adminI AM blessed and grateful for the favour of being one of those that have safely entered into the month of October. I do not take it for granted but realise that it is a case of God’s love and favour. The tenth month of 2014 is here and it is a mark that the year has really gone. 2015 is beckoning and the achievements of the individual are getting clear as the goals set for 2014 are being realised and new visions and plans are in their various formative forms. It is the reason why today I choose to bless you with an injunction to renew your friendship with Jesus in this month.
Song writers as far back as 1857 had an understanding of friendship with Jesus hence they wrote the popular song “What a friend we have in Jesus” (J M Scriven and C C Converse) whereas John Newton in 1179 had written the hymn with the first stanza that goes, Poor, weak and worthless though I am, I have a rich, almighty friend; Jesus the Saviour is his name; He freely loves and without end. I could go on and on with the songs that celebrate friendship with the creator through Jesus. The bottom line is the importance of realising that nurturing a friendship with Jesus is not only just a noble thing but is the best one can ever do.
As I write this article millions of Muslims are cementing friendship with Allah through the ritual of the Haj in Mecca, that is them, we have a different approach. I would like to take us through a walk in making this month a time of spiritual concentration and focus as the year draws to an end. I urge you to not wait for the end of the year so that you make your resolutions for 2015. You can make them prayerfully and with ample meditation now. Make this month not a month of regret for the things you have failed to achieve in goals set for 2014 but as a time to refocus and make greater attention to win better in the days to come.
This can be a month when there is a turnaround to a better direction in the business plans you had made. In the heat of the month you can experience a refreshing that pushes you to a new level of achievement.
Friendship with Jesus is also about understanding three very critical things in your life. The role of the Holy Spirit, the power of your Purpose or Assignment and the manner you behave with your Seed. It is a spiritual walk and intensity that should take you closer to your maker and God. You cannot take it for granted that things will just get into place on their own, no you have to work at it.
Let us begin today on the need for us to have the Holy Spirit central in our lives. We cannot do anything without him. We need the help of the Holy Spirit. That is why even Jesus when he left he promised to send us another, a helper and a comforter. A comforter is not just one who makes us not to cry but rather one who helps us in our weaknesses. One who strengthens and lifts us up when we are weak and falling. He helps us pray in the right direction so we may ask, seek and knock at the right doors.
The Holy Spirit gives us the right understanding of the Word of God so we may walk in this world with a firmer Word consciousness that overcomes a world consciousness. At times your fears of failure are centred on the lack of the effectiveness of the Holy Spirit in your life through lack of knowledge.
In the month of October I urge to let the Holy Spirit, talk to you and bring you closer to God than ever before. He speaks! Train yourself to hear his voice. Let us briefly look at three ways in which he will talk to you.
Firstly he will talk to you through men and women of God. These servants of the Highest are sent to inspire our faith and correct our focus. When you obey the instructions of the Holy Spirit as they come through a man of God, you will prosper beyond your imagination. It is written, “Believe in the Lord your God, so shall you be established; believe His prophets, so shall you prosper.” (2 Chronicles 20:20) Things will not just change for the better in your life it needs the intervention of the Holy Spirit.
Secondly, he speaks to you through your inner self, your conscience. He is right there where you are, in your heart of hearts. At times we seek God too far and wide when all we need to do is to lock ourselves in our houses, turn off the apps, the television and other media and then open ourselves to inner selves. It is written that, “The spirit of a man is the candle of the LORD, searching all his innermost parts . . .” (Proverbs 20:27) You need to be alive and awake to your conscience as it is the voice of the Holy Spirit in your life. Do not ignore that still small voice in you this month!
Thirdly, the Holy Spirit will speak to you through the scriptures, the written Word of God! It was the same Holy Spirit that moved and inspired men of old to document these holy Words of God to us. Envision every word in the Bible as a seed, which when planted in your life will germinate and bring forth much fruit. Within each Word is an invisible and powerful fragrance called joy. Uncommon joy is the hidden essence of each Word of God. When you hear, embrace and believe the Word you are planting Holy Seed into the soil of your life.
Decide in the month of October to unclutter your life of any distractions so that you may hear the voice of God in your life. Cement the friendship with him through his Holy Spirit at this time. You are entering into a pleasant time with God. Be blessed, Shalom!
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