THE MESSAGE NOW
Vol. 2, No. 24 – Monday, 12th June, 2017
(Jeremiah 26:13, 1 Thessalonians 5:22)
ATTITUDES REQUIRING INSTANT CHANGE
Unlike our physical appearance which often gives an impression about us in time and on time, attitudes are unspoken expressions and not easily noticed aspects of our lives which speak volume about us with time.
Perhaps this is the reason one of the all-time educationist and philosopher after Socrates: the great Plato exclaimed that appearance of a thing does not necessarily often tell its actual reality. True! By this astute statement, Plato is directly making an obvious distinction between form and substance.
Of Course, there is almost no need reiterating the obvious that form is nothing with or without substance; substance is everything that matters.
Our popular fizzy drinks: Coca Cola and the likes certainly have a form in terms of shapes and sizes, but what much meaning does a bottle of Coca Cola make to anyone with all its fine form but without its substance which is the content therein contained in the bottle?
Such is the analogy attributable to our seen appearances and our unseen attitudes. Often, just as our physical appearances put up new looks through our attire, so do our attitudes require re-adjustments, amendments and attention where necessary.
Jeremiah 26:13 states: ‘therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the Lord your God; and the Lord will repent Him of the evil that He hath pronounced against you’.
What then are such attitudes requiring change? First of these attitudes is thoughts and imaginations. These two are the foundation for most good or evil that eventually take hold on man. There is enormous power in both positive and negative thinking.
Understand that the Lord God will do or say nothing except that thing is attached to a purpose. So, understand why the Lord says: ‘as a man thinketh in his heart; so is he’. It simply means that you would become the product of the thoughts and imaginations that you permit and entertain.
Second is our attitude in relation to the use of our tongue. The human tongue is a mysterious part of the human body for a number of reasons. One reason being its seen and unseen nature. Do you know that about only a quarter of the tongue is visible?
This means, like our unseen attitudes, three-quarter of the tongue is concealed from the physical eyes of man. Do you also know that the vibration and physical movement of the tongue which is for the purpose of ease of speech during conversations is triggered and controlled by reactions or responses of the mind?
This too means that whatever a man expresses with his tongue is the express intent of his mind. And is it not a right argument to state that the mind is the man?
If therefore the mind is the man, then what your tongue expresses especially in secret is the real you.
If those secret or even open expressions are ill and unpleasant, then the process of attitude change begins from now.
Let us not be mistaken. Man has a way of deceitfully expressing the opposite of what is contained in his mind. But understand that such deception is like hiding an inflated balloon under water.
Do you realise that such balloon cannot be retained under water forever? As soon as the hand or instrument retaining it is removed, that balloon will shoot out. Why this?
A sister often calls me on phone with often gladsome yelling noting the great things the Lord will do through and for this ministry.
Unknown to her, God who sees the secrets of all men knows her through and through and He reveals deep secrets to His own.
This morning, the Lord opened my spiritual ears to hear her mind in the spirit realm.
Hear what she said: ‘you will all see how I will deal with this ministry’. My appeal to you sister is that you change from such evil statement of an evil tongue now otherwise, you will collide against the rock of ages. Otherwise, you will succeed in setting the face of the Lord against yourself. And who is the prophet called man who will rescue you when He the Lord collides against you?
Remember sister! The Holy Scripture states: ‘it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God’. Don’t wait for the judgement side of God before you effect a change; such waiting often turns out to be too late.
The third attitude requiring change is self comparison. The Holy Scripture states in 2 Corinthians 10:12 that: ‘for we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise’.
Self comparison breeds unwholesome competition. Unwholesome competition is the paternal umbrage of envy, self-pity and self-depression. In the end, they all conduce to lead one down the hellish tunnel of aggression, hatred, evil-speaking and eventual damnation.
Let us join hands in absolute co-operation with God to change us into His life, image and light. We shall all be an Express Image Glory of God indeed and in deed, in Jesus name, Amen.
GREAT MEN RULE THE WORLD BUT TRULY, ATTITUDES RULE THE GREAT MEN WHO RULE THE WORLD.
GREAT MEN HAVE POWER. IT IS HOWEVER ATTITUDES WHICH RIGHTLY CONTROLS THE POWER GREAT MEN HAVE IF RIGHT ATTITUDE IS ALLOWED TO HAVE ITS WAY.
OTHERWISE, DISASTER IS NO MORE THAN A SET-TICKING-BOMB.
Altar call:
Backslidden – living in sin – needing fresh recommitment (say):
Christ Jesus, You are the Anointed One of the Most High. I come to you today as I am. In your mercy, help me out of my situation. Heal my soul, my spirit, my body, my life and my destiny. I acknowledge you as the only true lover of my soul. Please, deliver me on every side and save me through and through. I promise from the depth of my soul to be yours from henceforth, in Jesus name. Help me now O God. Be my Lord, my Saviour and my all in all from this day. Thank you Lord (read Psalm 54 in closing and pray more).
Hymn: Grace Greater Than Sin
Pray now:
Pastor Mike
