Blessed Adherence

BLESSED ADHERENCE

And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him - 1 Samuel 18:5, 14, 30

Repeatedly the Bible mentions that David conducted himself wisely. As a result he enjoyed God's presence and help.  In Psalms David revealed that his secret was meditating on God's word.

 'Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me. I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation.' (Psalm 98-99).

David showed wise behavior by maintaining a humble and sound attitude whether he was facing Goliath from outside or threats to his life from inside his camp. King Saul had marked David for death from the time women sang songs that ascribed greater praise to David (1 Samuel 18:9, 11, 25; 19:1, 2, 10).  David however demonstrated wisdom by:

1)      Keeping faith in God. David was unmoved in faith. No wonder, he wrote that one who meditates on Gods word is like a tree planted by streams of water which shall not be moved but bears fruit in season and its leaves are evergreen (Psalm 1). Situations that test faith produce powerful testimonies. For David, the stakes were very high. The tests threatened his predicted rise to the throne. David however stood firm on faith that God was in control and would reward those who diligently sought him.

2)      Keeping passionate love for God. David's heart was unmoved from pursuing God’s heart. He maintained love for God as well as for people. He kept his heart from the poison of negative spirit towards himself or others. He maintained a tender heart and tough skin. He loved God with all his heart and his neighbor as himself. He was able to overcome real or imagined offenses from people Instead of being bitter he built strong relationships that provided a strong support network which  kept him going in hard times (1 Samuel 18:3, 5, 20; 19:18). David was so favored by many people that when Saul instructed all his servants to kill him none obeyed (1 Samuel 19:1).

3)      Keeping focus on serving God. Like Paul, later did he pressed toward the mark for the prize of his high calling (Philippians 3:13-14). Serving God is about seeking his will and obeying his voice. David was unmoved in his focus to live according to God's purpose. He served God’s interests by doing good. He lived for God's glory and pleasure. He acknowledged God and feared him. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). Bearing in mind that to hate sin is the fear of God (Proverbs 8:13).

More than from his covenant with Jonathan, David enjoyed the covenant God made with his people through Abraham and Moses. A covenant with God has two parts - the divine part and the human part.  In a previous message, we called what God brings to a covenant - blessed assurance. We can call the commitment his people fulfill as their part - blessed adherence. Assurance is God’s part to establish your spiritual reality. Adherence is your part in navigating the natural practical realities of your spiritual walk. We sing blessed assurance Jesus is mine. We should also sing blessed adherence Jesus I am yours. Anointed as king already, David had God's assurance. His practical reality was however not always easy and smooth. He nevertheless demonstrated blessed adherence through behaving wisely.  Covenant promises are as good as the character of the promisers. God keeps his promises. He is trustworthy and his part to a covenant is undoubted. The human side however tends to be unstable. From the experience of the nation of Israel their welfare  fluctuated with their faithfulness to God. Otherwise, God was always committed and ready to fulfill his part. 

Complete obedience is a condition for covenant blessings. Deuteronomy 28 is very clear that God’s blessings would follow his people if they obeyed ALL his commands (Deuteronomy 28:1, 15) .  They were to keep all of the law all of the time. Old Testament record shows how the children of Israel failed to meet the condition for God’s blessing. The result of failure to obey was a horrible menu of curses listed in Deuteronomy 28.  By their disobedience they deserved to suffer the curses. They often did go through difficulties but they deserved worse if God was not gracious. Any blessings they enjoyed were God's grace.

No one could keep all the law. That is the reason Christ came (Galatians 3:9-18). The good news for the Church of Jesus Christ is that full blessing comes before performance (Ephesians 1:3). Performance only confirms what the saints are and have. Paul told the Ephesians church that they were blessed with every spiritual blessing. This was impossible without complete obedience. It was however made possible on the basis of Christ’s perfect obedience. He was tempted in everyway but did not sin (Hebrews 4:15).  Totally undeserved, the Lord Jesus fulfilled the human side of faithfulness to the covenant with God. If you can still find reasons why Jesus loves you, you do not know his love. His love is puzzling, unthinkable, unspeakable and inexplicable. God’s people only need to respond by behaving themselves wisely in conduct worthy of the blessed. They build faith in Jesus and his word. They not only long for  a promise but celebrate the provision of the cross. They love God with all their hearts. They passionately obey and serve God.

