PRAY FOR ME

PRAY FOR ME

(The Teaching Ministry Of Dr. Joel Dabbas)

Scripture: Luke 22:31-32 KJV

And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: [32] But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

One of the things we enjoy as saints of God is the ministry of a praying eternal priest. There is an eternal, endless intercession by our Lord Jesus for us. Paul, by revelation, said concerning us and Christ Jesus in Romans 8:34 KJV, "Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us." Prayer is the major spiritual engagement in this kingdom. That is why the enemy does everything within his capacity to fight the prayer fire of kingdom men.

There is a rise of certain Christians today with a theology that is anti-praying. But from our anchor text, we see that Jesus is given to praying. One striking thing about our anchor Scripture is also that He prayed for Peter without him knowing. There was a spiritual surveillance that picked the devil's plot on Peter, and Jesus prayed for him. I believe the risen Lord's constant praying ministry is what keeps us standing strong despite the enemy's onslaught.

There are things we can't pick in the spirit; bit Jesus sees all and knows all (Hebrews 4:13). He "nibs it in the board." There are countless battles fought for you on the lips of Jesus that crashed the enemy's system before it was even set up against your life.

Now, why does Jesus pray for us?

I. We are His heartbeat

We are at the center of His heart. His love for us is ageless and endless. Prayer is the love language of the Spirit (Romans 8:26-27). So, because He loves you, He prays for you.

II. To preserve His investment in our lives

The most expensive transaction in time and eternity is the payment for our everlasting redemption by His blood (1 Peter 1:18-19). He can't invest so much in you and not want to preserve you by covering you in prayer.

III. To keep us in alignment 

1 John 2:1: "My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." Misalignment is the reason for chaflike believers. If the enemy can get a person out alignment especially by the tools of sin and unbelieve that person becomes spiritually weightless and can be blown around by the wind of the devil.

IV. For our safety and security 

Hebrews 7:25: "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them."

V. So that we will not be victims of the enemy's attack

Jesus told Peter that the enemy wanted to "sift you as wheat, but I have prayed for you" (Luke 22:31-32). The devil's agenda is to waste anyone with a kingdom destiny. Peter was to become the man who would become the rock upon which the church is built. Peter preached on the day of Pentecost, and three thousand souls were saved (Acts 2:41). Peter brought Tabitha back to life (Acts 9:36-43) and took the Gospel into the Gentile world when he went to meet with Cornelius (Acts 10:1-48).

A man with such heavy-duty kingdom destiny was being plotted against by the enemy, and Christ Jesus prayed for him. I trust the Lord even now that any assault on your kingdom destiny is arrested and squashed. Someone reading this blog right now is meant to be a prophet, an Apostle, a teacher, and so much more, but the enemy has attacked that destiny in you; I call it back now. That divine seed that is under siege comes to life.

VI. To preserve His purpose and plans for our lives

God wants to preserve His plans and purpose for our lives, so He intercedes for you (Jeremiah 29:11). Our lives are not our own; we are bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).

Our Response

There is a rhythmical response that happens when our hearts are in sync with the Lord. There is a surge of prayer fire when our Lord is praying for you. Have you ever felt a press in your spirit man to enter into the place of prayer, and you didn't and couldn't place a finger on why you went into the place of prayer?

Do you find certain spiritual connections that just well up, just like that? Do you ever receive instructions on destiny-related matters, especially after praying? It is the heart of God pulling you to Himself and making you stay on course despite everything.

Finally, you feel like praying when all hell is loosed upon you. When Jesus was approaching the time to fulfill His destiny, He prayed (Matthew 26:39). Now, if you feel that prayer push at very defining destiny moments, it is a nudging to partner with our praying priest.

And in such horrible times, you will find strength to overcome. You would come out of such situations with faith unscathed and unshaken. Your faith will be so strong that the devil would wonder why this person hasn't given up (1 Peter 5:8-9).

Today, I encourage you to partner with Jesus, our praying priest. Let there be a rhythmical connection between our Lord and our hearts.

Do not underestimate the power of prayer. Jesus' intercession for you is a game-changer.

Action Steps:

1. Cultivate a deeper prayer life, partnering with Jesus.

2. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas where Jesus is interceding for you.

3. Trust in Jesus' prayer for you, especially in challenging times.

DISSOLVING MYSTERIES IN YOUR LIFE

 

DISSOLVING MYSTERIES IN YOUR LIFE

(From the Teaching Ministry of Dr Joel Dabbas)

SCRIPTURE: "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

[2] And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

[3] And God said, Let there be light: and there was light." Genesis 1:1-3 KJV

You need to understand that there are two order of mystery in life:
First, God who fashioned your existence is a God who is also mysterious.
Secondly, there are mysterious systems of control that also want to interject your life so as to gain right over your existence and do with you as they wish. This is what I call dark or ungodly mysteries.
The difference between God's mysterious works and that of the devil in your life is that, the mystery of God does not lead to misery in the life of a person. Also, the mystery of God is full of His awesome goodness, splendor, glory and wisdom. We might not be able to comprehend it but we will always appreciate it. But that of the enemy causes pain and redundancy in the life of an individual.

