Tag: inspire

In the Humble Son, We see Father God

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Born again Christians who are truly committed to living a life in God have embraced this season of Christmas as a time to meditate on the great love God bestowed upon us when He came in the person of Jesus Christ to save us from sin.

Jesus’ humble and lowly background and nature was a deliberate plan of God and from it we are able to know and understand the nature and attributes of God, some of which are:

1. HE IS EXALTED BUT HUMBLE (NOT PROUD).

“Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Phil. 2:6-8 KJV).

The creator, God almighty came into the world as Jesus born to humble parents who could not afford to rent a house when he was born but rather sought accommodation in an inn.

The inn was full. For the time that his parents stayed in Bethlehem, baby Jesus (God as man) was placed in a manger which is a feeding trough for livestock. No doubt his parents slept close by in the humble and inconspicuous abode where this manger was which is likely to have been a place where animals resided.

What is God saying to us? The fact that God in the person of Jesus came to identify with humanity is clear, but the emphasis is on the fact that he was one of those that people pass by on the streets without giving a second glance; He was through his parentage of a low status or ranked insignificant in society.

Brethren, God could have chosen a well to do family even from among the descendants of David or Aaron as Jesus’ parents rather than Joseph (David’s line) and Mary (Aaron’s line), however God did not.

If Jesus’ parents were well off or rich they would never have taken refuge in an abode where animals were kept especially not with their baby!

Even Mary as she sang unto the Lord, expressed herself as one of “low estate” being blessed of the Lord and therefore “from henceforth generations shall” call her blessed (Luke 1:47-48 KJV).

2. HE RESISTS THE PROUD BUT GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE (James 4:6 KJV).

As Jesus grew up, he trained to be a carpenter (a humble, manual job) not a Rabbi educated by sitting at the feet of a Rabbi of his day. However he had God’s wisdom from a very young age and is said to have taught as a boy who had authority not as the scribes (Matt. 7:29 KJV).

Brethren, there is nothing wrong with being educated to degree or even doctorate level, as long as you do not think that because you are well learned what you know grants you enough wisdom so that you do not need to seek the wisdom of God.

The greatness of God’s wisdom is incomparable to man’s because “This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans,…” (1 Corinth.1:25 KJV)

Jesus is the personification of God’s wisdom. If we have Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, abide in him and he in us, we have access to God so as to know his ways (wisdom) as we gain knowledge of Him through His word and by supernatural revelation. He is also well able to give us understanding of His wisdom and knowledge as we abide in Him.

3.GOD LOVES HIS CREATION, REGARDLESS OF GENDER, RACE, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CLASS.

Jesus grew up among the poor and lowly, therefore he was used to being surrounded by such people who included prostitutes and drunkards or those regarded as insignificant.

Therefore in his public ministry he did not shun such people and had the reputation of being among them. Jesus came for the LOST: His notable disciples and followers were

a) fishermen. This profession was a manual “lowly” one.

b) females who were ranked as second class citizens in relation to men and could not be educated. A group of women were with Jesus when he travelled from town to town.

c) Samaritans, who were of Assyrian and Israelite ancestry were despised by Jews – the first being the Samaritan woman Jesus deliberately met at the well. She received Jesus as Lord and Saviour, evangelised and many accepted Christ. She is mentioned in history as haven been a travelling missionary.

The aforementioned are examples of the lost of any gender, race and social status Jesus came to seek and save (Luke 19:10).

Jesus came for the MEEK: The woman of the Alabaster jar of oil (Matt.26:7) who anointed Jesus’ feet exemplifies the meek (humble) who will inherit the kingdom of heaven. She loved much because she had been forgiven much.

Humility before God is expressed in our actions towards Him because we acknowledge and give thanks to Him for being the source of our changed lives to the glory of God.

God is in Christ reconciling the back to Himself and He has committed unto you and I the ministry of reconciliation (John 3:16/2 Corinth. 5:19).

Brethren, this means whatever our gender, race, social or economic class background God has chosen us to be instruments of reconciliation of mankind with God. Knowing God and His attributes through Christ is the means through which we excell in the calling as ministers of reconciliation.

My prayer is that our spiritual eyes will open daily to the truths in God’s Word so that our walk with God and each other will reflect the peace and love of God.

Out of the abode of poverty, lowliness and humility our Messiah was born and arose, so that out m of the abyss of oppression, depression and lack we are reborn and arise, to receive withheld gifts of God, “beauty for ashes,the oil of joy for mourning,

the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness”that we “might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.” (Quotes Isaiah 61:3 KJV)

You are blessed, determine to stay blessed.

Deborah Esther

©Deborah E.Nyamekye

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Choose The Way, The Truth and The Life!

Resist the urge to merge, with a crowd in a hollow merry go round.
Merry unto futility; going round and round with no destination nor end in sight.