A New Testament rendering of Deuteronomy 28 would read as follows. ‘It has come to pass now that Jesus has fully obeyed all the commands God gave, if you shall  believe in the Lord Jesus as savior and lord believing in his death, resurrection and soon return, the Lord thy God  will set  thee on high  above all nations  of the earth. You are comprehensively blessed in Christ. As a result, these blessings shall follow you. You will be blessed where you live, work, and where you play. Your enemies will be perfectly scattered from you. Your bank account and multiple investments will be blessed. You will be blessed in your fields and businesses. The works of your hands will be blessed and you will earn lots of fruit, profit, and good results.   You are blessed with children. Whatever you touch will be blessed. You will be blessed from the beginning to the end of your journeys, projects and transitions. You will have sufficient natural rain, divine favor and the Holy Spirit for bumper harvests. Because of your faith in Jesus, no curses shall ever follow you.

You will be above only - never beneath (Deuteronomy 28:13). God is never beneath and his covenant takes you to his position and level. That means if pressed under you resurge to the top (2 Corinthians 4:8, 9).  You recover speedily. You rise above storms. You keep yourself under control. You have sufficient grace to handle any situation. You are not stressed. You are unstoppably finding your way to the top. You have freedom to obey God. You can walk in the fruit of the Spirit. You are free indeed from all forms of bondage and curses. Above only means you have dignity and respect whether people acknowledge it or not.  Your job, position on organizational structure and circumstances do no define you and your self-esteem. You are a first class person, fearfully and wonderfully made. In God’s first class cabin, there is room for all who believe.  Surely, you are above only and never beneath.

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa 

Blessed Assurance

BLESSED ASSURANCE

1 Samuel 18:1-5 

Jonathan's relationship with David has parallels with that of Christ and the saints. Jonathan was a prince while David was from a poor background. Yet he loved David so much that his soul knit to that of David.  Jonathan proved to be the greatest friend that David would know. The relationship was so strong that Jonathan and David established a covenant between themselves. They were not just friends but bond friends. In life, you will make hundreds of acquaintances; but you will have few genuine friends.  Jesus Christ is the most genuine friend you can have.   

A covenant relationship was the strongest form of agreement and commitment people could make to each other. When God chose a form of relationship with humanity, he graciously chose the strongest. He chose a covenant relationship. He made a covenant with his people through Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses and ultimately with the Church through Christ. In Christ, saints received a better covenant founded on better promises (Hebrews 8:6).  A covenant was more than a mere promise. It was the basis of favor guaranteed by the character of the parties. God therefore chose two unchangeable things to assure believers of his commitment - his covenant and his trustworthy character. God is a covenant keeping God (Daniel 9:4; Leviticus 26:44; Psalm 89:34; Isaiah 54:10). His covenant commitment is the blessed assurance or strong consolation that gives us confidence and unshaken hope in his word (Hebrews 6:18). May the following three characteristics of a covenant be an encouragement?

1) A Covenant is lasting.   David was committed to Jonathan in life and in death (2 Samuel 1:17-27). People in a covenant were bound together with an oath for life.  They swore to honor the covenant.  Their commitment to one another withstood the hurdles and obstacles in the way of their relationship. The relationship between David and Jonathan was tested.  For instance, Saul hated David and repeatedly in direct and indirect ways tried to kill him (1 Samuel 18:25; 19:1, 8-11). Jonathan’s devotion to David was however not weakened to the extent that it even caused a rift to develop between him and his father, as he repeatedly took David’s side against the king (1 Samuel 19:2, 4-7; 20:24-34). The covenant lasted so long that David remembered Jonathan's lame rejected and dejected son,  Mephibosheth, to promote him to the king’s table and to restore Saul's wealth to him (2 Samuel 4:4; 9:5-13). This favor was regardless of Mephibosheth possessing nothing that would commend him to King David except that he was Jonathan's son.

2) A Covenant is an exchange. Parties to a covenant exchanged identities, wealth and weapons. They committed to sharing everything. To remind themselves of their commitment they established a memorial by for example planting a tree or making a scar. Whoever attacked one of them had attacked all.   Those who saw David on the day he entered a covenant with Jonathan mistook him for Jonathan (1 Samuel 18:1-4). Jonathan had put his royal robes and sword on David. God has also given saints his divine nature and name (2 Peter 1:4, Revelation 3:12).    He in his love, saved his saints through Christ and put on them his robe of righteousness in place of their filthy rags of sin ( Isaiah 64:6; 61:10; Ephesians 2:1-3; Romans 8:7). In the relationship, God has nothing else to gain apart from the relationship itself. On the other hand, humanity has everything of God to gain. A covenant with God entitles one to everything that belongs to God. That is why believers have every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. You are already blessed in Christ (Ephesians 1:3, 2:6; Colossians 3:3; Romans 4:24). It is because you already have the blessing that blessings follow you. The standard and condition for your blessing is not how much blessed your neighbor, your parents or spiritual leaders are but that you are in Christ.

