I hope you were able to pick a few things from the first part of this article. In conclusion, we’ll be looking more at what I call some specifics. Interesting ways I’ve been able to bring some level of balance to the way the money thing plays out in our music ministry. Also, this would focus more on itinerant music ministers. That is, those who run a travel schedule, with invitations to minister from place to place.
We established earlier that folks may have some grounds to charge, but also stated that God does call people to a higher place of working without charge. We stressed the importance of a personal revelation and strong conviction in this regard, as this could be a very sacrificial path to thread.
However what has become quite disturbing is the way and manner some music ministers go about charging. There’s the issue of unreasonable amounts or figures, as well as the way and manner payment is requested. Believe me I’ve heard both ends of the spectrum, and each end make compelling arguments.
The side of the music minister who because of many disappointments and horrible experiences resorts to charging and demanding advance payment, sometimes, in full, to avoid “stories that touch”, and the side of the clergy or host, who cannot see any reason why a God-given gift and grace should be treated like a mere commodity, both seem to have valid points for thinking and working how they do. I would attempt to bring some clarity by sharing some personal stories, experiences and principles. And hope that this sheds some light.
VOLUME versus HONOUR
I’ve discovered that many times the issue is not really that of volume, that is, the amount of money one is/was given, but rather a question of honour. And I’ll explain. Make no mistake, as much as possible, and as God blesses, it is good to honour ministers of the gospel with substantial amounts, especially those who live faithfully, sincerely and sacrificially.
“Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” And in another place, “Those who work deserve their pay!””
1 Timothy 5:17-18 NLT
Remember I said in the previous part that music ministers are actually preachers of the gospel, but in songs.The truth of the master is ,true,meaningful and impactful music ministry is Impossible without a strong word base. Therefore, the scripture above, in my opinion, applies also to music ministers-But that’s not our focus right now.
If you are like me, you may have visited a ministry, who may not give you as much money as you would think, but then would have experienced such show of love and honour from them. And come to agree that they would very readily do more if they had more. I mean, you feel such warmth, love, liberty and have such a fulfilling time of ministry, even as regards the hunger, thirst and expectation from the house which precipitated a release of God’s glory and presence. I experience this from time to time. Some of those times, in fact, when given the honorarium I feel like turning it down, and sometimes have done so Just out of love to give back. But also, I do understand that receiving makes room for them to be blessed.
““I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness.”
Philippians 4:17 NLT
That’s why I say to people, that when you honour true ministers of God, you aren’t just supporting them, but more importantly, crediting your account.
“17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account.”
Kjv.
So we see from the example above that sometimes it’s not always a question of leaving with so much money. Meanwhile you can go elsewhere,and are given so much but then, treated with an “AFTER ALL WE ARE PAYING YOU” attitude. I’ve been to places where you are more or less abandoned after the event is over-using the American parlance, “dropped like a hot potato.” The most severe scenarios would normally be a combination of both. Little or no volume plus dishonor.
Now, having heard a number of unfortunate experiences by some music ministers, and in fact, even those I have experienced myself, I still find it hard justifying the way some of our colleagues work. Remember I have established that those who charge may have scriptural backing in that regard, and that It doesn’t necessarily translate to a lack of spirituality. But what is sometimes worrying is how they go about it. I say every time, we are one family, hence we can’t slam the kinds of bills and requirements we get to hear these days on family. My reasoning is this, the gospel we received, and were changed by, was a gospel available to ALL. The very reason why we sing today is that gospel. “28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will giveyou rest.” Matt 11:28.
So if this gospel was available to us regardless of our financial standings, why then do we make our ministry so unaffordable sometimes? What then is the key? The standard of the bible is simple, MODERATION. “Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.” Phil 4:5. Whether you charge or don’t charge, endeavor you are moderate in your demands. For instance,for those who charge-You cannot charge a University Students’ fellowship the same as a mega church,this is where the principle of relativity comes in.Infact such places as Campus fellowships are where we should sow our gifts freely.
