ONE THING IS NEEDFUL

We live in a world that is fast advancing in every facet that it appears difficult for one to keep his or her mind fixed on just one thing. A lot of things calling for our attention, some of them not necessarily bad but just simply not expedient. So many things are happening, and so fast, all over the world. This is the time to pay more attention to what the Master has to say as never before. The Word of God tells us in Hebrews 1:1-3 “God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;” It matters who you listen to in life. In Luke 10:38-42, we read about the incidence that took place when Jesus visited Mary and Martha. We see how Martha was so occupied with the need to take care of the Master that she neglected what was most important. But Mary gave the Master absolute attention which, the Master said, was needful. Now, it is important we understand that what Martha was doing wasn’t wrong in itself, at all. It is vital to make your guests feel at home first of all before sitting down to receive or attend to what he/she came for. It’s called courtesy. So the problem was not that she was trying to fix things for the Master’s comfort. The problem was in her not recognizing or having a full understanding of Who had visited. In fact verse 38 tells us that it was Martha who received Jesus into her house – she was the main person in focus here. We need to catch this! And I pray that the Holy Spirit grants us revelation on this. The focus of this incidence is in the juxtaposition between the spiritual need of the hour and physical needs. Martha should have known that she wasn’t always going to have Jesus in her house, knowing who He was. She should have known that Jesus was a different kind of visitor. Her understanding of Who had visited should have made her see that paying attention first was more important than taking care of Him. If only Martha understood that Jesus Christ came for just one purpose and that it was urgent, she would have also understood that this is one opportunity not to be missed. Listening to the Master would have been her uttermost preoccupation. The problem was in her not recognizing, by revelation, Who had visited. She was OCCUPIED with so many things. What’s your emphasis in life? What is taking your attention the most? It’s time we rearrange our priorities to position ourselves aright for what’s really vital in life. Friend, it’s so unfortunate that I’ve heard a lot of teachings on this subject but the Teachers only emphasize that one thing is needful and they go ahead to say other things but that one thing which is needful. I’ve hardly heard any teaching that placed emphasis on that one thing Jesus said was needful. It’s so important that we pay rapt attention to God’s Word. God’s Word is not just another literature. There are no irrelevant details in God’s Word. Every single thing is important. Why, in the first place, was this incident documented? It’s for us to get God’s emphasis on what really matters in life. Jesus lets us know what that ONE THING is: Listening to Him (Luke 10:39,42). I make bold to say this, by the Spirit of God, that a man who makes listening to God a priority in life will never lack a single thing he really needs in this world. This is so true by revelation and by experience. God will always instruct you on the way to go and how to make a thing work if only you’ll listen to Him. No wonder Proverbs 4:13 tells us that we should take hold of God’s instructions because His instructions are life. I’ll never forget what Kenneth E. Hagin of blessed memory once said. He said God told Him “If you listen to me, I’ll make you rich.” That’s just it! Praise God! As we advance from age to age, we must come to a place in life where we define for ourselves what true value is. The word ‘value’ is actually relative. What a man defines as value may be different from what another defines as value. Our various definitions of value range from our different purposes in life. But for the Believer, Jesus says, value is absolute – listening to Him! When you listen to the Master, every other thing falls in place because He will instruct you on what to do in every area of your life. It’s so unfortunate how people think spending time in prayer is a waste of time. They rush out very early to work without giving God their most precious time of the day. They return so weak and used and sometimes even try to mumble some words in prayer and just sleep off only to wake up the next day and have to leave so early to work and this goes on and on and since they cannot hear the voice of God, not being well positioned through prayer, the enemy strikes and one thing leads to another and before you know it one tragedy occurs and so on. It is blatant foolishness to live life without express communication with God! Concerning the devotional life of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Word of God tells us in Mark 1:35 “And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.” This is so inspiring, considering the fact that no minister of the Gospel on earth has ever been busier than Jesus Christ was during His earthly ministry but He still had such a time for such kind of fellowship with the Father. This is to tell us what value the Master placed on listening to the Father. It’s about value friends! In the midst of all the hustling and bustling always remember that just one thing is needful. Even as the year closes up there would definitely be some kind of rush here and there in a bid to catch up with lost time. Still remember that just one thing is needful. Before you do anything, before you make any decision or take any step, especially in these last days, pay attention to what the Master is saying through the Holy Spirit. Sensitivity is a priority to those who really care about what the Lord has to say about everything. We build this sensitivity by meditating on the Word of God and letting the Holy Spirit work in us.

