Verse Of The Week : Do What It Says

 "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says."

- James 1 : 22

This is our portion of scripture for this week.

This verse describes what many Christians have become or are these days : We hear but we do not imitate. We know but we do not act. 

Many go to church, many listen to sermons, many are warned but they do not act upon the word that is given them. Brother James clearly says such people are deceiving themselves, no one else. If you hear the word but do not obey it, you are only deceiving yourself. But, doesn't it sound ridiculous? How can you call yourself a Christian and hear God's word but do not imitate it? It's like saying while filling out a form, instead of putting the names of your parents, you put another couple's name even though you know who your real parents are. It's that ridiculous. Even brother James likened it to "someone who looks at his face in a mirror  and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like" (James 1 : 23 - 24). 

We are supposed to mirror Christ...Whenever we look ourselves in the mirror of our hearts, we are supposed to see Christ. The mirror in brother James' metaphor is the word of God and the image is Jesus. When we look into the word, we see Christ and we are supposed to imitate Him and become like Him so that when God looks into us, He sees Jesus, our role model. 

So therefore, let us ask ourselves why so many do not obey the word of God or practice what they hear?

● Verse 24 of James 1 suggests that they forget. But how can we forget the word of God? The answer to that is this : the word of God is misplaced and is not the priority. Do you forget your birthday, or your wedding anniversary or all your important meetings? I doubt it. So why forget the word of God? The word of God is supposed to be central in our lives, it is supposed to be the foundation. As Christians, we are to breath and live through the word of God. Even Jesus said in John 14 : 23 "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them." So that means, whoever does not obey the word of God does not love God and therefore, God does not live in that person. This makes total sense because if you really love God like you should, you will not forget His word.

The parable of the sower gives other explanations to why Christians do not apply the word of God in their lives :

● Matthew 13 : 19 speaks about how when one hears the word but does not understand it, the devil comes and steal it from them. Unfortunately, this is a prevalent truth in the church. Many christians lack understanding over even the littlest truths. It is true what Hosea 4 : 6 says "my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge." Many are perishing today because of lack of knowledge. Remember "Wisdom is the principal thing; Therefore get wisdom. And in all your getting, get understanding" (Proverbs 4 : 7) and "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you" (James 1 : 5)

● Matthew 13 : 20 tells us about those that immediately receive the word with joy but when faced with trials they fall away because they have no root. This refers to new converts that are not yet really rooted in Christ. When trouble comes, the word is useless to them because they are not yet really rooted in Christ. This reveals the fact that it truly takes the Spirit of God and His guidance to be fully apply His word in our lives. Our will is not enough. That is the plain truth and God's word does not seek our permission; we cannot say of the flesh "yes this part of the word I accept and this one seems fair so therefore I embrace it". It is of the Spirit and it is through the Spirit that we should accept and obey God's word.

● Matthew 13 : 22 reveals another set of people who hear the word but the word has no place in them because their heart and lives is already filled with things of the world. This refers to a whole bunch of people. We hear the word but because we chase after money and lust after the evil pleasures of the world, the word of God is literally "choked" out of us. Imagine that. That means instead of planting God's word in their lives, these people plant thorns and you all know how thorns are harmful.  Even Jesus said in John 12 : 25 " Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life."

Now, after looking at why Christians do not follow God's word, let us look at the consequences of exercising God's word in our lives.

 James 1 : 25 answers the question "But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do."

Blessings. That's the consequence of being obedient to God's word. 

Brothers and sisters, let's not be just hearers but rather, hearers and doers for it holds great recompense. If you are determined to only hear God's word and not apply it in your life or rather you are bent on pretending you are applying it well, let me just let you know that God cannot be mocked, and you will reap what you sow (Galatians 6 : 7). I encourage you all dearest beloved to hold on the word of God because it is life itself (John 6 : 63) and without it, you cannot stand the whiles of the devil because it is a component of the armor that God has given us to stand (Ephesians 6 : 13 - 17). 

It is not so hard to follow God's word but before we can be able to, we need to totally let go of all the things of this word and submit to Him.

"Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." (Matthew 16 : 24)

There is no other way. Please note that the denial comes before anything else but the decision is the number one thing. When you let go of the load of this world, then you can carry the cross of Christ and follow only Him.

I sincerely pray that God will give us the will to follow is word and give us the grace to use the Spirit in applying His word for every part of our lives, on a daily basis.

Amen!!

[For more on submission, please read this post and this one too]

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Verse Of The Week : Instruction Is Life

"As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, 'That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.'”

Acts 24 : 25

This is our portion of scripture for this week.

We all know the context : here brother Paul is speaking to Felix after he was accused of the Jews and as he tried to talk to him about righteousness and all it entails, Felix declined.

When I read this verse a few days ago, I realized I'd actually never really paid attention to it. 

