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Meeting with God – The place where stewardship aligns with the plan of God

It was as if they believed in vain. Their belief was worthless and in danger of extinction. The nation turned away from its God toward foreign gods, and strange doctrines filled the land.

Zealous in his mission, Elijah gave no rest to his eyes. Dwelling in isolation, he groaned and prayed every night for his God to prove Himself and restore the nation. He prayed for revival. Eventually, he became equipped for his mission.

Coming out of his isolation, Elijah prayed that there should be no rain — that they might believe and turn to his God (see 1 Kings 17). At the command of his God, he invited them to gather for a duel so he could prove Him.

Elijah prayed again, and fire came down from heaven and devoured a sacrificial offering drenched in a sea of water (see 1 Kings 18). His competitors prayed to their gods for the same thing, but nothing happened. He took matters into his own hands and slaughtered his competitors with the sword.

Thinking he had won the nation for his God, he prayed again for rain, and it fell. Unfortunately, the nation did not turn to his God. Instead, he got a death threat from the government with an almost immediate deadline.

In fear, he ran for his life, but ended up praying that God should take it from him. The reply to his request came in the form of an angel who became his chef. Then, the angel told Elijah it was time to meet with his God. He directed him to a mountain called Horeb, the mountain of his God (see 1 Kings 19).

At Horeb, God asked:

“What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:9, NIV)

He replied:

“I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and put Your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” (1 Kings 19:10, NIV)

Then the Lord said:

“Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. (1 Kings 19:11–3, NIV)

And the question was asked again:

“What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:13, NIV)

Meeting with God always brings us to the realization of truth

It tests whether we are in sync with God. It is a place where our muscles rest and we review our stewardship — it is a place where our busyness does not matter. More than that, our perceptions of who we think God is are tweaked to better fit who God actually is.

This is the same thing that happens in our day to day work. We never know we have been doing things wrong until we step back to reflect. This results in a tweaking of the process, which leads to greater work efficiency.

The story of Elijah the Tishbite is one that exemplifies stewardship — how our work and God’s work intersect. Elijah was an apostle of change. He was evidently highly anointed. He did some great works by divine instruction, while some were self-willed, but they were all aimed towards the fulfillment of the kingdom of God.

A review of Elijah’s story and ministry highlight 5 important points:

1. Anointed and zealous, but not doing everything according to plan

What was he expecting of the appraisal of his ministry when he met with God at Horeb? Perhaps he was expecting applause — “Well done, Elijah. You have done well.”

What he got was a question that indicates his assignment was not yet completed — “Elijah, what are you doing here?” Twice.

What was his personal conviction of who God is, and how did it compare to his realization of who God actually is? Perhaps his conviction was that God uses terror to accomplish His will, but his realization was that God offers grace and reassurance.

The Lord was not in the storm, earthquake, or the fire. Rather, the Lord spoke in a gentle whisper. Being anointed or equipped for mission is not all there is to stewardship. We have to learn to channel it in to the plan of God.

2. When we react to situations as they come, we miss God

When situations do not look as we envisaged they would, sometimes we panic and doubt. Then, we become self-willed, evicting God out of the driver’s seat and taking control of the steering wheel.

At the command of God, Elijah carried out an insurrection. Why was he then afraid at the negative feedback, even to the point of deciding on a suicidal course of action?

We can become overwhelmed with unfavorable situations in stewardship and other spheres of life, but they should not take charge of us to the extent that we forget the potency of He who is leading us.

3. A relational God and a proud human

In this story, we see a relational God — a God who asks questions and speaks with a gentle voice. We also see a proud human, who did not admit his fears. Rather, he highly esteemed his works. Therefore, when he was asked the questions, he did not seek help. Instead, he talked about his zealousness.

He did not admit his fears because of pride. Perhaps he thought to himself: If I have wrought so much for God, how can I allow the government to capture me? How will my competitors react — with mockery?

Therefore, he prayed for God to take his life.

The downside of fear is that it makes us forget past victories. If Elijah had admitted his fears and asked how God could help him, maybe the Lord would have him sent to a place of safety — just like he did at the brook Cherith.

Instead, he forgot his God, who sealed the heavens on his behalf. He forgot the God who fed him from the mouths of ravens.

Compare this response to our Lord Christ who, in spite of all the miracles He worked, admitted His fears at Gethsemane and prayed for help. The result? He received strength. Stewardship requires us to learn to relate to this relational God.

4. The God of second chances

The two voices represent a crossroads.

