FORGIVENESS

FORGIVENESS

BIBLE PASSAGE(S):  Matthew 6^{13 – 15}, Isaiah 43^{25 – 26}, 1 John 1⁹, Acts 3¹⁹, Isaiah 1¹⁸, 2 Corinthians 5¹⁷,  Ephesians 1⁷, Hebrews 10¹⁷, Daniel 9⁹, Colossians 1^{13 -14},  Psalms 103¹², Numbers 14^{19 – 21}, Micah 7^{18 – 19},  Matthew 6^{9 – 15}, Mark 11²⁵, Matthew 26²⁸.

Matthew 6^{13 – 15}:  ¹³“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thou is the Kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever Amen.                                                                                   ¹⁴ For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly father will also forgive you.                                                                                ¹⁵ But if ye forgive men not  their trespasses, neither will your heavenly father forgive your trespasses. 

We are often betrayed and hurt by people we trust and love most.  This will bring about a bitter disappointment and experience. 

Some people use to say ‘I have forgiven him/her but I will never forget.’  Not forgetting will be holding a grudge and there will be no peace of mind.  If we are not careful, we will end up committing murder.  That was why David McArthur wrote: “Many people are afraid to forgive because they feel they must remember the wrong done or they will not learn from it.”    In the same vein, Sara Paddison said “Since forgiveness isn’t coloured with expectations that the other person apologize or change, don’t worry whether or not they finally understand you.  Love them and release them.  Life feeds back truth to people in its own way and time – just like it does for you and me.”John F. Kennedy said and I quote:  “Forgive your enemies but don’t forget their names.” 

If we refuse to forgive, there will be too much bitterness in us and this will consequently hinder us getting from getting to our next level. Israel Zangwill wrote and I quote  “The past: our cradle, not our prison, there is danger as well as appeal in it’s glamour.”

There was the story once told of what transpired between some senior Pastors in the mission that I belonged.   They were preparing to go for  Evangelism in Osun State of Nigeria (Ilesa area to be precise).  The tracts and all other materials to be used were ready,  permission had been sought and gotten from the founder.  After spending and being spent, one of the  Pastor was now informed about their trip and he vehemently tried to stop them from proceeding on the journey.  The case was then reported to the Founder who instructed them to go and seek the Pastor’s forgiveness.  It was like adding salt to an injury.  Later, an apology was rendered to the said Pastor.  It was in the course of this that he revealed that he was aware that he was a candidate of hell and he was looking for colleagues to take along with him.  Had it been that the apology was not rendered, there will be bitterness, anger and its likes and what would have happened could best be imagined. It was Catherine Ponder who said: “When you hold resentment towards another, you are bound to that person or condition by an emotional link that is stronger than steel.  Forgiveness is the only way to dissolve that link and get free,”

Unforgiving spirit is like big water, no Canoe, no Boat, no Ship, no Bridge and without a paddle to cross over to the other side.  It hinders and debars one from moving forward.  People must hurt and betray you and you must forgive them and forget their names very quickly if possible.  Refuse to give the devil any excuse to hinder your laughter.  Release people.  Painfully, let go and let God fight.  Then there will be peace of mind.

WHEN YOU FORGIVE PEOPLE, THE GREATEST BENEFICIARY IS YOU.  God bless you as you obey in Jesus Name.

A NEW NAME

A NEW NAME

Bible Passage:   Isaiah 43^{18 – 19} 

 ¹⁸Remember ye not the former things neither consider the things of old, ¹⁹Behold I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth,  Shall ye not know it.  I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

What is a name?  A name is an identity given to individual or something at birth or at inception.  The Oxford dictionary defines a name as “word(s) by which a person, animal, place, thing and so on is known and spoken to or of”.

A person is addressed by the name being given, which at times have significant impact on the life, situation and at times standards of living of an individual.

When God choose a new name for anybody, it was to give them a new identity, to  let them know they are destined for new and great mission in life.  The New Name was to give them revelations into the divine plan and purpose and also to assure them of the fulfillment of God’s plan.  It may be delayed but it will never be denied.

