Each Step Serves a Purpose E-Book

Vusi Mxolisi Zitha

• Herausgeber: Vusi Mxolisi Zitha
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2020

Beschreibung

This book consists of the central motivating aims of one's life, the reason you get up in the morning. Different circumstances surround our life, which in turn makes it difficult to discover your purpose. Purpose can actually change throughout life in response to upcoming and popping priorities and changes of your own experiences. Even though the experiences, each step of every circumstance serves a vital purpose

Leseprobe

Also by Vusi Mxolisi Zitha

Each Step Serves a Purpose

Eternity Is the Righteous Only Inheritance

Exaltation's to God

Hell Is the Eternal Agony of the Wicked

The Book of Parables

The Glory of the Last Days

The Parental Sacrifice

The Realities of Life

Table of Contents

Title Page

Also By Vusi Mxolisi Zitha

Each Step Serves a Purpose

EACH STEP SERVES | A | PURPOSE | The Journey Never Stops | By: Vusi Mxolisi Zitha

Chapter 1 | The value of infirmities

Chapter 2 | The journey of my life

The learning experience

Chapter 3 | The journey of Joseph | The first journey to the throne

The second journey to the throne

What are you passing through?

Is life truly unfair?

Chapter 5 | God's processing

Chapter 6 | A life full of choices.

"Better the poor whose walk is blameless

The journey to the Promised Land

Stay true to your purpose in Life

The necessity of self-discipline

The future is mystery

Chapter 7 | The virtue of honesty and integrity

Chapter 8 | The realities of life part 1

The realities of life part 2

The realities of life part 3

Chapter 9 | The standard of living

Chapter 10 | God's promises for various special needs

To the barren:

To the brokenhearted:

To the widows:

To backsliders:

To the merciful:

To those who sacrifice for Christ:

Abilities to Those Who Pursue God

To those Who Fear God

Promises to the Humble

Promises to the Obedient

To the sick:

To the weary:

To the poor, prisoners, blind and the oppressed:

To the hungry:

To the foreigners:

The new life | Living the New Life Christ and its principles

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Further Reading: Exaltation's to God

Also By Vusi Mxolisi Zitha

About the Author

About the Publisher

Each Step Serves

A

Purpose

EACH STEP SERVES

A

PURPOSE

The Journey Never Stops

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By: Vusi Mxolisi Zitha

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COPYRIGHT © 2019 VUSI Mxolisi Zitha

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopy, recording or other electronic methods, without the necessary written permission of the publisher. For permission request; write to the publisher at the address below.

ISBN: 9781081338114

Imprint: independently published

Write to:

Vusi Mxolisi Zitha

Po Box 324, Mzinti, 1352

Mpumalanga

South Africa

Email: [email protected]

All scripture quotations and or references are taken from GNT, NIV, and SUV version of the bible. Utmost of the evidence described is the product of the author’s life experiences.

dedication

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To

ALL THE SAINTS AND or brethren’s in Christ Jesus. You are the product of the supreme-being.

PREFACE

The book of Genesis is the first book of the bible.  The first and the second chapter of the book outline how God created heaven and earth and how void the earth was. It gives a pure understanding of the technique, affection and desire God laid into task to fill the earth with all life forms.

The third and the sixth chapter of the book clarify how temptations pave a way for sin into mankind. And how sin pave a way for unrighteousness, death, sicknesses, challenges and all sorts of wickedness. Through these constituents, the expression of Satan is expressed and his deeds are put into occupation to misled and manipulate the purpose of God in humans.

But glory be God, through the death of Jesus Christ (Mathew 27 about the death of Jesus and Mathew 28 about the resurrection), sin power over us is Broken. Man is given all necessary authorization and power to tread on serpent and scorpion and over all the power of the enemy (Luke 10 verse 19). For these, God has in turn use our, challenges, rejection and all our afflictions and failure brought forth by the enemy as means to; strengthen us, preserve us, preparing us and as an improvement to fulfill his purpose in our lives. This book targets to reassure believers to embrace the assurances of God to be inherited by those who chose him over material desires. Soldier on, journey on, no matter the conditions may look like, comfort is on the way. Glory be to God the father of our lord Jesus Christ.

INTRODUCTION

Many individuals in the world are being afflicted or challenged in different aspect of their living. Many have lost faith in themselves and so to what they believe in. As it is stated in the preface of this book, that these afflictions and challenges serves as a great platform for the voice of the enemy to function and his deeds be put into practice So is God; in every situation he has something to say, to propel you towards the journey ahead of you, while the devil speaks discouragement and failure in every sense of what you are going through.

