The Twist On Pride

When we think of pride, we think about being proud of accomplishments or a person who feels they are better than persons in society. The depths of pride is never truly seen. In our minds a prideful person, though it can be rude depending on how it’s express, seems justified. They have accomplished so many things in life, it’s only understood why they would feel great about themselves or better than others. However, there is a twist.

I remember my former pastor sharing his thoughts with me about pride and my life. Because I struggled so badly with self esteem issues (which according to the words definition was the opposite of pride), I could not see myself the way he did. I saw a broken, empty vessel who was in dire need of help but this was the basis of my pride. I never ill spoke persons or operated as though I was better than anyone but rather I carried an unteachable spirit. There was no humility, I was always right. I knew most things and was striving to know everything.

“Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.
Habakkuk 2:4 NKJV

The above mentioned verse answered the question of a prideful person. Such person don’t live by faith. They are a worrier, complainer, victim of lives battles, isolator, dependent on others to boost their ego and thinks that things should always go their way. A heart of humility however, is a heart of patience. As I pondered on the word while asking the Lord to search my heart, I realized I fitted the script. At times I’ve been very impatient and it’s because there was a need for self gratification. Moving up in life would have made me feel better inside; as equitable as others in society. Not my peers but rather the people that I held in high esteem (Read that again).

However, the Lord in his infinite wisdom and unconditional love for us, has made provision for such lives. While others may look in and see the weakness or frailness of humanity, the Lord from inception decided to do a work. A work once completed, can make the same low minded / prideful person become bold and confident in him. The word says he doesn’t forsake us. He chastises us because we are loved. It may not feel like love but it’s all for our good.

What am I saying? Pride can take many forms (the twist). That’s why it is important for us to read the word and allow it to wash us like water. Remember pride goes before a fall. Don’t wait to fall to see the light. Read the word and do what’s right. Let’s take time to work on us and shut our eyes on our peers. Allow God to do his work in us (sort out our salvation as is written in the word). Then with a heart of compassion we will be able to truly reach, teach and affect the lives of others. Let’s untwist and dismantle the twist of pride.

ARISE

The Vision Won’t Lie

For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.
Habakkuk 2:3 NKJV

For the vision is for an appointed time. The beginning of the above mentioned verse is the kryptonite to many souls. Especially in a world like ours that thrives on being fast pace. Everything is at the click of a button. It’s easier for us to surrender to Alexa because though she “controls” everything, we control her. In hindsight we have become gods. Our mentality is to RULE.

How then can this scripture make sense to us? It’s asking us to have patience and WAIT on the Lord to fulfil the vision he has laid out for us. Though in the continuation of the verse it says, the vision will speak and will not lie, our minds never process those words because it stops at ‘wait’ or ‘not yet’. One thing I am still learning though I’ve heard it time and time again, is that God is a God of timing and no amount of tears or begging will move his hand to do something that he is not yet ready to do. Sometimes the blessings we seek can move us away from sitting at Jesus’s feet. So then waiting is imperative in the life of a believer.

At times the situation seems as though it requires an instant turn around but the same God who says wait, also said he will not give us more than we can bare. So my sister/brother, if your burden is heavy, it is still light. You can take it and in Jesus you are going to make it. May we surrender our hearts fully so that wait doesn’t feel like weight but we can just trust God with unrelenting faith.

Remember the vision won’t lie. It shall come to pass but on HIS time.

ARISE

Closer Than We Think

Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.
II Thessalonians 2:3‭-‬4 NKJV

As I read those verses and reflected on today’s world both in the church and outside, it made me realise that the return of Christ is closer than we think.

Immediately I began to ask the Lord to help me not be part of the great fall away. I’ve seen this happening in the body of Christ recently and can’t seen to fathom it. This is one prophesy I wish wasn’t true because of the ultimate outcome of such actions. Damnation.

I encourage you my brothers and sisters to stay focus on the Lord and things pertaining to him. Become saturated with his presence because when we least expect, he will appear. GET READY!

ARISE.

When We Claim Defeat

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
I John 4:4 NKJV

When we claim defeat, we are actually insulting G-d. Though to us, it’s not seen that way because our eyes are more focused on the pressure we are faced with. Why do I say this? The highlighted verse says, “Greater is he that is in us”. Something which is great, is notably large in size. Greater therefore means larger in size in comparison to something else, as in this case, the enemy. Therefore, if we claim defeat to a being that is smaller than the one living in us, we contradict the word and insult our G-d.

Let’s be reminded today, that we serve the almighty and all powerful God who created heaven and earth. Victory is ours by a long shot. No more claiming defeat, though it may get really tough at times. As the saying goes, ” don’t tell G-d how bring the problem is, tell the problem how big G-d is.

