RHEMA From Heaven

WATCH THE WORD AND NOT CIRCUMSTANCES

Ecclesiastes 11:4 “He who watches the wind [waiting for all conditions to be perfect] will not sow [seed], and he who looks at the clouds will not reap [a harvest]”

What you watch will finally determine what you will do. When you watch the “word” or keep looking at the “word” by hearing and meditating on it you will respond accordingly. Also, when you watch circumstances it will inform you and drag you along, thereby causing you to act as such.

Many people have been held by circumstances. They live their lives acting and responding to things that they could one way or the other avoid. You see, if you want to make it in life, you must determine what you will give attention to. Not everything needs your attention. You don’t have to respond to everything.

You must be guided by God’s word and the Holy Spirit to know what to do in every circumstance that may come your way. Some people only use the circumstances they encounter to make decisions in life. But when you live like that, you will miss it.

The Bible talks about Isaac who in the midst of famine was still instructed by the Lord to work out the ground and sow. (Genesis 26:1-12). Instead of watching the circumstance that the land was barren or there was no rain, God instructed him to watch and do his word by sowing in that same land.

You may not have power over every circumstance, but you have the power to decide what to do in every circumstance by the help of the word and the Spirit. Always watch the word and act on it.

Read: Ecclesiastes 11:4

RECIPROCITY: DO GOOD IN RETURN

Proverbs 17:13 “Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house”

Reciprocity involves making mutually beneficial exchanges with other people. In other words, you respond to a gesture or action that has benefited you by making a corresponding one.

Life sometimes moves in turns. It gives everyone different opportunities. At one point it will put you in a privileged position and at another point, it will put you in a position to be blessed by those in the privileged position. Whichever side of life you appear on, God wants you to do good but more is required of those to whom an act of kindness or goodness is shown.

Never forget to do good in return for the good others have done for and to you. Doing good in return for the good done for you is also one way to express your gratitude not only that it shows that you are thoughtful.

The good you have and must do to others who might have been a great blessing to your life may not necessarily be financial. It may be an act of good conduct and honour towards them. It also involves not doing things that will bring them any form of disadvantage.

You see, you must always have it at heart to relate well to the people that God has used and is still using to bless your life. People who have done you good must not be rewarded by evil from your hands. It would be wise to do nothing at all than to pay them back with evil.

It is not love to be wicked towards people who have once sacrificed their comfort for your achievements in life. Whatever the occasion may be, “render good” for the good you have once enjoyed.

It is strange that we have people who are wicked towards their parents. They now fight and pray against their parents who once helped them, fed them, schooled them and trained them. Others also fight and malign pastors that God used to get them saved.

Be guided by God’s word and do good to all men especially those who are of the household of faith and the ones that God used and is still using to bless you.

Read: Galatians 6:10

FAITH COMES FROM THE WORD

Romans 10:17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”.

Our walk with God is a walk of faith. It is through faith that we are able to relate with God and also subdue or overcome the powers of darkness. That’s why Hebrews 10:38 “Now the just shall live by faith; if any man draws back my soul shall have no pleasure in him”.

Knowing how to get faith then makes you indomitable in life. Romans 10:17 teaches that faith comes from the word of God. So God’s word is faith’s food or the source of faith. Thus, the more of the word of God you have in your heart determines the faith you have or carry. Meaning that your faith level is always determined by the word of God you know. As a Christian, you can’t have faith beyond the amount of God’s word you have and know.

The truth that faith emanates from the word of God makes the word an important factor in life. When you lack the word you will invariably lack faith. Since it is by faith that you dominate or reign in life, your lack of the word and faith will make you a victim. 1 John 5:4 says “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith”

Faith is important because you can’t overcome the world or the challenges of this world with human wisdom and knowledge. They can only help you to a point. In order to reign in this life, you need to constantly feed on the word to build a solid faith.

Instead of opening your ears to myths, fables, unedifying words and messages, turn to God’s word. Don’t give your ears to words that will sow fear and doubt into your heart. In fact, it doesn’t matter who is saying what or teaching what, when what you are hearing is not going to build your faith in the Lord, it is better you don’t hear it at all.

Remember, the just shall live by faith. You need faith to prevail. As a Christian you have the measure of faith, you just have to build on it.

Read: Hebrews 10:38

SEEK COUNSEL

Proverbs 1:5 “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels”.

Counsel is described as instruction, guidance and enlightenment. No one can attain significant success without counsel. The Bible says “in the multitude of counselors there is safety or victory”. See Proverbs 15:22: “Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established”.

