RHEMA From Heaven

Force your way into the Kingdom of God.

Luke 16:16 “The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing their way into it”
It is important to know that there are things worth getting or fighting for in life. One of such is making your way into God’s kingdom by taking hold of the gospel.

The gospel is God’s approved route to accessing the kingdom and all that it is. Thus, until you receive and believe the gospel you will miss out on what God has for you.

Our opening text, shows the attitude that a person must have to gain access into the Kingdom. Luke 16:16 says “…since then the gospel of the kingdom of God has been and continues to be preached, and everyone tries forcefully to go into it”. Meaning that you need to be active and aggressive to take hold of the gospel for you to enter the kingdom.

You see, someone forcefully trying to occupy a space or to take a hold on something tells that, there are adversaries. Similarly, when it comes to you accessing God’s kingdom through the gospel, the presence of opposition – the devil, and the evils of the world, calls for some degree of seriousness.

You being forceful means that you are ready to ward off anything that wants to resist your flow in the kingdom.
Be zealous when it comes to making it into the kingdom. A causal approach to the things of God won’t produce any much benefit.

Read: Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you”

Study: Galatians 4:18

Make choices with eternity in mind

Hebrews 11:24-25 says “By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin”.
Choices are integral part of life. Your every day life comes with making several choices.

In making choices in life, you sometimes have to choose between good and evil, what seems “good” and what is actually godly or good. This is the more reason why you must make choices with eternity in mind. In other words, you must consider whether the choice(s) you are making will bring an eternal value or gain, or it will bring you eternal loss.

Our opening text talks about how Moses after he had come of age made a choice to suffer for the Lord and with the Lord’s people. The bible says that he had eternity in mind. See Hebrews 11:26 ” He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.

Making of choices is a great matter. It can ruin your life when you make a mistake about it. This is because every choice you make comes with consequences- good or bad.
Let God’s word and the Holy Spirit guide you when it comes to making choices.

Remember that, it pays to make a good choice.

Read: Proverbs 16:25 “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death”

Study: Hebrews 11:24-26

Followers

Hebrews 6:12 says “That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises”
One key to success or fulfilling your God given purpose is in following someone who has preceded you and is graced, anointed, of a positive character and has the ability alongside the willingness to also help you make it.
Simple as you will think of it or see it, it has been the method that has brought many people to the lime light in life.

The call of the disciples who will later become apostles of the Lord was all because of following Jesus.
See Matthew 4:19 “And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men”

The Bible also reveals how by the art of following, Elisha, Ruth, Joshua, Lot, Paul, Timothy, Titus etc. made it in their days.

You see, following someone to be imparted characterwise, trained, guided, coached, mentored, is not an easy thing. It requires hardwork. That is why the bible says don’t be slothful.

It is undeniable that the art of following will cost you but pay off greatly. When it comes to following the people God brings your way to help you, you need to make time to follow, you need to be consistent, you need to sacrifice, you need to show great respect to them, you need to be zealous about their input into your life, and you need to live out what they impart.

Never take lightly this “art of following”.
Remember that, the less is always blessed by the greater. Thus, humble yourself enough and follow.

Read:1 Thessalonians 1:6 “And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost” .

Study:1 Corinthians 11:1 “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ”

Don’t draw back

Hebrews 10:39 says “But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved”.
When it comes to following the Lord or being a Christian, you must know that it is a lifelong pursuit. It should not be something you start later to draw back.

You see, despite the glorious end that awaits every child of God, our walk here on earth comes with some challenges. These tough moments must not let you draw back.
James 1:12 says “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him”

Don’t draw back in loving and following the Lord. No matter what you will be faced with in life stay strong and keep serving the Lord.
It may seem like nothing is actually working, but still continue in the faith. Never make quitting an option or don’t put up an exit strategy.

Read: Matthew 10:22 “And you will be hated by everyone because of [your association with] My name, but it is the one who has patiently persevered and endured to the end who will be saved”

Study: 2 Timothy 2:3 “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ”

Don’t reward good with evil

Proverbs 17:13 says “Evil will never leave the house of one who pays back evil for good”.
It is an undeniable truth that as you journey through life God appoints other people to be a blessing to you. These people do you good and contribute greatly to your success story in life. As a recipient of this blessing, God wants you to also do good to these persons in return.

No matter what you think or the justification you may want to put forth, you are not permitted to do evil to those who have sown goodness in your life.
You see, if God even expects us to do good to those who persecute us (Matthew 5:44), then more noble stuff will be required of us when it comes to people that have done us good.

Don’t forget that it is an act of ingratitude to reward good with evil. Instead of being ungrateful, you must be thankful or show appreciation in return for all the good things done for you.

You see, not returning evil for the good done for you means that you must be thoughtful. Thus, every action of yours must come with concern and honour for those that God used to help, guide and bless your life.

