Machaira With Apostle Bennie

Category: The Church

EPISODE 476 – SHOW UP WITH JESUS… AND STAND UP WITH YOUR PASTOR

CHRIST COMMONWEALTH-COMMUNITY

The Love-Life Agency

Download PDF

Monday 13th, May 2024

SHOW UP WITH JESUS…
AND STAND UP WITH YOUR PASTOR
“Master,” said David, “don’t give up hope. I’m ready to go and fight this Philistine.”
1 Samuel 17:32 (The Message)
There is a warfare ongoing between the Kingdom of light and the forces which rule in the habitation of darkness.
The goal of God is to saturate all places with the glorious light of His Kingdom. God wants to bring true liberty to all men, who are kept under the control and bondage of darkness.
This is the responsibility of the Church: to confront the governing powers or forces of darkness. The Church is the Lord’s army advancing into all dark places of the earth, to shine forth the light of God; which will liberate the oppressed.
Our Lord has sent forth many ministries or ministry teams (or Churches) to reach diverse spheres of men with the light of the Kingdom.
Through the Church and the ministries the Lord has established this will be the testimony of the nations:
“You who spend your days shrouded in darkness can now say, “We have seen a brilliant Light.” And those who live in the dark shadow land of death can now say, “The Dawning Light arises on us.” Matthew 4:16 (TPT)
The adversary with his cohorts is not making the work of the ministry a walk in the park. It is war, as they deploy their cunning devices and schemes.
Some men are under the control of the devil and have vowed to love as enemies of Christ and oppose the glorious course of the gospel.
The Church has faced several oppositions right from its birth till now. The mandate of the Church has been opposed for over 2,000 years.
Jesus said, “Expect to be hated by all because of my name…” (Matthew 10:22).
Men who are under the deceptive control of the devil, have worked through history, from generation to generation to design and set up systems and structures which will oppose God’s Kingdom plan.
The adversary is in serious business to make this world uncomfortable for God’s people.
Many have turned away from God, and others hide their faith in Christ and have become ashamed and afraid to live as ambassadors of Christ in their schools, offices and communities.
There is a war against the faithful in Christ. Many believers are afraid to be described as “politically incorrect”. Thus, they have withdrawn from boldly expressing the knowledge of Christ, and have become politically correct.
Meanwhile, Paul charged the Church, “Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” Romans 12:2 (The Message)
The voice of the devil through the systems and structures of this world has become loud and intimidating. Just like that of Goliath.
The people of the world keep taunting and daunting the people of the Kingdom. And they even disdain Christ Jesus our Lord.
Most believers have decided to stay quiet in their workplace and schools to watch on.
They behave like the Israelites who were frightened and fell back at the appearance of Goliath.
Some genuine Pastors and Leaders of the Church have become objects of ridicule. They are overwhelmed by the challenges of ministry, some feel hopeless and discouraged.
Some are in the state of King Saul.
“When Saul and his troops heard the Philistine’s challenge, they were terrified and lost all hope” 1 Samuel 17:11 (The Message)
Be like David!
He showed up with “GOD-FIDENCE” (the confidence of God) and became the voice of hope to King Saul.
He said to Saul,
“Master,” said David, “don’t give up hope. I’m ready to go and fight this Philistine.” 1 Samuel 17:32 (The Message).
Such audacity!
Oh, dear Lord.
When everyone fell back at the presence of Goliath, David showed up with God and was an encouragement to Saul.
Amid this hostile pluralistic post-modern world, show up everywhere with Jesus, and be an encouragement to your Pastor, leaders, and other faithful brethren in Christ.

Selah.

DIG DEEPER
(1 Samuel 17; Jeremiah 1:8-9; 51:20-23; Philippians 2:21-22)

WE PRAY
We pray that the Lord will grant us boldness to withstand the opposing voices and schemes of darkness in our schools, offices and communities without fear.

BIBLE READING IN THE YEAR 2024
Job 4 – 7

DECLARE THESE WORDS:
– By the enabling ability of God, I have the boldness to withstand the opposing voices and schemes of darkness in my sphere.
– I take charge to saturate the glorious light of the Kingdom in my school, office and community.
– I show up everywhere with the confidence of God.
– Through me, many are turning from darkness to light.

– I am a burden bearer.

– I am a son of consolation.

– I choose to be the Lord’s supply of encouragement to my Pastor.
– I am a helper of the war.
Oh thank you Lord Jesus for enabling me.