In the book of Genesis Chapter 16 and 17, God called and promised Abraham that He is going to be great and multiply and a father of nations.  This means that his children will be uncountable, like the dust of the earth, and that to his offspring will He give the land.  Having waited for Gods promised for 10 years and still no child, he listened to the counsel of Sarai his wife and took their maid servant for wife.  But God said the child will come from his loin, his body and not from a servant.  God had to change Abram’s name from Abram (high father) to Abraham (Father of many Nations) Genesis 17⁵.  In the same vein, God changed the name of Sarai (my Princess) to Sarah (Mother of Nations) -  Genesis 17¹⁵ before this promise can come into actualization.  This in essence tells us that it was their former name that was hindering the manifestation of God’s promise.   After the change of name, God’s promise came into fulfillment. 

Also, in the book of Genesis, starting from Chapter 32 through to chapter 35, God had to change the name of Jacob – meaning a supplanter to Israel.  Supplanter is a cheat while Israel means having power or wrestling with God.   It also means “fruitfulness, multiplication and Kingdom are yours”.  When he was still bearing Jacob, he cheated his brother and at a point had to wrestle with God.  But when his name changed, things came easy for him and he later had twelve children that formed the twelve tribes of Israel.

God changed Simon’s name to Peter (John 1⁴²).  Simon means ‘God has heard’ while Peter means ‘Rock’ - dependable. God at times call him Simon and this affects his behavior. 

Also, Jabez was named so because of what the mother was passing through during his birth.  His name means ‘sorrow’ and he was sorrowful until the day he called on the Almighty God and God changed situation and circumstance concerning him.  Things changed for him and the Bible recorded that he was more honourable than his brethren.

We can also see Saul.  He was criticizing Christians, killing and maiming them until the day he met with the Lord on the way to Damascus.  The Lord changed his name from Saul to Paul and he started witnessing.  He was one o the greatest Apostle of his time. He wrote many Chapters in the New Testament.

Until we have our name changed from evil to good, from lack to abundant, whatever evil labels that the evil ones might have given to us have a lot of impacts upon one’s life.

I would like to share with us the story of a family  I once  came in contact with.  The man’s name is Oresanya.  The name means ‘My friend came to my assistance when I was suffering’.  Situations were not favourable to this family.  Things were not working out in their favour at all until one day when he submitted his application to an organization.  The Head of that organization saw the application and decided to personally see him only to realize he was his long time friend and former school mate.  They had attended the same school together and were very close and he had assisted him then.  This friend decided to reciprocate the kind gesture of his friend.   He fixed him up in one of the establishment and before long, he became the Managing Director.  His name had worked or him.  His friend had come to his rescue.  Life became rosy for this family and lack became a thing of the past.

There are some other people that had their names changed either by God or otherwise.  These are Benjamin, whose mother, Rachael, before dying named Benoni, an allusion to Rachel dying (son of my pain), but the father, Jacob changed the name and gave him Benjamin, which means ‘Son of the right hand’.

Another person that had a change of name is Esther. Her former name was Hadassah which means Myrtle.  Her name was changed in the Court to Esther which means Star.  Also, Daniel was formerly Beltheshazzar (Daniel 1^6-7), while Hannaniah was changed and he became Shadrach.  Mishael had his name changed to Meshach while Azariah had his own changed to Abednego.

There is a name change for All believers according to the book of Revelations.  Revelation 2¹⁷.  When we reach heaven, God will also change our name, which will transform from sinful to holy.

There was the story of the little boy who was lost and in the bid to locate the parents was asked for his parents name.  He replied and stated that his father’s name was ‘Stupid man’ while his mother’s name was’ The Foolish woman’.  That was the appellation the parents usually call themselves at home in the presence of the little boy.

What kind of name or label have you given to your husband, wife, children or relatives.  Today, the Almighty will change evil labels and replaced it/them with ones that will glorify His names and give us the needed identity in Jesus Name.

PATIENCE

PATIENCE

Ecclesiastes 7^7-9

 I want us to consider the life of the butterfly as our illustration.  The butterfly before emerging from its chrysalis i.e. the shell enclosing the pupa of  a butterfly. has to go through a lot of struggling.  Each time it attempts to escape , acids are being removed from its wings.  If someone were to come along and tries to assist the butterfly by breaking the chrysalis, the butterfly would die from those acids.  In essence, struggle is necessary for the survival of the  butterfly. When the struggle is over,  the butterfly will come out and share its beauty with the world. 

