BLESSED IS THE MAN

BLESSED IS THE MAN
Psalm 1:1-6

To be blessed is to be connected with God, to possess a sacred nature, to be sanctified (hallowed or made holy).
Furthermore, blessing is an empowerment to prosper and to move forward in the light of God’s Word. A blessed man is one who prospers within the sphere of divine purpose.
When you come across truly blessed people, you would know, because the fragrance of divine presence and favour could always be perceived around them.

Having examined the life of the Christian in this anchor text, I would like to identify three major stages of such a person’s life:

The childhood (dependence) stage
At this stage, he/she walks in the counsel (advice or admonition) of others. He/she is helpless and in a state of vulnerability. Unfortunately, many people are wired up within the counselling system of the ungodly. Evil counsel gets deeply rooted within their hearts and it defines their value system in life. Everything about their lives is built around such value system…
Only the Word of God can reframe every world built around such ungodly counsel (Heb. 11:3; 2 Cor. 10:3-5).

The maturity (independence) stage
At this stage, there seems to be some level of stability in life, and you can independently make some strategic decisions pertaining to your life.
‘He does not stand in the way (or path) of the ungodly…’
The word ‘stand’ here signifies ability, strength, agility, virility, vigour, youthfulness…
The glory of young men is their strength… (Prov. 20:29).
Remember now, your Creator in time of your youthfulness, when you still have your strength intact… Eccl. 12:1.
Take your stand for God! You can’t stand before God and still stand in the path of sinners… (1 Kings 17:1; Acts 27:23).

The adulthood stage
This is a stage at which many become less mobile. Old age is now catching up on them. They are becoming more and more incapacitated to move about like before. Yet, some still choose to hang around the scornful (scoffers, mockers). It’s better to sit (or dwell) in the secret place of the Most High… (Psalm 91:1). It’s better to hang around those that fear the Lord and to dwell in the company of God-seekers!

(NOTE: Any of these three stages could be applicable to you, irrespective of your age).

His delight is in the Word of God!
There is a great drought for the love of God’s Word in our generation. Men are rather lovers of themselves, lovers of money (2 Tim. 3:2). We no longer esteem the things of God. We no longer have passion for the kingdom of God and His righteousness… Do you have passion for God’s Word? We must develop a huge appetite for the Word of God.

He meditates in the Word of God, day and night.
Set your priorities right! Frame your world by the Word of God (Heb. 11:3; Joshua 1:8).

He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water… (Gen. 49:22-26).
Big trees are not planted. They were initially planted as seed. They eventually grow to become trees. A good seed eventually becomes a great seed that brings forth much fruit.

Brings forth its fruit in due season…
He/she grows in a systematic order. The growth is not spontaneous. It’s time-bound, it comes at the appointed time (Eccl. 3:11). Your time will surely come!

His leaves shall not wither
He/she will not suffer any form of drought. They will thrive in the time of severe famine. This signifies spiritual prosperity. The eyes of understanding (spiritual sensitivity) of such people will be sharpened (enlightened).

Whatsoever he does shall prosper
He/she locates the field which the Lord has blessed. They step into their sphere (domain) of influence. They enter into His rest. They cease from fruitless labour (Heb. 4:10-11).

PASTOR NATHANIEL SADELA
RESIDENT PASTOR

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LIVING FOR GOD

Gal. 2:20, 2Cor. 5:15

Introduction

A life without God is a life in foolishness. Psm. 14:1 says, “The fool hath said in his heart, [There is] no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, [there is] none that doeth good”. 

He who refuses to submit to God will bow for lesser gods, because outside of God is no life at all. We live in God and live for Him only. It is in God that our lives and beings consist. Acts 17:28 says, “For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring”.

What does it mean to live for God?

Living for God means to make Him the reason for existence. It means seeing ourselves not being able to forge ahead in life except through God. We put him as the first in all that we do. 

Benefits of living for God

There are quite a number of benefits for anyone who lives his /her life for God. But these are few of them

1.      Assurance of secured life – Psalm 91:1-2

He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, [He is] my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

2.      Enjoyment of peace with God and humanity – John 14:27

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

3.      You have life in abundance – John 10:10

    The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come      

    that they might have life, and that they might have [it] more abundantly.

4.      Enjoyment of God’s leading – Psalm 32:8

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

How can I live for God?

1.      Be sure of your salvation 

The step to living for God is to know Him and receive Him as your Lord and Saviour. Make sure you have become a son or daughter of God through Jesus Christ – John 1:12

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, [even] to them that believe on his name:

Note: How do you know you are saved?

