Prepare for Abundance 2

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Naaman commenced preparation to abundant divine health when the information his wife’s maid gave about the prophet in Israel got to him. Though some of the preparations were not necessary, they took him to Israel where he eventually went to see the prophet. Though Elisha did not come out to see Naaman immediately, he gave Naaman instructions to go wash in the Jordan seven times through a servant. Naaman initially despised the instruction which in reality was the major preparation to divine health for him. This is because as soon as Naaman dipped in the Jordan seven times, adequate preparation; the Bible records that Naaman was made whole. 

Blind Bartimaeus had heard about Jesus but the notice to meet with Jesus was short, in point of fact, very short. Yet, Bartimaeus quickly prepared for a divine turn around encounter with Jesus by harnessing the resources at his disposal to reach Jesus. He used his voice, significantly in a very loud manner. Jesus heard him and stopped to ask Bartimaeus what he wanted. Again, Bartimaeus was mentally and spiritually prepared. He requested to receive his sight which Jesus gladly gave him. Beloved, Bartimaeus was physically, spiritually and mentally prepared for abundant health and received it. Physically, he exerted himself crying out loudly to be heard above the din of the multitudes around Jesus talking and walking and even some people tried to shut him up, he cried louder. Spiritually, he referred to Jesus Christ as Lord; that is to say that he acknowledged the Lordship of Jesus Christ over his life. Mentally, he was more than prepared. His priority was to receive his sight and that was the only request he made in response to Jesus’ question. Beloved, Bartimaeus worked within the resources at his disposal even at very short notice. He did not make excuses despite the challenges which stared him in the face. For instance, he did not know Jesus physically and he could not see therefore he had no idea what Jesus looked like. He could also not tell exactly where Jesus stood and even if he could, how was he to walk up to Jesus unguided with the crowd around Jesus. Yet, Bartimaeus strategized effectively even at very short notice and received divine abundance. He could see, see to learn a trade or get an education to earn an income and stop begging. Please read Luke Chapter 18 verses 35 to 43.

Refuse to be Idle

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

God hates idleness because idleness often leads to or results in sinful actions and utterances which do not add value to the life of anyone; to the kingdom of God and do not bless God. A number of biblical case studies attest to this. The highly immoral wife of Potiphar had far too much time on her hands. She began to seek ungodly entertainment because she had absolutely no idea of time and the value of time. If she did, she would have made herself useful to her fellow women particularly the less privileged ones and children. Instead, she capped her folly by telling lies against Joseph who refused to fritter time with her in sin. Please see Genesis Chapter 39.

Jezebel – murderer and idolatress, liar, (1^st Kings Chapter 21 verses 1 to 25); Herodias – murderer and adulterer, (Matthew Chapter 14 verses 1 to 13); Delilah – hypocrite, deceiver, betrayer, and liar had far too much time on their hands; they did not know and understand the value of time so they frittered time in sinful activities which led to the death of many innocent people.

Also, if you compare the widows described in the book of 1^st Timothy Chapter 5 verses 1 to 16 to the widows of Zarephath, Prophetess Anna (Luke Chapter 2 verses 36 to 37); the wonderful mothers of Timothy (2^nd Timothy Chapter 1 verse 5); Mary, the travailing mother of John Mark who opened up her home as a prayer cell for kingdom work (Acts Chapter 12, Romans Chapter 16 verse 6); the very beautiful and hospitable women who supported the ministry of Jesus Christ (Luke Chapters 8 verses 2 to 3, 23 verses 55 to 56, 24 verses 1 to 11); the industrious and artistic women who prepared materials for the building of the tabernacle in the wilderness ((Exodus Chapter 35 verses 25 to 26); the wise mother of Moses who ensured the safety of her son and nurtured him in righteousness (Exodus Chapter 2); wise Priscilla in Acts Chapter 18 verses 1 to 3, Romans Chapter 16 verse 3 and of course the very industrious but unnamed virtuous woman of Proverbs Chapter 31 whom the Bible describes as someone who does not eat the bread of idleness, you will discover that anyone who does not know and understand the value of time will fritter time in activities which have no eternal value.

The Value of Time

Written by Uyoyou Christiana Charles-Iyoha

Time is one God’s divine investment on humans which like other divine investments such as skills, talents and expertise demands a return, in point of fact a hundred percent and over return on investments. Time properly utilized or invested translates into mental and intellectual prowess, divine health, academic and economic achievements, spiritual growth, parenthood and as many successes as you can think of. Time promotes and uplifts if time is properly and promptly deployed into divine purposes.

An idle person has absolutely no regard for time because s/he does not understand the value of time. S/he does not know and understand that time is a gift from God, a divine resource distributed to everyone equally for the actualization of divine purpose. Time should therefore not be frittered in idleness such as excessive sleep, rest, chatter, gossip, jesting, outbursts of anger, indecision on issues or actions to be promptly taken and acted on (Proverbs Chapters 19 verse 15; 14 verse 23, 6 verses 6 to 11, 24 verses 30 to 34, 21 verse 25, 1^st Timothy Chapter 5 verses 1 to 16, note verse 13. Time should not be frittered in giving of excuses for not investing time and other resources when you should. Please see Proverbs Chapter 22 verse 13, Mathew Chapter 25 verses 1 to 46 for the very interesting and revealing accounts of the wise and foolish virgins as well as the faithful and unfaithful servants in the parable of talents. It is rather unfortunate that while the wise virgins invested time by planning ahead, the foolish ones frittered time and were consequently barricaded from the meeting with the bridegroom. How do I know that they frittered time? Perhaps you should ask them what they were doing while the wise virgins were taking extra oil in their lamps. That would settle the issue of whether they frittered or invested time. Significantly, the wicked, lazy and unprofitable servant chose to fritter time. What exactly was he doing while his master was away? Did he look for any kind hearted master to serve since he considered his master a heartless person who reaped where he did not plant? Rather the wicked servant chose the path of wickedness by hiding the talent in the ground. Beloved, which is easier to do; banking the talent or digging the ground to hide the talent? He just did not want to be a blessing to anyone. He preferred to just fritter time because time meant nothing to him. He chose the path of idleness.