MISINTERPRETATION ON GIVING

 MISINTERPRETATION ON GIVING. TEXT: Matt 6: 1-4

The passage for today is one passage that has been misinterpreted and unnecessarily generalized when the subject of giving is being discussed. The problem is that the wrong interpretation has been preached over and again for many years and not many are careful enough to read and understand the actual issue the Lord was addressing at this point. So as we read it again please take note that he was address our attitude during arms giving (charity) to the less privileged. God does not want you to make the one you are helping feel embarrassed or look pitiable and unfortunate before others. That is why your left hand must not know what the right hand is doing. Besides what you have and the power to get wealth are from God, it was not by your power.  Hiding under the misinterpretation of verse 3 many do not give at all and others give far below their ability. The issue being addressed here is different from other kinds of giving. When the people gave in Moses’ time others saw what they gave (Read Ex 35:4-5, 21-22 & 36:2-7), this is also true when David (1Chron 21:25, 28:14), Solomon (1King 3:3-40), Barnabas (Acts 4:36-37) and even Ananias and Sapphira gave (See Acts 5:1-2)

Matthew  chapter 5:23-24 addresses the issue of a particular giving to God but it is much more than giving money, it is the offering of an animal for peace offering or some form of atonement. In this case, you are expected to leave it there and go make peace with your fellow man because you are seeking peace with God. For if you do not forgive others their trespasses you hinder yourself from receiving forgiveness from God.  But chapter 6:1-4 must not be unnecessarily generalized.

-REV IGHO L.Y

THE WORKS OF YOUR HANDS ARE BLESSED

 THE WORKS OF YOUR HANDS ARE BLESSED. TEXT: Deut 28:1-13.

There are people who seem to have difficulty succeeding and they cannot tell or understand why. They will tell you that they do not understand what is happening to them because they have tried all kinds of job and it seems whatever they put their hands to seem not to prosper. If others are doing it and are making it, when they put their hands to it everything will turn sour. But the man who is a child of God is blessed in all his endeavors  The blessing of Abraham is flowing through him unto overflow. Blessings go after him till he is overwhelmed and others around him benefit from it. According to Deut. 28, because you are a child of God you are blessed, in the city, in the field, in the fruit of your body, in your farm (job), businesses, as you come and go, in the battles of life and whatever you put your hand to do.  You are too loaded to fail. Refuse any other report and stand on the promises of God for your life. You are not permitted to be behind or under in life. You are the hand work of God and because his hand is at work in and through you everything you touch will succeed and so shall it be in Jesus name. Refuse to settle for anything less and you will see the glory of God made manifest in your life. The works of your hands are blessed because God is with you.

-REV IGHO L.Y

WHO IS A WISE MAN?

WHO IS A WISE MAN?

TEXT: PROVERBS 9:6-10

Everyone of us try to prove to others that we are wise but sometimes we do not need someone else to tell us that we are foolish so who is a wise man? From our scriptural passage we can see that there is much more to wisdom than our opinion. Verse 6 of the passage reveals to us that one way to be counted among the wise is for you to forsake the foolish. If you must be able to forsake the foolish then you must know how to identify one. Psalms 53:1 makes us understand that the man who believes there is no God is a fool, so you must not make such fellow your companion. If you think you know more than God and you choose to keep company with him, when the trouble and the evil that is meant for him arrives you will have your own portion. Verse 7 of today’s passage advice's us not to waste time rebuking a scorner or a wicked man because they will embarrass you for trying to help them. So if you are wise you will leave them alone. As the saying goes “Silence is the best answer given to a fool”. Verse 8 says this kind of person will hate you for correcting him and when they hate you, they do so big time. You can tell what the reaction of some people will be from the way they have responded to various issues, therefore your wisdom is in your ability to take them as they are and you will be just fine. But when you rebuke those who are wise, they will love you more and show much gratitude, as found in the B part of verse 8.  Who is a wise man? If you get angry or go about with a sullen face because you were corrected, you are a fool. Sorry, I did not say so, the word of God says so. Verse 9 tells us that instruction makes a wise man wiser, therefore the man who follows and rejoices when instructed is a wise man and the one who complains is a fool. The verses 9 and 10 reveals that the man with the fear of the Lord has access to divine wisdom, therefore the man without the fear of God is foolish. The wise man is not a shamed to identify with God. Are you a wise man?

-          REV. IGHO L.Y 

RELEASING THE RIVER OF GOD’S GLORY

 RELEASING THE RIVER OF GOD’S GLORY (PART 1) Psalm 46:1-5

It is impossible to gain the attention of the world without an extraordinary manifestation that cannot be easily explained or reproduced. Those who walk in the glory realm have become channels for the release of the flow of the river of God.

