As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead. (James 2:26 NIV)
According to my recollections from elementary school grammar, a verb is a part of speech that conveys and action. It is an action word. it is peharps the most important part of a sentence because it says something about what the subject of the sentence is up to.
In my study of faith, I have noticed that even though faith is a noun grammatically it is actually a verb literally. Faith is a verb by definition. It is n action motivated by the word of God. Faith is never static. It always does something.
A quick survey of scriptures on those who were commended for the demonstration of their faith will illustrate my point. Hebrews 11 is a partial list of such people. I call the book the hall of fame of faith. You will notice as you read through that each hero of faith mentioned was an ordinary person who dared to act in response to a word they received from God. The verbs used let's us know what they did. Read Hebrews 11 and you will notice the following.
God commanded And the universe was made
Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice
Enoch walked with God and pleased him
Noah moved with fear to build an ark
Abraham obeyed and went even though he had no idea where he was going, lived in tents and looked forward to a city builded by God
Sarah considered God faithful after menopause and received strength to conceive
Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice, trusting that God would raise him up
Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau regarding their future
Jacob blessed Joseph's sons
Joseph spoke about the future exodus of Israel and his bones with them
Moses's parents hid him, saw his destiny and were courageous
Moses refused the status of prince, chose to suffer affliction, esteemed the reproach of Christ better that the treasures of Egypt. He left Egypt. He persevered as one seeing the invisible. He kept the Passover, applying the blood for the protection of Israel.
Israel passed through the red sea
They marched around the walls of Jericho seven days
Rahab the prostitute, welcomed the spies
The list goes on to include those who fought wars and conquered kingdoms, refused to compromise and received miracles of deliverance, those who suffered refusing to accept deliverance, who prayed and received their dead raised back to life etc.
Then it talked about Jesus who endured the shame of the cross because of the joy he say ahead.
We also see in the ministry of Jesus
Lepers who were cleansed by obeying Jesus' command to show themselves to the priest
The paralyzed who were healed by obeying and carrying their beds
Those who broke the roof of a house to get their friends to Jesus
People who walked days to get Jesus to speak a word over their dying servants or children
As you can see, faith is an action. It is like a coin with two sides. One side is belief, the other is action. It takes both sides to make it the legal tender to receive the transfer of spiritual values and substance from the heavenly realms into this world.
As James 2: 14-25 says, "faith without action is dead." it is incomplete, inoperative and does not go far enough. Actions are the evidence of faith. They are the soul and the spirit of belief. They keep belief from being a corpse.
So my question to you today is: "What's your verb?" What is that step you need to take in response to what God has spoken to you? It doesn't have to be a giant step. It only has to be a step. Is it to pray more, go to school, forgive, repent, join a church, put out more resumes, end a wrong relationship, start a relationship, refuse a job promising job offer, accept another offer, get married, give a sacrificial offering, start a business, quit your job, start volunteering, begin a ministry, build a family, bless your children deliberately rather than curse them, train your children, refuse to compromise your values, show hospitality, suffer for Christ's sake, love your spouse, change location, rejoice in trouble, persevere in hardship, be inconvenienced for his sake, give to the poor, leave your profession or possessions for his call, help a brother or sister in need, or speak about your future?
Whatever your "verb" is, it is only as you step out and do it would you be enlisted in the army of those commended by God and who tap into his unlimited faithfulness for their lives and for their future generations. What steps will your faith take today?
Decision of the Day
I will do something in response to God's word. I will act today and not delay. I will demonstrate my own "verb" of faith.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
No Deal. The Price is Set
"So Moses and Aaron were brought again to Pharaoh, and he said to them, “Go, serve the Lord your God. Who are the ones that are going?”
And Moses said, “We will go with our young and our old; with our sons and our daughters, with our flocks and our herds we will go, for we must hold a feast to the Lord.” Then he said to them, “The Lord had better be with you when I let you and your little ones go! Beware, for evil is ahead of you. Not so! Go now, you who are men, and serve the Lord, for that is what you desired.” And they were driven out from Pharaoh’s presence.
Then Pharaoh called to Moses and said, “Go, serve the Lord; only let your flocks and your herds be kept back. Let your little ones also go with you.” But Moses said, “You must also give us sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God. Our livestock also shall go with us; not a hoof shall be left behind. For we must take some of them to serve the Lord our God, and even we do not know with what we must serve the Lord until we arrive there.”
