THE FOUR WISE CREATURES

 

The book of proverbs was written by the man who God gave wisdom beyond any human being. 2Chron 1:11-12, 1Kings 4:29-30. When writing the proverbs, there are four living creatures that he observed that were exceeding wise. Prov 30:24-28. We can learn lessons from such creatures for ourselves

THE ANTS

Prov 30:25 The ants are a people not strong, yet they lay up their food in the summer. It's amazing that these little creatures know that there are different seasons and that there is a winter season which will be coming and at that time they will not be able to go out to look for food. Since they know they will need food at that time, they lay up food during summer when they can go out and get food. They are constantly thinking about the future. This is a good question for us to ask ourselves. Are you gathering food for the future when you will not be able to go out?

Joseph told Pharaoh that in the year of plenty, he should not use up all the food but save as much as possible for there will be a time of famine when there will be no food. The food that was stored is the one the citizens ate at that time.Gen 41:25-36. Egypt then fed other nations that had not saved food. In the same way, as believers, there is a time of plenty and a time of famine. For example, when one is young, he/she has plenty of time to study God's word and to give himself to much prayer and fasting and zealously serve God. But a time will come when such time will not be available, when you get a job and marry, there will be less time for the above. At this time, what you had saved for yourself through studying the bible and prayers is the one you'll feed yourself with and feed others who never saved for themselves but only invested their time more in social media and TV than in God's word and prayers. The Holy Spirit will be there when the shaking and winds come to remind us what God has already said to us in His word. Jn 14:26, Mat 7:25-27. Those who have nothing to be reminded of are most likely to be discouraged when trials come but those who have saved will face life with confidence knowing that God is still in control of all things.

There is a time when there will be a famine for the words of God, i.e. prophetic words of God. There will be many preachers but very few with God's approval and authority and thus men will be moving from city to city desiring to hear the prophetic words of God. This is because in the time of plenty when God tested many who he wanted to use, will fail the test but will still continue Preaching Amos 8:11-12

Jesus said that we should lay up our treasures in heaven not on earth for our hearts will always follow where our treasures are. Mat 6:19-20. He gave an example of one man who was rich but didn't lay any treasure in heaven. Lk 12:16-21. This man thought of building huge granaries to store his food to enjoy it the rest of his life, little did he know that his time on earth was over. Paul encourages the rich to lay up treasures in heaven Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 1Tim 6:17-19. 

Jesus said that we should use our material wealth in evangelism so that when we die, those who got saved in the Lord's work we supported may receive us in heaven. Lk 16:9

ROCK BUDGERS

They are weak but they make their homes in the rocks. Prov 30:26. These little creatures know that they have many enemies and thus they make their homes in rocks where no enemy can catch them. In the same way, in our Christian journey there are so many enemies and temptations that wants to destroy us and cause us to backslide. The only place we can hide is in the rock which is Jesus Christ. 1Cor 10:4. Thus whenever we are tempted or faced with a difficult situation let us run to Christ and we'll be safe. Ps 18:2, 94:22

THE LOCUSTS

They have no king yet they go in swarms. Prov 30:27. They know that alone they will be an easy prey by together they are strong and can survive for long. In the same way, we need fellowship with one another. When we are in fellowship we accomplish more than when alone. Five can chase a hundred but when they are hundred they will put ten thousand to flight. Lev 26:8. One can chase a thousand but two will put ten thousand to flight. Deut 32:30. Sin is very deceitful and if we are to stand to the end we need encouragement every. Heb 3:13. I remember listening to a testimony of two Christians who were told to deny Jesus or be killed. Out of fear one denied him but the other reminded that if he got killed he meet Jesus and get crowned as a martyr and being a martyr was a privilege and honour. He repented and confessed Jesus and and they both got killed and went to heaven. All of us are weak and we need constant encouragement.

THE LIZARD

They easy to catch but are even found in kings palaces. Prov 30:28. "Easy to catch". Man is to catch with fleeting pleasures of sin, love of money, pride in beauty, achievements, wealth, anointing, spiritual gifts, wisdom, excellence in skills and many other things that make us proud. Ezek 28:13-18, Heb 11:24-26, 1Tim 6:6-12, Heb 13:5-6, Jam 4:6, 1Pet 5:5. There are so many good things that distract people from pursuing God. Since we are so weak we need to live in the King's palace beholding him all the days of our lives and we'll be protected from all distractions in our Christian pilgrimage. Ps 27:4, 91:1

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TAKE HEED, BE WARNED

 

To take heed is to pay attention to something and being careful about it.