CONTEMPLATION

Sometimes we fail to realize that our hunger and expectation to see the move of God was actually placed there by God (See Philippians 2:13). After waiting for a while and nothing seems to have happened, we become discouraged and we settle for a normal life. The truth is that the vision of God is for an appointed time far from our calculation. But if we will be patient and wait for it we will see it fulfilled (See Habakkuk 2:2). It is one level to have the glory of God released on you, it is another level to have it flowing through you to others and this is a great responsibility. We have often limited the move of God to the four walls of the church when in actual reality God wants to reveal His glory as we interact with people at work, on the street, on the bus and wherever we go. When we are in a continuous fellowship with the Spirit, the manifestation of the word of knowledge, prophecy, gift of faith, healing and other manifestations of the Spirit will not be limited to special religious meetings. It becomes part of our everyday living and this is what it means to be full of the Holy Spirit (See Acts 6:3).

PRACTICAL ISSUES

Make practical efforts to disabuse your mind from the erroneous idea that the manifestation of the personality and gifts of the Spirit is meant to be at some great church services, it is a delusion of the enemy.

You are not only a seed of Abraham but also a vessel full of the Holy Ghost and power; through you the Father desires to show forth His glory. Let someone see His glory today.

-REV IGHO L.Y

YOU WILL MAKE IT.

YOU WILL MAKE IT.

TEXT: Eccl 9:11

The race of life is not run with physical strength but divine grace. Many people have tried to rise to prominence only to find out that there is more to their pursuit than they anticipated. Life seems to haul all kinds of test from every direction when some are not looking. Some have concluded that life is not fair because when they considered their predicament, they could not tell why they have to fight so much battles and why others are having an easy ride. Like Job, they wish they can find the creator and get answers to their unanswered questions.  But if they can only look carefully, paying attention to details they will come see that the answers have always been there. The preacher in our scriptural passage of today calls our attention to the fact that “the race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong”. If you go by carnal judgement you will miss it. He said “but time and chance happens to them all” which is an indication that everybody seems to have equal opportunity but not everyone is positioned and sensitive enough to recognize it. This is where a child of God who continually fellowships with the Holy Spirit has a strong advantage over others. Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit to counsel and guide us in the issues of life and as we follow his leading we can never be stranded in life. Follow the instructions of the Lord and you will make it. 

-REV IGHO L.Y

WHEN YOUR HEART CRY'S OUT FOR GOD

  WHEN YOUR HEART CRY'S OUT FOR GOD (Psalm 63:1-9)

 “The rest of our lives unto eternity will never be enough to

show Him how much we love Him. So don’t let one more hour

go by without expressing your love to Him. Let your worship

rise to Him as a sweet fragrance of love, for He is worthy of our

worship.” FFPW pg. 128.                     

CONTEMPLATION

Often than not we worship by just going through the routine. We say words we are not fully committed to. When most of us pray over our meal it is just another religious obligation and sometimes we cannot even remember what we said. The kind of prayer that changes circumstances and situations are often very sincere, heartfelt, and soul stirring. They may not have all the flowery words, heavy vocabulary and poetic rhymes but they produce the desired result. 

“If the shedding of tears

does truly convey the deep-seated feelings of our heart, then

there will be times when the expression of our tears should

count as worship. More often than not, tears are indicative of

an emotional relationship between one person and another.” FFPW pg.129

PRACTICAL ISSUES

It is possible for someone to seat in a worship experience without saying a word but the tear drop from his eyes will reveal that so much is happening on the inside much more than words could express. So, do not be quick to judge.

The man who has often felt the precious, loving and gentile embrace of the Lord is expected to be more tender and sensitive from the heart. They are different from others.

-REV IGHO L.Y

THE BIG BOY MENTALITY

THE BIG BOY MENTALITY (Mark 10:15)

Sometimes it seems strange to some to show a strong desperation for God especially in the presence of others. They believe they have grown spiritually and should be able to handle every situation and as such nobody should know they are losing it. But they are very wrong because even Jesus who always had everything under control wept (John 11:35).

CONTEMPLATION

When people come before the Lord with a preconceived idea and philosophy of acceptable conduct in worship they give little or no room for the Holy Spirit to do what He intends to do in their lives. If you are too conscious of your class and standing among men it will become a problem for you to sincerely bow in worship to the Lord. Many do not want to be labelled a fanatic so they shut their hearts to the leading of the Holy Spirit. As the Lord spoke with his disciples he made them understand that we can only access the Kingdom when we become like a child (Mark 10:15). Has it been a problem for you to sing, clap and dance in public worship? Do you feel embarrassed to kneel down or prostrate before God? If you do not know how to honor and reverence Him in public you may not know how much harm you have done to yourself.

 “ Before we got that title or position, we were sincere worshipers.

But not long after we were blessed with this lifting

we assumed the Big Boys status. This is what somebody called

“the deacon posture.” Have you observed that most deacons

and church elders assume a particular posture in church that

seems to confine them to a very formal role in worship? This

is also applicable to many pastors.” FFPW pg. 125.

Do not cut short your glory and honor, remember God is the reason why you worship.

PRACTICAL ISSUES

The greatest privilege any mortal can have is for the Almighty to call you “son”, do not trade it for anything.

If you are truly His, your spirit will easily cry out after God (See Romans 8:15), if this is not happening, it is possible you do not know Him or it may be you are backsliding. Do something about it.

-REV IGHO.