Ecclesiastes 3:1 ‘‘to every thing there is a reason, and a time to every purpose under the heaven;’’ KJV                                                

The Bible says that there is a season and a time for every purpose, having this in mind we should realize that once a season is gone you cannot recall it. It is imperative that Christians take every opportunity available and do what God has put in their hearts to do when the season is right. They should not wait for somebody else to do what they can to do, but should take every available opportunity to serve God, also to know that you serve God when you serve those He loves. There are many less fortunate in the society and many disadvantaged members of the communities we live in if we have a heart for it.  

We must position ourselves to receive blessing from God this time around because of the uniqueness of the season we have just entered, I hope you realize that 01.01.10 means; this is the first day of the month; first day of the year and first day of the decade. This is completion of the fullness of the Godhead; all Christians who are ready will receive blessings in all fullness of God must meet the following conditions.

 Who are going to blessed?

2 Chronicles 7:14;

‘‘if my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.’’

The message is self explanatory and refers to a specific category of people because there are many kinds of people but this message is for them that are called by the Lord’s name, namely the born again.

People who have denied themselves and wait upon the Lord in all their dealings; John 1:12; refers to people who have had their spiritual identity changed and aligned to receive guidance from God and God alone. To be called by the name of God is not something that can be presumed because it is guaranteed in the Bible, people who walk not according to what they see or feel but by the Spirit of God and faith in Jesus Christ.

The other condition is that of humility, people who are humbled by God’s great and everlasting mercies, people who don’t take anything for granted but they live a thankful life before God at all times.

 

Genesis 27: 6~23

Jacob was able to stand before his father and deny his identity in order to receive blessing. His mother guided him to his blessing because there was a covenant in Genesis 25:23. He refused to use his own understanding and followed his mother’s voice. The mother insisted by telling him only listen to her voice Genesis 27:13 but his mother said to him, “Let your curse be on me, my son; only obey my voice, and go, get them for me.” Only those who are able to listen to the voice of Jesus Christ and surrendering all their understanding; past experiences and wisdom will receive blessings of God this season. Because as Rebecca offered to receive the curse meant for Jacob, the same way Jesus received the curse meant for us as sinners and went to the cross instead of us so that we can boldly confess and receive salvation through His blood at Calvary. We claim to be sanctified by the blood of Jesus Christ fearlessly and by this we surrender our previous identity as sinners and take up new identity in Christ Jesus. Jesus said to the fishermen by the Sea of Galilee in Matthew 4:18~22 to follow Him and they immediately obeyed, this is the example we need to follow, sometimes it is not easy because surrender is an unpopular word, disliked almost as much as the word submission.

 

In Romans 6:13 the Bible says ‘‘And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.’’

 This implies surrendering our previous identity as sinners and taking up a new one, righteous, and no one wants to be a loser. Surrender mostly evokes the unpleasant images of admitting defeat in battle, forfeiting a game, or yielding to a stronger opponent. The word is almost always used in association with negative connotation. Captured criminals surrender to the authorities. In the competitive world we’re taught to never quit trying, never giving up, and never giving in – so we don’t hear much about surrendering. When winning is everything, surrendering is unthinkable. Yet, the Bible teaches us that rather than trying to win, succeed, overcome, and conquer, we should instead yield, submit, obey, and surrender. And by surrendering to God, we enter into the heart of worship. This is true worship: that brings pleasure to God as we give ourselves wholly and completely to Him.

Surrendering is best demonstrated in obedience, cooperating with your Creator. You say, “Yes Lord” to whatever he asks of you; instead of “No, Lord” because this is a contradiction. You can’t claim Jesus as your Lord and Saviour when you refuse to obey him. We must understand that God is not a cruel slave driver, or a bully who uses brute force to coerce us into submission. He doesn’t try to break our will, but woos us to Himself, so that we might offer ourselves freely to Him. God is a Lover and a Liberator, and surrendering brings freedom, not bondage.

When we completely surrender ourselves to Jesus, we discover that he is not a tyrant but a Saviour; not a boss, but a Brother; not a dictator, but a Friend. Those that cooperate and willingly change their thinking and take up God’s guidance are more blessed. Our thoughts most of the time deceive us into thinking that all is well but calamity follows and we are left devastated, disappointed, discouraged and completely hopeless. Our line of thought should be conformed to the will of God for He knows what is best for us at all times. Let us learn to align our thoughts to the word of God and we will never go wrong.

 

This devotional and message was written by Pastor Joseph Koburu Mukiira, Senior pastor and founder of Maximum Victory Centre Nairobi Kenya.

References:

1. The Holy Bible NKJV study by C. Scofield;
2. The secret of forgiveness and being born again by Pastor Ock Soo Park- GNM
3.  Purpose driven life by Pastor Rick Warren- Lakewood church California.