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.

SPIRITUAL UPGRADE ALERT!!!!

“Don’t become so well adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognise what he wants from you and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well- informed maturity in you” Romans 12.2. The Message

UPGRADES! Isn’t that the current buzzword today? We are in inundated with various offers in diverse forms from the fashion and beauty makeovers, phones, automobiles, software, computers to life coaching. Name it and there is a seminar or workshop teaching all sorts of improvements. Life coaches are on our case to enrich our lives through various programmes. Every time I turn on my laptop, I am being chased by all manner of software advisories that never quit. And there is a lot of good in improving oneself. One of my favourite shows is Ty Pennington’s Extreme Home Makeovers

 Who wants to remain irrelevant in any area of life – last time I checked, it was the dinosaur and we know what happened to that specie - they became extinct. But as I meditated on the relevance of this to our spiritual life, I realised that unlike the way we go after and happily allow into our lives the latest gadgets, homes, cars, beauty products and services, software  and all sorts, we don’t give the same passionate commitment to making spiritual progress in an aggressive way .

Yet that is the core of our life affecting how we experience it. These upgrades keep us vitally connected to God and ensure that our fellowship with Him does not become outdated and disconnected. The Bible – God’s Word to us also reveals that we need to get them daily in order to exceed the various distractions that the world throws at us. Failure to do may make us a ‘living dead’ type of existence – depending on our natural senses only: like a fish out of water.

GOD is LIGHT AND WISDOM. We cannot have true lasting and beyond all intellectual comprehension manifestation without HIM. Yet, take time to take a look around your world, wherever you may be, for you will notice that inspite of all our continuous good reforms, the world is getting more complex and dangerous to live in than before. It seems no matter how we put on our best efforts, we can’t seem to solve the world’s problems. Every good thing seems to be on the decline – morality, decency, selflessness, good values, faith in God, respect for life and property and the list is endless. Not surprised, for that is exactly what the Bible says will happen when we don’t get our priorities in order

“But you know that in the last days perilous times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God...” 2 Timothy 3.1-4. NKJV

This is so true of all that is happening in our world today and it speaks to the actions of both Christians and others so no one is absolved from this warning. It  may come as a surprise to you that not all that ‘glitters’ of these enticing offers are really good for us and so we need guidance. What is the way out? Getting the true enhancement and every other will fall into its rightful order and place.

Yes, upgrades are good but without first getting the TRUE AND FOREMOST UPGRADE – the SPIRITUAL from GOD in CHRIST, every other will eventually become a passing fad and we will continually be on the next chase for new improvements as a junkie desperate for a fix, yet no lasting relief. Yes, we will seek a soul peace yet having no REST. As the Bible puts it in context:

“Why do you spend money for what is not bread. And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance. Incline your ear and come to Me. Hear and your soul shall live...” Isaiah 55.2-3. NKJV (emphasis mine)

The choice is yours: the ball is in your court. It is your serve as to how you will improve your life and with what type of advancement. You must realise that God has the best life enrichment plan and as Jesus aptly put it to the Samaritan woman, it is an everlasting software that never gets outdated. The Holy Spirit is the Administrator and therefore you have the BEST DEAL EVER.

“But whoever takes a drink of the water that I will give him shall never, no never, be thirsty any more. But the water that I give him shall become a spring of water welling up (flowing, bubbling) (continually) within him unto (into for) eternal life.” John 4.14. Amplified Bible