Though it is difficult to identify the voice of God and the voice of the enemy in the midst of every circumstance, but I’m the living testimony that God speaks courage in our discouragement, he speaks strength in our weaknesses, he speaks success in our failure, and for God is the real God, true living God. No one can stand against him.

I’ve been through difficult times and pain since I was born; nothing seemed to be worth living for. But through all my experiences, God lifted me up from all the deep muddy clay and planted my feet on the king’s way.

He spoke in my heart one day, he said, “my son, study the history of your life, see what you have been going through and I’ve never abandoned you. Use this platform, write a book titled: each step serves a purpose”, for everything I have been through his purpose is served. I have also used references of God’s general from the bible, who also went through what seemed to be like failure in every attempt to move forward.

I pray that God strengthen you, prepare you and preserve you as you read, for in every situation; Jesus is lord.

Chapter 1

The value of infirmities

I

t is true, through the existence of Satan, many infirmities were born. This is simply to manipulate God's purpose in mankind. The book of (John 10 verse 10) marks Satan as a thieve who's existence is purposefully based on stealing, killing and destruction. We all know that to fulfill his mission, he employs undesirable weapons that cause unrest to us.

He causes discomfort, wickedness, trouble in our soul, and restlessness that causes us to panic and lose control. Each person is meant to undergo these afflictions, for Jesus said;

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world". (John 16 verse 33).

The world has no peace to offer, but only trouble and sorrow, but in him, there's peace that surpasses all understanding.  Take note! These encounters and infirmities are a platform in which the devil gains access to you. He expresses negative influence in what you go through, he speaks failure and resentment, whispering fruitlessness in every attempt, causing misconduct in our lives.

The book of (John 10 verse 10), as opposed to the enemy's purpose of killing, stealing and destruction, Jesus said "But I have come to give you life and have it abundantly". To Jesus; life doesn't consist of the abundance of man’s possession, but life is through the spirit and eternity.

No matter the miseries, curses, rejections, and having nothing to write home about, As long as you have life, there still hope for you. God knows where you are coming from; he knows where you are and where you are going. Keep your focus; God's time is the best. Whatsoever happens at God's time either good or bad is considered the best.

Whatsoever the enemy brings forth against us, God uses it to our own advantage, to reinforce the desire to serve him, to preserve us from self-destruction, to- prepare us for what is ahead. For through our suffering many redeem hope, strengths and encouragement through the testimony we are to give after every trial.

Through our weaknesses God’s power is made perfect. Apostle Paul said in the book of (2 Corinthians 12 verse 9), "But he said to me, my grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weaknesses. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest in me”.

The enemy aggrieved apostle Paul for the purpose of weakening him, drawing him close to his attacks, to make his life miserable, to steal, to kill and to destroy God's plan in him. Little did the enemy know that his infirmities and weaknesses towards Paul will serve a purpose of making God's power perfect in him.

Never lose your focus; never allow trials and failure to drift you away from your journey with Christ. Know this; life without Christ is life with the devil. Whatever you go through, keep in mind that each step serves a purpose. The journey doesn't stop over where you are tormented, for his grace is sufficient for you to continue even in hard times. The power of God was made perfect in Paul’s weaknesses so will it be made perfect in yours.

The amount of challenges you may experience, doesn't determine your conclusion, what you are going through is not what you are meant to be. Success is not measured by the type of infirmities throughout the journey towards accomplishment.

Never use your infirmities to define whether you will make it through the end. When you walk by faith, sight is of no use. When you walk by sight, faith is of no use. Remember; faith is the assurance of things not seen but hoped for, and by faith we believe that they are in existence. And all things are possible to those who believe.

The amount of belief is measured by the quantity of faith you have, the little faith you have, then the little you believe. The more faith you have, then the more you believe. God never uses what you are going through against you, rather he seize the opportunity to manifest his love, kindness, power and mercy. Glory be to Jesus.

Chapter 2

The journey of my life

BEHOLD! I WAS SHAPED in inequity, and my mother conceived me in sin. From the young age, I never set my eyes on my mother. The circumstances surrounding the relationship she had with my father made her to desert me.

I grew up under the love and care of my grandmother, to sum it up, after the death of my grandmother all things changed from bad to worse. I was forced to live under the situation where I was a rejected stone, where I was bullied, hated and treated like an animal, where my life was worthless.

I hoped for death, and I blamed the day I was born. I never knew from the young age that God had a purpose for my life, he kept me to himself, he spoke strength in my weaknesses, and he led me through the difficult times. When I look back, I now realize that it is God who kept me, who preserved me. Because of what I went through I've learned a lot throughout the bad.

