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Living a Spirit-Filled Life

PRO FTLWC — Wed, 15 Jan 2025 11:09:31 +0000

By Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel

Eph 4:13 “This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.” NLT

Developing a mature, vibrant Christian life is God’s expectation of every believer. Just like a parent expects their child to grow to maturity and not remain, babies all their lifetime. God expects us to grow spiritually. When we grow and mature spiritually, we can understand God’s purposes better and understand the values of life from God’s point of view and choose them over other values competing for our time and pursuit. Natural babies do not understand purpose and values. They depend entirely on their parents to make decisions for them.

HOW WE GROW SPIRITUALLY

- To grow spiritually, it is important to first feed on the right spiritual diet. Feeding on the wrong diet can stunt growth and make one vulnerable to deception, which can ultimately destroy their faith. The word of God reveals the grace of God in Christ, allowing us to know who we are in Him, what we can do in Him, and what is ours in Him. Making this personal is even better, as generic terms do not drive the point home effectively. Jesus is the ultimate source of spiritual nourishment and the giver of life. He is the Word of God made flesh, and through Him, we can have access to the abundant life that God has promised. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35, NIV).

Feeding on Christ entails involves developing a personal relationship through prayer, worship, and obedience. By abiding in Him, we can experience the fullness of life and bear fruit that glorifies God and blesses others, as illustrated by the metaphor of a vine and branches in John 15.

No other knowledge compares in value with the knowledge of Christ Jesus. Phil 3: 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.”

- Secondly we grow by practicing the word of God. As they say, practice makes perfect. Simply hearing or reading the Word of God is not enough. We must apply its teachings in daily life. By doing so, we can become more Christ-like and develop spiritual strength and maturity. The practice of the Word of God also helps us to develop a deeper connection with God and experience a greater sense of peace and fulfillment. Although it can be challenging, practicing the Word of God is a key part of the journey toward becoming more like Christ and living a meaningful life.

- Thirdly, we must recognize that difficult times provide an opportunity to practice what we have learned, and our real-life challenges serve as a spiritual laboratory. For instance, practicing love even when we do not receive love in return or exercising patience when we face a difficult person or situation can help us to develop these qualities. The process of practicing these virtues can be challenging, but it can lead to personal growth and transformation. Ultimately, difficult times can serve as an opportunity for us to put our spiritual learning into action.

James 1:2 “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”

We must endeavor to exhibit a good attitude during trials. A joyful attitude can help us appreciate the value of these experiences, avoid complaining and failure. To excel, individuals should take their challenges seriously and perform well. challenges are not a one-time thing but rather an ongoing process of training to handle higher responsibilities. In all situations, both good and bad, we should give thanks to God.

Phil 3 “Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.”

Trials play a crucial role in revealing an individual’s spiritual maturity and the quality of their faith. It is suggested that individuals should not be afraid of the challenges they face or view them as strange occurrences. Instead, they should face these trials with a conquering spirit, confessing the Word of God, and not a victim spirit that glorifies the trials themselves.

1 Peter 1:6 “So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory.”

- Lastly, developing a deep relationship with the Holy Spirit is crucial for a believer’s growth. This involves prayer, listening to Him, meditating on Scripture, and letting Him lead us. Without the Holy Spirit, we are powerless, and neglecting Him leads to frustration. He reveals Jesus to us, gives us strength, and guides us. We must see Him as our constant companion, cultivate intimacy, and fulfill our purpose through His empowerment.

Whatever we do, we must make sure to observe what we are admonished to refrain from in the following scriptures.

11 Thess 5:19 “Quench not the Spirit.”
Eph 4:30 “And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”
Prov 3:5″ Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.”

To fully experience the blessings of God, we must let the Holy Spirit lead us and avoid taking matters into our own hands. Following Him patiently leads to the birth of an “Isaac,” a blessed outcome that the enemy cannot overcome. Seeking God in prayer is essential to learn how to fellowship with the Holy Spirit, who is real and a personal gift from Jesus and the Father in heaven. Neglecting Him is not an option.

Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel is the Senior Pastor of Fountain of The Living Word Church in East Orange, New Jersey.

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Praying Effectively

PRO FTLWC — Wed, 08 Jan 2025 05:00:27 +0000

By Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel

John 15: 7 “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you”.

Jesus Christ provides us with a clear and unwavering promise. Unfortunately, many Christians neglect the importance of delving into the scriptures to learn and comprehend what they reveal about prayer. This lack of study and understanding may lead believers astray in their prayer life. Instead of following the crowd or popular figures, we should adhere to the practices prescribed by the scripture to ensure our prayers are in alignment with God’s will.

Here is an example that every Christian should follow, which is found in Acts 17:10-11 (NKJV). In these verses, Paul and Silas were sent to Berea, and they visited a synagogue. The people in Berea were commended for being fair-minded because they not only received the word readily but also diligently searched the scriptures daily to confirm the truth of what they heard.
The bible serves as our guiding light in every aspect of life, as mentioned in Psalm 119:105 (NLT), which states, “Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”

When it comes to praying correctly and effectively, our Lord Jesus emphasized two essential conditions for consistently having our prayers answered in John 15:7. First, we must abide in Him. Second, His words must abide in us. When these two conditions are met, we are fully prepared to pray and receive answers to our prayers.

IF YOU ABIDE IN HIM: What does it mean to abide in Him, and how do we achieve this? Here are some definitions from the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia and Noah Webster Dictionary:
Abide is an old English word that means to progressively “await,” “remain,” “lodge,” “sojourn,” “dwell,” “continue,” and “endure.” It also means to bear patiently.

From the 1828 Noah Webster Dictionary:

“To rest or dwell” (e.g., Genesis 29:19).
“To tarry or stay for a short time” (e.g., Genesis 24:55).
“To continue permanently or in the same state” (e.g., Psalm 119:90).
“To remain, to continue” (e.g., Acts 27:31, Ecclesiastes 8:15).

