Somo: MAPEPO NI NINI? [SEHEMU YA TATU]

Sehemu ya Tatu.

Somo: MAPEPO

Mada ndogo: “Mtu anawezaje kupata mapepo”

Lengo kuu: kuzijua mbinu zamapepo na kujilinda nazo

Lengo mahsusi: kudumu katika maombi ya vita kuzipinga roho za kipepo.
Ksms tulivyokwisha kuona kuwa pepo ni roho wachafu wasio na mwili wala umbo wenye uwezo wa kuingia ndani ya kiumbe hai na kuchukua umbo na sura ya kiumbe huyo,pamoja na namna mwanadamu anavyoweza kujikuta katika uhusiano na pepo kupitia ibada9 za sanamu, sadaka, kuyafuga n.k. hapa tutaendelea kujifunza juu ya habari hizi ambazo kila mtu ni vema akizijua.
Wakati mwingine, mtu huweza kujikuta katika hali ya kuvamiwa bila yeye kujua. Ndugu yangu mpendwa, kuvamiwa na pepo si mpaka uugue au ujisikie kuwa dhaifu, pepo huweza kuharibu vitu vyako pole pole, mtu aliyevamiwa na pepo, anaweza kumvuruga awe na hasira tu, asifanikiwe katika shughuli zake tofauti kama vile biashara,masomo, kazi ya ajira, ufugaji,kilimo n.k.
Mtu aliyefungwa kwa namna hii, huambiwa kuwa nyota yake imechukuliwa, na hapa ndipo waganaga wa kienyeji na waaguzi husema kuwa umetupiwa mikosi au mizimu imekasirika na kupaswa kutaaswa kwa kuogeshwa dawa,kuchanjwa au kunyweshwa; hatua hii ni hatari sana, kwa humfanya mwanadamu aingie mikataba mingine na mapepo, na hii huwa ni njia ya moja kwa moja, baada ya kipindi fulani, ile hali ya zamani hujirudia na kulazimika kwenda kwa mganga tena ili kukupatia dawa kali zaidi, bila kujiujua unakuwa unafanya mikataba migumu zaidi na kuzidi kuangamia; utakuta mtu anapewa miiko mikubwa mikubwa ambayo haitekelezeki na mwisho wake mtu huyu anakuwa mtumwa na miiko ya kipepo na anapoivunja basi humwangamiza kabisa.
Mpendwa, dawa iko kwa Yesu, jislaimishe leo uwe huru. Yeye pekee ndiye anayeweza kukuweka huru, ndiye anayeweza kuisafisha nyota yako, ndiye anayeweza kukuinua, njoo kwake leo, usikubali kudanganywa,Yesu ndiye yote ndani ya yote. Haleluya.
Zifuatazo ni njia kuu tano za mtu kupatwa na mapepo;-
(a) Kuabudu miungu- hizi ni ibada zinazofanywa katika madabahu ya shetani. Ibada juu ya mizimu, wafu, kuyaomba mali majini,kutaka ushirika na shetani ili kufanikiwa na ibada zote za namna hii. Kwa kufanya ibada hizi, hujitenga na MUNGU hivo kuwa na ushirika na shetani (1Wakorintho 10:20-22)
(b) Kwa matendo maovu ya mwili- mtu aliyetawaliwa na nguvu za mwili/ hisia, hawezi kuwa na ushirikana MUNGU kwa kuwa, mwili siku zote hupambana na roho. Mtu aliyetawaliwa na matdndo ya wili (Wagalatia 5:19-21) hawezi kumpendeza MUNGU kwa kuwe yeye huongozwa na tamaa za mwili wake wala hayuko tayali kuongozwa na ROHO wa Mungu. Hii ni pamoja na uzinzi,uchawi,ulevi,ulafi na ibada zote za sanamu.
NB; Matendo ya mwili- ni matendo maovu yote yaliyo kinyume na sheria ya MUNGU, ambayo watu ambao hawajakombolewa, hutawaliwa nayo kama dhambi ya asili. Ni lazima kuitubu ili uwe salama. Kumbuka, watu waliozoea kufanya dhambi, huweza kupagawa na pepo (Yohana 5:14)
(c) Kwa kuzifuata DINI za Uongo- hizi ni dini za kiudanganyifu, imani zisizoieleza kweli ya MUNGU. Imani zilizokinyume na wokovu kamili kupitia YESU KRISTO. Ni muhimu kujiepusha na imani/dini hizi ili uwe salama. Dini zakiudanganyifu zipo nyingi na zimekwishashika hatamu (Ufunuo12:9, 1Wathesalonike 3:5). Ni vema kuitafuta iliyo imani ya kweli na kuifuata, usiseme mimi nimekulia katika dini fulani, hivyo hii ndiyo dini yangu, hapana, dini haitakupeleka popote, kikubwa ni wokovu kamili ili ufike mbinguni.
(d) Kutokusamehe- hii ni hali ya kutokuachilia, hali ya kulipiza kisasi. Mpendwa, mtu wa kisasi, hawezi kuurithi ufalme wa Mungu, kwa maana mtu ambaye hayuko tayali, hatasamehewa pia dhambi zake. Mtu aliyefungwa na roho ya kutokusamehe, adui humpandikizia watesaji (Mathayo 18:34&35) hizi ni roho za kumkumbusha maovu yote aliyotendewa ili ahisi uchungu rohoni mwake, ashindwe kusamehe.
(e) Mtu asiye na neno- kukaa bila kusoma neno la Mungu na maombi pia, humpelekea mtu kuwa mtupu, hivyo kufanyika masikani ya adui/ibilisi au makao ya pepo (Mathayo 12:44).

