#Wordfortheweek 2019 Week 18 #Who am I?

What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? Psalm 8:4

I woke up one morning with the creation of man on my mind. In the record of creation of the world and all in it, everything was created by a word declaration, ‘Let there be...’ except the creation of man.

It was different for man. Firstly God said, “Let us create man in our own image” and the bible recorded that God created man in His own image (Genesis 1:27). There was a process of creation, as was revealed in Genesis 2:7 God formed man of the dust of the earth. That is illuminating. Can you just imagine the process of formation? When you look at the form of man, the magnificent structure, everything in its place and for a purpose; from each strand of hair to the toenails for a specific purpose and use. God designed every minute detail of our body. No wonder Apostle Paul declared us as God’s masterpiece in Ephesians 2:10.

When some people say that animals have souls, I wonder what evidence that was based on. It was only man that has God’s life force to become a living soul. It is clear that everything created - animals and vegetation has a form of life in them because they grow and some reproduce after its kind. This essence of life does not equate to a soul. Only man has a soul because God breathed into his nostrils, the breath of life and he became a living soul (Genesis 2:7 NKJV). Its no wonder that our soul pants and long for Elohim God (Psalm 42:1 and 2). We carry His breadth in us.

Humankind is unique and special to God. You and I are unique and special to God. We are His image, His masterpiece, thoughtfully designed and formed with a vision in mind - Himself. No wonder He loves us so much that even whilst we were sinners - rolling in it,  He sent His Son to be a sacrifice for us. He loves us so much that He is very patient with our unfaithfulness and disobedience, because He does not want us to perish but to have everlasting life.

So, when King David asks, what is man that you are so mindful of him. I say man is in God’s heart and beloved to Him.

The question is, are you worth it?

#prayerfortheweek

Almighty Father, thank You for the gift of my life. Before I was conceived in my mother’s womb You knew me, You formed my inward parts and knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. How wonderful are Your works and my soul knows it well. l know it very well. Amen

I pray this inspires you to be more and do more for Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Jesus Christ). Spend this week to meditate on the passage and take relevant step to live out your faith.

#AdeolaAkintoye ©

#ajourneytospiritualmaturity

#Wordfortheweek 2019 Week 17 #Familiarity breeds #Contempt

And Moses said to Aaron, “This is what the Lord spoke, saying: ‘By those who come near Me. I must be regarded as holy; And before all the people I must be glorified.’” Leviticus 10:3

Nadab and Abihu, were the first two sons of Aaron. They were in a privileged position, as chosen priests of the Most High God. They had just gone through a thorough induction and training with Moses on the commandment of Elohim for their role as priests. They partook of the priestly ministerial process. They saw how everything was done painstakingly - sanctified and made holy first. The instructions from Elohim God was very precise. But they presumed to know better than Moses and Aaron.

How many of us are guilty of the same thing albeit in a different way. We read the bible, we go to church, hear sermons regularly and some of us are even preachers of the word. Yet we treat things of God as unto man. We interpret His words how we desire it. We demand of Him than give to Him as if He is at our beck and call. Despite the righteousness inputted on us by the sacrifice of Yeshua, we still roll comfortable in unholy living and think we can come near the Holy God.

It is very easy to fall into over-familiarity in our relationship with God, ignoring His specific commandments after-all He is only God. Because He is patient with us, we take His things for granted, testing if He would actually execute judgement now that Jesus Christ has died for our sin. Familiarity is now breeding a generation of contempt rather than the fear of the Almighty God.

How about the reproach we bring to God through our actions. When you adopt the Christian faith, you are making a declaration of where you belong and of whom you are – Christ’s.  You are a representative of the Kingdom of Elohim God. You are in the world as the salt of the earth and the light of the world.  Holiness and holy living is not a desirable option but essential for those who will come near Elohim.

We must daily, be mindful that our actions is not bringing reproach to the name of the LORD, rather it glorifies Him before all people.