But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let them go. Then Pharaoh said to him, “Get away from me! Take heed to yourself and see my face no more! For in the day you see my face you shall die!” So Moses said, “You have spoken well. I will never see your face again.” (Exodus 10:8-11, 24-29 NKJV)
If you are familiar with business negotiations, for example when buying a car, you know how it goes. The salesperson gives the highest price, the sticker price, which is most to his own advantage, hoping the buyer would take it without negotiating. An unseasoned buyer would immediately take the offer without negotiating, but the experienced ones would start beating the price down lower and lower until they get the best deal. In some cases however, where the good is priced appropriately, the seller must remain resolute on the set price, rejecting any further negotiations.
In our text today, we see Pharaoh, who is a type of the enemy occupying the role of the negotiator. Moses had come and presented the demand of God which was to let God's people go, everyone of them, with all their possessions and more. That was the non-negotiable demand.
Pharaoh however tried all he could to have things his way. At first, he was totally unwilling to let Israel go. After a number of severe plagues on Egypt, he seemed ready to let only the men go, leaving their children, wives and possessions behind. After a while, he was ready to let them go if only they would leave their livestock behind. He was negotiating for a deal that would serve his end of keeping Israel in slavery even if it meant letting a portion go.
Moses, however knew what God has said. He refused to negotiate, maintaining his stance that all God's people and their possessions must go. His stance was a no-deal, no-negotiating one regarding what God has said.
What an example for us. In our dealing with the enemy, he will fight tooth and nail to hold on to a part of our lives. He may let you have your family, but he will try to hold on to your health or money. He may relinquish you to your ministry but try to hold down your family. He fights tooth and nail, going about like a roaring lion to see what he can devour. If he can't have all, he will make do with a portion. He knows that the little ground he has- the small foothold could eventually lead to complete do domination again.
This is why the scripture says, we should give no place to the devil (Ephesians 4:27). You must not negotiate with him. Refuse to have less than what the word has promised. Don't capitulate or waver. Settle for nothing less than the promise of God. Resist the enemy steadfastly in faith. Stand on the full promise of God. As you refuse to make a deal with the enemy, he has no choice but to release all the grounds he had taken in your life. Victory is yours.
Decision of the day
I understand that the enemy wants to claim grounds in my life. If he can't get all, he will try to retain some. I will not negotiate the word of God. I stand on what God has said, refusing to waver. I will settle for nothing less.
And Moses said, “We will go with our young and our old; with our sons and our daughters, with our flocks and our herds we will go, for we must hold a feast to the Lord.” Then he said to them, “The Lord had better be with you when I let you and your little ones go! Beware, for evil is ahead of you. Not so! Go now, you who are men, and serve the Lord, for that is what you desired.” And they were driven out from Pharaoh’s presence.
Then Pharaoh called to Moses and said, “Go, serve the Lord; only let your flocks and your herds be kept back. Let your little ones also go with you.” But Moses said, “You must also give us sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice to the Lord our God. Our livestock also shall go with us; not a hoof shall be left behind. For we must take some of them to serve the Lord our God, and even we do not know with what we must serve the Lord until we arrive there.”
But the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let them go. Then Pharaoh said to him, “Get away from me! Take heed to yourself and see my face no more! For in the day you see my face you shall die!” So Moses said, “You have spoken well. I will never see your face again.” (Exodus 10:8-11, 24-29 NKJV)
If you are familiar with business negotiations, for example when buying a car, you know how it goes. The salesperson gives the highest price, the sticker price, which is most to his own advantage, hoping the buyer would take it without negotiating. An unseasoned buyer would immediately take the offer without negotiating, but the experienced ones would start beating the price down lower and lower until they get the best deal. In some cases however, where the good is priced appropriately, the seller must remain resolute on the set price, rejecting any further negotiations.
In our text today, we see Pharaoh, who is a type of the enemy occupying the role of the negotiator. Moses had come and presented the demand of God which was to let God's people go, everyone of them, with all their possessions and more. That was the non-negotiable demand.
Pharaoh however tried all he could to have things his way. At first, he was totally unwilling to let Israel go. After a number of severe plagues on Egypt, he seemed ready to let only the men go, leaving their children, wives and possessions behind. After a while, he was ready to let them go if only they would leave their livestock behind. He was negotiating for a deal that would serve his end of keeping Israel in slavery even if it meant letting a portion go.
Moses, however knew what God has said. He refused to negotiate, maintaining his stance that all God's people and their possessions must go. His stance was a no-deal, no-negotiating one regarding what God has said.
What an example for us. In our dealing with the enemy, he will fight tooth and nail to hold on to a part of our lives. He may let you have your family, but he will try to hold on to your health or money. He may relinquish you to your ministry but try to hold down your family. He fights tooth and nail, going about like a roaring lion to see what he can devour. If he can't have all, he will make do with a portion. He knows that the little ground he has- the small foothold could eventually lead to complete do domination again.
