Victory In JESUS

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I pledge allegiance to the Lamb

This is for all of us particularly for brethren facing persecution just because of their faith.

RAINBOW AND CHRISTIAN CHARACTER

"After that ye have suffered awhile, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you." — 1 Peter 5:10

When you see a Rainbow, it is beautiful its colours are glorious but observe that it fades away quickly. The fair colours give way to fleecy cloud and the beauty disappear from the sky, it is not established. How can it be? It is a glorious show made up of transitory sun-beams and passing rain-drops.

The graces of the Christian character must not resemble the rainbow in its transitory beauty, but, on the contrary, must be stablished, settled, abiding. Seek, O believer, that every good thing you have may be an abiding thing.   

May your character not be a writing upon the sand, but an inscription upon the rock!

May your faith be no "baseless fabric of a vision," but may it be builded of material able to endure that awful fire which shall consume the wood, hay, and stubble of the hypocrite.

May you be rooted and grounded in love.

May your convictions be deep, your love real, your desires earnest.

May your whole life be so settled and established, that all the blasts of hell, and all the storms of earth shall never be able to remove you.

But notice how this blessing of being "stablished in the faith" is gained.

The apostle's words point us to suffering as the means employed—"After that ye have suffered awhile." It is of no use to hope that we shall be well rooted if no rough winds pass over us. Those old gnarlings on the root of the oak tree, and those strange twistings of the branches, all tell of the many storms that have swept over it, and they are also indicators of the depth into which the roots have forced their way.

So the Christian is made strong, and firmly rooted by all the trials and storms of life. Shrink not then from the tempestuous winds of trial, but take comfort, believing that by their rough discipline God is fulfilling this benediction to you.

I read this on the 7^th July 2014 and it blessed my heart! It is culled from Spurgeon's Morning & Evening, PC Study Bible formatted electronic database Copyright © 1999, 2003, 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.) (paraphrased)

Brethren We Have Met To Worship-Lyrics

LIFE AS A GIFT

James 4:13-16

“Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money." 14 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. 15 Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." 16 As it is, you boast and brag. All such boasting is evil.”

Gifts comes in different sizes and so their values and worth. Our life is a gift from God, a very special gift. The idea of how to make a gain, where to go how to execute a plan can never see the light of day without this gift. How should we receive it? What should be our disposition to this gift? And what are the implications of this gift of life? Let us look at the passage above from the book of James.  

A Little Background To The Book Of James

James, the author of the book of James is truly a humble man, he was the brother of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, he was the first leader of the church in Jerusalem, he was an apostle, and an elder. He humbly introduced himself as ‘a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ’. You will appreciate this when you look at the Greek word translated servant in the text, the word translated is ‘doulos’ which is more often translated ‘slave’ but could also mean ‘servant’. This is the reason NLT, The Message, CJB and some others translated the word ‘slave’. The author was contented to be addressed as a slave of God and slave of Jesus Christ. To me, a true servant rejoices in his positions for so many reasons. I would not want to be found guilty of eisegesis so, I will remain with the text and say what it says and apply. The book contains marks of true religion.

James in this book challenges those who so much ‘trust’ in their planning as if they know what will happen tomorrow and how it would happen. Sometimes ago, at a Hospital in Fugar, Edo State in Nigeria, I saw the body of one our brethren being taking to the mortuary for embalmment and such a sight had constantly reminded me of how unpredictable the next moment could be for anyone, just few minutes ago, he was alive, full of life and a road accident just snuffed life out of him. Some of you who are reading this would remember the brother and that accident in 2002/2003.

Several cases like that have happened, people die unexpectedly through accidents, war, natural disaster and such likes. Some are struck down with some diseases and illness. None can boast about what would happen even in the next few moment. As we have trusted the Lord who is faithful to keep us, we should continue to trust Him, He never sleeps He never slumber and ‘He is never tired of hearing our prayer’. To therefore boast ‘I will do this or that’, ‘go to so and so places, without adequate recognition of the Sovereign will of God is evil. (vs. 16)

The Gift of Life

James tells us “You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes”. Each of us must have a correct evaluation of life, this would eliminate pride, generate appreciation to the Giver of this gift called life, and infuses in us a sobering and diligent preparation for our home beyond the sky knowing full well that our flight can come up any moment.     

Scripture has told us in Hebrew 11: 13 that ‘we have no continuing city here’ and that ‘no one has the power to keep their spirit from leaving or stop their death’ (Ecc. 8:8 ERV). It is either we meet Him in the sky or He calls us out of the grave at His coming. It is certain we are leaving this side of eternity someday and no one knows how soon. This is my thought on how to receive the gift of life.

Gift should be received with appreciation.

David, the sweet Psalmist of Israel wrote: “It is good… to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night” (Ps. 92: 1-2). It is indeed a good thing to be grateful to God. “Because of the LORD’S great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lam. 3: 22-23). If you have survived an accident and perhaps you were terribly wounded, remember those who died in the accident. If you are coping with a kind of sickness, remember those who had died suddenly who were healthy. Perhaps you are poor think about those who were rich and had died. God is good to everyone, no matter what. That you have waited for your marriage for years and it is yet to come or that you that you have waited on God for a child that you are yet to have cannot disprove God’s faithfulness. He goes through your pains with you (Isai. 43: 2) What pleases the Lord most is a life lived for Him in appreciation of His goodness.

Gifts should be treasured.

Do you treasure this gift of life giving to you? Do you harm this body which is the ‘container’ of your spirit? Do you cherish this life? Some through their carelessness cut short their life. Some would even chose to die for a worthless cause. Some kill others in the name of abortion – taking a life that you cannot create! Some commit suicide. Some in disregard for the Giver of life inflicted abominable marks on themselves called ‘tattoo’. God’s gift should be treasured and must be treated and used only in ways pleasing to Him alone.    

