by Jeanie | Oct 14, 2016 | Uncategorised
I am encouraged by a passage I just read about in Matthew 15.When the woman of Cana first approached Jesus – she had a prayer, a wish and desire that her daughter be delivered. Each time I hear this I preached, there always comes this exposition that Jesus was rude. Why? Because he did not respond – now that doesn’t translate dismissal or nonchalance towards the lady.If you follow the story, you will discover that Jesus was building capability within this woman. For every time the Master said No, she had a yes – her faith was being developed. A lesson for someone out there who may be experiencing roadblocks and disappointments – Don’t give up! Your miracle is underway- in the making and about to manifest.
Who would have thought this woman would receive her breakthrough even against the will of Jesus’ aides –the folks with VIP access, rainmakers. Have you been told to go away? Have received an ‘Unfortunately’ correspondence? Stay put and file away the letter because life’s about to get better.
Fast forwarding to the main part. The woman returned with a new strategy: offered worship then made a petition. While she worshipped, she said ‘Lord help me’! I love the idea of storming heaven and going up the mountain with nothing but a sword and staff. You may have fulfilled all righteousness but that may never get you the answer you need.
Worship paves the way. Worship is the password, the codebreaker and the access to your next level.
What is worship?
Worship is much more than an act, it is a lifestyle reflective of the worth or quality of the object. In Christendom, the object of our worship and devotion is God. It is possible to offer worthless worship – this is when one talks the talk but falters at the walk. Jesus said:
These people say they honour me, but their hearts are far away. Their worship is worthless, for they teach their man-made laws instead of those from God. Matthew 15:8-9
Here’s two of many things you can expect to happen when you worship:
- Hear God’s voice: The voice of the Lord is manifest when he is hallowed and reverenced. Do you want to hear God and watch him move in a spectacular way? Worship! AscribeAscribe to the LORD, O sons of the mighty, Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 2Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD in holy array. 3The voice of the LORD is upon the waters; The God of glory thunders, The LORD is over many waters. Psalm 29: 1-3
- Led by God: There is a path … gateway or portal that will guide you to God’s best for you. The secret to the path is in God. When you come close, you are shown this pathway. You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.” Psalm 16:11
Be relentless, get your heart right and love on God:
- Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare. Psalm 40:5
- My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness And of Your salvation all day long; For I do not know the sum of them.Psalm 71:15
- I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. Psalm 77:11
- How great are Your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep. Psalm 92:5
- How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! And the children of men take refuge in the shadow of Your wings. Psalm 36:7
- Who does great and unsearchable things, Wonders without number Job 5:9
Read more about worship here.
Related journals:
Worship – Part 1
Worship-Part 2
by Jeanie | Sep 23, 2016 | Uncategorised
His parents answered, “We know he is our son, and we know he was born blind. But how he can now see or who opened his eyes, we do not know. Ask him. He is old enough to speak for himself.” His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews. For the Jews had already determined that anyone who confessed Jesus as the Christ would be put out of the synagogue. John 9: 20 -22
Today, people still deny the power of God to embrace the world’s influence. They fear they who kill the body, but do not reverence he who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. With growing social media and networks, people prioritise and pursue various relationships while neglecting fellowship with God and sometimes excommunicating him. They are more afraid of being put out of church than being refused entry into heaven. Jesus called them ‘a faithless and perverse generation’; Moses and Paul concur with a slight variation – “crooked and perverse generation”. What a tag!
What does it mean to be faithless, crooked and perverse?
Faithless
The faithless are:
- Unbelieving; not giving credit.
- Not believing on God or religion; specifically, not believing in the Christian religion.
- Not observant of promises or covenants.
- Not true to allegiance, duty, or vows; perfidious; treacherous; disloyal; not of true fidelity; inconstant, as a husband or a wife.
- Serving to disappoint or deceive; delusive; unsatisfying.
By implication, the faithless are traitorous, double-crossing and back –stabbers. In essence, they are wicked.
Wicked
The Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary defines it as:
- Having a wick; — used chiefly in composition; as, a two-wicked lamp.
- Evil in principle or practice; deviating from morality; contrary to the moral or divine law; addicted to vice or sin; sinful; immoral; profligate; — said of persons and things; as, a wicked king; a wicked woman; a wicked deed; wicked designs.
- Cursed; baneful; hurtful; bad; pernicious; dangerous.
- Ludicrously or sportively mischievous; disposed to mischief; roguish.
The wicked are highly immoral and offensive, ethically bad in principle or practice, intensely or extremely bad and unpleasant in their dealings. These people constantly arouse aversion or disgust either by their values or actions. A wicked woman will starve or disrespect her husband and set a bad example for the children, a wicked man is an infidel who is generous outdoors but refuses to provide, protect, and please his wife and kids; a wicked child is disobedient to parents, ungrateful, insolent and roams the street causing havoc.
