Weekly Motivation and Inspirational Stories for the Marketplace Series 23 of 52 – School of the Holy Spirit – Part 11 – Five (5) Critically Important Reasons Why You Must Memorize and Meditate on the Word of God + Activation of 365 “Fear Not” Scriptures in Downloadable Audio + Is it Possible for one to be Bankrupt Spiritually Speaking?
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Weekly Motivation and Inspirational Stories for the Marketplace Series 23 of 52 – School of the Holy Spirit – Part 11 – Five (5) Critically Important Reasons Why You Must Memorize and meditate on the Word of God + Activation of 365 “Fear Not” Scriptures in Downloadable Audio + Is it Possible for one to be Bankrupt Spiritually Speaking?
Series: 23 of 52
Date: April 15th, 2020
Blog Link: https://www.otakada.org/words-instructions-promises-memorization-meditation
Today’s Podcast Available via link: https://anchor.fm/otakada.org/episodes/Series-23-of-52–School-of-the-Holy-Spirit–Part-11-ecvg6m
Find Here Activation of 365 “Fear Not” via downloadable link or Listen to Podcast: https://anchor.fm/otakada.org/episodes/CONFESSION-OF-365-FEAR-NOT-SCRIPTURES-WITH-PRAYER-DECLARATION-Series-19-of-52-b-part-7-ecp6he/a-a1ud34k
Introduction.
Friends, I welcome you to today’s series of Otakada.org Weekly Motivational Stories Equipping Christians in The Marketplace. – We are Ambassadors of Christ in this earthly realm. Check this out in 2 Corinthians 5:20
At Otakada.org, we bring YOU over 2 million contents for All Round Success for your Spirit, Soul and your Body all in one place! Check this out in – 1 Thessalonians 5:23 and 2 Timothy 1:7
Read – 1 Thessalonians 5:23 Amplified Bible (AMP) 23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [ that is, separate you from profane and vulgar things, make you pure and whole and undamaged—consecrated to Him—set apart for His purpose ]; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete and [be found ] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Together with you, we are building MASSIVE SPIRITUAL TEMPLES in people’s heart for the Spirit of God to dwell in and operate through with ease in these times and seasons, so stay with us and build with us! – Check this out in 1 Corinthians 3: 1- 17; Leviticus 26:12; Jeremiah 32:38; Ezekiel 37:27; 2 Corinthians 6:16; 1 John 4:4
If you missed the last two series as follows:
Series 21 of 52 – School of the Holy Spirit – Part 9: Activating 5 (Five) Supernatural Healing, Deliverance and Restorative Power of the Lord Jesus Christ through Partaking in the Holy Communion Habitually – Can God Heal COVID -19?
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For the School of the Holy Spirit 22 of 52: Part 10 – The Anatomy and Secrets of the Secret Place with God – The Secret of Discerning Jesus knocking at the Door of Your Heart and Obeying in the Secret Place + I hear the Sounds and Waves of Global Revival in The Air and 7 Signs You Need Revival!
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Today, we explore 5 Critically Important Reasons Why You Must Memorize the Word of God + Activation of 365 “Fear Not” Scriptures in downloadable Audio + Is it possible for one to be bankrupt spiritually speaking?
Now let’s lay down some foundation before we start with 5 Critically Important Reasons Why You must of necessity memorize the word of God.
While growing up, as a young boy, I use to abhor scripture memorization. My parents and uncle will force me to memorize scripture especially Psalm 1, Psalm 23, Psalm 91, Psalm 119 and a host of others in the old and in the new testament. Later, we would use flip cards with the word written in front and behind them. It was tough stuff. I never understood then why this was necessary but now I thank them immensely for punishing me with scripture memorization – God bless them really good.
If I knew then what I know now, I would have approached it will loads of enthusiasm.
In my early years as a Christian, I desired the ability to see vision and dream, dreams. God answered and honored my request and I could not have operated in the spirit realm effectively today without those memorized words which have grown over the years.
Gods words comes to me in floating words or highlighted words or bubbling words. Sometimes I search the words in the scripture if I do not have them in my memory bank.
One of the greatest benefits of the lockdown is that it has afforded the true child of God the opportunity to spend time in the word of our heavenly Father so that when we come out, we will be full of Him.
