Proverbs 18:16 (RSV) A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before great men. No one is born without a gift to bless humanity. Alot of gifts are locked up in us that require being discovered and stirred up. Many are using their own wrongly- to achieve self goals, to kill and destroy, to cheat others, to oppress, to enhance satanic works and so on. It is very pathetic that few are using theirs rightly. Whether spiritual or natural gift, no one is devoid of either. Have you any gift or special ability or talent? How have you been using it?
JOSEPH, the dreamer, God gave him special ability to interpret dreams. He interpreted the dreams of the Chief Baker and the Chief Butler (Pharaoh officers) in the prison. Little did he know that, that singular act would speak volumes for him in the palace one day. After two good years, King Pharaoh dreamt and no one was able to interpret the dream. At the end Joseph was remembered and so he was sent for. He made use of his God-given gift to interpret the dream. He became the Prime Minister of the land and several lives were saved from the famine that ravaged the land shortly after. Before then; he had opportunity to compromise his faith, but he refused to short cut his destiny and mortgage his life. He refused to bow to the desire of the flesh in the house of potiphar. Though he suffered for it, at the end holiness triumphed.
ESTHER; it was beauty that God gave her. She did not allow the death of her parents to stop her from being what God had called her to be. Through Mordecai's help and godly counsel,shewas brought up in the fear of the Lord. How did she use her beauty? She neither hawked her beauty nor give her body for material gain. though very beautiful, she was cultured. Hers was beauty with the fear of God. By the King's commandment, she took part in the selection of the new queen. One year of beauty enhancement therapy was given to all the selected queens-to-be. She surpassed them in beauty and godly character. She followed the instructions of Mordecai and Hegai to the letter. She was preferred.
Many of us today are rejected because we refuse to obey our parents, teachers, elders, Pastors, the word of God and the Holy Spirit. We refer to them as 'old school.' We snub the Holy Spirit, and reject His instructions. We don't care about what we wear-anything goes. We dressed to seduce and kill. We exposed those parts that should be covered. We resemble Jezebel in outlook though professed to be Christians.
BEZALEEL and AHOLIAB
Ex 31:2-6 (KJV) See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah:3. And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, 4.To devise cunning works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, 5.And in cutting of stones, to set them, and in carving of timber, to work in all manner of workmanship.6. 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;
They were given wisdom to assist Moses in the work of the tabernacle in the wilderness. God has given you also something unique to assist others and fulfilling a particular purpose. Have you discovered yours?
NEHEMIAH also had a unique gift that put him in a vantage position as the king's cup bearer. He knew how to mix wine to satisfy the king's taste. As the king's cup bearer, he had direct access to the king which at the end helped him concerning the rebuilding of the broken wall of Jerusalem. Nehemiah 2:1-8.
AHITHOPHEL, David counselor, was one of the king's right hand men and a close confidant. The Bible reffered to the counsel given by him as coming from the oracle of God. And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom, 2 Samuel 16:23 (KJV). He joined himself to a rebel. His counsel was turned into foolishness and he later died of frustration. 2Sa 17:23 (KJV) And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled [his] ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father. Who are you using your gift to aid? Whoever you pitch your tent with, with respect to the use of your gift will either make or mar you. 1Co 15:33 (KJV) Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.
MOSES and AARON Exodus 4:10,14-16.
The ability given to Moses was different from that of Aaron. The gifts were meant to complement each other.
You have something from the Lord which you need to discover. Gold is not found on the surface; the miner digs deep for it. Afterward, he polishes the gold with fire. You need to 'search' or ask for your gift, dig deep for it and polish it and put it to use.
YOUR GIFT IS GIVEN YOU TO BLESS YOUR GENERATION. USE IT WISELY!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT (PART 3)
Half Obedience is Gross Disobedience
"It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night." 1Samuel 15:11(kjv)
1Sa 15:11 (BBE) It is no longer my pleasure for Saul to be king; for he is turned back from going in my ways, and has not done my orders. And Samuel was very sad, crying to the Lord in prayer all night.
