“Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry –but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the devil that kind of foothold in your life” Ephesians 4:26-27.The Message
Anger is an emotion that many Christians do not have the right understanding and experience and this often leads to the very opposite of what the Bible admonishes not to sin in anger. I guess the expected question is how is it possible to be angry and not sin, yet that is exactly what the Bible says is possible and expected of us and it is what this message will help you to appreciate.
The problem with people’s perception of anger is rooted in the error that every expression of anger must tend towards uncontrolled and violent behavior – therein lies the first misunderstanding that leads to others. This teaching will address anger in its variants, guide you in the right application of it and with that, you will have a clear recognition of how useful anger is in creating a change in your life, society or community.
Emotional intelligence is a subject that is relatively unknown to many people but it plays a vital role in our lives. (Life is not complex really) it is the intelligent use of the various emotions we experience. Emotions vary from, love, anger, joy, hate to jealousy but we must handle them with the wisdom and guidance of the Holy Spirit for by themselves they are relative until your use makes them subjective towards good or sinful.
A good illustration is hate. Webster’s Dictionary gives one of its meanings as “to dislike strongly. The bible says “You who love the LORD hate evil Psalm. 97:10”. That means that hatred used intelligently is a strong dislike for sin which is necessary in order not to be deceived or lured into it. Now another meaning in the dictionary says “unkind ,mean. This same experience is stated in the Bible.
“If you find the godless world is hating you, remember it got its start hating me. If you lived on the world’s terms, the world would love you as one of its own. But since I picked you to live on God’s terms and no longer on the world’s terms, the world is going to hate you” John 15:18-19. The Message.
This was Jesus explaining to his disciplines the ill-treatment and persecution that comes with walking with God. Thus the proper use of an emotion is what is required from us rather than its abuse. The same applies to all emotions and anger.
Finis Dake in the Annotated Reference Bible states. “ The faculty to be angry is God-created and perfectly sinless in itself. The misuse of it and all other faculties is what God condemns. God Himself has been angry many times because of sin … God never dehumanizes or uncreates one in sanctification. Anger is aliowed by the gospel but not sin.” Page 211. New Testament KSV.
Several examples abound in scripture to reveal God’s anger at men’s disobedience and Jesus also displayed the same. Some illustrations of the righteous anger are
“But God’s angry displeasure erupts as acts of human mistrust and wrongdoing and lying accumulate, as people to put a shroud over truth “ Romans 1:18. The Message.
“God is a just judge. And God is angry with the wicked every day” Psalm. 7:11,
The Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes were a thorn in Jesus’ flesh and often their deceitful behavior was a concern to Him. In one of such incidents, they were annoyed that Jesus took compassion on a sick man to heal him on the Sabbath.
“He looked them in the eye, one after another, angry now, furious at their hardnosed religion. He said to the man, “Hold out your hand. “He held it out it was good as new …” Mark 3:5. The Message.
This is what is expected of us in a righteous anger that produces change.
In contrast, the anger that tends towards violent behavior leading to sin is that which Cain displayed towards his brother. Feeling envious about God’s commendation of Abel regarding his sacrifice, He turned on Abel and killed him sealing his place in history as the first man to kill - what an infamous way to be remembered.
“But for Cain and his offering he had no respect or regard. So Cain was exceedingly angry and indignant and he looked sad and depressed.
And the Lord said to Cain, why are you angry? … Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him. Gen. 4:5-9 Amplified.
Without a clear understanding of anger, there is a tendency to sin even if it does not lead to murder (which is the extreme). Cases abound in domestic violence, fights, beatings, destruction of property and in other instances envy, covetousness, malice and hatred. So uncontrolled and unrighteous anger is actually an experience that a lot of Christians have without realizing it and its effect on their lives and relationship with God.
Anger is the propelling force in organized community actions that are taken to get rid of societal ills (drugs, crimes, prostitution, human trafficking, pornography racism, slavery, apartheid) and bring about appropriate legislation. It is also used to quicken government to fulfilling its role of governance in our society. It is a combustible force that propels persons or group of people to initiate an action to change. This was what we did in my former neighborhood, Oyekan Road when we had to rid our street of a 419 business centre that caused untold hardships to us on the street. For three years we (residents association) endured with letters to the owners but they remained unmoved and even arrogant that they were well grounded in corruption with the authorities.
So with a combination of prayer and action, we got angry and went to the EFCC and working with them, the day of judgment came hard and that effectively put them out of business. Our unruly street was back to normal and peaceful. If we had stayed laidback, we would have continued with our daily suffering (suffering and smiling as Fela sang).
Anger is like a laser which when focused on a matter creates a greater impact than a mere bulb even though they both produce light. It is a tool to be used intelligently to cause change in your life. You can’t afford to be lackadaisal about some things in your life or else you will see no change. But a righteous anger in the sprit will wage war on satan and his activities in your life.
I have been drug free for over four years even though I have experienced illness that would immediately cause others to take some form of medication. How did I achieve that – I got angry at an unending cycle of drugs for the illness that I constantly experienced. At that time, it was cough (3 mouths long), colds, fever, malaria, headaches, diarrhea etc. Now don’t run off and stop your medication just like that – it doesn’t work that way – faith is gradual. Because I was exposed to teachings and also my private study of the Word, I realized that the experience of divine healing could be mine if I can take a step with the faith I had at the time. So when diarrhea came calling, I knew the opportunity had come and I stood my ground. There was a warfare in my mind to let go and get medication I received a Word in my spirit like Esther “If I perish I perish” but victoriously and not in defeat to sickness. Daily in pain, I stood on the Word. A month later it went and since then, I have never taken any form of medication. I build my self up daily with the Word that God gave in Proverb.4:22 as my medicine, it is not in emergencies only.
I make it a daily confession in various forms to my body so that when symptoms show up – I move to destroy it. Also I walk in the mindset of being a healthy person. I never admit to being sick not even when I experience symptoms because I know the effect of words on my life. I beat the diagnosis of arthritis four years ago with it and I have been symptoms free.
I want you to understand that we are not in peace time spiritually but at war. The devil is daily raising all kinds of attacks against us which are often subtle in their form, you can’t afford to see life as a tea party where all is well. It is only well when you are daily fighting the good fight of faith. Sit up and begin to take control of your life the right way.
Radical situations we face in this world calls for radical action. Anger used intelligently is one of the tools you require. When Jesus entered the temple and saw how the activities of some Jews were disrespectful to God and His temple - turned it into a bazaar of commercial activities rather than a place of solemnity to worship. His immediate action was
“.And cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money changers and the seats of them that sold doves. And said unto them, it is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer, but ye have made it a den of thieves” Matthew 21:12-13KJV.
Let us carefully analyze the principles that Jesus used in this issue which is the way to deal with the knotty issues of our lives.
The first principle is that Jesus recognized that all was not well in the temple – He clearly knew that it was not a place of business but of prayer and fellowship with God. He didn’t just overlook it and say well what can I do but mind my own business and some how hope things change. No! He got furious with the situation. You must stop denying the experiences of your life that are not in line with the Word of God. If you feel that something is not right, don’t be slack to change or keep struggling. It is time to call a spade a spade and deal with it spiritually. Ask the Holy Spirit for help to give you more clarity. You will be amazed at what will be revealed that you were unaware of. I have been on that route several times.
Secondly, Jesus took action. Imagine the picture we are given of his casting out the people who where selling and throwing out their tables and stuff. That is not a mild drama. It is big drama. Jesus knew as always that you don’t deal with big issues calmly or else they would not quit. I guarantee that the money changers and sellers never came back after that action. In my neighborhood case, we were mild on the business café owners for three years without any effect and it even got worse until we look the bold step to go to higher authority and not even the police.
The punishment must fit the crime. Ecclesiastes 3:1 is instructive here ;
“There’s an opportune time to do things …. A time to shut up and a time to speak…a time to wage war and another time to make peace.”The Message.
So you must know when to act and the right action to take to enforce change.
Thirdly, Jesus told them the real purpose of the temple as against what these Jews had turned it into. He identified the problem and the solution. He knew the truth and because of that revelation, He could enforce it with change. It means you must first know what identity you have in Christ before taking on the challenge or else the wiles of the enemy could knock you down. You must also determine what the problem and its root causes are. No use going after the devil and praying violent prayers’ when the problem is you failing to take personal responsibility for your actions. You can’t blame the devil for everything. Finally, you must know what the Word says about the issue. These are the minimum tools you need to start you on the path of change.
A good illustration of the above is someone who is experiencing symptoms of diseases / sickness. Rather than first identify that Jesus died to give them healing and good health which Word is recorded in two key scriptures
“But He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement for our peace was upon Him and by His stripes we are healed” Isaiah 53:5. NKJV
and
“…. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested that He might destroy the works of the devil” 1Jn 3:8 NKJV.
With this information, you resolve firmly in your mind that sickness is a work of the devil and not of God. Also that Jesus has destroyed its effect in your body. Next is to take up this Word as your sword and make confessions of it daily to your body-speaking it out in a time of prayer. Now where does the doctor’s report and medication play out in all this. Everyone has his faith level - don’t copy others for where you are is okay with God as a start. The doctor’s report is a knowledge of the disease. God’s Word is a knowledge of the final report of truth. You must be clear on this. Many take the doctor’s report and lay down to die with it crying and fearful. This opens them to other wrong influences. That people have died of any illness does not mean you will.
When I was experiencing unusual fever and pain in my body, several diagnosis were given with the genuine one being arthritis. First was shock since I wasn’t even close to the age I thought people suffered from it until the doctor informed me that it was now applicable to people in their teens and above. I thanked him for his report but stated that it was not the final report for me. I was mad at satan and I wasn’t going to suffer a life of that sickness ( it is a terrible degenerative illness). I came home and immediately sat down to plan my action. I knew my identity in Christ, I brought out my weapons – healing scriptures, God’s past faithfulness in my life, experiences of those that have been healed and I set to war against satan and sickness.
I am healed today – four years symptoms free. The magnitude of that healing was brought to my attention in a news paper that was impressed in my spirit to buy. Opening it, I saw the story of a 32year old woman who had the exact same symptoms and diagnoses as mine and had undergone seventeen operations to date. That is what God delivered me from – a life of operations and excruciating pain.
Now the toughest part of the process of healing is having to see daily that your symptoms does not appear to be changing. But change does not start from the outward but from within. So keep your focus on your desire - healing and don’t look away for before you realize it the change will be reflected on the outside. That is why this process is called the good fight of faith. It is a FIGHT to enforce your victory in Christ over rebellious spirits.
Out of ignorance at the implications of their words upon their circumstances, Christians choose to speak defeat than victory. They give place to fearful experiences than those of faith. I guess living in a world where bad news is news and sells, it is tough but you have to make a commitment to not accept the status quo that is contrary to the Word of God. We belong to a kingdom of light and not darkness. Take seriously the warning that God gave to us.
“Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring (in fierce hunger), seeking someone to seize upon and devour. Withstand him, be firm in faith (against his onset – rooted, established, strong, immovable and determined)…” 1 Peter 5:8-9 Amplified
The tools of the enemy are errors, deception and ignorance. Be on the look out for them always. Like Jesus, you must cast out and overthrow all influences that are creating limitations over your life. To do this, you certainly need the help of the Holy Spirit.
Finally, Jesus didn’t form a committee to deal with the matter nor to debate the pros and cons of the issue-He took ACTION. Too often, when we should be consulting with God who knows everything about the issue, is cost free, error free, effortless, we are moving from one friend to another seeking their input. I have found from my personal and the experiences of others that people will give you counsel depending on their level of spiritual maturity. Good if you meet the right people but terrible if you don’t.
I had a situation where God wanted me to bring someone into my house that had an accommodation problem. I wasn’t even close to the person and I had personal concerns about the issue generally. Rather than talk to God, I went on an opinion drive. It left me still confused – I got both good and terrible reviews about the matter. Were these people right? Yes! that they were speaking from personal experiences. But does that address the issue? No! because I was subjecting a command from God to human interpretation. So three months went by until I could no longer have a peaceful prayer life because of the restlessness of disobedience.
One morning, I had enough. I told God I was going to do His will that morning which I did. I cannot tell you enough of the joy and overwhelming blessings that came out of that step of obedience – a small yet significant help to another. For the eight months before I moved to another location and we parted ways. It was a beautiful friendship- companionship, assistance and great lessons from cooking to successful marital truth. Lizzie was a widow and her presence in my life was God sent. I don’t know how I could have coped when I had to move. We remain friends today. I only saw from a limited view point but God had the whole picture already figured out.
The question is how do we use our anger without it leading to sin and what are the signs that show we have strayed from the right path. I have found out that sin comes when we get angry at people rather than at their misbehaviors. This is often a thin line to navigate as one is sometimes disguised as the other. Years back, I recall a horrific story in the Newsweek magazine where some people in a town killed a homosexual and strung him up on a pole. It was absolute hatred in its vile form and evil. Jesus never never told us to hate people but wrong influences. Homosexuality is a sin like drunkenness, prostitution, pornography etc but it is cruel to take the life of a person for what is a sinful act. We hate sin and not the sinner.
In any case just as Jesus set the standard with the woman caught in adultery. Let him that has no sin stand up to be counted. I certainly can not stand up and neither you. Our anger should never be directed at people but at the evil influences that rule their lives. When we understand this, it will be easier to forgive people and also pray for them to be rid of such wrong behavior. Do we get offended sometimes? Yes but there is also the valve of inner self control that must be applied so that it does not lead to sinful acts.
The Bible has a lot of scriptures dealing with unrighteous and uncontrolled anger. Such anger does not produce change but only violence in situations and towards the people involved. Daily I read scores of stories of how anger led people into fights that resulted in the death of the other person causing a new and unpleasant life experience – JAIL TIME. Others have been injured, while in some other cases, anger causes you to take actions that are self destructive. I watched a true story of a man that killed himself and wife because he was angry at her infidelity.
“Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry for anger rests in the bosom of fools.” Ecclesiastes 7:9 NKJV
And
“But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice….” Colossians 3:8 NKJV
This abuse of anger was exposed by Jesus. His disciples had gone to prepare for Jesus coming to a Samaritan village and they were not well received. The disciples didn’t like this and they said so to Jesus in a very strong language that could only have been fuelled by anger.
“Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them just as Elijah did?
Jesus recognized this misuse and condemned their mindset on the matter
“You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them” Luke. 9:54-56. NKJV
Simply stated, anger should not be destructive of lives. So do a check of your thoughts and action regarding anger and where you have come short of God’s standard – make amends by changing your way of thinking and action towards people. satan uses anger to create problems for people and you must be on your guard. There is a way of peace to deal with people regardless of their actions towards you.
Self control is the key to anger management and intelligent use.
“A person without self control is like a house with its doors and windows knocked out” Proverb 25:28. The Message.
It opens your life to all manner of wrong influences that take their toll on you spiritually and in all other areas. If you are someone who is quick to anger – get help from God before it is too late. Unrighteous anger is an unruly horse that can throw you off without warning.
