Preaching & Teaching

Joseph speaks in churches, youth events, universities, colleges, evangelistic outreaches, missions and house-parties as God provides the opportunity. Joseph believes in preaching with signs following. Contact us at Bookings@fullnessoflifeministries.org for speaking engagements and invitations.

BELOW ARE FOUNDATIONAL TEACHINGS CALLED FULLNESS OF LIFE MINISTRIES FOUNDATION SERIES:

FULLNESS OF LIFE MINISTRIES FOUNDATION SERIES 1

SALVATION

Salvation (Soteria in Greek) is derived from the Greek word ‘Sozo’ which means salvation, deliverance, healing, protection, prosperity, forgiveness and Restoration. When Jesus comes into a life, He saves every aspect of human existence.

Salvation means obtaining forgiveness of sins through the shedding of Jesus’ Blood on the Cross of Calvary. (Heb.9:22, Lev.17:11)

Salvation means reconciliation between God and man through the price paid by Jesus Christ on the Cross (2.Cor.5:18-19)

Salvation is the means by which Christ has redeemed (To buy back) us back for God. We have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins which is salvation (Eph.1:7)

Salvation is the means through which Christ has rescued us from the bondage of sin, the world and the devil. He has restored us back to relationship with God (John.3:16)

THE 5 PILLARS OF SALVATION

Salvation is based on the love of God for us – John.3:16. A love that rescues us from hell and sets us on the path to Heaven.
Salvation is based on the grace of God – Eph.2:8-9. It is not of works. Grace is God’s unmerited favour. We don’t have to work for our salvation. Salvation is not earned; It is a free gift provided through the death of God’s son – Jesus – Rom.6:23
Salvation means being justified by faith. An explanation for the word “JUSTIFIED” is that God treats us “Just as if we never sinned” because of what Jesus has done (Rom.1:17, Phil.3:9).
Salvation is based on Jesus being the perfect sacrifice and there being no alternative. Jesus is the only Lamb, the perfect substitution for whom there’s no replacement – John.14:6, Heb.10:10.
Salvation is about being Born-Again, starting over as a new creature – John.3:3-5, 2.Cor.5:17

THE ROMANS ROAD

Rom.3:23 – All have sinned because sin came into the world through the fall of man (Adam & Eve) in the garden of Eden. Sin passed on all men from then on until now (Rom.5:12)
Rom.5:5-8 – God loved sinners and still does. He died for sinners. He did not come for the righteous but He came to call sinners to repentance (Matt.9:13)
Rom.6:23 – Even though man sinned, God gave His son as a gift and a means of obtaining eternal life (John.3:16)
Rom.10:9-10 – When we confess the Lord Jesus and believe in His resurrection, we are saved. We need to confess Him as Lord in order to experience Salvation
Rom.10:13 – We need to call on Jesus Name in order to saved – Acts.4:12

QUESTIONS

What does Salvation Mean?
What does the Greek Word “Sozo” mean?
Salvation includes forgiveness, reconciliation, redemption and rescue. Can you provide scriptures that support these aspects of salvation?
What are the 5 pillars of Salvation?
What are the scriptures used in the Roman Road?

FULLNESS OF LIFE MINISTRIES FOUNDATION SERIES 2

BAPTISM

The term Baptism is derived from the Greek word “Baptizo” which literally means to immerse, dunk and submerge. The picture is one of a ship drowning and being totally overcome and submerged under water. So, an individual must be totally soaked and buried under water during the act of Baptism.

WHY BAPTISM?

Baptism is a command by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (Matt.28:19-20). Jesus commanded us to baptize as part of the Great Commission.

Being baptized is an act of obedience to God. By being obedient, we show that we love God (John.14:15)

We get baptized in order to follow the example Jesus set. Jesus was baptized and if we want to follow His footsteps , then we should be baptized too (John.3:15-16, 1.Pet.2:21)

Baptism is an answer of a good conscience toward God (1.Pet.3:21)

Baptism is an outward sign of an inward grace, forgiveness, salvation and willingness to live for Jesus. Baptism is the next step of salvation as it says in Acts.2:38 – “Repent or Believe and be Baptized for the remission of your sins”……..

THE SIGNIFICANCE AND SYMBOLISM OF BAPTISM

Baptism signifies the washing of sins by water (Acts.2:38)

Baptism represents being buried with Christ. It’s the burial of the old man, the old self and nature of sin (Rom.6:4)

Baptism symbolises the raising up of the individual into newness of life after the old man has been washed away (Rom.6:4b)

Baptism represents becoming part of the Body of Christ (1.Cor.12:13)

God is pleased when we are baptized (Matt.3:17)

Baptism represents putting on Christ (Gal.3:27)

Baptism is a public declaration that we are willing to follow Jesus and be a disciple (Matt.3:13-15)

HOW SHOULD WE BE BAPTIZED?

*We should find a place where there’s enough water to dip a human-being as the words ‘submerge’ and ‘immerse’ imply (Acts.8:38-39)

*Baptism is not sprinkling or putting a bit of water on the forehead. The word means to dunk, immerse and submerge as the Greek word “Baptizo” implies.

*Baptism should be done in the Name of the Father, Son and Holy-Spirit as Jesus commanded (Matt.28:19).

QUESTIONS

What is Baptism?
What is the meaning of the word “Baptizo”
Give 5 reasons why we should be Baptized?
Give 7 factors that indicate the significance and symbolism of Baptism?
How should we be baptized?

FULLNESS OF LIFE MINISTRIES FOUNDATION SERIES 3

BAPTISM IN THE HOLY-SPIRIT

THE HOLY-SPIRIT IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

The Holy-Spirit is a person. He is not an “it”. He is not just a “floating spirit” or a “wandering ghost”. He is the third person of the God-Head – The Holy Trinity. He is the representative of the God-Head on earth. Jesus sent Him to replace Him when He left earth. The Holy-spirit was there in the beginning ((Gen.1:2)

The Holy-Spirit anointed God’s people for service through-out the Old Testament as seen in Ex.31:1-4, Num.11:25-29, Deut.34:9, Judg.6:34, Jugd.11:29, Judg.14:6.

In the Old Testament, the Spirit of God came upon people for a season and for a reason. They were anointed to carry out specific tasks.

THE HOLY-SPIRIT IN THE MINISTRY OF JESUS

Jesus was anointed by the Spirit of God – Matt.3:14-17

Jesus was the one who would baptize with the Holy-Spirit and Fire – Matt.3:11

When Jesus was anointed with the Holy-Spirit and Power, He went about doing good, healing all who were oppressed by the devil – Acts.10:38

The spirit of God upon Jesus enabled Him to do all He did and minister to all kinds of needs – Luke.4:18-19

Jesus promised the Holy-Spirit would come to His disciples after His departure – John.14:16-18

The Holy-Spirit will teach us all things – John.14:26

The Holy-Spirit, also known as the Comforter, will testify of Jesus – John.15:26

The Holy-Spirit, also known as the Spirit of Truth, will guide us into all truth and show us what is to come – John.16:13-14

Jesus told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the power of the Holy-Spirit – Luke.24:49, Acts.1:4

THE PURPOSE OF THE HOLY-SPIRIT

The main purpose of being baptized with the Holy-Ghost is to be witnesses for the Lord Jesus Christ – Acts.1:8

When the Holy-Ghost came, He came with the sign of speaking in tongues – Acts.2:1-4

Does that mean- A Christian who does not speak with tongues does not have the Holy-Spirit? – NO!!!!!! The scriptures say – No one can say Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy-Spirit – 1.Cor.12:3. Every born-again child of God that is truly saved gets transformed, changed, renewed and reborn by the Holy-Ghost.

SPEAKING IN TONGUES

Speaking in tongues was the evidence of being filled with the Spirit in the New Testament – Acts.2:4

Jesus said it’s a sign that would follow those who believe in His name – Mark.16:17

It’s a good gift from the Father – Luke.11:11-13

Baptism in the Holy-Ghost was imparted through the laying on of hands in the early Church – Acts.8:14-17, Acts.9:17-18, Acts.19:1-6

THE DOCTRINE OF SPEAKING IN TONGUES

No one understands it, you speak to God and you speak mysteries – 1.Cor14:2

When you speak in tongues, you get built up – 1.Cor.14:4, Jude 20

When you pray in tongues, you will not understand what you are saying – 1.Cor14:14

Speaking in tongues gives another dimension to our prayer life – 1.Cor14:15

Praying in tongues helps our infirmity and problem of limited understanding and not knowing what to say – Rom.8:26

PRAYER TO RECEIVE THE GIFT OF SPEAKING IN TONGUES

Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for dying for me, thank you for being raised from the dead on the third day thank you that I am your child, thank you for sending your Holy-Spirit. I now ask you to fill me with your Holy-Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. Help me to do the talking as you give me the utterance in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Now begin to pray in tongues………………………

QUESTIONS

Does the Holy-Spirit feature at all in the Old Testament?
Give examples of individuals the Holy-Spirit empowered in the Old Testament?
Did the Holy-Spirit play a part in the Earthly Ministry of Jesus?
What is the purpose of being baptized in the Holy-Ghost?
What do you understand by speaking in tongues?
Why is it good to speak in tongues?

FULLNESS OF LIFE MINISTRIES FOUNDATION SERIES 4

FAITH

Definition – Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (Heb.11:1).

Other Definitions – Simply put, Faith is confidence in God. Simple trust in God, Knowing God is able to do great and wonderful things based on His Omnipotent power and ability.

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF TRUE FAITH

‘The Force of Faith’ is different from the ‘Gift of Faith’ which is a gift of the Spirit. The gift of faith comes for a reason (1.Cor12:9), while the fruit of faith comes from cultivating it throughout the season of our Christian lives (Gal.5:22)

Faith is a gift – Eph.2:8, Rom.12:3.

Faith needs to be developed – Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word – Rom.10:17

Hearing the word and praying in the Holy-Spirit helps Faith to develop – Jude V.20

Faith justifies – Rom.4:3, Rom.10:9-10

Faith needs to become action – Jam.2:20-26, Jam.2:14-17. It is important to note that we are not saved by good works but by grace through faith. True faith will always be followed by good works. We are not saved by works but saved to do good works (Eph.2:10)

CHARACTERISTICS OF FAITH ACCORDING TO HEBREWS 11

Faith makes the invisible visible – Heb.11:3, Rom.4:7
Faith gives God the best – Heb.11:4, Gen.4:2-10
Faith pleases God and walks with God – Heb.11:5-6, Gen.5:24
Faith is obedient to God even if it means being a minority – Heb.11:5, Gen.7:1-24
Lessons from Abraham – The Father of Faith
Obedience – Heb.11:8
Risk-taking – Heb.11:9
Heavenly Mindedness – Heb.11:10
Believer of the impossible – Heb.11:11-12
Sacrificial, Faithful and loyal – Heb.11:17-20
Believes in spite of the odds – Rom.4:18-21

Other attributes of Faith – Heb.11:32-40

THE IMPORTANCE OF FAITH

Faith is very fundamental to our relationship with God. Frankly, our Christian Life will be non-existent without it for the following reasons:

Anything not of Faith is sin – Rom.14:23
We cannot please God without Faith – Heb.11:6
Faith is needed in prayer – Mark.11:22-24
We only need Faith, the size of a mustard seed to be a blessing to others – Matt.17:14-21, Matt.13:31-32
Faith makes the impossible possible – Mark.10:27, Luke.1:37, Mark.9:23

CONCLUSION

God can do the impossible, He can do great and mighty things because He is God but He wants us to believe Him and call upon Him in our time of need – John.11:40, 1.John.5:14-15, Ps.50:15

QUESTIONS

How would you define faith?
What is the difference between the fruit of faith and the gift of Faith?
What are the characteristics of true Faith?
What principles can we learn about Faith from Hebrews 11?
What do we learn about the God kind of Faith from the Life of Abraham?
Why is Faith so important to our Christian lives?

