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[trudith]

My Invaluable Treasure

Scripture Text: Ephesians 2:1-13

Definition of Invaluable - according to the online Merriam Webster dictionary, something is invaluable when it is valuable beyond estimation, i.e. priceless. It goes on to say, that the word invaluable describes something so precious that one cannot assign a price to it.

Just the thought of this makes me joyful. Now, how do we care for something of great value to us? Do we just put it down in any random place, or do we have a specially designated area for it? Do we allow it to get dusty or dilapidated, or do we polish it and do what we can to make sure it remains in pristine condition.

Imagine the Imperial state crown worn by the royal family in Britain, now worn by King Charles, passed down to him through the years. It must be the most significant relic to him, based on the fact that it signifies that he is the king of Britain and the commonwealth. That crown is not kept on his bedside table or the vanity in his chamber. When not in use, the Imperial State Crown is on public display in the Jewel House at the Tower of London, under armed guard.

Back in the day when we'd watch films where treasure was found, we notice that the treasure was usually locked in a heavy chest with a huge lock to ensure that the treasure couldn't be washed out at sea or be subject to damage of any kind.So we have a basic understanding of how we treat things we deem valuable and have laid a foundation for where we want to go. Let us now look at the treasure we have in our possession.

Because of the shed Blood of Jesus Christ we can boast that our lives were never the same; we became rich, when we repented of our sins, and were buried with Him in water baptism (in the name of Jesus Christ) and we were taken to an even higher level we received the Holy Spirit in our souls that will lead us in all truth, a wonderful “treasure in earthen vessels that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. (2Cor. 4:7)”.

Our salvation should be our invaluable treasure! Our diplomas, our degrees and other certificates are good while we occupy until the Lord comes, but it's our salvation that will take us beyond our occupation on Earth. It is appointed unto man once to die and after that comes the judgement, so we have to ensure that everyday we are maintaining our salvation. We have to ensure that we are connected to the true vine which is Jesus Christ. This is how we get life...if we are separated from the vine, we as the branches will wither and die from a lack of substance. Our lives will become meaningless and we'd be full of regrets. Regret and guilt go hand in hand and that leads to misery, sadness, depression and so on.

Maintain your treasure wherever you go. Some of you have just started university, some are continuing high school, maintain your faith, maintain your belief in Jesus Christ and the truth, don't be quick to accept any other belief system. Don't be quick to hand over your treasure to the pirates we encounter in our lives. You must be willing to fight for it. We are charged to earnestly contend (fight) for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. There is ONE Church, which speaks to the reason why we are admonished to earnestly contend for the Apostles (Apostolic) doctrine (the faith). Ephesians 4:4-6 reiterates this, " There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

Always pray and ask the Lord to cover your mind when attending religious-based classes and clubs, because some of these teachers and other students are crafty and have devised ways to indoctrinate those who are unaware of their schemes. Stand up for what you believe in. Girls, don't shun wearing your skirts to school, this is how the Lord will use you to tell someone about Him and to share the Gospel message. When someone asks you if you don't wear pants, it's now easy for you to say, I'm a Christian, I go to an Apostolic church, we believe in baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ and females don't wear pants. If they laugh or say mean things after that, its fine, at least you got to share in brief about the Gospel and chances are, you'll get another opportunity to say more to that person. That person will probably tell their friend what you said, when they come, repeat what you said and add more if time allows. Who knows, they may go home and share this with their relatives and that makes you a trendsetter, you would have started something powerful by planting a seed for the Lord to water.

Males, I have not forgotten you. When the guys introduce you to certain topics, you too have the perfect opportunity to say that you are not into that kind of thing and state the reason why. Tell them straight up that church is your thing and that you're on a different level. Someone is going to ask what you mean. Don't be afraid to start a trend, tell them you're baptised in Jesus name and you don't do certain things.

How do you feel when you lose something or someone we deem as valuable? It's not the best feeling. As it is in the natural, so it is in the spiritual, if we sell out our treasure that we have sought after for so long, how do we survive? The prodigal son wasted his money, how did he end up. If he didn't come to his senses, he would have died out there. When we see others out there, seemingly flourishing, kindly note that what you see is temporary, your treasure is eternal. Matthew 6:19-20 reminds us, Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal, But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal. Don't be like those who have sold out their treasure to fit in with the World. Sometimes they are craving the peace they once had, the sleep they once had, the joy they once had, but feel so ashamed. Learn from these situations, don't make them your own.