Using anger to produce the change you desire means taking personal responsibility for your action. It means doing away with the “blame game “syndrome – playing the victim. Regardless of how life deals you a card, you have to take up your bed and walk. That was Jesus’ answer to the crippled man and so is it to you. You can’t continue to be angry at life, government, parents, teachers, society etc. it is counter productive and it keeps you stagnant and unproductive which is what the devil’s game plan is is all about. The intelligent form of anger quickens you to take action regarding your circumstances. It forces you to give attention to resolving the problem other than enduring them. In the process of doing that, your spirit is more sensitive to God’s guidance and as you take the steps of obedience, light begins to come out of that dark situation.
“Anger is vital to man’s transformation. Without it he would not be capable of waging warfare against sin and satan. Pray always to use anger to accomplish the right results in the right way and to be able to control all faculties within the boundaries of God’s law.”- Finis Dake
Thursday, 8 September 2011
TITHING AND OFFERINGS- UNDERSTANDING IT'S IMPORTANCE FOR YOUR PROSPERITY PART 1
“Will a man rob God? Yet you have robbed me! But you say, In what way have we robbed you? In tithes and offerings…Bring all the tithes into the store house, that there may be food in my house…” Malachi 3:8-10
I love learning very much and one of my favourite places to do so is the Discovery World Channel. It opens to you a world of knowledge that is beyond your physical abilities. However, I take exception to their channel promo that says in order to discover new things, ignorance is bliss. That is such grave error. Ignorance is certainly not bliss when you have suffered from its consequences as I and many others have. My life goal is to rid the saints of every form of ignorance that God’s grace enables me to because much of the suffering that we experience comes from being ignorant of our rights in Christ. Such is what applies to the doctrine of tithes and offerings.
Growing up as a new believer, the above scripture was used to manipulate and inflict spiritual terror on us to pay our tithes. It was so misused that the issue of tithes has been one of the subjects of contention in the church when it ought not to be if proper teaching was given. Most people saw tithes as a weapon of fear rather than a gift of love because of the error and sometimes deception that was deployed to get people to comply. I have seen all sorts of gimmicks in its misuse but hopefully this message will erase all those errors, answer your questions and give you a firm foundation of what tithes and offerings are and the important role they play in giving you access to the material and spiritual blessings in Christ.
Just the same way that knowledge of your parental background helps you to know who you are and understand certain issues of your life, so it is with having knowledge of your spiritual lineage. If you are a born –again person,(one who has accepted the Lordship of Christ in spirit and in deed as demanded in Rom 10:10) you are born unto a covenant inheritance that God made with Abraham. This implies that you have access to the promises, blessings and commands in that covenant. It is not voluntary but obligatory.
“And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise” Galatians 3:29 NKJV.
The promise has a physical, spiritual, and material implication and though it cannot be covered in this article, a bit of it will be used to give you the right perspective of the topic. Abraham plays an important role in our relationship with God because of our connection through Christ. He is the first born of the faith in the new Israel (spiritual) that God created. Christianity came out of a covenant that God made with Abraham to have a people that will serve him in faith.
“And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because thou has obeyed my voice.” Gen 22:18 KJV
“Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He does not say “And to seeds” as of many; but as of one,” and to your seed, who is Christ.
And this I say, that the law which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect.
For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise, but God gave it to Abraham by promise Galatians 3:16 -18 NKJV
Suggested reading for a broader picture – Genesis 12:1-3, 17:1-7, 22:1-18;
Galatians 3, Romans 4. Hebrew 6:13 -20
When you are an heir under any form of inheritance, you have both benefits and obligation in order to gain access to your inheritance. Such applies under the spiritual inheritance we have in the Abrahamic covenant. Because our lineage is a spiritual one and is based on faith. It implies that the same way Abraham walked in obedience to God in faith and received the fullness of the blessings that God gave him under the covenant, so also shall we if we follow the path of obedience in faith. It is through these acts of faith that we experience the overflowing blessings of God in the covenant. Tithing and offerings are such acts of faith.
One of the many errors concerning tithing is that it is a law applicable to Jews under the Mosaic Law. This is not true. The practice of tithing started four hundred and thirty years before the introduction of the Mosaic Law. Abraham went to battle against the king of Elam and four of his partners in order to rescue his nephew Lot who lived in Sodom and was taken captive. God gave him victory and on his return, he met with Melchizedek, a priest of God who blessed him saying
“Blessed be Abraham of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth. And blessed be God most High who has delivered your enemies into your hand. Genesis 14: 18 -20 NKJV.
Abraham gave him a tithe of the goods recovered from the battle. This was the first incident of tithing. Jacob also continued this practice.
“And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house and of all that you give I will surely give a tenth to you” Genesis 28: 22 NKJV.
This is further explained in Hebrew 7:1 -2 NKJV
“For this Melchizedek, king of Salam, priest of the Most High God who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him. To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all…”
When Jesus came, he further affirmed the place of tithing in the New Testament life. While rebuking the Pharisees of being religious about tithes and not giving place to important issues such as justice, mercy and faith,
“Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin and neglected the weightier matters of the law: Justice and mercy and faith. This you ought to have done without leaving others undone”. Mathew 23: 23 NKJV.
God considered tithes and offerings an important part of his relationship with us or else He would not have labeled its withholding robbery. The reasons for this will be explained in this message as well as the underlining mindset about tithing.
The Covenant Blessing is not a buffet where we choose what to take or discard. It is a whole package of blessings and obligations. If Abraham didn’t consider it a burden to bless God with a tithe of his possessions we should not either, especially with a thorough understanding of the issue. We are the children of Abraham in faith and must walk in the steps of faith he took.
“And the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised” Romans 4:12 NKJV.
Before creation experienced the introduction of sin that gave way to a spiritual separation of man (represented by Adam) from God and its experiences (Read Gen 3), the material resources of the earth was under the dominion of Adam (man). This was God’s plan and it was good.
“Then God blessed them and God said to them “Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it…” Genesis. 1:28.
However, when Adam sinned, he lost dominion of the earth to satan and the effects of this was in labour and struggle to produce. (Genesis 3:17 -19). The Good news is that the coming of Christ restored us to that place of dominion when we accept His Lordship over our lives. Adam sinned because he and Eve were by their actions undermining the sovereignty of God over their lives. Sovereignty is very important in recognizing the Lordship of God over all we have. “The earth is the Lord’s and all its fullness. The world and those who dwell therein” Psalm 24:1
Thus the payment of our tithes stands as an acknowledgement of God’s sovereignty of the earth and an act of faith in His provision for us. It is also an act that separates us from the effect of the curse placed upon Adam and his descendants. Tithing is one of the fundamental keys to unlocking the manifold treasures of God into our lives and it goes beyond financial rewards. Consider the implication of what God said in relation to the benefits of tithing
“...I will open up the windows of heaven for you and pour out a blessing so great you won’t have room enough to take it in! Try it! Let me prove it to you! Malachi 3:10. Living Bible
I want to emphasis an aspect called “The Blessing” in the above scripture. It is also referred to in Proverbs 10:22
“The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich and he addeth no sorrow with it”
The blessing is a whole rather than a part of the riches of God. It encompasses all aspect of life. It is beyond financial rewards. It includes guidance, health, wisdom, protection, preservation, knowledge understanding and wisdom. There is no measure of financial resources that can pay for a fraction of these blessings and yet these come with being blessed by God. Abraham’s life is a good example of one that lived under the cover of The Blessing.
“Now Abraham was old, well advanced in years and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things” Genesis 24”1 Amplified Bible. Emphasis mine.
Eliezer, Abraham’s chief servant also made note of this
“And the Lord has blessed my master mightily and he has become great…” Genesis 24:35. Amplified Bible.
So do not take lightly the Word of God that The Blessing would come in an overflow that will be beyond our wildest dreams and imagination. In addition, it has no strings attached nor disadvantages. Where can you get such generosity on the earth yet all that is expected is to give a small fraction (yes, nothing given can compare to the benefits received) of our income to God in order to bring the expansion of His love to mankind. It’s the best investment policy that exists on planet earth.
Tithing is not just a financial issue, it is spiritual. Every time, we obey God, we make our stand in the spirit clear to the devil that we are not under his rebellious influence. This has great consequences on the earth. When we disobey, we are disassociating ourselves in that matter from the kingdom of God which also has it’s effect. We must give deep thoughts to these truths in order to reorder our steps and recover lost grounds.
We do not give tithes to become rich – that is an error. We are born unto wealth when we became born – again Christians. It is through tithing that we experience these manifold riches of Christ. It provides us with numerous opportunities to access the wisdom and favour of God.
In Malachi 3:8 -12 is revealed the three fold blessings of tithing. You receive an eternal blessing of manifold dimensions; rebuking the devourer – a reference to protection and preservation of life and assets and giving you honour among men.
God’s promises don’t fail and neither should you in your relationship with Him.
It is also important to understand the essence of tithing for without the revelation of truth; you are probably tithing in accordance with a religious mind rather than the spirit of love; sacrifice rather than obedience and trust.
“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house” Malachi 3:10 NKJV
It is obvious that God cannot be referring to food in the material sense but in the way of substance for use in the work of God. It was first used to take care of the welfare of the priests and other works they had to carry out. This was before the introduction of the Levite priesthood under the law. With the establishment of the priesthood and the building of the temple came more responsibilities. The tithes made them independent and functional in doing their various tasks. Taking care of the magnificent temple certainly required a lot of resources.
“Behold I have given the children of Levi all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work which they perform the work of the tabernacle of meeting” Numbers 18:21 NKJV
I love learning very much and one of my favourite places to do so is the Discovery World Channel. It opens to you a world of knowledge that is beyond your physical abilities. However, I take exception to their channel promo that says in order to discover new things, ignorance is bliss. That is such grave error. Ignorance is certainly not bliss when you have suffered from its consequences as I and many others have. My life goal is to rid the saints of every form of ignorance that God’s grace enables me to because much of the suffering that we experience comes from being ignorant of our rights in Christ. Such is what applies to the doctrine of tithes and offerings.
Growing up as a new believer, the above scripture was used to manipulate and inflict spiritual terror on us to pay our tithes. It was so misused that the issue of tithes has been one of the subjects of contention in the church when it ought not to be if proper teaching was given. Most people saw tithes as a weapon of fear rather than a gift of love because of the error and sometimes deception that was deployed to get people to comply. I have seen all sorts of gimmicks in its misuse but hopefully this message will erase all those errors, answer your questions and give you a firm foundation of what tithes and offerings are and the important role they play in giving you access to the material and spiritual blessings in Christ.
Just the same way that knowledge of your parental background helps you to know who you are and understand certain issues of your life, so it is with having knowledge of your spiritual lineage. If you are a born –again person,(one who has accepted the Lordship of Christ in spirit and in deed as demanded in Rom 10:10) you are born unto a covenant inheritance that God made with Abraham. This implies that you have access to the promises, blessings and commands in that covenant. It is not voluntary but obligatory.
“And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise” Galatians 3:29 NKJV.
The promise has a physical, spiritual, and material implication and though it cannot be covered in this article, a bit of it will be used to give you the right perspective of the topic. Abraham plays an important role in our relationship with God because of our connection through Christ. He is the first born of the faith in the new Israel (spiritual) that God created. Christianity came out of a covenant that God made with Abraham to have a people that will serve him in faith.
“And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because thou has obeyed my voice.” Gen 22:18 KJV
“Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He does not say “And to seeds” as of many; but as of one,” and to your seed, who is Christ.
And this I say, that the law which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect.
For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise, but God gave it to Abraham by promise Galatians 3:16 -18 NKJV
Suggested reading for a broader picture – Genesis 12:1-3, 17:1-7, 22:1-18;
Galatians 3, Romans 4. Hebrew 6:13 -20
When you are an heir under any form of inheritance, you have both benefits and obligation in order to gain access to your inheritance. Such applies under the spiritual inheritance we have in the Abrahamic covenant. Because our lineage is a spiritual one and is based on faith. It implies that the same way Abraham walked in obedience to God in faith and received the fullness of the blessings that God gave him under the covenant, so also shall we if we follow the path of obedience in faith. It is through these acts of faith that we experience the overflowing blessings of God in the covenant. Tithing and offerings are such acts of faith.
One of the many errors concerning tithing is that it is a law applicable to Jews under the Mosaic Law. This is not true. The practice of tithing started four hundred and thirty years before the introduction of the Mosaic Law. Abraham went to battle against the king of Elam and four of his partners in order to rescue his nephew Lot who lived in Sodom and was taken captive. God gave him victory and on his return, he met with Melchizedek, a priest of God who blessed him saying
“Blessed be Abraham of God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth. And blessed be God most High who has delivered your enemies into your hand. Genesis 14: 18 -20 NKJV.
Abraham gave him a tithe of the goods recovered from the battle. This was the first incident of tithing. Jacob also continued this practice.
“And this stone which I have set as a pillar shall be God’s house and of all that you give I will surely give a tenth to you” Genesis 28: 22 NKJV.
This is further explained in Hebrew 7:1 -2 NKJV
“For this Melchizedek, king of Salam, priest of the Most High God who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him. To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all…”
When Jesus came, he further affirmed the place of tithing in the New Testament life. While rebuking the Pharisees of being religious about tithes and not giving place to important issues such as justice, mercy and faith,
“Woe to you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin and neglected the weightier matters of the law: Justice and mercy and faith. This you ought to have done without leaving others undone”. Mathew 23: 23 NKJV.
God considered tithes and offerings an important part of his relationship with us or else He would not have labeled its withholding robbery. The reasons for this will be explained in this message as well as the underlining mindset about tithing.
The Covenant Blessing is not a buffet where we choose what to take or discard. It is a whole package of blessings and obligations. If Abraham didn’t consider it a burden to bless God with a tithe of his possessions we should not either, especially with a thorough understanding of the issue. We are the children of Abraham in faith and must walk in the steps of faith he took.
“And the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised” Romans 4:12 NKJV.
Before creation experienced the introduction of sin that gave way to a spiritual separation of man (represented by Adam) from God and its experiences (Read Gen 3), the material resources of the earth was under the dominion of Adam (man). This was God’s plan and it was good.
“Then God blessed them and God said to them “Be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth and subdue it…” Genesis. 1:28.
However, when Adam sinned, he lost dominion of the earth to satan and the effects of this was in labour and struggle to produce. (Genesis 3:17 -19). The Good news is that the coming of Christ restored us to that place of dominion when we accept His Lordship over our lives. Adam sinned because he and Eve were by their actions undermining the sovereignty of God over their lives. Sovereignty is very important in recognizing the Lordship of God over all we have. “The earth is the Lord’s and all its fullness. The world and those who dwell therein” Psalm 24:1
Thus the payment of our tithes stands as an acknowledgement of God’s sovereignty of the earth and an act of faith in His provision for us. It is also an act that separates us from the effect of the curse placed upon Adam and his descendants. Tithing is one of the fundamental keys to unlocking the manifold treasures of God into our lives and it goes beyond financial rewards. Consider the implication of what God said in relation to the benefits of tithing
“...I will open up the windows of heaven for you and pour out a blessing so great you won’t have room enough to take it in! Try it! Let me prove it to you! Malachi 3:10. Living Bible
I want to emphasis an aspect called “The Blessing” in the above scripture. It is also referred to in Proverbs 10:22
“The blessing of the Lord, it maketh rich and he addeth no sorrow with it”
The blessing is a whole rather than a part of the riches of God. It encompasses all aspect of life. It is beyond financial rewards. It includes guidance, health, wisdom, protection, preservation, knowledge understanding and wisdom. There is no measure of financial resources that can pay for a fraction of these blessings and yet these come with being blessed by God. Abraham’s life is a good example of one that lived under the cover of The Blessing.
“Now Abraham was old, well advanced in years and the Lord had blessed Abraham in all things” Genesis 24”1 Amplified Bible. Emphasis mine.
Eliezer, Abraham’s chief servant also made note of this
“And the Lord has blessed my master mightily and he has become great…” Genesis 24:35. Amplified Bible.
So do not take lightly the Word of God that The Blessing would come in an overflow that will be beyond our wildest dreams and imagination. In addition, it has no strings attached nor disadvantages. Where can you get such generosity on the earth yet all that is expected is to give a small fraction (yes, nothing given can compare to the benefits received) of our income to God in order to bring the expansion of His love to mankind. It’s the best investment policy that exists on planet earth.
Tithing is not just a financial issue, it is spiritual. Every time, we obey God, we make our stand in the spirit clear to the devil that we are not under his rebellious influence. This has great consequences on the earth. When we disobey, we are disassociating ourselves in that matter from the kingdom of God which also has it’s effect. We must give deep thoughts to these truths in order to reorder our steps and recover lost grounds.
We do not give tithes to become rich – that is an error. We are born unto wealth when we became born – again Christians. It is through tithing that we experience these manifold riches of Christ. It provides us with numerous opportunities to access the wisdom and favour of God.
In Malachi 3:8 -12 is revealed the three fold blessings of tithing. You receive an eternal blessing of manifold dimensions; rebuking the devourer – a reference to protection and preservation of life and assets and giving you honour among men.
God’s promises don’t fail and neither should you in your relationship with Him.
It is also important to understand the essence of tithing for without the revelation of truth; you are probably tithing in accordance with a religious mind rather than the spirit of love; sacrifice rather than obedience and trust.
“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house” Malachi 3:10 NKJV
It is obvious that God cannot be referring to food in the material sense but in the way of substance for use in the work of God. It was first used to take care of the welfare of the priests and other works they had to carry out. This was before the introduction of the Levite priesthood under the law. With the establishment of the priesthood and the building of the temple came more responsibilities. The tithes made them independent and functional in doing their various tasks. Taking care of the magnificent temple certainly required a lot of resources.
“Behold I have given the children of Levi all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work which they perform the work of the tabernacle of meeting” Numbers 18:21 NKJV
TITHING AND OFFERINGS- UNDERSTANDING IT'S IMPORTANCE FOR YOUR PROSPERITY PART 2
The Levite priesthood was one of the tribes of Israel dedicated to the service of God in the Temple. Today the church has evolved in so many ways that are different from the Levite priesthood with much more responsibilities. However, the function of tithes offerings and gift serves the same eternal purpose – ensuring that the work of God is fulfilled on the earth.
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” Ephesians 2: 10 NKJV.
Our relationship with God is a form of partnership which stems out of the love He has for us and we also give back in return. One of the ways we show God that we love Him is in the good works we do. Therefore, true tithing begins with an inward expression of love for God and His work. This is a fundamental aspect of any form of giving – giving with a willing heart and being cheerful about it. It brings a great reward. Don’t see your tithes and offering as another religious obligation that you to do but an act of sincere genuine partnership with God. Bring them with joyful worship before God. Don’t do it out of fear about the devourer affecting your life in disobedience. God wants us to walk with Him in love and not fear.
Offerings come in both monetary and material gifts. This is a discretionary giving as to the amount or form unlike the tithe that is a tenth of your income. Offerings take various forms from the Sunday and weekly gifts to specific gifts as you desire. In all forms of giving, be guided by these two scriptures in order to honour God.
“If you are really eager to give, then it isn’t important how much you have to give. God wants you to give what you have, not what you haven’t” 2Corinthians 8:12 Living Bible.
Everyone must make up his own mind as to how much he should give. Don’t force anyone to give more than he really wants to, for cheerful givers are the ones God prizes” 2Corinthians 9:7 Living Bible.
This second scriptures is particularly instructive as giving is a very private and personal responsibility. No one must influence what you give or else it simply is an act not done in true worship. Your heart is what honours God first before the seed.
I will address some concerns that have been raised about tithes and offerings in order to give you the biblical perspective as a lot of errors and ignorance has influenced giving.
The tithe is a tenth of your income. Don’t get into splitting hairs about gross and net income. God is specific about what your income is and that means money that comes to you exclusive of taxes etc. Now most of our income is monetary but some are often in kind. I will suggest that if you are not yet strong in your faith, start from your monetary income but be open to grow beyond the tenth. It shows an appreciation of many ways you have been blessed and that you are not doing it as a religious act. I started from a tenth and today I apply a twelve percent. Whatever extra you put is a discretionary one and don’t be influenced by anyone. The tithes go to your local church and not to any ministry. This is because your local church is where you are a member of the body of Christ. It is your core place of spiritual fellowship and your Pastor is your first spiritual authority. Don’t give your tithes to any ministry but you can give offerings to those that have blessed you spiritually as partnership seeds into their lives and ministries.
Over the years the ministries of many worldwide and local have been of tremendous influence in my life. These include Joel Osteen, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome; Paul Yonggi Cho, Joyce Meyers, Kenneth Hagin, Oral Roberts, Bishop Oyedepo, Brian Houston , Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, Creflo Dollar, Pastor Bimbo Odukoya.
The practical illustration of the above is that you cannot be registered as a student of one University and pay your school fees to another even though both are in the University community.
A controversial issue is how the tithe and offerings are used. Some, wanting to be the financial consultants over their tithes do not give it to their church but distribute it to various ministries. Their excuse is that they do not want it misused. This is an error. The tithes belong to God not to you. God has said to bring it into His church. Certainly there may be financial misuse in some churches but that is not an excuse to disobey God. When you give, you let go. God deals with each person as He pleases and whoever steals from God will certainly be punished.
The tithes and offerings are a substantial income for the church and the following are some of the ways that the resources are applicable
The Care of Our Pastors
“Let him who receives instruction in the word (of God) share all good things with his teacher (contributing to his support)” Galatians 6:6. Amplified Bible
and
“Pastors who do their work well should be paid well and should be highly appreciated especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. “Never tie up the mouth of an ox when it is treading out the grain – let him eat as he goes along! “And in another place,” those who work deserve their pay!” I Timothy 5:17 -19, Living Bible
- Administrative expenses of the Church
- Projects (local and international)
- Tithes to other Ministries – partnership seeds.
- Taking care of the needy among members.
God’s work is a business – a spiritual business and therefore a lot of resources are required to make it productive and efficient. Your tithes and offerings keep the work running smoothly. So when there is a tendency to get distracted in your tithing and offerings. Think the big picture – God and I in a business partnership working for a global and eternal good. Be committed in your heart to work with God in accomplishing his eternal plan and giving will become an effortless act. Will there be temptations to not give? Certainly! But take comfort in the following scriptures.
“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves but our sufficiency is from God” 2 Corinthians 3:5 NKJV
“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you that you always having all sufficiency in all things may have abundance for every good work”
2 Corinthians 9:8
and
For God who gives seed to the farmer to plant and later on good crops to harvest and eat will give you more and more seed to plant and will make it grow so that you can give away more and more fruit from your harvest” 2 Corinthians 9:10 Living Bible.
An antidote to temptation is not to have a need minded attitude. This means not having to focus on your needs rather than on your seeds. It is very enticing to see how much you have a need for all of your resources but a farmer does not eat all of his harvest for in it lies the seeds for the next. Don’t use the seeds for your next harvest (favour, opportunities, wisdom). You always have some resources to bless God with. Focus on that. Where do you stand today? If you are a tither, you have done well to recognize a key aspect of your relationship with God and I believe this message will help improve on it. If you are not tithing or have been against it, I also believe you will come unto a new understanding of what tithing is about. You have not pleased God but if you are willing to change, He is also willing to be merciful and guide you.
I have by experience learnt that when you have a sincere heart to obey God, even when you are in ignorance, deceived or in error, He will send His wisdom to reach you in an effortless way.
This message is one of those ways. When you have the basic understanding of God’s word you will find it is a delight to obey.
In closing, I implant this truth into your heart
“See to it that no one carries you off as spoil or makes you yourselves captive by his so-called philosophy and intellectualism and vain deceit (Idle fancies and plain nonsense), following human tradition (men’s ideas of the material rather than the spiritual world), just crude notions following the rudimentary and elemental teachings of the universe and disregarding (the Teachings of) Christ (The Messiah)”. Colossian 2:8. Amplified Bible
This applies to all secular and spiritual matters.
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” Ephesians 2: 10 NKJV.
Our relationship with God is a form of partnership which stems out of the love He has for us and we also give back in return. One of the ways we show God that we love Him is in the good works we do. Therefore, true tithing begins with an inward expression of love for God and His work. This is a fundamental aspect of any form of giving – giving with a willing heart and being cheerful about it. It brings a great reward. Don’t see your tithes and offering as another religious obligation that you to do but an act of sincere genuine partnership with God. Bring them with joyful worship before God. Don’t do it out of fear about the devourer affecting your life in disobedience. God wants us to walk with Him in love and not fear.
Offerings come in both monetary and material gifts. This is a discretionary giving as to the amount or form unlike the tithe that is a tenth of your income. Offerings take various forms from the Sunday and weekly gifts to specific gifts as you desire. In all forms of giving, be guided by these two scriptures in order to honour God.
“If you are really eager to give, then it isn’t important how much you have to give. God wants you to give what you have, not what you haven’t” 2Corinthians 8:12 Living Bible.
Everyone must make up his own mind as to how much he should give. Don’t force anyone to give more than he really wants to, for cheerful givers are the ones God prizes” 2Corinthians 9:7 Living Bible.
This second scriptures is particularly instructive as giving is a very private and personal responsibility. No one must influence what you give or else it simply is an act not done in true worship. Your heart is what honours God first before the seed.
I will address some concerns that have been raised about tithes and offerings in order to give you the biblical perspective as a lot of errors and ignorance has influenced giving.
The tithe is a tenth of your income. Don’t get into splitting hairs about gross and net income. God is specific about what your income is and that means money that comes to you exclusive of taxes etc. Now most of our income is monetary but some are often in kind. I will suggest that if you are not yet strong in your faith, start from your monetary income but be open to grow beyond the tenth. It shows an appreciation of many ways you have been blessed and that you are not doing it as a religious act. I started from a tenth and today I apply a twelve percent. Whatever extra you put is a discretionary one and don’t be influenced by anyone. The tithes go to your local church and not to any ministry. This is because your local church is where you are a member of the body of Christ. It is your core place of spiritual fellowship and your Pastor is your first spiritual authority. Don’t give your tithes to any ministry but you can give offerings to those that have blessed you spiritually as partnership seeds into their lives and ministries.
Over the years the ministries of many worldwide and local have been of tremendous influence in my life. These include Joel Osteen, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome; Paul Yonggi Cho, Joyce Meyers, Kenneth Hagin, Oral Roberts, Bishop Oyedepo, Brian Houston , Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, Creflo Dollar, Pastor Bimbo Odukoya.
The practical illustration of the above is that you cannot be registered as a student of one University and pay your school fees to another even though both are in the University community.
A controversial issue is how the tithe and offerings are used. Some, wanting to be the financial consultants over their tithes do not give it to their church but distribute it to various ministries. Their excuse is that they do not want it misused. This is an error. The tithes belong to God not to you. God has said to bring it into His church. Certainly there may be financial misuse in some churches but that is not an excuse to disobey God. When you give, you let go. God deals with each person as He pleases and whoever steals from God will certainly be punished.
The tithes and offerings are a substantial income for the church and the following are some of the ways that the resources are applicable
The Care of Our Pastors
“Let him who receives instruction in the word (of God) share all good things with his teacher (contributing to his support)” Galatians 6:6. Amplified Bible
and
“Pastors who do their work well should be paid well and should be highly appreciated especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. “Never tie up the mouth of an ox when it is treading out the grain – let him eat as he goes along! “And in another place,” those who work deserve their pay!” I Timothy 5:17 -19, Living Bible
- Administrative expenses of the Church
- Projects (local and international)
- Tithes to other Ministries – partnership seeds.
- Taking care of the needy among members.
God’s work is a business – a spiritual business and therefore a lot of resources are required to make it productive and efficient. Your tithes and offerings keep the work running smoothly. So when there is a tendency to get distracted in your tithing and offerings. Think the big picture – God and I in a business partnership working for a global and eternal good. Be committed in your heart to work with God in accomplishing his eternal plan and giving will become an effortless act. Will there be temptations to not give? Certainly! But take comfort in the following scriptures.
“Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves but our sufficiency is from God” 2 Corinthians 3:5 NKJV
“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you that you always having all sufficiency in all things may have abundance for every good work”
2 Corinthians 9:8
and
For God who gives seed to the farmer to plant and later on good crops to harvest and eat will give you more and more seed to plant and will make it grow so that you can give away more and more fruit from your harvest” 2 Corinthians 9:10 Living Bible.
An antidote to temptation is not to have a need minded attitude. This means not having to focus on your needs rather than on your seeds. It is very enticing to see how much you have a need for all of your resources but a farmer does not eat all of his harvest for in it lies the seeds for the next. Don’t use the seeds for your next harvest (favour, opportunities, wisdom). You always have some resources to bless God with. Focus on that. Where do you stand today? If you are a tither, you have done well to recognize a key aspect of your relationship with God and I believe this message will help improve on it. If you are not tithing or have been against it, I also believe you will come unto a new understanding of what tithing is about. You have not pleased God but if you are willing to change, He is also willing to be merciful and guide you.
I have by experience learnt that when you have a sincere heart to obey God, even when you are in ignorance, deceived or in error, He will send His wisdom to reach you in an effortless way.
This message is one of those ways. When you have the basic understanding of God’s word you will find it is a delight to obey.
In closing, I implant this truth into your heart
“See to it that no one carries you off as spoil or makes you yourselves captive by his so-called philosophy and intellectualism and vain deceit (Idle fancies and plain nonsense), following human tradition (men’s ideas of the material rather than the spiritual world), just crude notions following the rudimentary and elemental teachings of the universe and disregarding (the Teachings of) Christ (The Messiah)”. Colossian 2:8. Amplified Bible
This applies to all secular and spiritual matters.
THE ECLIPSE OF LIFE
“For our light affliction which is but for a moment worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. While we look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” 2 Corinthians 4.17-18KJV
In understanding the faith process and how vital it is in our lives, (it is our power line to God) I came to fully appreciate this truth that was made clearer to me in the interesting subject of the Eclipse. So get ready for some physical and spiritual geography. There are two types of eclipse – the eclipse of the sun and the eclipse of the moon. But both as Webster dictionary defines it as ‘ a total or partial cutting off of light received from a celestial body, due to another celestial body moving into an intercepting position.