So for those who don’t, how do you even ensure that some basic logistics are taken care of in the event of the very worst case scenerio. That’s fine, I’d gladly share our template.
Because we have a clear instruction from, and covenant with God of not charging, we however try to ensure that basic things are sorted out. When we get a request or invitation, we always ask that it comes in writing. Asking for details and a brief of the event in question. An event within Lagos, where we live, would not, except for unique circumstances require special transportation arrangement. However, those outside of Lagos normally do require transportation plans.Initially, the hosts were responsible for making the transportation arrangements, flight bookings, car charter services etc. But later we found it better to make those arrangements for the following reasons.
1. Flexibility reasons. In the event of a sudden change of plans, we were able to do so without having to call the hosts. Eg, flight rescheduling, cancellation, change of airline etc. we also realised that many flight tickets booked ahead for us were wasted when we suddenly had to travel from other points. Eg flights booked from Lagos-Portharcourt. But for some reason, had to come in from Abuja . Though it is cheaper to book ahead of time, but we realised it was safer to have the money to book close to the time of the event when we were very sure of our movement. Hence we request for flight ticket fares, and also do return every surplus, if there was any, after the booking. Most hosts don’t have an issue with this. What is however not right to do is getting ticket fares from multiple sources for the same destination. Let me explain.
You have two or three invitations from Abuja, and coincidentally they are around the same time, and won’t clash. Let’s assume you have a leading to do most, or all. The first thing, ethically speaking, to even do is let your primary host or main host know about other invitations. What you do is, if I let them know about it and they are not comfortable, I decline. Here is why, it’s not so nice to have an agreement with a host, and all of a sudden, another ministry or organization begins to advertise your coming. So, assuming they are fine with your other events, I believe it’s not right demanding transport fares from all the hosts for the same destination around the same time. Some think it’s smart, it’s actually wrong and a sin. You may get everyone of them to share the cost of transportation, or get one who may be willing to bare it alone. Truth is the host really do not care if you got the fares from multiple sources, so long as you made their program. That Notwithstanding, necessity is placed on you to act responsibly and ethically. Remember that you are a minister of God.
2. To ensure there are no surprises with logistics. This should not apply across board. There are places you have been to before and can trust their integrity. In such cases you can rest assured that your travel plans are sorted. But in cases where you may not be sure of where you are headed, it might be safe to make your travel plans.
I remember traveling to an African country with a team of 11, my pregnant wife and 2 year old son, and after the event, there was no Honorarium, which we didn’t really bother about. But more disheartening was that the hotel bills and flight tickets were not paid. We were stranded and locked in the hotel, and afterwards abandoned at the airport. The Nigerian Ambassador had to wade in, pleading with the Airline to ferry us on credit, while they ceased our bags, and we paid when we arrived Lagos. So it may not be bad to make your travel plans if possible and necessary.
Another thing we do is make sure accommodation is sorted. We still trust the host to do this on their own, but still check to ensure we at least have a place to lay our heads and keep our stuff.
The hosts also help with ground transportation and feeding, and most times these are not really an issue.
Having done this, we then trust that they would bless us with their material gifts having done so to them with our spiritual gifts. We do not suggest anything, a baseline or an idea, as our covenant with God is to live purely by faith, but God has really been faithful to us. But like I said earlier, in the word of my friend, Dennis Anderson, “Ministry is sacrifice. Sometimes you find gold, other time you find stones”, but all in all, it’s for the Lord.
And please don’t forget, we get our true rewards in heaven. Even on this earth, there are other ways God blesses us, apart from just money. I can’t begin to count the very numerous supernatural gifts and blessings I enjoy. This God is indeed too good. And has not asked us to serve him in vain.
