“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and all these things shall be given to you as well,” (Matthew 6:33).
In this message Jesus was teaching about not worrying about the future but instead putting your faith in God. Jesus was teaching that our priority should be seeking God’s kingdom and his righteousness. Because we have faith in God through Jesus Christ, Jesus was teaching us to supplement our faith with his righteousness (virtue).
In other words, we should live a righteous life so that we receive the kingdom of God. These are the fruits therefore: “All these things shall be given to you as well”. The things that we spend time and energy worrying about shall not be fulfilled unless we rest our faith in God and then strive to live a righteous life. God already knows what we need and he shall provide as long as we focus on entering his kingdom (through living a righteous life).
We are longing for good fruits through our knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore we need to be good ourselves just as he was and is a good teacher and Lord. If we do not add goodness/righteousness into our faith, how do we expect to bear fruits?
Jesus told the Pharisees who thought he was driving away demons from a man by Be-elzebul’s power, “The good man out of his good treasure brings forth good and an evil man out of his evil treasure brings forth evil,” (Matthew 18:35).
Prior to that Jesus figuratively said that you make a tree good and its fruits will be good. In order to bear good fruits of knowing Christ we need to add goodness to our faith and our prayers will be effective and productive.
Living a good life simply means doing the will of God. The kingdom of God is for the righteous and that is why Jesus was teaching us to first seek that. Jesus also said, “Not everyone who says to me ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of Heaven but only he who does that will of my Father who is in Heaven,” (Matthew 7: 21).
In other words Jesus was saying that many people may have faith in him but that alone is not enough to enter the kingdom unless you live a righteous life to supplement your faith.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
Effective and fruitful knowledge of Christ
“For this very reason make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love,” (2 Peter 1: 5-7).
Faith is the foundation of the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. When we received him as our Lord and saviour, we began to have a relationship with him. We began to know him simply because we believed (had faith) in him. “But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave them power to become children of God,” (John 1:12).
Through him we have become children of God. More than anything we have become friends with him because we believed in him. Knowing him is not enough though if it is not effective and does not bear fruits.
Jesus said, “You did not choose me but I chose you that you should go and bear fruits and that your fruit should abide (last) so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” (John 15:16).
Peter presents seven qualities that are needed to supplement our faith in Jesus Christ. “For if these things are yours and abound, they keep you from being ineffective and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ,” (2 Peter 1: 8).
The seven qualities are:
1) Virtue (goodness/righteousness)
2) Knowledge
3) Self-control
4) Steadfastness (perseverance)
5) Godliness (Holiness)
6) Brotherly affection (kindness)
7) Love
The important thing to note is that Peter presents these qualities as building blocks, with faith as foundation of everything. In other words faith is the root of our knowledge and as you grow in knowing him you develop each quality and grow deeper into knowing him thus bearing fruits.
In the next discussions we will look at each quality and draw some lessons from Jesus’ teachings and his life with regards to each quality.
Faith is the foundation of the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. When we received him as our Lord and saviour, we began to have a relationship with him. We began to know him simply because we believed (had faith) in him. “But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave them power to become children of God,” (John 1:12).
Through him we have become children of God. More than anything we have become friends with him because we believed in him. Knowing him is not enough though if it is not effective and does not bear fruits.
Jesus said, “You did not choose me but I chose you that you should go and bear fruits and that your fruit should abide (last) so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” (John 15:16).
Peter presents seven qualities that are needed to supplement our faith in Jesus Christ. “For if these things are yours and abound, they keep you from being ineffective and unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ,” (2 Peter 1: 8).
The seven qualities are:
1) Virtue (goodness/righteousness)
2) Knowledge
3) Self-control
4) Steadfastness (perseverance)
5) Godliness (Holiness)
6) Brotherly affection (kindness)
7) Love
The important thing to note is that Peter presents these qualities as building blocks, with faith as foundation of everything. In other words faith is the root of our knowledge and as you grow in knowing him you develop each quality and grow deeper into knowing him thus bearing fruits.
In the next discussions we will look at each quality and draw some lessons from Jesus’ teachings and his life with regards to each quality.
The Lord Will Fulfill His Purpose for Me (Psalm 138: 8)
“His Divine Power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness,” (2 Peter 1:3).
What the Lord has commissioned has to be accomplished. Each one of us has a purpose to serve the Lord. God has a purpose for each one of us. He says he knows the good plans he has for us, plans to prosper us. Because he is the faithful God, what he has purposed shall be accomplished.
In Isaiah 55:11 he says, “So is my word that goes out from my mouth, it will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
Once God has spoken, it shall be so. I know God has a purpose for me. He has empowered me to serve that purpose. He has armed me to fight a good fight and serve him as my Lord and Saviour, the only true God.
His divine power has given us everything we need for life. There is nothing that can withstand his divine power. Through his power we have all the resources we need to serve God’s purpose. There is nothing that we cannot do because we have everything we need. As long as we are willing to allow God to fulfill his purpose we shall conquer.
How do we get hold of the resources that we need? It is though the knowledge of Jesus Christ and as Paul stated, there is nothing that surpass the greatness of knowing Jesus Christ. You cannot taste the greatness of knowing Christ if your knowledge is ineffective and unproductive. You cannot accomplish God’s purpose if your knowledge does not bear fruits.
What the Lord has commissioned has to be accomplished. Each one of us has a purpose to serve the Lord. God has a purpose for each one of us. He says he knows the good plans he has for us, plans to prosper us. Because he is the faithful God, what he has purposed shall be accomplished.
In Isaiah 55:11 he says, “So is my word that goes out from my mouth, it will not return to me empty but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
Once God has spoken, it shall be so. I know God has a purpose for me. He has empowered me to serve that purpose. He has armed me to fight a good fight and serve him as my Lord and Saviour, the only true God.
