RHEMA From Heaven

Have you stopped listening to instruction?

Proverbs 19:27 “Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge“

Every individual will go through many phases of life. This process of growth will require that one do away with some things, maintain some and also adopt some new things necessary for growth and development in all aspects of life.

One key thing you must maintain as you journey on in life is listening to counsel. Counsel, especially a counsel from a father has a way it can set you apart for greatness in life. Although many downpour on the importance of listening to counsel as they grow, it is never a wise decision to make.

Instructions are instrumental for your success as you grow. It will save you the loss that comes with trial and error adventures. This is the more reason why you must be aggressive to pay heed to instructions.

In fact, when it comes to instructions, the book of Proverbs has more to teach.

Proverbs 1:8 says “My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother”. Proverbs 4:1 says “Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding”. Proverbs 13:1 says “A wise son heareth his father’s instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke”

You see, most often than not, the instructions from a father, or a godly counsellor is filled with practical wisdom. This is the wisdom that will help you to do well in life and will also bring you success. Anytime you heed to instruction, the bible says you will be wise in your later end (Proverbs 19:20). Meaning that, some instructions are well understood or are made more clearly with time.

Keep following every instruction from your spiritual instructor, and the word of God. Never turn on death ears to godly instructions and you will see great results and success in your life.

Proverbs 24:6 says “For by wise guidance you can wage your war, And in an abundance of [wise] counselors there is victory and safety“

Count it all Joy

James 1:2 “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations“

It is important to know that you are bound to face trials and challenges as a believer. Nonetheless, all these trials can be a stepping stone to elevate you into greatness if you can learn to trust God.

You must understand that whatever happens in your life, whether good or bad can only be for your advantage as a Christian. It is in this light or truth that the epistle of James admonishes that “count it all joy”. You see, if your faith is not in the Lord and in his power, then there is a genuine reason to worry. But if you have left all things, including your life and whatever happens to you in the hands of God, there is no need for any concern.

In the book of Romans 8:28 apostle Paul said, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose”. You see, as long you are child of God, all things shall work together for your good. No matter how difficult or challenging a situation may be, God will work things out for your good.

You see, whatever was meant to bring you destruction and disgrace would work together for your good, if you can trust God in your moments of difficulty. The story of Joseph is a typical example of how God is able to turn things for our good. Through rejection, betrayal, accusation and being forgotten by people he helped, God still come through for him. This is to remind you that there is no cause of alarm when you are with the Lord. Author John H. Sammis, puts it right through his lyrics “When we walk with the Lord in the light of his word, what a glory he sheds on our way”

Always look out for what God can do in your trials and challenges. This is why you must “Count it all joy” when difficulties show up, because God will work for your good.

Read: 2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work“

Grow, don’t remain a child

2 Peter 3:18 says “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.”

Every believer’s life must be characterized by growth. It is one sign that shows that you are making progress in your walk with God. You see, remaining at the same level of faith, understanding, grace and love after being born again is a sign that you are not growing.

But the apostle Peter also makes it clear that our spiritual growth and our progress in the Christian life must be a continuous maturing in grace and an ever-increasing knowledge and understanding of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It is important to note that, growing in God’s grace is not only the accumulation of facts and information about the Lord Jesus, but also involves a day by day transformation of our life, as we become increasingly like Him in disposition and character.

Just as people grow in the natural, it is also expected that we grow spiritually as well. Growing in the Lord will therefore follow the same principles as in the natural.

To grow up in life, whether in the physical or spiritually, feeding, and the right kind of food is key. The food that brings growth to the Christian is God’s word. The Bible says “desire the sincere milk of the word that you may grow thereby”. Thus, you must be on the “word diet” to grow up.

When you don’t feed on God’s word you remain a “baby” Christian and miss out on many things in your walk with God. Your growth as a Christian is key, since that is what leads to a “TRANSFORMED” life.

In the natural, trees that grow change in shape and form, and moves through various stages then to fruit bearing. Same applies to Christians who grow. Be zealous about growing up. This is the sure way for you to become productive in life.

Read: Colossians 1:9-10 “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God”

Church Relations

1 Timothy 5:1 “Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity”

Church, just like any human set up or gathering has its own unique social interaction rules. These rules are consistent with the teachings of the faith we profess. It also points out to the values or virtues that the Christian body, in terms of the local church must uphold to.

In our opening text, the Apostle Paul in his epistle to Timothy reveals some relations that may exist in a Church. Older women must be seen as mothers, older men must be seen as fathers, younger men must be seen as brothers and younger women must be seen as sisters to be handled with purity. Thus, who you are in terms of your age and gender must inform how you deal with people in the local Church.

For instance a young man, must be humble enough to relate with older men as fathers, older women as mothers, younger men just like him as brothers and younger women as sister he must deal with in purity. These arrangement brings order and decency into the Church. Not only that, it takes away unnecessary challenges that can befall the church when human relations are not handled well.