Due acknowledgement is required.

To pretend as if one is responsible for his own life is hypocrisy. Our intellects and abilities have a subtle way of engaging our planning without due acknowledgement of our God. We must constantly say like David to ourselves ‘forget not His benefits’ God expects that we acknowledge Him. In His word we read “in all your ways, acknowledge Him” (Pro. 3: 6). God deserves to be acknowledged. Let this be a deliberate act by you. Let your word be seasoned with grace.

CONCLUSION

People had been planning their life without God. Thinking that they had the best of plan but the most important part of any plan is the God’s factor, without God in our plan, we are not even sure of our own life. The rich fool in Luke 12: 16-20 is a biblical example. He thought he could plan without God. All God did was to withdraw the gift of life extended to him. You should never plan without God. Then appreciate His gift of life to you, treasure it and acknowledge it. Here is a story you will like to read, it is titled “Going Under”

Last November, Coast Guard rescuers lowered their helicopter basket and pulled in a drowning family of four.

A man was taking his family from Norfolk, Virginia to Bermuda. Normally, it was a short and pleasant excursion. But he failed to notice Tropical Storm Gordon descending upon his path. They endured 19 hours of 20-foot waves and 50-mph winds. Their sailboat was tossed like a toy. Many of those hours were spent in prayer for survival.

When it was over, did they thank the one who answered their prayers? Surely they thanked the Coast Guard, and most probably the medics who tended to them on shore. But what about their Ultimate Rescuer? The Bible describes such a scene with: "He rescued them from the grave. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love" (Ps 107:20,21 NIV). Are you quick to thank God for the hundreds of times He has rescued you? No matter what method or person became God's instrument for your deliverance, God was the "Conclusive Liberator." Thank Him, right now!

Remember: When you forget to thank God, you "miss the boat."

(from Heartwarming Bible Illustrations Copyright © 1998 by AMG International, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.) You are blessed. Thank you for reading.   

It's Not An Easy Road

ONE THING YOU MUST NEVER DO: GIVE UP

Life at times could be difficult, sometimes it seems the world is crumbling on you, it seems your world is crumbling very fast, this could be in some facet of life, family, finance, career etc. the reason for this may be unexplainable. At such times one is tempted to blame himself, others or situations for such unpleasant experiences. One need to know that everyone experience tough time. You are not alone. Whatever it is that give you great concern is not only happening to you, countless number are going through similar experiences, many more are going through worse situations. You and I need to know that God knows about our situations. Trials and temptation is a common lot of the people of God, let us not in cowardice but boldly, confidently and in faith thread the path that the saints of old have trod.

 

Here are my personal thoughts on Psalm 27 for anyone who might be going through a tough situation.

 

Psalm 27 is a psalm of confidence in God David was identified as the writer. A man after God’s own heart, a king, God’s anointed. Yet, we have a description of his feelings and fear expressed in this Psalm. David expressed much confidence in this Psalm. The question ‘whom shall I fear?’ is a statement of confidence. From the impending attacks of evil men, enemies, army or war (vs. 2, & 3). He said ‘if the Lord is my light and my salvation and He is, whom shall I fear? What a confidence! It seems that the encouragement and support from people close to him was not given as he wrote in verse 10 ‘Though my father and mother forsake me’. His situation will most likely resemble that of Paul in 2 Cor. 4:8-9 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.  David resolved Ps 27: 13 I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. NIV. Nothing works effectively against fear and though time than faith in God. Confidence in the word of God. God cannot lie. His word will surely come to pass.

 

If we will express our confidence in God like David, then we must pray like David. He prayed : Ps 27:4 that I may dwell in the house of the Lord, vs.7 be merciful to me and answer me,v.9 Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger;  Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior. Teach me your way, O Lord;   vs. 11 lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.   Vs. 12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes.

 

David did not just prayed, He knew His God. He relied on God for direction and protection. It is wrong not to take the posture of David and prayed like David. God alone must be our DIRECTOR by whose words we must be bound. He was also noted for his obedience to God in v.8. We must seek God’s face in prayer and in everything. What are your fears and challenges? Your fears may be unfounded... Hear this:

 

Several generations ago, during one of the most turbulent of the desert wars in the Middle East, a spy was captured and sentenced to death by a general of the Persian army. The general, a man of intelligence and compassion, had adopted a strange and unusual custom in such cases. He permitted the condemned person to make a choice. The prisoner could either face a firing squad or pass through the Black Door.

 

As the moment of the execution drew near, the general ordered the spy to be brought before him for a short, final interview, the primary purpose of which was to receive the answer of the doomed man to the query: "What shall it be—the firing squad or the Black Door?"

 

This was not an easy decision, and the prisoner hesitated, but soon made it known that he much preferred the firing squad to the unknown horrors that might await him behind the ominous and mysterious door. Not long thereafter, a volley of shots in the courtyard announced that the grim sentence had been fulfilled.

 

The general, staring at his boots, turned to his aide and said, "You see how it is with men; they will always prefer the known to the unknown. It is characteristic of people to be afraid of the undefined. Yet I gave him his choice."

 

"What lies beyond the Black Door?" asked the aide.

 

"Freedom," replied the general, "and I've known only a few brave enough to take it."

 

The choice is yours (Phil 4:13). "By grace ye are saved through faith" (Eph 4:28). "We live by faith, not by sight" (2 Cor 5:7).

 

(from A Treasury of Bible Illustrations Copyright © 1995, 1998 by AMG International, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by Permission.)  

 

A true child of God should say like David Ps 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear? Having expressed his confidence, He admonished us Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.  He will appear for you, you must remember NEVER GIVE UP.