Let the living praise the Lord, for His mercies endureth forever, let the living praise the Lord for our God is good. Father, we are grateful unto You for all You have for us, too numerous to mention. We thank You for Your overflowing love in the lives for your beloved ones. Be Thou exalted forever and ever.
Blessed Redeemer breathe upon us afresh and let us be a worthy instruments of immeasurable value, worthy of noble use in ur hand in the Name of Jesus.
Dear beloved in the Lord, the Word of said “wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom; with all thy getting, get understanding (Prov. 4:7). For a victorious living, we need the wisdom of God and His understanding that knows no bound to guide us in all our undertaking.
Often times, we rely on our own wisdom and understanding which is limited to see us through in life and becomes a major setback in our vision. As a child of God, His Word should be our guiding principles in life and when we fail follow it, we either have crises or we fall out from the faith.
Having being called His own, we should always be mindful of things accepted by God and those that are displeasing to Him.
We are going to consider those words when used brings displeasure to God, if you are in habit of using them, you should henceforth desist from it:
Three Words That Curry God’s Displeasure
They are: “But,“”If only,“and “Why?“
As the Israelites approached the Promised Land, Moses commissioned 12 spies to go in and scope out the territory. Upon their return, they reported that the land was indeed flowing with milk and honey!
“But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large… “(Numbers 13:26a)
By this report, ten of the twelve spies gave evidence of the fact that they were paralyzed by fear, rather than mobilized by faith. Sadly, they had allowed their perception of the facts, rather than the promises of God to dictate their response to the situation. In their minds,
God was not big enough to surmount the obstacles.
- When we allow “but” to dominate our vocabulary, we question God’s power.
“If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert!“(Numbers 14:2b)
Clearly, God had led the Israelites across the desert, assuring them of His presence in providing the pillar of fire by night and the cloud of protection by day. Wonderfully, He had furnished them with manna from heaven, water from the rock, and clothing that did not wear out.
Yet, the moment they were faced with adversity, they cried out, “if only.“By that lament they signaled their preference to living in bondage under their Egyptian oppressors over living in freedom under God’s sovereign care. (Numbers 14:2)
- When we entertain the “if only‘s,“we question God’s goodness.
“Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword?“(Numbers 14:3a)
Faced with formidable obstacles in conquering the land God had promised them, the
Israelites whined “why,“rather than believing God could and would help them overcome the barriers.
- When we ask “Why,” we question God’s wisdom .
When God calls us to Himself, He calls us to a life of faith: “But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him.“(Hebrews 10:38)
QUESTION: So tell me, fellow pilgrim, as you trek across your own God-assigned desert, are you shrinking back from the barriers with “but“, “if only“, and “why“? Or are you choosing to forge ahead, trusting in His power, His goodness, and His wisdom?
So many people are stuck in their journey of lives based on this premise mentioned above. They are not moving forward in life because they desire the goodies in the place where are coming from therefore refuse to get to where God is leading them (promised land). At a slight provocation, they cry out as did the children of Israel in the desert, thereby staying longer than required in their journey to their promised land.
The only way out of this malady is to get “FOCUS”. This will help you to know when you are deviating from the plan. Focus made prophet Elisha get to his destination, don’t forget that the same man who called him into the ministry wanted to frustrate and discourage him but he refuse to give up. The sons of the prophet also did tried to distract him but not Elisha. Little wonder why He was able to get the “Double Portion” mandate from his master.
So dear, get focus and victorious living is sure. In addition to getting focus, being the fragrance of the knowledge of God will put you in command. When you know in whom you believe, nothing shakes you. Nothing will make you doubt what God had said concerning every situation in life unless is not God, but if is Him, His Word stands firm (Ps 89:18).
But thanks be to God, who always puts us on display in Christ, and spreads through us in every place the scent of knowing Him.
For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.—2 Corinthians 2:14–15
Whenever the Romans won a major military victory they would celebrate with a spectacular parade. The commanding general would lead the procession in a magnificent chariot, followed by his soldiers, musicians, and other officials. Then, soldiers would lead the defeated enemies through the city in bondage.
As a part of the celebration, the Romans would burn fragrances on altars, filling the entire city with a pleasant aroma. Even those who could not witness the triumphal procession could hear the victory music and smell the pleasing incense. Everyone would know that their army had been victorious. The special fragrance came to symbolize victory to anyone who smelled it.
Paul used this vivid imagery to describe the effect that Christians should have in the world. According to Paul, God permeates our lives with the fragrance of the knowledge of Christ. Everywhere we go, our lives should demonstrate to others that Christ is victorious. As unbelievers observe our lives, they should become aware of the victorious power of Christ. As other Christians witness the victory Christ gives us over our sin, they can rejoice in the triumph of their Lord and gain confidence that Christ will bring victory in their lives as well (Jos 2: 9-12).
The most compelling evidence that Christ is alive and triumphant is His activity in the lives of His people. It is a privilege to be the fragrance of Christ by which others learn of God’s life-changing power over sin. Your life ought to be convincing proof that God continues to work powerfully in the lives of His people.
Beloved, is your life a sure proof of the love and power of God? Get to examine yours today and change if otherwise.
Don’t forget that “FOCUS” mingled with faith gets you to your destination faster than you can ever imagine.
Remain blessed in the Lord.
