This is something we say all the time. In moments of difficulties and troubles we say our lives are in the hands of God. But most of those who say this don’t understand who God is. As time goes by we must refine our knowledge about God.
Who God is not
We are constantly claiming that we know God but we don’t really know Him. There are many misconceptions about God.
God is not the Bible, the Bible is not God. The Bible is the word of God. We get to know God as we read the Bible. There are many people who think that by place a Bible in their rooms or on their beds means God is with them. This is deception.
There are people who think God is a man. God is not a man. Man is a creation of God. Even though man is made in the image of God, man cannot be God. The Bible says “cursed is the one who puts his trust in a man.” If you have made any man your God, revise your stance.
There are people who think the man of God is God. They think the so called prophets, evangelists, pastors, etc. are God. They are not God. Because of this belief, a lot of people have gone out into the world to deceive vulnerable people. They want to let you believe that what they say is God’s voice. God is not a man; whether a ‘man of God’ or a man of the devil.
Who God is
We get to understand God when we look at the encounter between Moses and God. We hear God present Himself in Exodus 34: 6 – 7.
The name of the God we worship is YHWH – I am who I am. What this mean is that only God knows who He is. No man knows God to the full. We don’t know what God can do. We have seen and heard what He has done before. But we cannot say for certain what God will do. God is God.
God is merciful, he is gracious, abundantly good, and extremely patient. That is why it is better for those who trust in God to fall in the hands of God than to fall in any other hands. When David was given the choice of suffering in God’s hands or in the enemies hands, he chose God.
But God does not let sin go. He punishes sin. Those who take God for granted must understand this. He says to the third and fourth generation of children who hates him.That means this topic means different things for lovers of God and haters of God. For one group it is a pleasant thing to be in the hands of God; for the other it is a dreadful thing. It is better to die in the hands of God than to live in the hands of the devil.
Our life
The question is what kind of life is it that we are living? The lives of men are like fish caught in a net. There are good one’s there are bad ones; there are edible fish and poisonous fish. There are some lives that deserve destruction; there are some that deserve heaven.
Our life is in the hand of God.
In Romans 8: 29 says God knows us. He knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows why we are in this this world. He knows the purpose for which you are in the world. Before you can to this world, he had charted a path that only you can walk for you. There is nothing you can do to change that path. You are in His hand.
Because of this, he directs your desires so that you can pray for the right things. Those who are walking in the will of God never pray amiss because their prayer is inspired by the Holy Spirit. Romans 8: 26 – 27 says we don’t know what to pray for but the Spirit Himself makes intercessions for us.
We are in the hands of God so we will lack nothing vrs32. God is so good to die for us in order to give us life; he will give us all that we need. That is why David says “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.”
But there are times we face a lot of trouble and difficulties. There are storms in the life of everyone. But even in those storms you are in the hands of God.
What can separate us from the love of God?
Sometimes we think those who falsely accuse us can turn the love of God from us. It is a lie they cannot. People think they can accuse God’s people wrongly so that people will hate us. But the more people hate us unjustly, the more God loves us justly. If you are in God’s right hand, accusations cannot take you out.
Threats of death cannot take us out of God’s hands. Our lives are hidden in Christ who is hidden in God. Even real death cannot take us out of God’s hands.
Demons cannot harm you when you are in the hands of God. Charms, witchcrafts and powers of darkness cannot harm you. Your life is in God’s hands.
There is no enemy who can harm you, men, demons, and situations, whatever. You are safe. (Rom 8:38 - 39) For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
In all the troubles that the enemy will bring our way, we are more than conquerors.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Do Not Worry
Gen 22: 1 - 14; Rom 6: 12 - 23; Matt 10: 40 - 42
You must go through tests and trials as a Christian. If this happens, know that: 1) you are not the first person going through trials, 2) you are not the only person going through it today, 3) God is not far away from you. You must therefore not worry. (1Pe 4:12) Beloved, do not be astonished at the fiery trial which is to try you, as though a strange thing happened to you. Sometimes when we go through trials we cry, yes trials are painful so we cry. But even as we cry we must not worry. (Jas 1:2) My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into different kinds of temptations. Therefore we must be ready to go through trials.
Temptations by the Devil
There are two kinds of trials which those who love God go through. We go through temptations when the devil is the architect of the test we go through. Though God allows this, it is never His will for us to fail. God’s intention is to see how we are able to overcome sin. That is why in Romans 6:12 we are told not to allow sin to reign in our bodies. We must overcome sin so that even if we find ourselves in very sinful situations we not fall short.
The second reading talks about how we are slaves of sin when allow sin to rule us. The only way God can be sure that we are overcoming sin in our lives is to allow the devil to tempt us. That was what happens to Job. God took away Job’s protection just to see if Job’s righteousness is real or not. At the end of the tests that the devil took him through, Job proved that he is a slave to righteousness and not to sin.
Our bodies can easily be influenced by the devil who tries to use all the means available to him to make us fall back, or at least remain where we are. But if we have a spirit and a soul controlled by the Holy Spirit, the spirit will subdue the flesh and make it resist. In such temptations, we will not worry because we know we are controlled, not by the flesh, but by the Spirit.
Trials by God
Other times God Himself is the main architect of the tests we go through. His intention is to see whether we love him or not. He wants to know whether we are ready to follow Him truly. When God tests you, then you must know that he is about to lift you up. That is why when you are going through trials by God, you must not worry. The story of Abraham throws more light on trials. These are lessons we need to know and be aware of.
God will test you when he is about to release his full blessing.
The verse 1 of Gen 22 says “it happened after these things” that god tested Abraham. Abraham had gone through several difficulties of life. He left his father’s house and lands to go after God to a country he does not know. He was childless for all his life. His nephew who he brought up as his own child started fighting with him. Abraham let things go to make peace. God promised him a child that was not coming. He was old and his wife realized it was not possible for them to give birth. The wife advised him to do as all other men do: take a second wife (which was not wrong at that time) so that that second woman will give him a child. That came to pass but God says Abraham must send that child away. Abraham obliged. Then finally the promised child came. Abraham and the wife went through the trouble of looking after a child in old age. The child grew up and was about being ready to take over Abraham’s business so that old Abraham can have some pension.
Abraham could now look into the future with hope. Then all of a sudden, this same God, who is aware of how Abraham got this son and what this son means to him, asked him to go and sacrifice the only son to him. What a “wicked God”. That is what we humans will say. How can he be so wicked? This God does not deserve following. We will go back. That is what happens to us. If the church that prays for us to be blessed is saying we should bring the whole blessing, then let the church be. We are better off without the Church. Bur Abraham did not leave the church. He did not leave God. He did not worry. He knew his miracle is on the way.
