In my reflections on the Titanic … I am drawn to another less known maritime incident with a happier ending. The story of Jonah, God’s man who initially refused to go to a wicked people of Nineveh and preach a curt and unfriendly message they were more likely to mock at …

Jonah 3[4] And Jonah began to enter into the city a day’s journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.

Many would equally flee to Tarshish if called to deliver such “hate speech” to Ninevites. Jonah probably was not just disinterested in their salvation but also failed to appreciate how the Ninevites would ever respond positively to such a dour crusader … no jokes, no promises to prosper, no chorale, no dance troupe kicking their heels and no happy-ending tale. The trip of vanity to Tarshish was certainly a more practical pursuit …

Who dares preach undiluted truths and messages to the fearfully decadent culture of today? Who has been sent to declare, to advanced civilisations and cultures confident and arrogant in worldliness and debauchery, the words anointed to melt hard errant hearts … causing heads to be covered with sackcloth … and many fast. God, who says “I changeth not” had great mercy on Nineveh even as they believed Him and repented on hearing this “hateful” admonition – much to the surprise and chagrin of Jonah.

The vessel carrying Jonah faced a maritime peril that would have led to loss of potentially over 120,000 lives eventually … but for the admission of Jonah and his volunteering to be punished by being tossed into the sea. But he was God’s servant who God had determined to rescue for the sake of the Ninevites in need of salvation from an imminent judgment. Like Jesus who bore all our sins and had to be in the belly of the earth – the grave for three days .. so that many will be saved.

It is 100 years now and we are still searching for the Jonahs of today. Would a Jonah on the Titanic have made a difference? A discouraged servant of God headed on a luxury trip of vanity no more interested in taking God’s truths to a wicked society that do not look like they would accept it anyway. Would the mercy of God have made a difference … a mercy that interrupted Jonah’s disobedience and preserved him for three days in the belly of a fish only to be vomited on the coast of his assignment? How many thousands suffer today simply because prophets intimidated by the wickedness and culture have retired safely into ease or simply preach a different gospel that does not save – accompanied with hymn singing.

If Jonah had not been compelled to admit his disobedience and be thrown into the sea …eventually to return to Nineveh – an entire city may have perished …plus the souls on the ship … drowned together with a quiet, timid and hardened Jonah .

How many modern day “unsinkable” scenarios await the cry of “in 40 days and it will be destroyed unless you repent” ? Who will proclaim it? Who has been called and helped to be obedient to declare it? Who is still praying for God’s mercy for civilisations?

As new technologies reveal intimate images of the famous Titanic shipwreck … a new revival … a new merciful penetration of the soul is causing the word of God to echo once again …to help us see not just the geographical or historical dimensions but come to worship, fear and honour the God who says “He kills and makes alive” and to be helped to learn from His judgments.

Isaiah 57[13] When you cry out, Let your collection of idols deliver you. But the wind will carry them all away, A breath will take them. But he who puts his trust in Me shall possess the land, And shall inherit My holy mountain.”

God help us. There are no unsinkable vessels, ideas, nations, powers, men, women, civilisations, economies, politicians, ministries, corporations etc … as tomorrow’s headlines continually will remind us … “ but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take them”

…safety is only of the Lord

It is the period for lists … more exactly I mean shopping and gift lists, as malls are crowded with people. Lists are necessary so we do not rely only on our memory for things that are important. Every item on a shopping list has a price, be it a mink coat, Ipad or a Christmas card – and may often require that we forgo something else to acquire that listed as important.

I have compiled my lists …these are thoughts, experiences and principles I would wish to be real in my life and never forget. I look at each list and items as having tagged prices all pleading for a different sacrifice from me … as I remember that Christmas is about Christ who paid for my salvation.

Romans 12 [12:1] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. [2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Top Ten most Comforting Thoughts in the Bible

1. We are saved by faith in Christ and not by our works of righteousness
2. The blood of Jesus cleanses from all sins confessed to Him from which we repent
3. Death has no sting nor the grave any victory for the saint
4. God is faithful to supply all our needs according to His limitless riches
5. The mercy and love of God reaches to the heavens and unfathomable depths … none has ever stretched it to its limit.
6. Saints are safely kept in the palm of God’s hands … God looks after us.
7. Christ who has gone to prepare a home for His bride is soon coming back for His own.
8. God lays a table before us in the presence of our enemies …our cup overflows.
9. By the stripes on Jesus at the cross we already are healed … Divine health is already our portion
10. None of God’s children will be forsaken or have cause to beg

Top 7 most joyful experiences/narrations in The Bible

1. The conception of Sarah when the odds were completely against her bearing a heir for Abraham. God is faithful to do as He has promised you.
2. Jacob’s realisation that Joseph was still alive and well and prospering. Never say it is over.
3. The transformation of the mocked and barren Hannah to a mother of many. Wait on God
4. The marriage of Ruth – a hopeless Moabitess to the kinsman Boaz. Soon you will laugh.
5. The welcome of the returning Prodigal Son. You can return to Christ and receive a rousing welcome.
6. The woman at the tomb realises that Christ is risen … the tomb is empty. Jesus is alive
7. The rescue of Rahab the Prostitute from the annihilation of Jericho and admission into honour. Do not say God cannot use or rescue you.

Top 10 most attacked Principles in the Bible

1. God wants us to prosper only as our soul prospers … spiritual prosperity – a righteous walk comes first
2. The debtor is a servant to the lender. Escape the bondage of debt.
3. Many will profess doing great things in the name of Jesus … yet He will say I never knew you.
4. There is no greater virtue than knowing God … no higher calling or assignment than worshipping Him in Spirit and in Truth
5. We cannot serve both God and Mammon – we all love one and hate the other.
6. Without holiness … no man can see God.
7. God created us for His pleasure and not the other way round
8. The wages of sin is death
9. The best and worst are yet to come in God’s Eternity. Heaven and Hell are real.
10. Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever. God does not change.

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A fourth book has typical challenges in the sense that one begins to feel somewhat jaded and must recover perspective as though indeed there is something else coming that is yet to be said as it should.  “Three” in the Bible is the number that denotes perfection …the revelation of God in the Trinity.  Four is three plus one … that which proceeds from His complete perfection and that must be His creative work.  “Four” is emphatically the number of Creation;

The fourth day saw the material creation finished (for on the fifth and sixth days it was only the furnishing and peopling of the earth with living creatures). The sun, moon, and stars completed the work, and they were to give light upon the earth which had been created, and to rule over the day and over the night (Genesis 1:14-19).

