Month: April 2017
Be Cautious!
Relationship – Cautiousness- Being Sensitive!
The children of Israel faced many challenges on their way to the promised land. They murmured, they rebelled and many fell in the wilderness. They were a difficult people to love! Nothing that was done was enough for these people, they almost made God change His mind about them being God’s special people – Exodus 32:10 Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation.” .
At a point in the desert of Zin Miriam died and of course they mourned for her and then ran out of water. Oh! How Israel forgot all the wonders, signs and miracles God had wrought in their midst. They complained and murmured as usual against Moses and Aaron blaming them for all the woes that have befallen them. Then ……
Numbers 20:6 Moses and Aaron went from the assembly to the entrance to the tent of meeting and fell face down, and the glory of the Lord appeared to them.7 The Lord said to Moses,
The Lord saw the sorrow in the heart of Moses and Aaron and before they could utter a word in prayer God spoke to them just as He promised in Isaiah 65:24 Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear. Well, you may be wondering why God did not provide solution to the water crisis in the camp according to Isaiah 65! Israel did not ask, they did not speak to God, they were instead murmuring and blaming Moses and Aaron just like you and I does. Instead of talking to God about our situation, asking Him for solution, we ask why we are in the situation we are in, why us we ask very often. Why not us?
However, what I want to point out is Moses and Aaron’s action. Remember before they spoke, the Lord answered them for their action spoke and the Lord saw their heart. Well, they had to “rob” it into the Israelite who got it wrong, whose action was contrary to the will of God. Moses and Aaron having been favored, in their obedience to the ways of God reacted untowardly to the Israelite, calling out their errors. In the process Moses struck the rock contrary to the commandment of God and this displeased God, causing both Moses and Aaron entering the promised land.
Friends, to whom much is given, much is expected! You have been forgiven much, favored much, for before you asked you received what others in much toiling and murmuring have not been able to receive. Don’t you think you should be gentle and empathetic? Do you have to call them out? Rob it in? Take a cue from Moses and Aaron and be careful with “Israel”, whatever Israel means to you. Do not forget to honor the Lord’s sacrifice for the life of His people. Every saint, every being is important to the Lord and as such we must be cautious how we represent our Savior Jesus Christ before them. Children comes to my mind here! Our children are watching us honoring God or not. Which will it be? Children here could be physical or spiritual – young ones, unbelievers, babes in the things of the Kingdom.
The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelite, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.” – Numbers 20:12.
Father Lord Almighty, have mercy on us and forgive us of all unrighteousness. Please show us the errors of our ways and redirect us to your ways, the path of righteousness. Create a right spirit within us and rekindle your fire within. May we not be stripped of the glorious future you have ordained for us. May we not stumble naked through life. Clothe us Lord with your righteousness as with a garment that your glory may shine in and through us to the uttermost in Jesus Christ mighty name we pray. Amen
Shalom! Shalom! Shalom!
Relationship -Trust- Collaboration!
Numbers 10:29 Now Moses said to Hobab son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, “We are setting out for the place about which the Lord said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us and we will treat you well, for the Lord has promised good things to Israel.” 30 He answered, “No, I will not go; I am going back to my own land and my own people.” 31 But Moses said, “Please do not leave us. You know where we should camp in the wilderness, and you can be our eyes. 32 If you come with us, we will share with you whatever good things the Lord gives us.”
Moses asked his brother in law to go with him- Israel to possess their possession. Hobab said no, but Moses refused to take no for an answer. He begged Hobab. Moses who speaks with God face to face asking an heathen to come with Israel to the promised land. He asked Hobab to be his eyes along the path to fulfilling destiny! How can this be? With the pillar of cloud and all the wonderful signs and wonders God is showing him, how could he say that! Pastor Moses what do you mean?
He knows by the help of the Holy Spirit that God uses the foolish things of this world to confound the wise. Moses remembered Jethro’s wise counsel and what great gain it brought to him and Israel by reducing burnout and unnecessary frictions.
In the wilderness, Jethro paid Moses a visit and witness the stress and commotion around the camp I must say for he spoke thus to Moses in Exodus 18:17 Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. 18 You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. 19 Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him. 20 Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave. 21 But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 22 Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. 23 If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.” 24 Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said.
In the fulfillment of destiny thus, having an allies such as Hobab with the knowledge of the terrain will be a great advantage to Moses and Israel and as such Moses did not relent in convincing Hobab to go with him. Moses sure knows how to get Hobab unboard. Verse 32 of Numbers Moses said to Hobab, “if you come with us, we will share with you whatever good things the Lord gives us. This speaks volume about the kind of man and leader Moses was. He was humble enough to learn from Jethro and wise enough to know Hobab as a companion on this journey is great gain. Israel having been in bondage for so long have lost touch with the reality of the world outside and Hobab being a free man all this while travelling far and wide will be a good guide and instructor, an eye for Israel.