3) A Covenant is a choice. Parties willingly enter into a covenant.  Jonathan showed uncommon, unselfish, unconditional and sacrificial love to David. Love is a choice one commits to live by.  Even though he knew David would ascend to the throne in instead of him, Jonathan was not jealous (1 Samuel 23:17). Even though he was a prince, he loved David of a poor background. Even though he had more to lose, he loved him anyway. He loved him as his soul (1 Samuel 18:3). Similarly, Jesus had nothing to gain in comparison to what it took to save you. He showed uncommon love for lost sinners (Romans 5:8; 8:38-39; John 15:13; 1 John 3:16; 4:9-10). He knew they would never show their love for Him to the same degree He demonstrated His love for them but He loved anyway.   He loves us because that is His nature and choice (1 John 4:7; Ephesians 2:4; Romans 4:16-25). You can do nothing good enough to earn God's love. Your prayer, fasting, giving etc may position you to receive but can never earn you his love and the favor at work in your life. Thank God for his unmerited love and his unfailing covenant commitment to you. That is the blessed assurance.

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa 

Portraits of a Giant

Portraits of a Giant

“and all this assembly will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves! For the battle is the LORD’s, and he will deliver you into our hand.” - 1 Samuel 17:47

People often face challenges bigger than they can cope with.   The challenges can stretch them beyond their comforts and limits.   You also have faced such challenges that appear as invincible giants compared to your own perceived strength.  Sometimes you invade them because they are obstacles you have to deal with. Other times they ambush you by coming without warning. David did not plan to meet Goliath the Philistines champion, when he took food provisions to his brothers at the war front.  Nevertheless, before the day ended, he found himself having to fight the giant. In the Old Testament, giants were a big threat to Israel. Fear of giants kept Israel in the wilderness away from the Promised Land for forty years (Numbers 13). Later in the Promised Land, giants sought to keep Israel from enjoying the fullness of God's promise (Numbers 14:9, Deuteronomy 9:1-3). Evil giants still attempt to keep God’s people from their blessings.

Goliath presented David with three portraits.

1. The face of terror. Goliath was a terrorist that instilled fear in the people of God. He caused fear by his huge appearance and verbal threats. Faith and fear cannot coexist. The giant removed their focus from God's ability, care and faithfulness. As a result, their faith was weakened as they let fear take over. Whichever they would allow to rule displaced the other.  Satan uses fear and discouragement as weapons of first choice against believers.  No wonder, there are over 350 “fear nots” in the Bible making it the most repeated command before adding many exhortations to be courageous.

The army and leaders of Israel were so timid before Goliath that with tails between their legs they dreaded his appearance. Their fearful response was a summary of Saul's legacy. He started surrounded with men God had touched and ended with a bunch of men trembling before a giant. David on the other hand started with outcasts and malcontents, and ended up with giant killers around him. Saul was so desperate that he offered his daughter and the prestige she gave to anyone who killed the giant.  He was also desperate that he sent an untrained and unprotected boy to fight a seasoned ruthless giant.

David asked, 'Is there not a cause' (1 Samuel 17:29). He saw God’s reputation at stake and that was a cause to fight the giant. The army that was supposed to give security against the Phillistines was trembling and helplessly defied daily. Goliath had become a menacing stronghold that appeared every morning and evening to defy the armies of Israel. He came out with impunity and was unchallenged for forty days. For that long, Saul and his army lived in uncertainty of what he would do next.

2. The face of the ordinary. The giant challenged the ordinary standard and methods of warfare. They are intimidating when compared to the ordinary.  His strategies and operations were humanly superior. They appealed to sight, and logic. A counter strategy that appeals to worldly values and weapons and ways cannot sustainably overcome giants. Saul made the mistake of using the ordinary standard to assess Goliath’s abilities.  By that standard, the giant was strong in experience, weapons and size. Both Saul and Goliath represented human conventional methods. As a result, they doubted and despised David's offer to fight Goliath (1 Samuel 17:28, 33).  Saul’s pitfall was  trusting in carnal weapons of warfare (2 Corinthians 10:1-5). David represented innovation and the unconventional ways of faith in God. David knew that victory did not reside in heavy swords, shields, spears, armor and bows, but in the mighty power of God.

