WE'RE THE SALT OF THE EARTH
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men (Matthew 5:13).
Besides it's other uses, salt is a preserving agent. For example, it preserves food from decay. So when the Lord likened us to "the salt of the earth," He was letting us know that part of our function and purpose in life is to preserve the earth. The moment you were born again, you stepped into words of the Master; you became the salt of the earth. Your presence in the earth is the reason the earth is still being preserved from total decay.
The unregenerate man, according to the Bible, is desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9) and capable of destroying himself. But we are the reason evil has not overturned the world; we're the force restraining satan from unleashing terror in the earth. The prayers of the saints today and in the days gone by have restrained and will continuously frustrate the evil machinations of the enemy until the rapture of the Church.
Refuse to let evil run riot around you, for you're God's man (or woman) to initiate and effect positive changes in your sphere of contact. For example, your presencein your family is for the preservation and salvation of every member of your family! Your presence in that neighbourhood, school, office or estate is for the salvation and preservation of the people there.
Continue steadfastly in prayer and in soul-winning, for the time is short. It won't be long till the Master returns to take His Church out of the earth. Until then, we must continue to dominate this world! We must keep frustrating and paralyzing the works of the adversary, for it’s our God-given responsibility.
INTERCEDE FOR OTHERS
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints (Ephesians 6:18).
Make a conscious practice of spending time to intercede for Christians all over the world. I want to show you just three areas out of the many that you can begin to pray for God's people.
Firstly, pray for God's ministers all over the world. Herod killed the Apostle and arrested Peter. The Bible tells us the church prayed earnestly for his release. He was however miraculously released from prison (Acts 12:7-11). Thank God they realized if they didn't pray, Peter would have been killed too. Paul also urged the church in Rome to pray for Him (Romans 15:30-31); he was their pastor, yet he told them to strive with him In prayer. So, learn to pray for God's ministers instead of criticizing their perceived shortcomings.
Secondly, pray for those who are sick, especially those in the hospitals. When someone is sick or in pain, many times it's difficult for such a person to have faith to believe for healing. The pain may be so much that he's distracted from even hearing the Word. You have to pray for such people, even though you don't know them by name. Pray for relief for them, such that they'll be able to receive the Word.
Thirdly, pray for those who are suffering or being persecuted for the sake of the gospel. All may be well and cozy in the country where you live, but many are suffering in some other parts of the World because they believe in Jesus. You must learn to pray for such people, that they may be strengthened with might in their inner man (Hebrews13:3 CEV).
When you pray for others, the Spirit of God will stir up people who may not even know you to pray for you also. Therefore, don’t neglect to intercede for others.
MANIFEST HIS GLORY IN SOUL WINNING
And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18).
Each one of us is called to manifest the glory of God in soul winning. With boldness, we’re to take the message of the Gospel to those in our world and the regions beyond. It brings to mind the testimony of a dear pastor who was sent to take the Gospel to an apex ruler in some Muslim region. The first time he went, he was turned down. But his senior Pastor who gave him the instruction told him to go again.
He went the second time, undaunted, knowing that it could cost him his life; again, they turned him down. The senior Pastor, convinced he had heard from the Lord, said to him the third time, “Go again.” And he went; this time, no man forbidding him. Hallelujah! He delivered the message as he was sent, at the peril of his life. This is divine boldness to an instruction from heaven.
There’s an unusual grace from God at work in the lives of His children and in the Church today: all roads open, and all barriers crumble because of the power of the Gospel and the Name of Jesus that we proclaim. That’s what’s happening everywhere we go with Rhapsody of Realities. Hallelujah!
More than ever before, boldly proclaim the Gospel. Remember where we’re from: the lineage of the patriarchs and the apostles. Think about what they were like in their day, and what they did with the message (study the entire Hebrews 11). The Bible says of the apostles, “…they spake the word of God with boldness” (Acts 4:31). They preached everywhere until they filled the whole of Jerusalem with their doctrine (Acts 5:28).
The same is happening in our day: billions of people from around the world are inspired and transformed by the message of the Gospel because we’re of the same stock as the apostles and prophets of old. We’re manifesting the glory of God in soul-winning because we function in the same grace and power of the Holy Ghost. Hallelujah!
THREE IMPORTANT FACTS FOR A SOUL WINNER
…he that winneth souls is wise (Proverbs 11:30).
As Christians, we’re all in the ministry of reconciliation; we’re called to win souls. As soul winners, there’re certain requirements necessary for an effective ministry in leading men to Christ.
First is clarity; clarity of the message that you preach. You must understand the message of Christ, first for yourself, because you can’t communicate to someone else something you don’t understand. You can’t bless someone else with something that you haven’t been blessed with. You can only give what you have; and so, a good understanding of the Gospel is imperative.
Secondly, conviction; there has to be absolute conviction in your spirit about Christ and the salvation that He brought for the whole world. You must become fully persuaded of His message, of His person, and of His mission.
The Apostle Paul in Romans 1:16 expressed a profound note of conviction. He said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth….” His persuasion was absolute: there’s no other way for salvation except Jesus Christ! There’re no options.
He also said, “…for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16). You can only make such a statement when you’re fully persuaded; when you know without an iota of doubt that the only way to life and for life is Jesus Christ, who is Himself life.
Thirdly, possession! As a soul winner, you must have full possession of truth. You may be convinced of something, but it’s not enough. That truth must become yours.
The Lord Jesus said in John 6:47, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.” The one who believes is a possessor. You must be in possession of the truth that, as a soul winner, you have eternal life, and that’s what you’re dispensing to others. You’re “living” eternal life now.
Arm yourself with these truths as you go about your soul-winning work, and you’ll be a more effective minister of reconciliation.
AUTHORITY OVER DEVILS
"Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. (Matthew 10:8)
The day you were born into this world, God assigned angels to you. Their first and primary responsibility was to protect you and to see to it that in the process of time, you heard and received the Gospel for your salvation. As you progress in life, depending on what God has called you to do, He assigns more angels to you.
On the flip side also, Satan has demons whose primary responsibility from when you were a child was to devour, destroy, deceive you and lure you away from the path of righteousness. The Bible teaches about the woman who was about to deliver a child in the Book of Revelation; she was to deliver a man-child and the devil was there waiting right from the time of birth (Revelation 12:4-5).
This wasn't peculiar to that child alone; God only used that prophetic illustration to show us Satan's modus operandi. Even now that you're born again, Satan still seeks to hinder you from serving the Lord. The Bible says "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom to devour" (1 Peter 5:8).
That's why you must be vehement when dealing with Satan: cast him out! You have the authority in the Name of Jesus to cast out devils (Mark 16:17). That authority is unrivalled and unparalleled in heaven, earth, and in hell. Therefore, when you say, "Devil, get out of here in the Name of Jesus," he's got to comply.
Philippians 2:9 says God has highly exalted the Lord Jesus and given Him a Name that's above every name. Ephesians 1:21 says He's seated far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.
The best part, however, is that you're in Him; you're seated with Him on His exalted throne of grace, reigning through Him. Hallelujah! Satan has no right to run things in your nation, city, town, street, home, in your life or that of your loved ones. Put a stop to his works; cast him out in the Name of Jesus and he'll be gone!
GIVERS ARE SOUL WINNERS
"God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, "prompt to do it") giver [whose heart is in his giving]" (2 Corinthians 9:7 AMP).
The giver is a soulwinner and the soulwinner is a giver! The soulwinner is always looking out for souls into the Kingdom of God. His ultimate desire is to touch someone's life in a special way, irrespective of race, colour or location. He's a man who already knows that his needs are met by his giving and as such, he devotes more of his prayer time to lost souls all over the world.
In addition to this, the soulwinner also bountifully gives towards the Lord's work and advances the cause of the Gospel all over the world. He sees the bigger picture in life.
The "taker" (or stingy man), on the other hand, is always out to get from everyone--both God and man. His eyes are closed to the needs of the lost and hurting around him. He is spiritually myopic; all he thinks about is how to fill his pocket with more money and his belly with more food. Don't let this ever be a description of you!
Learn to live and move in the power of the Spirit through your giving so you can remain in the continuous flow of God's blessings. As God blesses you, ensure that the Kingdom is moving forward through you, because that's your primary responsibility.
It is God's utmost desire that everyone of His children be actively involved in soul-winning. He continually increases your finances so you can have a greater capacity to give to His work around the world. Don't be like some folks who become less committed to world evangelization the more the Lord blesses them. Let your passion for soul-winning and giving reach an all-time high, because the soul-winning giver rules the world!
