PRAISE

 Repent and return to God

We have the privilege of being alive which is just by God's grace and mercies so we as humans need to assess our lives, reexamine the things that are not beneficial to our lives then repent and return to God. Let's take a look at the prodigal son, he squandered everything and came to the realisation and went back to the father. This is what the church is drawing us to or is supposed to draw us to. How many of us take time to read the Bible?

1 Corinthians 10:1-13 talks about what I am touching on in this post on idolatory and how the generation of Israelites who escaped from Egypt were blessed by God and yet fell repeatedly into idol worship. God severely punished many of them, including the fate of wandering the desert until death. Some also lamented and the anger of God rested on them. We learn that we are not supposed to put the Lord our God to test. We are to take out every idol in our life. I don't know what the idol in your life is? Examine your  life and what your idol is? Some people's idol is money. They tend to worship money. They cherish nothing apart from money.  When engaging such a person and there is no mention of money, they don't want to engage you in any way. What have you made an idol in your life?

Secondly, we can look at sexual immorality in the verse 8. Someone can say; oh but I haven't gone for anybody's husband? Or I don't engage in premarital sex? Let's take a look at this;  assuming you are going to church; obviously we know that's the place we worship God and when you dress indecently with the intention of enticing others, you are engaging in idolatory which we know is a sin(found in the 10 commandments as well).  Also, whoever lusts; he didn't only say whoever engages in sexual immorality; whoever lusts has committed a sin. So lusting and enticing others with your dressing with the intent of making others fall in love with you or crave your body are both sins as depicted In Matthew 18:7. Be sober and vigilant, for the enemy prowls around like a roaring lion looking for whom to devour.

Let's take Job for instance, see what what happened to him. When the devil wants to get through to you, he will find whatever means to get to you  and when you try to overcome him; he then tries to get to you either through your business, your children, your spouse then you. We christians are not very vigilant and we don't really know the ways of God. For example; when going through something, we will be lamenting and the devil will be rejoicing because to him he sees that we don't really know who we are in Christ and the mere fact that he has been able to weaken us gives him the maximum joy and that is why the devil will always bring tribulations our way.

These things happened to them (Israelites) as examples and were written down as warnings for us  so we can be blessed. If you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind and God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear but when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. These things, I repeat, were written for our benefits so when we are going through something or something comes our way, we will be able to withstand by depending on the word of God. Many at times, we christians when going through hardships, we start reading on Job and this is what happened to Job. (Let's take a look at Job 42:1-6 in our free time)  In summary, Job was humbled after grumbling and complaining, he said to the Lord; I know you can do all things and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.  Now, this is what most of us do, when we are given the opportunity to pray we rather lament.  Instead of praises, we lament.  We grumble, complain and question God. Ask yourself; Are you praying or are you lamenting?

You  need to stop the lamentation and pray appropriately.  It is only when you pray appropriately that you will see the glory of God in your life.

 From the teachings , I also learnt of the ABCs of life; 

A - Allow yourself to be led by the Holy Spirit. Some of us tend to go before the Holy Spirit in what we do which shouldn't be so. Example include not praying when you wake up. Romans 8:14 talks about God's children being those who are led by the Holy Spirit. I tell you this today; allow yourself to be led by the Holy Spirit.  We need the grace of God. Pray and tell Him you have no power of your own, and watch Him move.

B - Be familiar with the word of God. It is a shame when we don't know the word of God. We must understand that the devil doesn't know any language apart from the word of God. The devil doesn't fear anything or anyone unless you challenge him with the word of God. We can attest to this when the devil went to tempt Jesus in the dessert where Jesus was fasting for forty days and forty nights. We need to endeavour to keep the word of God in our hearts. If we are left with a challenge to face off the devil, what happens if we do not have the word of God in us or any knowledge of the bible?  How do we fight?  Praise be to God for the Holy Spirit. When you pray, the Holy Spirit empowers you to retain some of the word in you. Spend a little time and invite the Holy Spirit; tell the Holy spirit to  help you appreciate what you want He wants you to do. Say, Jesus, I'm every ready to listen to you, I want to hear from you in your word .

C - Constantly remind yourself of your identity in Christ. Tell yourself you are are a chosen generation. If you constantly remind yourself you are a chosen generation and that you belong to God/ or you are a child of God, you will attain heights you have never thought of. (1 John 5:18)

 We should keep in mind that God is so merciful so we shouldn't let our sins hinder us from going to His feet and feel because  of our sins God will pass us by. if you know the God you are serving, you will be bold and face every challenge.

I want  you to ask yourself today "where have I fallen short of the glory? when you ask yourself this, it is easier to identify  and work towards your salvation. Sad thing we don't seem to know is we have the gift of reconciliation in the church and moreover through the Holy Spirit in us.