1Sa 15:18 (KJV) And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed.
The instruction given to Saul was to utterly destroy the Amalekites. He kept Agag, the king, and the best among the cattle, sheep and goats. His aim was to sacrifice them to the Lord. 1Sa 15:21 (KJV) But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.
Thus, he endeavoured to excuse the people. They did not take the spoil in order to enrich themselves by iy, but to sacrifice unto the Lord; and did not this justify their conduct? This action grieved God and caused anguish of heart to samuel. "Then came the word of the Lord unto Samuel...... and the Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning......" 1Samuel 15:10,12 (jkv). God could not wait for the following morning before baring His mind unto Samuel. Repentance in God is not a change of mind, as it is in us; but a change of method. The Lord's messengers must point out and condemn the sins of rulers as well as of people; and let nothing hinder them from declaring with plainness and fidelity the whole revealed will of God.
Saul rolled out a barrage of excuses when he was confronted with his sins. He honoured God with his mouth, but his heart was far from Him.
THE VERDICT
And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice. 1Samuel 15:22-24(kjv)
Who do you fear? Whose voice will you obey? "And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." Acts 4:18-20(kjv). The Apostles were not intimidated by the threat from the church leaders but further they preached Jesus. David was encouraged by his men to kill Saul on two different occasions but he declined. 1Samuel 24:4-7; 26:8-11. Don't be encouraged to do evil. The people Saul was leading encouraged him to do evil. His action grieved God and Samuel. What have you been doing or have done that is causing grief, heartache, pain,etc? What has made God to regret creating you as a human being? or giving you a child, wealth or placing you in a position of authority? Many had caused the whole world great pain- Hitler, suicide bombers, etc Is God not saying, it repenteth me that I put you in that position or gave you such thing as you have now? How have you been using them? To glorify God or self. To please God or man. After all they were the ones who put you there. Your kingdom is at stake!
Then he said, "I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God." 1Sam. 15:30(kjv). Where there is sin, where is honour? Righteousness exalts a nation, sin ai a reproach to many people. This was not a true repentance, but deceit out of fear for the loss of his kingdom. I will not return with thee, Samuel said in verse twenty six. In essence Samuel was saying that he would not acknoledge Saul as king, since the Lord had rejected him. In sin, Saul was still seeking for personal honour. He insisted that Samuel must honour him even in the presence of the elders. He acknowledged his sin but refused to repent of them. He lacked courage, the boldness to confess and repent.
"Yes, I have sinned, what else? What is the big deal about it? Other people are also doing the same thing. Why am I special? Why are you making a mountain out of a mole hill? Anyway, I deserve to be honoured in the presence of the elders." No contrite heart, and no broken spirit. 'He that is often rebuked and hardens his heart, shall perish suddenly without remedy' You will be held accountable for whatever you do. And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. MyNotes
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. Revelation 20:11-12 (kjv).The punishment king Saul got wasn't for everyboy, even not for his follower/advisers, but for Him alone. What he did to gain popularity with man led to his being unpopular with God. How do I react to sin and unrightheousness?
".......tun again with mme, so that I may worsip the Lord thy God" 1Sam. 15:30.(kjv). Not my God but your God. From here nit was evidence that Saul did not have a personal relationship mwith God. Do you know God? Does God know you as one of His own? Check your self and your walk with God. Samuel turned again after Saul-not to worship along with him; but first, that people might have no ground, on pretense of Saul's rejection, to withdraw their allegiance from him; and secondly, to compensate for Saul's error by executing God' judgement upon Aga
As you follow God in your daily walk with Him, your total obedience to His revealed will is of paramount importance to your success in the Christian journey.
Remember that half obedience is gross disobedience.
"It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto the LORD all night." 1Samuel 15:11(kjv)
1Sa 15:11 (BBE) It is no longer my pleasure for Saul to be king; for he is turned back from going in my ways, and has not done my orders. And Samuel was very sad, crying to the Lord in prayer all night.
