A Journey to Spiritual Maturity: February 2020

Saturday 29 February 2020

#Wordfortheweek Week 6 #Courage (Part 2)

Now Joshua the son of Nun sent out two men from [a]Acacia Grove to spy secretly, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” So, they went, and came to the house of a harlot named Rahab, and [b]lodged there. Joshua 2:1 NKJV

Rahab heard about the exploits of the invisible but powerful God of the Hebrews and she was drawn. She had no personal experience of this God, but she believed the stories she heard, and this gave her the courage to help the spies.

The Bible did not expatiate on how she got into prostitution. Her kindness and faith made me curious but whatever the reason, at the time she met the spies there was a desire in her for the God of the Hebrews. What she heard about Him must have kindled a yearning in her life that she was willing to risk her life by defying the king of Jericho.

She risked all to save the two spies. She had faith enough to believe that this God of Israel will destroy Jericho. Her faith was strong enough even as she was in a profession that was morally sinful.

Rahab’s faith and courage led to her salvation from the destruction of Jericho.

I wonder what life would have been in the early days of living with the Israelites as well. We know from their experiences in the wilderness and after that God often referred to them as a rebellious people. I would not be surprised if Rahab had it difficult in the beginning.

An ex-prostitute from a gentile nation living amongst God’s chosen people! The finger pointing, the whispering when she walks by, the conversation stopping when she enters the room…at least these were how the TV series portrayed it. But it is not impossible given our human nature.

Nevertheless, Rahab was a courageous woman with strong faith. Her legacy tells us she settled, she married Salmon – tradition says he was one of the two spies. And she had a son who became the ancestor of king David and our Lord Jesus Christ. I could only imagine the faith filled joyful life of this amazingly courageous woman in the promised land.

The story of Rahab teaches us that God can never be put in a box. His purpose will be accomplished through whom He chooses. God sees the heart and transforms life. A heart of faith is the entry point for God to transform your life.

#Prayerfortheweek

Almighty Father, thank You for the gift of my life and salvation. Help me to be courageous in You and for Your oh Lord. To the glory of Your Holy Name. In Jesus name 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 in 2020.

#AdeolaAkintoye©

#ajourneytospiritualmaturity2020

Sunday 23 February 2020

#Wordfortheweek Week 8 #Forgiveness

Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Matthew 18:21,22 NKJV

There is something so amazingly beautiful about forgiveness. It frees you from hatred, sorrow, pain and regression.

In life people will hurt us, we also will knowingly or not hurt others. Offence is inevitable because we were created with differences that makes us unique and set us apart.

In my short life, I have experienced joy unspeakable, likewise excruciating emotional pain. I have come to realise that many of life’s lessons are usually in one’s experiences of joy and pain.

The word of Elohim has so much to say about forgiveness. We learn the act of forgiveness from Jehovah Himself, that whilst we were yet sinners, cut off from Him He forgave us by sending His Son to pay the price of sin – death for us. If He were to keep remembering our sins, no-one would be saved. We also learnt that it is a command from Jehovah to forgive those who trespass against us.

The act of forgiveness from my experience is the most basic act of humility after repentance of sin. Forgiving someone takes humility – to overlook, to accept, to let go and let God.

Some pains are so deep and so cutting that they would never be completely healed, and some would leave permanent scars that brings reminders. The challenge is whether we let our life revolve around the pain and reminders. Or we let go and let God.

It is only God that gives us the ability to forgive. And with forgiveness comes peace. You can see and move beyond the pain.

Forgiveness is a conscious decision. You might still feel pain and hurt. But making that decision to forgive is the axe needed to dismantle the stone of offence in your heart. Forgiveness will not happen without your decision to forgive.

Forgiveness is a journey. It might not happen instantly or overnight. You will take three steps forward and two steps back. Do not worry, you have moved forward one step from where you were before. Keep going.

A wonderful sister taught me years ago, that when someone offends her, she prays for them. At the time I was hurt but I took that step to pray for them, even in the hurt. Praying for those who hurt us is like pouring hot water on grease, it melts away the greasy offence clinging to our heart.

Forgiveness is a command from the Lord. It takes a humble decision to forgive, courage to let go and faith to pray for those who have offended us. The result is a heart full of peace and joy and love. Make that decision today.