In this New Year of 2016, I am encouraging you as ambassadors of God in this earthly realm to speak the Words of the King. If you already speak the Word, continue, and if you don’t start.
Jesus, our King, was our perfect example for while He was on earth when confronted by the enemy He showed us how we are to respond. He did not entertain or engage the enemy in conversation; however, He did tell the enemy what was written. Look at the Bible’s account of their meeting:
Matthew 4:1- 11 “Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.”
Here is what I learned from this encounter. The enemy, when he comes, will stay with you for a while, and he will try to tempt you in several areas where he thinks you are vulnerable. My job is not to get weary, but to continue to speak the Word to him until he leaves. Jesus knew which scriptures were the right responses, and to follow His example, I also need to know the scriptures that will be appropriate for each assault. This requires my time in reading and studying the Word so that I may be proficient in it. If I don’t do the work, I will make mistakes due to my laziness and ignorance. I must remember the words that Jesus spoke to the Sadducees in Matthew 22:29, “Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.”
Also, Jesus, when confronted by the people, Jews, and religious community concerning His teachings, He knew how to speak to them. He let them know His words were directed from God. Some examples of these encounters were:
John 7:16 “Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me.”
John 8:28 “Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.”
John 12:49 “For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.”
John 14:10 “Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.”
If Jesus, the Son of God, spoke in power to the masses, I surely should follow His example by using God’s word.
Another good example to note is the centurion who in Matthew 8:8 understood the power of the Word for when requesting Jesus to heal his servant he said, “Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed.” When I believe, the spoken Word can travel where I am unable to go and to perform miracles without me being present.
In closing, these are the two things I need to remember that will lead me to success in 2016:
- In my position as an ambassador (2 Corinthians 5: 20) of God’s kingdom, I never speak my personal position on any issue, only God’s official position and I strive to influence the world with the Word for God’s kingdom government.
I am in this world but not of this world (John 17: 14), so I do not resort to carnal warfare for my spiritual weaponry are more powerful (2 Corinthians 10:3).
Have you ever thought about heaven? For several months I’ve been studying “THE KINGDOM OF GOD.” which also includes a study on the kingdom of heaven. This study has led me to take some time and think about heaven, and in this blog, I will share some of my thoughts with you.
In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word most frequently used for heaven is samayim, signifying “heaved up things” or “the heights.” In the New Testament, the Greek word is ouranos, which means “sky” or “air.” Paul in his writing said, “I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter” (2 Corinthians 12:2-4) and John also had a similar experience as he stated in Revelation 4:1-2, “ After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.” In both of these incidents, they were not talking about the first heaven which is known as the atmosphere just above the earth where birds and planes fly, and clouds exist (Genesis 1:20). Nor are they talking about the second heaven known as interstellar/outer space, where the stars, planets, galaxies and other celestial objects exist (Genesis 1:14-18) but they are talking about what Bible scholars call the third heaven where God and other spirit being which He created abide (Psalms 2:4).
Since I am a bible believer I know, as stated in Genesis 1:1, “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Scientists have yet to determine when that was; however, from research, they speculate that the universe is over 13 billion years old. Who knows but God when the beginning actually was and how He created heaven? What I do understand is the third heaven expands the universe; therefore, it is vast, and to be truthful, my mind has difficulty grasping that thought. My imagination cannot even begin to imagine what heaven, which is a place entails.
In Revelation 21:1a, John stated, “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away.” I understand the new earth but I have questions about a new heaven . Is that scripture giving reference to one of the heavens or all of them? Maybe, when I get to the third heaven, during our short time there, I may find out the answer for as David said in Psalms 115:15-16 “Ye are blessed of the Lord which made heaven and earth. The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men.” Thus, I understand that in God’s mind He never intended for man to live eternally in the heaven; so, for now, I will occasionally think about it, knowing one day I will experience living in it.