OTHER STREAMS OF INCOME
Now, away from honorarium. There are other streams of income now available to musicians within the music circle, that when pulled together helps to make a decent living in music. There’s the caller tunes, YouTube royalties, mechanical and performance rights and royalties, streaming, online sales of music, physical cd sales, seed offerings etc. And because the demand for music has overtime been on the increase, more authentic streams of income have become available to musicians. I know what I’m saying. And the onus is on you to research and know how these work. I have held a seminar on this recently to educate people on the opportunities available for gospel musicians, and written some articles. Please find them. Or better still Google more information online.
PLANNING & INVESTMENT
You see, because of the way and manner musicians or music ministers earn their money and living, which is not the regular 9-5 structure with a constant monthly salary, they tend to just spend their money that way. Somehow expecting that events will always come. And this has led to musicians being broke. People say it’s hard to make a decent living through music, unless of course you hit it big, and become a celebrity. That’s not true. In my opinion, a more than average musician, who knows his stuff and is serious can make more than a decent living. Truth is, most of us don’t apply wisdom in our spending and living.
One day, I felt a leading to go check how much I had cross my accounts in a particular period, after feeling my income was never enough. And what I saw after getting my account statement was shocking. I said to my self, ” if you had saved a percentage of this amount for a number of years, you would have done so and so with it. So I decided to open what I termed a DUMP ACCOUNT. An account where I just saved money. No ATM, Internet banking etc. Here I would just dump some unexpected funds. Eg. Someone comes sows a seed, truth is I wasn’t expecting it anywhere, so why don’t I act as though I never had it. So after paying the tithe,and sowing any other seeds from it, I treated it like I never had it. Dumped it. Over time, that account has helped fund some projects I won’t have been able to undertake. One thing I do not believe in is begging. I don’t believe a minister of this gospel should turn a nuisance or parasite because he is living by faith. He or she does not put God in a good light. Infact, such living only ridicules the faith message. Planning and saving your money is not enough expression of faith. It is indeed an expression of wisdom. Jesus is both the power of God and the wisdom of God.
“There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up.” Proverbs 21:20
I decided a long time ago I won’t be like the anointed prophet who died and left his family in debt. You don’t have to be too. The secret is living with wisdom. Please understand this is not driven by fear. But more importantly, informed by biblical principles of wisdom.
Last year, I felt such an unction, I believe from the Holy Spirit to begin investing in real estate. Just acquiring landed properties. So I started. It doesn’t have to be very expensive. For a long time I thought doing so meant you had to have some massive stash of cash somewhere, but I’ve found out you don’t have to. I began a research on it, and found a credible christian firm and gradually from time to time, I put out some funds to do so. I believe one of the ways God wants us to have physical dominion over the earth is to Aquire property. I’ll advise every one to do so. There are many other kinds of investments you can put your money in, please find it. You see, my dream is to one day get to a place where I would be invited to minister and would give seeds everywhere I go instead of waiting for honorariums.Please please please do not live beyond your means,there is a difference between living by faith and living a fake life.Learn to grow in stages and phases.
SOW SEEDS AND INVEST IN THE KINGDOM
I’ve always said that the seed for financial prosperity is not worship. It is money. Many church musicians do not give. God doesn’t grant us an exemption on that principle because we are music ministers. We must learn to respond to the leading of the spirit to give when he says so.
Finally, God who calls us is equally able to take care of His own. I’ve always said I live a supply-based life. By this I mean, God supplies our needs per time. While we may not have billions stashed away at the bank, we have got unlimited flow of resources in glory, and in Christ Jesus. Such that every need is met every time. And at the end of the day, prosperity goes beyond money. It is having peace, joy, hope, love, and an assurance of eternal bliss. Things truly beyond anything money can buy. And don’t forget that money is a spirit – Mammon. And should only serve us, and not the other way round.
I hope this helps you.
Next we’ll be looking at Music Ministry Ethics. Some do’s and don’ts. Anointing and skill may open doors for you. But it takes wisdom and character to walk through them.
DATE: TUESDAY JULY 11TH 2017
THEME: LEAVE A MARK
MEMORISE:
That the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 1:12
READ: Acts 19:8-10
19: 8 And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God.
