Success

I always say that we are victims of our definitions. Many times we think we have failed when we may be have succeeded beyond compare. Again we might be feeling at the ultimate in success when we are complete failures. We might be enjoying the accolades of the masses for our success when we are hopeless failures as far as life is concerned. Compare the very successful rich man and the down and out Lazarus in the Bible story. The very successful one this side of eternity was hopelessly and disastrously disadvantaged and was the one crying for Lazarus’s assistance (Luke 16: 19 – 31)

What is success? Who is a success? What defines success? WHAT IS GOD’S DEFINITION OF SUCCESS?

We are many times confusing our success or failure because we use the wrong standard. Whose standard should we use as the people of God? Do we know what God’s standard is?

In our flawed reasoning we think academic, entrepreneurial and professional success is the ultimate success. All other success is gauged using that yardstick. Yet I think we know that education and professionalism are simply means to a goal, a goal that is loftier than simple acquisition of this degree or professional competence.

Who is a successful teacher or trainer if we were to take the popular route? What defines a good school or university? What transformational impact is gauged in assigning this as successful and the other as a failure?

Successful high schools will pick A students and model them to produce an A result after their training. Some will further interview the candidate to ensure that the A was not a fluke. What is exceptional with that student getting an A? A moving vehicle requires very little power to move. The momentum is enough to propel it. It is similar to pushing anything downhill. The same goes with successful universities. They are in the business of picking A students to get A graduates. That for me is not success even using their standards.

In my view the person who should be a successful teacher is one that picks a D student and moulds him to a B result. In fact one who takes F students and makes them produce a D might be more successful than the A = A.

But capitalism says getting the greatest output from the minimum input is the ideal. I therefore do not want to create momentum where there is none. An A student already has excellent study habits. He does not have attention deficits. In other words he may be able to get an A even without the input of a teacher. What is the problem with the teacher getting all the credit for maintaining an A student on A?

Such a teacher will not want to risk getting a C student. Even a B is really a challenge. They want readymade food to just warm and serve. Then they will be applauded for being such good cooks! Whoever applauded a microwave oven?

I am not saying they do nothing. I was in two National schools and know they do some work. I just feel that they are feted when there are other teachers who are doing the really hard and transformational work when these successful teachers are just maintaining the momentum picked from primary school. Again changing an E or F student to D is an achievement that many times will need more effort than maintaining an A or moving one from B to A.

Let us get a Biblical example. King Saul was the tallest in Israel. He also was a good soldier. It was automatic that the pick would follow him and that is what happened. When push comes to shove we see these same characters swaying his obedience quotient. When he sins none of them is able to help him. He has to get help from other quarters. Was he a successful king?

Look at David. He was underage when he was anointed. Apart from Jonathan who was moved by God to ‘see’ his potential we do not see anybody else initially. Eventually he starts experiencing military success but not enough to warrant a following. Eventually he falls foul of the king and flees for his life. Look at the people who followed him.

And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men. (1Samuel 22:2)

Hopeless characters! Yet we are able to see what he makes of them later. That is my definition of success. He was followed by F students, each and every one of them. Yet he was able to mould them to conquer the whole Middle Eastern region. Any other soldier followed after these initial hopeless fellows. Incidentally some were even refugees from other nations, most likely having to flee their homelands for this or that rejection.

What did David have? He was totally submitted to God. His life mattered very little as far as God’s will was concerned. The reason he faced Goliath was not his desire for heroism but simply great indignation after hearing the giant’s blasphemy.

Another thing that emphasizes that is his dealings with the rejected king. He never faulted God’s anointing even when it was after his life though he had done nothing wrong. Imagine he was convicted for cutting a piece of his cloak! Up until the end we see him seeking reconciliation with the anointed even after he dies.

Another key thing is that he always sought to know what God wanted. Apart from the Goliath incident which I think was so straightforward to seek God’s opinion, there are very few instances where we have David doing anything before asking God for direction. The most striking for me is when this same army that he had raised wanted to stone him though he was in the same situation. He calls for the priest even under this pressure and asks what God’s orders are. No wonder he is even today remembered as a great king.

And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. And David said to Abiathar the priest, Ahimelech's son, I pray thee, bring me hither the ephod. And Abiathar brought thither the ephod to David. And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all. (1Samuel 30: 6 – 8)

Due to that David was secure. Even when there is an uprising we see him asking some people to remain behind. Again he refused the ark to follow him because he reasoned that God was greater than that symbol. He knew that God was not limited to symbols even though they came from Him.

