CHRISTIAN POWER TOOLS
Someone came to discuss some personal problems with me not too long ago. No doubt, she needed help and she believed that she could get it through the practice of Voodoo. She believed that since I am of the African extraction, I should be able to initiate her into the religion easily. But as I know nothing about it, I offered her Jesus Christ; the ultimate problem solver instead and I assured her of His readiness to sort her out (Matthew 11:28). Then I gave her a copy of the Bible and assisted her in equipping herself with the vital tools that she needs to fight and win earthly wars day by day. I call them ‘Christian Power Tools’. The lady is now an avid reader of the Bible and a believer in Christ to the glory of God.
Christian Power tools by the way, are implements used by Christians to get by. They are used for protection and to unleash devastation on enemies. And by nature, they are very lethal and precise and once deployed, no one, not even the Devil, can stop them. The legendary Apostle Paul, talked glowingly about them in the bible many times and in 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 in particular, he described them aptly as follows: ”… the weapons (i.e. Christian Power Tools) of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,”. No doubt, they are a must have for all sensible Christians and we should all strive to upgrade our knowledge about them and use them to stay alive. Some of them are:
1. The Human Tongue
The human tongue is one of the foremost Christian Power Tools. Though small in size, it is extremely powerful (James 3:5). It is so powerful that it can break bones (Proverbs 25:15) and the bible calls it ‘fire’ (James 3:6). It can also be used to bless God and to curse men (James 3:9). Therefore, it must be used with utter restraint to avoid dire consequences (Psalm 34:12-13). Please, I implore you in the name of the Lord, to use your tongue wisely from now on and you can be sure that whatever pronouncement you make with it, will surely come to pass in Jesus name (Job 22:28). Amen.
2. The Word of God
The word of God is another leading Christian Power Tool. The bible describes it as ”… living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). And each time the word of God is spoken, it goes out with power (Ecclesiastes 8:4). Therefore, we should not hesitate to speak it out to remove all the negative circumstances working against us at present. The word of God is also very heavy on the ruinous onslaught of the Devil and his lieutenants against our lives so, we must make it a top priority as from this moment, to acquire and use them at all times.
3. The Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is a first-class Christian Power Tool. He is very adept at helping, teaching and reminding people all things (John 14:26). He also rouses them to preach the gospel (Acts 1:8), speak in tongues (Acts 2:4), heal the sick (Acts 10:38) and prophecy (Joel 2:28). The Holy Spirit is so crucial that no one can do any meaningful thing without Him. That is why Jesus Christ vehemently stressed the need for the Holy Spirit to replace Him on earth (John 16:7). Please do all you can to be filled with this special Spirit today and always and you will flourish even while other people are regressing in Jesus name. Amen.
4. The Blood of Jesus
Remember that each time you drink the Holy Communion wine, you partake in the blood of Jesus (Luke 22:20); a key Christian Power Tool. It is highly effective in overcoming the Devil (Revelation 12:11) and in cleansing sins (Revelation 1:5). Besides, it guarantees life (John 6:53), peace (Colossians 1:20) and freedom (Zechariah 9:11-12) among others. Please, do not hesitate to plead the blood of Jesus upon yourself and upon your family members as well as your business, finance, ministry, health, etc. whenever you feel threatened by the Devil and his agents and leave the rest for God to sort out for you and you’ll not be disappointed in Jesus name. Amen.
5. The Name of Jesus
The name of Jesus is another brilliant Christian Power Tool which is available for use to perform wonders. And Jesus Christ Himself, verified this claim in Mark 16:17-18 as follows: ”And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover”. We also need the name of Jesus, to stay on top of all encumbrances (Philippians 2:9-11). Meanwhile, we don’t need any special training, power, or anointing before using it. All we need is boldness to do so! Therefore, go out today and every day and use it boldly to move mountains not only for yourself, but for the entire humanity as well. And I am positive that you’ll never regret doing so.
We have seen over the past six days that we Christians have several effective power tools at our disposal which we can unleash on the Devil and his agents with grand results. The tools include among others, the Human Tongue, the Word of God, Holy Spirit, the Blood of Jesus and the Name of Jesus. But we cannot use them legally except we first belong to Jesus Christ (Matthew 15:24-26) or better still, except we are born again. Therefore, if you truly desire to use the tools and do well on earth, then you must give your life to Christ today (if you haven’t yet) as tomorrow may be too late. When you are through with this simple but important task, then you can use them freely as you wish and you can be sure of excellent results in Jesus name. Amen.
