Obadiah 1:17 NIV
But on Mount Zion will be deliverance; it will be holy, and Jacob will possess his inheritance.
The new covenant of God through Jesus Christ ushers us who believe to Mount Zion - Hebrews 12:22-24 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven.
You have come to God, the Judge of all,to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
Most Christians quote Obadiah 1:17 with emphasis on possessing their possessions, forgetting that deliverance and holiness precedes that. The mark of any true Christian is deliverance from his old ways and living in holiness. You cannot take from Satan when he has a hold on you.
Before you can retrieve from your enemy - a strong man, you need to first bind up the strong man. When you experience deliverance through faith in the name of Jesus, the enemy is bound and his works destroyed.
Walking in holiness ushers you into Heavenly citizenship, into the company of God's angels, into the Church of Jesus and makes you a rightful possessor of Jesus' s covenant rights
Once you walk in holiness, you can then command a repossession of all that is stolen from you.
WHAT IS NEXT?
29.6.14
Re - possessing your possessions!
Obadiah 1:17 NIV
But on Mount Zion will be deliverance; it will be holy, and Jacob will possess his inheritance.
When the Amalekites took all of David's wives and possessions, including those of his men, they were distraught. The men took to fault finding and were planning to stone David. David took his rightful stand in God and encouraged himself in the Lord.
In His weak state, he found strength and led his men to recover all that he had lost - 1 Samuel 30:18-19 David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken, including his two wives. Nothing was missing: young or old, boy or girl, plunder or anything else they had taken. David brought everything back.
The enemy often steals our possessions - our marital happiness, our peace, health and finances. He leads our children away, and causes us great distress. Instead of playing the blame game and pointing fingers as to who caused what, rise up and encourage yourself in the Lord
Like David, shake up your faith, and recover all that is yours in Christ Jesus. You are well able to take back what Satan has stolen from you. Step out in faith, and repossess your promises in the Lord. Repossess what God says is yours.
WHAT IS NEXT?
28.6.14
Peace in the midst of the storm
Psalm 94:18-19 NIV
When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord , supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.
Have you been wearied in the battle of life? Do you feel like the world is moving on without you? Are you bereaved and broken hearted? Does your soul cry out in dismay. Do you feel dispirited and anxious?
The Lord is closer than you think. He never forsakes His own. He did turn His eyes away from Jesus on the cross, but it was momentarily. He turned away in love, not in disdain.
God felt the pain of Jesus more than anyone else. It was His pain. Jesus was God in man. We represent God's men; His treasure and priceless possession! How then can He not feel our pain?
Listen beyond the turmoil. Hear beyond the grief and sorrow. There is hope crying out. A loving hand stretched forth. There is perpetual joy being poured into you.
Look a little beyond your circumstances. A little further via the eyes of faith, and God's peace would envelope you. It is a peace beyond words. A joy that knows no bounds.
Trust in His love for He will never forsake nor leave you. He is faithful!
WHAT IS NEXT?
When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord , supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.
Have you been wearied in the battle of life? Do you feel like the world is moving on without you? Are you bereaved and broken hearted? Does your soul cry out in dismay. Do you feel dispirited and anxious?
The Lord is closer than you think. He never forsakes His own. He did turn His eyes away from Jesus on the cross, but it was momentarily. He turned away in love, not in disdain.
God felt the pain of Jesus more than anyone else. It was His pain. Jesus was God in man. We represent God's men; His treasure and priceless possession! How then can He not feel our pain?
Listen beyond the turmoil. Hear beyond the grief and sorrow. There is hope crying out. A loving hand stretched forth. There is perpetual joy being poured into you.
Look a little beyond your circumstances. A little further via the eyes of faith, and God's peace would envelope you. It is a peace beyond words. A joy that knows no bounds.
Trust in His love for He will never forsake nor leave you. He is faithful!
WHAT IS NEXT?
27.6.14
Flee Absalom's example!
Proverbs 20:22 NIV
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the Lord , and he will avenge you.
Absalom craftily planned revenge on his brother Amnon who had raped his sister. He eventually killed him. But did this bring him peace?
He remained in isolation for a few years and then continued to fight his own battles in his strength. He was seeing everything through the eyes of hurt and bitterness. This led him to attempt to dethrone his father, David the King, which led to his own death.
When we try to revenge a wrong done us, we fight in our limited strength. We fight with our limited wisdom. We pour out our bitterness and hurt, sometimes even on the innocent, just like Absalom did when he defiled the mistresses of David. 2 Samuel 16:21-22
A tooth for a tooth only hurts everyone. Bitterness is a poison that destroys the one carrying it. We have to learn to allow God to avenge the wrongs done to us. He knows how best to pay back.
Are you hurt? Turn to God and hand Him your hurting heart. Let Him take care of it all. He serves just deserts.
WHAT IS NEXT?
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the Lord , and he will avenge you.
Absalom craftily planned revenge on his brother Amnon who had raped his sister. He eventually killed him. But did this bring him peace?
He remained in isolation for a few years and then continued to fight his own battles in his strength. He was seeing everything through the eyes of hurt and bitterness. This led him to attempt to dethrone his father, David the King, which led to his own death.