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Perfect Fall Wedding is therefore perhaps more creative than previous works.  It is not a book about true or false predictions. The metaphor of marriage and a love letter from the  groom to His bride was for me the very best canvas with which the creative agenda of the Godhead could be completely and thoroughly understood.  Indeed there are  snippets in the Bible to help us deal with every challenge and truly the Bible can be a prosperity book, a government manual, a guide for ethics, a cure for social maladies and even more…but this is like Peter being shown where to find the fish but after invited to come and dine only to discover prepared bread and fish was hot and ready waiting …his fish search  irrelevant.

In my few years of teaching, and I have taught extensively the contents of this book, I have not found a picture so familiar and easy to relate to and understand and yet so compelling to tie the plans of God together as the marriage of the Lamb does –from before time into Genesis to Revelation and the after-time.  I have not found imagery so vivid to explain heaven, hell, eternity and judgment as that of a wedding.  The joy of purification, having dominion and remaining apart is no more hard to appreciate or seen as drudgery when this is understood as part of preparations. Also I have not known any other ceremony with more prearrangements, colour and style.  God created us with a style and flourish that is uniquely His – through this metaphor we catch some glimpse of it.  The Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton is but nothing compared to what God has laid out.

Why the obsession with “Fall” … the season of the feast of Trumpets which I have said in the Book foreshadows the Rapture.  We know the significant events in the calendar of God did not merely occur they were announced by prophetic fulfilment of feasts as given to Moses in Leviticus.  But the Bible warns us not to relax in the winter, spring and summer and expect to be set for His coming in the Fall.  More importantly a saint unprepared for Him anytime will not be prepared even at a given set time…noting that preparation is given to the Bride – a grace she receives, but cannot originate. The chosen bride will without doubt be prepared.

The book is not about how to live a happily married life, but it does emphasise divine directions as it pertains to marriage ordained by God and not man.  Marriage is therefore always a spiritual and theological issue and not a civil construct. This book is not remotely new revelation – only that present day readers I suspect peep in the word nervously … finding right answers to trivial questions … rather than be given to diligent study and examine research, context and previous interpretations allowing the Holy Spirit to guide.  Also the great achievement of post-modernism  is to suggest to a world with itching ears that Biblical truths are nothing but plain fantasy. Only crazy people will believe in a millennium reign of Christ with His saints.  Existentialists will call this book – a mere piece of futurism and an escape from reality due to inability to cope with today’s challenges.

The key aim of Perfect Fall Wedding is to help the preparation of the bride – the Church – chosen from the foundations of the world.  The bride will glow with joy browsing through the chapters and will keep her letter.  Many others, atheists, non Christians will feel a tug in their heart – a call to return to what has always been there – back to your husband , your maker.  But some will read and feel excitement, entertainment, annoyance, a thrill, a sense of fantasy, amusement, outright disgust, unbelief and anger –like someone devouring the contents of a letter written to another and wondering …what utter nonsense.

Isaiah 54 [5]  For thy Maker is thine husband; the LORD of hosts is his name; and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel; The God of the whole earth shall he be called.

Interested readers can find more details in the online information kit download.  Also Two free e-books of the author are being offered  with purchase of a copy. (To obtain the bonus e-books you will need to enter details of purchase on the online form and you will be auto-responded with download password/instructions).

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The first question you ask yourself is this: Is there any such thing as a counterfeit Christian in church and in the world? Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ said there is, and right there in church. Here is the story He told His disciples:

It is not for me to go round looking for the counterfeit Christians in church but to look inwardly and ask myself: “Am I a counterfeit Christian? Have I truly experienced Christ? Is He alive in me at home, at work and in church? It is not my neighbours that make me a true Christian. They are there to test whether I am really what I profess to be. My life as a Christian is to reveal the life of Christ to my world beginning with the people I live with at home each day from my spouse to the rest of my family and moving outwards to the place where I work and then to the church where I visit less frequently each week.

We must recognize that a lot of good can come from religious observance, without the knowledge of the true God and His Christ. Take the life journey of a fake currency. A fake $500 note may be used to buy bread to feed the hungry. The bread seller may then pass it to the rice seller and then to the meat seller and after a journey of twelve years it would finally arrive at the bank to be lodged by a car dealer. Then the bank subjects it to scrutiny and detects that it is a fake currency. Now the fact that it was and had always been a fake currency did not stop it from doing some good along the way. It might even have visited churches and done some good there too. But all that good could not change the fact that it is a fake currency posing to be what it is not. This is why supposed Christians could go far but never far enough to prove the reality of Christ. Only the grace of God in Christ Jesus driven by the Spirit of God can empower us to stand up to the pressures of compromise with evil.  Counterfeit Christians may be hard to detect in church. We say here in Nigeria that every toad is squatting so it is difficult to say the one that has diarrhoea. In church we all put on our very best behaviours and try to say the nicest things to the most difficult people.  At work, we lose some of the constraints of church. At home where we may be king and queen, we tend to lose even more restraint. How often do very nice people at church and at work turn monsters at home? How often do very nice people at church turn monsters at work? Monsters are generally uncommon in church but not altogether rare.

Part of our self-examination as Christians must hinge on the word conversion or change. The truth of our faith is that God put on human nature so that through faith the nature of God can be experienced by man. It is not just that we become children of God by faith. It is that through faith we begin to reveal the nature and character of God in our dealings with others in the world. Faith draws down the spiritual inner strength that drives the change. And this is the change that must be for us to be sure that we are no counterfeits.  A young Christian asked me the other day how one could change his way of life. My response was straight forward: The first step is a very strong desire to change. The Holy Spirit always works effectively where He can see very strong desire. When we study the Word of God with this quality desire, the life of Christ will stare us in the face as we study and the Spirit of God will empower us to effect the necessary changes like – unyielding love, humility, integrity, kindness, compassion, willingness to forgive others as well as ourselves, self-control, self-denial in the pursuit of righteousness, consistent rejection of compromises with evil, seasoned speech that edify the hearers at home, at work and in church, suffering for what is right and much more. Nobody can work these works of righteousness in their own strength. We all need daily, nay moment by moment inner strengthening by the Spirit of God to stand up for Christ in this world.  The truth we must grasp is that Almighty God gave us eternal life in the person of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Through the knowledge of Christ, this eternal life is expressed in this world through our lives. This is that eternal life which our Lord Jesus Christ described in these words:

John 17[3]  And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

It is when my life reveals that I know God: when my dealings with others show forth the character of Christ, then I can be assured that I am no counterfeit.   It is for this reason that we must make a difference wherever we are as Christians because we are expected to reveal the character of Christ no matter the cost.  This is a daily challenge and that is why those who had gone before us admonished us in this way:

Genuine Christians know the daily struggle to keep on the straight and narrow road at home, at work and in church. Counterfeits tend to struggle in church to stay godly but lose all restraint at work and at home.  If a nation that boasts that 50% of her population are Christians is not being transformed, then the churches in that nation must be full of counterfeits. This calls for deep self-examination. It poses a challenge to each Christian. We must know that God has called us into Christ so that the world around us can see Christ in us and through us. Every nation will change when a good percentage of its people are changed. I cannot control change outside of myself. My greatest challenge as a Christian is to be a changed person so that the world can see the nature of Christ in me and through me. If the world around me is not full of light, then it is either that I bear no light at all or that the light I carry is weak and faint and so cannot dispel the darkness around me. As Children of Light, let us rise and shine ever so brightly in every corner of our world – church, work or home, to the glory of our God. He who has called is very faithful and is a true and consistent rewarder of all those who love and serve Him. Our labours can never be in vain either in this world or in the world to come.