Now, an eclipse of the moon occurs when the earth is between the moon and the sun and depriving the moon of the sun’s light. So, with a little help from Google (learning has become much easier from our fingertip) I became a student of geography on the subject.The moon is dark because it has no light and shines by the reflection of the sun on its surface (so if you once thought that the moon had light when viewing at night, you have been corrected).But the more intriguing and relevant eclipse to our life, is the total eclipse of the sun. However, there is a partial and total eclipse. You may have been fortunate to see it. I have experienced both. It is a mysterious yet beautiful encounter.
In the total eclipse, the moon’s inner and darker shadow sweeps across the earth’s surface causing total darkness for countries in the region of the eclipse. This covers only a 1% of the earth surface. Now, the amazing part, is that the total darkness is brief and rarely lasts for a few minutes; nevertheless, it is considered one of the most awe inspiring spectacles in all nature as the sun’s bright face is replaced by the black disk of the moon.
Imagine this display of the eclipse- a clear sky and then suddenly a vision of darkness when the moon begins its movement towards the sun and....... pitch darkness when the moon covers the surface of the sun for a brief moment. Everything seems to stand still. Suddenly light reappears and the sky is clear once again when the moon has passed. Such is the similarity to the eclipse of life.
This scenario plays out at certain periods of our lives and the difference may the degree of a partial or total eclipse. The two key objects in the eclipse are the moon which is dark and the sun which in contrast is light. Yet at certain times of the year, both interact to bring about one of the beautiful scenes of nature on the earth. Have you ever watched or read about the preparations for an eclipse? It is a frenzied one that involves everyone from the scientific community to the people on the street. There is an excitement that something beautiful is about to take place. Yet this is an event where darkness seems to have taken on a good form.
Ordinarily, we don’t celebrate darkness but this ‘darkness’ has given birth to a geographical wonder much loved. That is the lesson that we must imbibe. We go through times of dark experiences when everything seems to go wrong and we don’t think we can pull through. We are facing challenges that are daunting and no clear solution in sight. Nowhere to turn and the world may suddenly become a lonely place to dwell. Your world is collapsing right in front of your eyes. Yes! I have my eclipse moments and so do all of us at various times. But take note of what the Bible says of such times of which, even nature is in agreement.
It is truly a momentary one regardless of how long it may last.
“For our momentary affliction (this slight distress of the passing hour)is .ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory( beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease)”2 Corinthians 4.17, Amplified Bible
In other words, no affliction if managed from the perspective of faith and the wisdom of God will break you. It will rather put you far beyond the challenge. But you must hang in there for that ‘moment’ with God, never giving up but holding up the hope of a resurrection. Like the eclipse, light will eventually break forth on the issue.
“So we have seen and proved that what the prophets said came true. You will do well to pay close attention to everything they have written, for like lights shining into dark corners, their words help us understand many things that otherwise would be dark and difficult. But when you consider the wonderful truth of the prophet’s words, then the light will dawn in your souls and Christ the Morning Star will shine in your hearts” 2 Peter 1.19-20, Living Bible
The Word of God is the Light that breaks forth in the place of your eclipse. Jesus is the Word (John 1.1-4) and He is the Sun of Righteousness
“But to you who fear My Name, The Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings and you shall go out and grow fat like stall-fed calves.” Malachi4.2NKJV
When the word is made flesh in your life, the issues become clearer for healing has come.
“Then they cry to the Lord in their trouble and He delivers them out of their distresses. He sends forth His word and heals them and rescues them from the pit and destruction” Psalm 107.19-20, Amplified Bible
Like the eclipse of the sun, these circumstances are not static (and shouldn’t be) but a movement towards light- triumph and victory; the cross leading to the resurrection. A word of advice on this episode of life.
“Do not let this happy trust in the Lord die away, no matter what happens. Remember your reward! You need o keep on patiently doing God’s will if you want Him to do for you all that he has promised. His coming will not be delayed much longer. And those whose faith has made them good in God’s sight must live by faith, trusting him in everything. Otherwise, if they shrink back, god will have no pleasure in them”Hebrews10.35-38, Living Bible
Note that in the process of the eclipse, the sun is constant, resolute and fixed while the moon that is dark is orbiting towards the sun creating that brief period of complete darkness. Challenges are not fixed but come into our lives for a moment. It is how we handle them that makes that ‘moment’ have an experience of longevity or brief. Hear the counsel of Christ.
“I have told you these things so that in Me you may have (perfect) peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulations and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer (take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted)! For I have overcome the world. (I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you” John 16.33, Amplified Bible
We will always have the natural eclipse as long as the earth is in place. So also the eclipse of life. Therefore, in all of these, patience is a virtue to keep you grounded, focused and unshaken just like both the Sun of Righteousness and the sun in the universe.
Have a momentous eclipse whichever life or nature brings your way.
In understanding the faith process and how vital it is in our lives, (it is our power line to God) I came to fully appreciate this truth that was made clearer to me in the interesting subject of the Eclipse. So get ready for some physical and spiritual geography. There are two types of eclipse – the eclipse of the sun and the eclipse of the moon. But both as Webster dictionary defines it as ‘ a total or partial cutting off of light received from a celestial body, due to another celestial body moving into an intercepting position.
Now, an eclipse of the moon occurs when the earth is between the moon and the sun and depriving the moon of the sun’s light. So, with a little help from Google (learning has become much easier from our fingertip) I became a student of geography on the subject.The moon is dark because it has no light and shines by the reflection of the sun on its surface (so if you once thought that the moon had light when viewing at night, you have been corrected).But the more intriguing and relevant eclipse to our life, is the total eclipse of the sun. However, there is a partial and total eclipse. You may have been fortunate to see it. I have experienced both. It is a mysterious yet beautiful encounter.
In the total eclipse, the moon’s inner and darker shadow sweeps across the earth’s surface causing total darkness for countries in the region of the eclipse. This covers only a 1% of the earth surface. Now, the amazing part, is that the total darkness is brief and rarely lasts for a few minutes; nevertheless, it is considered one of the most awe inspiring spectacles in all nature as the sun’s bright face is replaced by the black disk of the moon.
Imagine this display of the eclipse- a clear sky and then suddenly a vision of darkness when the moon begins its movement towards the sun and....... pitch darkness when the moon covers the surface of the sun for a brief moment. Everything seems to stand still. Suddenly light reappears and the sky is clear once again when the moon has passed. Such is the similarity to the eclipse of life.
This scenario plays out at certain periods of our lives and the difference may the degree of a partial or total eclipse. The two key objects in the eclipse are the moon which is dark and the sun which in contrast is light. Yet at certain times of the year, both interact to bring about one of the beautiful scenes of nature on the earth. Have you ever watched or read about the preparations for an eclipse? It is a frenzied one that involves everyone from the scientific community to the people on the street. There is an excitement that something beautiful is about to take place. Yet this is an event where darkness seems to have taken on a good form.
Ordinarily, we don’t celebrate darkness but this ‘darkness’ has given birth to a geographical wonder much loved. That is the lesson that we must imbibe. We go through times of dark experiences when everything seems to go wrong and we don’t think we can pull through. We are facing challenges that are daunting and no clear solution in sight. Nowhere to turn and the world may suddenly become a lonely place to dwell. Your world is collapsing right in front of your eyes. Yes! I have my eclipse moments and so do all of us at various times. But take note of what the Bible says of such times of which, even nature is in agreement.
It is truly a momentary one regardless of how long it may last.
“For our momentary affliction (this slight distress of the passing hour)is .ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory( beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease)”2 Corinthians 4.17, Amplified Bible
In other words, no affliction if managed from the perspective of faith and the wisdom of God will break you. It will rather put you far beyond the challenge. But you must hang in there for that ‘moment’ with God, never giving up but holding up the hope of a resurrection. Like the eclipse, light will eventually break forth on the issue.
“So we have seen and proved that what the prophets said came true. You will do well to pay close attention to everything they have written, for like lights shining into dark corners, their words help us understand many things that otherwise would be dark and difficult. But when you consider the wonderful truth of the prophet’s words, then the light will dawn in your souls and Christ the Morning Star will shine in your hearts” 2 Peter 1.19-20, Living Bible
The Word of God is the Light that breaks forth in the place of your eclipse. Jesus is the Word (John 1.1-4) and He is the Sun of Righteousness
“But to you who fear My Name, The Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings and you shall go out and grow fat like stall-fed calves.” Malachi4.2NKJV
When the word is made flesh in your life, the issues become clearer for healing has come.
“Then they cry to the Lord in their trouble and He delivers them out of their distresses. He sends forth His word and heals them and rescues them from the pit and destruction” Psalm 107.19-20, Amplified Bible
Like the eclipse of the sun, these circumstances are not static (and shouldn’t be) but a movement towards light- triumph and victory; the cross leading to the resurrection. A word of advice on this episode of life.
“Do not let this happy trust in the Lord die away, no matter what happens. Remember your reward! You need o keep on patiently doing God’s will if you want Him to do for you all that he has promised. His coming will not be delayed much longer. And those whose faith has made them good in God’s sight must live by faith, trusting him in everything. Otherwise, if they shrink back, god will have no pleasure in them”Hebrews10.35-38, Living Bible
Note that in the process of the eclipse, the sun is constant, resolute and fixed while the moon that is dark is orbiting towards the sun creating that brief period of complete darkness. Challenges are not fixed but come into our lives for a moment. It is how we handle them that makes that ‘moment’ have an experience of longevity or brief. Hear the counsel of Christ.
“I have told you these things so that in Me you may have (perfect) peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulations and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer (take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted)! For I have overcome the world. (I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you” John 16.33, Amplified Bible
We will always have the natural eclipse as long as the earth is in place. So also the eclipse of life. Therefore, in all of these, patience is a virtue to keep you grounded, focused and unshaken just like both the Sun of Righteousness and the sun in the universe.
Have a momentous eclipse whichever life or nature brings your way.
UNDERSTANDING DIVINE PROTOCOL AND ITS ROLE IN YOUR LIFE
“You search the scriptures for you believe they give you eternal life. And the Scriptures point to me! Yet you won’t come to me so that I can give you this life eternal”’ John 5.39-40, Living Bible.
There is a protocol to every achievement or issue on the earth and so it is in Heaven. Webster’s Dictionary defines protocol as ‘a code of precedence in rank and status’. Consider the goal of achieving one’s ambition to receive a University degree, there is a protocol to that by filling the necessary forms, taking and passing the required tests, attendance at classes and passing the exam. We never try to circumvent this order and hope to achieve that goal, as the result will be failure. Yet, we often do not follow the divine protocol ordained by God for us and want to achieve extraordinary results in life. We wonder why we get less than excellent results, failure, frustration, fear and sometimes a destruction of life. We want to reap were we didn’t plough or sow any seeds for a specific harvest (I am not just referring to seeds in a monetary form). In this, we have all fallen short of the glory of God in our lives and the difference is in the degree of disobedience.
This truth was made very clear in my understanding as God was teaching me about the various issues of my life. God is a God of order – divine protocol. His laws and blessings are governed by protocol. To do otherwise will be chaos as the worldview accepts. He is perfect and no aspect of His nature or personality allows for confusion. He ordained a good earth and in spite of sin creeping into the world by Adam seeking to bypass that protocol, He has restored each person to that state of goodness in a personal committed relationship with Christ Jesus. He said at creation.
“And God looked over all that he had made and it was excellent in every way.” Genesis 1.31, Living Bible.
Yet, despite the influence of sin tainting the nature of man’s goodness, God introduced an order of restoration (a divine protocol to the experience of that state of Eden) in a daily living and growing relationship with Christ.
“ I am the living bread which came down from heaven...As the living Father sent Me and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me” John 6.51,57NKJV
Jesus emphasised this protocol of life many times. In another place, He said
“I am the Way- yes and the Truth and the Life. No one can get to the father except by means of me” John14.6
Jesus was very emphatic to let us know that achieving Godlike results does not come from personal decisions but from carrying out the instructions of our Father. He says He is the Way, Truth and Life and it can’t get any better than that. There are things that we seek to achieve on this earth and these can only be done from the place of obedience. Results are not just of a natural form (as the worldview will have us believe) but most importantly, of a spiritual kind.
If there is no spiritual foundation to anything you are presently engaged in, you will not have an inner fulfilment even where there is a measure of success. You will always be reaching for more of the outward to fill that void until a destructive behaviour sets in. That has been the pattern of the lives of people that put the natural over the spiritual.
“If God doesn’t build the house, the builders only build shacks. If God doesn’t guard the city, the night watchman might as well nap. It is useless to rise up early and go to bed late and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don’t you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves?” Psalm 127.1-2
The rest (inner peace, outward excellence) is a gift that God has for all of us. Why choose to go outside of protocol and experience turmoil and suffering of many forms? The divine protocol is simple- GOD FIRST above all things!!! Well you say ‘But I do that all the time’ really! Have you been a little bit sincere and truthful about your decision making process? Are they coming from a place of fellowship with God and this does not have to involve hours of your time or are you listening to every intellectual discussion, opinion and the latest fad in town. Are you keeping up with the ‘Jones’ of fashion, religion, education and everything else and using God as some rubber stamp on your thinking. Unfortunately, that will never give you the experience of God’s rest.
Over the years, man has tried to bypass this protocol without much success. God’s rest is all encompassing and not partial as the worldview advertises to deceive. It is often wrapped up in the allure of fame and fortune but that will not suffice and neither will religion and its activities either. The reason is that every act of your will outside of God regardless of its seeming correctness is self righteousness - your will and not God’s will. Hear what the Scriptures say of that
“For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness and seek to establish their own righteousness have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes” Romans 10.3-4, NK JV
Thus, it is clear that what counts with God is His righteousness and not your perception about anything. That is divine protocol. Learning to follow it involves a DAILY WALK and WORK with God- listening, teachable to correction, making daily and most of the time inconvenient adjustments without gripping about it( sometimes you do but you soon realise that you lose ground doing so and re-adjust). It is a slow yet steady work of restoration and transformation but the results of obedience are inner peace and outer excellence.
When this understanding entered into my heart, it was like pure joy. I suddenly understood myself better, recognising my mistakes with clarity and making the adjustments with excitement within because I could see the bigger picture and not the immediate circumstances. Lots of times my spirit is busting with excitement and I find myself laughing and giving thanks even though there is nothing on the outside at that moment causing that action. It is the move of the spirit knowing what is ahead and is coming. That is why you can’t give up even though you may not yet have all the answers but you know it is coming together. It is a lifelong journey.
