KNOW GOD, LIVE LIFE TO SERVE HIM

If man does not know God how can man be-living life to serve God by doing according to His word?
It is lack of knowledge that makes man to be living life as it pleases self not as it pleases God.
Knowingly or unknowingly, all that answers as Christians are His disciples. Acts 11:26 buttressed, “And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” Disciples that walked with Jesus and disciples of today (Christians) does have same characters. Christians by their ways do not KNOW Him but only KNOW ABOUT Jesus despite all He told disciples then and disciples of today.
Luke 24 clearly testified that disciples only KNOW ABOUT JESUS but do not KNOW Jesus:
*Christians took WORD AS IDLE TALES.
Today, Christians takes to the word of God without purpose or pointless story. Disciples of Jesus did same despite all their exposure to Jesus in all His doing. At the time of Mary Magdalene and other women announced resurrection of Jesus to his disciples, Luke 24:11 recorded the response of disciples to women’s announcement, “And their words seemed to them like idle tales, and they did not believe them.”  With no exception, world has been approaching Jesus’ word as idle story.
*Christians (DISCIPLES) see Jesus as STRANGER in their journey.
When Jesus joined His disciple’s conversation in their journey after His resurrection, conversation of disciples testifies Christians’ character. It is written, “Then the one whose name was Cleopas answered and said to Him, “Are You the only stranger in Jerusalem, and have You not known the things which happened there in these days?” (Luke 24:18) Jesus is supposed to be known and received as saviour not as stranger.
For serving God, Jesus called His disciples out of FISHING to teach them and commanded them to be a FISHER of man. Mark 1:17, “Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”
If indeed disciples have KNOWN Jesus, they should not have gone back to FISHING FOR FISH instead of FISHING of MEN after HE was dead and risen. John 21:3-4 recorded, “Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing.  But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?”
Above all, man that does not know God will lack knowledge to set for self destruction. Book of Hosea 4:6 confirmed the issue of lack of knowledge, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge…”
Serving God is answering to God’s calling as a believer. Serving God is giving ear to God’s word by hearing Him to do His will. Failure not to give ear to hear God’s word comes with consequence for man. Proverbs 28:9 buttressed, “One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.” God demands for man to live life serving Him. For example, God called the Israelites to serve Him but Pharaoh wanted to deny the word of God. Exodus 4:23 speaks to God’s demand for man to serve Him, “So I say to you, let My son go that he may serve Me. But if you refuse to let him go, indeed I will kill your son, your firstborn.”
Are you serving God according to His word? Are you aware of His calling to serve Him but you are too busy not to be serving Him?
GREAT COMMISSION is a calling for man to serve God, it is a MISSION to be engaged by believer of God. Mark 16:14-18, recorded, “Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Jesus must have seen unbelief as hindrance for man’s failure to give self to His GREAT COMMISSION when He spoke against His disciples not knowing of His resurrection.
Are you engaging MISSION? MISSION is serving God. It is courageous faith to invest in God’s command and God will response with blessing. Exodus 23:25 is an example of God’s response to ones that serve Him saying, “So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you.”
How are you giving self to GREAT COMMISSION?
Serving God is sacrifice, sacrifice is serving God and it is costly. Do something to demonstrate that you serving by obeying HIS COMMAND for GREAT COMMISSION!

THREE MONTHS OUT OF TWELVE MONTHS IS NOT ENOUGH TO LOOK AWAY FROM GOD!