This means that, Christians must not just behave anyhow in Church. Whether older or younger you have a responsibility towards those ahead of you or those below you. These responsibilities must be discharged with utmost love, respect, humility, and above all reverence to God and his word.

The bible in Titus teaches that older men must to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance (Titus 2:2) and older women must be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to wine, but to teach what is good (Titus 2:3). It also teaches that younger women must be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God and younger men to be self-controlled.

Meaning that, in a Church these obligations must guide our relationship with others. Never deal with people wrongly in Church since it can bring a curse on your life.

Read: Galatians 6:10 “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

Words of grace

Colossians 4:6 “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man”

Your choice of words and how you talk matters. The bible admonishes that anytime you talk it must bring a blessing to someone. Thus, the words you say must be with grace. The message translation of the bible renders our opening text in simple words as “Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.”

One truth of life is that, words are very powerful. It can create and it can destroy. Words form the basis for most human interaction and communication. One can say that great relationships are built on the pillars of good communication or words of grace that is uttered.

This is why you must learn to clearly convey your thoughts in the best and appropriate way without any evil implications. Anytime what you say is short of this, it fails to meet the standard prescribed by God that our words must always be with grace. You see, no matter the situation you find yourself, never talk carelessly. Don’t be carried away by emotions to utter wrong words because when all is said and done, you will put someone down, destroy a life, and above all lose your respect or honour for good. Never forget this rule that, you will be respected until you speak. The way and manner you speak will bring you much honour or take away the respect people have for you.

As you journey through life master how to talk and how to answer people. Let your speech be a reflection of wisdom, maturity, love rather than outburst of anger which is nothing but foolishness.

Don’t forget that employing harsh words, strong tones and giving sarcastic answers to people will not promote peace, love and unity. Not only that, it will make you lose favour before people and above all it is disobedience to God’s word.

Learn to talk well.

Read: Ephesians 4:29 “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

Who is who in your camp?

1 Corinthians 15:33 “Don’t fool yourselves. Bad friends will destroy you”

Friendships or relationships are important. Nonetheless the quality of the friends or the relationships you keep has the power to put you up or down. This is the more reason why you must pay attention or consider who you have in your camp. Having just anyone as a friend without any consideration is nothing but an invitation to disaster.

You see, many people have deceived themselves that, no matter who they hang around consistently and constantly they will still not be affected. Well, practical wisdom and the word of God will teach or reveal the otherwise. Who you associate with, share ideas with, and constantly get involved with can influence your life.

That’s why the Bible cautions “don’t fool yourself”. As a believer you have a personal obligation to keep the right folks or people around you. This is something you must do for yourself. Your pastor or spiritual father cannot do that for you. Your parents may try when you are home but what about your outside home dealings. This therefore makes this subject a personal responsibility.

2 Corinthians 6:14 “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” . God’s stand on who we must allow to influence our lives is clear. They must be godly people in the body of Christ. Meaning that, associating with people who have no respect for God and the things of God will not enhance your faith in any way.

The bible has numerous stories about people who associated with wrong people and they finally got destroyed. One best example is Amnon and Jonadab (2 Samuel 13). The counsel of Jonadab to his friend Amnon never served his interest. In fact, looking at it holistically, the Jonadab’s friendship and counsel brought many troubles to the home of Amnon.

Don’t just go shopping people into your life. Be wise. One bad friend can destroy everything in your life just as one good fried can help your rise to the top.

Who is your friend? What is your friend made up of?

Read: Proverbs 22:24 “Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered”

When it comes to love; No retreat

Song of Solomon 8:7 “Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it…”

One of the most tested virtues in the life of the Christian is love. Every day of your life as Christian is a test of love. Some fail and others pass. But God always wants you and I to pass the love test. Love or walking in love is first and foremost about God and secondly, people.

Walking in love towards God means that, you must obey His word no matter what (John 14:15). This will sometimes be against logic and your feelings. But all the same, what is feelings and logic when God is to be obeyed.

Secondly, we have the obligation to walk in love towards people. This most often than not is where many Christians fail. You see, failing in this second dimension of your love mandate will by default lead to the first test of walking in love towards God. This is so because it is God who commanded that walk in love towards all men (John 13:34).

You see, it is impossible to say that when you are walking in love towards people there wouldn’t be challenges. But that’s the power love has. It can endure. That’s why Songs of Solomon 8:7 says “many waters or floods can’t quench love”. Love has the capacity and tenacity to last long in harsh conditions. Your love must not easily go cold nor quench.

The Apostle Paul in explaining this truth says, “Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance” (1 Corinthians 13:7). You see, your love for God and for people must not be based on circumstances. Irrespective of what happens to you in life, your love must not be affected.

As our opening text describes, nothing must quench your love. Don’t be too quick to cast people off when they offend you. For your love to endure long, it must not be determined by the way people treat you. That is to say, you must not show love to only those who have the capacity and ability to reciprocate it. When it comes to love, let Christ be your example.