There are treasures abounding in the earthen vessels all around you. Everyone has something to bring to the table. We all have a part to play in every and any relationship. Ask for grace to see and wisdom to be able to tap the resources bestowed upon all your relationships from the past, present, intimate, casual, important and seemingly unimportant. There is a lesson to learn from every single interaction. Everything works for your good!
Shalom! Shalom! Shalom!
Cloud – Clarity!
Numbers 10:11 On the twentieth day of the second month of the second year, the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle of the covenant law. 12 Then the Israelites set out from the Desert of Sinai and traveled from place to place until the cloud came to rest in the Desert of Paran. 13 They set out, this first time, at the Lord’s command through Moses.
May every cloud covering your sight, hindering you from seeing clearly be lifted in Jesus name. May the light of God shine through every cloud to make your path clearer in Jesus Christ mighty name. Amen! Every fog of the mind dissipate in Jesus name. No more confusion!!!
Shalom! Shalom! Shalom!
Do Not Be Afraid!
The Lord is with you, do not be afraid
The creator of heaven and earth is with you, do not be afraid
The Most High God is with you, do not be afraid
The Everlasting King of Glory is with you, do not be afraid
The Lord is your strength and Salvation, do not be afraid
The Lord is your shield and buckler, do not be afraid
The Lord shall give His angel charge over you, do not be afraid
The Lord is at your right hand, do not be afraid
The Lord has set His eyes upon you, do not be afraid
The Lord shall uphold you, do not be afraid
The Lord shall go before you, do not be afraid
The Lord shall teach you, do not be afraid
The Lord is in thy midst, do not be afraid
The Lord is within thee, do not be afraid
Only believe, stand still and you will see the manifestation of His power
Do not be afraid!!!!!! Fear Thee Not!
Shalom! Shalom! Shalom!
Treasures of Relationship
Friends, who is around you? Relationships, probably from your past, intimate relationship, casual acquaintance, once inconsequential and hurtful may be an eye opener, a tool to work out an expected end for you.
Your experiences and acquaintances that were once a burden may be the seed that God planted to yield for you an harvest of fruit, spiritual fruit for your future. The pain of the past were training in righteousness which the Lord is using to bring to your awareness presently, His goodness and mercy, undeserving and yet bestowed.
Be led by the Spirit of God, trust not in thyself, yield your heart unto the Lord and be expectant – there are treasures from every trials. Remember pearls are made from sand and frictions overtime in an oyster. God works wonders always with a heart fully yielded.
Shalom! Shalom! Shalom!
Resurrection
Repent of all your sin. Restitute your ways! Accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior.
Let faith arise in your heart, open up your mouth and speak life into that dead issue that ought to be alive, which you want alive! Decree and declare life to it in Jesus mighty name! So shall it be!
Jesus Christ is Lord!
Shalom! Shalom! Shalom!
Relationship On My Mind! Transparency-Truth And Trust.
Genesis 2: 25 Adam and his wife were both naked, and they felt no shame. A man and a woman in a relationship are meant to be transparent with each other and much more as intended by God. They were naked, yet felt no shame I believe because sin had not yet come between them. The childlike innocence of a child is evidenced here, man and woman living in the garden of love, beautifully endowed with all they could ever need in the presence of God without inhibition. And then it happened – The Fall!
The fall with its attending consequence brought evil into the world and all things became difficult, even truth and transparency in relationships. The lack of truth and trust in our interaction with each other sometime spills over into marriage relationship. Many go into marriage with motives less than honorable, many with convoluted ideas of marriage, fundamentally wrong and leave their spouses gasping for air when reality set in – truth is revealed.
In some relationship, a partner, depending on upbringing and a number of factors may not be able to express themselves. Some for the fear of rejection withheld tangible information from their spouses, and the fear also of been taken advantage of, and others may have been taught to not be overly honest in dealing with anyone, especially the opposite sex and this is carried into their marriage.
Some years back, a friend of mine, a Law student at the time told me to make sure that my assets gotten before marriage remains in my maiden name, and she gave me all sorts of advice. In today’s terms it would be like a prenuptial agreement I guess.
I was curious and asked her where this “wisdom” was coming from. I assumed, being a law student, maybe she is been taught marriage law or whatever it is called. However, I was surprised when she told me yes, but not that alone. It was the lessons learned in her own family.
My friend’s mother who is in a monogamous relationship collects money from my friend’s father monthly, for the upkeep of the whole family. Each month she will demand money for a bag of rice, which my friend said last them for about three month or more. My friend queried her mother and what she was told was that, ” you have to be smart with men, don’t tell them everything and in every which way you can take from them do so!”.