19:9 But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.
19:10 And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.
MESSAGE:
If you will be used by God to perform signs and wonders in these last days, you must have the heart of a missionary or church planter. In the days of early church, although there was a church in Jerusalem, Philip left his base and went to plant another church in Samaria (Acts 8:5). If God sees you as an incurable church planter, he will gladly use you in the miraculous. Take for instance Paul the apostle: today you would find him in Corinth, tomorrow he would be in Galatia and the next time, you would hear of him being in Colossae. As he travelled round these countries and cities, he kept planting churches. He hardly visited a city without leaving a mark behind for God’s Kingdom. No wonder the Bible records that the kind of miracles God performed through Paul were quite outstanding. Acts 19:11-12 says,
*“And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul: So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.”*
There are some lessons we can learn from the experience of Paul in this regard. The first is that having the opportunity to travel around the globe is a great privilege. There are people who enjoy travelling from one country to another. There are some people who are required by their official assignment or business transactions to move across countries. Some go to other places for school or simply on vacation. Whatever the reason for your travels, it is a great privilege. Every Christian traveller is expected to leave a godly mark behind in the places he or she visits. How can you visit a country for a week or two and not share the gospel of Jesus Christ with at least one person? You as a true believer in Christ should be able to have converts in the different countries you visit, and if you are there for a minimum of three to six months, you should be able to start a house fellowship, or even a church. By doing this, you will be opening the door for God to use you for signs and wonders. Have you travelled away from home without winning souls for Christ or establishing a house fellowship or church for His Name? Are you ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ? Use the opportunity of your travels across different locations to glorify God. Travelling is meaningful if you can leave a mark of God’s Kingdom behind.
KEY POINT:
One way of becoming a father of many nations is to have converts in every country you visit.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Samuel 26-28
Ezekiel 5:13-6:7
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 13: WONDERFUL STORY OF LOVE
1. Wonderful story of love;
Tell it to me again;
Wonderful story of love;
Wake the immortal strain!
Angels with rapture announce it,
Shepherds with wonder receive it;
Sinner, oh, won’t you believe it?
Wonderful story of love.
Refrain:
Wonderful! Wonderful!
Wonderful, wonderful story of love.
2. Wonderful story of love;
Though you are far away;
Wonderful story of love;
Still He doth call today;
Calling from Calvary’s mountain,
Down from the crystal-bright fountain,
E’en from the dawn of creation,
Wonderful story of love.
Refrain:
3. Wonderful story of love;
Jesus provides a rest;
Wonderful story of love;
For all the pure and blest,
Rest in those mansions above us,
With those who’ve gone on before us,
Singing the rapturous chorus,
Wonderful story of love.
Refrain:
ID Cabasa speaks on 10 business tips for flourishing as music minister.
1. Never allow your emotions get in business.
2. Business is not spiritual – be frugal.
3. Stop marketing our weakness – do what you know best.
4. Develop self pride over your work – no one appreciates what you don’t appreciate.
5. Don’t do a business without your supplementary preparation.
6. Be intentional in your creativity.
7. Learn to recycle your idea.
8. Stop looking for what doesn’t exist.
9. Perfect things cannot he recreated except excellent stuffs.
10. Inspiration is your inner spirit unction, therefore go for it. Its in your soul.
DATE: TUESDAY JULY 4TH 2017
THEME: HAVING A SERVANT SPIRIT
Memorise:
For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth. Luke 22:27
Read: Luke 22:24-27
22:24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
22:25 And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors.
22:26 But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
22:27 For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.
