and the worldly entices with its glamour”; give unto us that gentle and quiet spirit in the heart which You desire so that as we relate with other women, they will not be faint in heart.

§  O God, give us more labourers for this harvest – women labourers who with the fear of the Lord, will go all out and run with fire in their bosom to win nations (like the Samarian woman) for our God to reap for His own use.

Join this HeartCry Prayer - Every Friday 12:30pm - 1:25pm (UK time)