May the Holy Spirit empower you to take your place in the frontline of the struggle for righteousness in the very place where you are now, to the glory of God and His Christ, Amen.

Here is the true test of counterfeit Christianity for each and every professing Christian, myself included…

Dr. Onuzo is an acknowledged conference and seminar speaker in different parts of the world. He continues to be available for the work of the ministry despite his busy clinical work. He is also the Associate Pastor of the National Headquarter’s Church of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria. He is married to Mariam, a medical doctor and they have four children: Dilichi, Chinaza, Dinachi and Chibundu

There is a place of greatest wealth and unimaginable luxury and abundance with beautiful mansions that are yours forever.  I speak of mansions built of precious stones that never depreciate or need repairs. I do pray to see you there – someday.

John 14 [1] “Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. [2] “In My Father’s house are many mansions;  if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

For Paul, to live was to abide in Christ, knowing Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering – but to die was great gain, for through death – crowns, mansions and glory in Heaven will settle all reproach and accounts in His favour, even as he enters to unsurpassable beauty and wealth.  Perhaps you imagine, you are already a good Church going man, living in wealth with trillions and will live till 150years, having managed every crisis and come up even stronger, healthier – the Bible has a different perspective. Your long period of bliss on earth is described as just a few days full of trouble compared to His eternal wealthy place.

Job 14[1] “Man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble. [2] He comes forth like a flower and fades away; He flees like a shadow and does not continue.

Indeed, not all will die, but the dead will rise first – and the early saints believed so much in this superior resurrection that many of faith refused deliverance.

Hebrews 11 [35] Women received their dead raised to life again. Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.

There is no space ship that will take anyone in this body to this place of greatest wealth.  Even if there were, a body suited for eternity is needed to enjoy the wealth forever. A second in God’s wealthiest place will cause all who enter to wish they had given Him even more, loved Him even more, trusted and believed Him more, sacrificed even more, and been more obedient.  They would all wish they had been martyred and wish they had dedicated their careers, time and talents – for how could we possibly have doubted a God so good and faithful?

All these are for those with salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ and who live a life surrendered to and controlled by Him – not just Church goers. If you have all wealth, assets, health, success, acclaim, happiness, greatness and other things this world offers and Jesus is not Lord and Saviour in your life, then you will be as a fool who conquered most things but got the most important wrong.

Luke 12 [16] Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: “The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. [17] “And he thought within himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?’ [18] “So he said, ‘I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. [19] ‘And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.”’ [20] “But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ [21] “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

You did not heed to a most important teaching of Jesus who said;

Luke 12[29] “And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. [30] “For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. [31] “But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you.

Can you not see that the natural life, the corruptible body and the best this world offers is already destined to ashes - for all one day perish and the earth will be “burnt up”?

2Peter 3[7] But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. [8]  But, beloved, do not forget this one thing, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. [9] The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. [10]  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.

Hebrews 9[27]  And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment,

Will this final crisis be only a chariot to usher you into the greatest wealthiest place of all where pain is completely conquered? It could be something to look forward to with earnest expectation…a place of no tensions.

Revelation 21[4] “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”

However, without a life surrendered to Jesus Christ, you cannot see the wealthiest place and death begins the greatest negative crisis that continues forever.  If you find you can ignore the invitation Christ gives to you, consider again how this other great crisis was described and the journey down the bottomless valley of hopelessness never to come up again. Is this where you are destined to end up? You do not believe all this of course. But supposing you are wrong…is it worth the risk?

“Heaven is a fairy story for people who are afraid of the dark”  says Stephen Hawking but whose report will you believe?

Isaiah 53 [1]  Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? [2]  For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. [3]  He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Come to Jesus, today….article largely culled from the book Wealth Out of Ashes by Bode Ososami

Having the right attitudes to money and a stewardship mindset is important for financial success.  The Bible contains a lot of wisdom related to this.  Recently it was reported in Time (Moneyland) that the Charles Schwab 2011 Teens & Money Survey (Please download survey PDF report) suggested, if only in some small way, the recession may have changed attitudes and knowledge about money management in young people who experienced recession in one way or another. Attitudes are more positive and constructive than it was prior to the Recession.

Highlights from the data, from the online survey of 1,132 American teens between ages of 16-18:

• “93% say their family was impacted by the recession
• “64% say they are more grateful now for what they have.”
• “58% say they are less likely to ask for things they want.”
• “73% say it’s important to have enough emergency savings in case times get tough.”
• “77% describe themselves as “super savers,” and only 23% say they’re “big spenders.”

Psalm 119[67]  Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.

There are consequences for doing things our way, this includes entering cycles of loss and ultimately the demise of all hope as crashes produce anger and more rebellion – even while grace still cries out that there is a way back.   We can still find our path back to God, the Owner, who is ever seeking good stewards.  A few more words to reiterate on stewardship.

1.God supplies our needs and will not have us hungry.  He does not supply our carnal wants or wasteful excesses.

2.Covetousness is trying to be someone God has not gifted us to be and without the grace and abilities.  This produces bitterness and anguish of spirit and much zeal without knowledge.

3.Remember, we do not own the gifts and wealth but we can have power with God to make wealth.  God does not seek our permission to give or take that which belongs to Him.  There are direct unfortunate consequences for seeking independence from God in managing His resources rather than depending on Him.

I will have you attempt solving the following puzzle.  Three frogs were lounging on a fence facing a pond. Then suddenly there appeared a big fat insect. As the three frogs watched it strut towards the pond, one of them decided to jump down and go after it. Now, how many frogs were left on the fence?

Was your answer 2, 3, 1 or none? The correct answer is three.  There were three left. One only decided to jump but he did not. It is not enough for you to decide to be blessed you need to act.

