PRINCIPLES OF JUDGMENT PART II
Romans 2:21-23
21 Well then, you who teach others, do you not teach
yourself? While you teach against stealing, do you steal (take what does
not really belong to you)?
22 You who say not to commit adultery, do you commit adultery [are you unchaste in action or in thought]? You who abhor and
loathe idols, do you rob temples [do you appropriate to your own use
what is consecrated to God, thus robbing the sanctuary and [a]doing
sacrilege]?
23 You who boast in the Law, do you dishonor God by breaking
the Law [by stealthily infringing upon or carelessly neglecting or
openly breaking it]?
If our actions are not backed by love you may think that you are
doing God a favor by bashing the sins of others. By whose authority do
we judge? What kind of judgment are we passing? Are we judging out of
love and righteousness or you are criticizing others because we do not
commit their so called big sins? Are we judging others in order to
snatch them from fire or you are making them look more miserable?
Jude 1:22-23
22 And refute [so as to] convict some who dispute with you, and on some have mercy who waver and doubt.
23 [Strive to] save others, snatching [them] out of [the]
fire; on others take pity [but] with fear, loathing even the garment
spotted by the flesh and polluted by their sensuality
I see many on facebook who are very vitriolic in passing judgments.
When Paul was persecuting the church, he thought he was doing a great
job for God. Paul's zeal was borne out of the flesh. When Paul
encountered light he learnt to pass righteous judgments. Sometimes
people pass judgment on others based on their spiritual status.
Acts 9: 1-5
1Meanwhile Saul, [a]still drawing his breath hard from threatening
and murderous desire against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high
priest
2 And requested of him letters to the synagogues at Damascus
[authorizing him], so that if he found any men or women belonging to the
Way [of life as determined by faith in Jesus Christ], he might bring
them bound [with chains] to Jerusalem.
3 Now as he traveled on, he came near to Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him,
4 And he fell to the ground. Then he heard a voice saying to him,
Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me [harassing, troubling, and
molesting Me]?
5 And Saul said, Who are You, Lord? And He said, I am Jesus, Whom you
are persecuting. [b]It is dangerous and it will turn out badly for you
to keep kicking against the goad [to offer vain and perilous
resistance].
Do you want everyone to pray and fast as you do? Do you want
everyone to go door to door evangelizing as you do? Remember no matter
how spiritually enlightened we are, we can't be the standard of
measurement for others. Jesus is our standard. Are you leading people to
the cross to weep over their spiritual state or you are criticizing and
condemning them to rot in their spiritual illness. Are you leading
people to Jesus or you are preaching your own gospel. When the full
gospel is preached there should be a change. The word of God is in
power.
Examine your life. I will keep on saying this. Many shout rapture
here and there but many are not even showing compassion on His lost
sheep. Many run rumors here and there hoping to get folks to bash people
for their mistakes. Are you grieving over the lies people have believed
in or you are rejoicing that they are blind. During my rebellious and
backsliding state I used to criticize people who were living in
fornication. When I encountered truth I realised that myself I was
fornicating by lusting after others.
Today many have prepared gallows like Hamman ready to hung Mordecai
but they do not see the evil in their hearts. Friends, in all that we do
we should be careful. If our actions are not backed by love then we
better ask ourselves if we stand in the position to rebuke. If our
houses are not clean then we ought not to clean others houses. We are to
be each others keeper. Sin must be rebuked out of love and not hatred.
Many are hypocrites. Many are like the Pharisees who laid burdens on
people's neck but were not willing to share others burdens. Many are
looking for an opportunity to criticise the flaws of others. If we claim
we are truly followers of Jesus then our aim should be to lead people
to the cross where there is redemption. Why are many not repenting after
a sermon is preached about sin. The words that come out of our mouths
are spirits.
Is your sermon coming out of a heart of love or a heart of hatred and
criticism? Many are not genuinely saved because of the source they are
receiving their message. Don't be a stumbling block in the lives of
others. Ask God to remove the log from your eyes. Ask Him to help you
see the way He sees others. Don't be like Satan who looks for an
opportunity to point accusing fingers. God's holy truth must be
preached. The perishing need God's truth and not condemnation. There are
more hurdles ahead to overcome. God's children are supposed to
overcome.
Hebrews 10:24-25
24 And let us consider and give [a]attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities,
25 Not forsaking or neglecting to assemble together
[as believers], as is the habit of some people, but admonishing
(warning, urging, and encouraging) one another, and all the more
faithfully as you see the day approaching.
John 7:24
24 Be honest in your judgment and do not decide at a glance (superficially and by appearances); but judge fairly and righteously.
Glory To Jesus
Friday 2 November 2012
PRINCIPLES OF JUDGMENT PART I
PRINCIPLES OF JUDGMENT PART I
Matthew 7:1-4
1 Do not judge and criticize and condemn others, so that you may not be judged and criticized and condemned yourselves.
2 For just as you judge and criticize and condemn others, you will be judged and criticized and condemned, and in accordance with the measure you [use to] deal out to others, it will be dealt out again to you.
3 Why do you stare from without at the very small particle that is in your brother’s eye but do not become aware of and consider the beam of timber that is in your own eye?
4 Or how can you say to your brother, Let me get the tiny
particle out of your eye, when there is the beam of timber in your own
eye?
In Matthew 7: 1-2 Jesus tells us not to judge(criticise, condemn). In
vs 3 & 4 He goes on to throw more light on judgment. He used a
speck and a log as an example. The speck is a tiny particle and the log
is a timber which is very heavy. Jesus was trying to teach on the
importance of self examination. If we can lift the log in our lives for
us to be light then we can be trusted to correct others. ...
If we can clean up our houses, then we can be trusted to clean others
houses. The principle of judgment rotates on justice and purity that's
why God is known as the righteous judge. God is holy and He judges out
of justice which leaves no doubts or shadows being cast. Many say do not
judge. Do not judge means do not judge on your authority. We are to
judge based on God's principles of judgment and that's righteousness and
justice. If we continue to omit judgment as believers then there will
be much insanity in the house of God. Today many have entangled
themselves with this scripture overlooking the other side of this truth.
A believers sense of judgment must thrive on love, justice and
righteousness.
1 Corinthians 2:15
But the spiritual man tries all things [he [a]examines,
investigates, inquires into, questions, and discerns all things], yet is
himself to be put on trial and judged by no one [he can read the
meaning of everything, but no one can properly discern or appraise or get an insight into him].
In 1 Corinthians 2: 15 the bible says the spiritual man judges and no
one judges him. The spiritual man has been given the authority to judge
because he follows the principles of judgment. His house is clean and
he judges in truth and in love. Believing one part of scripture deforms a
believer. The word of God is a sword that has two of its edges equally
sharp. One edge has to pierce and the other has to soothe. Embracing
half truth makes one spiritually malnourished. Today many are using this
scripture as a license to sin. Is it better to correct someone who is
going astray or remain silent for the sake of "judgment"? Today many
churches are compromising because they want to believe in only a part of
the gospel.
Today, Aaron(pastors and leaders) have compromised by bringing the
golden calf in the midst of God's people. No wonder the glory of God is
not seen in our churches. Many have given up their ear rings(valuables)
in our churches just to mold the golden calf and worship. Who is going
to stand up and speak against the harlotry in our churches? Who is going
to stand up and speak against the women who are showing their
cleavages? Who is going to stand up and speak against the religious
system in our churches. Today many are like the Pharisees who went to
John The Baptist privately to be baptised. Many care about their
reputation more than their spiritual illness.. The church will only
experience the miraculous when they begin to love truth and embrace Him.
Judgment is meant to put things right. Judgment is meant to bring
sanity. Don't embrace truth that only tickles your ear. The Lord
requires your sincerity. He requires you become transparent.
Glory to Jesus
Monday 27 August 2012
OCULAR SIN
The Ocular Sin (Sin Committed Through Sight)
I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid? Job 31:1. These were the words of a man described earlier in Job1:1 as perfect,upright,one who feared God and eschewed evil. Satan found nothing evil to accuse him of. Satan rather made God to test Job's faith in Him.
Christians have been called to live a blameless life. A blameless life can be lived if one walks in the knowledge of God's word. There is one area of life that many believes ignore. This is the sin committed through sight which I have termed “ Ocular Sin.”