At the first path, you admit your fears and seek help. There, you get a ready-made answer and go back to your mission. At the second crossroad, you face judgment if you do not turn to God and instead try to do things on your own.

It’s such a remarkable judgment the Lord gave. The Lord did not kill Elijah when he asked for death, even though he walked out of the presence of God. He did start over and anoint Elijah’s replacement.

When we go the wrong way in our stewardship, there is still an opportunity to tun around and make amends.

5. The end goal is to finish well

Elijah did not finish well. He did not complete the mission. Rather, he was evicted and replaced.

If he had persevered, walked completely according to God’s plan and maybe weathered the storm with the 7,000 reserved Israelites (see 1 Kings 19:18), he would have seen the nation turn to his God. He would have heard the kings calling him “My father, my father,” just as they did for Elisha (see 2 Kings 13:14). Perseverance is a virtue we must embrace in stewardship until we see results.

Stewardship is not an easy job. Our input may not produce the required output, and we will grow weary. But our Boss is very accessible (see John 14:26 and 1 John 2:27). Thus, if meeting with God provides a mirror through which we can clearly see how we are doing with our stewardship, then we should endeavor to meet with Him daily as long as we are alive. This will enable us to make turnarounds and readjustments in our stewardship, lest we one day hear the words:

I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness! (Matthew 7:23, NKJV)

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Dealing with difficult times from biblical perspectives

You might have prayed for a job and got one. You might have prayed for healing and got healed. But when you prayed and the situation does not change, it means the way out of that situation is in changing You. Prayers changes situations but not all of them. Paul testified about this in his prayers concerning his weakness (2 Corinthians 12: 7–9).

The book of Exodus from the Bible encapsules the story of the Israelites deliverance from bondage. The fascinating thing about their deliverance is the route God took them through before they could get to the promised land. When moses was considering the direction their journey would take, God intervened. According to map he did not take them through a shortcut but the opposite (Exodus 13 :17–18). He took them through the wilderness. He did not only instruct them in that direction but he led them. Some scholars suggests that the real reason for His decision is to take out Egypt (the lifestyle, the worship etc.) fully from Israel.

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The Enemy is a better Trainer

Their journeys in the wilderness depicts that it is a place filled with barrages of doubts and concerns from the hardship to survive: where are we going? Maybe we should had stayed in Egypt, at least we were sure of what we were doing? Moses have you brought us here to kill us? The enemy came in the form of doubts to hinder them from stepping into the promises God had for them. For those who did not trust God, doubts gave birth to unbelief and led to their destruction. On the contrary, the enemy was defeated by those who trusted God. The wilderness is full of test and trials; it is the classroom of a believer.

This journey of the Israelites is the same as a christian journey after New birth (deliverance from sin into new life by blood of christ). Christ commands her destiny and instead of finding situations rosy all the time she find herself also in difficult times. When you prayed and do not get an answer, when the prayer is about you, God is dismantling and building a new you that will fit the destination He promised.

Although, the wilderness may be an unbearable place for a believer it contains enormous benefits required for a believer to be fortified. The benefits are the same as the benefits of a natural wilderness;

  1. You learn to recognize the sound of different birds in the wilderness; you learn to recognise the voice of the Holy Spirit from that of devils to make godly decisions.
  2. You learn how wild animals attack in the wilderness; you learn the techniques and strategies of satanic agents.
  3. You learn to follow the atlas to get direction in the wilderness; you learn the significance of the reading the Word of God
  4. You get used to journey delays in the wilderness; you learn to take on patience and perseverance as virtues.
  5. You learn to travel the path of the wilderness; you become an experienced soldier of Christ.

The Key to a successful wilderness travel is to release yourself to the one who is leading YOU. By that the enemy will not stand a chance.

After the Wilderness

This story of the Israelites travel relates to our spiritual journeys, but more so it also relates to our everyday lives. When we endure we finally step into the promises God for our lives just like they inherited the promised land. The pandemic and recession are wildernesses that births doubts and concerns that alter our lifestyles: the way we react to life, the way we care for our fellow humans, make us reflect about the things that are important to us and where we have been doing wrong.

Histories testifies good of the changes that succeed these wildernesses. For example, the implementation of universal healthcare and societal healthcare came to be after the influenza pandemic. Also the great recessions changed the perception of people to be more community-oriented in their behaviours and lifestyles.

Endure the classroom, the tests will soon be over.