It is our doing and obedience that saves us and not our decisions. Doing is always costly and often painful. Perhaps the lessons from this Recession will lead to more than decisions.

Count yourself blessed O stricken and afflicted.  I have encountered few who justified continued sin in their lives even with scriptures (as is common today) until mercifully struck down with financial or moral crisis and they found grace to cry and return to God for help.  It was easier to appreciate the gravity of misdeeds before God and seek repentance. Today, they have corrected many ethical situations that previously plagued their finances, marriage and life in general. Crisis (though not the preferred instructor we wish God to appoint) also teaches vital disciplines of prayer, humility and obedience that are not as well assimilated in today’s user-driven word environment.  Perhaps if we surveyed this aspect of the impact of the Recession, we may be able to establish improvements in our devotional life and like David also say…

Psalm 119 [71]  It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.

The Recession that did the most good was the affliction of our Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross at Calvary that we might be saved and receive eternal life… Surrender your life to Him.

Now you are better armed to manage the windfall soon coming your way.

(Originally published in The Christian Post)

“Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD.” (Jeremiah 1:8).

The phrase Christ ‘with’ you bespeaks divine partnership. When God sent Moses to liberate the children of Israel, he wondered how he could do that. So, the Lord assured him that He was going to be with him (Exodus 3:11-12). If God is with you, there will be no limitation to your achievements. Some people work ‘for’ God but not ‘with’ God. When you work for God, there maybe some sense of detachment from the work, maybe with just profit and reward in mind.

That is the situation of the hireling. If you are in the ministry because of what you can make out of it for yourself, you are simply working ‘for’ God. According to John 10:12-13, the hireling cannot afford to stake his life for the sheep. Working with God on the other hand talks of mutual commitment between you and God. In such a case, the Kingdom assignments gets done gloriously.

When the Lord told Joshua, Moses’ servant, that he was to step into Moses’ shoes, fear gripped him. His only comfort was God’s assurance that he will be with him just like He was with Moses (Joshua 1:1-8). When Christ is with you, there will be nothing to fear—not even the unfriendly faces of your opponents. In Jeremiah 1:8, God asked young Jeremiah not to be afraid of the faces of people He would send him to because He was going to be with Him.

Christ with you suggests a very strong abiding presence of the Most High. It was the presence of God with David that saw him through his battles with the bear, and with the lion. When King Saul expressed doubts about David’s ability to fight Goliath, the young lad’s only assurance was that the presence of God had delivered him in the past. If God is with you, you can confront any Goliath; you can take on any impossible assignment and come out victorious.

With God’s presence, you will be fighting not in your limited strength or devices but in His unlimited might and resources. Is Christ with you? Whatever happens in your life, ensure you never lose His presence. That is the only thing that makes the difference.

The name Emmanuel means ‘God with us’. When Christ is with you, God is in your midst. Ensure He is always with you.

Open Heavens Devotional

Pastor E. A.  Adeboye

There are many lessons yet to be revealed and great mysteries locked in the powerful narration of the death and resurrection of Christ.  Old and New Testament scriptures point to the awesome resurrection power in Christ Jesus and unstoppable triumphs available in Christ for the saints.

For instance a shadow of the merciful restoration that defies death and the grave occurred when a  dead man is revived as his corpse is tossed into a tomb and touches a dead prophet as wicked invading Moabites passed. Indeed all glory must go to God and God alone who is in perfect and complete control always… as we pray.

2Kings 13 [20]  And Elisha died, and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year. [21]  And it came to pass, as they were burying a man, that, behold, they spied a band of men ; and they cast the man into the sepulchre of Elisha: and when the man was let down, and touched the bones of Elisha, he revived, and stood up on his feet.

I pray not to be as the two disciples on the way of Emmaus with no understanding of the reality of Christ’s resurrection and the implications for glorious victory – also called doubting fools by Jesus Christ.

Luke 24[25]  Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken: [26]  Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

There are 3 sets of points for prayers we can take to the throne of grace and mercy to obtain our victories in His will – based on meditation on scriptures describing the events following His death. As we die to the world and the world dies to us we can equally experience the inheritance of glory reserved for the saints crucified in Christ.

Matthew 27 [52]  And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, [53]  And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

1.The closed graves opening (v.52)…represent huge and massive stones that seal unfortunate circumstances (corpses) from public access.  The grave is the place where dead situations are firmly sealed up as unpleasant decomposition progresses – soon to be forgotten as others get on with their lives.

Prayer: Father, where there is no way out in my situation…let your resurrection power make a way.  Unseal what men have sealed. Remove all spiritual and physical obstacles to the miracle needed for my restoration.  Let every stench of reproach receive a fresh reviving breeze of the Holy Ghost and be changed to an aroma of beautiful testimony. Amen.

2.The bodies of the saints include the body of Joseph (v.52)…who wisely begged that his bones be not allowed to remain in the beautiful and luxurious crypts of Egypt centuries before. Exodus 13 [19]  And Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for he had straitly sworn the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you; and ye shall carry up my bones away hence with you.

Prayer: Father, in your mercy…give me grace to be repositioned in the right location (released from the doubts and deceptions of worldliness ) that your resurrection power may reach and touch all my dead situations … Let me arise from slumber and all forms of paralysis and begin to soar again like an eagle on the wings of the Holy Spirit. Amen

3.The saints came out of the grave walking to the Holy City and seen by many (v.53)… Even if the saints were now arisen, they still needed to come out of the grave to a destined unlimited space above principalities, powers … to be seated with Christ in heavenly places.

Ephesians 2[6] And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

Prayer: Father, let the power of resurrection bring me out of all earth bound limitations placed on my life.  Let me arise above all wicked principalities and oppression of all earthly powers…to be seated with Christ and reigning with Him in heavenly places.  Lord let me begin to shun other journeys and to rediscover and walk the narrow path leading to Heaven.  Lord, do not let me be restored unto a path that will lead me to perdition.  There is no wealth, popularity, honour or restoration that is worth ending up eventually in hell fire and leading others astray.  Help me O Lord to be a true witness to millions of your unstoppable power that reverses the irreversible that many souls all over the world may come to know you by the testimony of your work of restoration in my life.  Amen

May the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, our strength, helper and our redeemer … O Lord, we need your divine assistance. Help us. Amen

Matthew 24[12] And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

I ask myself – how can I make the love of God in my life that manifests in practical acts of charity for others especially those I perceive as unlovable … recession proof? I also ask myself some questions…

1. Would I still love God if suddenly sent to the back of a lonesome desert? Or suddenly denied of a much desired breakthrough? How warm would my love be if suddenly exposed to very different cultures and peoples?
2. When faced with opposition and strong resistance that cause me to buckle – can I still be thankful? Am I happier when I have my way and miserable and fretful when I can not?
3. Do I (in subtle ways) take credit for the good things God is doing – forgetting to thank Him? Do I despise His chastening not thanking Him for the things I do not understand or like?

