Jesus, my increase!

Jesus, my increase!
- Pastor Ashish Mathews

Colossians 2:19
and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that  is from God.

The Church is the body of Christ and Jesus is the head of this body. Every believer is a member of this body. Your increase in all areas is totally dependent on your connection with the Head.

The deeper the connection, the greater the increase, the nourishment and the growth. Jesus is your increase, your nourishment and your growth. Peter was toiling all night to catch fish, but he caught nothing. The next morning, Jesus asked him to launch out into the sea for a catch. He hesitated at first but obeyed and was astonished at the catch of fishes - net breaking, boat sinking load of abundance. But notice what Peter did when He came to the shore, He left everything and followed Jesus. Never make the blessings more important than the One who blesses. Peter could have stayed with His boat full of fishes and left Jesus alone. Thats what many believers do.

He could have stayed with one miracle. But you know,  Peter by choosing to follow Jesus, He positioned himself for a life of consistent miracles, a life full of miracles, a life of everyday miracles. Jesus is your increase! Stay connected to Jesus in the word, in prayer and in worship. You will never lack!

"I am connected to Jesus, my head. Jesus is my increase, my nourishment and my growth. My life is a continuous stream of miracles. Hallelujah!"

No more struggle.

No more struggle.
- Pastor Ashish Mathews

Matthew 17:27
“Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, cast in a hook, and take the fish that comes up first. And when you have opened its mouth, you will find a piece of money; take that and give it to them for Me and you.”

Look at how Jesus paid taxes for Himself and Peter. No fear. No struggle. No cheating. No deception. No complaining. No toil. What a life! What a rest!

This is your life! This is why Jesus came - to give you abundant life - till it overflows. Many times, we limit God. God is not limited to your salary, your profits or your pocket money. You see, Jesus is your Lord - meaning He is responsible for everything that concerns you. If you trust Him, He will provide ways for you to easily clear all your bills and expenses. Sweatless, toilfree and strugglefree provision!  Hallelujah.

Don't take the burden on yourself. Give it to Jesus and let Him guide you through His word and through His Spirit to your supernatural provision. Citizens of heaven do not struggle. We only thrive!

"I refuse to struggle. My Father takes care of me. I work on the word. I follow the Spirit of God. My provision is in His word. I will never lack and I always win. I live in the more than enough zone. Jesus is my Lord"

God is my Source!

God is my Source!
- Pastor Ashish Mathews

Genesis 14:22‭-‬23
But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have raised my hand to the Lord , God Most High, the Possessor of heaven and earth, that I will  take nothing, from a thread to a sandal strap, and that I will not take anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich’—

In Christ, we are the seed of Abraham, who is called the Father of all those who believe. There's much to study from the life of Abraham.

Abraham made Almighty God his Source and refused to look at people. When you read the entire chapter you will find that Abraham was a tither - thats why He said, I have raised my hand to the Lord, God Most High. In other words, I have made God my Source and I will not  depend on any man or man made institutions for my needs, wants and desires, I will only look to God. God made Abraham extremely wealthy and influential - He will do the same for you. Hallelujah!

Tithe is acknowledging that God is your Source. Refuse to depend on people. Tither,  like Abraham always be bold to declare that God is your Source and that you only look to Him.

"God is my Source, I am a tither. I never lack because my God meets all my needs, satisfies all my wants and fulfils all my desires. The blessing of the Lord makes me rich and He adds no sorrow to it. Hallelujah"

Satan's target.

Satan's target.
- Pastor Ashish Mathews

Genesis 3:1
Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?”

The word of God is Satan's target. Satan is a thief and He wants to steal the word from your heart and your mouth. If he can get the word from you, he can destroy you.

Mark 4:15 says, And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. You have to fight to put the word of God in your heart and your mouth. Your enemy will make it tough for you. Satan is the king of distraction, darkness and confusion. The word of God in your heart and your mouth will turn any situation around. Protect the word! Do not allow the devil to steal it. There is much resistance against the word but the mighty Holy Spirit lives in you, you are victorious and you won't be defeated. Without the word, we are ordinary. The word is our difference.

Believers who have the word of God in their hearts and their mouths in abundance are dangerous to the devil. The word is your life. The word will build you up and give you an inheritance among the saints. Go for the word! Be laser focused on the word. Refuse to be distracted.

"Satan is after the word and I will not allow him to steal the word from my heart and my mouth. I have the word of God in me in abundance. I protect the word and the word protects me. I am ever increasing with the increase of God"

The need of the hour.

The need of the hour.
- Pastor Ashish Mathews

Luke 2:40
And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

A strong spirit is the need of the hour. You are a spirit, you have a soul and you live in a body. It's not a strong body, not a strong mind, not a strong bank account but a strong spirit that's the most important thing.