#prayerfortheweek

Almighty Father, thank You for the gift of my salvation. Thank You for choosing me and entrusting me with the work of Your Kingdom. Help me to obey Your commandment in every way. May I not offer profane worship to You oh LORD, my God. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen

I pray this inspires you to be more and do more for Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Jesus Christ). Spend this week to meditate on the passage and take relevant step to live out your faith.

#AdeolaAkintoye ©

#ajourneytospiritualmaturity

#Wordfortheweek 2019 Week 16 #Jochebed An unsung #Hero

Then Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child away and nurse him for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed him. 10  And the child grew, and she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. Exodus 2:9,10

Whenever we read about the exodus of the Israelites, the story of Moses takes precedent. However, as I was listening to a message today, it was his mother, Jochebed who dropped into my spirit. What an incredible mother, she saved the life of one of the most significant people in the history of the Israelites. An unsung hero indeed.

Jochebed gave birth to her son at the time Pharaoh had issued a decree to cast all newborn male child of the Israelites into the river.  She was able to hide him for three months after his birth. Eventually she gave up, put him in an ark and set him adrift on the river where the babies were meant to be dumped. I cannot imagine what an agony it would have been for her. A short while later, Pharaoh’s’ daughter went to take her bath, saw the ark and the baby in it.

Fortunately, Miriam who had followed her mother was hiding nearby to see what would happen to her brother. She was wise to suggest calling a Hebrew nurse to take care of the baby - the baby’s mother.

After nursing the baby, Jochebed returned him to Pharaoh’s daughter. This is the baffling thing. Why did she do that? One would think she would have kept the baby, testifying about how God returned her baby, how he made it that she was the one to nurse the baby and all the incredible things that had happened. Most of us would have made one excuse or the other to hold unto the child but she did not.

Why did she give up Moses easily after nursing him? What gave her the intuition to leave him in the Ark on the river in the first place?

I want to believe that Jochebed was a God fearing woman of faith. She had a relationship with God, who would have inspired her on what to do. She did not put the baby under a bushel, under a tree, by the roadside but specifically in an ark on the river. Maybe she knew that Pharaoh’s daughter usually has her bath in that particular stretch of the river and that she was a nice woman. It takes a nice person to want to take an abandoned baby boy despite the decree and look after him as a son.

What made Jochebed give back Moses? I want to believe as a God fearing woman, she knew He had a purpose for Moses that was beyond her or her immediate household. Maybe God revealed to her that Moses must grow up in the household of the people that he was going to fight in the future. He needed to learn their way; culture; practices and all things only those close to them would know. He needed that knowledge to fulfil the purpose for which he was born.

Jochebed was a courageous woman. It takes courage for a woman to let go of her baby, knowing he might die. She was also a woman of integrity. She kept her word because she knew she had a specific task and responsibility for this child. The bible recorded that she was the one that went to give the child back to Pharaoh’s daughter after the nursing period. She did it voluntarily at the right time. She gave up her son for adoption to save the nation of Israel. How did she feel watching her son grow up as an Egyptian with Hebraic heritage?

Jochebed inspires us, although not much was written about her but her legacy continues. She was the mother of three incredible children - two prophets (Moses and Miriam) and a high priest of the Lord. What a reward for a mother.

Her character helps us to understand that we should trust in the Lord no matter the circumstance or our own fleshly desire. Trusting in the Lord is the right thing to do for those who belong to Him. The destiny of Moses as we now know it might not have happened if she had taken an alternative step.

#prayerfortheweek

Almighty Father, thank You for the gift of the womb. Give me the wisdom to parent my children in Your way oh Lord. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen

I pray this inspires you to be more and do more for Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Jesus Christ). Spend this week to meditate on the passage and take relevant step to live out your faith.

#AdeolaAkintoye ©

#ajourneytospiritualmaturity

#Wordfortheweek 2019 Week 15 A priceless #Relic

“Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.”

