RHEMA From Heaven

Serve God: it pays!

Malachi 3:17-18 says “And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not”.

Serving God is the biggest profit venture on earth. The gains one receives when serving God can’t be compared to anything. In fact, serving God is profitable, and it guarantees us of a reward in this present world and in eternity.

In our above scripture, the Bible talks about the divine protection or exemption from calamity associated with serving God.

People who don’t know the benefits in serving God conclude that it’s a total waste of time to give Him your all.
But you see, there is nothing like serving God without benefit.
There is divine protection and provision for all who serve God.
Serving God puts your life under a covering.

See what Exodus 23:25-26 says
“And ye shall SERVE THE LORD your God, and he shall BLESS thy bread, and thy water; and I WILL TAKE SICKNESS AWAY from the midst of thee. There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: THE NUMBER OF THY DAYS I WILL FULFIL”
Serving God indeed brings a blessing. You are protected from sickness and you receive a blessing of long life with fulfillment.

Be glad you are born again and serving the Lord. That is the only PROFITABLE VENTURE with a return that is certain.

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: Malachi 3:16-18

Have fervent love for one another

Romans 12:9 says “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.”

1 Peter 4:8 says, “And above all things have fervent love for one another: for love shall cover the multitude of sins”.

In teaching the believer what to do in this end times, the Bible places love for one another above all the other things. That is not to say that the former which includes being sober, alertness and praying are not important. They are, but the Bible places premium on the love for one another. That is why it says, ” above all things”.

Love is indeed above all things. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 13:13 that, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”.
You see, love always take the lead.

You must let your love for your fellow brother and sister in the Lord be fervent. The love you have for one another must be heartfelt, sincere and deep-seated. You must never in any occasion walk in pretence.
If walking in love towards one another has to be fervent then there should be no room for ” faking” it.

You see, when it comes to walking in love, then it must flow from your recreated human spirit. That is the only way you will not say one thing with your mouth and also say another thing in your heart.

You see, when we walk in love we cover multitude of sins. Love does not breed sin. In fact, it rather helps us to do away with it.
Love!

Read: Romans 12:9 “Love is to be sincere and active [the real thing-without guile and hypocrisy]. Hate what is evil [detest all ungodliness, do not tolerate wickedness]; hold on tightly to what is good”

Study: 1 Peter 1:22

Order in Church

“Let every soul be subject to the authorities that are above him. For there is no authority except from God; and those that exist are set up by God” (Romans 13:1). One way by which we can have order in life is when we submit to the powers that be. There are various forms of authorities, we must recognize and hold in high esteem.These include the family, the Church and the state.

The Church as a spiritual authority must be treated with great respect, for order to prevail. Thus, every Christian must be in the position to respect the orders and men of God,in the house of God.

Hebrews 13:17 says “Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you”.
When you submit, you yield yourself to a particular course or order and comply with every given instruction.
That’s to say that, you don’t do things your own way.

Another way to bring order in Church is to honor and love the pastor(s) in the church.
In 2Thessalonians 5:12-13, the Bible says “Dear brothers, honor the officers of your Church who work hard among you and warn you against all that is wrong. Think highly of them and give them your wholehearted love because they are straining to help you…”.

Never make your actions and inactions bring disorder and tension in the Church or in the house of God.

Read: Hebrews 13:7 “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”

Study: Numbers 16:1-32

On a mission

John 9:4 says “I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.”

The above text tells the purpose of Jesus on earth. He came on a mission. Thus, there was a grand plan he had to follow to accomplish this mission.

Just like Jesus, every Christian has been sent on a mission. This mission is “soul winning” or bringing people to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:19-20, 2 Corinthians 5:19). It is working the works of God or doing that which pleases the Lord and not that which pleases us. This is the charge we have to keep.

You see, your mission here on earth is specific and time bound. God expects you to work before the deadline.

Never be caught up with life’s busy schedule and set aside your mission.
Before the night comes, you must do everything possible to sign off on this note “mission accomplished”

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

Study: Mark 16:15

Don’t lose yourself for the world

Mark 8:26 says “For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world [wealth, fame, success], and loses or forfeits himself?”

The above question of Jesus still remains one of the greatest questions ever to be asked in life. It tells how possible it is to get something and lose another thing at the same time. In this case, the Bible talks about losing yourself, losing your life or missing it because of your earthly pursuits.

The Bible teaches that fame, wealth or status can’t match the value of your soul. Thus, there is no point or justification for pursuing such things at all cost to the neglect of your “soul”.

