DOING

AFD SEPTEMBER 2009

September 1, 2009 By Pastor Chukie Leave a Comment

Doing Exploits Worthy of REMEMBRANCE

Achievers’ Essence Of Being Faithful In All of Life’s Labour

Daniel 11:32 “. . . but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits”

Malachi 3:16-18 “Then they that feared the LORD spoke often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not”

Matthew 26:13 “Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her”

Greetings

Shalom & kingdom greetings in the precious name of our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ, Amen. It gives me great pleasure and joy to welcome you into this precious month AFD of September edition as we consider and take stock of our life in many issues even as we begin to see the year come to a close.

September 2009 Edition

I specially welcome you to this month of September as we examine the essence of “Doing Exploits Worthy Of Remembering”. The month of September is always very crucial to me on a yearly basis. It’s because it re-echoes and reminds me of three important foods for thought every year. The first and the second reminder are my birthdays – spiritual birth and natural birth.

The spiritual birth has a lot of importance when I remember the circumstances surrounding my salvation and how being born again has transformed not just my life but that of my family and relatives. My natural birthday has equally made me come to consider and reason life as the Psalmist – Psalm 90:12. This makes me re-evaluate and reflect not necessarily how old I am but how well I have lived and want to make up and strengthen my life to be more meaningful by appreciating the graces of God with time – Eph. 5:16; Ecc. 8:5.

The third bit however is that the month of September is a turn into the months of the MBER’s – SepteMBER, OctoBER, NoveMBER, and DeceMBER. This signifies the closing of the year to usher in another year and I have to re-evaluate what the year has been and what I need to make up in order to end with testimonies of God’s grace on me.

However, above all, September being the ninth month of the year engages me with each of the nine spiritual fruit and gifts of the blessed Holy Spirit as in Galatians 5:22-23 and 1 Corinthian 12:4-11 and how much they influence my life and my day to day lifestyle as a child of God and as God’s ministerial servant. In here I can receive inspiration, revelation and empowerment that formulate the graces of God to build my life and faith in God.

I pray that as we begin to unfold the graces of God in light of my food for thought, you will find inspiration, revelation and empowerment in this edition of – “Doing Exploits Worthy Of REMEMBRANCE” and our God will find a place in His heart to record your name and make a memorial of you in Jesus’ name, amen. Therefore, as in Ecclesiastics 9:10, maximise every single opportunity that comes your way to make an investment worthy of Remembrance; be it in regards to finance, talent, time, physique, ideals, and as you may be led by the Holy Spirit through the Word of God, do it with all graces of faith within you. This is an achievers’ opportunity to create a remarkable print in life.

REMEMBRANCE – Doing Exploits

Daniel 11:32 “. . . but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits”

James 1:22-25 “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed”

Proverbs 22:28-29 “Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set. Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men”

The book of Daniel indicates that as many who claim to know God should have two characteristics. They are to:

Be Strong in God’s grace.

Do exploits with the strength of their grace.

The reason being that there’s a book of REMEMBRANCE as in Malachi 3:16-18 where every record of our lifestyle and investment with time in the kingdom on this side of heaven is. That’s why James 1:22-25, says we should be Doers of every instructed Word of God not mere hearers or be dull of hearing as it says also in Hebrews 5:11-4. This is not a joke.

Doing exploits entails – taking advantage of every opportunity, making use, utilising and capitalising – every avenue to make progress and unfold the manifold wisdom of God that is available to you in order to achieve meaningful and indelible things that are worth living for.

Proverbs 22:28-29 reminds us of upholding the previous memorials of our Fathers and heroes in faith, and the need to walk, work and live diligently in order to share or partake in the graces and blessings of kings and not that of failures – Revelation 5:9-10. Diligence is imperative if we must share in the things that please God. Doing the Word that’s worth remembering comes from a life of diligence. Not just a once in a life time event but a consistent life of diligent work as God gives us the opportunity. It doesn’t have to be a very big deed all the time, but faithfulness even in the little – Hebrews 11:6; Luke 16:0-2. It means doing tangible things that make an impact and leave a lasting – eternal – effect in the lives of those around you and the good of others who may not necessarily be close to you.