Jesus is Lord!
c Adedayo Stoney Adegbulu, 2011
Categories: Mind of Christ Tags: Power, Power Tools, Warfare
Of God, Outstretched Arms and Power
In Jeremiah 32:17, Prophet Jeremiah, while praying for understanding said: ‘’Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You’’.
This is a very popular biblical passage which has even been incorporated into melodious songs. It essentially gives a clear insight into God’s limitless ability to perform wonders by his great power and outstretched arms.
Before proceeding any further, let us look at what an outstretched arm means. Simply put, it is an arm that is extended or stretched out. And the procedure is expected to be done sensibly at all times. For example, most people will refrain from outstretching their arms without cause while walking or running because of the fear of losing their balance, falling down and injuring themselves and others. They may also damage valuable possessions and get themselves enmeshed in needless financial/legal imbroglio. However, certain situations demand that we must outstretch our arms. For instance, we have to do so to pick things up from the ground, to embrace people, to defend ourselves etc. In short, we outstretch our arms mainly to achieve certain positive results. The same reality is applicable to God. Immense power and dazzling results occur whenever he outstretches his arms. Let us consider a few of such results at this point.
1. Creative power. Jeremiah 32:17 clearly indicates that God created the heavens and the earth by his great power and outstretched arm. In the same vein, I am trusting Him to create whatever is lacking in your life and in the lives of your loved ones, in your business, ministry, education, career, etc by his great power and outstretched arms as from this moment in Jesus name. Amen. Please be expectant!
2. Healing. Healing is another dazzling result that ensues whenever God outstretches his arms. The same result is typical of Jesus Christ (John 5:19). For example, in Luke 5:12-13, a man full of leprosy approached Jesus Christ for healing and without delay, He put out His hands (He must have outstretched his arms first), touched the man and healed him. Do you have any health ordeal at the moment? If you do then, cheer up because help is around the corner. Pray to God to heal you by his great power and outstretched arms today and he will in Jesus name. Amen.
3. Salvation. Above all things, we need salvation to make it to heaven. That is, we must be born again (John 3:3). Friend, have you given your life to Christ previously and is he still your personal Lord and savior? If he is then, I say a big congratulation to you. Without doubt you are on your way to heaven. But if he is not, then this is a good opportunity for you to hand over your life to him and the good news is that Jesus, with great power and outstretched arms, is knocking at your door waiting for you to invite him in (Revelation 3:20). Please do so promptly and I believe you will not be disappointed in Jesus name. Amen.
Finally, remember that ‘’whatsoever you lay your hands upon shall prosper’’ (Psalm 1:3). But you have to outstretch your arms first before you can lay your hands on anything or anybody. And having done so; please don’t hesitate to lay your hands on any part of your body that is functioning sub optimally. Repeat the same procedure on your child that is behaving badly or on your spouse that is not living up to expectation or on your business that is crumbling or on your ministry that is struggling, etc. Then command them to prosper in Jesus name and they will. A trial will convince you!
Jesus is Lord!
Categories: Mind of Christ Tags: God, Outstretched Arms, Power
You Have Power!
In Mark 16:17-18, Jesus Christ said:
17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.
Above proclamation encapsulates the enormous power that should be seen without surprise in all believers in Christ. But from my close observation of many believers, I have sadly come to the conclusion that they are not even aware of the extraordinary power they possess not to talk of utilizing it. It is for this reason amongst others that I am presenting this write up today to arouse such people so that they can claim what rightly belongs to them. However before proceeding further, let us refresh our memory with some biblical examples of how each sign was demonstrated using Apostle Paul, an exceptional believer as our main reference.
1. Casting out demons. In Acts 16:16-18, Paul and Silas encountered a slave girl who was possessed with the spirit of divination (prediction). She followed them, howling irritatingly for days that they were the servants of God who proclaimed the way of salvation. At a point, Paul got annoyed and cast the demon out of her in the name of Jesus. Like Apostle Paul, every believer has the inalienable power to cast out demons in the name of Jesus.
