The Secrets of Blessing (2)
Reading Scripture: Matthew 22:37-40
Verse to Memorize: 1 John 5:3
Reference: Deuteronomy 10:13 Goal: to let believers understand the heart of God who wants to give His children true happiness and help them receive answers to their heart's desires by pleasing God God the Father abounds in mercy, grace, and love. Just as stated in Numbers 6:24-26, "The LORD bless you, and keep you; the LORD make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace," He delights in giving good things to His beloved children.
When God blesses you, He will at least pour into your lap a good measure pressed down, shaken together, and running over (Luke 6:38). Of course, if we prepare our vessels well, God lets us bear fruit of what we have sown thirty, sixty, and a hundred-fold (Matthew 13:23). Then, what is the secret to receiving abundant blessings from God?
- 1. If we love God, we should keep His commands
The Word of God in the Bible can largely be classified into the four types: the first two are 'to keep and to do something', which are positive demands on us. God has given these commands to His beloved children because blessing comes upon those who practice His commands. Next, God also tells us 'not to do something' and 'to cast away something'. In order to be eligible as God's children, we must not do what He commands us not to do, and we have to get rid of what God hates. If we do not obey, the wall of sin will stand between God and us, or it will bring God's curse.
Thus, you should practice His commands as well. For instance, God tells us to "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy" in Exodus 20:8, to "Honor your father and your mother" in Exodus 20:12, and to "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness" in Matthew 6:33. He also commands in Mathew 7:1, "Do not judge so that you will not be judged" and in Exodus 20:14 "You shall not commit adultery". 1 Thessalonians 5:22 says, "Abstain from every form of evil."
These four types of the Word of God are just what we are supposed to practice in order to receive God's love and blessing. 'Commandment' is defined as 'a divine command, esp one of the Ten Commandments of the Old Testament,' by the Oxford Dictionary, and it refers to the Law of Moses including the Ten Commandments in the Old Testament and to Jesus' commands in the New Testament. In Matthew 22:36, a lawyer of Pharisees says, "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" Placing the emphasis on the love for God and neighbors, Jesus answered as the following: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment.
The second is like it, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself'" (Matthew 22:37-40) If we love someone we might want to act upon whatever they want. Even if they ask us something challenging we would probably do it joyously. It does not feel like a long journey, though it is a really long journey, if we travel with the one or ones we love. In the same way, if we love God it is never hard to keep His commandments. If you sincerely believe God the Creator is our Father and He gave His only begotten Son to save us, you cannot but love Him. You will naturally try hard to live by His Word to repay His love and grace.
- 2. God wants to lead us to the way of blessing
God allowed for the commandments to be recorded in the Bible to lead His beloved children to the way of blessings. Deuteronomy 10:13 reads, "And to keep the LORD's commandments and His statutes which I am commanding you today for your good?" As spoken, God gives the commandments for His children's good. Parents teach their children many rules applied to daily life because they want their children to have nothing to do with diseases and accidents and live in safety and peace. In the same manner, God has given us the commandments because of love for us; if we realize it we will feel happy to keep them, and it is no longer something hard.
As recorded in 1 John 5:3, "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome," we will be able to practice the Word telling us to do, not to do, to throw away, and to keep something from the bottom of our hearts. To 'keep His commandments' does not mean that we have to obey them with a sense of duty or like a robot. God wants us to realize His love and obey within our freewill. Of course, it is hard to understand the heart and will of God from the very beginning. However, as you diligently practice the commandments one by one, you will gain understanding of His will and feel His love, and you will be able to love God from the bottom of your heart. Here, God's Word that says "Don't do something" and "Throw away something" is likened to cultivating our heart-field. The Word cultivates our hearts by letting us get rid of evil, sin, and untruth from our hearts and changes them it into good soil.
This is the circumcision of our heart and through this we can prepare our heart-field for seed-sowing. But our obedience to these commands is not piled up as a heavenly reward. 'To do and keep something' is paralleled to sowing seeds of blessing and reaping them. Just as farmers should sow seeds to reap fruit, we should sow the seeds of blessing, that is, 'keep and do' God's commands. If we obey the Word of God, we will not be just protected from trials, tests, and all kinds of accidents but also we will enjoy both blessing on the earth and rewards in Heaven.