A village polytechnic that transforms a person who was too ‘thick’ to write his name to a successful carpenter may be infinitely more successful than the university that produces leading architects. A school that teaches ‘retarded’ people to make beads and pottery may have accomplished more than a medical school that produces leading surgeons.

It simply depends on whose marking scheme you are looking at. If your marking scheme is the marks at the end of an exam, an A student is always tops.

But let us also look at it mathematically. What do you multiply 100 to become 100? just 1. What do you multiply almost zero to make 30? An immense number. Take the multiplication factor for effort and investment. Who therefore does more? Who is more successful? Who accomplishes more?

It pains me when I see university professors being taken to teach secondary schools that only take A students. All the while schools that are really pushing D students can’t get science teachers or any good teachers at all. No wonder we have a rotten work ethic. A person who really needs to be taught is neglected yet the one who just needs a little prodding is given everything.

No wonder the engineer who only inspects the building is paid many times the technician who does the actual building. No wonder the doctor whose main job in a ward is discharging and signing documents as per the nurse’s recommendations earns many times the nurse who is constantly in the ward. I of course know they even do surgeries, but even then they are surrounded by the same caliber of workers who earn very little compared to the doctor yet he cannot do much without them. No wonder a lawyer earns much more than the doctor yet the doctor had better grades, went through more training and does infinitely more work. No wonder a politician is paid so much money many times for making senseless noise.

I know I am treading on a slippery slope yet I feel it is important for us to look at these things with an elevated vantage point. Like I have noted we need to look at these things by considering a marking scheme from above. This is because how God views things is what really determines who we are and become. It is His marking scheme that will determine whether we have succeeded or failed.

Simply said obedience is God’s definition of success. Doing God’s will is the best success one can achieve. This is because everything we then do will have the touch of God’s hand and will achieve God’s purpose. Success outside that is short sighted and short term in achievement. Though like the rich man you might be part of the whole world that applauds your success, it might just like him leave you with worse than sand in your mouth.

A success quotient is determined by my alignment to what God’s purposes for me than what I do. Walking apart from revelation is therefore a very dangerous course to follow. I might end up breaking all records everywhere yet end up at the junk yard of success. I compare this with using steroids and other performance enhancing substances to win athletic and other sporting medals. You will lose more than you could have had you not even started on that journey.

Yet we know that God’s standard is loftier. And it is more unforgiving if one decides to pursue that to the end. Like Esau we might lose it even when we seek it with tears. Like King Saul we may lose to hear His voice however desperately we seek it.

Only obedience pleases God. Nothing we do can ever take the place of obedience. Remember this

And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. (1Samuel 15:22, 23)

To summarize I can confidently say that obedience is the only yardstick of success. Nothing else we do will take the place of obedience in anyone’s life.

Let us look for a Biblical example. David was a good king because he sought and was obedient to God’s revelation. He is celebrated as probably the greatest king who ever lived. His son Solomon was different. He was successful beyond comprehension using a worldly yardstick. He built God’s temple with gold and took seven years to do so. He took 14 years to build his palace. Israel’s GDP shot through the roof. He made alliances with all the nations around him to consolidate his leadership, many times through marriage. But he was the reason ten tribes were taken from David which led to the depravity of the northern kingdom. GDP is therefore not a good gauge of success, obedience is.

But then what are we obedient to?

We are obedient to what God orders us. We are obedient to what God’s word says. We are obedient to God’s revelation. We are obedient to what we know God desires of us.

Has God Changed?

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. (Hebrews 13:8)

As I continue posting the messages God gives me, I keep wondering at some of the responses I continue to receive from people who are supposed to be giving even deeper messages. I am amazed at the level of ignorance I have to confront in people who ought to be showing the way to the church.

I am amazed that the bulk of the church, at least the visible one, behaves as if God stopped speaking looong ago. I continue facing pastors who equate hearing from God with a fertile imagination. It saddens me that there are ministers who equate miracles only with the ‘dramatic’ that uses powers from the other kingdom to perform. In fact I know that many pastors and apostles and bishops who parade miracles are serving the devil’s kingdom. The advertisements give them away to those who read their Bibles and know the operations of Christ. As an example Jesus went everywhere doing good but never advertised His presence and especially that good. We know of people who pay ‘cripples’ to walk and other terminal ailments to be dissolved. But then where are the real miracles? Are they past their due dates?

