THE PONDER SERIES # 6 - THE SPIRITUAL MAN HAS IT ALL!!!!

 Good news! The spiritual life has it all while the natural does not. We live in a world that we do not belong to spiritually yet we must contend with its influences in order to remain in our salvation till the end. Therefore an understanding of its mindset is crucial to achieving this objective. The worldview is founded on the natural process that lives by the senses. Their lifestyle thrives on seeking after the material with no place for the spiritual.

They believe that what can’t be seen or observed does not exist and therefore are unable to comprehend the things of the spirit. Even where there is any consideration of the spiritual, it is a form of religion that elevates the mind rather than CHRIST. 

BUT PONDER on what CHRIST said” But seek (aim and strive after) first of all His Kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right) and then all these things taken together will be given you besides” Mathew6.33.Amplified.

Jesus emphasised that the real experience of life flows out of having a fellowship with Him that provides guidance from which godly conduct proceeds. The spiritual man HAS IT ALL (spiritual and material wealth. Psalm 112) contrary to worldview. This is lacking in the world where material gain has enslaved the souls of men.” So then those who are in the flesh cannot please God’ Romans 8.8.NKJV  

WISDOM is LIFE and CHRIST IS THE TRUE WISDOM. Don’t be drawn to a life devoid of spiritual wisdom regardless of its attractiveness. It will never give true fulfilment and salvation. Be obedient to the Voice of God “But those of us who reverence the Lord will never lack any good thing “Psalm 32.10.LivingBible.Valid spiritual experiences will give material blessings with contentment and godliness. In the end, (and that process begins from now) what will it profit a man who lived by his senses and loses his soul? NOTHING BUT IN CHRIST, YOU GAIN IT ALL!!

THE PONDER SERIES #5 - THE LOVE OF MONEY

Look around the world today and see that the quest for monetary gains has overshadowed and almost overwhelmed moral and spiritual values in the lives of people. Christians have not been left out and this can be seen in the glaring show of monetary displays in our churches.

It is clear the ways of the world has gained some influence in our midst. The lust for money and material possessions as a lifestyle is so pervasive that virtually every sphere of human existence has been tainted – from love, friendships to service. It seems the more you ‘give’ the better your influence and position of authority in the Church.

If you use the present yardstick, Jesus’ disciples would have been found unworthy. For Jesus chose them after a night of prayer from spiritual revelation and not financial value. The process of acquisition is also corrupted by all manner of schemes, manipulations, extortion and outright theft. Then ‘end justifying the means” mindset. But PONDER on what God says. The scriptures call it the love of money. It is a spirit that possesses the souls of people to bring the in to the bondage and control of money – doing anything for to gain it.

But this is condemned by God” But people who long to be rich soon begin to do all kinds of wrong things to get money, things that hurt them and make them evil minded and finally send them to hell itself. For the love of money is the first step toward all kinds of sin. Some people have even turned away from God because of their love for it and as a result have pierced themselves with many sorrows” 1 Timothy 6.9-10. Living Bible

The key issues raised are the lust and love – the inordinate desire to be rich. God has blessed us with material wealth and His wisdom gives us access to financial opportunities with Godliness. There is nothing wrong with wealth but when it is desired and sought after without the wisdom of God, it will lead to ungodliness in the end.  Unfortunately in the quest to impress, many Christians have fallen to the ways of the world in loving money above Godliness.

“ For wisdom is  a defence even as money is a defence, but the excellency of knowledge is that wisdom shields and preserves the life of him who has it” Ecclesisiates 7.12. Amplified Bible. 

Money is good but ist is not the essence of life – the eternal spiritual goodness. The wisdom of God will give you life and material riches while at the same time preserving your soul. That is what all of financial gain cannot do. Choose which you will follow today!!!

THE PONDER SERIES #4 - TRUE SPIRITUALITY

In the world we live in, there are a lot of good works and in a lot of cases, there is an intention to give a subtle undertone of personal spirituality. These works are seen in various spheres of life from social entrepreurship, self improvement seminars, human rights, business to religious. Nothing wrong with receiving them but there will be if, these gifts cause you to look away from Jesus Christ as the source of life and all that flows from it. Unfortunately, a lot of these good works leave that impression to most undiscerning minds.