[mailpoet_form id=”1″]

May 13, 2024
EPISODE 469 – THE ROMAN TESTUDO SHIELD FORMATION 2 — PUT ON THE SHIELD OF FAITH 5

CHRIST COMMONWEALTH-COMMUNITY

The Love-Life Agency

Download PDF

Monday 6th, May 2024

THE ROMAN TESTUDO SHIELD FORMATION 2 —
PUT ON THE SHIELD OF FAITH 5

“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.”
Ephesians 6:16 (KJV)
Jesus said, “…I will build my Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)
The Church is the Lord’s legislative assembly and victorious army to establish the order of the Kingdom and confront the helm of darkness.
The Church is not called to hide in the pews hoping that the habitations of darkness will automatically be saturated with light. The Church is mandated to march on towards the dark places of the earth. And every believer must be involved.
Though the adversary is defeated and rendered powerless, he utilizes his deceptive schemes to wage war against the Church. He keeps plotting and strategizing to prevent the invasion of the Church in dark places. Part of his schemes is to attack the saints with demonic projectiles.
These projectiles target the faith of the saints.
The adversary uses flammable arrows or spears which are deceptive thoughts, to crush the confidence of the saints in who God is, His love and what He has accomplished for the saints in Christ Jesus.
But God who is a master strategist has given the Church, the SHIELD OF FAITH. And as we looked at it yesterday, the Church has to march forward towards the gates of darkness, with the testudo shield formation.
We must march forward in the unity of faith which is built on the revelation of Jesus.
“Meanwhile, live in such a way that you are a credit to the Message of Christ. Let nothing in your conduct hang on whether I come or not. Your conduct must be the same whether I show up to see things for myself or hear of it from a distance. Stand united, singular in vision, contending for people’s trust in the Message, the good news, not flinching or dodging in the slightest before the opposition. Your courage and unity will show them what they’re up against: defeat for them, victory for you – and both because of God.“ Philippians 1:27-28 (Message).
The unity of the spirit and faith are not slogans but functional strategies of the Lord for His Church.
We must stand together with oneness of vision and purpose for the Lord’s Kingdom. The more the saints live by a singular vision, the more we stand united to contend for the faith of others. The courage to shield up together in faith is a great threat to the schemes of the enemy.
Don’t weigh in on things that bring division among the saints. Don’t set your gaze on your self-gratification or interests.
The adversary will use your self-interests or self-centered pleasures and displeasure as weapons against the harmony of the Church.
Uphold the revelation of Jesus (above your opinions and interests), for it is the foundation upon which the Church is built.
Selah

DIG DEEPER
(Philippians 4:1-9; Philippians 2:1-5; Genesis 15:1 Exodus 15:2-3; Psalm 28:7-8)

WE PRAY
We pray that anything which amplifies the self above the revelation of Jesus shall be quenched.

BIBLE READING IN THE YEAR 2024
Nehemiah 4 – 7

DECLARE THESE WORDS:
– I stand together in the oneness of heart with the brethren as conquerors in the faith of the gospel.

– I build strength in faith together with the brethren to extinguish every fiery dart of the enemy.

– I don’t fail to hold on to my shield of faith.

– I take a stand with the saints in the word and prayer as we enforce our victory in Christ.

– I don’t isolate myself from the brethren no matter the challenge which confronts me.

Oh thank you Lord Jesus for your victory.

[mailpoet_form id=”1″]

May 6, 2024
EPISODE 441 – THE BELT OF TRUTH 5 – The Complete Armor Of God 7

CHRIST COMMONWEALTH-COMMUNITY

The Love-Life Agency

Download PDF

Monday 8th, April 2024

THE BELT OF TRUTH 5 –
The Complete Armor Of God 7
“Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness”
Ephesians 6:14 (KJV)
Do you know the three major areas the adversary attacks?

