Emmanuel Okoro (aka MrLift)

Restraint and regulated  "Everyone who commits (practices) sin is guilty of lawlessness; for [that is what] sin is, lawlessness (the breaking, violating of God 's law by transgression or neglect - being unrestrained and unregulated by His commands and His will)." (1John.3.4 1AMP) Sin is a lawlessness, unrestrained or unregulated, boundary-less lifestyle. The wise writer of the book of Hebrews in one instance stated that we have not yet resisted unto blood striving against sin "You have not yet struggled and fought agonizingly against sin, nor have you yet resisted and withstood to the point of pouring out your [own] blood. (Heb.12.4 AMP) So you see that when we indulge it is because we want to, especially if you are a believer. The Bible in Roman tells us that sin has no dominion over us.  "For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. (Rom.6.14)  James, the Apostle says if we are tempted it is only because we lust. Tha...

Everyone who has this hope "And everyone who has this hope [resting] on Him cleanses (purifies) himself just as He is pure (chaste, undefiled, guiltless)." (1John.3.3 AMP) Hope is a beautiful thing. Without it, many a life are lost and forgotten. With it, the darkest nights are braced and the saddest days overcome. Without hope your faith won't work because faith needs hope to bring into reality. Faith gives hope substance. And everyone who has the hope of manifesting sonship purifies himself or herself.  How do you purify yourself?  "That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word," (Eph.5.26)  By the washing of the water of the word of God. Keep taking in God's word and practicing God's word.  "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." (John.17.17)  The word of God has consecrating properties. And the more of it you practice, the more consecrated you become. It is the consecrating truth  "Make them ...

When we see Him we shall be like him  "Beloved, we are [even here and] now God 's children; it is not yet disclosed (made clear) what we shall be [hereafter], but we know that when He comes and is manifested, we shall [as God 's children] resemble and be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He [really] is." (1John.1.2 AMP) When we see Him we shall be like Him. If being like Him is premised on seeing Him, then seeing Him should be our number one objective. How we see and what we see in life matters a lot. What are you seeing?  "GOD's Message came to me: "What do you see, Jeremiah?" I said, "A walking stick--that's all."  And GOD said, "Good eyes! I'm sticking with you. I'll make every word I give you come true." (Jer.1.11 - 12 MSB) When God saw what Jeremiah saw, He stuck with him. The reason some people do not see God manifested in their lives is that they are not seeing as God is seeing. Do you have good eyes? Good...

We're surnamed God  "See what [an incredible] quality of love the Father has given (shown, bestowed on) us, that we should [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are! The reason that the world does not know (recognize, acknowledge) us is that it does not know (recognize, acknowledge) Him. (1John.3.1AMP) I have called you by thy name, you are mine is the way the Prophet Isaiah communicated this truth. John tells us that because of the incredible quality of love the Father has shown us, we are permitted to be named as children of God. If we are children of God, then we are surnamed God.  "But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine." (Isa.43.1)  You are surnamed God. John tells us that we are the children of God. And as children of God, we are called after the name of our Father. We are adopted into t...

The Holy Spirit your teacher " I've written to warn you about those who are trying to deceive you. But they're no match for what is embedded deeply within you--Christ's anointing, no less! You don't need any of their so-called teaching. Christ's anointing teaches you the truth on everything you need to know about yourself and him, uncontaminated by a single lie. Live deeply in what you were taught. (1John.2.26 - 27 MSB) It appears that the Apostle John contrasts the false teachers and the Holy Spirit in our text. He says I have written to you to warn you about those who are out to deceive you. Another translation uses the word seduce in place of deceive as seen in our text.  That tells you that the devil through his agents will try to miseducate you. To do this, he will always want you to question what God has told you. Don't fall for his tricks.  As capable a deceiver as he is, our text says he is no match for what is embedded deeply within you, that is ou...

How to live forever "And this world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But if you do the will of God, you will live forever. (1John.2.17 NLT) Nothing they say lasts forever but the Bible shows us how to live forever.  Our text tells us that this world is fading away along with everything it craves. It paints a picture of the systems of men, the sensual gratification and greedy longings of the mind, and the assurance in one's own resources or the stability of earthly things.  "For all that is in the world - the lust of the flesh [craving for sensual gratification] and the lust of the eyes [greedy longings of the mind] and the pride of life [assurance in one's own resources or in the stability of earthly things] - these do not come from the Father but are from the world [itself]. (1John.2.16 AMP) Contrast this verse with what the Lord does. The Bible says whatever the Lord does shall be forever.  "I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for eve...

Love not the world  "Don't love the world's ways. Don't love the world's goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world--wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important--has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him." (1John.2.15-16 MSB) Every person has a culture, a way that people carry out and relate to themselves and the world around them. This is also true for the early believers. Little wonder they were called Christians - people whose way of doing was as those of the Master Jesus Christ himself The world around us, the world in which we live has its ways and means of doing things. This world's way of doing things is contradictory to those people who have made Christ Jesus their Lord and Saviour. So the Bible instructs us to not love the world - that is, to not love the way the world does things. Our text says love for the world squeezes...