The Kingdom of God is first about the acknowledging the Creator- CHRIST, the author and finisher of our faith and life and living in His guidance. It is fatal to one’s soul to do otherwise. How is this possible? Simply, by failing to separate such good works from the giver’s beliefs and conduct.  For to receive the total package may undermine your faith life in very subtle ways.

A good example is that of a very popular talk show personality admired for her business savvy and good works yet in her words and deed UNDERMINES the PERSON AND PRINCIPLES of CHRIST. In addition, she goes on to teach that the mind is ‘god’. But PONDER on what God says. Jesus Christ spoke to his disciples”... But again I say.” Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Then at last, they understood that by ‘yeast’ he meant the wrong teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees” Mathew 16.11-12. Living Bible.

These religious teachers were an important part of the Jewish life yet Jesus said to be careful of their teachings because they were challenging God’s Word and authority. Teaching takes the form of speech and conduct in influencing people. God is not against such good acts except where they seek to uphold the doctrines of men and not the RIGHTEOUSNESS of CHRIST” You can never please God without faith, without depending on Him” Hebrews 11.6.Living Bible

HOW DO YOU RESOLVE SUCH CONTRADICTIONS? Exactly as Jesus did “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s’Mathew22.21.NKJV. Receive of such acts of goodness, be inspired by their form but maintain your faith in CHRIST regardless of the conduct and speech of such givers.

THE PONDER SERIES #3 - THE JOY OF SMALL BEGININGS

Recently, I read in the papers about a man caught at the Lagos International Airport with cocaine and claimed his reason for engaging in this illegal activity was a desire to start business in a big way. He wanted quick financial returns. This young man didn’t want to start small. He despised small beginnings. His manner of thought is what is prevalent in our world today where people are no longer interested in growth experiences that begins in a seed form. The Word teaches us that on this earth, there is a seedtime and harvest. Seed time represents small beginnings in anything or in life. So trying to shortcut the process is not only spiritually wrong but against nature. How can such a person hope to succeed?

Is this the right attitude to life? The crash that affected the world’s financial markets was in part due to the syndrome of ‘get rich quick” investment products. 

But PONDER on what God says about small beginnings “Who (with reason) despises the day of small things?” Zechariah 4.10.Amplified Bible. Have a BIG vision of your life but you must start with one small step. The journey of a thousand miles begins from a step and not 100 steps. The evolution of life begins from a seed form and not a harvest. Many want to circumvent this process. Who builds a house from the top?

The seed form is the foundation of life or anything. God uses this time to establish us in the wisdom of life that will sustain us as we grow. The mistakes at this time are of smaller consequences yet gives us the experience for dealing with bigger challenges. Like a seed planted, we are pruned and nurtured for future and larger roles. The Bible teaches us to be faithful in little things” His Lord said to him. Well done good and faithful servant, you were faithful over a few things. I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord” Mathew 25.21NKJV.All of the companies and individuals that are admired in the world all began in a small form and grew bigger.

If you prove to be diligent, faithful and wise about anything or your life, you will experience the specific expansion you desire. “And though you started with little you would end with much” Job.8.7. Living Bible

THE PONDER SERIES #2 - TRUE RICHES

Every success of the world is attributable to the overwhelming use of the intellect to produce material accomplishments and fame. Good but unfortunately that is not the essence of life yet this is the worldview and the standards by which people are evaluated. No wonder, in seeking to be like the world, many Christians have taken to lifestyles that have mortgaged their souls to man and material possessions in order to be celebrated by peers and society.

But PONDER on what God’s Word says of the TRUE RICHES – the real measure of a person’s worth before God. This is an experience of the Spirit led life and from which come the material fruits. In Mathew 16.26” What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?” The Message. The preservation of the soul is the core of true accomplishments from which other things flow and incorporates the material, physical, intellectual and spiritual (3John2).

