This morning, I want to bring out one more lesson, on how to make restitution appropriately, from the story of Mr. Zacchaeus the tax collector.
To have a better understanding of what I am about to share, let us go to the beginning of the travails of Mr. Zacchaeus the tax collector.
Luke 19:1-3 [BBE] And he went into Jericho, and when he was going through it, A man, named Zacchaeus, who was the chief tax-farmer, and a man of wealth, Made an attempt to get a view of Jesus, and was not able to do so, because of the people, for he was a small man.
My point this morning is in verse three. The bible says he made an attempt to see Jesus. That was the beginning of his redemption.
He did not just stay at one point, wishing Jesus would come for him. He made an attempt.
Dear children, make that attempt today. Give that dream a shot. Leave your comfort zone and make that push.
What dreams do you have in mind for years? What ideas do you have unattended to? Speak to your parents today and make that attempt towards realizing that dream.
“Thank you, sister Angel. I love my boyfriend and he loves me. When we are married, we will go to church.”
“Who told you that you will get married to him?”
“I know! He told me we will.”
“And who told you that you are the only one he is promising?” Angie said.
“Yes, I may not be the only one, but I am the first on his list”
“List? Nancy, why go through this humiliation?
“Which one is humiliation there now? Is there any man out there that can be faithful?”
“You always get what you expect! I will be married to a man who not only loves me but also loves the Lord,”
“Such men are all dead, I beg!”
“No, they are still alive.”
“You are simply inexperienced. You don’t know guys. I currently have three boyfriends and my back is covered. If one fails, I will latch unto another.”
“Your back is not covered.” You are toying with your life and destiny.”
“There you go again, pastoress.”
“But candidly, it is not like God doesn’t want you to have a boyfriend, but He wants everything done His own way.”
“What’s His own way?”
“No sex.”
“That is not possible”
“It is possible. I am an example.” Angie said.
“So, I will not test wetin I go buy for market? Nancy said shaking her head.
“How many times have you been sexually involved with your boyfriend?
“Which of them?
“See your life?”
“I can’t count o… Am I supposed to be recording that? I be secretary?”
“Ok, let’s just say twenty times… So you have been testing? For how long will you test in the market? Will you ever get home? Is the market not your home now?”
“Leave that one, I dey enjoy am, plus lots of bucks.”
To be continued tomorrow…
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I choose to do it in God’s way.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Ask for the Grace to stay faithful in a perverse world
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. Hebrews 13:4 KJV
Has your husband ever told you that you are not talking to him well? It is either he says you speak in a disrespectful manner or you are not just logical.
My own husband used to tell me that often. I used to wonder how best to speak to him. My own husband is very, very intelligent, coupled with the fact that he is a strong choleric. You really have to make a lot of sense to get his attention.
To prove a point is a very bad move because it will not just work. So I quit trying to make a point.
I discovered a secret that has helped me and I believe will help every woman out there. I am not talking about remote controlling your husband to do as you say, but to have regards for what you say.
Your husband will respect what you say more when your words are weighty and carry power. You know in the world, the wives do charms so that their husbands can listen to them. But we believers have the real thing.
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I am not talking about native intelligence or academic prowess. I am talking about possessing the spirit of wisdom and understanding that comes from God.
And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake. – Acts 6:10
See it in the Amplified version
But they were not able to resist the intelligence and the wisdom and [the inspiration of] the Spirit with which and by Whom he spoke. – Acts 6:10
It is possible to possess such intelligence and wisdom that your husband will not be able to refuse you, shut you up, or won’t listen to you.
You don’t have to be manipulative with your words, no auto planning, no rehearsals before speaking.
The fact has been established that you can speak with intelligence. But how can one come to the point where you have such a spirit?
You cannot learn it from school or from your parents or mother. What was the secret of Stephen? He was full of the Holy faith and the Holy Ghost as recorded in Acts 6:6
Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. So Stephen was a man dedicated to the study of the word of God and prayers.
