All posts by Tunde Soniregun

MARCH 2015 LETTER

Monthly Newsletter

GETTING HIS ATTENTION

The Bible records about the healing of blind Bartimaeus. “Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging.  And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!’ Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’ So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called…” (Mark 10:46-49) Bartimaeus called Jesus in an unusual manner. He called Him as one that knew Him; not as one who only heard about Him from a third party. Demonstrating to God that we know Him is a way of getting uncommon attention from Him. The Bible confirms that those who know their God shall carry out great exploit. (Daniel 11:32) It was a great exploit when a blind man called out for Jesus from among a thronging multitude and was able to get an answer. In his calling, Bartimaeus received his sight.
The same way Bartimaeus called (by crying out to the son of David) and got  instant attention from Jesus, a woman of Canaan also cried out to Jesus and could not get an instant attention from Jesus. It is written, “Then Jesus went out from there and departed to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman of Canaan came from that region and cried out to Him, saying, ‘Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed.’” (Matthew 15:21-22) In the case of Bartimaeus, Jesus stood still but a woman of Canaan got a different response from Jesus.  “But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and urged Him, saying, ‘Send her away, for she cries out after us.’ But He answered and said, ‘I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.’” (Matthew 15:23-24) Jesus and His disciples’ response was enough to discourage the woman of Canaan and made her to turn her back to Jesus. Instead of her giving up, however, she pressed further. She persisted to receive by resisting all discouragement. The Bible records, “Then she came and worshiped Him, saying, ‘Lord, help me!’” (Matthew 15:25) Despite her appeal, Jesus answered her, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.” (Matthew 15:26)  Jesus’ answer made her to insist and persist for her miracle. The woman responded to Jesus, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” (Matthew 15:27) There is absolutely no better way to describe persistence than that of this Canaanite woman before Jesus. Jesus eventually answered her, “’O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire.’ And her daughter was healed from that very hour.” (Matthew 15:28)
Is there any way you are expecting to get an answer to your prayer request the same way your neighbor received answer to his/her request? Jesus is the Master healer. He alone is the One who gives and takes as He pleases. Evidently, there is no place or reason for giving up with Jesus.
Looking at Bartimaeus and the Canaan woman, both cried out to Jesus. It is true that crying out and crying silently are two different things. Often times, challenges demand crying out but man opts rather to cry silently. Are you crying silently where a challenge calls for crying out? Man does have a need to understand that crying out is not a sign of weakness. Bartimaeus and the woman of Canaan cried out regardless of the multitudes and eventually got Jesus’ attention.
–Both were attempted to be quieted but refused to remain quiet.
–Both called on Jesus in an unusual manner calling out, “Son of David”.
–Both did not get same response. Bartimaeus got a stand-still attention from Jesus while the woman of Canaan got a repeated snub which eventually delivered delayed answer to her.
The case of Bartimaeus and the Canaan woman demonstrated that Jesus is the Master who answers to all in an unpredictable manner but shall never fail to answer those who reach out and do not give up in their request.
As documented in the Parable of the Persistent woman (Luke 18), this Canaan woman demonstrated what it means to be persistent in getting an answer to prayer. The parable of the Persistent Woman, narrated by Jesus, proves that:
–Prayer needs not those who pray and lose heart. Often time, man engages prayer with back up plans; looking for help outside of prayer. We are to stay focus on getting an answer like the Canaan woman instead of looking outside of our trust in Jesus.
–Prayer is meant to trouble Heaven when we engage asking, seeking and knocking relentlessly (Matthew 7:7) until answers come forth.
–Prayer demands continuity and not becoming weary.
The Canaan woman could not give up when she engaged with the healing word of God.

Resist denial, remain persistent and insist on having your expectation become manifested.

ENGAGING WRONG ASSUMPTION

Devotions

Faith Capsule: Engaging wrong assumption is an evidence of leaning on one’s own understanding.

Numbers 16:1-40

Engaging wrong assumption can be damaging for those who wrongly assume. The book of Numbers 16:1-3,talked about how Korah in his wrong mind set engaged wrong assumption. It is written, “Now Korah the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, with Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men; and they rose up before Moses with some of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, representatives of the congregation, men of renown. They gathered together against Moses and Aaron, and said to them, ’You take too much upon yourselves, for all the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?’”(Numbers 16:1-3)  Engaging wrong assumption like Korah did is avoidable for every man that makes the choice to, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.”(Proverbs 3:5) Engaging wrong assumption is an evidence of leaning on one’s own understanding instead of trusting God for direction.
At your place of work, are you one that is thinking of the ability to deliver a better service than your boss? As church member or among fellow brethren that gathers to serve God, have you been thinking you can be of better service to the congregation than your pastor? It is very important to stay away from engaging wrong assumption. Do not assume what He has not called you to be. The move of Korah was not a God’s calling it was an act that lacked trust for God to be in charge. God has the power to use any man that He is pleased to use for His mission and it is not of any man to engage wrong assumption. Concerning the leadership of Moses, Korah and his entourage went before God and requested from God to show the difference between the ones He has called or not called. Moses requested from God to do the unusual that would determine and demonstrate who He called from the uncalled ones Numbers 16: 31-33, “Now it came to pass, as he finished speaking all these words, that the ground split apart under them,  and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men with Korah, with all their goods. So they and all those with them went down alive into the pit; the earth closed over them, and they perished from among the assembly.” Korah and his entourage died an timely death as a result of wrong assumption.

