"A seal is a device with a cut or raised emblem, symbol, or word used especially to certify a signature or authenticate a document" Merriam Webster Dictionary.

When people see seal upon a document, they give reverence to it, believing it's authentic and accept it has a final decree. But then, what's the essence of a seal upon an empty document. It's nothing but a waste of investment.

�For today, we will be considering 2 Bible characters which portray the seal of God upon an individual and what an empty content means.


PHARISEE

�They had the law written upon tables and on scrolls, but they didn't allow God to write the law in their hearts. No wander they remained sinners. "Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Psalms 119:11

�They were resting on the external privileges of the blessings of Abraham, but not the eternal faith of Abraham unto salvation. "Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham." Luke 3:8

�They were resting on the external privileges of the blessings of Abraham, but not the eternal faith of Abraham unto salvation. "Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham." Luke 3:8

�They instructed the foolish without acknowledging their own folly. "Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.(such as ablution) And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God (faith in Christ and repentance unto godliness) that ye may keep your own tradition. Mark 7:7-9

�They had the special presence of God in the temple made by hands, yet they didn't allow God to dwell in their temple made without hand (their body which is the temple of the Holy Ghost). "That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love. May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. Ephesians 3:15-19. Even as the glory of God filled the physical temple.

�They had a form of Godliness but denied the power thereof. Such as, in dressing and church attendance, but the real transformation of the heart and regeneration of the spirit are missing.

�They were religious but not rightousness. Righteousness comes by faith in Christ.

�They knew Jesus came from God, yet they persecuted Him

�They supposed to show their people the way to God, yet they rejected God’s own Gift to the world willfully.


Lessons

��The best knowledge can produce is a form of godliness. Remember, it can't produce the power.

��The best you can be, by being sanctimonious, is to be religious but not righteous.

�� External observances without internal piety are as nothing. Religion without righteousness is vain. Eternal cleaniness without inward cleansing amounts to nothing.

��Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God. 1 Corinthians 7:19

��You can be eloquent in speech, and skilled in the controversy of religion, remember, it's he Holy Spirit that brings conviction.

��You can win an argument, and clear people's doubt but it's Holy Spirit that convicts. Head knowledge is unfruitful if it doesn't bring you to repentance and refreshing in prayers.



SAMSON

�Samson had the anointing, yet he was a fornicator and hardly escaped the danger of an harlot.

�Samson was a man of strength. However, he was robbed of his strength by his own lust.

�Samson was a great man, yet he was betrayed into the hand of his sworned enemies.

�Samson was a worrior, yet he was consumed in his own lust and became an object of mockery.

�Samson was a promised child, but he terminated his own ministry on the lap of Delilah.

�Samson was born by the Will of God, but he didn't do the will of God in marriage nor in lifestyle.

�Samson was a covenant child, yet he didn't make covenant with his own eyes like Job did.

�Samson was filled with power, yet he fell into the love of women and lusted after them.

�Samson was elected of God right from his mother's womb, but he was a lair. He was mighty on the outside but feeble on the inside.

�Samson was a man of influence but he indulged his sensual appetites in unceaniness and fleshly.


Lessons

��Anointing is not necessary a sign of spiritual power. Spiritual power is the ability to put your body under subjection and to be master your own body. Spiritual power is having dominion over temptations and tempters, seductions and seducers, sins and self, trials and temperaments.

��The anointed does not fall because of anointing but weakness of his human spirit. We can always get anointing while a strong spirit is not a gift. However, a strong spirit is built over time, with delebrate effort of eating the word and refreshing in the place of prayer.

 For the fact that you can perform signs and wonders does not guarantee the presence of God in you. After all, Samson carried the gate of the city on his shoulder even after spending night with an harlot.

��Anointing is just a seal, but you in which the seal is laid upon is the most important. You have have the right spirit within you as well. It is possible to still speak in tongues even when the Holy Spirit has departed.

��Being a miracle worker is not a license for heaven. After all, Lucifer has lost heaven, yet his power as in the beginning still remains with him , God chose not to take it back. Thereby he performs lieing wonders, yet that doesn't make him qualified for heaven.

��External manifestations of power is not equivalent to inward purity.

��Anointing without holiness is like a vehicle of power with no engine.

��Power without purity is like a well without water and cloud without rain.

I pray God will grant all of us the wisdom not to abandon the weightier matter, and be filled with the right spirit within, unto holiness and righteousness. Amen.

Thank you for reading through. Don't forget to like, comment and share. God bless you.

Ogunlade Adekemi Boluwatife

For other posts, visit http://christiangymnastic.

Good day, my dear valued reader. There's a new post on my blog, that you would love to read.

You've heard about the phrase, "FIRST LOVE" before. In the new post, you will understand more, what first love means to a Christian, how to preserve it. Peradventure, what's left is the object of love but the real thing is no more there, you will discover how to gain it back.

