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Heb 10:36 - What do you do when you've done all you know?
I bring words of encouragement to brothers and sisters in the Lord who are passing through difficult situations of life. You have done all, you know how to do, you have fasted and prayed, yet the situation remains. There are many other acts or works of faith to do.
In Hebrew 10:36, the bible said you need patience, so that after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise. God comes to us at His time and not even prayer can hurry Him, so a child of God has need for patience. Whenever a situation arises that you have prayed to God, fasted and it still persists, you need to exercise patience, knowing that God's time is the best.
You need to know also that perhaps God may want to teach you something with the situation. Remember also that we cannot mark our own examination papers, it is God that will mark our work and score us - be patient. There are many things to do, one of them is to give thanks. The bible says in everything, give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you - I Thes 5:18. Thanksgiving is the Will of God.
Difficult Situation:
In Hebrew 10:36, the bible said you need patience, so that after you have done the will of God, you might receive the promise. God comes to us at His time and not even prayer can hurry Him, so a child of God has need for patience. Whenever a situation arises that you have prayed to God, fasted and it still persists, you need to exercise patience, knowing that God's time is the best.
You need to know also that perhaps God may want to teach you something with the situation. Remember also that we cannot mark our own examination papers, it is God that will mark our work and score us - be patient. There are many things to do, one of them is to give thanks. The bible says in everything, give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you - I Thes 5:18. Thanksgiving is the Will of God.
Maybe you’re in the middle of a difficult physical, relational, financial or spiritual challenge today. When you’ve exhausted your own resources to solve your problem, the only thing you can do is give it to God. He is not wringing His hands about your situation because it took Him by surprise. He is fully aware of what you’re going through and fully capable of giving you the answer to your problem.
Remember that King David encouraged himself in the Lord and the Lord told him to pursue the enemies and recover all they took away, including his wives and children.
When the doctor comes to you with a report that brings fear to your heart, you can remind God of His promise in Exodus 15:26 that says, “I am the God that heals you.” Psalm 107:20 says, “He sent His word and healed us.”
For a financial need, you can remind God of His promise in Philippians 4:19 “but my God shall supply all my needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Or, “God is able to make all grace abound to me, always having all sufficiency in all things, I have an abundance for every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8)
Maybe you feel like Jehoshaphat when he said in verse 12, “For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.” We need to learn to stop looking at the problem and “fix our eyes upon Jesus” and the promises in His word.
As Jehoshaphat prayed and fasted for an answer, God gave them a plan. (2 Chron. 20: 14-17). I love what God said in response to Jehoshaphat’s prayer. “Don’t be afraid or dismayed.” (vs. 15) “The battle is not yours, but God’s.” “You will not have to fight in this battle…stand and see the salvation of the Lord.” (vs. 17) Oh, how we need to hear that today! Stand and see the salvation of the Lord.” Maybe you’re out of answers, but God isn’t.
The Reality of Following Christ
Christianity is presented today as a solution to the different issues of life. When you are sick and need healing, when you need a good husband/wife or when there is a stubborn strong man troubling your life. All that is correct of Christianity, and the freedom Jesus purchased for us at the cross of Calvary. But, I need to tell you that, as the heaven is rejoicing over your new birth, so the devil and his agents are arranging arrows to throw at you, obstacles to place on your way, all of their attacks aimed at you, to get you offended and sorrowful, then, they will invite you to come back to the world, and live your life, the way you want.
Because of how people perceive the salvation, they see going to church and fellowship for the immediate gains of healing, breakthrough and physical prosperity that Jesus gives to His followers, which is good, but church goes beyond the blessings, to include all the teaching to help us know the Lord and His ways, which helps us to prepare for eternity. One of the training that Believers require is in how to handle adversity, and hardship. Patience is one of the virtues written in the scriptures that we should embrace and walk in, as we grow into maturity and in the knowledge of Christ.
The Christian lifestyle of purity, righteousness and holiness often attracts persecution and some unplanned hardship. The lifestyle, which makes it difficult for such a believer to flow freely with unbelieving friends and relatives results in aggression towards the Believer.