What separates children of God in the Bible, with recession proof love for God and His creation, from the others who struggle?

I discern three principal things worth noting …

1. They trusted completely in the work of God in their life and others and in all the events impacting them…knowing that all things must work out for their good as they obeyed Him.
2. They relied more on spiritual weapons – principally prayer and the help of the Holy Spirit, leaning always on the mercy of God.
3. They never saw themselves in any way disadvantaged or at a loss – when events appeared contrary to their expectations – knowing God has limitless avenues to work out and fulfil destiny.

I recall a scene in a Christian film I watched of a blind man offered his eyesight but only if he accepted to serve the devil and bear his mark forever… He received sight for a few minutes and was asked to make a decision…would he rather remain blind and be saved?

If riches, enlightenment and great influence would cost me my salvation would I agree to let these go? Would I turn my back to Jesus If I risked losing all the comforts, social safety nets and wealth as a result of obeying Him completely…

Luke 18[23] And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. [24] And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

Jesus – the best preacher ever – the living word … could not convince this rich man. How come we have so easily convinced Him? Perhaps we have presented to him a more practical perspective.

As we remember 911…and the painful lingering memories… let us also remember what the Bible says about love…

I John 4[16] And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. [17] Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. [18] There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. [19] We love him, because he first loved us. [20] If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? [21] And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

I John 3 [10] In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.

The real plan of September 11 to defeat a nation may have worked far more effectively than many would think if it has lured many out of dwelling in love…even love for the unlovable.

Lord, help me that in these unusual times my love may be found recession proof…never waxing cold.

Amen

(Originally published in the ChristianPost)

“A handful of prominent evangelical activists are defending their decision to attend television host Glenn Beck’s conservative rally in Washington this weekend after some Christians complained that evangelicals shouldn’t be partnering with Beck because of his Mormon faith …” CNN Blog

We are in a vicious spiritual battle – no prisoners are to be taken. Instructions are to kill, steal and destroy at sight. However tactics are more refined to wait patiently for unguarded moments and strike to wreak utmost damage at the time of greatest weakness.

David regrets an act of stupid carelessness that costs the life of 85 priests. I Samuel 22[22] David said to Abiathar, I knew that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul. I have occasioned the death of all your father’s house. (Amp)

David felt responsible for ignoring the presence of Doeg the Edomite at a time of weakness and sensitive exposure. The Edomite tribe are the descendants of Esau the brother of Jacob. Holy Scriptures describe this tribe as hated by God from the womb even before they fulfil a destiny of resisting and tormenting the children of Israel.

Recall the final meeting of Jacob with Esau. Examine this meeting a little closer if you will.

Genesis 33[12] Then [Esau] said, Let us get started on our journey, and I will go before you. [13] But Jacob replied, You know, my lord, that the children are tender and delicate and need gentle care, and the flocks and herds with young are of concern to me; for if the men should overdrive them for a single day, the whole of the flocks would die. [14] Let my lord, I pray you, pass over before his servant; and I will lead on slowly, governed by [consideration for] the livestock that set the pace before me and the endurance of the children, until I come to my lord in Seir. [15] Then Esau said, Let me now leave with you some of the people who are with me. But [Jacob] said, What need is there for it? Let me find favor in the sight of my lord. (Amp)

Esau offered to unite with Jacob in direction and Jacob, as tactfully as he could, responded negatively with very polite and acceptable excuses not seeking to create offence. Even when generous manpower was offered – Jacob declined in very kind language. Jacob knew that cooperation or any alignment or gift from Esau – the enemy of God will pollute his covenant and ultimately lead to his destruction.

Many generations later we see Edom unveiling their true colours in examples of future recorded incidents of hatred against Israel…The first – the Edomites resist the passage of the children of Israel in the wilderness. Second, Edom cheered happily as Israel was carried into Babylonian captivity and brutally massacred. Third, Doeg the Edomite engineered the massacre of scores of priests as Saul hunted for David.

Numbers 20[14] And Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom, saying, Thus says your kinsman Israel: You know all the adversity and birth pangs that have come upon us [as a nation]: [15] How our fathers went down to Egypt; we dwelt there a long time, and the Egyptians dealt evilly with us and our fathers. [16] But when we cried to the Lord, He heard us and sent an angel and brought us forth out of Egypt. Now behold, we are in Kadesh, a city on your country’s edge. [17] Let us pass, I pray you, through your country. We will not pass through field or vineyard, or drink of the water of the wells. We will go along the king’s highway; we will not turn aside to the right hand or to the left until we have passed your borders. [18] But Edom said to him, You shall not go through, lest I come out against you with the sword. … .[21] Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his territory, so Israel turned away from him. (Amp)

Psalm 137[7] Remember, O Lord, against the Edomites, that they said in the day of Jerusalem’s fall, Down, down to the ground with her! (Amp)

In another scenario, Samuel violently disagrees with Saul (genteel but fearful, stupid and disobedient) in his decision to preserve Agag – the Amalekite King against the instructions of God to wipe out the entire ruling dynasty. Samuel executes instant correction – but too late. Haman the Agagite (a descendant) emerges generations later with the agenda to completely exterminate the Jews in the days of Esther. God dwells in eternity and gives battle instructions not just meant for our immediate context (I Samuel 15; Esther 8:3).

In the New Testament the Church was warned 2 Cor. 6 [14] Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? [15] And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?KJV

The Bible perspective on warfare suggests some uncomfortable painful realities…

1. The enemy of God can emerge even from the same womb that delivers a friend of God. Close family (not people from far lands) can provide the best terrain to unleash resistance against divine purpose in our lives (Jacob and Esau were twins).
2. If you make friends or forge any alliance with the enemy of God ( in marriage, business, politics)– his ultimate plan will be to destroy you and terminate your destiny – perhaps not immediately but a patient agenda of destruction is strategically executed.
3. Patience is a weapon that the enemy has well mastered in a world programmed to seek instant gratification...the devil can wait for decades before he strikes – understanding well that the carnal believer has been nurtured to want everything now. Biblical battles sometimes run through centuries and war strategies and tactics can span generations.

