ROOTED AND BUILT UP

“As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.” (Col. 2:6,7 NKJV).

The terms ‘rooted’ and ‘built up’ say something about ‘planting’ and ‘construction’ which give us a good picture of what it really means to abide in Christ. In these last days it would really be impossible for any Christian to thrive in the faith without being rooted and built up in Christ. Many distractions, many storms, many shakings are just all over the place – everywhere! This generation is standing in a very dangerous place. It will be very impossible for this generation to get away with what the previous generations could get away with because the Lord has shown this generation so much for us to play the fool. We are a learned generation full of God’s revelation. A close look at the opening Scripture, you’d notice that the focus is Christ. It says for us to be rooted and built up IN CHRIST JESUS THE LORD. This is awesome.

When we find our roots and foundations in Christ and He becomes our all, then we have it made. But it is equally important for us not to ignore the phrase “The Lord”. That phrase alters our idea of these two verses. It brings to light the fact that being rooted and built up in Christ is founded on the Lordship of Jesus Christ. The acceptance of the Lordship of Jesus Christ is the bases for anyone to be rooted and built up in Christ. The Lordship of Jesus Christ is what follows after the New Birth. It means Jesus Christ becoming your Master, guiding you daily through His Words and Spirit. Many Christians have not submitted to the Lordship of Jesus in their lives in reality even though they confessed it when they received salvation. It is not automatic or a quick fix, it has to do with yielding willing to the Mastery of Christ through His Words and Spirit. There are so many troubles and insecurities in the world today just because men do not know the Person and the Place called Christ.

ROOTED
In Matthew 13, we read about the very familiar parable Jesus gave – The Parable of the Sower. In verses 20 and 21, Jesus describes one of the four categories thus: “But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.” (NKJV). We cannot run away from tribulations or persecutions as long as we are still in this world. Nevertheless, what we do during these tribulations or persecutions tell us much about how rooted we are in Christ. Remember that Jesus is the Word made flesh (John1:14). So being rooted in the Word equally means being rooted in Christ. Persecutions and tribulations would always arise from time to time to test our level of ‘rootedness’ So it is really not about professing that we are rooted in Christ just with our lips but what our responses or reactions state during these times. Being rooted in Christ simply means taking in the Word so much that all you do is on the basis of the Word and nothing else. Living in a world that opposes anything that has to do with Jesus Christ, being rooted in Christ is the only way we can make it as true Pilgrims on earth. We just need that support that comes from Christ alone that strengthens and supports us. A tree firmly rooted would outlast the wild wind.

BUILT UP
The Lord Jesus tells us in Luke 6:46-49, “But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say? Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.” (NKJV). Observe that the emphasis of Jesus was on the doing of the Word. This is what separates the boys from the men. These two builders both came to Jesus, they both heard the Words of Jesus but what actually made the difference was their response to the Words they heard – one acted on the Words he heard, the other didn’t! The results were different too! James tells us that we deceive ourselves when we only hear the Words and do not do what it says (James 1:22). Paul tells us that it is the doers that are justified and not the hearers alone (Romans 2:13). Jesus says why do you call me Lord, Lord without doing what I say? (Luke 6:46). You can practically build your life in Christ by just being a doer of the Word – as simple as that. Let your acting on the Word not be based on how you feel or what you think about it. But let it be on the basis of pure faith knowing whose Words they are.

We can see that Jesus connected both being rooted and built up to the Word. To be rooted and built up in Christ means to be rooted and built up in the Word. The Word is not an element but a Person but we connect with the Person of The Word – Jesus – through the written Word. The more time we spend in the written Word (the Bible) the more of the Living Word we know (John 1:1-4,14).

TRUST GOD

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” (Jeremiah 29:11, KJV). There’s just something about the New Creature in Christ who knows what it means to trust in the Lord. He’s not perturbed by the physical evidence or facts. He knows how it would turn out – good! Romans 8:28 says “And we are conscious that all things are working together for good to those who have love for God, and have been marked out by his purpose.” (BBE). The difference between ‘here’ and ‘there’ is ‘T’ signifying time. There is the ‘there’ of your life. The difference between now and then is process. We must go through processes in life which are the seasons of our making.

At the end of the day, the summary of a life that clings to the Lord relentlessly would be like this: “So the LORD gave to Israel all the land of which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they took possession of it and dwelt in it. The LORD gave them rest all around, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers. And not a man of all their enemies stood against them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand. Not a word failed of any good thing which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.” (Joshua 21:43-45, NKJV). The pains would be swallowed up by the pleasure of fulfilled promises!