There are people whose lives, destiny, calling and greatness is shrouded in mysteries. They cannot pin point what is wrong with them. Everything seems dark around. This is a pointer to the fact that there are dark mysteries around.

A life shrouded in mystery will always experience strange events. What should ordinarily be normal with people is not for such a person. For instance the route to little or great achievements is often like a journey in the desert for them. What takes others fourty days to accomplish theirs takes forty years.

A life shrouded in mysteries also can be characterized with delays. Everything is usually delayed. When it comes to education there is delay, marriage there is delay. Job there is delay, opportunities there is always delay. They strain and wait before the littlest of things happen for them.

A life shrouded in mysteries is also full of pain. And the person cannot understand why things are like this. Every relationship ends in heartbreak, marriage ending in divorce for no reason, every pregnancy ends in miscarriage, every exam ends with missing scripts or incomplete tabulation of scores and so on.

A life shrouded in mysteries is characterized by perennial and persistent cycle of disfavour, disappointment and shame

A life shrouded in mysteries is one who is acting in consonance with the script other than the script that was written by God for them.

A life enveloped in mysteries is a life that is a hard nut to crack. Too tough to explain or understand.

Some years ago I met a young man, who does odd jobs to gather money to pay his school fees and after he pays his school fees, he becomes mentally unstable. He would regain mental stability when the school is in mid semester or one week to end of semester exams. This continued until I ministered to him by the Spirit of God. The demon screamed out and said it was his step mother who doesn’t want him to be in school,  she was jealous that although his mum wasn't alive he was able to forge ahead with his studies whilst her own children aren't doing well academically. That mystery around the events of his life was unraveled that day and that demon of madness was returned to the one who sent it.

Beloved, life is very spiritual and there are unseen controls that could step into lives, destinies, families and so on to cause a distortion of order. But hear me child of God any hand behind mysterious events in your life is arrested today.

I have also seen people who will keep money in certain places in their room that only them knows and it would mysteriously disappear. Until the mystery was revealed the enemy had positioned to waste that person's finances perpetually.

How to handle and dissolve mysteries in your life:

1. Identify by observation

There are many people who don't pay attention to the things happening around their lives. They are very casual and loquacious about life and the events around them. If you can't notice you won't be stimulated to address the situation.

There was this brother that observed that in his family people don't die natural deaths. It is always either that someone shoots them or from one sort of harm or another. They always die from hurt. He began to ask questions and make enquiries and discovered that there was a curse laid upon their lineage that no one will die a normal death.


2. The power of revelation and insight

It takes light to dismiss the darkness around. Mysteries are often forged in darkness,  maintained in darkness and worked from darkness. That is why only light can accurately make bare what is wrong.
Most persistent infirmity and situations are enforced by mysteries.

In Luke 13:10-16 KJV we see Jesus unravel the mystery behind a woman's situation:
"And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath.
[11] And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself .
[12] And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him , and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity.
[13] And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.
[14] And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day.
[15] The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering?
[16] And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day?"

In the eyes of everyone this woman is just having a medical condition but Jesus said there is a demon behind the scene making sure she remained like that. At that revelation and insight that devil left her after 18 years. Beloved, if there is. O insight or revelation the devil can sit on a person's life destiny for years and won't let go.
Revelation and insight helps you to see what is actually responsible and how to deal with it and come out in victory.

3. The revelation by the Word of God (John 1:1;5)

Word insight is a tool to dissolve mysteries. You can't receive your word from His word and not dissolve mysteries in your life.

Jeremiah 23:29 KJV says that
"Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord ; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?" The word of God hammers and blasts off every tough or hard mystery around your life. That is why you must be rooted in a solid Word based church and listen to your word aligned servant of God as you also spend time with God's Word.

4. By Wisdom

Proverbs 1:5-6 KJV says that
"A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:

[6] To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings." Wisdom helps you to dissolve dark puzzles of your life easily

5. By the prophetic Word

The earth was covered by darkness but when God began to release fireful words the earth was restored (Genesis1). See, don't confess the situation and reality. But reject and release Spirit inspired words.  Prophetic words chokes out the works of darkness from your life.

We often see this in our meetings where we speak to lives to be loosed and we receive testimonies of such deliverance. This happened because prophetic words are fiery swords that goes out to make war against the devil that won't allow you to have rest.


6. Prayer of inquiry 

Matthew 17:21 KJV
"Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting." While at it pray by asking God to show you or tell you what is wrong. The prayer of inquiry is that prayer that enables you to return with specific answers or instructions to help handle the situation. 

