Time to wage a selfless warfare
Fri, Jan 6. 2011
New Year Message from
REV B.A.A. SAMUEL ADMINISTRATIVE BISHOP
ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES and ST. LUCIA
New Year greetings to all of my Vincentian and St. Lucian brothers and sisters.
After the many wars of 2011, and more so, the fightings and fears within ourselves, we are alive today being preserved by the POWER DIVINE.{{more}}
A personal, honest evaluation of how we lived will reveal flaws of varying dimensions, which, if allowed to develop, may burst into consuming flames.
Since example is a great teacher, let us remind ourselves of one which is simply quite humane. In the Book of 1 Chronicles. Chapter 4 verses 9 and 10 Ampli. Versions:
Jabez was honorable above his brothers, but his mother named him Jabez, (sorrow maker), saying, because I bore him in pain. Jabez cried to the God of Israel saying oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and you would keep me from evil so it might not hurt me! And God granted his request.
Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, we were not given the choice to be born, but we have the choice to decide our destiny. From the scriptural reference, let us look at Jabezâs PEDIGREE, PASSION, PURPOSE, and PENITENCE.
His Pedigree:
Jabez: A name meaning pain and sorrow, no named father or mother, brothers not listed. His only support was a broken-hearted mother; women in Israel were not allowed possessions, hence no stated means of support. Should Jabez have turned to stealing, scheming, and drugs? Should he have armed himself with weapons and expletives? Sorrow and setbacks are not necessarily walls of defeat. If carefully examined, they can be seen as ladders of opportunity to succeed.
His Passions:
He lacked paternal love and care; he lacked a fatherâs role model. Unlike his brothers, he could not say – âYes, Daddyâ, he is the victim of vexing and painful experiences. Should he blame and abuse mother or brothers? Yielding to the emotions would satisfy self. Controlling the emotions would aid sobriety and foster strength to move on, so think before acting.
His Purpose:
Jabezâs conscience drove him to reasoning. Conscience became his guide. Reasonings provided for options in choices. Choices determine outcomes. Outcomes result in destiny. I must honour the right to call upon God. He is the very present help in time of trouble.
His Penitence:
Conscience says, Honour God at all times. I want my sorrow to be turned into joy. It is not my father nor my mother nor my brothers who need the blessing at such time as this. I am not a victim but a victor. Lord, bless me indeed and make me a blessing to others. Lord, enlarge my coast and extend my borders. Lord, let your hand be with me, lead me in paths of selflessness. Lord, keep me from evil, youthful temptations and sin. Lord, keep me from ungodly influences and the grief of generational curses. Lord, I thank you for guiding me, and for granting me the answers to my prayer.
Like Jabez, we are constantly at war within ourselves. We keep on fighting and losing out battles one by one. We need to surrender all our efforts to the God of Jabez and get on the victory side. God is patiently waiting on us so hear him today; if you separate yourself from selfishness, I will be a father into you, and you shall be my sons and daughters; saith the Lord.
1 Corinthians 6: 17-18
Friend the – TIME TO WAGE A SELFLESS WAREFARE – IS NOW. The Choice Is Mine
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