Welcome to the Website of Full Gospel Business Mens' Fellowship International, Nigeria
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Welcome to the Website of Full Gospel Business Mens' Fellowship International, Nigeria
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C.
4 things God wants you to have
God not only wants you to know and to do,
but also to have. Christianity is being
and doing, but it is also having.
There are many things we can have in Christ, but basically there are four
precious things God wants to give us.
(2)The
Baptism in the Holy Spirit.
The only way a person can ever have peace in
his soul is through Christ. In scripture God is often referred to as the "God
of peace," and the very reason Jesus came was to bring peace to mankind
(Acts 10:36). The kind of peace God wants you to have most
of all is a spiritual peace, peace of the soul. Paul says, "Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Romans 5:1). Paul is talking about the
peace one has from knowing that his sins are forgiven. You see, you no longer
stand in the judgment of God, for Christ has already made atonement for your
sins. So
rest In God’s peace. It is yours
today by your faith In Christ. Not only does Jesus give us peace about the
destiny of your souls, but He also gives us peace in temporal situations. In John
14:27 He said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the
world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them
be afraid." And in John 16:33 He adds, "in me you may have peace.
In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the
world." Though the storms of life may be
nagging about
you, you can have peace knowing that God is with you and that He will help you.
It is a peace that comes through prayer by the grace of God, and it is a peace
you can find only in Christ. Paul’s payer for the Thessalonians are words to
remember: "Now may the Lord of peace
himself give you peace at all times in all ways" (2 Thessalonians
3:16). When you are perplexed over life’s trying
circumstances, stop and study Philippians 4:4-7. Then pray and God will give you
a peace in your heart and mind that will strengthen you and see you through. 2.
The Baptism in the Holy spirit You first received the Holy Spirit in your
life the moment you accepted Christ as your Saviour. But there is yet another
experience of the Holy Spirit which is distinct from salvation, and it is
referred to in scripture as the Baptism
in the Holy Spirit (see Mark 1:8, Acts 1:45, and Acts 11:16). Baptism literally means
"immersion," and so when one is baptized in the Holy Spirit he is
literally immersed in the power and presence of the Spirit. In this experience
the Holy Spirit actually indwells a person. Many times it is said of people in
the scriptures that they are "filled" with the Spirit. Basically, this experience is for power that
we might be witnesses of Christ both in word and in deed. In Acts 1:8 Jesus told
His Apostles they would receive power to be His witnesses when they were
baptized wth the Holy Spirit (study verses 1 to 8). In 1 Corinthians 12 Paul
gives us a list of spiritual gifts which are given by the Holy Spirit to
Christians who have received this infilling. These gifts are given to help us
witness to non-Christians, and to minister to our fellow Christians. The Baptism in the Holy Spirit is given not
only so that we might minister to others, but that God might minister to us as
well. When one is filled with the Spirit he has more power to serve God, a
greater joy and love for Christ, and a deeper prayer life. Every Christian needs
to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. How can you receive this blessed experience?
It can be received simply by praying and asking God for it (study Luke 11:9-13).
However, in the days of the early church it was generally recieved through the
prayers of others who had already received the experience. Talk to someone in
your local chapter of the Full Gospel Business Men. Ask him to explain more
fully the Baptism in the Holy Spirit and also to pray for you that you might
receive it. Don’t delay. This experience is for you. It
will help you be a stronger christian and make you a powerful witness for
Christ.
Some people believe that Christianity is a
drab, depressing life of hardship and deprivation. Actually, Christianity is
just the opposite-it is an exciting life, a better life than any non-Christian
can have. That is not to say that God will make you a millionaire (although He
has done just that for some Christiansi). But God has promised you a life of
blessing. First
of all, there are spiritual blessings. Your life is now one of
peace and one that is free from the enslaving power of sin. You will eceive
great satisfaction not only in your mind but also in your spirit by serving
Christ. Secondly,
Christianity Is a life of physical blessings. Sin often shows
its ravaging effects in our bodies, but one who is free from sin is a healthier
person. But over and above that, we have a God who delights in healing our sick
bodies. Untold thousands have been healed through prayer - not by man’s doing,
but by the mercy and power of God. Third,
God does want to bless us materially. One who desires to serve
Christ will find that material "things" are not that important any
more, but God has promised to supply all our needs when we seek His kingdom and
give ourselves to Him (see Matthew 6:31-33 and Philippians 4:19). The grand. climax of the Christian experience
is spending eternity in the presence of God and in the riches and treasures of
His kingdom.. Paul says, "No eye has
seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for
those who love him" (1 Corinthians 2:9), What exactly is Heaven like? God gives us
only a glimpse into Heaven. In Revelation the Apostle John was given a vision of
Heaven. And he says that he heard a voice, which said of Heaven, "Behold,
the dwelling of God is with men. He will dwell with them, and they shall be his
people, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe away every tear from
their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor
crying nor pain any more, for the r former things have passed away"
(Revelation 21:1-4). How different than
life on this earth! Furthermore, Heaven is described as a
paradise with streets of gold. Whether that is literal or not we cannot be sure,
but Heaven is unlike anything man now knows. Heaven is with God. Heaven is the
end of sorrow and suffering. Heaven is experiencing the joys and riches of God
forever. And
God wants you to be there! What a precious and loving God we have, who
delights in giving. Let’s review again
the things He wants us to have: (1) Peace. (2) The Baptism in the Holy Spirit. (3) A better life. (4) Heaven. Don’t miss a thing God has for you. Be
everything He wants you to be. and do everything He wants you to do. And in the
being and doing you shall have all that He wants to give you. Aren’t you glad that you made the decision
to receive Christ as your Saviour? God has an exciting life for you in the days
ahead. You will be eternally grateful that God sent Jesus Christ to die for your
sins and that you decided to receive Him and serve Him. So again, welcome to the family of God. And
may, as the Apostle Paul prays, "The
grace of the Lord Jesus Christ
and the love of God and the fellowship of the
Holy Spirit be with you" (2 Corinthians 13:14). |
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admin@fgbmfi-nigeria.org with questions or comments about this web site.
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