She said the extra money received monthly was what her mother used to buy a piece of land and started building, which at the time my friend and I were having this conversation was at the roofing stage and the husband, my friends dad still do not know.
The environment we live in, our belief system, and experiences has a huge influence on how transparent we are or will be with our spouses and others generally.
As Christians, regardless of our upbringing and experiences we can make up our minds to be truthful and transparent with our spouses as God demands of us. We truly cannot bond, soul and spirit without transparency on both sides. Though, our bodies bond, we are more than just this body. A house built on untruth will one day collapse for an adage says ” if lie takes a journey, twenty years ahead of truth, one day, one day, truth will meet lie on the road and will overtake it” Another says, ” twenty year old pounded yam or mashed potato can still scald one’s hand”. Its meaning simply is that every lie will be found out no matter how long it’s been told – Matthew 10:26, Luke 8:17 Live a life of integrity!
Your life might be the only bible someone might get to read! What do you want them to read? Truth, love, compassion and integrity? Forsake untruth today! Seek the truth of the word of God, meditate in it day and night.
For feedback and contribution please email joansanusi@gmail.com
More to come!!!
Jesus is Lord!!!
Shalom! Shalom! Shalom!
Relationships : Love – Divine, Marriage, Divorce, and Destiny!
Friends, no one that comes to Christ will He cast out. John 6:37 “All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” What an assurance to know that no matter how far you’ve gone in your sin, Jesus Christ is waiting with open arms to welcome you into His Kingdom. You only need to turn around and run into His open arms.
My dear friends, do not let the facts of your life deprive you of eternity. Do not let one or two, or even six failed marriages, business, health or whatever the case may be steal your joy and deprive you of living life fully. Your marriage failed? Yes, it is painful and the love of Christ will heal you. It may take time but please note that you will get over the loss. Will you let that bump on the road to destiny deprive you of eternity?
Marriage is the first institution ordained by God and trust me the enemy of our soul, our own poor judgement and many factors mitigates against God’s good intentions. How did we get here? What happened that makes that better half that just thinking about them a while ago, releases countless butterfly’s inside of us, but now you feel like throwing up, you are repulsed by them. What happened? That which was good suddenly is bad now? Which way forward? I will be addressing these questions subsequently, and your response is welcome anytime here or by email: joansanusi@gmail.com
You, my friend need to retrace your steps back to your savior. Looking at yourself through the eyes of Christ is the only way to be healed and make sense of your predicament. The only solution is still in the word of God that never fails!
No matter how we explain it, or justify it, God hates divorce! He hates it when we hurt, when our hearts are broken like a bird with broken wings and we can’t fly. Jesus wept when He heard Mary and Martha sorrowing over their brother Lazarus in John 11:33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. 34 “Where have you laid him?” he asked. “Come and see, Lord,” they replied. 35 Jesus wept. 36 Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”
Every time you weep over the death of love in your marriage, Jesus Christ weeps too. He feels what you are feeling my friend. He sees your broken heart, dreams, distorted view, Jesus feels your pain! And, He wants to soothe you, to pour the oil of gladness upon your heart, to make you feel again and live an abundantly fulfilling life.
Contrary to what you are thinking, divorce is not a death sentence! The death sentence is when you accept defeat, accepting the lie of the enemy that Christ can never accept you into His kingdom. You will still be used by God – read the story of the Samaritan woman in John chapter 4. Let hope and faith arise in you! Arise and shine friends!!!!
Relationship mishap incapacitate. It deprives one of full joy and makes one operate far below potential. This does not have to be so my friend. You can turn your marriage, your life around even for God’s glory. As long as it’s called today, it does not matter what stage you are, there is room for a turnaround. Turn away from sin first, repent and ask the Lord to help you and my friend, you will be accepted in the beloved!
Think about this friend. Jeremiah 1: 5” Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations,” This was before your sex was known! What you would be on earth has been predetermined before you were conceived, how then can a failed marriage or whatever terminate the mandate of God upon your life. I guess God knew you would be divorced, remarry and divorced again and again like the Samaritan woman, yet He hasn’t changed His mind concerning you. You have a say friend! Determine to cooperate with the Lord by forsaking sin, living a holy life as best as you can, leaning on the Holy Spirit to help you every which way! We must not continue in sin that grace may abound – Romans 6:1. Far be it!
Ephesians 1: 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 according as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.
Prayer: Father, help me to meet up to the standard of the requirements of the new covenant, and bless me through it, in Jesus Name. Amen – Open Heavens Devotional
Shalom! Shalom! Shalom!
To be continued.
Radiant Glory Of Love 