Tuesday 20 November 2018

#WordforToday 20 November 2018 Return on Investment (ROI)

"Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great;..." Mathew 5:10 NKJV




I was reflecting on the principle of return on investment. In the work of the Kingdom, what is the return of your investment of time, money and effort? 

We describe the success of a ministry by number of congregants, the physical wealth, miracles and the like. Lack of these and high level of stress unfortunately have driven many ministers away or even to commit suicide. We know here on earth, we are still in the flesh, so we want evidence of our work in the flesh.

I was taken back to the believers and disciples after the death of Jesus. They were driven not by flesh reward but eternal reward. They spent and were spent to spread the gospel of Jesus. The bible recorded numbers added to them - 3000 after Peter’s preaching, whole cities for Paul. Yet we know the bible also recorded how angels celebrates for one sinner who repents and turn to God - yes one, not thousands.

We are in the dispensation of reconciling man to God ahead of Jesus’ second coming and eternity. If you are sometimes worried or depressed that you are not seeing numbers all at once, or you are spending and being spent without material reward, encourage yourself in the Lord. Keep your focus on the gospel of Jesus. Remember rejoicing in heaven is for each sinner not a roomful of sinners. 

Do not be distracted by other people’s ministry, focus on yours. Whatever you spend for the Lord will be rewarded here and in eternity.

This is how I encourage myself whenever the principle of return on investment comes to mind. My return is eternity. My investment is to spend and be spent for Yeshua my Lord and Saviour.

#PrayerforToday
Almighty Father, thank You for the revelation of the hope of Your calling for my life. Thank you for the exceeding greatness of Your power toward me to strengthen and encourage me to keep on doing Your will. Help me to continue to live in line with Your purpose for my life. Give me the grace not to be weary in doing Your work even when it looks like there is not impact. By the grace of Yeshua Your son and my Saviour. In His name I pray. Amen
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I pray this inspires you to be more and do more for Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Jesus Christ).
 #AdeolaAkintoye ©

Wednesday 14 November 2018

#WordforToday 14 Nov 2018 Starve it to death

For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. Galatians 6:8 NKJV

I found the above passage fascinating. I always find the word of Elohim fascinating anyway. I found it illuminating that it is possible to sow to the flesh or the Spirit.

Elohim set in place this universal principle of sowing and reaping. You sow into a soil. If the soil is fertile and receives necessary nutrients the seed germinates, grows and bring forth its fruit. If you sow to a soil that is not fertile, maybe dead or it's starved of nutrient the seed will not germinate

Now let us imagine our flesh is the soil. When we sow seeds - hatred, lies, unkindness, offence, unforgiveness etc, nurture these with acts and actions that feeds on it then we will reap the fruit of the flesh . Where the flesh is very much alive, these seeds will germinate, grow and produce fruits after its kind.

God's timeless principle of sowing and reaping.

As long as your flesh is still alive to the world and the things of the world you are providing a fertile ground for the seeds of sin. If the flesh is dead, no seed of corruption can germinate not to talk of grow.

Starve your flesh of the lust of the eyes, of the flesh and the pride of life. Do not provide the necessary nutrient for the seed of the flesh to grow. Spend your time sowing to the things of the Spirit.

#PrayerforToday
Almighty Father, thank You for giving us Your timeless principle of sowing and reaping. Help me to sow to the Spirit and not the flesh that I may reap everlasting life. Give me the grace to put to death those things of the flesh. In the name of Yeshua Jesus I pray. Amen

Tuesday 13 November 2018

#WordforToday 13 Nov 2018

"For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh".  Galatians 6:13


This passage reminded me of those who glory in the number of attendance in their Church as a demonstration of number of people being led to Christ. 

The 'foolish' Galatians were bewitched with false doctrines. I can understand how this is possible. Just imagine a tradition of hundreds of years - the sign of the covenant, circumcision of the flesh. An outward act was not easily discarded for something invisible - circumcision of the heart.

As a believer, it is foolish also to believe the works we do demonstrates our righteousness. Rather, our works should be as a result of the righteousness of Christ in us. A circumcised heart will lead to righteous acts not the other way round. You can fake righteous act but not a circumcised heart.




#PrayerforToday 13 Nov 2018
Almighty Father create a new heart within me, circumcised with faith and tendered in love. Let my acts be righteous in Your sight. By grace in Christ Jesus. Amen

I pray this inspires you to be more and do more for Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Jesus Christ).