REMEMBRANCE – God’s Nature

Malachi 3:16-8 “Then they that feared the LORD spoke often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not”

Matthew 26:13 “Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her”

Hebrews 6:10 “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister”

Remembrance is of God’s nature. He is not an ungrateful or unrighteous Father who forgets our work and labour of love towards His name at every given opportunity of our life towards others. For our God is a people-oriented FATHER.

Our God in heaven is a God of remembrance. A God who keeps record in that He has a book of remembrance or memorial for good to every work we do in life as His children and achievers’ in life. Hence He rewards His own for He is neither a taskmaster nor an unrewarding father as accounted unto men on earth. He is a God of infinite justice.

Salvation, the bedrock of our Christian foundation, is an act of grace through faith done in Christ Jesus for us – 1 Cor.3:11; Eph. 2:8-9. But the Crown or reward is by the working of our Faith in God through diligence – Hebrews 11:6. Diligence means a steady effort of good work, honest hard work. It also means being faithful, consistently devoted to a task or belief in accomplishing set goals without wavering. It’s for this good work that Jesus said in Matthew 26:3, acknowledging that the woman’s (Mary of Bethany) precious alabaster ointment poured on him shall be a memorial – worth remembering – in the proclaiming of the gospel.

James 2:14-26 and 1 Corinthians 3:9-23, indicate the power and effect of good work, because God will remember and reward all good work that’s worth it. In the New Testament of the Holy write – The Bible – God has laid down the principle of Faith for all as it affects the blessings of His people. To the Sinner or the lost, He offers them SALVATION; and to the Saved in Christ and faithful doer of the good work of Faith in the kingdom, He offers such REWARDS.

Salvation is a free gift of God – John 4:9; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; whereas Rewards are earned by the works of Faith – Matthew 10:42; Luke 9:7; 1 Corinthian 9:24-25; 2 Timothy 4:7-8; Revelation 2:2,10; 22:2.
Salvation is a present possession – Luke 7:50; John 3:36; 5:24; 6:47; whereas Rewards are both – a present and future attainment (possession) – Mark 10:28-30; 1 Timothy 4:8; 2 Tim 4:8; Romans 14:10-12.

Our God is at work to make you a jewel of memorial as He promises that as you are His, that your services in the kingdom shall be rewarded. Your name is written in the lamb memorial book of life – REMEMBRANCE!

REMEMBRANCE – Vessel of Honour

2 Timothy 2:9-2 “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honor, and some to dishonor. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work”

Malachi 2:16-18 “Then they that feared the LORD spoke often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not”

2 Chronicles 16:9 “For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him . . .”

Acts 10:34-36 “Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)”

Our God is in search of vessels to use in His kingdom service and to honour. He is not seeking for ornaments to just do His kingdom service. God’s eyes run to and fro upon the face of the earth today, seeking for that person or people He will make strong to do exploits on his behalf and then honour them. In that He is not a respecter of persons, therefore everyone in the kingdom has all opportunity to make their way to the place of REMEMBRANCE where God can engrave them memorable.

In the kingdom of God there are various kind of vessels – some Gold, silver, bronze, wood etc. What is important is not who you are but your readiness to be used of God to enable Him to honour you. God is in search of vessels to honour and not those that feel that they can get honour for themselves. He wants to make a Jewel of implacable honour of you, in you and through you.

Are you then a vessel to be honoured or an ornament (self-made) or vessel void of honour that comes from the uncreated creator – God? Holiness is God’s nature, but righteousness is our right standing (doing) imputed in us by God through Christ Jesus to enable us to have the necessary moral goodness to do good works – 2 Cor. 5:8-21. We can only be remembered here on earth and the heavens by the good work of faith we have done in life.

