BELIEVERS DIGEST SERIES 8

BELIEVERS DIGEST (SERIES 8)
A PUBLICATION OF CHRISTIAN PUBLISHING INTERNATIONAL
“FOR THE PERFECTING OF THE SAINTS AND THE BUILDING UP OF THE BODY OF CHRIST.”
Believers’ Digest contains series of messages that can be copied
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8.1 GOD’S MONEY
"Moreover they reckoned not with the men into whose hand they delivered the money to be bestowed on workmen: for they dealt faithfully" - II King 12:15
The order has changed in the church today from what it used to be in the Old Testament. Giving for the work of God was according as a man purposed in his heart: "every one whose heart stirred him up and every one whom his spirit made willing and they brought the Lord’s offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation and for all his service and for the holy garment". Ex. 35:21. This they always do until sometimes they were commanded: "Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing"- Ex.36: 6.
Are people willing these days to put in God’s house for God’s work willingly and according to how God has blessed them? Can the church say it is okay? Even if that has not come forth from the church due to our present day syndrome of let us build or acquire like that other church, can the members sincerely say they are given out of God’s booty in their possession, a reasonable portion like Abel?
What of the use of funds after the so-called launching or fundraising, building funds, evangelism offering etc (whatever name we give to it)? How does the people in charge use or divert it? In those days the church "did not require an accounting from those to whom they gave the money to pay the workers because they acted with complete honesty"-II King 12:15 NIV.
No one borrowed the money urgently to settle personal pressing needs. Which need in the life of a man is not always pressing and when will man be without a need? The diversion of God’s money by men to take care of their so-called " pressing needs" is what is making those kinds of people to gather much and had nothing over (Ex.16: 18). But them that fear the Lord to make for Him first always have no lack with the little God has given them. To such people " Godliness with contentment is great gain" I Tim.6:6
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8.2 WORK AND REWARD
"And behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be"- Rev 22:12.
There are two types of reward: earthly and heavenly. Both types are one. You begin to get your reward here on earth and it continues in heaven. That is why we read: "and my reward is with me". Reward of good work starts right here on earth to be continued in heaven. He/She that has no good work will also suffer here on earth and continue here after. It is just one.
Peter asked the Lord: "we left all, and have followed thee". Jesus replied with a promise that such a one "shall receive an hundred fold now in this time (on earth) … and in the world to come (heaven) eternal life"- Mark 10:28-30. "In this time" refers to earthly blessing in place of what you have left off, or surrendered for the sake of the gospel and for Christ. Is it land, houses, work, money, even relatives and friends? Here on earth your reward is sure not until you get to heaven. You shall, receive hundred fold of such here on earth NOW before you are taken to heaven to continue with your reward.
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8.3 THE NEED FOR A CHANGE
T
he prayer of individuals as we entered the New Year is to have a change for the better. One of the characteristics of living things is growth or movement to a new position. Whatever living entity does not show forth a move or growth becomes dead, asleep or sick. God has already commended such to "Arise, shine, for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee"- Is. 60:1. God is seeing the life He imparted into such a sleepy, dead or sick individual and commanded such to have a change of situation because the power to make such a move is already imbedded: "Christ in you the hope of glory"-Col.1: 27.
There must be a change in your situation this year. You must move from your former to a new level physically and spiritually. There is the need for a change this New Year. The calendar of events has already changed in the New Year with lots of governmental, administrative, economical, etc changes even in the church.
Why must there not be a change in your situation?
Expect changes for good this year in Jesus name, Amen.
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8.4 YOUR HOUSEHOLD
"For I know him (Abraham), that he will command his Children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD to do Justice and Judgment ..."- Gen. 18:19.
Cornelius was "A devout man, and one that feared God with all his home …"- Acts 10:2.
Can God say of you "he will command his Children after him to keep the way of the LORD?" How is your household in the presence of God? Are you a minister of the Gospel that "rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence?"- 1 Tim 3:4.
Are your children in subjection to God’s way as you are or is it only your own life style that you manage and that of the outsiders?
"They made me the Keeper of the Vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept"(Song of Solomon 1:6).