1Sa 15:18 (KJV) And the LORD sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed.
The instruction given to Saul was to utterly destroy the Amalekites. He kept Agag, the king, and the best among the cattle, sheep and goats. His aim was to sacrifice them to the Lord. 1Sa 15:21 (KJV) But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal.
Thus, he endeavoured to excuse the people. They did not take the spoil in order to enrich themselves by iy, but to sacrifice unto the Lord; and did not this justify their conduct? This action grieved God and caused anguish of heart to samuel. "Then came the word of the Lord unto Samuel...... and the Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning......" 1Samuel 15:10,12 (jkv). God could not wait for the following morning before baring His mind unto Samuel. Repentance in God is not a change of mind, as it is in us; but a change of method. The Lord's messengers must point out and condemn the sins of rulers as well as of people; and let nothing hinder them from declaring with plainness and fidelity the whole revealed will of God.
Saul rolled out a barrage of excuses when he was confronted with his sins. He honoured God with his mouth, but his heart was far from Him.
THE VERDICT
And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice. 1Samuel 15:22-24(kjv)
Who do you fear? Whose voice will you obey? "And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." Acts 4:18-20(kjv). The Apostles were not intimidated by the threat from the church leaders but further they preached Jesus. David was encouraged by his men to kill Saul on two different occasions but he declined. 1Samuel 24:4-7; 26:8-11. Don't be encouraged to do evil. The people Saul was leading encouraged him to do evil. His action grieved God and Samuel. What have you been doing or have done that is causing grief, heartache, pain,etc? What has made God to regret creating you as a human being? or giving you a child, wealth or placing you in a position of authority? Many had caused the whole world great pain- Hitler, suicide bombers, etc Is God not saying, it repenteth me that I put you in that position or gave you such thing as you have now? How have you been using them? To glorify God or self. To please God or man. After all they were the ones who put you there. Your kingdom is at stake!
Then he said, "I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD thy God." 1Sam. 15:30(kjv). Where there is sin, where is honour? Righteousness exalts a nation, sin ai a reproach to many people. This was not a true repentance, but deceit out of fear for the loss of his kingdom. I will not return with thee, Samuel said in verse twenty six. In essence Samuel was saying that he would not acknoledge Saul as king, since the Lord had rejected him. In sin, Saul was still seeking for personal honour. He insisted that Samuel must honour him even in the presence of the elders. He acknowledged his sin but refused to repent of them. He lacked courage, the boldness to confess and repent.
"Yes, I have sinned, what else? What is the big deal about it? Other people are also doing the same thing. Why am I special? Why are you making a mountain out of a mole hill? Anyway, I deserve to be honoured in the presence of the elders." No contrite heart, and no broken spirit. 'He that is often rebuked and hardens his heart, shall perish suddenly without remedy' You will be held accountable for whatever you do. And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. MyNotes
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. Revelation 20:11-12 (kjv).The punishment king Saul got wasn't for everyboy, even not for his follower/advisers, but for Him alone. What he did to gain popularity with man led to his being unpopular with God. How do I react to sin and unrightheousness?
".......tun again with mme, so that I may worsip the Lord thy God" 1Sam. 15:30.(kjv). Not my God but your God. From here nit was evidence that Saul did not have a personal relationship mwith God. Do you know God? Does God know you as one of His own? Check your self and your walk with God. Samuel turned again after Saul-not to worship along with him; but first, that people might have no ground, on pretense of Saul's rejection, to withdraw their allegiance from him; and secondly, to compensate for Saul's error by executing God' judgement upon Aga
As you follow God in your daily walk with Him, your total obedience to His revealed will is of paramount importance to your success in the Christian journey.
Remember that half obedience is gross disobedience.