REMEMBRANCE – The Request

Nehemiah 13:14, 22, 29, 31 “Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and wipe not out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God, and for the offices thereof . . . Remember me, O my God, concerning this also, and spare me according to the greatness of thy mercy . . . Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the priesthood, and the covenant of the priesthood, and of the Levites . . . And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits. Remember me, O my God, for good”

Deuteronomy 7:7-9 “The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people: But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations”

Hebrews 6:10 “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister”

Revelation 5:8-10 “And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odors, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth”

Isaiah 45:11-13 “Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me. I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded. I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the LORD of hosts”

Revelation 8:3-4 “And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand”

By God’s grace I have come to know that our God is good and He is a Father who is absolutely challenged and dumbfounded when a demand is placed on Him according to His word. You will always see it all through the scriptures that He will respond swiftly to honour and clear His name for good. He seeks for the vessels which know no limitations and have no adulteration to make them strong on earth and authenticate the glory of His word upon their life. He is a faithful God, who keeps His covenant and wants to shower his love on all who love him and keep His word even unto all generations. Let’s now examine some living memory of God’s faithfulness in REMEMBRANCE:

1. Nehemiah – Request for Self & Others

Nehemiah knowing what was available in God’s covenant for himself and God’s people, placed a demand on the almighty father concerning the situation they found themselves in. The Father God was compelled according to His Word to act accordingly because He could see the work and labour of faith and their thriving of grace to restore the altar of God’s glory in the land; and as they built the fallen walls of Jerusalem and restore worship and services in the temple.

Your good deeds can be an avenue of strong prayers to make the heavens answer to your appeals in time of pressured needs – Hebrews 4:14-16; Rev. 5:8; 8:3-4.

2. Jesus – Request As Earthly Ministry Ends

John 17:1-5 “These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was”

Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ who in the days of his humanity, like Nehemiah placed a demand on the FATHER God to honour and glorify him on earth. The entire chapter of John seventeen indicates a long stretched prayer request of our Lord Jesus Christ, but began with a prayer of demand to the Father, to look at his work on earth and glorify him. And the Father God eventually answered.

In the same Spirit of our righteous consciousness of the Holy Spirit, you can place a demand on God according to His Word in line with the works that you have done by the grace of God – Rev. 2:2, 19; Hebrews 4:14-16.

3. Hezekiah – Request At Point of Death

Isaiah 38:3 ”And said, Remember now, O LORD, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore”

Rev. 8:3-4 “And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand”

Rev. 2:2, 19 “I know thy works, and thy labor, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first”

What is touching about Hezekiah’s case is the way that God remembered him at his request even though God’s verdict had been for Hezekiah to die. The parallel scriptures of Hezekiah’s case are – Isaiah 38:1-22 and 2 Kings 20:1-11 – they have it on record that he was sick unto death (physical) and God has even sent in a prophet to affirm the verdict of death sentence (spiritual) and that he should put his house in order.

In man’s understanding all hope is then gone, even a Doctor’s prediction is enough for some to start organising the kind of burial they will have, how their pension and savings should be managed and an immediate writing of a will for many matters that would be controversial after their death and many other plans.

But Hezekiah refused for his life to be cut short and refused to buy into the idea that God gives and takes away blessed be His name as Job did in his time of trouble. Hezekiah took advantage of his – Labour of love, work of grace etc – to call upon the God of REMEMBERANCE in an intensive act of prayer. The scriptures affirm that God answered, healed Hezekiah (physical) and restored him to fellowship with Him (spiritual) and gave him more years to live. What an awesome challenge and privilege of faith at work! I can perceive Hezekiah declaring to himself from:

Psalm 118:17-21 “I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD. The LORD hath chastened me sore: but he hath not given me over unto death. Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD: This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter. I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation”

This is the reason why Jesus set up His Church and wants us to be a member of it in particular. It is also for this reason that the Bible says in James 5:13-16 that when we are sick, afflicted or troubled we should call upon the elders of the Church and they should pray and even when our situation is as result of sin, it shall be forgiven us. This is the joy of belonging to a structured local Bible faith Church with a Shepherd – a Pastor. I promise you, the Heavens will stand still to answer their prayers on your behalf because of the worth of REMEMBRANCE placed upon the Church of Christ by God.

4. Dorcas – Request by Brethren

Acts 9:36-43 “Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord. And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner”

The scripture records that Dorcas was a woman full of good works and almsdeed in her life and later died. Her good deeds were obvious that when Apostle Peter was called upon concerning her case, Peter was so moved and touched with compassion hearing the testimonies of her deeds. The recipient brethren of Dorcas works of good deed, presented to Apostle Peter her works in their life.

