A bit of Insight from Luke 1…

 

Lk 1:1ff, “Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses… 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.”

Luke wrote to a certain Theophilus; in other words, he wrote to all those who are friends of God - Theophilus, from Theos (God) and Philos (friend). He writes that it seemed good to him to compile an account of all the events and miracles that had taken place in their midst. Likewise, while we are about to close on 2011, it would be good that God’s friends, those who truly love the Lord, take time to look closely into all that the Lord has done for them or around them since January 1, 2011. This exercise will help them know the veracity of the teachings, prophecies and promises that they have received since the beginning of the year.

Lk 1:5-7, “In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah… he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.”

Despite their righteousness, blamelessness and their priestly lineage, Elizabeth was barren and they did not have a child! Maybe you have also obeyed all of the Lord’s commandments and ordinances for this year; yet, time has kept on passing by without you bearing those promises forth and you feel like you are barren. Well, if that is your case, don’t be discouraged: 2011 is not over yet and God can still visit you like He visited Zechariah and his wife. Just remain faithful in your service like Zechariah who faithfully continued his duties in the Temple (vs. 8-9) and remain hungry because He fills the hungry with good things, and sends the rich away empty (vs. 53): the Angel of the Lord can still appear to you.

Just like last week, I pray that we find favour with God. I pray for an angelic visitation before January 1, 2012. I pray that the Holy Spirit will come upon us, and the power of the Most High will overshadow us so that we may conceive and give birth to God’s gift for the nations (vs. 31-35).

Lk 1:26-27, “In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin… And the virgin's name was Mary.”

In the 6th month… Some amongst us have been visited during the 6th month and they are sadly ending the year because they think God hasn’t done anything for them; but inasmuch a pregnancy lasts 9 months, they will not give birth before the 3rd month of 2012. I want to say this again: do not be discouraged because God has not finished with you yet. Don’t be disheartened and don’t stop believing even if what you were expecting doesn’t show up by midnight on December 31: keep on scrutinizing the first months of 2012 and keep on believing. The angel rebuked Zechariah saying: "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time." (Vs. 19-20). Indeed, blessed is them who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to them from the Lord (vs. 45).

I wish you a ‘Wonderblessed’ Year 2012. I have placed mine under the banner of entrepreneurship: why not do the same?

In any case, just like in 2011 and in the past, this is certain: the Bible will still have ALL the answers. Prayer will still be the most powerful force on Earth. The Holy Spirit will still move. God will still honor the praises of His people. There will still be room at the Cross. Jesus will still save the lost when they come to Him and He will still love you!

Take a moment to read or re-read these articles: “What are you expecting from God?” (it was the message for the ending year) and “The art of making good choices.”

See you in 2012, by His Grace.

What is your age? (III)

 

Fathers

John wrote that they know Him who is from the beginning (1Jn 2.13,14). Who is a father? He can be a mature adult or an elderly person; but in any case, he is supposed to be a well of wisdom - 'Let days speak, and many years teach wisdom.' (Job 32:7) A father is someone who has already begotten somebody; he has reproduced himself; he has sons and/or daughters; he is a mentor. Do you have children in the Lord?

I am not talking about converts that we happen to make as we preach the Gospel in the streets and walk our way afterwards without ever knowing what has become of them: Jesus has not called us to make ‘statistics’ but disciples. Have you ever disciplined anyone? Have you ever taken a new convert by hand and led them to imitate your faith and zeal? Has anyone become your follower as you follow Christ yourself? Do you have children in the Lord?

Fathers protect, nourish, train, chastise and take pleasure in seeing their kids make progress, succeed and even do better than them. The least Jesus wished was for us to do the kind of wonders that He did (Jn 14:12). Have you ever protected or nurtured someone else’s faith? Are you correcting or training someone now? Is there anybody whose faith and deeds are an example to many because of your unique impartation and investment in their life?

Fathers have known God; not superficially, but intimately. The Amplified Bible renders it this way: “You have come to know (recognize, be aware of, and understand) Him Who has existed from the beginning.”

