Manufacturers have reasons why they produce their goods, one of which is for the products to meet some need or serve some purpose in the lives of the consumers.
At creation, God spoke His mind for the creation of man stating the purpose for his existence.
“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” – Genesis 1:26-28 (KJV)
You are a creation of God. That means you were created to serve or meet some need: to oversee His business, the works of His hand. Jesus said, “occupy till I come.”
For this God gave you four qualities of power:
- Dominion – This is the ability or authority to rule.
- Multiply – This means to procreate and increase in numerically.
- Replenish – This is the ability to restore or refill what has been emptied or taken away.
- Subdue – This is to use force to bring something(s) under.
Of all the four, only one talks of opposition or resistance – “subdue”, not even in “dominion” do we have contention. There was no contention or opposition from the birds of the air, the animals in the field or the fish in the water before the fall of Adam because God set or made it so; and His word, which upholds all things, cannot be broken, even today.
However to “subdue” suggests opposition. You subdue a thing that refuses to surrender. So winning comes after there has been a contention or resistance. Resistance from where? Darkness!
“And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” – Genesis 1:2 (KJV)
The powers of darkness and their weapons: death, fear, anger, sickness, lust, pride, poverty, failure, etc., are things that are constantly opposing the children of God. God knew about the “darkness”, so He put this quality of power in Man.
“Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places.” – Ephesians 1:20 (KJV)
This is the power to fight, to conquer and bring under control, so that dominion will continue in God’s behalf. That is why He said to Jeremiah that “before I formed you in the womb, I knew you and ordained you a prophet …” (Jeremiah 1:5), and why? “They will fight you.” (Vs: 18)
The king and prince of lack will fight you!
The king and prince of poverty will fight you!
The king and prince of anger will fight you!
The king and prince of lust will fight you!
The king and prince of pride will fight you!
The king and prince of sickness will fight you!
The king and prince of failure will fight you!
All these kings, their princes and more, will fight you but shall not succeed! You are more than a conqueror! You are a winner; for none of their weapons formed against you shall prosper! There is power in you to condemn their tongue. There is power in you to nullify their words of evil! You are created to win and quench every opposition!
“I have set thee for a tower and a fortress among my people, that thou mayest know and try their way.” – Jeremiah 6:27 (KJV)
God said, He – not man – has set – authoritatively fixed you for a tower – large and domineering – and fortress – a fortified and impenetrable being; created to try – judge and pass verdict on these agents of evil and their weapons!!!
You are God’s weapon of war! He has made you a sharp threshing instrument, and as a warrior would wield his weapon, God wields you against the enemy and his weapons! You are created to win!
“No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.” – Isaiah 54:17 (KJV)
This is the heritage – a law, right or title you inherited from God. What is this heritage? The winning, all-conquering power!
But there are conditions!
- You have to be an original! Before the fall of Adam, he had a nature that was original. It was this nature that was given the power to subdue. It is the nature of being in the image and likeness of God.
- You have to remain in God’s will and desire. Be chaste! Run from sin and not eat the forbidden fruit! Strive to live in obedience!
- Overcome the fear that is holding you back! Adam did not know fear before his fall.
- Start the fight! By courageously affirming your faith and standing on the word of God, you attract the enemy to yourself, giving God an opportunity to glorify His Name! The three Hebrew trio of Shedrack, Meshach, and Abednego refused to compromise and were noted. Samson moved against the Philistines; this was of God, Who sought an occasion against them. Daniel refused to compromise and attracted the forces of evil to himself. In all God was glorified! Refuse to compromise, let the enemy take note of you, and let God be glorified!
- Seek knowledge! Adam did not really know the Truth; if he did he would not have doubted and fallen to the enemy. You have his history, in the Bible. Learn from his mistakes and study the life of the last Adam, Who against all odds stood with God and won.
You are created a winner; an ENVOY OF POWER!
I remember watching a fight, or should I say, an entertainment where ten wrestlers were in the ring slugging it out for the belt and prize-money. After a gradual elimination, two of the wrestlers were left. Now, it was no more elimination but an outright win; either by pin-fall or submission, a winner must emerge!
They fought till they had no more strength to fight, having put in their best, endured the brutality and countering the move of the other to the admiration of the crowd.
Wanting to be creative, one gave a head-butt to the other; something he had never done before. Both men went down as the referee counted.
