 The Holy Spirit witnessed in every city that bonds and afflictions were awaiting Paul (Acts 20: 23). There must have been a reason why the Holy Spirit warned Paul in every city.
Paul was warned again through the spirit by a prophet not to go up to Jerusalem further down in the book of Acts  The foundations of our Christian Walk are essential. What we are taught as young believers in Christ can affect our mindsets and views about things and how we approach our Christian Walk.
If the foundation of our Christian walk is good motivational teachings and we are not exposed to the Word of God and prayer, after a while we may struggle when the trials of life come, especially if we do not have a good network system. When l say “network system” l mean a group of strong believers that can help and guide.  The Lord told His disciples “Let us pass over to the other side (Mark 4: 35)” then a storm arose to threaten it. The disciples went to meet Jesus and Jesus rebuked the storm and there was a great clam (Mark4: 39). The Lord rebuked the disciples for being so fearful and how is it that they had no faith (Mark 4: 40). This response shows that the Lord expected the disciples to rebuke the storm themselves, after all the Lord had said “Let us go to the other side”.  You did not want to do it, but you were pressurised into doing it?
We find a similar account in scripture. Moses went up to the mount and the people thought that he would not return. So, they pressurised Aaron into making a calf. The whole account can be found in Exodus 32. The children of Israel pressured Aaron to build a calf for them.  Colossians 3: 5 defines what idolatry is.
“Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry” (Colossians 3: 5) From this scripture, we can see that covetousness is idolatry. The scripture does not say that it is like idolatry but it is idolatry. So what is covetousness? The English dictionary says that it is “A strong desire to have something especially something that belongs to someone else. .  Are you led to do something and others around you do not understand? Are you sure it is what you are supposed to do? Or have you done something and those around you are mocking and wondering why all this? This is a lesson we can learn from the woman with the alabaster box. She poured perfume on Jesus and the Lords disciples said that it was a waste. Why not sell it and give it to the poor? ( Matthew 26; 8-9). At this point, it is safe to say that Jesus to say that the Lord’s disciples lacked discernment.  Sometimes not everyone will appreciate what you are doing and what the Lord has called you to do.
As a matter of fact, the disciples said it to her face. This is the response of our Lord Jesus Christ : “ When Jesus understood it, he said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath wrought a good work upon me” (Matthew 26: 10) KJV. But Jesus, aware of this, replied, “Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me? But Jesus, aware of this, replied, “Why criticize this woman for doing such a good thing to me? (Matthew 26: 10) NLT. Is anyone troubling you because of what the Lord has told you to do? Is anyone troubling you that lacks discernment? You will have to ignore them because the Lord told the disciples to leave her alone. Let her do what she wants to do. As long as the Lord has instructed you or you feel led by the Holy Spirit, the Lord will tell you the same. Today what this woman did is a memorial ( Matthew 26: 13) and only heaven knows her eternal rewards. So don’t let those that do not understand your vision stop you. The Lord knows and sees everything. Be encouraged! Bisi Oladipupo © 15th May 2023  I had wondered for a while, why the Lord was upset with Balaam, after all the Lord told him to go.
If you are not familiar with the account, it can be found in the book of Numbers chapters twenty-two to twenty-four. Recently l saw why the Lord was upset with Balaam. Moab was distressed because of the children of Israel and sent messengers unto Balaam to curse the people of Israel. Balak was the King of the Moabites at that time. Balaam told the messengers of Balak that he would bring the word of the Lord to them. Later that night, God told Balaam not go. .  Have you been given a word from the Lord and it appears that something is boasting against it?
Are you standing on a revealed word of God from scripture in any area of your life and something is boasting against it? Be rest assured that God is never caught unawares, and He already knew about that false look like impossible situation before it even appeared.  Have you ever read the book of Jonah? Many of us are aware of what happened. The full account can be found in Jonah chapters one to four.
In summary; Jonah was told by God to go to Nineveh and warn them of their wrong doings. Instead of Jonah obeying the Lord he decided to flee and go somewhere else. He found some men in a ship, paid the fare and decided to travel with him. |
Heavens agenda in any situation is several steps up higher than what we are thinking. Kevin Zadai.  Or
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