Ocular sin is a sin committed through sight. This kind of sin is diverse but I will like to touch on one area which many believers fall victim to. I am using believers because it has clearly been written in the word of God. This is the sin committed by lusting after the opposite sex through sight. This comes about as a result of uncontrolled staring. I will use four people in the bible who were victims to this kind of sin.
Potiphar's wife (Genesis 39:1-13): Joseph was sold into slavery. He found himself in the house of Potiphar.The bible says The Lord was with him and he found favour in the eyes of his master Potiphor. Potiphar's wife saw the beauty of the young man Joseph and couldn't control her inordinate affection. It was upon seeing Joseph's beauty that made Potiphar's wife to lust after Joseph. I personally believe that Potiphar's wife was very beautiful . Joseph saw her daily yet Joseph did not allow his passions to drive him but he walked in the fear of The Lord. Potiphar's wife continued to lure him until Joseph fled. If Potiphar's wife had not allowed her evil passions to drive her, I believe she could have avoided that temptation.
Amnon(2 samuel 13) : Amnon was one of the sons of David. Amnon was so distressed over his sister Tamar that he lost his head. I believe Amnon's abominable act started with a lustful look. Upon looking at his sister in a lustful manner, he started developing unholy affection towards his sister. Amnon ended up raping his sister. In James 1:15 the bible makes us to know that the product of lust is sin. If Amnon had controlled his desires it wouldn't had led to him defiling his sister which later resulted in his death. If Amnon had sought better counsel from someone who feared God, he wouldn't have ended up committing an abomination. The friends you keep can determine the direction of your eyes.
Hophni and Phinehas(1Samuel 2): They were the sons of Eli the high priest at that time. The bible says they didn't know God. They were referred to as the sons of Belial(corruption). These two men did not only take the best part of the offerings offered to God but they also slept with the woman who came to the temple. 2 peter 2:14 better explains the deeds of Hophni and Phinehas. Their eyes were full of adultery which caused them to sin unceasingly.Out of their uncontrolled affections these two men ended up dying. For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23
David(2 Samuel 11): David, the most famous Jewish king and a man after God's heart became a victim of this sin. David rose up from his bed and walked upon the roof of his house. While strolling, David saw a woman(Bathsheba) taking her bath. At that moment David had not sinned because it wasn't deliberate. He went on to stare further and behold the woman was very beautiful to look at. David then lusted after her and sent for her. I believe if David had controlled his thoughts he wouldn't have fallen into sin. David later confessed his sins and God forgave him but he bore the repercussions. Oh poor David! A very famous king but was a victim of ocular sin.
The eye is the the light of the body. If your eye is single(sees the truth which is the word of God) your whole body will be full of light but if your eye is evil your whole body will be full of darkness. Matthew6:22-23
WHAT WAS JESUS' RESPONSE TO OCULAR SIN?
Matthew 5:28-29 : Jesus was teaching the multitude and made mention of a very great offence which the Jewish scribes had ignored for ages. He talked about lusting after a woman in the heart. I believe Jesus used the man as the transgressor because much was not said about women during that time. Anyway the law applies to both genders. When God gave Moses the ten commandments, the last commandment was about coveteousness. The word "covet" in Hebrew is "chamad". It has so many meanings but I will like to use the word lust which is the subject of discussion here. The last sentence in that commandment Exodus 20:17 is "do not covet anything that is your neighbour's. This explains why this scripture refers to both genders.Back to Jesus' statement. After opening the multitude’s eyes on ocular sin, he further talked about its eternal consequence if not controlled in the verse 29 of the chapter.
Based on the earlier assertions that I have made, believers and again I use the word believers because we have knowledge of the word and will of God and as a matter of fact we have to deal with this area of our life. We are living in an age where anything goes.
Morality is on the decline. The fear of God has left our society and the masses are walking after the imagination of their heart but there is one thing we should bear in mind. The kingdom of God is not for filthy people. It is made for holy people. The same God who slayed Hophni and Phinehas for continually committing ocular sin is the same today.
Today, pornography is the order of the day. Many young people are lured into it out of ignorance. The devil makes people to believe that by watching these explicit materials, they can control their sexual desires. It is a very big lie. Watching these explicit materials is like feeding poison into your system. it works slowly but very effective.Some people may not watch pornography but the kind of movies and soap operas they watch do not glorify God. Many will raise eyebrows here but dear reader I want to ask you a question? Tell me if you can invite Jesus into your room to watch a movie or a soap opera where two people are engaged in an amoral act? Certainly not! I am not saying people should stop watching movies or soap operas but they should make a good choice. A choice which will not defile them. Remember a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump 1 Cor 5:6. You may not be aware of the effects until it affects your salvation. Beloved if you find yourself in this category, renounce it in Jesus name and ask for forgiveness.
Sexual immorality is on the ascendency as a result of what people watch. The kind of apparel people put on causes others to sin. Many believers have backslided as a result of what they watched. My dear friends is better we all dress to glorify Jesus covering the sensitive parts of our bodies. Remember the scripture says the offence will definetely come but woe to the one through whom the offence comes.(Matthew 18:7). Let us do all things to glorify God. Let us not live according to our senses but live under the influence of The Spirit.
HOW DO I GET OVER OCULAR SIN?
For God has not called us unto uncleanness but unto holiness 1Thess 4:7. Beloved I am suggesting some points which can help you overcome ocular sin.
It is the will of God that we walk in holiness, watch in holiness, think holy because that is what we have been called to do.
I. Confess your sins 1John 1:8-9: You have to admit that it is a sin and confess sincerely to God. Remember God knows all things and nothing can be hidden from Him.
2. Renounce and Repent Genuinely: In Jesus' sermons about His Kingdom, He often talked about repentance. Without genuine repentance you cannot enter heaven. Renounce this sin. Say it aloud and repent from it with a genuine heart.
3. Ask For God's Strength to Overcome the Temptation: It is God who works in us both to will and do of His good pleasure. Philippians 2;13. Just accept the fact the fact that you can't do it on your own. Ask God daily to help you walk in His will. Ask in faith. Initially, symptoms of the past will try to surface but act in faith and believe God is faithful.
4.Ask God to Turn Your Eyes From Evil: Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.Psalm 119:37. This was a prayer of David and I believe he was so passionate about this prayer topic. So must you dear friend. It should be your daily prayer that the Lord should turn your eyes from watching worthless things(anything that arouses lust in you). Also tell Him to revive you so that you can walk in His ways.
Dear Friend as you read this I believe you will be blessed. Remember Jesus is concerned about every detail of your life and He is there to help you carry your load. Just ask for His helping hand and He will be there for you.
Glory To Jesus
OCULAR SIN
The Ocular Sin (Sin Committed Through Sight)
I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid? Job 31:1. These were the words of a man described earlier in Job1:1 as perfect,upright,one who feared God and eschewed evil. Satan found nothing evil to accuse him of. Satan rather made God to test Job's faith in Him.
Christians have been called to live a blameless life. A blameless life can be lived if one walks in the knowledge of God's word. There is one area of life that many believes ignore. This is the sin committed through sight which I have termed “ Ocular Sin.”
Ocular sin is a sin committed through sight. This kind of sin is diverse but I will like to touch on one area which many believers fall victim to. I am using believers because it has clearly been written in the word of God. This is the sin committed by lusting after the opposite sex through sight. This comes about as a result of uncontrolled staring. I will use four people in the bible who were victims to this kind of sin.
Potiphar's wife (Genesis 39:1-13): Joseph was sold into slavery. He found himself in the house of Potiphar.The bible says The Lord was with him and he found favour in the eyes of his master Potiphor. Potiphar's wife saw the beauty of the young man Joseph and couldn't control her inordinate affection. It was upon seeing Joseph's beauty that made Potiphar's wife to lust after Joseph. I personally believe that Potiphar's wife was very beautiful . Joseph saw her daily yet Joseph did not allow his passions to drive him but he walked in the fear of The Lord. Potiphar's wife continued to lure him until Joseph fled. If Potiphar's wife had not allowed her evil passions to drive her, I believe she could have avoided that temptation.
Amnon(2 samuel 13) : Amnon was one of the sons of David. Amnon was so distressed over his sister Tamar that he lost his head. I believe Amnon's abominable act started with a lustful look. Upon looking at his sister in a lustful manner, he started developing unholy affection towards his sister. Amnon ended up raping his sister. In James 1:15 the bible makes us to know that the product of lust is sin. If Amnon had controlled his desires it wouldn't had led to him defiling his sister which later resulted in his death. If Amnon had sought better counsel from someone who feared God, he wouldn't have ended up committing an abomination. The friends you keep can determine the direction of your eyes.
