Whose dreams are you living... yours or God's?

"For thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: do not let your prophets and your diviners who are in your midst deceive you, nor listen to YOUR DREAMS WHICH YOU CAUSE TO BE DREAMED" - Jeremiah 29:8.

Image source: youtube.com

What should define success for a Christian?
Granted, success is the achievement/accomplishment of set goals; but the question is who sets the goals for us as Christians? Whose goals are we to achieve? God's? The world's? Ours? It is very key that we look at these questions critically and reflect on them.

Really, what should be considered success for a Christian?
Can we say a Christian is successful based solely on the fact that he's wealthy?
Can we say a Christian is successful based solely on the fact that he's influential in his field?
Can we say a Christian is successful solely because he has a happy family? Or a great job or business?
All these are niceties honestly, but should our definition of success be based on the world's idea, or on God's?

Have you cashed your inheritance in Christ?

"For if by the one man's offense death reigned through the one, much more THOSE WHO RECEIVE abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness WILL REIGN IN LIFE through the One, Jesus Christ" - Romans 5:17.


Image source: thotam.com

When we surrendered our lives to Christ Jesus by receiving His free gift of salvation, we received more than most people know or can imagine. We did not only receive remission of sins (new birth), but also healing, access to heaven's unlimited resources, authority over dark forces, God's righteousness, victory over sin, freedom from curses, etc...we received a loaded gift pack!

By reason of accepting Jesus into your life (which I hope you have), He credited His finished work into your "account" - including the new God-like life, the divine health, the dominion over evil forces in heavenly places; all that was accomplished by reason of His suffering and death has been ascribed to you in Him, all you need do is cash it.

Let no one despise your youth

"Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity" - 1 Timothy 4:12 (NKJV).


Image source: lacybella.com

Though the apostle Paul wrote the foregoing text to his protege, Timothy - a young minister - over 1900 years ago, I believe its message very much applies to young people in Christ today.

Here, Paul (of course, inspired by the Holy Spirit), gives us the recipe for a life of influence, such that is worthy of emulation and admiration, regardless of youth.

From this Scripture, we glean the key to living a life that will not only glorify God our father, but will also make us influential figures in our circles, and thus, effective ministers of the gospel.

Now, we'll take a moment to break up the text to understand what's required of us as young people in Christ. Our text again (1 Timothy 4:12): "Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in WORD, in CONDUCT, in LOVE, in SPIRIT, in FAITH, in PURITY".

The one thought that can make a world of difference

Everyday, we are faced with different situations, where we sometimes have to make tough choices and decisions; but I reckon there's one thought that can make a world of difference in our everything we do.

I have this friend I'd like to tell you about

I have this friend I'd like to tell you about, I believe you'd like to meet my friend and experience what I have with this friend.
So here's introducing my dear friend, my pal for life...

Can you love others without loving self?

Image source: joshuanhook.com

"And the second is like it: you shall love your neighbour as yourself" - Matthew 22:39.

When the scribes asked Jesus what He thought was the greatest commandment, He answered it was 1) loving God and, 2) loving people, citing Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18; adding that "On these two commandments hang all the laws and the prophets" (v 40). We'll focus on the second, that is, loving your neighbour as yourself (your neighbour includes everyone you come across - at work, at school, in church, family members, friends, even strangers, as Jesus taught us in the parable of the good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-37).

Isn't it curious that Jesus said 'you shall love your neighbour AS yourself'? Think about that for a moment... Why would Scripture say 'love your neighbour AS yourself'?

Seeing as God sees

Image source: sonburn.com

"For the Lord DOES NOT SEE AS MAN SEES; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at THE HEART" (1 Samuel 16:7).

If only we could see as God sees, things would look a whole lot different. If we could see as God sees, people would look a whole lot different.

How?

Who am I, Lord?

Image source: pinterest.com

"What is man that you are mindful of him,
And the son of man that you visit him?
For you have made him a little lower than the angels (Elohim),
And you have crowned him with glory and honour.
You have made him to have dominion over the works of yourr hands;
You have put all things under his feet,
All sheep and oxen - even the beats of the field,
The birds of the air,
And the fish of the sea that pass through the paths of the seas.
O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is your name in all the earth!" - Psalm 8:4-9.

The salvation package - what you have in Christ

Image source: onshouldersofgiants.wordpress.com

A little kid received a beautifully wrapped gift package one Christmas morning. Excitedly, he unwraps the gift package. As he does, he finds a fascinating piece of toy, he picks it out and leaps excitedly outside to play with it, not bothering to fully unwrap the whole package to see the other items in it - which would probably have fascinated him more than his one pick. Most Christians are like this.

As Christians, we have received the salvation package - which includes great things such as new birth (remission of sin), healing (and health), freedom from poverty, a life of dominion, power and authority over the devil and his forces, and so much more - yet we have not fully unwrapped this package, but pick the first one - remission of sin (new birth) - and leap out to "play" with it, leaving the rest of the package undiscovered!

#SSVBlogNuggets: Don't make Peter's mistake!

Image source: pinterest.com

"Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled saying, "it is a ghost"! And they cried out for fear.
But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "be of good cheer! It is I, do not afraid."
And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." So He said, "come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he WALKED ON THE WATER to go to Jesus. BUT WHEN HE SAW that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out saying, "Lord, save me!" - Matthew 14:25-30.

The foregoing Scripture text captures the story of Jesus walking on water to meet up with His disciples who had gone "before Him to the other side" in a boat while He stayed back to disperse the multitude and to pray (v. 22-23).

Back and ready to roll

Image source: mefeedia.com

Hey efolks! Been a while, hasn't it? How have you been? I've been good. Glory to God!
I'm sorry I've haven't uploaded any new posts in a while, a lot has happened in recent weeks.

But I'm back now and ready to roll, hope you are!
The Holy Spirit will be taking us on some exciting and fulfilling journeys from now on - strap you seatbelts and ride along!
Once again, apologies for the no-show for some time, it's all for the better.

Thank you for always keeping in touch with the blog. God bless ya!
Still Small Voice Blog is back, help spread the word!