#Wordfortheweek Week 3 #Personal

And the Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing, Genesis 18:17 NKJV

There are few people in the bible whose relationship with God is so special. Yes, God does not show partiality, but these ones are different - like Abraham and Moses. And of course, Jesus. Every time I read their story it creates in me an intense desire for more of Jehovah.

Their relationship was very close and personal. They heard the voice of God directly, not through angels - though they related with such as well. I’m talking about Jehovah, God Himself made an oath in His own name with Abraham directly. Moses saw the back of God and spoke with him face to face!

There was no record of Joseph hearing God’s voice like Abraham or Moses, yet he also had a personal relationship with Him. Jehovah revealed Himself to Joseph through prophetic dreams and he had deep faith in God. And we know after suffering for many years as a slave, he came to understand purpose and he lived a long and fulfilled life.

Our walk with Jehovah is a personal thing. He relates with us at different levels based on His purpose for our lives. I would not imagine being on the same level of relationship with God like these men because they had their own specific purpose in God’s plan. I have mine, nevertheless we can learn from their relationship with Jehovah to build up our faith in His plan for our life.

You can understand too that you are unique and your personal relationship with Jehovah is special. He reveals Himself to you in a unique way for your relationship. Desire to relate with Him as deeply as our heroes of faith. There is no sacrifice required to have such relationship with Him, Jesus Christ is our sacrifice already made.

This year get up closer and personal with Jehovah God.

#Prayerfortheweek

Almighty Father, thank You for the gift of my life and salvation. Help me to keep my love on You. Help me to seek You with my whole heart. Help me to continually dwell in Your secret place. Help me to walk in Your ways, always. 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

#Wordfortheweek Week 2 #Intimacy

Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” ‭‭Genesis‬ ‭22:2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Jehovah God trusted Abraham and called him friend. There was a mutuality between the two that was incredible. God could not keep things from him. Abraham knew God deeply. When Jehovah told him to sacrifice his only son Isaac, he knew his God would provide the lamb. And God did. What an incredible intimacy, a closeness that was unique between two people.

Abraham was a man that had intimacy with Jehovah God. He had a close relation with God, that by Himself God gave Him an everlasting covenant that through Abraham all nations of the earth shall be blessed (Genesis18:18). 

Over Abraham’s lifetime, we could see his commitment to this relationship, he spent time with God. He also valued the relationship, he built an altar of sacrifice every time he had an encounter with God. Because of this relationship, Abraham became the channel of blessing for nations.

I desire more measure of this level of intimacy with God. I know God desires a close relationship with us as well. We must have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We must be committed to this relationship, by spending time with Him - in studying the word, communicating through prayer and walking the paths of righteousness and holiness.

The depth of your intimacy with God will depend on your level of thirst and hunger in seeking Him. And how committed you are to nurture this relationship with Him.

How about you, will you seek deeper intimacy with Your Lord God Jehovah?

#Prayerfortheweek

Almighty Father, thank You for blessing me with another year in the land of the living. Your word declared if we seek You with all our heart, we shall find You (Jeremiah 29:13). Your face oh Lord I will seek with all my heart, body and soul. Help me to nurture our relationship in prayer, study of Your words and in my daily living. 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

#WordforToday 30 April 2018 The first after the last (1)

Then Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” Acts 3:6

The first miracle that was done after the disciples were baptized with the Holy Spirit was one of the first evidence of the outworking of the power of God in them. The spoken word of faith in the name of Jesus Christ and a lame man from birth was made whole in his legs. Whoa!

The story told in Acts chapter 3 gives us an insight and understanding of this miracle. The Apostles and in fact the believers at that time devoted themselves and their time in prayer and preaching the good news of Jesus. They met daily in the Upper Room and the temple. They were devoted and dedicated to the work of the ministry. 

On this miracle day, Peter and John were going to the temple at the hour of prayer. Prayer is one of the most important aspect of our Christian journey. Although, we know Elohim is THERE, it is a time we are directly connected to Him, in His Presence because we are talking to and with Him. It is also the time our faith is strengthened, we are spiritually energized and receive the power to function in this dark and crooked world.

