IT is possible to experience success and yet be void of God’s presence. Moses knew how quickly worldly achievements could disappear. His security came from his relationship with God. Success in the world’s eyes is not a sign of God’s blessing. Do you value God’s presence in your life more than the greatest achievements you could experience in the world? What you regard as success may, in fact, indicate that you have chosen a substitute for intimate fellowship with God. Recently, a religious leader.
Felt excited to describe his church as church of the rich. If success is what is important to a person as a religious leader, he may be tempted to choose accomplishments over his relationship with God. Would you be satisfied to have success, power and wealth, but not a relationship with God? God offered to send an angel with the Israelites
They entered the promised land to ensure their success in every venture. No army could withstand them. No city wall could stop them. The wealth of the land laid before them. Everything they had ever dreamed of appeared to be theirs for the taking. The only thing missing would be the presence of God. God said they were an obstinate people, and He would not go with them when their hearts were far from Him. The Israelites’ experience reveals that victory and great accomplishments are not necessarily a sign of God’s presence. (Ex 13:12-23). There is the story of a Pastor who had a case wit somebody. The Pastor was highly respected in the area he was living as a powerful man of God. He drives. Jeep and had one for his wife. One day, one of his neighbours whom the pastor knew very well went to see a native doctor. As the man was waiting for his turn with other people to see the native doctor, the pastor drove into the compound of the native doctor’s house with his jeep and parked. He entered the house and also waited for his turn to see the native doctor. The man greeted the Pastor and immediately the pastor saw that the man was his neighbor at home, he became perplexed. No one could ask the other question because they both came to see the same person i.e. the native doctor. The neighbour who came first saw the native doctor and left. The Pastor was perplexed because he couldn’t deny the secret of his visit to the native doctor which has been discovered by his neighbour and who was going to narrate him to other people in his area. As the man was about leaving after seeing the native doctor, the Pastor begged him to wait so that they could go home together but the man refused. Afterall, they didn’t come there together. When the Pastor got home, he sent food items including rice, beans and yams and cash gift to the man to persuade him not to reveal the secret of his visit to the native doctor to people. The man collected the gifts but he could not hide the news and very soon all the church members and the people living in the area heard the story and the Pastor had to relocate from the area. Is he not still going to do the same thing in the new area he is going to? It is written in scriptures: ‘Seek to bring your life into harmony with the divine pattern, discerning the glory of Christ not worldly pomp and power (Jn 1:14). Prayer Point: Father! Don’t le our religious leaders be carried away by worldly achievement in Jesus name, remove every spirit of pride in the lives of our leaders in Jesus name, grant me the grace to acknowledge you all the days of my life, father! Don’t let your presence depart from me in Jesus name, let me carry your presence throughout my life time in Jesus name.
The book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shall have good success (Josh 1:8). As you read, meditate and chant relevant Bible passages on your case, you will gradually discover that it is getting better. For instance, each time I need victory over any challenging case, my daily favourite incantations are as follows: “I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me, because He who is in me is greater than he who is in the world. I am more than conquerors, because no weapon that is formed against me shall prosper and every tongue that rises against me in judgment shall be condemned. He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of my God, He is my refuge, my fortress, in Him shall I trust. Surely, He shall deliver me from the snare of the fowler and from every nois ome pestilence. When the enemies shall come against me as a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will raise up a standard against them. The Lord is my shepherd and I shall not want. Even though I pass through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil, for God is with me. As you chant your own Biblical incantations today, you will surely succeed.
Money? this is just a means of exchange. Fleet of cars? Just a means of mobility, necessities and not luxuries! Number of houses? If not investment strategy, then what for? You want to sleep in more than one house at the same time? Even in one room, you cannot sleep in more than one bed space. Numerous wives? If you have not surpassed Solomon’s one thousand, you have not yet started the race. My marriage? My children? My job? 1”, ‘Me”, and “Myself”?. These are the devil’s trinity! Travel all over the world? This is just fame and not goodwill. Become the richest man in the world? It could only be in your generation and not another! The truth is this: the power that does not give you peace is no greatness and the money that does not give you sleep does not amount to affluence! Success? It is being satisfied with what you have, but not with where you are. It is putting smiles on the fatherless; looking for a need and filling the gap and making anyone you contact better off than you met him. The real measure of your success is in fulfilling the purpose of God for your life and this is evident by the number of those who succeed through your success!
God’s people are His preserving agents for a world that is corrupted and degenerating because of sin. Your life is designed and commissioned by God to enhance a community and to preserve what is good and right. His salvation can free an addict, mend a broken home, heal the pain of the past, restore a wayward child, and comfort a grieving heart. All of these are available to those around you as Christ expresses His life through you. If we are not in a right relationship with our Lord, however, Jesus said we are like salt that has lost its saltiness and is, therefore, good for nothing. None of God’s saving grace and power can be dispensed through us to others. If people around us are deteriorating spiritually, we need to go to our Lord and allow Him to adjust our lives so that we can be used to preserve others. Pray that, the light of God shines in churches in Jesus name, the Lord deliver our churches from every form of corrupt practices in Jesus name) you shall be a blessing to your generations in Jesus name, your life will affect others positively in Jesus name, your life will suit your purpose in Jesus name. (Matt. 5:13-16). 07055599615