Many people will start this new year of 2016 by making their New Year resolutions. To name a few: some will be focusing on debt cancellation, others on educational goals, others on weight loss, and still others on significant purchases. However, Jesus gave us the ultimate goal for every year in Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
This verse is found amid a private conversation that Jesus had with his disciples concerning kingdom lifestyle, which includes: charitable deeds, prayer, fasting, wealth, and judging. Jesus spoke to His disciples on the premise that they understood kingdom principles. One of these principles is, when you are a citizen in a kingdom, the kingdom cares for you by providing the things you need. Less they forget, become distracted, and begin to worry, Jesus assured his disciples that God who was the King of King, creator of all things, sustainer of life, and omniscient would provide them with the necessities of life. Also, this benevolent action by the king depended on the citizen’s loyalty, for if they were rebellious, the King could become a tyrant.
For our continued success in 2016 let me share the meaning of the key words in Matthew 6:33:
Seek = Greek (epizteo) to acquire, strive after, long for, search for, to bend one’s effort to, to pursue
First = Greek (proton) in time, place, order, or importance, preceding all others
Kingdom = Greek (basileia) realm, rule, a government or country headed by a king
Righteousness = Greek (dikaiosune) equity, justification, God-like righteousness
Accordingly, my first and foremost activity for 2016 is to go after, track down, strive after, long for, pursue the kingdom of God with an understanding that in a kingdom the king makes all the laws and it is the citizen’s responsibility to follow them. Secondly, I am to go after, long for, and pursue God’s righteousness, which means I am to be properly aligned and in right standing with Him, which involves knowing Him and His Word. If I can wholeheartedly do this in 2016, I believe my year will be the greatest, most productive and fulfilling year that I have ever experienced, and since I genuinely feel this for myself, I encourage you also to make Matthew 6:33 your New Year’s resolution.
May God bless you and keep you throughout 2016.
I am always amazed when I see Christmas goods in the stores in the month of October and Christmas lights decorating the outside of people’s houses before Thanksgiving. As many people confess, Christmas time has become so commercialized that many have forgotten what Christmas represents. Therefore, I am going to do this blog on, “The Reason for the Season.”
The exact birth date of Jesus has been questioned by many biblical scholars. However, the first celebrations of Christ’s birth were initially grouped with Epiphany, one of the earliest feasts of the Christian church which was held on January 6. Also, the first recorded date of Christmas being celebrated on December 25th was in 336AD, during the time of the Roman Emperor Constantine and a few years later, Pope Julius I officially declared that the birth of Jesus would be celebrated on December 25th. For believers, the birth date does not matter; what is important to us is that He was born with a purpose.
When God created man in His image, and after His likeness He gave him a mandate, “Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth” (Genesis 1:28). He also gave Adam these instructions, “Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die” (Genesis 2:16-17). Genesis 3 records the failure of man to obey these instructions, and consequently, he began the death process, and the man lost dominion.
Thankfully, and mercifully, God had a plan of redemption and restoration for man, and it entailed the birth of His son Jesus Christ. Long before His birth, Isaiah prophesied, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this” (Isaiah 9:6-7).
When the time was right, Jesus was born to Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem of Judaea. He grew up in Nazareth, and at age thirty, He began His earthly ministry. His first message is found in Matthew 4:17, “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (KJV). The Message Bible states this verse, “This Isaiah-prophesied sermon came to life in Galilee the moment Jesus started preaching. He picked up where John left off: Change your life. God’s kingdom is here” and the Amplified Bible says, “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “[a]Repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance; seek God’s purpose for your life], for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Throughout His three year ministry, Jesus preached the kingdom of heaven/ the kingdom of God. This kingdom message is about a King, His kingdom, and His royal family. It is how God sent Jesus to earth to not only redeem man but to help men get back to God’s original mandate, which is dominion. Man’s responsibility is to fill the world with the glory of God via influence, control, and rulership.
So, I encourage you to remember “THE REASON FOR THE SEASON” and not be like the world who thinks Christmas is a time of gathering, eating, drinking, giving and receiving gifts. Jesus was born for more than these things.
