It is a Great Thing to Serve the Lord!

One of the major causes of despair and discouragement among people of God is delayed result, fruits, or fulfillment of God’s promise. Many of God’s precious children are unable to hold on to His promises while they serve God waiting for the due time or the appointed time.

[Malachi 3:13-18 KJV] “Your words have been stout against me, saith the Lord . Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee? [14] Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts? [15] And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered. [16] Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it , and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord , and that thought upon his name. [17] And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. [18] Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not”.

In the text above the prophet Malachi began to rebuke Israel that they had not just robbed God, but spoken stoutly against Him. The people had stopped giving tithes and offerings; they had stopped because they could not discern any benefits that they had gotten for serving God. They were no longer honoring God with their substance because they thought that even those who dishonoured God were more established. They saw the prosperity of the wicked and it made them slip. They did not consider the end of the wicked though.

It hurts when your own children begin to dishonour and speak stoutly against you because they think there is no benefit in serving you.

The Bible tells us that there are three things that remains; hope, faith and love; but love endures all. Until the reason for serving is love, you will not survive the time. There are times when people serve because they believe something, at other times, people serve because they hope for something; but God wants us to serve Him because we love Him, because we have a relationship with him. When you serve because you are believing in something, you might get discouraged when that thing delays in  coming. When you serve hoping for something, your hope may be deferred and your heart may get sick; but when you serve because you love, nothing can change your reason for serving.

Beloved, it is a great thing to serve the Lord. We have His word and promise. You will slip when you compare with other. The wicked may look prospered and established but have you considered their end? Have you considered how they will end.

The Lord has said that as we get interested in serving Him, in winning souls, in serving in church, in building micro-churches, in praying, in ministering in the music ministry, in serving in evangelism and soul winning, He will soon begin to favour you above others. He will favour you as a man spares His son that serve Him.

God is not unrighteous to forget our labor of love. It is time to bounce back! It is time to remember from where you have fallen, repent, and begin to do the first works. Your labor will not be in vain. It is a great thing to serve the Lord. Stay blessed!

I love you;

Noah Simpe Bediako

Originally published at highcity.org

Just Serve with Your Spirit

[Romans 1:9‭-‬10 KJV] “For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers;  [10]  Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you”.

The whole duty of man is to fear the Lord and keep His commandments; we are created to serve and re-present God to our generation, and no man can do this except by the help of the Holy Spirit and by the person’s spirit. Apostle Paul testifies that he serves the Lord with his spirit in the gospel.

Indeed, singing is singing, speaking is speaking, shouting is shouting, rejoicing is rejoicing until you begin to sing with your spirit, speak with your spirit, shout with your spirit, or rejoice with your spirit.

The Bible tells us that when the seventy returned with testimonies of dominion, the Lord rejoiced in the spirit. Luke 10:21 reveals clearly that, “In that hour Jesus rejoiced in spirit, and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes: even so, Father; for so it seemed good in thy sight.“

The Lord rejoiced in the spirit; meaning, you can rejoice in the spirit and you can also rejoice in the flesh. We must all strive to do the things we do for the kingdom, in the Spirit and with our spirits. We must serve the Lord with our spirits.

Let us pray with our spirits and pray with our understanding; let us sing with our spirits and sing with understanding.

[1 Corinthians 14:14‭-‬15 KJV] “For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.  [15] What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also”.

There comes a time when you should know what you are doing, and at others times, you hardly even understand what you are doing, yet you are getting results. The difference is also why and how we do it. Sometimes, we do the things because we know why and how; but other times you may do certain things and you don’t even know why.

Don’t just sing because you have to sing, or shout because they said shout; you must strive to do it in the Spirit. Allow the Holy Ghost to take over and inspire you to action. Be blessed!

I love you;

Noah Simpe Bediako

Originally published at highcity.org

Serving the Lord; Every Member a Missionary.

[2 Corinthians 5:13-21 KJV] “For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause. [14] For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: [15] And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. [16] Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. [17] Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. [18] And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; [19] To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. [20] Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. [21] For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him”.

The Bible tells us that one died for all that all will live for the one who died for them. We are called to live for Christ and not for ourselves. Every member of the body of Christ is called to be a missionary to the world around us. We have been given the ministry and the word of reconciliation. We are called to serve Christ in missions.