A certain lame man from his mother’s womb, over forty years old (Acts 4:22) who was laid daily at the gate of the temple begging for alms stretched out his hand to the two Apostles as they were walking up the temple steps. I can imagine this scene, because it is similar to that which I saw when I was growing up. By my parents’ church in Lagos were beggars - the lame who half lay and half sit by the entrance. Their withered legs stretched out under them, propping themselves with a stick. Their money bowl by their side, calling out to passer-by for some coins. How many times have we passed by or maybe for conscience sake we throw a few coins into the bowl and then walk on by?

That day, the lame man got the attention of these men of Jehovah. It was his day of deliverance from his bondage. He called out and was heard. Sometimes keeping quiet is not the right action to our problems. If he had kept quiet they would have walked past and he would have missed his miracle, but he called out for help. It was not pride time. He was not fearful of ridicule. He asked for help. We too must never be afraid or shy to ask for help when we need it.

Peter fixed his eyes on him and told him to look at them. They were not rich. They were not educated. But they had something greater. Another lesson for us; we must keep our eyes on the author of our salvation. I remember when Peter was walking on water, the minute he took his eyes off Jesus he started to sink.

The lame man had to fix his eyes on Peter and John who were representatives of Yeshua. He could not be distracted from getting his miracle by looking at other passer-by and asking for alms.

In our Christian journey, we must keep our eyes firmly on Yeshua Jesus. Let us not get distracted with other solutions and options apart from Jesus.

This lame man gave them his attention. He was expectant – though he was expecting alms. In our relationship with Christ, we must be full of expectation, believing that all He said He would do, He will do.

This expectation and the mercy of Christ got him his miracle.

To be continued.

#PrayerforToday 30 April 2018

Everlasting Father, May I not miss my time of miracle. May I be ready in faith and through a prayed up life to be a vessel for miracle, signs and wonders. May I keep my eyes focused on Christ and not be distracted by what is going on around me or my problems. In the Mighty name of Jesus, Amen,

It is the will of the everlasting Father that you may have everlasting life through Jesus. See Him in the Holy Scriptures, believe in Him and He will raise you up on the last day ‭‭John‬ ‭6:40‬ ‭NKJV

I pray this inspires you to be more and do more for Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Jesus Christ).

#AdeolaAkintoye ©

#WordforToday 11 April 2018 The high and mighty

“I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”” Luke‬ ‭18:14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

It is amazing how the teachings of Christ is contrary to the world. What the world expects is completely opposite what Jesus says is the Kingdom culture.

Humankind glory in the accumulation of material things, the accreditation in scholarly achievements, the demonstration of power - position, wealth. Even in the Christendom, titles (Apostle, Pastor, Prophet, Bishop etc.) are sources of exaltation than the gospel of Jesus.

The Pharisee was a keeper of the law to the mi-nute detail. As a Christian, it is thus easy to become enthralled with our religiosity and fool ourselves with self-justification. Who are you trying to impress with self-exaltation? Let your works speak for itself and let your words glorify God.

No matter how many boxes you tick right; or how God is using. you, remember God resists the proud and give grace to the humble.

Be mindful and alert to the Holy Spirit in you. Stop exalting yourself and lift up Jesus. Walk in the #HolySpirit and stop being led by your five senses.

#PrayerforToday 11 April 2018

Almighty Father, in the name of my Lord Jesus, I reject every spirit of self-justification. I will not glory in earthly things but will be mindful of heavenly things. Help me to remain humble because You resist the proud and give grace to the humble. Give me the grace to be a carrier of Kingdom Culture in every area of my life. Amen

It is the will of the everlasting Father that you may have everlasting life through Jesus. See Him in the Holy Scriptures, believe in Him and He will raise you up on the last day ‭‭John‬ ‭6:40‬ ‭NKJV

I pray this inspires you to be more and do more for Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Jesus Christ).

#AdeolaAkintoye ©

#WordforToday 10 April 2018 Too spiritual?

The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Psalm 37:23 NKJV

I am always surprised when those who profess to be Christian chastised you for being 'too spiritual'. I wonder what that looks like. 

