Weekly Digest Inspirational Articles

Made Righteous By Grace - Bliss & Fire Network Weekly Digest - Success Scripture December 8, 2009

Made Righteous By Grace 

"For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.  For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." - Romans 4:2-5 (Read: Romans 3:1 - 16)

EXPLORATION

The case of Abraham in this text is used to illustrate justification by God and being made righteous by Him.

HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHT: Abraham was a native of Chaldea which originally was a small territory of southern Babylonia. The Chaldeans were a warlike and aggressive people. They were active in the practice of divination through astrology (known as stargazing) and were numbered among the magicians and sorcerers of Babylon. (Daniel 2:2-10, Daniel 4:7) So, Abraham had a totally ungodly and idolatrous background before God called him. (Acts 7:2-4)

INSPIRATION

It was from this ungodly and idolatrous background that God called Abraham to leave Haran, his father's house and his kindred to the land that He would show him with the promise that he would be a father of many nations. (Genesis 12:1-4, Hebrews 11:8-9, Genesis 15:6)

Read more

Isaac - His Obedience Unto Death - Bliss & Fire Network Weekly Digest - Success Scripture December 1, 2009

Isaac - His Obedience Unto Death  

"... Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering. And Abraham said to him ... God will provide himself a lamb for a burnt offering." - Genesis 22:7-8.

EXPLORATION

God had said to Abraham "...Take now thy son , thine only son Isaac whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah, and offer him there for a burnt offering upon the mount which I will tell the of." -Genesis 22:2. This incidence took place at about 2045 BC.

Abraham obeyed God and set out with two of his servants and Isaac went with them. On the third day of their journey Abraham saw the place afar off and told his servants to wait behind. And he would go up to the mountain and worship God with his son Isaac. Abraham then laid the wood for the offering on Isaac while he (Abraham) held the fire and the knife. (Genesis 22:4-6).

Read more

THE SECOND WORD OF COMMAND - Bliss & Fire Network Weekly Digest - Success Scripture November 24, 2009

THE SECOND WORD OF COMMAND

''Be careful for nothing but by prayers and supplication with thanksgivings, let your requests be made known unto God; and the peace of God which passed all understanding shall keep your hearts in Christ Jesus.'' -Philippians 4: 6-7.

EXPLORATION

...this answers the questions and resolves the case of those who in spite of their new birth still suffers heavy demonic attacks and oppositions. LIVE AS PER TODAY: We breakdown often in life because we bother ourselves too much; we worry about future, the unknown, the unseen, the yet unborn, dreams we have not accomplished. We offend our destiny, hamper our all-round flourishing and defeat divine plan through our carnal behaviors. Rather than celebrate the victory we enjoyed yesterday, and the glory we see today, we are concerned with tomorrow. As such, distress set in and sorrow takes the place of rejoicing, ashes overrule beauty and spirits of heaviness overwhelm us in the stead of the garments of praise.

Read more

PRISONERS OF HOPE - Bliss & Fire Network Weekly Digest - Success Scripture November 10, 2009

PRISONERS OF HOPE

''As for thee also, by the blood of thy covenant or whose covenant is by blood; I have sent forth thy prisoners out of the pit wherein there is no water. Turn you to the stronghold, ye prisoners of hope: even to day do I declare that I will render double unto thee;'' - Zechariah 9:11-12.

EXPLORATION

Our God is the deliverer-general of His people from ages past. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He had done the same thing many times, in different ways and at different points. There is something I know assuredly of the Lord and this I know so much. I know Him to always fight for His redeemed; those who are washed by the blood of Jesus; who by His grace have disciplined themselves to patiently endure His due process. Read this,

‘‘Thus the Lord saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead upon the sea shore.'' - Exodus 14:30.

Read more

RECONCILING THE WORLD TO GOD - Our Holy & Royal Task - Bliss & Fire Network Weekly Digest - Success Scripture November 3, 2009

RECONCILING THE WORLD TO GOD- Our Holy & Royal Task 

"That God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation" -2Corinthians 5:19

EXPLORATION

Reconciliation is bringing together of two parties that are estranged or in dispute. Jesus Christ is the one who brings together God and man; with salvation as the result of the union. Reconciliation basically means ‘change' or ‘exchange'. The idea is of a ‘change of relationship', an exchange of antagonism for goodwill and enmity for friendship. Attitudes are transformed and hostility ceases. In person-to-person reconciliation, the person who causes the break of relationship takes the initiative (Matthew 5:24; 1Corinthians 7:11). The person seeking reconciliation is said to be reconciled to the other person. He confesses his fault, offer reparation and seek forgiveness. In the restoration of relationship between God and humanity, reconciliation occurs with an unexpected twist. God, the injured party takes the initiative.

Read more

The Struggle With Sin & Salvation Through Christ Jesus - Bliss & Fire Network Weekly Digest - Success Scripture October 13, 2009

The Struggle With Sin & Salvation Through Christ Jesus

"For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:" - Romans 7:18-22 (Read Romans 7:7-25)

EXPLORATION

Laws are made to regulate the behaviors of people so that peace, order, and security are maintained in society. They are for the good of law-abiding citizens but for the discipline or punishment of the lawless. Without the law, a criminal may not know that he is a criminal. In the same breath, the law of God is given to let the evil doer know his wickedness and that he stands guilty and condemned before God.

"Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?" - James 4:5

Read more