A MAN LIKE US

“God can take ordinary people to do extraordinary things”

Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. James 5:17

…Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: Acts 14:15

 

Many times, we seem to read about or take note just of the end part of great men in the bible. They thus seem supernatural, extraordinary and great. But what we tend to forget that these people were and are just ordinary people that gave themselves to God’s command, believing all He says they should do and acting it out, even when they were afraid or not sure. They were mere ordinary, street and family people who traded their wisdom for what seems to be God’s foolishness.

 

Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 1 Corinthians 1:25

 

Let us look at some of the dumbest of men in the bible God decided to use.

1.      How could a man who had walked with Moses, assisting him and had seen great works of God, was yet so fearful when he had to take charge of the Israelites? He was so fearful that God had to encourage him not to fear twice. And when it seemed the fear persisted, God had to command him to have courage, in other words, to look above his fears, before he could step forward. I think he made God talk much. That’s Joshua. See the story in Joshua 1 : 6, 7, and 9.

 

2.      Another example is Abraham, father of faith, and also maybe, teller of lies-I didn’t say so. I mean, the guy told lies to save his neck by saying Sarah was his sister, which though true, was meant to hide the fact that she was his wife. Genesis 12:13; 20: 1-18. He succumbed to his wife’s plea that he sleeps with Sarah’s maid. Genesis 16:2-4. However, he believed God to the point of sacrificing his son Isaac. Genesis 22:1-10.

 

3.      Elijah, should have known better. I mean how could a man of God run from a woman Jezebel on a mere threat, even though they could be carried out, moments just after he won a keenly contested match with the prophets of baal, killing all of baal’s own. 1 Kings 18. He fled, left his servant at a point, and continued, running for 40 days and night. 1 Kings 19. This was a man who outran the royal horses of king Ahab. Well, good part of the story is that he was carried by chariots of fire.

 

4.      Look at Peter. A fisherman, and one ruled by natural passion. He was quick to cut off the ear of the High Priest’s servant for love. John 18: 10. He almost sware to his hurt in Matthew 26: 33 – 35 when he vouched “Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee”.  He denied Jesus at the point of crisis, just before his death. John 18. At the latter end, he went back to his fishing business out of which he was called. John 21. Jesus had to tell him thrice that he should feed his sheep. However, in Acts 2, he led the great speech that saw about 3 thousand souls saved.

 

Conclusion:

Never underestimate yourself, or who God can use. He qualifies the unqualified. He choses who He desires. It is His anointing that makes ordinary men extraordinary. He is that super, that makes natural, supernatural.

Cobhams….ordinary people…

 

Let us have a world of ordinary people

Living life the way God wants us to

And if we have a world of ordinary people

Extraordinary things

Will happen through me and you

Me and you

 

AS PLAIN AS A FRIEND Ex. 33:11-23

I have a friend. We started off good, giving each other great respect. She refers to me as Sir and I sometimes include ‘ma’ or ‘aunty’ when conversing with her. At the start, I did most of the asking about personal welfare. We really got along and apart from mere talking, we prayed and advised each other-advises were usually taken; and we sought each other’s views sometimes. There were also times one party would scold the other for wrong doing or attempted wrongs. I did more of this at the start, but right now, the she does that more. Currently, the friend does most of the asking, I think or better still we do it…so there’s some kind of balance now. Ordinarily one may wonder this rising balance…kind of shocking but great to think about… This brought my mind to how God relates with His close children and going back to look at Moses and Abraham, I understand better and appreciate how God walks and how He expects us to relate with Him.

Friends Say It As It Is

Exodus 33:11

And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend…

God spoke to Moses as friend: freely, familiarly, not in parables or stories or dreams but in a walking conversation kind-of way. A man speaking to a friend, speaks without fear and without over bearing regard to authority and procedure. Little wonder Moses could speak boldly before God. He even scolded God when there was the thought of doing some evil.

Exodus 32:11-14

And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand?

Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people.

Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever.

And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.

Friends listen to friends. You may be shocked to find that people will refuse advise from anyone but not from a close friend. It is only then they come to see the light of the advice. God listened and followed Abraham’s advice.

Also as Friendship develops, there comes to be a balance in power and authority. Both parties know where the superior power lies, but there is this balance which gives them that freedom to advise each other rightly and timely. This freedom enables both sides to ask questions where they are not clear even if such question would seem foolish or an encroachment of authority or space. See Abraham’s discourse with God concerning Sodom and Gomorrah. Genesis 18: 17 to end. That story painted a friend negotiating for a loved one with his fellow friend.

Friends do not also hide things from each other. They would feel very uncomfortable doing it. God could have as well gone ahead to kill the Israelites and not confide in Moses before doing it. Exodus 32: 9-10. Genesis 18: 17 to end. John 15:         15. Amos 3: 7 Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets.

Friends report issues to friends. They are usually the first to know, whether good or bad. God reported the evil acts of the Israelites to Moses at the mountain. He did not have to show him. He told him mouth to ear. Exodus 32: 7-8. Genesis 18: 17-21.

Friends seek advice from each other, sometime indirectly by revealing their plans, knowing that it is only such friends that can stop them. In other words, they recognize that such friends hold the lever to stop their actions. God in his anger would have destroyed the Israelites, but he knew their mediator Moses better, that he would refrain him.

Friends do not see boldness on the part of the other as abuse of privilege. Many of us would wonder if Moses was not stepping over his bounds by asking God to repent of the evil plans. Rather, such boldness arouses a lovely friendship in the mind of the greater…it is akin to children who are bold before their parents. Every normal loving parent would love such move and encourage it, creating a situation where the child is like the parents brother or sister. There are cases where a girl and her mother are like sisters, where they walk together and the daughter is free to air her view and advise her mom.

 

Last observation. What seems to fuel such love is not self love, but love for others. God promised to raise another line from Moses if he was allowed to destroy the Israelites. Moses rather, because he loved the people of Israel appealed for their behalf, for their sakes. Also, Moses knows that God loves the Israelites so well that he planned a rescue mission for them. He reminded God of his swearing to Abraham and Isaac and Jacob. In other words, there should be no self-centeredness in love.

When two parties love themselves, not built on self-centredness but on love for others, such love is bound to flourish.

Conclusion

Between myself and this friend, we are now able to talk things out, share things, advise each other, restrain each other, convince each other, give suggestions and ask questions.

How is our relationship with our heavenly Father like?

How do we relate with Jesus and the Holy Spirit?

BRAGGING RIGHTS. Job 1:8

Thinking better of people particularly loved ones helps in making people better. Children who believe that their parents believe in them are more likely to grow up bolder and more successful in life.

Its amazing that God loves and think better of us than we think of ourselves most times. A good knowledge of that helps our relationship with the Father and enables us to recognize our authority, giving us victory over the devil. One clear proof that God believes in us is in sending Jesus to die for us, people who as at then were not sorry for their sins and may even never be. Yet, God gave believing that some of us will still love him.

Roman 5:8; But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

John 3:16; For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

God is ‘mouthed’ concerning His children. If God relates this way with us, then what about our loved ones.

Some think atimes they are not up to, not fit, do not measure up. Look at some of the characters Christ made his disciples, Matthew a tax collector, Peter and friends, mere fishermen and uneducated, and even prostitutes followed him and yet he is willingly to entrust so much power, authority, care and the gospel to such people as first carriers. The point is God Almighty has clothed us with the righteousness of Jesus and so that way we are His most loved. God believes in you and there is nothing you and I can do about it. We may only reject it and refuse to live in accordance with it or we may accept this truth and live as His children.

Do you know God feels like talking about us to whoever is ready to listen, even to the devil? He’s not holding back on us.

