MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS

Luke 19:12-13

Your business is your occupation, profession or trade. The business we are talking about here, is your God-given assignment, your ministry, your calling (John 18:37).

Occupy till I come...

The word ‘occupy’ here implies that one should engage fully and profitably in an endeavour. It also means you should take ownership.
Applying the force of diligence and self-discipline into that which has been committed into your hands...

Your business is that which you must exert your energy, substance, time and life into. One of the greatest resources you deploy into your God-given business is your time. Nobody can manage your business for you. 

As a father, no amount of money and material gifts and substance you shower your family with, can substitute the quality time you spend with them, building and nurturing them with Godly values. 

As a parent, you can mould the lifestyle and future of your children by pouring yourself into them, releasing kingdom principles and leadership culture into their lives. 

Likewise, you spend quality time with the wife of your youth.

As a mother, you must exhibit the characteristics of a virtuous (God-fearing) woman, who is a crown to her husband (Prov.12:4) and a role-model to her children.

A very important question you must ask yourself is ‘What exactly is my business?’

Many people spend their whole life-time cultivating and nurturing another man's business, while many others engage themselves meddling into other people's affairs. Many choose to live as spectators for the rest of their lives, without locating and fulfilling God's purpose for their lives.

Joseph committed himself whole-heartedly to his business... (Gen. 39:4-13).

Jesus, even from childhood cultivated a sense of responsibility towards His Father’s business (Luke 2:49).

Few hints about your God-given business

When you locate and walk within the sphere of your God-given business, you simply trigger off ‘the Garden experience’… Gen 2:9, 15

When you locate your God-given business, you enter into His rest, you experience satisfaction, and enjoy peace (Phil. 4:7-9).

When you step into your God-given business (domain of influence), you generate surplus value effortlessly, you make significant impact, irrespective of the circumstance of your environment... 

What must I do?

Take heed to your ministry 1 Tim. 4:12-16
Let no one despise you, rather live an exemplary life.
Give yourself to reading, training (learning) and impacting others.
Do not neglect nor despise that which you have received from God and place wherein He has established you to be nourished…
Don’t underestimate the place of meditation

…that thy profiting may appear unto all

Kindly reflect on these:
What is your business? Have you discovered it?
If the Master comes today, will He find you right at the centre of your business?

Are you fully engaged, half-heartedly engaged or not even bothered about the Master's business, which He has committed into your hands? (Matt. 24:46; Luke 12:43).

PASTOR NATHANIEL SADELA
RESIDENT PASTOR

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KNOW GOD FOR YOURSELF

                                                      Bible text: Jeremiah 31: 31 – 34

We have come to the age where the knowledge of God has become inevitable. This is the period the bible prophesies that, “the knowledge of the glory of the Lord shall fill the earth” (Hab. 2: 14). A period when one does not need intermediary to get to God but today, what we see is that people despise the knowledge of God and start chasing after some so called men of God who in turn make merchandise of them. It is only those who know their God that will do great exploit (Daniel 11: 32b).

Knowledge of God at this point in time is not what anyone should toil with. The bible says, “and even as they did not like to retain God in [their] knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; (Rom 1:28). 

This explains reason why many so called believers make God out of men rather than having boldness to approach the throne of grace through the knowledge of God. God expects all that must come to Him do so in the intimate knowledge of Him. The same way, God expects us to know Him so well so that we can represent Him to our world. You cannot speak of God you don’t know; neither can you share with others what you don’t know about Him except you are a hypocrite. 

It was for this reason that Jesus Christ came that we may know God and seek to serve him (John 14: 6 – 7).

HOW CAN WE THEN HAVE (GAIN) THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD?

1.       The know ledge of God can be obtained by acquaintance with God – Hos. 6:3, Job 22:21, Heb. 10;22

2.      Obedience is another condition for obtaining the knowledge of God – Jhn. 7:16 – 17

3.      Fear of  God is also one of the ways to gain the knowledge of God – Prov. 1:7,29

4.      The knowledge of God can be gained through the word of God – 2Pet. 1:8, Col. 1:10

What do we stand to gain for knowing God?

1.       Anyone who knows God has his/her soul liberated from all error – John 8:31 – 32

2.      The knowledge of God leads to eternal life – John 17:3

3.      The knowledge of God brings peace and hope – Job 13:18, 23:10, 2Tim. 1:12

Finally, it is worth to note that the knowledge of God is infinite. No one knows God enough. We all should aspire to know more of Him as Apostle Paul remarked in Phil. 3:10 – 11. 