NO PRESSURES!

Is it possible to overcome anxiety in a world full of pressures and troubles? Is it possible not to worry when everything around you is everything but pleasant? Is it possible to believe God for the best when it appears you only experience the seemingly worst situations in life? Is it possible to smile or even laugh when legitimate needs are before your very face? Is it possible to lift your hands in heartfelt worship when going through the storms of life? Yes! It is possible. But, how? As believers in Christ Jesus, we must understand that Jesus Christ already told us what to expect in this world, but better still, He tells us how to live on top of situations. He showed us how to live in victory every single day of our lives not just because of but also in spite of... He showed us how to have a shout in our spirit 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year. Glory to God! Jesus didn’t leave us in the dark about anything and that is why we must pay rapt attention to Him. In John 16:33, Jesus declares “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” The first thing you must observe here is that Jesus said something to us in order that we may have peace. Meaning that we cannot base our peace on anything else but the Words of Jesus! Never look to or observe the situations to find peace, but look and listen to Jesus! Then He said that in the world you shall have tribulation. Now He’s informing you that what you’re going through is not new – that’s how it is in the world. As long as you’re in this world dominated by sin and its effects, there would be tribulation. But then, He tells us what to do. He said to be of good cheer, or in other words, cheer up! You must consciously choose to cheer up, not just when the situation changes for good. No! You must cheer up, stay worry-free, laugh in the midst of the situation! Why? Because Jesus has overcome the world! Hey! This must come to you as a revelation that Jesus has overcome the world – literarily! Now the case is different for us. Now we can be hopeful for change. Now we can expect a miraculous turn around. Now we know that things would change for the better because Jesus Christ – Himself – has overcome the world for us and so we have overcome the world! Praise God! This Scripture will strangle any form of pressure in your life if you let it sink deep! Now, Peter by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, tells us what to do with the cares and worries of our lives. He said “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (1Peter 5:7). In other words, take the pressure off yourself and put it on Jesus Christ! Glory to God! We can live pressure-free in a pressure-filled world! You must consciously disallow pressures in your life. That’s your responsibility – no one does it for you! You choose to do so or stay with pressures! It could just be as easy as saying “Lord, concerning this situation, I take the pressure off of myself and place it on you because you care for me. I believe in Your love for me.” Praise God! If only you can be foolish enough to be ‘careless’ for a moment, you’d see the mighty hand of God at work in your life. You can’t be more responsible than God. Philippians 4:6 tells us “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” We must do the Word, in spite of legitimate or logical reasons to worry, if we must live in the miraculous. Trust God for real. Proverbs. 3:5-6 says “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.” Refuse to worry! Whenever you feel like worrying just laugh because you know that things would change for good – somehow! As the year is quickly closing up you may be tempted to want to worry about unaccomplished targets and goals but you must refuse to worry because worrying can never change the situation but complicates it. Be hopeful and trust God. Live according to the Words of the Master in Matthew 6:25-34 and stay pressure-free because you are covered. “But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1Cor. 15:57). Praise God!