In everything we have won more than a victory because of Christ who loves us — Romans 8:37

Excerpt from The Wilderness : classroom of a believer (Treasures from the Mount : Ornaments of Faith)

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Justice of God: When You want it Badly but you leave God out of it.

The role of God in Justice Execution

Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’ (Luke 18:3)

The death of George Floyd caused an uproar in the world. Amidst the ravaging of a deadly pandemic people broke lockdown rules for the chance to protest. This action depicts an attribute of human nature — The thirst for Justice. For believers – Justice of God.

The heart arches, the body cannot hold the pain caused by injustice, a trigger in us that says ‘do something’ and the eyes cannot withstand the prosperity of the wicked. Hence, it is no surprise that 4 in 10 homicide cases in the UK were due to revenge killings. The pain brought about by injustice also serves as a determinant of the belief of the existence of God within our societies; the popular convictions of atheists: if there is a God why is there so much evils happening in the world. For an ex-Christian she may find it difficult to reconcile the reason for a sudden evil event despite years of commitments to her faith.

Furthermore, many take responsibility for vengeance because they feel nobody cares about the injustice done to them, which is associated with the class they belong in the society.

Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil (see Eccl 8:11).

It is important to to realize that God does not think the way we think (see Isaiah 55:8–9). Hence, it is our duty to find out what his thoughts are concerning a matter and adapt our lives.

The Lord cares for YOU

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord (see Romans 12:9).

God takes ownership of vengeance of the believer. Vengeance is not the equivalence of justice. There is no way an avenger can be qualified for vengeance. Take for instance the blacklivesmatter protest due to the inhumane dealings of a police officers with black lives, some might be guilty of grievous offenses within their own race, which makes them unqualified for vengeance. The same is the case of Jesus and the adulterous woman (see John 8:1–11). God replaces vengeance with justice. Therefore justice is not about the avenger but the mandate of God to judge between evil and good (see Luke 18:7–8).

God always have contradictory tendencies towards an offender. The decision of God to punish or vindicate an offender is in the decision of the offender. He always calls for repentance before judgement. Repentance makes the offender to experience a super-nice God who have mercy and pardon an offence regardless of the magnitude of the offence — “If the wicked will forsake his ways…..” (see Ezekiel 18:27–28).We may all be ready to cast stones or our hearts may ache for the magnitude of offence committed but if the wicked will forsake his ways she will have the mercy of God and who are we stand in the way of God. Even though an offender may be condemned by Earth judicial laws, and we rejoice because justice has been served, we will be shocked when we find such in heaven if she repents.

On the other side when the wicked has been warned, convicted and still refuse to repent. The offender will experience a super-dangerous God. Some examples from scriptures:

  • Divine assassination (see 1 Kings 22:20–23): God can plan the killing of the wicked after various warnings and refusal to repent.
  • The Deceitfulness of God (see Matthew 7:21–23): the wicked can portray as angels of light and be used by God only to be rejected by God in the end.
  • False Wealth Disposition (see Psalm 73:3–20): the success of the wicked can be ordained by God so that they have no foresight of their destruction.
  • Eternal Punishment (see Matthew 25:46): the wicked will be condemned afterlife.

Therefore having this knowledge the posture of a believer should be to be at rest, to remain steadfast in God, not to take responsibility for vengeance but to leave it in the custody of God.

And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? (see Luke 18:7)

How to leverage the goodness God before Judgement

The prophet Jonah understood the goodness of God when it comes to judgement. When God instructed him to go and warn the people of Nineveh of their sins he ran away. Why? Because he wanted justice served as we all want justice and having knowledge about the goodness of God if Nineveh should repent the justice he wanted will not be served. He stood on a hill facing the city to watch its destruction, and when nothing happened because the people of Nineveh repented he said : I know you will pardon their sins if they repent (see Jonah 4). The surest way to disappoint egos and evil proclamation of accusers is repentance.

The repentance of the Ninevites is a symbolic model to leverage the goodness of God. When they heard the warnings of God, they acted not in the future but in the NOW. When God calls to repentance it actually means MENE TEKEL.

MENE — YOUR SINs HAVE BEEN COUNTED.

TEKEL — YOU HAVE BEEN WEIGHED AND FOUND WANTING.

It is an appeal. Hence, the best way to recompense is by acting in the NOW. When you hear it, do not think of continuing life in sin and planning to repent on a dying bed. God cannot be fooled, such a person will witness the super-dangerous God.

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap (see Galatians 6:7).

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Are you a Saint? Part 2

Now that we affirmed our status in Christ that we are saints. One of the signs of our new status is conviction of sins. We feel bad for every wrongdoings and want to quickly make amends. Convictions can be subjective, in other words, what I am convicted about, another person may not be (see Romans 14). It is the effectual work of the Holy Spirit (see John 16:8). Hence, we should be very mindful of the presence of the Holy spirit in our lives, because if he is not present we will not be convicted of wrongdoings.

Repentance is a change of mind which leads to change in direction. It is the admittance of our convictions and the step to make amends. In other words, repentance follows conviction.

True and False Repentance

True repentance is that which comes from contrition — regret for the offence against God’s love. False repentance is that which comes from attrition — regret for sin prompted by a fear for oneself: “Oh, no. I got caught. What will happen to me?”

The two are acceptable by God because of his mercy or to put it bluntly — “with the pure you will show yourself pure and with the devious you will show yourself shrewd” (see 2 Samuel 22:27). They are indicatives of the transformative work of Christ in us. True repentance produces godly sorrow (see 2 Corinthians 7:10), which implies hatred for sin. On the contrary, false repentance is a fear of reprisal rather than hatred for sin. In other words, one leads us to live a holy life, while the other does not.

The Conceit of Self righteousness

Repentance is a choice. We may be convicted personally by the Holy spirit of wrongdoings and refuse to repent. God is so merciful that if we are convicted personally, he also makes sure we are convicted externally such as an unplanned rebuke from a pastor during a sermon who has no clue of our wrongdoings or sometimes by a prophet or sometimes from faithful brethren or even by unbelievers.

Why we do not repent is simply because we rationalise against the Word of God. We form our own righteousness, aside from that of God. That is what is called self righteousness — righteousness birthed by self and not from convictions of the Holy spirit. Having convictions of our sins but not repenting is a sign that we are on a slippery road to destruction (see Exodus 9).

Why should we repent?

Repentance is paramount to Christian living, God will not require us to repent if it is not.

  1. Repentance cultivates the transformative work of christ in us. It is the surgical blade to cut off the cancer of inadequacies and progress towards perfection. It is like driving on a road to a particular destination, we may miss a turn and then reroute to get back on the road to the destination. We may miss it today, but as long as we repent we are sure one day we will not miss it again.
  2. A little leaven leavens the whole lump. A person who does not repent is contagious and his beliefs or rationale for not repenting is capable of contaminating other believers (see 1 Corinthians 5). This I believe is one of the troubles facing Christianity today — unrepentant individuals portrayed as models thereby erecting unholy culture.
  3. Restoration of joy of salvation. Convictions by the Holy spirit comes with restlessness. This is a result of loss of joy of salvation that occurred when we sinned. To restore our right relationship with the Holy spirit we must repent. Then we can have unspeakable joy blooming inside our hearts and the Holy spirit speaking to us again. This is why David wrote in Psalm 51:12 — “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit”.

Weary of repentance?

Unfortunately, many christian culture of today encourages contentment. That we live by grace and cannot progress towards perfection. This motive ensued due to weariness of repentance and this has resulted in contentment with a lifestyle that is not in sync with the nature of God. Well, God commands us “Be holy for I am holy”. Christ echoes the same “Be perfect as your father in heaven is perfect”. Instead of contentment repentance should be our lifestyle as believers. It is the quality that shows our genuine dependence on God’s grace to lift us out of the shackles of sin and God’s mercy to save us from judgement. Therefore we shouldn’t be weary.

But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the hope of righteousness. — Galatians 5:5

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The Power of the Truth

What do believers do in this time of Revelation?

For the word of God is living and active, Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

During my clinical internship 13 years ago, my supervisor told me;

There are two types of people in this world, those who investigate and examine themselves and those who don’t. The people that don’t makes up the majority of the people you will spend your time with, then once in awhile you will get lucky and get a client who suffers from introspection and self examination, then that is when you get to do the fun stuff.

She was right, so many years of counselling and most people are not interested in doing deep diving of their emotions or what drives them. They just want me to fix them, give them the answers, spell it out for them. Many times I have to take them down the journey of self examination and they don’t even know we are going there until we arrive.

The same can be said of society as a whole, we do things but we do not think about them or why they are or not a good idea or what is motivating our actions. We do not consider other people’s motives, we lack spiritual or psychological discernment. Take for instance the mass exodus towards toilet paper, in the midst of national crisis , no one stopped to consider why they were buying toilet paper, they just followed the herd. Watching people scramble for toilet paper was heart-breaking, reminded me of the simplicity and fragility of our mind and how quickly we can be led astray by our emotions.