7. Faith

Mark 9:23 KJV
Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.


Prayer Points

• Every dark mystery surrounding my life, destiny, and family catch fire now in Jesus Name

• Lord, rearrange and reorganize every area of my life that the enemy has tampered with or wasted in Jesus Name

• O wind of God bring back all my wasted years to me this year i. Jesus Name

• I must begin to testify of new beginnings from now onwards in Jesus Name 

TREASURES OF GRACE: EMPOWERMENT FOR MANIFESTATION

 TREASURES OF GRACE

(DAILY DEVOTIONAL WRITTEN BY DR JOEL DABBAS)

EMPOWERMENT FOR MANIFESTATION

SCRIPTURE: "Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,

[22] And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased." Luke 3:21-22 KJV

There is a strong link between empowerment and manifestation. If you desire to manifest in any area of your life, you must hunger for empowerment.

Empowerment is to be enabled or equipped to do something or carry out a task.

Empowerment can also mean to be equipped with power. In physics power is defined as the ability to do work. Spiritually also power is supernatural enduement to do work and generate effect or impact.

While manifestation simple means to produce proofs, results or evidence.

The law of manifestation states that manifestation is directly proportional to empowerment. That means the degree to which you are empowered equals the degree of your manifestation in life, ministry, calling, business, job, academics, family and even destiny. If you must generate powerful impact and great results in any area of life, you must first be empowered.

Why It is Necessary To Be empowered For Manifestation

1. Empowerment is necessary so that the devil and his cohorts won't make a mess of you


"[13] Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth.
[14] And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so.
[15] And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye?
[16] And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded." Acts 19:13-16 KJV

The sons of Sceva were children of a priest but have no stature and data with Jesus that could stand the demons. They desired to do what Paul was doing without knowing the measure of empowerment Paul had received to show such manifestation.
Do not envy the results of another without studying and doing what brought such a person to that dimension.
Do dare what another is doing effortlessly without acquiring the same power that helps such a one to function with ease.
If you must produce proofs you must get to the training place of equipping and empowerment.

2. Empowerment is necessary to birth Divine purpose.

Empowernment fires out your potentials for the fulfilment of destiny. To be powerless is to live like a destitute and to exist as if you were created by mistake.

Jesus was empowered and that fired all the manifestations that was recorded in Scripture about Him.

"How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him" (Acts 10:38 KJV).

It takes the imputation of power for manifestation to occur.

3. Empowerment is necessary to overcome resistance.

It takes the Power of God to overcome obstacles and uproot mountains. It takes power to push off resistance from our lives.

4. Empowerment is necessary to make progress.

Power is the sponsor of progress; it defeats stagnation and provokes change.

KEYS TO EMPOWERMENT

A. Be Overwhelmed By The Holy Ghost

The Holy Spirit is the custodian of power and so access to Him and deep intimacy with Him will give you power to manifest

B. Prayer

While the Holy Spirit rested upon Jesus He was praying. It is not possible for a person to be prayerful and be powerless. The altar of prayer is the altar of empowerment and manifestation.

C. The Word of God

The Word of God carries the rays of power. You can't connect with the word of God and not imbibe power into you.

Ecclesiastes 8:4 "Where the word of a king is, there is power"

PRAYER POINTS

1- My Father, my Father, show forth Your glory, might, and power in my life, my family, and Your church this year in the Name of Jesus. Acts 1:8

2- My Father, my Father, I make demands for the release of the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Christ. Help me to know the hope you have called me to and your inheritance reserved for me this year in the Name of Jesus. Ephesians 1:17-18

3- My Father, my Father, I make demands for the manifestation of the Spirit of excellence in all I do this year in Jesus' name. Daniel 5:14

THE VALUE OF DIVINE PRESENCE IN YOUR 2024 JOURNEY

THE VALUE OF DIVINE PRESENCE IN YOUR 2024 JOURNEY 

Scripture: "The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” Exodus 33:14-16 New International Version (NIV)

God is the Creator of years, time and seasons. And then gifts us all of them. That is why it is a privilege to be alive. David understood this in Psalm 3:5 KJV he said that "I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me." And in Lamentation 3:22 the Bible says that "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not." So in essence it is not your strength or some scientific functions that kept you alive to see this year. It is the sustaining power and the mercy of God that kept you alive. Glory!!

There is a link between the journey of 2024 you are embarking now and the presence of God. Our anchor Scripture shows us that it is risky to take the 2024 ride without the presence of God accompanying you all the way.

Let me share with you some value of God's presence in your 2024 journey:

1. The presence of God guarantees arrival in the end

You are sure that you will end 2024 well when you go with His presence.

Abraham got to the destination God set for him because he carried God along in every step of the way.