Upon this, Apostle Peter was compelled by great compassion to request for the heavens to REMEMBER her good works and bring her back to life as the brethren wanted her back. The Father God instantly responded to their request and brought her back to life. You can see a similar scenario when Peter was in Prison, intensive prayers were made by the Church on His behalf and God showed His outstretched arm of deliverance in their midst –Acts 12:1-19.

I pray that you resolve in you to do such an indelible and tangible work of grace in the midst of God’s people, in that local Church where you belong; to the point that they can take the challenge of your life as did for Dorcas in the Acts of the Apostles.

5. Cornelius – Request By God

Acts 10:1-4 “There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always. He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God.”

To some people, especially among the religious and theologians, for one to request God to remember one in prayers for the good work of Faith is an extreme request. But when God is the one who is enacting ones good work as a memorial – Worthy of Remembrance – it goes to show and authenticate that the word of God in Malachi 3:6-8 is true indeed.

The scriptures recorded that the Lord God affirmed that Cornelius prayers and the good almsdeeds he has done, has come before the heavens. And the Lord resolved to make the door of His grace open unto him and his family; and the Lord went forth by using Apostle Peter as an instrument to bring this act of REMEMBERANCE to pass. The whole account can be found in Acts chapter ten.

I make bold to let you know that our God is good and faithful. He is righteous and grateful to reward every act of goodwill done in His name toward humanity. He is much more compelled to reward all work of Faith done about His kingdom plans, purposes and pursuits and to the household of Faith, His Church – Hebrews 6:10; Galatians 6:7-10.

6. Mary Of Bethany – At The Request of Christ

Matthew 26:6-13 “Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat. But when his disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, To what purpose is this waste? For this ointment might have been sold for much, and given to the poor. When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me. For ye have the poor always with you; but me ye have not always. For in that she hath poured this ointment on my body, she did it for my burial. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world, there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her”

There is nothing so amazing and awesome as when one is being honoured and endorsed for all to know and to keep a memorial of that honour because of the good work one has done. It becomes more majestic when ones deeds become a legacy which the heavens approve and authorise to be proclaimed whenever the gospel is preached.

This was the case of one woman – Mary of Bethany – who poured a precious alabaster box ointment upon the feet of Jesus signifying his burial. It was so timely that the religious people of those days including some of His disciples could not understand nor comprehend the mystery at that moment apart from their selfish thinking on why such precious ointment was poured on Jesus feet. Jesus on the spot affirmed the good deed she had done and declared that her work of Faith shall be a memorial and her deed would be remembered wherever the gospel was proclaimed.

You can be the same. Doing exploits that are significant, tangible and indelible in the kingdom should be the core pursuit of any child of God intending to become an Achiever. This is for those who desire their work of faith to bring forth the worth of REMEMBRANCE. I pray that the good Lord acknowledge your good work and affirm you with the worth of REMEMBRANCE.

REMEMBRANCE – Steadfastness & Faithfulness Reward

1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord”

2 Chronicle 15:7 “Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded”

Mark 10:28-30 “Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, But he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life”

As I ponder through the scriptures I have come to know that God rewards faithfulness and steadfastness in His kingdom, demonstrated by each of His children. The scriptures above help to sum up that volunteering, devoting, investing and labouring in the kingdom of God pays a great dividend. There is a place of remembrance for good deeds of faith on this side of heaven firstly and here after when our work on earth is done.

Be excited to know that God’s plans are to make you happy and no man can stop you except you choose to be stopped – Jeremiah 29:11. Being faithful and steadfast is all that is required to get you on the pathway to God’s heart. You need to be strong and very courageous; don’t let your hand be weak but ever strong to do the exploits that will register your godly effort in the kingdom – Joshua 1:1-9.

FINALLY – Eternal Remembrance

Ecclesiastics 9:10 “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest”

Matthew 25:31-46 “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was hungry, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was hungry, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal”

God is rewarding every good labourer in the Kingdom. In as much as we desire the heavens to answer our prayers immediately there is the other side of life beyond our life here on earth. That is the eternal life with eternal remembrance at the day of the Lord when all matters of life come to an end.

