Wordfortheweek Week 9 #Careless Prayer

And all the children of Israel complained against Moses and Aaron, and the whole congregation said to them, “If only we had died in the land of Egypt! Or if only we had died in this wilderness! Numbers 14:2 NKJV

As you have spoken....so I will do

Be careful, be very careful of what you desire in your heart. 

 

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Everytime I read the Exodus story, I am always amazed how the children of Israel could easily forget what God had done for them, to the extent that they readily believed the bad report from the ten spies sent to the land of Canaan.

 

Boy oh boy was God furious with them and He was ready to 'strike them with the pestilence and disinherit them...' (Numbers 14:12 NKJV). Their complaints and whining was even worse because they had experienced the Glory of the presence of God and the signs He did in the land of Egypt and in the wilderness. Yet, they kept putting God to the test (ten times since they left Egypt) by refusing' to listen to God's voice (Num14:22).

 

What did God do? He granted them their heart's desire. Talk about a prayer that you wish was not answered. 'As I live,’ says the Lord, ‘just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I will do to you' (Numbers 14:28 NKJV). Basically, ‘you wished you had died in the wilderness - your wish is granted’. All the people who complained from twenty years and older would all die in the wilderness. Not only that, they would spend the equivalent years of the number of days they spied the land - forty days will become forty wilderness years.

It is a terrible thing to fall into the hand of the LORD.

This story has also highlighted the need to teach our children not to complain about anything and everything. A child that learns to be grateful for what they have and be thankful in all circumstances will avoid the trap of wrong desires.

 

How about you? Do you let your circumstances birth the wrong desires in your heart and you pray carelessly? 

 

#Prayerfortheweek

Almighty Father, thank You for the gift of my salvation. Help me LORD not to let my circumstances and situations birth evil desires in my heart. Help me to trust in You instead of complaining, in Jesus Mighty name, Amen. In the name of Yeshua I pray. Amen.

 

I pray that this inspire you to reflect on your relationship with Elohim and be determined to be more and do more for Him each day. 

#AdeolaAkintoye©

#ajourneytospiritualmaturity2020

Wordfortheweek Week 7 #FollowMe

 Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19 NKJV

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What would you do if you heard a whisper, “follow me?” If Jesus were to say that to you and you know it was his voice? Would you get up and follow without any question or would you try to bargain and negotiate the when, why and how. Or maybe push the obedience to sometime in the future.

 

It took me a while – many years in fact. About twenty years from the time I responded to the altar call to the time I said, “I surrender oh Lord!”. I have learnt that there is no negotiating with Elohim God. It is either yes or no.

 

I thought I had a lot of valid reasons for not responding to the call. The root of the issue was fear. I thought life as I knew it would be over. I believed the Christian life was boring and monotonous. My mindset about born-again Christians was from my university days. The so-called ‘SU’ or scripture union members. There was nothing about them that pulled me. Of course, my life then was about myself and ‘enjoying’ life the way of the world.

 

Many people are still struggling with answering that call. Some people have become immune to it. Some answered but are struggling to let go of their past way of living. It is difficult because human-kind are conditioned to use their senses to make decision. What you can see, touch, taste, hear or smell makes sense. Not the invisible God.

 

The works of Jesus when he was on earth caused many to follow him. They needed to ‘see’ the works before they would believe. Even Thomas, one of his disciples would not believe he resurrected until he had seen the crucifixion points.

 

In order to answer that call, we need revelation of the person doing the calling. How could simple fishermen see people as fish? They had no clue what it meant but they upped and followed because of revelation about Christ Jesus.

 

You may not understand your calling, what it means but understand that the caller is the Almighty Father through His Son Christ Jesus, our Lord and Saviour.

 

That is all you need to respond; “Yes Lord, here I am. I will follow”.

 

#Prayerfortheweek

Almighty Father, thank You for the gift of my salvation. Thank you for the revelation of Your Son Christ Jesus in my life. Help me to understand and boldly fulfil Your redemptive purpose for my life. In the name of Yeshua I pray. Amen.

 

I pray that this inspire you to reflect on your relationship with Elohim and be determined to be more and do more for Him each day. 

#AdeolaAkintoye©

#ajourneytospiritualmaturity2020

 

Wordfortheweek Week 19 Are you a #Nicodemus?