God gives you time to obey him
When God is trying you, he will give you time to choose to obey or not to obey. He will not put pressure on you to do his will. God asked Abraham to go to and sacrifice his some on a mountain at Moriah. It took three days of walk from where Abraham was settled to the location. God allowed him the time to consider very well. The devil will not give you time to obey him. He puts pressure on you to sin. God want you to do what you must by your own will. If you want to obey God, your will and His will must be one. Abraham did not argue with God. He said yes.
God test you with the best things you have
Isaac is the best of Abraham’s possession. That boy was his soul. His whole being lived in him so much so that he would give everything he had to save him. He will sacrifice all his animals to save his son. Abraham was able to let Ishmael go because Ishmael did not mean much to him. But Isaac was more than his own life. He was ready to die for Isaac. But God did not want the cows, the bull, the rams, the goats and all that. God did not ask Abraham to sacrifice one of his servants. God did not ask Abraham to look for Ishmael and sacrifice him. God wanted Isaac. That was what happened to Jacob when he was to give up Benjamin. Benjamin was the best of Jacob at the time.
That tells you that when God is asking for your best, he is about to bless you beyond measure. Don’t worry about losing your best for the sake of God. When you give anything to God you get a reward for it. That is why Matt 10: 40 – 42 is saying that when you lose anything for the sake of a prophet, you will get a prophet’s reward.
God’s tests are stressful
Let us not assume that tests are pleasant. Sometimes the way Bible narratives are makes people to take things lightly. Abraham went to a lot of trouble when trying to do this will of God. He first of all has to find a way of getting Isaac to the place. He must face the wife about the issue. I don’t believe he told the wife. The boy will hear it and run away. At the final moment, Isaac asked him where the lamb for the sacrifice was. He could not say the truth. He did not want to lie.
Abraham went through the pain of not only seeing his son die, he must be the killer. This he must do in solemn worship, ceremoniously. That is a very difficult thing. Which father will do that? Abraham went through the agony of seeing his own son plead to him for mercy.
God has a plan to be revealed at the end
God has a plan for you and he sets that plan in motion when you decide to obey. At the place of the sacrifice God caused a ram to be caught in a thicket as a replacement for Isaac. But this is revealed only after Abraham had fully offered his son on the altar. There is a replacement for whatever God decide to take from you in sacrifice. When you do something good to the Lord he makes sure he replaces whatever you lost in many folds. But your obedience must be complete first.
When we read verse 23 of Gen 22 we hear the name of Rebekah for the first time. God’s plan to extend the generations of Abraham was already in place. Your future is secure with God if you obey him. Obedience reveals the plan of God for your life.
At the end of the test here is what God said:
Gen 22: 15 – 18. The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time16 and said, "I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed because you have obeyed me."
One important lesson we learn from Abraham’s test is this: Be careful what you say when you go through trials. When Isaac asked Abraham where the Lamb for the sacrifice was, it was a difficult moment for him (Abraham). He could not tell his son he was the Lamb. He spoke out frustration, yet he spoke with faith. In moments of trial, let your faith rise up. Speak with faith trusting that God is capable of doing everything well. That is the only way you can assure victory.
Don’t worry
You must go through tests and trials as a Christian. If this happens, know that: 1) you are not the first person going through trials, 2) you are not the only person going through it today, 3) God is not far away from you. You must therefore not worry. (1Pe 4:12) Beloved, do not be astonished at the fiery trial which is to try you, as though a strange thing happened to you. Sometimes when we go through trials we cry, yes trials are painful so we cry. But even as we cry we must not worry. (Jas 1:2) My brothers, count it all joy when you fall into different kinds of temptations. Therefore we must be ready to go through trials.
Temptations by the Devil
There are two kinds of trials which those who love God go through. We go through temptations when the devil is the architect of the test we go through. Though God allows this, it is never His will for us to fail. God’s intention is to see how we are able to overcome sin. That is why in Romans 6:12 we are told not to allow sin to reign in our bodies. We must overcome sin so that even if we find ourselves in very sinful situations we not fall short.
The second reading talks about how we are slaves of sin when allow sin to rule us. The only way God can be sure that we are overcoming sin in our lives is to allow the devil to tempt us. That was what happens to Job. God took away Job’s protection just to see if Job’s righteousness is real or not. At the end of the tests that the devil took him through, Job proved that he is a slave to righteousness and not to sin.
Our bodies can easily be influenced by the devil who tries to use all the means available to him to make us fall back, or at least remain where we are. But if we have a spirit and a soul controlled by the Holy Spirit, the spirit will subdue the flesh and make it resist. In such temptations, we will not worry because we know we are controlled, not by the flesh, but by the Spirit.
Trials by God
Other times God Himself is the main architect of the tests we go through. His intention is to see whether we love him or not. He wants to know whether we are ready to follow Him truly. When God tests you, then you must know that he is about to lift you up. That is why when you are going through trials by God, you must not worry. The story of Abraham throws more light on trials. These are lessons we need to know and be aware of.
God will test you when he is about to release his full blessing.
The verse 1 of Gen 22 says “it happened after these things” that god tested Abraham. Abraham had gone through several difficulties of life. He left his father’s house and lands to go after God to a country he does not know. He was childless for all his life. His nephew who he brought up as his own child started fighting with him. Abraham let things go to make peace. God promised him a child that was not coming. He was old and his wife realized it was not possible for them to give birth. The wife advised him to do as all other men do: take a second wife (which was not wrong at that time) so that that second woman will give him a child. That came to pass but God says Abraham must send that child away. Abraham obliged. Then finally the promised child came. Abraham and the wife went through the trouble of looking after a child in old age. The child grew up and was about being ready to take over Abraham’s business so that old Abraham can have some pension.
Abraham could now look into the future with hope. Then all of a sudden, this same God, who is aware of how Abraham got this son and what this son means to him, asked him to go and sacrifice the only son to him. What a “wicked God”. That is what we humans will say. How can he be so wicked? This God does not deserve following. We will go back. That is what happens to us. If the church that prays for us to be blessed is saying we should bring the whole blessing, then let the church be. We are better off without the Church. Bur Abraham did not leave the church. He did not leave God. He did not worry. He knew his miracle is on the way.
God gives you time to obey him
When God is trying you, he will give you time to choose to obey or not to obey. He will not put pressure on you to do his will. God asked Abraham to go to and sacrifice his some on a mountain at Moriah. It took three days of walk from where Abraham was settled to the location. God allowed him the time to consider very well. The devil will not give you time to obey him. He puts pressure on you to sin. God want you to do what you must by your own will. If you want to obey God, your will and His will must be one. Abraham did not argue with God. He said yes.
