LIKE PRIESTS, LIKE HIS PEOPLE. Hosea 4:9. The Chamber Dictionary describe offence as anger, displeasure , a transgression, a breach of laws, a sin, affront, assault, those players in a team who assume the attacking role( Sport), a stumbling ( Bible). Strongs Greek Lexicon: The word offence in the New Testament is the Greek word, Skándalon - scandal; a trap-stick( bent sampling), I.e snare( Fig., cause of displeasure of sin ); occasion to fall ( of stumbling) etc. The word offence is used fifteen times in the New Testament (KJV). John the Baptist, the harbinger of Jesus Christ, the greatest of them that were born of a woman. (prior to the consummation of the Kingdom of God at Pentecost [ c.f Kingdom of heaven] ) ( Lk.1:10-17, 11:20, Matt.11:11-12) Like a typical Jew( devout) who fasted twice daily ( Lk.18:12), his lifestyle of prayer and fasting compelled the disciples of Jesus to ask him to teach them how to pray( Lk.11:1-4). This is popularly called the Lords prayer, it should be properly called the Disciples prayer. It is also good to note that it was a model, not a hard and fast rule; neither was it meant to be chanted verbatim as a prayer. It was prophesied that he will go in the spirit of Elijah (the prophet of fire). The Bible doesnt record to his name any mighty works in the order of Elijah as it were, but I believe his firework targets the hearts of men. A calling( burning) to repentance, otherwise it would have been a misnomer ( Lk. 1:17, 24:32, Matt. 3:7) John the Baptiser never losses focus of his primary calling! Behold the lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the World ( Jhn. 1:29, 36). This was repeatedly on his lips, a way of making full proof of his ministry( 2 Tim.4:5). It is worthy of note to observe that John the Baptist passed the similar test he felled for moment he sunk into a nonplus. We see here his disciples inciting him against his Master (Jhn.3:22-36,Lk.3:16) and how he came out clean! I do say it was not Herod who said his voice( oration) was that of a god but the people. The just God sent worms to eat him up because he consented to their praises by arrogating to himself the glory due to Him Alone(Ac.12:22-23). Let us promptly return glory to God, and also beware of mens applauses as it can serve potent weapon(subtle)in the hand of the devil to trip us ( 2 Cor. 2:11, Jas.4:6, 1Pet.5:5). Yes, he must increase, I must decrease was his mindset up to the tail end of his ministry. He was aware he has run the race and kept the faith. Though, I believe he never set his mind on descending into the prison pit nor did he consider his head for the guillotine! John the Baptist was summarily imprisoned because he spoke (lawfully) against King Herods marriage to his brothers wife ( Herodias). The woman of easy virtue, Herodias became offended in John as his position portrays her as a woman without a sense of dignity. This led to a vendetta waiting for appropriate time to be unleashed (Mrk. 6:16-29). We have this testimony about him that he never ran out of town like his prodigy anyway. It is uncommon that the prophet of fire, Elijah had to run for his dear life at the threat of King Jezebel just after he slained eight hundred and fifty false prophets. This among others account for his actions - a shift in the way of seeing right, an obvious indication of despair! ( 1 Ki.18:19-40, 19:1-4) However, a comparison can be drawn between the imprisonment of John the Baptist and Apostle Peter( Ac.12:1-12). In the case of brother Peter, ( the Kingdom of God was full fledged), as the Holy Spirit has been given( poured forth) at Pentecost primarily to the Jewish believers ( He has indwelled the believers). I believe the Church took the initiative via the prompting of the Spirit to intercede (in prayers) wholeheartedly for him - that which was instrumental to his miraculous prison break! The fact that he was asleep amidst two soldiers when the angel arrived is a pointer to the fact that he never despair like John the Baptist - bless his heart! ( Matt.16:19, 18:20, Rom.8:26) The disciples of John who should at least stand in the gap( in prayers) for their master never see such great light ( Jhn. 7:39,16:12-13). The adversary, the devil succeeded in using the solitary confinement as a stronghold against the great prophet. Instead of protesting in violent prayers against the kingdom of hell, King Herod being its earthly representative, he channelled this passion in the wrong direction. He became offended in his Lord as he couldnt cast down every imaginations and high things by bringing them into captivity to the obedience of Christ. ( Matt. 11:2-7, 2 Cor.10:4-5) The least in the Kingdom of heaven are greater indeed! 16 Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]. 17 Elijah was a human being with a nature such as we have [with feelings, affections, and a constitution like ours]; and he prayed earnestly for it not to rain, and no rain fell on the earth for three years and six months. 18 And [then] he prayed again and the heavens supplied rain and the land produced its crops [as usual]. 19 [My] brethren, if anyone among you strays from the Truth and falls into error and another [person] brings him back [to God] ( Jas.5:16-19) Amp.V Always remember, faith must lead the way, as prayer without faith is a mere chanting. Bishop David Oyedepo. Go into His Peace! ( 2 Ths.3:16) Pray for us! CONTACT. The Word Practitioner Centre a.k.a Doers of the Word.( James 1:22) Address: 11, Dele Alo Street. Behind Deeper Life Church. Off Ebute Road, Ibafo. Ogun State. Nigeria Email: wordpractitioner@outlook, do_wem@yahoo, pastorgrade@gmail Fb: thewordpractitionercentre Mobile: 08127209249, 08065552779. A wordpractitioner is an embodiment of the Word of God. He is born by the Word of God ( 1Pe.1:23) He is a hearer of the Word of God ( Jas.1:22) He is sower of the Word of God ( Ac.19:20) He is a professor( confession) of the Word of God ( Heb.4:14) He wrestles and overcomes with & by the Word of God ( Eph.6:17) Etc. Jesus is Lord! Hallelujah!
Posted on: Sun, 19 Oct 2014 09:33:17 +0000
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