Different Approach, Better Results Bible Reading: Proverbs 23
Right from my school days, I discovered the time when I have the best assimilation when reading my academic materials. You will hardly find me reading my books during the day or at night, but anytime between 12am and 4am is my time. In fact, I usually tell myself that one hour reading during my time is equivalent to eight hours reading at other times. I religiously followed my “reading time” throughout school and I was able to excel in school. Let me ask you this question – if I want to also excel in life, when do you think is the best time for me to read my bible?
An average believer is quick to conclude that bible reading should be done just after you get up from bed in the morning or just before you go to bed at night. However, I have observed that I encountered greater insights when I read the bible at my time. What is your own reading time? What is the time when you are most mentally alert to assimilate information? Do you read your bibles at such times?
If we can handle the bible studiously and seriously for 6 months the way some of us handle our academic materials, we will be amazed at the spiritual development that will occur in our lives. I recently read a book written by Rev. Ade Adebayo and titled “Enjoying my Bible” and I was really touched by this statement – “… if our serious academic volumes, professional materials, and other valuable literatures were handled the way we handle the bible, many would have experienced uncompromising, dismal and permanent failures”. Isn’t that true? Do we not spend hours burning the midnight candle just to pass a professional exam, whereas we never spend quality time reading the book that addresses all life’s examinations?
My concern for modern day Christians is that they will agree with everything I have written here. Some may even go further to list out scriptural references that I should have quoted. But many are not in the habit of practicing what they have attested to. Beloved, we already have many believers who can only pant and rant these things and we are not interested in increasing their number. We want believers who will take a decision to approach their bibles with more seriousness. We want people who would spend quality time developing a godly mindset in order to exhibit godly actions and experience good success daily.
– tope aladenusi
| How You Must Not Read the Bible – 1 Bible Reading: Ephesians 3
I once scored 68 in a computer science course I took when I was in the university. As soon as I saw my score on the notice board, I immediately became sad and started lamenting. To my greatest surprise, I saw a friend who scored 42 and he was seriously jubilating. To quench my curiosity, I went to him to inquire the reason for his celebration. After chatting with him for sometime, I realized that what led to the difference between my reaction and that of my friend was our motive for reading. My friend’s dad already had a ready-made company waiting for him to come and occupy, and so his father just wanted him to have the ‘school experience’. My motive for reading was to be much grounded in the subject and also prove that by having a distinction in the course. No wonder what I defined as ‘poison’ would be gladly celebrated as ‘meat’ to my friend.
In a similar manner, there are millions of Christians reading the bible regularly, but one thing that distinguishes the effect it has in their lives is their motive for reading. This motive is usually defined unconsciously and it becomes the driver whenever they pick up their bibles. I have noticed several motives why Christians read their bibles and I will share some of them with you. To be candid, I lived like a bad Christian for over 10 years after I became born-again, but my life changed drastically the year I decided to read the New Testament with the right motive. I could not believe the change because I had tried many things to make me grow and gave up along the way, but this particular change I experienced came effortlessly. So bible reading is very good and can lead to rapid spiritual growth if you do it with the right motive.
Why do you read your bible? For many Christians, the reason is simple – to fulfill all righteousness. Bible reading is just seen as “one of the things a good Christian should do”. Therefore, in order to run away from a guilty conscience or not be identified with bad Christians, they read their bibles. They want to identify with the fact that ‘I have observed my quiet time today’. Some of my friends who live in bustling cities like Lagosand London have confessed to me that because they have to leave their homes very early in order to get to work by 8am, they just flip through their bible with sleepy eyes every morning. They do this day in day out and it is becoming obvious that their lives are getting worn out. I strongly believe that a Christian who reads his bible for 30 minutes with the right motive will experience spiritual growth more that someone who has been reading the same bible for 30 years in order to fulfill all righteousness. Your location or work schedule does not matter much like your motive whenever you decide to read your bible.
I know some people who also think they are pleasing God and making him happy by reading the bible. You hear them make statements like “God has been so good to me; I just have to appreciate him by giving him thanks and reading my bible”. Does a good student study his books in order to develop or help his lecturer? Then when we pick up our Bibles to read, we should remember that it is time to enrich ourselves and not a time to thrill the father; it is primarily for our own good.
