29/11/2017
LIFE IS LIKE A FOREST, WALK CLOSER WITH GOD
“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” – 1Peter 2:9
• God chose and created us after having prepared the work for us to do. ( jer 1:5-10), (exd.33:12-23),( luke 1:12(15-17)
• Each one of us came, like David (Acts 13:22, 36) and Jeremiah (Jer 1:4), to solve a problem so that the purposes of God are accomplished and He is glorified.
• The work is called Faith works or work of faith, a work that speaks of our faith.
• To find this work, we must know the Vine (Jesus) among the trees of the forest and abide with Him, lest we get lost.
“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” – John 15:5
• Life among people is like a tree in a forest. Relationships must be cautiously chosen.
“Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my lover among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste.” – Songs 2:3( Jesus cursed a fig tree without fruits)
1) Have you ever dreamed of walking about in the forest unable to find the way out?
2) Forest has lions (Satan and his demons) who seek to destroy us – 1Peter 5:8
• Satan masquerades as angel of light, eg diviners - 2Cor 11:14-15
• Even angels of light cannot recognize him, only God - Job 1:6, 2:1-2
• Satan cames as angel of light, then returned to kill - 1Kings 13:1-23
• Even if an angel brought contrary message, IGNORE - Galatians 1:8
3) FOREST TREES seek our attention, TREES symbolize people – Isa 10:33, Dan 4:20
FORESTS OF LIFE THAT WE EXPERIENCE TODAY
1) FOREST OF MARRIAGE
• Young people unsure of who to marry. Tribe, color, size, faith, etc
• Many engage in test-marriages, which is sinning against God
• Others propose to more than one lady while ladies get lured with cash
2) FOREST OF BUSINESS
• Deciding what business to do is a challenge. Many do whatever comes by.
• Like in a forest, no focus, as long as you get food. Just to make a kill, even a bird
• One shop selling varieties – mitura, mitumba, car parts, airtime, chips, kerosene
3) FOREST OF CAREER
• After school, ready for any job. At school, no career chosen. Can learn any work
• In a forest, a machete cannot do any work. It is for cutting wood, not digging
• They train in teaching, insurance, mechanic, law, accounts; all foundation stages
4) FOREST OF FRIENDS
• Many cannot choose friends. They hook up with whoever comes by
• Pray for destiny helpers, friends who show you the way, namely Christ
• Walk with people greater than you, you will grow. Those low stagnate you
5) FOREST OF LIFESTYLES
• Do not copy every style. Have your signature label and be unique
• Our lifestyles are prayer, Bible study, fellowships; not surprises but normal
• Live life worthy of your calling. We are peculiar, not familiar. Be distinct
6) FOREST OF FAITH AND RELIGION
• What is your religion? What is your faith? Are you sure and clear about it?
• Christian or Muslim? Catholic or Protestant? Church member or Son of God?
• Your faith in God or in your faith? Faith or anointing oil? Jesus or Mohammed?
7) FOREST OF MINISTRY – ROMANS 12:3-8
• If singer, why do you want to be called the pastor? Just sing and grow like Rose muhando.
• Some are givers, mercy showers, harpers, dancers, administrators etc
• Every occupation is a ministry to God. Be perfect in that, even in driving
WHY WE GET LOST IN THE FOREST OF LIFE
a) Disobeying God’s Voice
God is the One who designed your life, and you were designed for a specific work. He is the author of your life, and for you to succeed, you must listen to and obey Him. Do not wait to be punished before returning. Learn from others. Only fools (who say there is no God) wait to learn from their own life, but wise sons learn from others. God speaks through His word, your pastors, the creation, your conscience etc. Israel was chosen to publish abroad God’s grace to other nations, but when they disobeyed, God handed them over to Babylonians and punished them through Nebuchadnezzar.
“Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to s*xual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion. Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.” – Romans 1:24-28
b) Being Hasty and Impatient
We have to understand that God is never late, for He is Himself time. He brings out things at the appointed time. You are His work, He is not your work, and He does with us at the fullness of time. Patience is a virtue of love, a fruit of the Spirit. Saints are admonished to patiently wait upon the Lord. At the appointed time, fullness of time, He will surely show up. Premature ministry, wealth, family etc has had many destroy their lives even before they start enjoying it, eg Ahimaaz, Princess Diana, celebs.
“Abraham and Sarah were already old and well advanced in years, and Sarah was past the age of childbearing. So Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, “After I am worn out and my master is old, will I now have this pleasure?” Then the LORD said to Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the LORD? I will return to you at the appointed time next year and Sarah will have a son.”” – Genesis 18:11-14
“Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.” – Psalm 37:7
“But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently” – Romans 8:25
c) Making Wrong Decisions
We decide based on material (temporary) things instead spiritual (eternal) things. Lot ended up in a cave because his decision to go to S***m was based on materialism. If you were wrong, just accept it and you will be helped. People fear to say I was wrong. Make about turn and return to the cross road for redirection. When you are to make decisions, ask yourself, what would Jesus have done here? Who will be glorified, me, Satan or the Lord Jesus Christ? How will it affect my life with eternity in focus?
d) Being Easily Offended
Prophet Jeremiah got offended when the Jews blackmailed his ministry. He focused on the offenses and became stumbled. Jesus Christ was prophesied as one who would cause many to stumble, because of His truthfulness. Do not stumble over truth of Christ! John the Baptist got offended at Christ’s failure to do his bidding.
“If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan? For even thy brethren, and the house of thy father, even they have dealt treacherously with thee; yea, they have called a multitude after thee: believe them not, though they speak fair words unto thee.” – Jeremiah 12:5-6
“And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.” – Isaiah 9:14
e) Comparing With Others
The first group of people gets lost in life because of competing and comparing themselves with peers and friends who are born again. We are different, and God uses each one of us differently.
The hand of God was upon both Ezra and Nehemiah, yet they handled similar instances differently. While Ezra refused to seek the king’s help (8:21-22), Nehemiah did (2:5). Again, Ezra plucked his beard and hair and people were moved to repentance (9:1-3), but Nehemiah plucked the people’s hair and the same result was achieved (13:23). Comparing leads to frustration and disappointment. You are not in the same race!
“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. But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you.” – 2Corinthians 10:12-13
The second group, though born again, measures their successes with every Tom, Dick and Harry. They are sheep who want to live like goats. They see life the same way heathens view it. This is pathetic, for we are to walk by faith, not by sight!
“Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts? And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.” – Malachi 3:14-15
“Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.” – 1Corinthians 2:13.
