Rejoice Praiz

21/07/2025

UNDERSTANDING THE MERCY MINISTRY

BIBLE READING: ROMANS 12:4-8; MATTHEW 5:7; MATTHEW 25:34-46

“Or he that exhorteth, on Exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity, he that ruleth, with Diligence; he that sheweth Mercy, with cheerfulness” Romans 12:8 (KJV).

One of the most notable Characteristics of the Divine Nature, which every Genuine Christian believer possesses on the inside is Mercy. This is so key in our understanding of how to live out the Christlike Life because a merciless Christian is a walking paradox (Lk. 6:36). The Lord God Almighty told Moses the Lawgiver, "I will show Mercy to whom I will show Mercy" (Rom. 9:15). This basically means that it is the Exclusive Right of the Sovereign God to show Mercy to whom He chooses. However, the Lord Jesus revealed to us the Secret behind always enjoying the Mercies of God in our lives: "Blessed are the Merciful for they shall obtain Mercy" (Matt. 5:7). In other words, the Key to always enjoying the Mercy of God is to always extend Mercy to others especially to the poor, less privileged, widows, oppressed, orphans as well as showing hospitality to strangers whereby the Holy Scriptures declare that “many have entertained Angels unawares” (Heb. 13:1-2). This is often the Experience of those believers who are called into the Mercy Ministry.

Mercy, also known as Compassion, is an Expression of Brotherly Kindness and Love for one another (2Pet. 1:7). As stated earlier, this is a Divine Character Trait every Christian believer is expected to imbibe. However, there is a certain group of Christian Ministers who are equipped internally by the Lord Himself with a special heart of Compassion towards the vulnerable of society. There is a spontaneous Kindness that flows from within them whenever they encounter people with the "short end of the straw," so to speak. They become the voice of the voiceless and help of the helpless, revealing God's Compassionate Heart to all just like the Good Samaritan (Lk. 10:25-37).

The Mercy Ministry can be expressed through different platforms such as Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Foundations, and Advocacy Initiatives (Ps. 41:1-3). Some of the different groups who are beneficiaries of the Mercy Ministry include the following:
(1.) The poor.
(2.) Widows.
(3.) Orphans.
(4.) Destitutes.
(5.) The homeless/Internally Displaced Persons.
(6.) Street Urchins.
(7.) The sick/terminally ill.(8.) Prisoners.
(9.) Prostitutes.
(10.) Foreigners/Immigrants.
(11.) The falsely accused/imprisoned.
(12.) The malnourished.(13.) The naked.
(14.) The mentally unstable.(15.) The disabled.
(16.) The elderly.
(17.) The outcasts.
These causes are championed by fighting injustice and oppression against the less privileged, philanthropy, free medical outreaches, free food for the hungry and clothing the naked, adopting children to train in schools, helping the poor needy, widows, visiting orphanage homes with food items etc (Matt. 25:34-46).

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the Privilege and opportunity to be a blessing to others. O Lord, please help us to be found Faithful in showing Mercy and Compassion to others in Jesus' Mighty Name. Amen.

20/07/2025

UNDERSTANDING THE SUPPORTIVE OR HELPS MINISTRY

BIBLE READING: EXODUS 17:11-13; 1 CORINTHIANS 12:1-31; 2 KINGS 3:11

“And God has set some in the Church, first Apostles, secondarily Prophets, thirdly Teachers, after that Miracles, then Gifts of Healings, Helps, Governments, Diversities of Tongues.”1 Corinthians 12:28(KJV)

Throughout the ages, there has been so much teaching on the subject of Leadership, but very little attention is given to the subject of Followership. The irony here, however, is that Followership is the Key to attaining lasting Leadership (Prov. 27:18). The implication here is that it is out of the group of selfless followers that the Lord God Almighty Himself chooses the next generation of leaders who are qualified to inherit the Mantle and Anointing from the leaders they diligently serve (Matt 20:16). This vital point necessitates the need to study the subject Followership, which begins with the Supportive or Helps Ministry.

The Supportive or Helps Ministry is fundamentally "Ministry dedicated to the Fivefold Ministry." What this simply means is that God has given this group of Ministers the Burden to help Clergymen fulfill their own Ministry smoothly without interference. Their job is essentially to hold up the hands of their leaders the same way Aaron and Hur held up the hands of Moses when the Israelites were in battle against the Amalekites (Ex. 17:8-16). Supportive Ministers make their Pastors' Work easier that they give themselves "continually to Prayer and the Ministry of the Word" (Acts 6:4). Different areas they may function include the Music Ministry, Ushering, running errands for them, driving them, Security, Armour Bearing, Image Making, Cooking for them, etc.