Because of how people perceive the salvation, they see going to church and fellowship for the immediate gains of healing, breakthrough and physical prosperity that Jesus gives to His followers, which is good, but church goes beyond the blessings, to include all the teaching to help us know the Lord and His ways, which helps us to prepare for eternity. One of the training that Believers require is in how to handle adversity, and hardship. Patience is one of the virtues written in the scriptures that we should embrace and walk in, as we grow into maturity and in the knowledge of Christ.
The Christian lifestyle of purity, righteousness and holiness often attracts persecution and some unplanned hardship. The lifestyle, which makes it difficult for such a believer to flow freely with unbelieving friends and relatives results in aggression towards the Believer.
Sometimes, a Christian is suffering lack in some areas of life, unfulfilled dreams in another area, which combines to put pressure on him or her and sometimes make such a person to doubt if he is actually serving God. When the problem continues for long, even neighbours will start asking where is your God, yet the child of God must continue to live holy and trust in the Lord to meet his needs. Be patient with God, no matter how tough the situation may be, God will surely come to you at the right time.
There is a cross to carry
Jesus said to His disciples "If any man will follow me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me" - Math 16:24. This means there is a cross for each believer to carry and follow Jesus till that cross is removed by the power of God. The irony of the matter is that what constitutes the cross is not well understood by many a believer and if that be the case, how do you know when you are following Christ aright and when you are on your own.
Jesus said to His disciples "If any man will follow me, let him deny himself, take up his cross and follow me" - Math 16:24. This means there is a cross for each believer to carry and follow Jesus till that cross is removed by the power of God. The irony of the matter is that what constitutes the cross is not well understood by many a believer and if that be the case, how do you know when you are following Christ aright and when you are on your own.
I wish to submit here that the cross, which a child of God would have to carry could manifest in different ways to different people, but surely, everyone would have a cross to carry. Some people's cross would be marrying a wrong wife or husband who would torment that Saint for almost all their lives, but he/she cannot divorce her or him - for God hates divorce...you have to continue to pray until God remembers that home and resolve the problem - That's a cross!
Some peoples cross would be poverty and hardship, which will prove too difficult to erase. Seeming lack of favour that defiles every effort, you may have to carry on and follow the master till God answers you. Some people may see childlessness as a problem that has defiled their efforts, prayer and deliverance. A child of God is empowered by the Spirit to resist adversity and stand. Remember that salvation did not exempt us from troubles, the assurance we have is that, no water or fire will consume us. We must never reject Jesus in words or in action during a difficult time. Yet for others, it could be loneliness. You have done all you can to be accepted and appreciated by others, to no avail, you must still hold on to Christ till the right person comes your way.
How Believers deny Christ
How Believers deny Christ
Here's another illustration - A professor took three ladies to his office and gave them an exam question paper to answer in his office, with books opened, the girls did a thorough job on the questions and later, they told some of their friends and the information leaked to the Student union and the School authorities.
The school commissioned an investigation into the leakage. Members of the committee knew the secretary of the professor to be a Christian and a believer who always preach the word in the campus. so they decided to approach him to tell them the truth of the matter since he would not lie. They encouraged him to appear before the committee and say all he knew about the matter.
The secretary sought the advice of fellow believers on the campus and they told him to be bold and speak the truth. but, he refused because of the consequences of the truth on the professor, his boss. He got to the committee the next morning and denied ever knowing anything about the leakage, though he was in the office.
He saw the professor with some ladies but did not see them writing the exam in his office or any such thing. So the Professor was discharged as there was no case found against him. That was the end of his preaching on the campus - what happened, he traded his cross for peace. He ignored the cross of Christ and rather settled for peace and his job and the offender went unpunished.
He saw the professor with some ladies but did not see them writing the exam in his office or any such thing. So the Professor was discharged as there was no case found against him. That was the end of his preaching on the campus - what happened, he traded his cross for peace. He ignored the cross of Christ and rather settled for peace and his job and the offender went unpunished.
