Eternal Ways

By Timothy Etoori

This is an inspirational book for ordinary Christians. The purpose of the book is to encourage them to get involved in lay ministry, and become much more fruitful in this.
1) The Bible as a basis for ministry.
2) Faith into action.
3) A call to commitment.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse UK
• Release date: Nov 13, 2015
• ISBN: 9781504993623

Timothy Etoori

The author lives in Uganda and works as an Accountant. The other books written by the author are a novel entitled Faded Flowers and an anthology entitled Visions of Glory.

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ETERNAL WAYS

(A layman’s handbook)

TIMOTHY ETOORI

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2015 Timothy Etoori. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 11/10/2015

ISBN: 978-1-5049-9360-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5049-9361-6 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5049-9362-3 (e)

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and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the Holy Bible, King James Version (Authorized Version). First published in 1611. Quoted from the KJV Classic Reference Bible, Copyright © 1983 by The Zondervan Corporation.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. [Biblica]

Scripture quotations marked RSV are taken from the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, 1971 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

A. THE KINGDOM OF GOD

A1. All the countries we see today will be replaced by the Kingdom of God

A2. All religions are to be dissolved and everyone to be brought under one head - Jesus Christ.

A3. The Kingdom is composed of a Holy Nation

CHAPTER TWO

B. THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS CHRIST

B1. The King of Kings

B2. The deity of Jesus

CHAPTER THREE

C. THE ECONOMICS OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD

C1: Drawing from An Eternal Account

C2: Jesus today

C3: The Eternal Ways of God

CHAPTER FOUR

D. THE ETERNAL SPIRIT REALM

D1: Faith And Knowledge

D2: The Distinctive Character Of God

D3: Gender

D4: The Laws of God

D5: Faith as a basis for existence – the limitations of science and knowledge

D6: Rationality of Spiritual Truths

D7: The Faith Realm And The Passage of Time

CHAPTER FIVE

E, THE POWER OF FAITH

E1: The Power of Words

E2: Praying in faith.

E3: The unchangeable nature of God

E4: The Power to reign

E5: The Inheritance: the authority to reign.

CHAPTER SIX

F. THE HOLY SPIRIT

F1: The Holy Spirit

F2: The Fellowship of The Holy Spirit

F3: The Protection of God’s Word

F4: The fellowship of obedience

F5: The fellowship of laying aside what we want

F6: The Fellowship of Love (based on God’s mercy)

F7: Living Sacrifices: the power of surrender

F8: Looking to Jesus as an example.

F9: Circumstances are irrelevant

CHAPTER SEVEN

THE ABILITY OF THE BELIEVER

G. G1: Surrender and purity

G2: The Grace of God

G3: Entering The Promised Land

G4: Three Important Prayers

G5: The desire to excel

G6: Unconditional Love:

G7: Honoring God

G8: Spiritual Bondage exercised by a third party

G9: Stewardship:

G10: Lessons in Righteousness

CHAPTER EIGHT

H. FAITH

H1: The Nature of Faith

H2: Step One- The Word of God

H3: Step Two – Faith

H4: Step Three: Obedience

H5: Step Four: The Anointing

H6: The prayer of faith

H7: Conditions for receiving from God

H8: Walking by Faith

CHAPTER NINE

I. PROMOTION IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD

I1: The basis of promotion

I2: Assignments- God’s Avenue to Promotion

I3: Conditions for Promotion

I4: Assignments: Missions impossible

I5: Assignments: Completing the Assignment.

CHAPTER TEN

J. THE TIMING OF GOD

J1: God’s Timing

J2. God’s Timetable

J3: God has never run into a crisis

CHAPTER ELEVEN

K. HEALING

K1: Healing: One of God’s Eternal Ways

K2: Healing: A ministry of God’s people

K3: Obedience: a source of divine health

K4. Healing: an item paid for by Christ’s suffering

K5: The word of God: an aid to health

K6: Healing comes through faith

K7: Healing comes from God’s resources through Jesus Christ

K8: Praying for the sick

CHAPTER TWELVE

L. KINGDOM PROSPERITY

L1: Prosperity is a function of God’s provision

L2: Wealth is not just for its own sake

L3: Wealth of a believer is to be used in God’s work

L4: The mechanics of prosperity.