Does God still speak? Why is it that most of the messages from the people calling themselves prophets are too general in nature that you might need an interpreter to stretch them to fit your situation? Why is it that there are so many people calling themselves prophets yet there is very little if anything resembling Biblical prophecy?

I remember when I was in school thinking someone was very prophetic when they would say something similar to this,

‘There is someone with a stomach problem. I can also see someone who has not slept well. You are having problems with your studies, etc’.

After knowing God and His word and ministry a little more I know that this is pure guess work. In a school of over 600 students it is possible to use guess work to ‘see’ fifty situations very accurately. In fact one of those who was wont to use such prophecy went international with the same. I recently saw such a prophecy from him (he is now a bishop) at the international level, yet the outcome proved that it was not prophecy in the least.

Where is the prophecy that is so on point that the prophet will die for it because the recipient has no other choice if he is not willing to change?

Where is the prophet when a country after another is legalizing homosexual marriage? Where is the prophet when in this country people are groaning from high food costs? Where is God’s voice when politicians are running rogue? Where were the prophets when we were electing people whose focus was their stomachs? Where is the prophet when terrorists are roaming the world seeking to finish Christianity? Where is the Elisha who leaked what the enemy king was strategizing in his bedroom (2 Kings 6: 12)?

Can there be two sets of prophets for a single situation? Why is it that in elections we have prophets speaking for God yet giving conflicting prophecies each fitting his side?

Yet this question, like most of the others I post is pointed first at me. I want to understand what has happened that there is very little of God’s clear voice in our experience. Of course I post only what I hear, but why is that treated as weird? Why must I REALLY explain for some ministers to even barely acknowledge that it ‘may’ have possibly come from God?

I recently was talking to a minister friend who like me is not part of a structure (say denomination). In fact he has really struggled to fit in some structures but it seems God has been blocking his assimilation.

Some time ago God gave him an order that was not very attractive to him (most orders from God are of that nature). When he sought the counsel of a few pastors they dismissed that voice because each of them wanted him to be part of their church. He has wrestled through immense hardship because the church leadership thinks God stopped speaking. It simply must make sense to be treated as God’s voice. Twice he has decided to go the direction God has ordered but both times ‘brethren’ have brought him back. Can you imagine such a wilderness caused by ‘God’s people’?

I am convinced that the failure to hear God’s voice is not only related to the lack of the miraculous but that they both have the same cause.

Again I will say that I experience miracles all the time, but many are of a personal or ministerial nature. But Acts was not about miracles of provision of this or the other. It was not about the healing of this or the other ailment. It was about transformational miracles, miracles that drew people to Christ; Miracles that killed hypocrisy; miracles that brought instant results. And they were so widespread that were someone to think of documenting them there would be no end to his collecting of information. At least that is what I see in the book of Acts. It starts with the 120, then we see it being narrowed down to incidents in a believer with the mention of one or the other. There was drama (and I am not using that word in that way) which was widespread. Wherever a believer went they were accompanied by the miraculous and the clear connection to the voice and guidance of God.

And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. (Mark 16:20)

Am I the only one who is experiencing this discontent?

You see in the first church the gospel did not need much explanation since the supernatural was part of their message. The supernatural accompanied them. They did not call for it. They did not advertise it. Miracles simply followed them. Many times miracles were the result of coming through a situation that needed divine intervention as opposed to calling for the situation for your publicity. Sample this from a few chapters of Acts

Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. (3:6)

And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. (5:5)

Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. (5:15)

But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth (5:19)

And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. (Acts 6:8)

For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. (8:7)

And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. (8:26, 29)

And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, (9:11)

And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. (9:33, 34)

But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. (9:40, 41)

And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do. (10:5, 6)

While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.  Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. (10:19, 20)

And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost. (12:23)

And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. (13:11)

The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked. (14:9, 10)

Imagine if what happened to Paul here happened to our mighty servants!

And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters much gain by soothsaying: The same followed Paul and us, and cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which shew unto us the way of salvation.  And this did she many days. But Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same hour. (16: 16 – 18)

I suspect that the same would be recorded to be shown on their TV programs instead of dealing with the demon diverting attention. And why do I say this? See all the display of demons these charlatans are known for!

