The Value Code

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Good morning Friend.

I’m glad we have done some justice to the Lessons from the Cross and it’s high time we moved to some other subject matter until the Spirit steers us in that direction again. I must say it was such an amazing series for me… I really learnt alot and I trust and hope you did as well. Today by God’s Grace we would be sharing about the sufficiency of God to His children. God is not one of those things… God is EVERYTHING! And we must begin to see Him in that light before we can enjoy His benevolence in measures above our thinkable capacity.

Genesis 15:1-2 (KJV) After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.
2 And Abram said, Lord GOD, what wilt thou give me, seeing I go childless, and the steward of my house is this Eliezer of Damascus?

Here we see how God told Abram in a vision that He was his shield and his exceeding great Reward. God was telling Abram in other words that He (God) belonged to Abram, Abram literally had God as his gift. What could be more sufficient to a man than having the gift of the Immaculate Holy flawless God. God said, Abram, others may have things but you have me… I belong to you! All these happened in Verse 1, but what happens next shocked me to my bones. After receiving such a powerful revelation and the gift of God Himself, Abram still went ahead to ask God… but what will you GIVE ME, seeing that I go childless. How could any other need even feature in your heart when you are faced with the definition of sufficiency Himself. Abram didn’t price the relationship he had with God as much as his need for a son, so God knew he wasn’t ready, so he waited another 25 years thereabouts before he got a son. Fast forward to Genesis 22, the same God appeared to Abraham (his name had since changed in previous encounters), and guess what God asked for? Oh yeah you guessed right. The only beloved begotten of Abraham… in order to see whether any other thing took first place in his life including his son apart from God Himself. God also came to see whether Abram had learnt his lesson from genesis 15. With the way Abraham responded to the instructions of God, it was obvious God now took first place in his life, nothing mattered more than Him. In Genesis 15, having a child mattered more to Abram but by Genesis 22, having God meant much more to him. People grow! If God isn’t your priority yet, then make Him your priority and mean it with all your heart.

In your life, have you esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt? Do you see God as enough or you make it look like God is some of those unnecessary accessories…? It makes you look but not quite as essential. God is enough my friends. Moses at some point had to make a choice between being an heir to Pharaoh or suffering affliction with the children of God, thank God he chose the latter. All our decisions are a function of our priorities! Every last one of them. Where do you place yours? On God or on money, properties, education, family or ambition?

Luke 5:6-7, 11 (KJV) And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.
7 And they beckoned unto theirpartners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
11. And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

Here again we see Peter do something really illogical. He had never caught a boat sinking catch of fish in his entire fishing career. This particular morning was even more dramatic, he had toiled all night but caught nothing. Then by morning he lent his boat for the Gospel and Jesus sure showed some gratitude by rewarding him with the best catch of his life. That catch could settle him financially for another one year thereabouts, the catch was a big breakthrough. It would pass as a million dollar contract in this day and age. It was his way out of penury and the constant frustration of living from hand to mouth. The miracle was so staggering that it humbled Peter to acknowledge that he was a sinner. That however wasn’t the best part of the story for me. My best part and how it relates to today’s theme came in Verse 11, the Bible records that He left ALL and followed Jesus. That is just mind blowing! How could he leave all of that catch behind him and follow a man who didn’t even have a place to rest his head? It’s called the Law of Value and he sure knew the Value Code! He valued Jesus much more than what Jesus could give. It was actually a very logical conclusion Peter came up with… “that if Jesus could do this in a moment, what will happen if I hang around him for 3 years?” He valued Jesus above his biggest miracle and followed Jesus.

Brethren, how many of us are willing to leave a massive paying job to follow God’s will for our lives? I’m not saying God is saying you should, but if He asks you to, are you willing to? Or if you realise that that job is stifling your relationship and fellowship with Jesus, would you make such a drastic but powerful decision in honour of Jesus? God is a big deal, as a matter of fact, He is the biggest deal. Nobody makes a decision in favour and honour of Him and loses out in the end, but it all begins with making Him top priority above all else. Please do that and see your relationship with the Lord soar to limitless heights. Have a great week ahead.