Secret actions, Public blessings

Weekly Nuggets November 18, 2019

Mathew 6:1-13 NKJV

Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men………………. your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. “And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, 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………………
Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Key Phrase: Secret actions, Public blessings

Every action we take in life holds a reward, it could be directly or indirectly proportional to the action but its a reward all the same. Also, depending on the motive of the action, the reward could be negative or positive. It could be transient or permanent. It could be ‘something light’ or a sumpteous 4-course meal. It could be simple/unnoticed or massive with ‘flashing lights’. It could be refundable or non-refundable.

In this week’s scripture passage, we hear the Lord persistently emphasising the need to test the motives behind every action, to test the intentions of the heart, to test the reason for our actions. To test why we give, why we pray, why we fast. To test why we do what we do, when we do it and where we do it. The Lord warns us severally, “do not be as the hypocrites!”, those who perform for an audience for the sake of a worldly approval but fail to receive a worthy spiritual reward.

God’s blessings follows His mercy closely, and God’s mercy passionately follows a humble and contrite heart. May our actions touch the heart of God and cause Him to move mountains on our behalf.

Father, It is whom you love that you chastise, thank you for chastising us with your word this season. Lord, I commit every of our actions into your hands, I come against every spirit that desires men to see and hear what should be done in quietness and humility. Mostly Lord, I ask for rewards that only you can give; life changing, permanent, open, elevating, wawu rewards. In Jesus name.

Elozino

God has you covered, really

Weekly Nuggets November 11, 2019

Ezekiel 34:26-31 NKJV

I will make them and the places all around My hill a blessing; and I will cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing. Then the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase. They shall be safe in their land; and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I have broken the bands of their yoke and delivered them from the hand of those who enslaved them. And they shall no longer be a prey for the nations, nor shall beasts of the land devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and no one shall make them afraid. I will raise up for them a garden of renown, and they shall no longer be consumed with hunger in the land, nor bear the shame of the Gentiles anymore. Thus they shall know that I, the Lord their God, am with them, and they, the house of Israel, are My people,” says the Lord God.’ “You are My flock, the flock of My pasture; you are men, and I am your God,” says the Lord God.

Key Phrase: God has you covered, really

In the world we live where bad news, strife, troubles has become common place, it is of so much comfort to here the Lord speak today and say “You are My flock, the flock of My pasture; you are men, and I am your God”.

Those few simple comforting words conclude the affirmation He gives us in Ezekiel 34:26-31;
• He surrounds us with blessings
• He causes showers to come down in their season
• The trees of the field shall yield their fruit
• He gives safety
• He gives freedom and boldness
• Hunger shall no longer consume the land
• He takes away shame
• He watches over us like a Shepherd, always watchful, always caring

Father, I thank you for loving us, a love that knows the number of hair on our head. Lord, I thank you because you do not sleep or slumber concerning us, watching night and day to preserve and protect. Mostly Lord, I thank you for declaring us your flock, flock of your pasture. What a privilege to know that we dwell daily in the rich and pleasant pasture of the most high God. Lacking nothing, wanting nothing, trusting that your rod and your staff faileth not.

Elozino

A potent, speaking sacrifice

Weekly Nuggets November 4, 2019

Hebrews 11:4 NKJV

By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.

Key Phrase: A potent, speaking sacrifice

They say a verb is a doing thing, but sometimes the doing is not sufficient to carry the power or intent of the action. A sacrifice is one of such words, a sacrifice is the act of giving up something (of value) to someone or a cause for the sake of a better cause. But a sacrifice given with the wrong motive is passive and lacks power.

Let’s look at an example, apologising. This is a sacrifice but there are times when an apology offered is just mere empty words. Offered by one grudgingly, flippantly, only from the lips. Received by the other casually, eye brow raised. The two parties knowing in their hearts that nothing has really changed.

Sacrifice must be willing, worthy, acceptable, it must have power, it must speak for today and for the future.

A quality sacrifice will keep favour flowing and doors open. A quality offering is what Abel gave and the Bible says “God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.” What kind of sacrifice do we give to God, to our family, to society and to country? Empty shallow sacrifices that are all action but silent or passionate purpose-filled sacrifices that get God’s attention and speaks continually for our benefit?

May our sacrifices open doors of generational blessings upon our families.

Father, teach us that whether we be like the widow with a mite or Solomon with a thousand burnt offerings, it’s the intent of the heart you see. Lord, You see our hearts, touch every stoney part that doesnt allow us to offer a worthy sacrifice. Mostly Lord, when we make willing, worthy offerings, please accept and let it count and speak in our favour always. In Jesus mighty name.

Elozino

Call it forth

Weekly Nuggets October 28, 2019

1 Chronicles 4:9-10 NKJV

Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, “Because I bore him in pain.”
And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.

Key Phrase: Call it forth

The prayer of Jabez is one many are familiar with, but thanks to a word I heard this past weekend I am re-inspired by how Jabez changed the story between verse 9 and 10.

You see, there are circumstances that we find ourselves, some by our own making while some are beyond our control. With each we have three (3) choices;
• Allow the situation drive us and dictate the pace
• Decide to drive ourselves as clueless as we may be of the terrain
• or call in Jesus to take over and navigate us through to guaranteed success.
Jabez was born into a situation where his name was a constant reminder of pain and sorrow. Wherever he went, the fingers would point… “there goes Jabez, the pain guy”. What a life!

