What can the righteous do?
Thursday, March 5, 2009
After my post last on ‘The Foundation’ I thought it would be right to provide solution to foundational problems as provided for in the scriptures because the bible confidently has answers to all life’s challenges! We do not have answers because we are too busy to search it out. Ask and you shall receive..
Let me start by putting it to you, what do you think the righteous can do with a faulty foundation? I have answers ranging from nothing or that the righteous should rebuild or should be more careful or to be prayerful….people are not really sure but we have where to go for help.
A story in 2Kings 2: 19- 22 (CEV) comes to mind. Let us see what God’s word says;
One day the people of Jericho said, "Elisha, you can see that our city is in a good spot. But the water from our spring is so bad that it even keeps our crops from growing."
He replied, "Put some salt in a new bowl and bring it to me."
They brought him the bowl of salt, and he carried it to the spring. He threw the salt into the water and said, "The LORD has made this water pure again. From now on you'll be able to grow crops, and no one will starve."
The water has been fine ever since, just as Elisha said.
Let me pause here and ask you some heart searching sincere questions! What is not right with you in spite of every other thing that is right? What is that thing that is tainting your Christian testimony? What makes your public life different from your private life? Do you know the real meaning of integrity? It is from the word integrate, which means to make two things agree or come to one, hence integrity is the ability to make your private life to be the same with your public life! What do you do in the secret that people will not be able to match with your public identity?
As simple as this may sound, many only know that something is wrong but may not be able to say what is really wrong. Many are not ill but they know too well that they are not enjoying life to the fullest. So, to locate the problem means taking some time out to examine your life and be sure where things have gone wrong. Elisha knew what the problem of that city was and went directly to the fountain of the water before he could help them. What is really wrong with your foundation?
Every life’s challenge has a solution and a way out in God’s word. Just like every manufacturer packages a manual with every product, God, our ‘manufacturer’ has packaged a manual for us in the bible for living. And like you refer to the manual when a product malfunctions, you can refer to the bible when something contrary to the original plan of God happens. Is poverty the problem? Jesus became poor for us to be rich 2Corinthians 8:9, is yours a chronic disease? He was wounded for our transgressions…and by His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5, is yours a family curse or spell? Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law Galatians 3:13. Search, search and search!!! The solution is in the Word. Halleluyah!
Mere locating the problem or the corresponding Word those not bring about any solution until you engage the word you have found. I am not talking about you being able to quote 5 scriptures at a wink, I’m talking about getting your desired result. Engaging the Word means approaching God in prayers and placing the fact that you have located from His word to Him on the table. Isaiah 41:21 says we should bring our strong reasons. God knows you need to be free, but why should you be free?!
The Foundation!
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
But the firm foundation of (laid by) God stands, sure and unshaken, bearing this seal (inscription): The Lord knows those who are His, and, Let everyone who names [himself by] the name of the Lord give up all iniquity and stand aloof from it.
But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also [utensils] of wood and earthenware, and some for honorable and noble [use] and some for menial and ignoble [use].
So whoever cleanses himself [from what is ignoble and unclean, who separates himself from contact with contaminating and corrupting influences] will [then himself] be a vessel set apart and useful for honorable and noble purposes, consecrated and profitable to the Master, fit and ready for any good work.
2Timothy 2:19- 21
Like a woman pregnant with child, I have been pregnant with the above scriptural passage since this new month began cross-referencing it and reading from all the versions I could lay my hands on to get it straight. Thoughts of how this new year full of possibilities is not just gradually moving on with the speed of light but also with thoughts of how many people are yet not getting things right, hence, experiencing a replica of what they have experienced in the past without results to show. Hmmm, the foundation, someone help me say P U S H!!!.
Builders, civil and structural engineers will tell you that among many other things to get right in building is the foundation. The reason for this is not far-fetched. While many other faults may be easily corrected, foundational cracks or faults are not just technical and critical but if care is not taken might lead to the pulling down of the entire structure. This is what many are trying to cope with- secreting mending their foundational cracks not knowing that it is a matter of time before the cracks become visible on the building walls for all to see!