Oxford definition of spiritual is relating to or affecting the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things. As Christians, our relationship with Elohim is through our spirit because Elohim is Spirit and those who worship Him must do so in spirit and truth. Being spiritual, to me is thus relating through our human spirit which is connected with the Almighty. 

https://andrewroebert.wordpress.com/

Being spiritual is not just any spirituality - as there are many such which is not of the true God Elohim. Being spiritual for a Christian is about being led by the Holy Spirit not your flesh.

With Elohim you are either for Him or not; in or out; black or white; hot or cold. There is no middle way.

For a people set apart, led by the Holy Spirit, being spiritual is business as usual. We are meant to see everything in this world through spiritual lens not our flesh. There is danger in compartmentalizing God in your life - putting Him in the Sunday box; the problem scenario; the convenient times and not in every detail of our life.

The Word of Elohim says He delights in every detail of our life; every mi-nute detail. So why would we limit His presence to certain areas or times? Are we telling Him not to bother because we can handle things on our own.

Of course spiritual things manifest in the physical. We have to do physical acts being led by the Holy Spirit. Our victory and success in life as a child of God is dependent on our relationship with God.

I would rather be over-spiritual (if there is any such thing) than un-spiritual as a professed child of the Almighty Jehovah.

Remember your faith is spiritual. The love of God is spiritual. The grace of God is spiritual. And God is Spirit. Those who worship Him will do so in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Not in flesh.

Next time you want to accuse someone of being too spiritual, pause and think like Jesus.


#Prayerfortoday 10 April 2018
Almighty Father Thank You for giving us Your Holy Spirit as our helper. Give me abundance grace to walk in the Spirit, that I may not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another. May I be led by Your Spirit for I am not under the law but Your grace. May my life manifest the fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. In the name of Yeshua Christ Jesus. Amen.

It is the will of the everlasting Father that you may have everlasting life through Jesus. See Him in the Holy Scriptures, believe in Him and He will raise you up on the last day ‭‭John‬ ‭6:40‬ ‭NKJV

I pray this inspires you to be more and do more for Yeshua Ha Mashiach (Jesus Christ).

#AdeolaAkintoye ©

The power of the spoken word

"Let there be Light" and there was light. Yes, those words might have been spoken by the Almighty Himself, nevertheless there is power in the spoken word. 

There are so many promises of Yahweh to His children.

"As you have said in my ears so shall I do"; "Whatever you ask in my name, my father will do"; "Whatever you bind on earth is bound in heaven." And so many more. Read the bible and discover them for yourself.

Of course there are conditions or your words would just be empty without the creative life to bring it to pass. For the people that abide by these conditions, we read great and mighty things that they accomplished just by speaking the word - Moses with signs and wonders. Joshua commanded the sun and moon by his words and they stood still. Elijah caused a climatic famine for two years by his words and many more including Jesus and the Apostles. And in our lifetime men and women of faith performing healing miracles by the spoken word.

I know many of us desire to speak the word and see miracle, signs and wonders. The challenge is meeting the conditions - faith in Yeshua, abiding in the word, prayer and so forth. The most important condition is having the deep, intimate relationship with Yeshua Jesus. A relationship that is so close, whatever you ask for is done because you ask according to the knowledge of His will. 

A relationship that is built on love and obedience. This is not just about going to Church, serving in departments, praying and fasting 24/7. But giving up your life as a living sacrifice - seeking and finding Him, seeking and knowing Him, seeking and obeying Him, seeking and spending quality time with Him in the word and in prayer. Your life is centered on Him. He becomes your lifestyle. His will becomes your life manuscript.

Many desires to have the power of the spoken word become reality in their lives but unfortunately they are not willing or able to pay the price. Only a few people do pay the price. Many of us settle for the little we try. We prefer to go to the pastor to pray for us when we need it and hope that Elohim will answer the prayer. This is living below our capability in Christ Jesus.

Let us seek Jesus to know Him, obey Him and be a living sacrifice, seeking first the Kingdom and its righteousness. Every other thing shall be added and whatever we ask in the name of Jesus shall be done.