Salvation in terms of – Being Born Again – does not bring about REMEMBRANCE because it is not about what we do but what God has done. However, our good work alone can’t make us have our name in the book of remembrance except we have being born again – obtained salvation. But after we have become God’s own children then our labour of love, work of faith and deeds of grace, become valuable in the kingdom. This then becomes a matter recorded in the book of remembrance by the Lord God. This is more than a mere act of charity. It involves your continuous partnering with God until the day of reckoning. It’s not about accumulating achievement, it’s about affecting life positively – that is – making an impact to give hope, faith and love to others.

Today, I challenge you to make bold your desire from the Lord as I have done over and over in my life as touching many issues and seeing God’s finger of grace in sorting them out. Approach God’s presence boldly with whatsoever is intimidating you – sickness, family breakdown, troubled relationships, business setbacks, financial indebtedness and ministerial hangovers etc. This do in Faith and our Lord God of remembrance will surely visit and answer you accordingly – Isaiah 43:26; Hebrew 6:10; 2 Chronicle 15:7.

I pray that our good God grant you an abundant entrance of grace to labour for a reward that’s WORTHY of REMEMBRANCE not only for this time but for the rest of your life. Have an amazing, awesome and majestic daily grace and provisions through this month of September, while working worthy in the vacation wherein you are called of God in Jesus precious name, amen.

Dare To Do Exploits . . . Worthy of REMEMBRANCE

In His World for His Gory

Pst Chukie MORSI

All scripture in King James Version except otherwise indicated

AFD December 2008 Edition

December 1, 2008 By Chukie MORSI Leave a Comment

Triumphing By The Rod, Celebrating Christ

-Achievers Weapon of Significance-

Exodus 4:1-17 ‘’. . . And the LORD said unto him (Moses), What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod . . . And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs’’.

2 Corinthians 2:14 ‘’Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savor of his knowledge by us in every place’’

December 2008

I earnestly welcome you in the name of our Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ with His grace, peace, love and mercy into this commemoration and celebration month of Triumphing by the rod – DECEMBER! The month for the commemoration & celebration of the birth of our TRIUMPH in Christ Jesus from the dominion and oppression of satan and his cohorts. It’s worth commemorating and celebrating; and please do enjoy it with all your being.

Our Place

Jeremiah 17:12‘’A glorious high throne from the beginning is the place of our sanctuary’’

Acts 1:1-3‘’ The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen: To whom also he showed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God’’

The text of Jeremiah 17:12 reminds us of our first place in creation. A glorious and awesome high throne from the beginning was the place of our sanctuary. We lost that achievement in Eden until our Lord Jesus Christ came – as we celebrate and commemorate Him this month.

The text of Acts 1:1-3 clearly says that when Christ came, He began to DO – achieve, restore, redeem, refresh, re-awaken, – and TEACH (show the way), for us to achieve and live triumphantly again. Life is in the doing and it’s time for us to arise in faith in order to achieve our desired goals and be a plus and not a minus to our generation. A mere celebration and commemoration is not enough to live and achieve triumphantly except we understand the place of the rod in the celebration to effect a positive change to our generation.

“The relevance of history can only be determined by the instructions we draw out from it to inform the decisions of the present and to fashion out new paths for our tomorrow”. Archbishop Margaret Benson-Idahosa (CGM – Nigeria)

“Yesterday was our teacher, today is our friend and tomorrow is our opportunity”. Dr Daisy Osborn (Osborn Foundation – USA)

Beloved Achiever, you are the reason the earth was created. You are the reason while the world is still preserved today. You are the reason the homeless and hopeless can find a home and hope, the failure can find success, the blind can still see, the lame can still walk, the deaf can still hear, the sinner can still find salvation, the un-churched and unloved can still find a church and love in the world today. You are the reason why mankind can still prosper wholly today. Your being born of God is to prove to satan and his cohorts that light is superior to darkness and that the government of this life is no longer in his hands according to the scriptures.

Psalm 24:1-2‘’A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, and established it upon the floods’’

Luke 10:17-20 ‘’And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name. And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven’’

Matthew 16:18-19’’And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven’’

John 1:5 ‘’And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not’’

You are made for significance and wonders, that’s how you were and are born – fearfully and wonderfully (Psalm 139:14-18). You must take your stand and live life to its fullness.