- 3. We have to sow seeds of blessings with joy and thanks
God accepts the aroma of our hearts, not our deeds itself. He is pleased with those who do their best to pray from the heart though they are busy. He is also delighted in those who fulfill their duty, even if it is a seemingly small one, in a humble manner. God knows all their situations, so He does not deem their faithfulness to be small if they do it with faith, hope, and love.
If we are just coerced to fulfill our duty or just follow what others do, it cannot be said that we sow seeds of blessing with faith and hope. Also, if we complain or make a negative remark after sowing the seeds of blessing, then it is as though we dig up what we have sown or destroy what we have built. Only when you joyfully and gratefully practice the commandment, no matter what it is, will God be pleased and give us back answers and blessings. Hebrews 11:6 reads, "And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him." Psalm 37:4 says, "Delight yourself in the LORD; and He will give you the desires of your heart." As explained in the verses, God taught us what to do to fulfill our heart's desire. There were some forefathers of faith who were acknowledged as the 'ones who pleased God with faith'.
After he was sixty-five years old, Enoch walked with God three hundred years and shared love with Him. When he was three hundred and sixty-five years old he was taken up into Heaven by God. Elijah testified to the living God and led many souls to the way of salvation performing with amazing powerful works, and was caught up into Heaven without seeing death. If we possess God-pleasing faith we can receive blessings in all aspects such as family, workplace, and businesses. The blessings are not limited to just some parts. Mark 9:23 reads, "And Jesus said to him, 'If You can?' All things are possible to him who believes.'" Since he met the living God and received healing of all his diseases by His power, Dr. Jaerock Lee, Senior Pastor of Manmin Central Church has obeyed the Word of God joyfully, arduously and thoroughly with all his love toward Him.
He has done without delay whatever was pleasing to God. Then, God has answered all his prayers and fulfilled even what he had in his heart. God knew in advance what he would need in the future and when it would be, so He prepared it beforehand and gave it to him. Dr. Lee experienced such things countless times. If we keep God's commandments and please Him we can receive answers to all our prayers and fulfill our hearts' desires.
Siri za Baraka (2)
Usomaji wa Maandiko: Mathayo 22:37–40
Mstari wa Kukariri: 1 Yohana 5:3
Rejea: Kumbukumbu la Torati 10:13. Lengo: kuwasaidia waumini kuelewa moyo wa Mungu, anayetaka kuwapa watoto Wake furaha ya kweli, na kuwasaidia kupokea majibu ya matamanio ya mioyo yao kwa kumpendeza Mungu. Mungu Baba amejaa rehema, neema na upendo. Kama ilivyoandikwa katika Hesabu 6:24–26, “BWANA akubariki na kukulinda; BWANA akuangazie nuru za uso Wake na kukufadhili; BWANA akuinulie uso Wake na kukupa amani,” Yeye hufurahia kuwapa mema watoto Wake wapendwa.
Mungu anapokubariki, atakumiminia kipimo kizuri, kilichoshindiliwa, kusukwasukwa na kufurika (Luka 6:38). Bila shaka, tukitayarisha vyombo vyetu vizuri, Mungu atatuwezesha kuzaa matunda ya tulichopanda mara thelathini, sitini na mia moja (Mathayo 13:23). Basi siri ya kupokea baraka nyingi kutoka kwa Mungu ni ipi?
- 1. Tukimpenda Mungu, tunapaswa kuzishika amri Zake
Neno la Mungu katika Biblia linaweza kugawanywa kwa jumla katika aina nne. Aina mbili za kwanza ni “kufanya na kutenda,” nazo ni maagizo chanya kwetu. Mungu amewapa watoto Wake wapendwa amri hizi kwa sababu baraka huwajia wale wanaozitenda. Kisha Mungu hutuambia pia “tusifanye” jambo fulani na “tuondoe” jambo fulani. Ili kustahili kuwa watoto wa Mungu, hatupaswi kufanya yale anayotukataza, na tunapaswa kuondoa yale anayoyachukia. Tusipotii, ukuta wa dhambi utasimama kati yetu na Mungu au laana Yake itatupata.