Kindly click the link below�

Have a blessed day.�

https://christiangymnastic./2020/06/27/my-first-love/

�LOOK NOT UPON ME, BECAUSE I AM BLACK�
Song of Solomon 1:6

Before conversion, every sinner is dirty, burned with sin and scorched under the load of iniquities. But comeliness comes by repentance and faith in Christ.

As Christians, Jesus has washed us in His own blood, we are now white and snow. Whiteness is the proper colour of a saint and she is comely and fair.

The greatest beauties, when exposed to weather, they become tanned soon. One gets blackness by the heat and burdens of the day.


Let's now consider factors that can tan the skin of a believers and become black:


FAMINE OF THE WORD : "Our skin was black like an oven because of the terrible famine." Lamentation 5:10. Many folks are genuinely converted but because they lack a true shepherd(pastor) that will feed them with the right diet and continually. They become black again and die as a baby Christian. It is by the sincere milk of the word we grow(1Peter 2:2). The Word of God is the hiding place and shield against the rays of sun that can tan the skin( Psalm 119:114, Proverbs 30:5). If you examine yourself that your are not growing spiritually and it seems your light is turning to darkness already, maybe you are in a famine. However, in times like this that every church door is closed, study the Word in your house, else, the sun will look upon you. God forbid. Keep your face shining in the mirror of the Word.


UNBROKENESS : It is one thing to pass through famine of the Word. Another thing is to have the Word but have no place. Jesus spoke about the parable of the sower. Some fell upon stony places , where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth. And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. Matthew 16:5,6. Hallelujah, God has made provision for this challenge of hardness of heart. He said after that He has cleansed you, "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. This is the will of God for everyone, even your sanctification.


TRIBULATIONS AND PERSECUTIONS : "But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it. Yet hath he not root in himself, but endureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. Matthew 13:21,22. Tribulations and trials are weapons the adversary of our soul, the Devil uses today to lure away believers from their shield and expose them to the sun which will darken them. Then wait for the appropriate to finally strike them. The troubles from false brethren and seducers the common grievances during persecutions. Behold, your Redeemer cometh, "But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy." 1 Peter 4:13
Matthew 28:20 " ….lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

This is a call to watchfulness. Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness. Luke 11:35

Thank you for reading through. Don't forget to like, leave a comment and share with your family and friends. God bless you.


Ogunlade Adekemi Boluwatife


For other posts, visit http://christiangymnastic.

SIN UNTO DEATH: A WARNING FOR MATURED BELIEVERS

Before I proceed to what sins unto death are, I will like tell you about sins not unto death and the type of believer are liable to commit sins unto death.

First of all, you need to bear it in mind that, It is only matured Christian that can commit sin unto death.

“WHAT ARE SINS NOT UNTO DEATH?”

There is a possibility of a babe in Christ who lacks knowledge and devoid in understanding of his/her liberty, being inconsistent.

They are prone to make mistakes and do things that are wrong or commit sin ignorantly or by mistake but not willingly

Dear reader, do you notice inconsistency in your walking with God? Don’t allow the devil to accuse you wrongly that you have committed sin unto death.


This is the promise, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:” 1 John 2:1. Therefore, shake yourself from the dust, repent and appropriate the grace of God in your life.


However, every unconfessed and unrepentant sins are unto death if the sinner die in that condition. "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23.


“WHAT ARE SINS UNTO DEATH”

As I said earlier, it is only matured Christians that can commit sin unto death.

“For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.

For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost. And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come. If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. Hebrews 10:26; 6:4-6.

Note the stages here,

1. They have received the knowledge of the truth. Saved

2. They were once enlightened. “Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.” They have been born again.
Corinthians 12:3.

3. They have tasted of the heavenly gift. Baptized in the Holy Ghost.

4. They have tasted of powers of the world to come. Fully matured.

You can see that they are not babes but matured. That is the very reason why when they fall away, it is difficult to bring them back, because there is nothing you want to say to convince them that they don’t know. Even as at this stage, they have not committed sin unto death, they can still be forgiven if they repent and trace their ways back to Calvary.


When do you now know if someone has committed sin unto death?�

Perpetual backsliding of such people without repentance when they fall away leads to sin unto death. “……. seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”


This people often become apostates. Sometimes, they begin to preach against what they formally believed and experienced.

“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins”.
We know, whosoever’s sin is not remitted will surely be tormented in hell fire.

Sometimes, they also speak blasphemous words against the Holy Spirit which once convicted them of sins and saved them. This is referred to sin against the Holy Ghost, which cannot be forgiven, according to Matthew chapter 12 verse 31. This will be discussed later.


Note: This case is very rare, I have never seen one but might have read about one. Maybe one in thousands.


For other posts, visit my blog@ Http:/christiangymnastic.