When you study the life of Jesus, you will notice that He did what many people do not do. He chose to make His spirit strong. Think about this, if parents told their kids about the priority of making their spirits strong - what a life their kids would have. A weak spirit cannot face challenges. A weak spirit looks at the winds and cries out for help. A strong spirit looks at the challenges, looks to the winds and talks to it - "Peace, be still". What a life!

Make your spirit strong. Develop your spirit. Build your spirit. The word is your spirit food. Speaking in tongues builds your spirit. Sowing to the spirit helps you reap everlasting life from the spirit. Speak the word like never before. Pray in tongues like never. Give like never before. Go on with Jesus!

"I build my spirit and make it strong. I feed on Gods word. I speak in tongues and I am a radical giver. I am strong in the Lord and in the power of His might"

Prompt Obedience.

Prompt Obedience
- Pastor Ashish Mathews

Acts 8:29‭-‬30
Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.” So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”

Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to lead and guide the church just like He did when was on the earth. The Holy Spirit is your Helper, sent to help you live a victorious life on earth. If you are born again, the Holy Spirit dwells on the inside of you.

This verse talks to me about the sensitivity and intimacy that Philip had with the Holy Spirit and so the Holy Spirit could use him mightily. Look at the verse again. The Holy Spirit gave him an instruction and Philip ran to fulfill the instruction. He didn't think, He didn't walk... He ran! Look at His response. Prompt obedience! The Holy Spirit said it now and He did it now. Wow!

Nothing pleases God more than obedience. Obedience releases the blessing. Are you prompt in your obedience to the word of God and to the Spirit of God in you? Be quick to obey. Be quick to respond to His word. A life of prompt obedience leads to a life of the supernatural, extraordinary and miraculous.

"I am an obedient child of God. Obedience is my delight. I am quick to obey, quick to respond to Gods word and Gods Spirit. I am a success. Hallelujah"

Is it desirable?

Is it desirable?
- Pastor Ashish Mathews

Acts 6:2
Then the twelve summoned the multitude of the disciples and said, “It is not desirable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables.”

In the early church, the apostles faced a challenge - a challenge in the daily food distribution. But the apostles refused to let this challenge steal their word time.

It's amazing to see the priority of the apostles, no wonder they changed the world. In your life many situations will arise, challenges will show up that will try to steal the time you give to the word of God and prayer. Study the response of the apostles. There is nothing and no one more important than the word of God. The word of God is more important than oxygen for you because the word is your life. You are born again by the incorruptible seed, which is the word of God. Like the apostles, give priority to the word of God. Do not allow anyone or anything to steal your word time. As long as you are alive, attempts will be made by the enemy to steal it. Therefore protect it, you protect it. Lack of word time makes a believer carnal and worldy.

When you are under pressure, you don't feel like sitting with the word of God but that's the time you should be consuming additional doses of the word. The word of God in your heart and in your mouth in abundance will change any and all situations. The word is the answer! It is never desirable to leave the word of God!

"I never leave the word of God. I will never be distracted from the word. I will never stay away from the word. The word is my priority. The word is my life. The word is in my heart and in my mouth in abundance.  I always win"

Give what you have.

Give what you have.
- Pastor Ashish Mathews

Acts 3:6
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.”

Believer, do you know what you have? Peter and John knew what they had. You are so powerful in Christ. Believers are destroyed not because they don't have the inheritance, but because of ignorance - they don't know what they have.

You are free and you have the right, the authority and the power to set the captives free. A man who was lame - captive by that condition - for more than forty years was set free by a believer who knew what he possessed and knew how to use it. Glory to God! You are a son of the Most High God and whom the son sets free in the name of Jesus is free indeed. Jesus gave us His name and commanded us to preach the Gospel, to cast out devils and to lays hands on the sick and they shall recover.

Thank God Peter gave what He had to the lame man. Will you give what you have to the people around you who are in captivity? You are more powerful than their captivity. Use your authority in the name of Jesus and set people free. Your simple act of kindness can change the lives of people forever. It may be a simple work for Peter but the lame man's life was changed forever. Don't be selfish, give what you have! Freely you have received, freely give!  Go on with Jesus!

Witness of His resurrection!

Witness of His resurrection!
- Pastor Ashish Mathews

Acts 1:22
beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”

Every believer - You are a witness of His resurrection. This is our life and this is why we live and breathe. The sooner we understand this, the better our lives will be.