Love God! Love People! No retreat!

Read: John 13:34 “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another”

Who are you despising in your heart?

“And as the ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul’s daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart”. (2 Samuel 6:16)

There are some things you can do to men or people and they will not see, but God will see it. For instance you can hate people without their knowledge, you can insult people without their knowledge and you can also despise people without their knowledge. But never forget that, God sees the heart. He knows and sees beyond what men can know and see.

From our opening text, we saw how Michal who was the wife of David, despised David in her heart because of his zeal and joy in the Lord. Although this was not known to David, God saw it.

When we talk about despising something or someone it means to dislike and have a low opinion of someone or something because you think it’s worthless. So looking at it from our opening scripture, Michal’s action meant what David did because of God was worthless or needless.

In fact, she regarded the worship to God as a worthless act and a waste of time. Most often than not, people are tempted and some actually do look down on some people in their reverence to the Lord. Don’t be in Church and despise people who are zealously praying, worshipping or serving the Lord. Although there are many people who despise the church of God and regard believers as a group of fanatics and brain washed persons. Never join this train. Since these “despisers” don’t only show contempt towards spiritual things but their actions is also against God himself.

Irrespective of who you despise in Church or in life, when their zeal and affection is towards God or because of God, you will attract a curse of unfruitfulness into your life. BEWARE! “Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death”. (2 Samuel 6:23)

Read: 1 Thessalonians 5:22 “Abstain from all appearance of evil”

Don’t fail when trouble comes

Isaiah 37:3 “They told him, This is what King Hezekiah says: Today is a day of trouble, insults, and disgrace. It is like when a child is ready to be born, but the mother has no strength to deliver the baby“

Troubles are not customized products for some selected people since they can come to anyone. Whether big or small, rich or poor, anointed or not, troubles knock at every door. Some can be severe and others can be mild. Nonetheless, the existence or troubles in the world can’t be ruled out.

As a Christian, there are many situations or issues that may come your way. Some may be good whiles others may not. For instance there are times when you can have more than enough and there are times too when things may be scarce. But beyond all these, God wants you to stand and overcome whatever trouble that may come your way.

The Bible actually reveals the causer of all troubles, the devil. He is our chief adversary or opponent in life. 1 Peter 5:8 says “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour“. Meaning that, day in and day out the devil is on the run delivering troubles as packages. But God want you to resist him and to overcome him.

A practical example of a day of trouble is what we witness about the righteous man, Job. In a single day, he lost his business, his family and his estate. As though these were not enough, his health also failed. But in all these, the Bible says Job still stood strong and never turn against the Lord. In fact, against the advise of the wife for him to curse God, Job rather looked up to God in all these troubles. (Job 2:9)

You see, the Bible teaches us to stand and not fail in the day of trouble. Proverbs 24:10 says “If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small”.

No matter the trouble that will come to you, whether in your finances, marriage, relationship, work, ministry, or health, remain firm and believe that God is able to see you through it.

In the day of trouble pray, search God’s word and make it your confession. Never despair but encourage yourself daily and be strong because you have the victory that overcomes the world.

Read: Proverbs 24:10 “If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.”

Don’t meddle in people’s affairs

1 Timothy 5:13 “And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not” (NKJV).

Success in life is not an accident. Whether you will succeed or fail, more rest with you. Our opening scripture gives an important key to succeeding in life or any endeavour you are undertaking and that is “don’t meddle in people’s affairs”. In other words stay focused.

You see, most people have developed an “anti-success” lifestyle or attitudes knowingly and unknowingly. The sad part of it all is that, some are Christians. Making yourself a busybody talking about other people’s issues without an invitation or an intention to help what they may be doing is a fruitless venture. In fact, you will gain nothing from it at all.

In dealing with people, know when you are needed and when you are not needed. Talking just about everything that concerns people is not a trait of a good Christian. You must not meddle in people’s affair that way.

The bible from our opening text teaches that we must not be idle, or wander from house to house without any purposeful or fruitful agenda. Not only that, we must also not become gossips. These are activities that takes time. Thus, if the same time that can be used for something fruitful is channeled into this, it means that, anyone involved in this venture is gradually wasting away.

In Apostle Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians, he described it as an undisciplined life. 2 Thessalonians 3:11 says “Yet we hear that some of you are leading undisciplined lives and accomplishing nothing but being busybodies (Berean Study Bible)

You see, why make yourself a busybody talking about other people’s issues when you can do something profitable with your life. Never bring yourself that low. As a Christian you must stay above this unprofitable life of gossip or meddling in people’s matters and don’t allow people to recruit you into this “fruitless busybody business”.

As people that have benefited from the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:30), use your time profitably and make the most of every opportunity. Never hesitate to humbly walk people out of your home if their purpose of coming to you is to discuss people without invitation and for no good reason as in helping them.

Read: Matthew 12:36 “But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment”