Confronting Storms 2

Restoration in Humility

Humility the number one recipe to restoration 2Chron.7:14

Humility is the environment that enables you to pray.

It is impossible to seek God in our pride Psalm. 10:4.

God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble. 1Pet.5:5

Sometimes it looks difficult bit it pays.

Romans 12:3 NLT 

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.

Saying sorry to someone lower than us doesn't remove any credentials from us but only makes us better.

Psalms 51:17 NLT

My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.

Psalms 56:8 NLT

You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.

You cannot seek God when the first ordinance isn't working.

Job. 41:1

The spirit of pride is a contrary spirit to the will, the spirit, the power, and the word of God

The spirit of pride cannot be hooked out , the spirit of humility is the one that can accept the hook. The hook is the word of God.

James 1:21 NIV 

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

At the bottom of the sea

Its never easy to be thankful in tough times. It takes faith but also  deeper understanding of God's ways and patience that produces endurance & expectation from the Lord.

1-Attitude Change 

"Your attitude rather than your aptitude will determine your altitude" Zig Ziglar

We not only say thank you in good times, when we receive gifts or are well physically or even emotionally. In fact oftentimes than not we are ungrateful for such times. But this is when God requires our thanksgiving attitude. He is up to  something* learn it perceive it, have knowledge of his working. Isa.43:19.

Job 2:10 NIV

He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman [a] woman. Shall we accept food from God, and not trouble?" In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

Phil:4:6-9 NIV

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God,which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

2-Knowing God and His Will 
"Praise Him for the roses; thank Him for the thorns."

A deeper relationship with the Lord makes us overcome the trials. Jonah, David, Moses, Peter, James & John Elijah had such deep conversational relationships with God.

Several examples in scripture teach us to be grateful, from their "bottom of the sea" we see an attitude of thanksgiving. God rewards that!. He is faithful to those who trust in Him.

Gen 50:20 NIV

The purposes of God have to be fulfilled, his will has to prevail. That's the reason we are in the sea bed, in the belly some times. 

20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

Jonah:2:1-10 MSG 

Here is a perfect example of God's will. A man running from God's will ends up at the sea bed, in the belly of a fish. He reconciles himself to God and offers a prayer of thanksgiving.

Those who worship hollow gods, god-frauds, walk away from their only true love. But I’m worshiping you, God, calling out in thanksgiving! And I’ll do what I promised I’d do! Salvation belongs to God!” 10 Then God spoke to the fish, and it vomited up Jonah on the seashore.

3-Remain Humble
1 Peter.5:6; 10-11

We should recognize God is putting us in line with Himself, so many times we go astray and become proud then God allows for the difficult times to come to us. He also uses those times to shape our character so we can be reputable.

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

4-Sing Out
Acts 16:16-34 NIV; 1Thes.5:16-18 NLT

Our thanksgiving and praise releases us from the yoke and bondage of the enemy but it will also release those  around us, including our captors. The difficult times we face may symbolize jail or detention but there cometh a time or release, and our freedom is in our worship/ thanksgiving. This means that even in prison I should have an attitude of a victor- winner, then can i offer thanksgiving.

16Always be joyful. 17Never stop praying. 18Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

Other references:
James 1:2;12-14, PS.100:4

Be watchful as a disciple of Jesus

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,  Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;  Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Titus 2:11-14
The only condition to be a disciple of Jesus Christ is to accept him as your Lord and Savior
2Peter 3:17-18
Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.  But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
The only thing that can save us from false teachings is growth in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.
We must be faithful servants
Mathew 24:44-47
Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.   Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his Lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?   Blessed is that servant, whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing.   Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

Be watchful, only the holy spirit can keep you watching
Mathew 25:13
Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
We should purify ourselves
1John3:1-3
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.  Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.  And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
Hope entails responsibility
Where God gives hope, there will be responsibility
Holiness is not following rules, it is following Jesus closely
We must know the things that hinder our hope
Luke 21:34
And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
Don't allow the devil to put you in his pocket because your spiritually cold

Review of the human heart

Matt 24:4-5
The days of preparation marked by;
False prophets
Lots of crimes . Next we will be the Rapture, 1Thes 4:13
Tribulation will then begin. Rev.6; Luk.21:36; 2Thess.2:7-8. Satan imitates the ways of God. He will come in the form a human being mimicking Christ. This Antichrist will control the world in 3main aspects;
*The economy
*Religion and
*Politics.
The great tribulation will follow the tribulation. Rev.11:1-2, Mark.13:14 then,
The glorious appearing of Christ. Rev.19:14-21.
Jesus highlighted and emphasised the following;
*Be careful do not be deceived (Matt.24:4) the gifts of utterance include prophecy, tongues, interpretation and these are being used by the devil. The power of miracles is not absolutely from God. But let's test the spirit. Sometimes God allows a false prophet to test our faith. (Deut.13:1-4).
  *Signs (Matt.24:32) biblical interpretation would be the restoration of the nation of Israel. (Amos.9:13-15)
*The need to be ready (Matt.24:45).

The Blessed Hope

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Titus 2:11‭-‬14 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/tit.2.11-14.NIV

A blessed hope is the glorious appearing of our God and Saviour Jesus Christ. Death comes to us before this glorious appearing,  but we should look at this death with hope because our Saviour Jesus in whom we believe has conquered death. When we loose loved ones in the Lord,  we mourn with hope. 1Thess. 4:13-18 NIV

Our Hope is built on the gospel,  on sound doctrine laid down by the Holy Spirit.