Job 1:8; And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

God is kind of loud concerning His children. He started the conversation with Satan and then uses that means to brag concerning Job. And like typical parents do, God was not asking the devil if Job was faithful or not; but was rather asserting Job’s faithfulness by making it look like a question, which is usually supposed to get an affirmative answer. Parents use this technique in different ways to boast about their children. God was in a way boasting about Job. And when God allowed satan to carry his test, He provided a caveat in verse 12, like every typical protecting parent: And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand.

Another interesting point here is that God, even though He can see the future, does not impute our sin as a reason for holding back His loving us. If you must brag about and believe in others, you must learn to see above their faults and weakness and present circumstances and future conceived fears.

In Acts 13:22 He testified concerning David- “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will”; Even though he can see the future, he does not for that reason deny his trust in us. Why didn’t God look into the future and seeing David would fall to lust or other sins, deny giving him the award of a man after his heart? In other words, we must not tag our belief in our loved ones on whether they will fail us or not. Our love should remain constant. Truth be said, they are likely to fail us one time or another.

Let us consider another of such person, Abraham. In bragging about Abraham, God said: For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment; that the LORD may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. Genesis 18:19.

See also Peter, a man whom he referred to as “Rock” in Matthew 16:18, after bragging about him, he still went on to deny him in Matt 26:69-75. This was a man whose spiritual character so to speak at that time was still questionable, Matthew 16:21-23. It’s not a matter of your failure or shortcomings; God believes in you. It’s a matter of your response to that belief.

In talking about us, He doesn’t act like we were some kind of mortal flesh, perishable, can die in a second at his fury, but he treats us like a partner. Some of us, when we believe in others, we measure the trust, based on ourselves, or such belief is tied to some obligation and act. This should not be so.

He makes us the subject of his discussion; we fill his thoughts.

Jeremiah 29:11:

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Conclusion

Many times we tend to place our present sins as hindrances or blocks to God’s belief in Us or trust in Us. He believes in Us whether we like it or not. It is up to us to accept His belief in us. What we do with that will either strengthen our belief in Him or not which produces either positive or negative results.

AFRAID OF HEIGHTS OR JUMPING?

Joshua 1:9

There are many times we walk or must walk without seeing what lies ahead. These are one of such times. Times when you walk believing you are heading in the right direction. Times when you jump, believing you will land safely. Times when you move, believing it’s the right thing to do. At those times, our faith looks up to Him. All our fears we cast on Him. All our weight we throw on Him. We follow, follow, to anywhere He may lead us, anywhere, and everywhere, we must follow on.

Joshua 1: 9 says:

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

This passage suggests that the person spoken to is weak, lacks courage, fearful and is discouraged. The person may have all these fears because He/She is venturing into new places, new grounds, places yet to be discovered by him or her. Its saying to us, though you are all these things outlined above, which you shouldn’t be, however, I (God) am repeating it to you, DO NOT BE AFRAID, BE STRONG, AND COURAGEOUS. When God speaks once, it comes to pass. He is so immutable that He needs not speak twice, so infallible that He cannot err in speaking once and should he speak twice, it can be said to be firmly established and out of His love and mercies, He does not want us to miss those words. But on this occasion, He was speaking the third time – in verses 6 and 7, He had said so already. The first time in verse 6, He says be strong and courageous; and then in verse 7 he emphasizes it by saying ‘only’ be strong and courageous; and in verse 9, He <yells> out, that it is a command. In order words, God is not encouraging us to be all these things- strong, courageous, etc.- but is commanding us. Another way of putting it is, do it whether you like it or not; do it whether it feels good or not; do it, whether it offends some people or not; do it, whether you feel some pain or not; just do it, because as a Father, He has the best thoughts and good plans for us.

As we plan to take this walk, or chase or pursuit, let us be rest assured that we shall indeed come out victorious. We shall overtake and recover. David asked, whether He can pursue and overtake. God replied that do not only pursue and overtake but also you will recover all. That is our portion in Jesus name.