This is why the scripture says, we should give no place to the devil (Ephesians 4:27). You must not negotiate with him. Refuse to have less than what the word has promised. Don't capitulate or waver. Settle for nothing less than the promise of God. Resist the enemy steadfastly in faith. Stand on the full promise of God. As you refuse to make a deal with the enemy, he has no choice but to release all the grounds he had taken in your life. Victory is yours.
Decision of the day
I understand that the enemy wants to claim grounds in my life. If he can't get all, he will try to retain some. I will not negotiate the word of God. I stand on what God has said, refusing to waver. I will settle for nothing less.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Expectancy- The Switch of Faith
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt—on man, on beast, and on every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.” ... So Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh and spread out his hands to the Lord; then the thunder and the hail ceased, and the rain was not poured on the earth. (Exodus 9:22, 33 NKJV)
Rom 1: 20 says that the invisible things of God can be understood by looking at the visible. You must have observed that every source of power in the natural has a point where they are turned on. Electric power has the switch. The water faucet has the tap. There is always a point where contact is made with power to release its flow. This is also true about the power of God. A point of contact is something you do to release your faith to God for a manifestation of his power. It is an action motivated by a word from God. This is what Moses was doing when he stretched out his hands. In obedience to God's word, he acted and switched on the power of God.
Several years ago, God spoke a word into my heart that really set me thinking. He said, “There’s too much unused faith in the house. It is time to turn your faith loose. By virtue of my words that you hear, the books you read, you are loaded with faith. It is time to turn on the switch that releases the power.”
These words made me do an extensive study on turning your faith in scriptures. That was when I came in contact with the truth I am about to share with you.
There is power in expectancy. Miracles and supernatural manifestations in life are not coincidences or chance occurrences. They are conceived and worked out by humans cooperating with God. Expectancy is being in a miracle mood. It has a starting point and must be sustained until the miracles begin to flow. The point of contact is the way expectancy is triggered leading to miracles. Here are some examples from the scriptures:
Abraham counts the stars(Gen 15: 5)
Jacob anointed a pillar, praying for God’s presence and success making a vow(Gen 28: 10-22)
Israel laid hands knowingly on his children to impart blessings (Gen 48: 11-19)
Moses stretches the rod(Exo 8: 5,6,16-19, Exo 9: 22,23, Exo 14: 13-16, 21-22)
Moses scatters ashes to heaven(Exo 9: 8-11)
Stretching out the hand(Exo 10: 19,21)
The blood line (Exo 12: 7,12-14)
Moses held up his hand until victory came in war (Exo 17: 8-13)
Samson’s lock of hair(Judges 16: 17-31)
Walking round Jericho and shouting(Joshua 6: 1-16)
Hannah’s vow(1Sam 1: 11)
David’s offering stops the plague(1 Sam 24: 15-25)
Elijah stretches himself over widow’s son (1 Kings 17: 20-22)
Elijah’s mantle split the river(2 Kings 2: 8)
Naaman’s cured by dipping in Jordan(2 Kings 5: 10,14)
Hezekiah stretches forth a letter before God (Isa 37: 14-21)
Jesus touches the leper(Matt 8: 3)
Jesus speaks a word to the sick(Matt 8: 6,13)
Woman touches the hem of Jesus’ garment(Mark 5: 24-34)
Jesus spat (Mark 7: 32-35)
Jesus spits on the blind man(Mark 8: 22-25)
Jesus anoints with clay and tells to go wash in a pool(John 9: 1-6)
The shadow of Peter heals(Acts 5: 14)
Ananais laid hands on Saul(Act 9: 17)
Special miracles through aprons/ handkerchiefs(Acts 19: 11,12)
Anointing with oil(James 5: 14)
You can also release the power of faith expectancy using a point of contact. Below are ways you can use points of contact to release your faith as you are led by the Spirit.
Calling names of people and places in prayer
Laying hands on mails and correspondence to be a blessing to the receivers
Sowing a financial seed and trusting God for his blessings on your life.
Laying hand on pictures of people, places and things as you pray
The communion: Breaking bread and trusting God for his promises.
Anointing people and things with oil in prayer like James
A faith march around areas to establish the will of God
Prayer walks over desired territories for the kingdom of God
Praying over maps and locations for God's will to be done
Speaking words
Physical objects like prayer clothes etc.
People laying hands on one another in prayer
Stretching forth the hand in prayer
These are just some few ways God can lead you to release your faith through points of contact. As you start yielding to the Holy Ghost in this area in your prayer life, you will find yourself in a constant state of expectancy and miracles will flow in your life, family and ministry. Keep the switch of faith turned on
Decision of the Day
Expectancy is powerful. I will stay expectant for God's manifestation in my life. I will act in faith in response to God's word, turning on the switch of my faith and keeping it turned on using a point of contact.
Rom 1: 20 says that the invisible things of God can be understood by looking at the visible. You must have observed that every source of power in the natural has a point where they are turned on. Electric power has the switch. The water faucet has the tap. There is always a point where contact is made with power to release its flow. This is also true about the power of God. A point of contact is something you do to release your faith to God for a manifestation of his power. It is an action motivated by a word from God. This is what Moses was doing when he stretched out his hands. In obedience to God's word, he acted and switched on the power of God.
Several years ago, God spoke a word into my heart that really set me thinking. He said, “There’s too much unused faith in the house. It is time to turn your faith loose. By virtue of my words that you hear, the books you read, you are loaded with faith. It is time to turn on the switch that releases the power.”
These words made me do an extensive study on turning your faith in scriptures. That was when I came in contact with the truth I am about to share with you.
There is power in expectancy. Miracles and supernatural manifestations in life are not coincidences or chance occurrences. They are conceived and worked out by humans cooperating with God. Expectancy is being in a miracle mood. It has a starting point and must be sustained until the miracles begin to flow. The point of contact is the way expectancy is triggered leading to miracles. Here are some examples from the scriptures:
Abraham counts the stars(Gen 15: 5)
Jacob anointed a pillar, praying for God’s presence and success making a vow(Gen 28: 10-22)
Israel laid hands knowingly on his children to impart blessings (Gen 48: 11-19)
Moses stretches the rod(Exo 8: 5,6,16-19, Exo 9: 22,23, Exo 14: 13-16, 21-22)
Moses scatters ashes to heaven(Exo 9: 8-11)
Stretching out the hand(Exo 10: 19,21)
The blood line (Exo 12: 7,12-14)
Moses held up his hand until victory came in war (Exo 17: 8-13)
Samson’s lock of hair(Judges 16: 17-31)
Walking round Jericho and shouting(Joshua 6: 1-16)
Hannah’s vow(1Sam 1: 11)
David’s offering stops the plague(1 Sam 24: 15-25)
Elijah stretches himself over widow’s son (1 Kings 17: 20-22)
Elijah’s mantle split the river(2 Kings 2: 8)
Naaman’s cured by dipping in Jordan(2 Kings 5: 10,14)
Hezekiah stretches forth a letter before God (Isa 37: 14-21)
Jesus touches the leper(Matt 8: 3)
Jesus speaks a word to the sick(Matt 8: 6,13)
Woman touches the hem of Jesus’ garment(Mark 5: 24-34)
Jesus spat (Mark 7: 32-35)
Jesus spits on the blind man(Mark 8: 22-25)
Jesus anoints with clay and tells to go wash in a pool(John 9: 1-6)
The shadow of Peter heals(Acts 5: 14)
Ananais laid hands on Saul(Act 9: 17)
Special miracles through aprons/ handkerchiefs(Acts 19: 11,12)
Anointing with oil(James 5: 14)
You can also release the power of faith expectancy using a point of contact. Below are ways you can use points of contact to release your faith as you are led by the Spirit.
Calling names of people and places in prayer
Laying hands on mails and correspondence to be a blessing to the receivers
Sowing a financial seed and trusting God for his blessings on your life.
Laying hand on pictures of people, places and things as you pray
The communion: Breaking bread and trusting God for his promises.
Anointing people and things with oil in prayer like James
A faith march around areas to establish the will of God
Prayer walks over desired territories for the kingdom of God
Praying over maps and locations for God's will to be done
Speaking words
Physical objects like prayer clothes etc.
People laying hands on one another in prayer
Stretching forth the hand in prayer
These are just some few ways God can lead you to release your faith through points of contact. As you start yielding to the Holy Ghost in this area in your prayer life, you will find yourself in a constant state of expectancy and miracles will flow in your life, family and ministry. Keep the switch of faith turned on
Decision of the Day
Expectancy is powerful. I will stay expectant for God's manifestation in my life. I will act in faith in response to God's word, turning on the switch of my faith and keeping it turned on using a point of contact.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
November 1: Actions Motivated by Fear
He who feared the word of the Lord among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his livestock flee to the houses. But he who did not regard the word of the Lord left his servants and his livestock in the field. (Exodus 9:20, 21 NKJV)
The word "fear" is used in a couple of senses in the word of God. First, there is the type of fear precipitated by the terror of something ominous and frightening such as been bitten by a snake or being in a plane crash. There is the fear of attempting something because of a possibility of failure. etc. These types of fear are negative emotions which the bible encourages us in many places not to entertain. Someone did the count and found 365 places in the bible where a form of the phrase "Do not fear" or "do not be afraid is used." That's equivalent to one per day of the year.
However, there is another sense in which fear is used, which is a positive command - the fear of the Lord. In many passages of scriptures, reference is made to the fear of the Lord, often as a command or a statement of the benefits of having it. for example,
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge... (Proverbs 1:7)
The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him,
In those who hope in His mercy. (Psalm 147:11)
Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints!
There is no want to those who fear Him. (Psalm 34:9)
These are great promises but what does it mean to fear the Lord? This is where our text today comes in. It is an accurate illustration of what fearing the Lord entails. Moses had warned Egypt of an impending judgment. There were two categories of people who heard him. Those who feared God acted in response to God's word but those who didn't disregarded it. From this and other evidence of scripture, the fear of the Lord is a deep reverence for God and his word that shows up in obeying or acting on it. So to fear the Lord is to respect his words enough to consistently act on it, refusing to ever violate its injunctions.
Do you practice the fear of the Lord? How do you treat the things of God, especially his words? Is it just another book you have in the house? Do you esteem his word enough to place it above your opinion or every other view? Are you a doer of the word? Your level of respect for the word of God is a gauge of how much you fear him. Determine today to begin to practice the fear of the Lord by deliberately conforming your walk with his word. Do what he says to do regardless of your feelings and opinions. Exalt his word above everything. Chose holiness instead of sin, love over hate. Follow the Spirit instead of your flesh. Honor the Lord with your consistent fear. He has promised to look with favorable respect on those who fear him.
For all those things My hand has made, And all those things exist,” Says the Lord. “But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word. (Isaiah 66:2 NKJV)
Decision of the Day
I will choose the fear of the Lord by respecting his word, esteeming it above my opinions and any other opinion. I will honor him with my unquestioning compliance to his commands, guidance and instructions. I will show deep respect for the things of God, esteeming them above all natural things. I let none of his word to me fall to the ground. In my fear of him, I am a practitioner of his word - a person of action.
The word "fear" is used in a couple of senses in the word of God. First, there is the type of fear precipitated by the terror of something ominous and frightening such as been bitten by a snake or being in a plane crash. There is the fear of attempting something because of a possibility of failure. etc. These types of fear are negative emotions which the bible encourages us in many places not to entertain. Someone did the count and found 365 places in the bible where a form of the phrase "Do not fear" or "do not be afraid is used." That's equivalent to one per day of the year.
However, there is another sense in which fear is used, which is a positive command - the fear of the Lord. In many passages of scriptures, reference is made to the fear of the Lord, often as a command or a statement of the benefits of having it. for example,
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge... (Proverbs 1:7)
The Lord takes pleasure in those who fear Him,
In those who hope in His mercy. (Psalm 147:11)
Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints!
There is no want to those who fear Him. (Psalm 34:9)
These are great promises but what does it mean to fear the Lord? This is where our text today comes in. It is an accurate illustration of what fearing the Lord entails. Moses had warned Egypt of an impending judgment. There were two categories of people who heard him. Those who feared God acted in response to God's word but those who didn't disregarded it. From this and other evidence of scripture, the fear of the Lord is a deep reverence for God and his word that shows up in obeying or acting on it. So to fear the Lord is to respect his words enough to consistently act on it, refusing to ever violate its injunctions.
Do you practice the fear of the Lord? How do you treat the things of God, especially his words? Is it just another book you have in the house? Do you esteem his word enough to place it above your opinion or every other view? Are you a doer of the word? Your level of respect for the word of God is a gauge of how much you fear him. Determine today to begin to practice the fear of the Lord by deliberately conforming your walk with his word. Do what he says to do regardless of your feelings and opinions. Exalt his word above everything. Chose holiness instead of sin, love over hate. Follow the Spirit instead of your flesh. Honor the Lord with your consistent fear. He has promised to look with favorable respect on those who fear him.
For all those things My hand has made, And all those things exist,” Says the Lord. “But on this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, And who trembles at My word. (Isaiah 66:2 NKJV)
Decision of the Day
I will choose the fear of the Lord by respecting his word, esteeming it above my opinions and any other opinion. I will honor him with my unquestioning compliance to his commands, guidance and instructions. I will show deep respect for the things of God, esteeming them above all natural things. I let none of his word to me fall to the ground. In my fear of him, I am a practitioner of his word - a person of action.
Friday, October 7, 2011
October 7: One More Night with Frogs
And Moses said to Pharaoh, “Accept the honor of saying when I shall intercede for you, for your servants, and for your people, to destroy the frogs from you and your houses, that they may remain in the river only.” So he said, “Tomorrow.” And he said, “ Let it be according to your word, that you may know that there is no one like the Lord our God. And the frogs shall depart from you, from your houses, from your servants, and from your people. They shall remain in the river only.” (Exodus 8:8-11 NKJV)
People exhibit differing reactions to frogs. Some are irritated by them. Some are afraid of the poison they could carry and some like them enough to keep them as pets. However, though many could tolerate a frog or two, few wants their whole house overrun with frogs to the extent that they have nowhere to step, sit or sleep without squashing a couple of frogs and being baptized in slimy fluids. But look at Pharaoh. As a result of his refusal to let the people of God go, the judgment of God came upon his nation. The whole nation was teeming with frogs.
Now the puzzling thing is this: when Pharaoh in his frustration ran to Moses to ask him to pray for the frogs to go, and Moses asked him when he wanted the frogs to go, Pharaoh replied- tomorrow. Tomorrow? Why not today? Why not immediately? It is puzzling why Pharaoh chose to spend one more night with the frogs. One more night with frogs crawling over your feet. One more night of sharing your bed with frogs. One more night of being spattered with froggy fluids and enduring the irritating sound of thousands of hopping and croaking frogs all over your house and nation. I am convinced that if Pharaoh had said "now" instead of tomorrow Moses would have obliged. The frogs would have gone. However Pharaoh's obstinate heart postponed his deliverance.
There is a lesson here. Are you also proposing one more night with frogs in your life when you can get rid of them today in prayer? Are you postponing your deliverance or salvation? Do you want another night with the mess that surrounds you as a result of past misdeeds? Are you procrastinating repentance and the reordering of your life till another day? Do you really want to go to bed again angry, jealous and with the slimy poisonous fluids of unforgiveness in bed with you? Are you going to put off once again resolving your alienation from God or his people? Are you going to go to bed again with chaos in your soul? Will you put off reconciling with God and charting a new course for another day?
Remember the admonition of scripture:
"...Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 6:2 NKJV)
And again He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.” (Hebrews 4:7 NKJV)
Remember, Pharaoh may have had another day but for you, another day is not guaranteed. Do not put off what you need to do today till another time. Get rid of the frogs right now. Don't spend another night with their poisonous fluids. God is waiting for you.
Decision of the Day
I will not postpone getting right with God. I will not wait for another day to get rid of the frogs in my life. I will spend no extra day in disobedience, pride, strife and sin. I will make decisions I need to make today and sleep frog free.
People exhibit differing reactions to frogs. Some are irritated by them. Some are afraid of the poison they could carry and some like them enough to keep them as pets. However, though many could tolerate a frog or two, few wants their whole house overrun with frogs to the extent that they have nowhere to step, sit or sleep without squashing a couple of frogs and being baptized in slimy fluids. But look at Pharaoh. As a result of his refusal to let the people of God go, the judgment of God came upon his nation. The whole nation was teeming with frogs.
Now the puzzling thing is this: when Pharaoh in his frustration ran to Moses to ask him to pray for the frogs to go, and Moses asked him when he wanted the frogs to go, Pharaoh replied- tomorrow. Tomorrow? Why not today? Why not immediately? It is puzzling why Pharaoh chose to spend one more night with the frogs. One more night with frogs crawling over your feet. One more night of sharing your bed with frogs. One more night of being spattered with froggy fluids and enduring the irritating sound of thousands of hopping and croaking frogs all over your house and nation. I am convinced that if Pharaoh had said "now" instead of tomorrow Moses would have obliged. The frogs would have gone. However Pharaoh's obstinate heart postponed his deliverance.
There is a lesson here. Are you also proposing one more night with frogs in your life when you can get rid of them today in prayer? Are you postponing your deliverance or salvation? Do you want another night with the mess that surrounds you as a result of past misdeeds? Are you procrastinating repentance and the reordering of your life till another day? Do you really want to go to bed again angry, jealous and with the slimy poisonous fluids of unforgiveness in bed with you? Are you going to put off once again resolving your alienation from God or his people? Are you going to go to bed again with chaos in your soul? Will you put off reconciling with God and charting a new course for another day?
Remember the admonition of scripture:
"...Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. (2 Corinthians 6:2 NKJV)
And again He designates a certain day, saying in David, “Today,” after such a long time, as it has been said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.” (Hebrews 4:7 NKJV)
Remember, Pharaoh may have had another day but for you, another day is not guaranteed. Do not put off what you need to do today till another time. Get rid of the frogs right now. Don't spend another night with their poisonous fluids. God is waiting for you.
Decision of the Day
I will not postpone getting right with God. I will not wait for another day to get rid of the frogs in my life. I will spend no extra day in disobedience, pride, strife and sin. I will make decisions I need to make today and sleep frog free.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
October 5th: It's Lunch Time!
But Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers; so the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. For every man threw down his rod, and they became serpents. But Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods...(Exodus 7:11-13 NKJV)
In many parts of the world, such as in Africa, unsaved men often display supernatural powers that try to mirror the real power of God. They use occult inspired satanic abilities to perform certain feats, often deceiving people and striking fear in the minds of some. To anyone who has been in those places or have experiences along these lines, you will know without a doubt that negative supernatural powers are neither just stories in Harry Porter books nor fantasies to entertain children. There truly exist men and women who have tapped into superhuman abilities through occult practices.
Similarly, in some other parts of the world where the supernatural is not so prevalent, we also see manifestations of things that try to prove exalted themselves to the level of God. There are atheistic arguments trying to prove they are superior to the truth of the word of God. There are humanistic ideologies born with the aim of relegating the truth of God and Christ to the background and banishing it from the mainstream. The Bible has always faced opposition through the ages and we know of many who have predicted its demise.
You too will sometimes come in contact with certain counterfeit manifestations, the rod of men, that will try to disprove the power of God in your life. There are also situations in your life that try to contest the place of God: a habit that says I'm as powerful as your God. A situation that says even your God is incapable of delivering you from its jaws. It might even be a person who has inspired fear in you holding you down with cult-like grip, trying to take the place of your true God.
However, the simple truth of our text today is this: whenever the true power of God gets on the scene all counterfeit powers have to bow. When the word of God, the name of Jesus and the holy Spirit are at work, every other thing will have to bow. When the original and the counterfeit compete, the counterfeit becomes lunch. It will be swallowed up.
God's power is superior to all. In Acts 8, we see a great example. Phillip arrived in Samaria and proclaimed Christ, healing many diseases and performing signs. However, before Philip came with the original, Simon the sorcerer was ruling the people with his counterfeit power. That reign ended when Christ's power was revealed.
How should you respond to this? Determine today that you will develop a healthy reverence for the power of God. Do not discount it. Do not accept that its expression in the practical issue of your life, such as overcoming diseases, sicknesses and limitations, are for the past. Refuse to allow any other counterfeit power to continue to reign in your life. Through prayer, let the power of God make delicious lunch out of the devil-inspired manifestations in your life and situations. It's lunch time!
Decision of the Day
I know God's power is supreme. Every attempt by human, situations and the devil to mimic it in other to contest His place will have to fail. I will learn to be aware of His presence and power in my life through the Holy Spirit. I will confront these counterfeits with the truth of His word and they will end up as lunch, swallowed by God's power.
In many parts of the world, such as in Africa, unsaved men often display supernatural powers that try to mirror the real power of God. They use occult inspired satanic abilities to perform certain feats, often deceiving people and striking fear in the minds of some. To anyone who has been in those places or have experiences along these lines, you will know without a doubt that negative supernatural powers are neither just stories in Harry Porter books nor fantasies to entertain children. There truly exist men and women who have tapped into superhuman abilities through occult practices.
Similarly, in some other parts of the world where the supernatural is not so prevalent, we also see manifestations of things that try to prove exalted themselves to the level of God. There are atheistic arguments trying to prove they are superior to the truth of the word of God. There are humanistic ideologies born with the aim of relegating the truth of God and Christ to the background and banishing it from the mainstream. The Bible has always faced opposition through the ages and we know of many who have predicted its demise.
You too will sometimes come in contact with certain counterfeit manifestations, the rod of men, that will try to disprove the power of God in your life. There are also situations in your life that try to contest the place of God: a habit that says I'm as powerful as your God. A situation that says even your God is incapable of delivering you from its jaws. It might even be a person who has inspired fear in you holding you down with cult-like grip, trying to take the place of your true God.
However, the simple truth of our text today is this: whenever the true power of God gets on the scene all counterfeit powers have to bow. When the word of God, the name of Jesus and the holy Spirit are at work, every other thing will have to bow. When the original and the counterfeit compete, the counterfeit becomes lunch. It will be swallowed up.
God's power is superior to all. In Acts 8, we see a great example. Phillip arrived in Samaria and proclaimed Christ, healing many diseases and performing signs. However, before Philip came with the original, Simon the sorcerer was ruling the people with his counterfeit power. That reign ended when Christ's power was revealed.
How should you respond to this? Determine today that you will develop a healthy reverence for the power of God. Do not discount it. Do not accept that its expression in the practical issue of your life, such as overcoming diseases, sicknesses and limitations, are for the past. Refuse to allow any other counterfeit power to continue to reign in your life. Through prayer, let the power of God make delicious lunch out of the devil-inspired manifestations in your life and situations. It's lunch time!