There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. ² This man came to Jesus by night... John 1:1,2 NKJV

Are you a Nicodemus?

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I used to think that when Jesus was here on earth, his disciples were materially poor. After all, his disciples left all to follow him. 

When Jesus died, Joseph of Arimathea, a rich and important man asked Pilate to give him the body of Christ to bury. Nicodemus brought expensive spices – myrrh and aloes to anoint the body of Jesus for burial. Joseph and Nicodemus would have cleaned, spiced and wrapped the body of Jesus in stripes of linen. We never heard of them again.  These two men’s deed like Rahab’s was immortalised in the Holy Scriptures. What lessons could we learn from the life of one of them?

 

Nicodemus was a pharisee, a ruler of the Jews and a teacher of the law. He was an important man. And he was a disciple of Jesus. A secret disciple. This man came to Jesus at night. It is interesting to note that he was able to get access to Jesus and engaged in one of the most insightful discuss about salvation and what it means to be born-again. This conversation was recorded in John chapter three.

 

The second recorded story about Nicodemus was when he chided the Pharisees and the rulers of the Jews about judging before hearing the testimony of a defendant. And the final time was with Joseph of Arimathea at the burial of Jesus.

 

Nicodemus had access to Jesus but could not acknowledge Christ publicly. He was a closet disciple. When he was accused of being a disciple, he did not deny neither did he acknowledge it. He was neither cold nor hot. His secrecy meant he could not confess Christ publicly, even the anointing of Jesus’ dead body was done in secret. Whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 10:32). 

 

Nicodemus had the position and power. He could use this to get access to Jesus but there was no record of the transformation in his life like the other disciples. How could that be when he refused to confess Christ before men.

 

Are you a Nicodemus? Is your worldly position preventing you from publicly confessing Christ as your Lord and Saviour? You might have access to the spiritual leaders but there is nothing about your public life that reflects Christ that you (secretly) profess.

 

Jesus requires us either to be cold or hot and not lukewarm. Let the light of Christ so shine through you that the world will see your good works and give praise to the Almighty God.

 

By your silence, you are denying Christ.

 

#Prayerfortheweek

Almighty Father, thank You for the gift of my salvation. Give me the grace to boldly confess Christ. May I never be a lukewarm believer in the name of Yeshua I pray. Amen.

 

I pray that this inspire you to reflect on your relationship with Elohim and be determined to be more and do more for Him each day. 

#AdeolaAkintoye©

#ajourneytospiritualmaturity2020

 

Wordfortheweek Week 52 #Finished

He said, “It is finished!” John 19:30 NKJV 

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Whenever I completed a task, there was always a sense of satisfaction that it was done and over with. Thank goodness! Depending on what the task was, it was either I wanted to do it again or never again.

It is finished - finito, ended, completed and full stop. There is something about finished, that brings to mind an end of something and then a beginning of something else. 

 

There are some ends that brings sadness, sorrow, tears or even fear. An example could be a divorce; the end of a marriage. Likewise, there are other endings that brings joy and joyous anticipation of the thereafter. An example the beginning of a marriage. Depending on the situation or circumstance of what finished, that ending could bring opportunity for a new beginning.

 

Year 2020 was one that this generation will never forget. It is a year many people would not want to live over again. I am glad that it is finished on the 31^st of December at 23:59:59. I have not heard anyone who is sad to see the end of year 2020. A year that is already inscribed in history for the shifts it effected in the world.

 

Nevertheless, when there is an end, as long as there is life there is hope for a beginning. This beginning for us will be one of opportunities. Old things have passed away, and all things are made new. This year will take with it all the sadness, sorrow, pains, loss and hopelessness.

 

When Yeshua Christ shouted, ‘it is finished’ on the cross of calvary, he breath his last. His death brought the end of the old order of things, the separation of man from his God. His death opened a new chapter of reconciliation between man and his God. The beginning of a relationship that makes us sons and co-heir with Christ of the inheritance of the Kingdom of God. A relationship that gives us the right to call out, “Abba Father”. Who wants to go back to the before? Never!

 

As we say goodbye to 2020, let us look forward to 2021 with great hope. Let us shape this new beginning with faith, hope and love in and through Christ Jesus. He is the only One who holds our tomorrow. And our tomorrow will be alright because our trust is in Him.