Ni vema kudumu katika sala na kuomba na kusoma neno ili usiwe mtu, bali Roho wa Mungu afanye makaondani yako. Mtu wa Mungu kamwe si mtupu, huongozwa na kujazwa kwa Roho wa Mungu siku zote.
Ndugu yangu mpendwa, jitahidi sana kuweka utaratibu wa kuwa na muda wa kwenda mbele za Mungu kwa sala na maombi kila siku. Hii itakusaidia kuwa karibu na Mungu zaidi. Kumbuka, unavyomkaribia Mungu, ndivyo unavyozidi kuwa mbali zaidi na shetani.(Yakobo 4:8).

Natumai unaendelea kubarikiwa na mafundisho ya neno la Mungu, je, mtu alivamiwa na mapepo yuko je? Endelea kufuatana nami toleo lijilo.......Somo: MAPEPO NI NINI [SEHEMU YA NNE]
Mungu akubariki.

Somo: Mapepo ni nini? SEHEMU YA PILI

SEHEMU YA PILI

Somo: Mapepo ni nini?

Lengo Kuu:Uhusiano Baina ya Mtu na mapepo

Lengo Mahsusi: Kujua namna ya kuzishinda roho za kipepo na kazi zake.

Uhusiano Baina ya Mtu na mapepo.

Bwana Yesu asifiwe sana,
Ndugu zangu wapendwa, karibu katika mwendelezo wa somo letu. Katika sehemu iliyotangulia, tulijifunza dhana ya pepo, asili na mkuu wa mapepo. Pia, tuligusia kwa ufupi juu ya utiifu wao juu ya Mungu na hatua ya kuchukua ili kukabiliana na uhalifu unaoendelezwa na mapepo kupitia maombi, toba na kulishika neno la Bwana.
Ndugu mpendwa, katika sehemu hii, tutachunguza Uhusiano uliopo baina ya mtu/binadamu na mapepo.
Tunaposema uhusiano katika muktadha huu, tunamaanaisha, vitu vinavyoweza kumkutanisha mwanadamu na pepo/ roho wabaya.
Yafuatayo ni baadhi ya maeneo yanayoweza kuwakutanisha binadamu na mapepo:-
(a) Sadaka- mwanadamu katika kukamilisha ibada zake, huweza kujikuta anatoa sadaka kwa mapepo. Tukio hili huweza kudumisha uhusiano baina yake na pepo. Zoezi hili, linafahamika sana kama tambiko, amabapo zawadi za wanyama, pombe, mazao mbali mbali na pesa pia hutolewa kwaajili ya masuala ya kiibada.
Sambamba na hili, wakuu wa ibada hizi, hujihusisha na shughuli za uaguzi, uganga, utabili na kubashiri,ramuli n.k.
Kwakufanya ibada hizi,mwanadamu hujifungamanisha na mapepo/ roho wachafu na kuongozwa nao.
Mara nyingine, watu hufanya ibada hizi wakidhani wanamwabudu Mungu na sadaka hizi wanamtolea Mungu, kumbe siyo kweli (Kumbukumbu la Torati 32:17).