The LORD observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil. And if wicked people turn from their wickedness, obey the law, and do what is just and right, they will save their lives. Genesis 6:5; Ezekiel 18:27
Crooked
The crooked are:
- Characterized by a crook or curve; not straight; turning; bent; twisted; deformed.
- Not straightforward; deviating from rectitude; distorted from the right.
- False; dishonest; fraudulent; as, crooked dealings.
- By implication, a crook.
A crooked person always has bumps, bends, and angles about them. The crooked is never straightforward – there is always a curve or slope to their life. Their story never adds up and anything they touch become misaligned. They are odd, misshapen, dishonest, immoral and evasive.
Society is full off crooked and corrupt criminals who invade countries, impoverish them to enrich themselves. Ahab’s who don’t mind forfeiting their kingdom for Naboth’s’ vineyard. Governments that seek their good above that of their people. Politicians who make empty promises. Law enforcements who without conscience or remorse go on a killing spree. Lawyers who pervert the course of justice. Companies who exploit their workers. Pastors who never tire from receiving seed offering but neglect the well-being of their flock. They are 419ers, The Grifters, Ocean’s thirteen who challenge you to catch them if you can.
The crooked heart will not prosper; the lying tongue tumbles into trouble. The LORD detests people with crooked hearts, but he delights in those with integrity. Proverbs 17:20; 11:20
Perverse
To be perverse is to:
- Turn away from the right; willfully err; be wicked; be perverted.
- Be obstinate in the wrong; stubborn; intractable; hence, wayward; vexing; contrary.
This category of people actually know right from wrong but are resistant to guidance or discipline. They tend to do the opposite of what is considered moral, proper, right, normal, or required. Perverse people oppose and contradict good behaviour. They have warped thinking, depraved minds and engage in indecent acts. Perverse people bribe, steal, abort, lie, and cheat – all things questionable and forbidden. You might have one sitting right next to you.
They have corrupted themselves; they are not His children, because of their blemish: a perverse and crooked generation. Whoever walks uprightly shall be delivered; but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once. Deuteronomy 32:5; Proverbs 28:18
I keep pondering on how the parents of this young man responded to the kindness of Jesus. They denied him having just received a healing miracle. I would like to the think that their community is not much different from what we have now – the shame, pain, insults and lack they would have suffered due to their predicament. In a moment, they received a grace that displaced the disgrace and what? Their response is “we do not know!” How ungracious and ungrateful?
The good news today is no matter how faithless, wicked, crooked or perverse you have been, you can, with the help of the Holy Spirit change your ways by trusting, obeying God and walking uprightly and in integrity.
by Jeanie | Sep 6, 2016 | Uncategorised
A lot of Christians today are quick to judge -eager to pick a stone and slay forgetting they too have motes, shortcomings, and sins. The father chastens whom he loves but his steadfast love endures – never ceases – He may be angry for a moment but his favour lasts a last time.
Is the 21st century Christian bewildered bewitched or, backslidden? Are we hanging onto the law or grace – Is there a balance?
Grace! Grace!! Grace!!! – Go and sin no more ……. Come onto me all ye that labour and are heavy-laden……
Are we really Christ-like in our actions today? Are we righteous? Are we true disciples? Have we become over-zealous and unbalanced in our actions?
Do we do unto others as we wish it to be done to us – Do we mete out the measure we’d be happy receive … Jesus said — whatever you do to any of these brethren – that you do also onto me.
Would you cover me? Would you protect me? Would you defend me?
by Jeanie | Aug 1, 2016 | Uncategorised
Hello Friend,
I am trusting you are well. You have come to the right blog and page: the fact that you are reading this means God’s got something for you here.
Scripture says God’s ways are past finding out. Did you know there is a depth to the wealth of God’s wisdom and knowledge? No scholar in history or future can comprehend or interpret his view. Just when they think they’re about reporting a finding based on some evidence, he intensifies and deepens the context – what a God!
God’s riches, wisdom, and knowledge are so deep that it is impossible to explain his decisions or to understand his ways. Romans 11:33
I was going through a challenging situation about 2 years ago. I still kept the faith hanging onto words like ‘it’s not more than I can bear’ although in reality I concluded the scale was broken because the weight felt a lot heavier than I could bear. I trusted God to be a just judge who would do right by me. He would never let me stumble, slip, or fall. For he is always watching, never sleeping. I was encouraged in the Lord but even more, when I heard a word:
God said to Abram, “You can know for sure that your descendants will live in a land that is not their own, where they will be slaves, and they will be oppressed for 400 years. But I will punish the nation they serve, and after that they will come out with many possessions. Genesis 15:13 -14
I was reminded about the different events and actors which culminated in Israel going in and out of Egypt, starting with Ishmael. Have you ever felt like something doesn’t add up in up your life? Even after applying different formulas, techniques, tools and processes?
by Jeanie | Jul 8, 2016 | Uncategorised
David in penning Psalm 23, paints a picture about his life which in my opinion is reflective of many of ours. We read about a sheep who has a shepherd that sees about its necessities (food, shelter, safety and well-being,etc).