Everyone in life needs counsel to make it. You need counsel to marry, you need counsel for ministry, you need career and education counselling, you need counsel to handle your finances, etc. In fact, plans and purposes are brought into fulfilment through counsel. Counsel gives you the platform to excel without some limitations. It puts you on the right path and also helps you to avoid multiple mistakes.

Nonetheless, counsel just like any precious mineral must be sought. It won’t walk to your house and look for you. You must humbly and zealously seek it. Not only does it take great discipline and humility to seek counsel, but it also takes wisdom to receive counsel. Proverbs 1:5 says “A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels”.

Wisdom will teach you how to receive counsel. There are many people who follow their own “feelings” and never subscribe to any counsel. They follow what they feel good about till they are left in a bad situation without remedy or even if there is room for remedy, it comes at the expense of many damages. This tells that rejecting a “godly” or a “wise” counsel is nothing but a mere display of folly.

Sometimes you must ask questions to receive a counsel or even interact with people who are endowed with the wisdom of God to receive counsel. Proverbs 20:5 says “Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out”

Don’t despise counsel and don’t hesitate to seek counsel.

Read: Proverbs 1:1-5

BE MINDFUL OF HOW YOU RESPOND TO THINGS

Proverbs 15:1-2 “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”

The way and manner you answer and respond to people can generate peace or strife. It is therefore important to respond to issues in a way that will bring the best outcome. Proverbs 15:1 says “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.” The NIV renders it like this, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger”.

Meaning that giving the right answer or the right response to issues in life is not only about being factual. The manner in which you convey your thought is also key.

The Bible says a soft, gentle and kind answer stops or turns away wrath. Wisdom from God’s word teaches that there is no need to answer people harshly or in an abusive way just because they spoke to you in a like manner. Your response can quench or spark up a needless “fire”.

Thus you being mindful about how you respond to people and issues makes you an agent of peace or otherwise. Answering people back or responding to people in the spirit of anger will not promote peace. It will rather bring contention and quarrels. Many people have lost great fathers, mentors, prospective wives and husbands, great business partners because of loose talk.

Colossians 4:6 says “ Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man” There is no wisdom in being harsh in responding to people. You can still make your point in the spirit of humility, in respect and in love. That is the hallmark of the Christian.

Read: Proverbs 15:1-2 Matthew 22:41-46

BE QUICK TO OBEY THE LORD

Psalm 119:60 “I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy command”

No one can have a meaningful walk with the Lord without obedience. Obedience is what makes you submit to the Lord’s biddings. As Christians, the call is not only to obey but to obey promptly.

When it comes to obedience, your response must not lag behind. It must be done without delay. Your walk with the Lord requires that you obey every instruction you receive from him in a swift manner. You must know that to respond to the Lord’s action at a later date when you can do it in the “now” is nothing but disobedience.

That is why it is often said that delayed obedience is disobedience since divine timing may render your late response irrelevant. Anytime you put to the future what God expects of you today or instructs you today, is an act of disobedience.

You can’t say you want to obey God in your own time and convenience for things to go well with your life. There are many people who have backlogs when it comes to obeying God. They have things that God has instructed them to do that are still hanging. The truth is that God won’t wait anyway. He will leave you or allow you to learn the hard way.

God will sometimes instruct you through His word, or by the Holy Spirit or through your pastor. Whichever way you are instructed, you must not slack in obeying the word that has come to you. God’s instructions towards us are not burdensome (Mathew 11:28-30). Yield your heart and delight in obeying the Lord.

Delays in obeying the Lord can cost you dearly. For instance, if the Lord instructed you through His word or through your pastor to live in a certain way or get something done last year and you have still not done anything about that, you don’t need anyone to tell you that you are setting yourself up for “hardships” in the future.

No matter what it will cost you, prompt or timely obedience will save you and help you greatly.

Read: Psalm 119: 60

BELIEVE IN YOUR PRAYERS

Mark 11:24 “Therefore, I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them“

Prayer is key in our walk with God. As a matter of fact, prayer makes available power that changes things. It can change the man or woman that prays and can also change situations. Notwithstanding the power that accompanies prayer, when you just pray without faith it will be void of power.

You must understand that it is one thing to pray and another thing to also believe in your prayers or have faith when you pray. More often than not people master the former to the neglect of the latter. They pray, but that is how far they go.

As a Christian, you don’t just have to pray. You must believe in your prayers- that God has heard you and has answered you, that is how you can get results. Hear what Jesus said on the subject matter in Mark 11:24 “Therefore, I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them” Hear it again, the word says “WHEN YOU PRAY, BELIEVE “

You don’t have to pray and still live in a wonderland. No! That’s not faith. Some people after praying will say, “well I have prayed so let’s see what God will do”. Well, that is still not faith. That is hope. Hope just expects a positive outcome in the future. On the other hand, faith says it is done and moves on to give glory to God.

