Walking by Faith leads to a good end

Hebrews 11: 1 and 8 says : 

      “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)

      ^“By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.” (Hebrews 11:8)

Faith is believing God and His word. Abraham, our father and the father of faith obeyed God and left a place he had known for many years, to go to another place where God was going to show him.

Even though Abraham had obeyed God, He did not let go of Lot but travelled with him.

There are different steps that God takes you through in your walk of faith

 The First step is to make a decision to separate yourself from things that your life was founded on and move from one place to another. We chose to move from the Kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of light. Just like a lady who is getting married to a gentleman, you have to leave everything behind and cleave to Christ.

Second Step: Genesis 13

Abraham had to separate himself from Lot. They had different perspectives. Some people may be great but not born again. You have to let go of them. Lot could also represent your siblings, friends, etc... a time comes when you have to separate yourself from them and follow Christ.

Many Christians are carrying a “Lot” around. You need to let go of Him.

Third Step:

Abraham also learnt to give to God. He gave tithes to Melchizedek before that law was instituted. He understood the importance of it. You should not give because you want something back from God. You should give because you love God.

Fourth Step:

Abraham made the mistake of sleeping with Hagar and bringing forth Ishmael. He did it, thinking that God will be pleased. But He was wrong.

 Jesus told us not to judge because many people in their faith can make mistakes. It happens. This mistake did not stop Abraham from becoming the father of many nations. Moses killed the Egyptian, but that did not stop him from leading the children of Israel out of Egypt.

 Abraham was restored and God gave Him Isaac.  Even though you might have made mistakes, or been slowed down by Ishmael, there is a restoration coming. One of the things God desires for you is to live a life of rest.

Abraham finished his life being known as one who lived a life of faith.

How is your walk of faith?

By Senior Pastor Dieudonne

Sunday 13/10/2013

Scripture Reference: Mark 11:22-24

Pasteur Nahimana Dieudonne

The bible is divided in two parts: the time before Jesus Christ lived and time after He lived. In the Old Testament, people waited for the promises that God had given them. Sometimes God will give them the privilege of experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit for a short time, and then the Holy Spirit would depart from them. Today, because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, as new creatures, we don’t wait for the promises of God to be fulfilled- because Jesus Christ fulfilled all the promises for us and gave us the Holy Spirit to live in us. Instead, we live them out.

The story is told in the bible of the fig tree that the master went to look for some fruit on it. It looked good but He found no fruit on it. He cursed it, and the next day, the disciple found it withered. There are some lessons that Jesus wanted to teach the disciples here.

First is that faith speaks. Jesus said: “Truly[f] I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.” Here, Jesus was teaching His disciple what prayer is.

In prayer, we don’t speak to God about the mountain or pray to God to remove the mountain for us. We speak to the mountain. When the storm raged, Jesus Christ did not call or pray to the father to stop it. But He commanded the storm to stop.

Secondly, when you pray, check that you are praying in faith. Let nothing in this world cause you to fear and stop you from having faith. The enemy that many believers have today is thinking that what we have in Christ is not enough.

Thirdly, Jesus said believe in God. In other words, be at peace and stand in faith, waiting until He fulfills what you have asked for.

Finally, a verse to remember is the prayer Paul made to the Ephesians, He said : “For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.” (Ephesians 3:15-21)

Amen!!

FAITH

Pastor Christophe

Scripture Reference Mark 11: 24

When you have faith, you believe what your eyes have not seen. Hope is based in the future whereas faith is based in the present. Faith brings to us the things that already exist (from eternity).

In Mark 11:24, our Lord said: “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”  Here Jesus was telling us that after asking God for something in prayer, we should not go back hoping that he will do it in the future or some day. But we should believe that God has already done it.  We should not start hoping after prayer but we should believe that we have received what we have asked for. And we should stand upon faith and not upon hope, knowing that in Christ everything has already been accomplished.

When it comes to faith, there are three major points that we should remember:

•  If you don’t believe in the creator, you cannot believe in the created. Believing in God is the key to true faith. Your faith should be in God. Remember the bible says that without faith, it is impossible to please God.
• Secondly, believe in the will of God (John 5: 10- 14). To believe the will of God is to believe His word.  And we receive what God desires. Believe in what God has said and promised. 
•   Psalm 27: 1 to 3 says: “The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?” When we are defeated in the battles and we cry, it is not because He has failed or He is unable to help us, it is because we lack faith. He is still there. David believed in the God He had seen, the God of Israel, that is why He said He will not fear. Psalm 125:1 to 3 says that “Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever.² As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore.” When you believe in God, everything that comes against you cannot touch you. You become strong.