The prophet Elisha was referred to as the one "that poured water on the hands of Elijah..." (2Kgs. 3:11). This was one of the Key Factors that qualified the former for a double portion of the spirit of the latter, which eventually fell upon him (2Kgs. 3:11). The Lord Jesus called Peter and his brother Andrew, two vital members of the Twelve Apostles, and said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men" (Matt. 4:19; Mk. 1:17). The bottom line here is that the Making Process is coded within the Following process. Apostle Paul told his Spiritual son and protégé Timothy, "Follow me as I follow Christ" (1Cor. 11:1; Phil. 3:17; 1Thess. 1:6). Every Helps Minister must know that if you don’t know and follow your Jesus, you can NEVER become an Apostle. If you don’t know and follow your Moses, you can NEVER become a Joshua. If you don’t know and follow your Elijah, you can NEVER become an Elisha. If you don’t know and follow your Paul, you can NEVER become a Timothy.

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, we glorify You today. O Lord, please help us to be found Faithful in the Supportive and Helps Ministry which You have given to us in Service particular towards Your Ordained Servants in Jesus Mighty Name. Amen.

19/07/2025

When men invite GOD.

19/07/2025

UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF THE PROPHET

BIBLE READING: DEUTERONOMY 18:15-22; MATTHEW 10:38-41; LUKE 2: 22-52

"Now in the Church (Assembly) at Antioch there were Prophets (Inspired Interpreters of the Will and Purposes of God) and Teachers: Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger [Black], Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a member of the court of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul." Acts 13:1(AMP)

A Prophet by the simplest of definitions is "one who speaks for God to man." Simply put, he serves as God's Anointed Mouthpiece. He does not necessarily have to foretell the future even though that is a valid aspect of the Prophetic Ministry. He does forthtell a Word from God revealing His Plans for the Church. Through Prophets, God gives Direction and Correction to the Church according to 1 Corinthians 14:3(NKJV): "But he who prophesies speaks EDIFICATION and EXHORTATION and COMFORT to men." Prophecy is given to edify, exhort, and comfort the Church. In other words, Prophecy is meant to BUILD UP, STIR UP, and CHEER UP the Body of Christ. So-called "prophetic words" that tear down the Body and depress the people are not from God. Genuine Prophecy always encourages and strengthens the recipients. A hard message or a correction often comes forth, such as a Call to Repentance, but it would always result in building up instead of tearing down.

A Typical Example of a New Testament Prophet is Barnabas, a moniker given to Paul's first Missionary companion, which literally means “Son of consolation or exhortation” (Acts 4:36). As a result of Barnabas' Prophetic Ministry, the Holy Scriptures declare that "He exhorted the Body to purposefully and steadfastly hold onto the Lord" (Acts 11:23-24). Other New Testament Prophets such as John the Baptist (Lk. 1:76) and Agabus (Acts 11:27-28; 21:10-13) deserve an honourable mention. John the Baptist was deployed to speak as a Prophet via the Tender Mercies of God. Therefore, Genuine Prophecy would always be tempered with Mercy (Lk. 1:78). A Prophet is a man or woman who stands in the Counsel of God and represents His Interests before the people. They reveal His Heart to His people, giving guidance to individuals and the Body of Christ, giving Revelation as well as Interpretation, Application, and Timing.

We see several examples of the Prophetic Office in action throughout the Book of Acts. In Acts 21, Agabus is a good example of where Prophecy can be rightly interpreted, yet applied wrongly, as Paul was urged not to go to Jerusalem, escaping the Predictive Prophecy of his fate. In this case, we see Prophecy as Foretelling, yet it is also Forth-telling, which is often neglected by those who run after Prophetic Words. God has established Prophets in His Church. Therefore, the Church would not be complete if we reject their Ministry out of fear. However, somebody once said that "Prophets often give a message of balance that may not necessarily be a balanced message." This is why Prophets need to allow Spiritual Leadership, especially Teachers, to weigh their words and judge them as instructed by the Holy Scriptures (1Cor. 14:29-32).

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, we honour You today. O Lord, we ask You for a Deeper Understanding of the Office of the Prophet and help us to align to them appropriately in Jesus' Mighty Name. Amen.