I SEE THE HARVEST

As a little boy growing up, we lived close to a Christian neighbour who liked playing this song every Sunday. An old song which goes like this ‘all over the world the Spirit is moving. All over the world as the prophets say it will be. All over the world there’s a mighty revelation of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.’ Amazingly, I never knew what those words were doing to my spirit. I grew up remembering that song again and again and kept wondering why I was so affected by it. Today, the Holy Spirit has made Habakkuk 2:14 the melody of my heart. I never new I carried a prophecy in my spirit. Habakkuk 2:14 tells us “For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.” Praise God! When you look at the world today, what do you see? As you look into the eyes of people from day to day, what do you see? As you hear of turbulence and catastrophe from the news media every single day, what do you see? What comes to mind when you hear of the pestilence, terrors and inhumanity of fellow humans? Friends, I see the harvest. I see countless number of men and women, boys and girls from every nation, race, tongue and tribe turning to the Lord as their only hope. I see a sea of humanity turning back to their creator God through the only remedy He has provided – Jesus Christ! I see multitudes calling on the wondrous Name of Jesus Christ for their salvation! It’s harvest time. The harvest is ripe and ready for harvesting! This is the season the Prophets talked about when there shall be unprecedented divine manifestations! The Lord Jesus Christ firmly declares in John 4:35-36 “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.” This is so instructive and prophetic! What harvest was Jesus talking about? – The harvest of souls brought into the Kingdom of God, possessing His eternal life and free from the dominion of the devil! The Lord Jesus said to His disciples and to us in extension that we don’t need to look too far to see the harvest. He said that the harvest is ripe already, ready for harvesting. In other words, it’s not the time to wait, it’s not the time to analyse the situation, and it’s not the time to try to see the possibility of plunging into the harvest field to reap the harvest into God’s ban. It is simply the time to act. It’s the time to step out with every eagerness and faith to bring in the harvest. Jesus was expressing Heaven’s urgent demand on you and me towards getting the lost to hear the Gospel and receive the gift of God – eternal life (Romans 6:23). Heaven is counting on us! I want you to observe these three expressions Jesus used in John 4:35 “Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.” The first thing I want you to observe is the word ‘behold’. It’s an old expression which means to see something, to look upon. Next is the phrase ‘lift up your eyes’. This expression doesn’t refer to a physical act of lifting up your eyes but to something very supernatural and prophetic. It has to do with our positioning which would in turn affect what we see and how we see what we see. Jesus was simply asking us to see through the eyes of the Spirit in the same manner a Prophet would. This is very important because by way of application if you look through your optical (physical) eyes you will see little or nothing. In fact those who try to see with their physical eyes only end up discouraged because the physical factors are so disheartening. In Genesis 13 we see this play out so amazingly. Lot lifted up his physical eyes and looked and made a deadly mistake that almost cost him his life. But Abraham lifted up his eyes, at the Lord’s instruction, to see and saw through the eyes of the Spirit and till today his action is still paying off well (Genesis 13:10 & 14). Abraham couldn’t have seen what he saw through his optical eyes – it wasn’t possible for that to happen because he actually saw the whole world. Wow! That’s what God wants us to lift up our eyes to see. He wants us to see beyond our local Churches, communities, nations and see the world because the harvest is so great – everywhere! Thank God we can see through the eyes of the Spirit. This also applies in any situation. Then thirdly, the phrase ‘look on the fields’ is very instructive. In a nutshell Jesus is asking us to breakout from the four walls of the Church buildings and go reach the unsaved out there! He’s asking us to set our focus on the harvest. The Church exists on earth for one ultimate purpose – to reach the world for Jesus. But if we only organise Church meetings without stepping out to win a lost world to Jesus then we have lost our whole essence of existence. As long as we continue to focus only on blessing ourselves, we remain useless to God! The Prophet Joel gave a very timely prophecy that speaks of our day. What a great time to be alive and watch this happen before our very eyes and to be a part of it! Joel 2:28-32 says: “And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit...And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.” Glory to God! This is the season of its full fulfilment. Be a part of the harvest! Prayer: Father in the Name of Jesus, thank you for the privilege of being a part of this historic season of harvest which will usher in the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. We ask that you cause our eyes to see through the eyes of the Spirit so that we can see and play our roles effectively in this season of unprecedented harvest of souls. Amen! Photo: Christ for all Nations (The Evangelistic Ministry of Reinhard Bonnke)