When we try to revenge a wrong done us, we fight in our limited strength. We fight with our limited wisdom. We pour out our bitterness and hurt, sometimes even on the innocent, just like Absalom did when he defiled the mistresses of David. 2 Samuel 16:21-22
A tooth for a tooth only hurts everyone. Bitterness is a poison that destroys the one carrying it. We have to learn to allow God to avenge the wrongs done to us. He knows how best to pay back.
Are you hurt? Turn to God and hand Him your hurting heart. Let Him take care of it all. He serves just deserts.
WHAT IS NEXT?
26.6.14
Rest God's way!
Matthew 11:28-30
28 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
This life can be full of troubles. We can be weighed down by events we encounter. Our human strength is limited, and this causes us to become over burdened and weary. God has welcomed us to come to Him to be replenished. His Son, Jesus Christ has extended this offer to us.
However, God's promised rest comes at a price. We must be willing to take His yoke, that is His steering; His leading. We must learn from Him, that is be obedient to His Word. We must also take after His character, to be gentle and lowly in heart. Jesus is prepared to change our hearts if we would allow Him. If we heed to His Word, it will transform our minds and hearts.
Only until we do these, can we truly find rest God's way.
WHAT IS NEXT?
28 “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
This life can be full of troubles. We can be weighed down by events we encounter. Our human strength is limited, and this causes us to become over burdened and weary. God has welcomed us to come to Him to be replenished. His Son, Jesus Christ has extended this offer to us.
However, God's promised rest comes at a price. We must be willing to take His yoke, that is His steering; His leading. We must learn from Him, that is be obedient to His Word. We must also take after His character, to be gentle and lowly in heart. Jesus is prepared to change our hearts if we would allow Him. If we heed to His Word, it will transform our minds and hearts.
Only until we do these, can we truly find rest God's way.
WHAT IS NEXT?
25.6.14
The Spirit of the Prophet
1 Corinthians 14:32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.
I remember so clearly an incident I witnessed far back in the year 2000. It was at a church meeting. The preacher was delivering his sermon, and from no where a congregant stood up and started prophesying. It created such a scene of confusion.
The look on people's faces spelt confusion. No one seemed to know what was happening. The preacher was taken by surprise as well. For a few seconds both men were speaking. Then the preacher stopped talking, and an elder of the church walked over to the man who was prophesying and gently rebuked him to keep quiet. He immediately stopped prophesying and was led to an adjacent room to be spoken to.
The scene that I witnessed brought alive the relevance of
1 Corinthians 14:32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.
A Prophet can always control what he utters. He can pause if he needs to breathe or cough, and can continue at liberty to speak what God has placed on his heart. God does not operate through us as though we are robots. He respects our will power, and we are at liberty to allow God to use us as His vessels. We therefore ought to exercise wisdom and discretion when speaking as God's servants.
WHAT IS NEXT?
I remember so clearly an incident I witnessed far back in the year 2000. It was at a church meeting. The preacher was delivering his sermon, and from no where a congregant stood up and started prophesying. It created such a scene of confusion.
The look on people's faces spelt confusion. No one seemed to know what was happening. The preacher was taken by surprise as well. For a few seconds both men were speaking. Then the preacher stopped talking, and an elder of the church walked over to the man who was prophesying and gently rebuked him to keep quiet. He immediately stopped prophesying and was led to an adjacent room to be spoken to.
The scene that I witnessed brought alive the relevance of
1 Corinthians 14:32 The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets.
A Prophet can always control what he utters. He can pause if he needs to breathe or cough, and can continue at liberty to speak what God has placed on his heart. God does not operate through us as though we are robots. He respects our will power, and we are at liberty to allow God to use us as His vessels. We therefore ought to exercise wisdom and discretion when speaking as God's servants.
WHAT IS NEXT?
24.6.14
Manoeuvring God's Word
God's yea is yea, and His nay is nay. He does not mince words, and means what He says. On the other hand, God is a listening God, and believes in reasoning with us.
Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.
God is sovereign, but He is not a dictator. When He gives us a message or Word, He gives room for us to exercise at liberty our will. He never forces His will on us. There is always His role as God, and Gideon's role (the role of man.)
The people of Nineveh were sinful and cruel, and yet wise enough to know that they could through their actions manoeuvre and change God's judgement to befall them through repentance. Although disaster was foretold by Jonah to befall them, they reasoned with God and averted it.
King Hezekiah got a message from God to put his house in order because he was going to die. Hezekiah, knowing he could reason with God, negotiated with Him and received additional fifteen years to his years on Earth.
1 Timothy 1:18 This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight.
WHAT IS NEXT?
Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.
God is sovereign, but He is not a dictator. When He gives us a message or Word, He gives room for us to exercise at liberty our will. He never forces His will on us. There is always His role as God, and Gideon's role (the role of man.)
The people of Nineveh were sinful and cruel, and yet wise enough to know that they could through their actions manoeuvre and change God's judgement to befall them through repentance. Although disaster was foretold by Jonah to befall them, they reasoned with God and averted it.