1. Your relationship with God
2. Your relationship with His Word
3. Your involvement in the Church
These are major threats to the adversary because they are the source, embodiment and conduits of Truth.
The adversary sees his opposition of truth as war.
In this present generation, truth is subjected to sentiments and emotions of individuals. Each person has his or her perspective of Truth.
Which is according to to the deceptive workings of the adversary.
Though it seems people ask questions, they are not interested in the genuine answers. People are looking for what will satisfy their assumptions, motives and opinions. They are not comfortable to be engaged in holistic discourse which will lead them into reality.
Some of them have exchanged the truth of God for a lie (Romans 1:25).
When the adversary succeeds at making people doubt and erase God from their convictions, he has erased Truth from their living.
Without God, you will define the purpose and essence of life wrongly.
There are those who believe in the existence of God but doubt the authenticity of the Word of God (precisely the Bible).
When the adversary can set you up against what God has said, he is moving you away from Truth.
Just as he asked in Eden:
“Now the serpent was more crafty (subtle, skilled in deceit) than any living creature of the field which the LORD God had made. And the serpent (Satan) said to the woman, “Can it really be that God has said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” Genesis 3:1 (Amplified)
He is still asking such seemingly harmless but deceptive questions.
The question the adversary asked in Genesis 3:1 and the conversation he had with the female man, was the beginning of disrupting and corrupting man’s relationship with God.
This was the beginning of man turning away from God and doubting His word.
God never gave up on man, at sundry times and many different ways, He continued to speak and to reach out to mankind.
Finally, in these last days, He stepped into time, spoke and revealed the fullness of Himself through Christ Jesus. (See Hebrews 1:1-2)
As we have discussed in previous episodes, Jesus is Truth.
The revelation of Jesus is the truth of God.
This revelation of Jesus is upheld by His Church.
– The Church is established and built on the revelation of Jesus.
“But you—who do you say that I am?” Jesus asked.
Simon Peter spoke up and said, “You are the Anointed One, the Son of the living God!” Jesus replied, “You are favored and privileged Simeon, son of Jonah! For you didn’t discover this on your own, but my Father in heaven has supernaturally revealed it to you. I give you the name Peter, a stone. And this truth of who I am will be the bedrock foundation on which I will build my church—my legislative assembly, and the power of death will not be able to overpower it!” Matthew 16:15-18 (TPT)
Jesus declared that, the revelation of Himself is the bedrock foundation on which He will build His Church.
– Since the Church is built on and by the revelation of Jesus, the Church is the only institution on earth which presents and represents the Truth of God.

“…the church of the living God, his very household and the supporting pillar and firm foundation of the truth.” 1 Timothy 3:15 (TPT)
Without God, His Word and His Church, you cannot access the belt of Truth.
The adversary will use divers means to sow deceptive seeds into your heart to make you turn away from God, doubt His word and be discouraged not to get involved in the Church.
Do not be deceived, uphold God, His Word and the Church, so that you can rightly put on the belt of Truth.
Selah!

DIG DEEPER
(2 Corinthians 10:3-6; Exodus 12:11; Jeremiah 13:25; 1 Thessalonians 1:9; John 3:33; John 17:17; Jeremiah 10:10; Hebrews 4:12; 1 John 5:29)

WE PRAY
We pray that no matter the attacks on the Word of God in our generation, we shall remain confidently resolute and boldly esteem and declare the reality of the Word, in every place.

BIBLE READING IN THE YEAR 2024
2 Kings 3 – 6

DECLARE THESE WORDS:
– Irrespective of the opposition and attacks on the infallible of word, I remain resolute.

– I highly esteem the word of God.

– I continue steadfastly in the knowledge of the absolute truth of Christ.

– With meekness of heart, I receive the revelation of Jesus.

– My life is guided by the truth of God which is the word of God.

– I maintain my balance by the belt of truth.

– I don’t give my hearing to any doctrine which contradicts the knowledge of Christ.

– I grow in the understanding of the person and revelation of Jesus.

– I esteem the revelation of Jesus in my heart.

– Nothing can take away or sway me off from the revelation of Jesus in my heart.

Oh thank you Lord Jesus!!!

[mailpoet_form id=”1″]

April 8, 2024
EPISODE 338 – YOU ARE PART OF THE LORD’S ARMY

CHRIST COMMONWEALTH-COMMUNITY

The Love-Life Agency

Download PDF

Wednesday 27th December, 2023
YOU ARE PART OF THE LORD’S ARMY

“This is war, and there is no neutral ground. If you’re not on my side, you’re the enemy; if you’re not helping, you’re making things worse.”
Matthew 12:30 (Message Bible)

When you became born again, you were not only conveyed into the Kingdom of the Son of His love (Colossians 1:13); you were also made a king and a priest (Revelation 1:6), through Christ Jesus.
You have the mandate to dispel the influence of darkness in all places, by shining out the light of the gospel.
And you must do this with a mindset of a soldier.

God made you a king-priest and enlisted you to be a soldier in His army. This assignment is war, and you cannot approach it with the mindset of a civilian.

Observe Paul’s statement to Timothy:
“Thou, therefore, endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth; entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.” 2 Timothy 2:3-4 (KJV).