19/07/2025

Never you say is only God that has the right to judge you because u can't withstand it. ゚viralシfypシ゚viralシalシ

16/07/2025

DISCERNING THE FIVE FOLD MINISTRY

BIBLE READING: DEUTERONOMY 18:5-22; ROMANS 15:8-27; 1CORINTHIANS 12:28-31

“And He Himself gave some to be Apostles, some Prophets, some Evangelists, and some Pastors and Teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the Work of Ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ, till we all come to the Unity of the Faith and of the Knowledge of the Son of God, to a Perfect Man, to the Measure of the Stature of the Fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the Truth in Love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the Head: Christ.” Ephesians 4: 11-15(NKJV)

The General Concept of the Five-fold Ministry is derived from our Key Scriptural Text, particularly Ephesians 4:11. Basically, as a result of this verse, it is abundantly clear that the Lord God Almighty is restoring the Sacred Offices of Apostle and Prophet in the Church today. Ephesians 4:12-13 tells us that the Primary Purpose of the Five-fold Ministry is "to prepare God’s people for Works of Service, so that the Body of Christ may be built up UNTIL WE ALL REACH UNITY IN THE FAITH and IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE SON OF GOD and BECOME MATURE, ATTAINING TO THE WHOLE MEASURE OF THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST" (vs 12-13). Therefore, it goes without saying that since the Body of Christ is apparently not yet built up to Unity in the Faith and has not attained to the Whole Measure of the Fullness of Christ, the Offices of Apostle and Prophets remain relevant now hence must of necessity still be in effect even to this day.

Nevertheless, Ephesians 2:19-20(NKJV) issues the following Solemn charge: "Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the Household of God, having been built on the Foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Cornerstone." Even though the Lord Jesus Christ is still obviously Active in the Church today through His Post-Incarnate Ministry, His Position as the Cornerstone of the Church was consolidated with His Death, Burial, Resurrection and Ascension. We must therefore conclude that if the Work of the Cornerstone is complete, likewise must the Work of the Apostles and Prophets, who were the Foundation, also be complete.

However, this then begs the question: What exactly was the Role of the Foundational Apostles and Prophets? It was to declare God’s Revelation and to teach the New Truth the Church of Jesus Christ would need in order to grow and thrive. The Apostles and Prophets completed this Mission, but how exactly did they do this? By giving us the Word of God, which is the Complete Revelation of God. The Holy Scriptures contain everything the Body of Christ requires to grow, thrive, and fulfill God’s Mission. It is also worthy of note that the additional Ministry Offices of the Evangelist, the Pastor and the Teacher evolved from the Apostolic and Prophetic Foundation during the Growth of the Early Church, making them relevant to the Great Commission even today (Acts 13:1-2; Acts 21:8; 1 Tim. 3:1-7).

2 Timothy 3:15-16(NKJV) says the following: "And that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for Salvation through Faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by Inspiration of God and is profitable for Doctrine, for Reproof, for Correction, for Instruction in Righteousness." The Cornerstone Work of the Foundational Apostles and Prophets has been completed, but their Ongoing Work is still being manifested in the Holy Spirit speaking through us and teaching us God’s Word. On this basis, the Five-fold Ministry still remains very active even today.

On this premise, we then as a Church have a Solemn Responsibility to have a Deeper Revelation of the Spiritual Leaders placed over us and to provide Absolute Support for them which can be seen in the Scriptures stated below: "Dear brothers and sisters, honour those who are your leaders in the Lord's Work. They work hard among you and warn you against all that is wrong. Think highly of them and give them your Wholehearted Love because of their Work. And remember to live peaceably with each other" (1Thess. 5:12-13 NLT). Let us pause for a moment and ponder deeply over this: The Lord Jesus Christ is still perfecting or maturing His saints THROUGH His Designated Ministers to become Effective Christian Ministers themselves. Expecting Him to leave His Throne in the Highest Heaven to do so would be ludicrous at best and demeaning at worst. That is the Primary Reason for His Ministry Gifts i.e., the Fivefold Ministry: "Obey your Spiritual Leaders and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they know they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this joyfully and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit" (Heb. 13:17 NLT).

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, we magnify Your Holy Name. O Lord, we pray that You grant us the Wisdom to fully understand the Purpose of the Fivefold Ministry and grant us the Grace to align, cooperate with and support our Leaders maximally in Jesus' Mighty Name. Amen.

06/07/2025

God’s telephone number is Jeremiah 33 :3

06/07/2025

If you find the power,you will find heaven's treasure.

06/07/2025

One smile can start a friendship, one word can end a fight, one look can save a relationship, one person can change your life.

05/07/2025

Job 36:22
"Look, God is all-powerful. Who is a teacher like him?

05/07/2025