The Rod – The Enemy (Pharaoh)

Exodus 4: 2, 17‘’And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod, And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs’’

Psalm 23:4‘’ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me’’

Exodus 15:9‘’The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them’’

I make bold to say that without the rod, an achiever is defenceless in any life endeavours. For the Rod is your weapon of instruction and defence in the face of pharaoh. And they are many pharaohs today than ever opposing us in achieving our God given goals and life pursuits – career, relationship, ministry, finances, marriage, entrepreneurship, etc.

The Rod is our God given weapon of stopping the pharaoh (satan and cohorts) activities in our way of progress and significant in life desired goals. The rod is our weapon of instruction in breaking the strongholds of the enemy, making rough places smooth, crooked road straight, exalting every valley and bringing every mountain and hill low to enact the purposes of God in our life, our generation and posterity. (Isaiah 40:3-5). The rod is our God given spiritual tool for our life goals warfare. (2Cor. 10:3-6 amplified)

In Exodus, Moses had a mandate to lead and set God’s people free out of Egypt by the privileges he has received of God, but there was an enemy – Pharaoh and his kingdom. And if Moses was to take them out of Egypt and into the promised blessings of God – a land that flowed with milk and honey, he needed help. Moses was a highly educated man in all the wisdom of doing life in Egypt – (Remember, civilisation they say began in Egypt) – that explains how highly skilled and enlightened Moses was.

Acts 7:22‘’And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds’’

In spite of all Moses’ expertise, intellectualism and exposure in Pharaohs house, he could not achieve his earnest dreams to set free his people from the hand of the enemy – Pharaoh. It must have been very worrying when all his education and the wisdom of Egypt could not deliver him nor his people.

In the same scenario we have seen today in our world our economy melt down in spite of all the 21^st century high-tech and skilled economics, politicians, intellectuals, scientist, financiers, technocrats’ etc. The economy situation of the world has invariably affected families, career opportunities, business entrepreneurships, relationships, nations, dreams and aspirations and many others.

But in Exodus, God now asked Moses, what do you have in your hand, and he answered a rod. And God said to him, by THIS ROD you will DO (create, achieve, bring about) significance – hope, deliverance, healing, salvation, peace, comfort and your desire goals. Know full well that this rod has always been there, but never considered relevant because it’s not what is considered important in human endeavour, while in it was the answer for his questions and desired aspirations and dreams (1 Cor. 1:18-31).

People today are looking and waiting for signs and wonders to happen so that they can do what they need to do. That’s not how God works; instead God wants us not to wait for it but to use the rod to create, achieve and cause the significance and wonders we desire to come to be. You have to use the rod to stop the enemy and create the life and the world you need to enjoy.

The Rod – The Christ

Exodus 4:2, 17 “And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod, And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs”

Isaiah 11:1-2 “And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD”

Matthew 1:1, 6, 16‘’ The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham . . . And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Uriah . . . And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ’’

Psalm 110:1-3 “A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth”

When God spoke to Moses in Exodus 4:2, 14 about the rod, it was literally a rod in human perspective. But in God’s own perspective, it was a shadow (concealed) for the reality and revelation that was to come. The scripture indicates in Isaiah 11:1-2, that the rod was Jesus who came out of the stem of Jesse through the lineage of David as assuredly recorded in the genealogy scripture of Matthew chapter one verses one to seventeen.

The scripture also makes bold to say in Psalm 110 that the rod is the strength of Zion (The Redeemed Church – Hebrews 12:22-24) and by the rod, the enemy powers are overturned, they are subdued and kept at bay so that we can go living triumphantly, victoriously and achieving our desired goals. Our Lord Christ, been the revealed rod in Moses hand, He can take you to a place of significance and awesome wonders: from poverty to prosperity, from obscurity to popularity, from who are you to how are you. This is the reason for the season celebration. No more room for poverty-luyah, afraid-luyah, fear-luyah etc., but HOSSANA HALLELUYAH in all life circumstances.