There are some few items to outline from these two verses:
i. You are chosen by God as a good (Victorious) soldier of Jesus Christ.
ii. As a soldier you must endure hardships.
The Passion translation puts it this way:
” Overcome every form of evil as a victorious soldier of Jesus the Anointed One“.
Which means we overcome or endure because we already have the victory in Christ Jesus. We are waging war from the victory we have received in Christ Jesus.
iii. As a man of war, you don’t live as a civilian.
“No man that warreth; entangleth himself with the affairs of this life”

And that is how you will please the Lord who enlisted you.
As you are called to active duty of a soldier, you have to divorce yourself from the distractions and ordinary business of this life.
Concentrate on carrying out divine orders.
As a soldier of Christ in the Lord’s army, your first priority is the mandate of the kingdom.
You are a kinging soldier and God’s weapon of war against the kingdoms and the systems which set themselves against the Lord. Beloved, you are part of the Lord’s army.

These are the Lord’s words to you dearly beloved;

“You are my battle-ax and sword,” says the LORD. “With you I will shatter nations and destroy many kingdoms. With you I will shatter armies— destroying the horse and rider, the chariot and charioteer” Jeremiah 51:20-21 (NLT).
As a soldier in the Lord’s army and weapon of war, you don’t function by your selfish cravings; submit yourself to His will.
He works in you both to will and to do. You don’t operate by your strength in the flesh. The Lord supplies you with His strength unto His ordained good works.

Therefore, live your life empowered by God’s free-flowing grace, which is your true strength, found in the anointing of Jesus and your union with Him! (2 Timothy 2:1)

Live daily with this ultimate consciousness that you are part of the Lord’s army as you enjoy the supply of His strength in doing great things.

Shalom!

DIG DEEPER
(2 Samuel 23:8-39; Judges 7; 1 Corinthians 9:19-27; 2 Timothy 4:5; 1 Timothy 1:18)

WE PRAY
That the Lord will teach our hands to make war and the skill to take strategic steps which will make us get ministerial results.

BIBLE READING IN THE YEAR 2023
Psalm 110

DECLARE THESE WORDS:
– I am enlisted in the Lord’s army. Therefore, I don’t function as a civilian.

– I am God’s weapon of war.

– I am committed to the mandate of the kingdom.

– I discipline myself to live as a victorious soldier of Christ.

OH Hallelujah, GLORY TO GOD!!!

[mailpoet_form id=”1″]

December 27, 2023
EPISODE 286 – ARE YOU A DISCIPLE?

CHRIST COMMONWEALTH-COMMUNITY

The Love-Life Agency

Download PDF

Sunday, 5th November, 2023

ARE YOU A DISCIPLE?
“Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings.”
John 8:31 (NLT)

We are in a generation where there is abundance of information and pluralism of thoughts, concepts of life and teachings.
There has been more teachers in our time than ever.
This is because of the several media platforms available now. This wasn’t the case in some years back.

There are people who lack the integrity and skill to be teachers. Yet now, with an internet data, and a smart phone, everyone wants to create a content and to share their opinions or assumptions as authentic knowledge. And you will have some gullible people running after those thoughts.
It is imperative for every disciple of Jesus, to give attention to only the teachings of Christ.
Your mark of discipleship is TO CONTINUALLY REMAIN FAITHFUL TO THE WORD (or teaching of Christ).

It is not how long you have been a disciple of Jesus, it is how long you will continue to be a disciple of Jesus.

You must intentionally imbue focus in the teachings of Christ.

It is interesting how some believers turn to the myths and old fables of this world.
The people of the world cannot teach you the reality of the Kingdom.
For example, your unbelieving lecturer doesn’t have the spiritual understanding of the kingdom life. Therefore, he/she doesn’t have the authority to teach you how to fellowship with God. He is not the one to tell how you should be attending Church meetings.

The people of this world have their terms and as you are in Christ you function by different set of rules.
You cannot be in Christ and think like the world.
You must uphold and esteem the teachings of Christ in your heart.

A true disciple of Jesus, is a deviation to the systems of this world.

He/she doesn’t live by the thought patterns of this world; but delights in the Word of Christ.

He/she doesn’t interpret love as the people of this world do. A true disciple of Jesus walks in the unconditional love of Christ.

A true disciple is a doer of the word of Christ and not a hearer only. He/she follows and continues in Christ no matter the storm, suffering or persecution.

The persuasion of a true disciple is that, nothing can separate him/her from the love of Christ.

Dear Disciple of Jesus, do what the Lord tells you to do through His word, not what the world informs.