Licence to kill

We love to quote this scripture, ''There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" In other words, whatever we do is okay.

No it is not! The grace of Yeshua is not a licence to continue in sin. 

Yes we are under grace not law. Our faith is not based on works but grace - a gift of God. Because of that grace we should no longer live in the pattern of our old life.

A woman was caught in the act of adultery and she was brought to Jesus for judgement. She was not sentenced to death as per the law, she received the grace of Christ. She was not condemned for her sin, but was shown mercy. Nevertheless she was told to go and sin no more.

And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” John‬ ‭8:11‬ ‭NKJV

Jesus expected her just as he does us, once forgiven and saved, sin no more.

A man who was in bondage to an infirmity for 36 years was shown mercy and healed by Jesus. He told him " “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” John 5:14 NKJV

‭‭‬‬The grace of Yahweh is not an excuse to continue in sin, believing that asking for forgiveness every time makes it okay. It is not for if we sin wilfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful expectation of judgement (Hebrews 10:26).

Grace is the licence to kill sin in your life. 

BITTER PILL

And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.” Luke 12:15

Material wealth is good. Joseph of Arimathea was a wealthy man who used his influence to get the body of Jesus buried in his new Tomb. Zaccheus was a rich man that was privileged to set dinner before Jesus. Elohim also told us He is the One that gives us the power to make wealth. But our material wealth should not become our god. It should not be the reason why we seek the True God – Elohim. Yahshua and the Apostles never used material wealth as a preaching point or the way to the Kingdom of Yahweh.

Material wealth is not the same as spiritual wealth. Prosperity preaching does not turn the heart of man to Jesus for the right reasons. It does not impact the spirit man but the soulish realm (lust of the eyes, lust flesh and pride of life). This is why even if you have all the material riches in the world, your life can still have a void that money can’t fill.

 So we have all these wealth, what do we use it for? Mansion in all the countries of the world? Fleet of cars? diamonds, gold? weekend parties with dollars as a carpet?

Jesus taught us one of the best ways to use material possessions. Throw a party and invite the needy in the Church, in the community. Luke 14:¹² Then He also said to him who invited Him, “When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbours, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid. ¹³ But when you give a feast, invite the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind. ¹⁴ And you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you; for you shall be repaid at the resurrection of the just.”

 This is unfortunately a bitter pill to swallow for many. 

#LifeLessons: Rose tinted glasses?

(The forgiveness Series 2)

5 June 2016

Have you ever been hurt before? I sure have, devastatingly so. It's easy to advice someone to forgive and forget. But reality is, forgiveness is one of the most difficult things in life - not when your heart had been ripped apart with betrayal, pain or loss.

I went through baptism of fire in forgiveness when I was hurt in the Christendom. As Christians we have (very) high standards and expectations of each other - after all we are meant to be holy and righteous. We put people on pedestal.

We expect people to be righteous because God says He has made us so through the blood of Jesus. You know what, I have reflected and mused and come to the conclusion that only God can see people as righteous. He has to, for Him to be able to relate with us. I see people including myself as fallible, imperfect as long as we are still in this human flesh.

Going back to my baptism of fire. It was a journey. I must confess, I would have left the Christendom if I was a new babe in Christ. My rose tinted Christian glasses was knocked off and it shattered into many pieces never to be put together again. I had expectations of how Christians should behave - Christ like and my expectation was cut short.

I thank God for His Holy Spirit that used this experience as a training process for me. I needed to work on myself. Was I reflecting Christ in my own behaviour? Maybe, maybe not. I became more conscious of Christ's expectation as a Kingdom citizen. Remember Jesus' teaching; take the plank out of your own eyes before complaining about others.

I began to work on my character. It was and it is not easy. It's a lifetime process. The experience thought me that it is easy to see other people's short coming but we all have it. Was I reflecting the expectations I had of other people? Irrespective of what people do to me, I will be judged for my own actions not theirs. If I don't forgive and let go, I will be judged for it.