Ndugu zangu, ibada hizi ni machukizo kwa Mungu na hapendezwi nazo. Mungu huchukia ibada hizi, yeye hafurahii ibada za namna hii kwakuwa ni ibada za mashetani.(1Wakorintho 10:20-30)

(b) Dhambi na Upagani- huu ni mlango mkuu wakuwanganisha watu na mapepo. Watu wengine hudhania kuwa wapagani hawatahukumiwa, ndugu yangu hukumu ipo tuu, ili mradi tu wewe ni binadamu, lazima hukumu ipo. Kujitenga na Mungu kwa kutenda dhambi adhabu yake ni hukumu, na hata mpagani atahukumiwa kwa dhamili yake. (1Timotheo4:1&2). Ndugu mpendwa, kubali leo umpokee Yesu, awe Bwana mwokozi wako, uwe huru.

(c) Kutii mafundisho ya uongo- mafundisho ya uongo ni yote yanayoenda kinyume na mwongozo wa Mungu. Kwa kuyatii, basi ni dhambi, na hukumu ya dhambi ni mauti. Kutolifata neno la Mungu kama lilivyo ni kufuata mafundisho ya uongo. Ndugu, tambua ya kuwa neno liko wazi na limefunuliwa kwa wote, hakuna atakayesema hakujua. Kila kona leo, kuna dini nyingi amabazo nyingine, hazifundishi kweli ya Mungu kama ilivyo, jiepushe na kujitenga na roho hizo, (1Timotheo 4:3-5).

(d) Kuyafuga- hii ni hali ya kukaa nayo. Njia hii, hutumiwa aidha kwa woga au kwa kuyapenda. Ndugu, hakuana urafiki kati ya pepo na mwanadamu. Daima lengo la pepo ni kuharibu na kuua. Kuna watu wanafuga mapepo, wengine wanayatumia kiganga, wanapagawa mapepo n.k. hili hufanaya roho hizi zifanye masikani ndani ya mtu, ndani ya uzao wake, mali, shamba na ahata mifugo (Mathayo 8:30-32).

Ndugu mpendwa, Kwa kuyapa nafasi mapepo kuwepo katika familia yako, hutoa mwanya wa kuitesa familia kizazi hata kizazi. La msingi hapa ni kuziamuru hizi roho ziondoke katika familia yako. Omba kwa vita na kukemea, ujitenge, uitenge familia yako, uzao wako, mali zako, shamba, biashara, mifugo na kila kitu, kiwe huru. Kikabidhi mikononi mwa Mungu awe Bwana na Mlinzi wako na kila kitu chako.

Je, mtu/ binadamu hupataje mapepo? Chanzo/asili yake ni nini? Endelea kufuatana nami toleo lijilo......Somo: MAPEPO NI NINI? [SEHEMU YA TATU]

Somo: Mapepo ni nini? [SEHEMU YA KWANZA]

Lengo Kuu: Kujua mapepo na kazi zake.

Lengo Mahsusi: Kujua namna ya kuzishinda roho za kipepo na kazi zake.

