It’s amazing how swift the year is going, it feels like last night I was out with my sisters and cousin trying to light the fireworks to usher in the New Year. While a lot of people felt January was extremely slow, February seems to be making up by breezing through. It’s been one interesting year, with the current trends happening globally as well as our individual lives. Most of us started off the year pumped up with ideas, resolutions, prophetic declarations and mind-blowing themes in Churches etc. Such themes like I’m a living miracle, year of mega exploits or like my local Church my year of walking in faith. Trust me when I say we have had many people who have already stepped out in faith and are experiencing the fruits.
We’ve been having a series on Faith in Church and the aim is to peel each layer to its simplest form. It’s been one interesting ride so far, a lot of people are stepping out of their comfort zones. More direct and deliberate prayers are been said, people’s mind are stretched to accommodate the inherent capacity on the inside, business ideas are birthed and it’s not frightening to execute it. Don’t get me wrong it’s not a walk in the park, people are stepping out with trepidation and palpitation, some are making ‘seemingly’ foolish decisions but for a greater glory, some are making crazy sacrifices and delaying gratification. But in between praying, stepping out and receiving what we want is a waiting period. And that is the hardest part. Let me paint a story.
But in between praying, stepping out and receiving what we want is a waiting period. And that is the hardest part.
A couple had been childless for many many years, they heard the message of faith and found the promise of having their own children in God’s word. They were excited although the wife silently doubted if she could ever conceive; science backed up her doubt by reminding her she had entered menopause. But her husband was fully persuaded and even told her he personally heard from God that they both will have their own child. So they entered their waiting period and the long journey started. She would often stuff her gowns with clothes to create a false baby bump and stare at the mirror to imagine what she would look like pregnant.
Days turned into months and into years and there was no sign of a bump and then it occurred to her she could speed up the process or in her words help out. She advised her husband to sleep with her maid, after all her maid belonged to her and the baby would still come from her husband too. Her doting husband obliged her and by now for the Bible students you know this is Abraham and Sarah and the union led to Ishmael. Ishmael wasn’t the child of promise but in a bid to “help God” Sarah suggested to Abraham and Abraham had heard he was going to have a child so it was only logical for him to go on with the plan.
Besides he was supposedly stepping out in faith. Herein lies the issue, many people are hearing but are not patient to let the Word of God have a thorough work in them. Yes we have read, show me your faith by your works but the question is what inspires the works we produce. Have we trained our inner ear to differentiate between the voice of God and the Devil? Jesus Christ had been led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to fast for 40 days and after that He was hungry, and the Devil appeared on the scene to tempt Him with food. Was Jesus hungry? Was He believing God to be fed? Yes to all those questions. But He knew not every “gift” is from God. I recently needed a particular thing, I had even prayed about it that morning and before noon that day someone offered just what I wanted. But in the euphoria of the excitement of how fast God answered I was jolted back to sieve out “not every gift is from God”.
Jesus Christ had been led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness to fast for 40 days and after that He was hungry, and the Devil appeared on the scene to tempt Him with food. Was Jesus hungry? Was He believing God to be fed? Yes to all those questions. But He knew not every “gift” is from God.
I am always reminded with these words “which son will ask his father for bread and receive stone or fish and get a snake, if earthly fathers though evil know how to give good gifts how much more our heavenly Father” Matthew 7:9. God desires we receive good gifts in fact He has said “no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly” Psalm 84:11b. So step out in faith, refuse to be mediocre, the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead lives in you therefore live, dominate, rule and have authority in the world. But at the same time be sensitive to the schemes of the devil, he is subtle and can sneak up on you when your guards are down. God is never busy for you, His mind is filled with thoughts of you. He doesn’t need your help rather needs you to trust Him for the next step.
While reading this and somewhere in your heart you realize you don’t have a relationship with Jesus Christ, we can say a short prayer together. Dear Father I come to You in the name of Your Son Jesus Christ, I acknowledge I’m a sinner and that has prevented me from receiving the love Jesus has been offering me. Today I ask for Your forgiveness and I accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. Thank you Father. Welcome to the family, join a community of Bible believers close to you, get a Bible you can understand (Amplified, New King James) and start to experience your new relationship.
Loads of Love
JMAD
N/B : Photo credit : Google
JmadReflects 