The Christian life is a race and a battle in which we have to be very careful that we may run until the end and finish following all the rules to avoid being disqualified and to fight well so as to win. 1Cor 9:24-27 There are so many dangers along the narrow way and we cannot afford to be ignorant. We need constant encouragement to keep pressing on and constant warning not to presume that all is right. The bible is full of warnings given to believers and we need to be reminded of for we naturally tend to forget.

Looking around you can see many believers who were once on fire for God having cooled of, having lost the passion and the zeal they once had; it’s not time to sit down and say like the Pharisee in Lk 18:10-14 thanking God that you are not like so and so who have backslidden, but we need to be on our faces before the Lord asking Him so search our hearts and our thoughts and see if there be any wicked way in us and keep us from falling. Ps 139:23-24, 16:1.

TAKE HEED, keep WATCHING and praying that you may not enter into temptation. Mat 26:41

TAKE HEED to yourselves and be on guard lest your heart be weighed down by self-indulgence, drunkenness, and worldly worries and cares of this life lest that day come to you as a trap and catch you unaware. Lk 21:36

TAKE HEED and watch at all times praying that you may have strength to escape all the things that will take place and stand before the Son on man. Lk 21:36

If you think you are standing and all is well with you, TAKE HEED lest you fall. 1Cor 10:12

TAKE HEED that no man deceives you. BE ON GUARD, I have warned you in advance. Mat 24:4, Mk 13:23

TAKE HEED to the ministry that you have received in the LORD, ensure that you fulfill it. Col 4:17

TAKE HEED that you do not do your good deed publicly to be seen by men, for then you will have no reward from you Father in heaven. Mat 6:1

TAKE HEED and beware of hypocrisy. Lk 12:1c

TAKE HEED that you do not despise anyone, even the little children. Mat 18:10

TAKE HEED WHAT you hear. Mk 4;24

TAKE HEED HOW you hear. Lk 8:18

TAKE HEED THAT THE LIGHT IN YOU DOES NOT BECOME DARKNESS. Lk 11:35

TAKE HEED, and beware of COVETOUSNESS, for a mans life is not measured by how much you own. Lk 12:15

TAKE HEED TO YOURSELF. If any sin against you rebuke him, if he repents, forgive him. Lk 17:3

TAKE HEED TO YOURSELF AND to ALL that the Holy Spirit have given you responsibility to take care of them and feed them. Act 20:28

TAKE HEED that you don’t become proud that you are now saved and some who were saved before you have backslidden. You also can backslide. Rom 11:19-21 

TAKE HEED HOW YOU SERVE GOD. For your service for God will be tested by fire. 1Cor 3:10-15

TAKE HEED that your freedom does not become a STUMBLINGBLOCK to the weaker believers. 1Cor 8:9

TAKE HEED to yourself and watch how you live and on your teaching. Persevere on these for in doing so, you will ensure salvation to yourself and to those who hear you. 1Tim 4:16

TAKE HEED lest there be in any of you an evil unbelieving heart leading you to fall away from the living God. Heb 3:12

TAKE HEED and beware of twisting scriptures to fit your own interpretation and those who do so lest you be carried away by error of wicked people and fall from your stability. 2Pet 3:16-17

Having seen this, it’s to awake from the sleep, and put on the armor of light and walk as the children of the day. Rom 13:11-13

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ACKNOWLEDGING GOD

To acknowledge God simply means admitting or recognizing or accepting His authority or expressing gratitude to Him. In the time that you have been a believer, you have seen some who you know well, who were active in the Lords work backslide, go back to sin or become lukewarm Christians. This has happened so often and almost no one seems to care about. The weeping for the backsliders has become a thing of the past and the reason is the church has lost her discernment and most believers are lukewarm. And since backsliding can happen to any of us, it is good to know where backsliding all begins.

Looking at Rom 1, we read three times that God gave up some people and the moment that happens, they got deeper into sins. See verse 24,26, 28. Backsliding therefore begins when God gives up on someone. God is patient but has said that His Spirit will not strive with man forever. Gen 6:3. He always gives a time limit for repentance but once this time ends, only judgment remains. Rev 2:21. Going back to Romans 1:21, we see that the very first step of backsliding is failure to acknowledge God as God, and honor and give thanks to Him. This made God give them up to their own hearts lusts to impurity; vs 24.