I Samuel 16:7 – “… man takes note of the outer form, but the Lord sees the heart”. Beloved, let us not focus on having a form of godliness; let’s embrace the power that is experienced in reading the bible with the right motive.
– tope aladenusi
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An Accident Going Somewhere to Happen Bible Reading: Matthew 6
If you were to select only one of the following gifts, what will your choice be?
- One billion US dollars
- The only bible in the world (assuming only one exist)
- Worldwide fame
I perceive some of my readers will select option 2, i.e. the only bible. However, your genuine choice is not what your “church mind” is telling you right now but what your life experiences is showing you on a daily basis. So let’s take the same test from another perspective.
- How much of your daily time is spent chasing after money and things money can buy?
- How much time do you spend in a day trying to know more about God and his word?
- How much of your time do you spend devising means that will make you famous?
You see what I mean? One way to gauge your love for something is by the amount of invaluable currency (time) you give to that thing. John 3:16 says God so loved the world that he gave Jesus. God’s love was demonstrated by his giving. In like manner, the time you give to the options above is a simple way to let you know the quality of love you have for them. So based on the time you spend with your bible, would you still select option 2?
Today, when some people get born again, their first desire is that ‘old means of cash inflow shall pass away and all streams of cash inflow shall become new’; some begin to desire that they crush all their past enemies with spiritual antiballistic missiles; others immediately desire recognition in Christian meetings. But the bible says in I Peter 2:2 (GW) “Desire God’s pure word as newborn babies desire milk. Then you will grow in your salvation”. Why? Because nearly every other success God expects from you is hinged on your spiritual growth.
The formula is still “seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and every other thing shall be added to you” (Mat 6:33). Imagine you give a baby the options of choosing either milk, money or fame, what do you think will be his first choice? Of course, it is milk, because without it he cannot even spend the money in the first place. The milk is what will help him sustain his life. That is the same way we should see the word of God. It is the pivot on which all other success should be built upon. God’s word is life to our lives. A Christian that does not desire and ponder on God’s word is like an accident going somewhere to happen. He/she may look okay at the moment, but it’s just a matter of time, the crash will come. If you must grow spiritually, you have to always have a burning desire for God’s word.
Notwithstanding, if we are sincere with ourselves, we will agree that there are many people reading their bibles for years but it appears no visible change has occurred in their life. How do we read our bibles in a way that will make us grow? How do we sap nutrients from God’s pure word?
– tope aladenusi
| ‘Inreach’ before outreach Bible Reading: Galatians 1
Many believers today are specialist in converting God’s promises to prayer requests, but the ability and grace to grow spiritually is not a promise from God. It is a done deed! The bible makes us understand that everything we need for spiritual growth has been given to us (2 Peter 1:3). But how do we make use of these gifts in order to grow?
Firstly, I will suggest you learn to set your priorities right. Many people get born again and fly to the pulpit or start struggling for recognition in Christian gatherings. Some others are only concerned about becoming like ‘that man of God’. I remember my dad always told me that a soldier prepares for war in the time of peace. They undergo trainings before facing the battlefield. Even soldiers that are recruited during war time still go through a brief training exercise. It is only if a war general wants to kill a brand new soldier that he puts him in front of a battalion. As a soldier of Christ, do not kill your growth because you want to be in the forefront without having the internal capability to be there. These days, you see someone get born-again last year, and this year he has founded a church. If you ask him his reasons, he will tell you God called him. Yes I agree. God called him like he called everyone over two thousand years ago when Jesus Christ rose from the dead. But it is good to learn from others that God called in time past and they made a good success of their calling.
Jesus Christ spent the early years of his life focusing on his growth. Luke 2:52 (GW) says “Jesus grew in wisdom and maturity”. When Apostle Paul got saved, he did not go to struggle for position in Jerusalem. Rather, he spent over 15 years reaching out to himself.I’m not suggesting you postpone blessing humanity till sometimes in the far future. Like Paul, he was able to preach the gospel and invite others to Jesus immediately after his conversion. You do not need spiritual growth to do that. But I’m admonishing that you do not try to reach out to others at the expense of your spiritual growth. Don’t struggle to breathe out more than you breathe in. Let your concern not be centered on occupying church offices.
You just got born-again? Focus on your growth. You’ve been born again for some time? Focus on your growth as well. I have observed in life that people who spend time only longing to be at the forefront and do not attend to their growth end up not getting there. But those who did not even dream of the front but just spent time focusing on their growth and development end up being in front. This is because they tend to catch up with the dream during the growth process and the dream is complemented with the capability to be there.