BE THANKFUL

Someone once prayed “Lord, summarize all my prayer points to thanksgiving”. This is quite ridiculous! Well, I guess what this fellow didn’t understand was that he was responsible for that summary, not God! Thank God we can summarize our prayers to thanksgiving as our faith is actively on God’s Word! A thankful person will always have his tank full and running over. Thankfulness is not conditional; it’s an attitude – a powerful attitude that brings increase and multiplication! It’s a Kingdom principle that we see over and over again in Scriptures that whatever we are thankful for multiplies. The Word of God expressly admonishes us to be thankful as an attitude. “And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful” Col. 3:15 (NKJV). God wants us to be thankful because that is the lifestyle of faith and the Righteous ones shall live by faith (Rom. 1:17). As the year is fast coming to an end, there would be lots of temptations to want to consider what and what and what has not been accomplished. But you can choose rather to consider what and what and what and what and what has been accomplished and be thankful for them! Praise God! Always find a reason to be thankful. Thankfulness is an attitude of the Kingdom citizens. It is a conscious positioning for the miraculous. That’s right. Whatever you are thankful for will multiply naturally. It’s a spiritual law. This is why the devil will never remind you of what the Lord has done but only what seems not to have been accomplished. We must not give him that attention. How did the Lord Jesus multiply the few loaves of bread and fishes for several thousands of hungry people to eat? How did He raise Lazarus from the dead? Check these out, it was through thanksgiving. This is so because thanksgiving is the highest expression of unwavering faith in God and His ability to perform. So many people are confused about what and what to be thankful to God for. “Are we to thank God for all the good, the bad and the ugly?” It is very important that we get this straight. We thank God only for what He has done and not for the works of the devil. Ephesians 5:20 tells us “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;” By just reading this casually you may think the word ‘for’ suggests that we thank God for everything – good, bad and ugly. But that’s not what it means. It says “...for all things unto God...” Now the phrase ‘unto God’ suggests that we give thanks to God for all things that are God-ward, meaning for all things that come from God. You see, God is never going to take the credit for what He hasn’t done – it’s not in His nature to do that. That would be called stealing! The Word of God shows us over and over again that all good and perfect gifts come from God. God doesn’t give bad things. God is not the source of sickness, accident, failure, lack etc. No! He is a good God! He may permit it but He never commissions it. God cannot give sickness because He doesn’t have it. He cannot give misfortune because He does have it either. Same with everything evil. He is good, not only by action but by nature. In Psalm 145:9, the Scripture tells us “The LORD is good to all, And His tender mercies are over all His works.” (NKJV). Praise God! In I Thess. 5:18 we read “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (NKJV). That means in whatever situation you find yourself – good, bad, ugly – you must maintain a thankful attitude towards God. Why? Because of Romans 8:28. It says “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Praise God! We are not thankful for the bad things but we are maintaining an attitude of thanksgiving to God even in the midst of the storm. Why? Because we know how it’s going to turn out. We trust God that we shall come out of the storm better. We know that everything is working together for our good. We know that God is for us and not against us. We know that if God permits it then it’s a miracle in disguise. Praise God! We know! We are confident of this very thing! We are too persuaded to be troubled about the situation and so we give thanks! That’s the Spirit of faith at work in us! Never let situations affect your thankfulness! Even in times of trouble you can be thankful. Glory to God! We serve a good God! So you see why you should never deprive God of thanks even in the midst of odd circumstances? He is good to all. He is not just good by works but goodness is His nature. So how do we give thanks? We give thanks to the Father in the Name of Jesus. All through the New Testament we see that everywhere we are admonished to give thanks, we are instructed to give thanks to the Father in the Name of Jesus. Hebrews 13:15 is very instructive in this respect. It says “By him [Jesus] therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” We see some other references in Eph. 5:20, 1Thess. 5:18, Col. 3:17 etc. It is also very important for us to be thankful to people through whom God has brought a miracle or good things our way. Thankfulness will build good relationships and bring good things our way. Ensure that you say ‘Thank You!’ not only to God (of course, this is the ultimate) but also to people God has sent our way every single day! So friends, be thankful and enjoy a life filled with the fullness of God!