God test you with the best things you have
Isaac is the best of Abraham’s possession. That boy was his soul. His whole being lived in him so much so that he would give everything he had to save him. He will sacrifice all his animals to save his son. Abraham was able to let Ishmael go because Ishmael did not mean much to him. But Isaac was more than his own life. He was ready to die for Isaac. But God did not want the cows, the bull, the rams, the goats and all that. God did not ask Abraham to sacrifice one of his servants. God did not ask Abraham to look for Ishmael and sacrifice him. God wanted Isaac. That was what happened to Jacob when he was to give up Benjamin. Benjamin was the best of Jacob at the time.
That tells you that when God is asking for your best, he is about to bless you beyond measure. Don’t worry about losing your best for the sake of God. When you give anything to God you get a reward for it. That is why Matt 10: 40 – 42 is saying that when you lose anything for the sake of a prophet, you will get a prophet’s reward.
God’s tests are stressful
Let us not assume that tests are pleasant. Sometimes the way Bible narratives are makes people to take things lightly. Abraham went to a lot of trouble when trying to do this will of God. He first of all has to find a way of getting Isaac to the place. He must face the wife about the issue. I don’t believe he told the wife. The boy will hear it and run away. At the final moment, Isaac asked him where the lamb for the sacrifice was. He could not say the truth. He did not want to lie.
Abraham went through the pain of not only seeing his son die, he must be the killer. This he must do in solemn worship, ceremoniously. That is a very difficult thing. Which father will do that? Abraham went through the agony of seeing his own son plead to him for mercy.
God has a plan to be revealed at the end
God has a plan for you and he sets that plan in motion when you decide to obey. At the place of the sacrifice God caused a ram to be caught in a thicket as a replacement for Isaac. But this is revealed only after Abraham had fully offered his son on the altar. There is a replacement for whatever God decide to take from you in sacrifice. When you do something good to the Lord he makes sure he replaces whatever you lost in many folds. But your obedience must be complete first.
When we read verse 23 of Gen 22 we hear the name of Rebekah for the first time. God’s plan to extend the generations of Abraham was already in place. Your future is secure with God if you obey him. Obedience reveals the plan of God for your life.
At the end of the test here is what God said:
Gen 22: 15 – 18. The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time16 and said, "I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, 17 I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, 18 and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed because you have obeyed me."
One important lesson we learn from Abraham’s test is this: Be careful what you say when you go through trials. When Isaac asked Abraham where the Lamb for the sacrifice was, it was a difficult moment for him (Abraham). He could not tell his son he was the Lamb. He spoke out frustration, yet he spoke with faith. In moments of trial, let your faith rise up. Speak with faith trusting that God is capable of doing everything well. That is the only way you can assure victory.
Don’t worry
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Your Identity in Christ
There were three important positions in Israel of old. These are Kings (Royal), Priests (Priesthood) and Prophets. The royals and the priests own these positions by birth and no one could deny them these positions. But the prophets are chosen by God from among the people. Anybody could become a prophet: royals can be made prophets, priests could be made prophets and ordinary people could become prophets. But it was not possible for royals to become priests or priests to become royals.
The division was in function too. The King cannot perform the role of the Priest; and the Priest dare not do the work of the King. The consequences of such actions were disastrous. This continued until after the Exile when, during Greek and Roman Rule, the main Davidic line was lost and Priest became rulers of the people.
It is only in Jesus that these two separate institutions became unified and we are the benefactors. So you are a Priest and a King/Queen.
Today’s topic is pointing us first and foremost to our identity in Christ.
Who are you in Christ?
The true identity of a person can be seen in three major ways: where they come (are coming) from, where they are now, and where they are going to. The identity we are talking about here is spiritual and not physical.
Where you came from
1 Peter 2:9 says we have been called from darkness. You have been living in the darkness before you came to know Christ. We lived a life of darkness. We did devilish things. We were not friends of God. We were murderers, thieves, drunkards, liars, idol worshipers, witches, wizards, adulterers, fornicators, etc. Our lives were dark. That is where we were. And it was by the grace of God that we were saved. Christ shed his blood for us and we were saved. Imagine where you will have been, had it not been for Christ.
Christ has brought us out of darkness, out of disgrace, out of shame, out of poverty, out sickness and disease.
That is why you must be grateful to God today, no matter your situation. He has given you what money cannot buy: Salvation which comes with hope. The hope we have in Christ makes everything certain. God has brought you from the most difficult situation, and so He is able to do what you desire.
Where are you now?
You are a member of the royal priesthood of Christ. You have been brought into light. This light is the light of God. In this light there is freedom. We are no longer living lives of bondage where we are bound by many things: demons, alcohol, womanising, (manising), stealing, etc. We are not bound by idols to whom we must make sacrifices regularly. We are not bound by death so that we are in constant fear. We know that even in death there is victory for us. That is why Stephen was not perturbed even when he was being stoned to death.
You were once a lifeless stone. Nothing entered you. The word of God had no effect on you. The spirit of God was far from you. But today you have become a living stone, being built together with other living stones into a glorious edifice. This means your tomorrow will be better than what you are today. (My tomorrow will be better than what you see today.)
Where are you going?
When Christ rescued you from darkness and brought you into light, He also changed your destiny. He changed your ultimate destination. You were on the road to destruction, to hell. But now you are on the way to heaven. Your heaven starts from here. You were on the road of death, but now you are moved to the road of life.
Jesus says he is preparing a place for us in heaven. Once we are in him, we know that we will be in heaven with him. We are not afraid of the world coming to an end. Whether it happens today, even now, once you are in Christ, there is no difference. Our destination is heaven.
Our duty
Now that you know who you are, a royal a priest, a living stone, you must know the purpose for which God has called you and is still keeping you alive.
The King is called to provide leadership for the people of God. He wages war against evil nations. You must wage a war against the powers of darkness. You must defend the people and the kingdom of God. This could be physical and spiritual, but we must know that the warfare we are involved in is not physical. We use spiritual weapons of prayer and testimony to defeat the enemy.
As a Priest, you are called to a life of worship. The priest in the days of Israel does nothing but be involved in the things of God. In like manner, we must dedicate our lives, and our work to the worship of God. Whatever you do, do it as unto God. Worship God with whatever you have and do.
