Work any time and rest when you need to. Work when there’s a NEED to work and rest when you need to. Seize every opportunity to do good to those who need it.

True children of the Father are just as kind, forgiving, generous, good, just as He is.

Israel lacked spiritual sensitivity and understanding as to the exact description and role of the Messiah. They missed the who, when and how of their expectation. Hence they didn’t recognize the time of their visitation, and so couldn’t engage their faith to seize and embrace their long awaited Messianic Hope. Thankfully it wasn’t all of Israel that was spiritually insensitive at the time. The Bible speaks of  Simeone’s relationship with the Holy Spirit and how this sharpened his spiritual sensitivity, helping him recognize the Messiah even at A Baby, INFANTILE stage….

I’ve been really looking forward to this part of this study series- Victory Through Hope! In previous parts we have seen how we can have and enjoy victory through faith and love. Well, the 3rd thing in our 3 Essential Elements of victorious Christian living is Hope.

This is part 21 of this study series and today I start looking at Hope by sharing a story from many years back. Stay with me…

The Hope That Does Not Disappoint (I)

For a short period in my teenage years I had the privilege of spending quite a bit of time in a Christian home with 2 spinsters who were in their late thirties. Friday nights were for night vigils and ‘serious’ prayer sessions. Whether you were bright-eyed, half-awake or in dreamland, there was no escaping participating in these ‘serious’ prayers. One of such prayers obviously was for the spinsters to get married without further delays. Did I enjoy these sessions? Not quite sure. What I do know though is that I learnt to pray that my own husband would show up at the right time.

As a very young believer, I knew almost nothing about the mechanics of faith; of believing, confessing and acting on the Word of God. Infact, we seldom prayed Word-based prayers those days. It seemed like dedicating an entire night to prayers was good enough to catch God’s attention. Now that I think about it, indeed God meets us at the different levels of our belief, more importantly, His love and mercy transcends the foolishness of man’s heart and still reaches out to do him good. Because many years after engaging in those ‘powerful’ prayer sessions, all I did was simply to remind God concerning my request, believing and hoping that He’ll grant my heart desire.

Hope is one concept that can be vaguely understood by Christians. We commonly define hope as meaning an aspiration, an expectation or desire for something to happen. And really the Bible definition of hope is somewhat closely related to this; where hope means a joyful and confident expectation of good, an assured look into the future or the anticipation of good (1 Corinthians 13:13. AMP, Titus 1:2). So unlike Faith which is NOW, hope is unseen and in the future (Romans 8:24-25). Meaning that if you needed something to happen Now, you should be engaging Faith instead of Hope because Hope always looks into the future.

Biblical hope waits with confidence and joy. Indeed, Hope waits and waits and waits patiently. And really when you think about it, this seeming ‘indefiniteness’ of Hope is not so hard to grasp when you understand its anchor or foundation- which is Christ. Yes, the confidence and assurance that the object of Hope will manifest is Christ (1 Peter 1:21, Colossians 1:27). That is some great news, isn’t it?…. To know that as long as there is Christ, this Hope will not fail, it will not disappoint. Halleluyah!

Now did I mention that a whole decade passed by before the answer to my powerful night vigil prayers manifested- 10-plus solid years and AMEN (It was so)!! My ‘hope’ didn’t disappoint.

I know that 10 years is probably nothing compared to how long you have waited for the manifestation of that expectation. Yet, I encourage you to still Hope, friend hope with joy, confidence and patience because this Hope (that is built on Christ) does not disappoint. And better still, you can begin to give tangibility to the object of your Hope when you let Faith kick-in……that’s absolutely correct! Faith is the Substance of things we hope for, the Evidence of the things which are unseen physically (Hebrews 11:1).

So now you realize that one of the implications of Hebrews 11:1 is that when the Expected Time for the manifestation of the object of Hope comes, Faith should be engaged in order to bring these things to fruition. Yes, NOW is the time to get relevant scriptures on those things you believed God for in the years gone by and start speaking and acting as though they really are. Because faith calls those things that be not as though they really are. Halleluyah! Praise The Name of Jesus!!

Why don’t you join me in the next part as we continue to explore the relationship between Faith and Hope, as well as see more ways to get our Hope manifesting.