Although he had been privileged to lay in green pastures, chances are he had also treaded dry and dead pasture lands. He also had near-death experiences because he talked about ‘walking through’ the valley of shadow of death. We also know he wasn’t always happy-clappy because he’d known God’s comfort by the rod and staff. I love the fact that his narrative concludes in a positive light – with a table being set-up and someone sitting down to enjoy a good meal.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. Psalm 23:5a
Trouble won’t last always! It may seem like it but the reality is they fade away with time. Just like temperatures, seasons, and weathers, problems end. David assures us, there’ll come a day when everything will be fixed for you! He reminds us that even in the midst of difficult oppositions, God has the final say.
You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. Psalm 23:5b
Friend, there is an anointing that brings about overflow. There is a grace that fills up and gives surplus.
Speaking through Malachi, God said:
‘‘I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in!’. Malachi 3:10b
That’s excess … super-abundance … overflow ….run-over.
God’s is filling you up to overflow. He is giving you more than enough. For all those times you’ve had to do without, manage your little and endure, you’ve been recompensed. Your season has changed! It’s harvest time!
Now the Jordan overflows its banks throughout the harvest season. Joshua 3:15a
Friend, you will overflow! This is the time for you to sit back and enjoy the blessings of the Lord!
I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it with good things. Psalm 81:10
Open your mouth wide! It’s not just good enough for you to open your mouth, you’ve got to widen it for it to retain the contents being released. You may not have enough room to take it all in, but you’ve got to enlarge your capacity to receive as much as you can. Expand ….extend…enlarge ……Open up wide!
Here comes your overflow!
by Jeanie | Jul 1, 2016 | Uncategorised
We may throw the dice, but the LORD determines how they fall. Proverbs 16:33
July is the time people pause to review and take stock of their lives. For some, this is a grueling exercise especially when it seems they are underachieving. I am not making light of your present situation -we’ve all been or are going through something. Whatever the case for you today, I want you to pay close attention to what God is saying.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Who is the man who fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way he should choose. The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him. Psalm 32:8; 25:12; 37:23
I have handled and thrown a few dices and if you have, you will know that a dice is multi-faced. It is a small cube with 1 to 6 spots on the six faces; often used in gambling to generate random numbers. The danger of the dice game is that the outcome is unpredictable – it’s a game of chance and the probability of winning is low. How long will one keep trying and hoping the numbers will come up high? Why drown in the pool of uncertainty when you have security and surety in God?
The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. Many plans occupy the mind of a man, but the LORD’s purposes will prevail. Proverbs 16:9; 19:21
I don’t know about you but I am tired of leaving a ‘random’ life. I want the rest of my life to run with precision and purpose with less or no chaos. If you are thinking along the same lines then you need God! He can bring order to your chaos, clarity in your dilemma and change to your conventional system.
One morning, Jesus joined his disciples just as they were about to wrap up their shift. These are men who would be called, empowered and equipped to be ‘’fishers of men’’ but pending their collision with destiny, they were doing what they knew best: fishing-fish. Imagine working a 12-hour night shift and not getting paid for it? They forfeited their beds, sleep, comfort, other social invitations and activities for work, and yet had no results to show for it. Ever been there?
“For I satisfy the weary ones and refresh everyone who languishes.” Jeremiah 31:25
With Jesus in the scene, their lives were about to be transformed. They are about to be healers, miracle workers and disciples of Jesus, who was famous for his campaigns all over the cities he visited. Little did they know their statuses were about to change. The next time they’d row their boats, it’d be anointed; when they speak, signs and wonders would follow and if they had to fish, there would be evidence!
When Jesus finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Take the boat into the deep water. If all of you will put your nets into the water, you will catch some fish.” Simon answered, “Master, we worked hard all night trying to catch fish and caught nothing. But you say I should put the nets into the water, so I will.” The fishermen put their nets into the water. Their nets were filled with so many fish that they began to break. They called to their friends in the other boat to come and help them. The friends came, and both boats were filled so full of fish that they were almost sinking. Luke 5:4-7
From the account, we can see the disciples had been casting their nets – throwing dices without tangible results – they caught nothing! How did it all change for them? Jesus gave them an instruction which they heeded. Friend, it does make a difference when you have God’s backing about a thing.
Everything you read about in scripture can happen for you. Just let God speak to you and when he does, be sure to do his bidding. Within a short period of time, the people who toiled all night possibly for a half-load of fish, had a net-breaking, boat-sinking catch. Not one but two full boat-loads. That’s double for their trouble. Won’t he do it for you?
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21