 #AdeolaAkintoye ©

Monday 12 November 2018

#WordforToday 12 Nov 2018 You are not cursed

"For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” Galatians 3:10



I am always amazed how insightful the word of God is; one passage brings illumination of another even though they are written by different people.

Sometimes in the Christendom we struggle with the issue of law and grace. Especially with some aspects in the law where people are told they are cursed if they do not do this or that. How can you take only a part of the law and ignore others? 

Early on in my christian journey, I became very confused about somethings we are 'commanded' do. As I read the word I started questioning some of these things with close christian friends. An example is having to 'buy back' your first born (Ex 13:15). At the time it was said the sex does not matter and we were given an equivalent amount to pay. Maybe there was a revelation to do this or not I do not know. Did I pay? Yes I did, out of fear not necessarily faith.

What I do know is that the law given to the Israelite was not meant to be cherry picked. You can not put fear in people for one, two, a few or some aspects of the law and not all. All these laws had to be obeyed in its entirety.

Thank goodness for the dispensation of grace. Who can meet all the requirements of the law?

When ministers who are entrusted with  teaching the word of Elohim use the law to put the redeemed of the Lord back into the bondage of fear, surely this is not the gospel of Yeshua Jesus.

Our salvation is not dependent on the law. As the first child of my mother she does not need to 'buy me' back even if I am female. I am already redeemed by Christ Jesus.

There are principles that Elohim has laid down for this earth that He created. It does not matter whether you are Christian or not, if you key into these principles you will reap the benefit - seed time and harvest; giving and receiving; day time and night time, helping  the poor and so on. These principles are for all.

Do not be put back into bondage. Study and meditate on the word of Elohim God for yourself. And pray for the revelation of the Holy Spirit directly.

You are not cursed!

#PrayerforToday
Almighty Father, thank You for the grace in Your Son Yeshua. I believe in Him and there is therefore no condemnation for me in Him. Help me to teach and live the truth of Your word. Amen

I pray this inspires you to be more and do more for Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Jesus Christ).
 #AdeolaAkintoye ©

Friday 9 November 2018

#WordforToday 9 Nov 2018 Bin it


Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy. 
Galatians 2:11‭-‬13 NKJV 

The story of Peter's hypocrisy made me reflected on how difficult it was to break the habit of a life time.

Many of us think that confessing our sin, repenting and accepting Jesus as Lord will automatically get rid of our bad habits. Don't get me wrong we are transformed spiritually, however there are still aspects of the flesh that will require a process to total transformation.

At the time Paul was writing to the Galatians, Peter had been long in ministry. This was a man whom Yeshua used to convict 5000 people through a single sermon, many sick had been healed, the lame walked and the blind received sight. Peter was mighty in the Lord. Yet, the habits inculcated in him as a Jew were still evident in his life. One such was not eating with the gentiles even if they were believers.

In my Christian walk I have found that there are so many old habits from my upbringing, culture and my own personality that I am having to reorient myself according to the principles of the Kingdom as evidenced in the bible. Likewise some new habits that I am (still work in progress) having to inculcate in my life one such is loving all people irrespective of their character. This can be so difficult sometimes I tell you. 

If you don't have bold people like Paul around you that can challenge your old bad habit, you have to challenge yourself with the word of God. No one is above mistake even spiritual leaders. 



But you as a believer bin your habits before they become a stumbling block to entering eternity. Little foxes do spoil the vine...

#PrayerforToday
Almighty Father, give me abounding grace to put to death every bad habit that does not glorify You. Help me to develop kingdom habits to the glory of Your name in Christ Jesus I pray. Amen.

I pray this inspires you to be more and do more for Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Jesus Christ). 
 #AdeolaAkintoye ©

Thursday 8 November 2018

#WordforToday 8 Nov 2018 In or out of the box

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,” Ephesians‬ ‭1:3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

This is one of my favourite verses in the bible. To know that I am blessed with every spiritual blessing gives me confidence and assurance for courageous christian living.

Although there is a condition; it is only in Christ that we have access to these blessings. It is also worth noting that these spiritual blessings are in heavenly places in Christ - I guess why they are spiritual and not physical.