The good news is that even when life paints it bad, Jesus provides enough paint and paint brushes to colour it good. Romans 4:16-17 tells us of God who “calleth those things which be not as though they were.” So, like Jabez, we need option3 and call on the one who can make those things that are not as though they were.

This is the basis of Jabez faith
This is the basis for Jabez change
And this is the basis for the change that we will receive this season. That though today’s situation says pain and weeping, through God we can call forth comfort and joy into being.

Father, let the same spirit of honour found in Jabez rest upon us and set us apart for a blessing. Lord, increase our faith to call out a blessing from what we hear or see today. Mostly Lord, I ask, that when we stand in faith to call those things that are not, as though they were, please grant us our requests. In Jesus mighty name.

Elozino

And God gave……

Weekly Nuggets October 21, 2019

1 Kings 4:29-34 NKJV

And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore. Thus Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men—than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol; and his fame was in all the surrounding nations. He spoke three thousand proverbs……………… And men of all nations, from all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom, came to hear the wisdom of Solomon.

Key Phrase: And God gave……

The start of man’s greatness is knowing that it all comes from God and accepting that neither power nor might is the reason for our being.

Rewind to 1 Kings 3, where it all started- a sacrifice that got Gods attention. And God asked… what do you want? The humility in the response shows the heart of one who wanted to do God’s work right, and in verse 9, King Solomon responded “give to Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people, that I may discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”

Wisdom, we are taught is the application of knowledge. King Solomon asked and received both knowledge and wisdom to which God added a bonus of influence and wealth that still stands unsurpassed today.

Wisdom is not bought, it is not learnt…. it is given liberally by God (James 1:5) to all who will ask without doubting.

Father, you are the giver of good gifts, this week bless us with wisdom. Lord, let our lives be the sacrifice that gives us access to divine wisdom and knowledge. Mostly Lord, as your wisdom enable us to do your work, let it also unlock doors to influence and greatness in every other area of our lives. In Jesus mighty name.

Elozino

Hold Firm to instruction, don’t let go

Weekly Nuggets October 14, 2019

Proverbs 4:10-13 NKJV

Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, And the years of your life will be many. I have taught you in the way of wisdom; I have led you in right paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hindered, And when you run, you will not stumble. Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life.

Key Phrase: Hold Firm to instruction, don’t let go

I recollect my early days as an engineer working on offshore rigs. I had retired to my cabin after a long shift and drifted into a deep sleep only to be awakened by the loud scary horns of the emergency alarms at 2am. I jumped off my bed and headed to my muster point, listening intently to instructions over the speakers as I went, my heart beating like it was going to jump out of my mouth… evacuation procedure was smooth, no one challenged the wardens. We followed instructions, grabbed our life jackets, put them on and obediently climed into our designated life rafts. In the dark silence of the raft, I could see everyone holding on tightly to their jackets for dear life (even though it had been tied and secured in several places)…. no one was taking chances – we sat there hard faced, two hands securely on our vests, listening intently for the next instruction…… it turned out to be a drill.

Today, this passage brings that memory to mind. The instructions of the wardens directing us to the right rafts, the life jacket (aptly named) which was the difference between life and death in an emergency. Proverbs 4:13 says we should “Take firm hold of instruction, Do not let go, Keep her, for she is your life.”

Brethren, this is how God’s instructions should meet us daily. Our ears keenly listening for every word, our eyes wide open to follow and not mis-step, holding on firmly to His every word for dear life, all the time acknowledging that to disobey is the difference between life and death.

Father, Let your word give us light and understanding (Psalm 119:130). Lord, teach us to hunger for your instructions and to obey without arguing or processing with our limited intellect. Mostly Lord, as we hold on to you, hold on to us, keep us safe under the shadow of your wings, safe from the devices of the enemy. In Jesus mighty name.

Elozino

Glory changes the Story

Weekly Nuggets October 7, 2019

2 Samuel 6:9-12 NKJV

So David would not move the ark of the Lord with him into the City of David; but David took it aside into the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. The ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite three months. And the Lord blessed Obed-Edom and all his household. Now it was told King David, saying, “The Lord has blessed the house of Obed-Edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.” So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with gladness

Key Phrase: Glory changes the Story

Every story can be changed, especially when the glory of God is involved.

In today’s text we see how King David was afraid of the Lord (see verse 9), he had just seen Uzzah struck dead because he held on to the ark. He was afraid to take the ark home and looked for a place of little relevance to keep the ark. The Bible says he moved the ark of God ‘aside’, to an unimportant place that could be destroyed without anyone being concerned- that was Obed-Edom’s house.

Three months only, the place of irrelevance was now a place of relevance. Obed-Edom and all his household prospered so much that they made the national news, the whole world heard about their turn-around and the news reached the palace.

That home, abandoned, ignored, considered irrelevant; received a glorious visitation and was celebrated. Someone this season will experience an uplifting because of a visitation of God’s glory.

Father, today we ask for the power of your glory to manifest in our lives. We ask, that every good virtue in our lives that has been forgotten, abandoned, set aside, will be brought to relevance this season. Mostly Lord, change our story – every negative story, every stagnant story, every confused story, written against us, let it change by your power, In Jesus mighty name.

Elozino