Other ways people deny Christ
1. We deny Christ when we say things that contrary to the scriptures and things that do not edify the name of the Lord. A believer is one in word and action, and so whenever our words and action deviate from the scriptures, there is a denial of the name of Christ we call upon.2. Let there be no time or moment when you think, say or try to represent Him as a man. He is not a man. Christ is God, the Son in whom dwelleth the fullness of Godhead. Himself said, "I and My Father are one. He that hath seen Me, hath seen the Father." And He commended Thomas for addressing Him as " my Lord and my God."
3. By doing things we are not expected to do as believers in Christ. We may deny Christ by appearing at places and engaging in pursuits which are not consistent with the faith we profess in Christ. No one expects a believer to be a witch for instance, or a club stripper or a robber. A Pastor that sleeps with his church members has already denied his faith in Christ.
4. Personal life - The life and conducts of believers are on display everywhere and we are directly or indirectly confessing Christ or denying Him. Every wrong act performed, every duty disregarded or imperfectly discharged, every indication of a character not conformed to His will and likened to His image, is, by default, a denial of our Lord and Saviour.
Many have denied Christ in situations like the ones mentioned above with serious consequences. Some have offered their body to get a job, defiled their marriage to get promotion in the place of work, to the extent that people would start wondering if that man or woman is not a born again Christian. - What a way to deny Christ.
Many years ago, my best friend wife who functioned temporarily as a PA to a business mogul in the Insurance industry would confess to us that the way married women flock her boss office, even with their wedding rings on their fingers is so humiliating to her as a married woman. They want a promotion, position of influence and money. With such greed, careless women defile their body and desecrate their marriage.
Solution: Give Him Thanks, be patience
Know for sure that God hasn’t forgotten you. He hasn’t forsaken you. He knows exactly what you’re going through today and He has an answer for your situation. Your strength and your resources may be gone, but God’s strength and resources are unlimited.
Know for sure that God hasn’t forgotten you. He hasn’t forsaken you. He knows exactly what you’re going through today and He has an answer for your situation. Your strength and your resources may be gone, but God’s strength and resources are unlimited.
Commit yourself to serve Him the more in the house of God and through other good works of faith like helping the needy, visiting people in prison and helping poor widows and orphans - these are services to God.
Put a song of praise and worship Him daily, and stand and see the salvation of the Lord!
Don't be Afraid - Still on caution, while waiting, do not be afraid, no matter the turn of events, remember the Lord has promised to stay with you till the end of time. Saul became afraid of the turnout of events when Samuel did not come within the seven days he said he would come.
The people saw their enemies surrounding them and scattered. Saul became perplexed, afraid and eventually asked that the sacrifice be brought to him, and he actually offered the sacrifice, which in itself is a strange fire unto the Lord - for the Lord did not demand it from him, but God did not kill him because he was the King of Israel. However, that was the reason his kingdom was brought to an end in Israel.
Ask for His Mercy
Ask for His Mercy
The mercy of God does wonders in the life of a recipient. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. When mercy appears, forgiveness and restoration follow. It is his mercy that purchased our salvation, according to Ephesians 2:4-5, it says - But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.
It is by His mercy that we are not consumed and the bible says mercy overrides judgement. Whatever judgement of the enemy, whatever be their legal grounds, the mercy of God will cancel them in your life and you will celebrate God's goodness. Mercy is a gift of God, like forgiveness, which God expects us to reciprocate to others In James 2:13, the bible says - For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. Mercy triumphs over judgement, especially for those show mercy on other people.
It is by His mercy that we are not consumed and the bible says mercy overrides judgement. Whatever judgement of the enemy, whatever be their legal grounds, the mercy of God will cancel them in your life and you will celebrate God's goodness. Mercy is a gift of God, like forgiveness, which God expects us to reciprocate to others In James 2:13, the bible says - For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. Mercy triumphs over judgement, especially for those show mercy on other people.
FIRE...
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