RECAP: TEN GIGANTIC MISTAKES CHRISTIANS MAKE

We had a great series last year (Oct 1 -Oct 10 2016). I decided to recapitulate it today for those who missed it, the theme was TEN GIGANTIC MISTAKES CHRISTIANS MAKE. As you read, identify your mistakes and make sure you correct them today

1 Praying with Grudges: The dictionary defines grudge as a resentment strong enough to justify retaliation. Christians! You have made a huge mistake when you pray to God with a resentment strong to justify retaliation. Your prayer may not be answered because grudge may block the prayer. That is the truth.

The Bible says ‘and when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them so that your father in heaven may forgive your sins (Mark 11:25 NIV). God can’t forgive you if you don’t forgive your trespassers.

It is clearly stated in the Lord’s Prayer that you must forgive your trespassers before you pray to God so that your prayer will be answered. (Matt 6:9-13)

This mistake can be corrected by applying my secret principle:

· Laugh when you can

· Apologize when you should

· Let go of what you can’t change.

PRAYER: Lord, I forgive my trespassers, give me the grace to continue this. I promise to pray without grudges in my heart. Thank you heavenly Father for answered prayer.

2 Requesting with Murmur: Imagine asking your biological father for money by murmuring, Will your father give you the money? Murmur is a complaint uttered in an indistinct tone. Murmuring is a sign of ingratitude. A child of God that presents his request with murmuring will receive nothing.

This mistake can be corrected by knowing this bible verse by heart and say it loud anytime you murmur.

Declare:

‘I will not be anxious about anything but in every situation, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, i will present my request to God' (Phil 4:6 KJV)

Show gratitude to God and quit murmur today.

3 Placing God as a Sheep in Good Situations and Acknowledging God as a Shepherd in Bad Situations: You have made a mistake when you place God as a follower in good situations such as merry moments, healthy and wealthy state by your words & actions and acknowledge God as a leader when things are bad. It will not work.

Be informed that God knows how he is placed. God can’t be mocked. The way you place God in every situation will determine how God will place you.

You have to acknowledge God as your shepherd in all situations.  Psalm 23:1 reminds us the lord is our shepherd. Be wise, place God in the right place all the time, IN EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS ( 1Thess. 5:18 KJV) and enjoy heavenly rewards.

DECLARE: Father, I will acknowledge you as my shepherd when i am happy or sad. Give me the grace to continue this.

4 Neglecting Strangers: My father once told me an accident that happened to me when I was a kid. He believed it was an angel that rescued me from the accident because he didn’t see the person who helped me since that day, he traced the person with the address my helper (the angel God sent) gave my mum but could not find him still date. My father offered a stranger a huge sum of money a day before I had the accident when the stranger requested for help. I thank God for my life and learned ‘it is not good to neglect strangers’.

Angels come as strangers. They may knock at your door for water, food or shelter. Welcome and entertain them. Heb. 13:2 tells us don’t neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels. 

Be wise while entertaining strangers. I release the spirit to discern a stranger sent by God and a stranger that really needs help, receive it now in Jesus name Amen.

5 Refusing to Tithe: Are you one of those folks who say they can’t afford to tithe, but every time God looks down he sees the tithe on your back, in the garage or your feet?

You are not fooling anyone, especially God, when you spend his money on new clothes, vacation and other luxuries instead of dropping 10% in the collection plate.

Proverbs 3:9 reminds us to honor God first and he will continue to provide for our needs.

Don’t steal from God. Start tithing with pure motives and as an attitude of worship to God.

6 Hating Your Enemies: You don’t love God when you hate your enemies. Agape love permits you to love your enemies.  Unbelievers see you as a great Christian when you love your enemies.

The Bible tells us to love your enemies & pray for those who persecute you. (Matt 5:43-48). As you love your enemies, great doors will open in Jesus name (Amen)

7 Serving God with Mammon: You have made the biggest mistake of all when you serve God with mammon. Mammon is more than money, mammon is anything we might trust instead of God. To serve mammon means to do what mammon demands.

Matt 6: 24 says ‘No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

God does not say it is evil to need money. Jesus is addressing why you live, and what is behind your words, actions, thoughts and relationships.

Many Christians try to do this. They try to live for this world, this life and for money and then turn around to say it is God’s will. This is a subtle deception.

According to Jesus, if you seek God and his kingdom first, then God will actually make mammon serve you. (Matt 6:33)

8 Falling in Love with Debt: God has ordained Christians to be lender. The Bible even warns believers that ‘the borrower becomes the lender slave (Prov 22:7b) NIV

If you are currently in debt, plan to eliminate it today

· Pay off your credit card balances

· Consider cutting up those credit cards

· Get on a budget

· Find a way to earn additional income ( use the extra money to pay off debt, instead of shopping)

Declare

I am a lender. I will lend to the world in Jesus name (say it seven times) Amen.

9 Judging Others: Many Christians are quick to condemn someone else’s actions. Christians are especially good at speaking out against all kinds of things they find offensive in church. They judge friends, pastors, bishops, evangelists and post their judgment publicly with the mindset of ‘nothing will happen’

Jesus knew humans would struggle with judging and he contained a stern warning in his word- ‘Don’t judge or you too will be judged with the measure you use (Matt 7:1-2 NIV)

Forgive, Comfort, encourage and love others. Don’t judge. Leave the judgment for God.

10. Behaving like a Hypocrite: You behave like a hypocrite when you want to be seen by others. You won’t be rewarded when you give to the needy & announce it with trumpets as the hypocrites do in the synagogues or when you disfigure your face to show others that you are fasting.

Remember that God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him

Finally, Brethren identify your mistakes, correct them and share your testimony. Hallelujah!

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