Let me give you a warning that along the way you will make stops of errors and wrong decisions, disappointments but quickly get back on track. The Holy Spirit is a very great help in these times. Recently, I really lost it with the death of a young cousin. I mean my faith WAS SHAKEN and I found myself questioning my beliefs and God. This has never happened to me before. But you know what? You may be shaken but not God. He is resolute. While all this was going on with tears and a heart torn with grief, I told the devil in clear terms to butt out because I was not going his way either. I recall saying ‘devil, don’t even think you have a way into my life for this is between me and God’ while at the same time, I was informing God that I was not in the mood to communicate with Him. Well looking back at that close call, that part sounds comical but it wasn’t to me at that time. But God was truly marvellous for He sent a Word into my heart to heal me and later that day, confirmed certain aspects of my life that I had questioned. The Word was 2 Corinthians 4.8-9
“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed because we don’t know why things happen as they do, but we don’t’ give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going”, Living Bible
When I pondered on it, the pain began to melt away and there was a lifting of the burden of sorrow that I felt. Even though I couldn’t understand why she died of cancer with the medical help and prayer, yet I had an inner peace to move on. Two months later, while reading and meditating on Kenneth Hagin’s book called Health Food, I was able to understand some of the answers to my questions and that helped me to redefine the ways I could help my family spiritually. (I recommend the book if you want to build up your faith. It is written from the perspective of divine healing but if you must recognise that healing covers every aspect of life and not just illness. It is rich in the practical wisdom of God)
Another very important protocol is the Ministry of the Holy Spirit and your response to Him. Many do not even recognise the Holy Spirit as A PERSON with a PERSONALITY. It does not register in their mind that HE has a presence within them and that you can relate with Him as you do with the closest of friends and even better. Others think of Him as a last resort in trouble. But that is wrong- so wrong. You must recognise that the Holy Spirit is the best HELP that you have and the FIRST RECOURSE to any matter. Have sincere fellowship with Him. He keeps all your unspeakable and unrevealed secrets and He has the best advice. People are often amazed when I tell them that He helps me from fashion to cooking to every task or challenge. Don’t wait until the matter gets to a terrible state and then you suddenly want to find God - It may just be too late.
You want to experience God in your life? Then chose faith over facts and the right facts will soon be revealed. See things from a spiritual point of view and soon when the dust clears, you will be the one with the last laugh. In a world that has virtually mortgaged its soul to self and self and human theories, it is easy to get carried away in a subtle way and live life by what the philosophies of men in every sphere of life says. Often we seem not to openly stand for what is right because it does not quite fit into the belief systems of the world. But hear God first.
When you do things from God’s perspective, you will come out triumphant and much more than you thought possible.
God tells us that to believe that He exists and cares enough to respond to those that love Him (Hebrews 11.6)
Are there issues in your life at present where you seem not to have the right answers or you want to know that you are in God’s plan and purpose for your life? You may have broken with protocol. Make time (yes we never seem to have time for God but make one for everything else) and ask the Holy Spirit to help you to re-organise your life (make the necessary adjustments). You have enrolled in the everlasting school of the Spirit- no graduation to look forward to till we get to heaven.
A word of advice – you will not always shout halleluyah at first because the adjustments are not coming out of your will but you will definitely scream HALLELUYAH at last when you have experienced His will and it is always beautiful. Be teachable, ready to make inconvenient and sometimes difficult adjustments for that experience ahead. Your ploughed heart that is willing to obey and receiving the seeds of instruction can only produce a rich harvest in your life. Having enrolled in this school, I am amazed at so much experience of the Word and its application in new ways to dealing with life’s activities.
Don’t break with divine protocol. Learn the order of God in all issues of your life and follow it diligently. Of course there will be teething problems but God is ready with the right wisdom if you seek guidance. Don’t cut corners or turn aside to copy what the next person is doing- it will only delay the process and open you to more frustration. Let go of hastiness, competitiveness and comparison for they are unholy alliances. You want friends? Go with patience and a thankful heart.
YOU are a good person. That is God’s verdict not mine and it is written of you in the most apt and beautiful description in 1 Peter 2.9-10, The Message Bible
“But you are the ones chosen by God for the higher calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night and day difference he made for you- from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted”.
Granted you may not feel this way always or life has knocked you around but the above is who you really are. Start with acknowledging that daily in various ways and don’t allow contrary opinion to hold sway over your life. Only allow the Holy Spirit to bring you into the EXPERIENCE of this life. That is DIVINE PROTOCOL.
There is a protocol to every achievement or issue on the earth and so it is in Heaven. Webster’s Dictionary defines protocol as ‘a code of precedence in rank and status’. Consider the goal of achieving one’s ambition to receive a University degree, there is a protocol to that by filling the necessary forms, taking and passing the required tests, attendance at classes and passing the exam. We never try to circumvent this order and hope to achieve that goal, as the result will be failure. Yet, we often do not follow the divine protocol ordained by God for us and want to achieve extraordinary results in life. We wonder why we get less than excellent results, failure, frustration, fear and sometimes a destruction of life. We want to reap were we didn’t plough or sow any seeds for a specific harvest (I am not just referring to seeds in a monetary form). In this, we have all fallen short of the glory of God in our lives and the difference is in the degree of disobedience.
This truth was made very clear in my understanding as God was teaching me about the various issues of my life. God is a God of order – divine protocol. His laws and blessings are governed by protocol. To do otherwise will be chaos as the worldview accepts. He is perfect and no aspect of His nature or personality allows for confusion. He ordained a good earth and in spite of sin creeping into the world by Adam seeking to bypass that protocol, He has restored each person to that state of goodness in a personal committed relationship with Christ Jesus. He said at creation.
“And God looked over all that he had made and it was excellent in every way.” Genesis 1.31, Living Bible.
Yet, despite the influence of sin tainting the nature of man’s goodness, God introduced an order of restoration (a divine protocol to the experience of that state of Eden) in a daily living and growing relationship with Christ.
“ I am the living bread which came down from heaven...As the living Father sent Me and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on Me will live because of Me” John 6.51,57NKJV
Jesus emphasised this protocol of life many times. In another place, He said
“I am the Way- yes and the Truth and the Life. No one can get to the father except by means of me” John14.6
Jesus was very emphatic to let us know that achieving Godlike results does not come from personal decisions but from carrying out the instructions of our Father. He says He is the Way, Truth and Life and it can’t get any better than that. There are things that we seek to achieve on this earth and these can only be done from the place of obedience. Results are not just of a natural form (as the worldview will have us believe) but most importantly, of a spiritual kind.
If there is no spiritual foundation to anything you are presently engaged in, you will not have an inner fulfilment even where there is a measure of success. You will always be reaching for more of the outward to fill that void until a destructive behaviour sets in. That has been the pattern of the lives of people that put the natural over the spiritual.
“If God doesn’t build the house, the builders only build shacks. If God doesn’t guard the city, the night watchman might as well nap. It is useless to rise up early and go to bed late and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don’t you know he enjoys giving rest to those he loves?” Psalm 127.1-2
The rest (inner peace, outward excellence) is a gift that God has for all of us. Why choose to go outside of protocol and experience turmoil and suffering of many forms? The divine protocol is simple- GOD FIRST above all things!!! Well you say ‘But I do that all the time’ really! Have you been a little bit sincere and truthful about your decision making process? Are they coming from a place of fellowship with God and this does not have to involve hours of your time or are you listening to every intellectual discussion, opinion and the latest fad in town. Are you keeping up with the ‘Jones’ of fashion, religion, education and everything else and using God as some rubber stamp on your thinking. Unfortunately, that will never give you the experience of God’s rest.
Over the years, man has tried to bypass this protocol without much success. God’s rest is all encompassing and not partial as the worldview advertises to deceive. It is often wrapped up in the allure of fame and fortune but that will not suffice and neither will religion and its activities either. The reason is that every act of your will outside of God regardless of its seeming correctness is self righteousness - your will and not God’s will. Hear what the Scriptures say of that
“For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness and seek to establish their own righteousness have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes” Romans 10.3-4, NK JV
Thus, it is clear that what counts with God is His righteousness and not your perception about anything. That is divine protocol. Learning to follow it involves a DAILY WALK and WORK with God- listening, teachable to correction, making daily and most of the time inconvenient adjustments without gripping about it( sometimes you do but you soon realise that you lose ground doing so and re-adjust). It is a slow yet steady work of restoration and transformation but the results of obedience are inner peace and outer excellence.
When this understanding entered into my heart, it was like pure joy. I suddenly understood myself better, recognising my mistakes with clarity and making the adjustments with excitement within because I could see the bigger picture and not the immediate circumstances. Lots of times my spirit is busting with excitement and I find myself laughing and giving thanks even though there is nothing on the outside at that moment causing that action. It is the move of the spirit knowing what is ahead and is coming. That is why you can’t give up even though you may not yet have all the answers but you know it is coming together. It is a lifelong journey.
Let me give you a warning that along the way you will make stops of errors and wrong decisions, disappointments but quickly get back on track. The Holy Spirit is a very great help in these times. Recently, I really lost it with the death of a young cousin. I mean my faith WAS SHAKEN and I found myself questioning my beliefs and God. This has never happened to me before. But you know what? You may be shaken but not God. He is resolute. While all this was going on with tears and a heart torn with grief, I told the devil in clear terms to butt out because I was not going his way either. I recall saying ‘devil, don’t even think you have a way into my life for this is between me and God’ while at the same time, I was informing God that I was not in the mood to communicate with Him. Well looking back at that close call, that part sounds comical but it wasn’t to me at that time. But God was truly marvellous for He sent a Word into my heart to heal me and later that day, confirmed certain aspects of my life that I had questioned. The Word was 2 Corinthians 4.8-9
“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed because we don’t know why things happen as they do, but we don’t’ give up and quit. We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going”, Living Bible
When I pondered on it, the pain began to melt away and there was a lifting of the burden of sorrow that I felt. Even though I couldn’t understand why she died of cancer with the medical help and prayer, yet I had an inner peace to move on. Two months later, while reading and meditating on Kenneth Hagin’s book called Health Food, I was able to understand some of the answers to my questions and that helped me to redefine the ways I could help my family spiritually. (I recommend the book if you want to build up your faith. It is written from the perspective of divine healing but if you must recognise that healing covers every aspect of life and not just illness. It is rich in the practical wisdom of God)
Another very important protocol is the Ministry of the Holy Spirit and your response to Him. Many do not even recognise the Holy Spirit as A PERSON with a PERSONALITY. It does not register in their mind that HE has a presence within them and that you can relate with Him as you do with the closest of friends and even better. Others think of Him as a last resort in trouble. But that is wrong- so wrong. You must recognise that the Holy Spirit is the best HELP that you have and the FIRST RECOURSE to any matter. Have sincere fellowship with Him. He keeps all your unspeakable and unrevealed secrets and He has the best advice. People are often amazed when I tell them that He helps me from fashion to cooking to every task or challenge. Don’t wait until the matter gets to a terrible state and then you suddenly want to find God - It may just be too late.
You want to experience God in your life? Then chose faith over facts and the right facts will soon be revealed. See things from a spiritual point of view and soon when the dust clears, you will be the one with the last laugh. In a world that has virtually mortgaged its soul to self and self and human theories, it is easy to get carried away in a subtle way and live life by what the philosophies of men in every sphere of life says. Often we seem not to openly stand for what is right because it does not quite fit into the belief systems of the world. But hear God first.
When you do things from God’s perspective, you will come out triumphant and much more than you thought possible.
God tells us that to believe that He exists and cares enough to respond to those that love Him (Hebrews 11.6)
Are there issues in your life at present where you seem not to have the right answers or you want to know that you are in God’s plan and purpose for your life? You may have broken with protocol. Make time (yes we never seem to have time for God but make one for everything else) and ask the Holy Spirit to help you to re-organise your life (make the necessary adjustments). You have enrolled in the everlasting school of the Spirit- no graduation to look forward to till we get to heaven.
A word of advice – you will not always shout halleluyah at first because the adjustments are not coming out of your will but you will definitely scream HALLELUYAH at last when you have experienced His will and it is always beautiful. Be teachable, ready to make inconvenient and sometimes difficult adjustments for that experience ahead. Your ploughed heart that is willing to obey and receiving the seeds of instruction can only produce a rich harvest in your life. Having enrolled in this school, I am amazed at so much experience of the Word and its application in new ways to dealing with life’s activities.
Don’t break with divine protocol. Learn the order of God in all issues of your life and follow it diligently. Of course there will be teething problems but God is ready with the right wisdom if you seek guidance. Don’t cut corners or turn aside to copy what the next person is doing- it will only delay the process and open you to more frustration. Let go of hastiness, competitiveness and comparison for they are unholy alliances. You want friends? Go with patience and a thankful heart.
YOU are a good person. That is God’s verdict not mine and it is written of you in the most apt and beautiful description in 1 Peter 2.9-10, The Message Bible
“But you are the ones chosen by God for the higher calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night and day difference he made for you- from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted”.
Granted you may not feel this way always or life has knocked you around but the above is who you really are. Start with acknowledging that daily in various ways and don’t allow contrary opinion to hold sway over your life. Only allow the Holy Spirit to bring you into the EXPERIENCE of this life. That is DIVINE PROTOCOL.
THE KINGSHIP ROLE OF THE BELIEVER
“So I prophesied as he commanded me and the breath came into them and they lived and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army” Ezekiel 37.10, KJV
The above description of the army above refers to the saints of God – an army of influence on the earth dominating our environment. God has called us in Christ to reign on the earth over all circumstances. It is not a reign of autocracy but of excellence in the affairs of life. That we have a kingship role is not in doubt. Scripture repeats this frequently. 1 Peter 2.9-10 speaks of our being a ‘royal priesthood’. Our kingdom is of the spiritual while our influence is on the earth.
In other words, we are to bring the kingdom of God into the lives of people in our various communities. This is the assignment that God has chosen for us to accomplish and it is explicitly stated in;
“ARISE, MY PEOPLE! Let your light shine for all the nations to see! For the glory of the Lord is streaming from you...All nations will come to your light; mighty kings will come to see the glory of the Lord upon you” Isaiah 60.1-3, Living Bible
So what is to be the problem as we do not seem to be exerting the influence we should in all spheres of life. Are Christians being taken seriously when decisions that affect our lives are being considered? Are we gaining ground or losing that which we have? Where is our influence as a group in our various communities and countries? Do we think as saints – the Body of Christ or are we unnecessarily factionalised to have weakened the operation of the power within? Is our light set on a hill or is it hidden? What really is our strategy for our Assignment? Is the world contaminating us when we should be streaming the glory of God to it?
All these questions and more is what we must stop to ponder upon – each one of us if we are truly sincere about being Christians and carrying out our God ordained role on the earth. Our fellow saints like Joseph and Daniel understood this and did excellently well. They influenced their world and refused to be tainted by the ever changing worldviews of their time. We need to learn from them the way of the kingdom. Here is the account of Joseph’s influence in Egypt.
