Friday, 16 December 2022
“From all nations people came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the world, who had heard of his wisdom” – 1 Kings 4:34 NIV
GOD came to Solomon in a dream, and asked him what He could grant him that would be useful in performing his duties as a king. Solomon asked for a discerning heart to govern His people, and to distinguish between right and wrong. GOD was so impressed with this answer that He granted him more than what he had asked for. “I will give you both wealth and honor, so that in your lifetime you will have no equal amongst kings” (1 Kings 3:13). Talk about having an explosive start to your walk with the LORD (hitting the ground running/sprinting). Many kings and dignitaries travelled far and wide just to be in Solomon’s presence. The Bible describes how he had vast knowledge about Zoology, Botany, Herpetology and Ichthyology. With such a great start to his reign, how did he finish? With all the wisdom and knowledge he forgot his number one priority, which was GOD. He no longer followed GOD’s decrees and became disobedient something his father had warned him about. He forgot that after all the blessings that he received, there was still a righteous and holy life that he needed to live.
“But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” 1 Corinthians 9:27 NKJV. Apostle Paul, even though he had established ministries and lead thousands to the LORD, was cognizant of the fact that he also had to live a life that is worthy of the Gospel. Though he was saved, he still had to live a life of consecration and purity. He still needed the discipline to make sure that he doesn’t revert to his former life of sin. Most people looking at him would have probably assumed that his ticket to heaven was a forgone conclusion. Yet, with all the anointing and commission that he had received, he still prioritized his own growth and maturity. Even after preaching and discipling others he still knew that he too had a life to live.
The demon possessed man from Gerasenes, after receiving his healing, wanted to follow Jesus everywhere that He went. He realized that after the encounter that he had with Him, he couldn’t return to his former life. There was no longer anything back there for him. If it was up to him he would have left with Jesus and his disciples that same day, but Jesus told him to return to his people so that he may give his testimony. The Bible tells us that he returned home and gave testimony of what happened to him, and multitudes were amazed. This is another example of picking up your mat and walking. He no longer walked like he used to, he now walked with a purpose and a mission.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV. The “old things” were the man lying on a mat, and the new is picking up the same mat and walking; living a life that is worthy of the healing, forgiveness and salvation that you have received. Leaving the old and bitter wine, and now partaking of the new and sweet wine.
The “old things” were the man lying on a mat, and the new is picking up the same mat and walking; living a life that is worthy of the healing, forgiveness and salvation that you have received
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