Message:
Signs and wonders easily flow in an atmosphere where authority is respected. The moment a person becomes rebellious or refuses to submit to the authority of leaders, God withdraws and so do His signs and wonders. If you want God to use you in the miraculous, learn to remain submissive to the authority of those set over you by God. Moreover, another attribute of the fellow God will use to perform signs and wonders is the possession of a servant spirit. If you take a critical look at the person of Philip as recorded in the book of Acts, chapters 6 and 8, you will see a man who happily obeyed when he was sent to serve food as an usher, even though he was full of faith, power and the Holy Spirit. If some people had such credentials as these, they would suddenly become very choosy in the nature of assignments they are willing to carry out. If a pastor asks some workers to clean the toilet today, they may give the pastor a look that says, “Don’t you know who I am? Is it because I am a worker in your church? In my place of work, I am a Managing director” Nobody is contesting with you. The truth remains that in God’s kingdom, a worker is a servant. When you get to your office, you can be the boss there, but when you are in God’s house, you must be prepared to serve. Do you know that anyone who is unwilling to serve can never reach the top in God’s house?
You need to always remember that even the Lord Jesus Christ came as a servant! In Luke 22:26, He admonished us with these words:
“But ye shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.”
Not only did He instruct us to serve, He himself did exactly that. He came as one who serves (Luke 22:27). Do you remember He washed the feet of his disciples (John 13:5)? This is why I teach my students at the School of disciples that the hands that cannot do manual labour cannot heal the sick. Some people have abandoned house chores to their domestic workers and other helpers. If you really want God to use your hands to perform signs and wonders, then you must engage them in manual labour. By virtue of my position as the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, people try to keep me from doing chores. However, do you know that even with all the help and assistants at my disposal, when I realized they are not around, I quickly iron some of my wife’s clothes or go to the kitchen sink to wash some plates? I know what I am doing. Are you a servant or a lord that everyone must obey?
Prayer Point:
Father, give me the servant spirit of Jesus Christ, so that I may serve others just as He did.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Samuel 14
Lamentation 4:19-5:22
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 14: TAKE MY LIFE
1. Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days,
Let them flow in endless praise.
2. Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
3. Take my voice and let me sing,
Always, only for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.
4. Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
Every pow’r as Thou shalt choose.
5. Take my will and make it Thine,
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own,
It shall be Thy royal throne.
6. Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.
July 03, 2017
Topic :- His Peace, My Responsibility
Peace I leave with you; My [own] peace I now give
and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I
give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled,
neither let them be afraid. [Stop allowing
yourselves to be agitated and disturbed; and do
not permit yourselves to be fearful and intimidated
and cowardly and unsettled.]
—John 14:27
Perhaps you have never thought about how
important it is to manage your emotions. I
imagine we all think, I can’t help how I act when
I am having a hard time. That is a normal human
reaction, but with God on your side helping you,
you don’t have to behave the way a “normal”
person would.
It is obvious from Jesus’ words in John 14:27
that He desires for you to have wonderful peace,
but please notice He is also giving you a
responsibility. He wants you to choose to control
the negative emotions that can steal your peace.
You cannot always control your circumstances,
but you can control yourself with God’s help.
Power Thought: God has given me His peace,
and I will walk in it.
SEEK GOD’S KINGDOM
AND HE WILL SOLVE
YOUR PROBLEMS
Romans 14:17
…the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Are you troubled by many things today? For
example, are you concerned about your
rebellious teenager? Perhaps you see him as
your problem, so you do your best to discipline
him, only to end up with a heart full of worries
and pain. And he is no better!
God says to you, “Don’t focus on controlling your
rebellious teenager. Instead, seek first My
kingdom, which is righteousness, peace and joy
in the Holy Spirit. Be conscious of the
righteousness you have as a gift from My Son.
Keep your inner man flowing with My peace and
joy, and I will take care of your child.”
We tend to think that the people around us are
the problem. When we don’t get the promotion
we want, we blame our bosses and colleagues.
When we lose our temper, we blame our wives
and kids. However, God wants us to stop looking
outside and to start looking within because His
kingdom is within us. (Luke 17:21)
The abundance of the kingdom of God is already
inside you. As you seek first God’s kingdom, and
follow His righteousness, peace and joy, the
abundance within you will flow out and become a
reality in your circumstances. (Matthew 6:33)
You will find that God has not only taken care of
what is troubling you, but has also added
blessings to you, be it a promotion, well-behaved
kids or a loving wife.
