Thursday, May 27, 2010

Before you take that next step

When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went out to meet them. Now the Philistines had come and raided the Valley of Rephaim; 10 so David inquired of God: "Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?"
The LORD answered him, "Go, I will hand them over to you."
So David and his men went up to Baal Perazim, and there he defeated them. He said, "As waters break out, God has broken out against my enemies by my hand." So that place was called Baal Perazim. The Philistines had abandoned their gods there, and David gave orders to burn them in the fire.

Once more the Philistines raided the valley; so David inquired of God again, and God answered him, "Do not go straight up, but circle around them and attack them in front of the balsam trees. As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the balsam trees, move out to battle, because that will mean God has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army." So David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army, all the way from Gibeon to Gezer.

So David's fame spread throughout every land, and the LORD made all the nations fear him.
1 Chronicles 14:8-17 (NIV)

The Lord laid this message in my heart about one week ago and I thought I should share. Thinking about it now, what better day to share this than on the day set aside by Nigerians to celebrate children.

Often times, in the hustle and bustle of life, we forget that we do not belong to ourselves but to the Lord and take decisions without recourse to higher authority. What slave takes decisions without first consulting with the master? Are we not slaves of Christ?

When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed king over all Israel, they went up in full force to search for him, but David heard about it and went out to meet them.(1 Chronicles 14:8)

Before I proceed, it is clear from this passage that the anointing of God attracts opposition from the enemy’s camp! The minute the philistines heard that David had become king, the Bible records that they went up in full force against him! This is however not where I am going this morning (just thought I should mention!)

Now, David hears that this fearsome tribe had come out to war. The Bible records that he matched out to meet them. Now, this was a tribe that David had defeated before (Remember Goliath of Gath?) I believe strongly that David was not afraid of this tribe! He had defeated them once (as a boy) and was now better equipped to defeat them yet again. The account in Chronicles continues:

Now the Philistines had come and raided the Valley of Rephaim; 10 so David inquired of God: "Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?"
The LORD answered him, "Go, I will hand them over to you."
1 Chronicles 14:9

David marched out against the Philistines. Paused. And inquired of God as to whether he should go to war or not.

My issue is this. Why would David. The warrior who had defeated the Philistines even as a boy without weapons still wait to inquire of God whether he should fight? Wouldn’t you have thought that would be a “no-brainer”? I sure would!
Anyway, God let David go to war and yes, he defeated the Philistines again!

Once more the Philistines raided the valley; 1 Chronicles 14:13

Now let me state clearly. The life of a Christian is a life of warfare! Satan does not give up! You must be constantly on the alert! You will keep fighting battles as long as you have the anointing but the good thing is that the success of your battles are already guaranteed -…in all these things we are more than conquerors….

Who would have thought that the Philistines will return to fight David again? Dumb you think? No! Persistent is more like it! Often times, we Christians have stuff to learn from the enemy’s camp (write up for another day).

so David inquired of God again, and God answered him, "Do not go straight up, but circle around them and attack them in front of the balsam trees. 1 Chronicles 14:14

And yes. David inquired again. Whether he should go ahead and fight these people who he had conquered more than twice in the past. These same people. And wait for this? In the same place! I would have thought that since the circumstances were similar, stuff could be done the same way it was done before. But David knew otherwise. He inquired yet again.

God gave him a different strategy for the same people in the same place.

What do you think would have happened if David went out against the Philistines the same way he did in the last battle? The tribe of Israel could have been wiped off the face of the map! Would it have been illogical for him to have thought that he could defeat the same people in the same place that he had defeated them before? No! It would have made perfect (human) sense for him to have gone ahead without all the fuss of inquiring from God!

David certainly had an understanding that a lot of us do not.

Who then is the man that fears the Lord?
He will instruct him in the path chosen for Him (Psalm 25:12)


David understood that there is a distinct path chosen for all believers in Christ.
Many times we take decisions based on logic, our economy, our environment, our parents, our friends, everything aside from GOD. God is speaking. He wants you to bring all your decisions before His throne. He wants to lead you in the path that you should go.

This is what the LORD says—
your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
"I am the LORD your God,
who teaches you what is best for you,
who directs you in the way you should go.


And this is not just about serious decisions like marital choices but everything! He wants you to bring everything to Him.

I will share a true life story.

Sarafina was a brilliant prize winner in her country’s university somewhere in Africa. After graduating she worked for a short while and decided that she will go to the UK for her masters. It was the only other logical thing to do. She began the process. Applied to schools. Applied for scholarships. And had started receiving admission letters when she decided to take it to God in prayer. That night God spoke to her saying “Don’t step out of Africa. Your destiny is to be birthed in Africa. Remain there until I say so.”

While Sarafina was still battling with the prophesy she had received, the head of her local assembly called her (like a few days later) and confirmed the message. The pastor said I was praying and God said to tell you that if you had plans to travel, you should shelve them for now. He wants to do something in your life…”


Sarafina had a choice. She could have gone ahead to travel. But in her words “ why would I want to go anywhere that God’s presence is not?” She forfeited her admission. Is still in Africa and still has not seen the reason God has asked her to wait but is secured in her convictions.