Something inside the opponent who was given the head-butt refused to stay down on the canvass. He was hearing a voice in his head asking him to stand! But his head pounded painfully and his body felt too heavy for him to lift! Yet, the voice kept urging him to stand!
Faintly, as if from a distance, he started hearing the referee. Gradually he realized where he was and still weak to stand, his eyes blinked open. The arena was dancing around, it seemed, as he turned sideways to see his opponent, also on the floor of the ring.
He felt like staying on the floor like his opponent, but remembering the belt and the prize-money, a surge of adrenaline flowed through him and a new wave of strength came.
His body complained in pain, asking him to remain down. No, he must not hearken to that voice! The prize money, the belt! Straining, he staggered to his feet just as the referee stopped counting. He won the fight.
Ideally, one would say he won the fight in the ring. No! He won the fight in the field of preparation. Prepare in the closet, the Father would reward you in the open.
In the ring, they were equally matched. The other was even more creative, employing a head-butt that he had never done before, daring to knock himself into a coma; both were prepared to win.
However, the difference was in the type of preparation each had. They both prepared body and mind. The creative man prepared more on the body and strength, while the last man standing prepared more on the mind!
“So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the LORD his God.” – 2 Chronicles 27:6 (KJV)
Ordinarily, we would say Jotham became great because he prepared himself. But no! He did not become great just because he prepared himself. How did he prepare himself? With what did he prepare himself and in what kind of preparation did he have?
Did Jotham become great because he prepared himself in the kitchen? Was it as a driver? Or was it as a gossip? No!
There was a type or kind of preparation he had: “before the Lord his God.”
This was a preparation of the mind and heart, which reflects through the body.
“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” – 3 John 1:2 (KJV)
Not everyone that prepares become great. Not everyone that goes to school become great in life. Some did not go to school, yet they attained greatness; they stand because they prepared their mind, they worked on their mind!
True greatness is the product of a prepared heart and mind.
You are a product of your mind!
“For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.” – Proverbs 23:7 (KJV)
If you think failure, you fail! If you think success, you succeed.
What you programme in your mind is what it will give back to you. Just as a negative destructive thought can destroy the individual, a positive thought can build him.
Encourage and entertain only good and positive thought.
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” – Philippians 4:8 (KJV)
Eliminate; uproot from your mind every negative thought as they can only lead to failure and frustration.
“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.” – 2 Corinthians 10:4 (KJV)
The last man standing is not necessarily the strongest, but one that heard a voice in his spirit urging him to stand. Faith hears the voice of the Spirit, for faith comes by hearing.
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” – Romans 10:17 (KJV)
The last man standing is one whose mind hears the word of God for it takes a hearing to stand. What you hear in the darkest moment of your life will determine whether you will stand or not. Elijah stood in the harsh, hostile apostate Israel because he heard the word of God. What are you hearing?
5 THINGS YOU NEED TO HEAR BEFORE STANDING.
(1) Hear that you possess the ability to achieve your set objective in life. Why? God said so!
“And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.” – Genesis 11:6 (KJV)
(2) Hear that the thought you hold in your mind will attract its kind, and reproduce its kind. Like the soil, the mind will multiply to you what you sow.
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” – Galatians 6:7 (KJV)
(3) Hear that the dominating thought in your mind will manifest physically.
“Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known.” – Matthew 10:26 (KJV)
(4) Hear that you must not stop striving for excellence, even after you have achieved.
“And Elisha said unto him, Take bow and arrows. And he took unto him bow and arrows. And he said to the king of Israel, Put thine hand upon the bow. And he put his hand upon it: and Elisha put his hands upon the king’s hands. And he said, Open the window eastward. And he opened it. Then Elisha said, Shoot. And he shot. And he said, The arrow of the LORD’S deliverance, and the arrow of deliverance from Syria: for thou shalt smite the Syrians in Aphek, till thou have consumed them. And he said, Take the arrows. And he took them. And he said unto the king of Israel, Smite upon the ground. And he smote thrice, and stayed. And the man of God was wroth with him, and said, Thou shouldest have smitten five or six times; then hadst thou smitten Syria till thou hadst consumed it: whereas now thou shalt smite Syria but thrice.” – 2 Kings 13:15-19 (KJV)
(5) Hear that your success or achievement remains good when you remain connected and standing on the truth of the word of God. The devil is out to destroy, but the Word upholds and saves when trials come.
“Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” – James 1:21 (KJV)
Who is a rich man?
“And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me. And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you? And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” – Luke 12:13-21 (KJV)
A man came to Jesus asking Him to intervene in a wealth-sharing dispute between him and his brother who did not want to share their father’s wealth with him. Jesus answered, telling him He wasn’t made a judge over them. His answer has a two-way application. He wasn’t a judge officially over such matters, but indirectly, He told him that the material life was not the reason or purpose of His coming.
This inspired the teaching against covetousness and the parable of the “rich Fool”, a man society called “rich”; Jesus also acknowledged he was rich, and that means he was rich! Yet, heaven called him a fool. Why?
1) He thought the security of life depended on the earthly acquisition: an abundance of wealth, education, connection, location, etc. Sadly, many hold this view today, even in Church, that the more wealth a man has, the more secure he is. This lie looks so golden, whereas it is deception in its highest form, and the creator of the end time god – mammon.
Jesus warned against the deceitfulness of riches and taught that a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of things he possesses.
2) He believed the things he got were results of his labour and hard work. Again, this is another sad thing in Christendom. There is a general belief that the harder a person works, the richer he would be. Over the years, the “prosperity message” has hoodwinked many a believer into a frenzy of going to work very early in the morning and coming back late at night “only to eat the bread of sorrow”, forgetting that “the race is not to the swift …”
3) He made plans as though he had power over his life. We often times forget that our lives belong to God and are in His hand, and He can make a demand of the life at any time. Job reminds us that no man has the power to retain the spirit (life) in him. When God calls, we respond. But hear this “rich man” speak as though he had power over tomorrow and can resist the call of God. People think some are being “over righteous” when they add “by the grace of God” to their statement.
4) He built his life on and around things that have no eternal value. Everything changes: nothing in this world is stable or durable. Building one’s hope on a shifting thing is like building without a foundation! How secure are those things after the death of the man? Who will inherit those things?
The frenzy with which man run after these things that the Bible clearly and unequivocally teaches to be “deceitful” is so alarming that it has become a standard of judging who is, and who is not a true believer, forgetting that love of things in the world is enmity with God.
Jesus said anyone who thinks and plans like this way, is regarded by heaven as a fool. (Luke 12:21) Why?
God’s ways differ from ours! The way we see things is not the way heaven see things! (Isaiah 55) What Man calls treasure, heaven calls nonsense! We do not value the things God values!
Clogged heart of Man
Solomon realized this and said on his return to God, “all is vanity” (Ecc. 1:2). Vanity means the quality of being without value; futile, useless, nonsense! That is where Man’s heart is, and God is clearly disappointed in this.
“O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after leasing? Selah.” – Psalm 4:2 (KJV)
Man’s heart is clogged up with the “weeds” of this world – the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. All these dull the heart, choke the word of God and makes one unfruitful in godliness.
What are we expected to do?
This is a heart situation, because where the treasure of a man is there will his heart be also, and since man cannot fix himself, only God, Who can farm or cultivate the heart can. But He will not; until we willingly come to Him.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” – Romans 12:1-2 (KJV)
We need to come to Him; to present ourselves to Him to weed off “the cares of this world” from our hearts. For this, He calls us, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28 (KJV)
“Come”, He says. Many have not “come”, though they have come to church. However, this is not a Church issue! Many are in church but have not “come” to the Lord. Nevertheless, He knows those that are His. Neither is it a ministry issue. It is not what work you do for Him because on that day He will say to some, “depart from me ye that work iniquity, I know you not”. It’s like saying, “I don’t know you, I don’t remember seeing you; you never came to me!”
The proof of your coming to Him is in how much value you place on what He values! Jesus asked Peter in John 21, if he loved Him more than the fish, representing all we wake early to pursue and come in late to acquire.
What does God place value on? His Word!
“I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy loving kindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.” – Psalm 138:2 (KJV)
How much of His word do we treasure? How have we been handling His word, because this is what shall be used to clean us!
“Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” – John 15:3 (KJV) Emphasis mine.