When it comes to prayer the Bible never said pray and hope. It says when you pray, believe that it is done. This is where many people miss it.

You must engage your faith when you pray to request something from the Lord. God does not want you to expect good things after the prayer of request. No! You must believe its a done deal and start praising God. People who wait to see before they believe will wait forever because those who believe in their prayer- that God has heard them, don’t wait to see a physical manifestation before they thank God and CELEBRATE their miracle. NO! After prayer, their countenance changes. Their faces shine with the JOY of the Lord. They make Glorious confessions. They talk about the victory they have received.

Don’t pray to request something of the Lord if you are not ready to believe in your prayers. See Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him”

Read: Mark 11:24

DO THE WILL OF GOD

Hebrews 10:36 “For ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise”

The will of God is God’s ultimate desire and wish. It is what God expects and wants done. So as a Christian your greatest call and duty is to do God’s will. This is what pleases him. Get into the WORD as it reveals the will of God so that you can know what God expects from you.

As a Christian, your blessing and success is living with Gods’ will. For instance, it is God’s will for us to be thankful in everything or to be grateful (1 Thessalonians 5:18). You must know that thanksgiving is one thing God expects from us as believers. Upon healing the ten lepers at the gate of Samaria, Jesus asked of the nine that never returned to give thanks. “So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner” (Luke 17:17-18).

Another will of God that the bible teaches is the sanctification of the believer. It is God’s will that we as believers live a sanctified life and avoid the perverse and immoral standards of this world. (1Thessalonians 4:3). God expects us to conform to His word by presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to him.

God does not want you to live with a dual standard or a worldly ambition as a Christian. He wants us to walk only in His perfect will.

Romans 12:2 says “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will“. The truth is that God’s will is not burdensome. In fact, it is not difficult to pursue the Lord’s will. You just have to yield to the Lord and not to allow the flesh dominate you.

It is in doing God’s will that you will see his wondrous works. Nonetheless, when you do your “own thing” your life will end in suffering and may even cause you to miss Heaven.

Make the will of God your reason for living.

Read: Luke 12:47-48

DON’T HOLD ON TO THE TRADITIONS OF MEN AND IGNORE GOD’S WORD

Hebrews 10:36 “For ye have need of patience, that after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise”

Another will of God that the bible teaches is the sanctification of the believer. It is God’s will that we as believers live a sanctified life and avoid the perverse and immoral standards of this world. (1Thessalonians 4:3). God expects us to conform to His word presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice holy and acceptable to him.

God does not want you to live with a dual standard or a worldly ambition as a Christian. He wants us to walk only in His perfect will.

It is in doing God’s will that you will see his wondrous works. Nonetheless, when you do your “own thing” your life will end in suffering and may even cause you to miss Heaven.

Make the will of God your reason for living.

Read: Luke 12:47-48

FEAR GOD

Ecclesiastes 12:13 “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God, and keep His commandment: for this is the whole duty of man”

To fear God is to have great respect or reverence for God. It involves treating everything that is of God “sacred”. When you live with the fear of God in your heart, you hold in high esteem everything that belongs to God.

Walking in and with the fear of God must be your hallmark as a Christian. Nothing must make you compromise on that. Anyone who claims to be a Christian and does not have deep respect or reverence for the things of God is going nowhere.

Walking in the fear of God was one of the characteristics of the early Church. In fact, the fear they had for God made them wrought wonders. See Acts 9:31: “Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.”

You see, if we can walk in the fear of God in this our generation, God’s power will certainly manifest in our Churches. Many Christians have left the “realm of fearing God”. Some treat the things of God with great disrespect to the extent that many people criticize pastors, make bad comments about them and even run into hasty generalization to condemn men of God. Such people simply refuse to accept that it is God who has appointed these servants. (Ephesians 4:11).

People no longer care about how they handle the things of God. They take spiritual meetings or Church services for granted but will show up for social events. Others too abuse the body that God has given them with immorality and lascivious activities forgetting that their body is God’s house. 1 Corinthians 6:19 says “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”

Not only that, we have people who spend a lot of money on worldly and worthless things like fashion, pleasure and funfairs. But these same people will not give a dime as an offering and justify their “lack of respect or fear for God” with a comment that “the pastor wants their money”.

Fearing God is not an alternative to the Christian. It is a must. Omit it and you will be omitted divinely.

Read: Ecclesiastes 12:13