Back to Evangelicals, Mormons and Catholics, Rabbis, Moslems etc. Perhaps another blog will dare to draw the spiritual battle lines…and I admit lack of boldness and astuteness to tackle this only in a few paragraphs …but the Bible is bold to declare in James 4[4] Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. The enemy of God is the friend of the world

Acts 13[8] But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. [9] Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, [10] And said, O full of all subtlety and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord? The enemy of God perverts the right ways of the Lord

But we are to love our enemies … Indeed, this does not mean to act in stupidity. In the same way we love animals but do not sleep with pythons…nor permit a mad dog to run loose on our children’s play field. Is it still difficult to see that every alliance, agreement and accommodation with the enemy of God can have damaging future consequence ?

I Peter 5[8] Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Surrender fully to Christ – All that are truly His and believe He is the only way to the Father are on His side of the battle. The enemy of God in this battle of faith is not necessarily always the person who disagrees with our favourite social, cultural, and church positions or counters our progressive thoughts and values … and may well be. Also consider the polite language and civility of Jacob in managing the separation from Esau . We do well to always avoid strife.

Phil 2 [3] Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

Also, we see the paradox that there was fear to join the early Church even as multitudes came.

Acts 5 [13] And none of those who were not of their number dared to join and associate with them, but the people held them in high regard and praised and made much of them. [14] More and more there were being added to the Lord those who believed [those who acknowledged Jesus as their Savior and devoted themselves to Him joined and gathered with them], crowds both of men and of women, (amp)

May God give us the wisdom to be set apart for Him yet shine in a dark world … always acting without strife and in love…and that many come to know Jesus.

Lord as you guided the wise men not to return to Herod…show us the enemy we must simply avoid … Let your word also teach us how to love in a dangerous war. May our carelessness not hurt our destinies or the destiny of others.

Amen

(Originally posted in The Christian post)

Daniel 11:32 “The people that do know their God shall be strong”

(Zac Poonen originally published this post under the title “Don’t be afraid of being Slandered.“)

“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: The first and the last, who was dead, and has come to life, says this: I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich), and the blasphemy by those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.” (Rev. 2:8-11)

The church in Smyrna faced the “blasphemy of those who say they are Jews” (Rev. 2:9). Slander is something that all of God’s faithful children have to face. Notice here that the slander and opposition that this church was facing was from those who called themselves God’s people – “those who say they are Jews, but are not, but are a synagogue of Satan” (Rev. 2:9).

Those Jews were religious people, who studied their Bibles (Genesis to Malachi). Yet the Lord called them “a synagogue of Satan”, because they were hypocrites. That is why they persecuted the true disciples of Jesus.

Many a synagogue that was started by God-fearing Jews degenerated into a synagogue of Satan over a period of time. In the same way, many churches that were started by God-fearing believers, have also degenerated into “churches of Satan”, in God’s eyes, today.

Opposition for the true disciples of Jesus today, comes not just from heathen religions (which is understandable), but also from “those who say they are Christians, but who are not, but are a church of Satan”.

Today, if we said that a so-called Christian “church” was “a church of Satan”, many would accuse us of being un-Christlike. But they forget that it was Jesus Himself Who rebuked Peter saying “Get behind Me, Satan” (Mt.16:23), and that it was Jesus Who called this group of religious people “a synagogue of Satan”. He would use exactly the same strong language today to rebuke “churches” that have drifted from their calling.

Jesus warned His disciples, “They will make you outcasts from the synagogue; but an hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think that he is offering service to God. And these things they will do, because they have not known the Father, or Me.” (Jn.16:2,3).

What He said then that the people in a synagogue would do to His disciples, was in later centuries done by “churches” too. In the middle ages, God fearing disciples of Jesus were killed by “Christian” inquisitionists.

This hatred of the disciples of Jesus will reach its peak during the time of the Antichrist and the Babylonian “world church”. We must be prepared to face it when it comes. That is why we must not be afraid of the little slander and opposition that we face from so-called Christians these days.

We must never be afraid of being slandered – for Jesus Himself was maligned. He was called a gluttonous man, a false teacher, a blasphemer, an insane man, a demon-possessed man, a half-breed and one who had Satanic power (Lk.7:34; Jn.7:12; Mt.26:65; Mk.3:21,22; Mt.12:24; Jn.8:48).

He told His disciples, “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple that he become as his teacher, and the slave as his master. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul (a Jewish title for Satan, the prince of demons), how much more the members of his household!” (Mt.10:24,25).

Peter exhorts us saying, “Keep your behaviour excellent among the Gentiles, so that in the thing in which they slander you as evildoers, they may on account of your good deeds, as they observe them, glorify God in the day of visitation.” (1 Pet.2:12).

God’s promise to us is, “No weapon that is formed against you shall prosper; and every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord. And their vindication is from Me.” (Isa.54:17). So we need not fear slander. The Lord Himself will vindicate us at the right time. Until then we can afford to keep quiet and ignore what ungodly people say about us.

Daniel went to the Lion’s Den in disgrace but emerged to be honoured.

God bless you

1. Money, Riches and Achievement will make you happy and fulfilled.

Micah 6[12] For the rich men thereof are full of violence, and the inhabitants thereof have spoken lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their mouth. [13] Therefore also will I make thee sick in smiting thee, in making thee desolate because of thy sins. [14] Thou shalt eat, but not be satisfied; and thy casting down shall be in the midst of thee; and thou shalt take hold, but shalt not deliver; and that which thou deliverest will I give up to the sword. Riches, pleasures can be obtained but satisfaction is a separate virtue that God must send not necessarily as a consequence of wealth. Ecclesiastes 5[10] He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this is also vanity. The challenge is that riches promote lusts and desires that steal our hearts from God…and when we love silver we are cursed with never being satisfied and always wanting more…a path that leads to a downward spiral.

2. God gives us what we desire and supplies our wants.
Truth: God gives us what He decides in His unquestionable benevolence to give us for His glory and purpose. True works of God do not lack for funds.

Phillipians 4[18] But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God. [19] But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Needs are not wants…nor are they desires…Our needs relate more to God’s divine assignments and His purpose for our lives. He wants us to prosper as our soul and destiny prospers. This promise was made to Epaphroditus – a generous giver to Paul’s cause. God’s cause and all who align to provide to it will not lack. God may if He chooses but is not committed to finance our lifestyle expenditures … nor does He have to pay for our vain pursuits.

3. When we give to God – God owes us and we must expect to receive.
Truth: God commands us to give our Tithes, first-fruits and offerings out of love for Him and not as an investment.

