Kigoye Eriya

3 John 1:2 "Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." John was writing to his beloved Giaus how that he wished that above all things that he would prosper and be in health, even as his soul prospers. If it was written to Giaus, it's your message too. God wants you and I to prosper.    With the rising prices in fuel or foodstuffs, it is still God's will to prosper you even when things aren't looking good in the economy. The abundance Adam lived in before the fall is the prototype of what He wills you and I to have or enjoy. They had all they needed without toil or sweat. Christ's victory on the cross restored us to that state and more than what Adam had. If lack is the story for all those around you, you can live above it for Christ became poor that we might be made rich, hallelujah.  Further scriptures   2 Corinthians 8:9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, ye...

1 Chronicles 4:9-10 And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested. Old testament believers like Jabez prayed for the hand of God to be with them. When they did so, they implied that let God's presence go with them everywhere. It's different for us in the New testament. We have God's presence over us for God shall never leave us nor forsake us. But an unbeliever can be right to pray that God's presence should be with them. God will never do what He has already done in His Word. Some scriptures are already truth not to be prayed for but as facts to be believed and acted on. God will never leave us nor forsake us, that's comforting. We...

1 Chronicles 4:9-10 And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested. We don't get the details of how Jabez's past but I make a theological guess that it wasn't good. There are three categories of people, those who live in the past, those who live in the present and those who live in the future.  Those who live in the past are ever conscious of their history of failures and successes. They cry foul of the way they were raised, the missed opportunities and always dream about the good old days. They used to pray, have money, have this or that but they nolonger have those. Those who live in the present don't have a care of the past or the fu...

1 Chronicles 4:9-10 And Jabez was more honourable than his brethren: and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, Because I bare him with sorrow. And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested. People pray in every way and in all styles. There's nothing as universal as prayer. In fact many use it as an evangelism tool to get inroads to hard hearted. You knock on someone's door and instead of asking to preach to them, you ask to pray for them, they will willingly allow you to go ahead. But the moment they allow you, you give them a brief sermon, lead them to Christ and then pray.  You need to take off time to pray. Many things are at stake and it takes prayer to change them. The Bible speaks of men that prayed and got results, Jabez is one of them. Out of only two verse...

Ecclesiastes 9:7 Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works. There's a lot of encouragement nowadays to look like everyone else if you identify that they are better off in one way or the other. The irony with that is that people lose the gratitude and contentment of where they are at the moment if they aren't careful. The theme scripture encourages us to enjoy your bread, drink with a merry heart. My focus is the "your" in that statement and not the neighbours.  It is always said that grass looks greener on the other side, but the day you get there, you won't want what you find there or it may not be a rosy as it was made or appeared to be. My pastor admonishes us through those lines whenever he hears so and so left the ministry for a "new" one in town which seems to be rocking the boat. The day you know the details of things is the day you realise every person, ministry, business has issues...

Ecclesiastes 2:24 "There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God." There's always something to worry about if you are alive in this world from the news of war, to hearing a neighbour fighting with the wife or a death happening or someone losing their job etc. In fact one preacher said if you are not depressed then perhaps you are not paying attention.  But the wise preacher Solomon tells us not to complicate life, nor complicate joyful living by simply enjoying your meal. As ordinary as that sounds, but it can yield tremendous results when you do. Must you first accumulate millions on your bank account, all the cars you need or all the vacations in nice places to enjoy life? No the posho and beans, the glass of water from your sweat can actually satisfy you.  Speaking about labour, do you know that the most tired people are not those who wor...

Philippians 4:11 "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." Paul teaches us that in whatever state he found himself in, he learnt to be content. The number one reason why many people are not content with what they have is because they are ever comparing themselves with others and lose sight of their identity in Christ. By comparing ourselves to others we will realise we don’t have it all.  Being content does not mean that believing God for material things is evil. The blessing of God brings with it material blessings. We have to be content with what the Lord has blessed us with being confident that the same God is able to get us more of our hearts desires.  Content people are very generous with their gifts, talents and posessions. On the other hand a discontent person feels that they do not have enough. They go out of their way to beg and become burdensome to others, some end up stealing and being unfaithful w...

1Samuel 23:4 "Then David enquired of the LORD yet again. And the LORD answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand." We spoke at length in the previous blogs how God led apostle Paul to a door of ministry that turned out to be one of the best in his life. That ministry journey ended up ministering to the Philippian church who ended up being his partners in the ministry wherever he went. The Macedonians were in dire poverty and yet were his supporters. He experienced so much persecution while there but it worked for his good. There he led the Jailor to the Lord and Lydia a seller of purple. Later when he was in prison in Rome, as he wrote to them, he was in so much joy everytime he remembered them. The Journey yield fruit because he heard from God before he went. In the old testament we see another victorious man of God called David who is also a great example to us all in terms of following God's will. The Bible says ...

Act 16:10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us to preach the gospel unto them.     It is important to know how God operates and how the world operates. God's ways are unique from the world's ways. For instance, the way Paul received a door for ministry was not how many would have approached it. First he received it by a vision. That was not much of self effort.  There are alot of motivation speakers these days who tell you all that you are to do to succeed. They have framed success in a few principles one must do like "locate yourself strategically, do some networking," etc. On the outside they look okay but God may not need those to fulfil his will.  Am certain God give you a marriage partner, connect you to a great opportunity that will change your life without any of your efforts. Some say you need to "kwetega" literally translated positioning yourself. We have r...