In essence, to abide in Him means to await, remain, dwell, continue, and endure in His presence.
To put it simply, this condition signifies that His words should remain within us. Abiding in Him and having His words abide in us means:
Waiting patiently and trusting in the Lord’s faithfulness: This involves unwavering faith in the Lord. Hebrews 10:36-38, emphasizes the need for patience after doing God’s will to receive His promises. We should trust in Jesus, the guarantor of all God’s promises. Our confidence in prayer should rest in the Lord Jesus, who secures all the blessings of the covenant for us. We possess a “prepaid card” in His name, entitled to everything He has secured for us. It is crucial to resist the temptation to place our trust in ourselves or in anyone. Our faith should be solely in the Lord Jesus.

Let us explore an example in the Bible. The passage in Luke 18:9-14 offers an illustrative story. It tells of two individuals who went to the temple to pray. One was a Pharisee who trusted in his self-righteousness and looked down on others. The other, a publican, stood humbly, acknowledging his sinfulness, and seeking God’s mercy. The lesson is clear: those who exalt themselves will be humbled, while the humble will be exalted.
Jeremiah 17: 5-8 is a reminder for us to trust no one but God. It explains that those who put their trust in fellow humans and rely on their own strength while turning away from the Lord are likened to a heath in the desert. They are unable to recognize good when it comes and live in parched, desolate places. On the contrary, those who trust in the Lord and make Him their hope are compared to trees planted near water sources. They spread their roots by the river and remain unaffected by heat or drought, continually bearing fruit.

We should heed those who guide us towards Jesus rather than themselves, as exemplified by Peter in Acts 3:12-13. When Peter and John were confronted by people who marveled at their ability to heal a man, Peter immediately clarified that it wasn’t their own power or holiness that had performed this miracle. He directed the people’s focus to the God of their ancestors, glorifying His Son, Jesus, and emphasizing the importance of faith in Him. This shows the type of individuals we should listen to – those who lead us to Jesus.

Now, let’s explore the second condition for praying successfully:

IF MY WORDS ABIDE IN YOU: Here we easily see the context in which the word abide is used aligns with to sojourn, dwell, continue…These Scriptures capture the meaning very well.

Prov 4:20-23 “My son, give attention to my words;Incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them depart from your eyes;Keep them in the midst of your heart; 22 For they are life to those who find them,And health to all their flesh. 23 Keep your heart with all
diligence,For out of it spring the issues of life.”

Col 3:16“Let the word of Christ live in you richly, flooding you with all wisdom. Apply the Scriptures as you teach and instruct one another with the Psalms, and with festive praises, and with prophetic songs given to you spontaneously by the Spirit, so sing to God with all your hearts!”

To enhance the effectiveness of our prayers, we must search for Scriptures that pertain to the specific issue we are praying about. By meditating on these verses, our faith is strengthened, making us better positioned to receive what we ask for. In essence, we need to find God’s promises that reveal our privileges in Christ concerning our prayers.

As we immerse ourselves in these Scriptures, we should do so until they become an integral part of our thinking and beliefs. These promises need to be ingrained in our hearts, becoming an unquestionable truth. This process of meditation builds our faith, enabling us to receive the answers to our prayers.
It’s important to note that these promises are not mere pledges; they are accomplished realities. The Bible, in 2 Corinthians 1:20 (NLT), affirms that all of God’s promises find their fulfillment in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” Through Christ, our “Amen” ascends to God, bringing glory.

These promises are to be embraced with faith and thoroughly enjoyed. Let’s take a look at some of these promises that assure us of access to God through Christ, our Great High Priest, who advocates for us before the Father with His atoning blood.
Hebrews 4:15-16 (NLT) portrays Jesus as a High Priest who understands our weaknesses and has faced similar tests, yet He remained sinless. As a result, we are encouraged to approach the throne of our gracious God with boldness, where we receive His mercy and find grace to help us in our times of need. This access is granted to us through our Great High Priest, Jesus Christ.

Remember that prayer is communication with God, a two-way conversation between the Father and us, His children. it is a means of fellowshipping with the Holy Spirit in our daily lives. As 2 Corinthians 13:14 beautifully states, it encompasses “the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit.”
In the context of prayer, “communion” denotes the exchange of intimate thoughts and feelings, particularly on a mental or spiritual level. It raises the important question of whether we truly experience this deep connection with the Holy Spirit, our guide, comforter, standby, and teacher. Do we share our innermost thoughts with Him, whether at work, in the mall, or at home?

The very purpose of prayer is to establish the divine will of God in our lives, for others, and even nations. As 1 John 5:14 says, our confidence in prayer arises when we align our requests with God’s will, knowing that He hears us. God’s actions are consistently based on His purpose, and not our human desires and intentions. Everything operates according to the counsel of His will.
Eph 1:11 “In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will”.

Faith is integral to effective prayer. James 1:6-7 underscores the significance of asking in faith, for doubt is like a wave driven by the wind. A wavering individual should not anticipate receiving anything from the Lord.
James 1:6-7 “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.7 For let not that man think that he
shall receive any thing of the Lord.”

The faith the receives is rooted in the Word of God, primarily found in the Gospel of our Lord.
Rom 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, that is hearing the Good News about Christ.” So it is essential that God’s Word remains within us, as it is the wellspring of faith.

This is the blueprint for receiving from God, especially concerning our personal needs and desires. Mark 11:24 reassures us that through prayer and unwavering belief, we can obtain what we ask for. To succeed, it is crucial to hear and internalize the teachings of our Lord.
In essence, effective prayer entails abiding in God and allowing His Word to dwell within us, followed by making requests in alignment with His will, firmly rooted in faith.
So first, we abide in Him, then His words abide in us, not another word but His own alone. Then ask what you will and you will have them.

Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel is the Senior Pastor of Fountain of The Living Word Church East Orange, New Jersey.

