All posts by Tunde Soniregun

MAY 2019 FAITH-MAIL

Monthly Newsletter

LEARN TO KNOW AGAINST WRONG DECISION

The Bible records, “For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. ” (Romans 15:4)
When there is no learning in the written word of God there will be a lack of knowledge. The lack of knowledge is also the identity of those who KNOW ABOUT but, not KNOW the written word of God.
Jesus demonstrated the reason for all man to know the word of God.
Just like Jesus, it is a must to learn, to know the word of God for decoration and declaring the word of God as stated in Matthew 4:3-4, “Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”
Are you learning the word of God to become decorated by the word of God and be living life declaring against any WRONG DECISIONS concerning your life?
A decision is a conclusion or resolution reached after consideration.
Making a right or wrong decision will prompt consequence in the journey of life.
In the journey of your life, a decision that was made on your behalf yesterday or decision which you made for yourself will affect or determine where you are today and where you will be tomorrow.
Today, many are living in a position (painful position) which is the consequence of a decision made by grandparents or parents.
Also, many are living in a position which is the consequence of a self-decision.
Is it a right or wrong decision that is the consequence of your position in life today?
Every position of life that is rooted in the wrong decision of yesterday or today must be addressed prayerfully to reverse the pain of wrong decision of yesterday, today or future.
Among wrong decisions in the Bible with pain consequence are written for our learning:
Jephthah made a decision, making a vow that took the life of her only child.
Judges 11:30-31 records, “And Jephthah made a vow to the Lord, and said, “If You will indeed deliver the people of Ammon into my hands, 31 then it will be that whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the people of Ammon, shall surely be the Lord’s, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.” What kind of decision have you made to affect your children today or to affect your children’s tomorrow? Jephthah’s vow was the decision for his only child to become the burnt offering before God.
Apostle Paul made a decision to affect his life.
Apostle Paul was warned by the Holy Spirit not to go to Jerusalem. It was his decision that made him go against the Holy Spirit. Bible records: “…They told Paul through the Spirit not to go up to Jerusalem.” (Acts 21:4) “And as we stayed many days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 When he had come to us, he took Paul’s belt, bound his own hands and feet, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” (Acts 21:10-11) Apostle Paul was repeatedly warned not to go to Jerusalem but, his decision drove him to Jerusalem, which set him for his death.
In the journey of life, decision making by self or on behalf of one is possible to deliver kinds of pain that can deny, derail or destroy one’s journey of life.
Also, making right or wrong decision as a result of unexpected situation will prompt painful decision to derail, deny or destroy any journey of life.
It was an unexpected situation that prompted the Israelites’ decision to move to Egypt. At Egypt, the Israelites became the slave for over four hundred years. While in slavery, God’s intervention answered for the calling of the Israelites’ deliverance, by His stretch Hand.
Bible records: “So I will stretch out My hand and strike Egypt with all My wonders which I will do in its midst, and after that, he will let you go.” (Exodus 3:20)
“And the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord, when I stretch out My hand on Egypt and bring out the children of Israel from among them.”” (Exodus 7:5)
It was the stretch hand of God that brought the Israelites out of the decision rooted in challenging which brought them into Egypt where they lived the life of bondage for over four hundred years.
Know and believe that God is the only God that reverses irreversible.
God answered the crying out of prayer of the Israelites that prompted God’s stretch out hand which delivered the Israelites from the bondage of over four hundred years.
Prophesy to your new month as the month of STRETCH OUT HAND OF God.
Prayerfully ask before God that before the end of this new month, you shall come out of every decision that is holding you down not to live life for the glory of God, in Jesus name.

THREE THINGS ABOUT FAITH

Devotions

FAITH CAPSULE: Live life by faith!

Hebrews 11

FAITH IS A TEARING FORCE
When way refuses to yield for miracle faith possess enough force to tear through for miracle. Once a paralytically man had a roof tearing faith to receive his healing miracle. It happened that Jesus was in Capernaum when the meeting room was filled up with no more accommodation. As a result of no more way to reach Jesus in the room, four men that carried the paralytic man resolute to faith means and not be discouraged to return home. The bible recorded, “And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So, when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.” (Mark 2:4)
It was a roof tearing faith for the paralytic man. Jesus attention could not be withdrawn but responded to the roof tearing faith stating, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” (Mark 2:4) The paralytic could not withdraw for miracle because of hindrance on his way but, he received healing deliverance.
FAITH IS TO REMAIN PERSISTENT IN PRAYER
In the time of challenge, to be persistent in prayer to God for the manifestation of expectation is the evidence of faith.
For all, with persistent prayer is not to lose heart before God.
Jesus’ gave the parable of a widow woman with persistent prayer, seeking justice from a Judge that does not fear God nor regard any man.
In the parable of persistent prayer, it is clear that God will not ignore persistent prayer if the Judge that does not fear God cannot ignore persistent prayer.
Luke 18:3-8 records, “Now there was a widow in that city; and she came to him, saying, ‘Get justice for me from my adversary.’  And he would not for a while; but afterward, he said within himself, ‘Though I do not fear God nor regard man, yet because this widow troubles me I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.’” Then the Lord said, “Hear what the unjust judge said. And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily…”
Be encouraged by the word of God.
FAITH IS CONFESSING POSITIVE, NOT NEGATIVE
Demonstrating the evidence of being faithful is confessing positive instead of confessing negative.
The word of God which is the source of faith cautioned the importance of confessing positive but not confessing negative stating, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Proverbs 18:21) An acclaimed believer with knowledge and understanding of the word of God should know and be speaking positively to all negative situation.
God is consistent to back His word if all will speak life instead of death. The Shunammite woman demonstrated knowledge and understanding in the word of God when she confessed positive in the place of negative. She spoke life to her son in the time of death, and her son lived life. (2Kings 4)
It is about living by faith!

