WHEN YOUR FAITH IS TESTED
JAMSE 1:2-4
“Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trails, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness, and let steadfastness have it full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing”
Has your faith ever been tested? Have you ever been tempted to give up on God? When life is going badly for you because of sickness, the death of a loved one, financial difficulties, family conflicts or personal problems, then your faith is tested.
Most times our faith is tested even when life seem to be going well. Prosperity can some times tempt us to become materialistic. If you find yourself in this situation, what should you do?
As we consider the experience of the Israelites in this lesson as they stood at the bank of the red sea, their experience will provide a guide on what to do when our faith is tested.
1. When your faith is tested always remember that matters are not as bad as they seem. This was also true of the Israelites. They thought they had escaped from the Egyptian bondage. Imagine their jubilation, then they reached the red sea and their joy turned to despair. The sea was in front, the desert on their both sides and behind them was Pharaoh’s army. To the Israelites at this point, the forces against them was overwhelming, there was no way out of this situation. The rest of the story we know very well, yet in all this God was able to deliver them.
Like the Israelites, when in difficult situations, we tend to look at the negative part of our situation, we imagine the worst and fail to see the positive possibilities. Have faith, the situation is not as dark as it seems. God will make a way where there seem to be no way.
2. When your faith is tested, look up to God. In Exo. 14:10, we see that in Israel’s despair they cried out to the Lord. We must commend them for that, but then they started to complain. By their complaint, they exhibited their negative attitudes. One of those attitude as you know was forgetfulness. They forgot so soon what God did for them in Egypt. Secondly, they showed ingratitude. They were not grateful for God’s blessing, yet God responded to their cry with the promise of deliverance. Moses assured them “Do not fear, Stand firm and see the salvation of the Lord which He will work for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today you shall never see again”Ex0.14:13-14. Turning to God when our faith is tested should be paramount in our heart. Through prayers, scriptures, the church and our fellow Christians, we can always find help and comfort we need in times of trails.
3. When your faith is tested move forward, When your faith is tested you must press on to the promised land. The most exciting and remarkable thing in the experience of the Israelites was God’s instruction in Exo.14. After Moses had asked them to stand still and see in verse13, God gave a counter order in verse 15, He asked the Israelites to “Go forward”. Despite their misgivings, they did go forward into the red sea. As the sea opened, they marched through on dry ground. By obeying that order they were delivered and saved. What about you? When your faith is tested, you usually know what to do, but the question is whether or not you will do it in spite of your misgivings, fears and troubles.
When your faith is tested, by circumstances, or difficult situations, you need to do what Israel was asked to do, that is:
1. Depend on God, stand firm and you will see the salvation of God.
2. “Go forward”. Paul says “Forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus”Phil.3:13b.
Is there a sea in front of you? God can open it. Is there a wall in front of you? God can tear down that wall. Have you encountered a closed door? God can open that door. The solution of the testing of your faith is to keep faith. Walk through the sea, tear down the wall and enter the door, continue to be a Christian.
God has the answer to all our individual and corporate lives. We must hear His instructions and press on even when the way ahead seems impossible.
The God who opened the red sea can open your way and give you freedom.
Etim Echeng Enya
08063409493,08029216666
Timosetim@gmail.com
www.timosetim.blogspot.com
Saturday, May 1, 2010
HARDENING OF THE HEART
HARDENING OF THE HEART:THE MOST DANGEROUS DISEASE
EXO.8:15
Some people around us suffer from a deadly disease called “Hardening of the arteries”. Those who suffer from this disease are often in danger of stroke and heart attack. One may exclaim, may this never be my portion. Yet, while we agree that we don’t wish any to suffer from this kind of disease, do you know that there is a more deadly disease that majority of men on earth suffer? This disease is called “Hardening of the heart”. Pharaoh of Egypt suffered from this disease. Exodus 8:15 says ‘ Pharaoh hardened his heart and did not listen to God’s servants’.
God had just sent the plague of frogs upon the land of Egypt as Moses predicted, Pharaoh relented, asked Moses to remove the frogs, promising he will let Israel go. Moses agreed, Pharaoh named the time and the frogs died at that time. However, Pharaoh did not honor his word, but refused to let the people go. He hardened his heart.
See how Pharaoh hardened his heart in this lesson and compare with your hardening of heart to the gospel of Christ today.
1. How was Pharaoh’s heart harden?
The bible at one time tells us Pharaoh hardened his heart and at another time it will say God hardened Pharaoh’ heart. Did God actually hardened Pharaoh’s heart or did Pharaoh out of his volition harden his heart? If one says yes, God hardened his heart, then it means Pharaoh had no Will of his own, and that is to say he could not make decision except the choice which God imposed on him. This assumption will be wrong because it will make God a fiendish God who take delight in punishing people.