This realisation caused Paul to pray for a revelation of the TRUE RICHES for the Colossians and all believers. “...We have kept on praying and asking God to help you understand what he wants you to do; asking him to make you wise about spiritual things; and asking that the way you live will always please the Lord and honor him so that you will always be doing good, kind things for others, while all the time you are learning to know God better” Colossians1.9-10. The living Bible(emphasis mine) This is the real experience of true riches which is lacking in the world. Don’t be led down the wrong path but stay in the place of LIFE IN CHRIST AND LIVE FROM THERE

THE PONDER SERIES#1 - THE SUCCESS MYTH

 The worldview has sold us a very attractive dummy about success. That it is built on intellectual ability and talents and just about everything else except God. They have successfully and aggressively marketed this myth and many Christians have fallen for it. But is this really the TRUTH? Is this model really working in our world?

 

Take a look at world events and even your personal experiences and the verdict is clear that it is a FAILURE. All that this model has done is create many avenues of greed, lust and every manner of deceptive lifestyle with very little good. Now the collapse has set in.

But PONDER on what GOD'S VIEW of SUCCESS IS. In the Book of Proverbs, we are told what real and genuine wisdom for living is "THE FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF KNOWLEDGE: BUT FOOLS DESPISE WISDOM AND INSTRUCTION" Proverbs.1.7kjv. Who is this WISDOM? Again, the scriptures " But of Him you are in CHRIST JESUS who became for us WISDOM..." 1 Corinthians1.30nkjv.

What are the BENEFITS of having CHRIST as your WISDOM " HAPPY IS THE MAN THAT FINDS WISDOM AND THE MAN WHO GAINS UNDERSTANDING; FOR HER PROCEEDS ARE BETTER THAN THE PROFITS OF SILVER AND HER GAIN MORE THAN FINE GOLD. SHE IS MORE PRECIOUS THAN RUBIES AND ALL THE THINGS YOU MAY DESIRE CANNOT COMPARE WITH HER. LENGTH OF DAYS IS IN HER RIGHT HAND, AND IN HER LEFT HAND IS RICHES AND HONOR. HER WAYS ARE WAYS OF PLEASANTNESS, AND ALL HER PATHS ARE PEACE. SHE IS A TREE OF LIFE TO THOSE WHO TAKE HOLD OF HER, AND HAPPY ARE ALL WHO RETAIN HER" Proverbs 3.13-18nkjv.

 

NOW that is TRUE SUCCESS that is a complete lifestyle experience. Don't be deceived by what is less. Reach  out for the BEST IN CHRIST.

LITTLE THINGS MATTER

"True humility and the fear of the Lord lead to riches, honor and long life" Proverbs 22.4 New Living Translation

 Seyi, my generator technician told me of a an incident that happened at work that illustrated an important spiritual truth. A client called him about a faulty freezer. Upon examination, he found that a cockroach had entered the coil section undetected and died. It's maggots liquified and affected the wiring causing a damage of fifteen thousand naira. Consider the contrast of a small worthless insect( except to those who eat it) to fifteen thousand naira.

That made me think of the word spoken by Jesus of the little foxes that spoil the vines of life. Often we think that it is the only the big issues and decisions that matter because of their consequences. So we focus on them with much diligence while we are seemingly inattentive to the small issues and details. But this is a spiritual error that leads to disastrous consequences as Seyi's client found out.

Do you allow God into your every decision  and issues? How often do you run your thoughts by Him on any matter to get His counsel? Or do you believe that educational, social and any other structures of your decision making have given you all the intelligence you require. You are so wrong!!

King David took a peek at a naked woman taking her bath( 2Samuel 11. These middle eastern cultures are beyond me)  and that small act led him to becoming a murderer. A peek started him on the dangerous path of temptation, lust and MURDER!!!! Perhaps a more thoughtful consideration of your challenges will shockingly reveal that you do not have God's backing as you presume. Why? Because Heaven has no record of your request for guidance.