FULLNESS OF LIFE MINISTRIES FOUNDATION SERIES 5

RIGHTEOUSNESS

Righteousness can be divided into 2 parts:

Right-Standing
Right-Doing

RIGHT-STANDING

Righteousness means having a right standing with God (2.Cor.5:21). Our righteousness is based on the finished work of Christ on Calvary. The Lord Jesus carried out the Divine Exchange on the Cross of Calvary by swapping our unrighteousness for His righteousness

He is the Lord our Righteousness (Jer.23:6) – Because He is our Righteousness and we are now the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, the Lord refers to us as “Righteousness” in 2.Cor.6:14

We receive righteousness by Faith in God’s grace as Paul explains in Phil.3:8-9, Rom.4:3-13

Righteousness like Faith has a second part. We don’t have to earn our right-standing with God. It’s all based on what Jesus has done for us on the Cross. Our ‘Right-Standing’ should lead to ‘Right-Doing’

RIGHT-DOING

Right-Doing is the second part of Righteousness. Just like the statement that says “We are not saved by good works but we are saved to do good works”, we can say “We don’t have a Right-Standing with God through Right-Doing but our Right-Standing should motivate us to Right-Doing”. Right-Doing is therefore defined as righteous acts or good works motivated by our right standing with God. Therefore, just as Faith without works is dead (Jam.2:20), ‘Right-Standing without Right-Doing is futile’. So we can the parallel below:

FAITH = RIGHT-STANDING

WORKS = RIGHT-DOING

THE IMPORTANCE OF RIGHT-DOING

We are encouraged to pursue righteousness or right living rather than immoral living (1.Tim.6:11 & 2.Tim.2:22).

God rewards well-doing or right-doing (Rom.2:6-7)

Doing right or following righteousness reaps rewards (Prov.21:21)

Righteousness or right-doing leads to Life (Prov.11:19, Prov.12:28)

Righteousness delivers (Prov.11:4,6), Righteousness directs (Prov.11:5)

Righteousness will be rewarded in eternity (Rev.22:11-12)

Our Righteousness will manifest as White Linen in Eternity (Rev.19:8) – The word “Righteousness” in this verse of Scripture can also be translated “The righteous acts of the Saints”

QUESTIONS

What does Righteousness Mean?

What are the two parts of Righteousness?

Define the meaning of Right-Standing

What is meant by Right-Doing?

Why is right-doing important?

FULLNESS OF LIFE MINISTRIES FOUNDATION SERIES 6

PRAYER

WHAT IS PRAYER?

Prayer is communication between man in the physical realm and God in the spiritual realm. Prayer can also be defined as talking to God or having fellowship with God. Prayer should not be a monologue but a dialogue. A relationship of speaking to God and listening for His instructions and counsel. It should not be a session of just presenting a shopping list but also one of receiving divine instructions from God above.

WHY SHOULD WE PRAY?

Prayer gives us the opportunity to get right with God (1.John.1:9, Ps.66:18)
We need to communicate with God. Jesus takes it for granted that we have a time of prayer by saying “When” rather than “If” in Matt.6:5. A relationship where there’s no communication breaks down; If we don’t talk to God, our relationship will suffer.
Prayerlessness is a sin (1.Sam.12:23)
Prayer shows our love and devotion to God. When we are in love with someone, we want to spend as much time with them as possible, speak to them as much as possible. We prioritize our time and moments with them (Ps.5:1-3)
Prayer is a way in which we ask God our needs, requests and petitions (Matt.7:7, Mark.11:24, John.14:13-14, John.16:23-24, 1.John.5:14-15)
Prayer helps us to overcome temptation and sin (Matt.26:41)
Prayer draws us closer to God (Jer.29:12-13)
God reveals secrets in prayer (Dan.2:1-19)

HOW SHOULD WE PRAY?

There are different formats designed and used by different denominations and Ministries.

Some people use the A.C.T.S model

A – ADORATION

C – CONFESSION

T – THANKSGIVING

S – SUPPLICATIONS

But what was Jesus’ reaction when His disciples asked “how” they should pray

THE LORD’S PRAYER MODEL (Matt.6:9-13, Luke.11:1-4)

Our Father which art in Heaven – Starting with where God is – Heaven – and adoring Him.

Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven – Praying for God’s rule, praying for the government and nations of the earth.

Give us this day our daily bread – Prayer for provision and personal needs

Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us – Confession of sins, releasing forgiveness to those who have offended us

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil – Prayer to overcome sin and gain victory in spiritual warfare.

For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever and ever, Amen – Prayer of submission to God’s sovereignty, power, glory and rule.

Prayer should be in Jesus’ Name. Whether it’s a prayer of Adoration, Praise, Intercession for nations and governments, prayer for provision, personal needs, confession of sins, prayer of forgiveness, prayer to overcome sin and spiritual warfare as seen in the Lord’s Prayer. It should all be in Jesus’ Name – John.14:13-14, John.16:23-24.

WHEN SHOULD WE PRAY?

We find different answers to this question in the word:

Evening, Morning and noon like David and Daniel (Ps.55:17, Dan.6:10)

Pray without the ceasing according to the Apostle Paul (1.Thess.5:17)

We should pray always and not faint according to Jesus (Luke.18:1)

David praises God seven times a day. Remember anyone who praises, prays twice (Ps.119:164)

So from the Scriptures above, we need to pray morning, afternoon, evening and all times in between.

WHERE SHOULD WE PRAY?

Jesus used to look for a secret place as seen in Mark.1:35, Matt.14:22-23 and Luke.6:12.

The Apostle Paul encourages us to pray everywhere – 1.Tim.2:8

So according to the Scriptures above, we can pray in a secret, designated location or we can pray everywhere meaning the house, the shop, on the road, on the bus, in the work-place, anywhere

THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF PRAYER

Eph.6:18 – Tells us of prayer and supplication in the Spirit

1.Tim.2:1-2 – Encourages us to engage in supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks for kings (Government/Political Leaders) and for all men

Phil.4:6 – Tells us that we should make our requests known to God by prayer, supplications and thanksgiving.

DEFINITIONS OF THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF PRAYER

Prayers – Generic term for the act of communicating with God

Petitions – Asking for a specific need and basing it on Scripture. Finding a Scripture that covers the need.

Supplications – Asking God for mercy and making a humble request.

Intercessions – Standing in the gap on behalf of someone else – Ezek.22:30 & Isa.59:16. Engaging in spiritual warfare on behalf of others (Dan.10:1-14). Intercession might come with groanings – Rom.8:26.

Thanksgiving – Praise and worship, thanking God for the answers.

OTHER KINDS OF PRAYER

The Prayer of Faith – Jam.5:15 – Prayer for specific needs such as sickness and specific projects

The Prayer of Agreement – Matt.18:19 – Prayer with one or more people who are of one mind, purpose, vision and expectation regarding the need and matter at hand

The Prayer of Binding and Loosing – Matt.18:18 – We can pray prayers of authority that command demonic powers to be bound, forbid curses, bind curses, and bind the works of the enemy in the name of Jesus. We can loose angels, loose blessings and command the peace of God to come and Heaven will back us.

Prayer in the Spirit and Prayer in the Understanding – 1.Cor.14:14-15. Praying in the understanding means praying in one’s mother tongue such as English, Urdu, Hindi and Swahili. Praying in the Spirit is praying in tongues or in the Holy-Ghost which is the super-natural language given by God through His Holy-Spirit. Praying in tongues is healthy for our spiritual lives – 1.Cor.14:4 & Jude v 20.

THE THINGS THAT HINDER PRAYER

Unforgiveness – Mark.11:24-26
Doubt & Unbelief – Jam.1:5-8
Bitterness, Being inconsiderate and disrespectful – 1.Pet.3:7
Unconfessed Sin – Ps.66:18
Wrong Motives – Jam.4:3

QUESTIONS

What is prayer?
Why should we pray?
Where should we pray?
When should we pray?
How should we pray?
Name and explain the different kinds of prayer?
What are the things that can hinder prayer?

FULLNESS OF LIFE MINISTRIES FOUNDATION SERIES 7

THE WORD

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Bible was written over a period of 1,500 years by 40 different authors. These authors include Prophets, Kings, Judges, Poets, Historians, Tax Collectors, Priests, Teachers, Apostles and Doctors. There are 66 books altogether with 39 in the Old Testament and 27 in the New Testament. The Bible is God’s infallible and incorruptible Word given to us as a manual and set of instructions for conducting ourselves here on earth. An Acronym for the Bible says it well below:

B – Basic

I – Instructions

B – Before

L – Leaving

E – Earth

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT THE WORD

John.1:1-3 – The Word reveals the person of Jesus. If you want to know who Jesus is, read and study the Word. The Word of God is one of Jesus’ Names and Titles.

Ps.119:105 – God’s word helps us see, gives light, direction and purpose.

2.Tim.3:16 – Every Scripture is God breathed or given by inspiration from God and it is useful for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness.

2.Tim.3:17 – The Word of God equips and thoroughly furnishes the man/woman of God and prepares them for every good work.

Heb.4:12 – The Word of God is living and active. It is sharper than any two edged sword. It divides asunder between soul and spirit, joints and marrow and it’s a discerner of the thoughts and the intents of the heart.

Matt.4:4 – We should live by God’s word not just bread alone. Just like physical bread keeps us alive, God’s word keeps us alive spiritually.

Job.23:10 – God’s word is even more necessary than our physical food.

Ps.12:6 – God’s word are pure. The Word of God creates a pure life.

Ps.18:30 – God’s words have been tried. Tried over the years and found to be true and good by the saints of old and the believers of today

Ps.119:89 – God’s word is settled in Heaven. This means God’s Word has been established by the highest authority and Kingdom. It can never be altered, dislodged, changed or revoked. It is established forever.

Mark.13:31, Matt.5:18 – God’s Word shall never pass away

Isa.40:8, 1.Pet.1:25 – God’s Word will stand and endure forever

Ps.19:7-8 – God’s word is perfect, sure, full of wisdom, right and pure as God’s word is His law, His testimonies, statutes and commandments.

Jer.1:12 – God watches over his word to perform it because He is not a man that He should lie or the son of man that He should repent. What He has said, He will do and what He has spoken He will make good – Num.23:19

John.17:17 – God’s word is the truth

Isa.55:11 – God’s word will not return to Him void without accomplishing the purpose for which it was sent

Ps.147:15 – God’s word runs very swiftly

IMAGES USED TO DESCRIBE GOD’S WORD

God’s Word is like Honey – Ps.119:105
God’s Word is the Sword of the Spirit – Eph.6:17
God’s Word is like a Fire and a Hammer – Jer.23:29
God’s Word is like Water – Eph.5:26
God’s Word is like a Mirror – Jam.1:22-25
God’s Word is like Seed – Matt.13:18-23

7 THINGS WE SHOULD DO WITH THE WORD

We must read it or watch teaching DVDs – Prov.4:21
We must listen to it either being read or through sermons, teaching CDs, MP3s – Prov.4:20
We must study it – 2.Tim.2:15, Ezra.7:10
We must meditate on it – Ps.1:1-3, Josh.1:8. To meditate comes from the picture of the cow masticating (Chewing) the cud. This means chewing over, thinking deeply, muttering to oneself, thinking over or really going over thoroughly again and again.
We must believe it – John.20:27, John.20:31
We must speak it – Josh.1:8, 2.Cor.4:13
We must do it – Jam.1:22-25, Matt.7:24-27

BLESSINGS THAT COME THROUGH THE WORD

Ps.119:9-11 – The Word gives victory over sin and temptation
Josh.1:8 – By meditating on and doing the word comes a prosperous way and good success.
Ps.1:2-3 – Meditating on the word day and night leads to being like a tree planted by the rivers of water, bringing forth fruit in due season, leaf not withering and prosperity in whatever we do.
Jer.15:16, John.15:11 – The word of God leads to joy and rejoicing. Abiding joy!!!!
Acts.20:32 – God’s word of Grace builds us up and gives us an inheritance among those that are sanctified.
2.Tim.3:16-17 – God’s word makes us mature and prepared for every good work
Jam.1:25 – By continuing to look in God’s perfect law of liberty or God’s Holy word and doing it, we become blessed in what we do.
1.Pet.2:2 – The sincere milk of God’s word helps us grow
Ps.107:20 – The word of God brings healing
Prov.4:20-22 – The word of God brings life and health to our flesh
John.6:63 – The words of Jesus are Spirit and Life.

QUESTIONS

What is the Bible and how many authors wrote the Bible?
How many books are in the Bible? How many in the Old Testament and how many in the New?
Give and explain 5 scriptures about what the Bible says regarding God’s Word?
Give at least 5 images that describe God’s word along with the scripture reference to back them up
What 7 things must we do with the Word of God?

What are the blessings that come into our lives through the word?

FULLNESS OF LIFE MINISTRIES FOUNDATION SERIES 8

GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT

The gifts of the Spirit are the divine workings of the Holy-Spirit manifesting in Signs, Wonders and Mighty Deeds. The gifts of the Spirit are distributed as the Spirit wills (1.Cor.12:11) and they are given for every man to profit or benefit (1.Cor.12:7). The gifts of the Spirit are used by God to confirm the preaching of the gospel as the early Church preached with Signs following (Mark.16:20), the Lord Jesus was approved by Miracles, Signs and Wonders (Acts.2:22, Acts.10:38) and Paul did not just preach the gospel but he preached in demonstration of power by the Holy-Ghost (Rom.15:19, 1.Cor.2:4, 1Thess.1:5). So the gifts of the Spirit manifesting in Signs and Wonders confirms that the gospel is true.

It is important to mention here that the greatest miracle is Salvation as people can be healed, delivered and experience a miracle without giving their life to Christ. The greatest miracle is when the heart of man is supernaturally changed by the Holy-Ghost and then be open to the Spirit for all other manifestations of the Spirit.

The gifts of the Spirit can be divided into 3 parts even though there are 9 as found in 1.Cor.12:8-10:

REVELATION GIFTS: The Revelation Gifts are word of knowledge, word of wisdom and discerning of spirits. The Revelation gifts are also known as the eyes of God because all these gifts reveal something.

POWER GIFTS: The power gifts are gift of faith, gifts of healings and working of miracles. These are gifts that demonstrate the power of God in action. These are also known as the hand of God.

VOCAL GIFTS: The vocal gifts are prophecy, diverse kinds of tongues and interpretation of tongues. These gifts involve the use of the mouth to communicate God’s message. These are also known as the mouth of God.

WORD OF KNOWLEDGE

Definition: Is the divine revelation of the present or past situation of a person, place or thing. Drawing on God’s Omnscience and God’s infinite knowledge of the past and the present.

Scriptural Examples: Jesus knew Zacchaeus name even though they had never met (Luke.19:1-4), Jesus revealed the relationship situation of the Samaritan woman by the well (John.4:16-19) and Elijah got a word of Knowledge about the King’s enquiry through an angel (2.Kings.1:1-4)

WORD OF WISDOM

Definition: Is the divine revelation or godly piece of information about the future. The word of wisdom can occur in prophecy. It is also the ability to solve or suggest divine solutions to complex spiritual or physical problems.

Scriptural Examples: Joseph interpreting Pharoah’s dreams and suggesting a solution – Gen.41:1-40, Daniel interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and Belteshazzar’s vision – Dan.2:1-49, Dan.5:1-31 and Agabus predicted a famine and what was to be done to meet the needs of the people affected in Judaea – Acts.11:27-30.

DISCERNING OF SPIRITS

Definition: The Supernatural ability to discern, see, hear and perceive the Holy-Spirit, angels, demons and human spirit. This gift also helps to discern false prophets and false teachers as revealed in 1.John.4:1-3.

Scriptural Examples – Michaiah saw the activities of Spirits in heaven before God’s throne and discerned the lying spirits operating in the prophets prophesying to King Jehoshaphat and Ahab (1.Kings.22:1-38), Paul discerned the spirit of divination in the slave girl of Philippi and cast it out (Acts.16:16-18) and Jesus spoke to and cast out the demons in the demoniac of the Gadarenes (Mark.5:1-13).

GIFT OF FAITH

Definition: God’s supernatural endowment of faith to accomplish impossible exploits. This is different from the fruit of faith found in Gal.5:22. The gift of faith comes for a reason and a season while the fruit of faith is abiding. This is abiding as God expects us to display the fruit throughout the season of our entire Christian walk. The gift of faith comes and goes as it is given to accomplish a specific task. This gift is different from the measure of faith received at salvation (Rom.12:3)

Scriptural Examples: Joshua told the sun to stand still (Josh.10:11-14), Jesus calmed the stormed (Matt.8:23-26) and Jesus walked on water (Matt.14:22-29) although the working of miracles feature in the last two examples as some events in the Bible feature more than one gift in operation

GIFTS OF HEALINGS

Definition: This is God’s supernatural power bringing about numerous healings and deliverances from sicknesses and diseases.

Scriptural Examples: The healing of Naaman’s leprosy through the prophet Elisha. Although this includes the word of wisdom in instructing Naaman to dip in the River Jordan 7 times, the manifestation of his healing was also the working of miracles in action. So we see 3 gifts in operation here – 2.Kings.5:1-14. In Acts 19:12 and Matt.15:30 , we see Jesus and Paul being used by God in healings and miracles.

WORKINGS OF MIRACLES

Definition: God’s supernatural and divine intervention in the course of nature.

Scriptural Examples: Elisha heals the bitter spring of water by sprinkling salt (2.Kings.2:20-22), Elisha heals the bitter herbed pottage by putting some flour (2.Kings.4:39-44), Jesus feeds the 5,000 with 5 loaves and 2 fish (John.6:1-14), Jesus raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead (Matt.9:23-25)

PROPHECY

Definition: Prophecy could mean 2 things. The inspired, God-breathed exhortation. It also means foretelling of the future.

Scriptural Examples: Elijah foretells that the barrel of meal and the cruse of oil will not be diminished until the Lord sends rain (1.Kings.17:10-14), prophecy is for edification, exhortation and comfort of the church (1.Cor.14:1-4), Paul prophesied about the calamity about to hit the ship and passengers he was a captive on (Acts.27:9-11).

DIVERSITY OF TONGUES

Definition: The God-given ability to pray and use other type of tongues other than the usual prayer language. This is not to be confused with the in-filling of the Holy-Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. This is one gift that does not occur in the Old testament. Speaking in tongues and diversity of tongues only occurred after Jesus’ death, resurrection and ascension into heaven.

Scriptural Example: 1.Cor.12:10, 28.

The common error or reason for controversy in the body of Christ regarding this gift is found in 1.Cor.12:30. This must be interpreted in context of the whole chapter. Verse 28 of 1.Corinthians 12 mentions diversities of tongues rather than verse 30 – speaking in tongues. They are different!!!! Speaking in tongues occur during the Baptism of the Holy-Spirit and in private prayer. While diversities of tongues occur in a church worship setting when a message is brought in tongues requiring an interpretation in a public meeting. If diversities of tongues happens in private prayer, God will give the interpretation to the message in tongues. Note that when diversities of tongues is in operation the utterance will be different to what you are used to in your everyday prayer language.

THE INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES

Definition: The divine ability to interprete a message in tongues. This is not be confused with a translation, it is rather a revelation of the meaning, a summary, punch-line, crux, a sum total, thrust of the message rather than a word-for-word translation. This gift does not occur in the Old Testament either.

Scriptural Examples: 1.Cor.12:10, 1.Cor.14:27-32.

This is often used to justify the forbidding of speaking in tongues in some churches as they insist that speaking in tongues should only be done if there is an interpreter. However, the context in 1.Cor.14 seems to suggest a scenario when everyone is quiet and someone just stands up and speaks in tongues – That will require an interpretation

QUESTIONS

How would you define the gifts of the Spirit?
How many gifts of the Spirit do we have mentioned in 1.Cor.12
What are the Revelation Gifts. Could you give examples from Scripture
What are Power gifts and could you give examples from scripture
What are the Vocal gifts and could you back it up with scripture.
What is the difference between Speaking in tongues and diverse kinds of tongues? Can you explain when tongues will need interpretation??

FULLNESS OF LIFE MINISTRIES FOUNDATION SERIES 9

THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT

Introduction: The Fruit of the Spirit is Love and from Love flow all the other attributes. The fruits of the Spirit reveal the Character and Nature of God while the gifts of the Spirit reveal the power of God. We need both for a well-balanced Spiritual life and walk with God. Just like the dove has 9 segments of feathers on each wing depicting nine gifts and nine fruits of the Spirit, so do we need balance in our walk with God individually and collectively.

Galatians.5:22 gives a list of the Fruits of the Spirit as Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faith, Gentleness and Self-Control

LOVE

1.Cor.13:4-8 gives us all the good qualities that Love demonstrates as it being patient, kind, not boastful or proud, not rude, not easily angered, not self-seeking, only rejoices in the truth, bears all things and endures all things. Love encapsulates all the other fruits of the other fruits of the Spirit.
Love is Vertical. We have to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength (Matt.22:37). This means putting God first and pursuing Him with all that’s within us. This means letting God have the best of our time, energy, money and talents.
Love is Horizontal. We have to love neighbour as ourselves (Matt.22:39). This is displayed in good works and acts of kindness towards believers and our fellow man.

JOY

Joy is not the same as happiness. Happiness is based on your circumstances. If your circumstances are good, then you are happy. Joy, however, is not based on what’s going around you as it goes deeper than that. Joy comes from the Holy-Spirit not your circumstances.

Joy comes from the wells of Salvation (Isa.12:3, Ps.51:12). The greatest joy in the whole world is the Joy of being born-again and knowing Jesus as Lord and Saviour. There is a party in Heaven when a sinner repents (Luke15:7). This joy fuels our enthusiasm after salvation and it makes us so zealous we want to tell everyone about Jesus.
The Joy of the Lord is our strength (Neh.8:10) as a merry heart does good like medicine and a merry heart makes a cheerful countenance (Prov.17:22, Prov.15:13). Joy is energizing and invigorating.
Joy comes from the Holy-Ghost (Rom.14:17). This also a sign of the Kingdom because the kingdom includes joy in the Holy-Ghost. God’s Kingdom is not one of depression, discouragement, disappointment, heaviness or burdens but one of Joy.

PEACE

The peace of God passes all understanding according to Phil.4:7. God’s peace is the super-natural substance that keeps us calm in spite of chaos, storms, terror or turmoil. Peace is not necessarily the absence of agitation but the God-given ability to stay calm in the middle of mayhem.

The peace of God passes all understanding (Phil.4:7). It is difficult to explain to those who have not experienced it but it is very evident when it is present.
The peace-makers shall be called the children of God (Matt.5:9) because they exude peace like the God of peace (Rom.16:20) – God the Father, the Prince of peace (Isa.9:6) – Jesus and the Spirit of Peace (Rom.14:17) – The Holy-Spirit.
The peace of God is like a river (Isa.48:8). Rivers are usually calm, gentle, refreshing and life-giving. The peace of God includes all these attributes as well.

PATIENCE

Patience also appears in the Bible as long-suffering. It involves sticking to a task, waiting, enduring and bearing. It is the opposite of being in hurry, giving up too easily and the unwillingness to wait.

The scriptures encourage us to be patient in tribulation (Rom.12:12). Keep trusting God, keep holding on to Him even in the bad times.
If we let patience work in us, we will be perfect and entire, wanting nothing (Jam.1:4)
We need patience to see us through hard times so we can inherit the promises (Heb.6:12, Heb.10:36)

KINDNESS

Kindness speaks of generosity. Kindness is displaying goodness in word and deed. God encourages us to put on the bowels of kindness (Col.3:12)

Kindness can be in word. The law of kindness is in the mouth of the virtuous woman but it should be in our mouths as well (Prov.31:26). Joseph’s brothers could not speak a kind word to him (Gen.37:4)
We should show kind affection to our brothers and sisters in Christ. The type of affection that is deep, devoted, warm, sincere and real (Rom.12:10)
Kindness is the product of love (1.Cor.13:4) and the word exhorts us to be kind to one another (Eph.4:32)

GOODNESS

God is the epitome of goodness. The Bible mentions several times that God is good (Ps.100:5, Ps.136). God deposits His nature of goodness into our spirits by His Holy Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness and truth (Eph.5:9)

We are created for good works which God pre-ordained for us to walk in because we are His workmanship (Eph.2:10)
Our good deeds shall be rewarded by the Lord (Eph.6:8)
God wants our light to shine so men will see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven (Matt.5:16)

FAITHFULNESS

Faithfulness is also revealed as Faith in some other translations. Faithfulness speaks of diligence, consistency and continuity. God is a faithful God. Even when we are not faithful, He abides faithful because He cannot deny Himself (2.Tim.2:13)

It is required that we are found faithful as servants of God (1.Cor.4:1-2)
God wants us to be faithful with the gifts, talents and resources He has given us

(Matt.25:14-30). If we are faithful in little, God will make us ruler over much

God wants us to be faithful till the very end even if it means death (Rev.2:10)

MEEKNESS

Meekness is inter-changeable with humility. Meekness is being teachable and willing to learn. God wants us to approach His word with this attitude and approach life in general with this attribute.

Those who are meek will inherit the earth according to Matt.5:5. This is because they are adaptable, willing to learn and progressive. They get promotion, favour and open doors which lead to diverse inheritance in the earth.
Jesus is meek and lowly in heart and He invites us to learn from Him (Matt.11:29)
A wise man who is endued with knowledge will show his works out of a good way of life through the meekness of wisdom (Jam.3:13). So meekness comes out of wisdom.

SELF-CONTROL

Another word for Self-Control is temperance. Self-Control is the God-given ability not to be captive to any habit, hobby, person, place, activity or thing. This includes exercising dominion over food, sleep, drink, sex and other appetites of the flesh.

God has not given us the Spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind or self-control (2.Tim.1:7). God’s Holy-Spirit helps us exercise self-control over the things thatthat rty to cap

that try to captivate us.

Anyone that strives for the prize is temperate in all things (1.Cor.9:25). Anyone striving for the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus must show self-control in all things.
A person who exercises control over anger is better than the mighty and the one who rules his spirit or shows self-control is better than one who takes a city (Prov.16:32). Anyone who doesn’t rule his spirit is like a city broken down without walls (Prov.25:28). In other words, a lack of self-control leaves you exposed.

QUESTIONS

How many fruits of the Spirit are there and can you list them??
How would you define Love and can you give 3 scriptural references to explain what love is??
What is peace? Can you give 3 scriptural examples of what the Bible says about peace?
Why will the meek inherit the earth according to Matt.5:5
What is self-control? Give 3 scriptural references about self-control??

FULLNESS OF LIFE MINISTRIES FOUNDATION SERIES 10

GODLY LIVING & CONDUCT

Having been made righteous by the blood of Jesus, God expects us to be holy. Through the righteousness of Christ we have right-standing with God to the point that we have been made the righteousness of God (2.Cor.5:21) and this righteousness is not our own but one that comes through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith (Phil.3:9).

The fact that we are righteous by the blood of Christ doesn’t necessarily mean we automatically live holy lives. God expects us to be holy as He is Holy (1.Pet.1:15-16). God expects us to be holy in every-day living; in every aspect of our lives. What does holiness mean? Holiness is not about rules and regulations or being a secluded monk in a monastery. It’s not about wearing old fashioned clothes or being out of touch with reality. True holiness means being separated to God. True holiness will definitely mean being separated from the world and true holiness is what Jesus recommends in John.17:15-17. Jesus did not pray for the disciples to be taken out of the world physically but for them to be protected while living in the world. Hence, the expression “In the world but not of the world”.

HOLY LIVING IN PRACTICAL TERMS

Rom.12:9-21 lays out guidelines for how we should live and relate to Christians and non-Christians alike. This passage encourages us to love sincerely, run from evil, practice humility, pray, work hard with diligence, be helpful, hospitable, bless our enemies, avoid cursing, get along with fellow brothers and sisters, be friendly, live at peace with every one, feed our enemies and do good to them. This passage captures what holiness and godly living looks like in practice.

INTER-PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

1.Tim.5:1-3 exhorts us to honour elders as fathers or parents, treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, younger women as sisters and honour widows. We are implored to treat fellow believers as family. We generally treat family members with love, respect and devotion and that’s how God wants us to treat our spiritual family -The Body of Christ.

DRESS-SENSE

As stated earlier, holiness does not mean being old-fashioned or legalistic about how we dress. The scriptures admonish us to do all things decently and in order (1.Cor.14:40). This includes our dressing and could therefore suggest that if any item of clothing is not decent or reveals anything that could be provocative, then we should not wear it.

1.Pet.3:3-4 sheds more light on this aspect as the Message translation says “What matters most is not your outer appearance – the styling of your hair, the jewellery you wear, the cut of your clothes- but your inner disposition. Cultivate inner beauty, the gentle, gracious kind that God delights in”. According to these two verses, God wants us to concentrate more on our inner disposition and our inner beauty. The mistake some people make is to concentrate on the outer appearance of styling of hair, wearing jewellery and the type of clothes. This does not mean it’s wrong to style the hair, wear jewellery or nice clothes, the Scriptures encourage us to pay more attention on the inner life and inner beauty because man looks on the outside but God looks on the heart (1.Sam.16:7)

MORAL ISSUES & PURITY

The basis for holy and godly living is the word of God. A life based on prayer, the word of God and the leading of the Holy-Spirit will turn out to be a pure life.

In terms of husbands and wives, husbands are commanded to love and give their lives for their wives (Eph.5:25). Wives are commanded to submit to their husbands as to the Lord (Eph.5:22). We are all called to submit to one another in the fear of God (Eph.5:21).

Heb.13:4 says we should honour marriage and guard the sacredness of sexual intimacy between wife and husband. God draws a firm line against casual and illicit sex. So God expects us to adhere to being faithful in marriage and avoid sex outside marriage.

Unmarried people are admonished to flee fornication or sexual immorality (1.cor.6:18). There should be no sex before marriage neither should married couples engage in sexual activity outside marriage. The Scriptures advises young people to flee youthful lusts which are temptations young people face (2.Tim.2:22). Such temptations might include getting drunk, using harmful drugs, fornication, pornography and such vices.

THE THOUGHT LIFE

Holiness is from inside out and not from the outside in according to our lord Jesus Christ (Mark.7:15-23). The Lord Jesus even said if a man looks at a woman to lust after her in his heart he has already committed adultery with her in his heart (Matt.5:28) and our eyes can affect our hearts and thoughts (Lam.3:51) and we need to be like Job and make a covenant with our eyes so we do not have wrong thoughts about the opposite sex (Job.31:1) and we need to be careful what we set before our eyes in terms of what we watch on television, the internet and other forms of media (Ps.101:3) because what we watch will affect our thought life.

We need to think upon the good qualities listed in phil.4:8-9 in order to have a pure and godly mind because the thought of foolishness is sin (Prov.24:9).

God is able to keep us from falling and present us faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy (Jude24).

QUESTIONS

What is Holiness?
How can we live out holiness and godliness in practical terms?
How should we treat different members of the body of Christ according to 1.Tim.5:1-3
Which is more important between our outward appearance and inner life?
How can we ensure we stay pure in marriage, as singles and as members of the body of Christ?
How can we stay pure in our thought life?

FULLNESS OF LIFE FOUNDATION MINISTRIES FOUNDATION SERIES 11

PROSPERITY

What is prosperity? Prosperity is using our limited resources to tap into the unlimited resources of God. Mike Murdock defines prosperity as having enough of God’s provisions to complete His assignment for your life. Prosperity is not just about money but total life prosperity is wholeness and soundness in every area and arena of life such as finances, health, marriage, children, career, relationships, influence and every part of life according to 3.Jn:2, Jer.29:11, Ps.35:27. All these scriptures prove God wants His children to prosper. No parent would want his or her children to fail, be impoverished or destitute in any way. Neither will God want his children to fail, lack, be impoverished or destitute in any way. The simple answer to the question – Does God want His Children to prosper? Is yes. Is prosperity the will of God – Yes.

WHAT PROSPERITY IS NOT!!!

Prosperity is not about just amassing or accumulating cars, wealth, boats, yachts, planes or money just for selfish reasons to show off and boast. Prosperity is not for the purpose of greed, selfishness and extravagance. Prosperity is based on Gen.12:2 – We are blessed to be a blessing.

WHY DO WE NEED TO PROSPER?

1) God wants His children to prosper so they can reveal Him as Jehovah Jireh (Gen.22:14). Jehovah Jireh means the Lord our Provider. When God provides for His children, it’s a witness to the world that we have a God, our Father in Heaven who gives us our daily bread (Matt.6:11), a shepherd who does not allow us to be in want (PS.23:1, Ps.34:9-10, PS.84:11).

2) God wants His children to prosper so they can bless the work of God and the preaching of the Gospel. The scriptures admonish us to bring the tithes and the offerings to him so there might be meat in his store-house (Mal.3:10). A tithe is a tenth or ten percent of your income. That belongs to God because he gave you the health, strength, intelligence and ability to make the money in the first place (Deut.8:18). Offerings are the extra amounts of money given for the furtherance of the work of God. If we give tithes and offerings, there will be meat in God’s house to carry out the day to day running of the work of God – to support God’s servants (1.Cor.9:13-14) and fund the day to day affairs of the church such as the building, bills and other expenses needed for Church administration.

3) God wants His children to prosper so we can be a blessing to the poor. One of the reasons God wants us to work is so we can give to those who don’t have according Eph. 4:28. God has such compassion for the poor, he wants us to share his heart and he encourages us to care for the poor according to Ps.41:1, Prov.19:17 & John.13:29. You cannot give to the poor if you don’t have enough for yourself.

HOW DO WE PROSPER?

The Bible gives several keys to prosperity. Here are some Scriptural keys:
1) The presence of God leads to prosperity – Gen.39:2, 2.Sam.6:11
2)keeping the book of the law or the word of God in your mouth will make your way prosperous and give good success – Josh.1:8
3) Keeping away from bad company and meditating on the word of God day and night will cause us to prosper in everything we do – PS. 1:1-3
4) if we bring the tithes and offerings to God, He has promised to open the windows of heaven and pour out blessings we do not have room enough to receive – Mal.3:10
5) Bringing our substance and first fruits to God will cause our barns to be filled with increase and our press to burst out with new wine – Prov.3:9-10. Firstfruits is the increase on your salary, income, profits, sales and commission.
6) Obedience brings the blessing of God into our lives Deut.28:1-13
7) Loving God will cause us to inherit substance and our treasures to be filled – Prov.8:17
8) Looking into the perfect law of liberty, not being a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work – paying close attention to God’s word, will cause us to blessed in our endeavours – Jam.1:25.
9) Trusting God will cause us to be blessed – Jer.17:7
10 ) God encourages us to ask for wisdom and that wisdom could be the key to great increase – Jam.1:5
11) God can give invention and innovative ideas that lead to great blessing – Prov.8:12
12) Seeking the Lord also leads to prosperity – 2.Chron.26:5
13) Believing God’s prophets can also lead to prosperity – 2.Chron.20:20
14) Obeying and serving God will cause to spend our days in prosperity and our years in pleasures – Job.36:11
15) Wealth transfer is another way God prospers because the wealth of the wicked is laid up for the righteous – Prov.13:22, Ex.12:35-36
16) Inheritance from our parents and grandparents is also another way God blesses us – Prov.13:22

N.B – It is still important to save and invest in financial institutions such as banks and the stock exchange as God leads. Also, establish and run businesses as God leads.

WHEN SHOULD WE PROSPER?

According to David’s prayer – Lord send now prosperity – PS.118:25. Prosperity is for NOW. The needs exist now, so prosperity is needed now. Prosperity should not be the main priority in our lives even though the needs are real and urgent. God knows we need food, clothes and houses to live in but we need to seek him first, his kingdom and righteousness and all these things will be added to us – Matt.6:31-33.

THE ROLE OF GIVING IN PROSPERITY

God wants us to be great givers to the kingdom and the work of God. If we give, God has promised to give us in good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, shall men give into our bosoms according to Luke.6:38. This applies to money or anything we give. The Bible describes our financial gifts and seeds and what we sow we will reap according to Gal.6:8. If we sow sparingly we will reap sparingly, if sow bountifully, we will reap bountifully (2.Cor.9:6). This means we reap in proportion to what we sow. 2.Cor.9:8-10 suggests that what we give to God’s work gets rewarded and God multiplies the seed sown and increases the fruits of our righteousness. This brings us to the hundred fold return. We can believe for the hundred fold return as Isaac experienced in Gen.26:12. The Lord Jesus also alluded to the hundred fold return in Matt.19:29, Mark.10:29-30 & Mark.4:8. So these scriptures give us the basis for believing God for the hundred fold return on the financial seed we sow. Prov.11:24-25 & Prov.13:7 – Suggest if we scatter, water and give generously God blesses us richly in return.

MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT PROSPERITY

1) Prosperity will destroy a Christian. This is wrong because the scripture says the prosperity of fools will destroy them (Prov.1:32). Prosperity in the hands of a godly and mature believer can be used as a tool for blessing God’s work.

2) Money is the root of all people. No! The Bible says the “love” of money is the root of all evil. The scriptures say money answers all things (Ecc.10:19). Money is neither good nor bad, it’s the person handling the money that determines whether the money will be used for good or evil. There’s nothing wrong with having money, provided the money does not have you.

3) God wants his children poor because poverty is a sign of humility. This is wrong because God is our father and he wants the best for his children and he gives us all things richly to enjoy – 1.Tim.6:17-19

4) God uses poverty to teach his children. This is another wrong statement because the Holy-Spirit is our teacher (John.14:26) and God uses his Word to teach us (2.Tim.3:16).

5) People use other people’s experience to formulate their own theology saying things like “such and such was a strong christian but they were poor”. We should not use people’s experiences to determine our theology, we should use the “WORD” of God.

6) Jesus was poor. WRONG!! Our Lord was not poor because certain women ministered to him of their substance, they financed Jesus’ Ministry (Luke.8:2-3), Jesus had a house (John.1:37-39), Jesus was so blessed he had a treasurer (Judas) who looked after the money that was given to the poor (John.13:29) and Jesus’ robes were so good the Roman soldiers gambled for them (Matt.27:35).

Conclusion

God wants us blessed not so we can be selfish, greedy, boastful, proud or use for our own ends but so we can be a blessing by giving to God’s work locally, regionally and globally in World Missions.

QUESTIONS
1) What is Prosperity?
2) List a few things prosperity should not be used for?
3) Why do we need to prosper?
4) How can we prosper?
5) What role does giving play in our path to prosperity?
6) What are some of the misconceptions about prosperity?

FULLNESS OF LIFE FOUNDATION MINISTRIES FOUNDATION SERIES 12

HEALING

What is Healing? Healing is freedom from sickness, disease, perpetual weakness and ill-health. Divine healing is the children’s bread according to Matt.15:26. Divine healing is staying perpetually in good health physically and emotionally through the power of God without needing any natural assistance. This does not mean medical science is wrong or that doctors are evil. God uses the wisdom of doctors and medical science to heal because he gave the wisdom, chemicals and resources – Ps.24:1.

THE SOURCE OF HEALING

God is the source of healing because that’s one of his names – Jehovah-Rapha (Ex.15:26). The Lord our Healer. He is God and he does not change according to (Mal.3:6). If He was Jehovah-Rapha in Exodus, He is still Jehovah Rapha today. This negates the view that healing has passed away. God also says in Ex.23:25, that if we serve Him, He will bless our bread and water and take sickness away from the midst of us.
It is important to know that sickness came into the world as a result of the fall. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the garden of Eden, sin, sickness, suffering and death entered the world. God gave Jesus as a remedy for our sins and sicknesses. Jesus bore our sins and sicknesses on the cross and by His stripes we are healed (Isa.53:4-5). So Jesus has already paid the price for our healing by dying on the Cross.

OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES THAT PROMISE HEALING

1) Ps.27:1 – God is the strength of our lives. God strengthens us physically
2) Ps. 30:2 – When we cry to God, He heals us
3) Ps. 103:2-3 – God forgives all our sins and heals “ALL” of our diseases. Not “SOME”!!!
4) Ps. 107:20 – God heals us by sending His Word. You need to receive a Rhema Word of healing in times of sickness and attack. The Rhema word is the “NOW” Word or scripture God gives you specifically for that time to take you through the situation.
5) Prov.3:7-8 – Fearing the Lord and not being wise in our own eyes will bring healing to body, nerves, sinews, marrow and moistening to our bones (The Amplified Bible).
6) Prov.4:20-22 – Keeping the word before our eyes, hiding it in our hearts will bring life to us and health to our flesh.
7) Prov.17:22 – As God gives us a merry heart, it does good like medicine. This has been verified medically that when we laugh we release endorphins (chemicals in our system) that regenerates and rejuvenates us.
8) Isa.58:8 – Fasting done in the right way will cause our healing to spring forth speedily.
9) Jer.17:14 – When God heals us we are healed, when He saves us, we are saved.
10) Jer.30:17 – God is the one who restores health to us and heals our wounds.
11) Joel.3:10 – The way to appropriate our healing is to speak God’s word in times of weakness and sickness as it says in this scripture to say we are strong when we are weak. This is the principle of calling what is not as though they were and they become (Rom.4:17).
12) Mal.4:2 – Those who fear God will experience the Sun of righteousness arising over them with healing in His wings and bringing rejuvenation, vitality and health.

NEW TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES THAT PROMISE HEALING
1) Matt.8:16-17 – Jesus healed every infirmity, sickness and disease and confirms Isa.53:5.
2) Matt.9:29-30 – The blind men believed and Jesus opened their eyes and he said according to your faith be it unto you. If we believe for healing, it will be happen to us according to our faith.
3) Mark.9:23 – If we believe all things will be possible to those who believe including healing.
4) Mark.10:27 – It is important to realise that nothing is impossible with God. No disease, sickness or infirmity is impossible for God.
5) Jn.10:10 – The thief, the devil, came to steal, kill and destroy. The devil seeks to steal, kill and destroy our health but Jesus came to give us abundant life and part of that abundant life is divine healing
6) Acts.10:38 – God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and power, he went about doing good, healing those who were oppressed of the devil. The Holy Ghost power of the anointing and God’s presence delivers us from sickness and oppression.
7) Rom.8:10-11 – God is able to give life to our mortal bodies in times of weakness, sickness and disease because He is the Resurrection and the Life (Jn.11:25)
8) Eph.6:10 – In times of weakness, we can claim this scripture. We can be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
9) Jam.5:14-15 – If anyone is sick, they can call for the elders who will anoint them with oil and the pray the prayer of faith which will save or heal the sick
10) 1Pet.2:24 – By Jesus’ stripes we were healed. This is past tense. Jesus has already purchased our healing 2,000 years ago. When He said it’s finished on the cross, this included our healing.
11) 3.Jn:2 – God wants us to prosper and be in health as our soul prospers.

MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT HEALING

1) Healing has passed away – This is wrong because God never changes ( Mal.3:6). Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever (Heb.13:8). God is Jehovah Rapha, our healer, today, yesterday and forever.
2) God uses sickness to teach his children – Wrong! The Holy Spirit is our teacher (Jn. 14:26) and the word of God teaches us – 2.Tim.3:16-17
3) It is not always God’s will to heal – Wrong. Jesus never turned anyone away when they asked Him for healing. Matt.8:16, Matt.8:2-3.

SCRIPTURES THAT PROMISE LONG-LIFE

1) Ex.23:26 – God will fulfil the number of our days
2) Ps. 91:16 – With long life God will satisfy us and show us His salvation
3) Ps. 118:17 – We shall not die but live to declare the works of the Lord in the land of the living.
4) Prov.3:1-2 – Keeping God’s commandments will add length of days, long life and peace to us.
5) Prov.9:11 – Through God our days will be multiplied and the years of our lives will be increased.
6) Ecc.7:17 – God does not want us to die before our time.

YOU AS A HEALING MINISTER

Not only does healing belong to you but you’ve been commissioned by Jesus to minister healing to others. Jesus said it’s one of the signs that should follow a believer – We would lay hands on the sick and they will recover – Mark.16:17-18
GIFTS OF HEALING – God does anoint certain people with this gift of the spirit to minister healing – 1.Cor.12:9, 27.

QUESTIONS
1) What is divine healing?
2) Who is the source of healing and why?
3) Give 10 scriptures from the Old Testament that promise healing
4) Give 10 scriptures from the New Testament that promise healing
5) Give 3 Misconceptions regarding healing and explain why they are wrong.
6) Give 5 scriptures that promise long-life
7) Can you minister healing? If yes, why?

FULLNESS OF LIFE FOUNDATION MINISTRIES FOUNDATION SERIES 13

SPIRITUAL WARFARE

The Origin

In the Beginning, God made the heavens and the earth according to Genesis 1:1. In verse 2, the earth is said to have been without form or void. This has led theologians to suggest there’s a gap between verse 1 & 2 because when God created the earth, He made it to be inhabited and not in vain (Isa.45:18).
There was a gap between Gen.1:1 and Gen.1:2. This was the Angelic age. Lucifer was one of the Arch Angels and he led worship in heaven (Ezek.28:13-14). Lucifer’s beauty and gifts corrupted him and his heart was lifted up (Ezek.28:15-17) to the extent he wanted to be “God” but he was cast out of heaven (Isa.14:12-15). When Lucifer who is now known as satan or the devil was cast out of heaven, he was cast down to the earth which explains why the earth stood out of water and why the old world was overflowed with water (2.Pet.3:5-6, Ps.18:11-15). When Satan rebelled, he managed to draw a third of the angels on his side (Rev.12:4). Satan was stripped of power when he was kicked out of heaven but he stole man’s power and authority when he spoke and tempted man as a serpent in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3) and claimed to have been given power and authority that he could hand over to anyone he pleases ( Luke.4:5-6). That’s why the devil is called the “god of this world” (2.Cor.4:4) and the prince of the power of the air (Eph.2:2). The Bible also tells us he is the dragon, the old serpent, the devil, the deceiver and the accuser of the brothers (Rev.12:9-10).

THE CLASS OF ANGELS

ARCH-ANGELS – The 3 Arch Angels were Lucifer, Gabriel and Michael. Lucifer was in charge of worship but fell leaving Gabriel, the angel that delivers special messages (Dan.9-10, Luke.1:18-19) and Michael the Warrior Angel (Dan.10:12-13, Jude.9).
ANGELS – Angels are Strong Heavenly beings and are sometimes known as Ministering Spirits, the hosts of heaven or just simply Angels (Heb.1:13-14, Ps.103:20-21, Ps.68:17, Rev.5:11). Most angels appear as men when they do such as (Judg.13:3-6, Dan.9:21, Mark.16:5).
CHERUBIM – Cherubim are winged angels Ezek.10 and they are also depicted as the 4 living creatures – Ezek.1:5-10
SERAPHIM – Seraphims are heavenly or Celestial beings that fly around in heaven such as the 6-winged Heavenly Beings in Isa.6:1-8.
Angels perform different functions:
Worship and Praise of God – Isa.6:1-3, Rev.4-5
Messengers that communicate God’s will – Acts.7:52-53, Judg.13:3-6
They provide guidance as in the case of Joseph and Philip (Matt.1:20-21, Matt.2:13 Acts.8:26, Acts.10:1-8)
They are agents of provision – Gen.21:17-20, 1.Kings19:5-8, Matt.4:11
They protect God’s people – Dan.6:22
They deliver God’s people out of danger – Acts.5:17-20 & Acts 12:1-7.
They strengthen and encourage – Matt.4:11, Acts.5:19-20, Acts.27:23-25
Answering prayer – Dan.9:20-24, Dan.10:5-11, Acts.12:1-7
Caring for believers at the time of death – Luke.16:22
Executioners of Judgement – 2.Kings19:20-35, 2.Sam.24:15-16. Ps.35:5-6

THE CLASS OF WICKED SPIRITS.
Eph.6:12 – Principalities (Rulers) Greek – Archas
                  Powers (Authorities) Greek – Exuosias
                  Rulers of the darkness of this world (Cosmic Powers) – Greek – Kosmokratoras
                  Spiritual Wickedness in high places (Spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms) Greek – Pneumatika tes ponerias en to is epouranious.
Demons – Are wicked spirits that carry out satanic plans in the earth. They are the rulers of this darkness of this world or cosmic powers mentioned in Eph.6:12. They are disembodied spirits seeking bodies to express themselves. The characteristics of demons are revealed in Matt.12:43-46. They walk, speak, think intelligently, they network with other spirits more wicked than themselves and they seek to embody. Demons aim to carry out the will of the devil which is to steal, kill, destroy, impoverish, cause sickness, disasters, plagues, tragedy and devastation (John.10:10a).

THE SPIRITUAL BATTLE

The Spiritual battle occurs between the demonic spirits (who seek to implement the devil’s plan and prevent God’s purposes in individual lives, communities, towns, cities, regions, nations, continents and the world) and the angels of God who seek to implement God’s plan for individuals, communities, towns, cities, nations, continents and the world.

THE AUTHORITY OF THE BELIEVER

This is another topic on its own but we will consider this very briefly. It is important to realise that because believers belong to Christ – we are the body of Christ – the authority that belongs to Him belongs to us
Matt.28:18 – All power in Heaven and in earth has been given to Christ and because we are joint heirs with Christ (Rom.8:17) we have access to this power.
Eph.1:20-23 – Christ is above all principality and power and everything is under his feet for the benefit of His body, the Church and because we are sitted with Him in heavenly places (Eph.2:6), all principality and power are under our feet too.
Rom.8:37-39 – Because we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us, principalities or powers cannot separate from the Love of God.
2.Cor.2:14, 1.Cor.15:57 – God always causes to triumph through Christ. Our victory is therefore guaranteed in every spiritual battle because of Christ’s finished work.
Luke.10:19 – Christ has given us power to tread on serpents, scorpions and over all the power of the enemy and nothing can by any means hurt us.
Jam.4:7 – The Scriptures tell us to submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee from us
1.Jn.2:14 – Through the word of God we overcome the wicked one (the devil) like Jesus used the word of God to defeat the devil during the time of temptation (Matt.4:1-10)
1Jn.4:4 – We must always remember that greater is He who dwells in us than he – the devil and his cohorts – in the world. They that are with us are more than they that be with them – 2.Kings.6:16-17.

THE TOOLS TO EMPLOY IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE

1) Prayer and Fasting – Through prayer, the angels are activated to fight on our behalf as Daniel’s prayer and Fasting enabled Gabriel and Michael to break through the heavenlies to deliver the answer to Daniel’s prayer – Dan.10:11-14. The Lord Jesus tells us certain demons cannot be cast out except through fasting and prayer (Mark.9:15-29)
2) Praise and Worship – Through praise, the enemy and the avenger is silenced according to Ps.8:2 and God creates an ambush for our enemies when we praise and worship God (2.Chron.20-23)
3) The prayer of Binding and Loosing – Whatever we bind (Prohibit) in Heaven will bound in earth. Whatever we loose (Permit) in Heaven will be loosed on earth (Matt.18:18). We can loose the angels of God to fulfil God’s purposes as we speak God’s word over the situation we are praying about (Heb.1:14, Ps.103:20) and we can cast demons or spirits out and bind them or render them powerless regarding the situation we are praying about ( Matt.10:8, Matt.12:28-29).
4) The prayer of Agreement – If two of us agree regarding anything, it shall be done for us (Matt.18:19) because there is power in unity and numbers. One will chase a thousand, two will chase ten thousand (Deut.32:30).
5) The gifts of the Spirit – Through the gifts of the Holy Spirit, God can deliver people, communities, cities, nations and continents from the power of the devil as they are healed, delivered and restored ( 1.Cor.12:7-10).
6) The armour of God – By putting on the armour of God we will be strong in the Lord and the power of His might and we will be able to stand against all the wiles of the devil, withstand in the evil day and having done all we can stand ( Eph.6:10-17).

THE ARMOUR OF GOD IN SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Eph.6:13-18.

The Belt of Truth – A belt kept the Roman warrior’s robe from falling. Abiding in the truth of God’s word leading to a life of integrity, honesty, purity and transparency before the Spirit of God keeps the devil and his lies out of our lives. This keeps us covered and not exposed spiritually. Putting on the belt of truth means being truthful in every area of our lives, business dealings, careers, relationships and ministries. If we are, it keeps the devil at bay and he has no way of entering our lives.

The Breast-Plate of Righteousness – The breastplate of righteousness protects our chest and hearts from despair, doubt and discouragement. Our righteousness is based on Christ’s finished work and grace (Phil.3:3). As we trust in Christ alone and work out this inward faith in right doing, we protect our spiritual conscience which gives us boldness, confidence and authority to face the devil.

The Sandals of Peace – This represents the preaching of the gospel as supported by Isa.52:7. This is a weapon because through Evangelism, we plunder hell and populate Heaven. The devil takes this as a serious threat to his kingdom as this weapon goes against satan’s main agenda of dragging as many as possible with him to hell.

The Shield of Faith – The shield of faith quenches the fiery darts of temptation, discouragement, doubt, despondency and depression thrown at us by the devil. As we exercise and speak out our faith in God and His Word we fight the good fight of faith and protect our lives from discouragement, doubt and depression.

The Helmet of Salvation – A helmet protects the warrior from being shot by darts to the head or injuries to the head. Our assurance of Salvation by grace through faith and complete assurance in the finished work of Christ on the Cross is a weapon because the devil cannot lie to us regarding the security of our faith which leads to confidence in Christ and thus a healthy Christian life. The helmet also means looking forward to the final salvation of our bodies being glorified and us being fully perfect as the scripture says anyone hoping for Christ’s return purifies himself (1.John.3:3)

The Sword of the Spirit – This is the Word of God and it is the most offensive weapon we have. Just like Jesus used the Word against the devil in Matt.4, we should use God’s word to fight the devil just like Jesus did.

Praying with all prayers and supplication – Prayer is communication. The success of any battle depends on the communication issued by the Commander and implementation of such instructions by the soldiers. Prayer is the way we receive our instructions and strategies from our Commander – The God-head.

Questions
1) Name the Class of Angels
2) Name the Class of Wicked Spirits
3) What tools can be employed in Spiritual Warfare
4) Give 5 Scriptures that proves the believer’s authority
5) What role does the armour of God play in Spiritual Warfare

FULLNESS OF LIFE MINISTRIES FOUNDATION SERIES 14

RESURRECTION & ETERNAL JUDGEMENTS

This teaching is written from an Eschatological Perspective of Dispensational Pre-Millenialism.

Such a stand point can be illustrated using the chart below for what we believe will be the order of events leading up to the Second Coming of Christ, The Millennial Reign and the establishment of the New Heavens and New Earth in Eternity

CHRIST

CHURCH AGE

RAPTURE

TRIBULATION

SECOND COMING

THE MILLENNIUM

THE ETERNAL STATE

Introduction

We are living in the end times and the signs of the times point towards the fact that Jesus could return for His Church anytime. Signs such as wars, rumours of wars, famines, earthquakes, pestilences, false Christs, false prophets and persecution are all prevalent in the world today according to Matt.24:4-14. Knowing that the signs also predicted by the Apostle Paul in 2.Tim.3:1-9 are very rife in the society of today, the Rapture and the end of days is very near. That is why this study is very important.

THE RESURRECTION

The Lord Jesus is known as the First-Born from the dead according to Col.1:18, 1.Cor.15:20. The fact that Jesus was resurrected and raised from the dead points to the fact that we will also be resurrected and raised at the last day according 1.Cor.15:12-20.

RESURRECTION OF THE OLD TESTAMENT SAINTS

When Old Testament saints died they went to what was known as Abraham’s bosom (see Luke.16). This was also known as paradise. Old Testament Saints could not go straight to heaven because they went born-again. When Jesus died, he went to hell according to Matt.12:40 and Acts.2:25-31. Jesus went to hell because he became sin for us, his father could not behold him and he went to hell consequently to pay the price for us so we won’t have to go there (2.Cor.5:21, Hab.1:13, Matt.27:46, Ps.16:10). After 3 days and 3 nights, the Spirit of God raised Jesus from the dead, he defeated the devil, took the keys of death and hell, spoiled principalities and powers and made a show of them triumphing over them in it ( Rom.8:11, Rev.1:18 & Col.2:15). After Jesus took the keys he went to Abraham’s bosom set the Old Testament Saints (Ps.68:18, Eph.4:8) and the Old Testament Saints were seen after Jesus’s Resurrection (Matt.27:52-53).

After Jesus’ Resurrection, he appeared to his disciples for forty days (Acts.1:3) and while he was ascending into heaven, the angels assured the apostles that Jesus will return the same way He ascended (Acts.1:10-11, Ps.47:5). This means the Rapture will take the form of Jesus’ ascension into heaven.

THE RAPTURE

Jesus ascended the way He is coming back for His Church. This is known as the Rapture. The Lord Jesus will come back with the Spirits of the saints or Christians who have gone before, with a shout, with the voice of the Arch-Angel and the sound of the trumpet and those who are dead in Christ will rise first. This means their bodies will rise from the grave to be united with their spirits in mid-air. Those of us who are still alive will then be caught up with Jesus in the twinkling of an eye, our bodies will be changed and we will meet the Lord in the air to be with him forever.

((1.Thess.4:14-17, 1.Cor.15:51-52). When the Rapture happens, it will be like a thief in the night (Matt.24:40-42, 1.Thess.5:2). This is not to be confused with the 2nd Coming of Christ because every eye will see Him for that one (Rev.1:7).

THE GLORIFIED BODY

When Jesus rose from the dead, He came back to life with a glorified body. The glorified body is no longer subject to death, decay and the limitations of the natural body. It has no blood flowing in it, instead the glory of God gives it life and it is made of flesh and bones (Luke.24:39). It can eat, it can go through walls/doors like Jesus did when he came to see His disciples after the resurrection (Jn.20:26). When those that alive are caught up to be in the air with Jesus, their bodies will be changed into glorified bodies adequately described by the Apostle Paul in

1.Cor.15:42-44 & 53-54. Our natural body will be changed from corruption to incorruption, from a dishonourable to an honourable body, from a weak body into a powerful body, from a natural body into a spiritual body and from a mortal body into an immortal one. So from these verses we can conclude that the glorified body will be incorruptible, honourable, powerful, spiritual and immortal.

THE JUDGEMENT SEAT OF CHRIST

After the Rapture happens and the Christians are taken up into Heaven to be with the Lord, there will be what is known as the Judgement Seat of Christ where Christians will be summoned before Christ not to be condemned but to be rewarded for what was done in the flesh as a Christian on the earth – 2.Cor.5:10, 1.Thess.2:19, 1.Cor.4:5. Our work and service for Christ will be judged and tried by fire before the Judgement seat of Christ to see whether it’s made of gold, silver, precious stones, wood or hay and stubble according to 1.Cor. 3:10-15. The key to getting rewarded according to the verse 14 of this passage is if a man’s work abides. God is going to examine our work for Him based on the means, the method and the motive. The Means – Did you do God’s work by the Spirit or by the flesh (Gal.3:5). The Method – Did you do God’s work according to man’s methods or God’s method (John.5:19). The Motive – Did you do God’s work for God’s glory or to be seen by men (John.5:44, Matt.6:1-8). So our work will be rewarded based on our means, method and motive. These will determine whether our work is made of gold, silver or precious stones. If our work is found to be made of wood, hay and stubble, our work will be burned according 1.Cor.3:15 but the person will be saved because they will be in Heaven already. This means a Christian does not go to hell because his/her work gets burnt before the Judgement Seat of Christ, they suffer loss by losing out on their reward but they make Heaven. Part of the reward waiting for Christians is the incorruptible, undefiled unfading inheritance reserved in Heaven for us (1.Pet.1:4), the crown of life (Jam.1:12), the crown of righteousness (2.Tim:4:8), the incorruptible crown (1.Cor.9:24-25) and all Jesus promises the overcomers in Revelation 2 & 3.

THE MARRIAGE SUPPER OF THE LAMB

After the Saints are rewarded for their faithfulness, there would be what’s known as the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. Christ is the Bridegroom, the Church is His Bride and He’s coming for a Church without Spot, blemish, wrinkle or any such thing (Eph.5:25-27). He is coming for His Bride during the Rapture. When His Bride gets to Heaven there will be a celebration to receive His Bride into Heaven. This will be the Marriage Supper of the Lamb and saints of the past (Old Testament Saints) will be invited to the celebration along with the hosts of heaven according to Rev.19:7-9

THE GREAT TRIBULATION

After the Church is raptured, the world will go through a 7 year period of great tribulation. This will be divided into two. The first 3 and a half years will be tribulation for the left-behind saints or Christians who refuse to worship or take the mark of the beast or the anti-Christ. The second 3 and a half years will be directed at the Jews, God’s people.

We deduce the 7 year tribulation from Dan.9:27 where it refers to the Anti-Christ as coming into a league, agreement and covenant with other nations and Israel for one week or 7 days with each day representing a year. It tells in this verse that he will cause the sacrifice to cease in the midst of the week or in the middle of the 7 years or 3 and a half years. This is when the Anti-Christ will demand worship from the Jews but we will consider this closely later. The first 3 and a half years when persecution will be directed at the Left Behind members of the Church is supported by Rev.13:5-7 where we are told power will be given to the Anti-Christ to continue 42 months or 3 and a half years to make war and defeat the saints. The 3 and a half years is also supported by Rev.12:6, 14 where the 3 and a half years is revealed as 1,260 days and time, times and half a time.

