Tag: Purpose

Devotional Thursday

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 can 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.

©️Jan-2016 DENyamekye

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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.

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 can 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.

©️Jan-2016Deborah E.Nyamekye

God Brings Dreams to Pass

Up and down the land she walked, as a wanderer seeing naught and feeling lost, she sighed and cried “I have stalled ‘cause of the fog and drought”.
Even within, she felt barren and dry wanting to pray but too weak to try. Then came a light so bright before her face, but looking around she saw no one in that place. 

Within her heart, she heard a voice say loud & clear “I am the Light of the World who loves you, my dear”. Then he placed a fountain in her heart and said “Out of you shall flow rivers of living water to quench your thirst, so you shall never falter”.

Then suddenly her heart became a well watered verdant land, from her mouth was a melodious waterfall, and her eyes were awash with God’s salve to never falter or fall.

 The bright ray of the morning sun hit her face so hard she covered her eyes and exclaimed “my, what a dream so real!”

The dream spoke of God’s Light, His love and the River of Life, a picture of what is to come, a revelation of God’s delivering might and abundant promises day and night. 

Now strengthened, newly enlightened, no more doubtful, newly hopeful, she knew that she could cope with every trial whatever the scope, for her heart was now full of hope, because of Him who said

“I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.(1)”

(Scriptural references:John 8:12, 7:38-39, Biblical quote (1) Isaiah 46:11 KJV)

©Deborah E. Nyamekye 21/04/2016

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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Created Unique & for His Purposes

Introduction

My mother tried to abort me, but did not succeed, people have rejected and wounded me but I am still standing. Praise be unto God who has painstakingly revealed to me that He loves me with an everlasting love, saved my life, created me unique and for His glorious purposes. What ever your story, sovereign God foreknew it and allowed it as He sets the course of your life. He intends to get the ultimate glory out of every situation in your life. Do you let him? 

Created Unique & for His Purposes:

No one is an accident, if you have been told that you were unplanned as a child and so were conceived by accident or you came into this world as a result of rape, I have a message for you: how you came into this world does not determine your worth or significance.

While your mother and father, or one parent voiced any of the afore mentioned reasons why you are on earth to you, that was their opinion based on the facts that actually happened and if you are still suffering the effects of being told such details of how you came into being, may our God of compassion heal you completely in Jesus’ name.

I was born out of wedlock and my mother attempted to abort me. She told me in the 1980s “your dad said we were just playing, but despite several attempts to abort you, you just would not die and a nurse advised me to stop doing so. I listened to her” She did not choose to tell me, my sibling told me about her attempt to abort me and when I questioned her she confirmed it and gave me further details. Indeed I am very much alive, while I have been through much rejection and afflictions, I have along the way gone through recurring healing and deliverance and also chosen to forgive my parents. 
This is because God has imparted revelation and understanding that He saved me from being aborted, from eternal damnation and is in absolute control of every aspect of my life. He had predestined plans for me; in time I came to know what these plans were and I am now living in the fullness of most of them. To God be the glory, great things He has done! 

Our sovereign God who is all knowing, all seeing and all powerful foreknew how you would come into this world. Man has free will, but God is the creator of the following process as all things: conception, fetus formation and the gestation period until birth. He formed you in your mother’s womb and knew what you would look like.

God gave you your unique finger prints, DNA, iris and palm prints among other biometrics.

“13For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb. 14I will praise thee; for I am fearfully [and] wonderfully made: marvellous [are] thy works; and [that] my soul knoweth right well.15My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, [and] curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.16Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all [my members] were written, [which] in continuance were fashioned, when [as yet there was] none of them.” (Ps. 139:13-16 KJV). God chose who your parents would be and where you would live (Acts 17:26).

If you have been wounded by your parents because of the way they have treated you or the words they have said, forgive them and if they are still alive let them know they are forgiven and reach out to them with the love of the LORD. Whatever they put you through, they were chosen by God to be your parents and you are required by God to honour them.

What a privilege and joy to know that as Christians our destiny was outworked such that at some stage in our lives we became children of God. Just think our names were written in the Lamb’s book of life before the foundation of the world. So if someone tells you that you were unplanned, an accident or even attempts to make you feel insignificant because you do not in their opinion conform to the norm (again in their opinion, not God’s as regards what the norm is!) be reminded that not only were you created by the one and only Master Creator, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, you were chosen even before your parents met and conceived you as one of those who would know God and serve Him through Christ.

“16Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you” (John 15:16 KJV).

Our unique destiny path results in us meeting others in the family of God who have also come from their unique backgrounds and journey.

The Apostle Paul (1 Corinth. 12:12-26) used the following analogy : As each human part is necessary for the function of the human body as a whole so too each member of the Body of Christ is needed for the function of the whole. 