His divine power has given us everything we need for life. There is nothing that can withstand his divine power. Through his power we have all the resources we need to serve God’s purpose. There is nothing that we cannot do because we have everything we need. As long as we are willing to allow God to fulfill his purpose we shall conquer.
How do we get hold of the resources that we need? It is though the knowledge of Jesus Christ and as Paul stated, there is nothing that surpass the greatness of knowing Jesus Christ. You cannot taste the greatness of knowing Christ if your knowledge is ineffective and unproductive. You cannot accomplish God’s purpose if your knowledge does not bear fruits.
The Worth of Knowing Christ - Part 2
Standing Firm in the Lord
(Philippians 3: 12 -21)
1) Pressing on towards the goal
My call is to receive the glory of God, to attain my portion of the glory – that is the biggest prize. “I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Pressing on means you have the faith that you will reach the end of the race. You are not prepared to give up. You have the courage to go on. You do not fear the path you need to go through. No matter what comes you just press on.
“For God did not give us the spirit of timidity but a spirit of power, love and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1: 7). If you want to know Jesus you need to remember that the Spirit you have is powerful and not faint-hearted. You press on because you have the love for what you are doing. You press on because you have the passion for what you are doing and nothing is going to stand on your way. Jesus is love. If you love him you would not allow anything to stand on your way to get to him.
Self-discipline is an important element when you press on. You ensure that you avoid things that will distract you from reaching your goal. There will be challenges along the way to distract you but you need to have the discipline to overcome the challenges. “Blessed is the man who preservers under trial, because he has stood the test, he will receive the Crown of life that God has promised to those who love him,” (James 1:12). Press on (persevere) even when you face trials.
2) Forget the Past
“Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do is forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,” (Philippians 3:13). Paul knows very well that he was persecuting the people of God but he never allowed his past to haunt him. He forgot about his past and pressed on.
Sometimes we allow our past mistakes, failures and backgrounds to hold us back. We forget that our faith in Jesus Christ has made us a new creation and the past is gone. Jesus Christ has qualified us to inherit God’s glory. We are born again – rooted and built up in him. Therefore the past has nothing to do with us. We need to forget the past and press on.
3) Mature
“All of us who are mature should take such view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have attained,” (Philippians 3: 15 -16).
Forgetting what is behind and pressing on requires one to look at things from a mature stand point. Those who are matured are those who are led by the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God has the power to reveal or clarify what may not be clear.
Paul says let us live up to what we have already attained. Being led by the Holy Spirit is a gift for the matured. “We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God that we may understand what God has freely given us,” (1 Corinthians 3:12).
The Spirit teaches us everything and reminds us everything that Jesus said whilst he was on his mission here on earth. Therefore we should live up to the Spirit so that we may know who Jesus is. If we live up to the Spirit we will forget the past and remember what Jesus taught us. We will press on to what God has promised us through Jesus Christ.
4) Fellowship
“I will extol the Lord with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly,” (Psalm 111:1).
The Psalmist demonstrates the importance of praising God, not just on your own but with other people. He talks about praising the Lord in the company of people that live according to God’s will (council of the upright and in the assembly).
Paul also encouraged us to worship the Lord with others. Because Paul knew he was righteous and living according to the will of God, he encourages us to follow his example as we join others in our quest to know Jesus. Joining with others comes with a caution: “take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.”
This means that we should be careful of the people we associate with when worshipping God, are they led by the Spirit of God? This basically cautions us to discern the nature of the spirit leading the people we worship with “for sinful nature (spirit of the world) desires what is contrary to the Spirit and the Spirit what is contrary to sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want to do,” (Galatians 5:17).
This warning guard us against losing track of our goal, i.e. losing the Spirit that teaches us God’s way. Take note of those who live according to the pattern that was given to us so that we “do not put out the Spirit’s fire.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19)
5) Set your mind in heaven
Our citizenship is not here on earth but in heaven. This is where Jesus is seated on the right hand of God. Our focus therefore should be where Jesus is – heaven. If we focus on earthly things then our destiny is destruction.
Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and here thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy and thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be,” (Matthew 6:20-21).
We can have everything on earth but these things are temporary and we may lose them anytime. The things of this world may defer us from our quest for the truth (Jesus said “I am the way, the truth and the life).
Paul says, “What is more I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ,” (Philippians 3:8).
In order to know Christ you do not have to spend time thinking about earthly riches, but think about Christ. We have to be like-minded with him because we have the mind of Christ.
Conclusion
When all has been done, ran a good race, we get a better understanding and knowledge of Jesus and he will crown us. He will transform us from our earthly bodies and we will be like him (glorious bodies). “That is how you should stand firm in the Lord,” (Philippians 4:1).
(Philippians 3: 12 -21)
1) Pressing on towards the goal
My call is to receive the glory of God, to attain my portion of the glory – that is the biggest prize. “I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Pressing on means you have the faith that you will reach the end of the race. You are not prepared to give up. You have the courage to go on. You do not fear the path you need to go through. No matter what comes you just press on.
“For God did not give us the spirit of timidity but a spirit of power, love and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1: 7). If you want to know Jesus you need to remember that the Spirit you have is powerful and not faint-hearted. You press on because you have the love for what you are doing. You press on because you have the passion for what you are doing and nothing is going to stand on your way. Jesus is love. If you love him you would not allow anything to stand on your way to get to him.
Self-discipline is an important element when you press on. You ensure that you avoid things that will distract you from reaching your goal. There will be challenges along the way to distract you but you need to have the discipline to overcome the challenges. “Blessed is the man who preservers under trial, because he has stood the test, he will receive the Crown of life that God has promised to those who love him,” (James 1:12). Press on (persevere) even when you face trials.
2) Forget the Past
“Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do is forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,” (Philippians 3:13). Paul knows very well that he was persecuting the people of God but he never allowed his past to haunt him. He forgot about his past and pressed on.
