Word Culture

Rom 4:18, KJV Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

Many times as believers, we see a disconnect between what the word of God says about us and how our lives are playing out. We stumble and or listen to messages that teach us who we are in Christ and what we can do now as believers, however, the reality is not seen in our own everyday living. 

Some have come to the conclusion that the Bible is no longer applicable to us and our time, so they don't take it seriously anymore. They seemed to have high hopes in the scriptures until they begin to notice how their expectations from the same scriptures have not seen the light of day.

Maybe they shouldn't take it seriously as they did. And they begin to see preachers and those who take the word of God seriously as fake since they can't see any difference in their own lives.

However there is an incontrovertible truth that is not based on the experience of any singular person, it is that the word of God is true. Our individual experience can't overrule this truth. The word of God is true, no matter the generation or time it is preached. The word of God is living and powerful. It will always produce.

And this is where many miss it. They read the Bible consistently for the space of 7 days and expect so much to have changed about them within that period of time. Patience with the word is one virtue you and I must cultivate. It's not that the word of God cannot change us, but how long have we've exposed ourselves to the word, some habits will take longer time in the word to be stopped. 

For some people it was after a 5-hour word teaching that certain negative desires were dropped off. Imagine if such fellow didn't go to that length of word baptism, will they get this result? Don't see devotion to the word as a 100meter race but as a marathon. Expose yourself to the word via different means consistently. You will see the word of God work in your own life too.

The God Pardon

THEREFORE, there is now no condemnation no adjudging guilty of wrong for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit. Rom 8:1(Amp)

Can simply believing that God raised Christ from the dead and confessing Jesus as Lord be sufficient payment for your sins? Can the slate really be wiped clean of all your iniquities and sins just like that? It looks too simple to be true, yet it is. Welcome to the God pardon. But first, let us consider a similitude of it called ‘the prerogative of mercy’ or what is popularly called ‘Executive Pardon’.

An executive pardon is at the discretion of the president/governor and is granted to any offender (convicted or accused) to acquit the offender and erase the offence or alleged offence. Whereas justice demands a commensurate punishment for every offence i.e death sentence, imprisonment, fines or probation and the offender is labelled for life as an ex-convict, the executive pardon gives the beneficiary a new life entirely without any remembrance of the offence. The ex-convict might be barred from voting and is often limited in the job opportunities available, but the recipient of the pardon knows no such limitations.

If then the systems of this world recognizes and accepts the executive pardon as a valid process for justice, how much more you whom the creator of heaven and earth has made free and pardoned of all sins? Hear what God has to say about you

… for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest. For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. Heb 8:11-12

Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? Will God? No! He is the one who has given us right standing with himself. Rom 8:33

If the Son, therefore, shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. John 8:36

So walk boldly with your head held high without any sense of guilt or condemnation because you are the recipient of the God pardon.

Give Thanks

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 1 Thes 5:18

Have you thanked God for what and where you are today?

I came across this sometimes back.

It was spring, but it was summer I wanted - The warm days, and the great outdoors.

It was summer, but it was fall I wanted – The colourful leaves, and the cool, dry air.

It was fall, but it was winter I wanted – The beautiful snow, and the joy of the holiday season.

I was a child, but it was adulthood I wanted – The freedom and the respect.

I was 20, but it was 30 I wanted – To be mature and sophisticated.

I was middle-aged, but it was 20 I wanted – The youth and the free spirit.

I was retired, but it was middle-age I wanted – The presence of mind, without limitations.

My life was over,  But I never got what I wanted.

                                                            Jason Lehman.

Wait, lets bring it closer home.

I was in school, but it was to be a graduate I wanted – The joy of not having to face a lecture or endless assignments.

I was a graduate, but it was employment I wanted – To have my own money and live in comfort.

I got employed, but it was to own my business I wanted – The freedom of controlling my schedule and time.

I own my business, but it was stable income I wanted – Not to be worried about balancing the account and all these odd hours work.

I was single, but it was marriage I wanted – Someone to share my life with, what thrill.

I got married but it was youth I wanted - Not to have these many responsibilities ...

got the gist.

Today is the answer to your prayers of yesterday, so enjoy it. Count your blessings and give thanks.       

Finding A Common Ground

When I am with the Jews, I become one of them so that I can bring them to Christ. When I am with those who follow the Jewish laws, I do the same, even though I am not subject to the law, so that I can bring them to Christ. When I am with the Gentiles who do not have the Jewish law, I fit in with them as much as I can. In this way, I gain their confidence and bring them to Christ. But I do not discard the law of God; I obey the law of Christ. When I am with those who are oppressed, I share their oppression so that I might bring them to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone so that I might bring them to Christ. I do all this to spread the Good News, and in doing so I enjoy its blessings.  1 Cor 9:20-23 (NLT)

Have you ever wondered why you need to be well-read, why you need to understand the systems and groups of the world or why you need to be the best at what you do? Paul gave us the answer in the scripture above. Being all things to all people that we might win them to Christ.

Staying in our little group and being defined in that group can only win members of that group to Christ yet, we have a commission to evangelize the whole world. Our destiny is to preach this gospel to every nation and group in the world. So, we have a duty to try to find common ground with everyone.