� THE DARK-NIGHT OF THE SOUL: A Must Experience For Every Christian


�The problem in the world today is not how to have the Life, it’s easy to repent and believe the conviction of the Holy Spirit. When one gives his life to Christ, he feels connected to God, feel the ectasy, the excitement and joy. You become guided by the Spirit of God and receive messages because there’s a spiritual awakening.

�The major problem is how to release the Life one has received.
At the dark-night of the soul, you feel dying and as a matter of fact, you must die. The Bible tells us in John 12:24 that ” Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.


The dark-night of the soul is the time where your old self , the old you and old karma die.
Yes, you are being born new but you have to purge those garbages pressing you down and everything that is holding you back. The dark night helps you to release those things in the past even those things you are not aware of they you need to release. All those things needed to be purged and released because they weight you down to the surface.
The dark night of the soul is also refered to as the indispenseable purging of pilgrims.

�At this junction, I am going to list some of innegotiable things every born again individual must purge himself/herself from.

��1. SUPERSTITION: In the letter of apostle Paul to the church in Rome, we see that, some persons’ in Rome brought out certain doctrine that whosever wants the salvation of God must be circumcised, so Paul addressed that and you can read it up for more clarifications. Likewise, in our days, many people still observe ceremonial law of burning of incense and candles, even worshiping of Mary and angels. The blood of Jesus is enough for our redemption, the veil is rent away and no one (either man or spirit or angel) is to be worshipped aside the Triune God. Peradventure you have such backgrounds, whereby they worship idols, burn incense and candles, you have to purge yourself from those things and renew your mind.

�� 2. TRIBAL CONFLICT : You remember apostle Peter, he was born again and spirit filled. Yet this man of God had to be purged from such things. Acts chapter 10 is where the full gist is. In verse 28, note what Peter said here, “And he said unto them, Ye know how that “it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.”. Do you see that, dear reader? There are some things that you need to let go, if you really want to shine the light of Christ in you and impart your own generation. Let’s purge ourselves like Paul, that we may say, ” the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;”. Let’s also understand here that, he didn’t condescend to them in practices or deeds, it is only telling us how much impart we can make it we have a winsome character.

�� 3. ATTITUDE : There’s a great work we need to do here, we must acknowledge those attitude that grieves the Spirit and purge ourselves from them. Ephesians 4:30 says “grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let’s purge ourselves from all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from us, with all malice. Ephesians 4:31. Lastly, there must also be purging before one can have full and prompt obedience to God.

�� 4. INDISCIPLINE : It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. Romans 14:21. It’s not only in food, in dressing, in deeds, words and comportment, discipline is required. There are many a times that you would like to do some things, but you must not do them because you might pass wrong signals to people by doing them. In the life of someone that has been purged, 1 Corinthians 10:23 will be evident; “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.”

�� 5. SELF: Self must be crucified. Someone may ask, how do I recognize self and how can I crucify self? First of all, you must understand here that, crucifixion of self is not an entertainment, it might bring tears because it is called darknight of the soul. Here, you don’t count your life precious to you but all will be God’s. Self-opinion, self-will, self-sufficiency, self-exaltation and self-pride must be thoroughly dealt with. Peter had to be broken from self-confidence, Paul had to be sticken, Abraham had to leave his own country, Jacob’s love Rachel had to be taken away, Jacob’s beloved son had to leave him, Joseph had to be trained in Egpyt before self could be totally destroyed and wholly depend on God.

�� 6. TEMPERAMENT: Our individual temperament some times always want to dictate the way we act. When we make up our minds and allow ourselves to pass through this dark night, the weaknesses in whatever temperament are crushed/tamed while the wonderful ones are strengthened.



I believe God has blessed you, don’t forget to share with friends and family.

See related posts


SIN UNTO DEATH: A warning for a matured believer @ http://christiangymnastic.

THE FOUR POWERFUL PROS AND CONS OF FEELINGS @ http://christiangymnastic.

Yes o. Thanks for stopping by sir

� THE SEVEN MYSTERIES OF THE CHOSEN COLT �
Luke19:30-48

1. ��There were many colts in that city but Messiah chose that single coat. "Ye have not chosen me but I have chosen you."

2. ��The colt made himself available for the King. The Lord might have chosen him truly, but peradventure it was no where to be found, it would have missed the purpose of God. You may have prophesy of the call of God upon you but you must avail yourself.

3. ��The coat was chosen, available but tied. "The gift ( _ministerial gift_ ) of God is without repentance" So it has to be loosed before the master can ride on it. The chosen vessel must be delivered from the shackles of sin for the King to ride on him.

4. ��The colt didn't struggle with the disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. Likewise, one might be chosen but he can only prove himself worthy of the call of God upon him if he is ready to be set free from the bounds of iniquities. If you want the King to ride on you, don't struggle with your Maker.

