Third Heaven Discourse

  Genesis 4:7 (NKJV) - "If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.” Have you ever critically examined why Cain's sacrifice was rejected? This is especially important because Hebrews 11:4 tells us Abel offered a "more excellent" sacrifice than Cain, implying that Cain's sacrifice was excellent, only that Abel's was more excellent . An appreciation of the new covenant presents an answer. In the old covenant, you only needed to present animal sacrifices, sacrifices that get slaughtered on the altar. However, in the new covenant, you need to present living sacrifices. Rom 12:1 informs that this "living sacrifice" is you, your body . This means that under the current dispensation of grace, you present yourself first to God, and then you present your material offering. Jesus taught that when you come to present an offering to God at the altar and you r...

  Jeremiah 30:19 (NASB1995) - " From them will proceed thanksgiving And the voice of those who celebrate; And I will multiply them and they will not be diminished; I will also honor them and they will not be insignificant." Have you ever wondered why Abel and Cain were completely different? They were both the first generation born in sin, and so the full weight of sin was on both of them. It was, therefore, no surprises that Cain's life went the way it did . But how is it that Abel seemed to be different?  While Cain was a sinner and the first man to be angry, first murderer, schemer, liar, and progenitor of sibling rivalry, Abel was righteous and listed among the heroes of faith (Heb 11:4). So, how did that happen? Beloved, it is my position that Eve's acknowledgement of God when Cain was born was basically an intercession that altered the destiny of Abel . When Cain was born, Eve said, " I have gotten a man from the Lord" (Gen 4:1). It is my opinion that...

  In a previous post Responding Right To Adverse Life's Experiences (1) , we considered why current life realities, for many, are largely adverse. We saw that current life realities are in line with prophecy about the last days, which we are in. Moreover, we saw that current realities is consistent with the character of the devil, who is the god of this world (2 Cor 4:4). We then concluded with a message of hope, that Christ has overcome the world and made us more than conqueror. Nevertheless, it is important ot critically examine how a believer is expected to respond to adverse life experiences.  1. Respond from PEACE (John 14:1, 27) Beloved, you have the  peace of God . Jesus left HIS peace with us when He was returning to heaven, knowing that we will need His peace to sanely and calmly navigate the chaos in a world filled with trouble, distress, frustration, agony, etc. He forewarned us that we will have tribulation in the world. It is important to understand th...

  Genesis 8:20 (NKJV) - "Then Noah built an altar to the Lord, and took of every clean animal and of every clean bird, and offered burnt offerings on the altar." After God saved Noah, his family, and the other living things that entered the Ark from the flood, the first thing Noah did, in appreciation to God, was to build an altar unto the Lord. Afterwards, he offered burnt offerings on the altar (Gen 8:20-22, please read for context). There are several lessons we can draw from this story; First, every manifestation of God's goodness should turn you towards your altar . Giving your altar the attention it needs is one powerful expression of gratitude to God. If God blesses and promotes you, and you then allow that blessing or promotion to draw you away from God or make you too busy to service your altar, that's ingratitude. Secondly, altars are designed as a platform for offering sacrifices. Approach and service your altar with a consciousness of sacrifice. Sacrifices ...

Gal 5:22 - 23 (NKJV) - "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law ." We live in an incredibly troubled world. The troubles show no signs of abating. Be it economic or financial, marital or parental, health including physical, emotional, and psychological, there seems to be crisis upon crisis upon crisis that don't look like going away anytime soon. You look around you, and you see someone who is going through some form of difficulty, or has recently been through one. And sometimes, that person is us. And even though these experiences are disturbing, for us Christians, it's unsurprising because what we see is in consonance with the prophecy concerning the last days (Matt 24:12, 2 Tim 3:1, Isa 60:2).  Moreover, the devil is the god of this world (2 Cor 4:4), and global realities, which are largely disturbing, are consistent with his character . The Bible said...

Deuteronomy 9:4‭-‬6 (NKJV) “Do not think in your heart, after the Lord your God has cast them out before you, saying, ‘Because of my righteousness the Lord has brought me in to possess this land’; but it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is driving them out from before you. It is not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart that you go in to possess their land, but because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord your God drives them out from before you, and that He may fulfill the word which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Therefore understand that the Lord your God is not giving you this good land to possess because of your righteousness, for you are a stiff-necked people. In a previous post  Crossover to take over (1) , we were given the assurance of a victorious 2022 because God has already conquered 2022 and delivered victory to us. And that though we may face of with intimidating and overwh...

Colossians 1:15 (NKJV) He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation . God created man in His image and likeness. However, when man sinned, he still had the "image" of God, but lost the "likeness". In other words, he still looked like God but he lost the capacity to display his likeness or similitude to God . Consequently, what became the norm were behaviors that were completely atypical of God. Man took turns to misrepresent God from their distorted perspective of the likeness of God or their inability to replicate how God was really like. Cain killing Abel was a case in point among many others. Recall, man was supposed to learn and perfect his knowledge of God and the capacity to flawlessly exhibit the likeness of God from the time God set aside to spend with man in the Garden of Eden. The Bible says God came down everyday, in the cool of the day . Why did He do that? He wanted fellowship with man with the intent that man would get to know...