So what is in a foundation?
In Nigeria, we've had as many cases of collapsed buildings as much as that of individuals who just slum or collapse suddenly. While their may seem to be no correlation between the two, I want to believe such sudden collapse, in some of the cases may have the same thing in common- the faulty or cracky foundation! While the explanation for that of the building may be explicit enough, those of individuals (at times) may be due to some fundamental questions that may have been ignored or unanswered for years.
While the word "foundation" refers to a solid underground base of a building; the setting up of an institution or organisation and in recent times to an endowment fund that supports an institution or charitable organisation or even the base layer of the make-up used by women (ladies, am I right?).
However, in this context, I want to refer to a foundation, here, as the basic underlying truth behind the existence of our very faith in God. That is, the basement of our faith in God or what God considers crucial before building a glorious destiny.
The above scriptural reference paints it clear to us that our foundation in God has an inscription or seal that says “everyone who names the name of God (believers) should consciously spurn (depart or eschew) from sin, iniquity or evil. To me this means, for anyone to have a good structure for the future, the base must be free from foundational cracks of sin.
The lingering question then is: How solid is the foundation of your Christian faith? or better still, what are the situations, issues or conditions that you have been consistently dealing with in secret boiling down to the very base of your faith in God and even makes you doubt whether you will reign eternally with Jesus? These are foundational questions.
Remember the question asked in Psalms 11: 3 that many are still yet to find answers to '.. if the foundation be destroyed, what can the righteous do? We are talking about a righteous one here, but it implies such may be helpless when it comes to foundation.
When things are right, we should ask questions and when things are not right questions needs to be asked to know where we are missing it out.
We all started off this year on the same start line but obviously not everyone is moving at the same pace. I'm not really talking about how high you you're flying or how you're struggling to make things work, I'm talking about whether you are a vessel unto honour or dishonour? or whether you are showing the light for others to follow (and go there yourself) or you're merely a signpost- pointing the way but going nowhere! or may be you are even leading others to the grave with your words or actions.
Please Note: I am not referring to your speed or progress here but your direction because moving in the RIGHT DIRECTION is better than moving at TOP SPEED.
It doesn’t matter how fast you move in a wrong direction, you never arrive at your destination.
For you and I to realise or dreams, goals and resolution for the new year, we must re-visit our very foundation- the base of our faith in God whether we have made things right with our Creator or merely patching things up using cosmetics (which doesn't stand the test of time).
Remember, a crack in the foundation (no matter how small) can never be ignored or patched, it is either re-visited or it condemns the entire building.
What is that secret sin that you think you can patch up or pretend as if all is right? If you do not make it rght with your Creator today, it will soon show for all to see and by then, it may be devastating! Sin truly sinks.
Selah! (Pause and think on this)
Why fasting..?
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
What good is fasting when you keep on fighting and quarreling? This kind of fasting will never get you anywhere with me.
You humble yourselves by going through the motions of penance, bowing your heads like a blade of grass in the wind. You dress in sackcloth and cover yourselves with ashes. Is this what you call fasting? Do you really think this will please the Lord?
“If you do these things, your salvation will come like the dawn. Yes, your healing will come quickly. Your godliness will lead you forward, and the glory of the Lord will protect you from behind.
If you do this, the Lord will be your delight. I will give you great honor and give you your full share of the inheritance I promised to Jacob, your ancestor. I, the Lord, have spoken
Isaiah 58:3-14 (NLT)
Yesterday was Ash Wednesday and that's why I think I should share a few thoughts on the importance of fasting. For many, fasting is a no-go area because they are made up that they cannot fast. The verses above shows a kind of conversation where some claim to fast and don't seem to get the desired result from it but the response was that they lacked the understanding of what fasting is and what it can do. And Understanding is being able to see what is under something that makes it stand- do you under stand?