PASTOR RAPHAEL ATODE

     

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WALKING IN THE FEAR OF THE LORD

                                                                       Text: Gen.12:1-4, Ps.112:1-5

What is the fear of the Lord?

Oswald Chambers notes, "The remarkable thing about fearing God is that, when you fear God, you fear nothing else; whereas, if you do not fear God, you fear everything else.")

1.       The fear of the Lord is a deep reverence for God, and it causes men to want to please Him at all costs.

-          The ability to recognize that He is the Creator and we His creatures, the Master and we His servants, the Father and we His children. Gen.12:1 & 4

2.      A commitment to obey every divine instruction from the Lord as they come from time to time even when it is not convenient.

-          Total reverence for Him and for His will that nothing else matters but doing that which pleases the Lord. Ps.112:1

3.      It is to have a heart that is panting and seeking to know more of God.

-          Where we understand that when we disobey it attracts punishment and that it also means nailing Christ back to the cross. Phil 3:10, Deut.10:12, Ps.25:12-14

How do I know I’m walking in the fear of God?

a.       Righteousness and Holiness will be your constant choices.

-          It is when the world standard no longer attracts you but instead your character begins to teach God’s standard to people around you. Job1:8, Prov. 3:7

b.      When your service unto God becomes heavenly focused and not for earthly gains alone.

-          When no one will need to force or entice you into service (where you do not consider the reward or applause of men but rather, “looking on to Jesus the author and the finisher of our faith” Heb 12:2) Josh.24:13-14

c.   When your willingness to obey is immediate even when it is not convenient. (Prompt Obedience). Deut.13:4

-          Mary the mother of Jesus had learnt from experience that if you can obey, you will see the wonders of God. John 2:4-5, Isa 1:19

-          When Jesus says it’s not yet time for those things your heart desire, can you still follow sincerely?

-          Once you miss out in God, you miss out in all.

d.      When you show love towards God and to fellow brethren. Ps.112:4-5 & 9

e.    When you are able to acknowledge your sin and depart from iniquity. Prov 3:7, Prov.16:6, Ps.51:3 & 16-17

-          You need to sense God being offended at every sin you commit. Acts 13:22, Job 1:1-3

The Benefit/Blessing of Fearing the Lord

i.        The fear of the Lord brings abundant Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding.

-          Before one can grow in the Lord, he must first learn to fear Him. Prov.9:10, Prov 1:7, Ps.111:10

ii.      The fear of the Lord gives Long Life.

-          Study has shown that approximately 60% of human illnesses can be traced directly or indirectly to fear, sorrow, envy, resentment, guilt, hatred, or to any number of emotional stress, etc. but a life lived in the fear of the Lord with obedience to His Word will result in a much healthier existence. Prov.14:27, Deut.6:2

iii.    It brings Preservation of Life. Deut. 6:24

iv.    Revelation. (The secret in the Lord’s heart is revealed to them that fear Him).

-          The fear of the Lord brings one to the revelation knowledge of those things to come.

Ps.25:12-14

"REVELATION separate you from others"

 

v.       Deliverance from the attack of the enemy. Ps.34:7, Prov.19:23

vi.    It brings Blessings and Honor (you will lack nothing).

-          Walking in the fear of the Lord brings great spiritual and physical blessings. Prov 22:4, Ps.34:9, Ex.1:21.

vii.  The fear of the Lord brings peace and rest that surpasses all understanding

-          Peace to your home, business, education, job, family, peace over your children and even to the Church. Phil 4:7, Acts 9:31

In conclusion

Stewardship is serving God with fear and reverence. How much God is able to commit to you is as a result of your willingness to fear and serve Him.

The decision to live a life that is centered on holiness and respect for God is a decision that you must make for yourself.

Everything the Holy Spirit presented to us is a matter of choice therefore the fear of the Lord is a matter of choice. Gen 6:3

 Your CHOICE determines what you BELIEVE and your BELIEF determine your FUTURE

When the Lord places a demand upon your life in the area of service, duty, etc. can you say boldly “Lord let your will be done”

Jere.17:10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

Choose this day to fear God with the whole of your heart because it is all a matter of choice.

                                                     PASTOR LANRE AREOLA

    

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