Sometimes we allow our past mistakes, failures and backgrounds to hold us back. We forget that our faith in Jesus Christ has made us a new creation and the past is gone. Jesus Christ has qualified us to inherit God’s glory. We are born again – rooted and built up in him. Therefore the past has nothing to do with us. We need to forget the past and press on.
3) Mature
“All of us who are mature should take such view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have attained,” (Philippians 3: 15 -16).
Forgetting what is behind and pressing on requires one to look at things from a mature stand point. Those who are matured are those who are led by the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God has the power to reveal or clarify what may not be clear.
Paul says let us live up to what we have already attained. Being led by the Holy Spirit is a gift for the matured. “We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God that we may understand what God has freely given us,” (1 Corinthians 3:12).
The Spirit teaches us everything and reminds us everything that Jesus said whilst he was on his mission here on earth. Therefore we should live up to the Spirit so that we may know who Jesus is. If we live up to the Spirit we will forget the past and remember what Jesus taught us. We will press on to what God has promised us through Jesus Christ.
4) Fellowship
“I will extol the Lord with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly,” (Psalm 111:1).
The Psalmist demonstrates the importance of praising God, not just on your own but with other people. He talks about praising the Lord in the company of people that live according to God’s will (council of the upright and in the assembly).
Paul also encouraged us to worship the Lord with others. Because Paul knew he was righteous and living according to the will of God, he encourages us to follow his example as we join others in our quest to know Jesus. Joining with others comes with a caution: “take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.”
This means that we should be careful of the people we associate with when worshipping God, are they led by the Spirit of God? This basically cautions us to discern the nature of the spirit leading the people we worship with “for sinful nature (spirit of the world) desires what is contrary to the Spirit and the Spirit what is contrary to sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want to do,” (Galatians 5:17).
This warning guard us against losing track of our goal, i.e. losing the Spirit that teaches us God’s way. Take note of those who live according to the pattern that was given to us so that we “do not put out the Spirit’s fire.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19)
5) Set your mind in heaven
Our citizenship is not here on earth but in heaven. This is where Jesus is seated on the right hand of God. Our focus therefore should be where Jesus is – heaven. If we focus on earthly things then our destiny is destruction.
Jesus said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and here thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy and thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will also be,” (Matthew 6:20-21).
We can have everything on earth but these things are temporary and we may lose them anytime. The things of this world may defer us from our quest for the truth (Jesus said “I am the way, the truth and the life).
Paul says, “What is more I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ,” (Philippians 3:8).
In order to know Christ you do not have to spend time thinking about earthly riches, but think about Christ. We have to be like-minded with him because we have the mind of Christ.
Conclusion
When all has been done, ran a good race, we get a better understanding and knowledge of Jesus and he will crown us. He will transform us from our earthly bodies and we will be like him (glorious bodies). “That is how you should stand firm in the Lord,” (Philippians 4:1).
The Worth of Knowing Christ - Part 1
“I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death (Philippians 3:10)
a) I want to know Christ
Hebrews 1:3 says, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for his sins, he sat at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”
Knowing Christ is equivalent to knowing God and the knowledge of the Holy One means understanding. Jesus is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact representation of God.
I want to know Christ.
I want to make a relationship with Christ.
I forget about everything else and I yearn for the glory of Christ.
I want to be sustained by the powerful word of Christ.
I want to know Christ.
I have a burning desire to know him better
I want a deeper understanding of his glory
Meeting Christ is not enough, you have to have a mutual relationship with him. To grow as a Christian you have to have a better understanding of who he is.
b) I want to know the power of his resurrection
“Since you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God,” (Colossians 3:1). Knowing the power of his resurrection means focusing where he is. He was raised and he went to sit at the right hand of God.
He conquered the world and hence he is the Lord of Glory. Therefore we should set our hearts where is, on the things above, were our treasure is. “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal,” (2 Corinthians 4: 18).
The power of his resurrection is that we were raised with him. “When you were dead in your sins and in the circumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,” (Colossians 2:3).
The power of his resurrection made us to be alive. The power of his resurrection is a fulfillment of the promise that if we believe in him we shall have eternal life. We are born again because we were dead in our sins. The only way to know the power of his resurrection is focusing on the things above.
c) I want to know the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings
Knowing Jesus means building a relationship/friendship with him. A true friend is one who shares even in his suffering, the pains of his friend. “Now, if we are children then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. If indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” (Romans 8: 17).
In the consequent verse Paul says: I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. “But rejoice that you participate in the suffering of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you… However, if you suffer as a Christian do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name… So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good,” (1 Peter 4: 13-14, 16, 19).
As a Christian you should not fear when you suffer because Christ also suffered but endured until the end. Fellowship in his sharing in his suffering means staying strong by doing the following:
i) Rejoice
ii) Praise God
iii) Commit to the faithful Creator
iv) Continue to do good
d) Becoming like him in his death
The humility of Jesus Christ was outstanding even in his death such that the people who watched testified that surely he is the son of God. He suffered like any human being but he humbled himself even though he was in the very nature of God.
That is the attitude we need to develop. Even though we may be co-heirs with him that should not be something we boast about and exalt ourselves. Pride should not overrule the way we handle ourselves. “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: …and being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:5, 8).
Conclusion
I WANT TO KNOW CHRIST JESUS AND THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION, AND THE FELLOWSHIP OF HIS SHARING IN HIS SUFFERINGS, BECOMING LIKE HIM IN HIS DEATH
[Know who he is, focus on where he is, appreciate how he felt, and do what he did when he died]
a) I want to know Christ
Hebrews 1:3 says, “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for his sins, he sat at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”
Knowing Christ is equivalent to knowing God and the knowledge of the Holy One means understanding. Jesus is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact representation of God.
I want to know Christ.
I want to make a relationship with Christ.
I forget about everything else and I yearn for the glory of Christ.
I want to be sustained by the powerful word of Christ.
I want to know Christ.