Relating with God...

I will like to start with this conversation between 2 friends. Let us call them friend A and friend B.

Conversation:

Friend A: Tnx so much bro B…God bless U

Tnx for?....: Friend B

Friend A: Everytin,…time…care…concernin….etc

Lol…I shd say that of U,: Friend B

time…care….encouragement…etc,

ok… tnx sis…too

Friend A: <smiles> don’t mention u deserve d tnx more

Uuuuu <smiles>: Friend B

Friend A: Ok…

If you were you, would you marry yourself? That’s a great question… What can you say about yourself? Are you working to be the best? Would you love others if they were you? This is what God says concerning himself and us: Be ye holy; for I am holy - I Pet 1:16

Now life is great and beautiful when 2 friends meet and give their best to each other. But the most interesting and blessed part is where one thinks the other is the greatest thing to happen to him and the other thinks it’s the other that is the greatest and best thing to happen. Just like the conversation above. That sometimes reminds us of couples or people in courtship.

Same thing with God. He says concerning us: 

 You are the apple of His eyes – Zech 2:8

We are called His friends – Jam 2:23

You are fearfully and wonderfully made – Ps 139:14

You are chosen to be special – Deut 7:6

He has plans already made out to give you and I a future and a hope – Jer 29:11

Its amazing what God says about us and how He sees us that He would sent a pure Jesus, to die for us or to leave His treasured Holy spirit to be with us until the end of age. 

Now note: it’s not a matter of class or status or ability because those 2 friends may differ in class. In other words, God and us differ entirely in class and ability. He can do all things, He is omnipotent, omniscience and omnipresent. Clearly speaking, He is not a man. Yet He still feels this way concerning us…He still will reveal His plans and secrets to us…Amos 3:7; He still will rescue us and turn things around for our sakes when need be.

But the other part which is quite disturbing is that what do we have to say concerning Him? Do we still see Him as that compulsory good old burden, like how we see our grand-parents…too old and good but a burden? Is it because of His many rules we cant do all we love to…I mean is His laws too conditional for us? Atimes it’s like we would love to have all the partying, playing around, drinking if not for the strict, and ever frowning judge called called God and the police called satan and the bullet called sin. You know, let us imagine if sex and drinking and living an ungodly life were not sin but were just things that competed with God’s time for our attention, will we still stick to God or the world system? Assuming reading the word only gave us little benefit like loving a person, will we still stick to it? Sin does nothing to God except that is separates us from Him and make us miss His goodness. So, cant we give up what separates us from Him?

Until we get to the point where just as God thinks we are the best things to happen to all His creation, that He could send his only Son to die for, while still in sin oh; He would remain a Father even when we fall, He will stand ready to receive us even when we deny Him; that He is ready to leave His spirit with till the end of time, that He is ready to share His wealth and kingdom with; it is only then we can see God as worth our dieing like Jesus, as worth our leaving our best with like the Holy spirit, as worth sharing our wealth, money and profit with in tithes and offerings , as worth loving even when it seems we don’t get answers to prayers, as worth our standing for like the 3 Hebrews should He not protect us. It is only then would we love the relationship and want it more, giving room for it to grow not in a climate of “what He can do for us” alone, but for “what we can do also for Him”.

Conclusion:

Just as God chose you before the foundation of the world and called you to be his, you should choose him to the end of the age.

Just as He came to earth for you, you should be ready to go to heaven for Him at all costs

Jesus became humble and gave up big title to come to earth, you should be humble and give up big title to get to heaven.

God personally died for your sins, you should be ready to personally die for God’s cause if need be

God made sure someone explained the gospel to you, you should be ready to explain God to someone today

Just the same way you love to say I am a child of God, He loves to say.. I am your loving father

Just the same way He blesses us, he says to us, Come bless the Lord

Just as He says that our bodies are the temple of His Holy spirit, we should like Paul say: in Him we live and Have our being.Acts 17:28