“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” –Hebrews 11:6
Almost every one is worried about his future- career, marriage, children upbringing, educational and academic attainments, and property development. No body wants to be a failure in life- failure is an orphan the popular maxim says. The quest to succeed and remain on the success lane causes anxiety and apprehension in the minds of people.
The unfortunate thing however is that in the bid to guarantee themselves a good future several people indulge in ungodly and evil practices. This include cheating, lying, outsmarting others, and manipulations. Others go to other extent and engage in evil communication in sorcery, divination and occultism in order to be empowered to succeed.
But the most pitiable set of people are Christians including many in the born again genre. In spite of having been bought with a price and sealed with the Holy Ghost, many Christians of us are still worried and anxious about our future. In spite of having several assurances by the Holy Spirit that we are bound for success, doubt still remains in our minds occasionally.
God is not happy with this sort of faithlessness, and this attitude is capable of robbing us divine blessings. Admittedly, at times, some devilish occurrences may take place that may cause our faith to shake, but we must immediately resist the devil and hold on to God, the author and finisher of our faith.
God recently spoke to me on the need to have abiding faith in him. When I had a calling for this ministry, I was contending with God in the fear that abandoning my secular vocation for a Christian work is a call to poverty. Recently, I was romanticizing about the taking up a full time secular work in order to boost my personal income as it was not very obvious to me how I was to be sufficiently financially rewarded through this Christian ministry.
The same day I thought of this idea, the Holy Spirit woke me up at light and instructed me to read Hebrews 11 and 12, where I saw how several people walked with God in faith based on the divine promises made to then.
Talk of Abraham who almost sacrificed his first and only son in faith, Joseph who resisted an adulterous relationship and its rewards in faith, the Israelites who stepped on the shores of River Nile in faith and later marched around the wall s of Jericho in faith and even our Lord Jesus Christ who endured the shame and agony of the cross in faith. All these people inherited divine promises by faith. The passage that touched me most is Hebrews 11:6 quoted above which says that God rewards those who works for him diligently. I realized it is foolish not to expect an earthly and heavily reward for working for God.
A Pastor friend once narrated to me, how in a dream, he saw himself swimming in the middle of the ocean. He was in the midst of an ending expanse of waters around him and no form of rescue was in sight. Suddenly, a human hand appeared as a Rock in the ocean and he was asked to hold on to it. The human hand that appeared is obviously God manifesting as the Rock of ages, and the lesson is that will always be saved from any affliction no matter how hopeless.
I have recounted the two experiences above to buttress the point the theme of this message, which says ‘Have in your future’. We are serving a God who created us and has a plan for us, he is always thinking about us and planning goodness and mercy for us. But he is unhappy if we do not reciprocate this thoughtfulness by acts of faithlessness and unbelief. God only walks with the people with strong faith, and unbelief is contemptuous and repulsive to him. Have faith in your future. Your present and future is in His hands. Less us relate to God like children and he will continue to carry us in his hands.
However, if you want your future to be assure, the first step to take is to hand over your ways and life to Jesus Christ, who he is the savior and messiah of all. If you have not done so, this is the opportune time for you to take this important step.
Do you want God to take care of your present and future? Then say this simple prayer:
Father, in the name of Jesus Christ. I acknowledge that I am a sinner and have fallen short of your glory. I genuinely repent from all my sins and pledge to go and sin no more. I accept your plan to reconcile mankind to you through Jesus Christ, who you sent in your name. I believe Jesus Christ is the Messiah, and died on the Cross to pay the penalty for my sins and redeem me. I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I pray that His blood washes my sins away. I invite the Holy Spirit to rule my Life. I am born again in Jesus name. I commit my life to you henceforth and I believe my future is secure in your hands in Jesus name.
Wise words. Faith is believing that God sustains us. But our Christian tadition generally teaches that God helps those who help themselves. We practice making our own blessings rather than trusting God to provide what we REALLY need. But what we NEED and what we WANT is the debate. God says er NEED is to ‘ lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: Matt 6:20.’ But we desparately continue to WANT the treasures of wood, stubble, and hay. When we are rich with things that rust…we are considered among men to be sucessful. And there is an opportunity cost. To seek after things of the flesh….we close the door to the loving Father who desires to hold us safe in His complete care. We cannot serve two masters. Success in God’s eyes is very different to success in man’s eyes. Provision for success in God’s eyes is the kind which sent the deciples forth and told them ‘take neither purse nor script.’ But we dare not go forth without purse. And they took no money since they trust HIm to provide their needs. They took no script…scrolls (Bible) since they trusted God to bring to remembrance the Word to speak. Awesome!!! The result of such faithlessness is a powerless and fruitless apostate church. But God remains God and the Faithful remain fruitful and SUCCESSFUL!
Again, wise words. Good thoughts. Thanks
Carolyn
My Brother, faith always sustains us. God has called me to live by faith since I left a corporate job in the USA in 1997. I haven’t had a ft job since that time. For the past 2.5yrs I have been living alone as a single woman without a job. I have never once been late on paying my rent or utilities. I have food, money and joy. If He’s called us to this path, He always sustains us. In the process, we learn great faith. I can now believe for anything, regardless of the situation. It’s for development so except the Father to always provide. He has for me.
Your blog is a nice blessing. If I could send a gift I would. One day I will be in a different position. Stay full of faith. Alena Davies/USA
i believe there is no way except almighty all what we need is the most high