God has made me what I am today through what I’ve been through, for each step we take in the journey of our lives it serves a purpose. There is no denial that to some, because of what they have been through, they have become convicts, Street kids, some they joined a gang, and they participate in all sorts of unlawful acts.

But the truth of the matter is if you follow the path of the cross, Jesus will lead you and guide you along the way, for he is the way, the truth, and the life.

If you follow the unrighteous path of deceit, you will be misled. Many undergoes the taste of hardship but victory depends on how you handle the circumstances of the matter, for life itself is a learning experience, either you learn the good things and be good or the bad. Things and be notorious.

The learning experience

T

hrough hatred I learned the significant of love, through rejection I learned to accept both the weak and strong, both rich and poor. Through the sufferings I learned to be humble, through the torture I learned to respect, through the lack, I learned to be content.

I have learned the good through the bad. The bible says “Jesus, even though he was God's Son, he learned through his sufferings to be obedient" (Hebrews 5 verse 8). Deriving from what I've been through, I never perceive that the rejected stone will turn to be a corner stone. It takes maturity in endurance to maintain your focus, to remain constant, to trust and to obey, to wait upon the lord.

It is commonly said, for gold to be a true gold it must pass through furnace, which means it is not gold unless proven, it must undergo certain steps which will serve a purpose of providing evidence that it is a true gold.

The hardship I suffered brought me closer to God, I never use it as an evidence of being rejected by God, there is always an answer to every Question, and Jesus is the answer. There is always a solution to every problem, and Jesus is the solution. When there was no one for me to call, Jesus was there for me, when there was no one to run to, he was there for me.

When I was in primary school I never thought I will make it to secondary school, I didn't have what it takes to be in school. I used to steal to buy books; the situation was very hopeless and tempting. But God preserved me. I made it through. When I was in secondary school I never thought I will make it to grade 12, but God preserved me and inspired me the more.

After Grade 12 I never thought I will make it to tertiary level, but God made me through with all that I've been through, it was an opportunity for God to show his kindness, love and mercy. Do not be deceived, his kindness is revealed where the situation is unkind, his love is expressed where there is hatred, his power is revealed where there is weaknesses., for Paul said he rejoices more when in weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest in him. Arm yourself with the same attitude and embrace God.

Chapter 3

The journey of Joseph

The first journey to the throne

THE WAY AND THE ROUTINE God implement his plans in our lives vary. When God fulfill his plans, he also designs and assembles proceedings that will continue to disclose until his purpose is revealed. Joseph a young man of seventeen was his father's favorite, hated by his brothers, not to tell when he disclosed his dream to his brothers: and they hated him even more. (Genesis 37 verse 2-37).

Jealousy and envy was intensified to his brothers that they even plotted to kill him; they said one to another, "Behold, this dreamer cometh. Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit". (Genesis 37 verse 19-20).

God delivered him out of their hands and he used their envy and jealous as a first step towards his journey to the throne.

The second journey to the throne

WHILE THEY WERE EATING, they suddenly saw a group of Ishmaelite’s; they then conspired to sell him as a slave (genesis 37 verse 25). For a seventeen year old boy, this was uncalled for. The circumstances towards fulfilling his dream was unpleasing, he never knew why all that had to happen to him, but only God knew. God can use any circumstances to elevate you, to transport you towards your destination.

The third journey to the throne

Meanwhile, in Egypt the Midianites had sold Joseph to Potiphar, one of the king's officers, who served as a captain of the palace guard. The lord was with Joseph and made him successful in everything he touched. (Genesis 39 verse 1). Joseph found favor in the eyes of his master and he was made to be in charge of everything in the house.

But the journey didn't stop there, neither ended, the Lord wanted to enthrone him, to fulfill the dream. The enemy was now aware of joseph success, he then came to visit him through temptation for the purpose of killing, stealing and to destroy the mission. When the enemy is aware that through darkness the light is about to shine, he comes with manipulative tricks and ideas, creating opportunities in your favor that will make you to lose control and focus.

When he knows you are a minute away to your door of success, he wants to prevent you from touching that door, he wants to distract you, he wants something that will defile you, and he wants you to believe that you are not destined for greatness; he wants you to believe that your situation is permanent. The master's wife asked if Joseph could go to bed with her, but Joseph refused, she asked day after day and yet Joseph resented the offer because of his loyalty to his master.

The master's wife decided to plot rape against him. (Genesis 39 verse 11-18).

The final journey to the throne

Joseph's master was furious and had Joseph arrested and put in the prison where the king's prisoners were kept, and there he stayed. But the Lord was with Joseph and blessed him, so that the jailer was pleased with him. He put Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners and made him responsible for everything that was done in the prison.