Prayer for today: Ask God to deliver you from every wrong assumption in every area of life so that your story will not be like that of Korah and his rebellious entourage.

FEAR AND PRAISE HIM

Devotions

Faith Capsule: Ones that love God fears God and ones that fears renders unto Him ceaseless praise.

Psalm 150, Acts 16:25-34

Are you praising Him enough? Are you praising Him with understanding? It is good to know about praising Him but it is not enough when praising Him is not rooted in understanding. The word admonished us to praise Him with understanding. (Psalm 47:7) Praising God without understanding is a praise that is not established. He is to be praised for His mighty acts; He is to be praised according to His excellent greatness! (Psalm 150:2) Do you understand praising God? Praising God is retaining His presence. The book of Psalm 22:3 testified, “But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel.” God is in the praises of His people. Is the presence of God a place of your desire?
God spoke in Jeremiah 32:40, “And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me.” To be a God fearing vessel is what makes man to dwell and not depart from His presence. Ones that love God fears God and ones that fears renders unto Him ceaseless praise. Evidently, it is never too much to praise Him at every breath in man. Fear God, allow faith to raise you, and praise Him with understanding. In your praise, understand that He will raise you and you will overcome.
Understand that the faith-generated praise is the weapon for winning impossible battles in the journey of life. Paul and Silas, in the prison that was set to reduce them, prayed and sang praises to God. Acts 16:25-26, “But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.” King David testified in his thanksgiving, “I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.” (2 Samuel 22:4) Fear God to dwell in His presence, praise Him to retain His presence and victory shall be your company. Paul and Silas could have been a victim of the wicked ones but the presence of God in them could not be confined by any prison wall. Fear only God, call upon His Holy name just as David testified. In your calling, let Him know that He alone is worthy to be praised and you shall be saved from all your enemies.

Prayer for today: In your asking, let Him know that He alone is the Lord God; the ancient of days, the great, merciful, and everlasting God. Ask Him to, cause His fear to overtake you and reign in every step of your life.

DO WHAT HE SAYS

Devotions

Faith Capsule: To behave the Word is to avert shame.

Mark 10:46-52, John 2:1-12

Doing what He says is behaving His word and it is the evidence of lack of faith. The book of John 1:14-16 described the Word of God, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. John bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’” And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.”” (John 1:14-16) The Word of God is power to make and unmake. The same Word that was in the beginning is still the same Word that is today. To behave the Word is to avert from shame; to see light in the place of darkness and to get deliverance from sickness and disease.
Jesus gave the word of direction to deliver wedding celebration from shame. The wedding was out of wine when the mother of Jesus was approached for help. After having approached Jesus, she warned the servants stating, “Whatever He says to you, do it.” (John 2:5) Just as she warned, the servants did the exact when Jesus gave word to the servants. “Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it.”(John 2:7-8) By behaving His word, the wedding which was set for shame was restored to a glorious celebration.
Concerning your marriage or any other area of living life, have you been hearing from Him and not behave what He is saying to you?
The blind man Bartimaeus needed to hear and behave for him to receive sight. While Jesus was passing by, the blind man at his road side office recognized that Jesus was passing by and reacted by crying out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mark 10:47) The blind man’s crying caught Jesus’ attention and Jesus responded, “What do you want Me to do for you? The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.” (Mark 10: 51-52) God will always wait to act for those who wait on Him. He does not ignore the crying of His children. Jesus touched the blind man by His word stating, “…Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.” (Mark 10:52) It is possible that all you need to come out of your stagnation into glorious motion is to behave what you have heard from Him. God is still speaking and if man is going to behave His word, man will get to expected glorious destiny. Have you heard from Him but yet to behave?

Prayer for today: Ask for the grace to know and to behave whatever He is saying to you.

DESPISE NOT…

Devotions

Faith Capsule: A simple disobedience denied Moses from getting to the Promised Land

Romans 6

God is a God of order. Every of His command must be obeyed and they are not negotiable. Have been commanded but yet to obey? It does not matter who you are but it does matter not to despise the word of God. To despise His word is to be destroyed. Proverbs 13:13 buttressed, “He who despises the word will be destroyed, but he who fears the commandment will be rewarded.” Evidently, to despise God’s word is lack of fear for God. Moses, as great as he was in the hand of God could not step on the Promised Land because he despised God’s command and there was no excuse to deliver him from the consequence of his error.
It is written, “Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals.” (Numbers 20:7-8) Moses was to respond to the request of the children of Israel for water when God commanded him to speak to the rock. Moses did not speak as God commanded by God, but he engaged God’s command in his own way. The bible recorded in Numbers 20:11, “Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank.” Before he struck the rock he called the children of Israel name which was not in God’s command that was given to him. The move of Moses did not settle well with God. As a result God responded to Moses and Aaron, “…Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.” (Numbers 20:12) Life time journey ended up in the wilderness for Moses when he struck in the place where he was to speak. A simple disobedience denied Moses from getting to the Promised Land. Moses pleaded to God, but God did not reverse His judgment towards Moses. Indeed to despise God’s command is not to fear God.
It is true that we are living in the time of dispensation of grace but it is not a reason to despise His command. It is true that Jesus paid it all for us on the Calvary. However, the word questioned us, “…Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?  Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?”(Romans 6:1-2) The sin of Moses was serious enough for us to learn not to despise God’s command.

Prayer for today: Ask God to deliver you from the spirit of disobedience.