Remember, good intentions, ideas and decisions without God will come to a halt at sometime sooner or later because when the opposition comes, your man made weapons will fail as the Israelites found out when they were rebuilding the temple. Read Ezra 4. The difference will be in the gravity of the consequences.

" In everything you do, put God first and he will direct you and crown your efforts with success. Don't be conceited, sure of your own wisdom" Proverbs 3.6-7. Living Bible

JESUS CHRIST : OUR FOCAL POINT

 

Oh! The glories of a life that is lived in the experiences of Jesus, the Word made flesh. We need to have a deeper appreciation of what the Blood of Jesus has accomplished for us in real time and not the peripheral encounters that we may have. This is important today when there is so much misunderstanding of biblical truths and there is an unhealthy attention being given to the schemes of satan rather than the works of Christ.

Let me restate a truth that will be with us until such a time that God ordained for devil to be destroyed: That as long as the earth remains in existence, the influences of the devil will be with us in direct and subtle forms. Get used to it and don’t be distracted. But God has not left us without comfort and that is who Jesus Christ is. He is the spiritual antidote to the schemes and devices of the wicked spirits and principalities.

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have (perfect) peace and confidence. In this world, you have tribulations and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer (take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted)! For I have overcome the world.( I have deprived it of the power to harm you and have conquered it for you) John 16.33. Amplified Bible

Regardless of the nature of the crisis and issues you may be facing right now or will yet confront, The Blood of Jesus has surmounted and put us over in them. But you must step up in faith to the Throne of His Grace and receive the experience of this. You must do this with a humble heart as a child has confidence in the fact the mom and dad know what is best.

“Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children...” 1 Peter 1.13-14KJV

Unfortunately, this is not usually the case for a lot of Christians for while we must be vigilant about the devil, we do not need to give undue notice to his doings for that is exactly his plans. For if your mind is on him, you are agitated, open to fear and of course farther away from the grace of Christ. The result is your going down the wrong path that leads to error and destructive choices for now and tomorrow.

What is the remedy? Put ALL your cares on Christ. Place yourself in His custody with an undivided FOCUS. For in doing that, you will realise by experience that those seemingly challenging issues have had the ‘rug pulled of them’ to harm you. In that moment, you will have a clarity of sight regarding what the issues are and how best to go about them because your eyes are on your SAVIOUR AND FRIEND and not your foe. You will hear the quiet yet all powerful VOICE of the Holy Spirit not the discordant sounds of the world.

Do you want the experience of triumph that begins on the inside and builds up to the outward all the while keeping you strengthen for the journey? Then look to Jesus Christ the author and finisher of your faith. 

The answer for those voices of fear and despair?  “Get thee behind me satan. I have overcome you by the Blood of Jesus Christ my Saviour”

“And they have overcome (conquered) him by means of the blood of the Lamb and the utterance of their testimony...” Revelation 12.11. Amplified Bible

STRENGTH IN WEARINESS

The Christian life is a spiritual experience that triumphs over natural circumstances. There will be times of weariness as we press on in this good fight of faith in daily life but we must not allow such times to become a weakness. Jesus taught by His life that we may be weary spiritually and physical but we must receive strength from God to accomplish the task at hand.

Our lives does not have to lived in a yo-yo type, vacillating between ups and down spiritually. This is what He exemplified by His actions at the well in the city of Sychar where He had an encounter with a Samaritan woman and led her to salvation as well as impacting a city.

“Jesus was tired from the long walk in the hot sun and sat wearily besides the well” John 4.6. Living Bible

This story is an education on handling those times when life’s hassles may just be weighing us down so that we learn what we can do to rise above such times because they will come. It may be in the course of your work, relationships, school activities or just trying to figure out the step in any issue.

Jesus was tired and hungry and his disciples had gone into town to find some food for him. Now don’t be distracted by the fact that His condition was of a natural form for yours can be that or of a spiritual nature. It really doesn’t matter. Even when we are physically tired and hungry, conversation is not the first thing on your mind. There are also many issues that are exacting on us physically such as the financial, work, marital and relational.

