BE STEADFAST

One that is asleep is not active in his or her duty. Also, one that is awake is alive in his duty. The church is asleep.  During the days of the early church, a sick person will not walk into the church sick and leave sick for the hospital. There has to be a healing touch. Today, the church often fails to deliver in areas of duty. Jesus said in Mark 16: 17, “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”  In most cases, signs are no longer following believers as supposed to. It is the believers that are following the signs. As a temple (church) of God, a believer, how do you respond to Mark 16:17?

Are you aware of the practices of the early church? The practices have to be right before you get the right results. In most churches where the practices are not right, the results are not right. The early church was doing it right and they were getting the right result. However, we are the church because the bible states it, “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)

Do you, as a temple of God desire the right result in your walk with God?
The practices which gave results were identified “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:42)
Two practices that worked perfection for the early church were: Steadfast continuation of the apostles’ doctrine; steadfast continuation of the apostles’ fellowship.

The early church steadfastly continued the daily teaching about God and how to live for God. Teaching about God was on a consistent basis. In the early church, breaking of bread was also done with consistency at every fellowship gathering. In most of today’s church, there are defined times in keeping some of the doctrines. The doctrines today are mixed up or substituted with the doctrine of this world.

Every change in what the word has said is the result of lack of power in the changed word. To be able to maintain the power of the word of God, the word should never be substituted. Imagine a glass of Coca-Cola which is mixed with two glasses of water. Definitely the color might not be fully changed but the taste shall never be the same. The same case applies to mixing the word of God when believers claim it loudly with no power manifestation because it has been mixed; diluted and not powerful to deliver true taste (result).

Fellowship
The word of God makes us realize that, the early church steadfastly continued daily with one accord sharing with gladness. Family operates in union, they were not in divisions. They were sharing what they have and not showing off what they have. There was commitment not convenience in serving God. Divisions were not documented for the early church as it is today. The early church fellowship demonstrated and expressed like-mindedness, it is evident that the early church communicated acceptance among believers. It is recorded that steadfast fellowship of the early church enabled growth and sharing in good times or tough times. Above all, the true meaning of fellowship was fully demonstrated unlike the fellowship today where inconsistency and lack of steadfast commitment is foreign.

In any fellowship where sound doctrine and steadfast fellowship can be identified, the power of prayer and its effectiveness will not be found missing. Sound doctrine and fellowship flows together with the power of prayer. It is always evident and clear because miracles are always having its way. In the days of early church, the fear of God was in place and centered upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles (Acts 2:43). Where there is fear of God, miracles and wonders will never cease. As a temple of God, do you fear Him enough? Is any sign following you or you are following the signs? Steadfastness and faith cannot be separated. Every walk in the word of faith demands steadfastness. To be steadfast in line of the word is a commitment which builds up to reasonable sacrifice. Be awake; be alive and fear God steadfastly.

                                 RUNNING THE RACE

The word of God admonishes in Hebrews 12:1, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” The journey of life is a race of life. Running the race is not by strength or by determination, but only by the grace of God. There is no strong man in the race of life and that is why the word declares, “…For by strength no man shall prevail.” (1 Samuel 2:9) Despite the truth that the race can only be successfully run by grace and not by strength, there should be no reason to abuse the grace to run through. To run the race through, two things have to be avoided as mentioned in the scriptural verse above are: weight and sin.
The action we take in living life is the evidence of our faith. It is faith that propels action and action is what God sees to determine how He is pleased with us. The book of 1 Samuel 2:3 states it better, “For the Lord is the God of knowledge; and by Him actions are weighed.” What’s the weight of your action before God? Weight is the unnecessary thing that adds nothing to man but take away from man by slowing man down. Weight is major hindrance which is often considered as minor. Weight is what man should fully let go and not carry along while answering to God’s calling in running the race of life. Weight is heavy and that makes it burdensome. It is written, “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. (Psalm 55:22) Engaging any burden instead of casting burden on God is enough to move a believer outside of walking in line of righteousness. It is also the evidence of asking God to withdraw His helping hand. Burden often comes inform of unnecessary religious weight which can only make a believer to look good but not complete in every good works to do the will of God. A failure not to let go weight is the avenue not run successfully. What is it that can be considered weight in your race? Do not ignore nor excuse the representative of weight in your life but seek for it to be terminated.
Sin is the evil which man often engages consciously or unconsciously. Sin is missing the mark of God’s will by choice and because of human weakness. It is when man’s action or attitude disobeys God and it always brings pain. The major root of sin is pride. Where pride reigns humility is absent and sin in abundance exist. When sin takes control in man’s life, his/her action becomes rooted in it. Which sin reigns and rule your life? Is it manipulation, unforgiving, lying, deception, malice, fornication, adultery, stealing and all kinds of race terminating baggage?
The race is already set for everyone born of a woman and there is no choice but to run it. To run the race requires endurance through the grace of God. In this world of challenges, running with determination will not be enough but running with endurance is what it takes to run successfully. Running the race with endurance can only be engaged by looking up unto Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith. Jesus occupies the position at the starting and end point on the race track. Those in the race should remain focused from the beginning of the race to the end by holding on at a steady pace. For effective and successful running, Jesus paid the price on the cross with His blood. The Blood of Jesus never runs out or short of supply, therefore take to the word by “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. (Hebrews 12:2) In the race of life, it is not palatable to look away from Jesus, the One who has been at the beginning of the race and will be waiting for us at the end of the race.
Are you getting weighed down in the race of life? Be encouraged; keep pace in your race and do not be discouraged in the race of life. Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith already stated, “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) Hold on to Him by keeping your eyes on Him and He will see you through.
Remember that, the race is not to the swift but those who run it from the beginning to the finish line. It is important to know and run the race without any weight or sin because weight will slow any runner down. Slowing down will bring forth the temptation of abandoning the race; abandoning the race will lead to eternal damnation.