 

2020, it is finished!

 

#Prayerfortheweek

Almighty Father, thank You for the gift of my salvation. Thank you for preserving my life up to this moment. Thank you for seeing me through this year with mercy, kindness, goodness and favour. May I keep my eyes and heart on You in the new year. Help me to do Your perfect will. In the name of Yeshua I pray. Amen.

I pray that this inspire you to reflect on your relationship with Elohim and be determined to be more and do more for Him each day. 

#AdeolaAkintoye©

#ajourneytospiritualmaturity2020

Wordfortheweek Week 48 #Set Apart

And You shall be to Me a kingdom if priests and a holy nation. Exodus 19:6 NKJV 

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Holiness can refer to a person, a thing, a place or an act. It is a divine nature, sacred, perfect in goodness and righteousness. It is a state that is not achievable by itself. We learn from the Holy Scriptures how Elohim God set apart Abraham’s descendants to make them a holy nation. By Himself He declared them holy. This helps us to understand that being holy also means being set apart.

 

As believers in Christ Jesus we come into the kingdom of God set apart unto Him, cleansed by the blood of Jesus shed on the Cross for our sins. 

 

Holiness is a continuous state not a one-off act. There are conditions that must be met to remain set apart and holy. Obedience to the word of the Lord is one of the conditions. The Israelites had the laws – both the ceremonial and moral laws to maintain a life of holiness.

Christ Jesus has fulfilled the ceremonial laws for us, and by faith in Him we remain set apart. Nevertheless, we have a part to play in obedience to the moral laws as set in the ten commandments and embodied in two greatest commands – Love God and love your neighbours.

 

Worship of the One True God is another condition to be set apart.  Anything that takes the place of Christ in our heart is an idol and defiles our holiness,

 

Another way is keeping our body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to Christ. Our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. As our soul and spirit are aligned with Christ, our physical body must also be in perfect alignment. It is a holy temple, not defiled with lust and harmful acts. Defiling the body is defiling the soul and being separated from the Spirit of God.

 

It is a great honour and glorious privilege to be chosen, set apart as a special treasure, a special people, a gift not of works but by the marvellous grace of the Almighty God. The best way to remain holy is to follow the character of Christ. He is the perfect example. He came to the world as man, the revelation of the divine nature and standard of Jehovah.

 

We are set apart to be holy and empowered to live in holiness by the Spirit of God. 

 

 

#Prayerfortheweek

Almighty Father, thank You for the gift of my salvation. Thank You for setting me apart as a special treasure, part of Your family of special people. Give me the grace to live a life of holiness, pleasing and acceptable unto You.  In the name of Yeshua I pray. Amen

 

I pray that this inspire you to reflect on your relationship with Elohim and be determined to be more and do more for Him each day. 

#AdeolaAkintoye©

#ajourneytospiritualmaturity2020

 

Wordfortheweek Week 47 #Aspiration

You shall be holy, for I the LORD, your God am holy. Leviticus 19:1-4 NKJV

 

When I was a child, the first set of rules I learnt were that of my parents. I quickly grew into the awareness of what would get me into trouble. I understood the ‘dos’ and ‘do nots.’

 

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As a new nation, Elohim God gave the Israelites series of commandments through His servant, Moses. They were to follow these laws to the letter. The old testament section in the Holy Scriptures provides us with a view of these commandments. I have heard it said, that the old testament is no longer relevant with the birth and death of Jesus. This is an incomplete and short-sighted view of the Scriptures.

 

The old testament provides a solid foundation to understanding Elohim and His relationship with His people, including you and I. We can understand the heart of God by the revelation of the Holy Spirit through the laws He instructed the Israelites to keep.

 

Jesus Christ Himself quoted from the old testament. His life and teaching fulfilled the laws. We cannot separate one from the other. As we navigate the world, it is worth reflecting on the moral laws that is not bound to a specific time or discardable because of Jesus. In fact, it is because of Jesus that they are relevant today as in time past.

 

We fulfil the moral law in Christ Jesus through our character and life. Our God is holy, we also must be holy in all we do (1 Peter 1:15). It is in holiness that we fulfil all the laws given by the Almighty God. We have been set apart, sanctified by the cleansing blood of Jesus Christ. Even when we fall, we must get up and keep going, aspiring each day to live a holy life.