Do good to all men, especially those that God used to build you up and never give evil for good.

God is watching!
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”

Study: Genesis 39:4-9

Behave wisely

1 Samuel 18:30 says “Then the Philistine commanders (princes) came out to battle, and it happened as often as they did, that David acted more wisely and had more success than all Saul’s servants. So his name was highly esteemed”
Nothing can set you apart in life like behaving yourself wisely.

To behave means to act or conduct oneself in a specified way, especially towards others. Thus, to behave yourself wisely means that you further engage wisdom to determine how you should act or conduct yourself when dealing with all manner of persons.

Our opening text, revealed how this truth of “wise behaviour” brought David, the shepherd boy to the limelight.
You see, no matter how beautiful or handsome you are, until you engage wisdom in how you conduct yourself towards others, you are going nowhere.
In fact, a foolish behaviour can make you lose your God ordained ministry, career or marriage.

Let the wisdom in God’s word guide you in all you do. It will teach you how to talk, how to answer people, how to dress, how to work, how to honour, how to respect, how to serve, how to deal with superiors and colleagues.

Irrespective of your age, you attract favour before God and men when you behave yourself wisely.

Read: 1 Samuel 18:5 “And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul’s servants”

Study: 1 Samuel 18:14-15

The same things

Philippians 3:1 “Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you”
Our opening text reinforces one of the most important things in life. It tells the reason for emphasis and repetition of some basic truths in our walk with God.

You see, you must never outgrow some truths and teachings. But that also means that, you must consistently give yourself to these teachings by listening to it every now and then.

The Apostle Paul in his letter to the Phillipians told them that it is expedient that he writes the same things- teachings, instructions and the word they have heard from him previously.

Never in your crave for new things or teachings make you throw off the basic teachings of the word. Not only that, don’t allow pride make you think that you know too much so that you neglect repeated teachings.

When teachings or sermons are repeated, it reinforces your conviction and safeguards you from deception.

Read: John 15:7 “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you”

Study: Acts 20:32

Only once

Hebrews 9:27 says “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment”.
Most appointments of life is only once or one off. For instance, you will be born once, live on this earth once, die once etc.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 puts it more clearer: “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: [2] A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted”.

So as a Christian you must remember that you cannot come back here after your exit. It’s once and for all and you must get it right the first time.

Unfortunately, most people understand life when it is all over. But for wisdom to be useful, it must be applied.
Knowing about the brevity of life, and purpose thereof calls for urgency.

Thus you must do what God has called you to do and also do it at the right time.
Be purposeful. Know that some of the major opportunities you have in life is for once. Don’t misuse it or abuse it.

Read: Numbers 13:30 “And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.”

Study: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Finish your race

Ecclesiastes 7:8 says “Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.”
Starting the Christian life or being born again is a great thing but until you keep the faith to the end it will profit you nothing.

The Christian life can be compared to a race so making it to the end of the race is what matters.
Apostle Paul in 2 Timothy 4:7 said that, “I have fought the good and worthy and noble fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith [firmly guarding the gospel against error].”
You have to understand that, reaching the end of your Christian journey is something God wants from you. You don’t have to start and stop midway.

You see, you must not be a Christian today and give up the faith in some years to come. Neither must you start working in the house of God and stop along the way.

You see, it is not without doubt that troubles, distresses and challenges will come your way, but it is part of the journey. Thus, you must be determined to finish at all cost.

In keeping your faith to the end, you must lay aside any hindrance that may come your way. Hebrews 12:1 says, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us”.
Many things slow people down and eventually cause them to exit the Christian faith. For example, some have fallen off and left the faith because of the love of money, immorality, pride, and the like.

Nonetheless, you must be determined to finish your race well. Keep your gaze on the Lord and keep moving forward. Remember that it is in finishing that you obtain a reward (Rev 21:7)
Never draw back in your walk with God. Persevere to finish your race in the Lord

Read: 2Timothy 4:7, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished [my] course, I have kept the faith:”

Study: Hebrews 12:1-3

Give honour to whom honour is due

Romans 13:7 “Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due ; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour“.
Whoever you relate with or the relationships you have, puts you under some divine obligation.
There are people you have to honour or hold in high esteem.

Reading from Romans 13:1, the Bible makes it clear that, leaders or people that God has put over you deserves to be respected and honoured. In your home, you must respect and honour your parents, in the church you must respect and honour your pastor or spiritual father.

Not only that, any relationship that puts you under a certain authority demands your respect and honour. The Bible says it as something you owe. Meaning that you must do what is right by paying what you owe.

In honouring people that God has blessed you with demands that you don’t speak evil of them, criticize them, or disregard their instructions.

Whatever happens don’t disrespect and dishonour whoever deserves to be respected and honoured by you. Obey God’s word on this matter.

Read:1 Peter 2:17 “Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor”

Study: Ephesians 6:2
“Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise”