LIVING FOR CHRIST

Pr. James Victor Lubwama

Daniel 9:21-23 (NIV)

“While I was still in prayer, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. 22 He instructed me and said to me, "Daniel, I have now come to give you insight and understanding. 23 As soon as you began to pray, an answer was given, which I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed. Therefore, consider the message and understand the vision.”

In this period of fasting, it’s not the repetitive prayers we make that will change our situations instantly because God heard us the first time we prayed so we should move our focus from selfish prayers of; me & I. Therefore stand in the gap: live for & do what Christ should have done. 

Ezekiel 22:30 [NLT] – “I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one.” Pray Jesus' prayers and address Jesus' concerns. Have a view and mind of Christ.

What are Jesus' Concerns? What does Jesus want me to do?

• Take ahead the ministry He started on earth. Luke 12:49 (ESV) says; “I come to set the world on fire……”
• Pray for the converts to be established & become firm in Christ
• Pray for the lost Christians
• Pray for the Pastors to be strengthened so as to fulfill their callings in ministry.
• Pray for and cheer those who do a good work in the church and ministry (ministers) so that they can remain standing on the evil day.
• Defend Christ and the pastors. We are what we are because of Christ and our Pastors
• Be Christ-like. In our salvation Journey, Jesus should be the gauge of our lives. 

Ephesians 4:13-14 (NLT) – “This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 

Its such prayers that can capture God's heart (1 Kings 3:5-14)

TURNING THE VALLEY OF WEEPING INTO A PLACE OF SPRINGS

Most people consider Salvation as a situation where one should not meet any challenges, troubles, trials, afflictions or failures. We usually hear people make statements like; "you are Born-Again, how can that happened to you?" How can God allow you to go through this? Amidst all troubles, Job's friends told him that he was facing hard situations because he had sinned before God (Job 22, 15, 16). But when you read the book of Job in chapter 1 & 2, you realize that the battle was between the devil and God.

Jesus said in John 16:33(NKJV); "In the world you have so many tribulations, trials, distress & frustrations but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world". Despite all those challenges, God has already provided a way out of your problem. Psalms 34:19;  ”Many are the afflictions of the righteous but God delivers him from all”'.

Why the Challenges and Trials 

• At times we go through challenges so that the works of God can be manifested in our lives. When a blind man came to Jesus, the disciples wanted to know if it was him or his parents who had sinned. He told them that none of them but it was so that the works of God be revealed in him. (John 9:2-3; “Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. 2 And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.”)
• Challenges help us to grow stronger in faith. James 1:2-3(NLT) says; “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow”
• Use challenges and problems as a stepping stone to get to another level. When the devil raises the dust, God raises the standards. Isaiah59:19 (NJKV) - “…….when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord will lift up a standard against him.”).

What should you do?

• Turn your valley of weeping into a place of springs. Psalms 84:5-6 (AMP) says; “Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man whose strength is in You, in whose heart are the highways to Zion. 6 Passing through the Valley of Weeping (Baca), they make it a place of springs; the early rain also fills [the pools] with blessings.”
• Take problems as opportunities to go to a higher level physically and spiritually. Consider failures as an opportunity to look at matters from God's perspective. Use the problems as prayer points.
• Rejoice. Have faith that your redeemer liveth and He will create a way out of your problems. 1 Corinthians 10:13 says; “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

Pr. Geoffrey Kibombo