It is the Holy Spirit that empowers us to live in agreement with the Father, loving what He loves and hating what He hates; and He will not live or dwell in a dirty, polluted heart. Using the instrument of the Word, the disciples were cleaned and made ready to be indwelt by the Holy Spirit. Without the Word spoken to them, they would not have been able to receive the Holy Spirit!
Again, the Bible repeats it.
“That he might sanctify and cleanse it (the Church) with the washing of water by the word.” – Ephesians 5:26 (KJV) Emphasis mine.
In 2 Kings 5, we see the Syrian captain Naaman, instructed by the prophet Elisha to go dip himself seven times in the Jordan River for him to be clean. The number seven, here, represents the mind of God; completeness, nothing to be added or subtracted. The water represents the Word of God. Like Naaman, we should dip ourselves in it to be made whole and clean.
But again, in the Church of today, how much of the Word do we value?
……continued from “how much are you worth?” 1
He is committed to and moved, only by His word retained by the individual in Christ Jesus. It is His word that makes you precious! His word is His treasure!
“I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.” – Psalms 138:2 (KJV)
The word “magnify” means to make important, to raise in rank and power: to give worth. God exalted or magnified His word! He gave more worth to his word more than al his names.
“But I had pity for mine holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen, whither they went. Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name’s sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.” – Ezek 36:21-23 (KJV)
But He treasures His word more than all His names. He desires His name to be hallowed yet would not permit His word to be trifled. Importance and value are so placed on His word that it is the only thing that binds Him! If you were to go to the market and there see something without value, would you buy it? Certainly not? Surely, you will leave it alone. When God goes to the spiritual market and finds you there, empty of this value, His word, He would most certainly leave you!
“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient.” – Romans 1:28 (KJV)
I remember reading the story of an old worn out violin that was put up to be auctioned. No real value was placed on it until a master violinist touched it; he tuned the strings and with it played a well known classical song. Instantly value was placed on it and the worth appreciated. What happened? A master touched it. It was the touch of the master that supplied the violin its worth. It was the touch of the master that supplied the violin its worth.
Many lives are out of tune today, battered because they have refused to treasure what God treasures, His Word. God expects us to “keep in memory” the word that His servants preach.
“By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.” – 1 Cor 15:2 (KJV)
Paul encouraged Timothy to “keep” that which was committed to his trust.
“O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called.” – 1 Tim 6:20 (KJV)
These are not just words for us to read and know but to “retain”, “keep”, “treasure”, etc. The problem is twofold.
Firstly, most of our preachers give us the letter, which kills!
“Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.” – 2 Cor 3:6 (KJV)
They explain psychology to us in place of the word of God. Things that we can ordinarily learn at business schools, they pass to us as the word of God. Worldly issues are explained to us in Church with the Word as a reference! Just like home-videos designated “gospel films” just because they have “to God be the glory” at the end of it; whereas the actors, writers and producers are not born-again! The absence of the Truth; the mind or will of God in messages is responsible for the compromise and falling away of Christians and the seeming powerlessness of the Church.
The Children of God do not experience the peace of God because of this ignorance.
They may look the same, but are not!
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” – Hosea 4:6 (KJV)
Christians are easily intimidated and in bondage because they lack the Truth that should make them free.
Secondly, the effect of those messages on Christians is the increase in selfishness. We have become too full of ourselves, we worship ourselves, even when we are supposed to be in Church, we hold on to and think more of ourselves: our situations financially, our clothing, our trials, testimonies and achievement; refusing to deny self.
We really need to learn from the violin, a lifeless instrument, dead to itself. We should humble ourselves, put our education, achievement, and earthly wisdom, social and political status aside and in seeming foolishness, receive the simplicity of the Word of God.
David became a nobody, casting his crown and robe aside, to dance to God. Solomon called his acquisitions “vanities”, Paul called his achievement “dung”. Why?
They realized the foolishness of man’s ways and the deceitfulness of worldly riches. They came to know that only the will of God, revealed in His word is the enduring treasure. Jesus surrendered Himself, making Himself of no reputation.
….to be continued.
Generally, God loves us all; and this is recorded in John 3:16. God is not partial and does not take sides. He is not committed to people, race, colour or language. He cannot be bribed or bought over either with our tears, words, thought or deed. However, He is committed to Jesus.
“For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.” – Isaiah 66:2 (KJV)
God has a special love for Jesus so much so that He declared.