MAPEPO
Ni roho chafu, roho za mashetani, ziwaingiazo watu ili kuwatesa kwa magonjwa na mateso anuwai.
“Naye Yesu akisha kuona kuwa mkutano unakusanyika mbio, akamkemea yule pepo mchafu akamwambia, Ewe pepo bubu na kiziwi,mimi nakuamuru mtoke huyu, wala usimwingie tena”(Marko 9:25) pia (Mt 4:24 &7:22).

Sifa kuu ya Mapepo ni kuwa, hayana umbo, nyama wala mifupa. Ni roho, na roho haiwezi kuwa na mwili wala mifupa (Luka 24:39)”....ni shikenishikeni, mwone; kwa kuwa roho haina mwili wala mifupa...” Isipokuwa, Huweza kuingia ndani ya mwili wa kiumbe hai na kuvaa umbo na sura yake.

Kumbuka: Hii ziyo mizimu au Roho za wafu. Mtu akishakufa, roho yake haina uwezo wa kurudi duniani. Usidanganyike. Fuatilia kisa cha tajiri na masikini, roho ya tajiri haikuweza kurudi duniani. (Luka 16:27-31)
Wala, roho hizi(mapepo) siyo malaika walioasi, kwa kuwa wao wametekwa na tayali wako kwenye kamaba zao wakingoja siku ya hukumu (Yuda 1:16,2Petro 2:4)

Swali: Je, mkuu wa mapepo ni nani? Ili kupata jibu fuatana nami.....

Biblia katika kitabu cha Marko 3:22, imeeleza wazi, aliye mkuu wa mapepo. Naye ni Beelzebuli. Hili ni dhahili, kuwa huyu ndiye mkuu wa mapepo na ndiye pepo mkuu.

Je, mapepo yanamfahamu Mungu, yanamchukuliaje?Mepepo yanafahamu fika kuwa Mungu yupo. Tena yanajua kuwa Mungu anauwezo na nguvu zaidi yao, ndiyo maana humwogopa. (Yakobo 2:19).”Wewe waamuni ya kuwa Mungu ni mmoja; watenad vema.mashetani nao wanaamini na kutetemeka”

Kama vile mapepo yanavyomogopa Mungu na hata kutetemeka, kadharika mtu asiye na roho wa Mungu, huyaogopa mapepo. Je, hujaona mtu anaogopa kulala peke yake ndani, pengine hata mchana huogopa kubaki nyumbani peke yake wengine wanapokuwa hawapo? Hata wanafunzi wa Yesu, kabla ya kumpokea Roho Mtakatifu, walikuwa waoga juu ya pepo. (Mathayo 14:26,Luka 24:37). Hivyo, watu wote, wanapaswa kuokoka na kupokea nguvu ya Roho mtakatifu ili kuwashinda mapepo na kazi zao zote.
Zingatia hili, mapepo yananao uwezo wa kutenda miujiza kupitia watu, vitu na hata wanayama ili kuwadanganya watu na miujiza yao ya uongo (Ufunuo 16:14).

Hakika, kazi za mapepo zikidhibitiwa vilivyo, kazi zote za adui/ shetani zitakuwa zimeshindwa na maangamizi yote ya kipepo hayatapata nafasi tena. Amen.

Je, kuna uhusiano gani kati ya watu/ binadamu na mapepo? Chanzo/asili yake ni nini? Endelea kufuatana nami toleo lijilo....... Somo: Mapepo ni nini? SEHEMU YA PILI

YESU KRISTO KWA MATAIFA YOTE

Yesu Awatuma Wanafunzi Wake 

Hebu tusome Neno la Mungu katika Injili kama ilivyo letwa kwetu kupitia Matayo.

Matayo 28: 16 Basi wale wanafunzi kumi na mmoja wakaenda hadi Galilaya kwenye ule mlima ambao Yesu alikuwa amewaagiza. 17 Walipomwona, wakamwabudu, lakini baadhi yao wakaona shaka. 18 Yesu akawajia na kusema, “Nimepewa mamlaka yote mbinguni na duniani. 19 Kwa sababu hii, enendeni ulimwenguni mkawafanye mataifa yote kuwa wanafunzi, mkiwabatiza kwa Jina la Baba na la Mwana na la Roho Mtakatifu, 20 nanyi wafundisheni kuyashika mambo yote niliyowaamuru ninyi. Hakika Mimi niko pamoja nanyi sikuzote, hadi mwisho wa nyakati.’’ Amen.

NDUGU ZANGUNI:

Tumepewa kazi na Yesu Kristo ya kuihubiri Injili kwa Mataifa yote. Hii kazi ya kuhubiri Injil ni ya Wakristo wote, haijalishi wewe ni Meneja, Mwalimu, Mwanafunzi, Mchungaji, Polisi, Fundi, Dereva, na nk. Yesu amepewa Mamlaka yote Mbiguni na Duniani. Ushindi ni wetu katika jina lake lililo zaidi ya majina yote.

Mashetani yote yanatetemeka wanapo sikia Jina la Yesu.

Misukule yote inaachia na watu wanakuwa huru wanapo sikia Jina la Yesu.

Walio fungwa na Nguvu za Giza wanakuwa Huru katika Jina la Yesu.

Walio potea katika dhambi wanawekwa Huru kupitia Jina la Yesu.

Wagonjwa wanapona katika Jina la Yesu.

Jina la Yesu lina Mamlaka yote, duniani na Mbinguni.

Twendeni na tufanye kazi ya Bwana katika Mataifa yote.

Yesu ni yule yule, Jana, Leo na Hata Milele.

Mungu awabariki sana

Katika Huduma Yake.

Max Shimba

Max Shimba Ministries

LEO TUTAMTAZAMA BWANA YESU NA MUHAMAD NI NANI MWENYE MATUMAINI YENYE UHAKIKA KATI YOA

Tutapitia kauli zao walizozisema wakiwa Duniani, na kila mmoja atahukumu ni yupi mbora wa kufwata kati ya Bwana Yesu na Muhamad.

BWANA YESU ANASEMA
Yohana 8:12 Basi Yesu akawaambia tena akasema, Mimi ndimi nuru ya ulimwengu, yeye anifuataye hatakwenda gizani kamwe, bali atakuwa na nuru ya uzima.
Yohana 10:9 Mimi ndimi mlango; mtu akiingia kwa mimi, ataokoka; ataingia na kutoka, naye atapata malisho.

Yohana 10:11 Mimi ndimi mchungaji mwema. Mchungaji mwema huutoa uhai wake kwa ajili ya kondoo.
Yohana 10:14 Mimi ndimi mchungaji mwema; nao walio wangu nawajua; nao walio wangu wanijua mimi;
Yohana 11:25 Yesu akamwambia, Mimi ndimi huo ufufuo, na uzima. Yeye aniaminiye mimi, ajapokufa, atakuwa anaishi;
Yohana 14:6 Yesu akamwambia, Mimi ndimi njia, na kweli, na uzima; mtu haji kwa Baba, ila kwa njia ya mimi.

Yohana 6:40 Kwa kuwa mapenzi yake Baba yangu ni haya, ya kwamba kila amtazamaye Mwana na kumwamini yeye, awe na uzima wa milele; nami nitamfufua siku ya mwisho.

Yohana 8:14 Yesu akajibu, akawaambia, Mimi ningawa ninajishuhudia mwenyewe, ushuhuda wangu ndio kweli; kwa sababu najua nilikotoka na niendako; lakini ninyi hamjui nilikotoka wala niendako.

Yohana 14: 2 Nyumbani mwa Baba yangu mna makao mengi; kama sivyo, ningaliwaambia; maana naenda kuwaandalia mahali.3 Basi mimi nikienda na kuwaandalia mahali, nitakuja tena niwakaribishe kwangu; ili nilipo mimi, nanyi mwepo. 4 Nami niendako mwaijua njia.

Ufunuo 1:17… Usiogope, Mimi ni wa kwanza na wa mwisho,18 na aliye hai; nami nalikuwa nimekufa, na tazama, ni hai hata milele na milele. Nami ninazo funguo za mauti, na za kuzimu.

MUHAMAD ANASEMA
Q 46:9. Sema: Mimi si kiroja miongoni mwa Mitume. Wala sijui nitakavyo fanywa wala nyinyi. Mimi nafuata niliyo funuliwa tu kwa Wahyi, wala mimi si chochote ila ni mwonyaji mwenye kudhihirisha wazi.

Q19:71. Wala hakuna yeyote katika nyinyi ila ni mwenye kuifikia(hiyo Jehanam). Ni wajibu wa Mola wako uliokwisha hukumiwa.

Na ktk Sahihi Al-Bukhari IV, Hadith Na. 728, na VI, Hadith Na. 294. Muhamad anasema Eeh ndugu zangu Abdul Manaf, Abbas bin Abdul bin Mutalib, Safiyyah(shangazi) na binti yangu Fatima mimi sina uwezo wa kuwaokoa dhidi ya ghazabu ya Mungu.

Q 10:102. Basi, je! Wanangojea jingine ila (kuwajia) mfano wa siku za (adhabu zilizowafika) watu walio pita kabla yao? Basi Ngojeni! Mimi pia ni pamoja nanyi katika wanao ngojea.

Fafanuzi yake: Ukimwone mwenzio amenyolewa kwa jambo hilo hilo unalolifanya, basi kitie maji upesi kichwa chako kwani na wewe utanyolewa km alivyonyolewa.

Quran 40: 60. Na Mola wenu Mlezi anasema: Niombeni nitakuitikieni. Kwa hakika wale ambao wanajivuna na kuniabudu Mimi wataingia Jahannamu wadhalilike.

"Mwenye kubadili dini yake (ya kiislamu, muueni" (A) Bhukari 6922, Abu Dawuwd 4329, At - Tirmidhiy 1483
O Khadija, Ninaona Mwanga, na nasikia Masautisauti, nina hofu kuwa mimi nina Wazimu. "Kitab al-Tabaqat al-Kabir", by Ibn Sad, , ukurasa wa 225

Ndugu msomaji(Mkristo na Mwislam) tukiacha yote ni nani hapo anamatumaini ya uhakika ya kumfuata kati ya Bwana Yesu na Muhamad????.

Bwana Yesu apewe sifa.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Max-Shimba-Ministries/240799792736297

Jeneza la Kuhani Mkuu Aliyesimamia Hukumu ya Yesu Lagundulika

Kayafa alikuwa ni kuhani mkuu wa Wayahudi kuanzia mwaka 27 hadi 36 baada ya Kristo.  Yeye alikuwa ni Sadukayo (Matendo 5:17). Alikuwa ni adui mkubwa wa Yesu Kristo.

Kayafa ndiye aliyetoa pendekezo kwa makuhani na wakuu wengine wa Kiyahudi walikokutana kujadiliana juu ya muujiza wa Bwana Yesu wa kumfufua Lazaro. Imeandikwa:

Basi wakuu wa makuhani na Mafarisayo wakakusanya baraza, wakasema, Tunafanya nini? Maana mtu huyu afanya ishara nyingi.

Tukimwacha hivi, watu wote watamwamini; na Warumi watakuja, watatuondolea mahali petu na taifa letu.

Mtu mmoja miongoni mwao, Kayafa, aliyekuwa Kuhani Mkuu mwaka ule, akawaambia, Ninyi hamjui neno lo lote;

wala hamfikiri ya kwamba yafaa mtu mmoja afe kwa ajili ya watu, wala lisiangamie taifa zima. (Yohana 11:47-50).

Alikuwa ni Kayafa pia aliyemhoji Bwana Yesu baada ya kukamatwa. Imeandikwa katika Mathayo 26:57-66:

57 Nao waliomkamata Yesu wakampeleka kwa Kayafa, Kuhani Mkuu, walikokuwa wamekutanika waandishi na wazee.

58  Na Petro akamfuata kwa mbali mpaka behewa ya Kuhani Mkuu, akaingia ndani, akaketi pamoja na watumishi, auone mwisho.

59  Basi wakuu wa makuhani na baraza yote wakatafuta ushuhuda wa uongo juu ya Yesu, wapate kumwua;

Imam Ageuza dini na kuwa Mkristo baada ya Kusoma Quran kwa Undani...

Asema yafuatayo:
Ashangazwa kuona Jina la Mariam ndani ya Kuran na kupewa Suran nzima "Surah Maryam"
Aendelea kushanga baada ya kukuta Surah ya familia ya Maryam?
Ameshindwa kuelewa kwanini Allah hakuweka Surah hata moja ya Mama yake Muhammad au Wake zake Muhammad au Watoto wake Muhammad wa kike. 

Ashtuka kuona Yesu katajwa mara 25 huku Muhamamd akitajwa mara 3
Ashangaa kuona Koran inamuita Yesu ni Neno, huku Koran hiyohiyo ikisema kuwa Neno ndio iliumba Mungu

Sikiliza mwenyewe na uojifunze kutoka Imam alie uacha Uislam na kuingia Ukristo.  

Dr. Myles Munroe, wife Ruth, among 9 killed in Bahamas plane crash (update)

Dr. Myles Munroe, the leader of Bahamas Faith Ministries, was killed Sunday when the plane he was in hit a construction crane, exploded and crashed in the Bahamas.

Munroe's wife, Ruth, was also among the 9 victims of the crash in Grand Bahama, according to the Bahamas Tribune.

The small plane crashed after hitting the crane in a shipyard on approach to the Grand Bahama International Airport, according to officials there.

In addition to founding BFMI, the internationally known Munroe was also president of Myles Munroe International (MMI). The BFMI website describes Munroe was a "lecturer, teacher, life coach, government consultant, and leadership mentor."

The plane crashed as people were gathering in Grand Bahama for the Global Leadership Forum -- an event organized by Munroe.

Did Jesus pre-exist before his birth on Earth?

John 6:38-40
For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me; and this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up at the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

The first verse suggests that Jesus came down from Heaven. This seems to contradict the belief that he first existed as a man when he was born into this world. For if Jesus was first conceived through Mary and had no pre-existence, how could he come down from Heaven. We (Man) come into existence when we are born into this world, but would it be correct to say that we came down from Heaven? If a verse said that we came down from Heaven, would you think that we pre-existed in Heaven?

John 1:15
15 John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ “

John the Baptist was 6 months older than Jesus Christ. So it is physically impossible for Christ to be before him. Surely this verse shows preexistence, at least before John the Baptist.

Jude 1:25
to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.

&

Colossians 1:17
He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

These 2 verses you just read blatantly say that he is before all things.

John 1:3
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.

So there is nothing that was made that didn’t involve Jesus/The Word being there. This verse alone answers your question because the universe, angels and men were made and Jesus was present when they were created.

John 8:58
“I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!”

Jesus claimed to exist before Abraham. The words I am mean I exist. So Jesus existed before Abraham.

Revelation 22:16
“I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star.”

Here we see that Jesus is the offspring of David, yet he is also the root of David, which at appears to show existence before King David.

Luke 10:18
He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.

Compare Luke 10:18 with Revelation 12:1-10 and it appears that Satan and his angels fell to the earth before the birth of Christ as a man. Now we know that Jesus was the Word and was with God in the beginning.

What is Prayer?

INTIMACY WITH GOD

What is Prayer?

Prayer is communication with God; a desire to enter into conscious and intimate relationship with the God who is our life. One example in the Psalms:

Psalm 73:25, 26 “Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”

It is speaking to God and listening for His answer; an intimacy that we share with Him. God actually hungers for our fellowship.

Rev. 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”

Prayer is adoration; the praise of God because of His greatness and goodness.

Psalm 145:3 “Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable”.

Prayer is thanksgiving; the outpouring of gratitude to God because of His grace, mercy, and lovingkindness. You will see this exemplified in the Psalms.

Psalm 103:1,2,8,10-12 “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases….the Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy….He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us…..For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.”