I have a burning desire to know him better
I want a deeper understanding of his glory
Meeting Christ is not enough, you have to have a mutual relationship with him. To grow as a Christian you have to have a better understanding of who he is.
b) I want to know the power of his resurrection
“Since you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God,” (Colossians 3:1). Knowing the power of his resurrection means focusing where he is. He was raised and he went to sit at the right hand of God.
He conquered the world and hence he is the Lord of Glory. Therefore we should set our hearts where is, on the things above, were our treasure is. “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal,” (2 Corinthians 4: 18).
The power of his resurrection is that we were raised with him. “When you were dead in your sins and in the circumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins,” (Colossians 2:3).
The power of his resurrection made us to be alive. The power of his resurrection is a fulfillment of the promise that if we believe in him we shall have eternal life. We are born again because we were dead in our sins. The only way to know the power of his resurrection is focusing on the things above.
c) I want to know the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings
Knowing Jesus means building a relationship/friendship with him. A true friend is one who shares even in his suffering, the pains of his friend. “Now, if we are children then we are heirs - heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. If indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.” (Romans 8: 17).
In the consequent verse Paul says: I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. “But rejoice that you participate in the suffering of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you… However, if you suffer as a Christian do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name… So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good,” (1 Peter 4: 13-14, 16, 19).
As a Christian you should not fear when you suffer because Christ also suffered but endured until the end. Fellowship in his sharing in his suffering means staying strong by doing the following:
i) Rejoice
ii) Praise God
iii) Commit to the faithful Creator
iv) Continue to do good
d) Becoming like him in his death
The humility of Jesus Christ was outstanding even in his death such that the people who watched testified that surely he is the son of God. He suffered like any human being but he humbled himself even though he was in the very nature of God.
That is the attitude we need to develop. Even though we may be co-heirs with him that should not be something we boast about and exalt ourselves. Pride should not overrule the way we handle ourselves. “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: …and being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:5, 8).
Conclusion
I WANT TO KNOW CHRIST JESUS AND THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION, AND THE FELLOWSHIP OF HIS SHARING IN HIS SUFFERINGS, BECOMING LIKE HIM IN HIS DEATH
[Know who he is, focus on where he is, appreciate how he felt, and do what he did when he died]
God reveals his secret wisdom through his Spirit
(2 Corinthians 2: 1 – 16)
Delivering God’s Message (Verse 1 – 5)
The world today is invaded by a lot of eloquent speakers who are making money as motivational speakers. They come with inspiring words and methodologies of how you can live a successful life. They come with wise words that remain as quotable quotes (also known as words of wisdom). They have become authorities in the fields they operate in. Some of them are even using such eloquence to teach or preach the word of God.
However, Paul chose not to be caught up in this web:
• He did not use eloquence or superior wisdom to proclaim the mystery of God.
• He decided not to analyze his audience or try to understand the people to whom he was proclaiming the testimony of God and how he can pitch his presentation to be acceptable. All he decided to know was the message of Jesus Christ and his crucifixion.
• He came to the church of Corinth in his low state, lacking self confidence and obviously not fit to stand before a crowd.
“My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power so that your faith may not rest in men’s wisdom, but on God’s Power,” (I Corinthians 2:4-5).
There is nothing wrong with eloquence. There is nothing wrong with the words you use to spread the word of God – but it is an issue of motive and the end result. The motive should be to serve the Lord. The end result should be people praising the God rather than you as the messenger of God.
Paul says his message and preaching was with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power. The motive was to demonstrate the power of the Spirit that was leading him and the end result was that people rest their faith on God’s power.
God’s Secret Wisdom (verse 6 -10)
Psalm 25:14 says the Lord confides in those who fear him and Psalm 111:10 says the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
God bestows unto us his wisdom once we start to fear him (profound respect). We can only fear him if we have faith in him. Fearing him means we begin to have a friendly relationship with him. He confides in us. You confide in someone that will understand what you are telling him. You confide to someone who is mature enough to comprehend the secret you are sharing and will be mature enough to handle it.
Therefore we need to mature in our relationship with God. Paul (called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God) says, “We do however speak a message of wisdom to the mature… …God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began,” (2 Corinthians 2: 7).
As you mature in fearing God, the Lord increases your wisdom and you gain access to what God has placed in a safe place for you. There is a wisdom that God has hidden and you can only access it once you grow in his knowledge and understanding. This is the wisdom “that God destined for our glory before time began” (which God decreed before ages for our glorification). God reserved a portion of our glory which we can only attain once we are mature.
God’s secret wisdom cannot be understood by those who do not know him, who do not believe in him and who do not love him. Paul refers to the rulers who crucified Jesus says if they understood God’s wisdom they would not have done so. This was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.”
In short, what God has prepared for those who love him remains a secret and inaccessible to ordinary men. However, Paul says, “But God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.”
The Spirit of God Reveals God’s Secret Wisdom
We have received the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. The Spirit we are talking about here is different from the spirit of the world. The spirit of the world is something that belongs to the world but we received the Powerful Spirit who (a being) comes from God and this is the spirit that makes us understand God’s secret wisdom that has been prepared for us.
This is the spirit that Jesus promised, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you everything I have said to you, “ (John 14: 26).
If we have the Spirit in us, the Spirit will teach us words to express spiritual truths, in spiritual words, to spiritual people. A message from God’s secret wisdom can only be disseminated to those who are mature. That is why Paul says, “We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature.
Why? It is because men without the Spirit of God cannot accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. The standard is too high for them such that they dismiss such things as foolishness. This is because they “cannot understand them because they are spiritually discerned,”
Once you mature, you are able to access God’s secret wisdom; you become led by the Spirit of God; you have the power to make judgment about everything. You also become above reproach, no man can judge you.
In Romans 8:14 the word of God says, “Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” The son of God has the power to make judgment about all things and he is not subject to any man’s judgment.
“Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out ‘Abba’ [Father]. So you are no longer a slave but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir (Galatians 4: 6-7).
When you start to fear the Lord, you become a child of God and you begin to be wise. As you grow and mature you become a son of God and because God has made you an heir, that is when you can access the wealth of God. That’s when you gain access to God’s secret wisdom.
Delivering God’s Message (Verse 1 – 5)
The world today is invaded by a lot of eloquent speakers who are making money as motivational speakers. They come with inspiring words and methodologies of how you can live a successful life. They come with wise words that remain as quotable quotes (also known as words of wisdom). They have become authorities in the fields they operate in. Some of them are even using such eloquence to teach or preach the word of God.
However, Paul chose not to be caught up in this web:
• He did not use eloquence or superior wisdom to proclaim the mystery of God.
• He decided not to analyze his audience or try to understand the people to whom he was proclaiming the testimony of God and how he can pitch his presentation to be acceptable. All he decided to know was the message of Jesus Christ and his crucifixion.
• He came to the church of Corinth in his low state, lacking self confidence and obviously not fit to stand before a crowd.
“My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power so that your faith may not rest in men’s wisdom, but on God’s Power,” (I Corinthians 2:4-5).
There is nothing wrong with eloquence. There is nothing wrong with the words you use to spread the word of God – but it is an issue of motive and the end result. The motive should be to serve the Lord. The end result should be people praising the God rather than you as the messenger of God.
Paul says his message and preaching was with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power. The motive was to demonstrate the power of the Spirit that was leading him and the end result was that people rest their faith on God’s power.
God’s Secret Wisdom (verse 6 -10)
Psalm 25:14 says the Lord confides in those who fear him and Psalm 111:10 says the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
God bestows unto us his wisdom once we start to fear him (profound respect). We can only fear him if we have faith in him. Fearing him means we begin to have a friendly relationship with him. He confides in us. You confide in someone that will understand what you are telling him. You confide to someone who is mature enough to comprehend the secret you are sharing and will be mature enough to handle it.
Therefore we need to mature in our relationship with God. Paul (called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God) says, “We do however speak a message of wisdom to the mature… …God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began,” (2 Corinthians 2: 7).
As you mature in fearing God, the Lord increases your wisdom and you gain access to what God has placed in a safe place for you. There is a wisdom that God has hidden and you can only access it once you grow in his knowledge and understanding. This is the wisdom “that God destined for our glory before time began” (which God decreed before ages for our glorification). God reserved a portion of our glory which we can only attain once we are mature.
God’s secret wisdom cannot be understood by those who do not know him, who do not believe in him and who do not love him. Paul refers to the rulers who crucified Jesus says if they understood God’s wisdom they would not have done so. This was the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.”
In short, what God has prepared for those who love him remains a secret and inaccessible to ordinary men. However, Paul says, “But God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.”
The Spirit of God Reveals God’s Secret Wisdom
We have received the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. The Spirit we are talking about here is different from the spirit of the world. The spirit of the world is something that belongs to the world but we received the Powerful Spirit who (a being) comes from God and this is the spirit that makes us understand God’s secret wisdom that has been prepared for us.
This is the spirit that Jesus promised, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you everything I have said to you, “ (John 14: 26).
If we have the Spirit in us, the Spirit will teach us words to express spiritual truths, in spiritual words, to spiritual people. A message from God’s secret wisdom can only be disseminated to those who are mature. That is why Paul says, “We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature.
Why? It is because men without the Spirit of God cannot accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. The standard is too high for them such that they dismiss such things as foolishness. This is because they “cannot understand them because they are spiritually discerned,”
Once you mature, you are able to access God’s secret wisdom; you become led by the Spirit of God; you have the power to make judgment about everything. You also become above reproach, no man can judge you.
In Romans 8:14 the word of God says, “Because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” The son of God has the power to make judgment about all things and he is not subject to any man’s judgment.
“Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out ‘Abba’ [Father]. So you are no longer a slave but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir (Galatians 4: 6-7).
When you start to fear the Lord, you become a child of God and you begin to be wise. As you grow and mature you become a son of God and because God has made you an heir, that is when you can access the wealth of God. That’s when you gain access to God’s secret wisdom.
In the Presence of the Lord
Nothing is greater than being in the presence of the Lord. I understand David when he says, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” (Psalm 139:7). The presence of the Lord is an awesome experience.
God searches and knows you very well. He knows what you want to say before you say it. He knows your thoughts and he is with you everywhere you go.
The greatest wonder of being in the presence of the Lord is that we gain the confidence to face anything. In the previous post I mentioned that if we have faith in him he hears our prayers and provides whatever we need. The reason is simple, he knows what you need and all you have to do is to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well,” (Matthew 6:33).
When you are in the presence of the Lord there is no need to be worried and afraid. “You came near when I called you, and you said, “Do not fear.” (Lamentations 3 :57).
This is the God who said to Moses, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest,” (Exodus 33:14).
This is the God who assured Joshua, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go,” (Joshua 1:9).
This is the God who declared to Jeremiah, “I will make you a wall to this people, a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you to rescue and save you,” (Jeremiah 15:20)
This is the God who encouraged Paul in Corinth, “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city,” (Acts 18: 9-10).
This is the God who said to Daniel, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them,” (Daniel 10:12).
God wants us to go on and do his work, what he has sent us to do without fear because he is always with us. Like the good shepherd he is always taking care of us and there is no need to be worried.
Like Daniel, we need to set our minds towards gaining understanding and humble ourselves before God. “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way,” (Psalm 25: 9).
As Jesus said, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him,” (John 14:23).
God loved us through Jesus Christ so that we shall have eternal life and nothing will separate us from this love. He will never leave us nor forsake us. What more can we ask for other than the presence of the Lord?
The Almighty says, “I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve,” (Jeremiah 17:10).