5.�� In verse 35, garments were cast on the colt before Jesus was set on it. For Jesus to sit on you, you must be dressed. Note that the garments cast of the colt was not his, likewise you need to go to God to dress you with garment of rightousness , grace and power.

6. �� Verse 36 shows how people spread their garments on the way. Look carefully here, it was not Jesus that directly walked on those clothes, it was the colt. What a great honour! Once you carry the King, He will be glorified through you.

7.�� Finally, Jesus covered a great distance. Imagine if the colt didn't have enough inner strength to carry the King and the colt collapsed on the way, what would have happened to the whole show? As a vessel, you need to gather momentum in your inner man, you have to be strong in your spirit.

Many ministers failed today because they have refused to build capacity in their human spirit but depend on Spirit upon(anointing).

Joseph took time to build his human spirit, that is why, even in pressure he was able to stand. You see, Samson on the other hand, he was weak and feeble on the inside, although was carrying a great anointing on the outside, he fell.

As much as you desire anointing as a minister, take time to build your spirit also. It is better to be a Joseph than a Samson. However, holiness does not condone spiritual laziness to possess your possession.

Related posts:

THE DARK NIGHT OF THE SOUL: A Must Experience for Every Christian @ https://christiangymnastic.

FOUR POWERFUL PROS AND CONS OF FEELINGS @ https://christiangymnastic.


Ogunlade Adekemi Boluwatife

Thanks for the comment ma. To God be the glory.

Merriam dictionary defines feeling as: undifferentiated background of one's awareness considered apart from any identifiable sensation, perception,or thought,undifferentiated background of one's awareness considered apart from any identifiable sensation, perception, or thought.

Now, let's go into the pros and cons of this feelings.

1. �� JACOB : You know the story, Jacob was fooled because of feelings. In the twenty-seventh chapter of the book of Genesis, verse 21 to 23, Isaac said to Jacob, Come near, I pray thee, that I may feel thee, my son, whether thou be my very son Esau or not. And Jacob went near unto Isaac his father; and he felt him, and said, the voice is Jacob's voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau. And he discerned him not, because his hands were hairy, as his brother Esau's hands: so he blessed him.

Many have been fooled today because they cannot discern. Some so called children of God still set flees for God to guide them in decision, they try to communicate with God that is spirit through their natural senses. So, they run into trouble because no one can know a wolf in sheep's clothing by feelings. However, by discernment. Some forgot the Scripture that says God is Spirit and even the evidence of being a child of God is being able to be led by the Spirit of God. It is not by feelings, it is by knowing (discerning).


�� AMNON : And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon the son of David loved her. And Amnon was so vexed, that he fell sick for his sister Tamar; for she was a virgin ; and Amnon thought it hard for him to do anything to her. (2 Samuel 13:1-2). Looking at it naturally, some persons will say he so much loved her and was sick of love but the source of the feelings is from the pit of hell. In fact, after he has pretended and succeeded in defiling her, the Bible says in verse 15; " Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone.
Hey brother! Watch your feelings and emotions. The love you have for her because of her beauty and dignity is not enough to marry her. Many marriages are collapsing to because it is built on foundation of feelings. Beware!


�� TAMAR : Amnon lay down, and made himself sick: and when the king was come to see him, Amnon said unto the king, I pray thee, let Tamar my sister come, and make me a couple of cakes in my sight, that I may eat at her hand. So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house; and he was laid down. And she took flour, and kneaded it, and made cakes in his sight, and did bake the cake. And Amnon said unto Tamar, Bring the meat into the chamber, that I may eat of thine hand. And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them into the chamber to Amnon her brother. And when she had brought them unto him to eat, he took hold of her, and said unto her, Come lie with me, my sister. 2 Samuel 13:6-11 You see, in the first place, when David told her that her was sick and that her brother chose her to minister to him, Tamar would be blushing saying in her mind "my brother loves me above everyone". My sister, open your eyes and see. It is not everyone that has feelings for you truely loves you, it is called infatuation and inordinate affection. Many sisters have joined themselves in friendship/ marriage in the name of he loves me. You know the end of the story, GUARD YOUR HEART!


�� SAMSON : Samson was in relationship with the daughters of Philistines. Those ladies are experts in dishes and of course in romance. Samson feels so loved whenever he is with them. (Remember, Jacob seemed to love Esau and gave him food and drinks, but he actually did that to take away his birthright). Now, it is time for Samson to get married. Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well. (Judges 14:3) . You know end of the story, he died on the lap of Delilah. It is not by what you feel but discerning who he/she is.
There is a need for every child of God to discover the ascent and clear way God speaks to him/her. Also, our spiritual senses have to sharpened and trained how to tune to the frequency of the supernatural.

I hope the write up has blessed you, don't hesitate to share with your friends and family.

Ogunlade Adekemi Boluwatife