I Corinthians 10:11 NKJV

Many times, I have heard, even from Christians how the bible can be contradictory. Some have even questioned the ancient nature of the word and its applicability to life today. It is believed that the bible is an ancient relic that needs to be updated to suit today’s life. Isn’t it our life that should be reflecting the timeless wisdom in this ancient book?

Apostle Paul in his letter to the saints in Corinthians was reminding them about real life past events of their ancestors. Their lives were examples to teach them what to do and what not to do. We are blessed in this present age, to have the bible that teaches us wisdom, knowledge and understanding of the heart and mind of Elohim God concerning His creation.

The argument about whether the Old Testament and its laws are still relevant with the New Testament, as far as I am concerned is a cop out from taking responsibility and being accountable. Those laws whilst we are not under them but grace, actually helps us to understand the mind of God concerning many issues.

What God said we must not do in the Old Testament cannot be ignored in the New. He is unchangeable. He is eternal. He is not man that should lie nor son of man that should repent. What is an abomination to Him in times past is still abomination to Him in the present and in future.

Do not let the world blind you to the timeless nuggets in the word of God. Do not cover your eyes with the veil that was torn away by Christ. The world values ancient relics; protecting it, studying it for revelation and new insights. We have a timeless source of wisdom about the past, the present and the future.

As you read the bible, let it be to teach and guide you; to admonish and encourage; to reveal the Everlasting Father and our Lord Christ Jesus – the Ancient of Days.

#prayerfortheweek

Almighty Father, thank You for giving us the bible – the sacred collection of Your divine words. I pray oh Lord, You will open our spiritual eyes of understanding to see and know You. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen

I pray this inspires you to be more and do more for Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Jesus Christ). Spend this week to meditate on the passage and take relevant step to live out your faith.

#AdeolaAkintoye ©

#ajourneytospiritualmaturity

#Wordfortheweek 2019 Week 14 It is #personal

 “And God spoke to Moses and said to him: “I am the LORD. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name LORD I was not known to them.” Exodus 6:2-3 NKJV

As I studied the book of Exodus with some friends, I was stuck on this verse for a while. Elohim God did not reveal Himself as LORD to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. However, as God Almighty. He was their God. They worshipped and served Him until they died. What a marvellous relationship. I have a holy covetousness for that type of relationship with Elohim!

Elohim was now going to reveal Himself as LORD to their descendants. We know He bought them out of the land of slavery as He had promised: “Therefore say to the children of Israel: ‘I am the LORD; I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, I will rescue you from their bondage, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great judgments. I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the LORD your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.” Exodus 6:6-7 NKJV. He became LORD to them and their God. Lord as we understood from the passage; saviour and redeemer from bondage. Hallelujah, we have Jesus who came to the world to redeem and save us from the bondage of sin and from the kingdom of darkness.

It is quite interesting that God reveals His different facets to humankind at the points of need. As the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness towards the promise land, He was Jehovah-Rapha, their Healer. He was Jehovah-Jireh – their provider. He was Jehovah-Nissi, their banner and protector who fought their enemies.

The revelation of Elohim in our life follows a need in it. Jesus said those who are well are not in need of a Physician. If you think you are okay, you do not have a need then; there is no need for God in your life.

There must be a need in your life for you to have a personal relationship with Him. Even if you think you have all the material needs in the world, there is a need in humankind that no one or possession can ever fill. That need is the void in you that longs for eternity. The only person who can fill this void through His Son is ELOHIM GOD.

Will you be like Israelites and cry out to ELOHIM God today to meet that need in your life?

#prayerfortheweek

Almighty Father, thank You for delivering me from the power of darkness and conveying me into the kingdom of Your Son. Let me know you on a personal level. Reveal Yourself to me in every area of my life. Fill the void in my life with love for You and things of You. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen

I pray this inspires you to be more and do more for Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Jesus Christ). Spend this week to meditate on the passage and take relevant step to live out your faith.

#AdeolaAkintoye ©

#ajourneytospiritualmaturity