Posted on Fri, Feb 13, 2009
Are You Withering?
Speaker: Eld. Ayodeji Adesina (Lay Pastor, BHSDAC, London)
(Message summarised by Sis. Ayobola Akwarandu)
(Message summarised by Sis. Ayobola Akwarandu)
Key Text: John 15: 4 - 7
Many Christians experience a wonderful relationship with the Lord for a couple of weeks but sadly are on the ‘low’ only after a couple weeks. Some have their ‘highs’ after an altar call or re-dedication service, the relationship blossoms nicely but looses its shine soon afterwards. It is sad to see that many say the right words, attend Church Sabbath after Sabbath, yet they are dying spiritually because their relationship has been on the ‘low’. It is worrying that our relationship with someone like Jesus – the King of kings can grow old or wither.
If your relationship with Christ is to be vibrant, you have to remain in Him. You must recognise that we are living creatures and it is part of our nature to get bored easily. That is why advertising companies renew their adverts ever so often to keep their clients mesmerised? One thing to bear in mind is the need to remain in the vine as Christians.
How do you know you are withering? Here are some questions to ponder on. Do you procrastinate, pushing forward and forward the things of God? Do you still have the passion for Christ? Do you get excited about Jesus like a new lover? Do you read your bible like a love letter or a text book? Do you go to Church because you have to go or because you love to go? Is your praise and worship session a forced session of boring mimes? Are you more passionate about football, soap operas, or shopping than about the Word of God? Do you prefer talking on the phone for hours or watching home videos to spending time with the Lord?
Why do we wither?
Deuteronomy 8:11-14
1. Sometimes because we have been so comfortable that we forget the Provider of our comfort. God is saying we must be careful not to forget. He knows we are human and are prone to forget His goodness. Some of us have our bins overflowing with food that could be beneficial to many out there. Some of us don’t care about prayer meetings or all-night vigils anymore. Why? Because God has blessed us and we see no reason to keep up with our relationship. Remember how you prayed so hard and long for some specific blessings, and how God opened the door? But then we rushed into the blessing without watering our relationship with the Giver of the blessing. Do you spend up to 30 minutes a day with the Lord? Do you wait on Him in fasting and prayer, or you feel it is not needed? Hosea 13: 6 & Deuteronomy 8: 14. You know you are too comfortable when:
a. Your heart becomes proud. Many camouflage their heart in Church. They talk down on others and feel they are not in the same class with others. If this describes you, pray for mercy and watch it!
b. You forget it was the Lord who brought you out of slavery. You become unthankful. Your gratitude to God has to surpass your tithes; it has to be your whole life given unto God.
c. Your priority becomes displaced and misplaced, when other activities in your life takes precedence over the things of God. You begin to tolerate certain movies or ills in the society and other things that do not glorify God.
2. We wither when we become habitual. Do you meet with God out of love or out of habit? Many become spiritual ‘copy cats’, following others blindly or out of formalism. They shout ‘glory hallelujah amen’ just to look as spiritual as other brethren. You need to break those habits and ask yourself, “why am I doing this?” You need to ask God for His Spirit to refresh you every time.
3. We wither when we become judgemental instead of forgiving. Many have become expert judges of others; criticising and blaming others for the same things they are also guilty of. Ephesians 4: 30 - 31. Get rid of every bitterness and let your heart be forgiving.
4. We wither when we become lazy. We must realise good things do not come easily. You must work hard to attain a good spiritual life. Don’t be jealous of that brother or sister who hits it with the Lord always. He may be waking up earlier, tarrying before the Father, pleading his case, while you rush through your devotions, that is if you even remember to pray at all.
5. We can wither when we become too busy. Christians that will survive these last days are those who spend time with the Lord. Many are too busy with their priorities set away from the things of God while others are busy doing nothing. Serving God is not easy but God promises us eternal life of bliss. Excelling in spiritual things takes our time, energy and ability. Hebrews 6: 7 – 8.
So friend, are you withering because you are too comfortable with sin? Or you have forgotten God’s goodness? Are you withering because you are too lazy or too busy? Have you misplaced your priorities? Are you too critical and judgmental of others? Or has your relationship with God gone habitually stale? Listen, its time you pull yourself together, wake up from your sleep, take your problem to the Lord in prayer and be determined to keep the relationship aglow and to abide in the Vine. God doesn’t need your ability; He only needs your availability. God is ever ready to be in your company, are you ready to be in His? God is ever willing, are you?
Are you abiding in the Vine?
Shalom!
Shalom!
(If you will like to obtain a DVD of the full message, please call ++447748 807550 or ++447853 121918, or email bhsdacpastors@aol.com. Within UK, the price is £3 but if you enquire, we may even be able to send you a free copy)
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