Temptations that come to believers are common to humanity (1 Corinthians 10:13).  Every giant that comes brings common temptations. Giants have a traditional approach. The over two meters tall Goliath was heavy laden with a hundred kilogram military attire and had a shield barrier before him. David refused Saul's heavy, constraining and untried armor. His advantage was in his agility and skill under God. With God, giants may be big in size but they are inferior where it matters the most, in character, weapons and skills. Goliath best known for regalia and outward weights had nothing inside. David was known for inner qualities of character, courage and skill (1 Samuel 16:18).

David used a strategy and terms unfamiliar to the enemy. One not found in military training manuals of the day. He went out in the name of the Lord of Hosts. Believers have superior weapons in the name of Jesus Christ. The victories of faith in his past inspired David when he went to the valley of Ela to face Goliath.  To many memories of regrettable life valleys  stick out and discourage.  However, for David the victories stood out and gave him faith and strength to fight Goliath. David knew that in God there was only one giant, God himself. It matters what eyeglasses you use to look at your giant. God’s word magnifies God and diminishes giants to grasshoppers.  David pronounced and acted his trust in God. He countered the enemy’s threats with specific words and actions of faith. His goal was clear. He would cut off the head and give the whole opposing army as flesh to the birds of the air and the beasts of the field. David took five stones and a sling and with his first stone knocked Goliath to the ground and using Goliath’s own sword cut off his head off. The five stones stood for the grace of God that is enough. For you it may be the third stone but grace will be sufficient for victory. Load and swing your stone in prayer and obedience.

 3. The face of opportunity. The giant had another face, a hidden face only visible to the discerning, the face of opportunity. The giant stood at the gate to David’s destiny. When the defiance is stronger, the opportunity and destiny are bigger. In wars, growing intensity of   resistance is a sign there is a high priced target behind the battle lines. Goliath wanted to take away the kingdom from the king in waiting. Appearance of the giant signaled David’s promotion time. The principle of killing a giant to gain promotion is seen over and over in the Bible (Daniel 3, 6, Philippians 2 (the cross), etc). 

Opportunities hide in threats and other people's desperations. What you see as a ghost is often Christ coming for your rescue walking on top of the thing you are afraid of (Mark 6:45 - 51). The moment of opportunity for David arrived when he heard the words of defiance. It was the wrong time for Goliath to come out just when David was visiting. When its time up God makes sure, you are in the right place. Forty days of torment were over. Forty is the number for judgment. Time for judgment had come. God used an unexpected person and method to deliver victory to his people. When it seemed God had forgotten the nation, he had been working behind the scenes using a few fish to train David in the hills of Judea. At the right time, he made all things beautiful.

The face of opportunity to your next level the enemy will not expose. However, take note of it and focus on it. You cannot grab or pursue an opportunity you cannot see. Take your opportunities or they are lost.  You can choose flight or a fight.  Giants have to be killed they do not go on their own. The forty days of your giant are over Jesus is alive. You can allow yourself to be humiliated or  chose to be elevated. You can be depressed or resolve to be determined. You can be bitter or chose to be better. The giant is there to grow you. The giant comes to expose the real giant in you and the giants on your side. Giants come to enhance your resume and profile for future prospects. Gods training involves being put into difficult and desperate situations that force you to trust in God and not your understanding. David made a courageous choice. Where others saw the formidable armor David saw the uncircumcision beneath the armor. The people of God had circumcision as a covenant mark that God would fight for them. Others saw his big size but David saw an object hard to miss. Whether giants work for you or against you, depends on how you view and respond to them. You can respond as an ordinary human being or a new creature in Christ.

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa 

The Few Sheep

The Few Sheep

Acts 13:22

David never lost a public battle. He was a giant killer who produced giant killers. He reclaimed Jerusalem from the Jebusites, brought back the ark and restored the worship of Jehovah in Zion. The mountains that surrounded Jerusalem by which the Jebusites had fortified themselves became a symbol of how God surrounded his people (Psalm 125:2).

God’s promises about David are astounding. The dynamic way God dealt with him was very typical of the way he deals with his Church. The Davidic order/blessing brought grace and victory. It transcended his generation. God established his throne forever in Zion.  Isaiah prophesied that by the zeal of Jehovah a child, the Lord Jesus, would be born to occupy David’s throne and his rule would not end (Isaiah 9:6; 11:1, 2).  John described the exalted Christ he saw in a vision as ‘he that hath the key of David to open and no man shuts and to shut and no man opens (Revelation 3:7).  David tasted the privileges of grace that would fully come later.  The tabernacle he built was much simpler to access than that of Moses. The form of worship in approaching God’s presence in the tabernacle was praise and music.  It was typical of sacrifices of praise that usher the Church into God’s presence. Not only did he offer sacrifices of praise, he experienced grace during the time of the law. He received mercy through confessing sins in faith instead of being stoned according to the law (Psalm 51). 