Deuteronomy 9:4‭-‬6 (NKJV) “Do not think in your heart, after the Lord your God has cast them out before you, saying, ‘Because of my righteousness the Lord has brought me in to possess this land’; but it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is driving them out from before you. It is not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart that you go in to possess their land, but because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord your God drives them out from before you, and that He may fulfill the word which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Therefore understand that the Lord your God is not giving you this good land to possess because of your righteousness, for you are a stiff-necked people. Beloved, in a previous post  God is gracious , we were told that " it was not the righteousness of the Israelites (adherence to the law of Moses) that made God give them "a land flowing with milk and honey", No, not...

In previous posts, we were told that the Cross was an eternal and irrevocable statement of  love  and  judgment  by God to man and the devil respectively. We have also been told that the  Cross  has a plethora of associated dividends which are legitimately ours to enjoy now and forever. In addition, we were also told that because of the sacrifice of Christ on the   Cross , God doesn't really have a choice anymore, as it were, He has to bless us. The moment He accepted 'payment' (Jesus' death), He committed Himself to deliver 'the goods'. Moreover, the  Cross  is the eternal receipt, as it were, that reminds God of the payment Jesus made for everything we desire. Because of said payment, God justly, duly and extravagantly dishes out our divine emoluments. Also, the  Cross  was also an eternal and irrevocable statement of God's willingness to help mankind as well as  an eternal and irrevocable statement of God's commitme...

In previous posts, we were told that the Cross was an eternal and irrevocable statement of  love and  judgment by God to man and the devil respectively. We have also been told that the  Cross  has a plethora of associated dividends which are legitimately ours to enjoy now and forever. In addition, we were also told that because of the sacrifice of Christ on the  Cross , God doesn't really have a choice anymore, as it were, He has to bless us. The moment He accepted 'payment' (Jesus' death), He committed Himself to deliver 'the goods'. Moreover, the  Cross is the eternal receipt, as it were, that reminds God of the payment Jesus made for everything we desire. Because of said payment, God justly, duly and extravagantly dishes out our divine emoluments. Also, the  Cross was also an eternal and irrevocable statement of God's willingness to help mankind.  Furthermore, the cross was also an eternal and irrevocable statement of God's commit...

Again, it's Christmas season - the season we are reminded how God took 'baby steps' to secure man's redemption with the birth of His Son Jesus. However, this post is not about the birth of Christ, but about His Cross, being the high point of His life on earth.  In addition to what has been said in previous posts which you will find here , here , here ,  here  and here , the cross was also an eternal and irrevocable statement of God's willingness to help mankind.  Before Jesus went to the cross, some of the people of His day were not so sure He was willing to save them for several reasons which we can't get into now. One of the people with such reservations was bold enough to express his uncertainty to Jesus but Jesus lovingly and compassionately cleared his doubts (Mark 1:40-41). As if that was not enough, Jesus more than emphasized His absolute willingness to save mankind by the Cross experience. He left heaven to die for mankind of His own volition...

In previous posts, we were told that the Cross was an eternal and irrevocable statement of  love  and  judgment  by God to man and the devil respectively. We have also been told that the Cross has a plethora of  associated dividends  which are legitimately ours to enjoy now and forever. In addition, we have been told that because of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross, God doesn't really have a choice anymore, as it were, He  has to bless us . The moment He accepted the price, He committed Himself to deliver 'the goods'. Furthermore, the cross is the eternal receipt, as it were, that reminds God that payment has been made for everything we desire. And because payment has been made, God justly, duly and extravagantly dishes out our divine emoluments to us.  Moreover, because the said payment was an overpayment as it were, God is obliged to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think (Eph 3:20). So, when God looks at the cross of Ch...

In previous posts, we were told that the Cross was an eternal and irrevocable statement of  love  and  judgment  by God to man and the devil respectively. We have also been told that the Cross has a plethora of  associated dividends  which are legitimately ours to enjoy now and forever.  Furthermore, before Jesus went to the Cross, God didn't really owe man anything. He didn't really need to do anything for man if He didn't want to. This is simply because no price had been paid; by price I mean the requisite sacrifice and/or conditions to obtain the blessings of God.  However, after Jesus went to the Cross and paid the price for the salvation of mankind, fulfilling all the requirements stated in the law in the process, God didn't really have a choice as it were, He had to bless man. Jesus overpaid the price for us to receive anything and everything from God. When He said "it is finished", He was saying "Father, I have done my part. Ove...