REFUSE TO BOW!

“Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered, "Your Majesty, we will not try to defend ourselves. If the God whom we serve is able to save us from the blazing furnace and from your power, then he will. But even if he doesn't, Your Majesty may be sure that we will not worship your god, and we will not bow down to the gold statue that you have set up.” (Daniel 3:16-18 GNB).

The story of the three Hebrew children in Babylon would continue to be famous because of the spiritual strength and virtue displayed by three Hebrew young men who chose to stand out and firm for what they believe and represent. The fame of the story is not rooted in how popular the story has become over the years but in the fact that these real men chose to absolutely trust and identify with a real God who they have never seen with their optical eyes even in the face of physical and tough conditions. It is so amazing when you look at this age only to see men living without values and firm desires for what they truly claim to be their convictions. We are easily tossed to and fro by the tides of this age like Ephesians 4:14 puts it. We act like the reed instead of the rocks that we claim to be. We bow at every challenge, back out at every fight, become indecisive at the cross roads and stumble at every seeming obstacle just like a driver who enters every pot hole on the road. What is happening to us? I share this piece with a burden for change in my heart. I ask, can we have a repeat of the event documented in Daniel chapter 3 again or something higher in this time when everyone runs away from making a commitment – everyone says ‘why me?’

The opening text is the response of the three Hebrew men to a royal declaration from a then-world-power king. His declaration was voiced by a herald: “You will hear the sound of the trumpets, followed by the playing of oboes, lyres, zithers, and harps; and then all the other instruments will join in. As soon as the music starts, you are to bow down and worship the gold statue that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Anyone who does not bow down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace.” (Daniel 3:5,6 GNB). These guys had guts. They were at the cross roads. They must make a decision and it must be now with no time to think or consider an alternative. They knew their lives were at stake, but they would rather die than to bow. They would rather burn than to bow. They would rather descend into the fiery furnace than to dance to the kings music! It is rightly said that those who don’t mind dying never die. They strongly resisted the pressure of fear! Amidst other virtues which these three Hebrew men possessed, I have highlighted only four. They are:

5. The Knowledge of God: Daniel 11:32 says “And such as violate the covenant he shall pervert and seduce with flatteries, but the people who know their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do exploits [for God].” (AMP). They knew their God and were sure their God knew them even in a foreign and evil land. They didn’t become conformed to the tide in Babylon. They didn’t have an ‘exchange of gods’ kind of life like others did.

6. Identity – They identified themselves as men of The Covenant. Identity is everything. If you don’t know who you are, men would tell you who they think you are and paint a false picture about you until you become nothing more than a people pleaser and a slave of men. When we begin to understand who we are in Christ and the Kingdom from which we have come in reality, it would change everything about us. 1Peter 2:9 says “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a dedicated nation, [God's] own purchased, special people, that you may set forth the wonderful deeds and display the virtues and perfections of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. [Exod. 19:5, 6.]” (AMP). It all starts with identifying who you are. Who are you?

7. Courage – They had guts. Courage is not always the absence of fear. Courage means making a firm decision to ignore your fears in order to do what you have to do. Like Joyce Meyer would say “do it afraid”. Many people you think are courageous would tell you how they handle their fears. The 3 Hebrew men had the courage to be different and to make a difference. Imagine the fact that they were not the only Hebrews in Babylon. There were thousands of them who were equally taken captive. But only three stood out. How about the remaining covenant men? – They bowed unfortunately! It takes courage to be different and to stand out of the crowd for good in a world full of perversion and wickedness where large majority support godlessness.

8. Unconditional Faith (Strong Conviction): The role of faith in an incident like this cannot be down-played upon. Hebrews 11:6 tells us “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” You can perceive the voice of faith from them when they said: "Your Majesty, we will not try to defend ourselves. If the God whom we serve is able to save us from the blazing furnace and from your power, then he will. But even if he doesn't, Your Majesty may be sure that we will not worship your god, and we will not bow down to the gold statue that you have set up.” (Daniel 3:16-18 GNB). A careful look at these three verses, you would see their faith in God, His ability and His supreme will even if He willed for them to burn!

Today we might not all face a physical Nebuchadnezzar, but there are situations and circumstances which set themselves to challenge or threaten our faith and claims in the Lord. We must not give in or give up but stand tall in Christ. Refuse to cower, refuse to bow because God’s on your side! Avoid dual confessions – maintain your confession of faith in God’s Word alone (Heb. 4:14). Never give voice to doubts and fears in your mind. Talk victory all the way! Shout The Word out loud because the shouting side is the winning side. REFUSE TO BOW!