Hophni and Phinehas(1Samuel 2): They were the sons of Eli the high priest at that time. The bible says they didn't know God. They were referred to as the sons of Belial(corruption). These two men did not only take the best part of the offerings offered to God but they also slept with the woman who came to the temple. 2 peter 2:14 better explains the deeds of Hophni and Phinehas. Their eyes were full of adultery which caused them to sin unceasingly.Out of their uncontrolled affections these two men ended up dying. For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23
David(2 Samuel 11): David, the most famous Jewish king and a man after God's heart became a victim of this sin. David rose up from his bed and walked upon the roof of his house. While strolling, David saw a woman(Bathsheba) taking her bath. At that moment David had not sinned because it wasn't deliberate. He went on to stare further and behold the woman was very beautiful to look at. David then lusted after her and sent for her. I believe if David had controlled his thoughts he wouldn't have fallen into sin. David later confessed his sins and God forgave him but he bore the repercussions. Oh poor David! A very famous king but was a victim of ocular sin.
The eye is the the light of the body. If your eye is single(sees the truth which is the word of God) your whole body will be full of light but if your eye is evil your whole body will be full of darkness. Matthew6:22-23
WHAT WAS JESUS' RESPONSE TO OCULAR SIN?
Matthew 5:28-29 : Jesus was teaching the multitude and made mention of a very great offence which the Jewish scribes had ignored for ages. He talked about lusting after a woman in the heart. I believe Jesus used the man as the transgressor because much was not said about women during that time. Anyway the law applies to both genders. When God gave Moses the ten commandments, the last commandment was about coveteousness. The word "covet" in Hebrew is "chamad". It has so many meanings but I will like to use the word lust which is the subject of discussion here. The last sentence in that commandment Exodus 20:17 is "do not covet anything that is your neighbour's. This explains why this scripture refers to both genders.Back to Jesus' statement. After opening the multitude’s eyes on ocular sin, he further talked about its eternal consequence if not controlled in the verse 29 of the chapter.
Based on the earlier assertions that I have made, believers and again I use the word believers because we have knowledge of the word and will of God and as a matter of fact we have to deal with this area of our life. We are living in an age where anything goes.
Morality is on the decline. The fear of God has left our society and the masses are walking after the imagination of their heart but there is one thing we should bear in mind. The kingdom of God is not for filthy people. It is made for holy people. The same God who slayed Hophni and Phinehas for continually committing ocular sin is the same today.
Today, pornography is the order of the day. Many young people are lured into it out of ignorance. The devil makes people to believe that by watching these explicit materials, they can control their sexual desires. It is a very big lie. Watching these explicit materials is like feeding poison into your system. it works slowly but very effective.Some people may not watch pornography but the kind of movies and soap operas they watch do not glorify God. Many will raise eyebrows here but dear reader I want to ask you a question? Tell me if you can invite Jesus into your room to watch a movie or a soap opera where two people are engaged in an amoral act? Certainly not! I am not saying people should stop watching movies or soap operas but they should make a good choice. A choice which will not defile them. Remember a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump 1 Cor 5:6. You may not be aware of the effects until it affects your salvation. Beloved if you find yourself in this category, renounce it in Jesus name and ask for forgiveness.
Sexual immorality is on the ascendency as a result of what people watch. The kind of apparel people put on causes others to sin. Many believers have backslided as a result of what they watched. My dear friends is better we all dress to glorify Jesus covering the sensitive parts of our bodies. Remember the scripture says the offence will definetely come but woe to the one through whom the offence comes.(Matthew 18:7). Let us do all things to glorify God. Let us not live according to our senses but live under the influence of The Spirit.
HOW DO I GET OVER OCULAR SIN?
For God has not called us unto uncleanness but unto holiness 1Thess 4:7. Beloved I am suggesting some points which can help you overcome ocular sin.
It is the will of God that we walk in holiness, watch in holiness, think holy because that is what we have been called to do.
I. Confess your sins 1John 1:8-9: You have to admit that it is a sin and confess sincerely to God. Remember God knows all things and nothing can be hidden from Him.
2. Renounce and Repent Genuinely: In Jesus' sermons about His Kingdom, He often talked about repentance. Without genuine repentance you cannot enter heaven. Renounce this sin. Say it aloud and repent from it with a genuine heart.
3. Ask For God's Strength to Overcome the Temptation: It is God who works in us both to will and do of His good pleasure. Philippians 2;13. Just accept the fact the fact that you can't do it on your own. Ask God daily to help you walk in His will. Ask in faith. Initially, symptoms of the past will try to surface but act in faith and believe God is faithful.
4.Ask God to Turn Your Eyes From Evil: Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken thou me in thy way.Psalm 119:37. This was a prayer of David and I believe he was so passionate about this prayer topic. So must you dear friend. It should be your daily prayer that the Lord should turn your eyes from watching worthless things(anything that arouses lust in you). Also tell Him to revive you so that you can walk in His ways.
Dear Friend as you read this I believe you will be blessed. Remember Jesus is concerned about every detail of your life and He is there to help you carry your load. Just ask for His helping hand and He will be there for you.
Glory To Jesus
OCULAR SIN
GUARD AGAINST PRIDE
1Peter 5:5
Amplified Bible (AMP)
5Likewise, you who are younger and of lesser rank, be subject to the elders (the ministers and spiritual guides of the church)—[giving them due respect and yielding to their counsel]. Clothe (apron) yourselves, all of you, with humility [as the garb of a servant, [a]so that its covering cannot possibly be stripped from you, with freedom from pride and arrogance] toward one another. For God sets Himself against the proud (the insolent, the overbearing, the disdainful, the presumptuous, the boastful)—[and He opposes, frustrates, and defeats them], but gives grace (favor, blessing) to the humble.
Who then is a proud person? Throughout the bible the Lord has showed His repugnance towards pride. We often associate pride to an act of arrogance on one's part. Pride goes beyond actions. The little whisperings, the secret intentions in our hearts can also be pride. Thinking that you can do something by your own strength is pride. Not being thankful to God is also pride. Taking decisions without consulting God is also pride. High mindedness can't be left out.
Pride is not only about how snubbish or self sufficient one may be. False humility can also be pride. What do I mean by false humility? Moses' action upon seeing the burning bush was an act of false humility. Moses was looking at his frailties rather than believing God to use him.
1Chronicles 21:1-8,
Satan [an adversary] stood up against Israel and stirred up David to number Israel.
2 David said to Joab and the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba to Dan, and bring me the total, that I may know it.
3 And Joab answered, May the Lord multiply His people a hundred times! But, my lord the king, are they not all my lord’s servants? Why then does my lord require this? Why will he bring guilt upon Israel?
4 But the king’s word prevailed against Joab. So Joab departed and went throughout all Israel and came to Jerusalem.
5 Joab gave the total number of the people to David. And all of Israel were 1,100,000 who drew the sword, and of Judah 470,000 who drew the sword.
6 But Levi and Benjamin he did not include among them, for the king’s order was detestable to Joab.
7 And God was displeased with this [reliance on human resources], and He smote Israel.
8 And David said to God, I have sinned greatly because I have done this thing. But now, I beseech You, take away the hateful wickedness of Your servant; for I have done very foolishly.
Satan stirred up pride in King David to conduct a census which The Lord never instructed.The devil tempted David, in setting before his eyes his excellency and glory, his power and victories. The act in itself was not wrong but David was moved by pride instead of consulting God. The Lord had allowed Moses to conduct a census so there was a possibility that censuses were taken from time to time. When David took it upon himself he acted out of pride .
Exodus 30:12
12 When you take the census of the Israelites, every man shall give a ransom for himself to the Lord when you number them that no plague may fall upon them when you number them.