FAITH CAPSULE:
Be encouraged and do not be discouraged in the race of life.
With Jesus, you will run with peace and find rest.

                                       GIVE REGARD TO GOD’S HAND 

We serve a jealous God whose jealously yearns for our attention. Giving God His due attention is regarding the works of His hand. However, not giving Him all the attention which is due to Him is disregarding the works of His hand. The psalmist testifies, “Because they do not regard the works of the Lord, nor the operation of His hands, He shall destroy them and not build them up.” (Psalm 28:5)The people were oblivious to the work of God in their midst. As a result, the people were positioned to be destroyed. How much regard are you giving to the work of His hands? A failure not to regard the work of His hand is a passage to disregard God. How possible is it for His creation not to regard the work of His hand? As an acclaimed believer, is it an issue of ignorance that is denying you from consciously regarding the work of God and the operation of His hands? It is important to know that ignorance only makes a destitute of a believer. Ignorance does not serve as an excuse before God. 
Among many testimonies of His hands through the Scriptures are:
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. (Psalm 19:1)
You have also given me the shield of Your salvation; Your right hand has held me up, Your gentleness has made me great. (Psalm 18:35)
My times are in Your hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, And from those who persecute me. (Psalm 31:15)
For He bruises, but He binds up; He wounds, but His hands make whole. (Job 5:18)
Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. (Isaiah 59:1)
The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes. (Proverbs 21:1)
Without doubt, every creation of His hand should constantly live in awe of His hand by giving every regard which is due Him. In the hand of God there is power to deliver, power to heal and the power to breakthrough.
In the hand of Jesus there is power and this was demonstrated on many occasions. It is written, “And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.” (Mark 6:7) Power passed from the hand of Jesus to His disciples; His disciples went and exercised the power which was received and returned with healing and deliverance. (Mark 6:12)
The Israelites regarded God for deliverance from the bondage of over four hundred years and, God spoke, “… I will stretch out My hand and strike Egypt with all My wonders which I will do in its midst; and after that he will let you go.” (Exodus 3:20) Give regard to God for His hand to respond on your behalf. When the Israelites entered their open door of deliverance, it was with favor by the hand of God as promised by God. Pay attention to His hand by extending your regard to His hand.
The psalmist buttress the awesomeness of His hand in Psalm 20:6, “Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand.” Here, it is evident by the testimony of the Psalmist that the right hand of God is a saving strength. Pharaoh tried to deny it but he was destroyed. Isaiah 41:10 declares to us to “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” Again, it is testified that the right hand of God upholds. As a believer whose righteousness is the Blood of Jesus Christ, all of your needs that will get you to the expected end are in the consistent and diligence asking for the right hand of God to move in every area of your life.
The hand of God is absolutely mighty and exceedingly powerful to deliver break through. 

 Faith Capsule:
Give regard to God for His hand to respond on your behalf.
A failure not to regard the work of His hand is a passage to disregard God.
Tunde