Remember that life is not only about your stay here. Make decisions that will not jeopardise your future with God in eternity.

Read: John 6:27 “Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed”

Study: Matthew 6:33

Don’t waste God’s investment in your life

Matthew 25:14-15 says “For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey”.

The opening text teaches on a great truth and principle of the “Kingdom life”. It tells how God invests into his children.

The parable in Mathew 25 showed how three distinct people used the talents that was given to them. Whiles the first two people used the talents they received and made gains, the third person saw no need for that. He simply dug a hole and placed the talent in it.

When all was said and done, a day of accountability came. The ones that used the talent received from the master a good reward and entered into the “joy of the Lord”. But the one who wasted the master’s talent by not making any gain was thrown out.

You see, the above parable reveals God’s purpose for the things he gives- life, grace, anointings, etc.
God wants you to put into profitable use whatever he has given.

Be faithful and diligent to use that grace you have received from God.
Don’t forget that the day of accountability will surely come.

2 Peter 1:3 says “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness”

Study: Mathew 25:14-30

Lay aside every weight

Hebrews 12:1 says “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us”

The Bible describes the Christian life as a race that we must run and complete. Nonetheless, success in your race is determined by your ability to be “weight free”.
Every weight you carry in a race reduces your speed and finally affects your chances of doing well. Hebrews 12:1 says:”… let us lay aside every weight and sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run… “.

Laying aside weights must be a conscious effort. You must know what really slows you down in your Christian race, and you must know the sin that just won’t let go or gets you off track. That is how to get yourself ready to lay aside every unnecessary burden.

Your race is time bound, and any delay may cost you dearly. Let nothing distract you, rather keep your gaze on Jesus and finish your race.

Read: James 1:12 “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”

Study:Hebrews 12:1-2

Sacrifice!

“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it” (Mark 8:34-35).
Following God comes with a sacrifice. Following the things of God also requires sacrifice. Following a man of God, also requires sacrifice.
Sacrifice demands that, you totally deny yourself of pleasure and comfort.

Until you are ready to sacrifice you can’t experience some degree of blessings and fellowship with Him.

Today, many people who have joined the faith to serve God are filled with a sense of insecurity to leave all the things of this world to follow the course of God.
But the truth is that, whatever you want to hold on to will leave you but whatever you are ready to let go because of God will come to you in a better way.

Don’t feel insecure when you have to let go of something in life to fully follow the Lord

Sometimes you have to leave some friends, groups and some ventures to fully pursue the course of God. Jesus once told his disciples, “Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s…”(Luke 18:29)

Always remember, following God, and doing the work of God requires sacrifice.

READ: Luke 9:24 “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it”

Study: Mark 10:28-30

Continue!

Acts 2:42 “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers”.

To continue means to persist in an activity or process. It also means to do something without stopping, or to keep doing something in the same way as before.

As a Christian you must continue in your walk with God, and in the teachings of the Lord.

The Bible teaches that the early Christians or Church had this exceptional attitude. They heard and continued in the messages that the Apostles of Christ taught in those days. This did they inspite of all the challenges and persecutions present in those days.

This is the standard God wants us to uphold. You see, it is one thing to start something and another thing to continue in what you have started.

Continuing in something you have started often takes persistence, focus, commitment, and looking ahead for the prize that comes with finishing the journey.

As a Christian never follow the word and the Lord a “halfway”.
Make every effort to start and to finish what you have started – your walk with God, and your ministry

Read: 2 Timothy 3:14 “But as for you, continue in the things that you have learned and of which you are convinced [holding tightly to the truths], knowing from whom you learned them” (AMP).

Study: Acts 2:42-46

You are on God’s mind.

Psalm 8:4 says “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?”

One truth that must settle in your heart as a Christian is that, God is mindful of you.

To be mindful is to pay special attention to a particular person or thing. It also connotes being inclined and willing to do something. We see from the above definition that, God doesn’t just pay special attention to us, but He is also willing to do everything we need.

Psalm 8:4 “What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?”
Know that, you are always on the mind of God. You are special to Him and He’s willing to do anything to make you have a fulfilled life. Living by this consciousness will make your hope in life stand tall.
You see, the knowledge of God’s love and presence will cause you to stand and never to give up in life.

Know that, you are more valuable to God. You are the Lord’s treasured possession.
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light”(1 Peter 2:9)

Read: “The LORD hath been mindful of us: he will bless us; he will bless the house of Israel; he will bless the house of Aaron”(Psalms 115:12).

Study: Isaiah 49:15-16