Act 16:7-9 "After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us." It is until Paul got a vision in the night to go to Macedonia that he knew that God answered his prayer. A rare answer which was not expected at all. To give you context, Mysia where Paul wanted to go is in the East present day Turkey in Asia while Macedonia where the Lord wanted him to go is in the West, present day Greece in Europe totally opposite from where he expected but that what God's will for him. But the point is that Paul waited and God’s plan and will came through in a process of waiting. Ever waited upon an opportunity that was within reach but you had to wait some more? Someone promises you money but all of a sudden they change their mind on the day he promised you. ...

Act 16:6-8 "Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, after they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas." What is God's will for you and how do you know you are walking in it? How do you even discover it?  Take for instance Paul. When Paul was seeking for the next place to minister there are places the Lord never permitted him to go to. What we see him do is something that will cause you and I great success, when the Lord forbad him, he had to wait. We don't know how long, I think it took him a while of waiting but he waited.  The secret to succes is simple, "love Jesus, listen to Him, follow Him, obey Him, and wait on Him." Once you love God, and your heart will be set to obey Him and He will lead you to green pastures because He is your good shepherd. You will enjoy the gre...

1 Timothy 3:1 This [is] a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. How can we become good disciples of our Lord? Principal thing is one must have a strong desire for ministry.  There are some many God loving people but I feel so sorry for them for they have no desire of any sort for ministry. Whether you serve God or not, you will go to heaven since what takes you to heaven is the blood of Jesus. But more to that, there is a great blessing in serving God. It's such a privilege to be a coworker with God. In fact men who have had visions of heaven say there are many men of God in heaven who regret for not having served Him well.  Friends, serving God gives you fulfilment that no money will ever give you. Desire to serve God, desire to become a disciple who disciples others, desire to have huge impact in the kingdom, desire to become a pastor, desire to plant a church or among those that pioneer to plant one someday etc. All those are go...

1 Timothy 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, [and] giving of thanks, be made for all men; One of the core principle of becoming a good and effective disciple is prayer. A true disciple must be a prayerful person.  Become a man or woman of prayer. Make sure you have a prayer life, incorporate prayer in your life, be consistent at it.    Like a tool in a mechanics toolbox, so is prayer to the discipler, you cannot do without it. Further scriptures   Ephesians 6:18 "Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;"

(Php 2:22)NKJV But ye know his proven character, that as a son with [his] father, he hath served with me in the gospel.  What makes a true son is character. Character gives people longevity in ministry is character, not your gift. You are nothing without character. So many people are gifted but have zero character. They lack the character of a true disciple.  The church has not been short of winning souls through evangelism and crusades, but we donot have many disciples or sons. The great commission is about making disciples. Souls always come and go but sons stay and serve. As you serve more in the church, you stop praying that God adds you more church members but sons or disciples. You encounter a first timer who comes and tells you, "pastor, wherever you go I will go and wherever you fall I will fall," yet after three months, you don’t see them. But like apostle Paul, may God give us sons and daughters, not just people to give us lip service.  Stand out and don’t just ...

Philippians 2:19-22 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.  Paul testifies about his son Timothy in a powerful way in our theme scripture. I wonder how Timothy felt when he read it. Did he develop any pride as a result? Some do when they are exalted like that but we don't see it in Timothy atleast. Can your mentor boast openly about you like that and it doesn't in any way puff you? "One who is to you likeminded, who naturally cares for the state of his church members, who does seek their own but the things which are Jesus Christ's," what a CV? Am certain Paul could say all these about him because he himself had the same traits for it is said yo...

Romans 5:19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.    Moses in the old testament read a number of blessings to the Israelites in the book of Deuteronomy 28. At the same time He also read to them curses. Blessings were dependent on their obedience to God's law while curses were dependent on their disobedience.  In the New testament it is quite different.  For example in our theme scripture we discover that Jesus's obedience grants us righteousness, which is a spiritual blessing from God. By His stripes too we are healed.  When you ask a Christian will you go to heaven? Their answer will depend on the righteousness they rest on, whether theirs or Christ's. Out of fear or uncertainty, men hinge their going to heaven on what they have done or not done. Now if Christ has not qualified you for heaven and made you perfect, giving your a spotless free righteousness, I don't think your trying to p...

  (Psa 34:1-5)  A Psalm of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed. I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. Are you ardently going after God? You need to learn from David in the Psalm above.  We learn that those who go after God are consistent in seeking Him. They do not wait for perfect moments; they choose Him daily through praise, prayer, and His Word. To pursue God is to place Him above everything else. It is to find your identity in Him and not in the things of this world. Our theme scripture reminds us that when we seek the Lord, He hears us and delivers us from fear.  Those who...

Jeremiah 32:17-18 Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, [and] there is nothing too hard for thee: Thou shewest lovingkindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, [is] his name, El Gibbor means Mighty God or Warrior God.  Many scriptures refer to His mighty hand as the display of His tremendous power. In war times, God helped Israelites overcome their enemies and was victorious at all fronts. He is a champion in all storms which may arise.  He was victorious over Pharoah while rescuing the Israelites from Egypt, He fought David's battles, He also sent His Son who overcame the war of sin and death and bring us salvation. Jesus too is also called by this name in the book of Isaiah because of what He accomplished on our behalf in His death, burial and resurrection. Simply put He is mighty to save. In ou...

Exodus 20:5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me; Qanna means Jealous or zealous. El Qanna means Jealous God.  First mentioned at the giving of the ten commandments where God desired devotion to worship Him alone. Failure to have one divine being to worship leads to spiritual idolatry and spiritual fornication which displease God. Some believers commit adultery even without knowing. There are some rituals which they observe knowingly or unknowingly which show that God is not the only one they worship but even other gods too they pay homage to them.  You have heard those who stop the rain, pour drinks to the ground to honour ancestors, pour blood of animals in a foundation of a new house during construction, twin rituals, umbilical chord rituals for a new child, many funeral rituals during and after bur...