The solution to this problem is to recognize the fact that the bible first emphasis that Pharaoh hardened hi heart, before stating that God hardened his heart. Going by what Moses said in Exo.4:21 and 7;3, God was only going to harden Pharaoh’s heart because he first decided to harden his heart.
Pharaoh had decided on the road to tow, and God only gave him a push down the road. Pharaoh had the free will as we have today to make a choice. He was responsible for his choice and God will hold him accountable for his choices.
When we consider more carefully what happened when Pharaoh hardened his heart, we will conclude that Pharaoh’s disease of hardening of heart involved five things namely;
Persistence and stubbornness
Refusal to hear God’s word
Unwillingness to accept the truth
Arrogance and pride
Lack of compassion for people.
2. How does one harden his heart today?
Hardening of the heart is also a disease that so many people suffer today. The Bible in I Tim.4:1-2 says some have their conscience seared with hot iron. Mk.6:52 and Acts 19:9 speaks of people who harden their hearts, and Heb.3:8,3:13,15,4;7 warns against hardening of the heart.
In his second letter to the Christians in Thessalonica Paul described some who will perish because God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false and be destroyed. Paul says “The coming of the lawless one by the activity of Satan will be with all power and with pretended sings and wanders and with all wicked deception for those who are to perish because they refuse to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends upon them a strong delusion to make them believe what is false so that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness”.
Who are those whom God will send along the path of destruction? From the text above, we know that those who did not receive or love the truth, but take pleasure in wickedness are those who will perish for hardening their heart to the truth, the gospel of Christ.
In other words, if a person does not love or receive the truth but take pleasure in wickedness, then God will send a deluding influence so that he will believe lies and perish eternally. If we, like Pharaoh deliberately choose the wrong path, God will speed us on our way to destruction we have chosen. If we persistently refuse to hear the word of God in spite of the evidence for its truth, then we have a hard hearts.
If you have exhibited a hardened heart towards the gospel of Christ, remember that the hardening of the heart is more dangerous than the hardening of the arteries because this disease leads to eternal death. Allow God’s word to soften your heart today. Let the gospel, the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus for your sin and hope dissolve that wall you have erected between you and God’s mercy.
Etim Echeng Enya
08063409493, 08029216666
timosetim@gmail.com
timosetim.blogspot.com
EXO.8:15
Some people around us suffer from a deadly disease called “Hardening of the arteries”. Those who suffer from this disease are often in danger of stroke and heart attack. One may exclaim, may this never be my portion. Yet, while we agree that we don’t wish any to suffer from this kind of disease, do you know that there is a more deadly disease that majority of men on earth suffer? This disease is called “Hardening of the heart”. Pharaoh of Egypt suffered from this disease. Exodus 8:15 says ‘ Pharaoh hardened his heart and did not listen to God’s servants’.
God had just sent the plague of frogs upon the land of Egypt as Moses predicted, Pharaoh relented, asked Moses to remove the frogs, promising he will let Israel go. Moses agreed, Pharaoh named the time and the frogs died at that time. However, Pharaoh did not honor his word, but refused to let the people go. He hardened his heart.
See how Pharaoh hardened his heart in this lesson and compare with your hardening of heart to the gospel of Christ today.
1. How was Pharaoh’s heart harden?
The bible at one time tells us Pharaoh hardened his heart and at another time it will say God hardened Pharaoh’ heart. Did God actually hardened Pharaoh’s heart or did Pharaoh out of his volition harden his heart? If one says yes, God hardened his heart, then it means Pharaoh had no Will of his own, and that is to say he could not make decision except the choice which God imposed on him. This assumption will be wrong because it will make God a fiendish God who take delight in punishing people.
The solution to this problem is to recognize the fact that the bible first emphasis that Pharaoh hardened hi heart, before stating that God hardened his heart. Going by what Moses said in Exo.4:21 and 7;3, God was only going to harden Pharaoh’s heart because he first decided to harden his heart.
Pharaoh had decided on the road to tow, and God only gave him a push down the road. Pharaoh had the free will as we have today to make a choice. He was responsible for his choice and God will hold him accountable for his choices.
When we consider more carefully what happened when Pharaoh hardened his heart, we will conclude that Pharaoh’s disease of hardening of heart involved five things namely;
Persistence and stubbornness
Refusal to hear God’s word
Unwillingness to accept the truth
Arrogance and pride
Lack of compassion for people.
