Thursday, 30 January 2014

Divine Opportunity I: Full bar signal

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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