You may not have seen His resurrection but you are a result of His resurrection. New Birth. Eternal life. Holy Spirit in you. Sins wiped out. Satan defeated. Curse destroyed. Joy unspeakable. All surpassing peace. Lively Hope - all of these things that we experience is because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. To be a witness of His resurrection means to live a life that honours the resurrected Christ. It means to share with the people around you about what the Lord has done for you.

No person who has been impacted by the resurrection of Christ can ever be quiet. You will talk about it. You will share about it. You want other people to experience this freedom, this liberty and this awesome life. You have the power to do it because you have the Holy Spirit dwelling in you. You have the name of Jesus and you have the word of God. You are powerful! Be a witness! Jesus is alive!

Let there be light!

Let there be light!
- Pastor Ashish Mathews

Genesis 1:3
Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light.

This was God's first words as recorded in the Bible. Think about it, the first words of God - "Let there be light".

This was God's response when He saw darkness. Darkness is an absence of light. When light comes, darkness flees. Darkness refers to ignorance and confusion. Darkness is frustrating because you don't know where you are going, you don't know what makes you fall and you don't know what to do. Gods response, Let there be light. *What is light? The revelation of God's word is light.* Light exposes what darkness hides, light makes things clear, you know what to do and where to go. 

Are you in darkness in any area of your life - God's response to you, "Let there be light" - The word is your light. *Psalms 119.130 says, The entrance of Your words gives light.* Let there be a revelation of God's word in your life. God's solution to your darkness is the revelation light of His word. The revelation of God's word will destroy your ignorance and clear all your confusions. Meditation brings revelation. Word mediation brings word revelation. Dwell, abide and meditate on the word, you will know the truth and the truth will set you free. Go on with Jesus!

*"The word of God is a lamp to my feet and a light to path. Therefore I walk wisely and make profitable decisions. Darkness cannot touch me for I am walking in the light of God's word. I don't fall, I never fall. I am going higher and higher by the power of the Holy Spirit."*

The choice is yours!

The choice is yours!
- Pastor Ashish Mathews

Isaiah 1:19‭-‬20
"If you are willing and obedient, You shall eat the best of the land; But if you refuse and rebel, You shall be devoured by the sword”; For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.

The quality of the life you live depends totally on what and who you choose to honour and obey. You can have a good, struggle free life or you can have a pathetic life, full of struggles with endless toil.

The choice is yours! Not God's. Many people would like to blame God for their horrible lives. God desires every one to have a great life filled with God's best. God has already made the choice. God does not want you to struggle in life. Let me say it again, God doesn't want you to struggle in life. He came to give us the abundant life and He gives us all things richly to enjoy. Now it's your choice! If you willingly obey God, you will enjoy God's best in every area of your life. But if you do not honour the word of God but refuse and rebel against it, you position yourself for the worst. Be wise! Make a good choice! Honour the word of God and give it top most priority in your life.

The only reason for struggle in any area of life is the dishonour, refusal and negligence of God's word. It is very expensive to ignore, disregard and rebel against God's word. God's best in every area of life awaits you. You can have a good life, a life filled with God's best. Start making the word and spiritual things highly important and you will begin to experience God's best! It's your choice!

"I am willing and obedient to God's word and therefore I eat the best of the land. God's word is the top most priority of my life. My life is an unending stream of success and everything I do prospers because the word of God is my life and my lifestyle."

Why do I doubt?

Why do I doubt?
- Pastor Ashish Mathews

James 1:6‭-‬8
But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he  is  a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

Think about this, a person who doubts will not receive anything from the Lord. A double minded person is unstable in all his ways, like a wave of the sea he is driven and tossed by the wind.

Why does a believer doubt the word of God? The number reason for doubt is lack of revelation concerning who Jesus is. When you don't know who Jesus is, you will doubt the word of God. The more you grow in the revelation knowledge of Jesus, the stronger your faith becomes with absolutely no doubt. Mary, the sister of Martha and Lazarus sat at the feet of Jesus and heard his word. Meditation on the word brings revelation of the word. As you behold Jesus by meditating on the word, the Holy Spirit will give you revelations and insights concerning Jesus.

Doubt is a proof that a person doesn't yet know Jesus. Make knowing Jesus your number one priority in life. Every thing you need to know about Jesus is in the word of God. Jesus is the word of God! The more you know Him, the less you doubt. The less you know Him, the more you doubt. Only one thing is needed! The word!

"I refuse to doubt. I am not a doubter. I am a believer. I believe Jesus. I believe His word. I believe His Spirit. I refuse to stay ignorant. I am growing in the knowledge of Jesus and I am becoming stronger in faith. Hallelujah."

Spiritual maturity!

Spiritual maturity!
- Pastor Ashish Mathews

James 3:2
We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

Who comes to your mind when I say think about a person who is never at fault in what they say? Jesus! We follow Him, we walk after Him. He is our life and the length of our days.

