January 10
I will love thee, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: he heard my voice out of his temple, and my cry came before him, even into his ears. Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because he was wroth. Ps 18:1-7 (KJV)
Thank You, O God of heaven and earth! For all You have done for us. Glory be to You on High, blessed be Thy Name above all names.
When the Lord speaks on any matter, it is settled. Beloved, you don’t have to look like it, what is important is that He has spoken and so shall it be. Because, He speaks what He means and He means what He say.
So what are those things you want to settle with Him this year, bring them before Him and leave it at His feet. Then you will see Him move on your behalf, for His Word is settled for ever.
But the Word of God will find expression in your life on one of this condition as against many other conditions: if you are determine to live a disciplined life, how? Someone wants to know.
Just as we discussed yesterday, that much depends on our inner chamber for the outward manifestation of our desires or else our strength will fail us in the day of adversity (if our prayer deposits in our bank account in heaven is small), except for God’s Divine intervention and Mercy that will plead our course. So ride on:
. . . so My word that comes from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and will prosper in what I send it [to do].”—Isaiah 55:11
When God speaks, nothing remains the same. At the beginning of time, God spoke, and a universe was created out of nothing. God followed a pattern when He created the earth: He spoke; it was so; it was good (Gen. 1:3–4). This pattern continued throughout the Bible. Whenever God revealed His plans, things happened just as He said, and God considered the result “good” (Phil. 2:13). God doesn’t make suggestions. He speaks with the full determination to see that what He has said will come to fruition.
Whenever Jesus spoke, what He said came to pass. Lepers found that a word from Jesus meant healing (Luke 5:13; 17:14). The blind man discovered that a word from Jesus meant sight (Luke 18:42). Through a barren fig tree the disciples saw that a curse from Jesus meant destruction (Mark 11:20). The sinner experienced forgiveness through a word from Jesus (John 8:11). How many attempts did it take Jesus to raise Lazarus from the dead? Only one (John 11:43). There was never a time that Jesus spoke that what He said did not happen.
What happens when Jesus speaks to you? Have you been reading the words of Jesus in your Bible without experiencing His word that transforms everything around you? Jesus condemned the Pharisees because they assumed that knowledge of the written Scriptures would give them life. They were satisfied with having the words instead of experiencing the person who spoke the words (John 5:39). How powerful a word from God is to your life! As you read your Bible and pray, listen to what God has to say to you about His will for your life.
How else can we discover the mind of Christ except by giving our TIME to Him, just as you take out time to do some things that have no internal value, so also must you discipline yourself to gain access to what God is saying per time and follow on. To know when your signal light is changing and observe according (Red – Stop, Yellow – Ready, Green – Go), with such alertness, you and I will not miss the guidance of the Holy Spirit:
Discipline Is The Price We Pay For Freedom
- · Exercise and diet regularly and you’ll probably live better and longer.
- · Focus 100 % on one task at a time, and generally you’ll be less frazzled.
Paradoxically, the same holds true in the spiritual realm. For example, when we:
- · Take the time and effort to abide in God’s Word and we will liberated from the tyranny of sin’s bondage:
“If you continue in my word… you will know the truth and the truth shall make you free.“ (John 8:31, 32)
- · Joyfully endure trials, God is then able to forge within us that inner quality of steel belted strength that results in personal freedom:
“When all kinds of trials and temptations crowd into your lives my brothers, don‘t resent them as intruders, but welcome them as friends. Realize that they have come to produce in you the quality of endurance. But let the process go on and you will realize that you have become men of mature character WITH THE RIGHT KIND OF INDEPENDENCE.“ (James 1:2-4 Phillips Translation)
- · Gain control over the dictates of our lower nature we are insured longevity in effective service:
“Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things… Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim… I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified. (literally: rendered ineffective)… for by what a man is overcome, by this he is enslaved.“ (1 Corinthians 9:25-27; 2 Peter 2:19)
Paul speaks forcefully to this issue of discipline in stating:
“Exercise daily in God – no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasium are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever.“ (1 Timothy 4:7 – The Message Translation)
I need to ask myself whether I AM WILLING TO PAY THE PRICE OF DISCIPLINE TO ACHIEVE FREEDOM (sicknesses, lack, depression, disappointments, financial crisis, poverty) and all such that are from Satan and its agents. The toll exacted upon me for the lack of discipline will, in the long run, far exceed the price I now pay for freedom through discipline!
May God give you more understanding in Jesus Name. The year 2014 is here, the time is ticking again, take your position now and you will have no regret afterward. Together we will celebrate the freedom in Christ both here on earth and in heaven.
Finally my beloved, I pray for you, that God will envelope you and preserve you unto the end. Have a wonderful weekend, I will come your way next week by God’s grace.
Remain blessed in the Lord.
Evang. Ifeoma Ohondu