Luke 17 [10] So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.We can never repay what God had done and still does for us through our giving of what He gave us in the first place…talk less of turning God to a debtor. The best of us are unprofitable from God’s perspective. He fulfils His word by opening the windows of heaven, causing men to give us and blessing us with increase as we love Him.  It is love of God that God responds to and not debt. Indeed how can we say we love God and argue about giving back to Him in our Tithes, First-fruits and Offerings and to bless others to His glory.

4. Seize the moment…your best life is now so amuse yourself and enjoy life.
Truth: Your best life is certainly not now !

Luke 6 [25] Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger. Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. The Bible is full of pictures that lets us see He saves the best for the last. His Eternity in Heaven is His best. His way is to serve the best wine last…the way of the antichrist is the exact opposite. Eternal damnation is the worst of all worst case scenarios…and it is saved also for the last. Christians are told especially in the end-times to endure … and that it will be worth the wait. The antichrist says there is nothing to wait for so don’t miss out on the joys of the moment at the expense of your soul.

5.We can believe God for harvests we have not sown, God does the impossible.
Truth: God has no limitation – for all the silver and gold in Heaven, Earth, with believers and unbelievers all belong to Him and He gives as He pleases. God does not deny His word on which He asks us to meditate on day and night.

Genesis 8 [22] While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. God is merciful  – He does not deal with us according to our iniquity but scriptures encourage us to change our seed if we want a different harvest.  We can not sow oranges and hope to harvest bananas.  Our kind words, sacrificial giving, service and industry can be seeds …we must pray God gives increase. Zero multiplied a billion times remains zero. Change your seed and reap a different outcome.

Galations 6[7]  Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. [8]  For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.

God bless you.

Bode

For investors, a double-dip, if it materializes, would be a throwback to 2008, with a floundering economy punishing stock returns. Jeff Tjornehoj, Lipper’s research manager for the United States and Canada, says the Dow Jones industrial average could touch 9,000 by the close of 2010. “Is it reasonable to expect it? I think it’s reasonable to put some odds on it,” he says.

Nahum 1[9]  What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time.

2 Kings [7:1] Then Elisha said, Hear ye the word of the LORD; Thus saith the LORD, To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria. [2]  Then a lord on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God, and said, Behold, if the LORD would make windows in heaven, might this thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof. [3]  And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die? … [18]  And it came to pass as the man of God had spoken to the king, saying, Two measures of barley for a shekel, and a measure of fine flour for a shekel, shall be to morrow about this time in the gate of Samaria: [19]  And that lord answered the man of God, and said, Now, behold, if the LORD should make windows in heaven, might such a thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof. [20]  And so it fell out unto him: for the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died.

As we enter the second half of the year, it remains to be seen if it will be the best half or another record low as a double-dip manifests.

The 4 lepers in 2 Kings did not have much theological background and perhaps never even heard the prophesy of Elisha. They simply came to the conclusion why not do something…if they did nothing they would die anyway.  There is someone reading this blog with an idea, a dream, a new book, a new business, a new plan…and the odds of success seem grim given all the indicators. But consider what would happen if you did nothing.  The difference between the worst case of your new venture and your do-nothing scenario tells you to move forward.

Move forward in the Lord…the flood gates of heaven have opened for you. Enjoy a new beginning. The blood has cleansed you and brought you justified for an overflow of blessings. May you be so extraordinarily blessed in this second half of the year that all who associate with you will also be blessed.  Amen

An area of caution …watch your confession. Your words have consequence.

At a deeper level we see these 4 lepers as unwanted strangers ready to die … they gave their very lives… consider what you could ultimately loose if you do not move in self-sacrifice … Zac Poonen writes on the spirit of sacrifice …

In Ephesians 5:25, it is written that “Christ loved the church and gave HIMSELF for her”. To build the church, we have to love the church in the same way. It is not enough to give our money or our time. We have to give OURSELVES – our Self-life.

When God wanted to describe His love to man, He could compare His love with only one earthly example – the love of a mother for her newly-born child (See Isaiah 49:15). If you observe a mother, you will see that her love for her baby is full of the spirit of sacrifice. From early morning to late at night and right through the night, a mother sacrifices and sacrifices and sacrifices for her baby. And she gets nothing in return. She endures pain and inconvenience, year after year for her child, joyfully, expecting nothing in return. That is how God loves us too. And that is the nature He wants to impart to us. But it is impossible to find a fellowship anywhere in the world about which it can be honestly said that they all love one another like that.

Most believers know only how to love those who agree with them and who join their group. Their love is human and is far removed from the sacrificial love of mothers!!

Yet Divine love is the goal towards which we should be striving. So each time we sing the above lines, we should not only honestly admit that our love is not yet like that, but also confess our hope and longing that our love will become like that one day.

A mother does not care whether others around her are sacrificing anything for her child or not. She joyfully sacrifices everything herself. In the same way, one who has seen the church as his own baby will not be bothered whether others around him are sacrificing anything for the church or not. He will sacrifice himself joyfully, and he will have NO complaint or demand against anyone else. Those who complain that others are not sacrificing for the sake of the church are not mothers but hired nurses. Such nurses have fixed working hours and will complain when the nurse for the next 8-hour shift does not come on time.

But a mother does not work 8-hour shifts each day. She works a 24-hour shift daily – year after year – and she does not even get paid for it. Even when her child is 20 years old, the mother’s work is not over!! Only mothers can have milk for their babies every day. Nurses cannot produce milk for the babies they care for. In the same way, those who are like mothers in the church will always have a word for their spiritual children – in every meeting. Many elders have no word for the church because they are nurses, not mothers.

A mother does not expect any payment from her children. No child ever pays its mother for her service. In fact, if you were to calculate the wages a mother should be paid, at the rate of Rs.20 per hour (as paid to nurses), you will find that every child owes its mother more than 3 million rupees, by the time it is 20 years old!! Which child can ever repay such an amount to its mother?

Now the question that comes to us is: Who is willing to work like that for the Lord and for His church – without receiving any payment, but giving oneself, day after day, year after year, until Jesus comes? If God can find just one person with that spirit anywhere, He will use him to build the church, much more than He can use 10,000 half-hearted believers who try to serve Him without the spirit of sacrifice.  When Jesus returns to earth and you stand before Him, will you have any regrets over the way you lived, or will you will be able to look back over a life spent usefully for the kingdom of God?

Many are drifting along and wasting their lives on earth. Wake up before it is too late, and ask God to show you that His way is the way of sacrifice. He who has ears to hear let him hear.

God bless you

Bode

Genesis 27 [2]  And he said, Behold now, I am old, I know not the day of my death: [3]  Now therefore take, I pray thee, thy weapons, thy quiver and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison; [4]  And make me savoury meat, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat; that my soul may bless thee before I die.