 

#Prayerfortheweek

Almighty Father, thank You for the gift of my salvation. Thank you for cleansing me by the blood of Your Son Jesus Christ my saviour. Give me the grace to walk in holiness, in every area of my life. Help me to be holy as You are Holy. In the name of Yeshua I pray. Amen

 

I pray that this inspire you to reflect on your relationship with Elohim and be determined to be more and do more for Him each day. 

#AdeolaAkintoye©

#ajourneytospiritualmaturity2020 

Wordfortheweek Week 50 #Study (Part 2)

Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV

 

There are many blessings in the word of Elohim God, uncountable. Let’s dig into some from the word itself:

 

Life in the word: It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life (John 6:63 NKJV).

 

The word reveals the secret in the heart of man: For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

(Hebrews 4:12 NKJV).

 

The word brings health to your flesh: Unless Your law had been my delight, I would then have perished in my affliction. I will never forget Your precepts, for by them You have given me life. (Psalms 119:92-93 NKJV).

 

The word gives you direction: Your word is a lamp to my feet. And a light to my path.

(Psalms 119:105 NKJV).

 

The word brings fruitfulness: Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper. (Psalms 1:1-3 NKJV)

 

Why not search the word of Elohim for yourself and dig out the nuggets!

 

#Prayerfortheweek

Almighty Father, thank You for the gift of my salvation. Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law. Psalms 119:18 NKJV.

 

In the name of Yeshua I pray. Amen

I pray that this inspire you to reflect on your relationship with Elohim and be determined to be more and do more for Him each day. 

#AdeolaAkintoye©

#ajourneytospiritualmaturity2020

 

Wordfortheweek Week 49 #Study (Part 1)

 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV

 

Sometimes studying the word of Elohim God is challenging. If you are like me, currently balancing full-time work, with study and various ministries, it can be near to impossible to do it on a daily basis. Nevertheless, I know that the word of Elohim God is life, it is impossible to survive without it. That is why it is important to encourage ourselves in daily study.

 

I have learnt that you cannot mandate a particular approach to studying the word of God. We are individuals, shaped, fashioned, put together and gifted differently. We learn differently. We read differently. We assimilate differently. You could learn but you cannot imitate someone else to study the word.

 

I would like to share some of the principles that have helped me over the years.

• The word – holy scriptures should be studied day by day, regularly and consistently. Structure is good but consistently is better. Even if you are only able to study a few passages in a day, it is better than nothing at all. Study the word daily, like a medicine to cure your illness, that if you don’t take it you are putting your health at risk.

• It is important to study and meditate not just read. Read to learn, absorb and retain. Read to activate the life in the word, quicken the spirit of God in you and transform your life. “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” Joshua 1:8 NKJV. 

• In studying the word of God, we must focus on the core things – the content not the periphery. The intent is not to cram and regurgitate the book, chapter and verse. Jesus did not use book, chapter and verse. Neither did the Apostles. Read in chunks that helps you to retain not recite verbatim.

• Study with friends in small group where you able to ask question, explore and dig for nuggets. Bible study should not be an opportunity for preaching sermon but to dig deep. When people cannot ask, discuss or even debate the study passage it is not bible study.

• Don’t guilt read. Studying the word is for your benefit. No one else. Don’t condemn or guilt trip yourself if you can’t recite. Just study, meditate and have faith that the word is in you. Trust me, when you need it, it will come out. Remember that is the work of the Holy Spirit to bring to your remembrance the word that is in you. If it’s not in you there is nothing to remember.

• Do not take lightly the word of God. Wisdom, secrets to success, wealth, life are in your word. Love the word with every fibre of your being. “How sweet are Your words to my taste, Sweeter than honey to my mouth!” Psalms 119:103 NKJV.

To be continued.

#Prayerfortheweek

Almighty Father, thank You for the gift of my salvation. Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law. Psalms 119:18 NKJV. In the name of Yeshua I pray. Amen

I pray that this inspire you to reflect on your relationship with Elohim and be determined to be more and do more for Him each day. 