You are called as a priest to offer spiritual sacrifices to God. The sacrifices we are to offer must be living. We must offer our lives as sacrifice, a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. God knows that, that is why you are a living stone. A stone cannot die. No matter how much you sacrifice, you will not die. You are a living stone. Nothing can harm you.
You must provide leadership in doing what is good. Stand for the truth. When they are looking for a good person, you must be one of them.
The division was in function too. The King cannot perform the role of the Priest; and the Priest dare not do the work of the King. The consequences of such actions were disastrous. This continued until after the Exile when, during Greek and Roman Rule, the main Davidic line was lost and Priest became rulers of the people.
It is only in Jesus that these two separate institutions became unified and we are the benefactors. So you are a Priest and a King/Queen.
Today’s topic is pointing us first and foremost to our identity in Christ.
Who are you in Christ?
The true identity of a person can be seen in three major ways: where they come (are coming) from, where they are now, and where they are going to. The identity we are talking about here is spiritual and not physical.
Where you came from
1 Peter 2:9 says we have been called from darkness. You have been living in the darkness before you came to know Christ. We lived a life of darkness. We did devilish things. We were not friends of God. We were murderers, thieves, drunkards, liars, idol worshipers, witches, wizards, adulterers, fornicators, etc. Our lives were dark. That is where we were. And it was by the grace of God that we were saved. Christ shed his blood for us and we were saved. Imagine where you will have been, had it not been for Christ.
Christ has brought us out of darkness, out of disgrace, out of shame, out of poverty, out sickness and disease.
That is why you must be grateful to God today, no matter your situation. He has given you what money cannot buy: Salvation which comes with hope. The hope we have in Christ makes everything certain. God has brought you from the most difficult situation, and so He is able to do what you desire.
Where are you now?
You are a member of the royal priesthood of Christ. You have been brought into light. This light is the light of God. In this light there is freedom. We are no longer living lives of bondage where we are bound by many things: demons, alcohol, womanising, (manising), stealing, etc. We are not bound by idols to whom we must make sacrifices regularly. We are not bound by death so that we are in constant fear. We know that even in death there is victory for us. That is why Stephen was not perturbed even when he was being stoned to death.
You were once a lifeless stone. Nothing entered you. The word of God had no effect on you. The spirit of God was far from you. But today you have become a living stone, being built together with other living stones into a glorious edifice. This means your tomorrow will be better than what you are today. (My tomorrow will be better than what you see today.)
Where are you going?
When Christ rescued you from darkness and brought you into light, He also changed your destiny. He changed your ultimate destination. You were on the road to destruction, to hell. But now you are on the way to heaven. Your heaven starts from here. You were on the road of death, but now you are moved to the road of life.
Jesus says he is preparing a place for us in heaven. Once we are in him, we know that we will be in heaven with him. We are not afraid of the world coming to an end. Whether it happens today, even now, once you are in Christ, there is no difference. Our destination is heaven.
Our duty
Now that you know who you are, a royal a priest, a living stone, you must know the purpose for which God has called you and is still keeping you alive.
The King is called to provide leadership for the people of God. He wages war against evil nations. You must wage a war against the powers of darkness. You must defend the people and the kingdom of God. This could be physical and spiritual, but we must know that the warfare we are involved in is not physical. We use spiritual weapons of prayer and testimony to defeat the enemy.
As a Priest, you are called to a life of worship. The priest in the days of Israel does nothing but be involved in the things of God. In like manner, we must dedicate our lives, and our work to the worship of God. Whatever you do, do it as unto God. Worship God with whatever you have and do.
You are called as a priest to offer spiritual sacrifices to God. The sacrifices we are to offer must be living. We must offer our lives as sacrifice, a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. God knows that, that is why you are a living stone. A stone cannot die. No matter how much you sacrifice, you will not die. You are a living stone. Nothing can harm you.
You must provide leadership in doing what is good. Stand for the truth. When they are looking for a good person, you must be one of them.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Christ the Saviour is born – a Christmas Message
It is right for us Christians to celebrate Christmas. The world has adopted Christmas and turned it into what they want it to be. We Christians must celebrate Christmas to redirect the world to Christ. They have found a canning way to remove Christ from Christmas – they call it Xmas. Christ was born to save men from the shameful deeds of the world.
That is what is captured in Isaiah Chapter nine. “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.” Today there are many still walking in that great darkness. They must be made to see the light of Christ. That is why we must not celebrate Christmas like the rest of the world does. There must be a difference between us who have seen the light and them who have not, or are yet to see the light.
Christ came to change the world and to direct it to righteousness. He has come to rule the world not as how the political rulers do. His government is peace. That is why He is called the Prince of Peace. We need peace in our lives, the world needs peace. In our celebration of Christmas, let us make the world have peace.
The Essence of Christmas
There is no indication in the Bible that enjoins us to celebrate the birth of Christ. But since we have come to adopt it as a way of remembering the work of Christ, it is our duty that we let the world see the work of Christ. Jesus came to save the sinner. His coming is not to legitimize sin. There is so much sin during the celebration of Christian festivals. It will be good if through our celebration of Christmas, we will help reduce the number of sin committed.
People steal, cheat, and kill just to celebrate Christmas. There are a lot of Christmas orgies where men and woman throw away their dignity. Go round town this evening and see what will be going on in the various entertainment centres. The spirit of Herod is still at work in the celebration of Christmas. As people indulge in all kinds of promiscuous lives, the next thing some of them do after getting pregnant is to abort the pregnancies. That is what Herod did when Christ was born. We Christians must change this situation. Christmas must bring peace to the world.
For those of us Christians, the essence of Christmas is in Titus 2:11 – 14.
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that having denied ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live discreetly, righteously and godly, in this present world, looking for the blessed hope, and the appearance of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity and purify to Himself a special people, zealous of good works.
There are various lessons to be derived from these verses.
We must deny all ungodly behavior and worldly lust.
There is no need getting worried about what to eat and what wear during Christmas. People have cheated others for that purpose. Others have sold their bodies for that purpose. What have you done in the name of Christmas? All the worldliness must give way to godliness as we celebrate Christmas.
We must turn to God and obey his commands from now on. Let us live in modesty. We must eat and drink, but it should be the right stuff. We must resolve not to cheat in order to celebrate Christmas. There are some people who say because of the way people have corrupted Christmas, Christians should give up the celebration. I don’t think so; we will then have to give up everything then when the world takes it.
Look for the Blessed Hope
Christ came to give hope. It is that hope that is more important for us as Christians. We must not lose that hope. Things might not be for us as we will have wanted it to be. But there is hope. Christ is hope. If this year you can only afford fish, be happy. There is hope. If you are not able to buy any drink, drink water. The hope we should cling to is that Christ is coming again. That is where we will receive our reward.