“The Lord greatly blessed Joseph there in the home of his master, so that everything he did succeeded .Portipher noticed this and realised that the Lord was with Joseph in a special way. So Joseph naturally became quite a favourite with him. Soon he was put in charge of the administration of Portipher’s household and all of his business affairs. At once the Lord began blessing Portipher for Joseph’s sake... he didn’t have a worry in the world with Joseph there, except to decide what he wanted to eat!” Genesis 39.2-6, Living Bible
Now, that is some tremendous influence on one’s employer and all this was done as a slave in Egypt. Again, the king’s testimony after Joseph exhibited excellence in interpreting his dreams. He was given the plum job of a Prime Minister;
“Who could do it better than Joseph? For he is a man who is obviously filled with the Spirit of God...you are the wisest man in the country!...”Genesis41.38-39, Living Bible
Joseph didn’t come from heaven. He was one of us yet he understood his purpose and was diligent about it. That is what is lacking in the Christian community. We have put aside God’s grand plan as stated in Isaiah 60.1-3 and followed ours. We have lost influence on the earth and even in our communities. We spend so much time bickering about our personal beliefs while the world is united in theirs and gaining a foothold in our lives.
Consider our thought patterns, beliefs and actions? Do they line up with the Word or the world? I am concerned when I see Christians separating the spiritual from the secular and openly confusing both the world and their brethren by advocating and championing gay rights, liberal views on just about anything that offends the laws of God. We have really lost ground. Daniel and Paul would be so sad at our present behaviour. It also shows that we have not understood what our role is.
Do take note, that this action was not just limited to the food and wine but in every aspect of his affairs. Daniel and his three brethren took a stand. How often have you taken a stand that was contrary to worldview on any issue? Do you agree with the crowd whether in spiritual or secular circle? - The ‘never rock the boat mentality’. If so, you are losing ground where it matters and may end up even losing your faith because it is the little foxes that spoil the vines.
Our kingship role of influencing others means we must take a godly stand always like Daniel, Joseph, Paul and others even in our present day. The world has an agenda to destroy the godly boundaries that God has set. Don’t allow yourself to become a part of that agenda whether in ignorance or in error. Be wise!
God rewards those who take a stand on His behalf. After Daniel’s action, the king found him and his brethren superior to others. Nebuchadnezzer had this to say of him;
“He said to Daniel “your God is beyond question the God of all gods, the Master of all kings and He solves all mysteries. I know because you’ve solved this mystery”. Then the king promoted Daniel to a high position in the kingdom, lavished him with gifts and made him governor over the entire province of Babylon and the chief in charge of all Babylonian wise men” Daniel 2.46-48, The Message
Daniel was working in captivity in a secular environment. Daniel was not in a religious order yet he made such an astonishing impression on the king with Godly principles. Are you doing so in your place of work neighbourhood, among friends? Or is it a case of running with the hare and hunting with the hounds – sitting on the fence when the chips are done?
God is not pleased with such behaviour. He wants us to take stock of our actions today and begin the process of change. This is more than mere soul searching. It is a time for deeper reflection on our personal conduct and lifestyle if we sincerely believe we are born into the family of God. We cannot continue to live below our royal traditions and expect that all will be well. God is not interested in sacrifices but in OBEDIENCE!!
All over the world today, the Christian influence has been restricted to ‘religious activities’ like charitable causes, crusades and church programmes. These are good but not the best that we can do. God ‘s command is to influence every facet of life such as technology, education, medicine, science, arts, entertainment, law, finance, politics and all spheres of life. In all of them, there is a wisdom of God that the saints should exhibit that will gain the world’s attention. Joseph and Daniel thrived in such secular matters and made a great impression. Here is an account of such excellence by Daniel;
“Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other presidents and governor’s, for he had great ability and the king began to think of placing him over the entire empire as his administrative officer. This made the other presidents and governors very jealous...but they couldn’t find anything to criticise! He was faithful and honest and made no mistakes. So they concluded “our only choice is his religion!” Daniel 6.3-5, Living Bible
Even in that aspect of his faithfulness to God, he was not found wanting. Putting their plan to get Daniel to deny God was also ineffective as Daniel had already determined to take a stand for God ALWAYS!
“So King Darius signed the law. But though Daniel knew about it, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs bedroom, with the windows open towards Jerusalem and prayed three times a day , just as he always had, giving thanks to his God” Daniel 6.9-10, Living Bible.
Daniel’s life is an example of the Christian kingship influence on others. Despite a law made solely to trap Daniel and which consequence in disobedience was a trip into the lion’s den, he remained resolute in his actions regarding his faith; unperturbed! That is the true Christian character in the face of severe trials. While we applaud Daniel’s conduct, can we equally say our actions are like his? When the last time you took a stand that caused you some sacrifice and hardship for the sake of your faith? Are you easily moved to switch sides when the chips are down – avoiding the lion’s den experience? Or is it your belief that such actions are for certain special people and not you.
Pause!.....If you do believe that you have fallen short of these standards that God has set , then you have come to the right decision. God is always on the lookout for anyone willing to make such adjustments. He is not interested in our condemnation but our salvation. The Scriptures records that the influence of some of our brethren caused the people to make certain remarks. For Jason and some brethren, they said of them
“These who have turned the world upside down have come here too” Acts 17.6, NKJV
Yes! Our assignment is to turn the world upside down with God’s laws. In another incident, there was the same report.
“When the Council saw the boldness of Peter and John and could see that they were obviously uneducated non- professionals, they were amazed and realised what being with Jesus had done for them! Acts 4.13, Living Bible( emphasis mine)
Their being with Jesus was not of a physical relationship with Him but of the spiritual where they imbibed the character of Christ into their life and the result was the overwhelming influence they had. So, how can we restore our kingship role in the world such that comments like the ones above will be made about us. This is our responsibility as the saints of God. Here are a few steps to begin that journey.
DIVINE PROTOCOL – Jesus gave the order of protocol as follows;
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other or he will stand by and be devoted to the one and despise and be against the other. You cannot serve god and mammon (deceitful riches,money,possession or whatever is trusted in)”Mathew 6.24, Amplified Bible
The right order of leadership is god first above all. That is how Joseph, Daniel, Paul, Peter, Stephen and all the people whose lives encourage us in the faith have lived( inclusive of modern day saints). That is divine protocol. In response to a threat not to preach the gospel by the high Priest and Sadduces ( the Jewish religious establishment), Peter gave this resolute answer that we must make our stand always!
“We must obey God rather than men,” Acts 5.29, Amplified Bible
Yes! There is a daily threat to obeying God but He has not left without protection. But what most Christians want is to walk by sight and not faith – The “God show me the protection before I take a stand” attitude. This is disobedience. Our protection comes when we first take the steps of faith in obedience. Jesus said “...and lo, I am with you always even to the end of the age.” Mathew 28.20, NKJV. It is either you believe His Word or you don’t. There is no in between. There is a grace for every situation, but you have to show yourself committed first.
DIVINE GUIDANCE - Exercising our Christian influence means walking in divine instruction in all aspects of your life and not just ‘religious activities’. Godly guidance is all encompassing because our actions are all connected, so that one bad seed can affect other areas of life. This is where the Ministry of the Holy Spirit is important. I cannot overemphasise this truth. Without a close intimate relationship with him, it is almost impossible to truly experience the Christian life.(not religious activities but influence) The world and it’s ways are deceptive and corrupting and knowing how to specifically overcome those challenges can only come from the guidance that the Holy spirit provides on a daily basis.
Most Christians have no real influence on others because they cannot stand up boldly for what they profess and cannot comprehend how to deal with practical issues that test their faith. This is because there is no intimate fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Some don’t even know Him as a living person.
In a world where the truth hardly exists and lies have been deceptively marketed as ‘truth’. You will fall for such without the holy Spirit revealing these strange voices that are often very subtle and persistent. Jesus is the Truth and it is the Holy Spirit that can help you recognise and practise it on any issue.
“However when He, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my Name, he will teach you all things” 1 John 14.26,NKJV
He filters all things and lets you have the Godly perspective in a practical way. Besides, He also gives you the experience of grace for every decision you have to make. You cannot get a better deal anywhere or with anyone. There is a lot error in our world and it has been made more efficient in its spread by the various forms of media we have in existence such as the internet. Also, a lot of it comes from the opinion that some highly respected individuals with a huge influence have spoken. Recently, I read about a very successful talk show host who erroneously stated that the mind of a person is god and therefore God is not a person. This woman is very wealthy and commands a great influence on her viewers and so many believe that her opinion is true on all issues. By these words, she has questioned the existence of God, the incarnation of Jesus Christ and the salvation work. How do you counter such without the Holy Spirit to reveal such errors? These cuts across various professions and people.
SUBMISSION – This is another aspect of seeking guidance. You can only be guided when you are teachable and submissive.
“In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths” Proverbs 3.6NKJV
Meditating on this truth helped me understand in a much deeper way the wonderful fatherly care of God. Consider how we all look out for kids whenever we see that they may be in danger, we go to so much length to protect them because we know that they are vulnerable and can easily be harmed due to their young age. That is how God watches over us in a much bigger way. He sees all things and therefore is in the best position to know the truth about any issue and give you the right guidance. So why do we often depart from this path and choose to follow our ways that are limited and open to error?
How often do you ask God out of respect for help on any matter?( not when you are now desperate after trying out all other ways of help and failed). For many, God is the last resort after all human assistance has been exhausted, frustration has set in and a lot of unnecessary suffering has taken place. Most people have their daily affairs known to everyone from friends to family but not God. No! God is the last card for them, the ‘joker’ for any situation. I was once in that category but I have repented and I make my plans (in all things) known to Him, seeking His guidance. Even when I sometimes slip, I am corrected and get back on track. It has proven to be the best decision, saved me from humiliation and a waste of time.
Seeking the counsel of God first, will enable you get the right form of assistance you need and save you from wrong choices, some of which lead to deadly consequences. When you seek God, then the human aspect will be easier to receive. People are raised up to help you and do it with respect and a sense of dignity unlike where you go begging for help that opens you up to all sorts of humiliation, manipulation and even ungodly acts. I have been through these experiences and I will NEVER GO BACK!!
“WOE TO MY rebellious children, says the Lord; you ask advice from everyone but me, and decide to do what I don’t want you to do. You yoke yourselves with unbelievers, thus piling up your sins.”Isaiah 30.1, Living Bible.
Seeking God, means relating with Him, devoid of any hypocrisy or religious piety. God knows you beyond your personal knowledge. Tell it to Him as it is rather than sugar coating it as though you can deceive him. You can do that with man but not God. Be sincere and he will honour your honesty. I cannot relate the numerous times God let me into my real thoughts that I was not even aware of in order to help me make the adjustments that will give me the desires of my heart( that are in alignment with His desires of course)
Relate with God on a daily basis in the most flexible ways and unorthodox too. Too many people are stiff before God. Lighten up! He isn’t going to chew you up and spit you out. He is very caring, considerate even when He has to apply some discipline to you. Don’t be like the Pharisees that think the wearing a long and ‘serious’ face is how to approach God. Approach Him as a friend whom you have a high regard for and yet is comfortable with. God is very approachable. Don’t put God in a box for certain times. Let Him into your life at all times.
Many have suffered the consequences of putting God outside ‘small decisions’ which impact created a huge mess in the end. Remember, it is the little foxes that spoil the vines. Whether in small or major issues, let god be Lord over all.
Be open to new adjustments in guidance. Don’t come to God with settled decisions looking for a rubber stamp approval. It is an insult. You will not hear God while you are holding on to your own mindset on any matter. That is a spiritual law. Come ready to be led – that is guidance!
While the list is not exhaustive, these are the seeds that should be sown to create the foundation for a life of excellent leadership. To begin with this will open you up to step by step guidance that is richly rewarding and fulfilling. We are called to be the salt of the earth; the light that is set on a hill for all to see; the exceeding great army of influence. Let us not be weary in our calling nor be too quick to accept a lesser and mediocre life.
START NOW!!
The above description of the army above refers to the saints of God – an army of influence on the earth dominating our environment. God has called us in Christ to reign on the earth over all circumstances. It is not a reign of autocracy but of excellence in the affairs of life. That we have a kingship role is not in doubt. Scripture repeats this frequently. 1 Peter 2.9-10 speaks of our being a ‘royal priesthood’. Our kingdom is of the spiritual while our influence is on the earth.
In other words, we are to bring the kingdom of God into the lives of people in our various communities. This is the assignment that God has chosen for us to accomplish and it is explicitly stated in;
“ARISE, MY PEOPLE! Let your light shine for all the nations to see! For the glory of the Lord is streaming from you...All nations will come to your light; mighty kings will come to see the glory of the Lord upon you” Isaiah 60.1-3, Living Bible
So what is to be the problem as we do not seem to be exerting the influence we should in all spheres of life. Are Christians being taken seriously when decisions that affect our lives are being considered? Are we gaining ground or losing that which we have? Where is our influence as a group in our various communities and countries? Do we think as saints – the Body of Christ or are we unnecessarily factionalised to have weakened the operation of the power within? Is our light set on a hill or is it hidden? What really is our strategy for our Assignment? Is the world contaminating us when we should be streaming the glory of God to it?
All these questions and more is what we must stop to ponder upon – each one of us if we are truly sincere about being Christians and carrying out our God ordained role on the earth. Our fellow saints like Joseph and Daniel understood this and did excellently well. They influenced their world and refused to be tainted by the ever changing worldviews of their time. We need to learn from them the way of the kingdom. Here is the account of Joseph’s influence in Egypt.
“The Lord greatly blessed Joseph there in the home of his master, so that everything he did succeeded .Portipher noticed this and realised that the Lord was with Joseph in a special way. So Joseph naturally became quite a favourite with him. Soon he was put in charge of the administration of Portipher’s household and all of his business affairs. At once the Lord began blessing Portipher for Joseph’s sake... he didn’t have a worry in the world with Joseph there, except to decide what he wanted to eat!” Genesis 39.2-6, Living Bible
Now, that is some tremendous influence on one’s employer and all this was done as a slave in Egypt. Again, the king’s testimony after Joseph exhibited excellence in interpreting his dreams. He was given the plum job of a Prime Minister;
“Who could do it better than Joseph? For he is a man who is obviously filled with the Spirit of God...you are the wisest man in the country!...”Genesis41.38-39, Living Bible
Joseph didn’t come from heaven. He was one of us yet he understood his purpose and was diligent about it. That is what is lacking in the Christian community. We have put aside God’s grand plan as stated in Isaiah 60.1-3 and followed ours. We have lost influence on the earth and even in our communities. We spend so much time bickering about our personal beliefs while the world is united in theirs and gaining a foothold in our lives.
Consider our thought patterns, beliefs and actions? Do they line up with the Word or the world? I am concerned when I see Christians separating the spiritual from the secular and openly confusing both the world and their brethren by advocating and championing gay rights, liberal views on just about anything that offends the laws of God. We have really lost ground. Daniel and Paul would be so sad at our present behaviour. It also shows that we have not understood what our role is.
Do take note, that this action was not just limited to the food and wine but in every aspect of his affairs. Daniel and his three brethren took a stand. How often have you taken a stand that was contrary to worldview on any issue? Do you agree with the crowd whether in spiritual or secular circle? - The ‘never rock the boat mentality’. If so, you are losing ground where it matters and may end up even losing your faith because it is the little foxes that spoil the vines.
Our kingship role of influencing others means we must take a godly stand always like Daniel, Joseph, Paul and others even in our present day. The world has an agenda to destroy the godly boundaries that God has set. Don’t allow yourself to become a part of that agenda whether in ignorance or in error. Be wise!