THE ANTI-CHRIST

Before going any further it is useful to know who the Anti-Christ is. After the Church is raptured, there will be chaos in the world spiritually, economically, politically, socially, environmentally and every other way. The Anti-Christ will arise as a world leader (Rev.13:7) who proposes to bring solution and peace to the world – Dan.8:24-26. According to this passage, the Anti-Christ will display great wisdom, might, power, he will destroy wonderfully (God’s saints and Israel), he shall prosper (provide economic solutions), destroy mighty and holy people ( destroy other world leaders and the saints), great economic policies that bring prosperity, he will magnify himself ( he will defy God and blaspheme according to Rev.13:5, Dan.7:25, Dan.8:11). The Anti-Christ will also be worshipped by people on the earth (Rev.13:4, 8) and he is the beast with the wounded head that came back to life, after which everyone will wonder after and worship (Rev.13:2-3).

THE FALSE PROPHET

The false prophet is the dragon who gives power to the beast so he can worshipped (Rev.13:4). The False Prophet will be a religious leader who is confederate with the Anti-Christ. Just like the godly Trinity, there will be an unholy three comprising of the devil, the anti-christ and the false prophet. The false prophet gives the anti-christ his power, his seat and great authority according to Rev.13:2. The false prophet is depicted as having horns like a lamb and speaking like a dragon revealing his deception and extent of his deadly poisoning words. He exercises the same powers as the anti-christ, causes people to worship the beast or anti-christ, will do great wonders, make fire come down from heaven and earth, deceive people through miracles, encourage people to make an image of the beast or anti-christ and he will have power to give life to the image so it speaks and put to death those who would worship the image of the beast. He will make people receive the mark of the beast in their right hand or forehead; Without which no one will be able to buy and sell (Rev.13:11-18).

THE TRIBULATION SAINTS

Christians who are left behind or those who become Christians after the rapture will be terribly persecuted by the anti-christ and the false prophet. Some Christians will be left behind if their hearts have gone away from Christ when he comes – This applies to backslidden Christians, willingly deceptive (sheep in wolves’ clothing), those deceived through willful sin and the apostate. Scriptures such as not everyone who says Lord, Lord will enter the Kingdom of Heaven ( Matt.7:21-23). Jn.15:6 reveals that every branch that does not abide is cast forth and they are gathered and burned. Heb.6:4-8 reveals those who go away from God who bear thorns and briers will be rejected and will be burned in the end. If any Christian fall in the category of Matthew 7, John.15 and Hebrews 6 when Jesus returns during the rapture, they will be left behind.

If such Christians wake up after the rapture and will not bow down to the image of the anti-christ or receive the mark of the beast (666), they will be beheaded and killed. These will be resurrected after the Second Coming and reign with Christ during the Millennium (Rev.20:4).

True believers will not go through the Great Tribulation because as it was during the days of Noah and Lot, so shall it be in the days of the Son of Man (Luke.17:26-29). Noah and his family and Lot and his family were both taken out ( a type of being caught up or the rapture) before judgement came. So, in the same way, believers will be caught up in the rapture before the judgements of the great tribulation come.

JUDGEMENTS OF THE GREAT TRIBULATION

According to Revelation 5:1, there are 7 seals in the right hand of the lamb of God. 6 of them are opened in Revelation 6. Below is what will unfold as God’s final judgement on the world before the Second Coming of Christ as the seals are opened. Otherwise known as Daniel’s 70th Week – 7 Years. THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF THE BIRTH PAINS – 1260 DAYS.

1st Seal – Rider on a White Horse – Represents terrible wars to come on the earth ( Rev.6:1-2, Matt.24:5 -Anti-Christ is revealed as the false messiah. World-Wide deception. Given a crown) – 7 year “peace” covenant is signed – Isa.28:15, 18.

2nd Seal – Rider on Red Horse – This represents the spirit of killing and blood shed – Rev.6:3-4, Matt.24:6-7. WW3 Begins. Anti-Christ wields great sword of Destruction. 3rd Temple Rebuilt, Sacrifices Start.

3rd Seal – Rider on a Black Horse – This represents Famine. The scales carried by the rider – suggests that there will be rationing according to measurement. The rider was told not to damage the oil and wine, this means the olive tree and vines should not be destroyed indicating a partial famine. Rev.6:5-6, Matt.24:7. Famine & Poverty. Rationing, Earthquakes &:Economic Collapse. Mystery Babylon rides the beast to power

4th Seal – The Pale Horse – This represents the spirit of death. Rev.6:7-8, Matt.24:8-9. Death & Disease. A quarter of men die. Gospel is preached. “Stand firm to the End”. Controversy of Zion rages. Isa.34:8, Zech.12:2-3

THE FOUR ABOVE REPRESENT THE 4 HORSEMEN OF THE APOCALYPSE (ZECH. 6:1-8)

ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION AS ANTI-CHRIST STOPS SACRIFICES IN THE TEMPLE TAKES PLACE BETWEEN THE 4TH AND THE 5TH SEAL

( Matt.24:15, Dan.9:27). The abomination of desolation occurs at the midway point of the 7 year tribulation period. The Antichrist will break his covenant with Israel, demand worship and desecrate the temple by placing his image there and demand worship as God. The Jews will be scattered and many of them will turn to the Lord, realizing Jesus as Saviour. A great persecution will break out against those who believe in Christ (Dan.12:11, Mark.13:14, Rev.12:17).

5th Seal – The souls of tribulation saints revealed – Those who had been killed for standing for their faith during the tribulation. Rev.6:9-11, Matt.24:21. Martyrs question “How long Sovereign Lord until you avenge our blood?” Testimony of the Saints: The Word, The blood of Jesus & Martyrdom. Anti-Christ invades Israel – Dan.11:32-45

6th Seal – The sun will be black like sack cloth, the moon will become red like blood and the stars will fall from the sky (Mark.13:24-25, Acts.2:20, Joel.2:31). Rev.6:12-16, Matt.24:29. Signs of great magnitude, Earthquake, Black sun, Blood Red Moon, Falling Stars, Sky rolls up and men hide. The Cosmic signs take place. Dan.11:33-35

The 7th Seal reveals the 2nd Coming of the Lord otherwise known as the Day of the Lord. Rev.6:17, Matt.24:30-31. Silence, prayers, thunder, noises, lightning and earthquake. ” Great Day of His Wrath has Come”.

The 7th Seal – Reveals 7 angels with trumpets ready to sound and with every sound of the trumpet a plague of Judgement will unfold

Ist Plague – When the 1st angel blows his trumpet, Hail and fire mixed with blood which results in one third of the earth being burned up Rev.8:7

The 2nd Plague – When the 2nd angel blows his trumpet, A great mountain burning with fire will be cast into the sea and destroys one third of oceans and seas of the earth by turning them to blood and killing the sea creatures. (Rev.8:8-9)

The 3rd Plague – When the 3rd angel blows his trumpet, A star burning as a lamp will fall from Heaven on a third of rivers and fountain of waters. The star is called Wormwood and it will make the waters bitter and kill many. (Rev.8:10-11)

The 4th Plague – When the 4th angel blows his trumpet, A plague of darkness causing the a third part of the sun, moon and stars to be darkened making a third part of the day dark. After this plague, an eagle gave warning that the remaining 3 plagues would be even more severe.

The 5th Plague – When the fifth trumpet sounds, a star will fall from the sky to the earth. The star will be an angel with the key to the bottomless pit. He will set the locusts or demons free from the bottomless pit or abyss. These locusts will look like scorpions, have shapes like horses, faces like men, crowns of gold on their heads, hair like that of women, teeth like lions, breastplates of iron and the sound of their wings as chariots going into battle. Their tails will sting like scorpions and they will have power to hurt for five months. They will only be given power to hurt and not kill. The king of the locusts is an evil angel called Abaddon in Hebrew but Apollyon in Greek. (Rev.9:2-11).

The fifth plague is referred to as the first woe with 2 more to follow (Rev.9:12)

The 6th Plague – When the 6th angel sounded, a voice said to loose the 4 angels who are bound in the great River Euphrates. These four angels were generals of an army of two hundred million horsemen. This army was ordered to kill a third of all unbelievers. This army had been kept waiting until the exact time of God’s final judgement against the world. The horses will have breastplates of fire, jacinth (Deep Blue) and brimstones. The heads of their horses will be lion heads which will issue fire, smoke and brimstone. They will kill a third of people by these three elements and with their serpent like tails. (Rev.9:13-16).

The 7th Plague – The seventh trumpet announces God’s final judgement against the world and the establishment of Christ’s kingdom. The believers enter into God’s presence (the symbol of the ark in Rev.11:19). But on earth, God’s judgement is poured out in the form of Silence, thunder, lightning, earthquake and a great hailstorm. This culminates in the 2nd Coming of the Lord otherwise known as Armageddon, The Last Trumpet, The Last Day, The Resurrection. All Israel will be saved at this point.

THE TWO WITNESSES

In the middle of the tribulation period, 2 witnesses will arise who will have power to prophesy for 1,260 days or 3 and a half years (Rev.11:3). They are the two Olive trees or the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth (Zec.4:3-5, 12-14). If anyone tries to hurt them fire will proceed from their mouths and devour their enemies. They will have power to shut up heaven so it will not rain in the days of their prophecy, they will have power to turn water to blood and smite the earth with plagues (Rev.11:4-6). When they had finished their testimony, the Anti-Christ or the Beast will kill them and their bodies will lie in the streets called Sodom and Egypt spiritually but literally it’s Jerusalem because it’s where our Lord was crucified (Rev.11:8). Everyone will see their bodies all around the world (via satellite TV) and after three and a half days or years the Spirit of Life from God will enter and they will be resurrected (Rev.11:11). Some theologians believe these 2 witnesses will be Elijah and Enoch because they were the only 2 Old Testament saints who did not taste death and some of the miraculous powers that will be demonstrated through the witnesses are like those displayed by Elijah and Moses and for this reason some theologians believe it will be Elijah and Moses. But it is given that man should die once (Heb.9:27) and because of that the first camp believe Elijah and Enoch who never tasted death will be the two witnesses.

THE 144,000 JEWS

Following the Rapture and the first 3 and a half years of tribulation will be concentrated on the left behind Christians and those who refuse to accept the mark of the beast, the second 3 and a half years will concentrate on persecuting the Jews. During this time the Jews will come to their senses and see Jesus as the Messiah. They will know who the crucified Jesus is and then they shall look by faith to him (Zech.12:10). The 144,000 Jews will be sealed from the 12 tribes of Israel to reach all Israel. Judah will be sealed first according to Zech.12:7 and Rev.7:5 and the remaining tribes except for Dan which will be replaced by Mannaseh (Rev.7:5-8). This is why Romans.11:26 & Isa.59:20-21 says a day is coming when all Jews shall be saved. It does not mean all literal Jews but a representation from each tribe that believe in Jesus as Messiah and the number 144,000 represents completion of numbers in the Bible.

THE BATTLE OF GOG & MAGOG

Just before the 2nd Coming of Christ, a great army from the North, believed to be Gog and Magog,

in alliance with several other countries from the Middle East and Africa will attack Israel but will be defeated by God’s supernatural intervention as seen in Ezek.38-39. This is the day of the Lord when these nations will be gathered against Jerusalem, the city shall be taken, the houses rifled, the women ravished and half the city will go into captivity. This will trigger the 2nd coming and then the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations and His feet shall stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives which is before Jerusalem on the East and the Mount of Olives shall be split into two towards the east and the west and there will be a great valley created between the Mount of Olives. Half of the mountain will fly towards the north and the other half towards the south. The birds and the fowls of the air will be summoned to eat the flesh of kings, captains and warriors that will be killed by the sword that proceeds from the Lord’s mouth. This is the sword with which He will smite the nations, then He will rule with a rod of iron and tread the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God during the Seconding Coming (Ezek.39:4, Rev.19:15-18).

THE 2ND COMING

Dan.9:27 reveals what is known as Daniel’s 70th Week. He will confirm a covenant with many for one ‘Seven’ in the middle of the ‘Seven’, he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing of the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation until the end that is decreed is poured out on him. A seven year covenant with Israel will be signed. The terms of the Covenant between the Anti-Christ and Israel are not listed but it is clear it will be a non-aggression pact, perhaps even a military alliance that will enable the Anti-Christ to gain power over the 10 kingdoms during the 1st 3 and a half years of the 70th Week (Dan.7:23-24, 8:23-25, Rev.17:8-17). It will include the protection of Israel in their national establishment and restoration and assure them at least temporary peace (Dan.8:25, 9:27, 11:36-45).