2. The presence of God preserves you

There are forces that is out to terminate and abort destinies  it is the Presence of God with you that will preserve and rescue you.

When God delivered Israel from Egypt, the Egyptian forces pursued them to bring them back to square zero again but the presence of God with them caused their chariots to reduce speed until Israel crossed the red sea and their enemies were drowned in the red sea. The enemy chasing a person or a people who carries divine presence does that at their own risk. No devil can chase you and overtake you nor conquer you if you carry the presence of the Lord with you.

"[1] If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, now may Israel say; 

[2] If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us: 

[3] Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us: 

[4] Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul: 

[5] Then the proud waters had gone over our soul. 

[6] Blessed be the Lord , who hath not given us as a prey to their teeth. 

[7] Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped." Psalm 124:1-7 KJV

3. The presence of God distinguishes you from the rest

Exodus 33:16 "What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?”

Year in year out, you have been looking like the events around, looking like the economy, looking like the rest. Looking like what is happening in your lineage.  Looking depressed and cast down. This year if you carry God's presence you will be different from the rest. Your outlook will be glorious because God is full of glory. 

4. The presence of God causes the manifestation of diverse signs, wonders and miracles

Mark 16:20 KJV says that

"And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them , and confirming the word with signs following. Amen."

One trademark of divine presence is miracles, signs and wonders. The meaning of this is that God with you is the manifestation of tangible miracles and out of this world possibilities. Your life, ministry, office, business and family becomes an epicenter of miracles. 

5. The presence of God guarantees direction

You can't navigate your path in 2024 on your own, you will need God who is the Master Navigator. He knows what route to take because He is the all knowing God. 

Divine direction is powerful and very accurate. None can miss it with God.

David never lost any battle because he enjoyed divine direction. Divine presence and failure are two immiscible outcomes. It is never possible to have God and fail. It is an absolute contradiction. God cannot be with you and you fail. 

I speak into your life, this year, you won't fail in anything you do in Jesus Name 

The Divine Burden

Title: "The Divine Burden"

Short story by Dr Joel Dabbas 

In a quiet village, Mary found herself in the midst of an extraordinary journey that would forever alter the course of her life. A divine burden, she carried within her womb the promise of something miraculous. Yet, the weight of this revelation wasn't only felt in the swelling of her belly.

Mary bore the silent shame of a tale too fantastical for those tethered to earthly logic. To them, her immaculate conception was a perplexing fairy tale, an enigma that invited whispers of doubt and judgment.

As her belly grew, so did the burden of rejection and scorn. The skeptical eyes and hushed criticisms formed a storm around her, a tempest of humiliation that only intensified with each passing day. She became a parable of faith, a living testament to the unfathomable ways of the divine.

Joseph, her betrothed, faced the internal struggle of a man torn between love and reason. Convinced of her betrayal, he contemplated releasing her from their engagement. In his justified hurt, Mary faced the impending heartbreak of losing the man she loved. Yet, in his wisdom, Joseph became an unexpected ally, embracing the divine plan unfolding before them.

The pain Mary endured was not in vain but a precursor to a greater gain. A poignant reminder that anything worthwhile demands sacrifice. She, in her quiet submission to God's will, became a vessel of divine purpose, proving that the path to something extraordinary often weaves through the fabric of hardship.

As we reflect on Mary's journey on the screen of time, let it be said of us that we too, like her, embraced the sacrifices required to fulfill God's agenda in our lives.

THE GENEALOGY OF JESUS THROUGH THE GOSPELS

THE GENEALOGY OF JESUS THROUGH THE GOSPELS

(The Teaching Ministry of Dr Joel Dabbas)

The most important birth was the birth of Jesus. If the world could correctly read the script of prophecy the best hospitals would want to have Him delivered in there. Probably they would've been so proud that the doctor who took His delivery would have it engraved on his epitaph. Imagine today, it would have become a sight for pilgrimage and tourism.

The value of Christ's birth is so great that it affects both time and eternity. His birth was the factor for the restoration of man back to God. His birth showed that God is God of love, mercy and forgiveness. His birth shows the power of God and that there is no impossibility in God.

So, that is why both the old testament and new testament spoke about Jesus and the four Gospels never started until they introduced Jesus. The four Gospels wrote remarkably about Jesus and presented diverse dimensions to the person of the Christ.

Matthew presents Jesus as the Messiah, the coming King.  Jesus’ genealogy is recorded from Abraham to Joseph, making Jesus a legal heir to the throne of David.

Mark presents Jesus as the Suffering Servant, prophesied in Isaiah.  There is no genealogy provided because a slave’s genealogy was insignificant and not worthy of being recorded.

Luke presents Jesus as the Son of Man, a messianic title from the prophecy of Daniel. Luke presents Jesus as 100% man, a son of David.  The genealogy begins with Joseph, as the husband of Mary, and traces Jesus’ ancestry through Mary’s bloodline all the way back to the first man, Adam.

