CONSIDER YOUR WAYS

By Pst Victor Bajulaiye
(Presiding Pst Chapel of Mercy Int'l Church)

Text: Haggai 1: 3- 7

 INTRODUCTION :
    God has a lay down instruction for doing things. He has a reason for every instruction and for you to benefit from Him you must be ready to do things according to His instructions.
In football there are some laid down rules.
When a goalkeeper touches the ball with His hand out of 18 yard box,he has committed an offence and will be sanction for it.
Everything in life must be done according to the rules.
1 Corinthians 14: 40
"let all things be done decently and in order"
Proverbs 4: 13
"take fast hold of instruction; let her not go; keep her; for she is thy life"
Every word of God is for your living.
2 Samuel 6: 6 - 8

"6:6

 And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of God, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it.  

6:7

 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of God.  

6:8 

And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perezuzzah to this day."

We saw how Uzzah attracted the anger of God by putting his hand on the ark.
When we don't do things in the right way, we attracts the wrath of God. When you don't play by the rule,you attract Sanction or punishment.
God gave an instruction as to how the Ark is to be carried  Exodus 25: 14 -15

"25:14

 And thou shalt put the staves into the rings by the sides of the ark, that the ark may be borne with them. 

 25:15 

The staves shall be in the rings of the ark: they shall not be taken from it."

Why did God slew Uzzah? 1 Chronicles 15: 11 - 29.
"There is a due order for everything.
 Order is an arrangement or an instruction in which things are to be done.
Exodus 25: 14 -15 explained the due order to carry the ark. The only people allowed to carry it are the Priest. It is not to be carried by its handle or using their hand.
For you to be Successful in life there are certain things you must do.
Proverbs 14: 12

"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."

The ways of man is different from the ways of God.

 THREE THINGS TO CONSIDER IN OUR WAYS

1. CONSIDER YOUR ASSOCIATION:
Proverbs 13: 20

"He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed"

2 Corinthians 15:33

"be not decieved: evil communications corrupt good manner"

Evil friends does not compliment you but corrupt,destroy and ruins you. There are people you must avoid in life if you want to get to your place of fulfilment.
In mathematics, 0 & 1 are critical numbers. If you multiply Billions with zero you will get zero and whatever you multiply with one will remain itself.
There are people who are like "zero" and "one",once you associate with them they will bring you down to zero, some will make you stagnant.
The problem of many is The association and company they keep. Who you move with is a determinant to how far you can go in life.

2. CONSIDER YOUR PRAYER AND FASTING LIFE:

Isaiah 58: 6

" is not this the fast that I have chosen? to lolosee bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that he break every yoke?"

Prayer and Fasting are ordained as covenant platform to access our Greatness. It is a commandment and not an admonition. Many hahaveeold their bibirthrightke Saul.
Matthew 6:17

"but thou (you), when thou (you) fastest, ananointine head, nd wash thy face;"

Prayer and Fasting is not a principle but a commandment to everyneprofit. All commandments are profitable if you do it Mark 2: 18 - 20.

"2:18 

And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not?  

2:19

 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.  

2:20 

But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days."

Whatever will change your level requires your prayer and fasting. It is a Spiritual force 1 Corinthians 16: 9.

"For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries."

With Grace in place w, e need prayer Matthew 17: 20 -21.

"17:20

 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place;nd  shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.  

17:21 

Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting."

Rekindle your Fire.

3. CONSIDER YOUR APPRECIATION

1 Thessalonians 5: 18

"in everything give thanks: this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

Know how to say "GodThankk you!"
Malachi 2: 1 -2.

"2:1 

And now, O ye priests, this commandment is for you.

2:2

 If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart."

Keep thanking for all he has done,al l he not done and all that He will do. Show gratitude to Him every miminuteAlso s, how Love to the people around you, it is a way of showing gratitude also to God.

ITS TIME TO SAY YES TO JESUS

Have you ever asked Jesus to come into your life? That is; are you BORN AGAIN? If not please pray this prayer.

"Lord Jesus, I come to you today, I am a sinner, I cannot help myself. Forgive me my sins; cleanse me with your precious blood. Deliver me from Satan to serve the living God today. Lord Jesus I, accept you as my Lord and Savior Thank you J, Jesus  ,or saving me. Now I am Born Again".