The jailer did not have to look after anything for which Joseph was responsible, because the Lord was with Joseph and made him succeed in everything he did. (Genesis 39 verse 19 to 23). Wow! It doesn't matter what you may be going through , it can be family curses, it can be sickness, it can be failure, it can be any kind of trial and temptation , the lord can bless you, he can be with you, he can prosper you, he can use your situation or what you are going through to prosper you.

Remember; his power is manifested in your weakness, his favor is manifested in unfavorable conditions, his companionship is experienced in loneliness his parental care is shown where there is no mother or father figure, and his light comes where darkness abounds.

No matter how much tough, and or brilliant you are, trust me you need his grace to run this race. Behold! In prison the favor and the grace of the lord was with joseph. To sum it up, Joseph managed to interpret two prisoner’s dream and it later came to pass. Two years later, while in prison, the king also had a dream and no one could interpret the dream.

But one prisoner remembered that someone called joseph can interpret dreams, he was then summoned by the king. Joseph managed to interpret the king's dream, Behold the plan of god was executed, for Joseph was now made governor over Egypt.

God executed his plan through his trial, afflictions and challenges, from hatred to dry pit, from dry pit to Potiphar’s house, from Potiphar’s house to prison, and from prison to the throne. It all takes maturity in endurance, waiting patiently for time to come, when it is the right time, opportunities will present themselves.

Every step of hardship, trial and temptations Joseph went through; it served a purpose in his life. Hatred from his siblings didn't stop him, he never lost hope inside the dry pit, Temptation in the house of his master didn't stop him, and prison didn't stop him. All these events carried him from one point to another.

Take heart! Don’t despair! , don't panic! Keep your focus! Think positive! The ways and the steps of man are ordered and directed by God.

God uses both the good and the bad for the benefit of his children. Never listen to the sound of desperation. Because man doesn’t understand the plan of God concerning their lives, they allow the devil to steal, to kill and to destroy every good things from happening to them. They pay attention to his (Satan) voice through the test of time, through desperation, and failure.

"Yet we who have this spiritual treasure are like common clay pots, in order to show that the supreme power belongs to God, not to us. We are often troubled, but not crushed; sometimes in doubt, but never in despair; there are many enemies, but we are never without a friend; and though badly hurt at times, we are not destroyed. At all times we carry in our mortal bodies the death of Jesus, so that his life also may be seen in our bodies" (2 Corinthians 4 verses 7-10).

Chapter 4

What are you passing through?

A

re you passing through failure? Stagnation, backwardness, Are you experiencing criticism from your surroundings because of your inferior class? Are you taken for granted because of your present situation? Well then, I know people who went through dismal failure in life, but such failure cannot be compared to how successful there are now.

I experienced people who were stagnant in their careers, but circumstances provided opportunities for their breakthrough. According to (Ecclesiastes 9 verse 11); "in this world fast runners do not always win the races, and the brave do not always win the battles. The wise do not always earn a living, intelligent people do not always get rich, and capable people do not always rise to high positions. Bad luck happens to everyone. You never know when your time is coming. Like birds suddenly caught in a trap, like fish caught in a net, we are trapped at some evil moment when we least expect it."

Destiny can be delayed but not denied, the pathways we travel towards our destination are never the same, and neither is the distance covered.

Our experiences in the journey are never the same and no one knows what lies ahead, your adversary today can be the one to offer assistance tomorrow. Someone who offer assistant today can be your enemy tomorrow, life is unpredictable and this doesn't mean it is unfair.

Life is always fair, but the races we run are different nor will the timing. The manner in which we run determine the victory when opportunities are presented and when the time is right.

For there is time for everything, (Ecclesiastes 3 verse 1-11) "Everything that happens in this world happens at the time God chooses.

He sets the time for birth and the time for death,

The time for planting and the time for pulling up,

The time for killing and the time for healing,

The time for tearing down and the time for building.

He sets the time for sorrow and the time for joy,

The time for mourning and the time for dancing,

The time for making love and the time for not making love,

The time for kissing and the time for not kissing.

He sets the time for finding and the time for losing,

The time for saving and the time for throwing away,

The time for tearing and the time for mending,

The time for silence and the time for talk.

He sets the time for love and the time for hate,

The time for war and the time for peace.

What do we gain from all our work? I know the heavy burdens that God has laid on us. He has set the right time for everything. He has given us a desire to know the future, but never gives us the satisfaction of fully understanding what he does. 

Is life truly unfair?

IN THE RACE OF LIFE, there are people who are known to be undeserving, unworthy, unwise, unintelligent people, uneducated people, and unqualified people. However there are people who think they are wise, intelligent, worthy and educated.

