The courage to continue (Hebrews 11:31-40)

The courage to continue (Hebrews 11:31-40)

Continuing is not a necessary question when all things go well. We enjoy the accolades, the gold, the silver or the trophy and the standing ovations. In fact one gold medallist once said the cheering of the crowd fires her up. What a great energy to tap into.

Matthew 24:32

Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:

It is nevertheless another ball game when the table turns around. When there are persistent foes and resistant friends. In the hall of faith of Hebrews 11, many names written in gold passed through hell to get there. Only God gave them the courage to continue.

2Corinthians 4:7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

What I am talking about does not even respect position or anointing. In fact in many cases they are tailored made. So it is designed to size you. Remember Elijah the fire man? He wished himself dead at a particular point.

1Kings 19:4

But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.

When the strength is sapping off and it seems you might snap the next minute. Faith can fade, returns on risk might diminish without its fruits. The vision of the other end might be the only thing that can pull you through.

Hebrews 12:2

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.

You may need a daring courage to continue when the chips are down. You could pray now for the courage to continue when your strength is tested.

Luke 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: 32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

At the point of testing it might not be faith that would be so strong. It might not be love that is so binding, it might be the vision at the other end. So get the bigger picture.

Luke 22:41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 42 Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 43 And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow,

It might as well be the unrelenting prayer of those who sympathise with your cause. In the meanwhile you might pray now for God to give you a reservoir of strength in the day of trial.

Proverbs 24:10

If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small.

If you faint in the day of your test then your strength is small because you did not build a reservoir of strength for a raining day. Remember the ten virgins? The distinction between those who were wise and the foolish was the reservoir of oil or the lack of the foresight. May you not fail in the day of your testing. When the chips are down may you have the courage to continue. God bless you

Hope for a crippling situation (Acts 3:1-26)

Hope for a crippling situation (Acts 3:1-26)

The healing of the crippled beggar was done by the power of Jesus Christ working through the apostles. The miracle was accomplished through faith in the name of Jesus.

Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Inability to walk is a great set back in one is suffering from lameness. You can’t go where you want when you want. You depend on people all the time. Thank God for technology of electric chairs at push buttons. This has reduced the immobility of the lame but it cannot take it totally off.

Thank God for the faith of two men that removed the set back in the life of the lame man after forty years of his life. It must have been a difficult time for him.

Acts 4:22 For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.

No wonder why he was happy and he became the center of attraction in the church. This in turn gave Peter the opportunity to preach Christ again.

Acts 4:8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, 9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; 10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

In life there are crippling situations. These are continuous set back that money cannot rectify.

1Chronicles 4:10

And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me! And God granted him that which he requested.

2Kings 5:1

Now Naaman, captain of the host of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master, and honourable, because by him the LORD had given deliverance unto Syria: he was also a mighty man in valour, but he was a leper.

Money can help people to do lot of things in life but there are still few problems that money cannot solve. You only need to look around and several examples will present themselves.

Just as the lame man’s ankle received strength, to day I speak to every crippling situation in your life to receive the touch of God in the name of Jesus. The most pathetic, persistent, consistent crippling situation in life is sin. No matter how highly educated, sophisticated and fine, sin continues to abase humanity and reduce them to zero. No amount of wealth, education and care can help either. It is a near impossible situation.

But there is hope.

Colossians 1:27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

Ephesians 1:11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Jesus is the hope for every crippling situation in life. As peter said faith in Christ did the wonderful works in the life of the lame beggar, faith in Christ will wrought a wonderful work in your life as well. All that is necessary is repentance and faith towards God. There is a cure for every crippling situation in anybody’s life.

What is it that humbles you all the time? Is it sickness, weakness, sin or any spiritual condition you cannot discuss with others. Why don’t say in the name of Jesus you crippling situations in my life receive the touch of God in Jesus name and it shall be so.

Mark 11:23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. 24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

God bless you.

Be my guest (Matthew 22:1-14)

Be my guest (Matthew 22:1-14)

In the parable of the marriage dinner the king was celebrating his son’s wedding. Wedding time is a happy time. Just like the Prince’s wedding we witnessed a while ago. The whole world was involved except those at loggerhead with the Queen and Great Britain. It was a display of affluence. So attendance list had to be drawn. You have to be called to get to the venue.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

In the case of the king, those on the attendants’ list blatantly refused to come and mistreated the messengers. Since all things were ready, food, drink etc. The king had to throw open the invitation. Everybody please come rejoice with me. Among those who came there was one who did not put on the dressing code for whatever reason. He was thrown out.

Matthew 22:11

And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: 12 And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13 Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14 For many are called, but few are chosen.

There is going to be a real wedding

Revelations 19:7

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.

Invitations are being circulated now. Have you got your invite? Are you going to be there in the marriage supper of the Lamb? All is invited.

Matthew 11:28

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Your dressing code is the righteousness of the son of God, Jesus the Christ and his Spirit.

2Corinthians 5:21

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Romans 4:6

Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

There is punishment for refusal.

Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Escape the judgement now.

Revelations 20:10

And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. 11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Be my guest.

And indeed the assignment of all Christians is to invite the whole world to the marriage supper of the Lamb. Are you doing it?

2Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Let us pray