“But Pastor Prince, how do I keep my inner man
flowing with righteousness, peace and joy?”
Be conscious of your righteousness in Christ.
Don’t be conscious of your sins and problems.
Listen to anointed sermons that remind you of
how righteous you are because of the perfect
sacrifice of Christ. Peace and joy flow when you
know that all your sins have been forgiven
because of Jesus’ finished work.
So the next time something troubles you, don’t
focus on correcting the problem. Instead, seek
first God’s kingdom and His righteousness. Make
it a priority to have your inner man flowing with
His peace and joy, and He will take care of that
problem for you!
Thought For The Day
Have your inner man flowing with God’s peace and
joy, and He will take care of that problem for you.
DATE: MONDAY JULY 3RD 2017
THEME: FOCUSED ASKING
Memorise:
I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
Luke 11:8
Read: Luke 11:5-10
11:5 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves;
11:6 For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him?
11:7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot rise and give thee.
11:8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth.
11:9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
11:10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Message:
One of the conditions to be met before one’s burden is lifted is the need to see that burden is an anomaly. You must acknowledge the existence of the burden, and be willing to be helped, before you can be set free from it. In john 5:2-9, Jesus asked the man who had been sick for 38 years, “Do you want to be made whole?” you may wonder why Jesus asked him such an obvious question. Why didn’t he just heal him straightaway? The truth is, not everyone wants to be helped. I have shared the story of a sick woman whom I prayed for many times without results. Then one day, the Lord told me, “Ask her if she wants to be healed”. Initially, I wondered what kind of question that was, but later I asked her, “woman, do you want to be well?’. To my utmost shock she replied, “No”. In my astonishment I asked her why not, and she said, “When I was well, immediately my husband closed from his work place, he would go to club houses, but since I took ill, after work, he comes home to me. I would rather be sick and retain my husband’s attention”. There is also the case of a witch who was brought to us for deliverance some time ago. Although we prayed, she would not be delivered. So, I asked, “Woman, do you want to be delivered?” “She replied, “Do you want me to lose the power I use in controlling my husband? I don’t want to be free.” As long as you are not willing to let go of the burden on you, there is nothing God will do to take it off you. In any case, God does not force things on you against your will, except in very rare cases.
In addition, you must be ready to cry to the Burden Bearer for help like Bartimaeus did in Mark 10:46-52. He cried once and again saying:
“Jesus, thou Son of David, have mercy on me”
When others shouted him down, he raised his voice even higher. He kept calling until the Lord heard him. If you are weighed down by a burden and you pray lackadaisically, it simply shows that you are not really concerned about that burden. If you are, you will throw caution and decorum to the wind and call upon the Lord with your whole heart, and He will answer you. Some people call on God for a little while and stop. Such people may not get the answer they seek because they are not desperate enough. If you want results, call on Him and continue calling on Him. Use every opportunity you have to call on Him. Let Him see that you have resolved not to give Him rest until he answers you. When He sees that the answer to your prayers means everything to you, He will answer. As you call on Him this season, the Lord will answer you speedily in Jesus’ Name.
Key Point:
If you are not ready to petition God repeatedly until He has no breathing space, you are not desperate enough for your desired change.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR:
1 Samuel 12-13
Lamentation 4:2-18
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 4: THROUGH THE LOVE OF GOD OUR SAVIOUR
1. Through the love of God, our Savior,
all will be well;
free and changeless is his favor,
all will be well;
precious is the blood that healed us,
perfect is the grace that sealed us,
strong the hand stretched out to shield us,
all will be well.
2. Though we pass through tribulation,
all will be well;
ours is such a full salvation,
all will be well.
happy when in god confiding,
fruitful if in Christ abiding,
holy through the Spirit’s guiding,
all will be well.