#AdeolaAkintoye©

#ajourneytospiritualmaturity2020

 

Wordfortheweek Week 51 Perfect-Love

Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:8 NKJV

 

In 1992 when I gave birth to my eldest daughter, the feeling in me was more fear than love. As a young woman living far from family, I looked down at this beautiful baby and I was overwhelmed with fear. I was now responsible for another human being! I cried on that first night with her. As the days went by, the fear receded, and the love started growing. What an amazing feeling.

Love is an amazing feeling. The love of a parent for the child and vice-versa. The love between siblings, friends and spouses. There is something about love that brings joy to the heart.

In December, the world celebrates Christmas, a time when you see love in action. Families get together and exchange presents with one another. This is a special time at this particular period in a year. It is great seeing the celebrations and gift sharing, it makes me think how great it would be if the world is like this every day of the year, not the present giving but the outflow of love. Love should not be limited to an event. Love is not a one time, or specific time thing. Love is a continuous action.

Love, the world way is filled with imperfection. It is dependent on feelings and changes constantly.  This is imperfect love. Love that is the way of the world is like this: Today you love, tomorrow you fall out of love. Today you love tomorrow you hate because of offence. Today you love, because you receive things. Today you love because of lust. A love that changes like the weather.

There is, however, a love that is perfect. A love that is not dependent on how someone makes you feel or material things you receive. It is a love that is constant, steady and dependable. A love that is not of the world but for the world.

This perfect love originates from the perfect Father, one who is love personified. This is the love upon which the whole world exits, because the Almighty Elohim God, by this love keeps us in existence and gives us hope for eternal life.

When you feel the love of Yeshua Jesus for you, it makes it easy to love others because you know it is not about how they make you feel. It is because they are God’s creation.

God is love. We cannot have perfect love by our own ability. Because that love is not rooted in feelings but in Christ. God is love. When we have God in us, we have the capability for this perfect love.

This season and every day strive for this perfect love. Do not be limited because of world-love but be free in perfect-love, one that is abundant in our heart by the Spirit of Yeshua.

 

#Prayerfortheweek

Almighty Father, thank You for the gift of my salvation. Thank you for loving me so much that you gave Your only begotten Son to die for my sins. Thank You for pouring Your love aboard in my heart by Your Holy Spirt. May I reflect Your perfect love towards You and mankind in the name of Yeshua I pray. Amen

I pray that this inspire you to reflect on your relationship with Elohim and be determined to be more and do more for Him each day. 

#AdeolaAkintoye©

#ajourneytospiritualmaturity2020

 

Wordfortheweek Week 46 #LiveOut

“You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Psalms‬ ‭16:11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Every believer has a workplace - we were not born-again to be idle. Your workplace could be the church and/or the world. In the world, we are called market or workplace ministers. We are Christ ambassadors in the work or marketplace.

How do we live out our faith in the workplace? We cannot compartmentalise our life into Sundays and other days. We are in full time ministry, as a born-again child of God. We are His ambassadors on earth, representing His Kingdom.

Wherever we are, our consciousness must be about this identity and our responsibility to live this out, irrespective of where or who or what.

The two glorious examples in the bible of excellent workplace ministers were Joseph and Daniel. Both were taken as slaves from their home, and both became ministers of the Lord in their workplace. Joseph, first in Potiphar’s home and then he became prime minister as we could call it. He was second only to Pharaoh. Daniel rose to become chief administrator over the advisors - the wise men. He sat in the ‘gate’ of the king – where decisions were made.

These two men never compromised on their faith and they were highly exalted by Elohim in the presence of men. Their lives are examples to us in the workplace, we have no reason to fear reproach for our faith.

What can we learn from the lives of these two wonderful servants of Elohim-God?

⁃ Embrace your identity. Do not deny Jesus and your faith.

⁃ Have God-centered values, don’t compromise your faith. Be purposeful in what you do. Daniel purposed in his heart that he will not defile himself with the king’s delicacies

⁃ Bring God into it whenever opportunity arises. Tell anyone interested who is your helper and trust.

⁃ Demonstrate kingdom character: humility, patience, gentleness, kindness etc. Put people at the center of everything.