Disconnect with deceivers, those with frivolous enticing words that appear weighty but in reality have no essence and are as light as features blown away with the wind.

Disinvest in a world that feeds your ego, elevates you to no end when you live up-to its lose moral standards, but quick to scream in rage “what’s the fuss!” and drop you like trash the moment you choose to resist it’s push to dead end street and to disconnect with its architects of sand castles and fairy tale destinies.

Persist, Connect and Invest in The Way, The Truth and The Life.

6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
7If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. (John 14:6-7 KJV).

25There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death.(Proverbs 16:25)

©14-May2017DENyamekye

Living a Purpose Driven Life unto God

Introduction
An encouraging message which explores what it means to live a purpose driven life unto God through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Such a life starts with cultivating intimacy with God through Jesus Christ which results in the opening of the portals of Heaven or the revelatory realm of God to us. In this place we inevitably know God, find favour and receive His revelatory gifts and become empowered to do exploits for Him.

Daniel is revealed to be one of our role models in this regard. I end with two contrasting prophetic poems I wrote some weeks apart, their contrast conveys the clear message of two lifestyles that are completely different; a life that seeks first the Kingdom of God and His purposes (“Intimacy with Purpose”) and a life that does not (“Significant unto Self”).

Living a Purpose Driven Life Unto God

In the Bible, Daniel did not only receive visions and dreams from God and had the gift of interpretation of dreams, he was also a man of purpose.

These were his achievements as a young man; He

-rose to pre-eminence in his own nation Israel (Daniel 1:3-6)

-rose to pre-eminence in Babylon,

a) among the wise men (Daniel 1:17-20), 

b) gained power over all of Babylon (Daniel 2:48-49;5:29)

and

-obtained power over the Medo-Persian empire (Daniel 6:1-3,28).

How did Daniel, an Israelite attain so much power and authority in the heathen empires? It was because he was a man of purpose. Daniel did not wake up one day as a child of God and say “I want to have power over nations and to be famous, I am going to do all I can to attain that goal!”

We get an insight into Daniel’s no nonsense and bold “I purpose to live for God at all cost!” attitude when we read Daniel 1:8 (KJV) among other verses:

“But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.”

From a very young age Daniel purposed in his heart to be a sincere and committed worshipper of the God of Israel. He allowed God to set his goals and priorities all the time. He was not hasty in his actions, but took time to be in the “Secret place” with God and to hear from Him. This is why Daniel was a man who knew his God, was bold and had favour with God and man, a foundation to build on and do exploits for God. When we develop the habit of pursuing God with all that is in us, we inevitably become His visionaries because our lifestyles scream out “Lord, I am available! Speak to me! I want to hear or see what you have to say or show me”.

God is graciously raising people like Daniel today. Are we counted as one of these people?

In the biblical book of Revelations, Jesus was speaking to those who are his when he said “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me” (Rev. 3:20 WEB).

These words of Jesus reveals that in addition to confessing that one is his or God’s, one needs to advance in one’s Christian walk to the “secret place” of his presence or intimacy with God where one receives revelation or insight into God’s mind, will and purposes. He “knocks” by offering himself to those who are his in many ways especially through the Holy Spirit that testifies of him and indwells the believer and through the Word of God which he personifies (John 1).

Those who qualify to be Jesus’ disciples, he calls friends (John 15:15), for unlike servants they have access to revelation of Father’s words and therefore his secrets and will through Jesus, they are the ones who accept to open the door of their lives to a knocking Jesus. They accept the invitation of Jesus to “come up here” (Rev. 4:1) to abide with him closely, so that through intimacy they know God, receive His power, favour and revelatory gifts as Daniel did.

Jesus Christ also makes it clear that obedience to his will which demonstrates love for him is the key (John 14:21-26) to entering his and Father God’s presence or glory. This produces a life that is purposeful unto God.

Brethren, God has not changed since the days of Daniel and as long as we are willing and completely surrendered to Him, God’s plans and purposes will be fulfilled in our lives. If per chance you feel you have made too many mistakes and think it is too late or you are too old to get back on track, I have a message for you today, it does not matter how old we are for we can start afresh with God at any age or stage. Determine today to begin or to continue at all costs to live a purpose driven life founded on the Word of God in total surrender so as to fulfill God’s destiny for your life.

When you do this, it means you are living in obedience to God’s precious Word; key scriptures such as

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33 KJV)

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.” (Proverbs 5:3-8 KJV).

God is willing to do whatever it takes to help us live a purpose driven life so that we are stay on course fulfilling our God given destinies. He forgives us again and again or endless times and He is a God of second, third, fourth or multiple chances. The only condition is that we acknowledge our sins and repent before him (1 John 1:9), surrendering our lives totally to Him so as to exchange our purposes for His.
PROPHETIC POEMS
Significant unto Self
Introduction:

I felt led to contemplate on the futility and consequences of life without God. The ultimate purposeless life is one lived without God. Self worth attained by placing one’s significance in things and achievements instead of God is meaningless as is life without God of our Lord Jesus Christ in general. “Meaningless! Meaningless!” says the Teacher. “Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.” (Ecc. 1:2).