Sarafina is wise!

How many times do we go ahead and take decisions without consulting our father?

How many times have we accepted the offer of employment without inquiring of the one who knows the end from the beginning?

How many times have we begun relationships with members of the opposite sex without asking to know the mind of God?

How many times have we gone for occasions and programmes without seeking His permission?

How many times have we done things as insignificant as dyeing our hair without consulting with God? Or have you forgotten that all the hairs on your haired are number? Do you think He doesn’t care?

Even when things seem so logical, God may not be in them.

Now it came to pass, when David was dwelling in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but the ark of the covenant of the LORD is under tent curtains.”
2 Then Nathan said to David, “Do all that is in your heart, for God is with you.”
3 But it happened that night that the word of God came to Nathan, saying, 4 “Go and tell My servant David, ‘Thus says the LORD: “You shall not build Me a house to dwell in
1 Chronicles 17:1-4

In this scripture, David proposed to build a house for God. Who would have thought God would not allow? Did it not make perfect sense that David wanted to build for God? Yet God did not allow!

We must come to a place where we have childlike and total reliance on the Father. Resolve in your heart to seek God’s directions before you take that next step. David the renowned murderer, adulterer and schemer is today celebrated as a man after God’s heart. Why is this? Total reliance on the directives of God.

One thing I have desired of the LORD,That will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD All the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, And to inquire in His temple.(Psalm 27:4)

Total reliance is not just about feeling a peace when you pray about marrying the brother (or sister) you love. Remember, there are many voices. Very many. There is your voice. Satan’s voice. The voice of the world! There is also God’s voice. If you are not sure, seek the face of the set man (or woman) over your local assembly.
Remember, there is a way that seems right unto a man. The end leads to destruction.

Say a prayer with me.

Dear Lord,

We give you praise because you are God all by yourself! We worship you! You are great! You are awesome! You are mighty!

We are glad we have you. We are glad you are on our side.

Today we make a commitment to you that we will not take another decision without consulting you. We understand that you are the beginning. We also understand that you are the end. Because you are both of these and all things in between, we know that you know our end from our beginning. We therefore pray dear Lord that you lead us in the paths that we should go.

We pray that all our lives may be in line with your will for us in the name of Jesus! We decree that because we have the mind of Christ we will not take any wrong decisions.

We pray that ultimately we will reign with you in heaven forever.

Amen.

Happy children's day....Let us all remain children in issues of trust and direction....

Friday, May 14, 2010

...Come home...

…The Lord laid this in my heart a few days ago. He was actually speaking to me about me but I thought this might bless a few believers who are not where they should be spiritually…


11-12Then he said, "There was once a man who had two sons. The younger said to his father, 'Father, I want right now what's coming to me.'
12-16"So the father divided the property between them. It wasn't long before the younger son packed his bags and left for a distant country. There, undisciplined and dissipated, he wasted everything he had. After he had gone through all his money, there was a bad famine all through that country and he began to hurt. He signed on with a citizen there who assigned him to his fields to slop the pigs. He was so hungry he would have eaten the corncobs in the pig slop, but no one would give him any.
17-20"That brought him to his senses. He said, 'All those farmhands working for my father sit down to three meals a day, and here I am starving to death. I'm going back to my father. I'll say to him, Father, I've sinned against God, I've sinned before you; I don't deserve to be called your son. Take me on as a hired hand.' He got right up and went home to his father.
20-21"When he was still a long way off, his father saw him. His heart pounding, he ran out, embraced him, and kissed him. The son started his speech: 'Father, I've sinned against God, I've sinned before you; I don't deserve to be called your son ever again.'
22-24"But the father wasn't listening. He was calling to the servants, 'Quick. Bring a clean set of clothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then get a grain-fed heifer and roast it. We're going to feast! We're going to have a wonderful time! My son is here—given up for dead and now alive! Given up for lost and now found!' And they began to have a wonderful time.
Luke 15: 11- 24 (The Message Translation)


Again, this is one of the most widely read, cited and known scripture in Christendom but God opened my eyes to a lot of things in this scripture.
Here is my interpretation of the scripture.
Our scene opens with P a beloved son (daughter) of God who has tasted of the glory of the Father. He (or she) has spoken in diverse tongues, led choirs in various churches and practically dragged down the presence of God in the gatherings, laid hands on the sick and they had received their healings, preached to friends, neighbours, colleagues and won souls and more souls to Christ.

But one day, something sets in. Pride? Greed? That’s a debate for another day. What I am sure of, is that there was a shift in focus from the father to something else.
'Father, I want right now what's coming to me.'