2. How does one harden his heart today?
Hardening of the heart is also a disease that so many people suffer today. The Bible in I Tim.4:1-2 says some have their conscience seared with hot iron. Mk.6:52 and Acts 19:9 speaks of people who harden their hearts, and Heb.3:8,3:13,15,4;7 warns against hardening of the heart.
In his second letter to the Christians in Thessalonica Paul described some who will perish because God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false and be destroyed. Paul says “The coming of the lawless one by the activity of Satan will be with all power and with pretended sings and wanders and with all wicked deception for those who are to perish because they refuse to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends upon them a strong delusion to make them believe what is false so that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness”.
Who are those whom God will send along the path of destruction? From the text above, we know that those who did not receive or love the truth, but take pleasure in wickedness are those who will perish for hardening their heart to the truth, the gospel of Christ.
In other words, if a person does not love or receive the truth but take pleasure in wickedness, then God will send a deluding influence so that he will believe lies and perish eternally. If we, like Pharaoh deliberately choose the wrong path, God will speed us on our way to destruction we have chosen. If we persistently refuse to hear the word of God in spite of the evidence for its truth, then we have a hard hearts.
If you have exhibited a hardened heart towards the gospel of Christ, remember that the hardening of the heart is more dangerous than the hardening of the arteries because this disease leads to eternal death. Allow God’s word to soften your heart today. Let the gospel, the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus for your sin and hope dissolve that wall you have erected between you and God’s mercy.
Etim Echeng Enya
08063409493, 08029216666
timosetim@gmail.com
timosetim.blogspot.com
SATAN'S BEATITUDE
SATAN’S BEATITUDE
Share with me this piece titled “Satan’s Beatitude”. The original author of this piece is unknown, but owing to the great lessons buried in the material, I have done some modification, weeding some and adding more materials.
At the beginning of Jesus’ teaching over variety of issues spanning from Matthew chapter 5- 7 commonly known as the “Sermon on the mount”, Jesus enumerated a number of blessings or bliss(beatitude) that those who will pursue righteousness stand to receive(Mtt.5:3-12).
Little do Christians know that Satan also has what he describes as ‘blessing’ for those who will allow him use them as agents to thwart the work of God and those who work toward righteousness. These ‘blessings’ are not for those who are outside God’s kingdom but for those who are in the church but allow themselves to be used by Satan.
The following are Satan’ eight beatitude:
1. “Blessed are those who are too tired, too busy, too distracted to spend an hour once a week with their fellow Christians. They are my best workers”. For those Christians who are always thinking of how to ‘meet up’ thereby neglect the assembly of Christians, know that you are not a Christian but Satan’s tool. Heb.10:25.
2. “Blessed are those Christians who wait to be asked and expect to be thanked. They have received their reward”. Do you wait to be asked to be committed to God or wait to be noticed or appreciated by men when you do anything for God, do not expect anymore reward(Matt.6:2).
3. “Blessed are those who seek worldly pleasure instead of seeking the Will of God. As those who pretend to be Christ’s “representatives”, they are my missionaries”(Matt.6:33, Lk.12:15).
4. “Blessed are the troublemakers, they shall be called my children”. Don’t be noted as a troublemaker in God’s house. Gal.1:7
5. “Blessed are those Christians who murmur and complain and have no joy. They make my work of discouragement easy”. Discouragement is Satan’s best tool. When other tools fail, discouragement does not(Num.32:7, 13:25-27, Phil.2:14-16)
6. “Blessed are those Christians who gossip, for they shall cause the division that God hates but I love”(I Cor.11:18, 1:10).
7. “Blessed are those who are easily offended. They will soon quit”(Eph.4:26-27).
8. “Blessed is that Christian who professes to love God but hates his brother. He shall be with me forever”(I Jn.2:10-11).
Conclusion
Satan’s blessing will never be anything good. Do not make yourself available for him to use. Resist him and he will flee from you. Remember, he ‘prowls around like a roaring lion seeking whom to devour”. Jam.4:7-8, I Pet.5:8. Be watchful, don’t be a prey.
Etim Echeng Enya
08063409493,08029216666
timosetim@gmail.com
www.timosetim.blogspot.com
Share with me this piece titled “Satan’s Beatitude”. The original author of this piece is unknown, but owing to the great lessons buried in the material, I have done some modification, weeding some and adding more materials.
At the beginning of Jesus’ teaching over variety of issues spanning from Matthew chapter 5- 7 commonly known as the “Sermon on the mount”, Jesus enumerated a number of blessings or bliss(beatitude) that those who will pursue righteousness stand to receive(Mtt.5:3-12).