2. Speaking with new tongues. A well-known instance when this sign was demonstrated can be found in Acts 2:1-4. All believers gathered together in one place and they were in one accord. Then suddenly, there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then, there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. Speaking with new tongues is a helpful power that all believers should possess and demonstrate (1 Corinthians 14:2).
3. Taking up serpents. We can see an instance of when this sign was demonstrated by reflecting on Acts Chapters 27 and 28. Apostle Paul was involved in a ship wreck off the Island of Malta on his way to Rome to be tried by Caesar. Thank God no life was lost and he, together with his co-travelers were well treated by the Islanders. As he was warming himself from the fire made for them, he accidentally took up a serpent which fastened itself around his hand and he shook it off into the fire and he was unhurt. If you believe in Christ and you take up a ‘serpent’, do not panic; just shake it off in Jesus name.
4. Drinking deadly things without being hurt. Getting into serious trouble as a result of one’s action or inaction can be likened to ‘drinking something deadly’ figuratively speaking. The good news however is that Jesus Christ is always prepared to deliver such person from being hurt. In Acts 21:1-14, Prophet Agabus, an experienced prophet, warned Apostle Paul against traveling to Jerusalem because he would be imprisoned there. Regrettably, he disregarded the Prophet’s advice and as a result, he suffered intensely. He was arrested, severely beaten and imprisoned but the Lord ensured that he (Apostle Paul) came to no hurt.
5. Laying hands on the sick and their recovery. After the ship wreck mentioned earlier on, Paul and his co-travelers were well treated by the Islanders including a prominent personality called Publius. Paul later discovered that Publius’ father was ill with a fever and dysentery. Without wasting time, he prayed for the man, laid hands on him and guess what? He recovered promptly (Acts 28:1-9). As believers in Jesus Christ, it is our indisputable right to heal the sick through the laying of hands.
At this juncture, let me mention that it is not only Apostle Paul that could demonstrate these signs; all of us including your good self can. How then are you faring? Very well? Congratulations if that is the case with you otherwise you may have to examine yourself more closely. Are you in truth a believer in Christ? Have you accepted him into your life as your personal Lord and Savior? If you haven’t then, do so without delay because that is the starting point. It is after this stage that you can have the guts to demonstrate the signs successfully. Just imagine how hugely beneficial you can suddenly become to the human race. Perhaps you are a genuine believer in Christ but somehow you haven’t been able to demonstrate the signs as you should then, consider exercising more faith. I therefore challenge you as from today to go out in the name of Jesus Christ; cast out demons, speak with new tongue, lay hands on the sick and if along the line you find yourself picking up ‘serpents’ or ‘drinking anything deadly’ you will surely come to no harm. So shall it be in Jesus name. Amen.
Jesus is Lord!
Categories: Mind of Christ Tags: Power
The Name of Jesus is Very Powerful
Today, let us consider Acts 3:1-11. Peter and John were going to the temple at the time of prayer. And at the same time, a man crippled from birth was being taken to the temple gate called beautiful where he normally begged. When he saw Peter and John, he fixed his attention on them expecting something but he got more than he expected- i.e. healing in the name of Jesus.
The following lessons can be deduced from the account above.
1. We should pray regularly to God. Peter and John made it a habit to pray regularly to God. Remember that prayer is an effective tool in the hands of Christians and with it; hopeless situations can be turned around for good. Many notable Christians were/are successful in life because they made/make it a habit to pray to God regularly. Ben Carson for example, is a successful African American Neurosurgeon and one of the most excellent in the field globally. When asked, he attributed his success story to his mother’s positive influence on him, hard work and most importantly, the power of prayer. If you want to make it to the top, then make it a habit to pray to God regularly (James 5:16b).
2. We must be focussed. The man was focussed. He did not allow anything or anybody to distract his attention from Peter and John. If you want any spectacular miracle from God, then you must be prepared to focus your attention on Him at all times. Furthermore, you must not entertain any doubt in your mind otherwise; you will not receive anything substantial from Him (James 1:6-8).
3. The name of Jesus is very powerful. Peter and John had no silver or gold but they had the name of Jesus which is a very powerful tool to work with. With boldness, Peter commanded the man to walk in the name of Jesus and he did. You too can use His name to transform your life, to stay afloat, heal the sick, set the captives free, give hope to the hopeless etc (Mark 16:17-18). Let me assure you here that you don’t really need any special faith before using this powerful name; all you need is boldness. Therefore, go ahead and use right now!
