Welcome to 2010 - The Year of the Overflow of God's Blessings.
"Then He spoke a parable to them: ......And no one puts new wine into old wineskins, or else the new wine will burst the wineskins and be spilled, and the wineskins will be ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins, and both are preserved." (Luke 5:36-38)
New wine represents new anointing, new and positive relationships, new revelations, next level promotions, new opportunities that God will bring in a new year, new and greater outcomes and possibilities, divine help, God's blessings, etc. New wine represent the things God alone can do and accomplish for us. New wine is poured into new wineskins and not old wineskins. Wineskins are containers that receive the wine. Wineskins stand for things within our control that we can do in order to receive the blessing of the new wine.
Below are some of the new wineskins God is asking us to make available for Him in order to pour new wine into our lives in 2010:
The wineskin of a new devotion: ".... and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly." (Matthew 6:6). The spiritual disciplines of prayer, fasting, bible study, faith declarations and giving should be done more in private this year than in public. Just as the spiritual determines the natural, the personal and private devotional life of a Christian determines his public outcomes.
The wineskin of a daily renewed mind: Renovate is a synonym of renew. To renovate means to make like new by cleansing, repairing or rebuilding. The Word of God has the capability to cleanse, repair and rebuild our minds. A renewed mind will result in a renewed perspective of God, new revelations and enhanced imagination. In 2010, we should daily read, search and meditate on the Word of God in order to attain to superior and supernatural thinking.
The wineskin of positive confession: We are to be imitators of God who doesn't call things the way they appear but the way He wants them to appear (Romans 4:17b). " .... and God brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever name Adam called each living creature that was its name." (Genesis 2:19). We move angelic and heavenly forces to act with our faith filled, scripture based words.
The wineskin of diligence: "The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, but diligence is man's precious possession." (Proverbs 12:27). King Solomon in this verse redefined the lazy man as one who does not add value and refine his products. Diligence is both hard work and smart work together. Diligence is planning and working out your plans.
The wineskin of a new approach: The Chinese people defined insanity as doing the same thing in the same way and expecting a different outcome. Innovation on the other hand simply means a new idea, method or device, and a wise man once said innovation and learning go hand in hand. In 2010, we must develop new skills and innovation to tackle old time challenges. Note that King David became a great king by the integrity of his heart and the skillfulness of his hands (Psalm 78:72).
The wineskin of courage: Fear is an enemy that holds us back and doesn't allow us to see God's manifestation. Someone defined courage as fear that has said its prayers. Courage is acting in spite of the emotion of fear. God's purposes are often thwarted when we fail to take courageous, heaven induced steps. Scripture reference: Daniel 6:8-30
The wineskin of a new heart: "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10). God measures our “inner temperature” and responses to Him (Revelation 3:14-16). He watches how much we desire to please Him in our daily conduct and conversations. God chose David over his siblings because of his heart condition. The non-believer/backslidder should respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in his heart for genuine repentance while the believer should respond to the Holy Spirit in His call for true worship of the Almighty.
For us to get maximum results out of 2010, we must make adjustments by producing new wineskins for God in order for Him to move in our lives and situations, and also to pour more of His blessings into our lives. This is the year you have been waiting for. Have a great 2010.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Gratitude, Wholeness and Completion (December 2009)
"And as He entered into a certain village, there met Him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off: And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when He saw them, He said unto them, Go show yourselves to the priests. And it came to pass that as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back and with a loud voice glorified God. And fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks, and he was a Samaritan .......And He said unto him, Arise go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole." (Luke 17:12-19).
Ten lepers were cleansed by Jesus after praying to Him and obeying His instructions of going to show themselves to the priests. One of them, turned back to show his gratitude by throwing himself at Jesus' feet and thanking Him at the top of his voice. Jesus was surprised that out of ten lepers healed, it was only one who found it necessary to return and give Him thanks. Jesus then went ahead to pronounce wholeness on this grateful guy.
The following are noteworthy facts about Gratitude, Wholeness and Completion:
1. Gratitude Brings Wholeness: The nine lepers were cleansed, in other words the leprosy was cured but the scars inflicted by the leprosy remained. The one leper who returned to give thanks was made whole, that is in addition to him being healed, he received wholeness which means his deformed hands and feet were made normal again. Every time genuine and generous thanksgiving is offered to God, something extra, usually unbargained for is always added to the giver of such gratitude.
2. Gratitude Brings Completion: To complete simply means to finish and consummate well. Many in their hearts are casting aspersions at God's dealings with them in 2009. Because of unrealised expectations so far, their hearts are not totally warm towards God. The latter part of Job was tremendously blessed than his former because he still found a place of gratitude to God (in his heart) inspite of his numerous troubles(Job 1:20-22, 42:12-17). To finish this year fulfilled and well, heartfelt gratitude must be offered to God.