None of us is too skilled not to fall into pride proud. Pride is going against divine instructions, resisting divine help and taking up divine authority that has not been bestowed upon us. Many of us think our neighbor is the proud one because he speaks arrogantly, shows off but we forget that one way or the other we are also walking in pride. It may not be evident like Herod who received praise from the people but it still makes us transgressors. Many want to always get the better of others. For some when they are offended they think the other party has to come and apologise before they make room for forgiveness. Pride can only leave our hearts completely through total surrender to The Lord. There must be a willingness and an act of obedience to counter pride. If we are willing to submit to God's word in total obedience, we can overcome pride. May The Lord show us areas of our lives where we are still prideful. It is dangerous to assume that you are living in humility whereas you are proud. Don't be caught naked like the church in Laodicea. May The Lord search our hearts thoroughly. May He help us to walk in total submission to His will. We should guard against pride daily lest our hearts harden.
Glory To Jesus
GUARD AGAINT PRIDE
1Peter 5:5
Amplified Bible (AMP)
5Likewise, you who are younger and of lesser rank, be subject to the elders (the ministers and spiritual guides of the church)—[giving them due respect and yielding to their counsel]. Clothe (apron) yourselves, all of you, with humility [as the garb of a servant, [a]so that its covering cannot possibly be stripped from you, with freedom from pride and arrogance] toward one another. For God sets Himself against the proud (the insolent, the overbearing, the disdainful, the presumptuous, the boastful)—[and He opposes, frustrates, and defeats them], but gives grace (favor, blessing) to the humble.
Who then is a proud person? Throughout the bible the Lord has showed His repugnance towards pride. We often associate pride to an act of arrogance on one's part. Pride goes beyond actions. The little whisperings, the secret intentions in our hearts can also be pride. Thinking that you can do something by your own strength is pride. Not being thankful to God is also pride. Taking decisions without consulting God is also pride. High mindedness can't be left out.
Pride is not only about how snubbish or self sufficient one may be. False humility can also be pride. What do I mean by false humility? Moses' action upon seeing the burning bush was an act of false humility. Moses was looking at his frailties rather than believing God to use him.
1Chronicles 21:1-8,
Satan [an adversary] stood up against Israel and stirred up David to number Israel.
2 David said to Joab and the rulers of the people, Go, number Israel from Beersheba to Dan, and bring me the total, that I may know it.
3 And Joab answered, May the Lord multiply His people a hundred times! But, my lord the king, are they not all my lord’s servants? Why then does my lord require this? Why will he bring guilt upon Israel?
4 But the king’s word prevailed against Joab. So Joab departed and went throughout all Israel and came to Jerusalem.
5 Joab gave the total number of the people to David. And all of Israel were 1,100,000 who drew the sword, and of Judah 470,000 who drew the sword.
6 But Levi and Benjamin he did not include among them, for the king’s order was detestable to Joab.
7 And God was displeased with this [reliance on human resources], and He smote Israel.
8 And David said to God, I have sinned greatly because I have done this thing. But now, I beseech You, take away the hateful wickedness of Your servant; for I have done very foolishly.
Satan stirred up pride in King David to conduct a census which The Lord never instructed.The devil tempted David, in setting before his eyes his excellency and glory, his power and victories. The act in itself was not wrong but David was moved by pride instead of consulting God. The Lord had allowed Moses to conduct a census so there was a possibility that censuses were taken from time to time. When David took it upon himself he acted out of pride .
Exodus 30:12
12 When you take the census of the Israelites, every man shall give a ransom for himself to the Lord when you number them that no plague may fall upon them when you number them.
None of us is too skilled not to fall into pride proud. Pride is going against divine instructions, resisting divine help and taking up divine authority that has not been bestowed upon us. Many of us think our neighbor is the proud one because he speaks arrogantly, shows off but we forget that one way or the other we are also walking in pride. It may not be evident like Herod who received praise from the people but it still makes us transgressors. Many want to always get the better of others. For some when they are offended they think the other party has to come and apologise before they make room for forgiveness. Pride can only leave our hearts completely through total surrender to The Lord. There must be a willingness and an act of obedience to counter pride. If we are willing to submit to God's word in total obedience, we can overcome pride. May The Lord show us areas of our lives where we are still prideful. It is dangerous to assume that you are living in humility whereas you are proud. Don't be caught naked like the church in Laodicea. May The Lord search our hearts thoroughly. May He help us to walk in total submission to His will. We should guard against pride daily lest our hearts harden.
Glory To Jesus
THE DEVIL, OUR FLESH, OUR SOUL
3 of man's greatest enemies are his flesh, his soul and the devil. The devil feeds on the two. Way back in the garden of Eden, a curse was pronounced on the serpent(devil).
Genesis 3:14
And the Lord God said to the serpent, Because you have done this, you are cursed above all [domestic] animals and above every [wild] living thing of the field; upon your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust [and what it contains] all the days of your life.
Genesis 3: 19
In the sweat of your face shall you eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you shall return.
There is a correlation between vs 15 and 19. God told the serpent that also represents the devil that he was going to feed on dust. In vs 19 He told the man that he was going to return to dust because he came from dust. We all know that the part of man that comes from the dust is his flesh. Again we know that the devil does not eat dust but feeds on eggs and weaker animals. God was trying to say that the devil was going to feed on the perishable part of man which is his flesh. The devil continuously feeds on the human flesh. He stirs up emotions such as greed, selfishness, anger, pride and so on and so forth.
Galatians 5: 19-21
19 Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency,
20 Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies),
21 Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
The works of the flesh also means the bi-product of the flesh if it is given the opportunity to yield. In order words the fruit that the flesh produces when given the chance. That's why the bible tells us to crucify the flesh daily.
Romans 12: 1- 2
I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.
2 Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
Here the apostle Paul takes about two things which instructs they go under transformation. First he talks about the body that must be presented as a living sacrifice. Secondly he talks about the mind that must be renewed. The mind is a sub of the soul. Often you will find believers who are truly born again but they have missed these two elements needed in their walk. The sacrifice and the transformation of the mind. The mind is renewed by knowledge of God's word that's why King David said that the entrance of God's word brings light.
Psalm 119:130
The entrance and unfolding of Your words give light; their unfolding gives understanding (discernment and comprehension) to the simple.
Again in Psalm 19: 7a King David wrote the law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul. In Romans 7 the apostle Paul talks about the law and the knowledge it brings about sin. Let me be a bit practical. Lets say before I only knew that fornication or adultery was a physical act then one day I read in my bible that mental fornication is a sin. At that moment I have been exposed to the truth and my mind has been enlightened. This truth will go a long way in changing the way I think. Another example of winning metal battles can be found in Luke 4: 1-4.
Then Jesus, full of and controlled by the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led in [by] the [Holy] Spirit
2 For (during) forty days in the wilderness (desert), where He was tempted ([a]tried, tested exceedingly) by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they were completed, He was hungry.
3 Then the devil said to Him, If You are the Son of God, order this stone to turn into a loaf [of bread].
4 And Jesus replied to him, It is written, Man shall not live and be sustained by (on) bread alone [b]but by every word and expression of God.
After Jesus had fasted for forty days the devil tempted him. As to whether the devil appeared to Him physically or he was playing mental games with The Lord the bible did not state but I believe it was more of a mental game. Assuming Jesus did not know the scriptures, He would have lost that battle. The devil comes around looking for loop holes so he can tempt us. He stirs up an emotion in our bodies and feeds our minds with evil thoughts that's why it is very important to study the scriptures. Sometimes he impresses thoughts which looks like your own. Be careful of the thoughts that you entertain. In my personal observation, I noticed that there are so many things in our hearts that are hidden and it often comes out when we are in a state of ecstasy or in an angry mood. Sometimes we make utterances that we never thought we could make. Why?
I have come to understand that the very evil thoughts and emotions that were not cast out sometime ago manifests in another form and it comes out more dangerous. Check the thoughts that occupy your mind. Check the emotions that you feel. If you often feel lustful you should know that sometime ago you opened the door for lust. If you are feeling so much hate and anger know that sometime ago you opened the door for them. If you are feeling envy know that you didnt take control of your thoughts and emotions when that seemingly harmless envious thought crossed your mind. We should learn to guard our hearts at all times. We should constantly bind and cast out evil thoughts that flood our minds. We should stay away from the things that easily tempt us. We can bind and cast out evil thoughts in Jesus' name. Our minds can be transformed by the entrance of God's word. What about our flesh?
The flesh needs the cross.