Little do Christians know that Satan also has what he describes as ‘blessing’ for those who will allow him use them as agents to thwart the work of God and those who work toward righteousness. These ‘blessings’ are not for those who are outside God’s kingdom but for those who are in the church but allow themselves to be used by Satan.
The following are Satan’ eight beatitude:
1. “Blessed are those who are too tired, too busy, too distracted to spend an hour once a week with their fellow Christians. They are my best workers”. For those Christians who are always thinking of how to ‘meet up’ thereby neglect the assembly of Christians, know that you are not a Christian but Satan’s tool. Heb.10:25.
2. “Blessed are those Christians who wait to be asked and expect to be thanked. They have received their reward”. Do you wait to be asked to be committed to God or wait to be noticed or appreciated by men when you do anything for God, do not expect anymore reward(Matt.6:2).
3. “Blessed are those who seek worldly pleasure instead of seeking the Will of God. As those who pretend to be Christ’s “representatives”, they are my missionaries”(Matt.6:33, Lk.12:15).
4. “Blessed are the troublemakers, they shall be called my children”. Don’t be noted as a troublemaker in God’s house. Gal.1:7
5. “Blessed are those Christians who murmur and complain and have no joy. They make my work of discouragement easy”. Discouragement is Satan’s best tool. When other tools fail, discouragement does not(Num.32:7, 13:25-27, Phil.2:14-16)
6. “Blessed are those Christians who gossip, for they shall cause the division that God hates but I love”(I Cor.11:18, 1:10).
7. “Blessed are those who are easily offended. They will soon quit”(Eph.4:26-27).
8. “Blessed is that Christian who professes to love God but hates his brother. He shall be with me forever”(I Jn.2:10-11).
Conclusion
Satan’s blessing will never be anything good. Do not make yourself available for him to use. Resist him and he will flee from you. Remember, he ‘prowls around like a roaring lion seeking whom to devour”. Jam.4:7-8, I Pet.5:8. Be watchful, don’t be a prey.
Etim Echeng Enya
08063409493,08029216666
timosetim@gmail.com
www.timosetim.blogspot.com
DEALING WITH DISAPPOINTMENT
DEALING WITH DISAPPOINTMENT
EXO.6:1-13
Exodus chapter 6 opens with Moses a disappointed and discouraged man. He had done what God asked him to do, everything he could do to facilitate the release of God’s people(Israel) but to avail. Pharaoh had spurned him, mocked God and rejected his requests. Worst still, Pharaoh had made life more difficult for Israel and as a result of these, the Israelites who once welcomed Moses in Exo. 4:29-31 had turned against him(Exo. 5:19-21).
Moses’ bright hope of Israel being released had been extinguished. Moses had wondered like we would today “Where is God in all these? Why me?, did he not promise to be with us and make our effort succeed?
In this difficult situation, Moses did not hesitate to complain to God “Lord why have you brought trouble on these people, why is it that you sent me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in your name he has done evil to this people, Neither have you delivered your people at all”(Exo. 5:22-23).
Have you ever felt like everything you were doing – even the things you were trying to do for God were wrong? What then should you do in such situation? Moses who was also in that state at one time did something. You are to do what Moses did. Though he complained, his complaint was directed to the right source – God.
As we consider in this lesson how God responded to Moses complain, you will find comfort in your situation and how you can deal with disappointment and discouragement.
HOW DID GOD RESPOND TO MOSES?
1. GOD DID NOT REBUKE MOSES. Moses complained to God of his situation, but from God’s standpoint his complaint did not deserve rebuke. Sometimes we are so timid when we approach God. We must be willing to speak our mind to God. Be direct, personal and heartfelt in your prayer as this will make your prayer more meaningful This is not as though you are forcing God or as if he does not know your situation.
2. GOD ENCOURAGED MOSES. Exo.6:1 tells us of God’ reassuring words to Moses that his mission will be successful. He also reminded Moses that He was Jehovah, the God of the Patriarchs. God encouraged Moses by repeating His promises for His people. When you are disappointed and discouraged, remember three things:
a. Though you experience temporal failure, ultimately, if you are faithful to God, permanent and eternal success will be yours.
b. God loves you and has a personal interest in you. You only need to take courage in His nature, love, compassion, power and might knowing that your faith regarding the future is not based on your ability but on God’s strength.
c. God has promised to be with you as He was with Moses and the Israelites. You only need to depend on His promises. He will strengthen you to do everything He wants you to do as Paul declared “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”(Phil.4”13).