ARISE.

Which Validation?

Ephesians 6:5-6 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
Not with eye-service, as men-pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

As I read the sited verses, I could not help but ask myself, “From whom do you (I) seek validation”? For years I have been plunged into ministry and I remember reaching to the point of saying, ” I am being used”. Especially because I was bleeding while leading and it seemed unnoticed.

My trend of thought then caused me to start seeking validation. I needed a pat on the shoulder to be sure I was doing well. Did I get it? NO WAY! Actually, the pressure seemed to increase. Now looking back, I can see my mind magnified some situations. And so life began to spiral out of control mentally. There was a surge of dislike for humanity. They didn’t care about me so I wasn’t going to be around them. Yes, I began to isolate myself.

Am I delivered? Not entirely. There are times I still feel some resentment towards my brethren and have to check myself because I’m NOT perfect. And so the above highlighted verse made me really ponder on where my validation line is drawn.

If we should understand the principle, which is, what we do, we do unto G-d and not mankind, our approach to things will be TOTALLY different. Of course we won’t allow ourselves to be exploited but we may be stretched sometimes and with grace we should endure. My mother always maintained this approach to church and lives duties and I’d often get angry with her. However, the word did something in my heart causing me to think, she is right. Why? Because she is following the word, not some mere manly principle.

Seek validation from NO ONE. Know who you are in Christ and be fully endorsed by his word. What an endorsement. It cannot be compared to any other because it comes from the King of all kings. It’s a journey of the mind but it’s a journey worth taking.

ARISE!

Unknown

Imagine being the manufacturer of a product. A product that has the ability to know things and as such should be able to acknowledge you as it’s creator. However, when you walked into the production room, you were treated like a stranger because it didn’t recognize you. How would you have felt?

The scenario might seem too far fetched and almost comical and animated for us to grasp the true depths of it’s meaning but this is exactly what happened to mankind when Christ came to the earth.

He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.
John 1:10 NKJV

The world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. Yet the world still don’t know him. Yet the world, still denies him. Everyday he is mentally crucified all over again. Not just by the man who doesn’t acknowledge him as saviour but by us also, who say we do, yet live erroneously according to his standards. I myself am guilty.

You see we magnify what is considered big sins and forsake the small. We turn our noses up at the murderer and have mercy on the liar. SIN IS SIN. Do we truly know Christ? If not, do we really want to know him? If the answer is yes, it requires some work. Starting by a rededication to the Lord and purposing in our hearts to stay the course and get to know him. Forsaking all distractions and zooming in on him. We will understand more and more that sin is sin, when we get to KNOW him.

ARISE!

Worship Brings a Release

What a challenge today was. I had to overlook some of my emotions and quickly hold on to the WWJD. What would Jesus do?

HE WOULD STILL LOVE

Betrayal or the likes is never an easy pill to swallow especially when it comes from someone or persons in close proximity. The last thing we would wish for, is a Judas in our house.

I have been a “victim” of many Judases. I use the word victim loosely because that’s what I allowed myself to believe after many circumstances. However, Jesus wasn’t a victim, though he was victimised by his very own.

He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.
John 1:11 NKJV

He was indeed a victor.

As I pondered on the situation at hand, the Holy Spirit began to intervene by placing songs in my heart. He left no room for cultivation of evil thoughts. It was in this moment I realized, worship brings the release. An unexplainable peace exuded within me, removing the gashes on my bemoaned heart.

Despite the hidden agendas of the enemy, the Lord was telling me to love. Our misconception of forgiving and loving, causes us to believe we must have the respective persons as our bossom buddies. When in reality, wisdom is vital. Our reaction should never reflect any form of “satanism” because such would debunk the very essence of G-d.

Dear brother and sister, love is the more excellent way. Don’t be deceived by trials which were meant to make us stronger and go under but rise to the occasion and be an overcomer.

ARISE

The Lord’s Release

“At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release of debts. And this is the form of the release: Every creditor who has lent anything to his neighbor shall release it; he shall not require it of his neighbor or his brother, because it is called the Lord ’s release.
Deuteronomy 15:1‭-‬2 NKJV

In the old Testament times, G-d gave a stipulation called The Lord’s Release. It was considered the pardoning (forgiving) of a neighbours debt after seven years. It’s amazing that the number seven is used because in Matthew 18, Peter asked Jesus if a neighbor should be forgiven seven times. Jesus then said,

Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.
Matthew 18:21‭-‬22 NKJV

They were addressing forgiveness. The releasing of a neighbour, which in this case is an individual and not particularly the person living next to us. Immediately I asked myself, “Am I daily doing the Lord’s release”? Life after Jesus don’t require us to operate by the Law but it is still set as an example and pattern for us to follow, while walking in our freedom through the blood of Jesus. Therefore the Lord’s release is still applicable in our everyday living.