Although, Christians are of divergent views concerning the ushering-in of the 40-day fasting before Good Friday known as Ash Wednesday. While, there is no place in the entire scriptures where believers are asked to fast for 40 days, however, Jesus taught a few things about the importance of fasting. Actually, it called the Day of Ashes because use of ashes signifies a state of repentance and humility as observed in 2 Samuel 13:19; Esther 4:1; Job 2:8; Daniel 9:3; and Matthew 11:21. Hence, the essence of this post is not to start a religious debate but to shed more light on why anyone should fast no just during the Lenten period but at anytime at all.
Please note that it was food that the devil used in enticing Eve in the garden which eventually led to the fall of man. Food or the belly has become the God of many and inability to control our appetite may be very dangerous.
I believe strongly in the virtue of fasting because it has helped me to deny myself of many things, remain focused and generate power. Whether it is 1 day, 3days, 7days, 10 days, 14 days, 21 days or 40days fast, any Spirit led fast produces result. My own idea about fasting is that when I want result I pray but when I want fast result, I fast and praise!
Fasting is Medicinal
Medical persons have advised that when we fast, it allows our nerves that are always at work ordinarily when we eat, to rest and refresh or regain like every working machine. It also heals hypertension and said to help to control menstrual flow in women. It also helps heal obesity and diabetes. Whichever way, fasting is does more help than harm, if it does any harm at all.
Fasting opens our spiritual hear
When we fast, we are able to transcend from the realms of the seen to the unseen. I am sure Daniel must have fasted with his friends to be able to enquire from the unseen realm what has never been done before. Even if you sleep together with someone on the same bed, it is not possible to know what the person is dreaming about. But, Daniel gave the dream and interpreted it. Later in the book of Daniel, we were told he fasted for 21days.
Fasting helps to achieve victory, God's favor and Breakthroughs
It helps to invoke God's intervention on certain issues of our lives because according to the scriptures above it says our light will break-forth. Esther was able to avert the decree to wipe out the entire Jewish nation after a 3 days fast! Please spend some time to read the passage again.
Other benefits are; fasting kills pride; it is the strongest sign of humility before God; it helps to overcome carnal desires; turns you to another man; renews your anointing as a minister; helps to break bad habits like smoking, anger, drunkenness among others.
Fasting has virtues and whether you observe this 40days fast or not, make sure you have a time out to wait on God for renewal of your strength this year.
PLEASE NOTE!!!
Fasting without prayers is mere hunger strike. And there are certain breakthroughs that you desire that may not come through without fasting as Jesus told His disciples who could not heal a boy that “…. This kind of miracle cannot happen without prayers and fasting” Matthew 17: 21. To me, that means, there are certain things that only answers to heartfelt prayers and fasting. However, for the maximum delivery of our result desired, fasting must be backed with commensurate prayers.
Also, like the cover picture above, which is the mountain of temptation where it is believed the devil tempted Jesus after the 40days fasting, what that suggests is that fasting does not exempt us from temptation but we can be sure to overcome it like Jesus did.
1 Corinthians 10:13 says God is faithful not to tempt us beyond what we can handle.
Faithfulness
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.
And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that great day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his glorious return.
2Timothy 4:7-8
I was invited last weekend to a village called Dengi, three hours from Jos, Plateau State. It was for the foundation laying ceremony of the Nigeria Christian Corpers’ Fellowship (NCCF) family house.
I had lived for about one year in the same village for my one-year mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and I was the co-ordinator of the fellowship for that period. We organized outreaches in hospital, open field film show, Easter picnic for children and so on. Looking back now at those times, I could only thank God I didn’t influence my posting to another place where probably I wouldn’t have left as much impact as He had helped me to do in Dengi.
The reason why I’m saying all these is because staying in that village for a year wasn’t funny. There were no infrastructures- electricity, good road... we fetched water from a nearby flowing river (for domestic use), and worse of all, the phone network was bad, in fact I was literally cut off from my family. Being a Chartered Accountant, I had an option not to stay there because someone had already helped in influencing my stay to Jos which is the State capital. But I stayed anyway, the rest is history today. Going back there last weekend and seeing a few people there gives me joy especially because what we could only do at that time was to acquire the land for the building on which the foundation was now laid last Saturday. While I was preparing on what to say there, God gave me a word which I shared with some of the leaders I met with there, the word is Faithfulness and I would like to share with you.