Giving up from looking unto God at the third month out of twelve months of the year is the evidence of not focusing but snubbing God. Looking unto Jesus is focusing on Jesus by not to snubbing Jesus for what He has done and what He is doing for man’s salvation. Hebrews 12:2 said it all, “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” It is a choice to gain and maintain focus on Jesus by not snubbing Him.
Works of God are created by His word. Seeing God’s works is like hearing from God yet man is not focusing on God but snubbing God. Psalm 75:1 testified, “…For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near.” Paying attention to God’s creation wondrous works by His word is focusing on God to hear Him, not snubbing directions in God’s word.
Focusing on God by not snubbing God’s word is engaging a glorious destiny. Apparently, disengaging God’s word is snubbing God for self-destruction. Snubbing the word of God is snubbing one’s glorious destiny. Among experiences of snubbing God for glorious destiny are written for our learning through the pages of bible.
SNUBBING GOD WILL SUBSTITUTE MAN BEFORE GOD: Snubbing God’s word is to become substituted from God’s ordained position for one’s life.
Eli snubbed God when he failed to restrain his children that were despising direction of God. Sons of Eli were corrupt; they did not know the Lord. (1 Samuel 2:12-17) Eli’s snubbing of God was revealed as stated, “Then the Lord said to Samuel: “Behold, I will do something in Israel at which both ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. ¹² In that day I will perform against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. ¹³ For I have told him that I will judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knows, because his sons made themselves vile, and he did not restrain them. ¹⁴ And therefore I have sworn to the house of Eli that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be atoned for by sacrifice or offering forever.” (1 Samuel 3:11-14) Before God there is no excuse for snubbing God directly or indirectly. Under heaven, nothing goes pass God without Him seeing all. Eli did not train his sons to restraint them from violating God. Eli snubbed God and was substituted with Samuel by God.
King Saul repeatedly violated God’s directions and God substituted him with David as king. Saul’s unlawful sacrifice by engaging burnt offering snubbed God. (1Samuel 13:1-15) Through Samuel, God directed King Saul to utterly destroy and attack the Amalekites but he was unwilling to utterly destroy Amalekites against the word of God. Eventually, King Saul snubbed God’s word and God substituted him with David as king. Snubbing God is an act of disobedient to the word of God with the consequence of becoming substituted from a glorious destiny in God’s plan.
SNUBBING GOD IS NOT WATCHING AND PRAYING: Watch and pray is the word of Jesus which man should not snub. Prayer is to be without ceasing (1 Thessalonian 5:17); prayer should not be only when there is challenge. A prayer-less life is equal to prevail-less life. Watching and praying delivered Paul and Silas from sudden death. It is written, “But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.” (Acts 16:25-26) Watching and praying is focusing on God not snubbing God.
SNUBBING GOD IS DOUBTING GOD:
God does not waste word; God does not lie; God does not exaggerate; God does not deceive and there is no reason to doubt Him in His word. Lack of faith is snubbing God. Jesus identified doubt as little faith (Matthew 14:31) Believers want to speak and expect mountain to move but failed because of doubt which is snubbing God. Jesus spoke in Matthew 21:21, “Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ it will be done.” It is snubbing God that will deny God’s visitation to doubting one. Doubt in the heart gives way to trouble (Luke 24:38) Snubbing God is having doubt in God which tosses man around like wave. To be tossed like wave unsettles man in the journey of life. James 1:6 stated, “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.”
Word of God is proven enough for man to give self to the word of God instead of snubbing God’s word. God is unfailing God!

FOCUS ON GOD FEBRUARY IS HERE!