The different parts of the human body are unique, an eye does not look like or function as the ear, nor the foot as the arm but they are nevertheless necessary and important parts of the human body. Likewise in the Body of Christ we do not look alike naturally nor have the same giftings and callings because we are unique natural and spiritual individuals but each of us are necessary and important parts of the body of Christ.

When we are new believers in Christ, there is a new destiny path as a member of the kingdom of God which again as our pathway before is unique or unlike that of anyone else. It is only when we stay close to God, in obedience to His word and in total surrender to Him that we are able to fulfill our destinies as children of God.

Brethren let us maintain a life of reverential fear of the Lord and engage in spiritual check ups periodically along our journey as purposeful individuals for God.

If we reach the stage in our Christian lives when we start thinking we are too strong in the LORD to fall into temptation or to be deceived then we are in trouble because pride has taken root.

“Pride [goeth] before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.” (Prov. 16:18 KJV).

God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).

In our spiritual check up, we humbly pray as David did

“23Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:24And see if [there be any] wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24 KJV)

“12…cleanse thou me from secret [faults].13Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous [sins]; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.14Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalm 19:12-14 KJV).

Not long before Jesus died he prepares his disciples for his departure with comforting and uplifting words. What he says in the first couple of verses of John 14 which has often been missed confirms that we are individually regarded as unique in God’s eyes.

Meaning? Well you and I have our own mansions built for us because Jesus said “in my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2 KJV).

While we are with other believers in Christ a collective redeemed people of God destined to worship Him day and night in heaven, we are individually heirs with Christ and therefore kings and priests unto God (Rev 1:6/5:10). The preparation of Christ following his ascension is so that we would be received by Him at the end of the age as kings and priests unto God befitting our individual restful mansions. This is as opposed to masses of God’s people abiding in what looks like dormitories. It is a literal fact as Jesus interjected “…if it were not so, I would have told you…” (John 14:2 KJV).

It is also very exciting and the ultimate assurance we need that even while undergoing a unique and purposeful life on earth designed to glorify God, awaiting every true child of God is a welcome by Him which honors them. Someone might say “is it necessary?! The fact that we are with Him in itself is all that matters”.

My brothers and sisters, we serve a God who loves not only to tell us He loves us but also to show His appreciation for our purposeful lives in His regard by rewarding us in unique ways. Jesus emphasised the truth of what he was saying by adding “if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you into myself; that where I am, there ye may be also”. (John 14:3 KJV).

Yes, our Lord Jesus will come back to us and take us where he is and while we know our spiritual position while on earth is as ones raises up with Christ and seated in the heavenly realms with God in Christ (Eph 2:6), we are assured that we will be there with him physically. So let us rejoice, eagerly awaiting that day. Praise the LORD!

You are blessed, determine to stay blessed.

Deborah Esther

©Deborah E. Nyamekye 11/12/2015

Created Unique & for His Purposes

Prophetic encouragement: “Life & death are in your hands – Your Tool box”

Life and death are in your hands: A call to create and re-create so that the world may be patterned according to the will of God. 
God has given you the power, the free will to decide and be His labourer, one of His builders for a world that He has designed “those who know their God will be strong and do exploits”.
Do you know your God, do you seek Him? He says “if you seek me you will find me”. You have what it takes, God’s power to know Him more and so do more exploits! 

It is time to open it, it is time to use it: what you ask? “Your tool box” 

each one has a tool box upon which is etched his or her name.

Some are never open. Some are half used and some are discarded. 

It is time to gather the tools, to make use of them. The time is short, the time is now, to use the tools as you have never done before. 
Tools of capacity, skill and unique purposes that many will be saved, healed, taught and so learn to overcome. 
Life and death are in your hands.

©Deborah Nyamekye 9/05/2016

What it means to be an Astute Business Man or Woman of God – Trusting & Immovable

Trusting in the Lord means that one is steadfast and therefore able to excel and is also “immovable” or unperturbed and unshaken in the face of adversity. One is able to face adversity head on and can even say boldly “bring it on!”.

“Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever.” (Psalm 125:1 NKJV).

To more accurately convey what being steadfast or immovable entails, I would describe one who believes God is trustworthy as having the qualities of one who is astute. The ability to be astute is a product of their trust in God. 

What does astute mean? It means that one has or shows an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one’s advantage. Also according to the English Cambridge dictionary, such a person is “able to understand a situation quickly and see how to take advantage of it”. 
People often use this word in the context of secular business; “He is an astute businessman” they say. How about using it in the context of those who live a life engaged in God’s business, which can be within and also outside of the church ? How about applying this word to people who are employed or are self employed and as believers use godly principles that make them astute? 

There is so much meaning packed within this word, astute. Synonyms of astute include: Shrewd, Sharp or sharp-witted, bright, brilliant, intelligence, smart, canny, clever, discerning, perceptive, intuitive, insightful.

When we trust in God as believers in Jesus Christ, it means we surrender our lives completely to Him and live abiding in God actively through bible study, prayer and singing praises to Him. Every area of our lives is worshipful unto God.

BENEFITS OF TRUSTING GOD

One of the key benefits of trusting God is that the Holy Spirit indwelling us responds and he imparts spiritual gifts which includes the gift of discerning of spirits and wisdom (1 Corinth.12). When you have God given gifts of discernment and wisdom due to steadfast or immovable trust in God, it means that you inevitably develop the ability to have God’s “eyes” or insight and perception in things the same way God does. 

In simple terms you have the wisdom of God and therefore a God given “ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to” your advantage. Knowing or having God’s ways (Wisdom) on a matter means He will also give you the understanding for effective application, as a result you are “able to understand a situation quickly and see how to take advantage of it”. (both quotes here are a repetition of the definitions of astute given earlier.
Believers in Jesus Christ are able to know or discern the will and wisdom of God because the indwelling Holy Spirit, being the Spirit of God, knows the will or mind of God on a matter (1 Corinthians 2) and imparts it to us. 
As Christians, we should have at the forefront of our minds the truth of the fact that wisdom that is not from Father God through our Lord Jesus Christ is from two sources, ourselves (carnal) and Satan (including evil spirits).
Therefore praying for God’s wisdom so as to live victoriously in all areas of our lives is an absolute necessity. The Apostle James says 
“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” (James 1:5 NLT).

Another key benefit of trusting in God is that you provoke the Word of God to work for you! You are simultaneously trusting in Jesus the Word (John chapter 1) who became flesh and dwelt among men, died and rose again the third day to redeem mankind from sin. Jesus is described as the last Adam, the life-giving spirit (1 Corinth. 15:45).
The Spirit of God that bears witness with our Spirit that we are children of God, testifies of Jesus (John 15:26), the Word. The abundant life of God (John 10:10) obtainable through Christ (as well as the Holy Spirit) manifests in the life of the Christian who trusts in God. 
The great power of enablement released by the Holy Spirit is well expressed in Romans 8:11 as follows:
“The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you (NLT).

Trust in God therefore inevitably results in resurrection life! Every area of one’s life that is “dead” or unproductive or barren becomes fruitful. The redemptive and productive life of God is breathed into one’s intellect (synonyms of astute: intellectual, brilliance, bright..). This means that as a believer in Christ, your thoughts are increasingly sanctified and become as God’s thoughts. 
Your creativity and entrepreneurial spirit be it in church ministry or your role in the marketplace or public sphere such as in the realms of volunteering, career and engaging in a hobby is greatly enhanced and aligned to God’s will for your life. In fact God is likely to give you creative and clever (clever is a synonym of astute) ways to be an influential or fruitful witness for Christ.
Jesus advised his disciples to be shrewd, another of the synonyms of astute mentioned earlier:
“Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.” (Matthew 10:16 NLT).

God’s children are rightly declared “astute business people” for His sake, because they trust Him. It is therefore accurate to say that when we trust in God, the truth of His written and prophetic word about who we are and what our purpose is begins to manifest or unfold. The reality of these scriptures amongst others are affirmed daily in our lives:

“By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.” (2 Peter 1:3 NLT).

“Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”(Eph. 3:20 NLT).

Through the power of God at work within and also in every area of our lives, we not only increasingly become who we were created to be, in terms of our identity but also what we were predestined to do in terms of our destiny. This is because we have what it takes to be astute when we trust in God. Truly trusting God through His Word results in a life constantly lived in His presence. The cycle of astuteness in relation to “God’s business” wherever we might be is therefore never ending. This verse that speaks of God’s constant presence is a daily reality: 

“As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people” (Psalm 125:2 NKJV).

Poem: Trusting & Immovable
The heritage of trusting in God is to be branded as astute. Amiable and steadfast immovable as Mount Zion.

A heart of zeal is obtained, clad in wisdom as a quilt patched from experiences and sown.

The ability to excel, a covering of divine brilliance, as a shawl saved from a furnace of chastening and worn.

Astuteness in business, God imparts to trusting men. Revealed in how they discern, assess and walk paths of righteousness. The immovable shall flourish in God’s blessedness.

©Deborah E. Nyamekye 30/08/2016

In the fullness of time..”Thy Kingdom come thy will be done”

imageEverything that is dropped from above inevitably falls to the ground, right? This is the law of gravity and is no doubt one of God’s natural laws.
Likewise there are other laws and principles governing nature and how things happen in our Christian lives which are consistent or unchanging. I will put it simply in this manner:

Everything comes to full term, and there is always an appointed time for everything.

“when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” (Gal 4:4-7 KJV)

“To every [thing there is] a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up [that which is] planted;…” (Ecc. 3:1-2 KJV)

A mother who conceives carries her child and brings the child forth in the time God planned, often it is nine months at times a few months less or some days more.

We fix our eyes on Jesus who is not only the “author ” but also the “finisher of our Faith” (Heb.12:2)

The Word of God is spoken of as accomplishing the purpose for which it was sent in likeness to the rains that come down (Is.55:10-11)

Is. 66:7-14 Jerusalem’s bringing forth a male child in a day & the wonders thereafter to the glory of God are a cause for joy:
“7Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.8Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? [or] shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.9Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut [the womb]? saith thy God.10Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:

11That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.12For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon [her] sides, and be dandled upon [her] knees.13As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.14And when ye see [this], your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the LORD shall be known toward his servants, and [his] indignation toward his enemies.” (Is. 66:7-14 KJV)

Even before Jerusalem where King David had his throne, the capital city of Israel at the time and where the Apostolic church of the first century by Jesus’ disciples was founded “travailed” or suffered “pain” she is said to have already fulfilled her destiny ? What does this mean?

This means the “man child” our Lord Jesus Christ referred to in verse 7 existed well before Jerusalem itself. He is one with God, the world was created by him, for him and through him (Col 1:16). It was God’s plan that Jerusalem, here representing Israel was a whole will bring forth the “man child”. Jesus Christ, the King of God’s kingdom will be born in Judea the province where Jerusalem was.

Thus because it was a decree of God almighty established before the foundations of the earth, before Jerusalem and the people associated with her would travail (Isaiah was prophesying a future occurrence) through pain and hardships for the fulfillment of God’s plans, these plans were decreed already fulfilled in the earth realm; As we read later verses of Isaiah 66, we gain the understanding that the coming of Jesus Christ shall result in multitudes of conversions and therefore transformed lives of Israelites as well as Gentiles who will go to Jerusalem. God’s people will then be sent from there, Jerusalem itself and one discerns it also means the church of Jesus Christ in the nations of the world (being a type of Jerusalem, the “Holy Mountain”) to other places around the world. Praise the Lord! No wonder Isaiah is referred to as the Salvation prophet!

Jerusalem is personified and depicted as a mother breast feeding her children and carrying them in her arms. It is also shown through Isaiah as a place where God promises “peace like a river” and that He would show His indignation against God’s enemies for the sake of His people.

It is clear that Jerusalem fulfilled her God given destiny over the centuries in a process mingled with heartache or suffering and joy.

Does that ring a bell? In our lives as believers in Jesus Christ, the journey to fulfill our God given destiny involves travail through pain or afflictions but there are also joyful moments, praise the Lord! Let us be encouraged that as Jerusalem, even before we travail or suffer for the purposes of God to be fulfilled in our life through Christ, we are decreed victorious because those purposes are God’s established predestined plans in heaven.

This is why Jesus taught his disciples to pray by including the line “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:10).

As we keep on being a source of nurturing for others in true godliness and allowing God to birth the righteousness of the “man child” through our thoughts and deeds we must rejoice for our destiny as planned by God is unfolding according to His perfect will and so that which we are believing God for such as answers to prayers or His prophetic promises will surely come to pass in His appointed time.

Often times, we say “when Lord will this happen? I have been waiting so long!” The time of preparation or gestation period for birthing specific plans is important for our spiritual development and maturity and God knows what we will need in the process which will glorify Him as much as when we attain what we have been waiting for.

God is faithful to bring to pass what He promises:
“Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut [the womb (Is. 66:9).

In addition, Jerusalem or Zion brought forth her children, “as soon as she travailed” or in “one day”, this impresses upon us the suddenly appearance of God’s plans and purposes.
Likewise following the process of travail, when we finally receive what we have travailed for to the glory of God, it often appears as a sudden occurrence! In fact we often do not know God’s timing for His promises to manifest in our lives. The anticipation of suddenlies happening is one of the exciting facts of our Christian walk!

Jerusalem’s testimony among others should be an encouragement to us that come what may, rain or shine, in pain or joy, God’s plans always come to pass so we say humbly to the LORD: “we will wait patiently on you, LORD”

You are blessed, determine to stay blessed!
Deborah Esther
©Deborah E. Nyamekye 4/12/2015

Living a Purpose Driven Life unto God


Living-life-with-a-true-purpose-quotes

 

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?

purposeIn 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).

Living a life

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

  1. 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

need_4God


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.
Basket_Light

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

You are blessed, determine to stay blessed!

Deborah Esther
©Deborah E.Nyamekye 29/01/2016