By the time His disciples came back with the food, they were surprised to see that He that was hungry was no longer so. They said:

“Rabbi, eat”. But He said to them I have food to eat of which you do not know. Therefore the disciples said to one another “Has anyone brought Him anything to eat” John 4.31-33. NKJV(emphasis mine)

Jesus gave a very insightful answer to their question:

“My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to finish His work” John 4.34.NKJV(emphasis mine)

Take time to deeply reflect on what Jesus was saying. The disciples were focused on the natural while Jesus was looking to the spiritual to feed every hunger or weakness. Yes, we will feed our bodies yet Jesus was declaring to them that the spiritual sustains the body first before the natural in anything even when it is a physical need.

Let me illustrate this. If you can’t control your natural desires, it will soon lead you astray. Many Christians cannot have a proper fast because their bodily desires control them. Esau lost out on his birthright for a lack of control over such desires. For this same thing, many Christians are in relationships from work, friendships, financial to marital that are of an oppressive nature.

Thus such a person will find it difficult to do the task that God will give because of always wanting to feed personal desires. If the Holy Spirit says “Let go of this person or thing”, the next thought is to consider “what people will say or how can I do without this or that” Then analysis that is paralysing to their faith sets in and in the end it turns to disobedience.

In effect, what Jesus showed His disciples is that though one can be physically challenged in every way yet if we look to Our Father, we will be fed for the journey? Spiritual food sustains where the natural will run out. The woman at the well and a city needed help, if Jesus had waited for physical nourishment, the opportunity that presented itself would have passed. In recognising what was needful, Jesus received the strength in His weariness to do the work before Him.

The result was amazing.

“And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified “He told me all that I ever did. So when the Samaritans of that city had come to Him, they urged Him to stay with them, and He stayed there two days. And many more believed because of His own word” John 4.39-41NKJV

These accomplishments came because Jesus sought refuge in His Father to live and went forth in that strength. Have we stopped to consider the multitude of opportunities in answers to prayers that we have passed up because we considered our natural desires? As I consider what I am doing today, I realise I lost an opportunity to begin earlier because I was set on achieving a personal goal that was not the purpose of God for my life.

When next, you are tempted to let go of that important assignment or just need to have certain burdens lifted off your shoulders, heed these words of scripture

“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” Galatians 6.9NKJV

When we think of God first regardless of what the issues are, we will be strong to deal with the matter. This strength will come into our lives whether in spiritual and physical forms. Oftentimes what we need is a revelation of what to do at that moment before taking the next step. If we focus on Christ then we give Him an opportunity to pour His grace into our lives and you know His grace is more than enough and all encompassing.

There is also another word of comfort in those times.

“He gives power to the weak and to those who have no might, He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and the young men shall utterly fail. But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles.” Isaiah 40. 29-31NKJV

( emphasis mine)

Just like Jesus, when your life is manifesting the inner work of the spirit and you are asked the secrets of your success. Your answer as well will be with all confidence

“My food (nourishment) is to do the will (pleasure) of Him Who sent me and to accomplish and completely finish His work”

For indeed in all that is of Christ, we are sent to be a witness of HIS LIGHT in our lives to first our brethren and a world the desperately needs such LIGHT. We can’t afford to be weak in anything when much grace has been provided. Rise up today and begin a new or renewed experience in CHRIST

OWN YOUR EXPERIENCE

“I cannot walk with these, for I have not tested them. So David took them off. Then he took his staff in his hand and chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook and put them in a shepherd’s bag in a pouch which he had and his sling was in his hand and he drew near to the Philistine.... then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone and he slung it and struck the Philistine on his forehead and he fell on his face to the earth.

So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone and struck the Philistine and killed him. 1 Samuel 17.39-40, 49-50NKJV

Often, we want to use the experiences of others from the Word to create our own- a type of spiritual shortcut. But this is not possible for faith is personal to each person. Testimonies of the Word should inspire us but they come from a revelation received by the one who heard it. They are not meant to become our faith experience for we too must hear God for our lives. Saul presented his armour that had helped him in his battles to David for his use but David declined in wisdom and chose to find his own experience of victory. He chose to use a sling and stones and prevailed over Goliath, the Philistine.