Sometimes we Need others to tell us who we really are…

No one is immune to periods of lack of discernment. We all fall into the space of existing where we don’t think much. Not until someone jolts us and gives us feedback or shares their experience ,do we notice the road we are traveling on.

Take for instance the recent article about Walmart about the removal of beauty products from locked cases. How many times had I looked at the products behind cases without giving it much thought, without questioning even if it did not make sense? I just accepted the situation and had not considered the motives behind it, until the article pointed it out.

We are living in the time of Revelation

God is revealing the hearts of men all around us, he is revealing the condition of our hearts as well. The truth is cutting through the paucity of good we hold for our fellow men and women. These revelations are cutting through the core of us, destroying the traditions, the myths we hold about our Christian culture and myths we hold about each-other. Do we really think highly of others, esteem them more than ourselves? (See Romans 12:3)

God’s message to us in this season is to REPENT

King David went about his business despite his sins, oblivious and disconnected until the prophet Nathan pointed them out to him the errors of his ways. Once the situation was pointed out to him he repented (See 2 Samuel 12:7). Repentance is always a choice. David could have chosen to not repent.

Our silence, our apathy is complicity. We have hidden ourselves behind the pillars of religion and forgotten the word of God and what is required of us as being servants of the most high. We are required to defend those who cannot defend themselves for whatever reason. We are required to not just sit back in the face of iniquity and do nothing and say nothing.

Like Nathan we just have to tell the truth. Lift up the truth in every situation that is our job, let God do the rest. These past few weeks, oppression has been pointed out to us and the word of God has judged us all, for it is written:

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” Proverbs 31:8–9.

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Are you a Saint?

Affirming your status in Christ

Once upon a time I attended a gathering of believers and we were asked about the evidences of a life living in the Spirit. When it came to my turn, my answer was holiness, as soon as I mentioned it the majority in the room echoed “Holiness!!!!” and busted into laughter. Holiness seems a strange word, a quality that cannot be attained in some Christian gathering today. We are approaching a time where holiness preachers are seen as enemies of grace.

The word saint means holy. In the times of the apostles, all believers were referred to as saints. The word appeared 229 times in the Greek New testament.

Why is there a wrong perception about sainthood?

Our judgement of who is a Saint appears to be bleak. This is because its application is relative. Even though we might accept that we become holy when washed by the blood of Christ, when we then compare our lives with others that we admire in the faith we may retard and take a no-Saint stance. This often is a result of inadequacies that does not measure up to what we assert as holiness. We know ourselves.

What is God’s perception of every believer?

Every believer is a result of predestination. God elected us before the foundation of the world (see Ephesians 1:5, 11 NKJV). We existed in the mind of God before realisation through birth and acceptance of Christ as Lord and saviour. He spoke about us: “And they shall call them The Holy People, The Redeemed of the LORD; And you shall be called Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken.” (see Isaiah 62:12 NKJV). Therefore God’s configuration or initial thoughts about us before we became believers was Sainthood.

We became Saints the moment when washed by the blood of Christ. That moment we Confessed and affirmed Christ to be the Lord of our life, we conferred to partook in his blood which was shed for the remission of sins – a process called sanctification, hence we became saints. Entrance into sainthood at that time does not infer total ejection of past feelings that leads to sin, we will still struggle with them and neither should these struggles disqualify us from sainthood – we are still saints, it is a status we possess as long as we are in Christ (see Hebrews 10:10, 14, 1 Corinthians 1:2 NKJV).

We are not to look back to admissions of our former lives despite the inadequacies that contradicts our present status but to look forward perfecting holiness in the fear of God (see 2 Corinthians 7:1 NKJV) until we come to the full nature of Christ. Living gracefully by the help of the Spirit and not succumbing to our fleshly desires that do not please God (see Romans 8). Renewing our minds daily by the word of God (see James 1:21 NKJV).

Why it is important to ascribe the status of saint to self?

There is danger in not possessing our status. It is important for us to ascertain our status as saints because our beliefs shape our perception of reality. When we ascribe sainthood to ourselves, we unconsciously create an environment where we force ourselves to live what we call ourselves even though we are not genuine or not reached perfection. Not ascribing this status to ourselves creates vice versa, slurring of holiness and more so no inclination towards perfection. This leads to undisciplined Christians that gives opportunity to sin.