Those of us who can, let’s share what we have with those who don’t have. Let’s give hope to the hopeless. There is a glory associated with Christ. That Glory must be our portion.
Let’s resolve to do good works
The good work is one that brings people to Christ. As we commemorate Christ’s birth, we must renew our zeal to work for him so that his kingdom and government will extend further into the hearts of all men.
The Lord be with you. MERRY CHRISTMAS
That is what is captured in Isaiah Chapter nine. “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.” Today there are many still walking in that great darkness. They must be made to see the light of Christ. That is why we must not celebrate Christmas like the rest of the world does. There must be a difference between us who have seen the light and them who have not, or are yet to see the light.
Christ came to change the world and to direct it to righteousness. He has come to rule the world not as how the political rulers do. His government is peace. That is why He is called the Prince of Peace. We need peace in our lives, the world needs peace. In our celebration of Christmas, let us make the world have peace.
The Essence of Christmas
There is no indication in the Bible that enjoins us to celebrate the birth of Christ. But since we have come to adopt it as a way of remembering the work of Christ, it is our duty that we let the world see the work of Christ. Jesus came to save the sinner. His coming is not to legitimize sin. There is so much sin during the celebration of Christian festivals. It will be good if through our celebration of Christmas, we will help reduce the number of sin committed.
People steal, cheat, and kill just to celebrate Christmas. There are a lot of Christmas orgies where men and woman throw away their dignity. Go round town this evening and see what will be going on in the various entertainment centres. The spirit of Herod is still at work in the celebration of Christmas. As people indulge in all kinds of promiscuous lives, the next thing some of them do after getting pregnant is to abort the pregnancies. That is what Herod did when Christ was born. We Christians must change this situation. Christmas must bring peace to the world.
For those of us Christians, the essence of Christmas is in Titus 2:11 – 14.
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that having denied ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live discreetly, righteously and godly, in this present world, looking for the blessed hope, and the appearance of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us that He might redeem us from all iniquity and purify to Himself a special people, zealous of good works.
There are various lessons to be derived from these verses.
We must deny all ungodly behavior and worldly lust.
There is no need getting worried about what to eat and what wear during Christmas. People have cheated others for that purpose. Others have sold their bodies for that purpose. What have you done in the name of Christmas? All the worldliness must give way to godliness as we celebrate Christmas.
We must turn to God and obey his commands from now on. Let us live in modesty. We must eat and drink, but it should be the right stuff. We must resolve not to cheat in order to celebrate Christmas. There are some people who say because of the way people have corrupted Christmas, Christians should give up the celebration. I don’t think so; we will then have to give up everything then when the world takes it.
Look for the Blessed Hope
Christ came to give hope. It is that hope that is more important for us as Christians. We must not lose that hope. Things might not be for us as we will have wanted it to be. But there is hope. Christ is hope. If this year you can only afford fish, be happy. There is hope. If you are not able to buy any drink, drink water. The hope we should cling to is that Christ is coming again. That is where we will receive our reward.
Those of us who can, let’s share what we have with those who don’t have. Let’s give hope to the hopeless. There is a glory associated with Christ. That Glory must be our portion.
Let’s resolve to do good works
The good work is one that brings people to Christ. As we commemorate Christ’s birth, we must renew our zeal to work for him so that his kingdom and government will extend further into the hearts of all men.
The Lord be with you. MERRY CHRISTMAS
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Behold the Saviour Comes
This is a message of hope. There is hope for all those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ; those who are expecting him to come and change their situation. There is hope for the future. That is what the Lord says.
I am always excited when I hear or read this verse and any verse in the Bible that sounds like it. “Behold, the days come, says Jehovah, that I will establish the good thing which I have spoken to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah.” What this means is that God has not forgotten the promise He made to his people. No matter how long it takes, it will come to pass.
The topic “Behold the Saviour comes” is reminding us all that Jesus is coming again. My understanding of this topic is in two ways. The first one is the ultimate coming of the Lord to judge the world. We must not lose sight of this as Christians because, if we do, that will be our doom. Whatever we do, whatever happens, we must remember that Jesus is coming. Some people have suggested that this message is no longer relevant because it’s been more than two thousand years since human beings have been hearing this, and He has not come.
Peter in his second letter tells us this: 2Pe 3:9. “The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some count slowness, but is long-suffering toward us, not purposing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
We must therefore live our lives in a way that when that moment comes, we will be taken up to be with him. Say Amen to that.
Jesus tells us that there will be signs of His second coming. These signs are normal occurrences that everyone can understand. In Luke 21: 25 – 36, we see some of these signs.
Here we read about environmental signs. There will be changes in the sky. We see this today. That is what is called Global Warming. We hear of floods, fires, and a lot of natural disasters these days. The whether is no longer predictable. These are signs of the coming of Jesus.
Low level of morality is another sign that Jesus is coming very soon. Jesus says we must not be involved too much in what is considered as good living in the world, big parties where we eat and drink to the beastly level. Now there is so much wickedness in the world being ruled by money. Money controls everything, even in the church. The good life now is to eat, drink and have sex in an uncontrolled manner. When we consider what people do to get money, we must know that morality is now at its lowest level. Human life is no longer of value. People package and sell poison in different forms to their neighbours.
The third sign that Jesus speaks about is the fig tree. Now the fig tree stands for the nation of Israel. That is what we hear about in Jeremiah when God says a day is coming when He will fulfill his promise to Israel. When the nation of Israel is prospering, then we must know that the time is drawing near.
That time started since the end of the Second World War when Jews were given a homeland. And they have been fighting to establish a firm grip on that land. As this continues, we must know that the time for his coming is surely approaching. There was no other time in history when the Jews receive so much support from the super powers of the world. Jews who were once a despised nation are now a protected people.
My second understanding of the topic is about Jesus coming into your life now. He will enter into your affairs, your business, your marriage, your education, your family and everything concerning you. Behold the Saviour comes:
to change your situation
to change your condition
to heal your sickness and disease
to cure your poverty
Behold the Saviour comes to free you from the grips of the devil. He comes to remove your chain and to free you from bondage. Say Hallelujah. That is why I am excited about the prophecy in Jeremiah. It says the time is coming. That means that time has not yet come. It is coming.
There is something we must understand about the prophesies in the Bible. They are two dimensional: short term and long term. For the people to whom the prophesy was given directly, there is a short term fulfilment. For that matter, as I speak this prophesy to you now, I want you to know that God says he will fulfill the promise he made to you. It will come to pass in your lifetime. God says he has plans to make you prosper, to be the head and not the tail. Believe it, it will come to pass; but not on silver platter. There are conditions attached.