It is critically important to store words. You need it when you engage Jesus who is the Word that became flesh –
John 1:1-5 Amplified Bible (AMP) 1 In the beginning [ before all time] was the Word ([a]Christ), and the Word was with God, and [b]the Word was God Himself. 2 He was [ continually existing] in the beginning [ co-eternally] with God. 3 All things were made and came into existence through Him; and without Him not even one thing was made that has come into being. 4 In Him was life [ and the power to bestow life], and the life was the Light of men. 5 The Light shines on in the [c]darkness, and the darkness did not understand it or overpower it or appropriate it or absorb it [and is unreceptive to it ].
You need to memorize the word so that you can be sensitive to His leading and to be all that God has called you to be and do. Jesus Christ said in John 15:7 Amplified Bible (AMP) 7 If you remain in Me and My words remain in you [ that is, if we are vitally united and My message lives in your heart], ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.
You need it when you are tempted, when in the storm, when Satan is attacking your mind as he did to Jesus at His weakest point and we all have our vulnerable moments in life. Let’s read in
Luke 4:1-12 Amplified Bible (AMP)
4 Now Jesus, full of [ and in perfect communication with] the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness 2 for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And He ate nothing during those days, and when they ended, He was hungry. 3 Then the devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, command this stone to turn into bread.” 4 Jesus replied to him, “It is written and forever remains written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone[a].’”5 Then he led Jesus up [ to a high mountain] and displayed before Him all the kingdoms of the inhabited earth [ and their magnificence] in the twinkling of an eye. 6 And the devil said to Him, “I will give You all this realm and its glory [ its power, its renown]; because it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 Therefore if You worship before me, it will all be Yours.” 8 Jesus replied to him, “It is written and forever remains written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and serve only Him.’” 9 Then he led Jesus to Jerusalem and had Him stand on the pinnacle (highest point) of the temple, and said [mockingly ] to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here; 10 for it is written and forever remains written, ‘He will command His angels concerning You to guard and protect You,’11 and, ‘they will lift You up on their hands, So that You do not strike Your foot against a stone.’”12 Jesus replied to him, “It is said [in Scripture ], ‘you shall not tempt the Lord your God [to prove Himself to you ].’”13 When the devil had finished every temptation, he [temporarily ] left Him until a more opportune time.
Prioritize Gods Instructions Above His Promises
When you look at the scripture above in Luke 4, you see that satan is selling promises while Jesus is responding with instructions that needs to be obeyed. Instructions that needs to be obeyed from Gods word.
As we read and memorize Gods words, it is critically important that we store more of the instructions than the promises. Promises are secondary to instructions. Instructions tell you what you must do and promises is a result of obeying instructions. Promises are offshoot of instructions. When we follow the instructions, we don’t need to pray down the promises. It’s like a chemical reaction. Take the instruction, mix it with obedience, results in promises. The ten commandments where all instructions ..Think about that for a moment.. read Exodus 20:1-17. Just one of the commandments cared to show the benefit after the instruction was issued in verse 12 Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
We must memorize scripture because God has magnified His word above His name.
As the psalmist turns to the temple to worship he writes in Psalm. 138:2: “For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.”
God’s Word is His communication, His promise, the revelation of Himself to His people. It is to be a lamp to our feet in a dark and fallen world, without it we would have no way to know God or how to do God’s will. Throughout scripture we have a consistent theme of the dichotomy of light versus darkness. The world we live in is darkness reserved for judgment. John the apostle in 1 John 1:5 tells us God is light. Light is God’s very nature, it represents to us Holiness and perfection. This is why we often read that a physical manifestation of God ‘s glory is light or fire. Sin is associated with darkness and judgment. It implies imperfection, and principally ignorance, sinfulness, and misery.
The Psalmist asks in Psalm 119:9 “How can a young man cleanse his way? He answers, “By taking heed according to Your Word. Just a few more verses later v:11 “Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.” God’s word keeps us from sin and keeps us on his path, as the Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (Ps.119:105) in a dark world.
Psalm. 43:3 Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me.
So, hereunder are the 5 Critical Reasons Why We Must Memorize Scripture as we meditate on the Word of God
1.The Holy Spirit Uses God’s word memorized in our long-term memory to communicate with us
John 16:12-15 Amplified Bible (AMP)12 “I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear [ to hear] them now. 13 But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth [full and complete truth ]. For He will not speak on His own initiative, but He will speak whatever He hears [ from the Father—the message regarding the Son], and He will disclose to you what is to come [ in the future]. 14 He will glorify and honor Me, because He (the Holy Spirit) will take from what is Mine and will disclose it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Because of this I said that He [ the Spirit] will take from what is Mine and will reveal it to you.