Does that apply to you as a Minister of the gospel? What about you as a Church leader or member – a Deacon, an Elder or Church officer? How do your daughters and sons behave and dress? Like Vagabonds and you are not able to control them? Mummy, be concern about how your children put on their dresses and discourage them from painting their mouths, skin and hair. All parents should be moved by the word of God to inculcate good conduct and morals into their offspring so that they will be acceptable as God’s children.
Do you allow your young ones to freely mix with the opposite sex because you want them to be seen as social? Remember Lot’s wife who was destroyed the same day with some of her daughters. Remember that God requires you to care for your children adequately not only for academics or what to eat and wear, but also spiritual? You will give account not only of your own life but also of the lives of your children.
The names of Moses’ children (Gershom and Eliezer) were no more heard in ministering in the house of God as Aaron’s children. Aaron’s children functioned as priests even though two of them (Nadab and Abihu) were destroyed in the temple when they offered strange fire. Eleazar and Ithamar functioned well as priests. One of the sons of Eleazar, Phinehas, (a grandson of Aaron) was recorded to stand for God in wiping out iniquity from Israel (Num. 25). He obtained the covenant of everlasting priesthood and peace from God.
Prophet Eli’s children caused the wiping out of Eli’s generation from the priesthood of Israel: "Now the sons of Eli were sons of Belial, they knew not the Lord … For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not" - I Sam. 2: 12, 3: 13.
Prophet Samuel’s children were out of service for God. Samuel who served in the house of God all the days of his life could not be replaced by any of his children. The Israelites had to ask him to give them a king since none of his children could replace him (I Sam. 8: 5) "And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment" Vs 3. What is being said about you and your household?
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8.5 DRESSES
"And the Lord said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their clothes, And be ready against the third day; for…the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people" - Ex. 19:10-11.
The LORD Command that Moses should sanctify the people and then, the people are to wash their clothes for He (God) will visit them. If we claim that God looks into our heart and have nothing to do with our appearances, we lie. God is concern with our spiritual and physical. How do you dress to the Church to meet the LORD? Is God at your place of work, in the market, in ceremonies and other occasions you do attend? How then do you dress to meet that God: Half nakedness? What do you think was in the mind of God when he instructed that the people should wash their clothes? God is holy and requested us to be holy as well yea to be clean. That implies he is very much concern with our appearances not only of your "Sanctified" mind. God does not deal with the mind only but also with the body including your dresses. How will you dress as God is coming to visit you?
Remember, He is always around.
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8.6 FAITH FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS
"And Abram said, Lord God, what with thou give me, Seeing I go Childless … and he (God) brought him forth abroad and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the Stars, if thou be able to number them: and he (God) Said unto him (Abraham), so shall thy seed be. And he (Abraham) believed in the LORD, and he (God) counted it to
Him for righteousness"- Gen.15: 2-5
Abraham wanted to replace God’s promise (Isaac) with an alternative, a Steward in his house, Eliezer of Damascus. Then God spoke to reassure him of His promise for that child which shall come out of his bowel even though he and his wife were old. The scripture says, Abraham "believed even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as through they were. Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations …" - Rom. 4:17-18.
Abraham had unshaken faith in God’s promise. Are you anxious to see the promise of God being fulfilled? Is God delaying to fulfill his promises? Abraham waited for 25 years and behold Isaac was born, a child of promise through whom the nation of Israel came by.
Faith in God will make you relax in God’s hand, on God’s promises, at difficult times as if nothing is happening. That faith will make you look beyond your problem to the God who created you and allowed that problem to come around. That faith will not allow impatience to have hold on your mind. At the end, God will surely come and your faith will be counted unto you for righteousness.
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TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Your comments for possible publication will inspire us to do more. Let us hear from you what the Lord is doing through our efforts.
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8.7 PROMPT OBEDIENCE
"And Abraham took Israel his son, and all that were born in his house … and circumcised the flesh of their fore skin in the self same day, as God had said unto him" - Gen 17:23.
" And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham and said … take now thy son thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest … and offer him there for a burnt offering … And Abraham rose up early in the morning … and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son … and went unto the place of which God had told him" - Gen. 22:1-3.
Abraham was known to act promptly to the command of God. At the age of 99 he was circumcised the same day that God instructed his household to be circumcised. Circumcision had never been practiced before, but Abraham acted the same day.