                                    THE GOD WE SERVE

Are you still calling on Him? It is not too late in the year to give up. Keep up with Him in your expectation and know it that He hears.
What a mighty, gracious and merciful God we serve! God was speaking in the book of Isaiah, “It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are speaking, I will hear.” (Isaiah 65:24) God is true indeed. King David testifies to the truth when he stated, “I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; so shall I be saved from my enemies.” (2 Samuel 22:4) David’s kind of praise is a celebrated praise; a boastful full praise. By virtue of his kind of praise, he was sure that his call had been answered by God who answers before we call on Him. David’s approach is evidence to the truth that God is not only worthy of our contemplative praise (thoughtful or meditative praise). David was rendering a boastful praise knowing that God had done it before asking. A boastful praise is rooted in understanding of God’s character of answering prayer before we call; boastful praise is celebrating what He has done or what He will do.
God also mentioned that “while we speak, He will hear us”. Indeed He heard the children of Israel speaking (not praying) in the face of challenging needs during their journey through the wilderness. It was rebellious speeches rooted in complaints. God responded by stating, “Say to them, ‘As I live,’ says the LORD, ‘just as you have spoken in My hearing, so I will do to you.” (Numbers 14:28) Unfortunately for the Israelites it was negative speech; it was rebellious speech whereby they were rejecting God for His mercy that brought them out of bondage of over four hundred years.
It is very important to always know what we are asking for before opening our mouth or our heart in prayer and speech. There is no safer place in speaking than speaking positive at all times regardless of the negative before us. The same Word of God declares to us, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Proverbs 18:21) Often time we have no idea who is before us whenever we speak out positive or negative. As a result, the Word of God also warns, “Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, nor say before the messenger of God that it was an error. Why should God be angry at your excuse and destroy the work of your hands?” (Ecclesiastes 5:6) As a believer, it is important to take every Word of God for truth. It is worth not saying negative than saying it and claiming mistake for excuse. Before God there is no excuse that counts.
Should we keep silent to avoid communicating negative? Absolutely! We should not keep quiet especially when we know that He has delivered us from bondage of sin. The Word that encourages the children of Israel when they came out of the bondage of Egypt encourages us when God stated, “I am the LORD your God, Who brought you out of the land of Egypt; Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.” (Psalm 81:10) Also, in keeping silent we might be silencing our request from God. Are you one who makes mention of the Lord? Here is what Isaiah 62:6-7 says to all, “…you who make mention of the LORD, do not keep silent, and give Him no rest till He establishes…” This is talking about a need to be persistent in what we ask for. Jesus buttresses the need to be persistent when He admonished all to be persistent in our asking in His Parable of the Persistent Widow. (Luke 18:1-8)
Knowledge is precious and it increases strength. Know for sure that God’s Word will not return void to Him just as He promised in Isaiah 55:11. The Psalmist also testifies that He is God who magnifies His Word above His entire name (Psalm 138:2).
Having the name of God in our mouth will be complimented by having been carrying His Word in the heart and not just the head. When the Word is in the heart, there will be what it takes to remind Him in our asking. Having the Word in the heart will also give the cause to remind God about His faithfulness to others and it enables us to contend with Him, stating our case because He is not a partial God. (Isaiah 43:26)
He alone is God. He cannot be intimidated and He will do what He pleases to do. Know God in His Word and the world will know that you are in Him. God is not a man that He should lie. Ask for the goodness of God according to His mercy.   

 Faith Capsule:
God answers before we call on Him.
Always know what you are asking for before opening of mouth or heart in prayer.

                                             DO NOT BE FAR BUT FOCUS ON GOD

Those that are far from God consciously or unconsciously have taken the way of death. One cannot be far from God and not far from death. To be far from God is not to trust in God.  
Among what transpires when one is far from God are:
When one is far from God, one’s flesh and heart will fail.
One’s feet will stumble and steps will not stand but slip off.
One that is far from God will be envious of the boastful (seeing and paying attention to the prosperity of the wicked)
Bible points it out in different pages the most glaring identities of the wicked:
The strength of the wicked is firm.
The wicked are not in trouble as other men.
The wicked perverts the way of justice; walks with perverse mouth.
Perversity is in the heart of the wicked and the wicked does evil continually.
Pride is the portion of the wicked and violence serves as the pattern in their walk of life.
The wicked do not acknowledge God but lean on their own understanding.
Often the wicked have more than heart could wish; they increase in riches; they grow.
The wicked one is far from God.
Wickedness is a sin.
Are you one that envies sinners?
It is written, “Do not envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day.” (Proverbs 23:17)
However, it is good to draw near to God. One that trusts in God hopes and rests in God.
Trusting and hoping in God prompts one to declare the works of God.
Knowing to declare the works of God causes man to be decorated with presence of God.
To declare the work of God is to be obedient to God and disobey the gods of this world. The three friends of Daniel (Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego) demonstrated what it means to declare the works of God and be decorated by God. The three friends of Daniel disobeyed King Nebuchadnezzar by not worshiping a gold image. Whoever does not fall down to worship gold image was to be casted into the midst of a burning fiery furnace. Attempts to get them worship did not work and the king questioned: Who is the god who will deliver the three friends from his hands?
The three friends of Daniel, in the face of untimely death declare the wonder-working God stating, “…O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If that is the case, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” (Daniel 3:16-18) It is impossible to declare the wonder-working God in the face of a challenging confrontation like that of the three friends and not have God decorate the declarer of His wonder-working name.
God decorated the three friends immediately in an uncommon way in the history of creation when He came down to deliver them in the fiery burning furnace. They were highly decorated and the king could not resist from announcing the awesomeness of God.
It happened while they are in the burning furnace that God Himself came down instead of sending an angel for their deliverance. When the king saw the God whom he did not know before, he was astonished and he stated, “Look!” he answered, “I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire; and they are not hurt, and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.”(Daniel 3:25)
The three friends of Daniel, while in captivity, despite their challenging situation consciously took to the way to have life by remaining close to the God of their fathers and they were not far from God. The wicked was not a challenge to them as they remained focused on their God. The three friends of Daniel trusted in God and their hope could not become rusted.
The Bible is written for our learning because God did not speak to waste His word. The same God of yesterday is the same today and forever. Draw nearer to God, ignore the wicked, focus and hold onto God in these days of rising challenges and you will ride above all.