Jeremiah 23:28-29 Amplified Bible (AMP)28 The prophet who has a dream may tell his dream; but he who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat [for nourishment ]?” says the Lord. 29 “Is not My word like fire [ that consumes all that cannot endure the test]?” says the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks the [most stubborn ] rock [in pieces ]?
Comment: The more of the word you have in you, the more words He – The Holy Spirit can highlight, or reference when bringing the heart of the Father or the Lord Jesus Christ to you. He will quicken a word or series of words in you or a word you have read before that you can remember. If you hear anything that contravenes the word of God, it is not the Spirit of God. It could be your spirit, evil spirit or from the noise around – it also is a spirit.
2. God’s word that is memorized is stored in the subconscious mind, the hard drive of your soul, the long-term autopilot of your life’s action, the long term will or long term seat of your soul and the hidden man of the heart
Mark 7:15-16 Amplified Bible (AMP)15 there is nothing outside a man [such as food ] which by going into him can defile him [morally or spiritually ]; but the things which come out of [the heart of ] a man are what defile and dishonor him. 16 [a][ If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”]
Proverbs 23:7 Amplified Bible (AMP)7
For as he thinks in his heart, so is he [ in behavior—one who manipulates].
He says to you, “Eat and drink,”
Yet his heart is not with you [ but it is begrudging the cost].
Romans 12:2 Amplified Bible (AMP)2 And do not be conformed to this world [ any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be [a]transformed and progressively changed [ as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [ focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [ for yourselves ] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [ in His plan and purpose for you].
Hebrews 4:7-14 Amplified Bible (AMP)7 He again sets a definite day, [a new ] “Today,” [providing another opportunity to enter that rest by] saying through David after so long a time, just as has been said before [in the words already quoted ],“Today if you hear His voice,Do not harden your hearts.”8 [ This mention of a rest was not a reference to their entering into Canaan.] For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not speak about another day [ of opportunity] after that. 9 So there remains a [full and complete ] Sabbath rest for the people of God. 10 For the one who has once entered His rest has also rested from [ the weariness and pain of] his [human ] labors, just as God rested from [those labors uniquely ] His own. 11 Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest [of God, to know and experience it for ourselves ], so that no one will fall by following the same example of disobedience [as those who died in the wilderness ]. 12 For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective ]. It is sharper than any two-edged [a]sword, penetrating as far as the division of the [b]soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature ], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart. 13 And not a creature exists that is concealed from His sight, but all things are open and exposed, and revealed to the eyes of Him with whom we have to give account.14 Inasmuch then as we [believers ] have a great High Priest who has [already ascended and] passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession [of faith and cling tenaciously to our absolute trust in Him as Savior].
I’ve come to know that I’m a spirit being who has a soul and lives in a body. But the real me is my spiritual person. And it’s in the spirit that I’ve been totally changed and made just like Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:23 Amplified Bible (AMP)23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through [ that is, separate you from profane and vulgar things, make you pure and whole and undamaged—consecrated to Him—set apart for His purpose ]; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete and [ be found] blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Comments: Your mind is made of the will, emotions and memory. This is further divided into the conscious (Short memory) and the subconscious (long memory) part, both also carry the will, emotions and the memory. The conscious part is just like a random-access memory of a computer. Information stored there are temporary and there are so many things floating in there at the same time. When we read the word, it goes to the conscious part of our brain. Nothing stored in there last and does not compel us to obey instruction long term, emotional vibration generated here is also short term, the willingness to obey is also short team. Now when we move from the conscious (temporary) and begin memorizing (long-term), we at the same time visualize, creating images of what we are storing long term. As we repeat them over and over again, it gets store in the hard drive of our mind forever, it is the subconscious mind. The subconscious mind does not sleep. The conscious mind sleeps. What we do is driven by the stored information in the subconscious mind- It is the long-term instructions we have stored, good or bad that compels us to good or bad behavior. It is the word of God, stored in long term memory and activated that can reprogram the mind in constant repetition. Romans 12:2, Joshua 1: 8-9, Remember, our priority is the instructions from the word we want to store. When we call it to mind, we activate them to action and our body follows without complaining. It takes 21 days for some to form a habit because it is stored in the hard drive of our life and executed on command. The language of the spirit is the language of visualization, images or imagination, dreams, and visions. Stored words in long term memory are images in motion. In this location, the Holy Spirit can pull them easily or shine light on them that can compel us to action.