The second time God gives them up is that they served and worshipped the creature more than the creator who is blessed forever. vs 25. Worshipping the creature more than the creator simply means valuing anything above God, e.g job, family, material possessions… for example if God calls you to do something and one of your loved one does not think is important- it maybe your father or mother or a loved one, and you choose to disobey God and please your loved one, that is worshipping the created thing (loved one) more than the creator (God). Or if by telling a lie you will earn some extra money and God tells you to speak the truth, if you decide to tell the lie and then later ‘repent’ you are serving the creature (money) more than God. Everytime you silence the voice of your conscience, you are worshipping the creature more than God.

The third time God gives them up is the because they did not see it an important thing to acknowledge God. Vs 28. God giving up on people is the reason they start living a life of sin. Reading from vs 24-31, we see people living in impurity, homosexuality, all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, greed, evil, envy, murder, strife, deceit, gossips, slander, haters of God, despiteful, arrogant, proud, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful- THOUGH THEY ARE FULLY AWARE OF GODS RIGHTEOUS DECREE THAT THOSE THAT DO SUCH THINGS DESERVE TO DIE; THEY DO IT AND APPLAUD AND APPROVE THOSE WHO DO THEM.

All this begun with failure to acknowledge God and give thanks to Him. WHO MAKES YOU DIFFERENT FROM SOMEONE ELSE? WHAT DO YOU HAVE THAT WAS NOT GIVEN TO YOU? IF IT WAS GIVEN TO YOU, WHY DO YOU BOAST AS IF IT WAS SOMETHING YOU ACHIEVED YOURSELF? 1Cor 4:7. These are the three questions that we need to ask ourselves constantly to teach us to always acknowledge God. 

If you have something that others don’t have, it was God who gave to you, and thus recognizing this, you will not despise one who do not have what you have. You have good health, and someone is hospitalized, God gave you health. You are always number one in your class and someone else is always last, God gave you your memory. Your business is making profits and another is making losses, God gave it to you. If God takes away the mind He has given you or the health, will you be able to do it? If He took away the opportunities that have made you reach where you are, where would you be? Learn to always acknowledge that it is God who has given you everything you have, and you will never despise or judge others. If you are still standing today and someone else has backslidden, it is God who kept you from falling. 

TRUST IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING. IN ALL YOUR WAYS ACKNOWLEDGE HIM AND HE WILL MAKE YOUR PATHS STRAIGHT. HE WILL DIRECT YOU ON WHICH PATH TO TAKE. Prov 3:5-6

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GOD HAS TO BREAK YOU BEFORE HE CAN USE YOU

 

God has a purpose for each of us which He desires to accomplish in our lifetime. It is unfortunate that in most believers, Gods purpose is not accomplished because they do not respond to Gods dealing with them in their private lives. Just like a person who studies medicine has to go through the school of medicine, attend all the classes, do all the tests and pass before he can be entitled to be a doctor and sent to a hospital to treat patients; in the same manner God has to test us before we are ever usable to him. 

Paul explains that the treasure which contains the glory of God in us is fragile jars of clay. 2 Cor 4:6-7. For the light to be seen which is in a closed vessel, that vessel has to be broken for that light to be seen. The more broken the vessel, the more the light will be seen. He explains how the vessel is broken so as to give light to others. 2Cor 4:8-12, the vessel is broken through affliction and oppression, disappointments and perplexity, persecution, failure, death to self-will- and through all the mentioned above, the life of Jesus is manifested in our flesh, and thus when the above mentioned circumstances happen to the child of God, their life is a blessing to others and gives them life if they respond by humbling themselves and not murmuring and complaining. Read 2Cor 4:6-12 together. We can therefore conclude that God has to break us, the jar of clay, that is our self-will, before He can use us. The more our self-will is broken the more usable we will be in Gods sight.

