Forgotten Sacrifices (II) ? Author: Esther Agbi
King David would not give to God anything that cost him nothing [2Sam 24:24]!
This is in line with giving something special. That is the right attitude. No little wonder
God testified that David was a man after His Heart!
Cornelius was another man whose offering stood out [Acts 10]….. “Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God”, an angel of God told him. This is very fascinating! His prayers and offerings were stored up for future blessings. God remembered Cornelius. He and his household were blessed.
There is a Lady I know of who loves offering sacrifices to God even when she does not have. As her story goes, a man of God called for the members to give sacrificially to foreign missions, assisting refugees. She had no money at the time to donate, but somehow, material goods were being accepted. She had this beautiful and costly attire with shoes and jewelry to match. She contemplated for a long time because she really loved the attire. Finally, she decided to give it up as a sacrifice for foreign missions. A prayer was said that day, according to her, she never thought that she would ever be in that situation in her life time because she was very comfortable at the time. The Man of God prayed that no one who has given towards the missions would ever become a refugee in a foreign land.
Somehow, after many years, this lady found herself as a refugee in a foreign land. She remembered that prayer, and I believe that God remembered that prayer too because she was set free from that situation and now a Citizen of that country. That prayer by the Man of God was stored up for a future blessing. God is the same yesterday, today and forevermore.
The Lord will remember you and me for greater blessings in Jesus Name.
It is good for us to give to the Lord because we care. Give because you love, give because God demonstrated it by giving his only SON Jesus to die for us. Give because God instructed us to do so [Luke 6:38] and there is a reward. God will remember someday. It may not be in your life time, maybe your children or generations down the line.
Sacrifice may not be monetary only. It could be just a smile, a nice compliment that is sincere, or a phone call to brighten someone else’s day, a quiet prayer for someone you know or don’t know. You could sacrifice your talent or your time even when it is not convenient. That is why it is called a sacrifice. If it were convenient, it would not have been called a sacrifice. When Jesus gave his life for us, it was not convenient. That is love.
Solomon gave a sacrifice, and God asked him what he wanted [1 Kings 3:5]. Has God ever testified of your offering/sacrifice? Has He asked you what you wanted after you gave your offering? The same questions I would ask myself.
It is good to ask from God, but it is better to be asked by God what we want. I believe that the Lord is working on us all and he will grant us wisdom to work in line with HIM in Jesus Name.
My prayer for you is that the Lord remember all your offerings in whatever form you have given to Him in support of His kingdom and that He fulfill all your heart desires in Jesus name [Psalm 20:3, 5], Amen.
Angels
God’s Grace On Vessels Fitted For Destruction
God’s Grace On Vessels Fitted For Destruction
4Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? 5But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; 6Who will render to every man according to his deeds: 7To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 8But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 10But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: 11For there is no respect of persons with God. Romans 2:4-11
Other References: Ex 33:11-23, Romans 6:1-2, Titus 2:11-14
One attribute of God, our heavenly Father is that He is gracious. In scriptural context grace means unmerited favour. If we do a word count of Grace in the King James Bible, grace is mentioned some 150 times – about 50 in the Old Testament and 100 in the New Testament. Gracious and graciously are mentioned additional 35 times. Godly men of all ages have found grace in the sight of God, some of which were Noah, Abraham, Moses and Apostle Paul (Paul’s Epistles contained the word ‘grace’ than other books of the bible combined). Each of these people had a special connection with God – they feared God and in return enjoyed God’s grace. 
Is God partial? No. Ungodly people also find grace if they accept their sinfulness and repent. Even in the Garden of Eden, after the fall of the first man Adam, it was grace that made God to fashion a way for man’s redemption.
You can enjoy God’s grace in a wicked world if you separate yourself unto God. Noah enjoyed God’s grace when God destroyed the inhabitants of the earth in his days because he stood righteous in the midst of wickedness around him.
“5And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. 7And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. 8But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” [Genesis 6:5-8].
We see that it was grace that made the difference between those that were destroyed and Noah who survived, because theirs was like the TV show Survival. It was a case of survival of the fittest in the sight of God. For a hundred years Noah preached to everyone, repent for the destruction of the earth is at hand. Nobody took Noah seriously and they all perished. Noah survived the deluge. Throughout the 100 years drama, Noah moved with godly fear mixed with faith and ultimately, his obedience preserved the continuity of the human race. To the believers, how do we take God’s assignment? Noah took his spiritual assignment seriously and was rewarded by a new covenant from God. “20And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. 21And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done. 22While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” [Genesis 8:20-22]
Today how do you handle the grace of God on your life? Do you trivialize it or think God’s grace will last forever while you continue in your sins? No! We cannot continue in sin and expect God’s grace to abound. God is merciful and gracious but he is also a righteous judge. He was willing to show Moses his back parts but was also quick to prevent him from physically entering the Promised Land. Imagine, the great Moses whom God used to part the Red sea, God allowed him to see the land from a mountaintop but told him you will not enter because you disobeyed me at the waters of Meribah. There is a great teaching on this but suffice to say Moses lived his full 120 years on earth, was buried by God himself, an archangel had to contend for his body to rescue him from Satan who thought he had finally killed a great lion for meat. Moses ended up in heaven. [Num 20:1-4; Num 20:9-13; Deut 34:1-6; Jude 1:9]. Did he step on the promised land, yes he did but only by the grace of Jesus Christ. How? Lets read:
1And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, 2And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. 3And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. 4Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. [Matthew 17:1-4]
To those who have not connected with him by repenting of their sins, know that God’s grace is like a tension cord. He continues to forbear but it is for you to repent because there is a day of judgment awaiting everybody. In the midst of wickedness Noah found grace in the sight of God because he feared God. Moses enjoyed God’s grace even in death because of his faith and godly fear of choosing the reproach of Christ as greater riches than inheriting the throne of Pharaoh. 4By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; 25Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: [Hebrews 11:23-26a]. This was the reason why Moses finally made heaven despite his disobedience at the water’s of Meribah. God graciously buried him and transfigured him later on the mountain of transfiguration. He saw the promised land with his eyes in Deuteronomy 34 but only stepped on it after he was glorified in Matthew 17.
In conclusion everyone should take the grace of God seriously. Enjoy the grace of God that is in Jesus Christ.
PRAYER OF FAITH
- Oh Lord let your grace abound towards me. I purge my heart from every dead work and reconcile with you whole-heartedly in Jesus Name.
- Oh Lord strengthen my faith. I move with godly fear. I refuse to be overcome by the wickedness of the world. I esteem the reproaches of Christ as my greatest riches. I have my inheritance in heaven because of the grace that is in Jesus Christ. Thank you Lord in Jesus Name. Amen.
Wisdom Fountain 04/11/2010
Knowing God Profits: By Esther Agbi
Because he has set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he has known my name. Psalm 91:14 [KJV]
The more time you spend with someone, the better assessment one has about that person. First impression is not always the right one. Most people try hard to give a good and lasting impression the first time because human beings are not usually very patient to study one before they criticize. You could imagine someone going for a job interview, getting well dressed and just a few feet away from the venue, he is splashed with muddy water. Time is of essence. If he decides to go home and change his clothing, he might be late. On the other hand, if he decides to appear before the panel, looking untidy as a result of the incident, he will not give a good impression. He may not be an untidy person, but an unfortunate situation has made him to present himself in that manner. [Read more…] about Wisdom Fountain 04/11/2010
Living Bread
Triumphant In Battle And Alive Forever
14Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. [Colossians 2:14-15]
7Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 8Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. 9Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. 10Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah. [Psalm 24:7-10]
There is no controversy that Jesus is alive. He went to battle with the powers of darkness, dwelt in the belly of the earth for 3 days and came out triumphant. He rose from the grave and death had no dominion over him. [Read more…] about Living Bread
Wisdom Fountain 0314/2010
WISDOM FOUNTAIN 0314/2010 [Psalm 91 KJV]
STRENGTH [ II ]
1The LORD hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee; 2Send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion; 3Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice; Selah. 4Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel. 5We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God we will set up our banners: the LORD fulfil all thy petitions. 6 Now know I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand. Psalm 20:1-6 KJV
Strength is an internal power or resilience of your spirit to face the challenges that come your way and overcome them with the weapons God has put freely at your disposal. However, even when you are super active in the spirit, your soul and body may be weakened by the situation you find yourself. Strength was failing Jesus at Gethsemane when he was facing death for our salvation and he had to call on God to strengthen him. His body and soul acted in consonance with nature but he submitted himself to the will of the Father which is all the strength he needed at the particular time [Matthew 26:37-39]. At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry after he fasted for 40 day and 40 nights and had overcome Satan himself in the 3 serious temptations, the bible says angels came and ministered to Jesus. God sent angels from his sanctuary to help Jesus and praise him for defeating the great foe [Psalm 91:11, Matthew 4:6, 11]. Remember Jesus was on a high mountain at the time and God did not want the evil wish of Satan to come to pass. Also, Jesus after such a long fast, was naturally weak. The Psalmist said “My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever” [Psalm 73:26]. Be confident in the strength and power of God as God is willing to help you in any area of your weakness. Putting your body under subjection is a way of building up spiritual strength just as an athlete does in his profession [1 Corinthians 9:24-27]. Draw strength from the inexhaustible strength of God right now in Jesus Name.
PRAYER OF FAITH
1. Oh LORD, defend me. Defend my righteous cause and send your angels to minister to me in the Name of Jesus.
2. Oh LORD, save me by your right hand. Let your anointing on me attract your strength in Jesus Name.
Wisdom Fountain 0307/2010
WISDOM FOUNTAIN 0307/2010 [Psalm 91 KJV]
STRENGTH [ I ]
Psalm 91:1-2 KJV
1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
God’s word is strength to his people. Webster’s dictionary defines strength as any of the following: ability to resist attack, strain or stress; physical, emotional or mental resources. Psalm 91:1-16 indicates the type of strength and resilience God has and which we can rely on to defend us. When we are under his shadow no salvo of the enemy can reach us because we are also the apple of his very eye [Deuteronomy 32:10, Psalm 17:8].
Psalm 17:8 KJV
8Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,
He watches over you day and night so that no evil may befall you. In the day of trouble he will hear you speedily. Wouldn’t you like to remain under his mighty wings of protection and safety?
PRAYER OF PROTECTION
1. Oh LORD, I seek protection under your shadow. Cover me with your mighty wings and be my fortress in Jesus Name.
2. Oh LORD watch over me. Encase me in the hollow of your palms and let your angels be adversary to all who want my downfall in Jesus Name. Amen.