John presents Jesus as the Son of God, the second person of the Trinity.  Jesus’ genealogy is recorded as the eternal God, co-existant with God the Father from everlasting.

All of this was prophesied, more than a half a century earlier, by the prophet Micah:

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little [Mark’s humble servant] among the thousands of Judah [Luke’s Son of Man from the Tribe of Judah], yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel [Matthew’s coming King]; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting [John’s Son of God]. (Micah 5:2)

Now, one part of Christ's live that is important to study is His genealogy.
Genealogy is the study of the ancestry of a person.

A breakdown on how the Gospels wrote about Christ's ancestry. It is noteworthy that not all the gospel wrote about the genealogy of Jesus. This in my own view is what I call the "writers prerogative." Every Scripture was written by Divine inspiration, so everything written by the four writers of the Gospels were based on the dimension the Holy Spirit inspired them to write.

Now, the New Testament provides two accounts of the biological Genealogy of Jesus, one in the Gospel of Matthew (Matthew 1:1-17) and another in the Gospel of Luke (Luke 3:23-38).

The Family Tree of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew starts with Abraham, and mentions that there are 14 generations from Abraham to David, 14 from David to the exile, and 14 from the exile to Jesus. The lineage of Jesus in the Gospel of Luke gives the same lineage, but it includes His ancestors all the way to Adam.

WHAT TO LEARN FROM  MATTHEW AND LUKE'S APPROACH TO CHRIST'S GENEALOGY:

1. That God is the God of records, He has all the details of all your links on earth.

2. That God is transgenerational in what He does and His dealings with us. We could see the trajectory of God's dealings through Adam to Abraham down to David and then to Jesus

3. That God is not a man that He should lie. God kept speaking by prophecy about the coming if the Messiah all through the old testament and He eventually brought it to pass.

4. That God works His plans through imperfect people to bring out His perfection out of our imperfections.
In the lineage of Jesus we see people whose lifestyle does not befitting to be a part of Christ's family line but yet they were there. That shows to us the work of salvation. That Jesus was born for the salvation of men bound in sin.

4. The kingly dimension of Christ was revealed in the this biological genealogy of Christ. This gives us a peep into His authority and rulership above all.

JOHN revealed the spiritual origin of Jesus.
John traces the Lord’s divine genealogy back to “the beginning” (John 1:1). John is purposely recalling the words of Genesis 1:1 here to let us know that the Lord’s origins go back to eternity past. He is “Alpha and Omega” (Rev.1:8; 1:11; 21:6; 22:13), the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. In other words, He was there in the beginning, and He’ll be there in the end!

But why does John call Him “the Word”? Well, the Lord has many names in Scripture, and all are needed to express who He is. But “the Word” reminds us that He is the expression of who the Father is, for just as our words express who we are, so Christ expresses who the Father is.

John then called Jesus "the Light" that lights everyone that comes into this world. That means that no life outside Christ. No wonder John speaks of Jesus as the "word of life." Eternal life is only made possible in Christ.


WHAT TO LEARN FROM  JOHN'S APPROACH TO CHRIST'S GENEALOGY:

1. It helps us to understand that the One who came in the flesh was the One in the very beginning of all things

2. It shows us the impact of the life of God in Christ Jesus upon our lives and how we are transmogrified into the nature of God by His Word

3. It reveals to us the excellency of the Word and how the Word took on flesh to exist amongst men so that man can behold God's glory and encounter God's manifold grace.



 

MARY: A CHARACTER OF ABSOLUTE SURRENDER AND BELIEVE IN GOD

 

MARY: A CHARACTER OF ABSOLUTE SURRENDER AND BELIEVE IN GOD

(The Teaching Ministry of Dr Joel Dabbas)

SCRIPTURE:  "And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. [31] And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
[32] He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
[33] And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
[34] Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
[35] And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
[36] And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. [37] For with God nothing shall be impossible. [38] And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her." - Luke 1:30-38 KJV

Most believers desire to experience God’s greatest work in and through their lives. The question becomes how to do that and whether or not we are willing to do what is required to see the Lord move in and through us. It is not by the force of our will, but rather the opposite: absolute surrender, that is the key to unlocking God’s power. Also, it is the call beckoning every follower of Christ.

Mary showed us this principle in our anchor text, she was told something unimaginable by an absolute stranger, an Angel-Michael. What she said was stunning "Be it unto me according to Your word." What Mary was saying is that "I don't own any rights to my relationship to Joseph, i don't even own the right to my body as long as it is God laying demand on it." This is not mere surrender but absolute surrender.