Also, as human being, we are not different.  We have some struggling, some challenges, to face which stands for struggling. There are times we need to struggle before the attainment of things. We need to be able to bear this and be Patient. It is only when we are patient that divine intervention will come.  Thomas Paine wrote and I quote “The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.  What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that give everything its value.  I love the man that can smile in trouble, and gather strength from distress.”   If we try to help ourselves, then we will not allow God’s will to come to pass.   

In Christendom, patience is one of the most valuable virtues of life. Increasing patience is viewed as the work of the Holy Ghost in the Christian who has accepted the gift of salvation.  According to Apostle Paul in his Epistle to the Galatians, patience  is part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit.

The Bible referred  to patience in several sections.  The Book of Proverbs 25^{14 – 16} (NIV)  states that "through patience, a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone".   Ecclesiastes 7^:7-9 (NIV) points out that the "end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride"  and Thessalonians states in  1 Thessalonians 5:^14-15  that we should "be patient with all. See that no one returns evil for evil; rather, always seek what is good for each other and for all" .

In the Epistle of James, (James 5^7-11),  the Bible urges Christians to be patient, and " see how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth,...until it receives the early and the late rains."  . In Galatians, Galatians 5^21-23 patience is listed as part of the "fruit of the Spirit": "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law".

In 1 Timothy 1^15-17,  the Bible states that "Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life".

No matter how life has been generally, refuse to quit and always remember that every problem is an opportunity to discover an invaluable lesson of life.

Romans 6³⁵ says” Who shall separate us from the love of Christ” Shall tribulation,  or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 

If the answer is NO, then it is high time to stop that in-patience, that self pity, that crying, that self blame and be courageous and at last just like the butterfly, your beauty shall be celebrated in the land of the living.

Do your own duty and allow God to do His own.  Your duty is to be patient, and Gods duty is to release His power upon you at the end of your waiting/trial period.

 There is no real success without a corresponding challenge before, during and after the success.  Of what use is light in the absence of darkness? 

Martin Luther King wrote and I quote:  “The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, nut where he stands in times of challenge and controversy”.      The Holy Ghost wants me to tell you that  God cannot fail.  Concerning that your expectation, there shall still be physical manifestation.  I’M SO SURE OF THAT.

Do you know that the Wright Brothers (Orville and Wilbur) were not the real originators of the ‘Flying Miracles’ – The Airplanes?  The man who is supposed to receive the credit for it was Dr. Samuel Langley, a Professor of Mathematics/Astronomy.  He started the project, but after running into obstacles, criticism and financial setbacks, he gave up.  But just after that, the Wright Brothers who were uneducated and with insufficient funds celebrated a breakthrough by becoming the first humans to fly a manned plane.  What was the difference?  The Wright Brothers had what Professor Langley lacked:  PATIENCE AND RUGGED PERSISTENCE.  No wonder Thomas Edison told his team: “Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up”.  Refuse to give up on your life’s dreams and aspirations.  There is a hidden Divine Calendar that is in operation concerning your destiny. 

The Lord said He knows His thoughts for you and it is to give you an expected end.  The Expected End can never be in shame, Be Patient, Endure and your ending will be glorious.

WHY DO WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD PART 2

WHY DO WE GIVE THANKS TO GOD     PART 2  

    

 Psalm 124:1-8 

 ¹If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, now may Israel say;

² If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us:

³Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their anger was kindled against us:

⁴Then the wasters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul:

⁵Then the proud waters had gone over our soul.

⁶Blessed be the Lord, who had not given us as a prey to their teeth.

⁷Our soul is escaped as a bird, out of the snare of the fowlers; the snare is broken, and we are escaped.

⁸Our help is in the name of the Lord, who make heaven and earth. 