UNDERSTANDING HOLINESS

The first thing we must understand and establish about holiness is that it is the nature of God. God identifies Himself so much with it all through Scripture – from the Old to the New Covenant. Therefore, if holiness is this important to our Father God, then it becomes necessary for us to properly understand it in order to function in it. There is so much noise today as to what holiness is or is not. I believe the devil labours so hard day and night to see that there is a misconception of it in order to cause believers to live short of the divine nature we received at the new birth. Thank God we are not ignorant of the devices of the enemy. In order to define what holiness is, it is important to first of all state what it is not in order to get a better picture of what it is. Holiness is not just an act; it is actions streaming from a nature. It is not an outward show; it is rather an outward manifestation of what is already in the heart (spirit). It is not trying to show our superiority over others, it is rather showing the superiority of the ways and standard of God above the ways and standards of this world. What then is holiness? The word ‘holy’ is translated from the Greek word ‘hagios’ which means to consecrate or set apart. It is two-dimensional. First, it means to be set apart unto God. Secondly, it means to be set apart from the world (the world system). At the New Birth, a man is set apart unto God and then he becomes a New Creation, his spirit is now holy – this is automatic. Remember that man is a spirit being, he possesses a soul and lives in a body. However, the second aspect that deals with his separation from the world is going to involve him personally because this aspect deals with his unregenerate soul and body. This is why we are told what to do with the soul and body after the New Birth. We see that in Romans 12:1,2. It says “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind [your mind is the same as your soul – the seat of your will, intellect and emotion], that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Holiness and sanctification mean the same thing. They both mean to be separate or set apart. Holiness is two-fold. First, the presence of the Holy Spirit in a man’s life is what makes him holy. You can never be holy without the presence of the Holy Spirit in your life no matter how right you live. Understand that you can never impress God with your good works. The Holy Spirit is the Sanctifier (1Cor 6:11); He makes us and our spiritual and physical services acceptable to God. Even the Lord Jesus Christ had to offer Himself to the Father through the Holy Spirit (See Heb. 9:13-14). We receive the Holy Spirit at the New Birth. In Exodus 2 we read of Moses on Mount Sinai before the burning bush. When the Lord spoke to Moses, He asked him to remove his shoes because where he was standing was holy ground. What made the ground holy? What did the ground do to become holy? It was actually the manifest presence of the Lord on that ground that made it holy. So it is also with our lives. Praise God! Secondly, practically living according to the Word of God – doing the Word. This second part is progressive and as long as we live on earth we will still be under this operation, we are only perfected when we meet with the Lord. This is just like righteousness. First, we are made righteous by the finished work of Christ but it doesn’t stop there, we must then take advantage of our righteous nature to produce good works in righteousness – not in self righteousness as sinners do. That is actually what the breast plate of righteousness signifies. So then, we must not be confused when we see words like “Be ye holy; for I am holy.” 1Peter 1:16. The Lord is simply asking us to walk in the holy nature we have received because if we don’t it is only going to lie dormant inside us while the devil takes advantage of our unregenerate soul and body to lure us into living in sin as though we are still sinners. Every believer in Christ has been empowered to live right. The Righteousness of God that was imparted into our spirit at New Birth is actually an empowerment to live right. So we don’t live right to become righteous but rather we have been empowered by righteousness to live right. Praise God! It is therefore, not natural for a Christian to sin! Sin is not the problem of the New Creation in Christ because the nature of sin has been replaced by the nature of Righteousness. God has dealt with the sin problem in Christ so that we can walk in liberty – free from sin and its effect! It is now a choice to sin and that is why we are going to be held accountable for our actions on earth. In summary, walking in holiness is walking in love. Walking in love is walking in God because God is love. Holiness is all about the love walk. If we love God and people we would live right and treat people right. The more loving you become, the holier you become in the sense that you manifest more of the nature of God in your life and then, your fellowship and dealings with the Lord deepens. God is love and we, His children, are sons and daughters of love. A practical way to walk in love is to live a life totally dominated by the Word of God. If we do the Word we are actively walking in the love of God and it will affect every area of our lives. So wherever you are in you walk with God never give up. Keep pressing on because the Father believes in you. Never listen to the voice of condemnation. The moment you notice you’ve erred, go before the Lord in genuine repentance and receive His forgiveness. 1 Peter 3:15 says “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts...” that means give Him the centre stage, His rightful place. That’s where it all begins. “And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1Thess. 5:23. Amen!