The Anti-Christ will demand worship of the abomination that causes desolation and will declare himself as god to be worshipped in the temple in Jerusalem (2Thess.2:4) which will be declined by the Jews. This will infuriate him and cause him to mobilize the world against Israel (Zech.14:1-16, Rev.19:11-21). This will lead to the Lord coming on a white horse to what is known as the Battle of Armageddon. The Anti-Christ will gather armies against the Lord and His Saints but they will be destroyed, the Anti-Christ and the False Prophet will be thrown in the lake of fire.

THE JUDGEMENT OF THE NATIONS

The Lord Jesus will judge the survivors of the tribulation after the 2nd coming of Him arrayed in glory (Matt.25:31) by separating the righteous from the wicked. The righteous will be known as “Sheep” nations while the wicked ones will be known as “Goat” Nations (Matt.25:31-46). The criteria for judging them will be based on how they treat Israel. Whether, they clothe, feed, visit and water them. The righteous will enter the MILLENIAL kingdom and the wicked nations will be cast into hell.

SATAN LOCKED UP

After the Anti-Christ and the False Prophet have been thrown into the lake of fire, an Angel will come from Heaven with the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. He will lay hold of the devil and lock him up in the bottomless pit for a thousand years.(Rev.20:1-3)

THE RESURRECTION OF THE TRIBULATION SAINTS – After Satan is locked up for a thousand years, the souls of those beheaded for the witness of Jesus, for the word of God who had not worshipped the beast nor his image, nor received his mark upon their foreheads or arms will be resurrected and they will reign with Christ for a thousand years and be part of the Millennial Reign – Rev.20:4

THE MILLENIAL REIGN – During the Millennial reign, the saints of God will reign with God for a thousand years while the devil is locked up. The Saints of God will rule and reign with God for a thousand years during which there will be peace and prosperity without the influence of the devil who will be locked up in the bottomless pit. After the thousand years the devil will be released and he will mobilize nations that are in the four quarters of the earth including Gog and Magog against God and his saints but fire will come down from God out of heaven and devour them. The devil who deceived them will be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where he will join the beast and the false prophet (Rev.20:8-10)

THE GREAT WHITE THRONE JUDGEMENT– At the Great White throne judgement everyone in hell will be judged and called to account for things done in this life. The dead, small and great will stand before God and the books will be opened. The Book of Life will also be opened and the dead will be judged out of those things written in the books according to their works. The sea will give up the dead in them and so will Death and Hell. The people will be judged according to their works. Death and hell and anyone not found written in the book of life will be cast into the lake of fire. (Rev.20:11-15).

THE ETERNAL STATE – THE NEW HEAVEN AND THE NEW EARTH

After the Great White throne Judgement, there will be a new heaven and a new earth as the first heaven and the first earth will pass away according to Rev.21:1. Heb.1:11-12 quoting from Ps102:25-26 suggests that the foundations of the heavens and the earth will wax old, God will fold them like a garment and they shall be changed. The eternal dwelling place of believers will be the new earth. The new earth is the “heaven” on which we will spend eternity. It is the new earth where the New Jerusalem, the Heavenly City, will be located. It is on the new earth that the pearly gates and streets of gold will be (Rev.21:18-21).

Heaven will include the New Heaven and the New Earth. The New Earth will be a physical place where believers will dwell with glorified bodies. The heaven believers will experience will be a new and perfect planet on which we will dwell. The new earth will be free from sin, evil, sickness, suffering, death and the curse (Rev.21:4 & Rev.22:3). The perfection of the New Earth is portrayed as a place where the wolf will lie with the lamb, the leopard will lie with the kid, the calf, the young lion and the fatling together and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young ones will lie down together and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The sucking child will play on the hole of the cobra and the weaned child will put his hand on a deadly snake’s den. Nothing will hurt or destroy in God’s Holy Mountain (Isa11:6-9) The Holy Mountain speaks of New Jerusalem which will be the headquarters of the New Earth. This paints a picture of total peace and perfection like things were before the fall.

Rev.21:1 refers to new heavens and this indicates the entire universe will be recreated to be a new earth, new skies, a new outer space and galaxies. God’s Heaven will be recreated as well to give everything in the universe a fresh start whether physical or spiritual.

FULLNESS OF LIFE FOUNDATION SERIES 15 – FASTING

WHAT IS FASTING

Fasting the abstinence from food, drink and earthly pleasures in order to seek the face of God. Fasting is not a tool to manipulate God or force His hand to move upon your life. God cannot and will not be manipulated by no man or no human effort. Fasting does not benefit God in any way but it positions the participants in a better spiritual state to hear God, perceive and see what God is wanting to do regarding the needs in their lives. Fasting should always be accompanied by a time of prayer and time in the word otherwise it is just a hunger strike. The time for fasting is not the time to spend just doing the chores, working tirelessly, spent watching television, listening to the radio, reading the newspaper or playing video games. Times of fasting should be spent as much as time allows praying, reading and studying the word, reading Spiritual Christian books, listening to anointed sermons and being led by the Spirit.

WHY SHOULD WE FAST?

Some people might ask is fasting essential? Do I have to fast? Does the Bible say “Thou shalt fast on 4th day of the week, then I will answer your prayers”? No it does not say that but references from the Bible seems to suggest most heroes of the Bible fasted:
Jesus said ‘when’ you fast not ‘if’ you fast – Matt.6:16-18. Jesus seems to assume it is a given.
John the Baptist and his disciples fasted – Matt.9:14
Moses fasted – Ex.24:18
David Fasted – He humbled his soul with fasting (Ps.35:13), He chastened his soul with fasting (Ps.69:10)
Elijah Fasted – 1Kings 19:8
Nehemiah Fasted – Neh.1:4
Esther, Mordecai and the Jews Fasted – Est.4:16-17
Daniel Fasted – Dan.9:3, Dan.10:2-3
Joel convened a National fast that included everyone – Joel.1:14, Joel.2:12-17
Jesus Fasted – Matt.4:1-2
Jesus said His Disciples would fast after He was taken from them – Matt.9:15
Jesus recommended fasting and prayer in order to cast out demons – Matt.17:21, Mark.9:29
Paul fasted often – 2.Cor.11:27.

From all the references above, the Saints of God in the Bible seemed to fast for different reasons. Jesus fasted before starting His public ministry. So fasting is a way of preparing for a ministry or spiritual endeavour. Moses and Elijah fasted for forty days and forty nights before significant encounters with God in their lives and ministry. So we might have to fast before significant events take place in our lives. Nehemiah, Daniel, Esther and Joel fasted in times of national crisis when the salvation and the well-being of the Jewish state and its people were at stake. Fasting is therefore a weapon to employ in times of crisis and great need.
We therefore need to fast to prepare ourselves spiritually, draw closer to God, seek His face in the time of crisis and need. It’s not the act of fasting that moves God but the sacrifice and denial of self which puts us in position to hear and perceive God better. Someone likened fasting as radio waves. The radio waves are in the atmosphere but if you don’t tune in, you won’t access a radio programme. In the same way, fasting is a way of tuning into the Spiritual realm to pick up what God is saying and doing clearer without distraction or interference.

WHEN SHOULD WE FAST?

The best time to fast is when we are led by the Spirit to do so like Jesus did – Matt.4:1-2. Jesus was led into the wilderness primarily to fast and the temptation came after the 40 day fast. Paul fasted often (2.Cor.11:27). Jesus took it for granted that we will fast when he said “When you fast” not ” if you fast” in Matt.6:16 and John the Baptist and His disciples seemed to fast often as we have already seen – Matt.9:14. But how many times and how many days is often? Once a week? Twice? Or once a month or or twice a month. We don’t really have an ideal guide when it comes to this aspect. That’s why we have to let the Holy Spirit guide us and show us scriptural examples.

1.Jesus, Moses and Elijah fasted for forty days so some Churches and traditions do this during lent giving up various things ranging from food, drink, certain snacks, to entertainment and social media. The fast during the lent period is carried out 40 days leading up to Easter.

2. Esther, Mordecai and the Jews fasted for 3 days without drinking or eating. The fast was to find favour in time of crisis and great need. A 3 fast day can be employed during the time of crisis in order to find favour and breakthrough.

3. Daniel fasted and prayed for 21days before Angel Gabriel and Michael broke through the heavenlies to bring Daniel’s answer to prayer. We might have to engage in this if we need fulfilment to an outstanding promise.

4. There is the national fast where the Leader (Whether Political or Religious) convenes and declares a fast inviting everyone whether young or old to join in during a time of crisis – Joel.1:14, Joel.2:12-17.

Some people interpret Paul’s notion of fasting often as once a week. Some fast once a month and some people fast more than once in a week. The main thing is to be led by the Spirit and not the flesh when it comes to when. Fasting weekly is a great spiritual discipline and so are the other forms. I would personally recommend them all. It’s good to fast once a week and also for the other periods of fasting such as 3-day fasts, 21-day and 40-day fasts.

HOW DO WE FAST?

Fasting can be done alone as led like Jesus did in Matthew chapter 4:1-2 or fasting can be done corporately as a group ( Matt.9:14) or as a nation (Joel.1:14, & Joel.2:12-17). When we go through a total fast we usually do not eat food or drink like Esther and the Jews (Est.4:16). We might drink water, tea or coffee but might decide not to drink anything at all if the Spirit of God leads us to. We might embark on a partial fast which might mean eating very small quantities or leaving out very fatty and highly nutritious portions of food. This might be a vegetable fast (Where you have only vegetables without meat and carbohydrates or a fruit fast where you have only fruit and nothing else). An example of a partial fast is found in Daniel. 10:3 where Daniel did not eat any precious or choice food, no meat or wine and did not use any lotions either. Daniel did not say he did not eat at all but he abstained from things he normally had at other times for a period of three weeks. This suggests he had bland or basic food and drinking water and no wine for that period and instead of using expensive lotions, he just used straightforward oil or a less in value substitute. The time of Fasting should be used to pray and seek God’s face (Neh.1:4-11, Dan.9:3). The time of fasting should also be a time to abstain from entertainment like King Darius ( Dan.6:18). So the time of fasting is not the time to watch television, listen to the radio, surf the internet, be entertained on social media, listening to pop music, reading the newspapers, novels, magazines or any other form of entertainment. The time of fasting should be spent praying, reading the Bible, listening to sermons, praise and worship music, studying the Bible, reading Christian books etc. If working or studying, then use your break for prayer or Bible reading and study.
Isaiah.58 lays out the type of fast that pleases God:

THINGS WE SHOULD NOT DO WHEN FASTING:

Doing as we please, exploiting others, quarrelling, strife, fighting. Such actions during a fast are unacceptable and won’t lead to answered prayer and breakthrough – Isa.58:3-4.
THE FAST GOD APPROVES: Fight injustice and freedom for the oppressed (Vs.6)
Feed the hungry, provide shelter for the wanderer and homeless, clothe the naked and welcome your brothers and sisters (Vs.7)
Doing away with oppression, pointing the judgemental finger and getting rid of vain and malicious talk – Vs.9
Spending oneself on behalf of the hungry. Giving sacrificially to them and satisfying the needs of the oppressed and afflicted soul – Vs.10
The time of fasting on the sabbath was a day to abstain from pleasing oneself, delighting in it, not going one’s way or speaking idle words – Vs.13
Fasting is a matter of discipline so the physical senses are trained to be yielded to the Lord. This makes them more submitted, surrendered and yielded to God if the Holy Spirit needs us to during periods when we are not fasting

THE FAST PLEASES GOD LEADS TO SOME REWARDS:

Your light will break forth as the morning and your health appear quickly. Your righteousness will go before you and God’s glory will be your rear guard- Isa.58:8.

You will experience increased answer to prayer – Vs. 9

Your light will rise in darkness and your night will become like the noonday – Vs.10
There will be guidance, your needs will be met in times of difficulty, you will be strengthened, you will be like a well-watered garden and a spring whose water never fails – Vs.11

You will raise up people who rebuild ancient ruins and raise up age-old foundations. You will be called the Repairer of broken walls and Restorer of streets with dwellings – Vs.12

You will find joy in the Lord, ride in the high places or heights of the land (Spiritually soaring in the spirit and physically travelling across the nations) – Vs.14

Questions
1. What is Fasting?
2. Why should We fast?
3. What are different kinds of fasts?
4. How should we fast?
5. What sorts of things characterize the fast that pleases God?
6. What are the rewards of fasting?