Acts 13:22 is a summary of the rise of David as king with lessons of how to please God and experience the fullness in Christ.

1) God removed Saul. Acts 13:22a, “And when he had removed him,”

Before David could be raised, Saul had to be removed. As long as Saul was intact, David was in trouble. You also need to reject the Saul spirit of the flesh and self. Allow God to rule by his Spirit in your life. Allow him to rise to the throne so that you can also rise to the place where you rule with him. The characteristics of a Saul spirit include:

•           A promising start but terrible ending. Saul was promising in several ways.  He starts anointed by God to be king and ends rejected by God from being king (1 Sam 10:1). He started acting humble but ends a proud person (1 Samuel 10:21-23, 27). He started surrounded by men whose hearts God had touched but ends with men trembling before Goliath (1 Samuel 10:26).

•           A big impressive physical appearance head and shoulder above everyone else, but a spiritual dwarf inside (1 Samuel 9:2). Spiritual babies can hope to grow bigger but what hope do pigmies have.

•           A self-dependent spirit that does not wait on God. Saul acted according to what seemed right to logic and his interests (1 Samuel 15:9). He did not fully obey God.

•           Overstepping authority boundaries. Saul carried out a priestly role that was for Samuel to perform. When under pressure from the Philistines and from his own men, he made the offering only for Samuel to arrive just as he finished (1 Samuel 13:8-10, 13).  •     Building a monument to oneself instead of giving God the glory in everything (1 Samuel 15:12). He was more concerned about people’s opinion of him than obeying God’s word (1 Samuel 15:30).

•           Not being truly repentant. Saul was defensive when confronted with his sin. He was covering up. It took the bleating of the sheep to expose that he had left out some sheep when God instructed that everything be destroyed (1 Samuel 15:13, 14). He shifted blame to the people (1 Samuel 15:21).  He from questionable motives asked for forgiveness only after being cornered (1 Samuel 15:25). 

•           Rejecting God’s word. Samuel’s verdict over Saul was ‘you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you from being king’ (1 Samuel 15:23, 26).

•           Fighting new things God chooses to do. A religious spirit defends traditional ways and the status quo when they have become irrelevant, ineffective and God has moved on (1 Samuel 18:9, 11, 25, 19:1, 10).

•           Having no relationship with God. Saul referred to God as 'the Lord your God’ (1 Samuel 15:21) suggesting a non-existent or very weak personal relationship with God. Christ died so you can have a personal/ direct relationship with him as your father.

2) David had a different heart. Acts 13:22, “to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will.”

God found David to be of a different heart. God testified of David that he had a heart after God's heart. He had a spirit different from a Saul spirit. 

•           David finished well. He started by being overlooked by his father at the presentation of possible sons to be anointed (1 Samuel 16:11). But ends with his throne established forever. Unlike Saul, David started surrounded by men who were malcontents rejected by society but ends with an army of giant killers (1 Sam 22:2).

•           David had a smaller stature than his brothers but a spiritual giant inside (1 Samuel 16:12, 7).

•           David always inquired and waited on the Lord before making decisions. He was diligent to know what God wanted and to obey it (1 Samuel 23:2, 4; 30:8; 2 Samuel 2:1; 5:19, 23; 21:1).  This attitude was the secret to his exploits.

•           David respected authority boundaries. When he had opportunity to kill Saul was hunting him down, David refused to kill the Lord’s anointed even though God had rejected Saul and David had been anointed to be the next king by Samuel (1 Samuel 24:6, 10).

•           David built an altar to God not a monument to himself (1 Chronicles 21:22, 26). He also became the ‘father’ of vibrant praise and worship with most of the book of Psalms attributed to him.

•           David was truly repentant (Psalm 51:1-13). He cried to God like one suffocating gasped for life giving oxygen. He was not defensive. He did not shift blame. His motive was to please God and so he could serve God (v. 13). As a result, even though David lost a major private battle he recovered and maintained his clean sheet. A humble and contrite heart God does not despise. He did well not because he never failed but because he mastered the humility to overcome down turns and set backs.

•           David loved God’s word. Unlike Saul who rejected God’s word David wrote 176 verses in Psalm 119 to express his love for God’s word. The word of God prospered him in all his ways (Joshua 1:8).

•           David loved to use relevant methods that flowed with the heart of God. He was a prophetic worshiper and king by seeking to hear from God. His dancing, his fighting methods, and his attitude when God would not let him build the temple are testimony. He let God choose his son for the task and even supported him with resources and connections.