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Praying in Agreement with God’s Will

PRO FTLWC — Wed, 18 Dec 2024 13:41:17 +0000

By Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel

You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. – James 4:3

Prayer is communion with God. Praying aright simply means seeking to establish the will of God in prayer. God cannot work outside His will. If you ask anything according to His will, He answers. The Scripture says the purpose of prayer is to establish the will of God on earth, as it is in heaven, and not to establish our own pleasure at the expense of God’s will. The word of God reveals His will. so, we must take time to study his word. We should use His word as our prayer guide because the Holy Spirit will only perform the word of God.

John 15:7 “But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!”

MOSES PRAYED WITH GOD’S WORD

Let us use Moses as a case study and review how he prayed to God regarding leading the children of Israel to the promised land.

Exodus 33:12-14“One day Moses said to the Lord, “You have been telling me, ‘Take these people up to the Promised Land.’ But you haven’t told me whom you will send with me. You have told me, ‘I know you by name, and I look favorably on you.’ If it is true that you look favorably on me, let me know your ways so I may understand you more fully and continue to enjoy your favor. And remember that this nation is your very own people.” The Lord replied, “I will personally go with you, Moses, and I will give you rest—everything will be fine for you.”

Moses reminded God of what He had said to him and now asked for His presence to go with them. Moses was also asking God for the revelation of His will so he can fulfill God’s will and instruction. Always confirm that what you are asking for is approved of God and is His will. Your request should be in line with what the Lord Jesus already paid for and other things approved by the Scriptures. Then you have grounds like Moses to say this is what you said in your word about this situation, I am now asking that you do it for your own glory and that my own joy shall be full just as you said in your word.

So start by studying and meditating on the scriptures that relate to what you are praying for until it registers in your heart as true and not a mere idea. Meditate on His word and feed on it until you see it in your spirit as true, then you are ready to pray with it but not before that. Faith to believe and receive will then be ignited.

In an emergency where you have no time to search and meditate on scriptures, the Holy Spirit will draw out of you the reservoir of His word and bring it to your remembrance. The Scriptures say He will bring all things to your remembrance. What you remember is what you already knew. An emergency situation is not the time to start searching for scriptures to use. You cannot learn to swim when you are drowning. That is what many do and they fail because they become overwhelmed by the situation. Then they get desperate; fear comes in and they become vulnerable. This is also why it is very important to study the Scriptures ALWAYS. Don’t enter into His presence with an evil heart of unbelief. Instead, go with full assurance of the faith produced by the entrance of His word.

YOU MUST HAVE A DESIRE

You may find it hard to believe but some people have no true desire when they pray, especially when they pray for others or their nation. You must prove that you need what you’re asking for, badly, otherwise, you won’t have it. If you are not really desirous of what you are praying for, how do you expect God to give it to you? To prove that you really want it, seek it with all your heart.

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN GOD HAS ANSWERED YOUR PRAYERS?

“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:7

The peace of answered prayers is truly inexplicable. the peace cannot be attributed to what we see with our natural eyes. When we insist on walking by sight, we will only create disbelief thereby destroying and weakening our faith in God. When we don’t see answers immediately, we get agitated, this shouldn’t be. Hold fast and keep that which God has given you.

When you give thanks, don’t waver. Faith and patience are inseparable. Ask in faith and wait for the manifestation of what you asked for. You are not waiting for God to do it but for it to manifest for it is already done. Remember, “faith is the substance of things hoped for, evidence of things not seen yet” Hebrews 1:1. The carnal man cannot receive anything from God because unless he sees it, he does not believe. But it is more blessed to believe before you see.

Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel is the Senior Pastor of Fountain of The Living Word Church East Orange, New Jersey.

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Praying by the Help of the Holy Spirit

PRO FTLWC — Wed, 11 Dec 2024 06:03:43 +0000

By Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel

Ephesians 6:18 “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints”.

This above Bible verse encourages believers to engage in continuous and diverse types of prayer. Another translation describes it as, “praying with diverse prayers.” Unfortunately, many believers are unaware of the various types of prayers recorded and exemplified in the New Testament by the Holy Spirit. These prayers are meant for the church to pray as inspired by the Spirit according to the occasion.

The lack of knowledge about these types of prayers significantly limits the effectiveness of our prayers. Ignorance is a major factor in the failure of any endeavor. Typically, we are only familiar with a few types of prayers, and we tend to pray only those few types. This severely limits us because when different occasions call for these other types of prayers, we fall short due to ignorance. This ignorance hinders the Holy Spirit from guiding us to pray the right prayer for the situation.

As stated in Romans 8:26, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered”. So, we rely on the Holy Spirit to guide us in praying the appropriate type of prayer for each occasion. The New Testament introduced diverse kinds of prayer, which became available after Jesus established the new covenant through His sacrificial death. We will explore three kinds of prayer in this blog post.

PRAYER OF FAITH
Prayer of faith seeks to change circumstances by petitioning God. It’s based on the belief that if you ask with faith, you will receive (James 5:15 and Mark 11:24). The prayer of faith depends solely on the individual’s faith. It doesn’t require the faith of others. Spiritual growth is essential because, eventually, God will hold us accountable for the teachings we’ve received, expecting us to live by faith like everyone else. Many Christians primarily pray for personal requests, focusing solely on themselves. This prayer involves asking God for something for oneself, petitioning on one’s behalf. However, the prayer of faith can also be directed towards underage children and non-Christians who lack understanding.

An example is seen in Acts 3, where Peter heals a man through his faith in Jesus’ name.
In this example, the man lacked faith and action, requiring Peter to take action on his behalf. Peter’s faith in the name of Jesus was what led to the man’s healing. The key rule of this prayer is to believe that you already possess what you’re asking for. It’s not about hoping to receive it in the future, but rather having faith that it’s already yours. This belief is what manifests the desired outcome. Faith is evidenced by action, as seen in Peter’s confidence in Jesus’ healing power. Therefore, true faith is demonstrated through corresponding actions.