I remember being hurt by someone seven years ago and even in recent times found myself regurgitating the hurt. Wallowing in sorrow, although I thought I’d release the person. It made me realize that though we speak with our mouths and say we release, true release comes from the HEART. Over the seven year period, the many sins I would have committed may be difficult to number. What if G-d held me ransom?

It takes me back to the story in Matthew 18, about the king who pardoned the servant of his debt but the said servant dealt perfidiously with his fellow servant. The same fate he was excused from was what he placed his neighbour through. When the king heard, he got angry and in turn threw him into a place of torment. Sounds familiar? There is a place of torment that no one wishes to go – hell. We then need to walk circumspectly before the Lord.

It’s often said that forgiveness is not for others but for us. Each person has to sort out his salvation and thus forgiveness IS FOR US (emphasis added). We daily require forgiveness of the Lord, how then can be hoard the works of our “neighbour”?

Yes I know that there are some things which seem unpardonable. How dare you to this to me? Especially if TRUST was solid and was deeply betrayed. When those thoughts rear it’s head, think about Judas. He was a disciple, entrusted to Jesus, yet he betrayed him. Compassion was still felt for him by Christ. As difficult as it may be sometimes, may we remember Christ is our example and how he walked, so should we.

I admonish you to exercise the LORDS RELEASE. For your hearts sake. LET IT GO! If an injustice was done to you, allow the Lord to avenge but as for you, let your heart be pure before him.

Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord ? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully.
Psalms 24:3‭-‬4 NKJV

ARISE!

Psalm 96

This morning as I asked the Lord what should I share, he took me to Psalms 96. I thought okay Lord, which verse should I expound upon? But in my reading I realize I just had to share the word and not my own. So together, let’s sing before the Lord and praise him

Shalom

Oh, sing to the Lord a new song! Sing to the Lord , all the earth. Sing to the Lord , bless His name; Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day. Declare His glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples. For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the Lord made the heavens. Honor and majesty are before Him; Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. Give to the Lord , O families of the peoples, Give to the Lord glory and strength. Give to the Lord the glory due His name; Bring an offering, and come into His courts. Oh, worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness! Tremble before Him, all the earth. Say among the nations, “The Lord reigns; The world also is firmly established, It shall not be moved; He shall judge the peoples righteously.” Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; Let the sea roar, and all its fullness; Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice before the Lord . For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth. He shall judge the world with righteousness, And the peoples with His truth.
Psalms 96:1‭-‬13 NKJV

Possessing The Land

For the Lord your God will bless you just as He promised you; you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow; you shall reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over you.
Deuteronomy 15:6 NKJV

In our modernized world, the possession of land has now become a figure of speech. We don’t live as nomads or fight for land as a group of people. Wealth is now gained individually and by wise men, pass down to generations. Therefore we’ll look at the abovementioned verse figuratively because the principle surrounding it still stands.

It’s been recently stated that the church has become a place of the “feel good” gospel and the “get rich” schemes. Not much is mentioned about heaven or hell. Receiving blessings are the hot topics while there’s a neglect in mentioning the presence of curses. If you were to read the above verse individually, oh how the heart will rejoice. As the song says, “everything double double oh”. However, the word is never in isolation.

In my reading over the past couple weeks, there continued to be a reoccurring emphasis placed on blessings, which I’ve now termed as the WHEN and THEN. The previous verse to the main scripture says,

only if you carefully obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe with care all these commandments which I command you today.
Deuteronomy 15:5 NKJV

Time and time again, I saw, “if you obey or when you obey, THEN I will…. Meaning the blessings that we so freely accept comes with conditions. How often have we lived atrocious to the statutes of the Lord, yet boldly wish to access the blessings? Though they are there to receive, may we never forget that there are stipulations. Even the infamous Santa Clause (who don’t exist) have stipulations. We teach this to our children in the attempt to get good behaviour throughout the year. Once they abide by the rules, we lavish them with gifts ( they possess their land). As it is in the natural, so it is in the spiritual. Are you naughty or nice according to scriptures? Are you in alignment for the true blessing G-d has for you?

More than the blessings, it should be our desire to obey. To chase after G-d more than the perks. So yes, let’s go in and possess the land (gain the blessings) WHEN we walk circumspect before the Lord.

ARISE!