But because our time frames are dissimilar, the so called “unworthy” people happens to get what the so called ‘worthy’ people believes it should have been for them.

The so called “worthy” people uses such happenings to define how unfair life is, forgetting that the race is not only for the swift nor the battle for the strong, intelligent people do not always get rich and capable people do not always rise to higher positions, but time and opportunities are presented to both the wise and unwise, the intelligent and the unintelligent.

The teacher says in the book of (Ecclesiastes 9 verse 1-10); "I thought long and hard about all this and saw that God controls the actions of wise and righteous people, even their love and their hate. No one knows anything about what lies ahead. It makes no difference. The same fate comes to the righteous and the wicked, to the good and the bad, to those who are religious and those who are not, to those who offer sacrifices and those who do not. A good person is no better off than a sinner; one who takes an oath is no better off than one who does not. One fate comes to all alike”.

Never envy those whose time has come, rather rejoice with them instead.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way. Never let yourself think that you are wiser than you are; simply obey the Lord and refuse to do wrong. If you do, it will be like good medicine, healing your wounds and easing your pains" (proverbs 3 verse 5-9).

Prosperity is not evidence that you are blessed, loved and or favored by God.

The love, favor and blessing of God is often described by people based on many events, and prosperity is one of them.

Many people prosper in many ways without God's processing of prosperity. Some joins occult groups to flourish, some commit fraud, some money laundering, and some kills. When they become successful through their tricks, we often describe them as blessed people, loved and favored by the most high.

A person can be poor and be the favorite of God, a person can be hated by many and mostly loved by God, and a person can be cursed by people and yet be blessed by God in his own way of approval. The book of (Luke 16 verse 24 to 31) tells us about the story of Lazarus and the rich man.

“There was once a rich man who dressed in the most expensive clothes and lived in great luxury every day. There was also a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who used to be brought to the rich man's door, hoping to eat the bits of food that fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs would come and lick his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to sit beside Abraham at the feast in heaven. The rich man died and was buried, and in Hades, where he was in great pain, he looked up and saw Abraham, far away, with Lazarus at his side.

So he called out, ‘Father Abraham! Take pity on me, and send Lazarus to dip his finger in some water and cool off my tongue, because I am in great pain in this fire!’ But Abraham said, ‘Remember, my son, that in your lifetime you were given all the good things, while Lazarus got all the bad things. But now he is enjoying himself here, while you are in pain. "

This is to tell that though Lazarus was a poor man,  a beggar and wounded, while they looked down upon him, heavens looked up to him. While many looked upon the rich man, heavens looked down on him. Prosperity is not a sign of blessings, love and favor, poverty and all sorts of afflictions is not a sign of rejection, and, or a curse.

In your sufferings, pains and struggling he is there to walk you through, for "Jesus, the Son of God. Our High Priest is not one who cannot feel sympathy for our weaknesses. On the contrary, we have a High Priest who was tempted in every way that we are, but did not sin.  Let us have confidence, then, and approach God's throne, where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it" (Hebrews 4 verse 16-18).

Chapter 5

God's processing

GOD SAID, “I ALONE know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for" (Jeremiah 29 verse 11). In order for God to fulfill these promises, he uses his own processing, his own steps and ways to serve such purpose.

J

ust like he did in fulfilling  Joseph's dream, he used series of events, and steps that appeared to bring him disaster but God knew his plan was to bring him prosperity not disaster. Some steps and ways may appear to be disastrous, may seem to drag you down, may seem to delay you and may seem to fail you; But God's plan is to prosper you through those circumstances not to harm you.

The processing of God is different to that of man; His processing is based on the series of events and steps that are bound to happen in one's journey of life. Life is a journey, and a journey has a destination. The manner and way in which you choose to live your life will at some point determine the destination in which you will end. It is true some aspects of our life bring about joy, while some brings about grieve.

Our choices are often made through these experiences. Through your experiences and trials you should learn to endure and make right choices. Based on trials and Temptations, the book of (James 1 verse 4-6) states;

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything".

This solely means, there is no perseverance without hardship, shortcomings, trials and Temptation. Perseverance is a product of trials, tests and infirmities of any kind. Maturity and completeness are products of perseverance, while some steps in the journey of our lives do not count a thing.

To God, each and every step of the way counts a thing. In each and every step, whether good or bad, God influences you to do well and to follow his processing for the progress of your life, while in the other hand Satan wants you to entertain every thought of ungodliness.

"Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him" (James 1 verse 12).