1 Peter 4 : 1
So, since Christ suffered in the flesh for us, for you, arm yourselves with the same thought and purpose [patiently to suffer rather than fail to please God]. For whoever has suffered in the flesh [having [the mind of Christ] is done with [intentional] sin [has stopped pleasing himself and the world, and pleases God],
Galatians 2: 20
I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
First Peter talks about Jesus suffering in our place. Secondly he talks about arming ourselves to also suffer in the flesh and have the mind of Christ. What was the mind of Christ? His mind was to put to death our sinful nature that He bore in His body. What are we to do? Peter talked about the suffering of Christ in the flesh and we arming ourselves. Why are we to arm ourselves? Because crucifying the flesh is painful. It takes suffering. As the flesh continues to suffer on the cross it dies. Lets consider Paul's statement in Galatians 2: 20. He had come to a stage in his life where his flesh had totally been crucified. After his flesh had died there was a resurrected Christ living in him. The resurrected Christ in him was empowering him. Paul was not living by his own will but by the will of Jesus who was living in Him. Mortification of the flesh is not easy but it is possible.
Father help us to crucify our flesh daily. Give us the grace not to follow the dictates of our hearts. May your word lighten the dark parts of our minds as we read and hear it.
Glory To Jesus
THE DEVIL, OUR FLESH, OUR SOUL
3 of man's greatest enemies are his flesh, his soul and the devil. The devil feeds on the two. Way back in the garden of Eden, a curse was pronounced on the serpent(devil).
Genesis 3:14
And the Lord God said to the serpent, Because you have done this, you are cursed above all [domestic] animals and above every [wild] living thing of the field; upon your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust [and what it contains] all the days of your life.
Genesis 3: 19
In the sweat of your face shall you eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you shall return.
There is a correlation between vs 15 and 19. God told the serpent that also represents the devil that he was going to feed on dust. In vs 19 He told the man that he was going to return to dust because he came from dust. We all know that the part of man that comes from the dust is his flesh. Again we know that the devil does not eat dust but feeds on eggs and weaker animals. God was trying to say that the devil was going to feed on the perishable part of man which is his flesh. The devil continuously feeds on the human flesh. He stirs up emotions such as greed, selfishness, anger, pride and so on and so forth.
Galatians 5: 19-21
19 Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency,
20 Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies),
21 Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
The works of the flesh also means the bi-product of the flesh if it is given the opportunity to yield. In order words the fruit that the flesh produces when given the chance. That's why the bible tells us to crucify the flesh daily.
Romans 12: 1- 2
I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.
2 Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].
Here the apostle Paul takes about two things which instructs they go under transformation. First he talks about the body that must be presented as a living sacrifice. Secondly he talks about the mind that must be renewed. The mind is a sub of the soul. Often you will find believers who are truly born again but they have missed these two elements needed in their walk. The sacrifice and the transformation of the mind. The mind is renewed by knowledge of God's word that's why King David said that the entrance of God's word brings light.
Psalm 119:130
The entrance and unfolding of Your words give light; their unfolding gives understanding (discernment and comprehension) to the simple.
Again in Psalm 19: 7a King David wrote the law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul. In Romans 7 the apostle Paul talks about the law and the knowledge it brings about sin. Let me be a bit practical. Lets say before I only knew that fornication or adultery was a physical act then one day I read in my bible that mental fornication is a sin. At that moment I have been exposed to the truth and my mind has been enlightened. This truth will go a long way in changing the way I think. Another example of winning metal battles can be found in Luke 4: 1-4.
Then Jesus, full of and controlled by the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led in [by] the [Holy] Spirit
2 For (during) forty days in the wilderness (desert), where He was tempted ([a]tried, tested exceedingly) by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they were completed, He was hungry.
3 Then the devil said to Him, If You are the Son of God, order this stone to turn into a loaf [of bread].
4 And Jesus replied to him, It is written, Man shall not live and be sustained by (on) bread alone [b]but by every word and expression of God.
After Jesus had fasted for forty days the devil tempted him. As to whether the devil appeared to Him physically or he was playing mental games with The Lord the bible did not state but I believe it was more of a mental game. Assuming Jesus did not know the scriptures, He would have lost that battle. The devil comes around looking for loop holes so he can tempt us. He stirs up an emotion in our bodies and feeds our minds with evil thoughts that's why it is very important to study the scriptures. Sometimes he impresses thoughts which looks like your own. Be careful of the thoughts that you entertain. In my personal observation, I noticed that there are so many things in our hearts that are hidden and it often comes out when we are in a state of ecstasy or in an angry mood. Sometimes we make utterances that we never thought we could make. Why?
I have come to understand that the very evil thoughts and emotions that were not cast out sometime ago manifests in another form and it comes out more dangerous. Check the thoughts that occupy your mind. Check the emotions that you feel. If you often feel lustful you should know that sometime ago you opened the door for lust. If you are feeling so much hate and anger know that sometime ago you opened the door for them. If you are feeling envy know that you didnt take control of your thoughts and emotions when that seemingly harmless envious thought crossed your mind. We should learn to guard our hearts at all times. We should constantly bind and cast out evil thoughts that flood our minds. We should stay away from the things that easily tempt us. We can bind and cast out evil thoughts in Jesus' name. Our minds can be transformed by the entrance of God's word. What about our flesh?
The flesh needs the cross.
1 Peter 4 : 1
So, since Christ suffered in the flesh for us, for you, arm yourselves with the same thought and purpose [patiently to suffer rather than fail to please God]. For whoever has suffered in the flesh [having [the mind of Christ] is done with [intentional] sin [has stopped pleasing himself and the world, and pleases God],
Galatians 2: 20
I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.
First Peter talks about Jesus suffering in our place. Secondly he talks about arming ourselves to also suffer in the flesh and have the mind of Christ. What was the mind of Christ? His mind was to put to death our sinful nature that He bore in His body. What are we to do? Peter talked about the suffering of Christ in the flesh and we arming ourselves. Why are we to arm ourselves? Because crucifying the flesh is painful. It takes suffering. As the flesh continues to suffer on the cross it dies. Lets consider Paul's statement in Galatians 2: 20. He had come to a stage in his life where his flesh had totally been crucified. After his flesh had died there was a resurrected Christ living in him. The resurrected Christ in him was empowering him. Paul was not living by his own will but by the will of Jesus who was living in Him. Mortification of the flesh is not easy but it is possible.
Father help us to crucify our flesh daily. Give us the grace not to follow the dictates of our hearts. May your word lighten the dark parts of our minds as we read and hear it.
Glory To Jesus
YOUR FRUIT MUST REMAIN
John 15:16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should remain that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
Many of us have either read or heard Jesus' teaching in John 15 regarding the vine and the branches. The Lord likens our relationship with Him to a vine and its branches. The branches are dependent on the vine. Without the vine the branches will either die or wither. The branches continuously get its nourishment from the vine. Branches are repeatedly pruned in order to bear more fruit. A vinedresser continuously works on branches lest some die or wither. A branch that is not able to bear fruit either dies or withers. When a branch dies or withers it becomes useless as a result it is cut off and cast into fire. If an unfruitful vine continuously suffers from diseases it is also cut off lest the disease affects the more fruitful branches.
Our relationship with God is best illustrated using the vine and the branches. Our continuous abidance in The Lord produces more fruit and results in prayer. The Lord empowers us as long as we remain in Him. Our abidance in The Lord goes with a lot of training. He has to repeatedly prune us so we can bear the fruit that He desires. What fruit does the Lord desire us to bear?
Galatians 5: 22-23.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Our habitual fellowship with The Lord causes us to bear more of these 9 fruits. Fruit bearing is supposed to start the day we gave our lives to The Lord. Though early signs of fruits may not always be visible to us but the work of The Holy Spirit begins. One of the works of The Holy Spirit in the life of a believer is to transform him into the image of Christ. The beauty of a fruit is not seen in its early stages until it fully matures and begins to blossom. In the same way a new believer does not have much fruit to show but as he continues to abide in The Lord his life takes shape and he bears more fruit.
Naturally we feel attracted to fruits that are ripe and disease free. Likewise unbelievers see the inward and outward glory of a believer. Although they have a contrasting lifestyle, the unbeliever sees the attractive nature of a fruit bearing believer. Fruit bearing does not necessarily depend on how long one received salvation. One may have known The Lord for a long time but he may not have much fruit to show. We bear more fruit when we fully surrender our lives to The Lord. As we surrender fully He severs the bad fruit from our lives and nourish us so that we can bear the fruit that He desires.
