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Mindless Meddling

    “ After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Carchemish by Euphrates: and Josiah went out against him. But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? I come not against thee this day, but against the house wherewith I have war: for God commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from meddling with God, who is with me, that he destroy thee not.” 2 Chronicles 35 : 20 - 21 KJV One of the scary things about ministry is the thin line between ministering for God and ministering with God. When we minister for God, we know what we are doing and are good to go at any time; but when we are ministering with God, only God knows what He is doing and we can’t do anything without Him. While the latter is of desirable interest to all, many people do readily opt for the former with mindless meddling. For example, king Josiah was generally known as a good king that does good in the sight of the L...
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Sweet Savour

  “ Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: to the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.”  2 Corinthians   2 : 14 - 17   KJV Every contribution in life and ministry commands commendation. Ordinarily, no one set out to labour for condemnation. Therefore, it is normal for everyone to struggle to project his own savour through the understanding of people for appreciation and commendation. And it is understandable why frustration often fills the air when our labour becomes unappreciated. For Apostle Paul, in relation to his labour of love over the church at Cor...
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More Might

  “ Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: with him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah .” 2 Chronicles 32 : 7 - 8 KJV Since more might goes with multitudes in the human economy, it is understandable why conspiracy against the counsels of God in our homes, workplaces affairs, and life projects thrives. People tend to play along with bullies, oppressors, and conspirators on the basis of their might metrics in politics, administration, sophistication, etc, until they are divinely delivered from this spiritual bondage. For example, Hezekiah king of Judah was helped by the Lord to open the eyes of his people to the secret of more might in the arm of the Spirit: “ Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyr...
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Spirit Sealed

   “ For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. ” 2 Corinthians 1 : 20 - 22 KJV Purposes in life backed by the plan of men are something, depending on the composition of the architects. Life’s ambitions, project management, home management, and career development are part of purposes that determine the destiny of any man, family and institution. And those who pride themselves as architects in each of these systems would readily wear their badges with pride and honours. Whereas, in Apostle Paul’s exposition to the church at Corinth, church affairs and his intervention are likened to God’s promises rather than men’s purposes. Obviously, men’s purposes are subject to the concept of  “ yea, yea ” and “ nay, nay ”, i.e., success and failures, possible and impossible, yes and no, et...
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Peaceful Prosperity

  “ And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper. But when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction: for he transgressed against the LORD his God, and went into the temple of the LORD to burn incense upon the altar of incense.” 2 Chronicles 26 : 5 , 16 KJV For the convenience of those who seek the faces of men for prosperity, the contraption ‘peaceful prosperity ’ will make sense. Uzziah had a wonderful experience of peaceful prosperity in the days of prophet Zechariah… he sought God..he was strong…and God made him to prosper. Unfortunately, not many people know how to profitably manage peaceful prosperity. In the absence of the abiding grace from God, prosperity often breeds pride and familiarity contexts. Whenever our regalia of prosperity becomes the bastion of believers’ relationships, prideful prosperity is beginning to take the central control of everythi...
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Odious Obedience

    “ Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them. And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass.” 2 Chronicles 24 : 17 - 18 KJV The latter influence of the princes of Judah on king Joash, despite the parental and priestly investment of Jehoiada the chief priest, shows the danger of odious obedience in life and ministry. And as well scripted elsewhere in the New Testament, evil communication corrupts good manners. “ Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king “ implies that there is always a subtle desire for worship and submission in the heart of every man. Unfortunately, when we cheaply buy the obedience of men, we pay heavily by falling into their chain of manipulations. Likewise, men in places of authority should be wary of sycophants and loy...
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Valued Victory

  “ But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15 : 57 - 58 KJV Unless faith and confidence in God enables the reality of the victory bestowed on every believer in Christ, hearts are bound to fail and faint with the challenges of life. Like the scribes and Pharisees celebrated the cross as defeat until the resurrection from the grave, persecution and oppression of those who have obtained grace (i.e., God’s righteousness at Christ’s expense) represent a valued victory. Therefore, the victory of saints against the principalities and powers of darkness in this world is settled, solid and steadfast. Believers only need consistent grace on daily basis to stand firm and steadfast on the promises of God, while abounding in the work or service of the Lord. Even while w...
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