Tag Archives: purpose

THE APPLAUSE OF GOD


After I have passed on to the other side of eternity, my life will be measured by men, in time, by the kind of impact I had on my generation. People will sing my praise as my casket is wheeled away and if the impact was so strong, my name will be echoed in time while I am gone

Many strives towards making a mark in their generation. True to this pursuit, history is littered with biographies of men and women who have made a mark in their world that cannot be erased in time. Such men and women are our heroes. Society applauds them for their great sacrifices towards the improvement of human civilization.

One thing we cannot measure is the underlying motive behind everything men do or have accomplished in time. Only eternity can measure the scope of our hearts to justify our motives, because as humans we have all sorts of underlying motivations towards what we do with what we have.

THE KINGDOM MODEL OF PURPOSE

Unlike the spirit of this worlds system, the kingdom of God has a sole motivation in its undertakings: “to be governed by the will of God.” As a disciple of Christ, it is expected of me that what has been entrusted to me be used faithfully to fulfill the grand purpose of God. Meanwhile, we are encumbered by our personal ambitions and motivations, which may run parallel with the agenda of God.

Our greatest challenge as believers is knowing how to secure the will of God, and live by His will so we don’t live our lives trying to attain the applause of men just as the world do. Until we overcome self our attainment will be motivated by personal gains and glory instead of striking a chord in eternity.

Matthew 25:14-17 14For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. 15And unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey. 16Then he that had received the five talents went and traded with the same, and made them other five talents. 17And likewise he that had received two, he also gained other two

The kingdom’s model, as I said earlier is different from this worlds order. The motivation of many achievers today is to make name for themselves. They live for themselves and breathe self and seek the rising of the self on the success ladder. Such men do everything in their own way to fulfill a personal agenda. Though they are successful in time, their achievements means nothing to the creator of heaven and earth.

Success, in eternity, is not measured by our material increase but is measured by how faithful we engage ourselves in the directives of God with his ability and opportunities, whether small or big. The increase in life should be seen in the light of Gods will, as a byproduct of faithfulness. Most of the things we celebrate as success could mean nothing to God if he is not the Lord of such enterprises. This may shock most believers who are obsessed with success and they assume God is celebrating every one of their carnal pursuits.

The kingdom of God is like a man travelling into a far country; He calls all his servants and gives them special responsibilities and also what it takes to fulfil his expectations; talents. Each one had a special talent. Unto one he gave five talents, to another two, and another one; to every man according to his several abilities; and straightway took his journey. Now, the goal is to please their boss and the duty is to live each day doing business according to his culture or way of life, to establish his dominion on earth with what has been given. This is the true model of the kingdom of God. It is not in man to direct our affairs. Our goal is to yield to a life designed by the wisdom of God before time began.
Jeremiah 10:23 O Lord, I know that the path of [life of] a man is not in himself; It is not within [the limited ability of] man [even one at his best] to choose and direct his steps [in life]

TRUE AMBASSADORS, ARISE!

Do you know that these servants were representatives of their master, who distributed to them his wealth and embarked on a journey? He was respected and honored in the community and he seeks to establish true dominion in that region, not according to the ways of the stewards but according to his ways or model of life. They could have transacted business with the most corrupt business men in the community and increase his wealth but that would tarnish his image, although they would gain much profit for him. They could have established a tavern on the highway and hire young ladies for sex hungry society. That would create a multimillion empire for their master, putting him among the top-notch wealthy men on Forbes list, and maybe receive front-page recognition in New York Times.

For our king, it is not about ‘our’ results. It’s about the knowledge of his eternal measure for our lives and how we dedicate our lives each day in His power to withstand the mundane way of life and to be governed by His wisdom to accurately execute his initiatives in time. His will must find a clear expression in our lives. The Lord spoke to Jeremiah in this sense; “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5

Jeremiah could have been a successful farmer and be applauded by men and miss his ordination. Society may have told him farming was the best sector to engage his life with but God had a different plan. In his encounter with the Lord, the young Jeremiah tried to persuade God to find an alternative due to his inadequacies, but God did not succumb to that fact, which was not a reality in eternity.

In eternity God could only see an able prophet, chiselled for a godly purpose for the nation Israel. In the manual of instructions for Jeremiah, the Monarch of Zion has this written in bold letters; “you shall go to all to whom I shall sent and whatever I command you, you shall speak.” God was not calling Jeremiah as a prophet and in every aspect of his prophetic office, he has the free will to pursue whatever ambition suits him. No, that’s not how our God works. He does not sponsor what He is not involved in. Oh, how we do a lot of good things outside of Gods will with the wrong motives. God sees and knows the rein of our hearts, if it is aligned to his will or not.