The commandment is still “love your neighbour as you love yourself”. If you don’t love yourself enough to reach out to yourself and develop yourself, do not deceive men that you love them and want to reach out to them.
Evangelical researcher George Barna once reported – “Americans are willing to expend some energy in religious activities such as attending church…, and they are willing to throw some money in the offering basket, but when it comes time to truly establishing their priorities and making a tangible commitment to knowing and loving God, most people stop short.” The truth is that, this is not peculiar to Americans alone. We see the same problem in Asians, Africans and every race.
So the first step I recommend after knowing that God has given you all you require to grow spiritually is to set your priorities right. Make a decision to reach out to yourself. Help yourself so you can help others. Make a real commitment to give your best in knowing God and growing spiritually.
– tope aladenusi |
I’ m so beautiful and precious a stone!
I’m a yellow precious substance use for several wonderful things!
Never talk of shiny coins, ornaments & jewelleries in my absence!
I make the whole colours of radiating products!
No riches are complete without me!
I make a whole man respected when he appears in gold!
I make a king honoured when he wears a golden crown!
The more gold you have, the more honours you get!
But I’m strictly careful of something!
I’m not available to ordinary men’-so, I make myself so scarce!
You only find me after digging deep a rock!
Yes! I’m more than that, cos I know what I pass through before shining- strictly refined by fire- in pains & in agonies
Subjected to unbearable conditions so as to shine.
– But don’t bother about that!
I’m not interested in what proceed the glory even though painful experience- but only interested in the glory itself
No! I can’t afford to be dim or not to shine, I can’t afford to be dishonored- so I bear pains!
But it’s a pity- so piteous indeed that:-
MY GLORY IS FLEETING:- so speak the Gold. It’s PERISHABLE!
It’s so interesting to hear, that gold can bear all these!
Because it cherishes its fleeting glory despite the pains gold bears during refinery for a perishable reward.
How much more then should worth my faith of greater worth than gold.
Giving me a living hope in Christ.
Shielding me by God’s own power
How much more should I shift my attention;
From this fleeting pains and tears
From this present shame and frustrations
As I cherish much more my afterward glory
My future more glorious, more valuable, more wonderful than of gold which its glory perishes.
No matter how costly and unavoidable it may be!
But I, living with a glorious inheritance
Not at all comparable to that of gold’s
Yes! Present circumstances are immaterial!
WORTH MUCH MORE THAN GOLD!
– raphael aworinde
| Invest your time for eternity
Invest your life for the life to be Forever gone are the hours you’ve lost Don’t waste your life; count again the cost;
Your money place in the Saviour’s hand It’s only safe when in heaven’s strand You never lose what you give to God But lose all else when you withhold;
Invest your work in the Saviour’s plan Work hard for God and His will for man Don’t count the hours that you toil and plod You will reap again all you do for God;
Don’t waste your life for a passing joy Don’t sell your soul for a fragile toy Give till it hurts; give your very blood You live but once; LIVE ALL OUT FOR GOD. – segun eshorun |
The power & grace to grow spiritually Bible Reading: Ephesians 1
One of the reasons why many Christians are not growing spiritually is because they think some of the things they need for their growth have not been given to them by God. So they go to God always in prayers to make demands for such things. Such demands have become a common thing in nearly every Christian gathering. It is even considered a sign of humility and dependence on God to make such requests. For example, it is very common for people to pray that “Lord give us the grace to grow spiritually”.
This prayer above seems very pious because it appears you are telling God you cannot do it on your own. It also suggests that if you are not growing spiritually, it may be because you are yet to receive the grace for it. But that is the devils deceit and he is using it to counterbalance the ignoramus among us.
Please put aside every tradition you are familiar with and let us reason together…
Ephesians 1:3 (GW) says “Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! Through Christ, God has BLESSED us with EVERY spiritual blessing thatheaven HAS TO OFFER”.