To sacrifice the only child of promise at age above 100, Abraham did not query God.
He rose up early in the following day of the command and took the boy for the sacrifice. Prompt obedience to God’s command is seen in the life of Abraham. He became the father of faith. He believed God on every occasion without doubting. How do you react to God’s instruction or request? Has God spoken? Let me hear the second time to confirm. I need to see a Sign, and then I will believe. Are these your reaction to God’s instruction to you? You doubt God and you cannot receive any blessing from him. As you drag your feet, God will lay hand on another child of His who will act promptly.
Abraham received more blessing from God for acting promptly to God’s command. That is always the result. Obedience (promptly) is what can only lead to your breaking through to blessing. What is that that is more precious to you than Isaac was to Abraham? Your wife, children, money or property? Is it your time, work, business or profession that you cannot put aside or give up as God requested of you? You cannot be a father (not even a son) of faith. Your foot dragging to yield will make you lose your reward or be missing from that particular race.
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8.8 ALTAR TO THE LORD
"And he (Abraham) moved from there to the mountain east of Bethel, and he pitched his tent with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; there he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD" - Gen. 12 : 8.
"Then Abram moved his tent, and went and dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to the LORD"- Gen. 13: 18. NKJV
In a number of places in the scriptures it is written that Abraham built altars to the LORD. One of the characteristics of Abraham was to built altar unto the LORD for worship anywhere he settled. Abraham never worshipped God in secret. As he settled in different locations, he built altars. This made people around him know the type of man he was and the God he served.
Do you build altars unto the LORD wherever you settle to do your business or work? Building altar of worship may not necessarily refer to physical structure but creating awareness for worship of the living God that people around you may know whom you serve. You cannot worship the true God in secret. You must let people know whom you worship. Do people see your altar of worship in your business premises, office and even in your home? What do they see instead? Altar of jealousy, quarreling / fighting, adultery, fraud etc? That which men always see in you becomes an altar in your life that you have built. What kind of altar have you built or are you building?
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8.9 STAYING UP OF HANDS
"And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed, and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses, hands were heavy … and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands … and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun" - EX. 17:11-12.
Ministry is impartation of life to the souls of men. A body that imparts other than external values into souls of men (and women) is not a ministry. Ministering eternal values into soul of men / women is what God calls us to do. This involves a number of men and women working together as a whole to achieve the task of ministering. Usually a "Moses" is always at the top in ministry: one that commands according to the dictates of the Attorney - General in heaven. Then there are Aarons and Hurs that function to stay up the hands of Mosses as to achieve the goal of the ministry. Into what group do you belong? One of
thousands can be a Moses while hundreds can be Aaron and Hur. Have you identified your role in the body of Christ? Are you occupying any function in a Ministry? Whose hands are you staying up? You are to do that "until the going down of the sun". That means, "occupy till I come"- LK 19:13."
"As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracle of God; If any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ…"- I Pet. 4:10-11.
To the Moses in Ministry, success in ministry is based on the eternal impact made on souls of men and not on man’s physical (temporal) accumulations. Ministry is not a great, loud and strong movement void of God’s presence; but a still water flowing gently to refresh souls.
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8.10 THE PROCESSED MANNA
"And when the children of Israel saw it, they said one to another, it is Manna: for they did not know what it was. And Moses said unto them, this is the bread which the LORD hath given you to eat"- Ex.16: 15.
When the Israelites murmured for lack of bread (food) in the wilderness, God answered by providing them with: Manna a supernatural provision. A type of food that they never saw: "for they did not know what it was". Therefore they called it Manna. The taste of it was like wafers made with honey"-vs 31.That is, it tasted like honey when eaten raw and unprocessed, just as it is gathered. But after sometimes, the people went further to grind, mill or beat it in a mortal and baked it in pans to make cake of it: "and the taste of it was as the taste of fresh oil"- Num.11:8. From the taste of honey when eaten unprocessed to the taste of fresh oil after processing. There has been a great difference. It was at the time of this processing that the people "fell a lusting" for flesh (meat) to eat instead of the Manna. They were no more satisfied with the processed Manna, and they were looking for alternatives, which led to the death of many among them: they ate until it came out of their nostrils and became loathsome to them (Num. 11:20). They also complained of the Manna as "this light bread" which led to the plague of fiery serpent among them – Num.21: 5-6.