Looking at the example of Moses, at the age of 40, he already knew that God wanted to use him to deliver the Israelites out of Egypt and he thought he was ready and started killing the Egyptians but God saw that he was not ready. Act 7:20-29. Since he was educated in all the wisdom of Egypt, he thought that’s what God would use but God had to send him in Midian to unlearn all that and learn to depend on God for everything. From a prince of Egypt to being a servant, taking care of sheep, being employed by his father in law must have really humbled him. Can you imagine one who once was a millionaire having to be given a job by his father in law and also living with him? this will humble any man, to live in the house of your wife’s parents and being fed by them. After years God had successfully broken him, he could now use him to deliver the Israelites. He was mighty in speech when he was 40years, but after being broken, he was a stammer-Acts 7:22, Ex 4:10. He was learned in all the wisdom of Egypt @40 could not dare do anything without God telling him. He never relied on the wisdom he learnt, about 16 times between Ex 39-40, the phrase, ‘’as the LORD commanded Moses is repeated’’. Thus we see that God had to break Moses before He could use him to deliver the Israelites.

Joseph at 17 already knew through dreams that God would make him a ruler in the future. Gen 37:5-10 but he was not ready. God had to break him first before he could make him a ruler. He had a coat of many colors which he had and wore it and made him proud and made him think he was better that his other 10 brothers. Gen 37:7, 23. His brothers hated him and got jealous of him and decided to kill him, but since in God’s plan it was not time for him to die, he could not be killed. Gen 37:5,11,20-21. He was sold as a slave in Potiphar’s house and God gave him favor and everything in his hands prospered. Gen 39:2-6. And since he was in danger of thinking that he was the maker of Potiphar, God had to deliver him before such thoughts entered him. The wife desired him and tempted him DAY AFTER DAY- Gen 39:10. He passed the test and was falsely accused of trying to rape her and thus was imprisoned. Gen 39:7-20 And since Potiphar was a captain of the guards in pharaohs government, joseph was imprisoned where the kings prisoners were being imprisoned. Gen 39:1,20. Joseph was not sorry for himself and complaining to God about how faithful to God he had been yet God was allowing Him to go through all that, as many believers do when they go through difficulties, but he rejoiced that God saw all that was happening to him and that GOD WAS STILL IN CONTROL. This is why he noticed that the other prisoners were depressed, Gen 40:6-7. If he himself was sad, he could not have noticed the misery of others or even be concerned about them. 

He was not yet ready, for he still thought he could help God and in get out of prison. Gen 40:14-15. God had to break him for another two years before he could make a ruler in Egypt, Gen 41:1. Now he was ready, God had successfully broken his self-will and this time he realized he deserved nothing and when he interpreted pharaohs dream, he never requested anything for himself unlike when he interpreted the dreams for the other prisoners. Gen40:14-15, 41:33-36. It is thus that fulfilled His purpose, in today’s language, when he could not use the spiritual gifts that God had given him to get something for himself.

Expecting to be in authority only to be sold as a slave, and then falsely accused and imprisoned as a criminal must have broken him and humbled him.

David when he was about 15-17 years, God appointed him King of Israel, but he was not ready until he was 30years. 1Sam 16:1,12, 2Sam 5:4. God had to make him ready to reign by allowing him to be pursed unto death by Saul for 13years. 1Sam 18:8-11, 25, 29, 19:1,10-11, 21:10, 23:8. God tested David by giving Saul into his hands and he passed both tests by not killIng him who was pursuing him unto death. 1sam 24:3-8, 26;6-14. 

For about 13 years running for his life must have really humbled him. With the knowledge that the king is seeking to kill you when he sees you, you will really seek God and be a really be a humble godly person for you know that you can meet God anytime.

Jesus was tested for 30years in every way human beings are tempted before he could begin His public ministry. He was made like us in every way. Heb 2: 17, 4:15. His disciples had to be trained by him for 3 years and Paul also had to be for three years in Arabia to be taught of God. Gal 1:17-18

In the same way today, the circumstances that comes in our lives are to break us and make us humble that God may fulfill his purpose in us. Don’t fight against the circumstances but pray that Gods purpose will be accomplished in us through these circumstance. You need not fear if you are seeking Gods will in everything, He will cause everything to work together for your very best if you love him and want to obey and please Him in everything. Rom 8:28

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WARNING TO THE WHOLEHEARTED DISCIPLES

 

 Christians who are wholehearted tend to be most of the times careless and think that they do not need to warned or corrected since thy are not lukewarm or compromising as most of the other believers around them; but bible show clearly that they also need correction and also being warned. We are going to see this from Paul’s best coworker, Timothy.

Timothy was a person who was best spoken of by others Christians and thus was an example to them, Acts 16:2. Paul went with him in missions, Acts 19:22, Rom 16:21. He also together with Paul wrote scripture, 2Cor 1:1, Phil 1:1, Col 1:1,, 1st and 2nd Thes 1:1. He was the best and could not be compared to any other of Paul’s coworkers- He was genuinely concerned about others. He never sought His own interest, He sought only to please Jesus. Phil 2:19-22.