God rewards those who take a stand on His behalf. After Daniel’s action, the king found him and his brethren superior to others. Nebuchadnezzer had this to say of him;
“He said to Daniel “your God is beyond question the God of all gods, the Master of all kings and He solves all mysteries. I know because you’ve solved this mystery”. Then the king promoted Daniel to a high position in the kingdom, lavished him with gifts and made him governor over the entire province of Babylon and the chief in charge of all Babylonian wise men” Daniel 2.46-48, The Message
Daniel was working in captivity in a secular environment. Daniel was not in a religious order yet he made such an astonishing impression on the king with Godly principles. Are you doing so in your place of work neighbourhood, among friends? Or is it a case of running with the hare and hunting with the hounds – sitting on the fence when the chips are done?
God is not pleased with such behaviour. He wants us to take stock of our actions today and begin the process of change. This is more than mere soul searching. It is a time for deeper reflection on our personal conduct and lifestyle if we sincerely believe we are born into the family of God. We cannot continue to live below our royal traditions and expect that all will be well. God is not interested in sacrifices but in OBEDIENCE!!
All over the world today, the Christian influence has been restricted to ‘religious activities’ like charitable causes, crusades and church programmes. These are good but not the best that we can do. God ‘s command is to influence every facet of life such as technology, education, medicine, science, arts, entertainment, law, finance, politics and all spheres of life. In all of them, there is a wisdom of God that the saints should exhibit that will gain the world’s attention. Joseph and Daniel thrived in such secular matters and made a great impression. Here is an account of such excellence by Daniel;
“Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other presidents and governor’s, for he had great ability and the king began to think of placing him over the entire empire as his administrative officer. This made the other presidents and governors very jealous...but they couldn’t find anything to criticise! He was faithful and honest and made no mistakes. So they concluded “our only choice is his religion!” Daniel 6.3-5, Living Bible
Even in that aspect of his faithfulness to God, he was not found wanting. Putting their plan to get Daniel to deny God was also ineffective as Daniel had already determined to take a stand for God ALWAYS!
“So King Darius signed the law. But though Daniel knew about it, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs bedroom, with the windows open towards Jerusalem and prayed three times a day , just as he always had, giving thanks to his God” Daniel 6.9-10, Living Bible.
Daniel’s life is an example of the Christian kingship influence on others. Despite a law made solely to trap Daniel and which consequence in disobedience was a trip into the lion’s den, he remained resolute in his actions regarding his faith; unperturbed! That is the true Christian character in the face of severe trials. While we applaud Daniel’s conduct, can we equally say our actions are like his? When the last time you took a stand that caused you some sacrifice and hardship for the sake of your faith? Are you easily moved to switch sides when the chips are down – avoiding the lion’s den experience? Or is it your belief that such actions are for certain special people and not you.
Pause!.....If you do believe that you have fallen short of these standards that God has set , then you have come to the right decision. God is always on the lookout for anyone willing to make such adjustments. He is not interested in our condemnation but our salvation. The Scriptures records that the influence of some of our brethren caused the people to make certain remarks. For Jason and some brethren, they said of them
“These who have turned the world upside down have come here too” Acts 17.6, NKJV
Yes! Our assignment is to turn the world upside down with God’s laws. In another incident, there was the same report.
“When the Council saw the boldness of Peter and John and could see that they were obviously uneducated non- professionals, they were amazed and realised what being with Jesus had done for them! Acts 4.13, Living Bible( emphasis mine)
Their being with Jesus was not of a physical relationship with Him but of the spiritual where they imbibed the character of Christ into their life and the result was the overwhelming influence they had. So, how can we restore our kingship role in the world such that comments like the ones above will be made about us. This is our responsibility as the saints of God. Here are a few steps to begin that journey.
DIVINE PROTOCOL – Jesus gave the order of protocol as follows;
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other or he will stand by and be devoted to the one and despise and be against the other. You cannot serve god and mammon (deceitful riches,money,possession or whatever is trusted in)”Mathew 6.24, Amplified Bible
The right order of leadership is god first above all. That is how Joseph, Daniel, Paul, Peter, Stephen and all the people whose lives encourage us in the faith have lived( inclusive of modern day saints). That is divine protocol. In response to a threat not to preach the gospel by the high Priest and Sadduces ( the Jewish religious establishment), Peter gave this resolute answer that we must make our stand always!
“We must obey God rather than men,” Acts 5.29, Amplified Bible
Yes! There is a daily threat to obeying God but He has not left without protection. But what most Christians want is to walk by sight and not faith – The “God show me the protection before I take a stand” attitude. This is disobedience. Our protection comes when we first take the steps of faith in obedience. Jesus said “...and lo, I am with you always even to the end of the age.” Mathew 28.20, NKJV. It is either you believe His Word or you don’t. There is no in between. There is a grace for every situation, but you have to show yourself committed first.
DIVINE GUIDANCE - Exercising our Christian influence means walking in divine instruction in all aspects of your life and not just ‘religious activities’. Godly guidance is all encompassing because our actions are all connected, so that one bad seed can affect other areas of life. This is where the Ministry of the Holy Spirit is important. I cannot overemphasise this truth. Without a close intimate relationship with him, it is almost impossible to truly experience the Christian life.(not religious activities but influence) The world and it’s ways are deceptive and corrupting and knowing how to specifically overcome those challenges can only come from the guidance that the Holy spirit provides on a daily basis.
Most Christians have no real influence on others because they cannot stand up boldly for what they profess and cannot comprehend how to deal with practical issues that test their faith. This is because there is no intimate fellowship with the Holy Spirit. Some don’t even know Him as a living person.
In a world where the truth hardly exists and lies have been deceptively marketed as ‘truth’. You will fall for such without the holy Spirit revealing these strange voices that are often very subtle and persistent. Jesus is the Truth and it is the Holy Spirit that can help you recognise and practise it on any issue.
“However when He, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my Name, he will teach you all things” 1 John 14.26,NKJV
He filters all things and lets you have the Godly perspective in a practical way. Besides, He also gives you the experience of grace for every decision you have to make. You cannot get a better deal anywhere or with anyone. There is a lot error in our world and it has been made more efficient in its spread by the various forms of media we have in existence such as the internet. Also, a lot of it comes from the opinion that some highly respected individuals with a huge influence have spoken. Recently, I read about a very successful talk show host who erroneously stated that the mind of a person is god and therefore God is not a person. This woman is very wealthy and commands a great influence on her viewers and so many believe that her opinion is true on all issues. By these words, she has questioned the existence of God, the incarnation of Jesus Christ and the salvation work. How do you counter such without the Holy Spirit to reveal such errors? These cuts across various professions and people.
SUBMISSION – This is another aspect of seeking guidance. You can only be guided when you are teachable and submissive.
“In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths” Proverbs 3.6NKJV
Meditating on this truth helped me understand in a much deeper way the wonderful fatherly care of God. Consider how we all look out for kids whenever we see that they may be in danger, we go to so much length to protect them because we know that they are vulnerable and can easily be harmed due to their young age. That is how God watches over us in a much bigger way. He sees all things and therefore is in the best position to know the truth about any issue and give you the right guidance. So why do we often depart from this path and choose to follow our ways that are limited and open to error?
How often do you ask God out of respect for help on any matter?( not when you are now desperate after trying out all other ways of help and failed). For many, God is the last resort after all human assistance has been exhausted, frustration has set in and a lot of unnecessary suffering has taken place. Most people have their daily affairs known to everyone from friends to family but not God. No! God is the last card for them, the ‘joker’ for any situation. I was once in that category but I have repented and I make my plans (in all things) known to Him, seeking His guidance. Even when I sometimes slip, I am corrected and get back on track. It has proven to be the best decision, saved me from humiliation and a waste of time.
Seeking the counsel of God first, will enable you get the right form of assistance you need and save you from wrong choices, some of which lead to deadly consequences. When you seek God, then the human aspect will be easier to receive. People are raised up to help you and do it with respect and a sense of dignity unlike where you go begging for help that opens you up to all sorts of humiliation, manipulation and even ungodly acts. I have been through these experiences and I will NEVER GO BACK!!
“WOE TO MY rebellious children, says the Lord; you ask advice from everyone but me, and decide to do what I don’t want you to do. You yoke yourselves with unbelievers, thus piling up your sins.”Isaiah 30.1, Living Bible.
Seeking God, means relating with Him, devoid of any hypocrisy or religious piety. God knows you beyond your personal knowledge. Tell it to Him as it is rather than sugar coating it as though you can deceive him. You can do that with man but not God. Be sincere and he will honour your honesty. I cannot relate the numerous times God let me into my real thoughts that I was not even aware of in order to help me make the adjustments that will give me the desires of my heart( that are in alignment with His desires of course)
Relate with God on a daily basis in the most flexible ways and unorthodox too. Too many people are stiff before God. Lighten up! He isn’t going to chew you up and spit you out. He is very caring, considerate even when He has to apply some discipline to you. Don’t be like the Pharisees that think the wearing a long and ‘serious’ face is how to approach God. Approach Him as a friend whom you have a high regard for and yet is comfortable with. God is very approachable. Don’t put God in a box for certain times. Let Him into your life at all times.
Many have suffered the consequences of putting God outside ‘small decisions’ which impact created a huge mess in the end. Remember, it is the little foxes that spoil the vines. Whether in small or major issues, let god be Lord over all.
Be open to new adjustments in guidance. Don’t come to God with settled decisions looking for a rubber stamp approval. It is an insult. You will not hear God while you are holding on to your own mindset on any matter. That is a spiritual law. Come ready to be led – that is guidance!
While the list is not exhaustive, these are the seeds that should be sown to create the foundation for a life of excellent leadership. To begin with this will open you up to step by step guidance that is richly rewarding and fulfilling. We are called to be the salt of the earth; the light that is set on a hill for all to see; the exceeding great army of influence. Let us not be weary in our calling nor be too quick to accept a lesser and mediocre life.
START NOW!!
THE PRACTICE OF INDIVIDUALITY IN FULFILLING YOUR DESTINY
“Look to Abraham your father and to Sarah who bore you; For I called him alone and blessed him and increased him” Isaiah 51.2, NKJV
In a world where extremes rule the day, it is very reassuring to know that God had ordained the form by which our fellowship with Him will take - the order of individuality. While social networks may be the present exciting and fashionable order of life and seclusion is seen as an abomination. It is important to know that each of us is a unique personality created by God to do distinctive things and walk with Him as an individual.
It is only by this one on one relationship that we can become a relevant and productive part of the whole human race. Until this is understood, we will continue to live stressful lives that have put our personality to the subjection of social groups. The place of the individual is being lost to social grouping whether of a religious or secular and those who assert their godly right are seen as odd.
Yet God showed us by His call of Abraham that the right of the individual is critical in a fellowship with Him. There is a subtle and sometimes overt call to conformity without any regard to the individual. Now this doctrine is not in disregard to the importance of the larger society but a respect for the ‘wholeness’ of a person in his unique character.
Webster’s Dictionary, International edition defines individuality as ‘the quality or characteristics that make one person or thing different from others; the quality or state of being individual. Also an individual is defined as ‘existing as a complete and separate entity; distinctive striking different from others; one person, animal, organism etc as distinguished from a group’
The doctrine of individuality in scripture has to do with the order of first being a singular person, complete and special before being part of a body. None of us completes another but in our various uncommon and unequalled characteristics we bring beneficial good to others in a group. Thus, it is because we first experience that personal liberty that we can bring the same for the common good. Alas! This is what is lacking today where a cult like following in overt and subtle religious and secular ways seem to be the norm and fashionable order of life.
The godly identity that God gave each person is unfortunately being eroded by an overbearing popular culture of life. God spoke about this important truth to Jeremiah
“Before I have formed you in the womb. I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations” Jeremiah 1.5NKJV
Note that God was emphatic about Him being the creator of Jeremiah’s life and purpose – not his society, religion, culturel or family. This was to emphasise the importance of his wholeness as an individual dedicated to God and from which the experiences of his life and relationships would be formed.
The implication of this truth is so important to the way we make our choices and its consequences in our lives. Being dedicated to God means having a total dependence on Him from which every activity of our life proceeds giving us the identity that reveals His plans and purpose for us and creation. When we are out of order, it brings unpleasant circumstances for us and others.
A good example is the choice that Abraham made when he was still waiting to receive the fullness of the promise of God for a child. God called Abraham out of his family and country to begin a new special kind of people on the earth. Abraham obeyed and left his family and home to begin a spiritual and physical journey with God. This call to individuality was re-emphasised when God said to him
“Walk before me and be thou perfect” Genesis 17.1KJV
Yet Abraham in his quest to have a child listened to Sarah about taking on a concubine and conceived Ishmael by Hagar, her servant. By that singular act of disobedience, he put in jeopardy the lives of people in generations to come. For the effect of that decision is what is the behind the various violent uprisings as we have experienced all over the world causing untold sufferings.
“And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every hand against him” Genesis 16-12KJV
God had made it clear Ishmael was not the son of promise despite Abraham’s desire. (See Genesis 17.18). Sarah conceived of Isaac and went on to bring in the lineage of Christ that we are members of today.
Understanding individuality is key to walking before God and being perfect. In each person lies the specific plan of God and it is in dedicating ourselves to His guidance that we experience the riches of glory, fulfilment and inner peace that overcomes any odds. God’s guidance is unique to each of us and we must never give place to anything or person that wants to usurp that position.
Through series of adjustments that Abraham made in walking with God, he remained faithful to the call and the testimony of his life is summed up by God and his servant, Eliezer
“And the lord hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great; and he hath given him flocks and herds and silver and gold and menservants and maidservants and camels and asses” Genesis 24.35
God spoke of Abraham;
“Because that Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes and my laws “Genesis 26.5
Abraham had this good report about him because he learnt to be obedient to God first before anything else
Just as God called Abraham alone, so he has called everyone. The different outcomes is in whether like Abraham, we will obey the call to separateness and enter into a covenant with God about our lives while making the necessary adjustments even when we fall out of line. The testimony of God and men will be as that of our father of faith – Abraham.
In creation as well as in fellowship with God, there is a divine protocol – an order about things. When God formed man, He first made him a solitary person before creating a relationship for him – Eve. That is the divine order of relationship with God and men. You must first discover and harness your personal identity before your relationships will be in order. To overturn this as the world presently advocates is to bring in disorder. Therefore one is first exclusive before he can be inclusive of the whole.
Losing one’s identity because one erroneously believes that conformity is the first order is what brings inner dissatisfaction and external disorderly conduct. Either way the intended good of God’s plan is never achieved.
What does it mean to be ‘called alone’ as Abraham was? T o understand this, we must consider that being of a solitary nature is not being aloof.
Webster’s dictionary of International Edition defines aloof as ‘reserved, cold in manner’. That is the negative side of being alone. It is also not loneliness or being isolated from others. It is establishing your right to a personal identity from which the decisions of your life will be made. When that is in place, then the choices you make for yourself and in relation to others will be good and beneficial without limitations.