•           David had a personal relationship with God (Psalms). He knew God’s faithfulness and attributes so well that he trusted and praised him. He promoted God and God promoted him.

3) God used a few sheep to raise David. Acts 13:22b “he raised up unto them David to be their king;”

God raises up people for roles in church and society. God is in absolute control (Ephesians 1:11). He calls them and prepares them for their assignment.  The sheepfold where David looked after a few sheep of a poor farmer was his training and testing ground. Caring for the sheep in the dangerous plains and hills shaped his character. He was humble to look after a few sheep (1 Samuel 17:28). The family left him out from the more notable role of being a soldier. Shepherding was not generally a job without honor. In the case of Joseph, the elder brothers went out to look after the flock. It was looking after the family wealth. It was also dangerous and required lots of courage to face invaders and predators. What stands out for David is how faithful he looked after the few family sheep. Maybe the family estimated little loss should the sheep be lost to predators to let their youngest look after them. Before God raises you, he also will ask you to first look after some few sheep. David was so faithful with the sheep that he would literally put his life on the line in their defense (1 Samuel 17:34).

Faithfulness with a few sheep distinguished David for kingship. He was an unlikely candidate. The good news also for you is God knows where you are. He knows how to reach you. He knows how to beat your excuses. God wants every one of His children to become a person after His Own heart. David was such a person. One could not have been farther from the throne than David. He had Rahab the harlot and Ruth a gentile in his ancestry (Judges 2; Ruth 4:20). His father excluded him from opportunity. He was from a tiny place called Bethlehem. He was unknown by the king even after serving him with the harp for a while. He was despised by his brothers (1 Samuel 17:28).The one positive thing going for him was, keeper of a few sheep. David gave his heart to it.   He drew his description of good shepherding in Psalm 23 from his own quality practice. He was with them in the valley of the shadow of death and they lacked nothing.  Even after he was anointed, he went back to his flock (1 Samuel 16:19).   After he was called to Jerusalem to play the harp for King Saul, he returned to keep his father’s sheep, (1 Samuel 17:15). 

When he was alone in the sheepfold, he learnt to play the harp and to praise God. The harp skill brought him before the king. When he fought the lion and the bear, he learnt faith and skill he would need to conquer Goliaths. When he patiently tendered for the little lambs and saw them grow to being big and confident, he learnt the patience necessary to transform malcontents of society to giants for God. In all he learnt to trust God and experience his unfailing favor.

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa 

Three Impacts of Promotion

Three Impacts of Promotion

Joseph’s promotion did not bring just personal benefit. He saw it as an opportunity to serve those around him. He resisted pride that would make him forget the shoulders on which he stood and the hands that held him up when it mattered most in life. He instead remembered the mentors who helped him, the parents that cared for him and God who favored him. Joseph’s father, Jacob, did a lot to shape Joseph’s faith and character. Time and trouble tested and proved the quality of his work. Joseph therefore intentionally made sure his promotion benefitted his family, his nation and his faith community.

Impact on His Family. He facilitated provision of food and shelter to his parents and siblings (Mark 7:10-12). In many cases, children abandon their parents when they become more learned and prosperous. They wait to honor them by expensive coffins and latest burial suits. In some cultures, they even bring expensive blankets on burial day when the parents languished barely covered in cold weather, and went without food when they were alive. Joseph shared his elevation with his family members. Joseph could have just sold his siblings grain or donated some to them but he empowered them. Few significantly remember their family members when promoted. They would rather be distinguished among their own as the privileged only ones who visit family gatherings driving. They enjoy seeing everyone else eat crumbs from their table.

Joseph even forgave his brothers for wanting to kill him and for selling him into the hands of strangers for dead (Genesis 45:1-7).  That way he facilitated family reconciliation. Jacob also had to forgive his sons for the same offence and for keeping the truth from him for so long. Nucleus and extended family relationships are breaking down for lack of a peacemaker. Many members are suspicious of one another and plot to pull each other down not realizing they also pull down themselves in the process. Whenever there is a rift in relationships, you can either build bridges or flare up the hostilities. Many families lack members who are willing to forgive past offences and recognize that God’s grace and plan for a person is not limited by what people do to the person. If anything, what people do against you is material in God’s hands to suffice his grace and perfect his plan for you.