Again has the offense of the cross ceased? When you read the book of Acts, you will not fail to see the most unlikely alliances being formed to break the march of the church. You will see the Jews and their perennial enemies Romans joining ranks against the gospel. You will see monotheistic Jews joining with the polytheistic Greeks to persecute the church. And why was that so? The flood of the gospel was sweeping all in its stream and there was no way to block it. Just like in the trial of Jesus then the priests uttered the unutterable, ‘we have no king than Caesar’ to make sure that Jesus was killed, we have the whole world forming whatever alliances as would block the spread of the gospel. Reminds me of this verse

Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, (Psalm 2:1, 2)

Why is it that the devil is playing his game right inside the church? Else explain to me how we have homosexual ministers, leave alone adulterous and fornicating ones? Explain to me the recent proclamation of a very revered retired archbishop who said that he does not want to go to a heaven that locks out homosexuals? Explain to me why divorce is worse in the church than outside?

Are we really the church of Christ or are we just an assembly of believers whose belief only has the name Jesus and nothing else? Is the Christ we worship the one the disciples worshipped or a creation of a multicultural anthropological evolution?

Why are we content with a church whose only success is the numbers and the money they bring? Why do we want to define the church by its visibility instead of its transformational impact? Why are we content when the world likes our programs?

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (2Timothy 3:5)

Once again I ask; where are the miracles? Why are we impotent where miracles are concerned?

Like I say I am writing this introspectively. I am involved with the disability movement and am at pains when I see what they have to endure. It pains me when I read the Bible and see the many times the church raised invalids to their feet. I have testimonies of their experiences and in fact am collecting some for a magazine I am preparing. My spirit groans because I feel that at the barest minimum at least some of them should be healed. I am in great pain because I know that God has not changed in the least and that His healing power is as potent as in Bible times. It pains me when I know a mother whose husband left her because her child is an invalid. Why is there nothing I can do?

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. (John 14:12)

And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. (1Corinthians 2: 4, 5)

We are supposed to walk in an even greater demonstration of the supernatural than during Christ’s time as these verses seem to state. What is our problem? Is it that we do not believe or is it that we do not know who we have believed in? Do we see the lack of the supernatural in our lives and witness as a problem or are we content with the numbers? Why are we content to lead people to faith through our well reasoned apologetics instead of the power of the gospel to perform?

Or are we in a season similar to what we see here-

And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision. (1Samuel 3:1)

I am not content with what I see of the church today. I am not even content with the quality of my Christian life because the Bible shows me that there is much more that can be accessed. I want my witness to have power, power that will draw people to Christ and not on the superstar. I want to see people flocking to the church not to sow any seed but to meet with God. I want people flocking to prayer mountains and closets for purposes other than selfish interest. I want to see people craving God for His own sake.

I want to see sin being dealt with by the power of the gospel. I want hypocrisy exposed by the power of the gospel. I want to see the dead being raised by the power of the gospel. I want to see jokers dying for playing with the gospel. I want this to describe the church

And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the people magnified them.  And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women. (Acts 5:13, 14)

And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. (Acts 2:4)

I want to see a church that REPRESENTS Christ in all ways. I want to see a believer that is known not for his well reasoned explanation of the gospel only. I teach evangelism and am not belittling the training. I know Paul accomplished much because of his training. But I want us to know that reasoning alone is not adequate to lead a person to experience God.

I want to hear testimonies of more than decisions to Christ after training people to share the gospel. This is what I see when I read Acts. Again I will say I want to see a few invalids walking, blind seeing, even a few dead rising and jokers dying!

Why are we celebrating the life of someone who has died at their prime with so much unfinished business? Why celebrate the life of a person who has left a babe in the hands of others? Why are we celebrating the life of someone who has built a house and has not even slept in it? Why are we celebrating the fact that a person who was made an invalid by an accident because he did not die? Is that all we can do?

Do I have answers? Of course not. But I am convinced that as I post this God will give the answer. That is the promise of scripture.

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (Matthew 5:6)

I am sure that God has given me this message to stir the craving in His people to experience more of Him. But I believe this craving is not only in me. I believe I am putting down what many are restless about yet may not have words to describe it. I am breaking open hearts of people who have been experiencing so much restlessness in their spirits. I am saying that God has seen your craving and will soon meet it.

How? I do not know. I only know that I am hungry for God and that He has promised to satisfy me.

May we join hands as we expect to see more of God’s manifestation in our lives.

But even more important is getting to know what it is we need to do to access it. The supernatural did not just disappear from the church. Something must have blocked it. May we be even more sensitive when God is showing us what we need to do to reverse the thing that blocked that experience. We must hear God’s voice before we see His power. We must crave His voice with even more fervor that we crave his power. We must open our spiritual ears to their most sensitive because we have not had that experience satisfactorily. Some must start learning to even imagine that God can speak to us before we can hear. Like young Samuel we may have to stumble this way and that because we are not used to hearing the voice. BUT WE MUST HEAR BEFORE WE CAN EXPERIENCE THE SUPERNATURAL.

God bless you

Let us go through a few verses in Acts and see how different we are from the church then. Maybe that is where we went astray.

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.  And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.  And all that believed were together, and had all things common; And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.  And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. (Acts 2: 42 – 47)

The first thing we notice is that their fellowship was real and consistent. It was also centred on the scriptures and prayer.

Then there were miracles.

The church was also united and had all things common. This meant that some sold their possessions to meet the needs of those in the fellowship in need.

They also fellowshipped in the temple and from house to house, sharing their food with gladness and singleness of purpose.

They enjoyed the favor of the people and of course more were joining them every day.

And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness. And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet. (Acts 4:29 – 37)

We notice that their prayer was not for protection, favor or safety. They were praying that God would demonstrate his power and that they be submitted to His agenda. The only thing they ask for themselves is boldness to speak God’s word.

Different from what most who talk about being filled with the Spirit, we see them being filled with the Holy Spirit, not for drama or demonstration, but they were given the boldness to speak the word of God as they had prayed.

An interesting thing I see is that none possessed what he owned. In essence the property of all was the disposal of the church though I do not think I have the words to accurately describe it.

Their giving was exceptional in that some sold their property and brought their proceeds at the disposal of the church to meet the needs of the persecuted community.

Then we are introduced to Barnabas, who for me epitomizes the spirit of the church.

Through these passages I want to state something I see as one of the diversions we created from the church in Acts, INDIVIDUALISM.

We have personalized everything, from the faith to Christ. I have said elsewhere that nowhere in the Bible do I find Christ being anyone’s personal Savior, yet this is the testimony most people give. Christ is my personal Savior. Personalizing Christ will lead to personalizing everything else because if I can be able to personalize God, what else can’t I possess? In effect I have become more important than God. I may not think so but that is what I proclaim.

The church in Acts was totally submitted to Christ, not to the pastor as many pastors like to preach. We realize that when they sold their property they did not bring it to the apostle’s hands but at their feet and that for me is a very important point to note. That is the reason the money was being used to meet the needs of the body of Christ. They submitted to the leadership of the apostles but only because the apostles were also totally submitted to Christ. They were led by the Spirit and this made it easier for them to submit under apostles who were following orders from the same Spirit.

Another thing we ought to note is that they did not give at the prompting of the apostles. We do not see anywhere any preaching about giving. They gave at the prompting of Christ Himself. This must have placed immense pressure on the apostles that they had to transfer the responsibility of managing the giving to others. Praying and preaching was a big enough responsibility to dilute it with the responsibility of handling the administration of the gifts.

For me, however, is the fact that to these people God was not only entitled to a tithe. He owned and was in control of 100% of all they owned. That is the reason someone can sell their lands and other property and bring it all at the apostles’ feet. I do not want to shout loudly as there are many ministers who think that is where their livelihood comes from but I am convinced that the tithe may be the cause of the emasculation of commitment to God that leads to the kind of giving we see in Acts. It was an Old Testament practice that was introductory to the total commitment that Christ would introduce us to. The tither is made to believe that they have met the basic requirement of God’s commands and should rest assured of God’s favor. But the proponents of this OT doctrine do not care to study Bible characters we like to identify with and their giving practices to realize that people who valued God were not led by the tithe at all. In fact any encounter with God led people to give in a way that put to shame the advocate of the tithe.

I need to hasten to add that what we read is not anywhere close to communism or socialism. It is Christian living at its barest. It is contrary to communism as it is against capitalism simply because both are worldly systems being run by the prince of the world who is contrary to anything godly.