Never put anyone on any pedestal. They will fall. I am learning to shrug things off. Life is too short to fill it with offence.

Lastly and something that requires consistent prayers is seeing people not through the lens of righteousness (leave that to God) but through Christ eyes - with agape love. It is only through this agape lens that love can cover a multitude of sin. Not by ourselves but through the power of the Holy Spirit. No matter what people do to you, Jesus still loves them.

Yep, He does because He died for those that committed that unforgivable sin in our eyes. So, who am I not to forgive?

I pray the Holy Spirit will fill us more and with abundance of grace to love with agape. Remember, if your heart is filled with un-forgiveness, there will not be any space for agape love. Empty it of offence and fill it with agape love.

How about you?

#LifeLessons: The Cancer that you can control

(The forgiveness Series 1)

22 May 2016

Un-forgiveness is like cancer. Once the seed is sown, it starts growing and spreading like a bush fire; consuming, destroying and killing all things in its part. The only way to stop it is to uproot it from the root. The only way to prevent it is not to let the seed be planted in the first place.

Not too long ago, I was hurt. I had un-forgiveness threatening my life. Yes, that is what it does. It steals your peace and joy, and most importantly your relationship with God.

I was hurt! It was not even one incidence but a series of incidences by the same person. Those incidences, I felt were meant to humiliate and deliberately hurt me. It was even more painful because it was in an environment that I expected to be full of love. I flirted with bitterness and nearly took the pill of offence.

What saved me was the fact that I had Jesus Christ in my life. I kept remembering He forgave me, why would I not forgive this person. I lost respect for this person. I mistrusted anything they said. I found myself reading meanings into what they do. Through this, I opened myself to battlefield of the mind.

I knew I was in trouble because the Holy Spirit kept convicting me through my conscience. On judgement day, would I use the person as an excuse for not forgiving? Was their own action powerful enough over my life to dictate my actions?

I knew I was fighting a spiritual battle because I know what the God I serve says about forgiveness (Matt 6:14-15, 18:21-22, Luke 6:37 examples). I was in this battle for about a year.

So I started fighting it. No one was going to make me miss my eternity. I prayed consistently for the Holy Spirit to help me to forget the pain, that when I see this person, I will not remember the pain.

I started taking control of my thoughts by confessing Philippians 4:8. It became my favourite verse;  Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Anytime I see the person I recited the verse, to keep away any negative thoughts. It worked.

I prayed to be filled with agape love – not the ordinary flesh inducing love but the love that covers all sins, one that does not anger; that sees through Christ eyes, the love that comes from above. I prayed to love this person with agape love. I then started working it out. Whenever I see the person, I will greet and hug them. I went out of my way to help them. I was determined to love them. Agape love does not depend on feelings but based on decision.

Gradually the feelings of hurt died. I see them now I feel love. I have also come to know and understand their character and nothing they do now could hurt me again because I shrug off their weaknesses and focus on their strengths. I want to put my energies in working on my own weaknesses – there is a lot of that already!

I came out of that experience having a deeper understanding that forgiveness is not easy but it is not impossible. The Holy Spirit is there to help us work it out.

How about you?

Seeing the invisible...

In many Churches all over the world, the first Sunday of every month is dedicated for thanksgiving. We hear testimonies of what God has done in people's life in the past and currently.

It is easy to give thanks to what we can see, hear or feel. However there are many other things to give thanks to God for; those things we can not see but are there nevertheless.

When the King of Syria was after Elisha, his servant was frightened when he saw the army with multitude of horses and chariots sent to capture one man.

He exclaimed; “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” (‭II Kings‬ ‭6‬:‭15‬ NKJV)

But Elisha answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “ LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (‭II Kings‬ ‭6‬:‭16-18‬ NKJV).

Give thanks to God for the wall of fire surrounding you and yours. And pray that God will open your eyes to see that those who are with you are more than your enemies...

Have a testimony filled new month.