3. Gratitude Produces Faith: Because gratitude focuses on God's goodness and kindness in general, God is able to use it to spark off faith in the hearts of grateful people. Abraham came to a high point in his walk with God when God enabled him to believe against all hope because he was fervent in thanking God(Romans 4:19-21). He did not wait to see the promised child (Isaac) before he effusively praised God. And because of this action of his, God pumped faith in his heart.
4. Gratitude Produces Intimacy: It is true that all of us without exception are disposed to people who acknowledge us, value us and show appreciation to us at all times. Such people's generous and grateful disposition to us draw us closer to them. God testified of King David as a man after My heart(Acts 13:22). He wrote and sang songs, psalms and love notes to God regularly. David's resume at the end of his life reads thus: "And he died in a good old age, full of days, riches and honor and Solomon his son reigned in his stead."(1 Chronicles 29:28). David finished well because he was intimate with God.
5. Gratitude Brings Full Recovery: Recovery simply means taking back what has been lost or receiving what has eluded one. With a good attitude of gratitude as 2009 ends, we can reclaim lost oppotunities, benefits, blessings, favors, health,etc as we thank God for His goodness, His kind and loving nature, for blessings received so far, and also for expectations not yet realised. For once, as this year draws to a close, forget about yourself and needs, and concentrate on Him and Him alone.
Conclusion: Jesus is the face of God the father(John 14:8-9). Accept Him as Lord and Savior (if you have not done so)and God's good face will shine favorably on you this month and in the years to come.
Ten lepers were cleansed by Jesus after praying to Him and obeying His instructions of going to show themselves to the priests. One of them, turned back to show his gratitude by throwing himself at Jesus' feet and thanking Him at the top of his voice. Jesus was surprised that out of ten lepers healed, it was only one who found it necessary to return and give Him thanks. Jesus then went ahead to pronounce wholeness on this grateful guy.
The following are noteworthy facts about Gratitude, Wholeness and Completion:
1. Gratitude Brings Wholeness: The nine lepers were cleansed, in other words the leprosy was cured but the scars inflicted by the leprosy remained. The one leper who returned to give thanks was made whole, that is in addition to him being healed, he received wholeness which means his deformed hands and feet were made normal again. Every time genuine and generous thanksgiving is offered to God, something extra, usually unbargained for is always added to the giver of such gratitude.
2. Gratitude Brings Completion: To complete simply means to finish and consummate well. Many in their hearts are casting aspersions at God's dealings with them in 2009. Because of unrealised expectations so far, their hearts are not totally warm towards God. The latter part of Job was tremendously blessed than his former because he still found a place of gratitude to God (in his heart) inspite of his numerous troubles(Job 1:20-22, 42:12-17). To finish this year fulfilled and well, heartfelt gratitude must be offered to God.
3. Gratitude Produces Faith: Because gratitude focuses on God's goodness and kindness in general, God is able to use it to spark off faith in the hearts of grateful people. Abraham came to a high point in his walk with God when God enabled him to believe against all hope because he was fervent in thanking God(Romans 4:19-21). He did not wait to see the promised child (Isaac) before he effusively praised God. And because of this action of his, God pumped faith in his heart.
4. Gratitude Produces Intimacy: It is true that all of us without exception are disposed to people who acknowledge us, value us and show appreciation to us at all times. Such people's generous and grateful disposition to us draw us closer to them. God testified of King David as a man after My heart(Acts 13:22). He wrote and sang songs, psalms and love notes to God regularly. David's resume at the end of his life reads thus: "And he died in a good old age, full of days, riches and honor and Solomon his son reigned in his stead."(1 Chronicles 29:28). David finished well because he was intimate with God.
5. Gratitude Brings Full Recovery: Recovery simply means taking back what has been lost or receiving what has eluded one. With a good attitude of gratitude as 2009 ends, we can reclaim lost oppotunities, benefits, blessings, favors, health,etc as we thank God for His goodness, His kind and loving nature, for blessings received so far, and also for expectations not yet realised. For once, as this year draws to a close, forget about yourself and needs, and concentrate on Him and Him alone.
Conclusion: Jesus is the face of God the father(John 14:8-9). Accept Him as Lord and Savior (if you have not done so)and God's good face will shine favorably on you this month and in the years to come.
The Blessing of Contentment (November 2009)
"Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is My Helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (Hebrews 13:5-6, NIV).
Below are some vital truths about contentment:
Contentment means being grateful for where you are as you aspire for the next level: Contentment is not passivity or unambitiousness, rather it is healthy ambition. Contentment will not allow David to kill King Saul even when the latter was after his life. Though he knew he was going to replace Saul as king of Israel, he will not touch Saul (even when he had a golden chance to do so),but chose to wait for God's perfect timing for him to ascend the throne(1 Samuel 24:1-7). The content person is grateful for his/her present position as he/she looks to heaven for promotion.
