“Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition [instruction], upon whom the ends of the ages have come.”
1 Corinthians 10:11 (NKJV)
• We learn how to walk with God and know how to receive from Him in prayer: by studying His Word, the Bible, and abiding in it (John 15:7).
- The blessings or miracles received from God could be lost if you do not walk in the light of His Word.
- It is not enough to pray; you also need to pay attention to how your miracles and blessings can be preserved as God answers your prayers.
- If you do not know how to preserve your blessings, when answers to your prayers come—all your time and effort in prayer will amount to a waste.
- There are principles of the kingdom that will help you, if you obey them, to preserve your blessings (Deuteronomy 5:32,33).
- Many would have become great in the kingdom, but lack of understanding of the principles of the kingdom and rebellion have robbed them of their greatness (Hebrews 3:15,16).
• Take note:
- You understand the principles of the kingdom by studying the Word of God, meditating in it, and practicing it, that means you learn from the Word (Joshua 1:8).
- We study the Bible to know about God and His kingdom.
“For whatever things were written before were written for our LEARNING, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.”
Romans 15:4 (NKJV) - Many pay attention to prayers, which is very good, but they pay little or no attention to know God and the principles of His kingdom. Prayer without knowledge of the Word amounts to dissipation of energy!
- You know how to pray aright through the knowledge of God’s Word.
“You ask [God for something] and do not receive it, because you ask with wrong motives [out of selfishness or with an unrighteous agenda], so that [when you get what you want] you may spend it on your [hedonistic] desires.”
James 4:3 (Amp.) - The kingdom of God operates by principles and laws, which if one violated, one would not receive the best of the kingdom.
• You also study the books of proven authors in God’s kingdom–you pay attention to the teachings of God’s servants who have walked with Him, and those who are still walking with Him.
“Remember your leaders who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”
Hebrews 13:7 (NIV)
- We follow other people’s faith, proven leaders, to get to where we are going.
- Thus, do not despise those who are ahead of you in the Christian faith, who have proven and steadfast walk with God.
- Do not be wise in your own eyes (Proverbs 3:7).
“Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, FEAR TO WHOM FEAR, HONOUR TO WHOM HONOUR.”
Romans 13:7 (NKJV)
• If God stirs your heart to follow a particular minister of God, do it with all your heart and relate as you ought to relate with him.
- The truth is: you need to locate the anointing meant to bless you; some ministers carry the grace you need to get to your place of fulfilment.
- If you despise or rebel against the anointing that God has ordained to bless you, you may stay long in captivity.
“By a prophet the LORD brought Israel out of Egypt, and by a prophet he was preserved.”
Hosea 12:13 (NKJV)
• Also, know that if you do not follow a particular anointing, you may not amount to much in the kingdom.
- Locate and identify the anointing God has ordained to bless you and relate properly with such–follow with all your heart.
- “But you have carefully FOLLOWED my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, long-suffering, love, perseverance,
- But you must CONTINUE in the things which you have LEARNED and being assured of, knowing from WHOM you have LEARNED them.”
2 Timothy 3:10,14 (NKJV)
• Many receive blessings with one hand and throw it away with another hand, because they lack understanding of the principles, ethics, of the kingdom.
- Many do not have Bible sense, they lack wisdom of God’s kingdom–they scoff, speak against the anointing meant to bless them (Proverbs 2:6-8; James 1:5, 2 Peter 2:10).
- If you lack wisdom of God’s kingdom, you may suffer terribly for it.
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
Proverbs 1:7 (NKJV) - You preserve and perpetuate your blessings, miracles, by living in line with the principles of God’s kingdom.
• It is my prayer that you will not fail in Jesus’ name.
Peace!