In previous posts, we were told that the Cross was a loud, bold, eternal and irrevocable statement by God on both man and the devil. To man, He was proclaiming  words of affection  and affirmation saying "I LOVE YOU" while to the devil, He was  passing judgment  saying "you are defeated".  Furthermore, everything about the cross was for the utmost benefit of man. Besides what God was saying through the Cross, the Cross has an extravagance of associated dividends; and all the dividends are legitimately and incontestibly yours to enjoy now and forever.  Beyond the fact that Jesus went to the Cross to deliver them to you, God has also freely given them unto you because of the sacrifice of Jesus (2 Pet 1:3, 1 Tim 6:7). So, when you think about the Cross, don't just think about how Jesus suffered alone - it's Ok to do that - but please don't stop there, also think about what He achieved through the Cross. Think about the dividends too - your salv...

In a previous post Annals of the Cross 1 , we were told that the Cross was an eternal and irrevocable verdict by God on man.  Moreover, the Cross was also an eternal and irrevocable judgment of the devil by God. When Jesus hung on the cross, God was saying "devil you are defeated", "you have no power over my children anymore", "you have no place in their lives anymore", "they are free from your bondage", and all these were perfected when Jesus died, went to hell, defeated the devil and resurrected.  Beloved, Jesus told us that one of the things the Holy Spirit will do when He comes, and He has, is that He will reprove the world of judgment because the prince of this world is judged (John 16:8, 11). Satan - the prince of this world - was subjected to eternal damnation when Jesus hung on the cross.  So, friends, when next the devil comes to you with lies and deceptive words, remember that he has been judged by God. Remember that he...

The cross was an eternal and irrevocable verdict by God on man. When Jesus - the bearer of the cross - hung on the cross, God was saying to man "I love you", "I care about you", "I am your provider", "I am your healer", "I am your protector", "You are blessed", "You are healed", "You are righteous", "You are forgiven", "You are my beloved son", "I choose you", "I accept you".  God is still saying all these to you today because the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross was eternal. The Bible says Jesus offered Himself once for all.  So friends, if you would meditate more on these gracious words of God boldly and loudly declared to you through the cross, you would see Him manifest Himself more in your life . God bless you

Friends, I have already presented 3 scriptural justifications for the fact that God will still speak to us even IF we sin; you can find them here  and here  and here . This is the fourth and final. After this, I hope you are convinced beyond every iota of doubt that God doesn't give silent treatments because He is angry at the one who is or who has gone astray. No, He doesn't. Rather, He lovingly redirects the person back to Him with His voice.  Think about it. DO YOU KEEP QUIET WHEN YOUR CHILD IS GOING ASTRAY ? I am sure you don't. You talk to him or her, right? You tell him/her that he/she is in the wrong and you show him/her the right way. If you do that, why do you think God won't or doesn't? Are you better than Him?  Matthew 7:11 says "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask Him?" The issue under discussion is not exactly...

Friends, in previous posts,  Does God still speak if we sin? (1)  and  Does God still speak if we sin? (2) I presented 2 scriptural justifications for the fact that God will still speak to us even IF we sin. This posts addresses the third. I still have a few more to share, but my desire is that after I am done, you are convinced beyond every doubt that God doesn't give silent treatments because He is angry at the one who has made a mistake.   The Bible says in Isa 30:21 "Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left."  Friends, turning to the right or left is akin to going astray or making a mistake or committing sin, but as the scripture clearly reveals, you will still hear a voice (the voice of God) from behind. Even in that state of error, God will still speak to you and you will still hear.  The reference scripture also cl...

In a previous post Does God still speak to us IF we sin? (1) , I presented my first scriptural justification for the fact that sin does not stop God from speaking to you or you from hearing His voice. This post addresses the second.  Note that the aim of these posts is so you are convinced that God doesn't give silent treatments because He is angry at the one who has made a mistake. No, He doesn't. Rather, He lovingly redirects the person back to Him with His voice. Do you remember the story of Cain and Abel? I am sure you do. After Cain killed Abel, God spoke to him saying “Where is Abel your brother?” (Genesis 4:9 NKJV). Did Cain hear? Of course, He did. Cain heard and responded “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Genesis 4:9 NKJV).  Friends, this again clearly shows that God still speaks to us when we make mistakes. I am sure you know the conversation wasn't face to face. God spoke to Cain like He speaks to us today, and he heard and responded li...

Do you know that sin does not stop God from speaking to you or you from hearing His voice?   I am very much aware that a thought like this - being highly unpopular - will set off the alarm bells of religion, but if you will stick with me a little, I will establish the scriptural justifications for my position from both the old and the new testament, and this is the first. Remember, the story of Adam; after Adam sinned, Did God still speak to him? Of course, He did. God came in the cool of the day and called out to Adam saying  "where are you?" (Gen 3:9). Did Adam hear? Of course, he still heard the voice of God. Adam responded, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.” (Genesis 3:10 NKJV). If you critically examine this account, it seems like God was totally oblivious to the fact that Adam had just sinned, because His attitude to Adam didn't change post Adam's disobedience. However, we all know bette...