3. God’s word memorized is a long term spiritual food which gives spiritual strength and spiritual life
Isaiah 55:1-3 Amplified Bible (AMP) “Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, buy grain and eat. Come, buy wine and milk. Without money and without cost [ simply accept it as a gift from God].2 “Why do you spend money for that which is not bread, And your earnings for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight in [a]abundance.3 “Incline your ear [to listen ] and come to Me; Hear, so that your soul may live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you, According to the faithful mercies [ promised and] shown to David.
Hebrews 5:12-14 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.
John 6:51 I am the living bread that came down out of heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread also which I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.”
1 Corinthians 10:1-14 Amplified Bible (AMP)Avoid Israel’s Mistakes10 For I do not want you to be unaware, believers, that our fathers were all under the cloud [ in which God’s presence went before them] and they all passed [ miraculously and safely] through the [ Red] Sea; 2 And all [ of them] were baptized into Moses [ into his safekeeping as their leader] in the cloud and in the sea; 3 and all [ of them] ate the same [a]spiritual food; 4 and all [ of them] drank the same [b]spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ. 5 Nevertheless, God was not well-pleased with [c]most of them, for they were scattered along the ground in the wilderness [ because their lack of self-control led to disobedience which led to death]. 6 Now these things [ the warnings and admonitions] took place as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they did. 7 Do not be worshipers of handmade gods, as some of them were; just as it is written [in Scripture ], “The people sat down to eat and drink [ after sacrificing to the [d]golden calf at Horeb], and stood up to play [indulging in immoral activities ].” 8 We must not indulge in [ nor tolerate] sexual immorality, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand [ suddenly] fell [ dead] in a single day! 9 We must not tempt the Lord [ that is, test His patience, question His purpose or exploit His goodness], as some of them did—and they were killed by serpents. 10 And do not murmur [ in unwarranted discontent], as some of them did—and were destroyed by the [e]destroyer. 11 Now these things happened to them as an example and warning [ to us]; they were written for our instruction [ to admonish and equip us], upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let the one who thinks he stands firm [ immune to temptation, being overconfident and self-righteous], take care that he does not fall [into sin and condemnation ]. 13 No temptation [ regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [ nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [ to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [ to resist], but along with the temptation He [ has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [ without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy].14 Therefore, my beloved, run [ keep far, far away] from [ any sort of] idolatry [ and that includes loving anything more than God, or participating in anything that leads to sin and enslaves the soul].
Jeremiah 23:28-29 Amplified Bible (AMP)28 The prophet who has a dream may tell his dream; but he who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat [ for nourishment]?” says the Lord. 29 “Is not My word like fire [ that consumes all that cannot endure the test]?” says the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks the [ most stubborn] rock [ in pieces]?
Comments: Just like your body needs food for sustenance, your spirit which feeds on images, imagination, invisible realm needs Gods word, who created it. How long can you go without food? How then if you who are spirit will seize feeding your spiritual life with spiritual nourishment from the Lord God, creator of all Spirits who says you need my word for sustenance? How do you run your life without a spiritual manual? Begin the process today!
4. Gods words needs to be memorized because of the storms and for spiritual warfare which are vital ingredients of our lives journey on planet earth as Christians
Ephesians 6:12-13 Amplified Bible (AMP)12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [ contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present ] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. 13 Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully ] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [ of danger], and having done everything [ that the crisis demands], to stand firm [ in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious].
2 Corinthians 10:4-6 Amplified Bible (AMP)4 The weapons of our warfare are not physical [ weapons of flesh and blood]. Our weapons are divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true ] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ, 6 being ready to punish every act of disobedience, when your own obedience [as a church ] is complete.
Matthew 7:24-27 Amplified Bible (AMP)The Two Foundations 24 “So everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, will be like a wise man [ a far-sighted, practical, and sensible man] who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods and torrents came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not do them, will be like a foolish (stupid) man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods and torrents came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great and complete was its fall.”
Comments: Storms don’t announce and give advance notice or warning. They don’t come when you are sitting down in your house and reading the bible. They don’t tell you what kind of storm it is going to be. They just show up. Woe betides you if you have not committed Gods word to your long-term memory bank where you can draw from to counter the storm or whether the storm. Also, in spiritual warfare, Satan does not tell you what he is going to tempt you with or the passage he is going to make you doubt as he offers short term promises. He hits from every angle where he knows you are unprepared. Thank God for the Holy Spirit who is with us and can bring to light scriptures we can use for warfare as He did Jesus during the forty days fast. Store the instructions of God today so that the Holy Spirit can stir up scriptures that you can use to pray as such a time. As you meditate on Gods words in the secret place, take a word- an instruction that you can commit to memory and call out with ease as situation and circumstances demands in Jesus name, amen.