Significant unto Self

“I am significant” repeat this in a trance, believe it at a glance at your achievements and accolades.
What is the purpose if you have no repose only tension with no solution?
What is the purpose if you see the broad way of death but are blind to the narrow way of life?
What is the purpose if your hands are tied and you ride on the waves of hell and cannot tell when Jesus calms the tide so you can walk by faith and not by sight and be set alight to do what is right?

There is no purpose!
©Deborah E.Nyamekye 14/01/2016

2. Intimacy with Purpose

Introduction:
The intimate relationship a Christian has with Abba Father through Christ Jesus automatically results in them having a purpose in life beyond this relationship because through it they become like Daniel as they “purpose” in their heart that they “would not defile” themselves but rather live sanctified or consecrated lives unto God.

This means through obedience and surrender as Daniel they are able to know their God, receive His strength and arise in His power to do exploits.

This poem is about a person who not only wants to live a worshipful life unto God “cradled” in his arms (fat with His blessed presence and glory) but desires more than just merely warming church pews… so to speak! He or she desires to be of use to Him for the sake of the world as a “City set on a hill”, or a light that cannot be hidden.

Intimacy with Purpose:

Almighty God,

dwelling in thy Secret Place I see thy face and I am love struck and stricken by thy grace.

I have nothing in my palms to give thee as a holy offering of alms, so I give myself to thee as a babe cradled in thy arms.

I abide under the shadow of the Almighty, not so that I can sleep, oblivious to the trillions of issues in the deep, but so that I can learn to discern thy will, be strong in the power of thy might and emit thy light as a city set on a hill.

For Jesus said to me “You are the light of the world like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father(1)”.

((1)Matthew 5:14-16 NLT, Psalm 91:1, Eph.6:10) ©Deborah E.Nyamekye 26/01/2016

©Deborah E.Nyamekye 29/01/2016

Poems are part of Poetry in Book: Our God Reigns: Inspirational Prophetic Christian Poetry 

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PLAIN SPEAKING & COUNSEL II: The question of friendships; Acquaintance, close/inner circle friend or none of the above!


While we are called to love one another even those who persecute us because they too are God’s creation who He loves, not everyone is meant to be your close friend. While Jesus had many acquaintances he only had a few close friends. We note how he sent out 70 disciples to minister and had 12 disciples who walked closely with him, even among the 12 there were 3 who stand out as exceptionally close to him within his inner circle namely Peter, James and John.

Thus it is worth noting that our Messiah had different levels of friendships. As we live consecrated lives unto The Lord, the urgent, persistence call is to “depart! depart! from uncleanliness, you who carry “holy vessels” of the Lord ( Isaiah 52:10-12). To put this into action there are many things one is inclined to do which are a result of obeying the commandments of the LORD. Those that we allow in our inner circle of friends whether we are leaders or congregation members could be helpers in our holy walk or distractors and at times we only realise when it is too late. But there is hope, we serve a God of second chances who teaches us to learn from our adverse experiences.

If we are not doing so, we need to pray and ask Father who should be among our close circle of friends. If you have suspicions or discomfort about specific people, do not ignore them as this could be a nudge for you to be careful or start paying attention to what The Lord is trying to tell you. In fact get on your knees daily until you get your answer. Some people may want to be your close friend but are they sent by the LORD? Are they meant to be at the acquaintance level, rather than inner circle level or kept at a distance for reasons you don’t need to blurt out but highlighted by Holy Spirit enough times for you to take a serious stand.

As well as praying about specific situations, praying for the gift of discerning of spirits or a greater measure of it is important for we do not fight flesh or blood, but satanic principalities and powers.

In these last days, we must guard our hearts seriously and be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. It is not about being fearful of people but walking in wisdom for there are wolves in sheep’s clothing, satan as a roaring devouring lion counterfeiting Jesus the redeeming Lion of Judah.

Also it is exhausting and an unproductive use of your time (it is set for God’s purposes, remember) to be here, there and everywhere being with people who may not be sent by the LORD and going places under their influence where God may not have sent you.

Prayer:
Father I commit all our friendships into your hands. You know us, who we are and our purpose in this world. Father I pray that you will minister to each and every one of us and give us wisdom and discernment in how to conduct our interpersonal relationships so that whatever we do with whoever we are with is your will and gives glory to your kingdom, in Jesus’ name Amen.
You are blessed, determine to stay blessed.
Deborah E. Nyamekye

©Deborah E.Nyamekye 21/11/2015

Also see other topics in category: PLAIN SPEAKING & COUNSEL