Faithfulness simply means being full of faith in a thing that you want to stand by it no matter what. It also implies in some context being predictable, reliable and dependable. God is not out looking for those who are faithful for a while or when the conditions are right, but those who will be faithful in all situations and till the very end.
What does it really mean to be faithful?
In Genesis 39:9 Faithfulness is who you are when nobody is watching. When Joseph was about to be tempted by his master’s wife and nobody was there, he said how could he do such wicked thing and sin against God- not even against is master first. What do we do when no one is watching?
In Daniel 1:8 Faithfulness is doing the right even when you have an opportunity to do wrong. Daniel was a young guy taken captive to Babylon but He made up his mind not to defile himself. For many, once they step out of the shores of their countries to a strange land, they put off the cloth of righteousness by either not going to church or just mingling with unbelievers. Are u still faithful even in that strange land?
In Hebrews 12:1-2 Faithfulness is enduring the shame and all the ills that obeying God may bring you. Jesus endured the cross and now He’s set at the right hand of God.
Areas of Faithfulness
Use of Power/ Office/ Position
One of the areas where God expects us to remain faithful is in the use of power or position we find our self. The scriptures says all power belongs to God. By implication, if He gives you a portion of the power and you misuse it like the parable of the talent, He simply takes it from you and give it to another. Psalms 75:6 says Promotion comes from God. Are you using your current office to glorify Him?
Use of your body
Hmm, this is where many people feel nobody has the right to tell them what to do with their body. But wait for this, 1Corinthians 3:16 says your body is not yours but the temple of the most high God and He further says if you defile His temple ‘that is your own body’, He will destroy. There’s no gainsaying, we are all accountable to God on how we use our bodies.
Use of your resources
Another area where we need to remain faithful is that of our resources especially TIME and MONEY. How do we use our time? Do we spend time on the trivial things or on impactful things, things that leave memories on the sand of time? Do you spend time or invest it? If you sleep for 8hours a day, by the time you’re 75years old, you must have slept for 25years…Ah! Are you practising how to die? When will you wake up to affect the lives that are attached to you. If you spend 15minutes in the bathroom every morning, you might have stayed in the bathroom for some 4years by the time you’re 70years. What are doing there- come out and manifest!
In the use of your money, what do you spend on? To start with, do you claim that what you have is not enough and so you don’t even tithe. The only way God will ever commit more things into your hands is by being faithful with the little He has committed to your hands so far. No kingdom investment. No giving to the poor or less privileged. The way out of poverty or lack is to give- this has been proved over and over. Until you sow, don’t even think of harvest. It doesn’t even answer to prayers- does that shock you! You either give or lack. God is looking for those who will be faithful to Him with everything they have. Has God asked you to give your son? He said so to Abraham and he had no choice than to swear by Himself that He would bless him in all things, we all are still benefitting from Abraham’s blessing today.
Please know that anytime you look up and see the sun above you, then you should know God is still faithful, hence, we are the variable.
Whatever it will cost you, remain faithful to God and in a short while He will lift you.
Remain blessed.
Why it is well...
Thursday, February 19, 2009
The Spaffords later had three more children, one of whom (a son) died in infancy. In 1881 the Spaffords, including baby Bertha and newborn Grace, set sail for Palestine. The Spaffords moved to Jerusalem and helped found a group called the American Colony; its mission was to serve the poor. The colony later became the subject of the Nobel prize winning Jerusalem, by Swedish novelist Selma Lagerlöf.
Exaggeration: An Unnecessary Luggage
Monday, February 16, 2009
Looking away (from all that will distract) to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith (giving the first incentive for our belief) and is also its Finisher (bringing it to maturity and perfection). He, for the joy (of obtaining the prize) that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1- 2(AMP)
Today, I write with a heavy heart especially to believers who love the Lord and are serving Him wholeheartedly but who are still suppressed and oppressed under apparently avoidable and unsuspecting weights that have made their prayers to be unyielding and fruitless.