Impact on His Nation. Joseph served his adopted nation so well that his promotion saved the nation from starvation during years of famine. Not only did he ensure food security but also he excelled so much that the nation became economically stronger than other nations. In other words, he used his promotion to promote his country. This was all because of the wisdom Joseph received from God and faithfully put to work in his career. He saw his position as governor as opportunity to influence on a wider scale. It was an elevated platform from which to shine for God (Mathew 5:14-16).  Where it is darkest, light is needed the most. Darkness is unrighteousness but also needs in the society.  Where it is darkest, light shines brightest. Where there is more darkness, light makes greater impact. Righteousness and solutions abound much more. Your work station, community position, sports exploits etc is a lamp stand, platform that puts you in public view. The question is how you use the advantage.

Joseph was rich in economic wisdom that he did not give handouts. Handouts would have resulted in wastage, dependency mindset and inflation. Instead, he sold the grain potentially stimulating economic activities from which people would earn money to buy the grain. Other nations also brought lots of much needed foreign currency by buying grain from Egypt. The issue of distribution criteria was made simple by following the ability to buy rule. It was not always easy for everyone to buy, in fact some point it appeared extremely harsh, but had national economic wisdom. Some even traded some of their assets to get grain. Joseph did also leave room for social benefit in the form of donations given in some cases, as he did to his brothers.

Impact on His Faith Community. Joseph played a significant part in the life of the Jewish faith and nation. He also happened to come from this nation. As in the case of Esther who received promotion and later was reminded by Mordecai that she was in her position as Queen for such a time as to preserve and strengthen God’s people. Joseph also maintained his faith in God and elevated people of like faith (Mathew 6:33). His faith gained so much credibility and respect that when his family came over they for many years had freedom to worship Jehovah in the land of Egypt. His promotion served the purpose of God to preserve a nation unto himself through which the messiah would come. He remembered the welfare of the people and business of God. Anything done that moved patriarch Jacob is major on God’s agenda. God instructed Jacob to go to Egypt facilitated by Joseph and promised to bring him back. The nation grew so strong that 400 years later six million Jews left Egypt.  Your promotion also is for the sake of God’s work, to give to the work of your church, to missions’ workers and those who instruct and preach in the faith (Mathew 28:18-20; Galatians 6:6; 1 Corinthians 9:14).

Evaluate your promotion based on how it has benefitted the kingdom of God, your family, and nation.

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa  

Setting Spiritual Goals I

Setting Spiritual Goals I

Hebrews 12:1-2

Spirituality is about the invisible innermost part of a person where core beliefs, values and conscience seat, the human part that explains and informs all of life. You therefore cannot isolate spiritual life from other areas of life. Spiritual life is not confined to a compartment, privacy, a building, a gathering or a day of the week. Perceiving it as such limits its value and makes it irrelevant to life. It becomes a baggage instead of an integral part such as a head on a human body is easy to carry. Unlike a loaded bag, that is a burden to carry. 

Further, such removal of the spiritual from the whole of life often splits life to the spiritual and the secular. As a result, many live two lives, the spiritual at church and the secular at the market place. Sometimes they include a third life for home life. To illustrate, a mother and children came to church with suitcases full of clothing and boxes of pots and other kitchenware. When asked to explain their unusual behavior, they said they now wanted to live at church because the father they meet at church is so loving and warm. The one they had at home was harsh and a terror. It ought not to be so.

Spiritual goals help in strengthening and clarifying beliefs and values. For Christians, that happens through strengthening personal relationship with God. The relationship begins with the decision to trust what Jesus Christ accomplished to restore a favorable relationship between God and humanity. Spiritual goals are the key to spiritual growth. Spiritual growth does not happen by accident. It is intentional by setting goals and implementing their action plan. Goals direct resources of faith, energy, ideas, time and finances to make the right things happen.

Spiritual goals like any other, demand faith, time, action, money and commitment.  Review progress to the goals frequently to take steps to overcome obstacles and stay on course. Lack of acting on spiritual growth goals and evaluating progress leads to frustration because there will be no spiritual value addition perceived. Three important categories of spiritual goals are below.

1) Development Goals.

These goals produce formation of character and shape values. They are basic goals to better understand and  strengthen your relationship with God and faith in God's word. They include goals to have quality personal devotional time for reading the Bible and praying, and being an active member of a community of believers (Hebrews 10:25) so as: 

-          To know him better

-          To know your identity in him better and become like him

-          To make him known through showing and sharing his love and power

-          To invest in his purpose to disciple communities

-          To identify with him as part of a community of believers

-          To identify your calling and ministry gifts

A strong godly social supportive environment is vital for spiritual growth and encouragement to overcome obstacles to growth. Other continuous learning avenues that require goals include acquiring good media resources, literature and attending conferences that teach the word of God and Christian life skills. 

Development goals help you grow in your relationship with God. The purpose however is to better practice God’s word in every area of life, which is the next point.  