Prayer for today: Ask God for the strength of faith to established in your life.

ROUTE OF THE LOST

Devotions

FAITH CAPSULE: There is no excuse to have been wrongly led.

Jeremiah 50

God is near to all, but man is continually far from God, taking to the route of the LOST by missing out of God’s promise for REST.
The route to be far from God is the route of LOST.
God’s mindful for all man is the reason why He left His place to come for all man not to LOST but yet man did not get the understanding to live life for the glory of God.
Jesus said, “…for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)
WHY IS THE LOST OF MAN NOT TO GAIN THE PROMISE OF GOD FOR HIS PEACE?
Jeremiah 50:6 points it out, “My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them astray; They have turned them away on the mountains. They have gone from mountain to hill; They have forgotten their resting place.” According to the above Jeremiah’s verse, Shepherds are the contributing role for the LOST ones, but that will not excuse the LOST ones before God from experiencing the consequence of living life as the LOST one.
Jesus came to seek and to save the LOST sheep and the sheep that seek Him in return, will find Him and be saved.
In the man’s calendar of the yearly Easter celebration of Jesus’ price to seek and save the LOST demands understanding that will make the life of a believer be with REST, the promise of God.
For all man, there is no excuse to claim or place acquisition of being led wrong by the shepherds. John 8:31-32 clearly point out that individual should know the truth and not become a victim as the LOST one. John 8:31-32 states: “Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
There is no excuse to have been wrongly led if: “…YOU SHALL KNOW THE TRUTH…” From today, seek God to know the truth to keep you save and not become a victim of being led wrong by the Shepherds. All should make the choice not to become the LOST one but, with desire seek God. Psalm 27:4 of David said it clear, “One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord All the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, And to inquire in His temple.”
The way of the LOST is the route which leads the LOST one not to gain the REST promise of God for all man.

Prayer for today: Ask God for the grace to strength not to walk the walk of the LOST.

THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS

Devotions

FAITH CAPSULE: Celebration of the resurrection of came and gone so, where are you?

John 11:17-44

Why is it that disciples did not get it right when Jesus spoke about His resurrection when He was with them in person?
The true answer is: Disciple heard Him but they lack understanding.
Understanding is the key to hear God and walk according to the word that is heard.
Paul prayed the importance of understanding in Colossians 1:9-10, “For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”
Understanding is the reason to gain knowledge of Jesus’ going through crucifixion and resurrection.
Resurrection is the truth of Jesus; the power of God.
Resurrection is the plan and purpose of Jesus for all to live life for the glory of God.
Jesus introduced Himself stating, “I am the way, the truth” (John 14:6) Disciples repeatedly heard about the resurrection from Jesus but lack understanding of His resurrection.
Lack of understanding is what makes a man not to accept and believe the truth of Jesus since the time He was here up till today. John 8:45 Recorded Jesus’ statement as regards to the issue of truth and believe: “…but because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.” Jesus also said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” (John 11:25)
With no doubt, understanding is the key to believe the truth about Jesus’s resurrection.
Celebrating resurrection without understanding adds nothing which God does have in His plan and purpose for all man.
Celebration of resurrection should not be for the tradition of making money but making a place for the truth of Jesus in one’s life.
Resurrection is the concluding story of Jesus’ journey to the cross of Calvary for all man’s sake.
The truth of the resurrection is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18) Without any exemption (acclaimed believers of Jesus or none believers) celebrated resurrection without understanding. Word in Hosea 4:6 identified lack of knowledge saying, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge…” Lack of understanding denies having a knowing edge over challenges in this wicked world.
Resurrection, the truth of Jesus demands understanding from all to please God but not to be pleasing self. Pleasing self but not pleasing God is the evidence of lack of faith before God. Hebrews 11:6 stated, “But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Do you have faith with the understanding to be celebrating the resurrection which Jesus paid for man through crucifixion?

Prayer for today: Ask God for your understanding to know Him.

DESTINATION OF GOD’S WORD

Devotions

FAITH CAPSULE: The place of the word of God is in the heart of man.

Romans 10

The word of God is God, His word is His command, the word of God is His law, and the testimony of God’s work is also His word.
The place of the word of God is in the heart of man.
The Bible testified that the place for the word of God is in the heart of man. Deuteronomy 6:6 records, “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.” Deuteronomy 11:18, “Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart.” Job 22:22, “Receive, please, instruction from His mouth, and lay up His words in your heart.” Psalm 119:11, “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” Proverbs 4:4, “He also taught me and said to me: “Let your heart retain my words; Keep my commands and live.” Ezekiel 3:10, “…Son of man, receive into your heart all My words that I speak to you, and hear with your ears.”
The word of God’s destination is in the heart of man.
Without a doubt, as testified that the word of God is magnified above all the names of God, (Psalm 138:2) why not make your heart available for God’s word?
Do you have a place in your heart for the word of God?
Today, a man’s heart is full of the world with no space for the word of God.
A heart that is not full of the word of God is the heart with no space for the word of God. A heart that is not occupied by the word is not set to be faithful to God. Do you have a place in your heart for the word of God?
Jesus Christ, the Author and Finisher of man’s faith, the living word of God, should be allowed for occupying the heart of all man.
Are you giving heed to the word that will keep you from getting lost? Hebrew 2:1-3 buttressed, “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him.”
From today, begin to give more earnest heed to the things you have heard in the word of God which is the direction to deliver from all challenges of the wicked world.

Prayer for today: Ask for God’s hand upon your life that your heart be the destination for His word.