When you give yourself to the study of the word of God and you become controlled by the Holy Spirit, you will possess an intelligence that will be beyond your age.
You will speak with much grace and power. You will not be forceful or manipulative but your words will be gracious. The Holy Spirit will give you insight and foresight.
You will advise your husband and your advice will turn out the best decision. By the next time, he will seek counsel from you. He will disregard your words and treat your words with levity. He will come to respect you and honor you because of your intelligent words.
This is what my mentor possesses and that is what I am getting. I am giving myself to the study of the word and to prayers.
I have made up my mind to go for wisdom in words and in deed, so that I will become relevant and impact my generation. You too can take on the journey of being full of faith and the spirit of God.
God bless your marriage
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I am full of wisdom and the spirit.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Pray for the spirit of wisdom
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Acts 6:10 [KJV]And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.
ACTION PLAN FOR THE DAY Take out time to pray in the spirit
We are still learning how to make restitution appropriately, and we are still on the story of Mr. Zacchaeus the tax collector.
This morning, let us examine one more thing that made making restitution easy for him.
Luke 19:8 [TLB] Meanwhile, Zacchaeus stood before the Lord and said, “Sir, from now on I will give half my wealth to the poor, and if I find I have overcharged anyone on his taxes, I will penalize myself by giving him back four times as much!”
One thing is evident here. He was sincere. He didn’t try defending what he had done. He wasn’t going to beat around the bush. He didn’t try to blame the system or the government, as some would have done.
Little children, God wants and expects you to be sincere. The moment you are at fault, admit it.
So I am posing this question to you this morning;
Have you wronged someone before?
Have you cheated on a friend?
Have you unjustly used someone before?
If you are still trying to justify why you did what you did, you haven’t gotten the drift yet.
Now is the time to make amends.
Walk up to that friend and do the needful. If you need to involve your parents or guardians, by all means, do.
May God strengthen you as you decide to do things right, Amen.
Prayer: Lord, help me to make amends where necessary.
Action Point: Are there areas you need to make restitution? List them out.
Declaration: I am living for Jesus so I do things right!
The day has been a hectic one. Having six lectures back to back was not an easy task. Angie and Nancy are two of a kind. They were roommates in one of the private Universities. As they walked back to their hall, they struck a conversation. It was more than a conversation. It was a state of their hearts.
Welcome to the world of Angie and Nancy.
“There is only one thing on my mind now, can you guess?” Angie asked.
“What else will it be, other than to go and eat and sleep off?” Replied Nancy.
“Waoh! You are in the Spirit, you got it. Flesh and blood hath not revealed that unto you.”
“What about me, guess what’s rolling on my mind?” Nancy asked.
“Same thing now, are you not hungry and tired?”
“Yes, I am hungry and tired, but it is not food and sleep that will appease the goddess now”
“Ok o, Miss goddess, what is on your mind?” Asked Angie?
“What’s on my mind? It’s more than Facebook status o…”
“Ok, na Twitter, abi?”
“You sure don’t want to know, Nancy said giggling.”
“Your boyfriend?”
“Yes,” Nancy said, almost screaming, and eyes bulging. “I want to be wrapped in my boyfriend’s arms.”
“Wrap? You be foo-foo, abi? You don’t know more than that, Jesus is coming soon o!
“Please, can’t we have a decent conversation without you sermonizing me?” Nancy said with a slight hiss.
“Oh oh…why the beef now? And where is the sermon? I have not even quoted a scripture. I have not even told you that the soul that sinneth shall die!”
“Please! All of us are sinners. It is God that knows who is serving Him!”
Calmly, Angie said, “I disagree with that. It is not only God that knows. Those who are serving Him also know. I spoke to Him this morning!”
To be continued tomorrow…
CONFESSION FOR THE DAY I choose to do it in God’s way.
PRAYER FOR THE DAY Ask for the Grace to stay faithful in a perverse world
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. Hebrews 13:4 KJV
