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Messenger's Mandate

“Then said I: “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.” But the LORD said to me: “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ For you shall go to all to whom I send you, And whatever I command you, you shall speak.” ‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭1:6-7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/jer.1.6-7.nkjv Every minister is tempted to be greatly concerned about developing the right message for effective ministration. And as ministers advance with years of experience, confidence in the ability to deliver the right word at different moments and seasons appears to replace the expected confidence in the guidance of the Spirit. Being a novice at the onset of his call into the ministry, Jeremiah gave excuse why he could not be the right minister to deliver the Lord's message. Like most ministers, the misconception is the equating of the messenger's mandate with the minister's message. While the mandate is man's responsibility, the message can only serve its purpose in the heart of the people, if it re...

Persistent Praise

“Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭150:6‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/psa.150.6.nkjv The reason for any praise clarifies the continuity or otherwise of its relevance. If the mighty works of the Lord are focussed, praise will be absolutely irrelevant whenever the works of wickedness appear overwhelming in a believer's life. Whereas, there are numerous moments in life when difficulties and challenges prevail; and when sufficient grace is preferred to gracious sufficiency. Although it is difficult for anyone to be grateful only for the grace to breathe, praise is the singular essence for the existence of breath. Breath is the source of hope and aspiration for prosperity. Therefore, praise for breath is persistent compared to the heart of gratitude for prosperity. Praise the LORD!

Prevailing Praise

“Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, And a two-edged sword in their hand, To execute on them the written judgment— This honor have all His saints. Praise the LORD!” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭149:6, 9‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/psa.149.6,9.nkjv The concept of religion with active use of a sword for the high praises of God is recommended by the Psalmist. Unfortunately, many have misinterpreted the invitation as a call to religion, rather than righteousness. Religion without righteousness goes with empty praise, and a show of malignity, hatred, and possible escalation into extremism, including terrorism, ungodly killings. However, the recommended two-edged sword in the hands of saints offers a heart-born praise from their mouth and convicts the hearts of ungodly men towards conversion into righteousness. Only holy hearts can effectively show off their two-edged sword, without the threat of bitterness and wicked extremism. Therefore, a prevailing praise specializes in the high praises of ...

Perplexed Praise

“Let them praise the name of the LORD, For His name alone is exalted; His glory is above the earth and heaven.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭148:13‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/psa.148.13.nkjv Knowing the essence of life and living to the expectation of the Giver of life represent the greatest achievement within the short period of human existence. The actions and inaction combined to give various causes and effects of activities in life, family, relationships, societies, and institutions. However, all the activities of man and all the creatures of God combined to give nothing but praise to God. Even when praise is not intended, the incitement to the action and inaction of man cannot withhold its praise of the instance. Therefore, the relevance of a man's name to the realisation of his prospect in life should not be the basis for the offering of praise. The primary essence of human existence is the worship of the glorious name of God. Even in unpleasant and unreasonable circumstances, perplexed p...

Pleasant Praise

“Praise the LORD! For it is good to sing praises to our God; For it is pleasant, and praise is beautiful.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭147:1‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/psa.147.1.nkjv The passion for pleasantries in people, places, and properties always draw painful disappointment to those whose confidence is vested in the mundane things of this world. Beautiful faces of people do not always guarantee freedom from broken hearts, where the best of goodwill is suddenly turned to bad feelings. Beautiful decoration of places is not immune from natural disasters, where attractions to tourists are readily replaced with unpleasant distractions. And although investment in properties appears to sustain strong resistance to depreciation, its value is still subject to recession in an economy. However, the dynamics of pleasantries in praise operate within God's economy. Even in times of discouragement and great despair, the attitude of gratitude is always pleasant, and the attribute of gratitude is ever be...

Hapless Help

“Do not put your trust in princes, Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭146:3‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/psa.146.3.nkjv For personal interest's sake, all manifestations of princes to prisoners and the under-privileged in the society are acknowledged with political undertones. Unfortunately, the trade-off for physical freedom is often far more precious, including loss of spiritual freedom, emotional irritation, etc. Since every hope in princes is limited to the extent of their political relevance, it is mostly unsustainable if not entirely unreliable. Honest help comes from the maker of heaven and earth, who do not need human efforts to garner support towards possession of any throne, since all thrones are created by Him. God relates with prisoners and the under-privileged with the sincere intention to return their freedom, rather than to retain their freedom. Whereas, it is hapless for those who hope or are satisfied with transient help from their fellow ...

Winsome Works

“The LORD is righteous in all His ways, Gracious in all His works.” ‭‭Psalms‬ ‭145:17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ http://bible.com/114/psa.145.17.nkjv Stringent following of events and activities within the circle of human influence often promotes bitterness and complaints. Every effort towards recommending correctional approach can easily escalate the bitter experience. Unfortunately, the ultimate plan of the enemy is the destruction of possible trace of testimonies for righteousness from every human intervention. Following peace with all men requires consistent rendering of praises to God for His righteous ways, even within all unrighteousness of men. A tiny break from an attitude of gratitude to God represents a noticeable breakaway from the proven protection, through His gracious works in the heart of man. Winsome works praise the gracious works of God for all unpleasant works of men, in order to manifest the righteousness of the Lord.