There are certain things that we must do in order to be ready for the Lord to come to us.
The first is righteous living. Because when Jesus comes he will be the King of Righteousness.
Unrighteous will not be accommodated in the kingdom of God. Righteousness is the willingness to do what is right, that is what is accepted in the Christian community as right. If it is acceptable in the church that it is not good to steal, then don’t steal. If it is acceptable among Christians that it is not good to insult and quarrel, then don’t insult and quarrel. That is righteousness. Righteousness is the first step you can take whiles waiting for the Saviour to visit you.
The next thing is striving to gain perfection. 1 Thessalonians 3:10, reminds us to perfect the things lacking in our faith. No matter who we are, there are certain things lacking in us. Even the Pope lacks a lot of things in faith. We must strive to make those things perfect. This calls for self examination. You must ask the Lord to tell you what is lacking in you. Then you can ask him for strength to correct your mistakes and improve on your successes. You must strive to be blameless before the Lord comes.
If you want the Lord to come to you, you should be ready to love your neighbour.
1 Thessalonians 3:12 And may the Lord make you to increase and abound in love toward one another and toward all, even as we also toward you.
The blessings of the God come to us so that we can show love. When we are crying to God to bless us, we must remember that God blesses us so that we can become a blessing. It doesn’t matter the size of your house; it matters how many people found refuge in your house. The amount of money in your account is not necessary, what is necessary is the number of people you helped with your wealth.
Finally, we must watch and pray so that we are not deceived. Because there are a lot of satanic agents out there looking for Christians to deceive. Let us watch out for them.
Watch and pray.
I am always excited when I hear or read this verse and any verse in the Bible that sounds like it. “Behold, the days come, says Jehovah, that I will establish the good thing which I have spoken to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah.” What this means is that God has not forgotten the promise He made to his people. No matter how long it takes, it will come to pass.
The topic “Behold the Saviour comes” is reminding us all that Jesus is coming again. My understanding of this topic is in two ways. The first one is the ultimate coming of the Lord to judge the world. We must not lose sight of this as Christians because, if we do, that will be our doom. Whatever we do, whatever happens, we must remember that Jesus is coming. Some people have suggested that this message is no longer relevant because it’s been more than two thousand years since human beings have been hearing this, and He has not come.
Peter in his second letter tells us this: 2Pe 3:9. “The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some count slowness, but is long-suffering toward us, not purposing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
We must therefore live our lives in a way that when that moment comes, we will be taken up to be with him. Say Amen to that.
Jesus tells us that there will be signs of His second coming. These signs are normal occurrences that everyone can understand. In Luke 21: 25 – 36, we see some of these signs.
Here we read about environmental signs. There will be changes in the sky. We see this today. That is what is called Global Warming. We hear of floods, fires, and a lot of natural disasters these days. The whether is no longer predictable. These are signs of the coming of Jesus.
Low level of morality is another sign that Jesus is coming very soon. Jesus says we must not be involved too much in what is considered as good living in the world, big parties where we eat and drink to the beastly level. Now there is so much wickedness in the world being ruled by money. Money controls everything, even in the church. The good life now is to eat, drink and have sex in an uncontrolled manner. When we consider what people do to get money, we must know that morality is now at its lowest level. Human life is no longer of value. People package and sell poison in different forms to their neighbours.
The third sign that Jesus speaks about is the fig tree. Now the fig tree stands for the nation of Israel. That is what we hear about in Jeremiah when God says a day is coming when He will fulfill his promise to Israel. When the nation of Israel is prospering, then we must know that the time is drawing near.
That time started since the end of the Second World War when Jews were given a homeland. And they have been fighting to establish a firm grip on that land. As this continues, we must know that the time for his coming is surely approaching. There was no other time in history when the Jews receive so much support from the super powers of the world. Jews who were once a despised nation are now a protected people.
My second understanding of the topic is about Jesus coming into your life now. He will enter into your affairs, your business, your marriage, your education, your family and everything concerning you. Behold the Saviour comes:
to change your situation
to change your condition
to heal your sickness and disease
to cure your poverty
Behold the Saviour comes to free you from the grips of the devil. He comes to remove your chain and to free you from bondage. Say Hallelujah. That is why I am excited about the prophecy in Jeremiah. It says the time is coming. That means that time has not yet come. It is coming.
There is something we must understand about the prophesies in the Bible. They are two dimensional: short term and long term. For the people to whom the prophesy was given directly, there is a short term fulfilment. For that matter, as I speak this prophesy to you now, I want you to know that God says he will fulfill the promise he made to you. It will come to pass in your lifetime. God says he has plans to make you prosper, to be the head and not the tail. Believe it, it will come to pass; but not on silver platter. There are conditions attached.
There are certain things that we must do in order to be ready for the Lord to come to us.
The first is righteous living. Because when Jesus comes he will be the King of Righteousness.
Unrighteous will not be accommodated in the kingdom of God. Righteousness is the willingness to do what is right, that is what is accepted in the Christian community as right. If it is acceptable in the church that it is not good to steal, then don’t steal. If it is acceptable among Christians that it is not good to insult and quarrel, then don’t insult and quarrel. That is righteousness. Righteousness is the first step you can take whiles waiting for the Saviour to visit you.
The next thing is striving to gain perfection. 1 Thessalonians 3:10, reminds us to perfect the things lacking in our faith. No matter who we are, there are certain things lacking in us. Even the Pope lacks a lot of things in faith. We must strive to make those things perfect. This calls for self examination. You must ask the Lord to tell you what is lacking in you. Then you can ask him for strength to correct your mistakes and improve on your successes. You must strive to be blameless before the Lord comes.
If you want the Lord to come to you, you should be ready to love your neighbour.
1 Thessalonians 3:12 And may the Lord make you to increase and abound in love toward one another and toward all, even as we also toward you.
The blessings of the God come to us so that we can show love. When we are crying to God to bless us, we must remember that God blesses us so that we can become a blessing. It doesn’t matter the size of your house; it matters how many people found refuge in your house. The amount of money in your account is not necessary, what is necessary is the number of people you helped with your wealth.
Finally, we must watch and pray so that we are not deceived. Because there are a lot of satanic agents out there looking for Christians to deceive. Let us watch out for them.
Watch and pray.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Promotion comes from the Lord
We all want to progress in life. We want our lives to improve. We don’t want to remain at the same place forever, or retrogress. Today’s world has made things worse. People are able to recognize quickly those who are making progress and praise them in various forms. The result is that we are all looking for various ways of progressing in life. But there are good ways of making it in life; there are equally bad ways of doing it.
