Put the Word to Work

It’s one thing to receive a gift and quite another to know how to apply or put it to use. We’ve talked about following the example of Mary who went after the one thing that is needful. However, it’s possible to know the Word yet not know how much of it can produce our much needed results.


To make the Word work, we must have faith in the Word as God’s testament, otherwise it will not profit us anything.
 For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it. Hebrews 4:2 NKJV.
It is faith that translates the letters of the Bible into the Living Word of God and the manifestation of the Holy Spirit. The Word of God is in our hands like the rod of Moses, waiting for us to have faith enough to put it down. It is only when we put it down by faith that it can swallow the snakes of the Egyptians.


Thirst for revelation! It’s very dangerous to get too familiar with the Word of God. When you get to that point when you think you know too much of the Word, it ceases to produce something fresh for you. Be expectant each time you approach God’s Word. Ask the Holy Spirit for something new- revelations, breakthrough...!
The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:130
I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure. Psalm 119:162
The Psalmist's attitude to the Word was always that of someone who found great treasure. A heart like that will certainly encounter the power in the Word.
To receive revelation, you must also learn to meditate on the Word (Joshua 1:8).


Share the Word. God’s principle of giving and receiving works with the Word as it does with everything else. The power of the Word multiplies in our lives when we share it with the lost and seeking.
And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Mark 16:20 NKJV


Action Point
Put the Word to work!

Does the Church have a culture?

Culture, we’ve been told is a people’s way of life. Also, that without culture, a people is bound to go into extinction.
Growing up, it was easy to tell a born-again Christian from an unbeliever. Christians dressed and talked in a certain way.

However, today with the advent of knowledge and illumination so falsely called, none of those can be seen amongst Christians anymore.  What really happened? Did we find out that it was wrong to choose to be identified by our appearance while making sure that our inner life reflected the nature of Christ? Is it still in a bid to let them ‘come as they are’? How did the Church become such a place where there are no standards anymore? Jennifer Hudson and five other superstars performed at the Shell energy innovation day – Best Day of my life Best day of my life. They were all dressed decently at their level. Our own Yemi Alade didn’t wear bum shorts. Jennifer’s outfit looked like something for a Church outing. The reason was because they know the culture around a corporate place like Shell.

It’s good that we found the ‘truth’ about wearing certain clothes or jewelleries but can’t we at least wear them as men and women professing godliness? 1 Timothy 2:10. How is it that Christians are the most careless of all the religious worshippers?

The culture of a people is the most potent tool of colonisation. Anytime you see a country that has been colonised by another, you would notice that they talk and dress like their colonial masters. That’s the reason I am writing this in English and not Igbo. Culture is important and from every indication, the world has colonised the Church.

In the movie industries around the world, in order to depict a certain character, costumes will be changed. That goes to affirm that the way we dress or look can be read as who we are.
It's really sad to see Pastors today wearing claws in the name of nail extensions, earrings that run all the way down to the collar bones, not to mention the display of cleavages. Men sag their pants in the Church! Yes, nothing wrong with all of those because it’s not written in the Bible but how would you interpret- Phil. 4:5: Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Moderation and modesty is our simple rule. I think that's the culture of the Church.
 
A lot of my friends fuss about islamization of Nigeria and other nations of the world and I always tell them this – “the situation that offers the platform for the islamization of any people has the same potential to bring about the Christianization. The difference is how much we are ready to stand for, or sell our identity. 

What we preach is not half as effective as how we live; our culture.

Please let's bring back the culture of the Church... our identity; who we are!

Gain is not godliness!

Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 1 Tim. 6:6-7 NKJV


In these days when Church meetings have become nothing other than a business summit, it is becoming increasingly difficult to tell which is the correct standard from God’s perspective- gain is godliness or godliness is gain.
I am not in the least opposed to messages on prosperity or the success of believers but I do not agree that any of those can equate to a right standing with God. The Bible says that godliness with contentment is great gain. It’s  important to note that contentment is a godly virtue so even when there is gain, without contentment, we are bound to continue in the vicious cycle of chasing the wind.
What’s my point? Let us make effort to pursue godliness as much as we pursue success or even more than we pursue these physical gains. Everyone of the fruits of these successes that we pursue so fervently these days, do not have eternal relevance.


For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Mark 8:36


This question of our Lord Jesus is more relevant today than at any other time. What are you chasing after? Have you put more premium on it than you have put on your soul? Please make effort to study the Bible for your self. The Word of God does not define gain as godliness. If gain were to be godliness then the Bill Gates and Dangotes of our time would be high priests.
It’s quite regrettable that we are taught today that affluence is equal to living right with God. It's a lie of the enemy to keep us where he wants us to be.
God wants us to prosper in all things but only as our souls prosper.


Prayer Point
Lord, please help me to pursue after godliness so that every other gain will be added to me.

One thing is NEEDFUL!

And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” Luke 10:39-40 NKJV


The lesson from Martha and Mary’s encounter with our Lord Jesus on His visit to their home is so important for us today. Mary sat at Jesus’ feet to hear His Word while Martha was busy trying to make sure that the Master was well entertained.
Martha was genuinely  busy, in fact she was the one who seemed to show reverence for our Lord yet the Bible calls it 'distraction'.


And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:41-42


Today we have even more of those ‘many things’ that our Lord cautioned against. There are genuine and wonderful pursuits of our lives that are not necessarily ‘needful’ by God’s standard. While it’s not bad to give your best to your job, get more degrees/certificates, let us always bear in mind that all of those will be taken away from us.
Jesus described the Word as the ‘good part’ which will not be taken away from Mary. The Word bears such fruits that are not only relevant to us here, but all the way into eternity. His response to Martha is clearly a pointer to how much premium we ought to put on the Word.


Quite interestingly too, Mary’s decision to listen to the Word instead of entertaining the Master was her choice. Jesus could have called them both to come and sit, but He chose rather to let them choose what’s important.


Action Point
The choice is ours to make. Choose that ‘good part’ that will not be taken away from you.