We need to keep our hearts pure all the time to better position ourselves for the blessings from the Lord. We need to keep our minds clear so that we are able to focus on what God wants us to do.
Therefore my prayer just like David is, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting,” (Psalm 139:23-24).
God searches and knows you very well. He knows what you want to say before you say it. He knows your thoughts and he is with you everywhere you go.
The greatest wonder of being in the presence of the Lord is that we gain the confidence to face anything. In the previous post I mentioned that if we have faith in him he hears our prayers and provides whatever we need. The reason is simple, he knows what you need and all you have to do is to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well,” (Matthew 6:33).
When you are in the presence of the Lord there is no need to be worried and afraid. “You came near when I called you, and you said, “Do not fear.” (Lamentations 3 :57).
This is the God who said to Moses, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest,” (Exodus 33:14).
This is the God who assured Joshua, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go,” (Joshua 1:9).
This is the God who declared to Jeremiah, “I will make you a wall to this people, a fortified wall of bronze; they will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you to rescue and save you,” (Jeremiah 15:20)
This is the God who encouraged Paul in Corinth, “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city,” (Acts 18: 9-10).
This is the God who said to Daniel, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them,” (Daniel 10:12).
God wants us to go on and do his work, what he has sent us to do without fear because he is always with us. Like the good shepherd he is always taking care of us and there is no need to be worried.
Like Daniel, we need to set our minds towards gaining understanding and humble ourselves before God. “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way,” (Psalm 25: 9).
As Jesus said, “If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him,” (John 14:23).
God loved us through Jesus Christ so that we shall have eternal life and nothing will separate us from this love. He will never leave us nor forsake us. What more can we ask for other than the presence of the Lord?
The Almighty says, “I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve,” (Jeremiah 17:10).
We need to keep our hearts pure all the time to better position ourselves for the blessings from the Lord. We need to keep our minds clear so that we are able to focus on what God wants us to do.
Therefore my prayer just like David is, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting,” (Psalm 139:23-24).
Don’t Pray and Worry
There is a song by J Moss titled “Don’t Pray and Worry”. This line has been replaying itself in my mind today and I was thinking about it all day long.
This line questions our faith in God. You pray for something and you expect results. You feel like your prayers are not answered and you start worrying. You start getting anxious that probably your prayers are not heard. You start questioning your position with God and that leads you deeper into depression. The answer is simple, don’t pray and worry!.
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him,” (1 John 5: 14 -1 5).
The bible tells us that it is impossible to please God without faith. We need to stop doubting and believe because we serve a faithful God. What more can we do than rejoicing in the name of the Lord? Let us work our faith and believe that God has heard our prayers and he has responded to our prayers. DON’T PRAY AND WORRY!
This line questions our faith in God. You pray for something and you expect results. You feel like your prayers are not answered and you start worrying. You start getting anxious that probably your prayers are not heard. You start questioning your position with God and that leads you deeper into depression. The answer is simple, don’t pray and worry!.
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him,” (1 John 5: 14 -1 5).
The bible tells us that it is impossible to please God without faith. We need to stop doubting and believe because we serve a faithful God. What more can we do than rejoicing in the name of the Lord? Let us work our faith and believe that God has heard our prayers and he has responded to our prayers. DON’T PRAY AND WORRY!
Why Are You Helping The Next Person?
One of the things I have observed is that we tend to help others with the expectation of receiving more. That in itself is so fine. However, the most critical thing is WHY ARE YOU HELPING THAT PERSON?
The simplest answer is that you are helping the person because he/she is in need. If you can dig deeper, is that the real motive you are helping the person? If your honest answer is YES, continue doing so.
In some cases we find ourselves obliged to help the needy because it is the right thing to do (in the eyes of the witnesses). We help others because we are driven by the belief that we shall receive more, especially where money or wealth is involved. Our focus then is not on the actual assistance we are giving to this next person but on what shall come to us.
Let me simplify this: So many companies are involved in corporate responsibility programmes. This is commendable because they are investing their profits to help the needy. Honestly speaking, for some companies they are investing in such because they really support a good cause but for some their eyes are set on the (marketing) benefits of such initiatives.
Why are you helping the next person? This is a question that has troubled me the last few days. I am involved in charity work, and I try in whatever way I can to help the next person. Help comes in different forms, depending on the needs of the individual.
Recently I asked myself this question, “Why is it that when I complain about being broke, a stranger comes along and ask for the last coins I have in my pocket?” I have lost count of such instances but the peace and joy I feel inside once I have helped this person is immeasurable!
Two weeks ago I was looking for vegetables at the bus rank and had budgeted for E5 packages sold by the vendors. I bought a package of Green Pepper from one lady and she was selling it for E3. Instead of taking back the E2 change, I asked the lady to keep it. I did the same for another lady who was selling lettuce for the same amount.
I asked myself why I did this. E2 is such a small amount of money but you may not realize how much it means to an old lady who plies her trade as a street vendor (you can paint a mental picture of a street vendor’s life). I suddenly felt I could do more for these ladies. I WAS DOING IT OUT OF LOVE AND COMPASSION!
“If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” (I John 3:17)
My point is that we need to evaluate the things we do and understand why we are doing them. Whatever we do, we should do it as if we are serving the Lord. When we extend our hand to help the next person, we should not do it for our selfish reasons but do it out of a loving heart. In that way we are demonstrating our love for God.
“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. (Hebrews 6:10). Let us continue helping our brothers and sisters who need our support in any way and do it because we love them!
The simplest answer is that you are helping the person because he/she is in need. If you can dig deeper, is that the real motive you are helping the person? If your honest answer is YES, continue doing so.
In some cases we find ourselves obliged to help the needy because it is the right thing to do (in the eyes of the witnesses). We help others because we are driven by the belief that we shall receive more, especially where money or wealth is involved. Our focus then is not on the actual assistance we are giving to this next person but on what shall come to us.
Let me simplify this: So many companies are involved in corporate responsibility programmes. This is commendable because they are investing their profits to help the needy. Honestly speaking, for some companies they are investing in such because they really support a good cause but for some their eyes are set on the (marketing) benefits of such initiatives.
Why are you helping the next person? This is a question that has troubled me the last few days. I am involved in charity work, and I try in whatever way I can to help the next person. Help comes in different forms, depending on the needs of the individual.
Recently I asked myself this question, “Why is it that when I complain about being broke, a stranger comes along and ask for the last coins I have in my pocket?” I have lost count of such instances but the peace and joy I feel inside once I have helped this person is immeasurable!
Two weeks ago I was looking for vegetables at the bus rank and had budgeted for E5 packages sold by the vendors. I bought a package of Green Pepper from one lady and she was selling it for E3. Instead of taking back the E2 change, I asked the lady to keep it. I did the same for another lady who was selling lettuce for the same amount.
I asked myself why I did this. E2 is such a small amount of money but you may not realize how much it means to an old lady who plies her trade as a street vendor (you can paint a mental picture of a street vendor’s life). I suddenly felt I could do more for these ladies. I WAS DOING IT OUT OF LOVE AND COMPASSION!
“If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?” (I John 3:17)
My point is that we need to evaluate the things we do and understand why we are doing them. Whatever we do, we should do it as if we are serving the Lord. When we extend our hand to help the next person, we should not do it for our selfish reasons but do it out of a loving heart. In that way we are demonstrating our love for God.
“God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. (Hebrews 6:10). Let us continue helping our brothers and sisters who need our support in any way and do it because we love them!
Give Thanks In All Circumstances
All I want to say is ‘THANK YOU LORD!’
One of the simplest things we often overlook or forget is being grateful for everything. Many a times we are so engrossed in our current situation and oblivious of what’s happening around us. We fail to even recognize the most important things that mean so much to us.
There are times when, for instance, your career means so much to you. After all it brings food to your table. You spend so much time and effort to ensure that your career blossoms. You have people around you who support you all the way in a subtle way and you are flying high.
The trick is that you will feel good about your success and attribute that to your hard work. Well you are right; you worked hard to be where you are. If you pause and think about it, in the process there are people who prayed for you to succeed. In the process there are people who gave you courage when the going got tough. In the process there are people who were determined to see you fail but you persevered. In the process somebody ensured that you have eaten something in between your busy schedules. The list goes on…
We tend to forget that whatever we are, it is by the grace of God. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:10, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them–yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.”
On the flipside of the coin, when we are going through hard times and through pain, we tend to forget to thank God for his grace. It’s easy to start sulking and blaming everyone else for our suffering. It’s easy to even question ‘Why me Lord?’ when we are going through hardships.
We forget that our current suffering is nothing compared to the Glory promised to us. We forget that because we are children of God, the suffering we are going through is only a way in which the Father is disciplining us. We forget that the trials and tribulations we go through are a test of our faith in Him. We forget that the sufferings we go through are only meant to build our character.
The bottom line is that we need to do the will of God at all times, whether good or bad times. The other day I was praying to the Lord that he teaches me to do his will and after that I read the word and this is the scripture he directed me to:
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (I Thessalonians 5 : 16 – 18).
By the Grace of God we were saved and this grace was not because we deserved it, but it was a gift from God. We need to thank God all the time for that. We need to thank God for everything we have. We need to thank God for the people around us. We need to thank God in all circumstances because of his love.
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” (Colossians 2:6-7)
One of the simplest things we often overlook or forget is being grateful for everything. Many a times we are so engrossed in our current situation and oblivious of what’s happening around us. We fail to even recognize the most important things that mean so much to us.
There are times when, for instance, your career means so much to you. After all it brings food to your table. You spend so much time and effort to ensure that your career blossoms. You have people around you who support you all the way in a subtle way and you are flying high.
The trick is that you will feel good about your success and attribute that to your hard work. Well you are right; you worked hard to be where you are. If you pause and think about it, in the process there are people who prayed for you to succeed. In the process there are people who gave you courage when the going got tough. In the process there are people who were determined to see you fail but you persevered. In the process somebody ensured that you have eaten something in between your busy schedules. The list goes on…
We tend to forget that whatever we are, it is by the grace of God. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:10, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them–yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.”
On the flipside of the coin, when we are going through hard times and through pain, we tend to forget to thank God for his grace. It’s easy to start sulking and blaming everyone else for our suffering. It’s easy to even question ‘Why me Lord?’ when we are going through hardships.
We forget that our current suffering is nothing compared to the Glory promised to us. We forget that because we are children of God, the suffering we are going through is only a way in which the Father is disciplining us. We forget that the trials and tribulations we go through are a test of our faith in Him. We forget that the sufferings we go through are only meant to build our character.
The bottom line is that we need to do the will of God at all times, whether good or bad times. The other day I was praying to the Lord that he teaches me to do his will and after that I read the word and this is the scripture he directed me to:
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” (I Thessalonians 5 : 16 – 18).
By the Grace of God we were saved and this grace was not because we deserved it, but it was a gift from God. We need to thank God all the time for that. We need to thank God for everything we have. We need to thank God for the people around us. We need to thank God in all circumstances because of his love.
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” (Colossians 2:6-7)
“Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.”
There comes a time when you feel like you have had enough, when death becomes the best solution to your troubles. But it’s not over until God says so. You can pray that God takes your life away, unless he feels you have finished the task he has prepared for you on earth, he won’t take away your life. Instead he will show you how great HE is.
God knows the most important thing you need in order to continue with the journey. God is aware where you are coming from and he will prepare you to continue with the journey.
Elijah felt he had had enough and prayed for his death. God was aware that he had been on a day’s journey running away from Jezebel, and he was hungry and tired. He sent an angel to provide him with food. He went back to sleep.
“And the angel of the LORD came back the second time, and touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.” So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God.” (I Kings 19: 7 -8, NKJV).