As it was in my last blog, I am inspired to write this blog from the chapter on Judges that I read in Henriette Mears’ book, “WHAT THE BIBLE IS ALL ABOUT.” The first paragraph reads as thus, “Someone has called the book of Judges the account of the Dark Ages of the Israelite people. The people forsook God (Judges 2:13), and God forsook the people (Judges 2:23)”.
If you read the book of Judges, a repeated verse that you find in the book states, “Every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” Apparently, it did not matter that they had the laws of God by which they were expected to live. Repeatedly we see the children of Israel going into captivity because of their actions, repenting and God sending them a deliverer to help get them out of bondage. They were faithful to God as long as the deliverer remained alive, but after their demise, the Israelites fell back into their sinful ways. Here is how Henriette describes that time, “And so the book is full of rebellion, punishment, misery, and deliverance. The book begins with compromise and ends with confusion. This is what happens in every unsurrendered life.”
As I look around the world and see and hear about the senseless violence and lawlessness, I truly feel that I am living in the times of the judges where everyone was doing what was right in their eyes. I notice the world appears oblivious to God until a disaster occurs then they are calling for a prayer meeting, and some have the audacity to blame God for the problem.
God has always wanted to be our king. His relationship with Adam was harmonious until Adam listened to the wrong voices. He chooses Abraham and his descendants to make them a great theocratic nation that was solely under His rulership. He desired a loving relationship that was not forced but done out of love, respect, and allegiance. He wanted to be their “I am God,” but unfortunately Israel collectively and individually wanted to do their thing. There is a saying, “History repeats itself.” The body of Christ appears to be acting like Israel during the time of the judges. We are falling into the same snares as Israel, and we need our deliverer who is God to come and rescue us, but we are having difficulty surrendering to Him.
Most of us know Satan desires humans to have his nature, to be rebellious, and to make decisions apart from God. He wants us to be in charge of our lives, which ultimately mean he’s in charge. It is not hard to change this condition for we have a deliverer that is always present. A simple acknowledgment will do, “God, I have a problem, and I need your help.” God is willing and able; all He wants us to do is allow Him to be in charge.
In our weekly Christian education class at the church, I attend, we are studying the Bible using the book “WHAT THE BIBLE IS ALL ABOUT” by Henrietta Mears. I recently was reading the chapter she wrote on the book of Deuteronomy, and I was reminded that time does not change God’s perspectives.
I quote, “This book shows the blessings of obedience and the curse of disobedience. Everything depends on obedience – life itself, possession of the Promise Land, victory over foes, prosperity, and happiness. We find this book teaches the inflexibility of the law. Thou shalt and thou shalt not occur over and over again- the blessing if you do obey and curse if you disobey” (Deuteronomy 11:28-28)
In the age in which we are presently living, compromise has become a way of life. Believers are labeled haters if they adhere to the divine law rather than the human view. Many churches have changed their theology as not to offend the masses. Churches have forgotten their purpose is to lead people into holy living, and many have become a social club rather than a soul-saving station.
Jesus and the Apostles in their writings warned us of these times and since believers are not contending for the faith that was once delivered to the saints as Jude stated, “Certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ” (Jude 1:4).
Let our continued prayer be: that the body of Christ will awake out of sleep, that we will not be conformed to this world, that we will seek to be in right relationship with God, and that we will obey His Word for than we will receive the blessings of God.
I was recently at a church service, and the actions of the people caused me to wonder if they were playing church. The incident that took place in Exodus, which I will discuss further below came to my mind, and I wondered how God was viewing us. Was He pleased that we took the sacredness of our place of worship lightly? Did we feel that we could pollute our atmosphere and then expect Him to manifest Himself with His presence in a manner that people were saved, delivered, healed, and restored? Have we been subtly ushered into a time of folly which blocks the move of God? Have we been lulled into deceptive sleep where we believe God does not find our behavior offensive?