To serve well in missions;

1. Believe on he whom the Father has sent
2. Worship the Lord in Spirit and in truth
3. Come into His presence with singing to every appointed meeting
4. Go into the world and preach the gospel, baptise converts, and teach the church
5. Reach out to the fatherless, widows and the less privileged.

These are my simple tips to serve in missions or as a missionary in everyday life. May the Lord help us to simplify our lives and serve the Lord in everyday life.

It is important to;

1. Dress well
2. Put away childish things
3. Work with your hands
4. Pursue somthing:
5. what can I do, how do I do it, what do I need, how do I get it, and I must run with might.
6. Be open to all possibilities: hope for the best, plan for the worst, and in all things give thanks.

There is wisdom that will guide you through the season.

Believe on the son of the living God (John 1:12)

1. Desire and relax in the presence of the living God (Psalm 84:2)
2. Obeserve all church protocols (1 Timothy 3:15)
3. Take heed, lest an evil heart forms in you (Hebrews 3:12)
4. Even when riches increase, trust in the Lord who gives us all things to enjoy freely, and not in uncertain riches (1 Timothy 4:10)

Remember, there are four things that will enable you to rule indeed: 1 Samuel 16:18

1. Right upbringing
2. The Anointing
3. Right attitude
4. Right company (1 Chronicles 12:1ff)

You shall serve the Lord to our full potential and serve Him wholeheartedly. Be blessed;

I love you!

Noah Simpe Bediako

Originally published at highcity.org

We Serve the God of All Flesh

[Jeremiah 32:26‭-‬27 KJV] “Then came the word of the Lord unto Jeremiah, saying, [27] Behold, I am the Lord , the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?”

Today, I want to exhort you to understand that we serve the God of all flesh. There is nothing too hard for our God, and He really wants you to know this truth. God wants all of us to know that there is nothing too hard for Him. He is the God of all flesh. There is no two ways about that.

I know and believe that when you get to accept this truth, your attitude will change. When you know that you serve the God of all flesh, to whom nothing is difficult, you will react differently to situations. Don’t let anybody deceive you, your God is not dead. He is the God of all flesh. He can do all things.

The Lord sent this word to the prophet Jeremiah at a time when the nation was about to face one of the worst challenges. He sent it to assure him that He, God, can deliver on His promises. There is nothing too hard for our God.

I have no idea what you my be facing, but we have an all powerful God. You will not be consumed. All through the next year, your results, impact, and your testimony will prove that you serve the God of all flesh. God will not fail us. He is faithful and we can continue and arrive. You can count on God. Lift up your eyes to the hills, that is where your help comes from.

You will share your testimony! If Elizabeth shared her testimony, you will share your testimony. If Sarah shared her testimony, then you will share yours too. You will not be put to shame, you will step into glory. We serve the God of all flesh. Be blessed.

I love you;

Noah Simpe Bediako

 

Originally published at highcity.org

We Serve the Living God

We serve the living God, the Creator of the heavens and the earth. He made all things. The earth is His, and the fullness thereof. We serve the living God who made all things. He is our God, and we shall not be afraid. We shall not be shaken.

[Psalms 42:2 KJV] “My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?”

We serve the living God who calls the things that be not as though they were. He speaks of our present with the future tense and looks at us with the sense of what we can be and not what we are. He found Gideon threshing wheat by the winepress and called him a mighty man of valour. He found David tending his father’s sheep and called him “My King, the man after My heart”. He found Jacob in the howling wilderness and called him “My son”. He found Moses keeping the sheep of Jethro and called him “a God unto Pharoah”.

This kind God we serve is indeed the living God. He calls the things that be not as though they were and transforms them into what He has called them. I don’t know what men and life have been calling you, but I know that God has a better name for you. God has a better plan for you and He will make all things new. He is our God and we serve the living and faithful God. You shall not be shaken, God will prove Himself strong, wise and faithful on your behalf in Jesus’ name!

Therefore, our souls and hearts must thirst for Him. Let us long to appear before Him,  desiring to fellowship in His presence. Our God is mighty to save, good to all, and faithful to those who trust in Him. Be blessed.

I love you!

Noah Simpe Bediako

Originally published at highcity.org

Don’t Just Serve, Belong!

[Acts 27:23 KJV] “For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,”

As we step into the year of serving the Lord, it is important to exhort you to decide to serve as a son or daughter would; and not as a hireling. The apostle Paul is showing us by example that it is one thing to serve a person and another thing to belong to the person you serve. He gave himself as a servant to the Lord and served Him. He said “God, whom I belong and whom I serve.” The apostle Paul is showing by example that he served as one who was owned.

In the coming seasons of our lives, we want to addict ourselves to serving the Lord to whom we belong. We want to give ourselves first before we even serve. God is looking for people who will serve in a selfless manner.

Luke 17:1-11 teaches how servants serve. A servant who is conscious that he is owned serves, and is grateful for the opportunity to be called upon to serve. The Lord said a servant does not count himself worthy of wages; rather, he feels privileged to serve.

A servant who serves as a son who belongs does not sleep in the time of harvest. He gives himself to the service of the master and does not work because of wages. A servant that serves as a son addicts himself to the work of ministry and does so all his life. It is better to both belong and serve whom you belong.

Stay blessed, I love you;

Noah Simpe Bediako

Originally published at highcity.org

Why You Should Decide to Serve the Living God in 2019

[Malachi 3:13-18 KJV] “Your words have been stout against me, saith the Lord . Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee? [14] Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts? [15] And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered. [16] Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it , and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord , and that thought upon his name. [17] And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. [18] Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not”.

Most of the time, many backside from following and serving the Lord because the rewards of serving the Lord with gladness delays in manifesting. In the text above, we see how Israel backslid and began to speak stoutly against the Lord. The nation of the Lord, like many of us, began to doubt the real need of giving themselves to serve the Lord.

It is too early to start thinking that it is vain to serve the Living God. There is a lot of profit in keeping the ordinance of the Lord. Those who have rejected the Lord may seem to be prospering, but soon and very soon, the Lord shall come and save those who serve Him.

1. Those who serve the living God are delivered and defended in the day of trouble.

[2 Kings 19:15-16 KJV] “And Hezekiah prayed before the Lord , and said, O Lord God of Israel, which dwellest between the cherubims, thou art the God, even thou alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth. [16] Lord , bow down thine ear, and hear: open, Lord , thine eyes, and see: and hear the words of Sennacherib, which hath sent him to reproach the living God”.

[1 Samuel 17:36-37 KJV] “Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God. [37] David said moreover, The Lord that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the Lord be with thee”.

2. Those who decide to serve the Lord shall be saved from the backsliding of the last days.

[1 Timothy 4:1-4 KJV] “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; [2] Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; [3] Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. [4] For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving:

3. Those who serve the Lord dwell in a city where there is deliverance and possessing of possessions.

[Hebrews 12:22 KJV] “But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels”,

[Obadiah 1:17 KJV] “But upon mount Zion shall be deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions”.

You will never regret serving the living God. You will reap the full benefits.

Be blessed, I love you!

Noah Simpe Bediako

Originally published at highcity.org

You are Saved to Succeed and Serve!

[Luke 13:6‭-‬9 KJV] “He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down”.

Listen! All of christianity is enshrined in three words: salvation, success, and service to the larger society. You are saved to succeed and serve the larger society. The man planted the fig tree in his vineyard because he wanted fruits. The tree is not for decoration; he planted it for fruits.

The Bible teaches in Isaiah 61:3 that we are the trees of righteousness and the plantings of the Lord. We are called to bear fruits (See John 15:16) Indeed the earth that drinks of the rain that often comes upon it and bring forth fruits needful to those who dress it shall be blessed but those that does not bring forth fruits is near cursing and their end is to be burnt (See Hebrews 6:7-8).

God wants you to be fruitful and useful to the society. It’s all about being fruitful and useful. You will succeed when you do the following;

Be Planted in a Fruitful and safe mountain.

In Isaiah 5:1-4, the Lord appoints unto those who dwell in zion beauty for ashes, oil of joy for mourning, and the garments of praise for the spirit of heaviness (See Isaiah 61:1-3). Indeed those who are planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish in the courts of the almighty. There is no other safe and fruitful mountain as the HighCity.

Submit to the ministers appointed to plant and water you:

We all get down and discouraged from time to time, the Lord has therefore appointed unto each one of us a helper of our joy (See 2 Corinthians 1:24) Of such ministers are Paul and Apollos; ministers by whom we believe (See also1 Corinthians 3:5-9)

Yielded to the vine dresser;

His name is Jesus. He is our intercessor, healer and baptiser. He is willing to dig around us. He is willing to dung around us. He would cut anything that is needless. Jesus is the vine dresser. We must only be yielded.

Be a Fruitful Fig:

There is nothing you can do to make a barren fig tree fruitful, but for a tree of rightousness, there is hope. 2 Peter 1:4-8 teaches the secret to be fruitful and prductive in the knowledge of Christ. The Bible says those who add virtue to faith, and then knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love will never fall nor be barren. They will surely be fruitful.

I speak over your life to engage these four keys for success. You will succeed but your success must serve society. Stand firm and stand strong.

Be blessed, I love you!

Noah Simpe Bediako

Originally published at highcity.org

When Should You Do a Little More

We have been discussing the need to do just a little more. The Lord expects us to do just a little more in certain areas of life.

We should be willing to do a little more in;

1. Seeking the lost (See Matthew 18: 10-14)
2. Seeking peace with a brother who offends us (See Matthew 18:15-20; Matthew 18:21-35)
3. Seeking to meet the unreasonable expectations of other (See Matthew 5: 39-49)
4. Seeking fruits (See Luke 13:6-9)
5. Giving (See Ecclesiastes 11:1-6)
6. Sowing (See Psalm 126)
7. Seeking God (See Psalm 42)

Instead of criticising people and beating yourself down, we should just do a little more for the less privileged and messy people. God wants us to be patient with people and wait for the manifestation of change in them.

To do a little more is to do that one more thing that makes you look silly. To act in grace and give people a second chance. To give yourself a second chance when all others say you are down and out; when it looks like you have come to your wit’s end; when it appears like you have done all you can and yet you did not make it.

Listen! We can and must do a little more! There are a lot of hurting people; broken, maimed and bound. It is time to step out there to show them love, mercy and grace. Compel them with a reason to live again. There are many who think nobody likes them. They already feel rejected; they don’t need any argument and reasoning other than love, grace, and mercy.

I read an alarming statistics from WHO, that suicide is the second leading cause of death among persons 15-29 years old.

The world needs the message of hope and love and grace now more than ever. We can do a little more by sharing. We can reach out with mercy and grace. We can lend a helping hand and do a little more.

I pray that you will be willing to do just a little more.

Stay blessed!

Today’s Prayer

Dear Father

Help me do a little more to seek the lost; to win a brother who has offended me; while waiting for my labour and effort to bear fruits. I pray for strength and grace. Thank You!

Amen!

Originally published at highcity.org

Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God

“Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” (Matthew 6:31‭-‬34 KJV)

One of the greatest enemies of fruitfulness is anxiety or the cares of life. The Bible therefore admonishes us to seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto us.

All these things? what are the ‘these things’? What to eat, what to drink, and what to be clothed with. Food, drink, clothing, and shelter are the fundamental needs of life. As we seek the kingdom of God and His righteousness, God will add unto us food, drink, clothes, and shelter.

The problem in life with many people is that we are running after things that must be following us. We are spending all of our lives pursuing things that must be added to us.

Today the Lord is calling us to that place where we are seeking the kingdom and righteousness of God. Indeed as we seek the kingdom and His righteousness, He will add all the things we need. I don’t know how He will do it but I know He does it.

Let us read and study the text of how God blessed the Egyptian women who feared Him and served His purpose. When we serve the purpose of God, He begins to bless and establish us.

“And the king of Egypt spake to the Hebrew midwives, of which the name of the one was Shiphrah, and the name of the other Puah: And he said, When ye do the office of a midwife to the Hebrew women, and see them upon the stools; if it be a son, then ye shall kill him: but if it be a daughter, then she shall live. But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive. And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said unto them, Why have ye done this thing, and have saved the men children alive? And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere the midwives come in unto them. Therefore God dealt well with the midwives: and the people multiplied, and waxed very mighty. And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that he made them houses.” (Exodus 1:15‭-‬21 KJV)

There is no reason to be afraid. As we serve the purpose of God; He will bless and establish us. You shall never lack! You will walk in a miracle and walk in the blessing.

Stay blessed; I love you!

Originally published at highcity.org