But we must realize that the Bible says that there is a way that seems right to a man; but at the end of that road is destruction. We must not look for promotion at all cost. An old French philosopher once said that in looking for progress, men risk falling below the level of the beast. In the same way, when we try to look for promotion at all cost, we will end up falling into disgrace. The right promotion comes from God.
Wrong Ways of Seeking Promotion
The texts we have before us today (Jer 2: 4 – 13, Heb 13: 1 – 8, Luke 14: 7 – 14) all talk about promotion in various ways: the wrong ways of seeking promotion and the right way (the Godly way). In fact the wrong ways of seeking promotion can be summarize into two words, that is Self Promotion. Self promotion manifests itself in various forms.
Refusing God
In Jeremiah 2, God spoke to his nation Israel, his own Holy Church. He says they have turned away from him despite the many good things he has done for them. They have turned away from the counsel of the Lord and have turned to idols. And God lamented about the priests who were supposed to bring the people close to him. They rather set the bad example for the people to follow. God went on to even wonder why people who don’t know him are very faithful to their gods which are no gods. Yet his people are very quick in turning away.
The House of Israel turned away from God for one reason: they want their lives to be better. They look at the prosperity of the other nations around them and they conclude that it is their gods who are making them prosper. Then, they started sacrificing to these gods.
The same thing is true about us Christians today. We turn away from God in order to adopt the solutions that the world is providing to its people. The Church which should be the voice of righteousness has now been totally commercialized. Everything about the church is about money. Success in the Church is being measured in terms of financial achievements. A successful pastor/Christian is one who rides in the latest car, has a big house, etc.
Heb 13: is warning us of the evils that too much focus on money brings about. The over commercialization of the church is causing us to lose focus on morality. We are accepting all kinds of behaviours into the church because the church cannot afford to lose the money that comes along with those behaviours.
For this reason people are using occult powers to and covering it with the Bible. Some gospel singers went to see spiritualists to make their albums sell. And when someone says he had the list of people who went to that spiritualist and was ready to publish it, they were calling to beg that their names should not be mentioned.
God warned his people that they will be disappointed when they ignore him. In the end they become captives of the pagan nations. In the same way Christians who ignore God and his word in their search for promotion will be disappointed. They will become captives of demons.
People are selling their bodies in fornication and adultery just because they want promotion. Hebrews 13: 4 talks about the sanctity of marriage. Yet some women even destroy their marriages before they start it. Just because they think they will not get any husband if they don’t commit fornication. Young men are being enticed into sexual affairs with certain women, just because of what they stand to benefit from those relationships. The end of such acts is trouble and destruction, shame and pain.
Another manner in which people self-promote was criticised by Jesus himself. Seeking position and recognition at all cost. When there is a seat of honour, people crumble for it. Honour should be given to the one who deserves it, not the one who usurps it.
One thing about Jesus is that he makes no excuses when it comes to saying the truth. He saw how the Pharisees were struggling for position at the party and told them the shame that awaits them when they are told they don’t deserve the honour. It is better to be elevated a step higher than to be abased a step lower. If you humble yourself, God will lift you up.
The next way people seek to promote themselves is by associating themselves with influential people. The one who organized the party invited only the influential people so that they will be seen to be great. When they know they have something to gain from you, they come to you, they send you invitations, and they attend your parties and funerals and want everyone to know that they are your friend. When they find out that they have nothing more to gain from you, they leave you for where they will get what they want.
When you have power, your house is full; once you are out of power your house is deserted. You are lonely. Jesus condemns that behaviour which is now very common in our society, the church is no exception. That is hypocrisy in the eyes of God. God will not bless you. Promotion comes from God, not from those you associate yourself with.
The Right Way
God first
Seek first the Kingdom of God and all other things will be added. To be promoted by God, you must place yourself right in the spirit and not physically. David was in the bush, but his promotion looked for him. This is because he was a man after the heart of God. No matter where you are, when the time for your upliftment comes, it will come to you. Joseph was down there in the maximum security prison of Egypt, yet when the time for his promotion came, the doors opened. Provided you put God first.
Do Good to all especially those you don’t know.
Not the wealthy who will pay you back in expected ways, but to those who will cause the favour of God to descend on you. You must be able to say the Lord is my helper. When you rely on people they will claim one day that they made you whom you are. Abraham rejected all offers from the King of Sodom because he knows God who called him was able to make him rich. The King of Sodom should not say that he made Abraham rich.
Say no to some offers
We must learn to reject some offers from doubtful sources. Joseph rejected the offer from Portiphar’s wife. That sent him to prison, but he came out a King. As it was in the days of Abraham, so shall it be with you. Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever.
Sometimes when Satan realizes that God is about to bless you, he comes out with a counterfeit. You take that offer and you miss God’s blessing.
Wait for the Lord
When things get bad don’t worry. Joseph must go down to prison in Egypt to become a king. Sometimes, when God is about to promote you, He humbles you. He allows you to go down the dungeon. Jesus descended into the grave before he rose. You might find yourself in a situation where you feel you are not treated fairly, or you have been humiliated, but I want to assure you that God does not humiliate those who love him. He humbles them and promotes them.
Habakuk 3: 17
Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
But we must realize that the Bible says that there is a way that seems right to a man; but at the end of that road is destruction. We must not look for promotion at all cost. An old French philosopher once said that in looking for progress, men risk falling below the level of the beast. In the same way, when we try to look for promotion at all cost, we will end up falling into disgrace. The right promotion comes from God.
Wrong Ways of Seeking Promotion
The texts we have before us today (Jer 2: 4 – 13, Heb 13: 1 – 8, Luke 14: 7 – 14) all talk about promotion in various ways: the wrong ways of seeking promotion and the right way (the Godly way). In fact the wrong ways of seeking promotion can be summarize into two words, that is Self Promotion. Self promotion manifests itself in various forms.
Refusing God
In Jeremiah 2, God spoke to his nation Israel, his own Holy Church. He says they have turned away from him despite the many good things he has done for them. They have turned away from the counsel of the Lord and have turned to idols. And God lamented about the priests who were supposed to bring the people close to him. They rather set the bad example for the people to follow. God went on to even wonder why people who don’t know him are very faithful to their gods which are no gods. Yet his people are very quick in turning away.
The House of Israel turned away from God for one reason: they want their lives to be better. They look at the prosperity of the other nations around them and they conclude that it is their gods who are making them prosper. Then, they started sacrificing to these gods.
