#Wordfortheweek Week 27 #Accountable

Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank.  Numbers 20:11 NKJV

Moses, a man after God’s heart, could not get away with his actions. The instruction was clear, ‘speak to the rock…’ (Numbers 20:8 NKJV).  He struck the rock twice because he was angry. The people had been moaning and whining about lack of water. Despite all the wonders Elohim did in their presence from Egypt and throughout their wilderness journey, their hearts were still rebellious.

Hey, I can relate with Moses’ anger borne out of frustration with the people. He was not intentionally disobedient, however Elohim counted it as such and it cost Moses an entrance into the promise land.

Moses’s story helps us understand that Elohim God holds each person responsible and accountable for their actions. Even if Moses had blamed the people, he was still responsible for his action.

In life, it is easier to blame others for things that have gone or are going wrong. I remember my parents telling me that one of the responsibilities of an adult is taking responsibility for one’s actions. As I walk the leadership path, I’ve begun to understand what courage it takes to do this.

A child of Elohim should understand that Elohim is a righteous judge. He holds each person accountable, irrespective of the provocation. This understanding should help us think about our own actions first and make corrections where necessary, before pointing the finger at others.

In addition to courage, this takes a heart of humility to look inward before outward. The world we live in would be a better place if before we point the finger, we take stock of our own life.

#Prayerfortheweek

May the Lord grant me the grace to be courageous and humble, to be the change I want to see in the world. In the name of Yeshua Jesus Christ my Lord. 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 26 #Job

‘My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?’  Psalm 22:1 NKJV

Courtesyhttps://www.opendoorsuk.org

I was studying the book of Job with some friends recently and it got me reflecting about life’s challenges.

When we go through challenges that seemed never ending, we start asking the question, ‘why is this happening to me?’  Like Job, we would start recounting all our good deeds and righteous acts, how kind and loving we have been to others. We might even start ticking off all the religious acts we have fulfilled to the letter. Why did this happen to me, Lord?

There was no one more righteous and godlier than Job. Yet he went through an experience that we could not even begin to imagine, he lost everything except his life. Friends turned on him, demanding he repented for his sins. Even his wife had no loving words for him.

It is easy to think calamities befall people because of their sin. We could be one of Job’s friends who saw his problem as outcome of some sin he had committed.

The current pandemic has got us praying for mercy and forgiveness of all known and unknown sins. Surely, by the magnitude of the health crisis it must be because of our sins? Are we sure about that?

Of course, with the story of Job we knew why it was happening because we were told at the beginning of the book of Job. So, we know Job’s friends got it wrong. It was not because of his sin but a test.

A lesson for me was that I should not be quick to assume the why of something without first seeking God in prayer.

Job had lived a godly and honourable life; hence he could rightly claim he was righteous. God Himself testified of this. Sometimes we beat ourselves unnecessarily, putting us back into prison of low self-worth. If you have not deliberately continued in sin but are walking in the light, the blood of Jesus continually cleanses you from sin.

Your challenges and trial could be a test for your next level. Do not be quick to judge everything as sin. Rather than questioning God why He allowed it, worship Him. He is Almighty God and unquestionable. Proclaim that you shall yet see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

#Prayerfortheweek

May the Lord grant me the grace to stand firm in faith even in the midst of the turbulence and challenges of life, may I know that God is still on the Throne. In the name of Jesus. 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 25 #Selfish

When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear - selfish ambition.’ Galatians 5:19-20 NLT

courtesy https://www.dreamstime.com

What is the first thing that crosses your mind when you meet someone for the first time?  

A few years ago, I realised that I was getting into this mind trap of thinking everyone I met had a part to play in the ministry Elohim committed to my hands. One of the first things that would cross my mind was how they could support my ministry. It was about me not them.

Most of us would be guilty of this as well. I have been on the other side too, where people were interested in me because of what they perceived I could do for them. Knowing how this made me feel was a wake-up call to renew my mindset about people that comes into my life.

Yes, God uses people to bless us, but this is not an excuse for us to deliberately assess someone for what and how they could help us. Instead of how we could be a blessing to them.

Selfish ambition is when it’s all about you.

As I continued in my spiritual maturity journey, I have had to deal aggressively with this attitude in myself. I had to transform my thinking with the help of the Holy Spirit to always think; ‘How can I be a blessing’ rather than, ‘how can this person bless me.’

I used the word ‘aggressively,’ because I have come to understand that as long as we are in this earthly flesh, our earthly nature will continually try to rear its sinful head and you need to eliminate it aggressively. A soft approach would only lead to complacency.

One of the results of giving in to our earthly nature is selfish ambition; ‘When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear - selfish ambition’ (Galatians 5:19-20 NLT). And it is certain that, ‘anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God’ (vs. 21).

Apostle Paul was talking to the ‘born again’ Christians in Galatia. Even after being born again it is still possible to miss the Kingdom of God! My friends, all evidence of the sinful nature must be dealt with aggressively.

Thanks be to God that we have the Holy Spirit in us to guide our lives. We still have to make the choice though to, ‘…let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.’ (Galatian 5:16 NLT)

Are you struggling with selfish ambition? Renew your commitment to Jesus today and let the Holy Spirit guide every area of your life. Pray the following prayer and make the bold confession below;

#Prayerfortheweek

Almighty God, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide and direct my life. Give me the grace to say NO to all sinful desires and YES to the direction and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Let the fruit of the Spirit be evidenced in all areas of my life; love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness gentleness and self-control. I confess that Jesus nailed the passions and desires of my sinful nature to the cross and crucified them there (Galatians 5:24). I appropriate my authority in Christ over all sinful desires in the name of Jesus. 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