Looking at the foundational text, The Lord was commissioning His disciples to go and bear fruit. His commission took effect shortly after His resurrection. The apostles habitually fellowshiped with The Lord. Their fruits were visible to all. Their fruit remained even in the Lord's physical absence. They never lacked spiritually. Their works were evident of their fruits. In our dispensation we have been given the same commission. We are to show the world our fruits and our fruit should remain. Sometimes we claim we are on fire for God only to fizzle out soon. Most of us have become spasmodic believers. There is no consistency in our fruit bearing. Other believers are non-existent.
One may be experiencing joy after praying or singing to The Lord but the next moment he may experience signs of depression. That's a sign of a bad fruit. A thorn among lilies. These mixed feelings are often caused by our unfaithfulness in our walk with God. When ones prayer, worship and bible reading is ebbing then you know he is certainly bearing bad fruits or he is in the process. We should continuously examine our lives daily to see if we are bearing more fruit or we are allowing a bad fruit to grow alongside the good fruit. A bad fruit is like a pest or disease that attacks a branch. When a branch is attacked by a disease it doesn't produce the fruit that the vinedresser requires. Likewise when we feed on negative emotions and bad behavior like anger,strife,envy, we do not produce the kind of fruit that The Lord requires.
If we do not produce the desired fruit then it means our fruit did not remain. If we continue to produce bad fruit we will eventually be severed and cast into fire. The commission is to bear fruit that remains. As we go into the world our fruit is supposed to testify of us. A believer mus t be known for his fruit before his gifts. If our fruits do not remain we will eventually fall for the world and be corrupted. We can only bear good fruits if we habitually spend more time with The Lord.
Glory To Jesus
John 15:16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should remain that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
Many of us have either read or heard Jesus' teaching in John 15 regarding the vine and the branches. The Lord likens our relationship with Him to a vine and its branches. The branches are dependent on the vine. Without the vine the branches will either die or wither. The branches continuously get its nourishment from the vine. Branches are repeatedly pruned in order to bear more fruit. A vinedresser continuously works on branches lest some die or wither. A branch that is not able to bear fruit either dies or withers. When a branch dies or withers it becomes useless as a result it is cut off and cast into fire. If an unfruitful vine continuously suffers from diseases it is also cut off lest the disease affects the more fruitful branches.
Our relationship with God is best illustrated using the vine and the branches. Our continuous abidance in The Lord produces more fruit and results in prayer. The Lord empowers us as long as we remain in Him. Our abidance in The Lord goes with a lot of training. He has to repeatedly prune us so we can bear the fruit that He desires. What fruit does the Lord desire us to bear?
Galatians 5: 22-23.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
Our habitual fellowship with The Lord causes us to bear more of these 9 fruits. Fruit bearing is supposed to start the day we gave our lives to The Lord. Though early signs of fruits may not always be visible to us but the work of The Holy Spirit begins. One of the works of The Holy Spirit in the life of a believer is to transform him into the image of Christ. The beauty of a fruit is not seen in its early stages until it fully matures and begins to blossom. In the same way a new believer does not have much fruit to show but as he continues to abide in The Lord his life takes shape and he bears more fruit.
Naturally we feel attracted to fruits that are ripe and disease free. Likewise unbelievers see the inward and outward glory of a believer. Although they have a contrasting lifestyle, the unbeliever sees the attractive nature of a fruit bearing believer. Fruit bearing does not necessarily depend on how long one received salvation. One may have known The Lord for a long time but he may not have much fruit to show. We bear more fruit when we fully surrender our lives to The Lord. As we surrender fully He severs the bad fruit from our lives and nourish us so that we can bear the fruit that He desires.
Looking at the foundational text, The Lord was commissioning His disciples to go and bear fruit. His commission took effect shortly after His resurrection. The apostles habitually fellowshiped with The Lord. Their fruits were visible to all. Their fruit remained even in the Lord's physical absence. They never lacked spiritually. Their works were evident of their fruits. In our dispensation we have been given the same commission. We are to show the world our fruits and our fruit should remain. Sometimes we claim we are on fire for God only to fizzle out soon. Most of us have become spasmodic believers. There is no consistency in our fruit bearing. Other believers are non-existent.
One may be experiencing joy after praying or singing to The Lord but the next moment he may experience signs of depression. That's a sign of a bad fruit. A thorn among lilies. These mixed feelings are often caused by our unfaithfulness in our walk with God. When ones prayer, worship and bible reading is ebbing then you know he is certainly bearing bad fruits or he is in the process. We should continuously examine our lives daily to see if we are bearing more fruit or we are allowing a bad fruit to grow alongside the good fruit. A bad fruit is like a pest or disease that attacks a branch. When a branch is attacked by a disease it doesn't produce the fruit that the vinedresser requires. Likewise when we feed on negative emotions and bad behavior like anger,strife,envy, we do not produce the kind of fruit that The Lord requires.
If we do not produce the desired fruit then it means our fruit did not remain. If we continue to produce bad fruit we will eventually be severed and cast into fire. The commission is to bear fruit that remains. As we go into the world our fruit is supposed to testify of us. A believer mus t be known for his fruit before his gifts. If our fruits do not remain we will eventually fall for the world and be corrupted. We can only bear good fruits if we habitually spend more time with The Lord.
Glory To Jesus
Monday 26 March 2012
WHAT I FEAR HAS COME UPON ME
Job 3: 25
For the thing which I greatly fear comes upon me, and that of which I am afraid befalls me.
The story of Job was a mystery yet worth learning. Many believers have gone through various trials in the past. Others are currently facing their own trials. Many have found themselves in seemingly insurmountable situations. Trials make the life of a believer better. It makes us stronger in The Lord. Anytime we overcome our trials we mature in our walk with The Lord.
Job 1:1 THERE WAS a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who [reverently] feared God and abstained from and shunned evil [because it was wrong].
Job, the bible describes him as a man who was blameless, upright, feared God and abstained from evil. He was a man who was highly esteemed by The Lord. He pleased The Lord in all his ways but the truth is that Job had inner struggles just like any other man. Inwardly, Job had his own insecurities. In spite of all the godly attributes he had, he was living in insecurity. Personally I believe Job had an inner feeling that one day he was going to lose all that he had. Job might have seen or heard of a rich man who had lost all his wealth under strange circumstances. Probably he might have been living with this at the back of his mind. I believe he was wondering what he will do if he lost his wealth.
Job1:3 He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and a very great body of servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the East.
Job was extremely rich so he had a reason to be concerned about unforeseen circumstances in his life.
Job 1:13-19.
13And there was a day when [Job's] sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house [on his birthday],
14And there came a messenger to Job and said, The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them,
15And the Sabeans swooped down upon them and took away [the animals]. Indeed, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.
16While he was yet speaking, there came also another and said, The fire of God (lightning) has fallen from the heavens and has burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you.
17While he was yet speaking, there came also another and said, The Chaldeans divided into three bands and made a raid upon the camels and have taken them away, yes, and have slain the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.
18While he was yet speaking, there came also another and said, Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house,
19And behold, there came a great [whirlwind] from the desert, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you.
Job lost all he had in just a short time. All that he acquired was consumed by the devil. He lost his children as well. For a man who served God wholeheartedly his situation was unbelievable. He lost all that he had. He had painful boils in addition to his loss. The woman who was supposed to give him comfort blasphemed against The Lord and abandoned him in his helpless state. Come to think of it, Job's situation was unbearable. He spent the rest of his days lamenting until God visited him. In Job's predicaments he never spoke against God.
Like Job, many Christians including myself have our own fears. Our fears differ though. For many years I lived in fear of losing the people I loved most. I lived in fear of being rejected. I constantly lived in this until The Lord started dealing with me. I always felt miserable any time my loved ones left me. I never wanted to let go easily. It was a weakness but I thank Jesus for healing me. Now I've grown out of weak emotions. The Lord is still dealing with other insecurities in my life. Praise The Lord. I know other believers have their own fears.
Some have the fear of losing their wealth just like Job. Most mothers have built their lives around their children so anytime their children become adults and leave home they become miserable. For some too they've had their trust betrayed by friends, siblings, husbands,wives,fiancees,parents so they are living in fear of being hurt again. Its natural to experience all these as humans .