2) Delivery Goals.

These are goals for applying God's word so that you live out your identity in Christ. The overall goal of salvation is observing everything that Jesus taught (Mathew 28:18-20). We live in times when there is an avalanche of bible information but very little transformation. Transformation happens better when you are intentional to apply the word. Application of Gods word or obedience is the ultimate proof of faith. If you have not trusted enough to act on it, you have not found faith. It is not just praying more. Attending a record number of meetings and going through the motions and commotions of religion is not enough. True spirituality is about accurately representing Gods kingdom on earth as light, salt, yeast, voice, and ambassador of Christ.

Therefore, set goals that allow for God's role in your everyday life. Goals to express your faith in Gods word in everything you do, whether it be at church or the market place and in private or public spheres.  The Bible says that Jesus grew in wisdom, stature, favor with God and people (Lukev2:52). In other words, he grew holistically. Jesus also came to address the full set of human needs spiritual, physical and emotional needs (Luke 4:18). Salvation means being brought to wellness in every way. The work of God on earth touches every aspect of society (Genesis 1:58).

3) Definitive goals for excelling. Definitive goals distinguish themselves by their quality. These goals stand out in being a delight to God and a motivation to you to accomplish them. They bless the heart of God because they:

>>Put God in first place. When you seek God first he promised to add everything you need to your life (Mathew 6:33). Seeking first means considering him first as well as seeing him as the foundation to all else. Putting God in first place attracts his favor, peace, wisdom, strength, and wellness in all respects. When you mind his business, he minds your business. Many fail to allocate time to their spiritual goals because spiritual development is not a priority. Being too busy to find time for God is being busier than God ever intended. Not finding time for something is a value statement saying what you have no time for is of less value than the other things that took away the available time.

Realize that your strength lies in acknowledging your weakness and dependence on God. Because people have no strengths to boast about before an all-able God, he responds to acknowledgement of weakness not strengths. That is why the Jehova names such as Jehovah Jireh relate God to human needs.

>>Are from the heart.  As you delight in God, he has promised to grant your heart's desire (Psalm 37:4). The desires of a person who delights in God are God inspired and he grants them. In addition, because they are a heart's desires the person is passionate about achieving the goals. Alignment of goals and heart's desire is the source of passion.   Without desire even if goals are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time bound, they will remain unaccomplished.

>>Give in return. Carry the attitude of giving all to God because he has with held nothing from you. He cannot give anything more than what he has given already in Christ. This attitude is the heart of worship. Set goals to give more to God and bless him. Such goals find grace for their fulfillment. You can give more of yours - you can give yourself, time and resources beginning with participation in the work of your local church. Such spiritual investment has returns in all areas of life (Malachi 3:10).

>> Achieve positive change. Changed character and behavior, or transformation, are the indicators of spiritual growth. Set goals to change. Such goals demand a willingness to learn. For example, identify everyday life areas you want to pursue change and see growth. One could target, for example the need to be more forgiveness. Identify the things you need to do to see change and take the remedial choices and actions. For example meditate on forgiveness scriptures, pray for the people who hurt you daily, announce the release of the people daily for a week, etc 

Jesus promised to transform those who come to him (Mathew 4:19). Without transformation, the church's message loses credibility. How can anyone wish the church success in the goal to win the whole world unless by looking at the lives of believers they can see love, discipline, order, relevance, productivity excellence and integrity that reflect a better world?

>>Stretch your faith. Faith only pleases God (Hebrews 11:6). Set God sized goals that stretch you beyond your comfort zone according to the measure of faith you have. Faith grows by the word of God and works by goals since it is the hope of what is expected. Goals set expectations (Hebrew 11:1).

>>Focus on causes. Many are preoccupied with chasing after the fruit, benefits and products of their relationship with God and neglect nurturing the relationship. As a result, they overlook the processes that cause the results they are after. Some miss out acquiring principles, skills and disciplines for lasting solutions by chasing a momentary experiences from one event to another. God wants to turn people from being spiritual spectators and recipients to producers and givers. Set goals to master causes of fruitfulness such as being prayerful, Spirit led, word, cooperation and patience.  

>>Outlive you. God wants his people to bear fruit that remain (John 15:16). He wants you to set goals that out span your lifetime. He wants you to leave a lasting legacy.  You can achieve this by setting goals to train others in what you know (2 Timothy 2:2). Goals to write literature and record messages, goals to set up something or invest in something like a mission agency or business that out spans you,  and goals to invest in your children and young people.

I hope this provides a good orientation before you take the practical steps of spiritual goal setting.