When you study the life of Jesus in the Gospels, you will know that He never stumbled in His word. He was very careful about what He spoke and how He spoke. Spiritual maturity is measured by the quality of your words. A person who can control his speech is a mature person, fully developed in character. A person who is careless in his speech is spiritually immature, not yet developed. Spiritual maturity has nothing to do with how much you can clap, fast, sing or how loudly you can shout.

Your words reveal how spiritually mature or spiritually developed you are. Words are the most important thing in this universe. Your words have the power of life and death. Your life follows your words. Speak wisely! Speak carefully! Speak life! Speak the word! Your miracle is in your mouth. Go on with Jesus!

Freedom in the word!

Freedom in the word!
- Pastor Ashish Mathews

James 1:25
But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in  it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

The word of God is called the perfect law of liberty. It's impossible to dive in water and not get wet. Similarly it's absolutely impossible for you to stay in the word of God and not be free.

John 8: 31-32 says, Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.  And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” There is freedom in the word. As you make a quality decision to consistently meditate, speak and do the word, you will experience freedom in every area of your life like you have never known before. Only a free person can enjoy life. Only a free person can change the world. Be free in Jesus name!

The word 'look' in this verse means : to stoop to a thing in order to look at it, to look at with head bowed forward,  to stoop and look into, to look carefully into and to inspect curiously. As you 'look' into the word of God, you will not only experience freedom but also be blessed in everything you put your hands to. What a great life in the word! Go for the word! Go on with Jesus!

“The word of God is the perfect law of liberty. I am a word man therefore I am a free man. I am a word man therefore I free others in the name of Jesus. I live in liberty all the days of my life.”

Whose friend are you?

Whose friend are you?
- Pastor Ashish Mathews

James 4:4
Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Do you know that you can make yourself God's enemy? Whoever chooses to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. It's dangerous to be in opposition to God. It's a tough place to be!

What does it mean to be a friend of the world? Does that mean that we shouldn't have worldly friends?  Or that we shouldn't associate with worldly people? No. It's talking about the systems, principles, ways and beliefs of this world. Satan is the god of this world system and He has established principles that are in direct opposition to the principles of the word of God. When you walk in line with the worldly principles, you make yourself an enemy of God. The world and the word have no similarities, no common ground. Choose the word! The word is full of life and will bless you greatly.

The world and it's desire is passing away and being destroyed but the one who walks on the word of God abides forever. Every principle of this world is founded and based on three things : lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life. Every worldly principle is self destructive. Choose the word and refuse to be a friend of this worldly system and principles. There is no life in them. Choose the word! Walk on the principles of the word! This is your distinguishing factor! Go on with Jesus!

Every good and perfect gift!

Every good and perfect gift!
- Pastor Ashish Mathews

James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

What a powerful verse! This verse reminds us of the source of every good gift and every perfect gift in our lives.

It's not your hard work, your contacts, your education or even your experience, it's simply because of the Father of lights, who loves you with an immensely unconditional love. Every good gift in my life, every perfect gift in my life is because of my heavenly Father, the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

This will help you keep your focus on God and not depend on people. Love people but look to God. Keep your expectations only on and from the Lord. When you acknowledge God as your Source with thanksgiving and praise, you position yourself for greater manifestations of the blessings of God.

"Father, every good and every perfect gift in my life is because of you and you alone. Thank you Father for your love towards me. I praise you for your great goodness and your unchanging nature of ever blessing your children. Thank you Father!"

Faith takes it!

Faith takes it!
- Pastor Ashish Mathews

Mark 5:27‭-‬29
When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction.

Your faith needs to be stubborn. If you are not stubborn for things that belong to you, then probably you will never enjoy them. Only a violent and stubborn faith can overcome the obstacles and hindrances that come against your miracle.

This woman took her healing for it belonged to her. She didn't wait for her miracle, she went ahead and took it. Faith takes it! II Corinthians 1:20 says, For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. In other words, God is saying, everything is yours, come take it, take what you want, take it all. Jesus has paid for it all with his precious blood. Hallelujah!

How does faith take it? How did this lady take her healing? She heard. She believed. She said. She acted on it. She refused to give up. She was made completely whole. Hear the word. Believe the word. Speak the word. Act on the word. Refuse to give up no matter what. Forgive. Your promises wait for you!  Take it now! Let nothing stop you, let no one hinder you....Go on with Jesus!

"The blood of Jesus has given me everything I will ever need, want and desire. My faith is the only way I can enjoy these blessings. I hear the word. I believe. I speak. I act on it. I refuse to give up. I forgive. I look to Jesus and the miracle is mine. Hallelujah."