God’s word at the time of the patriarch (Abraham, Noah, etc) produced instant results because it was taken up by faith and acted upon immediately. No toiling, re- furbishing, (grinding and baking) with the word of God. So, it was as honey to them because it produced instant result. But now, we manipulate God’s word to suit our purpose at different levels, hence result comes not our ways. We have lost most of the essential ingredients of the word as we "grind", "mill" and "bake" the scriptures through different interpretations for our selfish desires. Hence the change in taste from that of honey to that of fresh oil.
It was at the time that the Manna was processed that the people complained and felt a lusting for other things. There was no more satisfaction since the original had been processed. "They lust after flesh". There is always lusting after things of this world by them that are fed with processed Manna. They lust after the flesh, ambition, position, pleasure etc and saw nothing bad about them. That however leads to their spiritual destruction even after they might have enjoyed those things they longed for and gotten.
Reforming or twisting the word of God can no longer satisfy man. Man’s satisfaction can only be by contending "earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints" – Jude 3.
The saints of old believed the word and held unto it until their death even though many of them received not what was promised (Heb.11: 39). These days we seek for shortcuts to believe, confess and claim God’s promises which when not forthcoming, we seek for alternatives: no more satisfaction relying on the originals of old. We want to receive all of God’s promises by all means as taught by the so-called ministers of modern (processed) gospel.
WHENEVER GOD’S WORD IS PROCESSED, IT LEADS TO SPIRITUAL MALNUTRITION.
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8.11 THIS GENERATION
"That you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world"- Phil. 2;15 NKJV.
The Bible describes this present generation as crooked and perverse (wicked). Generations that show forth no form of godliness: no fear of God but full of wickedness and robbery in various places and forms through any sector man can find himself including the Church.
A generation that kills to possess position, wealth and fame. A generation that is full of falsehood and deceit, sexual abuses and all forms of related vices. No age group is left out. The more the technological and educational advancement, the higher the level of moral degeneration. Sanity is out of place. Redundancy fills offices and work is done with laxity of the highest order. Those occupying higher positions are more socially involved in corruption and moral degeneration. If the learned degenerates, how would the unlearned people live?
"Crooked and depraved generation": a description of the unbelieving world.
Things are done crookedly: Certificates no longer justify accurate mental ability of graduates in all areas of learning. Some are acquired through trade by batter of one thing with the other like the use of the body, money or GSM recharge cards. One of those items or some others may have to be given for a justifying mark or approval of projects. Most of the projects in our institutions of higher learning are done by project contractors that are known and approved "officially" and sought for by the lecturer who also has a percentage of the charges awaiting him. Do you actually work for your certificate and the project you submitted for your degree or whatever?
"That you may show yourselves to be blameless and guiless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish (faultless, unrebukable) in the midst of a crooked and wicked generation- [spiritually] perverted and perverse. Among whom you are seen as bright lights – stars or beacons shining out clearly – in the [dark] world." AMP
Jesus calls us light and salt of this perverse world to shine light into dark places. If we stand to do, and not become part of the wickedness and perverseness that is in the world, we would become blameless and uncontaminated to shine as bright light in the world. We are left in this crooked world to shine for our Father in heaven: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven"-Matt.5: 16 NKJV.
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8:12 EARS TO HEAR
“A
nd he said to them, He who has ears to hear, let him hear"- Mark 4:9.
There are Ears that hear God’s word and obey; and there are Ears for decorations (ears that hear but do not what is heard). Jesus repeatedly warned the seven Churches in the book of Revelation: "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the Churches"-Rev. chaps. 2 & 3.
All the Churches were seriously warned to hear what the Spirit says. It is for emphasis so that we could take heed. Do you have ears to hear?
The Bible foretold that "the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; And they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables" – II Tim. 4:3-4.
The time has come already. People no longer tolerate sound and wholesome instructions from the scriptures but seek for different teachers chosen to satisfy their own liking and to foster the errors they hold. "He who has ears to hear let him (or her) hear"
What are you hearing? Consider such in line with the word of God: is such spiritually profiting and make you to be heavenly conscious? Do not turn unto fables and sweet philosophies of men, but accept the true word of God for your spiritual edification. Have ears that hear God’s instructions. "He who hears, let him hear" – Ezekiel. 3:27.