This was what Abraham learnt. He started out living with Lot and then realised that Lot was not a part of his call and so a separation ensued. This opened him to the clarity of God’s vision while being good to Lot when it was necessary to do so. Through the lessons from his mishandling of the heir issue, he realised that submission to customs and traditions was subject to God’s plan for him. Sarah’s request was the norm in their culture but because that was not in God’s plan, that tradition became an error the moment he accepted.
Jesus was a good example. He was of the Jewish nation and held their customs in high regard yet he functioned in the place of divine protocol of obedience first to God above all. He understood that His divine mandate was to set a new order of life in place: replacing the old limiting experiences from seeking to obey God’s laws from one’s strength to having a relationship of the Holy Spirit writing those same laws within, so that obedience comes from the heart voluntarily and without hypocrisy.
Jesus faced opposition from religious people and the cultural practices of His time yet He remained faithful to the call. Some examples are the case of the Sabbath law. The Sabbath was an important religious and cultural day in the Jewish calendar. Its observation was very strict – no form of work as it was considered a day of rest and worship commemorating the completion of creation. But on at least two occasions, Jesus went against the application of the law as it would have brought injustice on the people concerned.
In Mathew, the disciples of Jesus were very hungry and passing through a grain field, they plucked some of it to eat. It was on a Sabbath day. The Pharisees were appalled and condemned the act saying
“Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath!”
Jesus taught them about the spirit of the Sabbath and what that meant by using the example of David who did the same when he was hungry. He concluded
“But if you had known what this means. I desire mercy and not sacrifice; you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath” Mathew 12.2, 7-8 NKJV
In another incident, the disciples ate bread without washing their hands in a specific traditional ritual. The Pharisees screamed abomination. Hear them.
“Why do Your disciples not walk according to the traditions of the elders but eat bread with unwashed hands?
Jesus answered
“Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites as it is written. This people honor Me with their lips but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. For laying side the commandments of God, you hold the tradition of men – the washing of pitchers and cups and many other such things you do.....All too well you reject the commandment of God that you may keep your tradition." Mark 7.6-8, NKJV
There are many more of such incidents where Jesus stood up to his personal identity over traditional and religious doctrines in order to fulfil his destiny. These stories are not an excuse to throw out cultural and religious norms that are not incompatible with Christianity but that such must never be exalted over God’s commandments. For one cannot serve God and these doctrines on the same level.
By committing Himself to God first, Jesus was able to make righteous judgements about His life, purpose and relationships. In upholding the truth, He emphasised it twice at different times with the Jews.
“For I have come down from heaven not to do My own will and purpose but to do the will and purpose of Him who sent me” John 6.38 Amplified.
In other place, He said
“I can of Myself do nothing; As I hear, I judge; and My judgement is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me” John 5.30 NKJV
Just like Jesus, we are all created by God for His good pleasure and to do His will. The life of Jesus Christ shows how to live in God’s will without undermining the norms and practices of society. When Jesus was found in the company of persons that the religious people called ‘sinners’, He answered them
“Those who are well have no need of a physician but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means. I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For I did not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance” Mathew 9.11-13NKJV
Jesus was sent for our salvation. If He had succumbed to their beliefs, we would have missed out on our redemption. That would have left us hopeless. May this truth sink deep in to your heart as you ponder on the vital importance of upholding the integrity of your true nature and relationship with God. This will be tested just as Jesus was but if you remain faithful to Him who called you alone, blessed and increased as Jesus and Abraham did, you will fulfil your destiny. You will be standing when everything else has been shaken.
I have had experiences on both sides and learnt the truth. One incident of standing up for my individuality was when I
had to let go of a business contractual relationship at a bank. The head of that unit was a modern day Nebuchadnezzar who wanted all lawyers to bow to him and went to extreme measures of humiliation and deception to achieve that goal. I walked away and never came back despite appeals to conform. It was a tough call but the Grace of God upheld me not to back down. My spirit was exhilarated and I grew in my inner spiritual confidence in faith and my relationship with God. I came through with no regrets!
On the other side, I have also made some bad judgements conforming to peer pressures that have been regretful. I have made peace with myself and God and moved on but it made me realise the foolishness of such poor choices. Looking back now, I realise in one specific incident that if I had chosen to assert myself rather than listen to the sound of popular culture, it would have been a joyful experience- tough but still joyful.
The lesson is that it never pays to subject God’s inalienable rights of your precious being to others. NEVER PAYS! Think of how many lives have been destroyed – physically, spiritually, emotionally, maritally etc because of the choices that are made to bow to fashionable opinion and views of society, peers, religion, family, culture etc. Marriages with faulty foundation, deaths resulting from abortion due to being rejected by peers and society; financial ruin because of keeping up with ‘the Jones’; spiritual and physical death because the authority of men was exalted above the Word of God.
Think!! We have all been there in various facts and experiences. Some of us have been destroyed physically whilst others have yet to recover from such painful memories and actions. Others by the work of Grace received the forgiveness of God and moved on but occasionally the thought slips through.
Don’t sell your distinct personality for a mess of pottage of whatever kind. Seek daily to uphold your individuality and experience the life that God has for you.
READ MORE MESSAGES FROM MY NOTES SECTION
In a world where extremes rule the day, it is very reassuring to know that God had ordained the form by which our fellowship with Him will take - the order of individuality. While social networks may be the present exciting and fashionable order of life and seclusion is seen as an abomination. It is important to know that each of us is a unique personality created by God to do distinctive things and walk with Him as an individual.
It is only by this one on one relationship that we can become a relevant and productive part of the whole human race. Until this is understood, we will continue to live stressful lives that have put our personality to the subjection of social groups. The place of the individual is being lost to social grouping whether of a religious or secular and those who assert their godly right are seen as odd.
Yet God showed us by His call of Abraham that the right of the individual is critical in a fellowship with Him. There is a subtle and sometimes overt call to conformity without any regard to the individual. Now this doctrine is not in disregard to the importance of the larger society but a respect for the ‘wholeness’ of a person in his unique character.
Webster’s Dictionary, International edition defines individuality as ‘the quality or characteristics that make one person or thing different from others; the quality or state of being individual. Also an individual is defined as ‘existing as a complete and separate entity; distinctive striking different from others; one person, animal, organism etc as distinguished from a group’
The doctrine of individuality in scripture has to do with the order of first being a singular person, complete and special before being part of a body. None of us completes another but in our various uncommon and unequalled characteristics we bring beneficial good to others in a group. Thus, it is because we first experience that personal liberty that we can bring the same for the common good. Alas! This is what is lacking today where a cult like following in overt and subtle religious and secular ways seem to be the norm and fashionable order of life.
The godly identity that God gave each person is unfortunately being eroded by an overbearing popular culture of life. God spoke about this important truth to Jeremiah
“Before I have formed you in the womb. I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations” Jeremiah 1.5NKJV
Note that God was emphatic about Him being the creator of Jeremiah’s life and purpose – not his society, religion, culturel or family. This was to emphasise the importance of his wholeness as an individual dedicated to God and from which the experiences of his life and relationships would be formed.
The implication of this truth is so important to the way we make our choices and its consequences in our lives. Being dedicated to God means having a total dependence on Him from which every activity of our life proceeds giving us the identity that reveals His plans and purpose for us and creation. When we are out of order, it brings unpleasant circumstances for us and others.
A good example is the choice that Abraham made when he was still waiting to receive the fullness of the promise of God for a child. God called Abraham out of his family and country to begin a new special kind of people on the earth. Abraham obeyed and left his family and home to begin a spiritual and physical journey with God. This call to individuality was re-emphasised when God said to him
“Walk before me and be thou perfect” Genesis 17.1KJV
Yet Abraham in his quest to have a child listened to Sarah about taking on a concubine and conceived Ishmael by Hagar, her servant. By that singular act of disobedience, he put in jeopardy the lives of people in generations to come. For the effect of that decision is what is the behind the various violent uprisings as we have experienced all over the world causing untold sufferings.
“And he will be a wild man; his hand will be against every hand against him” Genesis 16-12KJV
God had made it clear Ishmael was not the son of promise despite Abraham’s desire. (See Genesis 17.18). Sarah conceived of Isaac and went on to bring in the lineage of Christ that we are members of today.
Understanding individuality is key to walking before God and being perfect. In each person lies the specific plan of God and it is in dedicating ourselves to His guidance that we experience the riches of glory, fulfilment and inner peace that overcomes any odds. God’s guidance is unique to each of us and we must never give place to anything or person that wants to usurp that position.
Through series of adjustments that Abraham made in walking with God, he remained faithful to the call and the testimony of his life is summed up by God and his servant, Eliezer
“And the lord hath blessed my master greatly; and he is become great; and he hath given him flocks and herds and silver and gold and menservants and maidservants and camels and asses” Genesis 24.35
God spoke of Abraham;
“Because that Abraham obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes and my laws “Genesis 26.5
Abraham had this good report about him because he learnt to be obedient to God first before anything else
Just as God called Abraham alone, so he has called everyone. The different outcomes is in whether like Abraham, we will obey the call to separateness and enter into a covenant with God about our lives while making the necessary adjustments even when we fall out of line. The testimony of God and men will be as that of our father of faith – Abraham.
In creation as well as in fellowship with God, there is a divine protocol – an order about things. When God formed man, He first made him a solitary person before creating a relationship for him – Eve. That is the divine order of relationship with God and men. You must first discover and harness your personal identity before your relationships will be in order. To overturn this as the world presently advocates is to bring in disorder. Therefore one is first exclusive before he can be inclusive of the whole.
Losing one’s identity because one erroneously believes that conformity is the first order is what brings inner dissatisfaction and external disorderly conduct. Either way the intended good of God’s plan is never achieved.
What does it mean to be ‘called alone’ as Abraham was? T o understand this, we must consider that being of a solitary nature is not being aloof.
Webster’s dictionary of International Edition defines aloof as ‘reserved, cold in manner’. That is the negative side of being alone. It is also not loneliness or being isolated from others. It is establishing your right to a personal identity from which the decisions of your life will be made. When that is in place, then the choices you make for yourself and in relation to others will be good and beneficial without limitations.
This was what Abraham learnt. He started out living with Lot and then realised that Lot was not a part of his call and so a separation ensued. This opened him to the clarity of God’s vision while being good to Lot when it was necessary to do so. Through the lessons from his mishandling of the heir issue, he realised that submission to customs and traditions was subject to God’s plan for him. Sarah’s request was the norm in their culture but because that was not in God’s plan, that tradition became an error the moment he accepted.
Jesus was a good example. He was of the Jewish nation and held their customs in high regard yet he functioned in the place of divine protocol of obedience first to God above all. He understood that His divine mandate was to set a new order of life in place: replacing the old limiting experiences from seeking to obey God’s laws from one’s strength to having a relationship of the Holy Spirit writing those same laws within, so that obedience comes from the heart voluntarily and without hypocrisy.
Jesus faced opposition from religious people and the cultural practices of His time yet He remained faithful to the call. Some examples are the case of the Sabbath law. The Sabbath was an important religious and cultural day in the Jewish calendar. Its observation was very strict – no form of work as it was considered a day of rest and worship commemorating the completion of creation. But on at least two occasions, Jesus went against the application of the law as it would have brought injustice on the people concerned.
In Mathew, the disciples of Jesus were very hungry and passing through a grain field, they plucked some of it to eat. It was on a Sabbath day. The Pharisees were appalled and condemned the act saying
“Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath!”
Jesus taught them about the spirit of the Sabbath and what that meant by using the example of David who did the same when he was hungry. He concluded
“But if you had known what this means. I desire mercy and not sacrifice; you would not have condemned the guiltless. For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath” Mathew 12.2, 7-8 NKJV
In another incident, the disciples ate bread without washing their hands in a specific traditional ritual. The Pharisees screamed abomination. Hear them.
“Why do Your disciples not walk according to the traditions of the elders but eat bread with unwashed hands?
Jesus answered
“Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites as it is written. This people honor Me with their lips but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. For laying side the commandments of God, you hold the tradition of men – the washing of pitchers and cups and many other such things you do.....All too well you reject the commandment of God that you may keep your tradition." Mark 7.6-8, NKJV
There are many more of such incidents where Jesus stood up to his personal identity over traditional and religious doctrines in order to fulfil his destiny. These stories are not an excuse to throw out cultural and religious norms that are not incompatible with Christianity but that such must never be exalted over God’s commandments. For one cannot serve God and these doctrines on the same level.
By committing Himself to God first, Jesus was able to make righteous judgements about His life, purpose and relationships. In upholding the truth, He emphasised it twice at different times with the Jews.
“For I have come down from heaven not to do My own will and purpose but to do the will and purpose of Him who sent me” John 6.38 Amplified.
In other place, He said
“I can of Myself do nothing; As I hear, I judge; and My judgement is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me” John 5.30 NKJV
Just like Jesus, we are all created by God for His good pleasure and to do His will. The life of Jesus Christ shows how to live in God’s will without undermining the norms and practices of society. When Jesus was found in the company of persons that the religious people called ‘sinners’, He answered them
“Those who are well have no need of a physician but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means. I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For I did not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance” Mathew 9.11-13NKJV
Jesus was sent for our salvation. If He had succumbed to their beliefs, we would have missed out on our redemption. That would have left us hopeless. May this truth sink deep in to your heart as you ponder on the vital importance of upholding the integrity of your true nature and relationship with God. This will be tested just as Jesus was but if you remain faithful to Him who called you alone, blessed and increased as Jesus and Abraham did, you will fulfil your destiny. You will be standing when everything else has been shaken.
I have had experiences on both sides and learnt the truth. One incident of standing up for my individuality was when I
had to let go of a business contractual relationship at a bank. The head of that unit was a modern day Nebuchadnezzar who wanted all lawyers to bow to him and went to extreme measures of humiliation and deception to achieve that goal. I walked away and never came back despite appeals to conform. It was a tough call but the Grace of God upheld me not to back down. My spirit was exhilarated and I grew in my inner spiritual confidence in faith and my relationship with God. I came through with no regrets!
On the other side, I have also made some bad judgements conforming to peer pressures that have been regretful. I have made peace with myself and God and moved on but it made me realise the foolishness of such poor choices. Looking back now, I realise in one specific incident that if I had chosen to assert myself rather than listen to the sound of popular culture, it would have been a joyful experience- tough but still joyful.
The lesson is that it never pays to subject God’s inalienable rights of your precious being to others. NEVER PAYS! Think of how many lives have been destroyed – physically, spiritually, emotionally, maritally etc because of the choices that are made to bow to fashionable opinion and views of society, peers, religion, family, culture etc. Marriages with faulty foundation, deaths resulting from abortion due to being rejected by peers and society; financial ruin because of keeping up with ‘the Jones’; spiritual and physical death because the authority of men was exalted above the Word of God.
Think!! We have all been there in various facts and experiences. Some of us have been destroyed physically whilst others have yet to recover from such painful memories and actions. Others by the work of Grace received the forgiveness of God and moved on but occasionally the thought slips through.
Don’t sell your distinct personality for a mess of pottage of whatever kind. Seek daily to uphold your individuality and experience the life that God has for you.
READ MORE MESSAGES FROM MY NOTES SECTION
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