“The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?” PROVERBS 18:14
“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day” 2 CORINTHIANS 4:16
It is very sad that most of the times we pay attention to the secondary issues of life at the expense of the primary and the most important ones. These misplaced priorities if not duly addressed could cost us dearly. Most of us will have to address our poorly spiritual lives this season. We would have to pay more attention to its development and stability. We would have to pay more attention to the nourishment, the adorning and growth of our inner man. It will go a long way to benefit us. It will provide stability and the endurance we need in the face of opposing storm. Our spirit is going to be the anchor which fastens us to that Rock of Ages who is Christ Jesus. Your spirit will sustain you in the times of your infirmity. I had an interesting conversation with this man on the train yesterday as I journeyed to preach at an appointment yesterday. I later found out that he was an Assemblies of God Pastor who had also traveled far for a pastors conference in my area. He asked me a question, is Christianity hard or easy? Both was my answer! What do you mean by both, he asked? He had just talked lovingly to her wife on the phone prior to our conversation. I said well ,it is like love, sometimes it’s bitter, sometimes sweet. I realized first of all he wanted to test my knowledge of scripture when he realized I was on my way to preach. Secondly he had this philosophy he wanted to defend and in a way influence me with such. I say he wanted to test my knowledge of scripture because he asked, what does MATTHEW 11:28 say, I quoted and then he added the verse 29 and 30, ” Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light”. I reckoned he comes from the school of thought who believes that Christians do not suffer affliction. I could see he was one of those who believe that if a believer suffers, it may be all be down to something he may not be doing right. He said, you see, Jesus said His yoke is light so how can you say Christianity is both hard and easy?. I said well sir, He still called it a yoke and a burden. It only becomes easier when side by side He helps us carry them.
Having spoken lovingly to his wife, he asked again, how can love be both sweet and bitter? I was like well, certain people lose their minds for love when their hearts gets broken. Why am I given all these illustrations? Our existence on earth till death is swallowed up in victory, till corruption puts on in-corruption is going to be both bitter and sweet. Sometimes it will be easy, and other times hard. Wisdom and prudence demands that we make preparations for the future. Feeding and building one’s spirit will stand him in good stead when troubled times come. Spending quality time on nourishing and building your spirit which is the inner man will sustain you in days of adversity. You will still be thriving when the outward man is well beaten down and ready to give up. It was a revelation Mary caught which Martha couldn’t comprehend. She spent her time sitting at Jesus’ feet, hearing and feeding on spiritual food. For this Jesus said no man could take away from her, “And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her” LUKE 10:41-42. Strive for that most important thing which is, building your spirit through God’s Word. Storms may come, so may floods; but in all, you will still be standing. You will be well equipped with spiritual armour, and having done all, to stand, ” Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand” EPHESIANS 6:13. May God give us the grace to pay more attention to our spiritual progress and development. We will never be the same again. In The Name that is above all names, Jesus Christ, Son of The Living God. Amen and Amen!
birdwithmessage 