4. We must exercise our faith. The man exercised his faith by leaping, standing and walking into the temple. If you desire a miracle today, then be prepared to exercise your faith in God. Remember that without faith, it is impossible to please him (Hebrew 11:6) and that faith without action is dead (James 2:17). Use the name of Jesus today and exercise your faith by doing those things which you have not been able to do hitherto and you will experience a life changing outcome.
5. We must always praise God. The man went into the temple walking and praising God. Likewise you too should make it a habit to praise Him. You should also remember to thank Him always because it is His will that we should do so (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Do you know that by praising God, you are indirectly asking Him to come closer to you (Psalms 22:3)? And do you know that in a situation like this; miracles cannot be far from you?
6. We must keep the company of the children of God. This is made very plain in Hebrews 10:25. As individuals, our capacity is very limited but if we work in partnership with other children of God, we can move mountains. For example, as individuals, we may not be able to defeat more than one of our enemies at a time. But if only five of us can collaborate closely, then we should be able to chase at least a hundred of them to their early grave without stress. Now imagine what a hundred of us can achieve if we team up! Definitely ten thousand of our enemies will be exterminated (Leviticus 26:8). The man appreciated the importance of collaborating with the children of God hence; he did not forsake their gathering. You too must emulate him. Don’t allow Satan to isolate you from the body of Christ!
Friends put all these lessons into practice as from today and very soon; you will be on your way to big time success.
Jesus is Lord!
Categories: Mind of Christ Tags: Jesus, Name of Jesus, Power, Powerful
Pain to Power
We shall consider Genesis 28:10-19 in this write up. It gives a good account of Jacob’s journey from Beersheba to Haran and from it; a couple of points can be deduced. They are found in:
1. Verse 10. Jacob left Beersheba for Haran. Beersheba means a well of oath; a place of covenant. Even though this sounds very promising he opted for more. He proceeded to Haran which means mountaineers, a land of climbers or high flyers and on the way he encountered God, got his promises and became a high flyer too. From this, we can deduce that better conditions await us out there if we mingle with high flyers. Therefore, we should never limit ourselves.
2. Verse 11. When it was sunset, he settled down and stayed all night in a particular place. Sunset depicts the final declining phase of something or the darkest moment in a person’s life. This is the period when most people are prone to giving up. If you are in this position at present, please don’t give up!
In this place too, Jacob converted a stone into pillow to support his head before sleeping off. Figuratively speaking, stones connote pain or hardship which normally goes hand in hand with worries. Jacob carried his worries with him till he slept. It is obvious from above that worries weaken the body and it may kill if care is not taken. Therefore, stop worrying because Jesus is ready to set you free (John 14:1). Please give Him a chance!
3. Verse 12. Jacob dreamed. You too should dream so that you can hook up with God’s vision for your life. How do you see yourself today and in years to come? Successful? That is what you will become in Jesus name.
In his dream, he saw a ladder linking the earth to the heavens. A ladder is a tool for elevation or as it was in this account, a divine connection between men and God. Today, reach out for God’s ladder, climb it (by way of prayer) and get connected to Him.
4. Verse 18. Jacob converted the stones (his worries or pain) that he used as pillow into a pillar. As we know, pillars provide support for superstructures. That means there is power in pillars. It cannot be out of place therefore if we say Jacob turned his Pain into Power. This is what will happen to you when you get connected to God in Jesus name. Amen.
Later, he poured oil on the pillar. Oil connotes anointing, beauty, fatness, flourishing, riches etc. This shows straightaway that when you get connected to God, not only will He convert your pain to power; He will also add to you, beauty, riches, flourishing, etc.
5. Verse 19. Jacob changed the name of the place from Luz to Bethel. When you get connected to God, your destiny will change; the way people see and relates with you will change because you will become a heavily improved person in Jesus name. Amen.
Finally friend, let me encourage you to get connected to God today if you haven’t already. Fervently pray to Him concerning areas of your life that are giving you Pain and He will convert them to areas of Power. He will also fill your mouth with laughter and your heart with joy in Jesus name. Amen. (Hebrews 11:6).
*Special thanks to Mrs Adebimpe Adegoke Awoyungbo.
Jesus is Lord!
Categories: Mind of Christ Tags: Pain, Power