PRAYER OF AGREEMENT
Prayer of Agreement is a New Testament practice, revealed by the Holy Spirit through the Apostles, granting believers access to the keys of the Kingdom of God. This prayer allows God’s power to work on behalf of those who unite in faith. The scriptural foundation for this type of prayer is found in Matthew 18:19-20, where Jesus states that if two believers agree on earth concerning anything they ask, it will be granted by the Father.

Several rules govern this prayer:

- There must be at least two believers involved.
- The request must be specific and align with God’s will, as outlined in 1 John 5:14-15. Merely agreeing without a specific request does not constitute the Prayer of Agreement.
- The participants must be physically present on earth.

After making the request, both parties must agree that God has answered, applying the principle of Mark 11:24, where faith precedes manifestation. In essence, the Prayer of Agreement requires believers to unite in faith, make specific requests, and affirm together that God has answered their prayers.

If one of the parties involved in the Prayer of Agreement fails to believe that the prayer has been answered, the agreement becomes void. Doubt or wavering on either side will result in receiving nothing from the Lord. James 1:6-7 emphasizes the importance of asking in faith without wavering. Those who waver are compared to waves of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. Such individuals should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Unlike the Prayer of Faith, where the faith of one person suffices, the Prayer of Agreement requires unwavering faith from both parties. If either person wavers, they will face the same consequences outlined in James 1:6-7.

UNITED PRAYER OR CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER This type of prayer is commonly practiced in church meetings, involves the congregation praying together simultaneously. Notably, there is no record in Scripture of appointing one person to lead this prayer; rather, everyone prays collectively at the same time. Their unity in prayer is so profound that the Holy Spirit perceives their prayers as one, recording them as if they were spoken by a single individual.

Acts 4:24-33 depicts a Prayer of Agreement by a congregation, where they lifted their voices together in unison. The rules guiding this type of prayer are:

- Complete agreement: All participants must be in full agreement regarding the prayers offered. This unity was evident in Acts 4:32, where believers were described in some translations as being “united in heart and mind.” They prayed with one united mind.
- Unified prayer focus: Participants must pray for the same purpose. In this instance, they were focused on a singular goal: the preaching of the gospel. Their unity in prayer suggests the influence of the Holy Spirit, aligning them with one desire and purpose.
- Belief in the forthcoming answer: Those praying must expect their prayers to be answered. In Acts 4, their prayers were answered powerfully because they prayed with confident expectation. If doubt exists, James 1:5-6 applies, but they anticipated the answer without hesitation. They did not pray as a gamble or to test God’s response but prayed in faith, knowing God’s will to preach the gospel.

In conclusion, whether or not we receive answers to our prayers is ultimately our responsibility, not God’s. The New Testament encourages diverse types of prayer, such as the Prayer of Faith, the Prayer of Agreement, and United Prayer. Each type requires faith, unity, and alignment with God’s will. As we grow spiritually and understand these prayers better, let’s approach God confidently, knowing He hears and answers according to His will.

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BEGINNING WITH GOD

PRO FTLWC — Wed, 04 Dec 2024 05:02:01 +0000

By FTLW Prayer Ministry

A PRAYER AND FASTING GUIDE FOR SETTING UP YOUR 2025 ARIGHT

As we prepare for the arrival of the new year and begin fasting and praying in January, the Church has also dedicated the month of December to prayers in preparation. This means we have two months devoted to prayer. Therefore, we have put together this guide to help you engage in a time of fervent prayer and fasting.

THE PURPOSE OF PRAYERS: The purpose of prayer is for God’s will to be established here on earth and in our lives. Prayer has always been about God’s will (1 John 5:14-15). God’s will includes meeting all your needs too. This is why it is important to place great emphasis on doing the will of God in your life. Heaven recognizes you as someone who can be trusted with His will, and this makes a significant difference.

ASSURANCE OF ANSWER: The Holy Scripture reveals that God answers prayers and to Him shall all flesh come for help. Psalm 65:2. Also other Scriptures confirm this Matthew 7:9-11. “Ask and you will be given, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened.” God is faithful and true.

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR THIS TIME OF PRAYING?

1. Be anxious for nothing (Philippians 4:6) Do not pray anxious prayers.

2. Find a Scripture that aligns with the promise you are praying for. In John 15:7, Jesus said, ” If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you” (NKJV).

3. Meditate on this Scripture day and night to plant its seed in your heart. By meditating, you engage with the Word and the Holy Spirit who inspired it, fostering deep fellowship as you keep the Word in view and in your heart. As a result, the Holy Spirit will reveal the truth of that Word to your heart, and you will come to know it—this is called FAITH! Faith comes from hearing, not just reading. As you listen to the Holy Spirit, faith will rise for the prayer topic you’re focusing on. Remember, there will be competing voices, so it is essential to fill your heart with the Word of God.

YOUR RESOURCE MATERIAL: All your inheritance in Christ and all your blessings are already yours. Therefore, seek out all the benefits of the Cross, rooted in His love for you. (1 John 4;9 Psalm 103;1-5 NKJV); His Grace (Titus 2:11); and His Mercy (Psalm 107:1): “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” (Psalm 136):

REMEMBER ALSO HIS PROMISE TO US ..(Ps 118:15-17) “Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly. The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things!16 The strong right arm of the Lord is raised in triumph. The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things!17 I will not die; instead, I will live to tell what the Lord has done.” NLT

HIS PROMISES ARE OUR ARMOR..‭‭Psalms‬ ‭91‬:‭4 ‬“He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.” NLT

‭‭HERE ARE A FEW PRAYER POINTS TO GUIDE YOU

Pray for your eyes of understanding to be opened:
“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people.” (Ephesians 1:18)
Pray for the knowledge of His will in your life: “We have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His Will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding” (Col 1:9)
Pray to be rooted and grounded in the love of Christ: Eph 3:17-19

PRAYING AND FASTING FOR 2025 Prayer should not be a ritual, but a real-time of fellowship with the Trinity; the Father, the Lord Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. It is a sacred time of intimate family discussion between a loving Father -Abba Father and His children. A father who gives liberally, James 1:5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” NKJV

MEDITATION ON THE WORD IS KEY. Spend time in the Word and meditate on those Scriptures on which you base your prayers and faith. Always find Scriptures that promise you what you are praying about. (John I5:7).