Even though Elijah was discouraged and had said “I have had enough” – God had much more in store for him. When you feel discouraged and want to give up, remember there is God who is above all situations. When you feel powerless, remember that God will give you strength.
When you are down, arise and do the will of God. Jesus said, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work” (John 4:34). God has a purpose for your life and therefore don’t give up before you accomplish what God has sent you to do. When you feel like giving up, remember these words - ’Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you!’ There are great things that God wants you to do.
The word of God will give you the strength to carry on with the journey, because he has sent you to do his will. Have faith in God and he will show you how great he is. All you need to do is to come closer to him and he will come closer to you.
The LORD said to Elijah, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” (1 Kings 19 : 11). He was about to show him how Great he is.
“Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.” (1 Kings 19: 11 -13)
You see, sometimes God allows you to deal with challenges in life before he shows himself to you. This he does in order to show you that you are strong when you are with him. Because he was in the presence of the Lord, Elijah was not shaken by the powerful wind, earthquake and the fire. However, when he heard the GENTLE WHISPER, he covered his face because he was in the awe of God. His power is above everything!
There is nothing that will destroy you as long as you are in the presence of the Lord. Get back on your feet and continue running the good race. Elijah was lamenting that he had always been zealous for God but the Israelites rejected the covenant, broke the altars, killed the prophets and wanted to kill him also.
You may be blaming God that even though you have been faithful to him, you are having troubles that you cannot take anymore. Just know that God doesn’t want you to give up because of the trials and tribulations. He still wants you to persevere and finish the work he has sent you to do on earth.
In Galatians 5: 7 -8 Paul says; “You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.”
It is not over until God says so… ’Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you!
God knows the most important thing you need in order to continue with the journey. God is aware where you are coming from and he will prepare you to continue with the journey.
Elijah felt he had had enough and prayed for his death. God was aware that he had been on a day’s journey running away from Jezebel, and he was hungry and tired. He sent an angel to provide him with food. He went back to sleep.
“And the angel of the LORD came back the second time, and touched him, and said, “Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you.” So he arose, and ate and drank; and he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights as far as Horeb, the mountain of God.” (I Kings 19: 7 -8, NKJV).
Even though Elijah was discouraged and had said “I have had enough” – God had much more in store for him. When you feel discouraged and want to give up, remember there is God who is above all situations. When you feel powerless, remember that God will give you strength.
When you are down, arise and do the will of God. Jesus said, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work” (John 4:34). God has a purpose for your life and therefore don’t give up before you accomplish what God has sent you to do. When you feel like giving up, remember these words - ’Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you!’ There are great things that God wants you to do.
The word of God will give you the strength to carry on with the journey, because he has sent you to do his will. Have faith in God and he will show you how great he is. All you need to do is to come closer to him and he will come closer to you.
The LORD said to Elijah, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” (1 Kings 19 : 11). He was about to show him how Great he is.
“Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.” (1 Kings 19: 11 -13)
You see, sometimes God allows you to deal with challenges in life before he shows himself to you. This he does in order to show you that you are strong when you are with him. Because he was in the presence of the Lord, Elijah was not shaken by the powerful wind, earthquake and the fire. However, when he heard the GENTLE WHISPER, he covered his face because he was in the awe of God. His power is above everything!
There is nothing that will destroy you as long as you are in the presence of the Lord. Get back on your feet and continue running the good race. Elijah was lamenting that he had always been zealous for God but the Israelites rejected the covenant, broke the altars, killed the prophets and wanted to kill him also.
You may be blaming God that even though you have been faithful to him, you are having troubles that you cannot take anymore. Just know that God doesn’t want you to give up because of the trials and tribulations. He still wants you to persevere and finish the work he has sent you to do on earth.
In Galatians 5: 7 -8 Paul says; “You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.”
It is not over until God says so… ’Arise and eat, because the journey is too great for you!
From Absence of Inner Peace to Inner JOY
There is nothing that hurts like a troubled heart. You may feel like you have everything under control. On the outside you look happy and you seem to be successful in everything you do… but there is only one problem, your heart is not at peace!
You go to church and you come back feeling empty. You read the bible and you understand nothing at all. You pray and you cannot find the words. You feel the urge to go on but there are strong forces pulling you away. The more you think about, the more you get anxious.
Trust me, this is a very painful moment. You feel so sad on the inside and you start blaming yourself for this and that. You start pointing and naming things you are not doing well instead of counting your blessings. You sink deep into the sticky situation. The sad thing is that you never understand what is happening, You just become a slave of these forces.
From my experience, it takes courage to humble yourself and open your heart for the Lord and he will set you free. There is always that gentle whisper, that voice within you that tells you what to do and your role is simple, just listen and do what that voice is saying. The Lord will set you free.
It’s amazing how you feel the inner peace and joy inside. Someone wrote JOY can be described as putting Jesus first, Others second and Yourself last. I have realised how much this is true. There is no point therefore to go back. Galatians 5 : 1 says “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
You go to church and you come back feeling empty. You read the bible and you understand nothing at all. You pray and you cannot find the words. You feel the urge to go on but there are strong forces pulling you away. The more you think about, the more you get anxious.
Trust me, this is a very painful moment. You feel so sad on the inside and you start blaming yourself for this and that. You start pointing and naming things you are not doing well instead of counting your blessings. You sink deep into the sticky situation. The sad thing is that you never understand what is happening, You just become a slave of these forces.
From my experience, it takes courage to humble yourself and open your heart for the Lord and he will set you free. There is always that gentle whisper, that voice within you that tells you what to do and your role is simple, just listen and do what that voice is saying. The Lord will set you free.
It’s amazing how you feel the inner peace and joy inside. Someone wrote JOY can be described as putting Jesus first, Others second and Yourself last. I have realised how much this is true. There is no point therefore to go back. Galatians 5 : 1 says “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
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