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TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Your comments for possible publication will inspire us to do more. Let us hear from you what the Lord is doing through our efforts.
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8:13 WHAT AND HOW YOU HEAR
"Take heed what you hear"-Mark 4:21
"Take heed how you hear"- Luke 8:18.
If truly you have ears that hear, then you need to take heed what you hear, and how you hear it.
What you hear: It is better to give attention to hearing God’s word that affects lives positively for heaven. Not words of the world (of worldliness and lust) that profit not spiritually. We are to hear those words that are "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" – II Tim. 3: 16. What you hear affects your thinking and action; you therefore need to "take heed what you hear".
How do you hear God’s word? : As instruction to you personally or for correcting other people? You always look into people’s lives through the light of God’s word? Eager to remove the speck from your brother’s eyes rather than first removing the plank from your own eyes? How you hear God’s instructions matters to you than what you hear. What interpretation do you give to what you hear? How do you hear it? As a challenge to you and for which you repented or as an insult or rebuke against which you want to fire the speaker back? Or do you remain indifference to the word heard?
Take heed how you hear and what you hear.
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8:14 THAT WHICH YOU HAVE
"F"For to everyone who has, more will be given; and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away"- Matt. 25:29NKJV.
No matter how little, everyone has something to trade with for God. God has made available in all his children something they can invest upon. It is therefore incorrect for anyone to think he / she has nothing!
What Jesus is saying is this: For to everyone who has (that is, anyone who recognizes that he / she has something, and keep investing that which he / she has), more will be given and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have (who can not appreciate that which he / she has to be invested upon; one who thought he / she has nothing) even that he has (which he / she did not appreciate) will be taken away.
God commanded: "rise, Shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you"-Isaiah .60:1.
God the Father, who at the beginning made man with the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the Breath of life, made man a living, progressive and multiplying soul, rather than a static entity. He commanded you (for He knows what is in you) to arise from depression and prostration in which circumstances have kept you; rise to a new life and shine – be radiant with the glory of the Lord; for your light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. That message is not for the dead, but for the living who are complacent, weak, sick, unrevived, and those that could not recognize the God – given potentials in them. They are to Arise and Shine so that, that which has been kept in them would not be taken away from them to make them spiritually, economic-ally or materially dead (even though they are alive) by the virtue of what God imbedded in them.
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8:15 WILDERNESS EXPERIENCE
" And the little boy grew and became strong in Spirit, and he was in the deserts (wilderness) until the day of his appearing to Israel [the commencement of
his public ministry]"–Luke 1:80.
John the Baptist was born through angelic visitation to his parents and with prophetic utterance of his being "filled with the Holy Ghost even from his mother’s womb…He shall go before Christ in the Spirit and power of Elijah to turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God"-Lk.1: 15– 17.
John became the forerunner of Jesus: one who came to prepare the way for the Master. Jesus testifies of John as the greatest of all the prophets born of woman (Lk.7; 28). Of all that was spoken about John before his conception and birth, he still subjected himself to live in the wilderness until the day of his public ministration. Why the need for him to stay off the public for such a length of time when he was already empowered from on high?
What is the calling that you profess to be upon your life, which you want to show off in public without any wilderness experience?
Even Jesus went into the wilderness before coming out to start his public ministry. Wilderness experience refers to training by God through an avenue that can be another man or situation. It can be when you are subjected to be trained under an appointed man of God for your life. It is that man or God that will proclaim you fit for outside ministry and not as you see yourself fit. Many ministries sprang up by men that never endure any wilderness experience and are not actually led by God. That is why the gospel is not making meaningful impact as of old. The ministry is full of the so-called ministers that failed to undergo any wilderness experience.
Joshua passed through the wilderness training under Moses. God in the wilderness trained Moses himself. Where was your own wilderness before you stepped out into the public? Or are you preparing to jump out for a ministry establishment without any wilderness experience? This does not refer to your theological training, manifestation of special gifts, eloquence etc that men possess and which serve as yardstick for many in the ministry.