Every good and perfect gift is from above

what comes from God is good and perfect and is everlasting, that’s why God takes his time preparing it for you, that’s why he urges you to wait upon him while he prepares, that's why he sets times for everything, that's why he creates events in your life that will unfold in time to come, that’s why he uses those events to prepare, to mature and complete you so you never lack anything.

“Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created" (James 1 verse 16-18).

What comes from Satan may appear to be good but it is never permanent for your life, it is never good and perfect. What he gives with his right hand he takes it with his left hand, it may be quick to receive and a short cut towards progression but there is a lot of consequences involved and the penalties are so great.

Titus says "At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy" (Titus 3 verse 3-5).

This outlines that because we lack wisdom, we become noncompliant and simply cheated by Satan to follow his path through our disobedient, and we often became slaves of our own passion, pleasures and desires.

The enemy often tempts and plot against us based on our needs, passion, desires and our pleasures. He uses this to lure us into his tricks. According to the book of (Mathew 4 verse 1-11)"Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry.  The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,

And they will lift you up in their hands,

So that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.  “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”

Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him". The enemy knew that Jesus mighty be very hungry after so many days of fasting, he then decided to take advantage of his weakness to offer him provision at that moment. Keep note of this! It is not every provision that comes from above, it is not every help that comes from the good source, remember; what comes from above is good perfect and everlasting.

No Matter how hungry you may be, never devour every food that comes your way without examining the source. The enemy again after failing the first attempt, he then decided to use his identity against him. He wanted Jesus to manipulate his rights as a son to God.

He tempted him to test God based on the position he possess in heaven. All he wanted to achieve was to get Jesus to succumb to his will.

Lastly he wanted Jesus to honor him through the value of earthly desires by showing and promising to give him the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. He wants you to value money more than the giver, he wants you to value blessings more than the one who blesses, he wants you to focus on being successful without walking the journey and or the path of success. The enemy wants you to believe in your own strengths, and your own capabilities to do something.

He always takes advantage of your own circumstances, he wants you to worry about tomorrow and be concerned about the future. Jesus said in the book of (Mathew 6 verse 24-34)

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin.

Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in his entire splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own".

Live each day for what it brings

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s it is said, “Each day has enough trouble of its own" we live today and hope for tomorrow. Nobody knows what will happen tomorrow, today you may be in a place of discomfort and tomorrow be in a place of comfort. On a contrary you may be in a place of comfort today and tomorrow be in a place of discomfort.

We don't often live based on the standards we set for ourselves, but mainly we live based on the aspects and circumstances surrounding our lives.

We don't live for what we bring for the day, but we live each day for what it brings. A day can bring you sorrow, and a day can bring you joy, a day can bring you sickness and a day can bring you good health. A day can bring you poverty and a day can bring you prosperity, a day can bring you weakness and a day can bring you strength, a day can bring you good news and a day can bring you bad news.

That’s why someone can simply say "Today i had a bad or a good day", someone else can say "today my day was very busy", simply because we live each day for what it brings, not for what we bring for the day.

"When times are good, be happy;

But when times are bad, consider this:

God has made the one

As well as the other.

Therefore, no one can discover

Anything about their future"(Ecclesiastes 7 verse 14). The future lies in the hands of the most high. We only live by faith and believing not by chance, and "Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for.

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible" (Hebrews 11 verse 1). Faith is the driving force that makes us to understand, it gives us confidence and assurance of what we hope for and what we believe in on daily basis.

Chapter 6

A life full of choices.

A CHOICE CAN SIMPLE be described as a subjective right or self-determination to make conclusions based on various preferences and or opinions. We live a life full of choices; decisions are taken from the choices we often make. A choice can make or break you, for this purpose one must be vigilant when making a choice in life.

The lord said, "This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before your life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob" (Deuteronomy 30 verse 19-20) .

Everything is set before us in this domain by God; some make choices that will bring them life, while some makes choices that will bring them demise, some make choices that brings profanities, some makes choices that are vicious to their purpose in life.

The manner and approach in which we make our choices varies. Some choices are often made out of selfish ambitions while some are made out of greed and desire. Others make their choices out of desperation and influence from their surroundings, while some make theirs out of purpose and virtuous intents.

The biggest enemy of our selves is mental assent. Mental assent is when we intellectually accept and admire that something is good and yet not subsequent to it. For instance; many believes that God exists and yet they don't believe in him, many believes that the bible is true and yet they don't follow it. These are people having a form of Godliness and yet denying its power. They believe and have confidence in their own way of understanding. They are wise in their own sight. They try to live their lives and survive without Divinity.

Their faith, trust and belief become a panic button to push when in trials.

According to (2 timothy 3 verse 3-4), These are terrible times where " People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God".

