Jan 19, 2018 |
“When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?” Matthew 16:13 (KJV)
What identifies you as a real child of God?
Many years ago faithful followers of God were known for their testimonies and outstanding often-sacrificial characteristics they have demonstrated in their immediate community and God-given platforms. They always raise the bar of righteousness.
Later on, as the various movements and ministries in the body of Christ emerged it was their dressing and the Big Bibles that they carry that identified them.
Today you can hardly recognize any child of God By the dressing because so much blending has occurred. It’s quite challenging and often deceptive to use looks to identify one.
It was God Himself who revealed to Peter the true identity of Jesus Christ.
“And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 16:17(KJV)
Today too God has to reveal to you the true identity of men, as you cannot rely on titles and the works they advertise.
Jesus said by their fruits you shall know them.
What identity are the fruits you are producing give you?
How are people identifying you in your family, community, workplace and other places of dominion God has given you?
The answers the disciples gave about Jesus Christ still centered around the people and nature of God even though they were not accurate like Peter was.
Will people around you, very close to you be able to say Godly things about you even though they may not be 100 percent accurate?
God only knows who you are but what can the people around you say you are?
Jesus knew who He is and showed the disciples how all that HE did lined up to what the scriptures have said about Him.
Is your life today lining up with the Bible?
Is what you profess to be in your mouth the same as what you do and practice in your public and private life?
The real child of God has only one consistent life whether seen publicly or privately.
What’s your real identity?
Jan 17, 2018 |
“And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the Lord hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, God, save the king.”1 Samuel 10:24
What are you going to do about the people this year?
When Saul was freshly appointed as King the People hailed him “long live the king “and he absorbed that so much that when he was later instructed by Samuel to wait for him to come and sacrifice to God, he disobeyed. Why? because he saw the people departing.
The People had earlier rejected God’s direct rule and demanded a king, which made Saul emerge as their king.
“Vox Populi, Vox Dei is Latin for “the voice of the people is the voice of God.” This is not in the Bible and equally like the other misnomer “heaven help those who help themselves is not biblical either.
Learn to hear and follow God and not the people.
David’s critical success was in his ability to hear God and follow Him
When the people wanted to celebrate Paul as God, he quickly rejected it and stated he was a mere man like them.
Not all the successful things God will want you to do this year will be popular with the people. Remember one with God is majority.
The same people that hailed hosanna to Jesus soon turned around to say crucify Him.
Jesus’s did not yield to the popular demand of the people to make Him King.
Do away with pride and self-deception this year and don’t get carried away by the people.
Let God be your guide and not the people.
Jan 15, 2018 |
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.” Psalm 37:23 (KJV)
Determine this year to be at the right place at the right time.
The woman Elisha restored her dead son back to life walked in at the right time as Gehazi was briefing the king about the exploits of Elisha.
“And it came to pass, as he was telling the king how he had restored a dead body to life, that, behold, the woman, whose son he had restored to life, cried to the king for her house and her land. And Gehazi said, My lord, O king, this is the woman, and this is her son, whom Elisha restored to life.”2Kings 8:5.KJV
Proclaim and declare that in this 2018 you will be in the places of the fulfillment of your purpose in life.
Furthermore, this woman also got full restoration of all what has accrued to her over the years.
Restoration and fulfillment are yours as you diligently hear and obey God.
Elijah told Elisha specifically what to focus on where he will receive the double portion of anointing he has requested.
“And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder, and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it…”
With the goals and plans, you have asked God this year you need to be fixated like Elisha was because it happened precisely.
Jesus told the disciples to wait specifically for the Holy Spirit, and they faithfully did, and they received the promised Comforter. “And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” Luke 24:49 KJV
To see your dreams and desire come through in this New Year. “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, “This is the way; walk ye in it,” when ye turn to the right hand and when ye turn to the left.” Isaiah 30:21
Don’t just hang out at the usual joints this year, hear from God the specific places and times HE has arranged divine appointments and connection for you
Be at the right spot at the right time.
Jan 12, 2018 |
“That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:” John 17:21-22 KJV
“An old man on the point of death summoned his sons around him to give them some parting advice. He ordered them to bring in a bundle of sticks, and said to his eldest son: “Break it.” The son strained and strained, but with all his efforts was unable to break the bundle. The other sons also tried, but none succeeded. “Untie the bundle,” said the father, “and each of you takes a stick.” When they had done so, he told them: “Now, break,” and each stick was easily and quickly broken.”
Almost every culture has their versions of the above story of the old man and his sons emphasizing unity among them. Jesus much more wanted that HIS disciples are also one and operate in love. Determine today to be the unifying factor in any group you belong.
It’s so easy to see the faults, the lapses in every other person except yourself.
As we start this New Year resolve to be the rallying point rather than the scattering point in your place of assignment. Most of us know the acronym TEAM means Together Everyone Achieve More.
Look out for the strengths, the good things in other people and with love correct their weakness rather than gossip them all over.
Your unit, home, family, fellowship, group, the church will achieve much more if we all live in love and allow the prayers of our Lord Jesus Christ be answered as we are one.
“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them, which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now, this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 KJV
Walk in love and seek for unity.
Jan 10, 2018 |
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” Philippians 2:5-8
Was waiting for the traffic lights to allow pedestrians to cross when my eyes caught a coin in the New York City Icy blackish water. As I reached out to pick the coin, the Holy Spirit told me that’s the message to share today with His people that are reading this.
Remind them how Jesus left all His Glory and Splendor in Heaven and came down willingly as a sacrifice for the redemption of man. Consequently, anyone who appreciates what God has done should be willing to come down to the level of another man or woman that needs help especially salvation of their souls.
If Jesus could reach out to us first even when we were in our sins like the coin in the dirty, icy cold water we too can take on a bit of discomfort to get the Good News of the Gospel to some people this year.
Indeed, There are people below your class, will you be willing to put aside all your higher status and witness to them?
Some of us are aware of the needs in some other lives, but due to race, class, position, we don’t want to be known associating with such. Christ in His Glory left all to reconcile us back to God.
Look around you today and get out of your comfort zone to make life much more meaningful than what they started 2018.
At that pedestrian crossing, there were people looking at me as I reached out to pick the coin, but I was glad inside of me as I did.
If you look at your secured position you may not want to put your fingers in that “dirty water, “but Jesus did much more than that for you and me.
Who is that value-able person but covered by unpleasant circumstances? But you know through the Good News in your heart and hands value will be restored.
Be like Jesus today step down and redeem a life around you.
Jesus had His reward part of which is that HE sits on the throne to reign and rule.
“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name:” Philippians 2:9
HE will reward you for the things you do for Him and like HIM.