After 430 years, God delivers Israel out of Egypt, and they are on their way to Canaan. In their third month of traveling, they encamped at Mount Sinai where all the events are written from Exodus 19 to Numbers 10 occurred. It is here that God started giving Moses laws, commandments and statues, Moses shares these with the people, and they answered, “All the words which the Lord said we will do” (Exodus 24:3). God then tells Moses, “Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them” (Exodus 24: 12). Moses complied and was in the mount forty days and forty nights communing with God. During this time, God instructs him on the building of the tabernacle and its’ furniture, the Urim and Thummim, the office of the priest, burnt offerings and the law of the Sabbath. At the end of their time together, God gave him two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.
Meanwhile, back at the camp, the people became impatient and anxious over the long absence of Moses. They came to Aaron who Moses had designated to be in charge while he was gone and requested that he make them a god. They easily forgot their, “We will do,” the visible pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire which represented God being with them, and the many miracles that God had performed on their behave. Aaron acquiesced and told them to give him their golden earrings which he used to make a golden calf, and when it was made the people said, “These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.” When Aaron saw what he had made and heard the response of the people he built an altar before it and proclaimed, “Tomorrow is a feast to the Lord.” Exodus 32:6 states, “And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.”
Consequently, Israel’s actions displeased God and He was ready to destroy all of them. It was Moses’s intercession that saved them; however, on that day under the direction of Moses, the children of Levi killed about three thousand men. Plus, God told Moses, “Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them” and He plagued the people, because they made the calf (Exodus 32:34-35a).
In this chapter (Exodus 32), the children of Israel disobeyed the commandments that God had given them and reverted back to the idolatry and customs of the Egyptians. Commentators believed like the Egyptians they engaged in licentious dancing, sexual indecencies and immoral sex play which accompanied the Egyptian’s festivals. The fact that Israel had just concluded offering sacrifices to a god and then proceeded to act like their former oppressors showed the corruption of their hearts and minds. They had not learned to come out from among them and be separated.
Unfortunately, in our churches, some have adopted the dance moves of the world and incorporated them in their praise. Have these moves become acceptable because leadership has not condemned it? Have leaders become like Aaron who gave in to the pressure of the people instead of cautioning them on their request and actions? Though we are worshipping God, we are acting like these Israelis, do you think God views us differently?
As I end this blog, I believe these questions are what each one of us needs to soberly ask ourselves and remember the words of God, “For I am the Lord, I change not” (Malachi 3:6).
I was recently at a church service and the actions of the people caused me to wonder if they were playing church. The incident that took place in Exodus which I will discuss further below came to my mind and I wondered how God was viewing us. Was He pleased that we took lightly the sacredness of our place of worship? Did we feel that we could pollute our atmosphere and then expect Him to manifest Himself with His presence in a manner that people were saved, delivered, healed and restored? Have we been subtly ushered into a time of folly which blocks the move of God? Have we been lulled into deceptive sleep where we believe God does not find our behavior offensive?
After 430 years, God delivers Israel out of Egypt and they are on their way to Canaan. In their third month of travelling they encamped at Mount Sinai where all the events written from Exodus 19 to Numbers 10 occurred. It is here that God started giving Moses laws, commandments and statues, Moses shares these with the people and they answered, “All the words which the Lord said we will do” (Exodus 24:3). God then tells Moses, “Come up to me into the mount, and be there: and I will give thee tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written; that thou mayest teach them” (Exodus 24: 12). Moses complies and was in the mount forty days and forty nights communing with God. During this time, God instructs him on the building of the tabernacle and its’ furniture, the Urim and Thummin, the office of the priest, burnt offerings and the law of the Sabbath. At the end of their time together God gave him two tables of testimony, tables of stone, written with the finger of God.
Meanwhile back at the camp the people became impatient and anxious over the long absence of Moses. They came to Aaron who Moses had designated to be in-charge while he was gone and requested that he make them a god. They easily forgot their, “We will do,” the visible pillar of cloud and the pillar of fire which represented God being with them, and the many miracles that God had performed on their behave. Aaron acquiesced and told them to give him their golden earrings which he used to make a golden calf, and when it was made the people said, “These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.” When Aaron saw what he had made and heard the response of the people he built an altar before it and proclaimed, “Tomorrow is a feast to the Lord.” Exodus 32:6 states, “And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.”