Our way of choice is constantly not in accordance with the lord, we are always the architect of our own demise, and we always follow the ways of our own imagination and self-interest. 

The book of (Philippians 4 verse 6) articulates; “do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus".

If anyone seeks assistances from God, must learn to follow his ways and instructions. Knowing God is wisdom, disregarding him is folly. To almost everything, terms and condition applies. You can't sign to any account without reading, understanding, complying and accepting the terms and conditions.

If by any means you violate or you don't follow the terms of use for that particular account, then you are not commendable to receive services from that account. And so is God, you need to follow his command, trust and have faith in him, not faith in your own way of understanding, not faith in your own abilities and human wisdom but on God's power and of the scripture. Make and choose the right choices in this journey of life.

"Better the poor whose walk is blameless

Than a fool whose lips are perverse.

1 Desire without knowledge is not good—

How much more will hasty feet miss the way!

2 A person’s own folly leads to their ruin,

Yet their heart rages against the Lord.

3 Wealth attracts many friends,

But even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them" (proverbs 19 verse 1-4).

EXAMINE EVERY STEP you take in the light of Gods' word.

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

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I

t is factual, our heart and mind are occupied by day-to-day scheduling and willingness for a prosperous living. We design for our own lives and take paces based on our own standards. We trust in our own abilities and the connections of the world.

Therefore our hearts are darkened by the desire to flourish and our minds are blinded by the ambition to thrive, this has deprived the ability for our eyes to see the light. And what is really the light? According to (John 8 verse 12) "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

This evidently explains that whoever doesn't follow Jesus is walking in the dark. Many follow and chase success, prosperity and all the riches of this age without the light. No matter how much we can design and master ourselves with all the weapons of development, the fact remains that it is only the purpose of God that is entitled to transpire in our lives.

People forsake God as their benefactor and follow their deceitful instinct. They do not think it worthy to retain the knowledge of God. According to (Romans 10:2) People who do not know the righteousness of God, they sought to establish their own, they don't submit to God's righteousness.

Keep in mind that things do not always turn the way you design it, your life is not for your own satisfaction, and God knows your life longings. We always want things to materialize in our own expressions, we never consent God to play his part in our lives. And when we fail in our own attempt we tend to question God's authority and wisdom with our ignorant empty words.

No one can resist the will of God to happen. Paul says in the book of (Romans 9 verse 21- 23) "One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will?” But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?” Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?”

This simple explains that God does what he does for the benefit of his children; it may be distressful but for God is for a good purpose. You need determination and courage to patiently rest upon his promises. He knows each step you take, he knows your downfall and he knows where you will rise. In the midst of our infirmities his purpose prevails.

Satan wants you to blame God for your misfortune and all you passing through. The road to your destination would not be a walk on a red carpet, but after much effort, hard work and perseverance God's grace is sufficient for whatever you may face.

The way and method in which God operates is mysterious, he operates beyond our understanding blessed be his holy name.

The biggest mistake you will ever make is to put your faith into your own possession and effort. Without God's intervention, self-effort is futile. That is why many may testify how much failure they experienced on their attempts in life. The ability to think does not makes you intelligent than the one who dishes your brain with understand and master every thought into operation. The ability to walk does not make you superior than the one who gives you strength to take a step of every journey. The ability to talk does not make you wiser than the one that gives you strength to utter words. No king is saved by the size of his army;

No warrior escapes by his great strength.

A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;

Despite all its great strength it cannot save.

But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him,

On those whose hope is in his unfailing love,

To deliver them from death

And keep them alive in famine.

We wait in hope for the Lord;

He is our help and our shield.

In him our hearts rejoice,

For we trust in his holy name" (psalm 33 verse 16-22).

God gave you the abilities to do things, to design your future, and to decide the choice for your life, but above all, his purpose prevails in our lives. "The plans of the Lord stand firm forever,

The purposes of his heart through all generations." (Psalm 33 verse 11). Your life belongs to God trust in him alone, for though many technologies to improve the standard of living may be improved, but there isn't a technology to prolong your life span." The Lord brings death and makes alive;

He brings down to the grave and raises up."(1samuel 2 verse 6).

The journey to the Promised Land

T

he Promised Land can be referred to a certain destination, it can be a goal to be achieved and a mission to be accomplished. This is the land of hope and peace; the people of Israel were led by God through his servants to take this journey to the land of milk and honey.

This topic will outline the nature of the journey, the challenges and the outcomes of the journey. In our days, we exclusively face the journey of our own success, our own goals and life achievements.

Now the first chapter of the book of Exodus) gives an insight on how the Israelite's were oppressed with forced labor in Egypt after Joseph's time was over. Chapter 2 of this book outlines the birth of Moses, his life and how he left the land of Egypt.