HIS EXTENSION ON EARTH
(The Lord Jesus Lives On In The Earth Through You!)
"Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he has put him to grief. When you make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand" (ISAIAH 53:10)
The Lord Jesus came into this world, lived, conquered Satan and the world, was crucified and buried, rose from the dead, and ascended triumphantly into heaven. In our opening verse, we read that He shall see His seed and shall prolong His days. The seed of Jesus Christ is the Church: He extends His days in the earth through the Church.
Acts 1:1 talks about "...all that Jesus began both to do and teach," and this refers to His miraculous works and teachings about the Kingdom of God. As you read further in the book of Acts, you'll find that the Lord continued to teach and to do the same things through the Apostles whom He had chosen. They, in turn, delivered the same teachings to others. Finally, it got to us, and it will continue until Jesus returns. We're His ambassadors, teaching the things He taught and doing the same works He did.
Always be mindful that Christ is living through you. Today, anyone who needs to know what Jesus looks like only needs to look at you! You're the effulgence of His glory; you're the express image of His person, a partaker of His life, and a dispenser of His love, righteousness, and grace.
CHRIST IS OUR "RIDDANCE
"But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption"* (1 Corinthians 1:30)
The word "redemption" in our opening verse means "riddance." Riddance is translated from the Greek word "apolutrosis," which refers to being brought out of trouble. Therefore, Christ being our redemption, actually means He's our deliverance; just like He said in Psalms 50:15, "...call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me."
It doesn't matter the trouble you've gotten into, Christ is your riddance; He'll rid you of your troubles. Proverbs 11:8 says, "The righteous is delivered out of trouble...." Christ is your ransom. O, how wonderful this is! Read this comforting and assuring words from the Lord Himself in Isaiah 43:2-5: "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour:...Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. Fear not: for I am with thee...."
The Lord is obligated to save you. He'll help you out of any quagmire, not because you prayed hard enough or were good enough, but because you have a ransom in Christ Jesus. He makes up for your errors. Every mistake, every sin, has been laid to His charge.
Sometimes, people look back at their lives and say, "Well, it's because I made a blunder that this calamity happened to me"; no! You don't have to wallow in regret any more about your sin, mistakes and errors; understand that Christ has been made your riddance. You don't have to carry the weight of self-condemnation and guilt. You've paid in Christ for all your sins, mistakes, and errors.
Jesus didn't just take care of your sins at Calvary, He also took care of every single mistake you'd make, including the ones on the job. So when you make a mistake, or get into trouble, be bold to call on Him; He's not intimidated by your troubles. No wonder the Psalmist said, "But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble" (Psalm 59:16).
DON’T LET THEM LIVE WITHOUT GOD
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart (Ephesians 4:17-18).
Our opening scripture gives us the picture of the man that’s not born again; what his spirit is like before God—a very gloomy depiction indeed.
Ephesians 2:12 says, “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.” How could anyone live without God? Such people are dead in trespasses and sins and walk according to the prince of the power of the air, which is Satan.
Awful! It shows how important it is for us to keep preaching the Gospel and interceding for lost souls. Ephesians 4:18 declares that they’re alienated from the life of God. Ephesians 2:12 says they’re hopeless. Those who’re not born again are “children of wrath”; that means they’re appointed to the judgement of God (Ephesians 2:2-3). This should get you thinking about your friends, loved ones, colleagues, and associates that don’t know Jesus; they’re your responsibility. Don’t let them die without God, for if they do, they’ll go to hell, and that’s not the will of God for anybody.
The Bible says He’s unwilling that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). You’re the custodian of His message of salvation to those in your world; don’t keep quiet. Preach the Gospel like never before. Intercede in prayer for lost souls. Make it your life’s purpose that the sinners in your world won’t die without God; and they’re not going to keep living without hope. Share the Gospel with them. Let them know that eternal life is available from God now; therefore, they don’t have to wallow in sin and guilt anymore. Let them know that the righteousness of God has been unveiled, and it’s imparted freely to anyone who receives the Gospel and affirms the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
If you’re not yet born again all you have to do is click on this link http://goo.gl/VDbqoT to say the prayer of Salvation and mean it with all of your heart; and God will hear you. Then click to download your Special Gift. God bless you