ARE YOU A TRUE DISCIPLE OF JESUS?

Selah

DIG DEEPER
(Colossians 3:16; John 15:8; John 13:35; Romans 8:37-39; Colossians 1:28-29; 2 John 1:9; John 15:7-8)

WE PRAY
– That the delight and persuasion of the word of God shall be intensified in our hearts more and more; to make us doers of the word and not hearers.

– That he word of Christ shall deeply dwell in our hearts and we shall not yield our minds to the old fables and false teachings of this world.

BIBLE READING IN THE YEAR 2023
Ezekiel 9 – 11
Ephesians 5 – 6

DECLARE THESE WORDS:
– I don’t patten my life according to the standards of this world.

– I walk in the unconditional love of Christ.

– I delight myself daily with the word of Christ.

– Nothing can separate me from the love of Christ.

– I continue in Christ no matter the storm, sufferings and persecutions.

– I am a true disciple of Christ.

Hallelujah!!!!

[mailpoet_form id=”1″]

November 5, 2023
EPISODE 279 – TAKE DISCIPLESHIP SERIOUS

CHRIST COMMONWEALTH-COMMUNITY

The Love-Life Agency

Download PDF

Sunday, 29th October, 2023

TAKE DISCIPLESHIP SERIOUS
“And those who believed Peter were baptized—about three thousand in all! They joined with the other believers in regular attendance at the apostles’ teaching sessions and at the Communion services and prayer meetings.”
Acts 2:41-42 (TLB).

The Lord didn’t just send us out there to bear fruits. God purposeful planted us to bear much more fruits which will remain and be lasting.

We are not to just scatter the seeds of Christ’s love with others. There is no fruitfulness until the fruits remain on the branches.

When a tree bear fruits, the fruits remain on the branches. Fruits are not kept elsewhere apart from the branches.

For souls or fruits to remain in the Vine (the Lord), there are organic systems to engage.
Discipleship in the Church is a crucial factor for souls to remain and last.
Discipleship takes place within the Church. Every soul won must be put under a shepherd for effective and consistent nurturing.

Just as we are not designed to operate in isolation from the Lord, we are also to practice our communion with the Lord by how we commune with the saints.

All through scriptures we see that, anytime souls are won, they are added to the Church.
God takes interest in souls being added to the Church. God gets involved in this work as well.
“…The whole city was favorable to them, and each day God added to them all who were being saved.” Acts 2:47 (TLB).

Those who were being saved were not just added as members to the Church and left alone.

From the subsequent verses we see how the souls saved were involved in discipleship.

“And those who believed Peter were baptized—about three thousand in all! They joined with the other believers in regular attendance at the apostles’ teaching sessions and at the Communion services and prayer meetings.” Acts 2:41-42 (TLB).

Now we see that:
1. They joined with other believers in regular attendance at the apostles’ teaching meetings.
2. They joined in communion services.
3. They joined in prayer meetings.
One cannot bear a lasting fruit in Christ, until he or she is consistent in these meetings.
It is not just about attending services on Sundays, but being involved in the community of the saints. That determines and influences your growth.

See some additional thoughts in the same chapter.

“And all the believers met together constantly and shared everything with each other, selling their possessions and dividing with those in need. They worshiped together regularly at the Temple each day, met in small groups in homes for Communion, and shared their meals with great joy and thankfulness” Acts 2:44-46 (TLB).
4. We also see that, they shared everything with each other. A true expression of love and prove of discipleship. (John 13:14-15).
5. They met in the big meetings and also met in small groups.

In Christ Commonwealth -Community, we call the small group meetings, Life Connect.

Your souls don’t remain as effective fruits just by how they attend main gatherings. Their fellowship with Christ is deepened at the small group meetings.
Beloved, don’t win a soul and ask them to attend a “Bible Believing Church“.
How can a new soul tell or know a Bible Believing Church?

When you win a soul, follow them up to bring them to the Church where you are nurtured.

Selah

DIG DEEPER
(Acts 5:12 ; 14, Acts 1:13-14; Acts 20:7)

WE PRAY
That we will receive the grace to nurture, culture and establish souls in Christ.

BIBLE READING IN THE YEAR 2023
Jeremiah 50
2 Corinthians 11

DECLARE THESE WORDS:
– I take the discipleship of souls serious.

– I establish many in the Lord.

– I ensure that my souls remain committed to the Lord.

– I produce effective, dedicated and committed souls.

– I am a diligent soul winner.

Hallelujah!!!

[mailpoet_form id=”1″]

October 29, 2023