Looking at the qualities of Timothy, we may think that such a one does not need any warning but he Paul saw it important to warn him. what about you, do you think that you and I need no warning? Are you better that Timothy? Have you written scriptures? If not, you and I need these warning more than Timothy

Don’t waste time in endless discussions and genealogies which leads to speculations which don’t help people live a faith in God. 1Tim 1:4. For example, who was Cain’s wife- if you know, will that help you live a godly life? why are you interested in other people’s wives? Was Paul married or not, did he write Hebrews? How will that knowledge help you live a godly life?

Fight a good fight, keep the faith, keep your conscience clear. 1Tim 1:18-19 Don’t fight with human beings, always keep your eyes on God and His word, even from this height you have reached beloved, you still can backslide, and therefore keep your conscience clear and learn from others who’s faith got destroyed because they did not keep their conscience clear.

You still do not know everything, you still need to be instructed by those above you. 1Tim 3:15.

You are yet to be a good servant until you warn your flock of deception and backsliding that will take place. 1Tim 4:6

Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness. 1Tim 4:7 have regular time to study Gods word, prayer and fasting…

Focus on sharing Gods word to others, encouraging believers and teaching them. 1Tim 4:13. Don’t be distracted from this.

Do not neglect your spiritual gifts. 1Tim 4:14. Use all the gifts that God has given you

Give you attention to Gods word, immerse and get absorbed in it so that everyone will see that you are making progress. 1Tim4:15

Keep a close watch on how you live, always judging yourself rightly, and stay true to what is right for the sake of your salvations and those who listen to you. 1Tim 4:16

Never speak harshly to older people, but appeal to him respectively as your father or mother. Treat younger women WITH PURITY as your own sisters. 1Tim 5:1-2

Do not receive accusation against an elder expect confirmed by two or three witnesses. 1Tim 5:19. Don’t act on hear-say.

Maintain Gods word without bias and DO NOTHING FROM PARTIALITY. 1Tim5:21

Never be in a hurry appointing a church leader. 

KEEP YOURSELF PURE. 1Tim 522. Don’t go in places where you will be defiled or tempted and get rid of all sources of temptations.

Run away from the love of money, for it is the root of all evil. 1Tim 6:10-11

Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. 1Tim 6:11

Guard what God has entrusted you with. 1Tim 6:20, 2Tim 1:14

Be diligent to gain Gods approval. 2Tim 2:15 in everything seek to do only the things that God will approve of

RUN AWAY FROM YOUTHFUL LUSTS and anything that stimulates them. 2Tim 2:22

Be sober in all things and endure hardship 2Tim4:5 

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SUBMISSION TO AUTHORITY

We are living in a generation of believers who are full of bible knowledge, a zeal and a passion to serve God and even go to seek the lost but with the greater majority, they lack spiritual authority. Yes the sick are healed and people get saved, because God still gives His gifts, but He does not back up many who proclaim his word. One reason is that God has not been able to break their strong will and thus are less usable in the hands of God. One way God makes His people usable is through submission to IMPERFECT AUTHOURITY.

Jesus who says to us FOLLOW ME, submitted to Joseph and Mary always. Luke 2:51. We know that Jesus was perfect and never sinned even once, but He submitted to his parents who were imperfect in so many ways and He never despised them though He was being better than them in a million was. In the same way, if God is to commit authority to any of us, we must first learn to submit to authority. Paul says that WE (including Paul) see through the glass dimly, 1Cor 13:12. These means that even the greatest servants of God have areas where they do not see clearly and maybe wrong in some areas, but God still demands submission.

Before God gave Moses authority to lead the children of Israel out Egypt, he had to break him first. Before running away from Egypt, He was taught in all the wisdom of Egypt and was mighty in speech and deeds. It was before running away from Egypt that God had revealed to him that He was to deliver the children of Israel out of bondage. Acts 7:25. But this did not make him ready to fulfill Gods purpose. God had to break him first and strip him of all his pride and self-confidence by causing him to run away from the palace into the wilderness and there He married and lived with His father-in-law and his work was to tend his father-in-law’s sheep forty years. This was enough to break him.

Have you heard or do you know any man who married and lives with his wife’s parents and is also employed by them???

