EXPRESS IMAGE GLORY MINISTRIES
THE MESSAGE NOW
Vol. 5, No. 9 – Sunday, 8th March, 2020
(Heb.11:6, Mal.3:6, Rev.1:8)
HE IS
At all points in the history of man, it is a statement of fact that when a tradition has gained prominence, it becomes an institution. How and what does this mean? Fear for instance can be very dominating. Fear can thus become a tradition which gradually marks an institution in man if not checked.
Whilst in the ordinary sense, a tradition climaxing in an institution does not amount to any problem at all, but when institutionality loses its effects, or a situation where institutionality is a product of a faulty foundation, the consequence can be very damning.
The opening text of today’s study states: ‘but without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him’.
By reverent fear, saved souls of men value and respect the Almighty, having in them the consciousness of His fiery judgment. The consciousness of His fiery judgment by saved souls points in only one direction; this is the direction of the consciousness of His existence.
Conversely, it is by faith that such saved souls of men ought to realize that the Almighty is their Father and the rewarder of their service to Him here on earth.
The undergirding message of Heb.11:6 is an address to believing Christians from two perspectives. First, that God is real. Second, that God sees and will reward every action of man. Unfortunately, whilst the Almighty may be feared and revered by saved souls, their attitude in prayer and at the moments of life’s challenges do not reflect the attitude of one who is addressing or who realizes the existence of a known God or Father.
Have we so soon forgotten the content of Malachi 3:6? When we give our tithes and offerings, do we do so as a mark of a tradition which has become a normal thing? How conscious are we about the reality of God in our services to Him? Has our relationship with God become an ordinary thing – the performance of a routine?
When the consciousness of God in man is by faith, such consciousness will be accompanied by worthy reverence which leads to deeper relationship with Him.
The reason the services rendered by most Christians is receiving no returns of reward is because it is being done in the way of the old Greek pagans in Acts chapter 17:22-30 – the costumary routine performance of duty not performance of joyful action.
The truth is when we do things the usual way as though it is a custom to do so only the usual not the unusual will mark the outcome. The secret behind this sometimes unconscious misnomer by Christians is sometimes the problem of familiarity.
Familarity is the greatest bane of any relationship. Familiarity blurs the mind towards so many things of importance in relationships. In the divinity and humanity union, familiarity always replaces faith. Doing things the usual, customary or routine blurs consciousness. The absence of divine consciousness promotes the lack of focus. This is why rapture and the deep spiritual things of God now have less considerations in our thoughts.
What then are the solutions?
(1) Go back to God and repent of the loss of your first love (Rev.2:4-5),
(2) Reconsecrate yourself to God.
(3) Ask God to return to your consciousness.
(4) Request the Almighty to infest your heart with unusual joy despite any ongoing waves of stress and turbulence.
(5) Realise that God is first and foremost a father not a judge.
(6) Believe and accept that God is a father to you and His faithfulness is a sure security for your protection and reward.
And (7) Remember His present kindness and that you would have been no where were it not for His presence and mercy with you and towards you.
IN THE END, UNTIL A LOVE RELATIONSHIP GRADUATES TO THE POINT OF CANNOT-DO-WITHOUT, THAT RELATIONSHIP IS YET TO BEGIN AND INDEED, THAT RELATIONSHIP CANNOT LAST EVEN IF IT STRIVES TO BEGIN.
Question and Answer Section
Question: When was the last time you consciously felt the presence of God so near to you?
Answer: Hmmm!.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Counseling, Prayers and Appointments: Please contact contactus@expressimageglory.com Alternatively, meet us every Sunday at the address below:
Suit 26, 2nd Floor, Nikky Africana Plaza, 70C Allen Avenue, Opposite UBA/MTN Office, Ikeja, Lagos.
Donations and Financial Supports – Please support the Kingdom of God through Christ Jesus in this Ministry by paying your hard-earned money to only this one account and no other: Express Image Glory Ministry, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Account number – 0020881228.
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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 Ps.54 in closing and pray more).
HYMN: I Have No Other Argument
PRAY NOW:
1. Holy Spirit, please fill my heart afresh.
2. I sack from my heart every kind of worry and anxiety.
3. O God, help me to have the consciousness of your faithfulness in my heart always.
4. Spirits and powers that make it a continuing duty to frustrate me, I sack you today.
5. O God, constitute a new management of the Godhead in my life from henceforth.
6. Present you personal petitions.