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Remember that you can access previous parts of this study as follows; Part 1: Study Background. Part 2: The Scope of the Christian Victory. Part 3: How Christians Gained Victory. Part 4: How Faith, Love and Hope Mix Together for Victorious Christian Living. Part 5: The Nature of God’s Love. Part 6: Characteristics of God Kind of Love. Parts 7 and 8:  Winning Through Love. Part 9: How to develop our love nature. Part 10: Giving Is Not (always) Love. Part 11:Victory Through Faith: Understanding Faith. Part 12: Victory Through Faith: The Righteousness of God. Part 13: The Stimulus for Faith. Part 14: The Faith of Abraham (A). Part 15: The Faith of Abraham (B). Part 16: The Blessing of Abraham. Part 17: Activate The Blessing. Part 18: Abraham’s Righteousness. Part 19: You Can Grow Your Faith (A). Part 20: You Can Grow Your Faith (B).

Sometimes all you require to surmount a persistent health challenge is the wisdom of God delivered to you through a divine instruction. And sometimes a divine instruction can help you stand out from a pack of equally qualified folks, colleagues or schoolmates.

Jesus’ Thoughts on Money

Introduction:

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.’ I Timothy 6:10 NKJV

“As for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, and given him power to eat of it, to receive his heritage and rejoice in his labour—this is the gift of God. ‘ Ecclesiastes 5:19 NKJV.

• Money is not evil, it is the love of money that leads to evil
• Money is not the only root of evil, it is ‘A’ root of evil
• Excessive craving for money derails a believer and steals his faith
• Greediness for money leads to self-destruction
• God gives riches and wealth for someone to enjoy and have a good life.

What Jesus Thought About Money

“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:24 NKJV

“And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home. He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? “No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” Luke 16:9-11,13 NKJV

From Matthew 6:24 and Luke 16:9-11, we can deduce some of Jesus’ thoughts on money…….

1. Money Is A Master

In some Bible translations, the word ‘mammon‘ is used interchangeably with money, deceitful riches, possessions. In both verses of Matthew and Luke shared above, Jesus uses the Word mammon in a personified sense; He attributes a personal or human character to it. In both accounts, ‘mammon’ is described as a master and Jesus mentions 2 masters in our texts- God and mammon.

A master is someone who has servants or slaves working for him. According to Jesus, a master demands to be ‘served’ in love and loyalty.

Child of God, here’s the good news; Jesus gave 2 options- God or Money. Meaning, you have a choice. God doesn’t impose Himself on anyone, money doesn’t either. However if you choose to serve God, then you must reduce money to what it is- a tool for intermediating the exchange of goods of services. Don’t let the love of money drive you to ruin.

2. Money Will Fail

“And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous mammon (deceitful riches, money, possessions), so that when it fails, they [those you have favoured] may receive and welcome you into the everlasting habitations (dwellings).” Luke 16:9 AMPC

“Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.” Luke 16:9 NLT

“I tell you, use the worldly things you have now to make ‘friends’ for later. Then, when those things are gone, you will be welcomed into a home that lasts forever.” Luke 16:9 ERV

Money/riches/possessions don’t last forever. Unfortunately, Luke 16:9 says ‘when’ your possessions are gone‘, not ‘if‘ your possessions are gone‘!

The security that money gives is transient. The list of ‘Top 10 Richest Persons in The World’ has never remained constant.

Money does not satisfy …….

“He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver, nor he who loves abundance with gain. This also is vanity (emptiness, falsity, and futility)!”
Ecclesiastes 5:10 AMPC

See what Proverbs 23:4-5 says…

“‘Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease! Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.’ Proverbs 23:4-5 NKJV

Riches CERTAINLY make themselves wings (and fly off).

Inspite of Luke 16:9 and Proverbs 23:4-5, Jesus tells us there is a way to give money an eternal security (see #4 below).

3. Money Can Buy Influence

“The manager thought to himself, ‘Now what? My boss has fired me. I don’t have the strength to dig ditches, and I’m too proud to beg. Ah, I know how to ensure that I’ll have plenty of friends who will give me a home when I am fired.’ “The rich man had to admire the dishonest rascal for being so shrewd. And it is true that the children of this world are more shrewd in dealing with the world around them than are the children of the light. ‘ Luke 16:3-4,8 NLT

………..”I know how to ensure that I’ll have PLENTY OF FRIENDS who will give me a home when I am fired“……..

Jesus’ Parable of The Unjust Steward in Luke 16:1-12 which we have been referencing in this study, narrates the story of a manager who was mismanaging his master’s money. And when his master asked him to give an account of his stewardship, sensing he might be sacked, he decided to first settle himself. He bought influence for himself with his master’s money!

While this man’s action may not totally seem like a good thing, see what Jesus said in verses 8-9;

“So the master commended the unjust steward because he had dealt shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light. “And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home.“
Luke 16:8‭-‬9 NKJV

……”make friends for yourself by the unrighteous mammon“…….

Money can buy Influence; use it to kingdom advantage.

Influence is about People.