Oh my God! This is powerful! Firstly, the verse says “God has blessed us”. This statement is in past tense. The verse did not say “God will bless us”. Secondly, we are told that God has blessed us with every blessing that is spiritual. Is grace a physical or spiritual blessing? Is anointing a physical or spiritual blessing? Is divine power a physical or spiritual blessing? If they are all spiritual blessings, then we should throw away tradition and accept the declaration of God that we have been blessed with such things. Lastly, the verse says “we have every spiritual blessing that heaven has to offer”. Do we expect God’s grace to come from heaven or earth? If it is from the earth, then we can go ahead in an endless search for it. But if it is supposed to come from the father in heaven, then the bible is clear about it – we have been blessed with it.
No wonder Romans 5:2 (MSG) says “through whom (Christ) we have had access by faith into this grace in which we stand”. In other words, right now every believer is standing inside God’s grace. You have received it in abundance. That is why Peter admonished us to “grow in grace and understanding of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ” II Peter 3:18”. He did not say “ask God for the grace to grow”, or “Pastors grow in grace and the congregation should pray for the grace to grow”. Rather, grow in the grace wherein you stand. Hallelujah! I know that there are some verses of scriptures that seem to suggest that we may plead for spiritual blessings, but if you understand such verses in context and in the light of the revelation of Jesus, you will still end up with the revelation that “everything we need for spiritual growth has been given to us” (II Peter 1:3).
So what do we do after realizing we have grace in abundance? The bible is also clear about that. Philippians 2:12 says “work out your salvation”. What you need for spiritual growth is in you, you are to work it out. You are supposed to give an expression on the outside about what you have on your inside. God has done his part. Let us take responsibility for our spiritual growth and stop shifting blame on God or other people. Work out the anointing. Work out the grace. Work out the power. It is the “working out” that makes it appears as though some Christians possess grace more than others. But the possession of a gift is different from the utilization of that gift. Are you utilizing your God-given grace to grow spiritually?
We will discuss how to work out these gifts in our subsequent messages.
– tope aladenusi
What is spiritual growth? Bible Reading: I Corinthians 3
Do spirits grow? Many of us are able to come to terms with the fact that our bodies grow. Many also know that the mind can undergo changes and be developed to take specific attributes and qualities. What about the believer’s spirit?
The bible makes us understand that when we got born-again, God gave birth to a new spirit within us (John 3:3-6, 1:12-13). Our spirits now has the exact nature of God (II Peter 1:4). In other words, the spirit of a believer is in the best state it could ever be and it cannot be improved upon because we are not expected to have a creature that is better than the creator. No wonder the bible says “ye are complete in him” (Col 2:10). Your spirit “has become new in knowledge after the image of his maker (Col 3:10). Therefore, “as Christ is, so are we in this world” (I John 4:17).
So this topic on spiritual growth is not an attempt to teach you how to grow your spirit because he is currently at his best if you are born again. The verses below give us a peep into the definition of spiritual growth.
My friends, if someone is caught in any kind of wrongdoing, those of you who arespiritual should set him right; but you must do it in a gentle way. Gal 6:1 (GNB)
And I (Paul), brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as untocarnal, as unto babes in Christ … whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? I Corinthians 3:1,3
The Bible gave many descriptions of someone who is spiritual and who is a babe in Christ but I am particularly fascinated about the verse above. It says “I cannot say you are spiritual because you … walk as men”. Good News Version says “you are still living by human standards”.
Growing spiritually is the process of changing gradually from who you are to who God wants you to be (Christ-like). It involves living the God-kind of lifestyle that was displayed in Jesus Christ. It involves you exhibiting actions that are not based on human standards but on God’s standards. Take a quick look at your life, what are the things that chiefly affects your decisions or actions. Is it what you heard in the news or the current trend in town? Are you usually influenced by external things that feeds into your mind through your five senses or you always take cue from the standard of God that you have internalized over time?
Spiritual growth also involves a change of mindset, attitude and action to reflect who you truly are i.e. a son of God. It involves increasing your knowledge of God and commitment to him whereby you begin (and continue) to see things like he sees them. This means you see sin like he does and not meddle with it. You see possibilities like he sees them and impossibility is wiped away from your consciousness. You demonstrate faith like he does and walk in the practice of ‘calling those things that are not as though they were’. You see a sinner like he does and you extend your love to them so that they are saved and come to the knowledge of our savior Jesus Christ. This growth does not directly depend on the number of years you have being in Christ but on some other factors.
We will shed more light on this as we look at other subtopics like: What do you do to grow? What do you have to grow with? How do you know you are growing spiritually? When will you be fully grown? Etc.
