Aug 16, 2021 |
Who do You say that You Are?
“They answered, “Some are convinced you are John the Baptizer, others say you are Elijah reincarnated, or Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” “But you—who do you say that I am?” Jesus asked. Simon Peter spoke up and said, “You are the Anointed One, the Son of the living God!” Matthew 16:14-16(TPT)
“Who do you say that I am?”
Yes, You.
You have often heard that verse about Jesus’s conversation with his disciples.
You are very familiar with the possibilities of who Jesus could be.
Today the question is about You?
Who are you?
What’s God’s purpose for your life?
Are you doing what you are doing because your Pastor says so?
Are you in that assignment because that is what takes less time to do?
Are you doing what you are doing because that is what your Hero in the faith does?
Possibly the church you attend needs volunteers in a particular department?
Did You declare yourself the title of Bishop, Apostle, Prophet, etc.?
Did God really call You into such an office?
Or You just chose one that will make you famous?
All the suggested names that the disciples mentioned were all men of God.
However, Jesus has his own distinct call and purpose.
Equally, you are not an accident.
Just as God confirmed to Peter who the messiah is
So also, through the Holy Spirit, God can reveal who you are to you.
Jesus stayed in his calling. He does not have to be any of the names mentioned.
When John the Baptist was asked a similar question earlier
“Now, this was John’s testimony when some of the Jewish leaders sent an entourage of priests and temple servants from Jerusalem to interrogate him. “Who are you?” they asked him. John answered them directly, saying, “I am not the Messiah!” Then who are you?” they asked. “Are you Elijah?” “No,” John replied. So they pressed him further, “Are you the prophet Moses said was coming, the one we’re expecting?” “No,” he replied.” John 1:19-21(TPT)
You, too, need to be clear, focused, and direct as to who you are.
Do You Really Know Who You Are?
Aug 13, 2021 |
Wait upon the Lord.
I waited patiently for the Lord, and he inclined unto me and heard my cry. Ps. 40:1. (KJV).
It is normal to become impatient when you wait for somebody.
You may even be cross with the person when he takes too long.
Especially if it is to help you with something.
You sometimes begin to get bitter with the person.
What did you say to your friend when he did not help you quickly enough?
God is not our servant.
He does not have to help us.
However, out of His Mercy, He Helps us.
It is not your right to get an answer when you want it.
It is your relationship with Him at all times that counts.
God knows what we need and what to do for us.
He knows what is best.
He has His reasons for doing what He does in the way He does.
In the end, He helps in such a way that we can only be amazed.
Do you want to experience the power of God?
Can you wait patiently for that experience?
Application to the Christian life:
Wait patiently for the Lord to do His will.
Submit to Him
Trust Him.
Praise Him while waiting.
Aug 11, 2021 |
So, watch yourselves.
“So, watch yourselves. “If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them, and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.” Luke 17:3-4 (NIV)
So, watch yourselves
Take heed to yourselves:
So be careful what you do.
I am warning you!
Pay attention and always be on guard.
Our Lord and Savior admonish us to do two things in our text today.
Rebuke and Forgive.
Look around you today.
What do you see?
In the body of Christ, we do one very well and rarely do the other.
We know very much how to rebuke.
We don’t give the time to listen to how and why it happened.
Opportunity is usually not given to repent.
You don’t want to be hurt twice, you say.
We hardly forgive one another.
Some brethren are specialists in rebuking another believer.
Especially in leadership.
What are you doing to help that believer overcome the weakness?
Our discerning capacity to identify sin in others is excellent.
However, our heart rarely forgives one another.
Can you make a difference?
Can you from today turn around and forgive those who have offended you?
In many cases, we don’t even give a chance for the offense to be repeated.
Once the offense is done, you tongue-lash them.
Then you spread the news to as many brethren as possible.
Worse still, you “prayer gossip” the offense.
Be careful.
God is watching you!!!.
“For just as you [hypocritically] judge others [when you are sinful and unrepentant], so will you be judged; and in accordance with your standard of measure [used to pass out judgment], judgment will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:2(Amp)
Be known for the capacity to love and forgive.
Not just an expert in rebuking and broadcasting other people’s offenses.
Examine Yourself.
Aug 9, 2021 |
To delight in the will of God.
I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. Ps. 40:8. (KJV).
When you have a presentation, how well do you prepare?
When you are in a prize-winning competition:
You give it all that it takes.
If you need to work exactly according to rules:
You learn the steps to follow by heart.
Once you enjoy doing a job :
You master the steps, including the challenging ones.
The psalmist said the law of the Lord is in his heart.
How much do you think he had to study to get the law in his heart?
Once you are in love with God.
Your delight should be to know Him.
You know what pleases Him by heart.
It is easy to live by the laws of God if you truly love Him.
Do you delight to do the will of God?
Learn daily what God loves.
Study the Scriptures concerning your purpose in life.
Application to the Christian life:
Love God with your whole heart.
Find joy in the will of God.
Submit to Him.
Serve Him.
Aug 4, 2021 |
“Philip went to look for his friend, Nathanael, and told him, “We’ve found him! We’ve found the One we’ve been waiting for! It’s Jesus, son of Joseph from Nazareth! He’s the One whom Moses and the prophets prophesied would come!” Nathanael sneered, “Nazareth! What good thing could ever come from Nazareth?” Philip answered, “Come and let’s find out!” When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said, “Here comes a true son of Israel—an honest man with no hidden motive!”
John 1:45-47(TPT)
How have you been doing in witnessing Christ to your friends?
Are you finding and actively bring others to Christ?
The joy of salvation is sharing and spreading the Good News of the Kingdom.
In our text, Jesus’s not only encouraged soul winning, but He celebrated and commended the purity of the heart of Nathaniel.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God.”
Matthew 5:8(NKJV)
Several years ago, when in College.
I came across a rare Saint of God.
Who I can by His Grace did not lie.
No ambiguity in his statement.
He was pure in heart.
A rare gem.
He was transparently honest.
Brother Akintunde John Aremu would easily fit into Jesus’s Description of Nathaniel.
He went home to be with the Lord this January 2021.
It’s been quite challenging coming to terms with the fact that he has relocated to heaven.
The attached piece titled Remembering Brother Akintunde John Aremu attempts to capture his life’s significance on others.
Akintunde will want you to continue in soul winning and living a pure life.
He was challenged, tested, and tried.
He overcame in Jesus’s Name.
You, too, can leave a life of legacy that will glorify God.
Special thanks to.
The LVCUA’s platform whose tributes are also shared.
Be encouraged with his testimony.
