During this time of the year everyone is pregnant with resolve to acquire that big thing and attain that sweet dream. Through prayer, fasting, study and other means, people are leaving no stone unturned to acquire and achieve.
Sermon of the Week with Pastor Erasmus Makarimayi
Spirit, soul and body are stretched to converge at realising that vision. The manufacturing plant for dreams and visions is at its zenith as ideas are being crafted and strategies are being laid out.
We all have different needs and expectations from getting married, getting a job, a contract, cars, houses, best clothes and political office. In between are crazy dreams such as getting another wife or wishing that couple to divorce so that you could move in. Dream big and aim big, but make sure you do that while standing right with God. Desiring to advance in life is noble.
We needed to move from Stone Age to Internet age. Research into finding cures for diseases as well as HIV and Aids is progressive just as is developing better, cheaper and more efficient means of transport and energy requirements.
Eradication of poverty and finding political solutions to global challenges is welcome. In a nutshell, improvement to our standard of living is good. However, in our quest to improve and advance, let us remember righteousness which is the foundation for equitable development. Many of the problems we now want to solve were caused by unrighteousness.
As you seek a better life, never forget the words of our Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 6:33 where He says: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”
Biblical Prophets would always remind Israel and Judah to remain obedient to God in order to enjoy the fruits of the land. Unscrupulous business practices, oppression and corruption were rife just as they are in our midst.
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Scales were tilted without regard for the widow, orphan and needy. (Amos 8:4-6).
Let us return to justice, equity, mercy and love. Money and wealth are good but we need the right attitude and good intent of the heart.
Wouldn’t it be pleasing to God to put commitment to righteousness on your list of resolutions? Righteousness is a critical key in the Kingdom of God. Apart from just praying and fasting for the best wedding in the history of mankind, a mansion surpassing all architectural designs known to mankind and womankind and a limousine whose price will feed starving Ethiopians for a year, also consider uprightness.
It will be encouraging to hear that you are praying and fasting for love. Consider going to the mountains to deal with lust, adultery, fornication, pornography, anger and pride.
It is not proper to just desire things without character. Don’t just amass wealth without amassing righteousness. In Matthew 16:26 Jesus asks: “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?”
Put it in your vision to help more orphans, widows and those in need. Maybe the prayer of that orphan or widow/widower is going to unlock that contract and protect you from the loss-making deal that you would probably have fallen for.
I don’t say this to frighten you but encourage you. Spice up your life with charity. Help in the preaching of the Gospel of Christ by providing resources. There are missionaries or evangelists if you prefer that are out there winning souls for Christ.
Probably you don’t even go to church but one day that good deed will speak to the salvation of your soul. You never understand the scope of God’s mysteries. Maybe the person that is going to receive Christ was going to rob you or rape your toddler. I was touched by the story of a certain pastor who wrote us from some remote area who is walking many kilometers (sometimes in excess of 250 per week) preaching because his motor bicycle broke down.
You can make his work bearable. Let us live in righteousness and remember the needy. I know these days everyone is saying they are also looking for help, but I have not asked for much. Consider what Jesus asked some rich man in Matthew 19:21: “Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.” Let us advance, acquire, inherit, possess, attain and receive the material promises of God with a heart to manage.
As you seek the things of God also seek the God of those things. Enjoy the blessing of God with purity and holiness. Spare a thought for righteousness. You are going somewhere. All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible. [email protected] Follow Pastor Makarimayi on www.twitter.com/PEMAKARIMAYI and Facebook