– tope aladenusi
Indeed this is a beautiful place to be! A wonderful and rare privilege it is, being at this entrance! How glorious can the entrance of this place be with the gate made of rare silver and gold! All shining with their dazzling beauties! Of course, it’s worth being called beautiful! Because it was specially designed for beauty! A centre of attraction it is indeed and that is why it is always a privilege being there!
For years a special site has been found for him there, for years his name has been the man at beautiful gate. Even though he couldn’t get what he actually needed, At least he’s always lavished with what he wanted; his pain of course is being eased by this token! Since the Jews will always give arms….!
So for years he has enjoyed the beautiful sight, the beautiful & glorious sight of the gate! His original name from birth may not be necessary again since he can easily be recognized as:
The crippled man at the beautiful gate! Friends are you at the beautiful gate! Enjoying the temporal beauties of the position you are! Or setting for the fading glory of the place you are! You think you know your wants and desires! But what about the exact& need! Only seeking & waiting for temporal blessings of men! Already in this stagnant situation for years! Yet still thinking you’re getting wishes satisfied!
Look at the temple ahead of you! Look at where God would have wanted you to be! You are so crippled that you can’t stand, walk or run! Only you do is sitting down at wherever they put you! Not even crawling, perhaps you may get there one day! You need Jesus of Nazareth! Or are you quite satisfied with your own level of spirituality, of course people hail you when you minister with such a unique and blessed gift!
Please lift up your eyes and see the temple! That is where God wants you to be! Not at all at its gate, no matter how beautiful the gate of the temple is –the inside is better Jesus is more of what you need! Only Jesus can take you beyond the temples gate.
– raphael aworinde
Why struggle to grow spiritually?
Did you struggle to grow to the height you have attained physically? Then why do many of us think growing spiritually is something we do by exerting strenuous effort? If no Christian has struggled to grow spiritually, I have. Some years ago when I became a believer, I asked my teacher in church what I needed to do to grow spiritually. She immediately sang a chorus for me:
Read your bible, Pray everyday
If you want to grow
I was already reading my bible. I was already praying. But my experiences did not prove that I was growing. I said to myself, may be I am not praying hard. So every night I will wake up and pray. This prayer was accompanied with much weeping and crying. I would say “Lord please help me. Grant me power to grow spiritually”. And I would top-up the prayer with a sincere cry. But God is not moved by tears. He is only moved by his word. What does his word say about growing spiritually? We know bible reading and prayer is good. But do they really help us grow? If so, then how do they help? What ingredients do we really need for spiritual growth? This and many more related matters will be addressed in our subsequent messages.
The truth is that you are not to struggle to grow spiritually. Rather you should struggle to take the nutrients that will facilitate your growth. Spiritual growth comes naturally and effortlessly when the nutrients for growth have being absorbed. This is similar to physical growth. Jesus said in Matthew 6:28 “Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin”
Just before we get down to the nitty-gritty of this subject, I want you to imagine the differences between an orange seed and an orange tree. While we look at these differences, I will like you to imagine how your life would be if your spiritual growth moves from a seed-like form into a tree-like form.
- A seed is full of many untapped potentials; a tree has exploited most of its potentials.Spiritual growth will help you exploit your potentials and fulfill your purpose on earth.
- A seed is usually small in size and can be crushed and displaced using little effort; a tree is tall and rooted into the ground. It is able to withstand stormy weathers. You cannot crush it with your feet like you would do to a seed. Spiritual growth will help you stand firm against the fiery darts of the devil and you will not be tossed to and fro by the circumstances of life.
- A seed cannot serve as a shade or home for any creature; a tree serves as shade for humans, home for birds etc. Spiritual growth will enable you become a channel of help to many people. You will always have positive influence to those around you because you shade them away from trouble by your words, deeds and prayers.
- A seed cannot produce more seeds or fruits while it is still a seed; a tree produces more seeds and fruits. Spiritual growth helps you be an active ambassador in God’s kingdom – attracting many to Christ through the fruit of the spirit displayed in your lifestyle.
The list is endless. I believe some other differences are already popping in your mind.
Apostle Peter said in I Peter 1:23 “You have been born again … from a seed that can’t be destroyed”. He went ahead to encourage us to “grow in grace and understanding of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ” II Peter 3:18. Spiritual growth is not optional for a Christian. You have to pay attention to it.
– tope aladenusi