Be stirred up in faith by the exploits of others but choose your own works from the revelation that God will give you. It is a burden to want to copy others. It does not take you far and will not give you the victory that you desire. Make your own exploits by listening to the Holy Spirit and receive the knowledge of transformation.

David prevailed over the Philistines not by the armour of Saul but his sling and stone.

A MAN AFTER GOD'S HEART

You have heard the expression" A man after God's heart" which was what God testified of David in Acts13.22 " I have found David the son of Jesse a man after my own heart which shall fulfill all my will". 

This commendation was not given because David was a perfect man but that he had a heart that was teachable, open to correction and easy to be led by the Holy Spirit; humbling himself to learn and grow. This is the heart that is yielded to God, ever ready to make the necessary adjustments; willing to receive instruction and correction.

That is the heart of a Christian. Just like David, God is desirous to give you the stamp of approval. Without this heart, we are easily misled and disobedient to the ways of God

DANGERS OF DENOMINATIONAL DIFFERENCES

“Some of you are saying “I am a follower of Paul” and others say that they are for Apollo’s or for Peter; and some that they alone are the true followers of Christ. And so in effect, you have broken Christ into many pieces. But did I. Paul die for your sins? Were any of you baptized in my name...” 1 Corinthians1.12-13. Living Bible.

The spirit of denomination has become so entrenched in the Body of Christ that in practice, we have divided the Body rather than be united. The consequences are a limiting Christian experience where the level of growth is stunted and believers are stuck to the doctrines from their Pastors and General Overseers rather than be equipped by the rich variety of ministration from the Body of Christ worldwide.

In effect, we are working against ourselves rather than have a united common front against the works of satan. No wonder our light is not shining brightly as it should because we are feeding from the crumbs of man rather than eat from the bread of life. We are not called to our denominations and churches but to Christ. Keep that in perspective and be open to be taught by the Holy Spirit from the Body of Christ.

The spirit of denomination is not of God for we have only one Spirit and He unites us in Christ.We have fractionated the Body of Christ into the territorial kingdoms of Pastors and General Overseers. We are dividing our loyalties away from Christ to various Ministers.

“And he gave some, apostles and some prophets; and some evangelists; and some pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” Ephesians 4.11-12. NKJV

SPIRITUAL TRUTHS EXPLAINED

                                                        

“ Dear friends, let us practice loving each other for love comes from God and those  who are loving and kind show that they are the children of God and that they are getting to know him better...for God is love” 1 John 4. 7-8.Living Bible.

The love of God explained- To love God is to first recognise that He is love and believe that He loves us; to have no fear about anything because of God’s love which provides for our well being. To love others as we love God yielding to His love in our actions towards others.

 “My grace is enough, it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness” 2 Corinthians 12.9

Grace is all encompassing. It gives faith for every situation. So, always ask and respond to the grace of faith about any matter. Don’t assume and rush off in unbelief. Take a moment to ask and receive from God, then go out and possess it.

“But of Him, you are in Christ Jesus who became for us wisdom from God and righteousness....” 1 Corinthians 1.30. NKJV

The danger in not having the knowledge and understanding of faith in God IN CHRIST is living in self righteousness. Unfortunately, that is what is operational and considered right in the world. God is first delighted by a heart that acknowledges Him and yielding to His word. Then His works will proceed from that faith. Don’t be fooled, God is not fooled by acts of self righteousness. When people claim to be spiritual without God, I find that puzzling and disheartening that they are blinded to the truth that they are the very presence of God - MAN! But it is important to note that error ends in death.

For the moment of physical death REVEALS THE INCONTROVERTIBLE TRUTH – that GOD EXISTS! THAT CHRIST IS REAL! THAT HELL AND HEAVEN IS VERY REAL! But the great loss is that IT IS TOO LATE FOR THOSE WHO DIED IN UNBELIF! This is a truth that cannot be moved, shaken nor erased or undermined - JESUS ISTHE END to every form of unrighteousness.