It's interesting to note how "Felix was afraid...". My question is, what was he afraid of? The answer to that question comes just before "Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgement to come...". 

Now you have to understand that Felix was an unbeliever and instead of being curious, he became afraid. Why was he afraid of something he did not believe in. Why didn't just say "Paul, I do not believe in what you are saying" and he would have put an end to it. Instead, Felix was afraid. For something to provoke the feeling of fear in us, it has to have gained substantial ground in our minds. For example,  if someone says, "flying cows can sometimes randomly fall from the sky", you would not be afraid of a cow falling on you if you do not believe or at least suspect it were true.

It's the same case with Felix...He suspected and probably knew in him that what Paul was saying was somewhat true but because he did not want to change, he refused the gospel.

Beloved, it is true what they say about the truth being bitter. Felix got a bite of it and not wanting to repent shunned Paul.

But let's bring it closer to home : isn't this the same with us? Don't we shun the truth? Even us that we call ourselves Christians, we know deep down what we are doing is wrong, but still, we persist.

We go around, doing or saying this or that and we call ourselves followers of Christ, but when we see a verse in the Bible rebuking us and telling us what we do is wrong, we ignore it or when the Pastor preaches against whatever we are doing, we get annoyed and angry.

If you have a clean conscience, fear is not supposed to erupt in you when you read or hear the word of God because "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." (1 Timothy 1 : 7). But rather, the word of God is for us to check ourselves and keep ourselves qualified even as the brother Paul said to brother Timothy "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3 : 16). 

Child of God, it is not the time to refuse correction or instruction in that area of your life where your are lacking, stumbling or need to improve. I know many Christians say, "I'll change tomorrow," or "there's still next year". But guess what, "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes." (James 4 : 14). I am tired of Christians that are doing this or that and they know it is wrong, but rather, they choose to abuse of the Father's profound mercy and play with their lives. Today is the day for change, not tomorrow, or next year. You cannot expect to have one foot in the world and the other in God, it is not possible because "Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did." (1 John 2 : 4 - 6). It's as simple as that.

Even as the Psalmist said, "The law of the LORD is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple." (Psalms 19 : 7) and King Solomon said, " For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life" (Proverbs 6 : 23) and also in John 6 : 63 it is written "The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life." And it is not for nothing that the Psalmist said "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." (Psalms 119 : 105).

Wherever your heart might be testifying to you to change, now is the time, today is the day. You know in your heart you should stop whatever you might be doing that is grieving the Father...don't push it away any longer.

May God help us to receive His word in our lives, submit and subscribe to it and let it change us!

Amen!

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Verse Of The Week : To Breakthrough

‎"You will call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest" 

- Isaiah 62 : 6b

This is our portion of scripture for the week.

The message is quite clear. Here the prophet Isaiah is talking to the Israelites but this also applies to us as we have also become children of God through Christ.

This verse reveals a truth that many Christians seem to have forgotten or are oblivious to : we are to cry out to God and not stop until we get our breakthrough. If you read on to verse 7 even the prophet Isaiah  continues and says "and give him no rest till he..."

Many times, we tend to forget this and tend to stop half way through or even sometimes, when we are just about to get our breakthrough.

Brothers and sisters, to breakthrough, we have to persevere. Perseverance is the key to open doors and success. God answers prayers but sometimes, we are to go on praying, believing and crying out to God and surely, if what we are asking is according to His will, He will surely answer for He knows the plans he has for you, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29 : 11).

Child of God, remember, "...no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless" (Psalms 84 : 11b). Whatever you are looking up to God for, crying out to Him for or waiting on Him for, do not relent, do not stop and do not cease. God will surely answer you according to His will. 

Please do not give up, especially when your breakthrough is just around the corner. It is especially at this time that the devil steps in and tries to discourage us and lead us away from our breakthrough.

Wait on the Lord, pray continually and fast as God leads, you will surely breakthrough. Do not let the devil steal your breakthrough...Be patient, and consistent, do not relent for God will surely show up on your behalf in that situation you are believing him in. Giving up is certainly not the key or the solution. 

Remember the story of Hannah (1 Samuel 1)? Remember her determination and her perseverance? She never stopped praying. At the end, she got her result : Samuel. There are other such examples in the Bible.

My pastor says someone once said push for Christians means Pray Until Something Happens...

May God teach us how to persevere in Jesus' name and by His grace, we will surely breakthrough!

Amen!

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Yoruba Word Of The Week : Êbùn

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Êbùn is the Yoruba word for gift.

No matter how small or even big, it is always nice to receive a êbùn.

The gesture is never too small ... it is truly one act that speaks volumes.

Whatever you can give, never overlook a chance to give a êbùn.

Whatever you receive, always do it gladly and whatever the êbùn or the price that came with it, be grateful always.