Decision of the Day
I know God's power is supreme. Every attempt by human, situations and the devil to mimic it in other to contest His place will have to fail. I will learn to be aware of His presence and power in my life through the Holy Spirit. I will confront these counterfeits with the truth of His word and they will end up as lunch, swallowed by God's power.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
October 2: Proclaiming His Lordship
Proclaiming His Lordship
And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out My hand on Egypt and bring out the children of Israel from among them.” (Exodus 7:5 NKJV)
Even though God created all, many of His creatures still don't recognize him as Lord. Some deny that He even exists. A percentage of His creatures even pledge their allegiances to other god's formed from things He created. It is therefore no surprise that one of the chief motivations of the loving God is to convince all that He is the Lord of all. One of the ways He does this is by stretching out His hand to perform miraculous acts of deliverance that will catch the attention of the unbelieving.
This statement in our text today is repeated several times in the book of Exodus. It is also not just an Old Testament thing. In the book of Acts, the early disciples prayed for the same outstretching of God's hand to perform signs and wonders among the people.
"Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness." (Acts 4:29-31 NKJV)
The result of this prayer was recorded in the next chapter.
"And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed." (Acts 5:12-16 NKJV)
As God stretched His hand in signs wonders and miraculous deliverances, multitudes began to recognize Him as Lord and they were added to Him.
God wants to do the same in our time and through your life. Instead of trying to use worldly method to confront the issues you face in your health, marriage, finance, family or ministry, reach out to God in prayer like the early disciples and ask Him to stretch out His hand, performing divine acts of deliverance that will cause everyone who knows you and the situations to acknowledge Him as the Lord. Pray to Him to do things in your life, family, ministry, city or nation that only Him can take credit for. Things that it will be obvious no man could do. Things that will cause fingers to point at Him as the cause, glory to go to Him and people to be added to Him. He is eager to show His strength on your behalf. Just ask in faith.
"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him..." (2 Chronicles 16:9 NKJV)
Decision of the Day
I understand that God wants to show His power in the world so they can acknowledge Him as Lord. Lord, I pray today that you will stretch out your hand in my situations, family, ministry, city and nation and perform your mighty acts that will draw people's attention and cause them to acknowledge you as Lord. It is my decision that from this day every situation of my life will be an opportunity to proclaim your Lordship.
And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out My hand on Egypt and bring out the children of Israel from among them.” (Exodus 7:5 NKJV)
Even though God created all, many of His creatures still don't recognize him as Lord. Some deny that He even exists. A percentage of His creatures even pledge their allegiances to other god's formed from things He created. It is therefore no surprise that one of the chief motivations of the loving God is to convince all that He is the Lord of all. One of the ways He does this is by stretching out His hand to perform miraculous acts of deliverance that will catch the attention of the unbelieving.
This statement in our text today is repeated several times in the book of Exodus. It is also not just an Old Testament thing. In the book of Acts, the early disciples prayed for the same outstretching of God's hand to perform signs and wonders among the people.
"Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness." (Acts 4:29-31 NKJV)
The result of this prayer was recorded in the next chapter.
"And through the hands of the apostles many signs and wonders were done among the people. And they were all with one accord in Solomon’s Porch. Yet none of the rest dared join them, but the people esteemed them highly. And believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women, so that they brought the sick out into the streets and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might fall on some of them. Also a multitude gathered from the surrounding cities to Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed." (Acts 5:12-16 NKJV)
As God stretched His hand in signs wonders and miraculous deliverances, multitudes began to recognize Him as Lord and they were added to Him.
God wants to do the same in our time and through your life. Instead of trying to use worldly method to confront the issues you face in your health, marriage, finance, family or ministry, reach out to God in prayer like the early disciples and ask Him to stretch out His hand, performing divine acts of deliverance that will cause everyone who knows you and the situations to acknowledge Him as the Lord. Pray to Him to do things in your life, family, ministry, city or nation that only Him can take credit for. Things that it will be obvious no man could do. Things that will cause fingers to point at Him as the cause, glory to go to Him and people to be added to Him. He is eager to show His strength on your behalf. Just ask in faith.
"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him..." (2 Chronicles 16:9 NKJV)
Decision of the Day
I understand that God wants to show His power in the world so they can acknowledge Him as Lord. Lord, I pray today that you will stretch out your hand in my situations, family, ministry, city and nation and perform your mighty acts that will draw people's attention and cause them to acknowledge you as Lord. It is my decision that from this day every situation of my life will be an opportunity to proclaim your Lordship.
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