A WORD FROM MY LOVER

I was quite younger when I first read through a book of the Bible titled Song of songs or Songs of Solomon as some call it. I was so surprised that this book was part of the Bible. I thought it shouldn’t. I mean, God is a HOLY GOD, why in the world should He permit such to be included in the ‘Holy Bible’? I thought. In fact, I felt like hiding it (can you imagine that?). But I will eternally be thankful for the ministry of the Holy Spirit as the Teacher of the Word and all good things. Not long from the time I had read this book of the Bible, I was on transit on a certain day (the best place to get my attention) and the Holy Spirit brought this book to my remembrance and removed the covering veil from my mind. He made me remember what my name ‘David’ meant (David means ‘beloved’) and that was it! Bearing in mind that Song of songs is partitioned into ‘Lover’ and ‘Beloved’ communication, I got the picture. God is the Lover and I am His Beloved. Wow! That meant everything in the world to me. I thought to myself, so the Lord would dedicate a special book to describe our love relationship? I was changed. Something happened to my heart that day that still remains in me to this very moment. I’m so captured by the love of the Lord for me. He’s not just a God to me. He’s my Father and He loves me so dearly. What a thing to know! Ever since I have read this book in a different way, a new perspective. And I have come to believe that it takes a personal revelation from the Holy Spirit to understand the Bible and all the matters of life – no other way. Understanding the book of Song of songs has always been an issue of who is reading it and from what perspective is he seeing it. Is he reading with the spirit of revelation or with sense knowledge interpretation? Is he reading as a carnal man or a spiritual man? The reader best answers these questions. If some believers have a chance they’d want to vote out this book from the Bible, they think it shouldn’t be there. But thank God they don’t have a chance for that. All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable – none is irrelevant (2 Timothy 3:16,17). Check this out: “Lover: My dove in the cleft of the rock, in the hiding-places on the mountainside, show me your face, let me hear your voice; for your voice is sweet, and your face is lovely. Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom. Beloved: My lover is mine and I am his; he browses among the lilies. Until the day breaks and the shadows flee, turn, my lover, and be like a gazelle or like a young stag on the rugged hills.” Song of Songs 2:14-17 (NIV). Christians believe that Song of Songs is meant for married couples and could also be used as a picture of the love relationship between Jesus Christ (The Groom) and the Church (The bride). However, I have come to discover that the key to experiencing the revelation in this book is studying it from the perspective of one who is in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It’s about a love commitment. You’ll get to see how that the Lord Jesus is personally committed to having you experience His love for you which was expressed on the cross and you will also experience how that agape-love of God spurs you into going the extra mile for the Lord. Hence, you will understand words like “If you love me keep my commandments” (John 14:15) and “For the love of Christ compels us.” (2 Corinthians 5:14). The Word of God tells us “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1 John 3:1-3, NKJV). The love of God gives us hope. Have faith in the love of God for you personally and remain in His love!