Therefore Paul’s exhortation is : But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; (see Ephesians 5:3 NKJV).

What is your name again? You are St.<put your name here>.

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True Light

What type of light do I have?

But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. (Ephesians 5:13 KJV)

What is True Light?

When light shines there is always the revelation of truth. What is known as darkness is cast away and everything becomes clear.

Every Child of God is a Light (see Matthew 5:14). Hence, at the presence of a child of God, darkness should be cast away.

“But how come demons participate in your worship?”.

Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness (Luke 11:35 KJV)

Lights are distinct by power. The power determines how bright the light shines. For example – an halogen lamp shines brighter than a 60 Watts bulb. Consequently, it determines the amount of darkness it can cast away (the revelation of truth, it provides). Some lights such as x-ray light shines brighter to reveal the skeletal system of living creature. The brightness of a child of God is dependent on the measure of the life of Christ he or she possesses. The more of Christ, the brighter he or she shines and vice-versa. 2 Corinthians 13:5 – Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

The definition of True light is simply a Light that is void of darkness (see 1 John 1:5)

And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not. (John 1:5 KJV)

More of Christ

More of Christ implies the presence of more light. Hence, the elimination of darkness. More of Christ can be achieved by abiding in his presence, listening and continuous obedience to Christ (see Luke 10:41-42, John 14:23). The more of walk in daily obedience to Christ, the more of life of Christ that we have (see 2 Corinthians 13:5). Perhaps what this implies is holiness (see Hebrews 12:14, Matthew 5:8).

Evidences of True light

A threat to Spiritual darkness – when true light shines, it is always a threat to spiritual darkness. This is always the norm in the live of our lord Jesus Christ, that when he enters a domain occupied with demons, they always complain at his presence (see Luke 4:34, Mark 5:7). The Gadarene Demoniac was a sign of the Spiritual Darkness of the city and no wonder, Christ and his disciples were told to leave.

Distinction between true and fake light – when true light shines there is the revelation of fake lights , lights that are inferior in brightness. It is no wonder when sometimes a child of God enters a gathering and he starts to be called a Pastor, due to conduct of his life, a way of life he ascribes to as a normal way of living. Oftentimes It is an indication that people in that gathering are not living according to the normal standard, it is fake light.

Holiness is a norm – A light that shines brighter than others is a result of more of indwelling of Christ due to holiness.

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The Kingdom of God – A Reformation of the Society

Our minds, thoughts; inner lives always determine the outward life and implies what happens in the society. Consider, a mind that is always burdened with sexual alures, he or she will soon fornicate or commit adultery which can lead to unwanted pregnancy or destroy a marriage, which then can lead to single parenthood, then improper upbringing of a child impacting the society adversely with social vices.

A critical view, can argue that it is the external force(s) or systems that determines our inner lives. For example, the high intensity of poverty in a locality can influence a mind to robbery. Likewise, exposure to pornography can influence the mind to illicit sexual activities. But irrespective of the dissonances caused by external forces, our inner lives are to be pressure-proof and thus, produce a life that is meaningful and not social vice.

It is very unfortunate the answer we resolve to, when there are dissonances in our communities. We tend to blame others, ask for changes in policies and a new political government. We forget to change self, we forget that a change in me could go a long way, if not less to impact the society positively and a communal change will do much better.

The Israelites were in such state of society dissonance – conquered and ruled by the Roman Empire, desired their freedom by a new government called the Kingdom of God to be led by the Messiah. Unfortunately, God’s definition of his Kingdom alternate theirs – the messiah was not meant to bring about a Kingdom that is external, visible to humans but that is inward and self changing [Luke 17:21]. In other words, God was expecting transformed lives, that will then affect the society positively.

Kingdom means King domain; a place where the authority of the King presides over. The Kingdom of God is where the authority of God presides over. A transformed life is that which the Kingdom of God is effectual, brought about by the sanctification of the blood of Christ and reformed through continuous muzzling of the Holy Spirit.

In the story of the rich young ruler who could not leave his possession to follow christ – the response of christ ‘With Man this is impossible but WITH GOD all things are possible’ means that when a man enters into the Kingdom of God (a place where the dominion of God presides) what is impossible to him becomes possible and the effect is that of a positive society. A story that illustrates and negates that of the rich young ruler was when the Holy Spirit descended on the believers [Acts 4:32-36]; they sold their possessions, gave to the poor and fellowshipped with singleness of mind.