“ ……Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.” – Luke 3:22 (KJV)
This special love God has for Jesus is extended to everyone in Christ that truly trust and keep His words. This special love is in varying degrees, even for people in Christ. Jesus was anointed with the presence of God beyond measure, meaning that God without reserve, poured Himself into Jesus.
“For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell.” – Col 1:19 (KJV)
“For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.” – Col 2:9 (KJV)
The preciousness of a child of God depends largely on the individual’s availability to draw nearer to God: the nearer you draw to Him, and away from the world, the nearer He draws to you. The more of yourself you yield to Him, the more of Him He gives to you. The measure with which you give is the measure with which you receive.
“Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.” – Luke 6:38 (KJV)
James says “Draw nigh to God and He will nigh to you” – James 4:8a (KJV)
How much are you worth to God? How much would God pay as ransom for your life? It is religious for anyone who has not given himself to God through Jesus to demand in prayer, nations for their sake. Would God kill one person for your sake, knowing full well that He does not desire the death of sinners? Are you so precious to him that he would kill many people or even a nation for your sake? There must be something of worth in you before God would kill souls for your sake. The bible says we have treasure. 2 cor. 4:7
“But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” – 2 Cor 4:7 (KJV)
It is a complete waste of time and energy to demand lives, souls in exchange for yours if you are empty of this treasure which belongs to God and comes from God. Retaining and treasuring this treasure is what makes you treasured. It is something that came from him and not something you have done can do or will do.
“…..that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.” – 2 Cor 4:7 (KJV)
Not of us!
“And all things are of God……..” – 2 Cor 5:18a (KJV)
This treasure comes from and belongs to God! It is not our works, as Christians, preachers, teachers, intercessors or staff of Church. Nothing on earth, under the sun, moves God; be it your money (offering), your education, social status or political clout. Nothing of earth origin or native to earth moves God.
He is committed to and moved, only by His word retained by the individual in Christ Jesus. It is His word that makes you precious! His word is His treasure!
“I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.” – Psalms 138:2 (KJV)
….to be continued.
In God’s plan or purpose, He gave each person a different ability or gift. We are not all the same and can never be the same. God knows what He created us to do as instruments in His hands. Like manufacturers of goods who produce to meet purpose or reason, God created you for His pleasure, not yours!
“Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure, they are and were created.” – Rev 4:11 (KJV)
The reason or purpose God created you is for you to give Him glory by doing His Will, not yours! To present yourself for His use!
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” – Romans 12:1 (KJV)
Presenting your body to Him is your reasonable (REASON ABLE) service! This is the first thing; every other thing takes root from this!
You are an offering; to be willingly given!
IF willingly given to God’s will, you become His Ambassador, a “god” that nothing can overcome!
The forces of darkness will try, but you will, like your Father – God, laugh them to scorn adding: “YOU CAN’T!
BISAC: Religion / Christian Life / Personal Growth
Have you ever relied on, hoped on a provision you had stored at home, and when the need for it came you could not reach it because it had been used by some other for something less important? That was what happened to God!
“And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me. And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron. And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the LORD. And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play. And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.” – Ex 32:1-8 (KJV)
Why did God ask them to borrow jewelry from the Egyptians? Couldn’t He have brought them out without it? Was it to beautify them? No!
(1) Egypt attained its power and wealth because of God’s presence.
“And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither. 2 And the LORD was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. 3 And his master saw that the LORD was with him, and that the LORD made all that he did to prosper in his hand.” – Gen 39:1-3 (KJV)
The prosperity of Egypt happened because of God’s presence in the life of His children, the chosen ones. So ultimately, they belonged to God.
“The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” – Psalms 24:1 (KJV)
“And they burnt the city with fire, and all that was therein: only the silver, and the gold, and the vessels of brass and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the LORD.” – Josh 6:24 (KJV)
“The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.” – Hag 2:8 (KJV)
(2) God had a plan for His money. People build houses and buy things with their money. God intended the wealth for His house.
“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering. And this is the offering which ye shall take of them; gold, and silver, and brass, And blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats’ hair, And rams’ skins dyed red, and badgers’ skins, and shittim wood, Oil for the light, spices for anointing oil, and for sweet incense, Onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod, and in the breastplate. And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.” – Ex 25:1-9 (KJV)
What God has given to you is not really for you, but for His work! You are only His instrument of “getting” and “investing” those things!