It like a young person who after much time seeking Gods will discovers it and maybe have gone to a bible school and have the studied bible but still is not ready for God has not broken him. he has to submit to authority if He has to have wisdom and if God has to commit spiritual authority to Him.

When the work of breaking was done, Moses who was mighty in speech and deeds and was learnt in all the wisdom of Egypt and was very confident and even killed an Egyptian, Ex 2:11-12, became a stammerer and was helpless to do anything without Gods help. In fact, reading Exod 39-40 we see the phrase ‘’as the Lord commanded Moses’’ occurring 16 times. He could not do anything in His own initiative, he had learnt to wait on God. God has to break us in our strongest areas before He can fully use us.

Joshua was the man who took after Moses and He himself submitted to Moses. He was referred to as Moses servant, Ex 24:13, Num 11:28. Whenever Moses went to hear God, Joshua woul wait patiently. Ex 33:11. Before Moses death, He laid his hands on Joshua and He became the next leader. Num 27:18, Deut 31:14, 34:9

Dathan, Korah, and Abiram rebelled against authority and the earth swallowed them up.

These were among the chosen leaders. Num 16

It’s like young people who rebel against the authority of the church and being wise in their own eyes starts correcting everything and everyone except themselves. Jam 3:13 says ...the meekness of wisdom.. and 1Cor 3:18 says that stop deceiving ourselves; if we think we are wise, we must become fools submitting to authority and accepting to be taught that we may be truly wise.

There are many other examples teaching the same principle. Joseph, Elisha and the Apostles. Let us learn submission to authority.

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BEING A GOOD EXAMPLE

 

We are living in a generation of believers where everyone wants to become a teacher giving guidance to those who are ignorant but unfortunately much of the teaching accomplishes nothing simply because those who teach are not living examples of what they teach. There is a saying that states that ‘’your actions are speaking so loudly that I cannot hear what you are saying’’. The bible in Rom 2:18-24, talks about those who read the bible and discover Gods will but unfortunately they go on to teach others without first of all practicing what they themselves have learnt. ‘’YOU WHO TEACH OTHERS, DO YOU NOT TEACH YOURSELF… THE GENTILES BLASPHEME THE NAME OF GOD BECAUSE OF YOU’’. Before we teach others, we ought to be living examples of what we teach, we should only teach what we have already practiced.

One reason why the apostles had so much authority with God is that they themselves were examples of what they taught. Phil 3:17 says…join in following my example and observe those who live after the pattern we have set for you. 1Cor 4:6, 11:1 states, be imitators of me as I imitate Christ. 2Thes 3:7-You ought to follow our example… 2Thes 3:9 …we gave you an example to follow. Paul could boldly tell the Philippian church, PRACTICE WHAT YOU HAVE…SEEN ME DO. Phil 4:9

We know that Jesus is the light of the world and we are also the light of the world. Mat 5:16. John 9:5.

Jn 1:4 says, HIS LIFE WAS THE LIGHT OF MEN. In the same it is the way that we live that is the light of the world and we are warned, TAKE HEED THAT THE LIGHT IN YOU DOES NOT BECOME DARKNESS. Lk 11:35.

Having seen the necessity for us to be living examples, there are some areas where the bibles insists that we should be examples. Some of the areas mentioned below are stated in the following verses; 1Tim 4;12 and Titus 2:7-8

SPEECH- if we cannot control our tongues, our Christianity is worthless. Jam 1:26. Our speech should be used to encourage and build others up not destroy reputation of others. Eph 4:29

CONDUCT- we should live in a way that cannot be condemned or criticized. Eph 1:4, 2Pet 3:14

LOVE- we are to love even our enemies and bless those who curse us and do good to those who hate us and pray for those take advantage of us and those who persecute us that we may be children of God. Mat 5:44-45

FAITH- we should be strong in faith glorifying God by believing that He is able to fulfill what He has promised and that He is faithful to do it. Rom 4:20-21, Heb 10:23

PURITY- in the way we relate especially to the opposite sex, we need to be examples in purity. There should not be even a hint of sexual immorality. 1Tim 5:2, Eph 5:3(NIV)

GOOD DEEDS- we need to be full of good deeds, 1Pet 2:12, Tit 3:8

PURITY IN DOCRINE-the truth to be taught is that which leads to godliness not facts which may be true. For example, 1+1+1=3 is true but such does not lead anyone to godliness. Tit 1:1

SERIOUSNESS- everyone should see that we mean what we say. There is a comedian who said that the difference between them and preachers is that the comedians act what is fiction as if it was true and that many preachers teach what is true as if it was fiction.

SINCERITY- everyone should be able to say-‘’this person is genuine’’

TRUTH THAT CANNOT BE CRITICIZED because we are examples of what we teach by our lives.

Let us be examples to our generation of what true Christianity entails and God will make us a blessing to many more people

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PURPOSE OF GODS GOODNESS AND MIRACLES IN OUR LIVES

 

There are many situations that we face as we live in this world. Many problems and temptations but God delivers us. The interesting thing is that even when we are out of Gods will, God still performs miracles for us. Jesus said in Mat 5:45 that God causes sun to shine to good and evil and also causes rain to fall to good and evil people. Even today, God blesses materially both the just and wicked in businesses, education, agriculture and in so many areas. Thus we are most likely to get deceived if we think that God blesses us materially when we are pleasing to Him because in all areas, God gives material prosperity both to the righteous and the wicked. If we are blessed materially, it simply means that God is good and nothing more than that. 

The reason God does us good is to lead us to repentance. Rom 2:4. Thus whenever we receive of Gods goodness in our lives, it is a call for us to turn away from everything else and turn to God. We need to repent of everything that is unchristlike in our lives and not take the goodness of our Lord for granted.

…if the mighty works had been done…could have repented long ago. Mat 11:20-21. Here we get the whole purpose of all the miracles that Jesus performed in His lifetime. It was to call people to repentance. He who did miracles then has not changed, even today He does miracles but still with the same purpose, He wants us to repent. Thus let us reorient our thinking- God does not perform miracles in our lives or bless us materially because He is pleased with us but mainly because He wants us to repent and become more Christlike.

Everyday in forty years, God perfomed miracles for the children of Israel. He led them by a pillar of cloud and a fire-Exod 13:21-22. Bitter water was made sweet and drinkable- Exod 15:22-25. Manna and quails from heaven for food-Exod 16:4, 13-18. Water came from a rock- Ex17:2-6, Num 20:2-13. Israelites defeated the Amalekites- Ex 17:9-3. Ground opened and swallowed Korah- Num 16:19-35. The bronze snake healed people. Num 21:4-9.

Looking at all the miracles that God performed the children of Israel, it is very easy to assume that God was really pleased with them. But coming to the new testament, we read that GOD WAS NOT PLEASED WITH MOST OF THEM. 1Cor 10:5, in fact as far as we know only Joshua and Caleb out of the 600, 000 people pleased God. Num 32:11, 26:51. These people for whom God performed miracles for forty years provoked and grieved God. Heb 3:8-10,16-17.

We see therefore that it is possible to be thoroughly displeasing to God and yet God provides our needs, heals us when we are sick, fight our enemies and do for us many things. In fact, we can disobey God and pray for someone and God performs a miracle for the person for we just like Moses disobeyed God when He was told to speak to the rock and smote it; Num 20:2-13. Thus, if we see God performs miracles, healing us, fighting our battles, answering the prayer that we pray for others; it is not necessary that He is pleased with us- it just means that God is good, and He loves us and He loves the people for whom we pray for. And nothing more than that.

Remember always that Gods goodness and miracles He performs in our lives is a call for repentance

You are blessed to be a blessing

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@blessedmambo

SECRET OF FRUITFULNESS 2

 

We had seen in an earlier study that God desires all His children be fruitful and not be barren. We’ll continue looking on the same; how can we continue bearing fruits in every season in our lives until the end.

We have amazing statements here…. THEY NEVER STOP PRODUCING FRUIT, and…HE BEARS FRUIT EVERY SEASON AND WHATEVER HE DOES PROSPERS. Jer 17:8, Psalm 1:3

In the above two statements in hidden the secret of always bearing fruits. Let us consider carefully the context of these two statements that we may grasp the secrets and if we seek to wholeheartedly to follow them, the results will be that we will always be fruitful all that days of our lives. If that’s your desire in this life, let us go on and look at the context of these words.

BLESSED are those who trust in the Lord, and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. He shall be like a tree planted by the waters, and spreads its roots by the river. He will not be bothered by heat or long months of drought. Their leaves are ever green and they never cease yielding fruits. Jer 17:7-8

Trust means absolute confidence in the reliability of something, 

Hope means expectation and desire of a particular thing to happen.