This line of the scripture suggests to me that he (the son) no longer looked at/ focused on the father. He now looked at the material rather than the abstract spiritual and intangible love he had enjoyed with the father. He had shifted his focus.
The first step to falling out of the presence of God is to shift your focus from HIM. It might be a nagging problem, it might be an illness, it might be material needs. It might be tall dark and handsome – whatever it is that is hovering around, no matter how urgent the need seems, DO NOT SHIFT YOUR FOCUS FROM THE LORD. Scripture says
“Turn my eyes away from worthless things…” (Psalm 119:37)
All aside from the word of God is worthless!

There, undisciplined and dissipated, he wasted everything he had. After he had gone through all his money, there was a bad famine all through that country and he began to hurt. He signed on with a citizen there who assigned him to his fields to slop the pigs. He was so hungry he would have eaten the corncobs in the pig slop, but no one would give him any.

Stepping out of God’s presence ushers you directly into servitude. Bondage. Captivity. The hedge is broken. It leads you into a life of waste and famine. Notice how the famine began only after all P’s money was gone….That is the device of Satan. He lures you out of the presence of God, he seemingly sustains you for a while and then dumps you. At that stage, you feel you have gone too far for even God to forgive you (another of satan’s devices).
P was the son of a King. He was a prince but he had broken his relationship with the King. He had sinned. Now, he was doing jobs that even the slaves in his father’s palace were forbidden from doing. Stepping out of God’s presence throws things your way that should not happen to even the least of God’s children. The arrows of the enemy begin to penetrate easily. Vices that had been dropped begin to resurface and satan has a filled day toying with your life and destiny.
The bible records that P wished he could have eaten the food of the pigs.
Have you ever wandered why he could not just reach out and eat the food with the pigs? What was preventing him? After all he was in charge of feeding the pigs anyway!

He was so hungry he would have eaten the corncobs in the pig slop, but no one would give him any.

Why did anyone need to give him what he was in charge of? That my brethren is the extent of the servitude we get into when we step out of the presence of God!!!
The devil is out to get you. To kill you! To destroy you! Whatever happens, stay in God’s presence!
At this stage, P obviously needed what we call in Christendom today “deliverance”. The next line of scripture is my favourite in this story
That brought him to his senses. He said, 'All those farmhands working for my father sit down to three meals a day, and here I am starving to death. I'm going back to my father. I'll say to him, Father, I've sinned against God, I've sinned before you; I don't deserve to be called your son. Take me on as a hired hand.' He got right up and went home to his father.

One version of scripture says “…and he came to himself…” There are bondages we get into that only us can deliver ourselves there from. No deliverance minister helped P out. Nobody. He came to himself and proposed in his heart to go back to his father.
Someone reading this may have committed an abortion and just decided to stay in sin (as a result of the guilt). Someone else may be struggling with guilt as a result of sexual sin. Whatever it is, propose in your heart to go back to God.
Propose in your heart to return to abundance.
P the bible says, got right up and went home. Do not stay where you are any more! Get up now. Return to God! Don’t bother about how you will stop the fornication with tall, dark and handsome that you love so much. Don’t bother about how the stealing or the gossiping will stop. Don’t fret about your vices or your habits – those are not your issues! Get up right away! Go back to the father and He will handle these for you through the power in His name and His word!
"But the father wasn't listening. He was calling to the servants, 'Quick. Bring a clean set of clothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then get a grain-fed heifer and roast it. We're going to feast! We're going to have a wonderful time! My son is here—given up for dead and now alive! Given up for lost and now found!' And they began to have a wonderful time.

God gave me an amazing revelation here. The Bible records that before P could download his rehearsed speech, the father ordered for the following:

1. Clean clothes to be put on Him – this signifies the workings of the Blood of Jesus. The blood of Jesus changes your filthy clothes to Pure clothes….Remember, though your sins are red as scarlet, the precious red supernatural blood of the Lamb, makes them white as snow!

2. He put a family ring on his finger – The ring is a symbol of authority! When you return to God, he gives you the same authority he gave the disciples of old! He gives you the symbol of sonship. He gives you that same power that raised Jesus from the dead! For P, there was a transformation from a beggar who was not allowed to eat the food of swine to a prince, an heir of an entire dynasty!

3. Sandals on his feet: Think about going out even in the city without shoes on. This is how exposed P was. Stepping out of God’s presence exposes you to danger! P’s feet must have been bruised and battered. Stepping back into God’s presence brought protection! The sandals here signify God’s protection!

4. Rejoicing – When men rejoice! There are grand feasts….think about the rejoicing of the one who made the heavens and the earth! Surely there would be evidence in the life of the returnee!

Do not mind the skill or lack of it of the writer.
All you need is the message.
Say a prayer with me.

Father,
We come to you in the precious name of your son. We pray today for as many prodigal sons and daughters. We pray that you may order their steps towards you. We pray that the hold of Satan may be loosened upon their lives in the name of Jesus!
We pray that we believers may stand so that we may not be cast away. Preserve us from wilfull sins dear Lord. Keep us away from spiritual arrogance. Help us to love the way you love. Help us to care the way you care and help us to live the way you lived while you were on earth as a man!
We cannot do it on our own.
Help us Lord!
Have mercy!
We love you very much.
In the name of Jesus!

Amen