     

11.   FOR HIS MANY DELIVERANCES:          The book of Psalms 124 from verse 1 make us to understand that if it is not the Lord who was on our side, the evil ones would have consumed us, the waters of the enemy would have over flown and carried us away.    The   deliverances of the Lord in our lives are the reasons we  (you and I) are still alive today. If God were to withdraw  His hands of deliverance,  then the enemy would have destroyed     us. But thank God for His mighty and saving hands, His protective hands that  He uses to deliver and to save us.   The book of Psalm 18:48-50  says ⁴⁸“He deliver me from mine enemies: yea, thou liftest me up above those that rise up  against me: thou hast delivered  me from the violent man.    ⁴⁹Therefore will I give thanks unto   thee; o Lord, among the      heathen, and sing  praises unto  thy name.  ⁵⁰Great  deliverance giveth He to His King; and  showeth mercy to His anointed, to David, and to His elect for    evermore. We need to thank God for His hands of   deliverance from the enemy, from the terror of the night to the arrow of the day God has    been our great deliverance and we should thank Him for.

12.    FOR HIS NEARNESS AND READINESS TO HELP US

Psalm 75:1says “His  name is near” And that is a good  enough reason to thank Him. His name is near means that   God is near. And because God is near His help is near.     The   Bible says whosoever shall call upon the name of the  Lord  shall be saved.  Romans 10¹³.  The Bible also says    the    name of the Lord is a strong tower, the righteous  runs into it and he is safe. Proverbs 18¹⁰. God is a very present help in the time of need. He is a well-timed help, a timely help.    Psalm 46¹.   His name is near;  His help is not far from you.  The assurance that God’s name, God’s help is near you should make you to thank Him.  “We give  thanks to you, O  God, we give thanks, for your Name is  near; men tell of your wonderful deeds”.  Psalm 75¹

13.     FOR HIS MARVELOUS WORKS:   The book of Psalm 105^1-2 says  “Give thanks unto the   LORD;     call upon his name: make    known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works”.  This is telling that the works of the Lord are wondrous; they are not ordinary  and so, we should thank Him as beneficiaries of these wonderful works.    

14.   FOR THE INHERITANCE OF THE SAINTS WE ARE PARTAKERS OF We are partakers of God’s inheritance and we should show appreciation to God for this privilege of sharing out of His inheritance. You are to give “thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light” (Colossians 1:12 ) This is not a right; it  is a great privilege. Those who are outside the kingdom of light have no portion in this inheritance.  

15.    FOR THE VICTORY GIVEN TO US IN CHRIST JESUS

According to the book of 1 Corinthians 15⁵⁷, the Bible   says, “But thanks be to God, which  giveth  us the victory  through our Lord Jesus Christ.”   Here, the Bible is telling us of the victory over sin that Jesus Christ has swallowed on the cross of Calvary.  He swallowed up death in victory, therefore we don’t need to be afraid of death any longer.   And  by his death on the cross and His resurrection, Jesus has gotten for us eternal life. Hallelujah!  What a victory!  And for  this, we need to give thanks to Him

16.     FOR HIS PROVISION:  We need to thank God for every provision, for every supplies, for everything we receives from Him. There is nothing we have that are not supplied by Him and received from him.  We must be careful not to take Gods provision  for granted and be too familiar with this provisions in our lives. God’s provisions should not be taken as if we have gotten them through our power or knowledge.  No We should acknowledge God’s benefits as benefits and not rights. We must not be deceived to say that our hands have gotten them for us and therefore become ungrateful.  We   should thank God for the provision of food, we should thank God     for the provision of water, we should thank God for the provision of good health and for all other provisions.

We should learn from our Lord Jesus Christ.  According to the book of  Matthew 26²⁷, the Bible says: “And He took the cup, and gave thanks,  and gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink ye all of  it;”   Before we start eating, do we thank him for the provision of  the food?   Before we drink water, do we remember to thank   God for the provision of the water? You may think that is going too far. Did we remember to thank Him for the provision of the children’s school fees.  Nothing is too small or too big to thank God for.  Before the miraculous feeding of about 5,000 people, the Bible says in John 6:11  “And Jesus took the loaves, and when He hath given thanks, He distributed to the disciples, and the disciples then to them that were set down and likewise of the fishes as much as they would”   Let us learn to give thanks to God for what we consider as small and  also for the big provisions of God. 

17.   FOR  HIS HEALINGS AND MIRACLES:    As earlier mentioned, only one out of the ten lepers - the Samaritan leper came back to give thanks for his healing. Luke 17¹⁶ says he threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him. When was the last time some of us goes  on our knees to thank God for the healing He has given us When was the last time some us went on our knees  for  the  good health he has given us.  Even for the miracles that      we received? Some people will be thinking that they have never received or enjoyed a miracle. Our sleeping and waking up is a miracle We ourselves, we are a miracle  because we are  fearfully and wonderfully made according to the book of . Psalm139¹⁴.  Traveling to and fro,  and returning safely is a miracle. We should not wait until we are involved in an accident in which all the occupants of the vehicles die and  we survived before you know that God  has been protecting us?  Or do we pray to be involved in an accident before we appreciate His protection?  No. This is how the devil has been cheating us from thanking God and  receiving the blessings  God would have showered on us for doing this. It is the effect of negative mindedness.  We think falling sick and being healed is a better and greater miracle than enjoying divine health by not falling sick at all.  Whatever we don’t appreciate, we will not celebrate. Whatever we don’t value, we  don’t cuddle. Whatever we  don’t appreciate will  depreciate  (in  our estimation). We should stop despising   the  healings and miracles of God in your life.

But which one do we always  consider as a big testimony that   we like to listen to in church?     .

18.     FOR ARRANGING AND SENDING PEOPLE TO BLESS US:    Apostle Paul gave thanks to God  for the availability of Titus both in the work of his ministry, his assignments and being very helpful  in the work of the ministry.  For this, he gave thanks to God.   We should always be thankful for the people God has arranged to bless and help you. A man without help – the help of God and the help of man will fail in life. There is no self-made man.   Let us learn to thank God for the people God has brought across your way in life to assist us and help to realize our dream and carry out our life’s assignment.

The Bible in 2 Corinthians 8:^{16-  20}  says  ¹⁶“But thanks be to   God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.  ¹⁷For indeed he accepted the exhortation, but being more   forward.  ¹⁸And we have sent with him the brother; whose  praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches; ¹⁹And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel       with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and the declaration of your ready mind.   ²⁰Avoiding this that no man should blame us in this abundance  which is administered by us. ”  

       

19.     FOR THE JOY GOD GAVE US BY  TURNING OUR MOURNING INTO DANCING:    If we believe and act on the word of God, then thanksgiving at the time of mourning and sorrow is the best thing to do.  Although, the time of mourning is usually a time of pain and sorrow and at such a time acting on the Word of God by  giving thanks is the best thing to do. The Bible says “that      in all things, we should give thanks to the Lord.  It did not tell us to give thanks only when the circumstance or situation is pleasant but it says  “all things,”  When in trying period, we give thanks, that is putting our faith to test Then God will now turns things around for us, wipes away your tears and gives   us a new song.  But unfortunately, some people only give thanks after God turns situation around for them.  This  is not good enough.  In all things, give thanks.   According to Psalm 30^11-12,  David sang to God. And said  “Thou has  turned for me my mourning into dancing; thou has put off my          sackcloth and guided me with gladness. To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent.  O Lord my   God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.  Henceforth, I want us to sing like David

20.       FOR GOD WILL DO MORE FOR US:          There is an African adage that says when a child appreciates what you did for him/her yesterday; he/she  will receive more. When we appreciate the kindnesses of God in our lives and others, we position ourselves to be recipients of more from God. Those who thank God get    more from Him.  An ungrateful person shall go empty handed. If God requests from us or demands from us thanksgiving, we had better realized that He needs it from us. So who are you not to offer thanks to God for all His manifold blessing in your life? When you count your blessings one by one, as  said  by that song writer, you will be surprised at what the Lord has done for you.

Make thanksgiving a lifestyle to God both for yourself, for your family members,   for your loved ones, for your Nation and for everyone. Make it your lifestyle. The more thanksgiving you make, the more thanks-worthy events God will do for you.

Don’t forget, ingratitude is a sin. If you don’t know how to show appreciation, the sea of kindness for you will dry up. I have listed here some of the reasons why we must thank God. please, be honest and look at one or more of this reasons that  justifies why you should give thanks to the Lord. Because you have a reason to praise the Lord, I urge to begin right where you are. Now that you have perused these things, blessed are you if you begin to do them.

 * NOTE:  ALL BIBLE PASSAGES USED ARE FORM  KINGS JAMES            VERSION