Putting these together we see that those who have absolute confidence in the Lord that He is reliable and that He will fulfill what He has promised and that their expectation is from God alone-only such as these will always be fruitful all their lives.

Blessed is the man who does not WALK in the counsel of the wicked…i.e. follow the advice of evil people

He does not stand in the path of sinners- standing may means undecided on whether to follow sinners or not, but those who already who already have made up their minds to walk the way of righteousness and holiness…

He does not sit with mockers- (those who treat others with contempt, making fun of others and despising their weaknesses)- He does not enjoy the company of such

Instead this person delights in the word of God; He does meditate on it day and night. This is the person who is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields fruit every season, he leaves does not with and whatever He does prospers. Ps 1:1-3

Is the word of God your highest source of Joy or do you enjoy comedies or memes more than Gods word??? 

Another illustration on the same principle is Ezekiel 47:1-9, where Ezekiel had an experience where he passed through waters unto the ankles, then to the knees, then to the loins and then waters to swim. That last part states that…. WHEREVER THE WATER SHALL GO, EVERYTHING THERE WILL LIVE.

This can symbolize the ministry of the Holy Spirit, the more filled we are, the more fruitful we will be and be a blessing to everyone wherever we go.

Thus in conclusion, if we want to be more fruitful continue and be a blessing wherever we go, we need three things consistently.

We must absolute confidence in God

We must delight ourselves in the word of God; i.e, Gods word must be our highest source of joy

We must seek always seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit

Now that you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. Jn 17:13

You are blessed to be a blessing

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@blessedmambo 

SECRET OF BEING FRUITFUL

 

Jesus speaking to His disciples, and we are His disciples, said that we did not choose him but He chose us and ordained us. He explains that the purpose of this choosing and ordination is that we should go and bear fruits, and these fruits should not be temporal, that is for a short season, but they are to last. Jn 15:16

He explains in verses Joh 15:1-5 that He is the vine and we are the branches. We can say He is the mango tree and we are the branches, or you can use any fruit tree in your area that you know of. For the branch to bear the fruits, it must abide in the tree. As long as it remains in the tree, it can bear fruit but the moment it is cut off from the tree, it withers away and dries up. Even if it had borne fruit for thirty years, the moment it is cut off from the tree, it is useless and only fit to be thrown in the fire as firewood. 

It is the same principal in our lives; as long as we abide in Christ, we will bear fruit. We can be Christians for 50 years bearing fruits but the moment we stop abiding in Christ, we become useless to God, even if we have been fruitful for 50 years. We see therefore, that it is foolish to sit back and relax and reflecting on all that God has accomplished through you, but we need to take more earnest heed that we remain abound in Christ that there will be no moment in our lives where we will be useless to God. Our whole lives must be that of perpetual dependence upon God. Our expectation must only be from Him.

It is the branch that bears fruit that is pruned that it may bear much fruit. Pruning is painful, therefore it means that if you are fruitful, God will also allow us also to go through painful experiences in our lives which will cause us to be more fruitful IF WE RESPOND WITH THE RIGHT ATTITUDE.

The branch that does not bear fruit must be cut off; there is therefore no allowance of fruitlessness anytime in our lives.

Peter in 2 Pet 1:5-9, tells us that if we want to be fruitful all the days of our lives, never being barren; we must be diligent, passionate and zealous to add these qualities to our faith. MORAL EXCELLENCE-excellence of character/integrity/virtue, KNOWLEDGE-of God and His word, SELF CONTROL, PATIENCE/ENDURANCE, GODLINESS (fear of God), BROTHERLY AFFECETION, LOVE. This will cause our knowledge of God to increase.

We see that Faith is the foundation but these other qualities are the superstructure; faith alone is not enough and these qualities without faith will crumble and fall. Verse 2-3 says that God has given us EVERYTHING WE NEED TO LIVE AND EVERYTHING WE NEED TO LIVE GODLY LIVES, but it is through knowing God. Pauls great passion and desire was that he might know Christ and the power of His resurrection, no wonder he was fruitful in all His life. Phil 3:10

Jesus in John 17:3 defined eternal life as knowing God and Jesus Christ.

In conclusion, we see that if we are to be fruitful, we must have a personal knowledge of God. And to know God we must wholeheartedly and passionately seek to add the qualities mentioned above to our faith.

You are blessed

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@blessedmambo