I also want us to know that giving the control of all that we have to the Holy Spirit to control is not an alien concept. That was the expectation of following Christ. It was a condition for discipleship. Sample this

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. (Luke 9: 23, 24)

If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14: 26, 27)

Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. (Luke 18: 22)

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. (Mark 10:25)

And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. (Mark 10:29, 30)

The expectations for discipleship presume a total surrender of all I am and have to Christ. I and all I have therefore come under God’s direct command. It is therefore not amazing that none said that what they owned was theirs and the fact that none among them lacked. Christ was truly the head of the church and was calling the shots everywhere. The church was so connected to Him that it was no great deal to sell one’s land and give ALL the proceeds to the use of the church without seeking to have any say in the way it was handled.

Could this be the missing link between the church of today and the church in Acts? Could lordship be the topic we should be dealing with as we seek to revive the miracle age of the church?

I am convinced that Christ’s Lordship or the lack of recognition of the same is the reason the church is emasculated. Once Christ becomes subject to your whims to move His agenda, he in effect has no power to reign as Lord of His church. As was said a while ago ‘Christ is Lord of all or not Lord at all’.

When God’s orders are subject to my comfort, He in effect stops being Lord of anything. In fact the word lord indicates a slave on the other side. A slave has no rights, no choices, no preferences and no consequences to his obedience. Simply put a slave has no mind as far as his lord is concerned. He simply does what his lord wants without asking foolish or any other category questions. A slave follows orders without asking questions.

Another aspect in the lord subject is the army dimension. In the Bible the church is treated as the army. In the army a soldier has no choice when an order comes. He will obey first and ask questions later. And that is what I see lacking in the church of today and am convinced is the reason the church has lost her power.

The really sad fact is when a minister is not Christ’s slave. His lack of absolute and unquestioned obedience will be the standard his flock will follow as he is their example. A Christian leader who does not believe in Biblical revelation will lead his flock in the same direction. Like Christ said when the blind lead the blind catastrophe is the result. Therefore obedience that is not total will simply lead to a powerless church.

I talk about leaders because I have also gone through a few challenges as I have sought to obey Christ’s orders especially when I sought the counsel of the leaders I respected and was subject to their leadership in one way or the other. Many times I came to the point where I had a very clear choice to make; to obey what I felt God leading me to or listen to these leaders which was directly opposed to what God was ordering me to do.

What do we see when we read Acts?

But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. (Acts 4:19)

And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison. But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said, Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. (Acts 5: 18 – 21)

Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. (Acts 5: 29)

And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.  And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. (Acts 5: 41, 42)

Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, (Acts 8: 29, 30a)

As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. (Acts 13:2, 3)

I do not see any negotiations with the Lord when an order was issued. There was immediate obedience. And I think that is what defines the miraculous for me. Unquestioned obedience will automatically lead to unfettered release of the miraculous to us.

But are we that obedient? Does everything I have come under the direct control of Christ as my Lord? How clear am I that what I am doing is in obedience to Him? Who decides what God wants of me?

You see many times we are looking to our spiritual leaders to hear what God wants of us? And I think that is where we go wrong. This is not because we should not recognize them but because Christ seeks to have a very close relationship with Him. A spiritual leader is supposed to help me identify that voice, not hear it for me. That is what Eli did with the young Samuel. I am accountable to God for what I do with His voice.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: (John 10:27)

Please that it is not the sheep’s shepherds that the voice is directed to. I am therefore sorely responsible for hearing that voice and following Him. Throwing the responsibility to others is therefore running from responsibility.

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 7: 21)

But we should be responsible to hear God’s voice because spiritual leaders sometimes go astray.

I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings. (Jeremiah 23: 21, 22)

They might be telling you their imaginations and telling you that it is God’s voice. It is therefore imperative for you to establish in your heart to seek to know God’s will and hear His voice. But even more important is to determine that you will obey that voice whatever He wants you to do. God does not speak for the sake of it. He speaks to be obeyed. He will not therefore speak just so you hear His voice. He will speak because He knows that you will obey that voice.

For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. (Isaiah 66:2)

We tremble because we are desirous of obeying that word and not just curious to hear it.

God will need just a few of this kind of people to explode His power on the world.

Pray for me as I seek to know what I need to do and change to get to that level of obedience that releases the miracles we see in Acts. That is the cry of my heart.