You might need to learn about football so you can win over your Premier League loving friends or completing your PhD so you will have the platform to win over those in the Academia. You will learn about the history of other nations, their cultures and lifestyle so you can ‘fit in with them as much as you can’ in order to win them to Christ.

But how do we remain consecrated and separate, you ask? Well, let’s read the verse 22 again in the Message translation “… I didn't take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ--but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view…” we do not take on their way of life, we keep our bearings in Christ, our feet firmly rooted in God’s word all the while meeting them at a common ground for the sake of the gospel.

If you have not made Jesus Christ your Lord and saviour, you cannot take advantage of what God had prepared for you. We urge you, don’t wait another moment. Make up your mind and say this prayer:

“Dear God, I ask you to forgive me all my sins and make me anew. I believe that Jesus died for me and you raised him up for my justification, I confess that He is Lord over my life, now and forever. I accept the ministry of the Holy Spirit into my life in Jesus name, Amen!” Congratulations! Now that you are born again, look for a Bible believing Church to attend that you might know what God has provided for you. (For more Christian articles, kindly visit www.lothshine.blogspot.com, thank you.)

Dealing With Offences

Offence as stated in our earlier article “Don’t Take Offence” is simply a cause or occasion of stumbling or sin, any action or words spoken against your person that could cause you to be displeased or angry. We saw why and how we can live offence free. However, despite our best efforts, sometimes the offence stick, you just know you are offended and justifiably so. The sight of the person and even the thought of the person or the situation gets you angry and you know you must deal with it.

We will be looking at ways of dealing with offences, one or all of the steps below might be what you need to do to be rid of that anger. However, the base line is a readiness and willingness to forgive. First, be sincere with yourself that you are offended and then forgive the offender. Your forgiveness is not based on the weight of the offence or the repentance of the offender; rather it is based on the weight of God’s forgiveness to you. A constant remembrance of how much God forgave us is the reason we forgive others. Col 3:13 “You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others”.

Having forgiven from your heart, pray for the person. Oh, not the prayer of vengeance, fire and brimstone rather a prayer of blessing and increase. Jesus speaking in Luke 6:28 says “Pray for the happiness of those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you.” Take time out to pray for the person and for yourself for obeying God despite your feelings. Also, consistently confess to yourself that you live free of offence and that you walk in love towards the offender.

Believe the best of the offender, Make excuses for the person. It is just possible that the person did not mean to hurt you or was under enormous pressure. It could also be that the person would have acted differently if he/she had known you more or known your intents. Whatever it is, let your heart rest on the fact that with better understanding things would have been different. 

Do something good to your offender. Buy a gift, render a service, just go out of your way and break the cycle of wrong. Rom 12:21 “Don't let evil get the best of you, but conquer evil by doing good”.

Finally, seek clarification with the person after you have dealt with the offense to the end that you might be reconciled. This should be done only if it is necessary and after you have dealt with the offence. Doing it before the offence is gone will more often than not bring more anger and hurt. The peace of God be with you as you live free of offence in Jesus name.

New Creature

"2Co 5:17 KJV Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."

That Word was the saving grace that cleaved to my heart and glued to my tongue when I finally committed my life to Jesus' able hands.

I'd heard about him before, I'd given my life to him several times, but I just kept going back to the old habits. I found myself going back to the wrong company, living like the one who had never known Christ at all! I had segregated myself unto the path of destruction. Even though I had become a princess to my God but was busy begging to be accepted by the world. My words wouldn't count, I had no positive impact on anyone, I had only lived to please people. My life was shattered. I had dated and double dated. It was that terrible. I just knew something was wrong deep down within.

Then I lost someone dear to me and was told by some spiritists that I was the next to die but God saved me by this Word, "If any man be in Christ , he's a new creature, old things have passed away, behold, all things have become NEW!!!!!!!".

"If any man be in Christ......", was the word that changed my life and my perception of self. It has changed me truly! It changed the choices that I began to make like, the kind of music I listen or dance to, the kind of people I allow to influence me. It changed my outlook and my demeanor. I've grown and I'm still growing.

This word could just be what you need right now, dear reader, if you have any issues staring at you in the eyes as a Christian, cry out  to God!!!,  Say it out loud to yourself, "I'm a new creature in Christ Jesus!!!!!" Believe it, don't doubt, say it consistently, meditate on it and reject every contrary thought with all boldness in Jesus name! But if you are yet to give your life to Jesus Christ, say the Word of prayer written below with all your heart. 

Don't stay bowed to that situation staring at you, look into it's eye and call God your God. God will order your steps into the right company and sort things out for your good. Nothing will hurt you, the Lord will bring rescuers your way in Jesus name. So, say 'Yes' to God willingly from your heart today! You have to be deliberate with Him.

If you have not made Jesus Christ your Lord and saviour, you cannot take advantage of what God has prepared for you. We urge you, don’t wait another moment. Make up your mind and say this prayer:

“Dear God, I ask you to forgive me all my sins and make me anew. I believe that Jesus died for me and you raised him up for my justification, I confess that He is Lord over my life, now and forever. I accept the ministry of the Holy Spirit into my life in Jesus name, Amen!” 

Congratulations! Now that you are born again, look for a Bible believing Church to attend that you might know what God has provided for you. (For more Christian articles, kindly visit www.lothshine.blogspot.com, thank you)