I AM

All living organisms are classified into groups based on their basic and shared characteristics. Organisms within each group are then further divided into smaller groups which makes it easier for them to be studied. This obviously mean that they all have an origination, they all have a source that can tell us who they are and how they existed. And everything that comes into being will surely go out of being.

Don't be alarmed, this isn't a Science class but to help in further understanding what we'll be discussing.

God introduced Himself to Moses as I Am that I Am or as other Bible versions put it as I Am who I Am. God's absolute being means He never had a beginning, He just is.  The word 'Am' is an inflection of 'Be' meaning to exist. Notice God said 'I Am' making Him present.  The question I would have asked if in Moses' shoes was 'I Am What/ Who exactly?'

Along the years we've been able to put in words as to who He is during certain times of our lives. If God had said 'I Am King' it will mean He is the King and He wouldn't be more than a King, but I Am Who I Am gives us a space to add who He is because He didn't specifically tell us who exactly He is.

It's similar when asked the name of a certain individual, and the reply turns out to be 'My name is Steve,' meaning He's been defined as that name and He can't bear the name John because it's not who he is neither can he be more than Steve.  But God just said I Am...

Now it's left for us to fill in the blanks. Whenever you are faced with difficulties or challenges you call unto the I AM THAT I AM and at that moment He becomes who you want Him to be. He could be your provider at that moment, your Mighty God in battle, your deliverer, your helper, your King, your Savior and the list can go on and on. He can be what and who you need at that moment because He Is Who He Is. He is Who you want Him to mean to you.

He is present, He exists, His throne is everlasting, I Am who I Am, meaning He is not dependent on anything or anyone to bring Him into being or support His existence. He is not limited and He exists till eternity.

I AM     The Help you Need.
              The Love you Seek
              The Care you Want
              The Life you Want
              The Health you Need
              The Breath of Life
              The Bread of Life
              The Shield in your Battle
              The Wealth you Desire
              The Confidence you Seek
              The Fulfilment you Seek
              The Satisfaction you Need
              The Wisdom you Want

It goes on and on because He is Who He Is, all through the Scriptures we see WHO HE IS. It is assuring to know that He can still do the same Miracles and He still remain the Same because He doesn't grow old or out of form. As generations come and go He REMAINS I AM THAT I AM. Now we know why He's called the Ancient of days, because He is Eternal.

No matter what you might be facing wake up each morning knowing I AM THAT I AM is by your side. He has done it in times past and He'll keep doing it.

Isn't it Awesome!

Leaders Are Servants

[NIV] Matthew 23:11 The greatest among you will be your servant.

Why would Jesus Christ tell his disciples that before they can be great, they must be servants? In this passage, He was speaking to His disciples about humility. The Pharisees and similar religious leaders serve as examples of those who loved to broadcast their good deeds. They took pride in their public righteousness and often forgot that Jesus Christ warned to avoid practicing it in front of others. By doing so, they risked receiving a reward from their Heavenly Father.

It is unfortunate that "Christians" like these Pharisees still exist today. Jesus warned his disciples to be weary of those who expect praises from men and love to be honored with every passing opportunity. This type of leadership is usually not effective because they spend majority of their time protecting their status, instead of doing what is required of them.

Who is a servant? 

A servant is one that offers help to another person of some kind. The attitude of a servant was demonstrated through Christ Himself. Despite being the Son of God, He showed humility by washing the feet of His own disciples. Jesus Christ also stated that he did not come to be served but to serve. That is service and that is humility. Leaders who are servants view their leadership as an act of service.

Servant leadership is service to others. It is not about lobbying for a position, nor politicking for power. Instead it is about looking for opportunity to serve. Servant leaders avoid the limelight and serve in ways that often go unnoticed, such as taking out the trash or making the coffee at work. These acts do not have to be grand in order to be noticed by God, remember He searches the intent and content of man's heart, the little things we think might be too small to be noticed by Him are the things He actually takes note of. To be a Servant leader you must be ready to be criticized by the world, because you'll seize to do what they expect. No matter what Jesus Christ did, He was always critized by the Pharisees, the always wanted to make Him guilty, but Jesus wasn't a bit bothered by them, He went on with His purpose.He didn't love His life to please the Pharisees, He lived His life to please His Father. He was bent on been the King they wanted Him to be, He was more interested in the heavenly Kingdom and didn't care what the Pharisees thought about Him, so far He pleased His Father.