HONOURING THE LORD IN YOUR GIVING

It is one thing to give to the Lord and it is yet another thing for the Lord to be honoured by your offering. A huge number of givers are not even recognized before God. They throw away their substances in the name of giving. Our pursuit in giving should be to honour the Lord with our substances and not just to give the Lord ‘something’, for He’s not in need. The harvest we get in return when we give is not as important as the Lord honouring our offering first of all. Proverbs 3:9-10 shows us something we must never forget if we must honour the Lord in our giving. It says “Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” It is either the Lord is honoured by your offering or He is despised by it. There’s really no middle ground! The Lord would rather have you give nothing than to dishonour Him with your offering. Honour always comes first when it comes to giving to the Lord. Many believers think that so long as there was a harvest after giving to the Lord that means the Lord honoured their offerings – not at all. The fact that there was a harvest in return after giving is not a sign that the Lord honoured your offering. The law of sowing and reaping works for everyone – both sinners and saints alike. God initiated that cosmic law. It is a law that functions here on earth (as long as this earth is still in existence) and doesn’t only relate to giving but to every action or decision we make in this life. Genesis 8:22 shows us God’s declaration to that effect. It says “While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” Also we see that in Galatians 6:7-9 “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Glory to God! Note what is says “whatsoever a man soweth...” ‘a man’ there doesn’t refer to only the saints but to every man (and woman). So you can see that this law works for whoever puts it to work. However, there is the Bible way to give an offering that honours the Lord and that the Lord honours! It is found in 2 Corinthian 9:7. It says “Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.” The Amplified Version renders it this way: “Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, ``prompt to do it") giver [whose heart is in his giving].” Wow. This is amazing. I recommend, if possible, that we always read, study and meditate on these portions of Scriptures before giving to the Lord and stop despising the Lord and wasting your substances. Giving is a serious business before God. It’s a matter of honour. Remember what the Lord says in 1 Samuel 2:30 “...but now the LORD saith, Be it far from me; for them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.” It should be our quest to honour the Lord in all we do. The whole purpose of giving to the Lord is to honour Him and once that is not in place the whole essence is lost. Just like in the old covenant, God gave the Israelites various specifications for their offerings and sacrifices. If they followed these specifications their offerings were accepted but if they didn’t then their offerings weren’t accepted. It was more of the issue of honour than it was the gifts or offerings. So it is also in the New Covenant. We must always remember that in whatever we do, God is always focused on the attitude of the heart with which it is done – He’s not a man! Why was Abel’s offering accepted and that of Cain rejected? It was for this same purpose. It appears as though we have wandered away from the foundation or basics of this principle. We seem to lay more emphasis on the size of the offering or even the currencies in which they come instead of focusing on the Kingdom’s essence of giving. Have you ever asked yourself why giving is such an important part of the Kingdom principles? I mean giving in all ramifications – time, talent, treasure, service etc. Giving is one major way we show value and honour. What’s the difference between a $10 and a $10millon offering? – The heart! Before God it has nothing to do with the size! Now when it comes to the issue of what to give, it is very important that we listen to the Spirit of God. God doesn’t honour emotional giving. He never touches whatever comes from the flesh. He only receives what comes from and through the Spirit. Even Jesus Christ offered Himself through the eternal Spirit of God – the Holy Spirit (See Heb. 9:14). What the Lord provides for you is either seed for sowing or bread for food (2 Cor. 9:10). When you don’t listen to the Spirit, you will do dumb things – eat the seed and sow the bread. Check out how the Macedonian Church gave. Paul speaking by the Holy Spirit in II Corinthians 8:1-5 tells us. In verse 5 particularly, he said “And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.” Wow. We must follow their example. In the Kingdom of God, giving has never been a money or material issue. It has always been a heart, honour and attitudinal thing. So will you follow the Macedonian example or will you do it your own way? If your goal of giving is to truly honour the Lord with your substance, then you must do it the Bible way. “Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of God, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.” Ecclesiastes 5:1. Blessings!