ABC of Abiding In The Word

Act on the Word
Build everything or decisions of your life on the Word
Confess the Word frequently
Depend on the Word
Exalt the Word above your thoughts always
Feast on the Word daily
Grow in the knowledge of the Word/Give the Word first place in your life.
Hold on to your confession of the Word
Impart the Word into others
Journey in the Word (Search the Scriptures)
Keep the Word in your heart
Look to the Word in expectation of Its manifestation
Minister the Word
Never despise God’s Word
Operate by the Word
Practice the Word daily
Quietly digest the Word into your spirit
Renew your mind with the Word
Still the storms of life with the Word
Testify to the Word
Unite yourself with the Word
Verify issues from the Word
Willingly obey the Word
X-ray your life daily in the Word
Yield to the Word of God
Zap doubt and fears by the Word

CAN YOU RISK IT?

I get so touched whenever I come across these Words in my Bible: “men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Acts 15:26). These words keep pounding in my heart and I find myself asking this question: “Am I really willing to risk my life for the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ?” No one can risk his life for a cause he has no conviction or value for. All Christian martyrs have this one thing in common: they consider the cause of Christ and the personality of Jesus Christ to be of more value than life itself. Remember, they never lost their lives but gained them – they are possessors of eternal life (the indestructible zoe-life of God) – they just had a transition to the world of eternity. My question to you is this: do you think you have such a value for Jesus Christ and the Gospel that you can risk your life for it? We must always remember the very Words of the Lord Jesus Christ which He spoke in Mark 8:35, “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it.” (NKJV). To what extent can you go for the Lord Jesus Christ and His cause – the Gospel?

Many say they are shy to present the Gospel to people, they hide under the cover of “I cannot preach” or “God knows I’m too busy to go from house to house” and other kinds of such excuses. Well, when the love and value for Jesus Christ overwhelms a man, all such excuses are laid aside in just a moment. The passion for the lost drives away every excuse about preaching the Gospel. Sometimes we need to remember that much blood was spilled to get the Gospel to us. There were many saints who had to die – lay down their lives – to ensure that this Gospel got into certain communities, nations, cities etc. And most importantly that precious divine blood of Jesus Christ that was shed for the redemption of man. Stories have been told of people who decided to be smuggled into nations through bags of pepper, coffins and other hazardous means in order to take this Gospel message of hope to them. There are others who actually knew what was done to people who preach the Gospel in certain communities but still went ahead driven by the love of God. Some actually escaped the dangers while some were tortured, others killed. Even the Apostle Paul in the Bible rejoiced in his chains because he could use every opportunity to preach to the high and mighties of his days whenever he was arraigned before them for his defence.

Paul the Apostle was one person who truly understood value. He had the right perspective of life. He knew he was on earth for a purpose which he must carry through till it is delivered. He knew time was attached to his purpose on earth and so did everything he could to ensure that his time on earth was never a waste. He took the Gospel as a personal responsibility as though if he didn’t preach it no one else would. Here are some of his words that portrayed his passion for the Lord and the lost: In Philippians 1:20 he said “according to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.” (NKJV). Acts 20:24, “But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” (NKJV). Acts 21:12,13 says: “Now when we heard these things, both we and those from that place pleaded with him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, ‘What do you mean by weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.’” (NKJV).

I pray that the Lord would awaken our hearts once again to true value so that we would expend our time on earth on things that are of eternal value and where necessary be able to take risks for the Name of Jesus Christ being confident that we have nothing to lose in Christ but rather have everything to gain just as the Apostle Paul said: “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:21. NKJV).

GOD’S REDEMPTIVE NAMES

In the Old Covenant, God revealed Himself to His covenant people through Seven Names which showed what was to be the content of the Redemptive work. They are as follows:

1. Jehovah Tsidkenu – The Lord my Righteousness
“In His days Judah will be saved, And Israel will dwell safely; Now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.” (Jeremiah 23:6, NKJV).

2. Jehovah Shammah – The Lord is present with me
"All the way around shall be eighteen thousand cubits; and the name of the city from that day shall be: THE LORD IS THERE." (Ezekiel 48:35, NKJV).

3. Jehovah Raah (or Rohi) – The Lord my Shepherd
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1, NKJV).

4. Jehovah Rapha – The Lord my Healer
“and said, "If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you." (Exodus 15:26, NKJV).