Contentment is simply the opposite of covetousness: To be covetous is to be greedy, and be lustful for what belongs to another person. The Bible in Ephesians 5:5 calls covetousness idolatry. Idolatry means to worship another other than the true God. The tenth commandment warned against idolatry while three other commandments have a bearing with it (Exodus 20:1-12). Many who profess to know God deny Him through their activities simply because of covetousness.
Contentment is satisfaction: It is not looking over your neighbour's yard to check out the new car he just bought with a mind of buying something better. The content person competes against himself, striving to maximize his resources. His yardstick for success is his potential i.e what he is able to do that he hasn't done, or what he is able to become that he has not become. His measuring line for success is not his neighbor, sibling or friend's acheivement.
Contentment is having a simple lifestyle: The content person is very much aware of Jesus' words in Luke 12:15 which states, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses." The content person knows that having more stuff does not mean having more happiness, more fulfillment and more joy. The slogan of the content person is "I will not buy it till I can truly afford it."
Contentment is being assured that God is the guarantee of the future: Many revert to unscrupulous practices of stealing and amassing great wealth corruptly because in their warped thinking they want to secure the future. The content person is acutely aware of our opening passage of Hebrews 13:5-6, he knows God has promised never to fail and therefore he boldly declares the Lord is My helper. He trusts implicitly in God to provide for the future.
Contentment confers stability: Apostle Paul said I have learned in whatever state I find myself to be content(Philippians 4:11-12). He was the same person when he had abundance and also the same person when he suffered lack and hunger. Paul knew how to rely on God's promises finding great hope and comfort in the scriptures, and this brought contentment to him. Material acquisitions or lack of it didn't dictate his mood, feelings and behavior towards other people.
Conclusion: The big question to ask as this year runs out is, what is motivating and driving your aspirations? Contentment is a great virtue to cultivate. It delivers a quiet assurance into one's heart even when the world around may seem to be collapsing. God dwells with the content, because those who believe in Him are truly the ones who enter into His rest (Hebrews 4:3).
Below are some vital truths about contentment:
Contentment means being grateful for where you are as you aspire for the next level: Contentment is not passivity or unambitiousness, rather it is healthy ambition. Contentment will not allow David to kill King Saul even when the latter was after his life. Though he knew he was going to replace Saul as king of Israel, he will not touch Saul (even when he had a golden chance to do so),but chose to wait for God's perfect timing for him to ascend the throne(1 Samuel 24:1-7). The content person is grateful for his/her present position as he/she looks to heaven for promotion.
Contentment is simply the opposite of covetousness: To be covetous is to be greedy, and be lustful for what belongs to another person. The Bible in Ephesians 5:5 calls covetousness idolatry. Idolatry means to worship another other than the true God. The tenth commandment warned against idolatry while three other commandments have a bearing with it (Exodus 20:1-12). Many who profess to know God deny Him through their activities simply because of covetousness.
Contentment is satisfaction: It is not looking over your neighbour's yard to check out the new car he just bought with a mind of buying something better. The content person competes against himself, striving to maximize his resources. His yardstick for success is his potential i.e what he is able to do that he hasn't done, or what he is able to become that he has not become. His measuring line for success is not his neighbor, sibling or friend's acheivement.
Contentment is having a simple lifestyle: The content person is very much aware of Jesus' words in Luke 12:15 which states, "Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses." The content person knows that having more stuff does not mean having more happiness, more fulfillment and more joy. The slogan of the content person is "I will not buy it till I can truly afford it."
Contentment is being assured that God is the guarantee of the future: Many revert to unscrupulous practices of stealing and amassing great wealth corruptly because in their warped thinking they want to secure the future. The content person is acutely aware of our opening passage of Hebrews 13:5-6, he knows God has promised never to fail and therefore he boldly declares the Lord is My helper. He trusts implicitly in God to provide for the future.
Contentment confers stability: Apostle Paul said I have learned in whatever state I find myself to be content(Philippians 4:11-12). He was the same person when he had abundance and also the same person when he suffered lack and hunger. Paul knew how to rely on God's promises finding great hope and comfort in the scriptures, and this brought contentment to him. Material acquisitions or lack of it didn't dictate his mood, feelings and behavior towards other people.
Conclusion: The big question to ask as this year runs out is, what is motivating and driving your aspirations? Contentment is a great virtue to cultivate. It delivers a quiet assurance into one's heart even when the world around may seem to be collapsing. God dwells with the content, because those who believe in Him are truly the ones who enter into His rest (Hebrews 4:3).
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