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT (PART 2)
Moreover, Saul said, "The Phillistines gathered themselves together......" The situation is becoming more tense.People have started passing comments. the condition is no longer bearable. The Phillistines that gathered will dsperse at the appearance of God, the Man of war. Don't cut short your destiny; wait for God. "All things work together for good....." Romans 8:28 (KJV).
Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering, 1Sam. 13 vs 12. He was a hypocrite, and tried to cover his rebellious act by pretending great zeal for outward religion. And Samuel said, "Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams." 1Samuel 15 vs 22 (KJV) What I fear came on me. The fear of man shall kill him. FEAR, False Evidence Appearing Real! The so call Philistines had not come upon him by the time Samuel arrived. So, why the stress. He shifted his attention from God to the problem. When Peter was walking on water to meet Jesus, he shifted his focus from Jesus to the boisterous wind blowing. Therefore, he became afraid and began to sink, until Jesus rescued him. Whoever focuses on the problem instead of God is bound to sink.
"I forced myself " Why? You need not hurt yourself to do what is not right in order to please man. You need to stay on course. Stay in your office. Maintain your position and fulfil the purpose of God for your life. If you are not given to prophecy don't prophesy. Maintain your role. Do not usurp authority. Follow God's protocol. Don't get engage in another person's ministry: you may die like Uzzah (2Samuel 6:7).
Consequences
1Samuel 13: 13-14.
"And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.
At first sight Saul's offence appears little, but no sin is little, because there is no little God to sin against. He had virtually cast off Jehovah's sovereignty, and therefore the Lord would not establish his kingdom. It should be a shock for Saul to hear that his kingdom will not continue as a result of this singular act. But this wasn't so because, he took it calmly. No sign of remorse or appeal over such pronoucement. If he had repented, perhaps God would have forgiven him in mercy. But he was obsinate, so to say. Therefore, he went on his normal business as if nothing of grave consequences had happened, to him .
And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were present with him, about six hundred men. 1Samuel 13 : 15.
WHEN IT SEEMS GOD IS SLOW CONCERNING YOUR CASE, WHAT WILL YOU DO?
Therefore said I, The Philistines will come down now upon me to Gilgal, and I have not made supplication unto the LORD: I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering, 1Sam. 13 vs 12. He was a hypocrite, and tried to cover his rebellious act by pretending great zeal for outward religion. And Samuel said, "Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams." 1Samuel 15 vs 22 (KJV) What I fear came on me. The fear of man shall kill him. FEAR, False Evidence Appearing Real! The so call Philistines had not come upon him by the time Samuel arrived. So, why the stress. He shifted his attention from God to the problem. When Peter was walking on water to meet Jesus, he shifted his focus from Jesus to the boisterous wind blowing. Therefore, he became afraid and began to sink, until Jesus rescued him. Whoever focuses on the problem instead of God is bound to sink.
"I forced myself " Why? You need not hurt yourself to do what is not right in order to please man. You need to stay on course. Stay in your office. Maintain your position and fulfil the purpose of God for your life. If you are not given to prophecy don't prophesy. Maintain your role. Do not usurp authority. Follow God's protocol. Don't get engage in another person's ministry: you may die like Uzzah (2Samuel 6:7).
Consequences
1Samuel 13: 13-14.
"And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.
At first sight Saul's offence appears little, but no sin is little, because there is no little God to sin against. He had virtually cast off Jehovah's sovereignty, and therefore the Lord would not establish his kingdom. It should be a shock for Saul to hear that his kingdom will not continue as a result of this singular act. But this wasn't so because, he took it calmly. No sign of remorse or appeal over such pronoucement. If he had repented, perhaps God would have forgiven him in mercy. But he was obsinate, so to say. Therefore, he went on his normal business as if nothing of grave consequences had happened, to him .
And Samuel arose, and gat him up from Gilgal unto Gibeah of Benjamin. And Saul numbered the people that were present with him, about six hundred men. 1Samuel 13 : 15.
WHEN IT SEEMS GOD IS SLOW CONCERNING YOUR CASE, WHAT WILL YOU DO?
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