MAY 2015: Make Me Know the Joy of Giving Abba Father


IMPORTANT: Paul wrote, in 2 Corinthians 9:7 that "You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don't give reluctantly or in response to pressure. 'For God loves a person who gives cheerfully”

I started off thinking that the Lord wanted me to write about giving to others and the gift/joy of offerings but it was quickly laid on me that the Lord was pointing me to the Joy of giving ourselves as a continuous living sacrifice to Himself as every other forms of giving stems from this.

God does not required from us a half-hearted worship and conduct as mostly done by us but wants a whole-hearted worship out of a free and willing Spirit as demonstrated by Jesus Christ but in our case this does not require us to die on the cross but we should have proper understanding of His love and respond appropriately.

"For this reason the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again. No one has taken it away from Me, but I lay it down on My own initiative. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This commandment I received from My Father." (John 10:17-18)

The ultimate giving brought about the salvation we enjoy under grace today because it was done out of love and freewill and Jesus also pointed out that nobody was ever honoured for what they received but for what they gave.

This was also demonstrated by the first apostles in their attitude to spreading the words of Christ in the early days, most died similar death for their service and belief. This similarity was why Apostle Peter requested that he be crucified differently and their selfless and love of God has added to the foundation of Christ.

Christianity is the deep rooted love we have for Christ and God through the Holy Spirit which causes us to follow in the footstep of Christ and love one another. Richard Braunstein said “It is possible to give without loving, but it is impossible to love without giving”. In order words love prompts us to appreciate and giving then is not duty bound.

John 3:16-17 (EIV) For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.…”

The love of God in Abraham’s Heart caused his willingness in Genesis 22:2 to give, Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, whom you love--Isaac--and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on a mountain I will show you." What Abraham appreciated and have understanding of was the supremacy of God which caused him not to be doubtfully of His faithfulness. The singular act of obedience and preparedness counted him righteous before God who changed the sacrifice to Ram.

Giving our whole-hearted worship from a pure and genuine heart means we know, love and appreciates His existence in our lives and as such there cannot be any limit to the sacrifice’s we bring to the Altar of service. In Romans 12: 1 Paul says “I beseech you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service.”

Presenting a reasonable service entails that we remain righteous and abstain from sinful lust as Roman 6: 12-13 stated, this can easily be achieve if we allow the Spirit of God to dwell in us and lead and guide us into the prefect love of Christ. (Read also Romans 8:11-14)

Perfection is founded entirely on the love of God: “Charity is the bond of perfection (Colossians 3:14);” and perfect love of God means the complete union of our will with God’s: “The principal effect of love is so to unite the wills of those who love each other as to make them will the same things” It follows then, that the more one unites his will with the divine will, the greater will be his love of God.

Selfless service must be demonstrated from the principal leaders as examples unto others to follow, this was fully demonstrated by Apostle Paul through his constant teaching of Christ the risen Son of God in very unusual circumstances.

Being a living sacrifice means that we abstain from the lust of the eyes and pride of life and renew our mind constantly in the word of God to transform us. We must seek to hear the word as in Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Reading is essential (Revelation 1:3).

Acts 17:11 ….. in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

We must commit to memory as in Psalms 119: 9-11 implores and constantly mediate on these words as stated in Psalm 1:2 to produces fruitfully at due seasons as stated in verse 3.When we know the love of God, we will sought to fellowship in truth and Spirit for those that will worship Him must do so as in John 4:23-24.

The Holy Spirit that dwells within us is the source that we can rely on to show us the joy of living in God’s presence, it is all we need to be made complete, thoroughly equipped for every good works. The love we have will prompt us constantly to seek to find out what His will is and what He approves.

When we truly believe in God and have understanding of His awesomeness, we will be eager to make ourselves as a living sacrifice to experience the joy of true fellowship. When we are able to offer the most meaningful offering to God, we would be able to give out of a free and willing heart.

What is required as Christian is that we offer our service to God out of our freewill and in obedience to His commandment. If we proclaim God’s love and we respond in love, we will actively give our service graciously as a lover would give to his/her new found heartthrob and find joy in seeing Him/her every time and have pleasure in doing the things that are pleasing in their sight. Giving out of love has two hidden reward that which is attached to the love and the other is to the giving. Giving out of freewill bring about an unusual blessing as the gift given has not been requested by the receiver.

Now: We pray the Lord almighty who has counted us worthy to love us first will give us the grace to love Him with all our heart, body, soul and Spirit and in the same light give us the fortitude to love our neighbour as ourselves in the mighty prospering and anointed name of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit. Amen

May our daily giving of ourselves as a living sacrifice come up to him as a sweet smelling aroma and cause Him to have joy in us has He had for Christ our saviour. Amen

May He increase us daily in His wisdom, open the eyes of our heart to have understanding and knowledge of all the goodness of His works. Amen

We love you but that God loves you the most, so we leave you+ under His Grace guidance love and peace. Have a blessed month and a fruitful year.

Yomi and bola
Living under God’s grace, guidance love & peace

Fatherhood and Family- God’s Disposition

Woke up this morning to realise that God loves Family and if we are not living like a family, we are just not living God’s destiny.
The love of family unity was so important to the coming of Christ that Joseph was appointed the Father on earth. (Matthew 1:20-21)
When love and unity is in the home it equates to the peace of God.

Fathers have a special role that includes being sensitive to their wife and children.
Fathers needs to demonstrate patience, understanding, and exhibit wisdom of God as used by Joseph in faith.
Fathers need to deal with emotions of the family with a lot of tolerance.

(See Ephesians 5:25-33;Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4;Proverbs 23:24;Colossians 3:21)

***Listening is key and responding with the right attitude is Important***

Wife needs to remain sensitive to the emotions of the Father, aligning their thoughts and energy to the uplifting of their husband and inheritance. A Good wife makes her home a place of joy and happiness. (Proverb 31: 10-31)

Keep the love flowing at home and you are definitely in the right frame of mind to deal with the outside.

Marriage and raising a family is a lifetime learning process and staying the course is a lifetime achievement.

Do not bail out too soon, for the reward is the fulfilment of God’s plan to uplift you.

Prayer

May the God give you the grace to be who he wants you to be and grant peace, joy and happiness into your relationship. May the grant you patience to stay the course and reap the benefit of family-hood to His glory and honour.

Apostle Yomi
Living under God’s grace, guidance love & peace