Consequently, Israel’s actions displeased God and He was ready to destroy all of them. It was Moses’s intercession that saved them; however on that day under the direction of Moses the children of Levi killed about three thousand men. Plus, God told Moses, “Therefore now go, lead the people unto the place of which I have spoken unto thee: behold, mine Angel shall go before thee: nevertheless in the day when I visit I will visit their sin upon them” and He plagued the people, because they made the calf (Exodus 32:34-35a).
In this chapter (Exodus 32) the children of Israel disobeyed the commandments that God had given them, and reverted back to the idolatry and customs of the Egyptians. Commentators believed like the Egyptians they engaged in licentious dancing, sexual indecencies and immoral sex play which accompanied the Egyptian’s festivals. The fact that Israel had just concluded offering sacrifices to a god and then proceeded to act like their former oppressors showed the corruption of their hearts and minds. They had not learned to come out from among them and be separated.
Unfortunately in our churches some have adopted the dance moves of the world and incorporated them in their praise. Have these moves become acceptable because leadership have not condemned it? Have leaders become like Aaron who gave into the pressure of the people instead of cautioning them on their request and actions? Though we are worshipping God but we are acting like these Israelis, do you think God views us differently?
As I end this blog I believe these questions are what each one of us need to soberly ask ourselves and remember the words of God, “For I am the Lord, I change not” (Malachi 3:6).
PROSPERITY = the condition of being successful or thriving; economic well-being, and having good fortune. The state of being prosperous; advance or gain in anything good or desirable; successful progress in any business or enterprise; as, commercial prosperity; national prosperity
For the prosperity test, I want to share the lives of two individuals: Isaac and King Solomon.
According to scripture, Abraham gave Isaac all that he had, and after his death, God continued to bless Isaac (Genesis 25:5; 11). There arose a famine in the land and Isaac decided to go to Egypt where things were prospering; however, God gave him these instructions, “Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father; And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.” Isaac’s fate for obedience and staying was he sowed in the land, was blessed, went forward, grew until he became very great, received in the same year a hundredfold, had possession of flocks, possession of herds, and many servants. Also, Isaac was blessed because of Abraham’s obedience to God, plus he inherited his father’s wealth. When tempted to leave the land of Canaan due to famine, he followed in his father’s footsteps of obedience to God, and for this, God rewarded him greatly.
Solomon was the third king of Israel. At the beginning of his reign, God appeared to him in a dream and asked him, “What shall I give thee?” Solomon in reply said, “Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?” The Bible states that God was pleased with Solomon’s response and He said this to him, “Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour: so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days” (1 Kings 3:5 -14). Solomon’s response garnered him financial prosperity, fame, prestige, longevity, intellectual supremacy, and godly wisdom, which is seen in 1 Kings 4 and 1 Chronicles 1.
Apparently, both of these individuals’ actions pleased God, and they became prosperous not because they sought after riches but due to obedience and a right spirit. They did not have these words of Jesus, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33); however, their attitude and actions displayed their priority which was pleasing God. For us, their actions are an example to follow, and prayerfully, we will also pass the prosperity test.
PERSEVERANCE = a determined attitude that makes you continue trying to achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition. Steadfastness in doing something despite delay in achieving success.
Believers have an enemy whose primary objective is to kill, steal, and destroy. This enemy uses many tactics to accomplish his goal, and one of the main strategies that he implements is oppression. He keeps piling on problems trying to weary us out. Our counteraction is standing on God’s word, utilizing our warfare tools and persevering. This experience is what I call, “The Perseverance Test.”
The Bible has many scriptures informing believers that this life is not a bed of roses. It has stories of people that struggled until they reached their goal and some that struggled and died never experiencing the joy of accomplishment even though they did not give up. It has scriptures to encourage us to remain steadfast, and Jesus also speaks to this issue by telling his disciples that their family members may turn on them, and they may be hated by everyone, but if they persevered to the end, they would be saved (Matthew 10:21-22).