The Kingdom of God is crucial to the transformation of our lives and the society, no wonder Paul declared; “Woe is me, if I preach not the gospel!. In another scripture he said; “For it is the POWER of God to salvation for everyone who believes….”

Excerpt from Treasures from the Mount – Ornaments of Faith.

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Hybrids

Devils going to Church

On another day, the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him (Job 2:1 NJKV)

Discipleship is a long walk with Christ and the journey is filled with stumbling blocks – it is guaranteed that offenses must come (see Luke 17:1). How are we to react in the advent of offenses and why do they happen? This article discusses offenses by HYBRIDS.

It is becoming scary to go to church nowadays because you just do not know which is genuine. You cannot just regard everyone is your faithful brother or sister within the church. Nowadays, it’s becoming more important than ever before to be led by the Spirit of God, do proper research, fast and pray for guidance for the right church to attend. Of course, this is not applicable to all but those who are spiritually discerning. Oddities of a church could be the allowance of ritual processions of another religion – men dressing half-naked and spiting incantations during church service; in the name of religion tolerance. This admittance – the works of Hybrids.

An Hybrid in biological term is a product of two intercourse between two distinct species. This fusion brings about inherited traits from both parents. In other words, an hybrid is a cross-specie, having traits that are peculiar to the parents. This makes them versatile and adaptable to conditions the parents cannot survive. An example of an hybrid is the mule – a product of intercourse between the horse and donkey – inheriting endurance from the donkey and speed from the horse. Some of the two important traits that defines a Christian – 1) Sanctification by the Spirit – a residue of God in us. 2) The Culture – our general doctrines – singing hymns, going to church etc. An hybrid only possess the cultural traits and because culture is visible, their true nature is hideous and they go unnoticed. Imagine the soothsayer in Acts 16:16-19 goes to church, one would think she is a prophetess. Imagine if the apostles had not descended to Samaria to ensure baptism of the Holy Spirit, a sorcerer would have remained among the brethren unnoticed. They are powerful, undercover agents – their possession of other traits enables them to form alliance with the dark world. They are not pure breeds. And sanctification of the Spirit – they are void of the Spirit, possessing other spirits-

“who comes to you in sheep clothing but inwardly they are ravening wolves” Matthew 7:15 KJV

The possessions of other spirits underlies their mission in the church – to cause offense. These are people by virtue of the spirits they possess, misinterpret and make void the Word of God. For example, justifying the behaviour of Cain in killing his brother Abel or calling their christian brethren Slaves –

“these men are the hidden reefs in your love feasts, shamelessly feasting with you but shepherding only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried along by the wind; fruitless trees in autumn, twice dead after being uprooted.” (Jude 1:12 KJV)

These are people substituting immorality with holiness on the grounds of grace –

“For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error.” (2 Peter 2:18 KJV)

A tree is known by its fruits –

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness …” (Galatians 5:22-23 KJV)

They go unnoticed or unidentified in the church because of our spiritual binoculars do not fit the standard of the creator of all creations. The parable of the tares and wheat portrays the perspective of God in comparison to Man. God’s perspective of them is that they are completely different specie to what he has planted. We always see the same – no different specie unless we look closely, our spiritual lives become attuned to God. The thickness of their skin is so tough that it cannot be uncovered by ordinary fire but with pure fire.

The elders will commend that the case of hybrids is not new. Yes, its not new but the Prevalence of Hybrids is what is new. Never in times has there been a time when agents of darkness feels comfortable attending churches, camouflaging as Men or Women of God, occupying offices in churches. They are silent recruiters – passing on these spirits, powers to their children, who inadvertently sees church as an event gathering, having spiritual powers that differs from that of the Spirit of God – hence, we have hybrids.

The Prevalence of Hybrids indicates 3 things
1. Scarcity of the display of power of the Spirit — indicates absence of the Spirit. The absence of the Spirit makes Christianity an abode of fear, an inferior of other religions. Hence, in a gathering of believers where the Spirit is lacking, there are no testaments of divine acts, but activities and sympathetic worship. When the storm of life hits, then there rises a craving for more than activities but what works. This is an example of group of Christians that visits church in the morning but mediums in the night. And the disposition of a clergy to dark powers in order to prove divine acts. There has never been such a time to convince people, especially these group of people of the power of God.

2. The lack of definition of what a Christian life is – a Christian life is that which is filled with the Spirit and garnished outwardly in conducts by the fruits of the Spirit. Hybrids do claim to have the Spirit but their conducts negates that of the Spirit. For example, you have someone who commits adultery and still claims to prophecy.