“Then said I, Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am only a youth. [Exod. 4:10; 6:12, 30; I Kings 3:7.] But the Lord said to me, Say not, I am only a youth; for you shall go to all to whom I shall send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak.”Jeremiah 1:6-7 AMPC

The Lord is calling us to evaluate our lives to see if we are on course. Are you on the right path of your assignment or you are carried away by personal ambitions?

FAITH TO REJECT THE VOICE OF SELF

So many Christians will pray for Gods blessing to be materialized in their lives but not for the furtherance of the kingdom of God, but rather for their self-gain. They are not willing to surrender their selfish motivation of life, for the will of God to find expression in them. They are engrossed by personal ambitions and seek the applause of society. As long as they are applauded by men, to them, the voice of the people is the voice of God.

There is a kind of success which is sponsored by the deception of the devil, to trap us from Kingdom way so that you and I cannot attain the ultimate purpose of God. It wasn’t hard for Moses to reject the status as the son of Pharoah daughter. A title that could offer him great success and opportunities in Egypt but he sought for the will of God according to prophecy rather than the ways of Egypt. We are reminded of how the patriarchs and the elders obtained a good report, (see Heb 11:2) of which Moses was also counted;

Hebrews 11:24-26 AMPC “[Aroused] by faith Moses, when he had grown to maturity and become great, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, [Exod. 2:10, 15.] Because he preferred to share the oppression [suffer the hardships] and bear the shame of the people of God rather than to have the fleeting enjoyment of a sinful life. He considered the contempt and abuse and shame [borne for] the Christ (the Messiah Who was to come) to be greater wealth than all the treasures of Egypt, for he looked forward and away to the reward (recompense).”

Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith was also pressed by self, but he yielded himself to the counsel of God that was upon his life through obedience. He sought grace in humility, therefore, he passed the test of human will in distinction. Our saviour chose to endure the shame of the cross and the hostilities wrapped in this journey, neglecting the lures to rescind from the will of God, marching to Calvary in total obedience to the Father. We are entreated to let this same mind be in us (See Phil 2:5-11)

Mathew 26:29 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

“Looking away [from all that will distract] to Jesus, Who is the Leader and the Source of our faith [giving the first incentive for our belief] and is also its Finisher [bringing it to maturity and perfection]. He, for the joy [of obtaining the prize] that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising and ignoring the shame, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. [Ps. 110:1.] Just think of Him Who endured from sinners such grievous opposition and bitter hostility against Himself [reckon up and consider it all in comparison with your trials], so that you may not grow weary or exhausted, losing heart and relaxing and fainting in your minds.” Hebrews 12:2-3 AMPC

Stay strong to the end, O’ pilgrim friend. Your path may be littered with troubles and your face seems to have hit gloom, don’t turn your face toward the path drenching with oil because your feet are tired. There is light at the end of this wretched path. There is a crown at the end of this path, your name engraved on it. Thy King will say well done, though the world never appreciated your contribution

THE JOY OF THE KING IS IN OUR FAITHFULNESS

From our main text, upon the return of the master, he called his servants to render an account in stewardship. There is a genuine expression of joy on the heart of the master, seeing how those representatives handled matters that were important to him. They died to themselves and devoted everything in them to fulfil a higher purpose.

The master, who represent Christ in this story was elated, not only because they multiplied his goods. He also saw faithfulness to the core. Outside of his domain, I believe there were other members of the community who were also multiplying and maybe much bigger than his servants, in terms of quantitative achievement. But he doesn’t compare his measure of success to the worlds way of success because he want to see sincere obedience to his purpose in every one of our achievements.

Such achievements travel beyond time into eternities, as an eternal treasure that has met Gods approval, such as Jesus, who is currently seated at the right hand of the throne of God because he endured the temptation to hit the quit bell by learning obedience

WELL DONE

In the end, what matters will not be the applause of men we received in the ages but the praise and reward of the eternal one. Let us sincerely dedicate our lives to something much bigger than ourselves, through it all. So we ask God for the grace to die to self, and the wisdom to execute his heartbeat in the areas and places he has called us to represent him as faithful stewards.

“Now after a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. And he who had received the five talents came and brought him five more, saying, Master, you entrusted to me five talents; see, here I have gained five talents more. His master said to him, Well done, you upright (honorable, admirable) and faithful servant! You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little; I will put you in charge of much. Enter into and share the joy (the delight, the blessedness) which your master enjoys And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, Master, you entrusted two talents to me; here I have gained two talents more. His master said to him, Well done, you upright (honorable, admirable) and faithful servant! You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little; I will put you in charge of much. Enter into and share the joy (the delight, the blessedness) which your master enjoys.” Matthew 25:19-23 AMPC

Phaneroò | Make Manifest | 🔺

“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:6-8, 11-12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

THE BREVITY OF LIFE


We are perishable beings chanting with forever lips, like eternal beings. We are raindrops on shattered windows acting like the ocean waves. This is man; a fading reality, a flickering candle in the wind


There comes a moment when we all must realize that life is short, and in the end, what really counts is not how others see us, but how God sees us” — Billy Graham

“Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away.” Psalm 144:4 KJVAE.