“The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.” – Hag 2:8 (KJV)
“The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” – Psalms 24:1 (KJV)
Even the children we call ours belong to God; we are only care-givers or should we say “overseers”, to direct or invest them in the ways of God!
A divided heart
(3) This is where the corruption lies! We have not taken the pain to know why God gave these things to us. Why did He give us the children? Why did He give us the job or business? Why did He give us the car, the house, etc. What He purposed for Himself, we have held on to; and like the children of Israel, we worship those things: our children, our wealth and other blessings! Everything belong to God!
The instrument of this corruption is the blessing God blessed you with. All that you have today; money, children, land, cars, businesses, jobs, everything, are given to you by the Lord! Not for you but for His Kingdom and glory!
Today many claim to serve God but are carried away by wealth; the wealth they have and those they don’t have!
“No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” – Matt 6:24 (KJV)
MAMMON! This is the end-time god! They worshiped him in the desert and died; and now in the new dispensation, the New Covenant Church has been corrupted and many are dying spiritually!
On their own, these things are good. But they become corrupt anytime they enter into the heart! God should dwell here! Any other thing that enters there becomes corrupt! Why?
It takes up part of the heart and God will not have part! He deserves and demands all or nothing! A divided heart is a corrupt heart! You cannot serve God and mammon! This is the reason some Christians and their worship are accepted by God: a divided heart!
“Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness…… “ – Ezek 28:17 (KJV)
This was what He said of Lucifer. God is no respecter of persons. His standard is His standard; it remains the same and does not change.
“And the LORD said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people, which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves: They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.” – Ex 32:7-8 (KJV)
Our hearts should constantly be examined and whatsoever exalts itself above God in our heart should be cast down.
“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” – 2 Cor 10:5 (KJV)
This is done when we refuse to hold anything in our hearts that may turn our hearts from God. We should not treasure anything above God. “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” – Ex 20:3 (KJV). This first commandment is still potent today!
Jesus would say
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” – Matt 6:19-21 (KJV)
In other words brethren BE ANXIOUS FOR NOTHING!
“According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.” – Ex 25:9 (KJV)
Car gears differ; Mercedes, Volkswagen, Volvo, Toyota etc. Every manufacturer knows his product. We destroy the cars when we want them to function like another.
We destroy our businesses, marriages, health, and finance, when we try to run them like other people’s own.
Moses was told to build according to plan. God has a plan for you, your home, and your job. Stop comparing yourself!
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” – Jer 29:11 (KJV)
“For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. “ – Jer 29:11 (NASB)
His plan for you existed before you were born.
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.” – Jer 1:5 (NASB)
“Before I formed you …… I have appointed you!” This is awesome!!! You were chosen, appointed, consecrated, and empowered even before you were born! Make requisitions (prayers) and build, according to God’s plan.
“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship. And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee; The tabernacle of the congregation, and the ark of the testimony, and the mercy seat that is thereupon, and all the furniture of the tabernacle, And the table and his furniture, and the pure candlestick with all his furniture, and the altar of incense, And the altar of burnt offering with all his furniture, and the laver and his foot, And the cloths of service, and the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest’s office, And the anointing oil, and sweet incense for the holy place: according to all that I have commanded thee shall they do. “ – Ex 31:1-11 (KJV)
Imagine Aholibah, a fine artist and fashion designer going to the store room in the spirit realm to ask for a billow and an anvil!
The store keeper will refuse him those things because they are to be given to Bezaleel. No matter his good intention and fervency. He would be asked to build according to plan!
Be unique! Build your home, your job, your life according to His plan!
Jesus rode on a donkey into Jerusalem to fulfill “need”.
“And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.” – Matt 21:3 (KJV)
What “need”?
The plan of God for Jesus as recorded by Isaiah.
“All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.” – Matt 21:4-5 (KJV)
This was God’s plan for Jesus even before He was born! Follow God’s plan for your life!
The things God has need of for you and all you represent, have been sent to the spiritual store bearing your name!
Every plan of God has its provision and timing. Certain things you asked in prayer are not denied but await their timing. When the need meets God’s time, it becomes manifest! Until it becomes a need for God in your life, it will not be supplied!
“He hath made every thing beautiful in his time.” – Eccl 3:11 (KJV)
It has to be a need to Him, not to you! Don’t forget He is the one working in you to do His plan!
“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” – Phil 2:13 (KJV)
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” – Phil 4:19 (KJV)
Whatever the request, it has to be a need in your life to fulfill God’s plan for you in Christ Jesus!
How do you know what He needs?
(1) Stop using head knowledge!
“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” – 1 Cor 2:9 (KJV)
The natural man cannot know the mind or plan of God and consequently cannot know what to pray for!
“Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought.” – Romans 8:26a (KJV)
(2) You need the Spirit.
“But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.” – 1 Cor 2:10-12 (KJV)
His plan is already written in your heart but you cannot know it until the Holy Spirit opens your eye of the spirit!
“…….. also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end.” – Eccl 3:11 (KJV)
Only the Holy Spirit can tell us the mind of God.
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” – John 16:13-14 (KJV)
Build a strong relationship with Him. Talk to Him; He has emotions and, He feels!
In Economics we are told that human wants are many but with scarce means of meeting them. People have resorted to different kind of ways to meeting those wants.
Made in God’s image and likeness, we carry His nature,
“Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” – 2 Peter 1:4 (KJV)
That means His ability works in us.
“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” – Phil 2:13 (KJV)
So, just as He calls those things that be not, we should equally call those things “that be not” instead of resorting to evil means; robbery, lies, prostitution, ritual killing and every other evil ways in the bid to acquire or meet our need. His power is at work in us. Lets believe and there would be a performance!
“For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.” – Mark 11:23-24 (KJV)
God has created all things. Nothing is new or lacking. The things we do not see, exist in the spirit realm.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ.” – Eph 1:3 (KJV)
While we dwell in the natural realm, these needs are in the spiritual (heavenly) realm or place; that’s why we can’t see them! Like our Father would do, we should call those things from the spiritual realm where they are not visible, to our natural realm where they become visible and could be seen and touched. Jesus did what He saw the Father do. We should follow in His footsteps. This is Faith!
We talk and teach Faith. Yes, without Faith we cannot receive from the Father.
“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” – Heb 11:6 (KJV)
However for Faith to be effective, we need the Word!
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” – Romans 10:17 (KJV)
Furthermore, our “calling”, “asking” or “praying” must align with or agree with the plan or will of God.
“Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.” – Job 22:21 (KJV)
As a carpenter, why ask God for a stethoscope? You certainly do not need it! It is not in God’s plan for you! No matter how hard you bombard the store room of heaven, you will find no stethoscope in your name! James will tell you you asked amiss!
“Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.” – James 4:3 (KJV)
Let us know that God planned our path on earth even before we were born. Let’s quest to know His will for us as individuals, as families, as communities; Church or secular, not comparing ourselves and His peace that passes all understanding will be ours. In Jesus Name. Amen.
“If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?” (Psalm 11:3).
FOUNDATION NO 4
We continue our relaying of the foundations.
Now at the fourth, which is about RIGHTEOUSNESS!
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” – Matt 5:6 (KJV)
Righteousness means right standing with God; a clear conscience devoid of offense. A conscience that thrives on uprightness; that seeks to do “the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” – Romans 12:2 (KJV)
This Foundation does not take sides with anyone or anything that is not standing right! Whoever and however close the person may be: spouse, child or relative; this Foundation would not pervert justice or twist judgment. It is not found “walking with the ungodly”.
“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” – Psalms 1:1 (KJV)
Everything good inspires him: honesty uprightness, etc. He derives joy, and is filled with standing right even unto death.
Paul, in Galatians 5:22 calls this GOODNESS!
Let us desire to do good all the time.
FOUNDATION NO 5
This Foundation is the virtue of FORBEARANCE. It is the ability to hold back from inflicting punishment upon an adversary.
It is the attitude of ready forgiveness. Unforgiveness, resentment and bitterness corrode the soul. They are like acid to the soul.
This virtue in the Christian makes him or her ready to forgive, even in advance, without waiting for repentance from the other. He or she remembers that God has forgiven and is ever ready to forgive. The individual in whom this Foundation is well developed could go helping the offender in prayers and in every other ways.
In Galatians 5:22, Paul called it TEMPERANCE, which is self-control.
jimout2002a's Blog 