 Believe in God. The one who fights for us has no beginning and no end. Before the problems that you were having ever existed, God already had an answer.So have faith in God.

Sunday 29^th September 2013,

Praying in the Name of Jesus Christ by Ange-Michel Muhayimana

Scripture Reference: Hebrews 1:1-3

Prayer is a way we have been given to have communion and fellowship with God. We don’t pray to beg God to do things for us but we pray to build our relationship With Him. Prayer is a dialogue and an interaction with our God. So, praying in the Name of Jesus Christ is something God has given us to build that fellowship and communion with Him.

The bible says : “In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.” (Hebrews 1:1-2) .In the Old Testament, the high priest represented people before God and had to give an offering for God to approve and hear his prayers. But today, the bible says that God speaks to us through Christ Jesus, our High priest. He gave the sacrifice of His body on the cross, once for all and through Him, we can hear God speak to us and we can speak to Him 24/7.

In Hebrews 1:2, we see that God appointed Christ as His heir, just like Abraham made Isaac His heir. And we, us Christ’s disciples, are Co-heirs with Him of all things (Romans 8:17). For all things were created through Him and for Him, the bible says in Colossians 1:15-17. All things in Heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible belong to Jesus Christ, for they were created for Him.

Jesus Christ said: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” To get to the Father, you have to go through Jesus Christ.  God gave Jesus Christ the name that is above all other names (Phil 2:9-11). There is an authority behind every name. When people mention the name “Ange- Michel”, you don’t think of the president because there is nothing that Ange-Michel has done that can be associated with that title.

In the same way, God invested His power in the name of Jesus Christ. There are many who are called Jesus but there is One Jesus Christ- Lord of Lords and King of Kings. The seven sons of sceva tried to use the name of Jesus Christ and they were thoroughly beaten up because they did not know who Christ is and the authority in His name.

We should know that God is glorified over the things that are done in the name of Jesus Christ. John 14: 13 says: “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” There is nothing that God does without passing through the name of Jesus Christ and the promise that Jesus made still stands today.  He said “In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name” (John 16:23). Notice the word whatever here, meaning everything! Then you ask, “How come have I not seen an answer to my prayers? For a job, for a wife, for a husband, for a child, etc.?”

1 John 5:14 says: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. ¹⁵ And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” We should ensure that when we asked God something, it is according to His will, first of all. Secondly, we should also be willing to wait for the “Kairos” moment, the opportune moment, the right time God has prepared for us to receive the answers to our prayers. And we should wait with the right attitude, with an attitude of expectation and thankfulness.

So, let’s pray in the name of Jesus Christ, knowing that whatever we ask in His name, we receive!

Two more verses to consult on this topic Mark 11:23 and James 4:3

PRAYER OF FAITH

Scripture reference, Luke 23:39-43

When we pray without faith, we should know that we will not receive any answer to our prayers. Having faith and hope is different. Faith is in the present. Hope is in the future. Faith is now. 

The thief that was being crucified with Jesus Christ had faith. He could have thought like the other thief: why are you- the Son of God- here with us and being crucified; why can’t you save yourself?" In the pain that Christ was experiencing, He told him, Today (not tomorrow), I will be with you in paradise. In the midst of His judgment and punishment, Jesus changed his sentence for eternity. He told him- don't worry about the judgment you have received from men because today I am going to end your suffering.

Faith brings forth what your eyes cannot see to the present, and you live it. It materializes it.  There is another type of faith described in Luke 17: 11-14. It says: "Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee.  As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.” These lepers were healed as they went and obeyed the word of the Lord. It was not when people were looking but People only saw the results of their faith.

Faith has nothing to do with what we see. Faith brings victory before we live it out. Goliath was killed by David, when David was talking to Saul. He told Saul: “Your servant has killed both the lion and the bear; this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, because he has defied the armies of the living God.” (1 Samuel 17:36). By Faith, his confession came to pass.

