Aug 2, 2017 |
“Now when they saw him afar off, even before he came near them, they conspired against him to kill him. Then they said to one another, “Look, this dreamer is coming! Come therefore, let us now kill him and cast him into some pit; and we shall say, ‘Some wild beast has devoured him.’ We shall see what will become of his dreams!” (Genesis 37:18-20)
Stop daydreaming! Is usually the phrase or wake up call people say to those who appear to have been lost in their thoughts. Or to a student staring past the teacher and seem not to aware of the what is going on in the class! While it might seem out of place to be ‘lost’ in our dream, it is however not bad to live out our dreams.
Let’s look at the life of the biblical Joseph’s again, and the brothers retorted here comes the dreamer! That means Joseph was not only a dreamer, but he lived out his dream by sharing it with his brothers and behaving it out in some way
Don’t be discouraged by commentators that said Joseph should have kept quiet about his dream hence he would not have been besieged by the challenges that came his way.
If your dream is truly from God, your stars will make you shine out and challenges will still come. So, learn to act upon your dream when you are awake. Believe your God given dream; say it out like Jesus could tell Pilate for this purpose I was born.
When challenges come your way, don’t use your mouth to negate your God given dream by outright denial of your purpose in life.
Jul 31, 2017 |
“He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. Happy is the man who is always reverent, But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.” Proverbs 28: 13-14
God does not want you to live a hypocritical life of living in sin and not confessing them before HIM and making quality decision not to continue in sin.
“For I am closely watching you, and I see every sin. You cannot hope to hide from me. And I will punish you doubly for all your sins because you have defiled my land with your detestable idols and filled it up with all your evil deeds.” Jeremiah 16:17-18
Do not hide your sin before God .HE is all knowing. Once you make a mistake be honest with yourself and God Do not try to cover your sin with another sin. As the saying goes you will need another lie to cover a lie and before you know it the deceitful life will continue to multiply.
“God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand.
I’m an open book to you; even from a distance, you know what I’m thinking.
You know when I leave and when I get back; I’m never out of your sight. You know everything I’m going to say before I start the first sentence. I look behind me and you’re there, then up ahead and you’re there, too— your reassuring presence, coming and going. This is too much, too wonderful I can’t take it all in!” Psalm 139: 1-6
As you confess your sin to God, repent and sincerely depend on the Holy Spirit to enable you live a life of victory and you gradually become an overcomer.
Don’t be discouraged by many hypocrites around you who will take you before the Lord and openly accuse you of your sins. Jesus said “ Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” John 8:7
Sometimes we always point to someone else sins, it is easier to see sin in our brother or sister than in us .It is even easier to see the sins in the world, and not in us. “There’s something self-righteous and hypocritical within a lot of us that cries out for the preacher to “let those other people have it!”
Don’t hide your sin before God.
Don’t give up because of the holier than thou attitude around you.
You too can live your Christian life victoriously.
Jul 26, 2017 |
“These are all warning markers—danger! —In our history books, written down so that we don’t repeat their mistakes. Our positions in the story are parallel—they at the beginning, we at the end—and we are just as capable of messing it up as they were. Don’t be so naive and self-confident. You’re not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it’s useless. Cultivate God-confidence.” 1 Corinthians 10:11-12
Sometimes people say experience is the best teacher. Experience is a teacher, but not always the best teacher.
God’s plan for us is to learn from the word of God and overcome temptations so that we can make our life more meaningful and purposeful.
There is “nothing new” in what you are going through in life right now that those circumstances and experiences cannot be related to the Bible. Look for a Bible Character that best personify what you are going through and learn from that life in the Bible.
The Bible verses above is a reminder to you today to diligently search the scripture and let the Holy Spirit teach you what to do in your peculiar situation.
“ Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner. If you’re abused because of Christ, count yourself fortunate. It’s the Spirit of God and his glory in you that brought you to the notice of others. If they’re on you because you broke the law or disturbed the peace, that’s a different matter. But if it’s because you’re a Christian, don’t give it a second thought. Be proud of the distinguished status reflected in that name!” 1 Peter4: 12-16
God is still at work in your life therefore don’t make hasty decisions.
HE says I will never leave nor forsake you.
Stay close to the Word and avoid repeating mistakes!
Jul 24, 2017 |
“ It so happened that as she continued in prayer before God, Eli was watching her closely. Hannah was praying in her heart, silently. Her lips moved, but no sound was heard. Eli jumped to the conclusion that she was drunk. He approached her and said, “You’re drunk! How long do you plan to keep this up? Sober up, woman!” Hannah said, “Oh no, sir—please! I’m a woman hard used. I haven’t been drinking. Not a drop of wine or beer. The only thing I’ve been pouring out is my heart, pouring it out to God. Don’t for a minute think I’m a bad woman. It’s because I’m so desperately unhappy and in such pain that I’ve stayed here so long.” I Samuel 1:13-16
Hannah did not respond “appropriately “ to Eli’s misjudgment of her situation rather she chose to focus on her purpose and therefore responded by looking beyond the provocation offered by the misjudgment of her situation. Rather than straightening out Eli she gave the response that delivered her blessings from God.
As you hear people’s misjudgment of you today look beyond their erroneous comments and give response that line up with your own purpose and destiny.
The Bible says a soft answer turns away wrath, answer your adversaries today with grace and wisdom from God. Don’t return fire for fire. “Don’t give them finish”
Certainly Hannah too would have heard about the bad things going around in the temple Eli presided over then and could have laced her answer with some “spices” about the behavior of the priests sons. Walk in the spirit today and let the Holy Spirit guide you in your response to your accusers so that your true and full blessings will be delivered in the fullness of time.
“But God told Samuel, “Looks aren’t everything. Don’t be impressed with his looks and stature. I’ve already eliminated him. God judges persons differently than humans do. Men and women look at the face; God looks into the heart.” I Samuel 16: 7
Let what is in your heart to God determine your outcome.
Look beyond all the physicals around you, stay close to God in your heart especiallylook beyond the provocation that comes your way.
Let your choice words deliver your true and complete Blessings to you today.
Jul 21, 2017 |
“And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.” And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has cleansed you must not call common.” Acts 10:13-15
Peter after he turned around and repented became reliable for God to use in some many profitable ways. However felt he knew God so much by what he has learnt and experienced in the past that he was almost shutting God out of HIS next move. God is limitless but Peter’s knowledge and experience was limited.
How do you understand and interpret God?
Don’t limit God with your past understanding. Be open to God to find out what he is doing now. Peter had the grace to hear God’s voice a second time.
What about you?
Are you giving God that second chance to speak to you again?
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9
Give room for God to reveal HIS mind to you on your thoughts.
Allow His higher ways and plans to be communicated to you.
“Peter fairly exploded with his good news: “It’s God’s own truth, nothing could be plainer: God plays no favorites! It makes no difference who you are or where you’re from—if you want God and are ready to do as he says, the door is open. The Message he sent to the children of Israel—that through Jesus Christ everything is being put together again—well, he’s doing it everywhere, among everyone.” Acts 10: 34-36
God indeed is not limited .HE will use HIS Word to confirm to you HIS next move.
Jul 19, 2017 |
“Meanwhile, as Simon Peter was standing by the fire, he was asked again, “Aren’t you one of his disciples?” “Of course not,” he replied. But one of the household slaves of the High Priest—a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off—asked, “Didn’t I see you out there in the olive grove with Jesus?” Again Peter denied it. And immediately a rooster crowed.” John 18:25-27
Jesus had earlier warned Peter about the impending temptation and boldly Peter assured Him it would not happen. At Gethsemane Peter was supposed to pray and be strengthened spiritually but he was very very sleepy so when the tempter came there was no spiritual stamina.
Having learnt his lessons Peter later wrote “ Be careful—watch out for attacks from Satan, your great enemy. He prowls around like a hungry, roaring lion, looking for some victim to tear apart.” 1 Peter 5:8.
You need to pray and prevail in prayer in order to avoid falling into temptation .
It’s not by mere “positive confession”
Fear was the other reason that made Peter to fall.
Peter feared Jesus would die, and they could possibly kill him that night too. The world hated Jesus and so they would hate you too. It’s been said that there are 365 “Fear not’s” in the Bible, one “Fear not” for every day of the year. Most times our fears do not come exactly as we had worriedly feared.
God told Joshua to be bold and courageous. “In the same way I was with Moses, I’ll be with you. I won’t give up on you; I won’t leave you. Strength! Courage!”
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to have you, to sift you like wheat, but I have pleaded in prayer for you that your faith should not completely fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen and build up the faith of your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32
Today don’t allow weakness and fear to make you stumble. Peter did turn around so also you can.
Pray and Prevail in Prayers. Have Strength and courage