4. Money Is Not TRUE Riches

“Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home. “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities. And if you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?” Luke 16:9-11 NLT

Money (in itself) has very low significance in Heaven. Jesus referred to money as ‘least’ or ‘little’.

Money is Not True Riches. Heaven’s True Riches are PEOPLE. If Jesus said we should invest money in people, then I choose to believe that people are Heaven’s True Riches.

Investing money in Kingdom work gives it eternal security. The more people we influence and win over to God the richer our heavenly treasure store (Luke 12:33, Matthew 6:19‭-‬20).

Little wonder God would give His Son to save PEOPLE.

Jesus put People above Money. Don’t reverse it!

5. You Are Worth Much More Than Money

“And He said to them, Guard yourselves and keep free from all covetousness (the immoderate desire for wealth, the greedy longing to have more); for a man’s life does not consist in and is not derived from possessing overflowing abundance or that which is over and above his needs.”
Luke 12:15 AMPC

………..a man’s life does not consist in and is not derived from possessing overflowing abundance………..

Don’t reduce your worth to money, riches and possessions. Your worth is not defined by money or your possessions… You were BOUGHT by the PRECIOUS blood of Jesus……

“knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” I Peter 1:18-19 NLT

Dear friends, we are stewards of God’s possessions in our care. Our possessions are gifts from God. We must learn to enjoy these gifts as well as put them to other good use-especially, Kingdom work.

Greed, Covetousness and the Love of Money are killers. Godliness with Contentment is great gain (Proverbs 1:18‭-‬19, 1 Timothy 6:9-10).

Praise God!

Well, thank you for joining me on this very enlightening study.

Remember you can access previous parts of this study as follows; Part 1: Introduction. Part 2 :The Purpose of Money. And Part 3 :Delivered from Poverty. Part 4: Heirs of the Father. 5: How Jesus Met Needs (A). Part 6: How Jesus Met Needs (B). 7: How Jesus Met Needs (C). Part 8: 5 Biblical Principles for Enjoying Financial Sufficiency as a Christian

Subscribe to have all our study series delivered to your inbox. Thank you for your love gift and partnership, they help us continue to spread the good news of the gospel of Christ.

Contrary to the above dictionary definition of fight, Ephesians 6:12 tells us that as Christians we are in no physical combat with any human, rather we are in a spiritual warfare.

Rita has been married for 17 years with 2 teenage children. The last 5 years have been anything but beautiful for her. Her husband James has been abusive (physically and verbally), he stopped her from working, he wouldn’t do any work himself either. How do they eat? Family, friends, any form of goodwill. James claims he has a call from God and spends most of his time chasing people around to sow seed into his life.

Rita had tried many times to leave her marriage but he wouldn’t let her. She didn’t know what to do. Life hasn’t been fair to her neither has God.Then someone directed Rita to our online counselling group, Talk with Grace Obomanu (TWGO). Rita’s story began to change from then.

A look at James’s family history revealed that his father was exactly as he is. He was abusive, lazy and irresponsible. So obviously James’s problem was more complicated than it seemed, it had familial roots. This makes Rita’s case even more difficult, but God has a way.

James needs to make a total mind and behavior change. But how do we reach him considering it’s Rita coming for help?

Rita would have to make a decision at this point about her marriage, to leave or to stay.While leaving may seem the easier and more attractive option, Rita didn’t want her children growing up without their father.Staying meant she needed to do more work, on herself as well as for James.

First she must identify the things she does that upset him at least to forestall further physical abuse. She must identify her weaknesses and strengths as well as James’s. With a personality like James’ it can be trouble flagging his weaknesses, at least not at him. To get him to be more productive, his strengths have to be accentuated and he needs to be regularly reminded of them. That’s exactly what Rita did. She also moved back into the bedroom she once shared with her husband. Additionally, she resumed her wifely duties (not doing it for James but as unto The Lord). She located her Bible wherever she tossed it. She must rebuild her relationship with God and trust Him to fix her marriage.

As nicely as these may sound, these are not easy changes. But are possible when you do them in God, when you understand that agape means loving the unlovable unconditionally.

Rita took up the challenge, made these drastic changes and within one week her testimony was different. Her husband has never been as happy, calm and loving as she sees him now. He’s told her to go search for another job and he’s going to do same. He suddenly seems to have brilliant business ideas too. They even now pray and plan together. Rita is grateful to God and to the TWGO Team for intervening in her situation. Praise God!

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First shared 07.12.2018.

You know it is very tempting to read Psalm 110 and think in futuristic terms, because David was speaking of the manifestation of the Christ in the future. Well, that future is NOW. Today is the Day of His Power and your situation can turn around for good if you believe.