Kwa hiyo, tunapaswa kuzitenda amri Zake pia. Kwa mfano, Mungu anatuambia katika Kutoka 20:8, “Ikumbuke siku ya Sabato uitakase”; katika Kutoka 20:12, “Waheshimu baba yako na mama yako”; na katika Mathayo 6:33, “Utafuteni kwanza ufalme Wake na haki Yake.” Pia anatuamuru katika Mathayo 7:1, “Msihukumu, msije mkahukumiwa,” na katika Kutoka 20:14, “Usizini.” 1 Wathesalonike 5:22 yasema, “Jiepusheni na ubaya wa kila namna.”
Aina hizi nne za maagizo ya Neno la Mungu ndizo tunazopaswa kuzitenda ili kupokea upendo na baraka za Mungu. “Amri” ni maagizo ya Mungu, hasa mojawapo ya Amri Kumi za Agano la Kale; neno hili linarejelea Sheria ya Musa, ikiwemo Amri Kumi, na maagizo ya Yesu katika Agano Jipya. Katika Mathayo 22:36, mwanasheria mmoja wa Mafarisayo alimwuliza Yesu, “Mwalimu, ni amri iliyo kuu katika torati?” Yesu alisisitiza kumpenda Mungu na jirani, akajibu: “Mpende Bwana Mungu wako kwa moyo wako wote, na kwa roho yako yote, na kwa akili zako zote. Hii ndiyo amri iliyo kuu, tena ni ya kwanza.”
“Na ya pili yafanana nayo, nayo ni hii, Mpende jirani yako kama nafsi yako” (Mathayo 22:37–40). Tunapompenda mtu, tunataka kufanya anachotaka. Hata akituomba jambo gumu, huenda tukalifanya kwa furaha. Safari huwa fupi tunaposafiri pamoja na wale tunaowapenda, hata ikiwa kwa kweli ni ndefu. Vivyo hivyo, tukimpenda Mungu, haitakuwa vigumu kuzishika amri Zake. Ukiamini kwa kweli kwamba Mungu Muumba ndiye Baba yetu na kwamba alimtoa Mwana Wake wa pekee ili atuokoe, lazima utampenda. Kwa kawaida utajitahidi kuishi kwa Neno Lake ili kulipa upendo na neema Yake.
- 2. Mungu anataka kutuongoza katika njia ya baraka
Mungu alihakikisha amri Zake zimeandikwa katika Biblia ili kuwaongoza watoto Wake wapendwa kwenye njia ya baraka. Kumbukumbu la Torati 10:13 lasema, “Na kushika maagizo ya BWANA, na sheria Zake, ninazokuamuru leo, upate uheri.” Kama ilivyoelezwa, Mungu huwapa watoto Wake amri kwa faida yao. Wazazi huwafundisha watoto wao sheria nyingi za maisha ya kila siku kwa sababu wanataka waepuke magonjwa na ajali na waishi salama na kwa amani. Vivyo hivyo, Mungu ametupa amri kwa upendo Wake kwetu. Tukitambua hilo, tutafurahia kuzishika na hazitakuwa ngumu tena.
Kama 1 Yohana 5:3 isemavyo, “Maana huku ndiko kumpenda Mungu, kwamba tuzishike amri Zake; wala amri Zake si nzito,” tutaweza kutenda kutoka moyoni Neno linalotuambia tufanye, tusifanye, tuondoe au tushike jambo. “Kuzishika amri Zake” hakumaanishi kuzitii kwa kulazimishwa au kama roboti. Mungu anataka tutambue upendo Wake na kutii kwa hiari yetu wenyewe. Bila shaka, mwanzoni ni vigumu kuelewa moyo na mapenzi ya Mungu. Lakini tunapozitenda amri moja baada ya nyingine kwa bidii, tunaelewa mapenzi Yake, tunahisi upendo Wake na tunaweza kumpenda kwa moyo wote. Neno la Mungu linalosema “usifanye” au “ondoa” jambo linafanana na kulima shamba la moyo. Neno hulisafisha moyo kwa kutusaidia kuondoa uovu, dhambi na uongo, na kuugeuza kuwa udongo mzuri.
Huku ndiko kutahiriwa kwa moyo, nako hututayarisha kwa ajili ya kupanda mbegu. Lakini utii wetu kwa maagizo haya hauweki akiba ya thawabu ya mbinguni. “Kufanya na kushika” kunalinganishwa na kupanda mbegu za baraka na kuzivuna. Kama wakulima wanavyopaswa kupanda ili kuvuna mazao, tunapaswa kupanda mbegu za baraka, yaani kuzishika na kuzitenda amri za Mungu. Tukitii Neno la Mungu, hatutalindwa tu kutokana na majaribu, mitihani na ajali za kila namna, bali pia tutafurahia baraka duniani na thawabu Mbinguni.
- 3. Tuwe na furaha na shukrani tunapopanda mbegu za baraka
Mungu hupokea harufu ya mioyo yetu, si matendo yetu yenyewe. Hupendezwa na wale wanaojitahidi kuomba kutoka moyoni hata wanapokuwa na shughuli nyingi. Pia hufurahia wale wanaotimiza wajibu wao kwa unyenyekevu, hata kama wajibu huo unaonekana kuwa mdogo. Mungu anajua hali zao zote, kwa hiyo haoni uaminifu wao kuwa jambo dogo wakifanya kwa imani, tumaini na upendo.
Tukilazimishwa tu kutimiza wajibu au kufuata tu kile ambacho wengine wanafanya, hatupandi mbegu za baraka kwa imani na tumaini. Pia, tukilalamika au kusema maneno ya kukatisha tamaa baada ya kupanda mbegu za baraka, ni kana kwamba tunazichimbua au kuharibu tulichojenga. Mungu hupendezwa na kutujibu na kutubariki tunapotenda amri yoyote kwa furaha na shukrani. Waebrania 11:6 yasema, “Pasipo imani haiwezekani kumpendeza Mungu; kwa maana mtu amwendeaye lazima aamini kwamba Yeye yuko, na kwamba huwapa thawabu wale wamtafutao.” Zaburi 37:4 yasema, “Nawe utajifurahisha kwa BWANA, naye atakupa haja za moyo wako.” Kama mistari hiyo inavyoeleza, Mungu ametufundisha jinsi ya kutimiza matamanio ya mioyo yetu. Baadhi ya mababu wa imani walikubaliwa kuwa “waliompendeza Mungu kwa imani.”
Enoko alianza kutembea na Mungu alipokuwa na miaka 65 na akaendelea miaka 300, akishiriki upendo Naye. Alipokuwa na miaka 365, Mungu alimchukua Mbinguni. Eliya alimshuhudia Mungu aliye hai na kuwaongoza roho nyingi kwenye wokovu kwa kufanya matendo ya ajabu yenye nguvu; naye alichukuliwa Mbinguni bila kufa. Tukiwa na imani inayompendeza Mungu, tunaweza kubarikiwa katika kila jambo, kama familia, mahali pa kazi na biashara. Baraka hazihusu sehemu chache tu. Marko 9:23 yasema, “Kama ukiweza! Yote yawezekana kwake aaminiye.” Baada ya kukutana na Mungu aliye hai na kuponywa magonjwa yake yote kwa nguvu Zake, Mchungaji Jaerock Lee wa Kanisa Kuu la Manmin alilitii Neno la Mungu kwa furaha, bidii, ukamilifu na upendo wake wote Kwake.
Alitenda bila kuchelewa kila jambo lililompendeza Mungu. Kisha Mungu akajibu maombi yake yote na kutimiza hata mambo yaliyokuwa moyoni mwake. Mungu alijua mapema alichohitaji baadaye na wakati angekihitaji, kwa hiyo alikiandaa mapema na kumpa. Mchungaji Lee amepitia mambo kama hayo mara nyingi sana. Tukizishika amri za Mungu na kumpendeza, tunaweza kupokea majibu ya maombi yetu yote na kutimiza matamanio ya mioyo yetu.