You can't manifest God beyond the level of your surrender. I was told a story many years ago of a man who built 2 story building and he said "Lord, I give you the ground floor, it is for you, one day, fire gutted the building and burnt one room in the middle floor. The man wasn't happy and he went back to the Lord and screamed "Lord, but I gave you this property but the Lord told him but you gave me only the ground floor and that is why it is save." The man finally gave every part of it to God and it was secured. You see!! There is a huge difference between I have surrendered, and that I have absolutely and totally surrendered everything to Jesus. Some submits their life and not their Job, money, social life, money etc unto God.

Genuine surrender requires total surrender. It is coming to the point of recognizing that your life and time on earth are not yours.

Many years ago, we used to sing a hymn from the Methodist Hymnbook and SS & S that says;
"Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in endless praise."

When you come to the point where God owns your life and all that you have, you have come to the place of genuine and absolute surrender unto Him.

Note the following:

1. Absolute surrender is an appeal to all believers, to give themselves wholly to the person and mission of Jesus. 

Romans 12:1 KJV says that "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."

Mary's response i believe was passionately triggered by the mission of Jesus (Matthew 1:21). She was told the Son you will birth will set His people free from their sins.

How are you responding to getting the lost souls saved?
How are you responding to the core mission of Jesus to this dying world?

2. Absolute surrender is a decision you should make in response to God's benevolent gift of salvation.

This decision is not one that comes without conditions or demands. In fact, choosing to walk in absolute surrender is a lofty one. It requires a total life commitment to the Lord, and not to the ways of this world. It offers up every part of oneself as a living and holy sacrifice. The life of the surrendered looks noticeably different in every aspect especially regarding the way in which they think. Absolute surrender demands a different way of thinking and seeing which means not being “conformed to this world, but…transformed by the renewing of [the] mind . . . .” (Rom 12:2a).

3. Authentic absolute surrender equals Authentic worship (Romans 12:1-2)
If you know anything about God, you will know that one thing God is fond of is authentic worshippers-those that worship Him in Spirit and in truth. A life of authentic surrender breeds a life of genuine worship and praise unto God.
Every time people glorify God through the life Jesus lived in human flesh, it was because one woman called Mary lived a life of sacrifice and absolute surrender unto God. When they sang "hossanah, hossanah blessed is He who comes in the name of our Lord." Some one that lived a life of absolute surrender made it happen.

Now, consider what generation will rise if you genuinely surrender yourself to Jesus Christ. Consider people who will be set on fire by your surrender to Him.
Consider the impact you will make by being absolutely surrendered unto God.

Say this "O Lord, I genuinely and authentically surrender my entire being unto You, take all of me and make it Yours. Help me to carry Your very essence in this earthly frame, so that the world will see You and feel You through me in Jesus Name." Glory!!!

MARY THE VIRGIN

MARY THE VIRGIN

(The Teaching Ministry of Dr. Joel Dabbas)

Anchor Scripture: Luke 1:26-38 KJV

"And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth,
[27] To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary.
[28] And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women.
[29] And when she saw him , she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.
[30] And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.
[31] And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
[32] He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
[33] And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
[34] Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man?
[35] And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.
[36] And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren.
[37] For with God nothing shall be impossible.
[38] And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her."


Let me begin by saying that whatever God will do and whoever God will use to fulfill His assignment there are criteria that must be met for that to happen. Pertaining the birth of Jesus Christ it was prophesied in Isaiah 7:14 KJV saying that "Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." The question now is why will heaven be particular about a virgin becoming the mother of Jesus and what is the relative importance of this to everyone to note and learn from?

Now, we live in world where people debate against values such as virginity. Virginity is the state of being, a state whereby a person has not known a man or a woman. This in essence means that a person has not opened his or herself to another person to come into them or become intimate with them. Sex is a very powerful portal of entries for several things into the spirit, soul and body of a person. I have ministered to people who where raped and from that day they became Gynophobic or androphobic. The presence of the opposite sex stirs fear in them this is because there was an illegal entrance that brought a demonic entity into them.

There are people who opened themselves illegally to others and their destiny is bastardized and have not recovered.

For example Samson opened himself to strange women and that wrecked his ministry, anointing and assignment.

The spiritual realm is a very legal realm so whenever a person engages in illegal sex, a law is activated against that person.

Ecclesiastes 10:8 KJV states that "He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him."

Many are not married but are breaking the systems of their covering in the spirit and exposing themselves to spiritual invasions. Some are married and not keeping themselves to the marriage covenant, they are breaking their spiritual hedge and exposing their soul to demonic systems.

Mary kept herself for God and her man (Joseph). They vowed and said "we will never have carnal knowledge of ourselves until we are legally married in the sight of God."

Just as virginity is a big deal physically so is it spiritually.

Virginity in the Spirit life

1. Speaks Of Consecration

 Consecration means to be set aside for God. Everyone knows if you are truly consecrated unto God – God knows, angels know, the devil knows, friends and enemies know.

Consecration is the bedrock for power and usefulness in God.

