WHEN OPPOSERS COME AS FRIENDS 3
1 THE ENEMIES OF JUDAH AND BENJAMIN heard that the exiles were rebuilding a Temple to the LORD, the God of Israel.
2 So they approached Zerubbabel and the other leaders and said, “LET US BUILD WITH YOU, for we worship your God just as you do. We have sacrificed to him ever since King Esarhaddon of Assyria brought us here.”
3 But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the other leaders of Israel replied, “YOU MAY HAVE NO PART IN THIS WORK. WE ALONE WILL BUILD THE TEMPLE FOR THE LORD, the God of Israel, just as King Cyrus of Persia commanded us.”
4 THEN THE LOCAL RESIDENTS TRIED TO DISCOURAGE AND FRIGHTEN THE PEOPLE OF JUDAH TO KEEP THEM FROM THEIR WORK.
5 THEY BRIBED AGENTS TO WORK AGAINST THEM AND TO FRUSTRATE THEIR PLANS. This went on during the entire reign of King Cyrus of Persia and lasted until King Darius of Persia took the throne."
Ezra 4:1–5 (NLT)
• As you are building, you should not do things to please people, but to please God Who gave you the vision or the assignment: "NOW DO YOU THINK I AM TRYING TO MAKE PEOPLE ACCEPT ME? NO, GOD IS THE ONE I AM TRYING TO PLEASE. AM I TRYING TO PLEASE PEOPLE? IF I WANTED TO PLEASE PEOPLE, I WOULD NOT BE A SERVANT OF CHRIST" (Galatians 1:10 Easy-to-Read Version).
"AM I NOW TRYING TO WIN THE FAVOUR AND APPROVAL OF MEN, OR OF GOD? OR AM I SEEKING TO PLEASE SOMEONE? IF I WERE STILL TRYING TO BE POPULAR WITH MEN, I WOULD NOT BE A BAND-SERVANT OF CHRIST."
Galatians 1:10 (Amps.)
- If you wanted to be everyone's friend, you would lose your focus. Your God-given vision or assignment is important and serious than trying to be in the good book of every person.
- Let God lead you on the people who will work with you in fulfilling the vision—the assignment or ministry. The reason being that, some people who are coming, they are not with you with a good heart—some of them would have sold their hearts to the devil in order to work for him: "THE DEVIL HAS TRAPPED THEM AND CAUSES THEM TO DO WHAT HE WANTS. BUT MAYBE THEY CAN WAKE UP AND FREE THEMSELVES FROM THE DEVIL'S TRAP" (2 Timothy 2:26 International Children’s Bible).
"THEY HAVE BEEN TRAPPED BY THE DEVIL, AND HE MAKES THEM OBEY HIM, BUT GOD MAY HELP THEM ESCAPE."
2 Timothy 2:26 (Contemporary English Version)
• Pray on everything and be sensitive to the leadings of the Holy Spirit on the inside of you (Romans 8:14), do not depend on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5,6).
- The Holy Spirit knows the heart of every person, whatever is going on there, thus, trust Him to lead and guide you and reveal the hidden things in the heart of Men—people to you: “THE HUMAN HEART IS THE MOST DECEITFUL OF ALL THINGS, AND DESPERATELY WICKED. WHO REALLY KNOWS HOW BAD IT IS?" (Jeremiah 17:9 NKJV).
- Thus, let God Who knows the heart of every person, which you do not know, lead and guide you in your decision makings; on who to work and relate with—who to allow in your team or ministry family circle.
• It is my prayer that you will not fail in Jesus' name.
- If there is any ailment in your body as you read this piece, I declared that you are healed in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.
- Whatever is against your wellness and good health is condemned and rooted out in your body in Jesus' mighty name.
Peace!
STEPS TO SALVATION
• Take notice of this:
IF you are yet to take the step of salvation, that is, yet to be born-again, do it now, tomorrow might be too late (2 Corinthians 6:1,2; Hebrews 3:7,8,15).
a. Acknowledge that you are a sinner and confess your Sins (1 John 1:9); And ask Jesus Christ to come into your life (Revelation 3:20).
b. Confess that you believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, and that you confess it with your mouth, Thus, you accept Him As your Lord and Saviour (Romans 10:9,10).
c. As you took the steps A and B your name is written in the Book of Life (Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:8).
- If you took the steps As highlighted above, congratulations, It means you are saved—born-again. Join a Word based church in your area and Town or city, and be part of whatever they are doing there. Peace!