In the last article, we were able to see Love as one of the values God desires to reveal to us during the periods of the Seclusion. in this article, we will look in to Strength and Power then conclude with the third focus of this whole study, HIS SERVICE.
STRENGTH: I will try to be brief on this. Jesus call
for intimacy also hinges on the truth that is so loud and clear in the
scripture below;
Isaiah
30:15 (KJV)
For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of
Israel: “In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.” But you
would not,”
Matthew 11:28-29 New King James Version (NKJV)
28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest.
29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am [a]gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
My
dear, you emerge with strength when you have adequate rest. This is not
restricted to sleep or some naps. It’s a call for seclusion. Some people don’t
joke with vacation not because of the shopping and sight-seeing and all but as
a form of retreat, a rejuvenation for their body, soul and spirit.
COVID-19
has necessitated a “stay-at-home” precautions among others measures. You have been home at least (if you are not part of those with the essential
services) for over three weeks now. So some quick questions for you;
Do
you have a routine?
What
have been your routine?
Can
your daily engagements so far get you closer to your next level?
Are
you better than you were three weeks ago?
These
and many more questions need to be sincerely answered to keep tab on how we are
maximizing this period of compulsory
§ POWER: One of
the greatest reasons for the intimacy God demands is to infuse in us the same
potentials He has. He wants us to carry what He carries. God desires that the
possibilities in Him will be replicated by us. As it is in heaven so it should
be on earth.
Matthew 28:18-20 New King James Version (NKJV)
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on
earth.
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all things that I have
commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the
age.” Amen.
It
is quite unfortunate that what most believers are after are the miracles,
wonders and glamour of ministry. Whilst these may come with the call, the
primary aim of the Master still remains fellowship. Judas worked miracles. He
commanded demons to “GET OUT” and it did while his own inner demon gets bigger
and stronger.
It
is wise to know that your access card to heaven is not going got be how many
fight class flight you took. Designer wears as good as they are are not going
to matter.
3. HIS SERVICE
This
last section, my focus here is the core of the services we render to God
or in the name of God, and that is compassion. When you check through the
miracles Jesus performed, one of the underlining factors is COMPASSION. The
moment you stop being empathetic towards the lost souls you start sliding out
of God's plan for you.
Stop disdaining that person. The club
girl you refused to preached to today may be the one to lead your husband,
brother or son astray tomorrow. The street guy you have written off and refused
to show the light may end up being tomorrow's rapist. Compassion will make you
pray for anyone.
In conclusion, Jesus is inviting us to
a more intimate relationship with Him. It is not some two minutes devotion or just
flipping through pages of a dusty bible. Consistency is required even if it is
fifteen minutes every morning and night. Doing it without fail is more
effective than praying for twenty hours only on New Year’s Eve.
Are
you there, and you are feeling unworthy, somewhat opposite of your Christian
values? Are already giving up like Judas, the miracle worker? Jesus loves you.
Lay it bare before Him.
You
might even be someone's mentor yet struggling with deep issues. Don't be
ashamed to come boldly to the throne of mercy and find grace. The
EVER-PRESENT-HELP in waiting for you. He will give you rest.
Until
the next article, I trust God to take us deeper on some other matters; I release
you unto the arm of our loving Father, the father of lights in whom there is no
shadow of turning.
Go
shine your light, maximize your time and stay ablaze in God's presence.
God bless you.
Looking forward to the next series. Stay connected.
Gabriel Obasa
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