As believers we live to overcome just like our Lord Jesus. There will be seasons that God will allow us to go through all these trials. When it happens we ask so many questions. God allows us to face our fears for a reason. A true soldier doesn't run away from a battle no matter how strong or crafty the opposing military is. God trains us to be true soldiers. He allows us to go through trials in order to make us better. In my sober moments I thank Him for allowing me to face certain things in life. Sometimes we go to the extent of doubting His love for us. The truth is that in our darkest moments He is with us. His eyes are constantly fixed upon us.
Psalm 34: 19. Many evils confront the [consistently] righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
John 16: 33.
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]
Being a christian doesn't exempt you from facing such situations. We will definitely face them but The Lord has promised to see us through. How do we deal with such situations? Do we move around spreading our story hoping that others will sympathize with us? Do we complain? The truth is in such situations those who claim they love you will rather turn their backs on you. Others too will be pretenders.
Job 42: 7- 9
7After the Lord had spoken the previous words to Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me the thing that is right, as My servant Job has.
8Now therefore take seven bullocks and seven rams and go to My servant Job and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and My servant Job shall pray for you, for I will accept [his prayer] that I deal not with you after your folly, in that you have not spoken of Me the thing that is right, as My servant Job has.
9So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the Lord commanded them; and the Lord accepted [Job's prayer].
Job's friends accused him to be the cause of his problem. In situations of this nature we are likely to hear demoralizing statements. God allows all this to happen to us so that we will not put our confidence in any man but Him alone. Its up to us to make a choice to fully surrender to The Lord and allow Him to have His way in our lives. We can trust God and surrender our fears to Him. It may not be easy initially but He is able to give us the grace to submit. As we submit to Him the insecurities begin to recede and His peace fills our hearts.
Isaiah 26: 3.
You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.
1Peter 5: 7.
Casting the [a]whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, [b]once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you [c]watchfully.
The Lord wants us to learn to submit to Him. May The Lord fill us with the Holy Spirit. May He teach us to give all our fears to Him. May every fear in our hearts be consumed by the fire of The Holy Spirit. Fear must leave for faith to flourish.
Glory To Jesus
For the thing which I greatly fear comes upon me, and that of which I am afraid befalls me.
The story of Job was a mystery yet worth learning. Many believers have gone through various trials in the past. Others are currently facing their own trials. Many have found themselves in seemingly insurmountable situations. Trials make the life of a believer better. It makes us stronger in The Lord. Anytime we overcome our trials we mature in our walk with The Lord.
Job 1:1 THERE WAS a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who [reverently] feared God and abstained from and shunned evil [because it was wrong].
Job, the bible describes him as a man who was blameless, upright, feared God and abstained from evil. He was a man who was highly esteemed by The Lord. He pleased The Lord in all his ways but the truth is that Job had inner struggles just like any other man. Inwardly, Job had his own insecurities. In spite of all the godly attributes he had, he was living in insecurity. Personally I believe Job had an inner feeling that one day he was going to lose all that he had. Job might have seen or heard of a rich man who had lost all his wealth under strange circumstances. Probably he might have been living with this at the back of his mind. I believe he was wondering what he will do if he lost his wealth.
Job1:3 He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and a very great body of servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the East.
Job was extremely rich so he had a reason to be concerned about unforeseen circumstances in his life.
Job 1:13-19.
13And there was a day when [Job's] sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house [on his birthday],
14And there came a messenger to Job and said, The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them,
15And the Sabeans swooped down upon them and took away [the animals]. Indeed, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.
16While he was yet speaking, there came also another and said, The fire of God (lightning) has fallen from the heavens and has burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you.
17While he was yet speaking, there came also another and said, The Chaldeans divided into three bands and made a raid upon the camels and have taken them away, yes, and have slain the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.
18While he was yet speaking, there came also another and said, Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house,
19And behold, there came a great [whirlwind] from the desert, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you.
Job lost all he had in just a short time. All that he acquired was consumed by the devil. He lost his children as well. For a man who served God wholeheartedly his situation was unbelievable. He lost all that he had. He had painful boils in addition to his loss. The woman who was supposed to give him comfort blasphemed against The Lord and abandoned him in his helpless state. Come to think of it, Job's situation was unbearable. He spent the rest of his days lamenting until God visited him. In Job's predicaments he never spoke against God.
Like Job, many Christians including myself have our own fears. Our fears differ though. For many years I lived in fear of losing the people I loved most. I lived in fear of being rejected. I constantly lived in this until The Lord started dealing with me. I always felt miserable any time my loved ones left me. I never wanted to let go easily. It was a weakness but I thank Jesus for healing me. Now I've grown out of weak emotions. The Lord is still dealing with other insecurities in my life. Praise The Lord. I know other believers have their own fears.
Some have the fear of losing their wealth just like Job. Most mothers have built their lives around their children so anytime their children become adults and leave home they become miserable. For some too they've had their trust betrayed by friends, siblings, husbands,wives,fiancees,parents so they are living in fear of being hurt again. Its natural to experience all these as humans .
As believers we live to overcome just like our Lord Jesus. There will be seasons that God will allow us to go through all these trials. When it happens we ask so many questions. God allows us to face our fears for a reason. A true soldier doesn't run away from a battle no matter how strong or crafty the opposing military is. God trains us to be true soldiers. He allows us to go through trials in order to make us better. In my sober moments I thank Him for allowing me to face certain things in life. Sometimes we go to the extent of doubting His love for us. The truth is that in our darkest moments He is with us. His eyes are constantly fixed upon us.
Psalm 34: 19. Many evils confront the [consistently] righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
John 16: 33.
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]
Being a christian doesn't exempt you from facing such situations. We will definitely face them but The Lord has promised to see us through. How do we deal with such situations? Do we move around spreading our story hoping that others will sympathize with us? Do we complain? The truth is in such situations those who claim they love you will rather turn their backs on you. Others too will be pretenders.
Job 42: 7- 9
7After the Lord had spoken the previous words to Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me the thing that is right, as My servant Job has.
8Now therefore take seven bullocks and seven rams and go to My servant Job and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and My servant Job shall pray for you, for I will accept [his prayer] that I deal not with you after your folly, in that you have not spoken of Me the thing that is right, as My servant Job has.
9So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the Lord commanded them; and the Lord accepted [Job's prayer].
Job's friends accused him to be the cause of his problem. In situations of this nature we are likely to hear demoralizing statements. God allows all this to happen to us so that we will not put our confidence in any man but Him alone. Its up to us to make a choice to fully surrender to The Lord and allow Him to have His way in our lives. We can trust God and surrender our fears to Him. It may not be easy initially but He is able to give us the grace to submit. As we submit to Him the insecurities begin to recede and His peace fills our hearts.
Isaiah 26: 3.
You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind [both its inclination and its character] is stayed on You, because he commits himself to You, leans on You, and hopes confidently in You.
1Peter 5: 7.
Casting the [a]whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, [b]once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you [c]watchfully.
The Lord wants us to learn to submit to Him. May The Lord fill us with the Holy Spirit. May He teach us to give all our fears to Him. May every fear in our hearts be consumed by the fire of The Holy Spirit. Fear must leave for faith to flourish.
Glory To Jesus
DON'T BE CARRIED AWAY! STAY FOCUSED
Matthew 16:13-23 (AMP)
13Now when Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, Who do people say that the Son of Man is?
14And they answered, Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.
15He said to them, But who do you [yourselves] say that I am?
16Simon Peter replied, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17Then Jesus answered him, Blessed (happy, fortunate, and [a]to be envied) are you, Simon Bar-Jonah. For flesh and blood [men] have not revealed this to you, but My Father Who is in heaven.
18And I tell you, you are [b]Peter [Greek, Petros--a large piece of rock], and on this rock [Greek, petra--a [c]huge rock like Gibraltar] I will build My church, and the gates of Hades (the powers of the [d]infernal region) shall [e]not overpower it [or be strong to its detriment or hold out against it].
19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind (declare to be improper and unlawful) on earth [f]must be what is already bound in heaven; and whatever you loose (declare lawful) on earth [g]must be what is already loosed in heaven.
20Then He sternly and strictly charged and warned the disciples to tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.
21From that time forth Jesus began [clearly] to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders and the high priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised [h]from death.
22Then Peter took Him aside [i]to speak to Him privately and began to reprove and [j]charge Him sharply, saying, God forbid, Lord! This must never happen to You!
23But Jesus turned [k]away from Peter and said to him, Get behind Me, Satan! You are in My way [an offense and a hindrance and a snare to Me]; for you are [l]minding what partakes not of the nature and quality of God, but of men.