Moses told the Lord: “If I have found favour in your sight, please show me now your ways, that I may know you in order to find favour in your sight.” (Ex 33:13) In other words, he who knows the Lord knows His ways, His way of doing things and can recognise Him behind His multiple facets. But the more we know God, the more we spontaneously know and do what pleases him and thus find even more favour in His sight. Moses understood this well.

Jesus said that eternal life is to know Him, the only true God and Christ, the One He sent (Jn 17:3). This knowledge and this life begin with believing in the only begotten Son of God given to the world as a sacrificial and expiatory offering for sin (Jn 3:16). During this time of nativity, it is good to remember and not lose sight of the fact that Christ Jesus is the Reason for the Season. There can’t be any Christmas without Christ. The real date of His birth really doesn’t matter; the fact is: He was born on a day and Christendom agreed to set December 25 aside to remind the world of His coming and celebrate ‘His Birthday.’

Eternal life is to know God; may we make Moses’ prayer ours and desire to know His ways. Let us desire to understand Him better in order to know Him and live on earth as if already in eternity. Inasmuch as there is a lot of easiness in doing things we understand, there is a lot of ease in serving a God that we understand and know and a lot of enthusiasm in teaching and transmitting what we know.

This period is quite propitious to good resolutions, wishes and all sorts of prayers. It is a time when people ask so many things for the New Year. Before indulging into the exercise, it might be worth (re)reading “Be careful what you ask for...”

In the meantime, I wish you a ‘WONDERBLESSED’ CHRISTMAS. May the Holy Spirit come upon you and may the power of God Almighty overshadow you so that the Christ may be born or reborn in a fresh and special way into your heart and life. He is the Reason for the Season!

God bless you!

What’s your age (II)?

 

The youth

1Jn 2:13,14: “...I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. 14 …I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one…”

This period can be divided into two: adolescence and young adult age.

Adolescence is the age of rebellion and contestation. It’s an age when we believe we are equal to adults because of little hairs on our chin or little lumps on our chest. An age when we think parents are old –fashioned and can’t talk sensibly. It is a period when every experience –especially the bad ones- is good because one needs to discover things and not stay stupid. Teenagers also tend to have a higher opinion of who they really are. They like boasting about their achievements, like gossiping and are usually very hard with those who are not part of their circle.

In church, this corresponds to the brother or the sister who has prayed for someone who has been healed or delivered and they are now convinced they have a great healing/deliverance ministry… It is those who spend their time criticizing the leaders’ decisions: ‘‘I don’t think we should be fasting this week;’’ ‘‘I’m not convinced we need a second service;’’ ‘‘No Bible verse forbids me to go clubbing or have a boy/girlfriend;’’ ‘‘You are too spiritual!’’ It is also those who spend more time talking about the sins and trespasses of others, instead of talking about what works and edifies them in the church.

Teenagers should remember that we are instructed not to think too highly of ourselves (Rom 12:3) and to love our brethren; and love covers a multitude of sins and doesn’t recall them: there is no love in gossips. The Lord wants the word that is preached and taught in church to abide in them and renew their mind so that they can overcome the evil one.

The young adult

This age is characterized by strength and passion. It is an age when one begins to be responsible; an age when people determine what they want to become in choosing their field in university; they start working, paying bills and thinking about marriage and kids. The young adult knows where he is going and usually does everything to get there.

It is the zealous age and in the church, these are the Joshuas: those who lift and sustain the arms of their leaders until Amalek, the enemy and evil one is defeated because they love spiritual welfare. They are of all the missions. As teenagers, they used to grouse and balk when it came to service; but they now love to be given things to do. They are always behind the pastor –their model- to find out the secret of his anointing. They are passionate about the things of God and need no booster to come to church, read the Bible, pray or fast: they have overcome the evil one and his tricks.

If you are a teenager, you have not overcome the devil yet and are still at great risk of losing your precious and priceless faith. Walk in the Spirit, be led by Him and He’ll take you to the next phase: the young adult. If you are already a young adult, it is great; but there is more...

At this time of the year, it is good to refocus and re-align our perspective. Why don’t you do so by reading or re-reading the postings on God’s absence and provision?