L5: Laziness is a hindrance to prosperity

L6: Working towards removing limits on our level of prosperity.

L7: Material blessings as a preparation for spiritual advancement.

L8: Cycles in prosperity

L9: Pastoral leadership in prosperity

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

M. OBEDIENCE

M1: Obedience: A growth process

M2: Obedience: Listening to God

M3: Obedience: perfection through suffering.

M4: Obedience: A life without expectations.

M5: Obedience: God’s avenue for provision

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

N. CONCLUSION: TO BE BORN AGAIN

N1: THE GOSPEL:

N2: SALVATION

N3: THE POWER OF THE WORD IN TRANSFORMING US

N4: THE SALVATION PRAYER

MAMA SAM - A SHORT STORY

FOREWORD

Ephesians 4:11 it was he (Christ) who gave some to be Apostles, some to be Prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

The ministries of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers prepare the members to serve. Their service is critical as the fulltime ministers are too few to meet the enormous spiritual needs inside and outside the church.

This is a book based on personal experience in lay ministry. Lay ministry in college, in the youth ministry in church and in sharing with some congregations. Written by a layman for laymen. Without any complicated theology it is intended to be an aid to believers whoever they are and pass on some of the secrets of service to the Lord.

Timothy Etoori

PSALMS 103: 7

He made known his ways to Moses,

His deeds to the children of Israel.

APPRECIATION

I would like to thank Laban Jjumba the Senior Pastor of Deliverance Church Kansanga in Kampala, Uganda, for all the encouragement he gave me. He read though this book and helped me to correct typographical errors.

Pastor Jjumba has authored several books and published numerous articles in various magazines and publications. He also presents a Christian television program in Uganda ‘Shaping the future of the nation’. Acting as one of the continental leaders of Intercessors for Africa prayer movement is among his other activities.

CHAPTER ONE

THE KINGDOM OF GOD

Daniel 2:43: And whereas thou saw iron mixed with miry clay, they shall mingle themselves with the seed of men: but they shall not cleave one to another, even as iron is not mixed with clay. And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, [but] it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

Mark 1:14 – 15: Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Luke 9:1-2: Then he called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.

Luke 22:15 – 16: And he said unto them, With desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.

Revelation 11:15: And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become [the kingdoms] of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

(See also Isaiah 9:6-7, Luke 21:31, Acts 1:1-3, Acts 8:12)

A1. All the countries we see today will be replaced by the Kingdom of God

Some say ‘God bless America’, with tears in their eyes, some are trying to expand the settlements in Israel, others are out to restore the glory of Russia, still others talk of the rise of Africa, while the giant China has already risen in the East.

There will be no ‘Union Jack’, no ‘Stars and Stripes’ no ‘Hammer and Sickle’ and no ‘Blue Star’.

A new Kingdom will be established over the Earth. This Kingdom which is headed by Jesus is already in existence and is expanding every day. Those who are part of the Kingdom give priority to it. Their beliefs are stated in the Bible. If they do join a political party or swear allegiance to a state, where the policies conflict with those of the kingdom then the latter shall prevail. The teachings of the Kingdom take priority.

The Kingdom came into being when Jesus rose from the dead and was seated far above every principality and power and above every name that is named:

Ephesians 1:19 – 23: And what [is] the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set [him] at his own right hand in the heavenly [places,] Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: And hath put all [things] under his feet, and gave him [to be] the head over all [things] to the church, Which is his body, the fullness of him that fills all in all.

The constitution of this Kingdom is the New Testament of the bible (Hebrews 8:6).

However many of the prophecies and foundational truths are contained in the old testament.

Recent events suggest that the establishment of the Kingdom of God is close. Almost two thousand years ago the book of Revelation was written which predicted the following events towards the end of time:

Revelation 13:16 – 17: And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. (Most scholars date the book of revelation as having been written within the first century after the birth of Jesus).

This verse predicts a centralized world system of government. But at the core such a system is the ability to record transactions carried out by every individual, which implies identifying them. To control the allocation of resources over the world there must be the ability to monitor the transactions of individual’s. A readable computer chip embodied below the skin is the obvious answer, and the technology to make this a reality is already available.