Paul in his writings to Timothy told him to endure hardness as a good soldier (2 Timothy 2:3) for Paul was a good example of enduring or persevering despite the many tumultuous hardships and obstacles that came his way during his years of ministry. Lest we think his life was easy Paul shared his plight in 2 Corinthians 11: 23b -27, “I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness” and these were beside the thorn in his flesh that he had to bear. When he neared the end of his ministry, Paul declared, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). In other words, he endured afflictions, he persevered.
Paul is also an example for me. I thank God for the time and country in which I presently reside. I thank God for my citizenship that provides me with freedom of choice and speech; for when I listen to the news and read newsletters of persecuted believers in other countries I am appreciative that it is not me in their shoes. Though I believe I have a high threshold of pain, I know the pain that Paul and other persecuted believers endured would be more than I would want to handle. However, as a song, my church choir sang, “I have a made up mind and whatever the cost I am going through.” I will persevere for God knows how much I can bear, and He does not give me more than I can handle. Thus, I have to talk to myself often and encourage myself for I plan to pass the perseverance test. How about you?
PRIDE = A feeling that you are better or more important than other people. Unreasonable and inordinate self-esteem and your feelings of self-worth.
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
Among all the characters in the Bible I feel Nebuchadnezzar is the best example to utilize in discussing the pride test, so allow me to share his story.
Nebuchadnezzar, the son of Nabopolassar, reigned as king in the Neo-Babylonian Empire from 605-562 B.C. He was known to be a brilliant strategist and warrior, and under his leadership, he was able to invade and conqueror many nations. Unfortunately, Israel, due to her continued disobedience to God’s laws, was one of the nations that he conquered.
He strengthened and fortified Babylon by building the great wall, and he beautified the city and formed the hanging gardens in his palace, which was known as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. It is said that Nebuchadnezzar’s most significant concern was for the great temple Marduk in Babylon; therefore, during his reign, he rebuilt it.
Daniel chapter 1 introduces us to Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who were brought from Judah to Babylon and placed in a three-year training program designed by Nebuchadnezzar. These young men completed the program without compromising their religious belief and were given positions in the king’s court.
Daniel, chapter 2 shares Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, which Daniel, with the help of God, was able to interpret. This dream disclosed information about four Gentile empires (Babylon, Media, Persia, and Greece) and the coming kingdom of God.
Daniel chapter 3 shares the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego being placed in a fiery furnace for refusing to bow down to a golden colossus image made by Nebuchadnezzar and how God miraculously delivered them.
In chapter 4, Nebuchadnezzar shares the event that changed his life. He begins and ends this chapter with a doxology praising God for greatness, power, and sovereignty. Verses 4-5 states his reign as the king had been prosperous, and he was enjoying a time of peace when he has a dream about a tree. Once again, when the magicians, astrologers, Chaldeans, and soothsayers could not interpret the dream, Daniel was called in.
Daniel interpreted the dream sharing the fact that the tree symbolized Nebuchadnezzar and his accomplishment in the earth and his worldwide empire; however, due to his haughty attitude, and irreverence to God he would become insane and live like an animal (zoanthropy) in the field for seven years before he regained his senses and kingdom. Daniel urged the king to repent, humble himself and change his ways; however, the king did not heed Daniel’s words and twelve months later when he spoke these words, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?” (Daniel 4:30) judgment fell. At the conclusion of his seven years of insanity, Nebuchadnezzar states, “I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou? At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me. Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase” (Daniels 4:34-37).
Nebuchadnezzar, egotism was his downfall. He failed to realize all of his accomplishments were orchestrated by God. He rejected sound advice and probably felt his achievements made him invincible; thus, he had to experience humiliation. When he was restored in mind and position, he was able to share his testimony with the world and declare that God can humble the proud.
Finally, thank God for the bible that serves as a guide to believers on how to act, lest we are deceived. The lesson to learn: Passing the pride test is easy when we put God first and recognize all that we are and have comes from Him.
The Teacher's Pick 