3. The rise of a faithless generation – the love for the things of the world have subjected this group of Christians to failing the second temptation of Christ (see Luke 4:6-7) . The sayings; “It works like charm” is preferred than “It works as the bible”. Faith application requires patience, but delayed gratification is not a virtue amongst upcoming generation but an easy life; something that works as fast as possible. Christianity does not offer rituals like pagan religions that are costly, but the price of faith.

The story of hybrids concludes with this – being an ardent church goer does not imply genuine Christianity. Should I then forsake the assembly of brethren with this knowledge of hybrids? No, but play my truthful part in fastening the community of believers. Avoiding the assembly of believers because of hybrids is an action rooted in misconceptions of what the kingdom of God is about. The Lord foresaw this and spoke about it – The kingdom of God is the gathering of all types of people both good and bad and then the sorting at the latter days (see Matt 2:20, John 2:2)

“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” (Jude 1:3 KJV)

Most importantly hybrids calls for a closer walk with God. Know your God!!! –

“but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” (Daniel 11:32 KJV)

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”(Isaiah 40:31 KJV)

“But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, [21] Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. [22] And of some have compassion, making a difference: [23] And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh.” (Jude 1:20-23 KJV)

Do not be Offended – And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me

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How to overcome Fear

Combating your fears in Christ

In the Lord I put my trust; how say ye to my soul, “Flee as a bird to your mountain, 2 for lo, the wicked bend their bow and make ready their arrow upon the string, that they may privily shoot at the upright in heart;

Psalm 11:1–2

Learning the ways of God is very crucial to the life of a Christian, we are meant to be perfect as he is (see Matthew 5:48). Moreover, knowing God’s ways gives confidence in times of difficulties — the reason why Moses was not moved by predicaments encountered in the wilderness but the Israelites will always complain (see Exodus 14:11–12).

One of the children of life issues, even the first born is FEAR. Fear makes us do lots of things that can be contrary to the will of God for our lives; like turning to other source or gods for help (see Jeremiah 42:19, Jeremiah 44:19), like deserting our holy calling and doing things in unrighteous ways. For this purpose it is crucial to know how to overcome FEAR.

God’s Love

The situation of the Psalmists in Chapter 11 was one which involves the molecule of fear but drenched by the element of trust. The bible verses implies that there is no help anywhere but in God. The unfailing love of God is the reason why I should trust God in difficult times — for perfect love casts out fear (see 1 John 4:18). Beloved what manner of love the father has bestowed on us, that we should be called the sons of God…(see 1 John 3:1). He that did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things ( see Romans 8:32).

Be Still

When we are in difficult times that breeds fear, we are to remember the magnitude of God’s love for us and this is to direct the course of our actions. It is the human nature to see danger and to try to escape, its reflex. Well, if we find godly ways of escape out of difficult times, that is okay. But what if there are no means of escape. There are stories in the bible that indicates the attitude a Christian must portray in this situation. Stories like the Israelites and Pharaoh at the red sea, Paul and Silas in Prison, the three Hebrews and King Nebuchadnezzar and the Ark of Covenant in the house of Dagon. One thing is common with these stories that made them to overcome — it is there stillness; the ability to remain calm and have absolute confidence in God in adverse situations. Paul and Silas portrayed this when they were in prison — there situation did not hinder their daily devotion with God — they prayed and sang praises to God. The three Hebrews portrayed this when they said boldly to the King —

“O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If the God whom we serve exists, then He is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace and from your hand, O king. But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up.” (Daniel 3:16–18 KJV)

Likewise, Peter sleeping heavily in prison when he was about to be beheaded on the morrow.

Beloved when there is nothing we can do but to pray, lets commit everything to God and have absolute confidence in him.

Total Deliverance

In difficult times we may question God — why we are facing such? The probable answer is that God wants to show himself mighty in our lives and to the world. But I have raised you up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth (see Exodus 9:16). No, it is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it (see John 9:3).

The biblical stories above shows similar ways by which God delivers — the deliverance of God is Total deliverance. Total deliverance is not only when a captive is delivered but when the enemy stands in total awe and admiration of your God. After King Nebuchadnezzar was confounded of the miracle of the burning furnace, he made a proclamation through the whole land that no man should speak ill of the God the three Hebrews. After the demonstration of God’s power in Egypt by the Ten plagues, the Egyptians gave their treasures to the Israelites as a parting gift. The prison guard and his household surrendered to Christ after the demonstration of God’s power in the prison.