MAKE DEFINITE REQUEST SUCH THAT YOU CAN IDENTIFY THE ANSWERS WHEN THEY MANIFEST. Make definite requests, not a generic prayer. Ask in such specific terms that when the answer comes you can identify it. If for instance, you are asking for a blessing. the question will be, “what particular blessing?”. God wants to know exactly what you want Him to do for you. (Matthew 20:9-33).

WHEN DO I STOP ASKING? Stop when you have inward peace that the answer has been granted. Switch to thanksgiving and do not waver. You pray until you have that inward assurance that the answer has come; then stop asking and start praising God. Let your ‘yea be yea'”… If you believe He has answered you, then remain steadfast, giving glory and honor to His name, until it manifests physically, (James 1: 6-7).

FASTING: Fasting is not a payment for what God gives. We always receive freely as the Bible says; there are no specific instructions in the Bible on how long to fast or how many meals to skip. We see that people miss meals during their fasting but there is no instruction in the Bible from the Old Testament to the New on how long a fast should last or how many meals to miss. Therefore it is up to you and the Holy Spirit on how you want to fast.

NOTE: We do not recommend fasting for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Infants and children and all minors (there are child abuse laws and we are commanded to obey those in authority). Those using medication; should please consult their doctors as to how to fast without aggravating their situation. If you have a medical condition please consult your doctor and do not fast until you have sought medical advise and clearance. Also the elderly may not engage in fasting. Make sure you are adequately hydrated during this fast.

SEVERE AND LONG FAST Long fasts must be done only if the LORD GIVES THAT INSTRUCTION; never fast on presumption. Fasting does not change God, for God does not change. Fasting does not take the place of Jesus Christ as the only way to God. Fasting does not eliminate the need to pray in Jesus’ name because only faith in Christ opens the door to Heaven; His name alone has authority and recognition in heaven. We come to God trusting in the Blood of the Lamb and the Name of Jesus and, not in our good works and holiness. John 14:6 : “Jesus told him, ” I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one can come to the Father except through Me” NLT

Heb 10:19 “And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. 20 By his death, Jesus opened a new and life-giving way through the curtain into the Most Holy Place.” NLT

Once again, remember to pray to the Father in the name of Jesus. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all He has done. “Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:7.

If you need additional assistance, such as finding appropriate Scriptures or seeking further clarification, please contact the Prayer Ministry Team via email: E-mail: prayer@ftlw.org and Tel: (862) 235-9852

HAVE A GLORIOUS 2025 IN HIS PRESENCE!

BLESS THE LORD OH MY SOUL

PRO FTLWC — Wed, 27 Nov 2024 05:22:19 +0000

By Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel

Psalm 34: 1-3 “I will bless the Lord at all time, His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord the humble shall hear thereof and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.”

The above Psalm represents David’s unwavering commitment to praising and honoring the Lord consistently. He extends an invitation to others to join him in this act of worship, emphasizing a perpetual attitude of gratitude and acknowledgment of God’s greatness. Despite facing significant challenges and making serious mistakes in his life, such as being a fugitive and enduring period of extreme poverty. David’s journey to kingship even after he was anointed by Samuel, was not an easy transition. Hardships intensified after his anointing, serving as a lesson for us. It mirrors the common experience of facing increased challenges after spiritual highs. The enemy often intensifies attacks after our spiritual highs to undermine our faith and steal our blessings.

The key takeaway is not to let our emotions dictate our response to God. Rather, we should respond in faith to His word, recognizing that feelings can be fickle. David’s commitment to praising and uplifting the name of the Lord wasn’t contingent on specific occasions or favorable circumstances. It was a lifestyle—a continuous recognition of God’s goodness and faithfulness.

This enduring gratitude is evident throughout the entire book of Psalms, where David invites others to join him in magnifying the Lord. His call, “O magnify the Lord with me,” signifies a collective effort to exalt and honor God, highlighting the communal aspect of worship and praise.

Making it a habit to express gratitude to the Lord is a practice every Christian should adopt and integrate into their daily lives. It is quite common to fall into the practice of offering a quick thanks or exclaiming, “Wow, Lord, thank you!” when we witness what we consider significant breakthroughs. However, if we look honestly at our lives, we’ll see God’s constant and unwavering goodness and faithfulness through all the seasons and chapters of our lives, in the big and small moments.

Let us take a moment to reflect on all the reasons we have to be thankful: the gift of life, the presence of our families, the support of good friends, the sense of belonging in our church community, and the overall goodness of life. And in the midst of it all, let us not forget to express our gratitude for Jesus Christ and the eternal life we received when we chose to follow Him

The significance of eternal life is nothing short of profound and deserves our continual gratitude. This extraordinary gift places us in a realm beyond the reach of death’s grip. Even in the face of physical death, the life we possess in Christ persists because it is eternal. As joint heirs with Christ, we not only partake in His life but share in its never-ending nature. Therefore, let our hearts overflow with continuous thanks to God for the priceless and enduring gift of eternal life.

1Thess. 5:18 says “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”. Paul urges us to stay thankful no matter our circumstances, be it joyful or challenging. This aligns with God’s will for Christ-followers, a grateful spirit is vital for believers. Expressing gratitude to God is not just about pleasing Him; it should also be about fulfilling His will in our lives.

Psalm 103:1-5, “Bless the Lord, O my soul;And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,And forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities,Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction,Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things,So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” Thanksgiving is meaningful when we have a real reason to thank God. When we understand and appreciate what He’s done for us, our thanks and praises come from the heart, not just the head.

