RHEMA From Heaven

LOOK UP TO THE LORD

Psalm 34:4-5 “I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed”

Looking up to the Lord in all that you go through is the sure way to have breakthroughs in life. When you learn to look up to the Lord, you always stay connected to him.

David, the man anointed by the Lord tells in Psalm 34:4 how the Lord answered his prayer in times of distress when he was running away from the King Saul who had wanted to kill him.

Not only that, but by looking up to the Lord through earnest prayer, his fears dissipated and his hope was reinforced. In Psalm 34:5, the Bible says “those who look to him (God) are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.” That’s to say that, when you look up to God, you will be far from shame no matter what befalls you.

Never draw back in the face of challenges, rather get deeper in your walk with God, look up to him as you pray and meditate on his word.

Read: Daniel 11:32

SOW BETTER THINGS IN LIFE

Galatians 6:7 “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows”

One important thing that characterizes the life we live is “reaping what we sow”. This makes life more like a “harvest”. This is the very reason why the Bible admonishes us to sow good seeds (things) in life. As a Christian you must decide on the kind of seeds you want to sow today because no seed sown dies without manifesting in the near future.

You see, it will just be a matter of time and every seed sown- whether good or bad, will show up. In fact, it will be gradual, little by little but will without fail come up.

As a Christian, you have access to the Spirit of God and the word of God that will direct you as to what to do, how to do them, and thus, sow good seeds in life.

Galatians 6:8 says “whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life”.

Don’t be led by the flesh to sow wrong seeds. People who never consider this simple rule will jeopardize their future. Remember every choice is a seed, every action is a seed whether seen by people or not, you will one day live to reap them.

Sow better things and you will be glad you did.

Read: James 3:18

Learn them, keep them and do them

Deuteronomy 5:1 “And Moses called all Israel, and said unto them, Hear, O Israel, the statutes and judgments which I speak in your ears this day, that ye may learn them, and keep, and do them.”

Our opening text teaches that walking with God demands learning, keeping what you learn and practicing them. This is how you can do exploits in life and also please God.

The Christian life is not about a “name tag” or playing religion. It is a life lived in agreement with divine truth. In fact, it is living out the life of God in you. Nonetheless, it will take learning to know what you ought to do as a Christian. That’s learning the word, which reveals the will of God.

Not only that, you have to keep the word in your heart (Psalm 119:10-11). In other words, you must let the word dominate your being so that it’s influence will be a free flow. The word dominating your heart, brings you into practicing the word.

The truth of learning, keeping and practicing the word must be your hallmark. Don’t be an ignorant believer. Know the word, and do it. Until you give in to doing what the word says, you will be limited in life and even miss out on God’s will for your life.

Read: Matthew 11:29

BORN OF GOD

John 1:12-13 “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

Any Christian or born-again believer is born of God. John 1:12-13 says “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

The moment you got born again divinity started to work in you. God’s very life was imparted into you to bring you the new life. This life in you is superior to anything else.

You being born of God means that you now share in His very nature. His righteousness is at work in you, His holiness is at work in you and His love is at work in you. In fact, all that God is, is also made available in you.

You see why the born again Christian is not and should not be subjected to failure, diseases, sin and defeat. God’s very nature is in you.

Many Christians have lived on the lower side of life because they have never allowed this truth to settle in their heart. The word says, “As He is, so are we in this world”.

See 1 John 4:17 “Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world”

Let this truth be your meditation and you will always live life on the “higher side”.

Read: John 1:12-13

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