Therefore we should watch out for the condemnation of the devil as Paul warns in 1 Tim. 3:6NIV

Come with us to Kanyumu as we share the good news of the Gospel of the Kingdom of our heavenly Father. Be part of this great commission as handed down to us by Jesus Himself. Be blessed

Check out @dcentebbe’s Tweet: https://twitter.com/dcentebbe/status/1002638051796021248?s=09

Waiting upon the Lord in righteousness

Genesis 6:1-8, In vs 18, Noah is commanded to build an ark.

It took Noah 120 years but he went ahead to build the ark. This is obedience to the words of the Lord.

When the floods came, Noah was saved. As we wait upon the Lord, are we stranding doing nothing. The Lord wants us to live a Holy life.

What to do as you wait on the Lord

- Allow God to prune you. Hebrews 12:4
Take is seriously when the Lord starts to deal with us. He rebukes us because he loves us.
He disciplines us for our own good.  The Gardner prunes the plants because he wants a good harvest.
Amos 7:7

- We need to allow Jesus Christ to live in us.
- Our God is a holy God and a consuming fire. Exodus 3:1-7

As we wait upon the Lord, are there things we need to surrender to the Lord. We need to let go of the things that hinder us from coming to the presence of the Lord.

May God help us to let go of the things that don't bring glory to his name.

- Total submission. James 4:1 Allow God to take charge.. Surrender to God, He is faithful

If God us working in us, let us allow Him to work in us.... otherwise, life Will be meaningless.

You don't want to walk through this world and leave empty..

Mounting with Wings

Isaiah 40:28-31 New International Version (NIV)

28 Do you not know?
    Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
    the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
    and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
    and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
    and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.

Exodus 19:1-6

2018 Theme ~ Mounting with Wings

We shall take time and wait on the Lord (Jan - Mar 2018)

This refers to hoping with expectation, totally depending on God and having a willingness to allow God determine the terms and timing.

It will include Prayer; Bible study and meditation and developing the discipline of quiet time. It should be noted that waiting takes time. David waited for a long time before he could become king and even when it came; he was in exile, not the way we would have humanely expected a king to be enthroned. It’s always on God’s terms and timing.

Mounting with wings into the mission field (Apr - Jun 2018)

To mount is to go up or ascend over obstacles. It involves surmounting threats of predator. It involves strength and courage in dangerous, turbulent weather, soaring above the storms to safety.

In the coming year, we shall mount and leave our problems below us, as we go higher and put our energies and efforts on our higher calling in ministry and missions.

Running and walking with endurance (Jul - Sep 2018)

(Heb 12:1-2)

Endurance calls for tenacity, commitment, training and self-discipline. This calls for growth of the Christian. When you grow weary of running, don’t stop, keep walking.

We should consider the basics of our Christian walk (2 cor 5:7) – walking by FAITH and not by sight.

Looking beyond this life with hope (Oct - Dec 2018)

(Heb 11:13-19)

This refers to a life of PURPOSE, going through the challenges of life, including death with hope; looking to life beyond the earth (HEAVEN) with THANKSGIVING.

The Gift of the Father-Christmas

God manifested himself in Human body John.1.1-4;14
The greatest gift God could give us was the gift of a Saviour
The importance of the gift determines how you received it by the way you received it
Christmas is the good news concerning the gift from the Father
This Gift is contained in the book of Luke.1:26; 2:8
the first people who received the news were the shepherds and they received it with eagerness and enthusiasm.
This is the most important news that we have been given a Saviour and this Saviour is for all people, all nations etc;
No matter how free it is you will never have it until you receive it

Luke.2:25; Simeon was advanced in age but waiting to see the salvation of God.
The long awaited prophecy had been fulfilled.
There is a mission God wants for us all to accomplish before we are called to die.
when you are a child of God who has received the gift of God, you have the confidence to live. the devil has no power over your life.

Luke. 2:36- Anna received the good news of the Messiahs coming, she was a godly lady
God is committed to fulfilling his promise in your life, family. God is committed to fulfilling his part.

Matt.2:1 The Magi were wisemen from the east and they heard of the birth of Christ, they came to worship the new born King. They carried the best Gifts very valuable gifts.

Luke.2:3-4 King Herod gave a bad reception he was disturbed at what was good news; a kind of the devil Matt.2:3- the Transforming power of the word of God is experienced in the heart and not in the head

QN. What kind of reception are you giving King Jesus

How God prepared his people for the coming of His Son Jesus

These are some of the ways God prepared his people;

1-By giving them a promise Gen 3:15
A promise from God is as good as God Himself, when He promises, He will fulfill
God fulfilled the Promise in Gal.4:4

2-By Entering into a covenant with them- Gen.12:1-2; 17:7-9
We must to learn to wait upon Gods promises and He will give you and fulfill these promises at the right time. Pray for the grace of God to wait; don't hurry God. Abraham hurried God and ended up with Ishmael. The Lord our God is faithful He will answer you in the right place and in the right time

3-God prepared a family
He came through a family through a virgin girl- Mary. Luke.1:26