The same thing is true about us Christians today. We turn away from God in order to adopt the solutions that the world is providing to its people. The Church which should be the voice of righteousness has now been totally commercialized. Everything about the church is about money. Success in the Church is being measured in terms of financial achievements. A successful pastor/Christian is one who rides in the latest car, has a big house, etc.
Heb 13: is warning us of the evils that too much focus on money brings about. The over commercialization of the church is causing us to lose focus on morality. We are accepting all kinds of behaviours into the church because the church cannot afford to lose the money that comes along with those behaviours.
For this reason people are using occult powers to and covering it with the Bible. Some gospel singers went to see spiritualists to make their albums sell. And when someone says he had the list of people who went to that spiritualist and was ready to publish it, they were calling to beg that their names should not be mentioned.
God warned his people that they will be disappointed when they ignore him. In the end they become captives of the pagan nations. In the same way Christians who ignore God and his word in their search for promotion will be disappointed. They will become captives of demons.
People are selling their bodies in fornication and adultery just because they want promotion. Hebrews 13: 4 talks about the sanctity of marriage. Yet some women even destroy their marriages before they start it. Just because they think they will not get any husband if they don’t commit fornication. Young men are being enticed into sexual affairs with certain women, just because of what they stand to benefit from those relationships. The end of such acts is trouble and destruction, shame and pain.
Another manner in which people self-promote was criticised by Jesus himself. Seeking position and recognition at all cost. When there is a seat of honour, people crumble for it. Honour should be given to the one who deserves it, not the one who usurps it.
One thing about Jesus is that he makes no excuses when it comes to saying the truth. He saw how the Pharisees were struggling for position at the party and told them the shame that awaits them when they are told they don’t deserve the honour. It is better to be elevated a step higher than to be abased a step lower. If you humble yourself, God will lift you up.
The next way people seek to promote themselves is by associating themselves with influential people. The one who organized the party invited only the influential people so that they will be seen to be great. When they know they have something to gain from you, they come to you, they send you invitations, and they attend your parties and funerals and want everyone to know that they are your friend. When they find out that they have nothing more to gain from you, they leave you for where they will get what they want.
When you have power, your house is full; once you are out of power your house is deserted. You are lonely. Jesus condemns that behaviour which is now very common in our society, the church is no exception. That is hypocrisy in the eyes of God. God will not bless you. Promotion comes from God, not from those you associate yourself with.
The Right Way
God first
Seek first the Kingdom of God and all other things will be added. To be promoted by God, you must place yourself right in the spirit and not physically. David was in the bush, but his promotion looked for him. This is because he was a man after the heart of God. No matter where you are, when the time for your upliftment comes, it will come to you. Joseph was down there in the maximum security prison of Egypt, yet when the time for his promotion came, the doors opened. Provided you put God first.
Do Good to all especially those you don’t know.
Not the wealthy who will pay you back in expected ways, but to those who will cause the favour of God to descend on you. You must be able to say the Lord is my helper. When you rely on people they will claim one day that they made you whom you are. Abraham rejected all offers from the King of Sodom because he knows God who called him was able to make him rich. The King of Sodom should not say that he made Abraham rich.
Say no to some offers
We must learn to reject some offers from doubtful sources. Joseph rejected the offer from Portiphar’s wife. That sent him to prison, but he came out a King. As it was in the days of Abraham, so shall it be with you. Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever.
Sometimes when Satan realizes that God is about to bless you, he comes out with a counterfeit. You take that offer and you miss God’s blessing.
Wait for the Lord
When things get bad don’t worry. Joseph must go down to prison in Egypt to become a king. Sometimes, when God is about to promote you, He humbles you. He allows you to go down the dungeon. Jesus descended into the grave before he rose. You might find yourself in a situation where you feel you are not treated fairly, or you have been humiliated, but I want to assure you that God does not humiliate those who love him. He humbles them and promotes them.
Habakuk 3: 17
Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Why wait for the Lord
God cares for you and he will make sure your needs are met. Elijah was in need, he prayed to God about it and God provided for him in an amazing way. It was not a rich woman who fed him, but a poor desperate woman. When we are looking for help, we must allow God to show us how he will meet those needs.
You have enough to sustain you for life. The widow thought what she has was too little even for herself and her son. But the power of God through her obedience multiplied that meal and she was sustained for two years on that meal.
The food that is supposed to be a meal of death became a life sustaining meal. You will not die for food. Jesus told us not worry about the things of life, food, clothing and shelter. God will constantly supply you with all that.
The Role of Prayer
• Prayer defeats the devil. Matt 18:18 says whatever you bind on earth should be bound in heaven.
• Prayer empowers you to do greater things for God. If you don’t pray, obeying God will be very difficult for you. Jude 20
• Prayer makes the impossible possible. But prayer is not twisting the hand of God. What men say is impossible become possible through prayer. The prayer of Elijah turned a handful of flour to a two year meal.
• Prayer causes God to intervene in the natural order of things. James 5: 17 – 18 says Elijah was a man like you and I, but he prayed that it should not rain and it was so. He prayed again that it should rain and it did.
• Prayer guards against temptation. When we are in need, we are mostly tempted to do things that we should not do. But with prayer we will be able to resist.
• Prayer causes the answer of God to be revealed. Sometimes God answers our prayers immediately, but Satan prevents them from getting to us. Prayer opens the way for us to receive from God. Daniel 10: 12 - 13
You have enough to sustain you for life. The widow thought what she has was too little even for herself and her son. But the power of God through her obedience multiplied that meal and she was sustained for two years on that meal.
The food that is supposed to be a meal of death became a life sustaining meal. You will not die for food. Jesus told us not worry about the things of life, food, clothing and shelter. God will constantly supply you with all that.
The Role of Prayer
• Prayer defeats the devil. Matt 18:18 says whatever you bind on earth should be bound in heaven.
• Prayer empowers you to do greater things for God. If you don’t pray, obeying God will be very difficult for you. Jude 20
• Prayer makes the impossible possible. But prayer is not twisting the hand of God. What men say is impossible become possible through prayer. The prayer of Elijah turned a handful of flour to a two year meal.
• Prayer causes God to intervene in the natural order of things. James 5: 17 – 18 says Elijah was a man like you and I, but he prayed that it should not rain and it was so. He prayed again that it should rain and it did.
• Prayer guards against temptation. When we are in need, we are mostly tempted to do things that we should not do. But with prayer we will be able to resist.
• Prayer causes the answer of God to be revealed. Sometimes God answers our prayers immediately, but Satan prevents them from getting to us. Prayer opens the way for us to receive from God. Daniel 10: 12 - 13
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