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