The noun is : Êbùn // A simple sentence is : Mo gba êbùn (I received a gift).

May God help us to readily give rather than receive (remember ‎"It is more blessed to give than to receive" Acts 20 : 35) and to be appreciative of what others give us!

Amen!


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Verse Of The Week : For His Glory

"All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them." 

- John 17 : 10

This is our scripture for the week.

In this passage, Jesus is praying to the Father in His last few moments left here on earth. The emphasis of this powerful prayer was for His present disciples at the time and His disciples to come.

In this portion of scripture, Jesus clearly states one the most important truths of a Christian's life : We are His, even as brother Paul states in 1 Corinthians 6 : 20 that we have been "bought with a price". The Price is Jesus' precious blood shed on the cross of calvary for our sins.

That's the first part. The second part is an important fact many Christians choose to ignore or are not aware of : our number one purpose is to glorify Jesus.

Many Christians hold on to the first truth but cast away or have just no had the revelation of the second one.

Yes we are His, and since we are His, it is inevitable for our lives to glorify Jesus, since He is in us as He is in the Father, who has given Him all things.

The second truth is therefore the direct consequence of the first one.

It does not make sense to say we are of Jesus and born again, yet, our lives reflect, little to nothing of Christ.

This should be our goals, aspirations, to glorify God through every single aspect of our lives. Not just half of our lives or two thirds of it, but all of our lives. Remember, Jesus did not say, "Some glory has come to be through them", instead He said, "ALL glory has come to me through them".

If truly, Jesus is in us and we are His, then it is imperative for us to bring Him glory in every area of our lives...And this, should come naturally to the one who has truly given themselves to Jesus and believe that He is from the Father, who has given Him all things.

Firstly, for Jesus to be in us, we cannot be of the world. "I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me" (John 14 : 30) and "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world" (1 John 4 : 4) and also "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16 : 33).

Secondly, if we are not of this world and Jesus is in us, then we have to glorify His name in every area of our lives and show case Him because " “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5 : 13 - 16)

Now, why are so many of us still failing to glorify Jesus in every area of our lives, why is it that Jesus' glory is not being revealed in our lives?

This is due to not submitting all our lives and everything we are about to Christ.

Many Christians say they are of Christ, yet they subscribe to the practices of the world and walk according to it's ways...this is partially giving your life to God...Jesus cannot be glorified in such a life.

We need to be completely in Christ for Him to be completely glorified in our lives.

Remember, Jesus was praying for the ones that are His, that are in Him and not for those in the world " I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours." (John 17 : 9).

We cannot have one leg into our walk with Christ and another leg inside the world...such a behavior is not acceptable to God "So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth." (Revelations 3 : 16). Unfortunately, this is where a number of Christians find themselves today "in between".

You cannot call yourself a disciple of Christ and fail to be in Him, of Him and about Him. It doesn't make sense. ("By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles" Matthew 7 :  16).

At the end of the day, Jesus knows those that are truly His and it is for those He will and does intercede for before His Father.

If you want to run after the world, then go ahead but if you want to run for Christ, then do it with everything in you and let Jesus be glorified in every area of your life; from the little things like the way you dress and talk, your hobbies, school, to bigger things like your marriage and your carrier.

As His disciples, His children, His brothers and sisters, we are to bring glory to His name (For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother" Matthew 12 : 50). 

Child of God remember, "Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them." John 14 : 21

May God give us the grace to live to the glory of HIS name!

Amen.

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Yoruba Word Of The Week : Àdúrà

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Àdúrà is the Yoruba word for prayer.

We all need we all need to àdúrà,

we all need to gba àdúrà (to pray).

In every stage of our lives, àdúrà is never irrelevant.

Develop an attitude of àdúrà because our Lord, God, answers àdúrà wa (our prayers).

The noun is àdúrà.  

The verb is : gba àdúrà 

A simple sentence is : "àdúrà se pataki gon" (prayers are very important).

May God give us a hunger to pray and teach us how to do so!

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Verse Of The Week : To See His Glory

"Then Jesus said, 'Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?'"

- John 11 : 40

This is our scripture for the week.

While reading the Bible during the week, this scripture practically jumped at me.

We all know the context : Jesus was told that Lazarus was dead so He went to raise Him up.

One thing that amazes me is that, though Martha, who Jesus was talking to through this verse, had probably seen and most certainly heard Jesus performed so many signs and wonders, she was still skeptical. In fact, she didn't even know Jesus wanted to resurrect her brother, she probably thought He just wanted to see Lazarus or something ( “But, Lord,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man, “by this time there is a bad odor, for he has been there four days.” John 11 : 39). 

It's the same thing with us. 