Make month of February to answer as your month of FOCUS on God. In this wicked world of today, from this February 2018, begin to focus on God with emphasis in all activity. With focus on God, counting on man will not be relevant in man’s life. Focusing on God is certain to gain wisdom, understand and knowledge not to perish carelessly in this wicked world.
Wisdom is the word of God. 1 Corinthians 1:30 buttressed, “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God…” Wisdom of God is instruction which demands giving attention to God for direction.
Understanding the word of God is giving self to listening. Jesus identified why lack of understanding is eminent in man’s life as it is written in John 8:43, “Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word.” Listening to the word of God is focusing to be hearing and hearing in the word of God which Jesus brought to give life abundantly.
With focusing on God, wisdom and understanding shall give knowledge. Evidently, knowledge is the knowing edge over challenges of this wicked world. Word of God in Proverbs 19:27 recorded importance of not to fail focusing wisdom, understand and knowledge not to become a victim of self-destruction. It is written, “Cease listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.”
Focus on God! Do not count on man for self-destruction of man is the evidence of man’s counting on man instead of counting on God. Counting on man is facing shut door with no advance. Without doubt, looking to man for intervention instead of counting on God for intervention is inevitability failure. Many claims to be a believer of God yet counting on man with persuasive empty word and faking man as agent of God. Also, counting on man is taking to route for doubt which builds up disappointment and fear. Doubt, disappointment or uncalled fear is the evidence of lack of knowledge.
Ahab the King of Israel invited Jehoshaphat the King of Judah to join forces with him against Ramoth Gilead for war. King Ahab refused Prophet Micaiah’s warning of God not to war against Ramoth Gilead. In the place of God, Ahab counted on his chosen four hundred prophets to go war. Ahab doubted word of God through Prophet Micaiah. Jehoshaphat was reluctant about going to war by the word of four hundred prophets. Ahab, persisted going to war as stated, “…I will disguise myself and go into battle; but you put on your robes.” So the king of Israel disguised himself, and they went into battle.” (2 Chronicles 18:29)
Ahab’s self-deception is the evidence of his doubt in the word of God. Doubt of Ahab prompted him to disguise himself to go war against the word of God. Without iota of doubt, King Jehoshaphat did not disguise but depended on God. As the battle intensified Jehoshaphat was surrounded by enemies. It is written, “…when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, “It is the king of Israel!” Therefore, they surrounded him to attack; but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the Lord helped him, and God diverted them from him.” (2Chronicles 18:31) Jehoshaphat depended on God’s word and the Lord God diverted his enemies away from him. Ahab made the choice to disguise himself to war because he counted on man’s word. Ahab was a victim of lack of knowledge when destruction answered for him in the hand of his enemy.
Without knowledge doubt and deception will answer as a way of life. Ahab counted on man that is not competent for his deliverance in the hand of enemy. Jehoshaphat trusted on God when he called out to God for his deliverance.
Does your situation sound like that of a stranded man? From this month of February, upgrade focus on God for His wisdom and understanding to establish you as one that is having a knowing edge and not perish. Focus on God more than ever in this world of wickedness.

CONFESS 2018 AS YOUR YEAR OF: DRAW ME NEAR GOD

The word of God is warning. With no excuse, preachers are not preaching the word of God as warning to man. However, man is not taking position to receive warning word of God but busy taking to self-position. Taking to the word of God is crucial to know and be fear-full of God. To fear-full of God is to be living obediently and not sinning before God. With sin, man is not near to God. Apostle Paul emphasized the word of God as warning. Colossians 1:28 stated, “Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.”
Acts 20:30-31 admonished, “Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.” In this wicked world, give self continually by confessing to be drawn by God. This year, confession with watching and praying to be drawn to God will keep man near to God and become far from wicked world.
This New Year, continually give heed to the warning word of God to experience blessings in the word of God as stated, “Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.” (Psalm 1:1) “Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord!” (Psalm 119:1) “Blessed are those who keep His testimonies, who seek Him with the whole heart!” (Psalm 119:2) “I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently will find me.” (Proverbs 8:17)
Word of God is warning!
The world is growing in wickedness year by year. Man should be confessing year 2018 as, the year of “DRAW ME NEAR TO YOU LORD.” Be confessing and be-living in the word of God. Confessing positively with expectation is rooted in the warning word of God. Bible warned, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Proverbs 18:21) Confessing to experience living in the presence of God shall keep man away from wickedness in the New Year.
Confessing to be drawn near to God is not enough without watching and praying to be drawn near to God for deliverance and preservation in the wicked world.
Watching and praying is waiting in the word of God continually to be experiencing God’s visitation (divine visitation). Apostle Paul declared in Acts 6:4, “…but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”
ENCOUNTER HIS WORD
Word of God is God. Divine visitation is encountering the presence of God in His word to experience His wonder. Seeking God diligently will draw man to God for a dwelling place in God. Psalm 91:1 testified, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Bible recorded wonders of God in His word: Psalmist testified wonder of God in the word of God, “You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.” (Psalm 119:114) Confessing, watching and praying the word of God to be drawn near to God in the New Year is hiding in God as shield. Psalmist testified, “You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance.” (Psalm 32:7)
EXPERIENCE WONDERS OF GOD
Divine visitation of God is an asset in man’s journey of life through the New Year. God visits by His word. When man is not available at the time of divine visitation man shall miss divine assignment in life. Abraham could not miss divine visitation. Like many giants in the bible, Abraham did not see God in the physical but divine visitation (word of God) changed Abraham from his position to God’s position. Abraham was drawn by God to experience wonders of God. Just like Abraham, give self continually to confessing, watching and praying in the word of God. In this year, asking to be drawn to God is taking a position not to miss out of God’s visitation.
Confess 2018 as the year of “draw me near to you Lord.”

