ARTICLE UPDATE: GETTING TO THE EXPECTED END_ FAITH AGI

 *GETTING TO THE EXPECTED END*

In times like this, when the world is changing drastically through technological innovations, what do we need to do in order not to deviate from God's standard for our lives?

How do we walk with the promises of God for us?

How do we run with what God has given us as a backbone of the identity we carry in him?

         Now, It even looks like the world is not only changing technologically but advancing in things that have been unacceptable in beginning.Death and killings are gradually becoming the order of the day.Diseases and infections are taking their stand across the globe.Economic and financial challenges aren't uncommon.Crises in Families and then in societies.

Immorality is almost legalised in every part of the world.

Has someone not been prompted to ask this uncommon question?: Where is God?

        At this point, this is to remind you that his thoughts are never of evil but of peace to give you an expected end.

Even if the world looks so chaotic, allow his promises to be your drive and anchor.Though things might not look as you think they should, what should help you stand firm is the identity you have gotten from his promises.Over time, we have read or heard about men who not only walked with God and worked with him but who earnestly worked towards getting to the expected end which they eventually did. We can see one of the assurances of God towards us in the book of Jeremiah and that is what we ought to hold unto if we desire not just the beginning but an end that is worthy of reckoning.

      He said in Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end."

The above Scripture requires us not only to hold unto the promises of the expected end but to do the things that would make the promise feasible in our lives.Yes, we all know the thoughts of God can never be evil and that he is not discriminative in his dealings with us even as a group or an entity. Nevertheless, to all the promises of God, there are roles of God and there are parts to be played by us (Men).

      The question now is; what are the things required of us even as we make the journey?One thing to know before you proceed is that God has dominion over everything save the will of man.There is always a place for choosing between options and it is left to a man to choose between what represents life and what represents death.

Let us endeavour to choose wisely as we have come too far to conform to the world!

*THE WAYS TO THE EXPECTED END.*

1. Total Trust in God.

2. Total Submission to him.

3. Full Obedience.

4. Working in unity with him & other co-labourers

5. Investing in lives.

6. Faith.

1. TOTAL TRUST IN GOD: The first thing we would be discussing here is having total trust in God.

I made an analogy recently and it goes thus, "If a man is rescued from danger, what would make him go further with the person who rescued him is the trust he has for the person. Though the rescuer might be a total stranger, he still chooses to go with him".

      The only thing that could have made the first called disciples follow Jesus as he said, "Follow me and I would make you fishers of men" was because they trusted him.

A man who has trust issues can't follow God. And the expected end is not a day journey.The writer in the book of proverbs put it better "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5-6. In all thy ways acknowledge him, trust him. This is beyond knowing that his ways are higher than our ways and realising that his thoughts are way better than ours.

2. TOTAL SUBMISSION TO HIM: The truth remains that a man who can't submit all he owns to God would not be led by God.Before God can work on a man, it requires that such a man submit totally to God. Your thoughts, Volition's, Plans, Ideas and reasoning must exchange for that of God. 2 Corinthians 5:17 talks about how a man becomes a new creature, how old things become bygone and how all things become new.

The question at this stage is; Have you allowed those old things to become your past?

      Holding onto the things that stand as obstacles to your act of submission to the dealings and leadings of God can be detrimental.There are many things that your physical strength wouldn't work out until you acknowledge the place of submission. The mistake many make is trying to resist first before submitting.Life would play pranks and make errors out of a man who lacks this understanding.

       If there is anything you should hold onto in this article, it is this and I put in quotes "Your capacity for resistance continues to remain low until you submit to God".

This book put it better James 4:7 "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

Do you want to experience God's promise of an expected end?

Then submit totally to him.

3. FULL OBEDIENCE: One thing I discovered over time is that many people try to deal with God as though they are dealing with a fellow human being and it doesn't work out that way.The truth is that what would thrill a man might not necessarily be pleasant to God. This should make you understand that even when you are carrying out that which God has instructed you to do, check your motive.

     Men might be looking at the outward activities or the up and doings but what God looks for in a man is a heart of obedience.Abraham didn't argue with God when he was instructed to sacrifice his only Son and this was not only because he was a man of Faith. Another thing that helped his life greatly was his obedience to instructions.

       In Ecclesiastes 12, the Bible makes us understand that the whole duty of man is to fear God and keep his commandment.Even though King Saul was anointed by God, what led to his great destruction was disobedience.

Half obedience is disobedience. If you are to obey, then totally obey.Obeying God does not come in the place of convenience and that is why it requires you to do it with and from your heart.

     Note: In this journey, you don't do things to impress men, do that which only please your creator.

He sure carries men with such a mindset along!

4. WORKING IN UNITY WITH HIM & OTHER CO-LABOURERS: Our calling by God is first to be with him.

You must work as a co-worker with God even as he draws you closer to himself.

"We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain"2 Corinthians 6:1

That's Apostle Paul speaking there. 

He established that they are co-workers with God and he beckoned on the need for the men of Corinth who are also co-workers with God not to receive the grace of God in vain.It would take the God who started the journey for you to help you complete it.Our sustainability is on God who can keep one from falling. 

He is the one who gives and yet keeps for a man. 

Thus, having the consciousness that one is a co-worker with him helps one into a deeper level of communication and fellowship with him.

      In addition to working with God is a need to fellowship with other co-workers.If there is anything God desire to see men do, it is to dwell in unity with brethren. 

Being United shows that the Love of God is abounding.

I do say "Remove a relationship from the life of a man and you would realise that he is nothing".

Your relationship with men and with God matters a lot in this subject of getting to an expected end.

Share things with men that matter, learn new things, be willing to teach, help those that are in need and pray for those that are in the work consistently.This part is included in this article because it has been neglected most times by many of us.

     Though there might be different vocations assigned to different men from different walks of life, I tell you, no man can exist on his own or live for himself. 

Hence, there is a great need to work in unity with others to help you grow physically, spiritually, mentally, financially and in any other aspect of life.

5. INVESTING IN LIVES: When I realised that the greatest investment a man could ever make is that which he makes into lives, there was a shift.

God is more interested in souls than any other thing and it is not far-fetched from the truth as the whole world can't match up with a soul just according to the question in Mark 8:36; For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his soul?

Nothing! It means the soul is as important to God as our walk with him. When you feed that fellow, you have fed God.

       Do you recently provide shelter to someone? 

His thought for you and I unto the expected end is that your soul is preserved and that mine too is not found wanting. The biggest mistake you would make in the journey to investing in lives is the ideology of wanting to have much before you start being a blessing.

Be faithful to the little and God would increase it thereby turning it into much.

To get to the expected end, watch out for souls and don't neglect yours.

6. FAITH: If there is any tool that a man earnestly needs for the journey unto the great promises of God, it is Faith.

With this great substance, which means it is real, a man can move great things that are beyond the imagination of men.

     The just shall live by faith. We can't possibly do anything by sight on this journey.We are to continuously look unto Jesus Christ who is the author and finisher of our faith as seen in Hebrews 12:2.Even as we look unto him, he helps established our Faith.Faith makes you hold onto the promises of the word purposing that they have already been settled.It ought not to remain dormant because it is to be built up just according to Jude verse 20.

      Hebrew chapter 11 speaks so much about Faith and how great men were brought into remembrance just because they walked in Faith.Even Rahab a harlot who many would have least expected wasn't excluded from the honour because Faith was accounted unto her.

       How would you take this journey to the expected end?

Without Faith, No man can please God.

God is looking forward to having men that would work and work in the above to latch into his great promises for their lives.

You are one!

Faith Agi.