We often focus on what people do to us rather than recognizing what is done for us. It is crucial to be mindful of this tendency. The Psalmist encourages us not to forget the Lord and His benefits. God told Moses in Deut.8:11-13, “Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, lest—when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied;

Let us avoid being like those who, after receiving blessings from God, boast about achieving them solely by their own abilities. We should acknowledge God with gratitude. Pride leads people to believe they’ve reached a point where they no longer need God. Every believer needs to recognize that without Jesus, we can’t achieve anything of significance. When we lack gratitude, we resemble the generation Jesus spoke about in Matthew 11:16-17 “But to what shall I liken this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions, and saying: ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we mourned to you, and you did not lament”. They were like children in the marketplace, hard to please, finding fault in everything about the church and service to God. This attitude doesn’t align with the spirit of God, and we should strive to live in the new life given by God in Christ Jesus and express thankfulness for it.

We should always emulate Christ our Lord and model. Even in the face of crucifixion, our Lord sang praises on His way to the place of execution. Just before He went to pray on the Mount of Olives, expressing deep agony in His prayer, He knew that all His disciples would abandon and deny Him within a few hours. Yet, He sang a hymn with them.

Matthew 26:30 says, “And when they had sung a hymn, they went out into the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, ‘All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.”

In every circumstance, it is important to give thanks because that aligns with God’s will for us in Christ Jesus. So, let us go ahead and practice gratitude. As we celebrate Thanksgiving, be mindful of the true meaning of this occasion. Rather than getting carried away in the festivities, express heartfelt gratitude, recognizing the significance of the blessings we have received. Happy Thanksgiving!

Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel is the Senior Pastor of Fountain Of The Living Word Church, New Jersey.

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Serve the Lord with Gladness

PRO FTLWC — Wed, 20 Nov 2024 04:54:28 +0000

by Pastor Uche Ezeanya

Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before His presence with singing Psalm 100:2.

We should serve God with a joyful noise, proclaim His name loudly and boldly with shouts of joy, clapping and dancing , making merry to the glory of His name. God wants you to celebrate Him; talk about, shout, make a loud noise, let the whole earth hear about Him. It should be a lifestyle for you and your family, all the days that you live.

How is your praise life? How is your worship to Him? God expects you to praise Him from the rising of the sun until it does down. It has to be a continuous praise. Do you get excited when you step into the house of the Lord? You can’t be sad when you approach Him. When you are focused on your challenges, you feel some restriction to praise Him. It is better to keep your focus on the One who can do all things.

God’s power is unlimited because with Him all things are possible (Luke 1:37). He can change that situation that is making you drag your feet in seconds. When you are filled with the Holy Ghost, you will be filled with joy and thanksgiving. Declare Jesus to people every time you have the opportunity. Don’t let anyone make you feel bad about your conviction to follow Christ. Go on and do what Jesus would do. In spite of the negative situations in our nation and the world at large, God will fulfil His word. Give thanks to God because He has equipped you for that purpose. Celebrate God every day. Do not fret or worry, instead pray about your concerns and God will show up for you. Spice up your petition and supplications with praise.

No matter what crisis is on the front burner of your life, be assured that God is by your side all the way. If He showed up for Sarah and the Hebrew boys in the fire, He will show up for you and resolve whatever challenge that is limiting you. In this world you will have tribulation but know that He has overcome the world for you (John 16:33) Nothing is too hard for God. He will walk alongside you and walk with you because He has the answer to all issues of life.

We are no longer required to offer sacrifices of blood but of praise to God. So, we can pour out sacrificial praise to God. Do not take it for granted that you can appear before God. It is a privilege that Christ made possible. He won’t ask you to do what you can’t do. He equips you with what is required to do what He wants you to do. May the fruit of the joy of the Lord dominate our lives.

Pastor Uche Ezeanya is a serving Pastor at The Fountain of the Living Word Church, New Jersey.

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UNDERSTANDING WHO YOU ARE

PRO FTLWC — Mon, 11 Nov 2024 12:42:40 +0000

By Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel

“1 Thessalonians 5:23 “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly, and I pray God your whole Spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

In this above scripture, Paul reminds us of our identity as believers. We are spiritual beings, we have a soul and live in a physical body. We sometimes overlook or dismiss this truth, but it is indeed significant. Just imagine if we didn’t understand our own identity; it is similar to believing that knowing who we are doesn’t hold any importance. However, understanding our identity enables us to connect with others of our kind and engage more effectively within our community. Imagine navigating through life without knowing whether you’re human, an animal, or simply air. How would you interact with your surroundings with such confusion?

Identifying Ourselves Correctly

Every believer in Christ Jesus is a spiritual personality born of God’s spirit. This spiritual rebirth forms the foundation of our identity and shapes our understanding of who we are in relation to God and others. Embracing this truth empowers us to live in alignment with our divine purpose and calling.

John 3:6-7 “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”

In Christ, we are transformed into new creations, infused with the divine life of God, and called to emulate His character in all aspects of our lives. Our physical bodies serve as a dwelling place for our spiritual essence. As described in 2 Corinthians 5, our earthly bodies are like temporary tents, and when they are no longer needed, we anticipate receiving heavenly bodies, fashioned by God Himself for eternal existence. While our current bodies may grow weary, we eagerly await our heavenly bodies that God has promised us when we leave this earth. This transformation from mortal to immortal is about being clothed with incorruptible ones. Our Spirit will be clothed with an incorruptible body which is unlike this corruptible earthly tent.

1 Corinthians 15 :53 “For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.” God has orchestrated this transition, and as a pledge, He has bestowed His Holy Spirit upon us.

The soul is a product of our human experience, not a separate spiritual entity. Gen 2:7 “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”

The human spirit was brought into existence by the breath of God. Initially, when God formed man from the earth, there was no life within him, hence no emotions, will, or feelings. He lacked a soul; he was merely a body shaped from the earth, devoid of vitality. Then, with God’s breath, he became a human spirit, infusing life into his earthly form. This marked the commencement of human physical life, distinct from the human spirit.