Through the word of God. The blood of Jesus makes you safe but the word of God makes you sure. Are you truly converted and saved?

2.      Take a public stand for Jesus Christ

Be bold enough to showcase your newly accepted Jesus Christ to as many as you can. Let everyone know your genuine declaration for Jesus Christ – Mark 8:38, Rom. 1:16-17

3.      Turn from all known wrong doing

The moment you give your life to Jesus and make public declaration for Him, his Holy Spirit dwells in you. Therefore, you cannot be engaged in anything known to be wrong anymore. You are now different and you possess greater power in you than in the world - 1John 4:4, 2Cor. 5:17

4.      Spend time with God in His Word and in prayers

The more of the word of God you read, the deeper you are in Him. When you search the scriptures,  your life becomes more rooted in God and then your prayers will be answered without any hindrances – 1Pet. 2:2, Psalm 119:9, John 5:39

5.      Keep yourself busy in the service of God

Finally, anyone who must live for God, and for Him alone, will be in regular service of God. Because God saved you to engage you to minister to other people – John 15:16

PASTOR FEMI ATODE

     

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THE POWER TO BUILD

Gen. 11:4-6  Mark 16:15-18

§  Everyone at one point or the other had been saddled with the responsibility to build

1.      God made Adam the overseer over all earthly creation. Gen. 1:26, Gen. 2:19

2.      Noah built a new generation of people and race for God. Gen. 6:13 & 18

3.      Abraham built a God fearing nation for God Gen. 12:1-2

4.      Hannah raised a prophet unto the Lord even at a time when prophecy became scare in the land of Israel. 1Sam. 1:11, 1Sam. 3:1

5.      Jesus Christ came to build and to restore back that which was lost to sin and death Luke 4:18 as written by prophet Isaiah in Isa. 61:1

6.      And to us, to build and to raise an end-time ambassador for Christ in our own generation and generations to come if Jesus tarries. Mark 16:15-16

Going back to our anchor text

In Gen. 11:5-6

The Lord attested to their unity, their oneness, their love, a purpose driven people, who speak with one voice, personate, with never say die spirit, always around and ever available, always forging ahead, etc.

Ø  They look like a perfect church, a perfect home or family, perfect group in the house of God, perfect people in all form

§  There problem was not in their determination to build but the heart and the reason for their building. Gen. 11:4

Ø  Is your life, your work, your relation with people, your association with other, is it just about what you stand to gain or is it to the glory of God?

§  There is nothing wrong in working for God, building a business empire, inventing great ideas, raising children with good moral values as parent, but the moment it is self motivated, it become void of the presence of God.

§  God delight in the prosperity of His children but He is mindful of what we build and how we build. 1Cor. 3:10

§  Whatever God has purpose to build through us be it in our homes as parent, in the church as workers in the vine yard, in your office as representatives/ambassadors of Christ, in ministry, etc. always be sure it is to the glory of God not man.

§  If we build to the flesh we ripe to the flesh and if it is to the Lord we reap the fruit.

The works of the flesh are listed as….. Gal. 5:19-21

Fruit of the spirit are found in Gal. 5:22-26

§  God can make us master builder as long as we do not allow self take the place of God Jere. 1:5-10

In conclusion

§  Are you building to make a name for yourself?

§  God is looking for those who will go beyond every limitation just to glory God’s name

§  Those who are ready to take the gospel to every part of the world with reference to Him and Him alone

§  Those who will not allow  association, believe system, etc. hinder them from building for God

PASTOR LANRE AREOLA

     

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DISCIPLINE: A KEY TO CHRISTIAN LIVING

L/Text: 2Tim. 1:7, Gal 5:22-23

Discipline is described as a training to improve strength or self-control. It could also be described as the trait of being well behaved. It is a system of rules of conduct or method of practice.

Discipline is what modern believers need the most but want the least.

Much of the restlessness and the instability in the lives of many Christians can be traced to the basic fault of an undisciplined way of life. There may be other secondary causes, but somewhere behind all of them is a fundamental need for discipline.

Many emotional disorders among believers are the accumulated results of years of self-indulgent living. I am not thinking of backsliders who drink and commit adultery, but of respectable Christians who never do such things, but who are nevertheless undisciplined. 

A lifelong pattern of running away from trials, of avoiding difficult people, of seeking the easy way, of giving up when the going gets rough, finally produces sick believers, who are incapable either of fulfilling God's perfect will for their lives, or of functioning as useful members of the body of Christ.