King Hezekiah got a message from God to put his house in order because he was going to die. Hezekiah, knowing he could reason with God, negotiated with Him and received additional fifteen years to his years on Earth.
1 Timothy 1:18 This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight.
WHAT IS NEXT?
23.6.14
The Esau Syndrome
In this age of instant coffees, instant noodles, buying and selling at the instant click of buttons, there is a tendency to want instant gratification regardless of the consequences.
However, before we indulge in acts that instantly satisfy us, we ought to uphold certain values, and value entitlements and actions that will bring future benefits. We must put into perspective life's needs and wants, alongside God's.
Esau was so hungry that he disregarded his birth right. He devalued what would have blessed his future. Sometimes we refuse to be temporarily deprived so we can invest in our future. We virtually scorn our God - given gifts and refuse to painfully develop them to perpetually grant our needs. We rather choose to serve those that will grant our needs presently and instantly.
A little endurance, a little deprivation is all we sometimes need to create a perfect tomorrow. Do not join the band wagon of getting everything in an easy manner. You may sell your very soul. Place a high value on your God-given rights and blessings. Go through the needed suffering and pain to secure your promised future in God.
WHAT IS NEXT?
However, before we indulge in acts that instantly satisfy us, we ought to uphold certain values, and value entitlements and actions that will bring future benefits. We must put into perspective life's needs and wants, alongside God's.
Esau was so hungry that he disregarded his birth right. He devalued what would have blessed his future. Sometimes we refuse to be temporarily deprived so we can invest in our future. We virtually scorn our God - given gifts and refuse to painfully develop them to perpetually grant our needs. We rather choose to serve those that will grant our needs presently and instantly.
A little endurance, a little deprivation is all we sometimes need to create a perfect tomorrow. Do not join the band wagon of getting everything in an easy manner. You may sell your very soul. Place a high value on your God-given rights and blessings. Go through the needed suffering and pain to secure your promised future in God.
WHAT IS NEXT?
22.6.14
Victim turned accused!
Psalm 119:9 How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word.
Joseph lived according to the Word of God and tried to stay on the path of purity. Then came his tempter, Potiphar's wife.
Joseph refused to sin before God and his master, Potiphar. He therefore declined the offer of sin handed over to him on a silver platter. This did not go down well with his temptress. She resorted to lies to swap their characters.
There are people who are manipulative in nature. They love to have their own way, and when they do not get to, will resort to all sorts of things, such as falsely accusing innocent ones, crying crocodile tears, walking in pretense to buy the sympathy of others, and doing all they can to punish whoever did not allow them to have their way.
The most common is making the innocent one look guilty so they can swap positions, and hence enable them to save their face. Such manipulative characters have witchcraft tendencies, some unknowingly. Witchcraft and manipulation are two sides of the same coin.
Are you manipulative and crafty in your dealings with people? If you are, you may appear to succeed momentarily, but because we reap what we sow, you shall equally be treated with deception and/or manipulation. Jacob is a good example. Just as he deceived his father to be blessed, he was deceived to marry the wrong woman.
Let go manipulation! Do not turn innocent victims into the accused. Remember, God hears the cry of the innocent and saves them.
WHAT IS NEXT?
Joseph lived according to the Word of God and tried to stay on the path of purity. Then came his tempter, Potiphar's wife.
Joseph refused to sin before God and his master, Potiphar. He therefore declined the offer of sin handed over to him on a silver platter. This did not go down well with his temptress. She resorted to lies to swap their characters.
There are people who are manipulative in nature. They love to have their own way, and when they do not get to, will resort to all sorts of things, such as falsely accusing innocent ones, crying crocodile tears, walking in pretense to buy the sympathy of others, and doing all they can to punish whoever did not allow them to have their way.
The most common is making the innocent one look guilty so they can swap positions, and hence enable them to save their face. Such manipulative characters have witchcraft tendencies, some unknowingly. Witchcraft and manipulation are two sides of the same coin.
Are you manipulative and crafty in your dealings with people? If you are, you may appear to succeed momentarily, but because we reap what we sow, you shall equally be treated with deception and/or manipulation. Jacob is a good example. Just as he deceived his father to be blessed, he was deceived to marry the wrong woman.
Let go manipulation! Do not turn innocent victims into the accused. Remember, God hears the cry of the innocent and saves them.
WHAT IS NEXT?
21.6.14
Blessed and cursed items.
Objects and things we keep can cause us to be blessed or cursed; to become victorious or losers.
Joshua 7:1 But Israel violated the instructions about the things set apart for the Lord. A man named Achan had stolen some of these dedicated things, so the Lord was very angry with the Israelites. Achan was the son of Carmi, a descendant of Zimrison of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah
As a result of Achan's sin, Israel suffered defeat at the hands of their enemies from Ai. Eventually Achan was stoned to death, together with his family. This assuaged God's anger. Joshua 7
Contrarily, the arc of God when brought to the home of Obed-Edom, caused the entire house to be blessed. 2 Samuel 6: 11 The ark of the LORD remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite for three months, and the LORD blessed him and his entire household.
Be careful of objects and things you keep in your home, accursed things as idols and images of gods can have an adverse effect on you, just as in the case of Achan.
Also, blessed objects can bring healing and deliverance- such as it happened in the book of Acts 19:12 When handkerchiefs or aprons that had merely touched his skin were placed on sick people, they were healed of their diseases, and evil spirits were expelled.
Blessed items can also bring prosperity as in the case of Obed-Edom.
WHAT IS NEXT?
20.6.14
The sin of sacrilige.
1 Samuel 5-6 : When the Philistines captured the arc of God, God's hand struck them for the sin of sacrilege, and they suffered calamity upon calamity. They moved the arc from one place to another, but because they were handling a blessed object wrongfully, they suffered a curse upon curse; and plague after plague.
When we wrongfully take what belongs to God, for instance if money is given to you for a Godly cause, and you wrongfully sabotage it, this can cause calamities to befall you, except you repent. This is what happened to Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 - they wrongfully took what was God's.
Though the money was theirs, they had lied about what they were giving to God. Having secretly kept a part of what they claimed they were giving to God, was indirectly keeping God's money. They suffered instant justice as a result of God's wrath.
May we be careful as to how we handle the Holy things of God.
WHAT IS NEXT?
When we wrongfully take what belongs to God, for instance if money is given to you for a Godly cause, and you wrongfully sabotage it, this can cause calamities to befall you, except you repent. This is what happened to Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 - they wrongfully took what was God's.
Though the money was theirs, they had lied about what they were giving to God. Having secretly kept a part of what they claimed they were giving to God, was indirectly keeping God's money. They suffered instant justice as a result of God's wrath.
May we be careful as to how we handle the Holy things of God.
WHAT IS NEXT?
19.6.14
Bad company
Jonah was walking in disobedience to God.
Jonah 1:1-3 The Lord gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai: “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.”
Because of Jonah's disobedience, those that entertained his company faced danger. We can endanger our lives by the company we keep. When those sailing with Jonah encountered a fierce storm, they cast lots to see whose fault it was. The lots fell on Jonah who confessed and asked to be thrown into the sea.
Eventually the crew agreed - Jonah 1:14 -16 Then they cried out to the Lord, Jonah’s God. “O Lord,” they pleaded, “don’t make us die for this man’s sin. And don’t hold us responsible for his death. O Lord, you have sent this storm upon him for your own good reasons.”
As Christians, we are called to win souls, but must be able to discern whom to keep company with, as certain associations can endanger our lives. We must be discerning and conscious of the leadings of the Holy Spirit where friendships and relationships are concerned.
WHAT IS NEXT?
But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the Lord by sailing to Tarshish.
Because of Jonah's disobedience, those that entertained his company faced danger. We can endanger our lives by the company we keep. When those sailing with Jonah encountered a fierce storm, they cast lots to see whose fault it was. The lots fell on Jonah who confessed and asked to be thrown into the sea.
Eventually the crew agreed - Jonah 1:14 -16 Then they cried out to the Lord, Jonah’s God. “O Lord,” they pleaded, “don’t make us die for this man’s sin. And don’t hold us responsible for his death. O Lord, you have sent this storm upon him for your own good reasons.”
15 Then the sailors picked Jonah up and threw him into the raging sea, and the storm stopped at once!16 The sailors were awestruck by theLord’s great power, and they offered him a sacrifice and vowed to serve him.
As Christians, we are called to win souls, but must be able to discern whom to keep company with, as certain associations can endanger our lives. We must be discerning and conscious of the leadings of the Holy Spirit where friendships and relationships are concerned.
WHAT IS NEXT?
18.6.14
Good company
We can be blessed because of who is with us, below is what Laban said to Jacob:
Genesis 30:27 But Laban said to him, "If I have found favor in your eyes, please stay. I have learned by divination that the LORD has blessed me because of you."
Also, when Joseph was in Potiphar's house, we learn that: From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household and property, the Lord began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake. All his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished. Genesis 39:5
When Paul was on a ship that nearly wrecked, God saved all on board because of the presence of Paul - Acts 27:21-24 NIV
After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss.
But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’
God saved all 276 people on board (vs 37) because of one man - Paul!
You must be careful of whom you keep company with, as you can be blessed or endanger yourself, depending on who is with you. Also, when you are in right standing with God, you must be a channel through whom others are blessed and delivered.
WHAT IS NEXT?
Genesis 30:27 But Laban said to him, "If I have found favor in your eyes, please stay. I have learned by divination that the LORD has blessed me because of you."
Also, when Joseph was in Potiphar's house, we learn that: From the day Joseph was put in charge of his master’s household and property, the Lord began to bless Potiphar’s household for Joseph’s sake. All his household affairs ran smoothly, and his crops and livestock flourished. Genesis 39:5
When Paul was on a ship that nearly wrecked, God saved all on board because of the presence of Paul - Acts 27:21-24 NIV
After they had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and said: “Men, you should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would have spared yourselves this damage and loss.
But now I urge you to keep up your courage, because not one of you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed. Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.’
God saved all 276 people on board (vs 37) because of one man - Paul!
You must be careful of whom you keep company with, as you can be blessed or endanger yourself, depending on who is with you. Also, when you are in right standing with God, you must be a channel through whom others are blessed and delivered.
WHAT IS NEXT?
17.6.14
Whose voice are you listening to?
Acts 27:10-11 NIV
“Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.” But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship.
Acts 27:14-15 NIV
Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the Northeaster, swept down from the island. The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along.
God speaks to us all the time. Sometimes through His servants, and at other times through our thoughts, and by what we see and hear.
Whether we pay attention to it or not is the issue. In the Bible verses above, Paul, a prisoner for his faith warned those he was travelling with of imminent danger ahead. Paul was a man full of the Spirit. He therefore spoke under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, but his words were ignored. Rather they followed the wisdom of men - that of the Pilot and the owner of the ship.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
WHAT IS NEXT?
“Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.” But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship.
Acts 27:14-15 NIV
Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the Northeaster, swept down from the island. The ship was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we gave way to it and were driven along.
God speaks to us all the time. Sometimes through His servants, and at other times through our thoughts, and by what we see and hear.
Whether we pay attention to it or not is the issue. In the Bible verses above, Paul, a prisoner for his faith warned those he was travelling with of imminent danger ahead. Paul was a man full of the Spirit. He therefore spoke under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, but his words were ignored. Rather they followed the wisdom of men - that of the Pilot and the owner of the ship.
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
1 Corinthians 1:25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.
All on board the ship nearly perished because they refused to listen to words from God's Holy Spirit spoken by His servant. We ought to be discerning. We ought to commit our way to God and be sensitive to His voice.
WHAT IS NEXT?
16.6.14
Paying attention to God!
We can easily miss what someone is telling us when we do not pay attention.
God speaks to us all the time, but sometimes we tend not to listen.
We must pay attention to His whispers as well as to His thunderous roars. Sometimes He tells us to show love to that person who doesn't deserve it. Sometimes He beckons to us to give some financial support, to another financial help, or help with food.
There are times He tells us to be quiet, to not say anything. At other times He gives us a word to say in season. To lift another, to heal someone, and even to rebuke someone of wrong doing.
We must be conscious of God's presence in our lives, of His speaking ability, and of impressions He gives us. We must keep His Word close at heart, and use it as a guiding map for our lives.
Isaiah 50:4-5 The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom,
so that I know how to comfort the weary.
Morning by morning he wakens me
and opens my understanding to his will.
5 The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me,
and I have listened.
I have not rebelled or turned away.
WHAT IS NEXT?
God speaks to us all the time, but sometimes we tend not to listen.
We must pay attention to His whispers as well as to His thunderous roars. Sometimes He tells us to show love to that person who doesn't deserve it. Sometimes He beckons to us to give some financial support, to another financial help, or help with food.
There are times He tells us to be quiet, to not say anything. At other times He gives us a word to say in season. To lift another, to heal someone, and even to rebuke someone of wrong doing.
We must be conscious of God's presence in our lives, of His speaking ability, and of impressions He gives us. We must keep His Word close at heart, and use it as a guiding map for our lives.
Isaiah 50:4-5 The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom,
so that I know how to comfort the weary.
Morning by morning he wakens me
and opens my understanding to his will.
5 The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me,
and I have listened.
I have not rebelled or turned away.
WHAT IS NEXT?
15.6.14
First love!
I do remember when I fell in love as a teenager. I would lie in bed with a smile on my face, day dreaming about my lover. My heart did skip beats when I saw him. His favourite dish became mine as well, because I felt it helped to keep him close by when I was alone at home. We would spend hours together, and I used to write very long letters to him.
I do remember soaking up love tunes in bed, just thinking of him. Cards and presents from him kept close all the time -smelling them and loving them. Everything about my lover was beautiful, and I simply lived for him.
Then I fell in love with Jesus. He took first place. I spent hours reading the Bible and worshipping Him with songs. I loved to tell of Him to all I met. I wrote poems about Him, and talked to Him all day long.
Sometime later, I got to know the Holy Spirit personally. I loved His voice, and He led me into many beautiful experiences. I was in love - in love with the Godhead!
Revelations 2:4-5 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.
Just as the love of lovers can wane, so can our love for God and for the relationship we have with Him. We must therefore be alert, lest our love for Him (God), grows cold.
Just like the Church of Ephesus, we must repent, and do the things we did, when we first met Christ. The path of the righteous must shine brighter and brighter, not brighter and dimmer, even until the day of Christ's return.
WHAT IS NEXT?
I do remember soaking up love tunes in bed, just thinking of him. Cards and presents from him kept close all the time -smelling them and loving them. Everything about my lover was beautiful, and I simply lived for him.
Then I fell in love with Jesus. He took first place. I spent hours reading the Bible and worshipping Him with songs. I loved to tell of Him to all I met. I wrote poems about Him, and talked to Him all day long.
Sometime later, I got to know the Holy Spirit personally. I loved His voice, and He led me into many beautiful experiences. I was in love - in love with the Godhead!
Revelations 2:4-5 Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.
Just as the love of lovers can wane, so can our love for God and for the relationship we have with Him. We must therefore be alert, lest our love for Him (God), grows cold.
Just like the Church of Ephesus, we must repent, and do the things we did, when we first met Christ. The path of the righteous must shine brighter and brighter, not brighter and dimmer, even until the day of Christ's return.
WHAT IS NEXT?
14.6.14
Seek God early!
Mark 1:35 Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.
Jesus set the example for us - before the day begun, He sought God and committed His entire life and day into His hands. He knew that for His days on Earth to run smoothly, He needed to have God in it, guiding Him.
Our views and perceptions are limited. God has a better and clearer view of how things must run, so we ought to involve Him. Without doing so, we tend to become grumpy and short sighted, falling into many of Satan's traps and pitfalls all along the way.
Psalm 5:3 O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.
WHAT IS NEXT?
13.6.14
Depend on God!
God is pleased when we depend on Him for all that concerns us in our past, present and future.
When our past experiences weigh us down with feelings of pain, regret and guilt, Jesus beckons to us to tarry close to Him with our heavy load/burden, and He shall grant us rest. Rest from yesterday, and rest today.
Jesus warns us not to fret, but to come to Him in prayer. We are told to call upon God, and He shall hear us.
For He keeps in perfect peace, he whose mind is stayed on Him, for He trusts in Him. About the future, do not be like the rich fool Luke 12:13-21. Do not plan your future with no place for God, lest He gives you a rude surprise!
Depend on God at all times!
WHAT IS NEXT?
When our past experiences weigh us down with feelings of pain, regret and guilt, Jesus beckons to us to tarry close to Him with our heavy load/burden, and He shall grant us rest. Rest from yesterday, and rest today.
Jesus warns us not to fret, but to come to Him in prayer. We are told to call upon God, and He shall hear us.
For He keeps in perfect peace, he whose mind is stayed on Him, for He trusts in Him. About the future, do not be like the rich fool Luke 12:13-21. Do not plan your future with no place for God, lest He gives you a rude surprise!
Depend on God at all times!
WHAT IS NEXT?
12.6.14
The Achan Syndrome
Joshua 7:11-12 11Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions. 12That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction.
What I call the Achan Syndrome is the situation where children of God continue in sin and in violation of God's Word, and still expect to overcome Satan and his Kingdom, and to live in the power and dominion God has given to them through Christ Jesus.
Unfortunately, it does not work that way. You have to either be for the Lord in toto, or you will be eating and dancing with Satan, your enemy. To overcome Satan and His Kingdom you must walk in holiness and obedience to God.
As God put it in Joshua 7:12, when you willingly walk in disobedience and unholiness, you become liable to destruction, and God will not be with you until you repent and walk in obedience.
Let us take today to consecrate ourselves through the blood of Jesus, and remove any sin from our lives, as we yield to God's Spirit. Then alone, can we be ready to reign in power through Jesus Christ.
WHAT IS NEXT?
What I call the Achan Syndrome is the situation where children of God continue in sin and in violation of God's Word, and still expect to overcome Satan and his Kingdom, and to live in the power and dominion God has given to them through Christ Jesus.
Unfortunately, it does not work that way. You have to either be for the Lord in toto, or you will be eating and dancing with Satan, your enemy. To overcome Satan and His Kingdom you must walk in holiness and obedience to God.
As God put it in Joshua 7:12, when you willingly walk in disobedience and unholiness, you become liable to destruction, and God will not be with you until you repent and walk in obedience.
Let us take today to consecrate ourselves through the blood of Jesus, and remove any sin from our lives, as we yield to God's Spirit. Then alone, can we be ready to reign in power through Jesus Christ.
WHAT IS NEXT?
11.6.14
Moving to the top!
The first step towards walking in elevation and a place of dominion is to stand humbly before God in repentance, worship and obedience.
In Judges 6:25-26, when the angel of God appeared to Gideon to bring him and all of Israel from a place of oppression and obscurity, to a place of dominion , elevation, and power, God through His angel instructed Gideon to pull down his father's altar to Baal and build an altar in place to Him. This is the key to your rightful place of elevation, power and reign.
To move to the top, you must ensure that nothing stands in your way. Every obstacle and obstruction must be removed. The worship of idols is a great obstacle to living a life of dominion. An idol is another god, other than God.
Whatever you place before God becomes your god, and hence your idol. To move in authority and power, and to move and remain at the top, God must be number 1 in our lives. Obeying Him must be our priority.
WHAT IS NEXT?
10.6.14
See you at the top!
Deuteronomy 28:13 The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom.
God is pleased to elevate us. He is pleased to move us away from oppression to a place of reign. God desires that we rule and have dominion on the Earth. That was His purpose for creating us.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
Genesis 1:27-28 So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 28 Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”
WHAT IS NEXT?
9.6.14
The lie of satan - Part 3
God through Jesus has already made us co-heirs with He whose name and title is higher than any other. We are children of the Most High God, co-heirs with Jesus who owns all the gold and silver of the world. Our father whose inheritance we are co-heirs of, owns the cattle on a thousand hills. He owns the entire Heaven and Earth.
Truth is, whatever we are seeking is already ours through Christ Jesus. The way to get to them and not disobey or dishonour God in the process, is to come through Christ Jesus, and enjoy them in Christ Jesus.
WHAT IS NEXT?
Truth is, whatever we are seeking is already ours through Christ Jesus. The way to get to them and not disobey or dishonour God in the process, is to come through Christ Jesus, and enjoy them in Christ Jesus.
WHAT IS NEXT?
8.6.14
The lie of Satan - Part 2
1 John 2:16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.
Just like Satan tempted Jesus to put God to the test in order to show forth his power, so does he tempt us to show forth our titles as humans. We tend to take pride in our qualifications and achievements. Some murder for positions and power.
Many men and women engage in unhealthy competitions that often times scars them. These can cause bitter feelings, which mars the beauty of the human soul, and drags men deeper into anger, and further away from God and from His Promises.
This is the working of Satan.
WHAT IS NEXT?
7.6.14
The lie of Satan
1 John 2:16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.
When Jesus was tempted by Satan, he was presented with everything the world offers: a craving for physical pleasure to have his hunger satisfied. This was followed by an offer to show forth his powers as a son of God, for him to delight in the pride of his position and prove his ability to command angels to listen to him. Then lastly, Jesus was tested to crave for what his eyes saw - the riches of the world.
Matthew 4:1-11
Satan still uses the same things to tempt us. He causes us to crave for things that only gratify our physical needs and not our spiritual needs. We even sometimes sin against God to satisfy these needs. The story of the old prophet and the man of God teaches us to put God's Word before satisfying our physical needs, in order not to be devoured by the enemy. 1 Kings 13
WHAT IS NEXT?
When Jesus was tempted by Satan, he was presented with everything the world offers: a craving for physical pleasure to have his hunger satisfied. This was followed by an offer to show forth his powers as a son of God, for him to delight in the pride of his position and prove his ability to command angels to listen to him. Then lastly, Jesus was tested to crave for what his eyes saw - the riches of the world.
Matthew 4:1-11
Satan still uses the same things to tempt us. He causes us to crave for things that only gratify our physical needs and not our spiritual needs. We even sometimes sin against God to satisfy these needs. The story of the old prophet and the man of God teaches us to put God's Word before satisfying our physical needs, in order not to be devoured by the enemy. 1 Kings 13
WHAT IS NEXT?
6.6.14
You are priceless - Part 2
When God formed Adam and Eve, He loved them unconditionally, and placed them in the garden of Eden, surrounded by all good things.
He also placed in their hands all the power to rule and have dominion on Earth. Yet they were still not satisfied, and were lured by the serpent to crave to become like God.
Just like the prodigal son who craved for money and fame -which had always been his inheritance in his father's house, likewise Adam and Eve craved to become like God, although they were already created in God's image, and had the breadth of God.
Although the Prodigal son went away from his father, his loving father wanted him to come back home, hence the great party he threw for him when he came home.
In the same vein, although Adam and Eve disobeyed God, God always sought for a way to bring them back home. He sought for ways, firstly by wrapping them in animal skin, using the blood to appease for their sin, following with the first covenant that allowed for animal sacrifices to appease sins.
Finally God chose the most invaluable lamb - Jesus, the lamb of God, to pay the price for priceless souls like you and I. All this God has done, just to bring you and I home.
WHAT IS NEXT?
He also placed in their hands all the power to rule and have dominion on Earth. Yet they were still not satisfied, and were lured by the serpent to crave to become like God.
Just like the prodigal son who craved for money and fame -which had always been his inheritance in his father's house, likewise Adam and Eve craved to become like God, although they were already created in God's image, and had the breadth of God.
Although the Prodigal son went away from his father, his loving father wanted him to come back home, hence the great party he threw for him when he came home.
In the same vein, although Adam and Eve disobeyed God, God always sought for a way to bring them back home. He sought for ways, firstly by wrapping them in animal skin, using the blood to appease for their sin, following with the first covenant that allowed for animal sacrifices to appease sins.
Finally God chose the most invaluable lamb - Jesus, the lamb of God, to pay the price for priceless souls like you and I. All this God has done, just to bring you and I home.
WHAT IS NEXT?
5.6.14
You are Priceless!
Do you have something that you value so much in life? Something of sentimental value that you wouldn't want to part with, no matter how much you are paid in return?
The father of the Prodigal son treasured him so much. Though the prodigal son put money, possessions and inheritance before their relationship, his father, full of affection for him would often sit at the window, wishfully longing for him to come back home.
Oneday, his dream came true, his prodigal son realised that there was something more important than possessions and money. It dawned on him just in the nick of time that it was more important to have good relations than money and friends that cling to you in favourable times. He therefore chose love over earthly possessions.
This choice brought him much peace. As a father, God equally deems us priceless. And yet Adam and Eve chose the quest for power over love. Join me as we explore their fatal choice.
WHAT IS NEXT?
The father of the Prodigal son treasured him so much. Though the prodigal son put money, possessions and inheritance before their relationship, his father, full of affection for him would often sit at the window, wishfully longing for him to come back home.