Our treasure is being targeted by the enemy of our souls every day. But don't hand over your treasure. What did Naboth, Job and Daniel have in common? These 3 men decided that they would not yield their treasure to the enemy. Naboth refused to sell his land to Ahab the evil king. He lost his life standing up in his conviction, but that makes him a hero. He did not get flustered or distracted by who was asking him to give up his land, so we too must stand up for what we believe in. When Job was challenged by all his losses and his skin condition, he was told to "curse God and die" by his wife, but Job's faith in the Lord was unwaivering, nothing could shake it. Daniel was sent to the Lion's den because he refused to yield to the king's command, how could he forsake the precepts of his God?

Maintain your treasure, this hope that we cherish not in vain, the salvation of our souls.

#Apostolic #Truth #Bible #Scripture #Pentecostal #pentecostalism #Holy spirit #Worship #Jesus Christ #God #Sober #Religion #christians #Faith #faith in jesus #Health #Spiritual

[trudith]

Hey guys! It's been a looooong time since I've shared with you. Life has gotten so busy, but the Lord remains faithful.

I've been going through a lot on the job. Working long hours back-to-back, all week-long. There's just always something to do. If I take a day off, I still end up working from home.

Yesterday was hard from an emotional stand point. I have noticed a recurring theme since this month and I get the point that God is making. He screamed the point to me in the most peaceful way.

For the past few weeks, coworkers I thought I was "good with", started to show their true colours. Persons were malicing me for reasons that have nothing to even do with me. I found myself saying Tis the Season for persons to show me malice because of how many persons had grown cold towards me.

It was yesterday though, that the situation felt most intense because my day was mostly contentious. I was hurt, and others on could tell that my spirit was crushed. On our way home from work my mother tried to console me as I vented my frustration. This morning in my prayers, I asked the Lord for His protection on the job, as He sees how things have been going. The whole thing came up this morning again as we got ready for work and Mom reminded me of how the Lord used me on Sunday to minister at church and said that the enemy is trying, as he always does to steal my blessing. Which is true because before yesterday, I was unphased about what was happening, I actually found it funny sometimes and would laugh to myself about it. I too realized that the enemy was upset.

But here's the thing that prompted me to check in and share with you this morning. When I drove out of my driveway this morning, I noticed a beautiful butterfly on my left rear view mirror. I'm not really into all that nature stuff ...but this butterfly was the most beautiful butterfly I have ever seen. Monarch butterflies are lovely, but this one had beautiful shades of brown, orange and yellow. This butterfly stayed on the car for the entire journey to work this morning. When I dropped my mom off at her office, he was still there and when I left to come to my office, he was there the entire time and he flew away just as I turned into undercroft to park the car.

That for me was a symbol. God is with me throughout the entire journey. Through the pot holes, through moments of confusion, when the enemy seems to be coming head on, The Lord Jesus Christ is with me TAME (my initials). And of course THE BEST IS YET TO COME.

My friends, God is always standing by.

#testing #testimony #testimonial #Jesus Christ #enemy #Apostolic #life #love #christian #hope #consolation #comfort #hopeful #god is in control #god is my strength #Pentecostal #devotional #faith #leap of faith #spilled tears #joy #butterfly #butterflies

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Being a good person will not send you to heaven, being a humanitarian will not send you to heaven, salvation is found only in the name of Jesus Christ, we are saved by the grace of God and obedience to His teachings.

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Honey Proverbs 16:24 by Lily & Val

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God has entered into my body, like a body. my same size. this is baptism of the holy ghost. god appears in my nightmares and laughs and says he gives all dreams. then i catch on fire and burn up

Repent of your sins and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ (at an Apostolic church) for the cleansing of your sins and you SHALL receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Then and only then will you experience the transformative power of the Holy Ghost, the spirit of God that gives peace and teaches you how to live a righteous life. Every other spirit and every other power is subjected to the power of God, every force of evil has to flee when the Holy Ghost is in control.

#Holy Ghost #power of God #faith #Jesus Christ #power

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I feel so much better when I worship God.

