The Difference!

The Difference!
- Pastor Ashish Mathews

I Samuel 16:13
Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah.

The Holy Spirit is the difference. He is what differentiates us from the world. He is the one who differentiated David from the rest of the Israelite army.

The presence and power of the Holy Spirit in you takes you to a higher level of life. It's a great life. The Holy Spirit was the reason David could defeat Goliath. Without the Holy Spirit, we can do nothing. Zechariah 4:6 says, ...‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts. The Israelite army was strong, educated, had weapons, had good number of people and yet they were not able to stand against Goliath and the Philistine army. Without the Holy Spirit, our education, skills, contacts, experience and hardwork is not enough to get the job done. The Holy Spirit is the difference. David was a shepherd boy, uneducated and untrained, simple country boy but one who had great reverence for God and His Spirit and the house of God. Think about this, what the Israelite army couldn't do, David did. Education is good, skills is good, contacts is good and experience is good but without the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, it leads to confusion and frustration. The wisest magicians and sorcerers of Egypt could not interpret Pharaohs dream, it was Joseph, who by the power of the Holy Spirit interpreted the dream and was promoted to the highest position in Egypt. What your strength and might cannot do, the Holy Spirit can do.

Friend, the Holy Spirit dwells in you right this moment for your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. The Greater One dwells in you. It doesn't matter how educated or uneducated you are, how strong or weak you are, how influential or less known you are, the Holy Spirit is the difference. He is all you need. That's all. That's it. Give great honour and reverence to the Holy Spirit who dwells in you and He will make you wise, strong and well able to overcome any and all enemies and He will guide you to the very summit of success, prosperity and opulence. This is your time.

The name of Jesus is your weapon!

The name of Jesus is your weapon!
- Pastor Ashish Mathews

1 Samuel 17:45
David said to the Philistine, “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.

The weapons of our warfare are not physical, our weapons are spiritual and they are extremely powerful. As a believer, the name of Jesus is your weapon.

Goliath came against David with swords, spears and javelins but David went against Goliath in the name of the Lord. The name of the Lord is stronger and more powerful than the swords, spears and javelins. Goliath had confidence in who he was and the weapons he carried, on the other hand, David has complete confidence in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel. Philippians 2:9‭-‬11 "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,  that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,  and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." The name is above every other name in heaven, on earth and under the earth. The name of Jesus is above every name. Every name submits to the name of Jesus. There is no name that doesn't submit to Jesus. This name, the name of Jesus belongs to you. All heaven will back you when you use His name by faith. All heaven stands with the name of Jesus. The heavenly armies of God and God himself stands in the name of Jesus. You release them when you use the name of Jesus by faith. Jesus is wherever His name is.

Friend, the name of Jesus is your weapon that can take down any and every name. Let me say it again, there is no name above the name of Jesus. Use your weapon and shut the mouth of the Goliaths in your life. Be it sickenesses, demons, debts, opposition, failures, fear, anxiety or any other wicked thing, the name of Jesus is above them all. No matter the size of Goliath, the name of Jesus will take it down. Hallelujah!

Honour God's house!

Honour God's house.
- Pastor Ashish Mathews

Hebrews 10:25
not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

The height you attain in life is measured by the honour you give to God and His things. Casual attitude leads to a casual life. Great honour leads to a great life.

Some one says, 'Under grace, do I need to come to church?'. The statement should actually be, 'Under grace, how can you miss church'. Once you know and believe what Jesus has done for you, the extent He went, the limit He crossed, the sacrifices He made, the price He paid to get you, to save you, to heal you and to bless you, if you really understand this, you cannot stay at home, you want to come to church and be a part of God's house. When you put God's house first, your house will be taken care of. When you put the things of God first, your things will be taken care of. Matthew 6.33 says, Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you. Attending and participating in a church doesn't not save us. It's Jesus who has saved us. Good works cannot and will not save us. It's only Jesus and His works. He saved us for good works. Now that you are saved, attend and participate in a Bible based church and learn God's word from His anointed servants. It's a response to what Jesus has done for you, which comes out of a grateful heart. Blessed be the name of the Lord.

Friend, don't let Satan deceive you and keep you from fellowshipping with other believers. Being ignorant and being alone is a dangerous thing because such are the targets of the enemy. Make a decision to faithfully attend and participate in God's house, feeding on Gods word and fellowshipping with other members of the family of God. Your blessings awaits you -Psalm 92:12‭-‬15 - The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the Lord , they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, “The Lord is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”

Your confession is your ceiling.

Your confession is your ceiling.
- Pastor Ashish Mathews

Mark 11:23
For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.

You will have whatever you say. Your words are extremely powerful and it can turn your whole life around. James helps us in understanding this, He says like you turn the horse by the bits in its mouth, like you turn the ship by its rudder, you direct your life by your words.

You will never go where your words don't go. The ship cannot go where its rudder doesn't go. You will only go where your words go. Where are you letting your words go? You will follow your words. Your words are your limit. Your words are your ceiling. Jesus is the champion and prince of faith and so we consider Him and look to Him. Jesus knew exactly where He wanted to go and therefore He directed his words accordingly. He knew Gods will and He spoke God's word. He knew unless He says it, He won't have it. Jesus released his words about the crucifixion and resurrection before He was crucified and resurrected.