Marks of consecration are:

i. Addiction to God
You can’t do without God
You are entirely hooked and sold out to God

ii. Dedication to God
The covenant of entirely given unto the Lord

iii. Devotion to God

iv. Committed to God

v. Submission to God
Absolutely surrendered to God

vi. Donation unto God
Means there is no other claims on your life or on anything you have. Nothing and even the devil can't lay claim on you.

vii. Affection
You are at the point that God has conquered your heart. You are utterly in love with the Lord.
And absolutely hooked to Him.


2. Speaks Of the virtue of chastity

Chastity is sexual purity. Those who are chaste are morally clean in their thoughts, words, and actions. Chastity means not having any sexual relations before marriage. It also means complete fidelity to husband or wife during marriage.

Two (2) laws of chastity:

Law #1 : Sexual relations should be reserved for marriage between a man and a woman.

Mary and Joseph didn't say because we are betrothed to each other it is time to begin frolicking and exploring each others sexually.

A chaste heart, spirit and mind is powerful in living a chaste life.

By reserving sexual intimacy for marriage, we obey the law of chastity by controlling our thoughts, words, and actions. Jesus Christ taught, "Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: but I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart" (Matthew 5:27–28)

Law #2 : In marriage, complete fidelity and loyalty to one's spouse after marriage must be adhered unto.

This means no cheating in marriage.

Chastity strengths your spirit and gives you confidence before the presence of God


Five powerful impact of Virginity on the life of Mary
1. She became a candidate that would fulfill God's ancient prophecy.

2. She became an avenue for strange supernatural possibilities

Never has it happened in the history of humanity that a lady who knew no man became pregnant and gave birth. She showed spiritual possibilities.

3. Unusual supernatural encounters

People who are truly given to God enjoys supernatural encounters ( Luke 1:26-28)

4. Favoured (Luke 1:30)

5. Open to the possibilities in the word of God to them

Luke 1:38 KJV
"And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her."

One thing corruption does to the soul of a person is that it makes the mind complex. Holiness makes our soul simple and easily accessible to God.

A complex heart is very logical analytical because it has been exposed to another civilization.

A simple mind is only exposed to the civilization of God and so believes God absolutely in all things even if it does not make sense.

God walks with simple men and not complex men.

MARY: A DIVINE SEED BEARER

 MARY: A DIVINE SEED BEARER

(The Teaching Ministry of Dr. Joel Dabbas)

Luke 1:31; 35 KJV

"And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God."

One of the  many characters of of God is that He is the Giver of seeds. God has the nature of building great things from a seed.

In every generation, God puts His seed in men through whom He would eventually build greatness and His Kingdom. For instance through Abraham He planted the seed of covenant so has to raise a generation (Israel) that would carry His name on earth.

Mary carried the seed of God and birthed Jesus to the world. Matthew 1:23 KJV says that
"Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us." My focal point here is that, she gave birth to a son that men called Emmanuel meaning God with us. In essence she birthed the presence of God in her generation, she birthed the presence of God that the whole earth couldn't recover from the impact of that presence until today. She birthed Divine presence that the Bible recorded that if the prince of this world (the devil had known), he wouldn't have crucified the Son of Glory. Because the impact of the birth of Divine presence in Jesus was an eternal catastrophe to the kingdom of darkness.

Now, by extension Mary showed us that there is possibility in men carrying divine seeds in them.

1 Peter 1:23 KJV helps us understand that
"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." The seed of God in a person is a change agent capable of bringing out in us the very nature of God. The word of God is God's seed that when it is sown into your spirit and your soul by the Spirit of Truth, you will be transformed into a new  creature.

Every regenerated Christian is forever saved by virtue of being endowed with the very life of the Lord Jesus Christ because, in the Bible, Christ is seen as God’s “seed (in Greek it is called sperma)” sown into every believer’s human “spirit of man.” Thereby they are “one spirit” with Christ (1Cor 6:17). The "sperma" of the Spirit carries all the nature, character and attribute of the Father. This is what was sown into you, that is why if the seed is truly in anyone, they act like God and manifest Him for the world to see.

As we celebrate Christmas I want you to note that Mary showed us that it is very possible to carry the seed of God in us and reveal God Himself into the world; we can also bear His presence, His nature, His character and person for the world to see and know.

You can reveal Jesus to your world to know. Glory!!!

JOSEPH AND MARY: A KINGDOM RELATIONSHIP MODEL

 

JOSEPH AND MARY: A KINGDOM RELATIONSHIP MODEL

(The Teaching Ministry of Dr. Joel Dabbas)

True love relationship models in our today's world is increasingly becoming scarce. The enemy is all out to ensure that the sanctity of relationships is no more. But in all of these, we can look into Scriptures and follow powerful relationship and family examples that is well pleasing unto the Lord. The word of God holds in it the principles for every aspect of life including relationships.