When God is about to move is our lives, we do not try to comprehend what He is doing through the eyes of faith, rather, we try to have a "logical" explanation. This hinders us from seeing God'd glory, even as Jesus said. For us to see God's glory, which is His power being made manifest in our lives, we simply need to believe.

To believe means to have faith, to have faith means to walk, see and hear not according to what we perceive or understand in the flesh and by the the things of the flesh but it's walking, seeing and hearing according to God's promises and knowing God is able to do more than we can ever imagine and that He has already done, the things we are believing Him for.

These days, we are all too much like Martha. We often too many times question God's move in our lives.

Why didn't Martha just stay silent and watch to see what God wants to do? Why didn't she just obey?

But it's the same thing with us. We ask, God why? Why do you want me to go this way, marry this person or change this or that? 

Let us remember Abraham who God called to leave his country for another He was going to show him (Genesis 12)...and didn't he go? Yes, he obeyed and God did mighty things in the life of Abraham. Wasn't He also ready to sacrifice Isaac (Genesis 22) without ever questioning God? Why didn't he ask, but God why? Why me?

It is plain truth we have to believe in God, totally and completely, to see His glory.

Having faith in Him also entails trusting in Him to take over every part of our lives, taking a step back and understanding only He knows best.

Let us not hinder God's hand in our lives with questions, disbelief and disobedience, these things only impede and even stop our blessings.

So therefore, surrender is in need.

God says, "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29 : 11).

If you want to see the glory of God, in your life and around you, from today on, strive to just watch Him work in your life in total submission and with a heart full of faith.

May God hep us, amen!

[check out this post for more on submission and this one faith]

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Verse Of The Week : Submission II

 "He must become greater; I must become less."

- John 3 : 30



This is our portion of scripture for this week.


In the passage, Jesus is talking to the crowd about John and His ministry.


John's words depict nothing but total obedience to the God over his life and ministry.


But even Jesus Himself demonstrated such obedience...But then again, if we study Jesus' ministry, we'll see He was obedient to God His Father, even to the cross.


"...Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." (Luke 22 : 42)


Now, we know Jesus is our role model (1 Corinthians 11 : 1; 1 Thessalonians 1 : 6) so if Jesus our Savior and role model can give Himself 100% to God and obey Him even to death, who are we not to?
Remember Abraham, and how he nearly sacrificed Isaac because God asked him to (Genesis 22)?
What about when God asked him to leave his father's country and go to a place he never knew before (Genesis 12)?


Unfortunately, this is not the same attitude we have these days. It's either we are totally disobedient or we are partially disobedient...but guess what the Bible says about that : "To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination" (1 Samuel 15 : 22 - 23).


So according to this verse, obedience pleases God much more that any sacrifice but not only that but disobedience is the same as rebellion and rebellion to God is like the sin of divination.


Why do we only give God 30, 40 or 50 percent of our lives and expect Him to work in and through us. Why do we fail to obey all His commandments but only choose to observe the few that please us and our lifestyle.
This is not the will of God. Christianity, being a true follower of Christ, is not like going to the supermarket and picking out the different things that please us about the gospel and we walk out with a badge that says "CHRISTIAN". Christianity is being like Christ. And if Christ was totally obedient to God, so should we.


Being obedient is not only about following His commandments, or obeying His direct instructions to us, it is also about letting God into every part of our lives. As 1 Corinthians 6 : 20 says "you were bought at a price"...therefore, we do not in anyway own ourselves, not even a teeny weeny part. We are His. That means, whatever God wants to use us to do, we should yield to Him. This applies to our calling in the Kingdom of God and our ministries...do we let God work through us as John let Him work through Him? It also applies to our way life and relationships with others. Are we led by the world, impulse, emotions or by God.


For God to increase in our lives, we have to decrease, and for us to decrease, we have to be in total submission to God and to submit, there must be obedience.


Most of the time, we let God guide us in certain parts of our lives but the other parts, we like to control. The end result of such a life cannot be good. God knows what is best for us ("For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" Jeremiah 29 : 11) and most of the time, when we try to control our own lives, the end result is not so good ("There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death" )


Without our submission to God, He cannot really really work through us and in our lives...


King Saul, who was rejected by God after disobeying God, is an example of this (1 Samuel 15)...


God cannot and will not cohabit with pride, sin, doubt...and the rest in our lives!
So let's stop trying to make Him or hoping He will!


To sum it all up, we live our lives to the glory of God...our lives should show case Christ, our lives should therefore be all about HIM. 
He chose us (Romans 8 : 33) and bought us with a price.


Child of God, let this be our prayer, let our desire be that as we decrease He might increase in us...let us exchange His wisdom for ours, His strength for ours and His desires for ours...


May God give us the grace to truly yield and submit to Him in every way of our life so that His will be done and that His glory might shine!


Amen.


[Check out this post for a little bit more on submission]


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