Friend, you will land where your words land. Your words are extremely powerful. Direct your words into the will of God so you will fulfill God's will for your life. Direct your words into healing, blessing, life, peace and prosperity. Withdraw your words from sickness, curse, death, confusion and poverty. Speak God's word consistently and fulfill God's will. This is your time! Jesus is Lord and the best is yet to come!

Jesus, the author and finisher of faith.

Jesus, the author and finisher of faith.
- Pastor Ashish Mathews

Hebrews 12:2
looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

In the book of Revelation, Jesus is called the Word of God. Jesus is the captain of our faith, the chief leader and the pioneer of our faith. He is our faith champion. Hallelujah. Our faith hangs on Him from the beginning to the end.

Jesus is the highest and the greatest example of faith. He started by faith, lived by faith and finished by faith. Against all odds, all challenges,  all persecutions, all shame and all opposition, He overcame and sat down at the right hand of God. Jesus is the perfect example of faith. Therefore, let's look to Him, let's feed on Jesus and let's continue to abide in Him. As you feed on Him through the word, prayer and worship, you will find your faith going to a higher level. Hebrews 11.6 says, 'without faith, it is impossible to please God.' Jesus always pleased the Father because He lived by faith. Everything He did, He did by faith. Study the life of Jesus because He is the prince of faith. He not only teaches us faith but by faith He began and finished the race we are in. Jesus is our faith food. Feed on Him and develop your faith to an unprecedented level. Fix your eyes on Jesus and keep it on Him! As you do, your faith will be perfected, developed and matured. You will begin to experience victory like He experienced victory.

Friend, the life of faith is the life of victory. Jesus proved that faith cannot fail and it will stand against any and all challenges.  So be encouraged, don't give up your faith because your Lord is your example, stir yourself up because faith works. Look to Jesus and finish your course with joy! This is your time! Jesus is Lord!

Declare His praises!

Declare His praises!
- Pastor Ashish Mathews

1 Peter 2:9
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

You are God's special possession. You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood and a holy nation. This is how God sees you. It's time we see ourselves as God sees us. Have a God view of yourself!

God called us out of darkness into his wonderful light so that we may declare His praises everywhere. You are a testimony of God's goodness, grace and mercy. Jesus delivered a man from demonic possession and said to Him, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” Speak about what the Lord has done for you. Proclaim how good God has been to you. Declare how He delivered you from the clutches of enemy. Announce the unconditional love that Jesus has demonstated towards you. Shout about His grace, His unmerited favour. Exalt the Lord and magnify Him. Make Him bigger than your problems, challenges and trials. Boast about His strength, His wisdom, His sufficiency, His protection, His power and His glory. Our God is the Most High God and there is no one higher than Him. There is no one more powerful than Him, none more wiser, none more glorious and gracious than Him.

Friend, as you declare His praises, you declaration will result in many souls being saved and cause much rejoicing among the angels in heaven. Your praise is God's throne. As you praise Him, His presence will be manifested in your life and everything you do shall prosper. Why don't you tell someone who Jesus is to you and what all He has done for you! This is your time. Jesus is worthy and deserves all our worship and praises. There is none like Him. Declare! Proclaim! Announce!

*“I tell the world what Jesus has done for me. I proclaim His praises. I make known His mighty works. I tell the world about the goodness of Jesus my Lord. I am all time praiser and I walk in the manifest presence of God.”*

The spirit of faith.

The spirit of faith!
- Pastor Ashish Mathews

II Corinthians 4:13
And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak,

The spirit of faith has two vital components, believing God's word in your heart and speaking God's word from your mouth. The word must be in your heart and your mouth. This heart and mouth connection is the only way you can see the manifestation of the promises of God.

Faith is a law. It will work for anyone who will put the word in their hearts and speak the word from their mouths. Abraham who is called the Father of faith, couldn't receive the manifestation of Isaac unless He had the word of God, the promise in his heart and his mouth. We have to work on putting the word in our hearts by putting our eyes on the word, consistently hearing the word and constantly meditating on it so we can be convinced and fully persuaded that God is well able to do what He has promised. God showed Abraham the stars and the sands, He cut a covenant with him to show His seriousness about His kindness to him and He gave Abram a new name 'Abraham' which means Father of many nations. God did all this so Abraham would put these things in His heart and mouth and therefore see the manifestation of the promises.

Friend, you have to put the word in your spirit and in your mouth for your faith to work effectively. It's work because in this age, many things are trying to get in your heart and mouth and distractions are many. God is not holding anything back from you, God has kept it all for you and He expects you to apply the law of faith and access all the good things He has for you. We have a covenant with God in the blood of Jesus which is better than what Abraham had. We have the word of God with Jesus himself as the surety of every word in the new covenant. Meditate on these things and speak about it and you will see the manifestation of all that God has promised you. This is your time!