Love of food/lack of self-control

I Peter 5[8]  Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Isaac speaks to Esau in Genesis 27:2 “I am going to die soon. Go and get your bow and your quiver and get some venison for me.” This old man with one foot in the grave is still thinking of food!! No wonder he lost his spiritual vision. Paul said in 1 Cor.9:27, “If I don’t subdue my body, I will preach to others and still be disqualified myself.” This is why the word of God encourages us to fast from food now and then – so that we can keep our gluttonous desires and our sexual passions under control, so that we worship God and not our stomachs. It was love of food that caused Isaac’s spiritually blindness. Similarly, love of good food that has made many preachers spiritually blind and disobedient too. Lack of self control and love of food/inability to fast in families has led to wrong judgments and many troubles.

Partiality

James 3 [17]  But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

Isaac’s home was also filled with partiality. Isaac was on Esau’s side and Rebekah was on Jacob’s side. Such an attitude is ideal to split a home. Esau and Jacob became lifelong enemies because of the partiality of their parents. One parent favoured one son and the other parent favoured the other. So the two boys became jealous of each other. And no doubt this separated Isaac and Rebekah too.

Stranger in the Home

Genesis 2[24] Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

This is a far more subtle point – we know at least that Rebekah and Isaac were not one flesh.  When Rebekah left the perfidious home of Laban we see she did not leave alone…  Genesis 25 [59]  And they sent away Rebekah their sister, and her nurse, and Abraham’s servant, and his men.

I would have ignored this nurse, Deborah (who outlived her baby and must have been a strong influence to the crafty Jacob) – if the Bible did not make special mention of her name, burial and the memorial in her honour (only accorded to the most important) and also just before God appeared to bless Jacob again in Genesis [8] But Deborah Rebekah’s nurse died, and she was buried beneath Bethel under an oak: and the name of it was called Allonbachuth. [9]  And God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came out of Padanaram, and blessed him.

The end of Deborah (the nurse of his mother) coincides with the end of a phase…and the beginning of another for the adult Jacob in the most divided family in scriptures – as the story of Joseph now begins. We can only guess what the role of Rebekah’s confidant would have been and the source of the crafty manoeuvres that typified this home.  If she had been a positive influence then Rebekah would have been mentored differently.

I pray for someone, may God open your eyes and heal all dimness as you begin to fast and pray for illumination and divine wisdom.  I pray that you will seek God’s face to end all partiality either in your physical family or even church family. I pray that every stranger disguised as indispensable help that has not been sent by God will be uprooted by the Spirit of God.

Just as Abraham representing God the Father had a messenger – the Holy Spirit. Laban representing the Devil and the flesh also has a well trained messenger on an assignment with troubling spirits and division…May your home know peace.  May a new story of victory unfold for you as the Holy Spirit visits afresh.  Amen

(This post also includes some extracts from  a face book message from Christian Soldiers titled A wise man learns from his mistakes by Zac Poonen )

God bless you

Bode Ososami

Genesis 15[1] After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.

Which things? There are conditions for receiving divine vision for business, marriage, ministry and victorious living. True visions from God are for want of an expression – disturbing. This is because we (writer included) are naturally steep in delusion and many empires are personal – not of God and plainly put in need of dissolution. The vision of God could initially taste like hard pebbles discovered in your salad plate…but the after-taste is real joy. Divine vision can intimidate human intellect and threaten current mindsets requiring fresh assurances from God not to fear or dread losses that surely happen. Also God’s vision is for the spiritual mature and not babes but also not for the tired aged. Indeed a capacity to move is required which may not necessarily be an issue of age…”…young men shall see visions” He says.

Reading the previous chapters 13 and 14 in Genesis we observe pictures that help us discern some of the preconditions for divine vision.

True separation: Many businesses go for a retreat or isolate executives to frame future strategies. Abram separated from Lot just as we must separate from the familiar and comfort zones. There are many false visions abundant in lower realms that simply feed our ego and have little to do with God. Worldly vision is always competitive as Michael Porter…guru on competitive strategy will teach…and anchored on limitation. But the word warns in Philipians 2 [3] Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. True separation recognises God as the limitless source of all increase and supply that can neither be depleted from use nor increased by labor. Abram passed this test as he declared in Genesis 14 [22] And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand unto the LORD, the most high God, the possessor of heaven and earth, [23] That I will not take from a thread even to a shoelatchet, and that I will not take any thing that is thine, lest thou shouldest say, I have made Abram rich:

True Selflessness: “Look after yourself” is the slogan of worldly vision even as success is tied to the visible i.e. increase in influence, popular acclaim or control of resources. The faith of many is for gain, miracles, prosperity, healing and blessings – but these tend to be on a platform of impatience and self-deception. Abram battled kings and rescued Lot in praise of God who delivered the enemies of His children into their hands. The Glory of God was always before him…True glory often requires us to decrease that God may be further magnified. Setting aside our personal agenda for Christ’s banner screaming “Occupy till I come” is a good new beginning.

True faith in God: True faith is evidenced in action. Vision is a waste on the person who will not move forward for fear of failure or ridicule. In Genesis 13[18] Then Abram removed his tent, and came and dwelt in the plain of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built there an altar unto the LORD. Abram responded to the promises of God by immediate action and not procrastination. Vision must be given only to those who will run obediently based on faith in the word of God. Someone said recently “Vision without action is a daydream, Action without vision is a nightmare!” Visions from God can be bold requiring uncommon leadership to move forward when others tarry.

With all these things in place, God showed Abram a glorious end-state and inscribed in his mind His vision as He declared to him in Genesis 15[5] And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. [6] And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness. God showed Abram what will happen in the future even up to the time of Moses centuries later … [14] And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.

Does God still give visions? Perhaps we should say instead do we meet the conditions to be touched by God to see His future and beautiful end-state for our businesses, marriage and ministry?
Abram was blessed but we note at Sarah’s death, he was yet to possess even a plot for her burial. God is not against wealth but God’s vision brings His preordained purpose alive by our sacrificial obedience. Abram, though blessed, is perhaps most remembered not for assets but for his journey of faith to sacrifice Isaac foreshadowing the greatest truth that Jesus Christ was offered sacrificially by the Father who so loved the world for our sin and that Jesus reigning in our hearts is realisation of God’s ultimate vision.

Mark 8[25] After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.

As we receive another touch from Jesus, may we receive courage and strength in our inner man to look up to see new hope and be restored…but this time seeing every one clearly to be another potential soul to be won for Him. Perhaps your business, marriage, ministry or new venture has a part to play in the “occupation” . Amen

Jesus is coming soon with His reward. Surrender to Him.

God bless you.

Bode