It is sad that many Christians think they can live as such without Christ. They compartmentalize Him to specific days or times of their lives. They do not talk about Him nor acknowledge Him as if He does not exist or only in the walls of a place called 'Church'.

Yet we know that in Him and through Him we live, we breath and we have our being. How is it possible to put Him in a box? Or maybe you put yourself in the box, too scared of what life might be in Christ? 

Being in Christ is living in Him. He is visible through us whilst we are invisible because people experience Christ through our lifestyle here on earth.

Is Christ visible in your life?

If you are not seated in Him. How do you reflect Him?

Stop making excuses for being outside of Him.

#PrayerforToday
Almighty Father, may I reflect Christ Jesus in every area of my life. Thank You for blessing me with every spiritual blessings in Him. Amen

I pray this inspires you to be more and do more for Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Jesus Christ). 

 #AdeolaAkintoye ©

Friday 2 November 2018

#WordforToday 2 Nov 2018 Crucify it

“And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.” Galatians‬ ‭5:24‬ ‭NKJV


Apostle Paul was writing to ‘born again’ Christians in Galatia. He told them that the lust of the flesh results in the works of the flesh and those who practice this will not inherit heaven. Wow! The hope of our salvation is reconciliation with God the Father and making it to heaven. Could we still miss it?

Yes, if we do not put to the death the lust of the flesh by walking in the Spirit. This is one of the challenges of our Christian journey. Many struggle with the flesh and do not understand what it means to walk in the Spirit.  Walking in the Spirit is an act that is totally alien to our world. This is not just the ability to blast in tongues or do miracles, signs and wonders. But it is one where the life of the Spirit is seen in the fruit of the Spirit-demonstrated character, lifestyle and choices; loving, peaceful, gentle, kind and the like.

The word of God says those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passion. If we have, how could the works of the flesh still be evident in our life? The answer is in the passage.

If you belong to Christ, then you have crucified the flesh. I read that in another way - for you to belong to Christ you must have crucified the flesh.  You can't say  you belong to Christ but still under the dominion of your flesh and its lusts and passions. Isn't this illuminating?

How do you crucify the flesh? By walking in the Spirit (Gal 5:16), the lust of the flesh has no dominion over you.

As we are still in this earthly flesh, crucifying it is not a one-off act. It is a constant act of living and walking in the Spirit. It is not practicing the works of the flesh. It is a life of total submission to the Lordship of Jesus.

May we also be able to say like Paul; " I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

#PrayerforToday 2 Nov 2018
Almighty Father, may I keep walking and living in the Spirit by the grace of Yeshua Chrsit Jesus, Amen.

I pray this inspires you to be more and do more for Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Jesus Christ).

 #AdeolaAkintoye ©

Thursday 1 November 2018

#WordforToday 1 Nov 2018 Do not lose your visa to eternity

“For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh,..
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are:
adultery,
fornication,
uncleanness,
lewdness,
idolatry,
sorcery,
hatred,
contentions,
jealousies,
outbursts of wrath,
selfish ambitions,
dissensions,
heresies,
envy,
murders,
drunkenness,
revelries, and the like;
of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”Galatians 5:13, 19-21 NKJV

Apostle Paul was talking to the believers in Galatia. He encouraged them to put to death the works of the flesh.‬‬

Many of us think that because we confessed Jesus with our mouth and believed in our heart that He is the Son of God, that gives us automatic entrance to Heaven. Ha...You have only collected the entrance visa after meeting the criteria and having your application approved. Having a visa does not guarantee entrance if you no longer meet the entrance criteria. Not so straight forward eh.

Grace does not mean we can continue in the previous ways of life before our confession of faith. Grace tells us we qualify. Grace is available if we are willing. Grace is not opportunity for disgrace.

A believer must walk the faith, take off the old self (of living in the flesh) and put on the new man (walking in the Holy Spirit of God). This is a deliberate and intentional decision, every second of life. We do have the ability to do this because of the helper who lives in us.
If you are struggling with any of this, make a decision, prayerfully flee from anyone, anyplace, any thoughts that will keep you in bondage to the old way of life. 

You can do it. Yes you can.

You have the visa. Now keep to it's condition so that you can enter eternity.

#PrayerforToday
Almighty Father may I not be disqualified from entrance into eternity in Jesus name. Amen

I pray this inspires you to be more and do more for Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Jesus Christ).
 #AdeolaAkintoye ©