One can prophesy by the Spirit of God and go off track in the next few hours,days,weeks,months. One good prophecy from The Lord today, does not guarantee one the same accuracy tomorrow. If we do not always abide in The Lord, our flesh will speak. Our flesh is also good at prophecies. One can give a prophecy out of the flesh without even noticing it. One can prophecy by evil spirits without noticing it. When Jesus asked His disciples who He was, only Peter was able to know the true identity of The Lord. The Lord had hidden His identity from His people because of the stubbornness of their hearts. Jesus had performed enough miracles,taught with authority but only few perceived His true identity. Isaiah foretold this.
The people saw Him yet they could not perceive. They heard His words but they could not understand. For Peter to know that Jesus was the Christ was a revelation from above. Peter couldnt have known this on his own. It had to be revealed from heaven. Few moments after Peter's word of knowledge, he allowed the devil to speak through him. Personally I believe Peter got swollen headed. The same Peter who had received revelation of who Jesus was later allowed the devil to speak through him. Peter was not watchful. He had become complacent and had made provision for the flesh.
The devil always feeds on the flesh. He looks for flaws and feeds on our carnal nature. This is why the bible instructs us to walk in the spirit. If we habitually walk in the spirit the devil is left with little room to operate. You may have the gift of prophecy or possess any of the spiritual gifts but your gifts alone cannot always guarantee you accuracy in spiritual matters. One may be a renowned seer but can still visions out of the flesh. Why? Because he makes provision for the flesh. Spiritual gifts thrives on continuous abidance in the Lord. When one continuously abides in The Lord and His words abide in Him, his gifts are fully used for the glory of God.
Brethren we must be watchful at all times. We should be thankful for what The Lord has bestowed on us but we shouldn't be complacent. We should seek The Lord deeper and not just scratch the surface. It is time to grow. It is time to discern between the flesh and the spirit. It is time to seek The Lord from another realm. Dont be satisfied with your putrid prayers. Dont be satisfied with your ritualistic prayers. Dont offer ritualistic worship to The Lord. The Lord wants a worship in spirit and truth. Search God and He will be found. Dont be over excited because you gave one good prophecy today. Grow up. You need His grace not only for today but also tomorrow. Sharpen your discernment through prayer and the word. Many are prophesying out of the flesh. Many are not aware that they are being deceived. Many more will be deceived. Brethren check every prophecy if it lines up with God's word. Dont depend on a renowned prophet's word. I'm not saying dont believe in God's prophets. As humans we are prone to errors and as a matter of fact one cannot put his confidence in man. A renowned prophet can also speak a prophecy out of the flesh. If you put your confidence in any man you will be disappointed if they fall. Any one can prophecy lies without being conscious of it.
We should remember that Peter was with Jesus,taught by the Lord yet his flesh acted. People of God let us pray to God to sharpen our discernment. Lets test every prophecy with the word of God. Let us humble ourselves before the Lord . The Lord will move mightily in the coming days. I can assure you that deception will also be on the increase. Deception in our age will not appear monstrous as many perceive. It will not appear black as you think. Do you think the devil will reveal 100% lies to you? He will deposit bits of lies in you so you will not perceive. Brethren let us ask for God's direction. Let us learn to wait on the Lord. Let us ask for discernment. I pray that you do not get deceived. . I pray that you will continuosly abide in Jesus. We are finite beings but The Lord is infinite. The Lord still has more to reveal to us. We shouldn't be content with our spiritual state. The race is still on.
Psalm 32:8
8I [the Lord] will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
Glory To Jesus
13Now when Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, Who do people say that the Son of Man is?
14And they answered, Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.
15He said to them, But who do you [yourselves] say that I am?
16Simon Peter replied, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17Then Jesus answered him, Blessed (happy, fortunate, and [a]to be envied) are you, Simon Bar-Jonah. For flesh and blood [men] have not revealed this to you, but My Father Who is in heaven.
18And I tell you, you are [b]Peter [Greek, Petros--a large piece of rock], and on this rock [Greek, petra--a [c]huge rock like Gibraltar] I will build My church, and the gates of Hades (the powers of the [d]infernal region) shall [e]not overpower it [or be strong to its detriment or hold out against it].
19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind (declare to be improper and unlawful) on earth [f]must be what is already bound in heaven; and whatever you loose (declare lawful) on earth [g]must be what is already loosed in heaven.
20Then He sternly and strictly charged and warned the disciples to tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.
21From that time forth Jesus began [clearly] to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders and the high priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised [h]from death.
22Then Peter took Him aside [i]to speak to Him privately and began to reprove and [j]charge Him sharply, saying, God forbid, Lord! This must never happen to You!
23But Jesus turned [k]away from Peter and said to him, Get behind Me, Satan! You are in My way [an offense and a hindrance and a snare to Me]; for you are [l]minding what partakes not of the nature and quality of God, but of men.
One can prophesy by the Spirit of God and go off track in the next few hours,days,weeks,months. One good prophecy from The Lord today, does not guarantee one the same accuracy tomorrow. If we do not always abide in The Lord, our flesh will speak. Our flesh is also good at prophecies. One can give a prophecy out of the flesh without even noticing it. One can prophecy by evil spirits without noticing it. When Jesus asked His disciples who He was, only Peter was able to know the true identity of The Lord. The Lord had hidden His identity from His people because of the stubbornness of their hearts. Jesus had performed enough miracles,taught with authority but only few perceived His true identity. Isaiah foretold this.
The people saw Him yet they could not perceive. They heard His words but they could not understand. For Peter to know that Jesus was the Christ was a revelation from above. Peter couldnt have known this on his own. It had to be revealed from heaven. Few moments after Peter's word of knowledge, he allowed the devil to speak through him. Personally I believe Peter got swollen headed. The same Peter who had received revelation of who Jesus was later allowed the devil to speak through him. Peter was not watchful. He had become complacent and had made provision for the flesh.
The devil always feeds on the flesh. He looks for flaws and feeds on our carnal nature. This is why the bible instructs us to walk in the spirit. If we habitually walk in the spirit the devil is left with little room to operate. You may have the gift of prophecy or possess any of the spiritual gifts but your gifts alone cannot always guarantee you accuracy in spiritual matters. One may be a renowned seer but can still visions out of the flesh. Why? Because he makes provision for the flesh. Spiritual gifts thrives on continuous abidance in the Lord. When one continuously abides in The Lord and His words abide in Him, his gifts are fully used for the glory of God.
Brethren we must be watchful at all times. We should be thankful for what The Lord has bestowed on us but we shouldn't be complacent. We should seek The Lord deeper and not just scratch the surface. It is time to grow. It is time to discern between the flesh and the spirit. It is time to seek The Lord from another realm. Dont be satisfied with your putrid prayers. Dont be satisfied with your ritualistic prayers. Dont offer ritualistic worship to The Lord. The Lord wants a worship in spirit and truth. Search God and He will be found. Dont be over excited because you gave one good prophecy today. Grow up. You need His grace not only for today but also tomorrow. Sharpen your discernment through prayer and the word. Many are prophesying out of the flesh. Many are not aware that they are being deceived. Many more will be deceived. Brethren check every prophecy if it lines up with God's word. Dont depend on a renowned prophet's word. I'm not saying dont believe in God's prophets. As humans we are prone to errors and as a matter of fact one cannot put his confidence in man. A renowned prophet can also speak a prophecy out of the flesh. If you put your confidence in any man you will be disappointed if they fall. Any one can prophecy lies without being conscious of it.
We should remember that Peter was with Jesus,taught by the Lord yet his flesh acted. People of God let us pray to God to sharpen our discernment. Lets test every prophecy with the word of God. Let us humble ourselves before the Lord . The Lord will move mightily in the coming days. I can assure you that deception will also be on the increase. Deception in our age will not appear monstrous as many perceive. It will not appear black as you think. Do you think the devil will reveal 100% lies to you? He will deposit bits of lies in you so you will not perceive. Brethren let us ask for God's direction. Let us learn to wait on the Lord. Let us ask for discernment. I pray that you do not get deceived. . I pray that you will continuosly abide in Jesus. We are finite beings but The Lord is infinite. The Lord still has more to reveal to us. We shouldn't be content with our spiritual state. The race is still on.
Psalm 32:8
8I [the Lord] will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
Glory To Jesus
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