To be armed with kingdom relationship principles is what makes you maintain true kingdom modeled relationships.

Joseph and Mary's relationship shows us a lot of principles that will help you maintain kingdom order.

Principle #1 : They are rooted in God

Both Mary and Joseph were kingdom citizens. They were not unequally yoked together. This is a very powerful principle you must never ignore. There are a lot of believers today who are busy dating people who have no roots in God. If your believe system does not align, if you don't love God and serve Him, you are building what will crack and not last. There will be conflict of interests in the long run.

Amos 3:3 says "Two people cannot walk together except they be agreed." You can't walk a godly relationship path with an unbeliever.

Principles #2 : Have the fear of God

Joseph had the fear of God in Him. Having the fear of God is honouring God and having reference for God. People who have zero fear for God are submitted to the devil. They cannot submit to the authority of God.

It is very important that you are in a love relationship with a person that fears the Lord.

When a person fears God they operate in wisdom . It is very difficult to find people who have the fear if God who won't operate in great relationship and marital wisdom. 

Wisdom handles challenges and helps build a solid family and relationship life.

Principle #3 : They are both people who obey God

When God told Mary His plans all she said was "let it be done according to your word." The meaning was that if it is God's word i can't stand on it's way. She was submitted to God's Word in total obedience.
Also when the Angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in his dream, he didn't ask for a sign to proof if it was God that spoke to him in the dream, he woke up into obeying what he was told. He was a man who promptly obeyed God. We will later see that this attitude of prompt obedience was key to preserving the life of Jesus from the marauding King Herod.
To be in love with a man and woman who are absolutely obedient to the word of God is beautiful.


Principle #4 : Both were truly in love with each other
Their love for each other made them to sacrifice their love life unto God.
Joseph loved Mary so much that he couldn't speak bad of her in public or even disgrace her in any way for an event he didn't understand.

It was not a toxic and abusive relationship. It was a relationship of genuine God lovers who were also deeply in love with each other.
Love is powerful and should frame your relationship life.

I pray for everyone trusting God to be married by next year's Christmas you will be celebrating it with your God-given spouse in Jesus Name 

LIMITATIONS OF BUILDING A SOLID KINGDOM PLATFORMS

 LIMITATIONS OF BUILDING PLATFORMS

There is something God has given to everyone of us in the kingdom. It is unique but yet powerful for the spread of the influence of our King here on earth. Hiding your ability is stifling your impact and wasting your capacity.

Matthew 5:14-16 KJV says that
"[14] Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

[15] Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

[16] Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

Jesus tells you in plain terms who you are. You are the light of the world. There is gross darkness in our world today (Isaiah 60:1-2). That is why God made you the light for the nations and the continents.

Now, for you to shine for the world to see, you will need to be set on a hill, like I stated in the post titled The Power Of Building a solid kingdom platform. 

The hill is another reference for platforms just like the candlestick. Hence the necessity of building solid kingdom platforms so that your light will shine. I was discussing with a friend some time ago and I told him that even if 30 churches were to host a mega city crusade in our city each having their meetings for 30 days. There will be several healings recorded for different persons. That means that, the Church would have shone light so much that the demon of infirmity is chased back to hell. This shows that there is so much ground to be covered and work to be done and that is why you cannot afford to hide what God has placed in you.

I want you to see why many are not building platforms to take the world by storm for our Lord and King.

TIMIDITY

There are believers who are timid. One thing timidity does is that it breeds rigidity. The more rigid a person is the more the person stifles what God can do through he or she.
I want you know that "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7 KJV)

Another thing timidity does is that it boxes a person in. Instead of shining outside the person prefers to shine inside. If you shine outward that is outreach and the more your reach the bigger the spread. God is very interested in your outward shining. 

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven" Matthew 5:16 KJV.

LACK OF DEPTH

This is the lack depth and quality of the topic you want to deal on. For instance you can't talk about healing without study and personal encounter and revelation on healing. You won't be able to communicate the life of that theme to people. That is why 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV says that "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."

LACK OF THE RIGHT INFORMATION AND STRATEGY

Have the right insight so that you can have a cutting edge in delivering what the Lord has given to you.
Ask the Lord for the Spirit of wisdom so that you can have the right strategy to deliver to your reach.

LACK OF FINANCE

Some people always limits themselves because they feel all must be 100 percent to start. Money must be available to start. But hear, God does not start when it is convenient. He works through the inconvenience to show His mightiness. Someone is saying I need beautiful background and environment. But God is saying start from where you are. As you use the little that you have He will set your platform up for His glory.

CONSTANCY ANDCONSISTENCY

Do it often and consistently. Post often. If you do it once in a while you reduce engagement.

"And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" Luke 2:49 KJV

As long as you are available to deliver God  will make ready people that should hear you.