In the same way, don’t look at all the mountains or the giants standing before you and think: “oh, I still have to fight them”. But realize in faith that you have already conquered over them. Thomas refused to believe that Christ had resurrected from dead when he was told by the other disciples and when Jesus appeared to Him, He was disappointed by His faith.

The Time for God to Act is the time When you believe. More than 2000 years ago, our savior received the victory and gave it to us. But many believers today continue to wait for some other victory. There is no other victory aside from the Victory that Christ received on the cross. He has already finished the battle for us. Victory is ours. You don’t have to fight with Satan, because He has been defeated! (Read Colossians 2:14-15). Don't give him the place or authority that He doesn't have any more. All the power now has been given to you by the King who overcame-conquered and Won.

 Pastor Christophe

POWER OF PRAYER

Scripture reference:

 John 12: 24-26

1 Timothy 2: 1-2

It is definitely hard to live a life of prayer when we are still living in the past or when we have not been transformed by God. The bible says that “Without faith, it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). Prayer without faith is useless. If you pray without faith, you are just making speeches.

When you pray, you don’t need to make noises. People don’t have to see you praying, but they should see results of your prayers. Paul wrote to Timothy that we should pray for our leaders so that we may live in peace. This is because He knew that it was possible for believers to influence the world through prayer. This world and this country are not in the hands of politicians or satan, but in the hands of the Children of God. As Joseph found the solution to the problem of Egypt, so the solution of this world is in our hands.  So stand in your place as a Child of God. It’s not the pagans that will speak peace to Burundi, but it’s us, who have the power to create things.

When the disciples were in the boat and encountered a storm, the disciples set their hearts on the wind.  But Jesus set His heart on prayer and He ordered the wind to stop. Stop setting your eyes on the things that are frightening you, but have faith. The mountains before you cannot be moved by anything else but only Prayer and Faith. Stop looking at the Storm.

When you pray for another person, you are acting as a mediator between Him and God. You take their place before God. And don’t forget that we will be rewarded for interceding for others.

In Romans 8:26 says: “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” The Holy Spirit that we have received prays for us. If the Spirit prays for us, then we ought to pray for other people. The Holy Spirit is our counselor; we don’t have to look for advice in other people. We have him as our adviser and He knows all things. Remember, the bible says that it is those who are led by the Holy Spirit that are the true Children of God (Romans 8:14).

Sunday, the 1^st September 2013

Scripture reference: Ephesians 1:15 -22

Prayer cannot just be taught or talked about. It has to be done. A life of prayer is what brings forth a great relationship between you and God. Three amazing things happen as a result:

1. You love the Word of God: When you want to speak to Him you go to His word. Jesus said, If you abide in me and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish and I will give it to you. Through His word, God is going to do wonders in your life. God honors His word.  He loves those who love His word and they are close to Him.

2. Victory: You live a life of Victory. We no longer start praying for it because victory comes through the Word. The Word defeats fear. When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness by Satan, the devil thought he was going to argue with Him, but Jesus knew that His strength was in the word so He replied with the Word. “It is written...”

3. It brings us to hear the voice of God. Those who hear God speaking to them spend time with Him in prayer.

Paul’s prayer to the Ephesians was that their eyes shall be enlightened.  You can be saved and yet lack a great relationship with God and hence fail to see. When you are living a life of prayer, you understand the victory you have through the name of Jesus Christ. The reason why we are defeated sometimes is because the devil lies to us by telling us that the name of Jesus Christ is not ours, but instead He reminds us of our names.

But Jesus Christ, is the name we were given. In Ephesians, the bible says that Jesus Christ was placed on the throne to rule. Indeed, He was placed on the Throne to Reign and with us. Understanding this comes as a result of prayer and fellowship with God. This is what will cause you to reign over all circumstances, mountains, problems. Prayer reveals to you who you are in Christ. Those who know what Prayer is are:

1. Used to commanding, they don’t negotiate. They know they are reigning. Jesus taught his disciple this: to command.

2. They Wait to hear from God on a daily basis.

When we do not pray, the decisions that we make are bad because we lead ourselves. When you live a life of prayer, before making any decision, you come before God and ask Him: What should I do?

And when you live according to what God says, you live a life of Victory. When you obey God, everything goes well, and it works out.

Pastor Christophe