Divine Opportunity
I: Full bar signal
Genesis
22:1-13
Crossover
to a New Year triggers exhilarating jubilation.
Shouts of joy, and fire works colourfully light the skies and buildings to
greet a New Year. Have you wondered what it will it be like at the cross over
to eternity? Will you be there to celebrate when the saints gather in God’s
presence? The year 2014 is a divine opportunity to ensure your place is firmly
booked for eternal celebrations. God has
prepared plenty of opportunities but those who are attentive to hear his voice
of instruction and trust enough to obey know them. Divine opportunities come
from a healthy relationship and communication with God. Cell phones sometimes
lose signal from the service provider transmitters and boosters and can be out
of reach. A cell phone out of reach cannot serve its intended purpose. For as
long as it is out of reach, it is useless. In your relationship with God, you
cannot afford erratic connectivity with him. The account in Genesis 22:13-19
teaches the importance of maintaining a strong signal with God.
>> Abraham received signal (Genesis
22:1 – 2). He heard from God and chose to align to his will. He must have been
a man of prayer and God’s word. The two position a person to hear from
God. Faith comes by hearing God (Romans
10:17). Acting on anything other than what God spoke is not faith but dangerous
presumption. Abraham lived where there was coverage. Because he was within
reach, he heard from God what culminates in him being father of nations not
just father of Isaac. He did not hear
what he would have liked to hear but what he needed to hear. ‘And he
said, Take now thy son, thine only son, whom thou lovest, even Isaac, and get
thee into the land
of Moriah . And offer him
there for a burnt-offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee
of.’
>> Abraham responded without
delay (Genesis 22: 3 – 9). The greatest threat to God’s
best for you is not something you do not have but something you hold back from
God. Like Abraham hold nothing you already have back. Abraham offered what God told him at the
place God specified without delay. Obey immediately because an opportunity will
not exist forever. Delayed obedience is
often tantamount to disobedience. Abraham was faithful with one son. He gave up
one son and reaped as many sons as stars. He loved the Lord with all in him and
in his hands. He gave his best, He gave his first and last with Sarah, if you
are faithful in a little God will trust you with much. As a result, he became a blessing to nations.
Will you place your Isaac on God’s altar?
It is not always easy. Abraham would have been misunderstood. Sharing in
a church meeting what God had told him would have fast tracked him to the
counselling room. He set himself apart even from the young man who assisted
him. He was full of faith that God would not take Isaac away but would provide
an offering (Gen 22:8). He told his assistants that he and Isaac were going to
worship and would come back (Gen 22:5). He understood the heart of worship –
giving the deepest, hardest, best, dearest and all to God to serve his purpose
and pleasure.
>> Abraham retained
connectivity (Genesis 22:10 -13). After getting
instructions from God, Abraham remained tuned in during execution. He maintained an excellent divine
signal. If you do not listen and obey,
you will kill the sacrifice of your one and only. God only needed your
willingness to point you to the sacrifice he provides. God spoke again acknowledging his heart of
worship and when he lifted up his eyes he saw a sacrifice (Genesis 22:13). God provides seed and something to
sacrifice. God provided in a context of
extraordinary sacrifice. When you also give your best to God you can lift your
eyes and look around, listen, read - you will see divine opportunities. Opportunities take the quality of the
offering. They are as deep as your sacrifice and obedience. God has lined up opportunities that include:
-
To
know God better.
A better character and eternal perspective is to be desired, more than
getting a job, material things, and earthly gain. Look around for opportunities to know Christ,
to find and fan your fire for God. Opportunity to saturate your heart with Gods
word, to walk in fullness of the Spirit, to love him more, to know him
better, and to worship more effectively.
May bowing at his feet be the highest
achievement in 2014
-
For
personal growth. Look around for opportunities not only
to grow spiritually but generally to include body, soul and socially as well.
Learn new skills, develop
competencies, a skill, a trade, connect
with someone, travel/exposure, etc
-
To
serve and make a difference. Look around and see soul winning,
disciple making and wealth creation opportunities. You will find opportunities to solve problems
and meet needs. You will see grace for productivity not just consumption. Look
out for opportunities to give and not just to receive.
Prophetic
Word
It
is a year of greater fruitfulness (Gen. 26:13, 22). All you need is God. It is
a year to bless his heart. ‘I bless you Lord’ is the highest form of prayer. As
you major in praise, you will testify of his wonders every moment and every
day. Fix your eyes on him. Kneel before him and you will stand before anything
else. Let go of past baggage, failures,
and hurts. Say yes to the invitation to come boldly to the throne of grace (Heb
4:16; Heb 10:19-20, Rom 8:15, Eph. 3:12). God has prepared enough grace and
mercy for your needs. Say yes to the commission to be ambassador of the great I
AM. Your answer will come speedily without struggle. There will be no more
delays. You are planted on the mountain of his inheritance and in his sanctuary
(Exodus 15:17). God is opening double doors, straightening crooked paths and
breaking the gates of bronze and bars of iron (Isa 45:1-3). It is your season.
God is never late and he never fails.
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
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