The Bible says, "If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small" (Prov.24:10).

Days of adversity will come to all of us. And, it is only by consistent, disciplined living that strength of character can be developed in us. It is discipline that enables us face those days of adversity without fainting.

DISCIPLINE - THE KEY TO POWER

Many Christians go through an emotional experience of "the baptism in the Spirit", that seems to be totally unrelated in their thinking to any form of rugged self-denial.

No-one can become genuinely holy, whatever experience he may have had, unless he is disciplined in all areas of daily living. The advantage that a man with a disciplined life will be seen not only in greater holiness and spirituality, but also in greater efficiency and effectiveness in everything that he does for the Lord.

DISCIPLINE - THE MARK OF MATURITY

No-one can reach full maturity unless he is disciplined in daily life.

Our Physical Appetites

Discipline includes the subordination of the body's physical appetites to the Lordship of Christ.

Paul said, "Like an athlete, I punish my body, treating it roughly, training it to do what it should, and not what it wants to. Otherwise I fear that after enlisting others for the race, I myself might be declared unfit and ordered to stand aside" (1 Cor.9:27 - Living).

Emotions

Our emotions too must be brought under control. God certainly wants us to be warm hearted. But the warm-hearted must be wise. Otherwise he can end up doing and saying many foolish things which can be regretted later on. We must always distrust our sudden impulses to say or to do something.

"A good man thinks before he speaks; the evil man pours out his evil words without a thought.....There is more hope for a fool than for one who is hasty in his words or his matters” (Prov.15:28; 29:20 - Living Bible, and KJV margin).

Moods

Disciplined character also means the mastery of our moods. A certain amount of the swing of the pendulum is unavoidable here, as long as we are in the flesh - for sometimes, a failure in our work or study, or physical weariness can bring a temporary cloud of discouragement quite easily. But we can by discipline, ensure that our moods don't hinder our work, our behaviour, or our relationships with others.

Speech

No-one can qualify for the high rating of a truly disciplined man unless his tongue is restrained by wisdom and directed by love (James 1:26).

A man may have a disciplined body, mind, and will, and even disciplined emotions, appetites and habits, but a loose tongue betrays a fatal fault in his armour.

Priorities

A truly disciplined person is wise enough to subordinate less important things to the more important ones. Herein lies the most crucial problem that we face in our day and age.

We must learn to give first priority to the kingdom of God and His righteousness in practical daily living.

Submission to Legitimate Authority

Another mark of the disciplined person is the ability to submit to legitimate authority gracefully. In most of life's normal relationships, rebellion is both stupid and destructive. Habitual rebellion is the mark of carnal Christians, not of spiritual ones.

THE DANGERS OF DISCIPLINE

Among the dangers there are in the pursuit of a disciplined life, the greatest one is imagining that discipline is the supreme value of life. It is not. A right relationship with God is the greatest of all treasures, and discipline must be seen as a servant, not a saviour!

A second danger is that of pride.

A third danger in the pursuit of discipline is that of going to the extreme of un-Christian asceticism.

A fourth danger is that of undisciplined discipline! We must not allow discipline to become our god.

DISCIPLINE AND HOLINESS

We must not confuse disciplined living with holy living. The two are not the same.

True holiness begins and ends with living for the glory of God, whereas discipline can, if we are not careful, might begin and end with living for the glory of self.

HOW TO BECOME A DISCIPLINED PERSON

1. Reinforce your motivation for a disciplined life.

2. Begin with the simple things.

3. Show respect to all men

4. Tackle the difficult tasks promptly.

5. Be punctual for the meetings of the church and for your appointments.

6. Don't waste your time in idle daydreaming.

7. Don't be agitated when unexpected events throw your well-laid plans into confusion

8. Love your critics.

9. Be restrained in the areas of curiosity, prejudice and dogmatism.

10. Conquer gluttony.

11. Learn to wait.

12. Welcome the difficult tasks in life.

13. Be systematic in prayer and Bible-reading.

14. Avoid unnecessary luxuries and don't be wasteful in spending money.

The Christian life is serious, challenging and demanding. Following Jesus will lead us, not to a picnic, but to a battle. And let us remember that our Captain "never pleased Himself" (Rom.15:3).

As His disciples, let us then:

- have a passion for improving the quality of our Christian life;

- have a sense of stewardship towards life, to fulfil God's will;

- be ready at all times for sacrifice or for service;

- apply ourselves faithfully at all times to the task at hand;

- ALL FOR JESUS' SAKE!

PASTOR OLUWAYIMIKA ANIBABA

     

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