Oneday, his dream came true, his prodigal son realised that there was something more important than possessions and money. It dawned on him just in the nick of time that it was more important to have good relations than money and friends that cling to you in favourable times. He therefore chose love over earthly possessions.
This choice brought him much peace. As a father, God equally deems us priceless. And yet Adam and Eve chose the quest for power over love. Join me as we explore their fatal choice.
WHAT IS NEXT?
4.6.14
Make God your greatest treasure.
Matthew 13:45-46 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, 46 who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it
Seek the Lord while He is near, and you will find Him. If you seek Him with all your heart; like a precious jewel, you shall find Him.
What do you take pride in life? What is your gold in life - your priceless possession? If it is not God, then give up your gold for God. He is more precious and valuable. His value never depreciates.
Job 22: 24-25 If you give up your lust for money and throw your precious gold into the river, the Almighty himself will be your treasure. He will be your precious silver!
WHAT IS NEXT?
Seek the Lord while He is near, and you will find Him. If you seek Him with all your heart; like a precious jewel, you shall find Him.
What do you take pride in life? What is your gold in life - your priceless possession? If it is not God, then give up your gold for God. He is more precious and valuable. His value never depreciates.
Job 22: 24-25 If you give up your lust for money and throw your precious gold into the river, the Almighty himself will be your treasure. He will be your precious silver!
WHAT IS NEXT?
3.6.14
Seek Knowledge
Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. "Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.
How many times do we forfeit what God has freely given unto us because we refuse to search for the truths of His Word?
I realised today when I decided to use public transport that I had been paying the wrong price all along. I was actually paying higher than I needed to. I wondered why previous drivers had not alerted me. But the painful truth hit me - it was not their business to tell me. It was my business to read about the fares and choose a suitable one for my journey.
Similarly, God has given unto us all that pertains unto life and godliness through our knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue. 2 Peter 1:3
However, we can be found lacking and destitute if we refuse to seek and embrace knowledge - knowledge of God who has called us, and knowledge about our Godly inheritance through Christ Jesus.
Do not live in ignorance, and live poor when God has made you rich. You are royalty, seek out your Godly and royal inheritance in Christ Jesus.
WHAT IS NEXT?
How many times do we forfeit what God has freely given unto us because we refuse to search for the truths of His Word?
I realised today when I decided to use public transport that I had been paying the wrong price all along. I was actually paying higher than I needed to. I wondered why previous drivers had not alerted me. But the painful truth hit me - it was not their business to tell me. It was my business to read about the fares and choose a suitable one for my journey.
Similarly, God has given unto us all that pertains unto life and godliness through our knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue. 2 Peter 1:3
However, we can be found lacking and destitute if we refuse to seek and embrace knowledge - knowledge of God who has called us, and knowledge about our Godly inheritance through Christ Jesus.
Do not live in ignorance, and live poor when God has made you rich. You are royalty, seek out your Godly and royal inheritance in Christ Jesus.
WHAT IS NEXT?
2.6.14
Embrace rest.
Are you weary? Are you feeling weak and worn out? Do you feel spent and abandoned? Is your heart empty and drained? Are you caught up in a rut? A roller coaster journey? A yo-yo type of climb - up one minute, and down the next?
You are tired, you need rest! Jesus said - Matthew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Come to the Father. His arms are wide open, waiting for you. The father of the prodigal son kept looking out of the window, awaiting his son's return. That is how eager God the father awaits the weary hearted, and the sinful soul.
WHAT IS NEXT?
1.6.14
Time to ponder!
Luke 15:11-32
There is a time in life when we have to reflect on our lives, and on our relationship with our Heavenly father.
The prodigal son walked away from home, and from his father. He took his inheritance and went away to enjoy a thrilling life.
Well he did enjoy life, and came out wasted and empty. Likewise, as Christians, there are times that we walk away from our father and embrace things that thrill our physical senses, but causes us to feel empty and wasted in the end.
Just like the Prodigal son, we must pause in life and ponder on what we are entitled to in life, through our Heavenly father. Why should we wallow in sorrow and self pity when we could have joy and peace in God our father's house?
Why should we accept lack when God has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Heavenly places? Let us return to God, His angels will throw a party on our behalf - Luke 15:10.
And oh how glad our hearts would be!
WHAT IS NEXT?
There is a time in life when we have to reflect on our lives, and on our relationship with our Heavenly father.
The prodigal son walked away from home, and from his father. He took his inheritance and went away to enjoy a thrilling life.
Well he did enjoy life, and came out wasted and empty. Likewise, as Christians, there are times that we walk away from our father and embrace things that thrill our physical senses, but causes us to feel empty and wasted in the end.
Just like the Prodigal son, we must pause in life and ponder on what we are entitled to in life, through our Heavenly father. Why should we wallow in sorrow and self pity when we could have joy and peace in God our father's house?
Why should we accept lack when God has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in Heavenly places? Let us return to God, His angels will throw a party on our behalf - Luke 15:10.
And oh how glad our hearts would be!
WHAT IS NEXT?
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