It was at the airport, I was about to pass through the passage to the waiting hall when I saw a bookstand with many books on display. Of all the volumes only on little pamphlet caught my attention. Boldly written in red was the caption, ‘’IT’S A SERIOUS MATTER’’.
I paid for a copy and thereafter boarded the aircraft while asking myself what this serious matter could be, I curiously began to read, and this was the content:
There was this very prosperous city on an island. Everything went on fire for its inhabitants. Their political climate was most suitable and their economic policies were excellent. But one day, they woke up to discover that the sea around them was overflowing its bank at an alarming rate. Immediately, the government summoned all the inhabitants of the city to the harbour for evacuation.
All the people who went to the harbour were conducted into a waiting ship and were safe. But many others refused to leave the island. Some could not imagine leaving their beautiful houses, exotic and expensive cars, and choice possessions they had acquired over time. Others simply feigned ignorance of what was happening around them. Yet others claimed they were islanders and export swimmers and so, would swim across if the worst happened.
Love is the greates Weapon against the Devil.
The No.1 commandment to Man is to have love for one another,
As God Himself is love.
In its absence, the Devil, then has access to our hearts,
Leaving Us vulnerable to all kinds of evil thoughts.
Pray for one another at all times and this will destroy,
the existence of the spirit of hate between one another.
He called Abraham to leave his father's house. From Abraham came a nation. Even when it seemed unlikely.
Isaac & Jacob ..... Israel was born into 12 tribes.
Israel
went in to Egypt in famine and drought. The savior of Egypt who foresaw
the famine was of Israel. He was sent ahead, but came in as slave, then
prisoner, then to the throne.
After the Pharaoh died, the new one enslaved Israel.
In the fullness of time, God called a deliverer, a Hebrew....Sent ahead.....raised in Pharaoh's palace as an Egyptian prince.
God led His chosen people out of Egypt. He had promised Abraham blessings as a promise.
He led them by day in a cloud, and by night in a pillar of fire.
Through the red sea, they left captivity, into the wilderness....en-route the promised land.
Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the Kingdom of
Heaven
Blessed are the gentle for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Mathew 5:3, 7-9
Above is Jesus most famous Sermon addressing our attitudes.
Theologians guided by Gods hand have coined this sermon ‘’The Be-attitudes’’.
Jesus knew that developing a correct perspective on life was critically
important to our lives, and so He spoke often on that topic.
If my core attitudes and perspective towards life and people
are skewed, then I too will experience a retinue of devastated relationships,
foiled expectations and broken dreams. Jesus knew that from the core of our new
beings, we need to develop a right attitude towards life. Let your eye, your
attitude, be clear and your subsequent conclusion will have the potential for
success.
Nothing is as powerful as a person’s attitude. And rarely
also is anything so devastating as that same thing.
"Exploring the Importance of PATIENCE!"
When we wait, we begin to acquire a patient endurance that only waiting can produce. It will be this patience that carries you through the rough patches of ministry. It will give you a perseverance through the lonely, heavy-hearted, and weighted moments no one sees but God.
But it's more than just patience. This word has a direct correlation with the first part of the verse and the phrase, "confident trust in the Lord." Confidence, also identified as "courage" here, is vital to anyone's walk. One must have confidence in God and His promise, courage to carry out His will, and the ability to lean on that truth in trying times. Without this process and ability to live it out, one will struggle in any pursuit to encourage others to live accordingly.
Learn to trust in God and lean on His timing, and develop the ability to wait. If you try to make your dream happen on your own or rush the process, you won't cultivate this valuable trait. Only time and waiting can.
If you dream of preaching to thousands of people...or leading worship in an arena...or desire any form of ministry, first develop patience endurance. You'll need it on the journey!
Remind me often that I am in the world but not of the world. Fortify me to command the world’s respect through a lifestyle of holiness and consistency, as befitting a follower of your Son. And make me aware of those areas of my life that reflect the world’s ways more than yours.
In the name of him who experienced both reception and rejection. Amen.