Any leader that is preoccupied with personal interests, protection of status, and preservation of positions, may not be a good ambassador of Christ. True leaders are those who strive to please the Lord through their lives with integrity. The Bible is full of great people who were exalted because of their humble hearts. David, Joseph, Solomon and Samuel are a few. They learned how to serve people and God. Even as kings, they were lowly at heart and were able to be used as a vessel of honor. 

To be great you must first learn how to serve in a humble manner. Jesus Christ said, those who humble themselves will be exalted and 1st Peter 5:5 tells us God opposes the proud. A person who is proud or has pride is indirectly contending with God and would therefore not be exalted. Jesus Christ served for the glory of God. His ultimate service was laying down His life in love. Even though the Son of God, He was always ready to offer Himself. Our Lord Jesus is a perfect example of a servant leader.

ENOUGH WITH THE SHOW AND PRETENSE

Amos 5:21-24, Hosea 6:6, Malachi 1:6-14, Isaiah 29:13, Matthew 15:8-9


All these passages and more from the Bible tells us how God isn't pleased when we offer sacrifices to Him and our hearts are far from Him. We say we are of God but we compromise with the world, we know His teachings and His ways but we are more focused on our works than our relationship with Him. This isn't a message for either the writer and the reader to look at areas they are good and ignore other areas, but to check ourselves and ask, 'Do I really honor God with my lips while my heart is far from Him?'

Our lips says one thing but our hearts says another. God is telling us it is enough. Enough 'trying' to look it when you are not, enough 'trying' to seem 'righteous', enough with been a 'Pharisee', enough with offering 'sacrifices', knowing Scriptures and teaching others about the Scripture but not living by it. It is time to rebuild our relationship with God and stop pleasing Him with words from our lips. Enough with been the hearer alone and not the doer of the Word. Enough with all the show and pretense, enough with living on your past relationship with God. Your past relationship with God cannot get you anywhere with God except apprasials from men; just like an expired visa won't get you into a country. Your current status will determine if you can move into a country or not, it’s all about the current status, that's what really matters.

The Scripture says blessed are they who do not only hear or listen to the Word but also Do ,meaning putting them into practice or action. (James 1: 22); this means there are people that are just listeners of the Word. It is time to start putting the Word of God we listen to into practice, it is time to start studying the Word to want to know God more and not to show to 'men' we know Scriptures. It is time to learn at the feet of our Lord Jesus Christ and put His Word into practice. Enough with all the show, we've deceived people enough.

We may be able to decieve man and everyone around us but we definitely cannot deceive God; and you know who we can't decieve?  The devil. As the Lord sees what's been done in secret so also the devil and his demons sees those who really live by the Word of God. How do I know this? Ask the seven sons of Sceva (Acts 19: 14-16). They know those who are walking in The Truth, they also see what you do in closet. If not the demon won't have been able to recognize 'Paul' and not recognize them, the sons of Sceva wanted to do what Paul did but failed.

If you don't runaway from God in the closet, He won't disappoint you in the open. It is high time we stopped hiding under the cover of religious activities and start replacing it with our relationship with God. Take time to ask yourself this question and sincerely give yourself an answer, 'Why do I really study the Word? Is it to make people see I'm familiar with Scriptures or because I really want to know God and understand His ways?'

Our God prefers a heart who yearns after Him more than sacrifices, He wants us to know Him, He wants our lives to be an endless river of righteous living and not see knowing him or walking in His ways, as a 'pain'. He wants us to honor Him both with our hearts and lips and to stop with the pretense or with the 'sacrifices.'
The Bible says, blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled. (Matthew 5:6). Fulfilment does not come from works or sacrifices, it comes only from a genuine hunger and thirst for righteousness.

We need not to only study the Word, but believe the Word and Do the Word.

Are you pretending over your passion for God or do you genuinely love Him?