The likelihood of the widespread use of such a chip is high. In fact it is almost inevitable because this year thousands of people have crossed several borders without passports in order to ‘migrate’ to Europe. The British Broadcasting Service has reported the Germany may receive one hundred and twenty thousand immigrants from Syria alone this year. This mass migration dictates the need for a more effective way of monitoring individuals than current documentation procedures.

The occurrence of mass migration is likely to increase - the age of mass human transporters is here. Mass transportation of people or ‘people smuggling’ is big business and is likely to get even bigger. Thousands of people have each paid hundreds of dollars to make the trip to Europe from the Middle East and Africa. Some have spent the equivalent of thousands of dollars to make the journey. Some are couples with children. Where is all the money coming from – is there a possibility some of these people are sponsored by organizations?

The resulting social and economic upheaval poses a serious threat to world stability and peace:

What happens when many of the immigrants discover that the utopia they migrated for does not exist? Some shall remain trapped in transit camps for considerable periods. Others will eventually be repatriated back to their countries of origin? These will form fertile ground for recruitment into extremist organizations.

What about the change in the social and religious fabric in Europe? The risks are real in terms of the Islamic militants infiltrating Europe among the ‘immigrants’. It is likely some of the immigrants are members of radical Islamism organizations.

Meanwhile part of the cause of mass migration is wars in the Middle East and elsewhere which are unlikely to end soon. An array of Islamic fundamentalist organizations has established itself: The Islamic state formerly called ISIS. Al–Nusra a breakaway faction of ISIS now affiliated with al-Qaeda. Ahrar al-Sham another Islamic organization little different from ISIS in their ideology and goals. Others exist in Yemen and across the Arab World. If the regime of Assad in Syria goes down these organizations are most likely to take over.

The existence of these Islamic organizations means the possibility of conflict is greater than it has ever been before. The conflict between Sunni and Shite factions is already extensive. The conflict between Islam and Judaism is also likely to intensify, and may suck in more players from outside the region. In other regions organizations exist which are allied to these, examples are Boko Haran and Al- Shabab on the African continent.

Events are occurring or being orchestrated in this period are not under the control of world leaders: Russian aggression (Crimea plus others). The Islamic State and other radical religious groups. Collapsing economies in Europe and concerns over the economy of China. Failed states or governments tottering on the brink of collapse like Libya, Syria, Iraq, Yemen and others. Many events are moving fast towards a climax, only the gullible believe that we are not already living in dangerous times.

In the middle of this one of the challenges is identifying and tracking individuals. Another is controlling the access to resources by extreme organizations. The obvious solution to identification of individuals during these turbulent times is to dispense with documents and use a readable chip embedded below the skin. Controlling access to resources requires a worldwide economic system which also implies a system to provide a record of all transactions.

The book of Revelation predicts of a single world economy and government under the Antichrist that will weaken the nations we see today. The sovereignty of nations will have been weakened by the formation of one world economy before the return of Jesus.

A2. All religions are to be dissolved and everyone to be brought under one head - Jesus Christ.

Acts 17:26: From one man he (God) made every nation of men that they should inhabit the whole earth and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.

God allowed many nations to be established over the earth. The tribes of Africa, the castes of India, the nations of Europe. Each of the thousands of communities spread all over the earth practiced their own form of religion, or even several different forms of religion in the same place.

There have been many different systems of worship in existence throughout history. God in his perfect knowledge and wisdom knew the place of each in his unfolding plan. In ways known to him he recognized each one:

Romans 2:14: Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law; since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.

The people of Israel are not the only people God made an agreement or covenant with. He had agreements with other nations, and the people of Israel were specifically instructed not to violate them (Deuteronomy 2:4-6, Deuteronomy 2:9, Deuteronomy 2:19).

The people of Israel were limited in what they could possess: the Jewish religion and system of life was designed to exist alongside other systems of religion and life. However, the same cannot be said of the Kingdom of God, which has been established under Jesus Christ. All religions and other lifestyles are to be brought under one head: Jesus Christ.

Revelation 11:15 "The kingdoms of the World have become the kingdom of our