A few days ago I learned an important lesson from an incident that took place at home. I know most parents can relate with this, especially under the current situation of COVID-19 when most kids are at home 24/7 being home schooled. In my desire to save a banana for another day from my daughter who have become accustomed to consuming groceries at the speed of light. Before you blink an eye almost everything is gone

So on this day I decided to hide one of the banana in the upper cabinet of our kitchen so I could use it for smoothie the next day instead of keeping everything at the usual spot on the kitchen counter. I knew I was safe because she will not be able to see it or reach. For some interesting reason I forgot I have hidden the banana away from her.

You know banana is perishable and when it is ripe you can only save it up to 2-4 days. This banana could only survive a day or two. Imagine how many days this banana find itself in the dark. For more than a month the banana was inside the top cabinet minding its own business. About two days ago I decided to hide cookies away from my son and his Covid 19 high appetite levels for another day or two.

Lo and behold, I saw this black banana softly lying on the same spot am hiding the cookies and when I brought it out I knew I was as fallible as the word fallible could mean. How on earth did I forgot, I asked with a soft smile. Suddenly, wisdom flowed through my soul.

The very yellowish smooth banana has changed into something else; blackened and flattened like a dead squirrel on a highway. It reminded me of the fragile nature and brevity of man. In all of our search to be appear invisibly awesome, strong, unbeatable and the guarantee to weather through the storms of life without defects, we always come back to the same spot of mortality.

In our pursuit to be here, on this side of life for a long long time, we have come to realize that we can’t conquer the brevity of life. Alas, we are fragile and our lives changes like the flower. The best among us is as vulnerable like a toddler learning to ride a bicycle

Yeah, we are vulnerable. We struggle to come to terms with the short span of our life. We were not born to live forever fresh in the flesh. We were not born to be exempted completely from the constant changes in this our fragile experience. This is why we see the strong fade through the icy hands of death, and the young and agile become old; feeling insignificant in his mobility and power as in the days of his youth.

Our bodies, regardless of how we condition it with all kinds of physical training regime and follow the latest anti aging formulas, the famous endorsed dieting plans and cosmetics surgeries, we will never endure life in foreverness. We become weakened by the day through unexpected sicknesses, sin, old age, stress and many emotional weights. This side of eternity is perishable and it’s occupied by us. We are the perishable men that sometimes want to act like we have control over our destinies.

“As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.” Psalm 103:15-16 KJVAE

My heart has been totally humbled by this experience. As I held this blackened reduced banana in my hand, I felt the wisdom of scripture emitting from my spirit. You know God will use multiple channels to draw home an important message.

On this day these words sunk in deeper; “as for man, his days are as grass. As the flower of the field, so he flourish. The wind passeth over it, and is gone.” Where is the place for pride and invincibility? What is the essence of comparison and hate? What is the place of boastings? Everything around us is just like a common banana or a beautiful flower. We are sweet and glorious today but such glorious of the mundane do not last forever

I am also reminded of the words of the psalmist;

“Psalm 90:12 NLT Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.”

A man who understands and live his life from the persuasion of truth — That kind of man is rich in humility towards God, and has a good estimation of others, in love. Such brethren makes wise choices that echoes into eternity. His soul is not dedicated to the mundane but he thrives in the agenda of God for the season he lives in. Such a man will not sell his soul cheaply at the auction of vanity

Lets cry unto our God, that the grace to appropriate life prudently will be lavished on us daily so that we don’t live like the heathen; without the urgency and purpose orchestrated by divine ordination. May we not perish with the wind but thrive under the influence of the power and love, gratitude, forgiveness, and holiness of our Father in heaven through Christ Jesus.

We are are at period of birth pangs. The signs of Jesus coming is upon us. Friend, it behooves us to redeem the time. Let us not live as if we are exempted from the fragility of life. Without the constant help from the administrative center of our eternal Christ, which is able to fortify our hearts and minds we will be governed by the economy of the dust, and all our days will be a wasted life; a live giving to the cause of vanity.

May Jesus be uncensored in us. He that has an ear let him hear and see the wisdom of God in this matter.

“When we fully understand the brevity of life, its fleeting joys and unavoidable pains; when we accept the facts that all men and women are approaching an inevitable doom: the consciousness of it should make us more kindly and considerate of each other. This feeling should make men and women use their best efforts to help their fellow travelers on the road, to make the path brighter and easier as we journey on. It should bring a closer kinship, a better understanding, and a deeper sympathy for the wayfarers who must live a common life and die a common death.”— Clarence Darrow

“Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away.” Psalm 144:4 KJVAE.