3. GOD RECOMMISSIONED MOSES. Moses brought good news to the Israelites. God has not forgotten or forsaken His people. But the Israelites out of frustration and despair refused to listen. This situation would have deepened Moses’ discouragement. But God recommissioned him in verse 10-11. By this ,God was telling Moses to do what he originally asked him to do. Regardless of how he felt, Moses was to carry out his commission. In times of discouragement, what should you do? You are not to quit, rather carry out your commission as a Christian doing all you can to fulfill God’s Will.
4. GOD MET MOSES’ NEED. Moses in his disappointed state thought himself inadequate for the work, apparently his old feelings of inferiority returned. But God met his need for help and reminded him of his call. In the same way, God will take your inadequacies whether real or imagined. You only need to remember who is on your side. Remember the words of Paul in Rom.8:13 “If God be for us who will be against us…”
Do you ever get discouraged because of your failures or because of the way other people treat you? Then do the following:
1. Turn to God. Tell Him your problems and leave the matter in His hands.
2. Carry out your God-given commission. Remember, “Let us not lose heart in doing good for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary”Gal.6:9.
Etim Echeng Enya
08063409493,08029216666
timosetim@gmail.com
www.timosetim.blogspot.com
EXO.6:1-13
Exodus chapter 6 opens with Moses a disappointed and discouraged man. He had done what God asked him to do, everything he could do to facilitate the release of God’s people(Israel) but to avail. Pharaoh had spurned him, mocked God and rejected his requests. Worst still, Pharaoh had made life more difficult for Israel and as a result of these, the Israelites who once welcomed Moses in Exo. 4:29-31 had turned against him(Exo. 5:19-21).
Moses’ bright hope of Israel being released had been extinguished. Moses had wondered like we would today “Where is God in all these? Why me?, did he not promise to be with us and make our effort succeed?
In this difficult situation, Moses did not hesitate to complain to God “Lord why have you brought trouble on these people, why is it that you sent me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in your name he has done evil to this people, Neither have you delivered your people at all”(Exo. 5:22-23).
Have you ever felt like everything you were doing – even the things you were trying to do for God were wrong? What then should you do in such situation? Moses who was also in that state at one time did something. You are to do what Moses did. Though he complained, his complaint was directed to the right source – God.
As we consider in this lesson how God responded to Moses complain, you will find comfort in your situation and how you can deal with disappointment and discouragement.
HOW DID GOD RESPOND TO MOSES?
1. GOD DID NOT REBUKE MOSES. Moses complained to God of his situation, but from God’s standpoint his complaint did not deserve rebuke. Sometimes we are so timid when we approach God. We must be willing to speak our mind to God. Be direct, personal and heartfelt in your prayer as this will make your prayer more meaningful This is not as though you are forcing God or as if he does not know your situation.
2. GOD ENCOURAGED MOSES. Exo.6:1 tells us of God’ reassuring words to Moses that his mission will be successful. He also reminded Moses that He was Jehovah, the God of the Patriarchs. God encouraged Moses by repeating His promises for His people. When you are disappointed and discouraged, remember three things:
a. Though you experience temporal failure, ultimately, if you are faithful to God, permanent and eternal success will be yours.
b. God loves you and has a personal interest in you. You only need to take courage in His nature, love, compassion, power and might knowing that your faith regarding the future is not based on your ability but on God’s strength.
c. God has promised to be with you as He was with Moses and the Israelites. You only need to depend on His promises. He will strengthen you to do everything He wants you to do as Paul declared “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”(Phil.4”13).
3. GOD RECOMMISSIONED MOSES. Moses brought good news to the Israelites. God has not forgotten or forsaken His people. But the Israelites out of frustration and despair refused to listen. This situation would have deepened Moses’ discouragement. But God recommissioned him in verse 10-11. By this ,God was telling Moses to do what he originally asked him to do. Regardless of how he felt, Moses was to carry out his commission. In times of discouragement, what should you do? You are not to quit, rather carry out your commission as a Christian doing all you can to fulfill God’s Will.
4. GOD MET MOSES’ NEED. Moses in his disappointed state thought himself inadequate for the work, apparently his old feelings of inferiority returned. But God met his need for help and reminded him of his call. In the same way, God will take your inadequacies whether real or imagined. You only need to remember who is on your side. Remember the words of Paul in Rom.8:13 “If God be for us who will be against us…”
Do you ever get discouraged because of your failures or because of the way other people treat you? Then do the following:
1. Turn to God. Tell Him your problems and leave the matter in His hands.
2. Carry out your God-given commission. Remember, “Let us not lose heart in doing good for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary”Gal.6:9.
Etim Echeng Enya
08063409493,08029216666
timosetim@gmail.com
www.timosetim.blogspot.com
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