Elijah was a man of the wilderness fed by ravens. No wonder Elisha was brought up powerfully under him when he also subjected himself to pouring water unto the hands of his master (II Kings 3: 11). Unto whose hands are you pouring water or unto whose hands have you poured it? Who has been your tutor (your discipler)? Will you say the Holy Spirit? But even Jesus our Lord went into the wilderness first before he began his public ministration.
The wilderness refers to a place or period of secret training for public (future) ministrations. It is very necessary in ministry. During such a time, you will be subjected to training and amendments; you would be trained to give up selfishness and other vices. Humility will cloth you as with a garment. No wonder why John said of Christ: "He must increase, but I must decrease". - John 1:27.
Wilderness is a place you subject yourself to stay and learn from the master even when the goings are rough; a place of no complaint at the harsh and uncalled for circumstances. It is really a place of learning and preparation for future ministrations that will last and bring forth fruits. Was there any prophetic utterance before you were born or while you were young about your public ministry without any wilderness training? Were you baptized with the Holy Ghost from the womb like John the Baptist? Even if it were so, you still need the training in the wilderness like John. He got the message for his ministry in the wilderness: "The word of God came…"-Lk. 3: 2. He was fully prepared with messages for his generation in the wilderness. He maintained his wilderness abode that even the anointing upon him compelled men (officials not only ordinary people) to come to him for repentance and baptism. The people said that John performed no miracle and confirmed that all his testimonies or preaching about Jesus were true (John 10:41). What is your preaching all about: self, prosperity, accumulation of earthly wealth, position, miracles, etc? What of Salvation, Righteousness and Holiness? Are these hidden or of utmost importance to your messages?
Messages of them that went through wilderness experiences always take men through to salvation and living righteously for the sake of heaven. It also put men in rightful positions of services.
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SHOULD GOD FOLLOW YOU TO THE PLACE OF YOUR HEART DESIRE, OR TAKE YOU TO HIS OWN CHOSEN PLACE FOR YOU?
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8:16 YOUR VOCATION
"I therefore … beseech you that ye walk worthy of the calling with which you were Called"- Eph. 4:1.
Every Child of God has one vocation (duty) or the other to perform in the body of Christ for the "perfecting of the saint, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ " Eph 4:12. What is your role, your regular function as a member in the body of Christ? Do men know you for it? Is heaven aware you are always at your duty post? That vocation was appointed to you according to the measure of the grace of Christ upon your life. It is not until you have a title in the church but as long as you are identified with Christ, you have a role, a duty or a vocation to accomplish. Or have you not discovered your vocation in the body of Christ? Pray and study yourself, and allow the Holy Spirit to point such out to you. Stick to it and work towards its fulfillment. "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it"- Col. 4:17.
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8:17 POSSESSING WITHOUT COST?
"And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron and weighed to him the silver, which he had named in the audience of the Sons of Heth, four hundred Shekels of silver, current money with the merchant" - Gen. 23:16
At the death of Sarah, Abraham sought for a burying place. He was offered a land for no payment but Abraham did not take the free gift of the land as an opportunity to possess that area even when God had already promised him the entire land for a possession. The wholes place, North, East, West, and South belong to Abraham by promise (Gen. 13:14-15). Yet at a time when he was in need of a burying place, he refused to take it from the original owner free of charge. He pleaded for the piece of land and offered "current money with the merchant". That is, he offered current value of money exchange at that time: the highest bidden of the time was the principle with which he paid.
King David said to Ornam "Nay: but l will verily buy it for the full price: for l will not take that which is thine for the LORD, nor offer burnt offerings without cost" - 1 Chor. 21:24. King David refused also to take for granted the free offer of Ornam’s land to make sacrifice to God. The king objected to take that portion of land, and the equipment thereof for sacrifice without payment. Sacrifice to God must cost him some thing; not just a token but a sumptuous sum of "Six hundred Shekels of gold by weight". "And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offering and peace offerings, and called upon the LORD…" – Vs 25-26.