What do you want? Ask and I will give it to you

What do you want? Ask and I will give it to you.... 2 Chronicles 1:7

If you were given a blank cheque like God did to Solomon, what would you ask for? Before  you answer, read and learn:

Then God said to Solomon: “Because this was in your heart, and you have not asked riches or wealth or honor or the life of your enemies, nor have you asked long life—but have asked wisdom and knowledge for yourself, that you may judge My people over whom I have made you king— wisdom and knowledge are granted to you; and I will give you riches and wealth and honor, such as none of the kings have had who were before you, nor shall any after you have the like.”

Solomon knew how important the people of Israel were to God - after all He created them as a people unto himself. Anyone who cared for them is blessed by God. Solomon knew the master key to God's heart and he used it.

How about you? What would you ask for if God where to ask you this question?

Do not focus on material things - seek first those things that are priority to God - saving souls from the depth of hell, bringing the good news about the Kingdom of God to the world. All other things shall be added to you. Seek the first thing first.

Children of God, let's get our priorities in the right order.

Why like a palm tree?

Palm trees inhabits every type of habitat from desert to rain forest with evergreen leaves. They are a symbol of peace, fertility and victory. Palm trees can reach great heights and have long life. A palm tree's life span can be up to 150 years. Palm trees have fibrous root that spreads out and grow deep, giving it a solid base that bends but does not break under the force of a wind. The Palm Tree is one of the most cultivated plant in the world, signifying fruitfulness in abundance.
As a believer, prophetically declare Psalm 92:11-13 over your life.

A prayer they wished they had never made

 'As I live,’ says the Lord, ‘just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I will do to you' (Numbers 14:28 NKJV)

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)

Be careful, be very careful of what you desire in your heart. I was 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 whinging 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 (Num14:12), 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 in the wilderness, 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.

After hearing this, the Israelites went into mourning and wanted to now go and fight the Canaanites. Still they did not listen and they were attacked by their enemies (Numbers 14:45). Talk about stubborn fools!

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.

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? Say the prayer above.

Shalom.

As a man thinks in his heart…

‘...There we saw the giants (the descendants of Anak came from the giants); and we were like grasshoppers in our own sight, and so we were in their sight.’ (Numbers 13:33 NKJV)

I had been so fascinated by the incidence that finally broke the Carmel’s back (so to speak) in the wilderness of Paran (Numbers 13). I had read this story so many time in my life but it was now making some profound impact in my spiritual journey.

As a man thinks in his heart so he shall be. The Israelite elders believed they were grasshoppers in their own sight, and also felt their enemies sees them as such... so they became paralysed with fear. I couldn't just imagine why this people would see themselves like that when they had God fighting and protecting them. They were full of murmuring and complaint all the time! As I studied the Israelites’ wilderness journey, I saw them as spoilt pertinent children who would never be satisfied no matter what God did for them. It’s all about me…me…me.

Just to read how God provided and protected them showed the depth of His love for them. Despite the challenges they might have been facing; harsh terrain, no water, no meat, enemies to fight, yet they only needed to ask God (respectfully not with complaints and murmuring) and He would grant them their wishes but no they complained like little children (God still granted them their wish... but oh boy were they punished as well).

To give them a little credit, some of their complaints were from the strangers in their midst '.....Now the mixed multitude who were among them yielded to intense craving; so the children of Israel also wept again and said: “Who will give us meat to eat’’’? (Numbers 11:4 NKJV). This brings to mind the statement...'Do not be unequally yoked to unbelievers.' However, they still had the choice not to complain.

They did not see themselves as God saw them – His beloved children, whom He loved very much and whom He would care for and protect. They still saw themselves as slaves under the yoke of the Egyptian masters. And because of this it was difficult for them to really comprehend the miraculous work that God had been doing in their midst.

Father, I am thankful for everything you have done for me and are still doing for me. With a grateful heart, I bring my desires to you without murmuring and complaint like a spoilt ungrateful child. Help me to see myself as you see me and not as I see myself.

How about you? Do you see yourself as the loving child of the Almighty God, made righteous by the blood of Jesus? Or are you still pulling yourself down and back with limiting thoughts and mind-set?

Prayer: Father I believe I am loved by You. I believe You are my banner, my Shield, my Strength and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. In the Mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

Shalom