3. We expect a bright tomorrow;
all will be well;
faith can sing through days of sorrow,
all will be well;
on our Father’s love relying,
Jesus every need supplying
in our living, in our dying,
all will be well.
24
Jun
Matthew 8:13
Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.
What are you expecting God to do for you today? Do you believe that God will respond according to your expectation? When Jairus, distraught at the sickness that was claiming his daughter’s life, fell at Jesus’ feet, he entreated Jesus to personally come to his house to lay His hands on his daughter so that she would be healed. (Mark 5:23)
But do you know that Jesus can heal at a distance? He didn’t need to go to Jairus’ house to heal his daughter. Still, Jesus went and didn’t even chide Jairus for his little faith. He met Jairus’ expectation—his little daughter was raised from the dead that day. (Mark 5:41–42)
Why do I say that Jairus had little faith? Because there was a Roman centurion who came to Jesus about his servant suffering at home. He recognized the power Jesus had and asked only that Jesus “speak a word, and my servant will be healed”. (Matthew 8:8) Jesus told him, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” True to the centurion’s expectation, his servant was healed that same hour.
My friend, there is no particular level your faith must reach before God gives you what you are asking for. Your faith does not initiate God’s giving. He has already given to you all things that pertain to life and godliness. (2 Peter 1:3) His blessings are pressing on you already! Regardless of the level of faith you are at, He will respond. Jairus needed Jesus to go to his house to lay His hands on his daughter, and Jesus did. The centurion only needed Jesus to speak a word for his servant to be healed, and Jesus did. He met both their expectations.
My friend, don’t fix your eyes on how much or how little faith you have. Fix your eyes on the One who loves you, who has already given you what you need. When you come to Him, simply believe that He is waiting to meet your expectation. He will say to you, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.”
Thought For The Day
Regardless of the level of faith you are at, God will respond and meet your need.
Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.
—Proverbs 16:3
Trying to figure everything out before you obey God will steal your joy. God doesn’t have to answer you when you ask, “Why God, why?” Trust means that you won’t always have 11 answers when you want them. Sometimes you just have to get to the other side of a situation to see the whole picture of what God is doing in your life.
God may be trying to separate you from some influence in your life that is keeping you from receiving the better plan He has for you. He may be “pruning” you to encourage new, healthier growth (See John 15:1-8). Use uncertain times to demonstrate your faith by trusting Him.
23
Jun
John 10:4
And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them;
and the sheep follow him…
Have you ever seen a farmer trying to drive a bunch of geese from one location to another? He goes behind the geese, doesn’t he? Compare this to a shepherd who leads his sheep. He goes before them and the sheep simply follow him.
Jesus is our shepherd and we are His sheep. He does not drive us, but He leads us. Legalistic people drive others. Jesus leads. He goes in front of us. He is not like the sergeant who says, “Men, cross this river. I’ll cover you from behind,” because he suspects that the river is infested with crocodiles. Jesus is not that kind of leader. He goes in front of us.
In the Old Testament, Jesus led the children of Israel out of bondage in Egypt. Do you know how Jesus appeared back then? He appeared in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Where was that pillar? It was in front of them. In fact, the pillar of cloud shaded them from the hot desert sun so that they were kept cool during the day. At night, when the desert got very cold, Jesus, the pillar of fire, gave them light as well as warmth. Whether He was the pillar of cloud or fire, He went in front of them.
As long as they followed Him, the Israelites did not have to worry about anything. Jesus took care of all their needs. He gave them water when they were thirsty, and bread and meat when they were hungry. Their clothes did not wear out and their feet did not swell. They were kept in good health throughout the 40 years of their wandering in the wilderness.
My friend, Jesus your shepherd wants you to just follow Him. As long as you allow Him to lead you, all your needs will be taken care of. He is your provision, healer, counselor, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification… He is everything you need Him to be!
Thought For The Day
All your needs will be taken care of when you follow Jesus your shepherd.
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