Scripture indicates that this earth-formed body became a living soul, characterized by emotions, will, and feelings—the essence of human life. The sequence is clear: first, God breathed life into the earth-formed man, bringing the human spirit into being. Through this human spirit, God granted life to the earth-formed man, initiating human existence. The body without the spirit is depicted as lifeless, lacking will, emotions, and feelings—it is through the human spirit that God imparts life to the body.

An important lesson to grasp is that God operates through the human spirit, not directly with the physical body. The human spirit serves as the channel through which God imparts life, revelation, and all blessings. As highlighted in James 2:26, the body without the spirit is dead, emphasizing the necessity of the spirit for life.

The human spirit, created by God’s breath, acts as the conduit for life to the earth-formed man, igniting human existence. This newfound life brings about emotions, reasoning, willpower, and feelings, all inherent to human life. However, when the spirit departs the body, human life ceases. The essence of will, emotions, and feelings resides in human life; they form the core of the soul. Without human life, there is no soul or its associated activities. These aspects of human experience, being carnal, cannot connect with the spiritual realm. Therefore, they cannot provide insight into God’s actions, as God is a Spirit, transcending the physical realm.

Essentially, we are spiritual beings residing within physical bodies, with our souls stemming from our human life. The three parts of the human being has different functions.

- Through our spirit, we engage and connect with the spiritual realm.
- Utilizing our physical body, which houses our spirit, we engage and interact with the physical world.
- With our soul, reflecting our human life, we engage and interact with the intellectual aspects of the physical realm exclusively.

If we are unaware of these distinctions, we might attempt to connect with God, who is a spirit, using only our soul (comprising will, emotions, and feelings), resulting in ineffective communication. We can only connect with God through our spirit because God is a spirit. Understanding this, we recognize that faith originates from the spirit, not from the body or the soul. True belief comes from the heart; it cannot be based solely on feelings, emotions, or will, as they are unreliable and cannot comprehend God. We should never rely on our own understanding.

Romans 10:10 says “For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” In this context, the “heart” refers to the innermost being or the hidden person within us.

1 Peter 3:4 describes it as “the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God.”

This hidden person of the heart is not perceivable by our senses but is just as real as the physical world. It is a person, albeit concealed. As a person, it is a spiritual entity rather than a physical one. This spiritual personality is the one that interacts with God, comprehends His Word, and can have faith in it (1 Corinthians 2:14)

Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel is the Senior Pastor of Fountain Of The Living Word Church, New Jersey.

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Salvation: The Key to Freedom, Faith, and Abundant Blessings

PRO FTLWC — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 16:40:46 +0000

By Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel

1 Corinthians 2:12-13 “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”

As believers, it’s crucial that we possess a clear understanding of salvation, lest the devil deceives us. Salvation, a divine gift, comes with numerous privileges, bestowing upon the believer unimaginable heavenly riches and blessings. These gifts, freely given, bring about immense joy. While David didn’t witness the salvation Christ brought, he had insight into its benefits and described them.

David, a prophet, exhibited the gift of “Word of Wisdom,” a manifestation of the Holy Spirit that reveals God’s future plans and purposes. It differs from the wisdom of Solomon and the wisdom mentioned in the book of James, which believers are encouraged to pray for to navigate life’s challenges.

This gift of “Word of Wisdom” is a special manifestation of the Holy Spirit, occurring according to His will, not ours. It is one of the nine gifts of the Holy Spirit, not possessed by every Christian, just as not everyone has the gift of healing. Unlike the wisdom required for daily life, which every Christian should seek, David saw this salvation’s future implications, filling him with joy. This is what inspired his words in Psalm 103: 1-5.“Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord O my soul, and forget not all His benefits; Who Forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases: Who redeemeth all thine life from destruction; Who crowneth thee with loving kindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.”

Many Christians fail to comprehend salvation, which hinders them from fully experiencing its benefits. Consequently, they struggle to overcome challenges posed by evil forces, their own weaknesses, and emotional struggles. Some also lack understanding because they primarily focus on the law and sin, making the experience of salvation seem unfamiliar. Their knowledge often stops at Christ’s sacrifice for their sins, without a deep understanding of its implications. They may attempt to atone for their sins through fasting or penance and seek God’s favor through self-affliction when they need His intervention.

Focusing on the law and sin impedes the development of faith, for Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. To nurture faith, one must follow the guidance in the Bible, looking to Jesus rather than Moses and his laws. Faith is essential to experiencing the blessings of salvation, as they are all received through faith and freely given. Without faith, it is impossible to please God.

Romans 5:2 emphasizes that, through faith, Christ grants us undeserved privilege, allowing us to stand confidently and joyfully, anticipating sharing in God’s glory.

Salvation affords us the incredible privilege of standing and sitting with Christ in heavenly places, far above all principalities and powers, becoming partakers of His Divine nature and members of His body.

Sin no longer dominates us because we receive a new life through Christ when we invite Him into our lives. This is the freedom that salvation brings. Romans 6:14 assures us that sin no longer rules over us because Christ, through His grace, has saved us from our sinful nature, bestowing upon us a new righteous and holy nature. We have received the life of Christ within us. Our old life has passed away, and a new life has begun. Christ, the greater one, now resides in us, making us more powerful than the world, the flesh, sin, or any other force attempting to control us. We surrender our lives to Him, allowing Him to live through us, as Paul did. As we enter into His rest and walk by faith, we cast our life burdens onto Him, and He takes care of our flesh and sin, positioning them where they belong, while we enjoy His faithfulness.

This is akin to a branch securely attached to a vine during a storm, drawing life and sustenance from the vine, naturally producing fruit in line with the vine’s nature without any effort on the branch’s part. The branch simply needs to remain connected to the vine to be as strong as the main tree. Through us, the Vine manifests His life and glory. Like Paul, we live simply by having faith in the Son of God who loved us and gave Himself for us.

Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel is the Senior Pastor of Fountain the Living Word Church, New Jersey.