⁃ Be hardworking, no slothfulness

⁃ Make quality work your standard: ensure you have the ability for the job (Daniel and his friends were chosen because they met the criteria). Your gifts-skills and abilities must fit the job

⁃ Be joyful in your work and countenance

⁃ Be trustworthy: your yes is yes, and no is no.

God is the one that will do the extraordinary in your life and work. He will bring you into favour with people. He will show you the path of life when you take His presence with you to your workplace.

#Prayerfortheweek

Almighty Father, thank You for the gift of my salvation. Thank you for making me a new creation. I am bold. I am courageous. I am Christ ambassador in the workplace. I will show forth Your praise to the glory of Your name. In the name of Yeshua I pray. Amen

I pray that this inspire you to reflect on your relationship with Elohim and be determined to be more and do more for Him each day. 

#AdeolaAkintoye©

#ajourneytospiritualmaturity2020

Wordfortheweek Week 45 #Purpose

This people I have formed for Myself; They shall declare My praise. Isaiah 43:21 NKJV

Have you ever asked yourself this question; ‘what on earth am I here for?’ I did, some years ago. I felt there was more to life than just the daily cycle of it. I had to seek the Lord to know my purpose. 

The dictionary defined purpose as the reason for which something is done or created or exists. 

I believe that each person was created for a purpose. No-one was an accident irrespective the means through which the person was conceived.

As I searched for my purpose, I learnt lessons that I would like to share. Purpose is more than what you do or the reason you do. Purpose starts with the reason and ends with the outcome of what you do.

As a child of Elohim, our purpose is intrinsic in Him. We were created for His purpose. He had this purpose in mind even before we were formed in our mother’s womb. It was this vision, that He used to put us together as we are. 

Whether we realised it or not, from the minute we were conceived, we started living purpose. We do not have control over Elohim’s purpose for creating us. Your purpose is inside of you. Your physical attributes, DNA, gifts and abilities have been fashioned to enable you to fulfil your purpose.

The best person that can tell you about a created thing or being is the creator of it.  It was only Elohim God that could reveal my purpose to me. No one else. I sought this revelation by studying the bible, praying, using my skills in the Church, trying different things and listening to mentors.

I learnt that Elohim God is at the core of our purpose. We were created to bring glory to His name. The moment we accept His Son Yeshua as Lord and Saviour, we become part of God’s family. Our purpose becomes clearer because it is no longer clouded by the world.

Our purpose is to show forth His praise. Our life and what we do with it points towards Elohim. We are empowered through Yeshua. What we do must bring praise to His holy name.

Make a decision to live your life purposefully; seeking to glorify Elohim. Use your gifts -talents and abilities to serve others first in the body of Christ and then your community.

My purpose is to activate people to bring glory to Elohim.

How about you?

#Prayerfortheweek

Almighty Father, thank You for the gift of my salvation. Thank you creating me to show forth Your praise.  Help me to discover and fulfil the purpose for which You created me. In the name of Yeshua I pray. Amen

I pray that this inspire you to reflect on your relationship with Elohim and be determined to be more and do more for Him each day. 

#AdeolaAkintoye©

#ajourneytospiritualmaturity2020

#Wordfortheweek Week 44 #Trust

 But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” Psalm 31:14 NKJV

I love teaching. It’s not just because I love imparting knowledge, but teaching gives me new insights and revelation. Many times, I get my ‘ah-ah’ light bulb moments during teaching.

Recently, I was teaching a leadership masterclass on trust, the discussions gave me new perspective on how important and fragile trust is in relationships.

Trust manifests a lot in our society; between a child and parent, between spouses, in friendships and relationships. In addition to love, trust is the unseen cord that binds people together. Where there is no trust there is distrust and all its negative consequences.

Trust can be built up over years, through experiences and faithful services. But it takes a spilt second of action for these to be destroyed.

The bible highlights a lot of promises for those who trust Elohim God and trust in Him. The holy scriptures give us many examples of ancients who lived their lives in trust of their Elohim God. We are always encouraged to trust in Him.

One of the challenges in our spiritual journey is how do you trust an invisible God? What has helped my own spiritual journey at the beginning was the fact that He created the world, and Elohim’s relationship with people of antiquity and great things He did for them. They trusted Him, and their lives were transformed. I want more of that please.