Sacrifices to God and taken from men need not be done without cost. What has your salvation cost you? Jesus paid for it already with his blood, but with what have you paid in return? What have you left aside for the sake of the gospel? It must cost you something. Or do you still enjoy salvation along with worldly pleasure? Do you live in luxury while that project or work of God suffers? What has it cost you to settle in Church and hear God’s word from the man of God regularly? Do you care for the man of God by sharing with him some of your possession? Or do you say he works for his salary?
Are you taken over a land, a possession, or whatsoever from some-body? Be careful not to let it cost you your life. It is wise to give off physical possession now than to lose your life because of worldly possession. "Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him…." - Matt. 5:25. Nothing is free, you must have to give away too as to possess: "Give and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom …" - Luke 6:38. And lf it was first given unto you, you need also to give back to the giver "good measure, pressed down and shaken together, and running over" as to fulfill that scripture in the life of your giver by your given unto him / her.Do not claim that scripture to yourself only: give as well.
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8:18 STRIKEN THE ROCK AGAIN?
"Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock in Horeb; and you shall strike the rock, and water will come out of it, that the people may drink" Ex. 17:6.
At a time in the wilderness wandering of the Israelites, there was the need for water: a need for substance that would refresh, substance that would satisfy their longing in the wilderness, yea in the desert so that they will not starve to death. They cried unto the God of heaven and the LORD instructed Moses to "strike the rock and water will come water out of it…"
On another occasion in the same wilderness, there was again the need for water to refresh. But at that time, God said to Moses "Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes; and it will yield its water…" Num. 20:8
At the first instance, Moses was to "strike" the rock in order to get water. At the second occasion, he was to "speak" to the rock that had already been stricken. But Moses acted at the second occasion as he did at the first - he struck it! God concluded the ministry of Moses at that point: "… for he (Moses) shall not enter the land which I have given to the children of Israel, because you rebelled against My word at the water of Meribah" Num. 20:24
"And all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that Spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ" I Cor. 10:4.
"AND THAT ROCK WAS CHRIST." Praise God! The Holy Ghost made it known to us that the Rock from which the Israelite drank was Christ. At first Moses was to "strike". Christ must have to suffer before we can be refreshed. That was why he went unto the cross to be stricken. Out of Him came refreshing salvation, healing, deliverances, etc for us. Must He be stricken the second time? No. He is to be spoken unto for he had once been stricken. He need not be crucified afresh the second time. That was the error Moses made.
Christ had been crucified for us once, we need to speak to him at any time we need refreshing. Salvation comes by confessing with your mouth, the Lord Jesus, after believing in your heart (Rom. 10:9-10). Jesus himself instructed us to "Ask" and we shall receive-Matt. 7:7.Crucifying Jesus again the second time is going back into sin after one has already been saved (Heb.6: 6). It is stricken again the Rock of our salvation and it is a sin.
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8:19 TABLE BEFORE THE ENEMIES
"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies" -Psalm 23:5.
King David could say that because he actually lived in the city of his enemies. King Achish of Gath (a Philistine land) who knew about "Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands" could not go against David even when he feigned madness in his presence. Later, King Achish kept this same David in Ziklag when Saul was seeking his life. David slew Goliath of Gath, and the king of Gath accommodated him. Surely God prepared his table of mercy and provision through the hands of his enemies. He had favour in the sight of his enemies, the Philistines: When a man’s way please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to set pleasant tables before him.
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8:20 A MAN’S GIFT
"Stir up the gift of God which is in you …"- 2 Tim. 1:6
God imbedded several gifts into his children. These gifts are given to every one according to individual‘s ability (Mt. 25:15) to trade with. The giver says "Occupy " (invest) "till I come " –Luke 19:13. Gift is given to every man / Woman to profit for God (I Cor. 12:7). We are admonished to "Neglect not the gift that is in you"- 1 Tim. 4:14. It is with such a gift that you have that would determine your service in the body of Christ.
"Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us"- Rom. 12:6.
That gift will make room for you and bring you before great men (Prov. 18:16). Or rather make you great as well. Let your gift be precious in your sight for it will make you prosper. Neglect not your gift, stir it up and let it profit others and yourself. Remember, you will one day render account of your gift to the master: "And, behold, I am coming quickly, and my reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work" Rev.22: 12.
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GROWTH IN MINISTRY IS MEASURED BY WHAT IS GIVEN NOT WHAT IS ACQUIRED.
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