5. Jehovah Jireh – The Lord my Source or Provider
“And Abraham called the name of the place, The-LORD-Will-Provide; as it is said to this day, "In the Mount of The LORD it shall be provided." (Genesis 22:14, NKJV).

6. Jehovah Shallom – The Lord my Peace
“So Gideon built an altar there to the LORD, and called it The-LORD-Is -Peace. To this day it is still in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.” (Judges 6:20-24, NKJV).

7. Jehovah Nissi – The Lord my Banner (Victory)
“But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the male children alive.” (Exodus 17:15, NKJV).

He revealed Himself in parts then but today we have His complete revelation in Jesus Christ. If you are born again, these blessings belong to you In Christ. When any child of God awakens to the realities of these Names, he suddenly finds Himself walking in God’s fullness – His Best!

MAKE ROOM FOR THE HOLY GHOST

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU! I pray the blessings of newness be yours this season and all through the year in Jesus’ Name. Amen. This is a great year full of possibilities and I believer what I have strongly sensed in my spirit for a while now that we shall know and experience more of the manifestations of the extraordinary and supernatural life from this year onward and it would continue to increase because the Holy Spirit is up to something really big. Please don’t be left out of this. But you must get ready for it. It all starts with knowing the Person of the Holy Spirit and learning to fellowship and yield to Him daily. While Jesus was on earth He so much depended on the Holy Spirit. Knowing how impossible it was to honour the Lord on this defiled earth without the Holy Spirit, He promised to send Him (the Holy Spirit) to everyone who accepts Him (Jesus) as Lord and Saviour. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to Believers in Him when He was about going to the cross. He said these precious Words: “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:16-18. NKJV).

The Believer in the Lord Jesus Christ who has the Holy Spirit living inside of him is in a place of advantage. He is not perturbed by the happenings around him because he has a Helper living within him Who tells him what to do always (John 14:17,26; 1 John 4:4). He has an edge in life. But then, what happens when a Believer would not yield to the leading of the Helper or simply ignores Him in his daily pursuits? Very simple! He struggles and labours like every other unsaved, sense-ruled person. All through the Epistles, I can only see two instances where the Saint is asked to labour. Firstly, the Saint is to labour to enter into God’s rest (Hebrews 4:10,11) and this means labouring to get the knowledge of the Word of faith – labouring in the Word. In other words, this speaks of feeding on the Word of God so much that it becomes part of you to the point that you are the walking Word of God. At this stage you have entered in your rest. It’s your seventh day – you cease from your struggles and labours. Secondly, our labour of love is our eternal investment (Hebrews 6:10). This involves everything we go through for Love’s sake; everything we do to please the Lord or to make the lives of people better than we met them. The labour of love is the Greatest Commandment Jesus gave and it summarizes all other laws ever given including the 10 commandments (Matthew 22:37-40, John 13:34,35). Well, these are very good reasons to labour, or what do you think?

A large number of Saints live their lives void of the influence of the Holy Spirit. Many don’t even know that the Holy Spirit has a ministry in their lives and they keep searching elsewhere for directions and wondering why things aren’t functioning fine. We must come to understand that there is a way out of every trouble but until we listen to the Voice of the One Who knows all things we keep getting stock in life. The Holy Spirit wants to be a part of your daily life and He wouldn’t force Himself on any one. You must make the choice to invite Him to be in charge of your entire life. We can avoid some silly mistakes in life by simply listening to the still small voice of the Holy Spirit. Instead of always looking for how to get out of trouble, we can avoid getting into trouble by learning to just listen to the Holy Spirit. Some mistakes can cost us our very lives, so we must avoid them. Jesus said: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.” (John 14:26; 16:13, NKJV).

Perhaps, you’ve been struggling alone in all your pursuits; profession, ministry, business, finances, job, relationship etc. it’s time to make room for the Holy Spirit – your Helper – to set things in order. As you listen to His voice, He would give you counsel that can never fail. People who always make consultations with the Holy Spirit before carrying out actions never lose. The only time they lose is when they forget to involve Him. Never be too much in a haste that you forget your Helper and Counsellor, your efforts become futile. How the Holy Spirit longs to help us daily. Proverbs 3:5-7 says it all: “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.” Also Eccl.10:15 says: “The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.” Start practicing consultations with the Holy Spirit today. He wants to direct your paths. You can never lose with the Holy Ghost! It is time to turn it all over to the Him, let Him lead you into God’s purpose for your life and in the achievement of your dreams and goals from today onward.

David C. Okoye