As I started ‘seeing’ God’s work in transforming my life, I began to accumulate ‘trust savings’ - reasons why I should and can trust Elohim God. I was now able to talk from a place of experiential knowledge not just stories of people past.

But above all, the biggest reason to trust Him is the fact that He is God, the creator of the world and everything in it. At the end of the day you are His created being, your creator has your back.

 

#Prayerfortheweek

Almighty Father, thank You for the gift of life, health and my salvation. Give me a heart to trust in You all the days of my life. In the name of Yeshua I pray. Amen.

I pray that this inspires you to reflect on your relationship with Elohim and be determined to be more and do more for Him each day.

#AdeolaAkintoye©

#ajourneytospiritualmaturity2020

Wordfortheweek Week 43 #Unknown

‘…I even found an altar with this inscription; TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you.’ Acts 17:23 NKJV

Every humanity knows God intrinsically, because He put in them a void that would make them search for Him. Many find Him, many find something else to fill that void and many are still searching.

Paul told the Athenians, that the unknown God they worship is the Almighty God.

Human beings see things around us that has nothing to do with any man; the air we breathe, day-time and night time rolling for centuries, nature in its entirety. And no one could explain but man put an explanation to things according to the limitation of his abilities. 

Creation could only be explained as the Big Bang and evolution of mammal. Life could only be explained with the mushy organs and red liquid in man, but what brings all those things to life?

When man acknowledges and worship the True and Living God, he starts relating with the most powerful being, unknown yet known, invisible yet visible, whose power is seen in nature around us.

We seek to fill the void inside of us with things and people. Yet, there is still that void. 

If you desire to know this unknown God - Elohim, that void will no longer exist, because it is in Him that we live and move and have our being.

If there is a void inside you that you are desperately seeking to fill, call out to the only True God, who has revealed His name as I AM, Jehovah, Yahweh. Ask Him in sincerity to reveal Himself to you. And He will. Get a bible in the version that you can understand and study. Find a bible believing fellowship near you and connect to grow.

Most importantly, have FAITH.

#Prayerfortheweek

Almighty Father, thank You for the gift of my salvation. Fill the void in my heart with all of You Lord. In you I live and move and have my being. May I not exchange your truth for lie, or worship your creation instead of You, the Creator. I pray in the name of Yeshua Jesus, amen.

I pray that this inspire you to reflect on your relationship with Elohim and be determined to be more and do more for Him each day. 

#AdeolaAkintoye©

#ajourneytospiritualmaturity2020

Wordfortheweek Week 42 #LeanIn

Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. I Peter 5:7 NKJV

The year 2020 will be an unforgettable one for all the adults that lived through it. The COVID-19 global pandemic brought an health crisis that even the strongest in faith kept social distancing. 

It was in this year that both old and young, rich and poor, the royal and the common man, were all levelled up by the pandemic. 

A virus that did not discriminate.

The crisis has taught us that life is such a fragile thing, and there is limit to the predictability of the future. We are living in the period of uncertainties. The world as we know it is changing or has even changed for many. Our lives, ways of living, working and relating will never be exactly the same.

 

It is a new norm that we do not know. In the midst of it all, we are seeking for some normality and stability. Normal means there is constancy. Stability means there is an anchor grounding it.

This is the time to lean into the One whose promises are constant and whose strength is an anchor, the Christ Yeshua Jesus.

Yeshua Jesus invites all those who are heavy laden to cast their cares on Him. He promised to give them rest because He cares.

This is a time to lean-in to Yeshua. You do not need to carry your burden by yourself, lean in-to Him.

When you need a friend, lean-in.

When you are worried, lean-in.

When life throws you a curve lean-in.

In the good times and bad lean-in.

Elohim God is strong enough to carry you.

Why don’t you off-load on Him today. He is waiting.

#Prayerfortheweek

Almighty Father, thank You for the gift of my salvation. Thank you for caring so much for me. I cast all my cares on you and step into my rest. I pray for the peace of Yeshua that surpasses all understanding fill my heart today and for ever more. In His name I pray. Amen.

I pray that this inspire you to reflect on your relationship with Elohim and be determined to be more and do more for Him each day. 

#AdeolaAkintoye©

#ajourneytospiritualmaturity2020

Wordfortheweek Week 41 #Transition

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV 

Transition is defined by the Oxford dictionary as a process or period of changing from one state or condition to another. 

