30 November 2014Ministry of the Word (MOW):True Spirituality (TS).Improving our Spiritual UnderstandingTheme: Humility-the Basic Requirement for Divine Promotion.Memory Verses:“And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name”(Phil 2:8-9)Beloved,Grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with every reader of this message. Amen and Amen. God was pleased to have His fullness dwells in Jesus Christ ( Col 1:19).One divine quality that is lacking in our societies today is humility. This is very much so even within the body of Christ(the church), where it is not uncommon to observe spiritual pride. Our memory verses tell us that it was because of Christ’s humility that he was divinely exalted and given the name (Jesus), above every other name.What exactly is humility? Humility can be viewed from different perspectives. However, this is not the essence of this message, rather to highlight humility as a divine quality.The free encyclopaedia explains humility as “the act or posture of lowering oneself in relation to others, or conversely having a clear perspective and respect for one’s place in context’. A humble (adjective) person is meek, teachable, patient, able to bear insult, easy to lead or guide and able to submit to the will of God. Humility is closely linked to meekness. Jesus’ teaching: “Blessed are the meek:”for they shall inherit the earth” ( Matt 5:5). Unfortunately, some people see humility and meekness as a sign of weakness, rather than power.They are wrong.Humility can be learnt through life experiences. Humility is related to what we know(knowledge) and wisdom.Humility is now being studied by researchers as a quality or trait that can enhance leadership effectiveness. This is not surprisingly because, Jesus Christ, the greatest human leader that ever lived on the surface of the earth was humility personified.In simple words, this writer believes humility is power, and can be understood as having so much power but refusing to make use of it, in order that God’s will, plan and purpose may be established. While on earth, Jesus had so much power but restrained himself from using it so that the will of his Father will come to pass. For example, when the devil tempted in Him, Matthew 4:3, saying “If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.”He replied:“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” He had the power to turn the stones to bread but He chose not to obey the devil. His humility was based on knowledge, wisdom and understanding. This same understanding enabled Him to humble himself and accepted death on the cross. No wonder God highly exalted Him and gave Him a name above every other name, that at the name of JESUS every knee should bow in heaven, on earth and underneath the earth, to the glory of God the Father.Humility is found in Christ, hence, Apostle Paul enjoins believers to have the mind of Christ:“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God” (Phil 2:5-6).Humility enables us to put the interest of others above ourselves. Apostle Paul counselled:“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves” ( Phil 2:3).I have often wondered how some people would behave or what they would do , if they were given so much power. Their perceived ‘enemies’ will not live one extra day!Many people have terminated their destinies prematurely because they lack humility and meekness, and unwittingly have allowed pride to get into their hearts. God is unable to relate to a proud person, no matter his zeal for the Lord.In Christ, God will only guide and direct those who are humble and meek. Meekness is fundamental to His guidance:“The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way”( Psalm 25:9).Each time, I remember the servant of God, Moses, I shake a bit. The bible says no human being on earth was as meek as Moses (Num 12:3), yet he could not make it to the promised land, because of one weakness( anger). This teaches us at least one thing, that humility alone is not enough, rather what we need in life is perfection (Matthew 5:48).Saint James warns us that God resists pride( opposite of humility):“God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” ( James 4:6). The book of Proverbs further warn us that: “Pride goeth before destruction , and an haughty spirit before a fall (Proverbs 16:18).
Beloved, “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering …”(Col 3:12-13).
Examine yourself and flush out every spirit of pride, especially spiritual pride which is not uncommon in the church.
To live a victorious life on earth, we need to have the mind of Christ. We need the spirit of humility and meekness
To grow spiritually increasingly requires daily meditation in the word of God.
Prayer: For the reader of this message, receive the grace of humility and meekness in Jesus mighty name. Amen.
Yours in the Vineyard of Jesus Christ. Bro Ben Bassey, Iyobosa, & the MOW family.
Spiritual Health Counselling Helpline:
+447404624293. Dr Ben Bassey is a psychiatrist & a spiritual health counsellor, who ministers to people regularly through the MOW, the spiritual arm of AHF.
To further enrich yourself with spiritual materials and health information, please visit: www.ministryoftheword.
In the Ministry Of the Word (MOW)-Acts 6:4, we primarily encourage and empower believers to be rich in the words of God: “let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom” (Col 3:16). The entrance of the WORD is the true source of LIGHT in a dark world(Ps 119:130). We also encourage believers to speak to one another “in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs(Eph 5:19). We encourage everyone to “seek first the kingdom of God his righteousness”..Matt 6:33). We stress that: Righteousness exalts a person (Prov 14:34). We emphasize that pure Christianity is about True Spirituality in Christ Jesus. We emphasize that the POWER in the blood of Jesus has set us FREE from all forms of bondage, ignorance, disease and that where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (2Cor 3:17). Jesus Christ is the Word of God (John 1:1; Rev 19:13). We emphasise that Jesus is the Truth (John 14:6). The words of God are spirit & are Life(John 6:63). We allow the Scriptures to answer all questions. We avoid the dilution, misinterpretation or deliberate corruption of the words of God. We create the awareness that Jesus has made all true believers kings and priests unto God and his Father(Rev 1:6). In addition, aside from soul winning, as a spiritual body, we also empower unbelievers with knowledge using the principles of our Lord Jesus Christ with the understanding that when they witness the power of the living God, they will be compelled to believe and exalt His holy name (Psalm 46:10).
One major objective of MOW is to increasingly improve everyone’s spiritual understanding! Spiritual ignorance is a major cause of human destruction(Hosea 4:6). Indeed, many children of God have gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge (Isa 5:13). Indeed, “through knowledge shall the just be delivered” (Prov 11:9). We are established by the righteousness in the word of God (Isa 54:14).
Please note that the MOW is an initiative and the spiritual arm of Abasi Health Foundation (AHF). AHF is a registered NGO in Nigeria , with the primary objective of empowering all groups of people to optimize their health. It is aimed at encouraging everyone to have increasing awareness of three broad levels of health: Physical, Mental and Spiritual. May God give you the grace of increasing understanding in Jesus Name. Amen. Websites: http//www.ministryoftheword.
All scriptures are taken from KJV, unless if otherwise specified.
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