PRAYER POINTS FOR 2016

Truth is the year 2016. Jesus spoke the truth to those who believes (not just the Jews), “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.  And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32)
Engaging truth is the entire vessel to get to expected end of the year.
Prayer remains as the undeniable key of vessel.
Truthfully will you engage prayer and be watching n the journey of 2016?
Prayer Points
To God, express your appreciation to provoke your expectation.
Life should not only be about what you expect from the Lord but also how you express your appreciation to the Lord. By grace, the hand of the Lord has been keeping through days, weeks, months and year after years.
The hand of God upon you is not because of merit but mercy.
Living life is not a right but a privilege bestowed upon us by God.
Why not turn from expectation to expression of your appreciation?
Are you consciously aware that God expects our appreciation?
When there is a failure to appreciate it becomes an evidence of foolishness. Foolishness is like saying there is none to appreciate.
Psalm94:8-11, “Understand, you senseless among the people; and you fools, when will you be wise?
He who planted the ear, shall He not hear? He who formed the eye, shall He not see?
He who instructs the nations, shall He not correct, He who teaches man knowledge?
The Lord knows the thoughts of man, that they are futile.”
Prayer: Ask God to direct your heart into appreciation of His hand upon life He has given you.
God is our shield. Consciously, consistently call Him your shield in your prayer and meditation.
Psalm 3:3 stated, “But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head.”
In this wicked of world, for deliverance and preservation, God should be called our shield. What you ask in His name is what you get from Him.
Genesis 15:1 stated, “After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”
Psalm 18:35 stated, “You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great.” Indeed God is our shield, our salvation.
Prayer: In the coming days, weeks, months and years. It is worth to commit our head into His hand for Him to be lifting up our head from where 10s, 100s, 1,000s are falling down in this wicked of world.
As our shield, we are going to ask Him to help us not give self to afraid which often revolves to fear.
God is a faithful and He shall answer when we ask, seek and knock.
With prayer there is open heaven. Elijah and Elisha proved to us that with prayer heaven opens on our behalf.
Elijah prayed, “And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, ’As the LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.” (1King 17:1) God shut heaven against Ahab and rain of comfort cease
Prayer: In 2016, ask God to shut heaven up against every agents of enemy (sickness, all form of attack and challenges) that is planning or set against you and all your love.
Elisha prayed for his servant to see, ^“And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.  So when the Syrians came down to him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, and said, “Strike this people, I pray, with blindness. And He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha.” (2 Kings 6:17-18)
In the New Year, to see open heaven direction is our victory in the coming days, weeks, months.
Prayer: In the year ask God for the grace of strength on the prayer alters.
Blindness shall answer for all enemies in our direction just like God blinded Elisha’s enemies.
In the year of truth God is the only shield and He shall be our shield upon us and love ones.
Psalmist testified, “…His truth shall be your shield and buckler.” (Psalm 91:4)
Prayer: Let us ask for His word to reign and rule in our life in the year.
Prayer: Let us ask Him to be our hiding place just as stated in Psalm 119:114, “You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.
Proverbs 2:5, “Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.”
Prayer: Ask for the fear of God to take over you so that understanding and knowledge of God shall lead you to walk worthy of God’s calling upon your life in Jesus name.