The Rod – The Christ – The Word

Exodus 4:2, 17‘’And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod, And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs’’

John 1:1-5, 14 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not . . . And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

1 John 5:6-7 “This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one”

From the context of the above scriptures you can clearly see that the rod though a concealed shadow in the hands of Moses for the Church in the wilderness became a revealed rod – Christ – for the redeemed Church. The concealed Rod became the revealed Christ which became -The Word. And this Word bears witness in the heavens for the saints with the Tri-une God. What a mystery, that a mere rod in one person’s hand is a living personality living in another person’s heart – You. What was ordinary became extraordinary in human nature to be born in the flesh.

And this season all over the world He is been celebrated and his birth is commemorated by all in different styles. Jesus Christ – in His humanity is the Word of God that is, has been and will ever be. Thanks to God that we have the Rod in our hands and hearts today –The Christ, The Word of God, The Bible – ‘’Blessed Information Bringing Life Eternal’’.

By The Rod – Doing The Significant

Exodus 4:17‘’And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand? And he said, A rod, And thou shalt take this rod in thine hand, wherewith thou shalt do signs’’

2 Cor. 2:14 ‘‘’Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savor of his knowledge by us in every place’’

For Moses to accomplish and achieve his dreams and aspirations to get Israel from the bondage of Egypt he needed to put the rod to use in order to silence Pharaoh and his cohorts (Exodus 14:5-22). In same like scenario, if we must be triumphant daily and in every place, we must not only know or have the rod but must put it in use. The rod is not for decoration, but to empower us to do significant achievements and goals in life that will enhance our present and give hope and aspirations to posterity. If all you can achieve is what is only common to all men for today, you will soon be out of date and irrelevant to the present and next generation. It’s all about DOING signs (being significant) with the rod.

Jesus Did

Acts 1:1 “The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus began both to do and teach’’

Acts 2:22 “Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know’’

Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, though he was God’s son, but as a man, he demonstrated being significant to make a difference in his days in the flesh. By him hope, faith, good will, peace and love find their place in human hearts today. No wonder He is been celebrated in the world this season in all human endeavours.

Apostles Did

Acts 5:12-15 “And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them. And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them”

The Apostles in the Bible days did significant things in their dispensation that marvelled their generation and posterity. They changed the course of life, giving substance to their world (Mark 16:16-20).

The Church –The believer (you) –Will & Can DO!

Mark 16:17-20 ‘’He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 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. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen’’

James 1:22-25‘’ But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed’’

Philippians 4:13‘’I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me’’

If there is any time the world need significant intervention of God, it’s today and in this generation. The believer in Christ, that includes you, is equally mandated to do signs – significant achievements by the rod. The day and time has come and now is, when you have to arise, take the rod – God’s word – by faith and put an end to all manifestation of shame, embarrassment, reproach, failure, fear, setbacks, etc.; and work yourselves into a life of significance.

Every believer is in a platform of champions, winners, overcomers, more than conquerors, victors etc., no matter what state or season of life you are now. The Rod – the word of God – is the answer to end that opposition, bondage, harassment and setback placed by pharaoh and his cohorts in your life, which tends to cripple your aspirations and desired goals in life. God’s word is the talisman, the medicine to your mountains and valleys and circumstances affecting you at the moment. Obedience to the use of the Rod as Moses did will end the stand still and same circle pains; will turn your shame to fame, your disappointment to appointment, failure to success, hopelessness to hope, fear to faith and test and trials to testimony. You can be significant

Finally

Isaiah 8:18‘’Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me are for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion’’

Romans 8:19‘’For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God’’

The scriptures above are great prophesies which sum it up that all in Zion will together with the Lord live a triumphant life of significance in all areas of life – spiritually, mentally, socially, physically, financially etc. (Luke 2:52). Also that creation awaits all God’s children to demonstrate and manifest who they really are. Hence as you celebrate, commemorate the Lord Christ of Christmas, the reason for the season; it will be greatly significant if you go the extra more mile to make a difference from the usual routine. Its time to tap in and draw the triumph from Christ’s birth, get hooked on the rod to make and live an amazing, glorious, awesome and a significant life that no one has and will ever live because you are UNIQUE!

Dare Take The Rod . . . Triumphantly Doing The Significant

In His World For His Glory

Pst Chukie MORSI

Publishing The WORD . . . REDEEMING The Whole-man

From The Chains of POVERTY, SICKNESS & SPIRITUAL DEATH

Note:All scriptures are in King James Version except otherwise indicated.