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OUR FATHER, OUR GOD

PRO FTLWC — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 11:14:04 +0000

By Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel

John 20:17 “Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to Me, for I have not yet ascended to My Father; but go to My brethren and say to them, ‘I am ascending to My Father and your Father, and to My God and your God.”

Our Lord Jesus came to reconcile us with God the Father, restoring many sons and daughters to Him. Though we have all fallen short of God’s glory, Jesus’s purpose was to renew our relationship with the Father, drawing us back into His glory and acceptance.

Heb 2:10 “God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory.”

Christ revealed a profound truth: God is now our Father. When He taught His disciples to pray, He instructed them to address God as their Father, beginning with the words, “Our Father in heaven…” This concept was shocking to the Jewish audience, who saw it as blasphemy. They couldn’t comprehend how anyone could claim to be a child of God. In their understanding, this implied equality with God, as a child would naturally inherit the qualities of their divine Father. Their outrage was so intense that they even considered taking Jesus’s life for such a bold claim. Through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, we too are called sons and daughters of God, able to address Him as “Abba, Father,” as members of His family.

John 1:12-13 “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

The Holy Spirit testifies that if you are in Christ, you have become a child of God and can address God as “Abba Father.” “Abba” signifies an intimate connection with the Father, and it’s a reverential name that reflects the deep esteem and reverence you hold for Him as your Father.

Romans 8:15-16 emphasizes that we’ve received the Spirit of adoption, allowing us to address God as “Abba, Father,” and this special privilege brings us specific benefits from God. Galatians 4:6-7 further underscores that, as sons, we’ve received the Spirit of God’s Son in our hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father.” Consequently, we are no longer servants but sons, and as sons, we become heirs of God through Christ. This means we share in the inheritance of all God’s blessings with Jesus, becoming heirs of our Father. Romans 8:17 further clarifies that as children, we are also heirs and joint heirs with Christ, though it may involve suffering together to be glorified. These verses highlight the incredible bond and inheritance we have as children of God.

Jesus testified to the fact that anyone who believes in Him becomes a child of God. No additional actions are required. Despite being human, we possess His indwelling Spirit, the very Spirit that designates us as God’s children, as mentioned earlier. God wishes for us to embrace Him as our Father. He desires to have this father-child relationship with all believers. He wants us to talk to Him like we are indeed talking to our daddy who loves us dearly. A father who loves us enough to send His son to die in our place just so He can bring us to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:18).

We must understand that the Father loves us with the same depth of affection that He has for the Lord Jesus. He doesn’t play favorites and doesn’t show partiality to anyone. We all enjoy equal access to Him and share equal privileges as His children.

These Bible verses emphasize this profound love:

John 15:9 “As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.”

John 16:27 “For the Father himself loveth you because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.”

Engaging with God in this manner removes fear, frustration, and religious barriers from our hearts, drawing us closer to Him. Romans 8:15 affirms that, as we belong to Him, we should relate to Him as a loving Father: “For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’” Approaching God in this way helps us shed fear, frustration, and the trappings of religion from our hearts, bringing us into closer communion with Him.

However, many believers struggle to accept God as their Father because, at the point of their spiritual rebirth, they weren’t certain they were coming to a loving Father. Instead, they encountered a different image of God – one seemingly devoid of love, challenging to please, and difficult to approach. Consequently, they relate to God out of fear rather than love, attempting self-punishment to gain His favor. Some believe Jesus’ sacrifice isn’t enough, and they must add their efforts to be accepted as God’s children. This mindset leads them to think that God won’t answer their prayers unless they fast, emphasizing their self-righteousness while disregarding the gift of righteousness freely offered to all who come to Christ. Some even dismiss it as a false doctrine.

Romans 10:3-4 highlights the consequence of this ignorance. Some seek to establish their own righteousness instead of submitting to God’s righteousness and fail to recognize that Christ fulfills the law’s requirement for righteousness for all who believe. Christians holding such beliefs think that engaging in certain activities will bring them closer to God, but this perspective is actually a deception fostered by the enemy. The adversary’s intention is to prevent us from realizing that God is our Father. To achieve this, he distorts our perception of God with a false image, depicting Him as a God devoid of love and light, unconcerned with showing mercy. This distorted image of God appears to lack grace entirely, instead emphasizing uncompromising judgment without any hint of mercy.

Colossians 2:20-23 (NLT) questions why believers continue to adhere to worldly rules after they have been set free from the spiritual powers of this world through Christ. Such rules, which include prohibitions like “Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!” are merely human teachings that lose their significance over time. While these rules may appear wise due to their demands for dedication, self-denial, and bodily discipline, they offer no assistance in conquering one’s sinful desires.

Recognizing God as our Father, who loves us deeply, is essential for establishing a meaningful relationship with Him and experiencing the Fatherly blessings He has for us. Luke 12:32 reassures us, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” The relationship between Jesus and God exemplified a pure father and son relationship, characterized by intimacy rather than religious rituals.

To learn how to relate with God, we should observe how Jesus interacted with the Father and follow His example. Listen to the words of Jesus concerning His relationship with the Father, where He enjoyed the privilege of having all things committed to His hands and being shown everything the Father does. As co-heirs with the Lord Jesus, we share in these privileges and gain insight into the mysteries of the kingdom and the blessings freely given to us in Christ. Connecting with God as our Father opens the door for the Holy Spirit to transform our lives, as Ephesians 5:1 encourages us to be imitators of our Father. However, recognizing Him as our Father is the first step. As we draw near to Him, He reciprocates, mirroring the idea that we take the initial step.

The parable of the prodigal son illustrates the depth of the Father’s love, a love that surpasses human understanding. It’s a grace that God alone can provide, and only the Holy Spirit can reveal this profound love to us. God’s love is unique, transcending all worldly comparisons. God is love, and your Father loves you unconditionally. Take a moment today to address Him as “Abba Father” and express your love; He eagerly awaits to hear it from you.

Pastor Chinedu Emmanuel is the Senior Pastor of Fountain Of The Living Word Church, East Orange, New Jersey.

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