READ: GENESIS 12:4-10
Abraham was given three
conditions in order to have seven promises. He fulfilled two and thought he had
tried. He applied human wisdom on the third condition –to leave his kindred. He
thought afterall, Lot was his nephew and had lost his father. Now, he stood as
his father. How would people feel if he sent him away? They would see him as a
wicked fellow. So in order not to stand in the bad books of people, he took Lot
along and displeased God. Anything God asks you to leave is useless, no matter
how useful it appears. Drop it! Whatever God does not approve for you, never do
it no matter the leaning of public opinion. The voice of the people is not
usually the voice of God, hence Exodus 23:2 commands you not to follow a
multitude to sin. You must determine the direction of any voice you hear and
place it side by side God’s word. If it contradicts the word, discard it.
God asked Abraham to leave with his immediate family, but he took Lot along. As soon as they got to Canaan, the land that was supposed to be flowing with milk and honey began to experience famine. The Canaanites wondered how this could ever happen in such a prosperous land but unlike the colleagues of Jonah on the ship to Tarshish, they could not trace the source to Abraham. Just because a disobedient fellow came to town, blessings became curses. Pastors should be careful how they receive workers and ministers to their parishes. The fellow you are receiving could be another Jonah or Abraham living in disobedience, bent on turning your blessings to curses. Be careful. Always insist on letters from where the fellow is coming. What is the Lot in your life? What has God asked you do which has remained undone? That is the ‘Lot’ that may bring curses into your life. Can you imagine some ministers who are gainfully employed but not paying their tithes for six to 12 months? Yet they will be ministering to the congregation while living is disobedience. No wonder your parish is struggling and progress is stagnated. Every ‘Lot’ in your life must be disposed of. If that minister is not ready to repent and live in obedience, it is better he is dropped from ministering so that the way can be open for your blessings.
God asked Abraham to leave with his immediate family, but he took Lot along. As soon as they got to Canaan, the land that was supposed to be flowing with milk and honey began to experience famine. The Canaanites wondered how this could ever happen in such a prosperous land but unlike the colleagues of Jonah on the ship to Tarshish, they could not trace the source to Abraham. Just because a disobedient fellow came to town, blessings became curses. Pastors should be careful how they receive workers and ministers to their parishes. The fellow you are receiving could be another Jonah or Abraham living in disobedience, bent on turning your blessings to curses. Be careful. Always insist on letters from where the fellow is coming. What is the Lot in your life? What has God asked you do which has remained undone? That is the ‘Lot’ that may bring curses into your life. Can you imagine some ministers who are gainfully employed but not paying their tithes for six to 12 months? Yet they will be ministering to the congregation while living is disobedience. No wonder your parish is struggling and progress is stagnated. Every ‘Lot’ in your life must be disposed of. If that minister is not ready to repent and live in obedience, it is better he is dropped from ministering so that the way can be open for your blessings.
MEMORIZE:
GENESIS 12:10 –And there was a famine in the land; and Abram went down into
Egypt to sojourn there; for the famine was grievous in the land.