5. God’s word memorized brings with it conviction to preach the word or speak out the word with eases and also to activate the words to action wherever and whenever situation and circumstances demands
Jeremiah 20:9 Amplified Bible (AMP) 9 If I say, “I will not remember Him
Or speak His name anymore,” Then my heart becomes a burning fire
Shut up in my bones. And I am weary of enduring and holding it in;
I cannot endure it [nor contain it any longer ].
Jeremiah 23:28-29 Amplified Bible (AMP)28 The prophet who has a dream may tell his dream; but he who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat [ for nourishment]?” says the Lord. 29 “Is not My word like fire [ that consumes all that cannot endure the test]?” says the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks the [ most stubborn] rock [in pieces ]?
John 4:31-34 Amplified Bible (AMP)31 Meanwhile, the disciples were urging Jesus [to have a meal], saying, “Rabbi (Teacher), eat.” 32 But He told them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” 33 So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought Him something to eat?” 34 Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to completely finish His work.
1 Corinthians 9:16 Amplified Bible (AMP)16 For if I [merely ] preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast about, for I am compelled [that is, absolutely obligated to do it ]. Woe to me if I do not preach the good news [of salvation ]!
Comments: God’s word inside of us memorized long term cannot stay idle. God’s word is liquid fire. God’s word is fire burning inside our bones. God’s word is life that give life not just to us but to others. They more we have it in there, they more He desires to come out. The more He comes out, the more our conviction is built up and our faith in Him is also built up. God’s word is Him in You. He cannot settle at ease to see the world perish when opportunity is still knocking at the door of those who are still in the valley of decision. God’s word will continue to speak through us if we allow Him to flow from within us as His ambassador. Are you ready to release Him in You? You have to give the ingredient. God does nothing outside His word in You. There is a part you play and there is a part He plays. Make yourself available to meditate, memorize and let out where He needs you to speak for Him. Your blessing is not in storing, your blessing is in releasing what you have stored to bless others and in return bless you.
Now, Is it possible for one to be bankrupt spiritually speaking? – What the Bible says about Spiritual Bankruptcy
Matthew 5:3 Amplified Bible (AMP 3 “Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].
The Old Testament supplies the background to Jesus’ use of “poor.”
Isaiah 61:1-4 Amplified Bible (AMP) The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, Because the Lord has anointed and commissioned me To bring good news to the humble and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up [ the wounds of] the brokenhearted, To proclaim release [ from confinement and condemnation] to the [ physical and spiritual] captives And freedom to prisoners,2 To proclaim [a]the favorable year of the Lord, [b]And the day of vengeance and retribution of our God, To comfort all who mourn,3 To grant to those who mourn in Zion the following: To give them a [c]turban instead of dust [on their heads, a sign of mourning ], The oil of joy instead of mourning,
The garment [ expressive] of praise instead of a disheartened spirit.
So they will be called the trees of righteousness [ strong and magnificent, distinguished for integrity, justice, and right standing with God],
The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.4 Then they will rebuild the ancient ruins, They will raise up and restore the former desolations; And they will renew the ruined cities, The desolations (deserted settlements) of many generations.
—He is not speaking of the economically poor but those who are poor in spiritual qualities or poor in terms of a relationship with Him.
One can be spiritually poor regardless of how much money he possesses. He can be brokenhearted though living in grand houses, driving luxury automobiles, wearing the finest apparel, and circulating in the highest levels of society. Is being captive to sin and Satan or addicted to drugs, fashion, or the vain praise of men restricted by economic boundaries? Neither are godly attributes.
Jesus is not speaking to any clearly demarcated group. Though riches can motivate pride, the economically poor possess pride too. Jesus says the poor are blessed, but neither poverty nor wealth can confer spiritual blessings, though poverty may help to lead a person to humility. Both poverty and wealth can entail great spiritual peril. A poverty-stricken person can become very self-centered because of his desperate need, and a wealthy person can become equally self-centered through his profligacy. Jesus’ words cover the whole span of mankind’s circumstances because anyone without a right and true relationship with God can fall within His description. “Poor,” as Jesus uses it, truly relates to a spiritual quality.