I feel so much more at peace when I read the Word of God (Bible)

I feel such joy when I sing His praises

.... To me, this means that at the end of the day, nothing else matters but what we do for Christ. The system of the World is burdensome and causes anger, grief and pain, but when I shift my mindset and get into worship, I am given a taste of Glory Divine.

I see therefore, that God's way is the better way, and if I seek Him now and live for Him, then in the life to come, the things of Earth, (of this World) really won't matter because they are all going to perish. Those who choose to cherish the things of this World, will eternally be burdened and tormented. What we do for Christ will certainly last, as we lay up for ourselves treasures that cannot be destroyed up in Heaven.

Choose Jesus today.

#devotional #Jesus Christ #love #faith #mercy #world system #united states #united nations #apostolic #life #pentecostal #christian #salvation #gospel #acts 2:38 #worship #jesusislord #religion #christians #praise God #worship Jesus

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Stuck ?

You don't know what to do. You have managed to get yourself in a mess. Unable to come out. Get deep in prayer. He is with you. He will deliver you from what you are going through. A God sized problem Needs a God sized solution. He will come through and deliver you. Deep prayer will dig you out of Deep problems. The Lord is with you he will make that way you need. He has not forsaken you !

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Sermon Notes- Spiritual Gifts

Gifts are divinely appointed according to God's Grace:

✅Gifts empower

✅Each believer is gifted- fruit of the Spirit and Spiritual gifts. Gifts are not offices or titles, not restricted by age, not a type or style of ministry

✅God can use anybody who submits wholly to His will

There should be no competition in the church

Purpose of Spiritual Gifts:

1. 1 Cor 12:7.... But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.

2. Eph 4:12.... For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ

3. 1 Peter 4:11.... If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

How do we activate our gitfs:

1. Sincere prayer

2. Study the Word and be guided accordingly

3. Get to know gifted people and be mentored by them. E.g. Timothy was mentored by Paul the Apostle

4. What is your Spiritual Burden? Identify your burdens

5. Receive confirmation from the body of Christ

Precautions:

1. Do not glory in the flesh

2. Gifts should not lead to variance in the body

3. Don't follow personalities... follow Christ

4. Be careful of self-deception... people claiming gifts they do not possess

5. Immaturity-leading to conflicts... abuse of gifts... competition

6. Character deficiency-lacking sound moral and spiritual character.

7. Self-display- the goal is for others see Christ in us.

8. Freelancing- not submitting to authority, no accountability

✔1 Cor 13- Love is the channel through which spiritual gifts flow, must serve someone else

#apostolic #life #pentecostal #christian #love #salvation #faith #gospel #church #jesus christ #gifts #spiritual gifts #gifted #believers #Holy Spirit #Holy Ghost #prayer #God #helping #tongues #kindness #did you know #meekness #witness #success #spiritual #religion #inspirational #interesting

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3Jn 1:7 NET For they have gone forth on behalf of “The Name,” accepting nothing from the pagans.

📌"The Name" (singular/One)

And because there is only one Name- the name of the only Lord and Saviour (Jesus Christ), there is only one way to be saved...saved from sin and eternal damnation. This is stated in the book of Acts; Acts 2:38, ..."repent and be baptized, everyone of you in the NAME of Jesus Christ (the way/the how), for the remission of sins (the reason) and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (your visa into Heaven....can't get there without Him).

Search the scriptures, look at all the baptisms described in the Bible and tell me if they didn't all baptize in the NAME of Jesus?

We should walk in obedience, and follow what is outlined in the Holy Scriptures!

Forget man made traditions and obey the Word of God.

Blessings to you!

#apostolic #pentecostal #christian #salvation #faith #Jesus Christ #Jesus name #Amen #baptism in Jesus name #obedience #devotional #inspirational #sinner #sin #Acts 2 38 #the Bible #new testament #scripture #Bible #church #real life #eternal life #love #fashion #covid 19 #believers #christianity #religion #gospel

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Christian women, your future husband must be saved before you look into marriage.

How is He going to love you like Christ loved the church when he doesn’t even believe in him? How can you submit to a man like that? Where is he going to lead you to?

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“If we go to hell, it’s because we crawled and trampled all over God’s grace to get there.”