God bless you with a great and fruitful week: He is GOOD.

What’s your age?

 

Jesus used many examples to show us how nature itself should teach us some obvious things. We are well aware of the physical age of those around us; but we do not seem to realize that we also have a spiritual age which sometimes has no correlation at all with the time that we’ve spent warming church pews. No parent would find their 30 year old child is still having his bottle or wearing diapers; and God also expects His children to finally become sons and daughters worthy of Him. The Lord wants to take us higher; He has important stuff to tell us but as in the days of old, He is often has to note that we just cannot bear them (Jn 16:12).

During the next few weeks, using John’s first letter in which he addresses three types of Christians (little children, young men and fathers), we will be highlighting the main characteristics of each age group to help us appreciate where we are in our walk with Christ individually.

 

Infancy and Childhood

1. The baby

Apart from relieving themselves, babies can do nothing on their own and need constant care and attention. Whenever they want something, they cry or shout. They love cuddles and only feel reassured in their mother’s arms. The only food their digestive system can take in for months is milk; give them fish and chips and you might kill them. Spiritually speaking, these are usually new converts. They don’t know how to pray, fast or read the Bible without guidance and they don’t understand the ‘Pentecostal-charismatical-christian’ jargon. Sadly, many who are supposed to be adults in Christ still gallivant in church in their nappies...

2. The child

This stage is mainly characterized by the followings:

· The need of a tutor or guardian without whom the child could well die. He cannot take care of himself. He needs to be constantly told what to do or not to do because he cannot tell good from evil. He also needs frequent discipline. My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin (1Jn 2:1). It’s the age of beacons and railings. This is the one who has been coming to church for ages, has heard hundreds of messages, but still doesn’t know how to put all that knowledge into practice.

· Selfishness or the age of “give me”, “give me”, “give me”, “I want”, “I want”, “I want” prayers. The child only minds what others must do for him and seldomly what he can do for them. He walks in the church as if in a hotel: to be served and not to serve.

· Impatience or fast-food age; God has to answer in a twinkling of an eye. This Christian cannot persevere in prayer and fasting for weeks or months without grumbling, waiting for God to speak. After a few ‘minutes’, they will proceed with their plans.

· Dissatisfaction: the child’s eyes are often bigger than their tummy and they always want more. Moreover, they quickly get tired of what they have so fervently desired: this is the age of whims.

· Irresponsibility: they get loose when the parents are not around and always try to cover or justify their faults: “It’s because of so-so that I…” They are only Christians on Sundays and are very happy to live double life as long as they are not caught: it’s the age of masks. They hardly realize that the Lord always sees and even when they do, it’s not a big deal because they think they’ll find something to calm Him down: “I first sin, and then I confess.” Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth (1Jn 3:18).

· The flesh whose works rule in them: grudges, envy, jealousy, disputes, cruelty, lies… And now, little children, abide in him (1Jn 2:28).

· Fear: they are terrified by every little thing. This is a Christian who is afraid of demons, witches, ennemies, sickness, death, lack etc.; and whose prayers are frequently imprecatory or begging for protection. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. (1Jn 4:4)

· Naivety: a child is ignorant, unstable, twists the Scriptures and is easily tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine because he tends to believe that grass is greener elsewhere. Children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. Therefore we know that it is the last hour… Little children, let no one deceive you … (1Jn 2:18, 3:7)

· The love of entertainment: a child comes to church to have fun. He doesn’t come for God but for pals. Besides, his internet telephone is never far away; so he can quickly run to other friends on Facebook, Twitter or else when he is bored (like during the message, when he has to stop grooving for a little while). Little children, keep yourselves from idols (1Jn 5:21).

The rare occasions when we are actually encouraged to be like children in the Bible are these: “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven”, "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven" and, "Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation." (Mat18:3, 19:14; 1Pe 2:2) Why? Because the Lord of heaven and earth has hidden certain things and mysteries from the wise and understanding but has revealed them to little children (Mat 11:25).

Do you fit any of these descriptions? The will of God for you is that you may grow and go to the next stage.

God bless you.