“Poor” does not stand alone; Jesus connects it with “spirit” to clarify His intention. Even as the economically poor are very aware of their need, so also are the poor in spirit. Yet a vast difference lies between this and being financially destitute. Poverty of spirit is a fruit not produced in the natural man, but a work of God’s Holy Spirit in the minds of those He has called and is converting, explaining why being poor in spirit can span the whole economic spectrum. It is why an Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, or Joseph of Arimathea, all very wealthy men, can be simultaneously poor in spirit and materially blessed of God.
David referred to himself as a “poor” man, in need of what only God could supply. He perceived himself as destitute of the resources to improve his lot. He saw himself as beyond the help of men, afflicted, crushed, forsaken, desolate, miserable—as helpless spiritually as the poverty stricken are economically. Thus, recognizing his need, he cried out to God, and He heard him.
Another psalm by a thoroughly chastened and humbled David reveals in greater detail his recognition of the spiritual poverty in which he committed his sins. Notice the spiritual things David requested—things only God could supply—to fill his needs in Psalm 51:
Have mercy upon me . . . blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly . . . cleanse me from my sin. . . . Make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop. . . . Make me to hear joy and gladness. . . . Hide Your face from my sins. . . . Create in me a clean heart . . . renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your generous Spirit . . . . Deliver me from blood guiltiness. . . . Open my lips and my mouth shall show forth Your praise. (verses 1-2, 6-12, 14-15)
To be poor in spirit is to acknowledge honestly and with understanding our spiritual poverty—indeed our spiritual bankruptcy—before God. We are sinners and on the strength of our lives deserve nothing but God’s judgment. We have nothing to offer, nothing to plead, nothing with which to buy His favor. But upon profession of our faith coupled with repentance, He allows by His grace the blood of Jesus Christ, shed for the sins of the world, to cover our sins, justifying us and providing us with access into His presence.
As we meditate on His word daily and commit to memory while putting to action the instructions given to us, we rise beyond spiritual poverty, we become like Him. We become Him on this earth. If we have no Jesus, we are spiritually bankrupt. If we have Him and we do not grow through meditation, storage and application, we are spiritually bankrupt as well. We cannot continue to be babies talking in milk of the word but we must get to maturity as well.
Hebrews 5:12 Amplified Bible (AMP)
12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers [because of the time you have had to learn these truths ], you actually need someone to teach you again the elementary principles of God’s word [from the beginning ], and you have come to be continually in need of milk, not solid food.
1 Corinthians 3:1-3 Amplified Bible (AMP) 3 However, brothers and sisters, I could not talk to you as to spiritual people, but [ only] as to [a]worldly people [ dominated by human nature], mere infants [ in the new life] in Christ! 2 I fed you with milk, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Even now you are still not ready. 3 You are still [b]worldly [controlled by ordinary impulses, the sinful capacity ]. For as long as there is jealousy and strife and discord among you, are you not [c]unspiritual, and are you not walking like ordinary men [unchanged by faith ]?
Conclusion:
In Conclusion, I repeat what I said earlier as follows: God’s word inside of us memorized long term cannot stay idle. God’s word is liquid fire. God’s word is fire burning inside our bones. God’s word is life that gives life not just to us but to others. The more we have it in there, the more He desires to come out. The more He comes out, the more our conviction is built up and our faith in Him is also built up. God’s word is Him in You. He cannot settle at ease to see the world perish when the opportunity is still knocking at the door of those who are still in the valley of decision. God’s word will continue to speak through us if we allow Him to flow from within us as His ambassadors. Are you ready to release Him in You? You have to give the ingredient. God does nothing outside His word in You. There is a part you play and there is a part He plays. Make yourself available to meditate, memorize and let out where He needs you to speak for Him. Your blessing is not in storing, your blessing is in releasing what you have stored to bless others and in return bless you.
Prayer
I pray that as we read, meditate on God’s word, we would focus on the instructions, commit them to memory and call them to action when required so that the promises, the blessings can follow or obedience. I pray that we will move from drinking milk to eating pure mature spiritual food so that we may grow thereby and be a blessing to humanity. I pray that our spiritual maturity will be evident when the storm of life comes to test the foundation upon which we have been building our lives in Jesus name, amen, Amen
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Experience all round-success this week and beyond as You are led by your closest friend – The Holy Spirit!
Shalom!
Monday Ogwuojo Ogbe
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Monday Ogwuojo Ogbe
Originally posted on April 15, 2020 @ 10:49 am