Yes, I am talking about the creeping weight of exaggeration. Many are so used to it that they exaggerate everything without winking their eyes. It does not matter who you are, your belief or religious disposition, anytime you blow up an information unduly or explain something just to prove a point when you actually know that it is false you are treading the path of Ananias and Sapphira and God has moved me to put this together for you to be free from its destructive claws.
Other reasons why people exaggerate may be pride, low self-esteem, inferiority complex, fear or self aggrandisement.
Know yourself
Those who know their real worth don’t need to exaggerate in order to impress anyone. However, many live a perpetual fake life and seek the approval of others to tell them what their real worth is. Why would you for instance buy a fairly used shirt or pant and claim you bought from designer store? Why not just tell the truth and let the devil be ashamed! You are made in God’s own image and that alone should e a thing of pride for you. You’re fearfully and wonderfully made, refuse to carry the extra luggage of exaggeration because it is not safe.
It has been said that exaggeration is false overstatement. Yes, what we exaggerate actually happened, but only added our own version or withheld certain vital information. Jesus says He’s the way, the truth and the life. To me, that means that anything that is not the truth is a lie. That is, we could always ask ourselves how Jesus (the truth) would have said what we are about to say. (You remember the saying, what will Jesus do?) If he wouldn’t say it differently, then it is the truth. But this does not come handy until we begin to spend time with the truth- Jesus, which is also called the Word of God according to John 1:1-3. You are most likely going to look like what you see often. You lie most times because you read books and movies that teach on how to cook up lies. Spend more time with the Word of God- the bible and you’ll know the truth that makes free!
I want to believe Ananias and Sapphira didn’t trust God enough to meet their needs which must have been the reason why they had to keep back part of the proceeds of the land to themselves. Peter told them there was no point to test the Holy Spirit. If you know God is big enough to meet all your needs, then you’ll seek to only impress Him and Him alone. But can we really impress God with whatever we do or say? Everything is plain before Him and He knows you and I inside out. He knows, He sees and He hears. He could change your status overnight like He did for Joseph but we can limit Him with the unassuming and subtle sin of exaggeration.
LOVE at its best
Saturday, February 14, 2009
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
For we know in part and we prophesy in part,
but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears.
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me.
Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
ICorinthians 1:1-13 (NIV)
In the mood of the Valentine season, I want to say a special "Thank You" to everyone who believes in me and in what I what I do- to the members of "Job vacancies in Nigeria" group on facebook, where I post job alerts in Nigeria from time to time.
To those who have visited this blog at one time or the other and will still visit, I'm grateful for your love and care.
I want to specially dedicate this post to all those who have the genuine love of God in them and to a lovely friend and sister that is a year older today. May the Lord Bless you real good.
What more will I say? Love! Love!! Love!!! The scripture above compares love with some other virtues like faith and hope but it says love is the greatest. Please take time to go through the scripture again- it is refreshing.
Although, many lovers or people in love today have given the global financial meltdown as an excuse for not being able to give gifts... you know what I'm talking about?
But one thing to note is that when you truly love, you'll go out of your way to please the loved. God loves us so much that he gave His very best- Jesus Christ. What is your very best? I think the best that we all possess is our very life or heart.
And that's what God requires of us... to receive His best gift of love so that we could gain eternal life. Why not use this Valentine to yield your life or sow your life as a seed to please God.
Come to think of it, after your toiling and labors in this world, you will not be fair to yourself if you lose your soul.
Accept God's love today and make Jesus your Lord. He loves you more than you could ever know. God demonstrated His love through the death and resurrection of Christ... will you allow His death to be of no effect?
I know it may not be a popular post on a day like this, but if you really want to know what true love is, taste Jesus and you'll see that His personality is God's love at its best.
I truly luv u!
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