The world is going through transition now because of the COVID-19 pandemic. My country Nigeria is going through a transition with the protest by young people against police brutality. I am going through one as well, changing jobs after nearly eight years. Everyone goes through a transition at least once in their lives whether they like it or not.

Transition could be planned or unplanned, wanted or not. Transition brings about change and an opportunity for a new beginning. The process could be painful, especially if you do not like change. People who love what is familiar would not enjoy the transition period, because it would take them out of their comfortable zone.

When transition is forced on you, do not let fear of the unknown suck you into depression. When we do not want to let go of what is familiar, life becomes a challenge especially when the change is not in your control. The world we live in now is going through a transition that is impacting every one of us in different ways. We cannot stop it. But we can take charge of living through the transition positively.

Transition has many positives, it could be a period of rest. Taking time out to rest from the work of the past, a period of refreshing and energising before the new begins.

It could also be a period of purging the bad from the past. So that you don’t take your baggage into the new.

It could be a period of innovation and new opportunities. It is a period of searching, asking, refining new ways of doing things and new ways of living.

It is a period of hope, about the future you are stepping into. Trusting in the Lord who knows the future, that it shall be well.

What about transition from an unbeliever to a believer in Christ? This is the most exciting, because old things have passed and all things have become new. You have opportunity to leave behind the pain and sorrows of the past, put your cares and worries on Yeshua and he shall grant you peace of mind. Your life will be looking forward to an eternal future as planned by Elohim at the beginning of creation. 

Whatever transition you are going through, embrace it and look forward to a better future.

#Prayerfortheweek

Almighty Father, thank You for the gift of my salvation. Grant me the grace to embrace my new life in Yeshua. Help me to see the positives in every transition in my life for the glory of your name. In the name of Yeshua I pray. Amen.

I pray that this inspire you to reflect on your relationship with Elohim and be determined to be more and do more for Him each day. 

#AdeolaAkintoye©

#ajourneytospiritualmaturity2020

Wordfortheweek Week 40 #Transformed

Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done. Acts 8:13 NKJV

Heaven rejoices when a sinner receives Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Giving my life to Christ was both joyful and scary. I knew it was the beginning of a life I do not know, one with such high standard that no one could ever live it without the help of the Holy Spirit.

Now, about fifteen years down the line by the grace of Yeshua, I looked back and realise that Christianity is a journey and not a single event.

When Simon, a sorcerer believed in the message of the gospel and was baptised, there would have been rejoicing, testimonies and thanksgiving. This man became fervent, he followed Phillip all over the place, the chief protocol officer. People would have looked to him as the example of a life changed.

But was his life actually transformed?

Simon saw the power of the Holy Spirit fell upon the new believers by the laying of hands, and he was amazed. He wanted some of that power. And this was how the state of his heart became exposed. He saw that it was through the laying on of the apostles’ hands that the Holy Spirit was given. He thought in error that he could bribe Peter by offering money to get this power so that he too could lay hands on people to receive the Holy Spirit.

Simon honoured the Lord with his lips but his heart was far from him. He believed the Lordship of Jesus but he had no understanding of the way of Yeshua. Because there was no genuine repentance from his selfish, power-hungry nature. He was attracted by the miracles, signs and wonder, rather than the giver of these things. His heart was not yet transformed by the light of the gospel.

He was seeking power not the giver of the power.

Believing in Yeshua and getting baptised is not the beginning and the end of your salvation. The beginning is a heart of genuine repentance and letting go of all your old ways. This starts with the decision you make to become a new creation in Yeshua Jesus. Then taking that step to transform your heart and mind through the study and meditation on the word of Elohim. 

Test your heart to know whether you are a new creation in Yeshua or faking it like Simon the sorcerer.

#Prayerfortheweek

Almighty Father, thank You for the gift of my salvation. Create in me a pure heart, O God. Renew a steadfast spirit within me. Grant me a willing spirit to be transformed into the image of my Saviour Yeshua Christ Jesus by whose name I pray. Amen.

I pray that this inspire you to reflect on your relationship with Elohim and be determined to be more and do more for Him each day. 

#AdeolaAkintoye©

#ajourneytospiritualmaturity2020