It also describe the period the people of Israel cried and groaned for help. "During that long period, the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their oppression went up to God. God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them" (Exodus 2 verse 23).

This is the nature of God, he remembers his promise to his people, he is concerned about our exclamations when we cry and call unto him. You can suffer and go through a lot for a long period of time, but God never forget his promise concerning your life. He sees each tear that falls on your eye.

The third chapter of the book describes how God decided to intervene to the situation in Egypt. "The Lord said, “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering.

So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey" (exodus 3 verse 7).  It is only God who can rescue you from the oppressions of your downfall, out of your stagnation and infirmities.

The lord sent Moses to carry his assignment of bringing his people out of oppression to the land of promise. They walked the journey as commanded by God. Throughout the journey, there were races that needed to be run, fears that needed to be overcome and there were victories that needed to be won.

The Egyptian continued to pursue the people of Israel but God rescued them. The fact that God is taking you somewhere it doesn't mean that the path will be a walk on a red carpet. There are so many enemies behind and in front of you fighting against the purpose of God, trying to stop you from accomplishing your mission.

You just need to stay true to your purpose, the battle is not for you but is for the lord, yours is to trust and obey.

Along the way in the wilderness God put them into test, which was the test of loyalty, the test of endurance, the test of trust and obedience. In the wilderness they journeyed without water and occasionally food, therefore each time they went through tests they rebelled against God. This typically happens to nearly every individual, when the tests of time arrive on your pathway, you begin to launch grievances against God. God knows what lies in the dark; he knows the purpose of your tests. To him, what is done for endurance's, faith, and obedience's reward will stand the test of time.

After the people grumbled against Moses in the wilderness because of hunger, "the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.

On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gathering on the other days.”(Exodus 16 verse 4). The lord now put them into test to perceive if they would be obedient to his instructions, but the whole community was never interested in the lord's instructions.

God test you for his purpose to prevail, many display no interest in his instructions and statutes they are only interested in what he can offer in difficult times, they are driven by their own desire and selfish ambitions. The devil uses the time of your trials and temptations as a platform to rebel against God; he wants you to curse God while under difficult times.

It took a lot of tests, trials and endurance for the people of Israel to get to their destination (Promised Land). That you are a Christian or believer it doesn't mean you will not face challenges of any kind. Each challenge is to lift you to the next level of progression. It is true that previous experiences have an influence in our present days.

Many can testify that if not what they went through in the past they wouldn't be where they are today. For God can use any experience to build his character within you. For instance; if God would want you to reach out for the poor, he will pass you through the experiences of poverty so that you know and understand what it means to be a poor person.

If God wants you to help the needy, he will as well pass you through the process of lacking so that you know and understand how it feels to lack anything in life. For "The Lord sends poverty and wealth;

He humbles and he exalts.

He raises the poor from the dust

And lifts the needy from the ash heap;

He seats them with princes

And has them inherit a throne of honor."(1samuel 2 verse 8).

Stay true to your purpose in Life

THE CORRUPTION OF THIS age has made it possible for many to believe that success can only be obtained through the underground connections and conspiracies of this world. This has in turn corrupted the good conduct and character of obedient people. Various people have turned their hearts away from God as their provider to follow the standard of this world.

The hunger and thirsty for success and prosperity has made people to become slaves to corruption and bribery. The world is polluted by the corruption of its own people. By their detestable practices they have filled it with their impurity from one end to the other. Do not be deceived you are rewarded according to what you have done; you will reap what you sow.

Corruption is often caused by evil desires; God has given us his divine promises to rest upon them patiently. “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these, he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires". (2 peter 1 verse 3-4).

You need to acquire godly qualities to be effective and productive in what you do rather than following networks of underground tunnels. Stay true and obedient to your own purpose in life, never allow the pressures and the desires of your own goodness to misappropriate and compromise your purpose.

"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind," (2 peter 1 verse 5-8).

Don't follow cleverly devised stories, but always refresh your memory as long as you live in this world. Every good thing is firmly established in the truth we now have. We don't walk by our own interpretation of things, for things in existence never had its origin in the human will but God.

Remember the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

“Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there he put the man he had formed. The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food."(Genesis 2 verse 7-9).

No one is true in what they do, people betray themselves, and they manipulate their conscience into conspiring against what is upright. They are more concentrated on the provisions than the provider. "The faithful have been swept from the land;

Not one upright person remains.

Everyone lies in wait to shed blood;

They hunt each other with nets.

Both hands are skilled in doing evil;

The ruler demands gifts,

The judge accepts bribes,

The powerful dictate what they desire—