Do Not Pass Me By, Evans Olang

Romans 8:31 “…If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

Our struggle at times is not so much about God blessing us, it’s about others knowing that God has blessed us. Standing boldly and demonstrating God’s blessing is sometimes not received well. To some who look at you blessed feel that you are filled with pride and to some you feel it creates jealousy and therefore keep blessings to yourself.

Preparation For The Young And Inexperienced, Evans Olang

1Chronicles 22:1-5, vs. 5,”Now David said, “Solomon my son is young and inexperienced, and the house to be built for the Lord must be exceedingly magnificent, famous and glorious throughout all countries. I will now make preparation for it.” So David made abundant preparations before his death”

While the world keeps getting darker and darker, raising children in our time continues to be scary. My wife and have not been blessed with kids yet but often we wonder how they will turn out if God chooses to bless us and how we will raise them. The more we think of it, the more we prepare by praying.

Faith That Works Is Faith At Work, Evans Olang

Hebrews 11:31, “By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace”

One of the most challenging topics to tackle for many is “faith” and “works”. The question that always arises, are we justified by grace through faith ALONE or are we justified by works; or justified by both? To answer these questions we look at Rahab’s story and how the book of Hebrews and James address faith and works in light of her story.

According To The Power That Works in Us, Part 1of4, Evans Olang

Ephesians 1:19, “..And what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power”; Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us”; Philippians 3:10

The word power has been the running through my mind for some time now, even greater in the last week when the Lord intensified my meditation on it. This was confirmed by my pastor’s preaching this Sunday as he addressed among other things the power of the Holy Ghost. It’s sad when we see people mock God and His power.

According To The Power That Works in Us, Part 2of4, Evans Olang

Luke 5:1-11, ” 5 But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” 6 And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. 7 So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!”

I find it humbling some men in the bible who encountered our Holy God, seen Him in His power, majesty, glory, splendor were not left excited in the experience to talk about, rather left they were left in awe which led them to humility, broken and overwhelmed by the presence of the Almighty God. His presence revealed things in their lives leaving them feeling unworthy of such awesome presence yet desired.

According To The Power That Works in Us, Part 3of4, Evans Olang

Acts 3:1-10, “6 Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk”

Yesterday I concluded with “for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure”, Philippians 2:13. I shared that We need the power of the Holy Ghost to keep us humble and empower us to do His work.

According To The Power That Works in Us, Part 4of4, Evans Olang

Luke 5:17, “Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them”

No prayer requests hits my mailbox like the request for physical healing. The prevalent one is healing over cancer. How many are running to faith healers hoping for a healing touch if they have the right faith. While I would discredit many of the so called faith healers, I am a firm believer of physical healing.

Quick To Listen, Evans Olang

James 1:19, “Understand, my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear (a ready listener), slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry” (AMP)

Words that come out of our mouths are very powerful. They either do good or do damage. I think words can really cut deep and may take long time to heal compared to a natural deep cut.

Biblical Manhood, 2of4, Evans Olang

2Timothy 3:10-17, “10 But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance, 11 persecutions, afflictions, which happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra—what persecutions I endured. And out of them all the Lord delivered me”

Paul in writing to Timothy he says, “you have carefully followed my…Manner of life…”. We learn some of the things shaped by his theology. Paul was a diligent praying man right from his conversion in Acts 9:11, his epistles opened with greetings and assurance that he was praying for those he wrote to.

He encouraged believers to pray, 1Timothy 2:1-3. Paul also surrounded himself with men who he encouraged (sharpened) and those who encouraged (sharpened) him in this journey, for example Onesiphorus, 2Timothy 1:16-17, “16 The Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain; 17 but when he arrived in Rome, he sought me out very zealously and found me”.