VENGEANCE IS THE LORD'S

TEXT: PROVERBS 20: 22

Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.” (Proverbs 20:22).

The dictionary defines vengeance as the punishing of someone for harming you, your friend or your family. It is an action against someone to punish them for hurting you (dictionary.com).

The scripture made us to know that as human beings living together in a community or a society we cannot do without offending each other. Offence and conflict resolution is part of living. That is why the Bible admonishes us that we should not pay evil with evil, we should live in forgiveness. If you think someone offended you and you want to retaliate or you will not forgive, have it in mind that you are not perfect, you might have offended some in the cause of your relationship with people. This is why we should find excuse for people and let go of any record of wrong you have against them.

“So watch yourselves.” If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them.” (Luke 17:3).

Only God can fight a perfect battle- He is the best avenger. Have you been maltreated or cheated unjustly? Try to forgive and move on, let God avenge and vindicate you. It is not in your place to take revenge hence you don’t fall into sin yourself.

The Bible tells us to pray for those that persecute us (Matthew 5: 44). Don’t get me wrong, it is not easy to forgive and let go; it takes the grace of God. To fulfill the commandment of God, you must learn to forgive.

When you avenge yourself you are saying “God is not capable of fighting your battles” you are therefore replacing God in your life.

In “normal circular society where laws and orders are respected and followed, no one is allowed to take laws into his or her hands by punishing any offender. Protocols have to be followed by calling on the law enforcement agents of the society.

Consequently, in the kingdom of God, there are rules and regulations (commandments). If you cannot violate the laws of your society you shouldn’t violate God’s decrees. When God avenges for you, you will marvel at the extent He would go to avenge for you. You will be pleading with God to be lenient in His judgment over your adversaries because He will give them more than their requests!

LET GO AND LET GOD. Shalom.

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WHERE IS YOUR TREASURE?

TEXT: MATTHEW 6: 19-21.
19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
What is treasure? The Merriam Webster dictionary definition for treasure is "something of great worth or value."valuable (such as money, jewels, gold, or silver) that is hidden or kept in a safe place. something that is very special, important, or valuable.
What does it mean to store up? It means to keep a lot of something so that you can use it later.( Macmillan Dictionary).
Now that we know what treasure and storing up means. I will like to ask you as a child of God that what are your treasure? What do you place priority on?  What do you place value on? Are your treasure based on the worldly possessions or do you mind the things of God.
As God's children, your treasure or what you place paramount importance on should be what will add value to your walk with God. Don't get me wrong, I don't mean you should not aspire to be rich and be great in life, but do not forsake God in the quest to amass wealth. The scripture says in Matthew 6: 33 that we should seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all other things shall be added into it. Some have forsaken God in their adventure of treasure seeking. It is the blessing of God that gives riches without adding sorrow to it (Proverbs 10:22).
Our text says we should store up our treasure in heaven where nothing will destroy it. What does this mean? It simply means that you should engage in positive things that can be credited to your "heavenly bank account." Where it will be preserved and be remembered for good reward when we get to heaven.
Remember that the scripture made us to know that whatever we do here on earth will be accounted and rewarded accordingly. Therefore, do good to people, help those that are in need, ask for the grace to live godly life without spot or wrinkle, do not forsake the assembly of believers so that your spiritual life can be lifted.
Let your life be pleasing to God.
Make sure that your name will be written in the book of life. That is the greatest place to store up treasure in. Making heaven is the best treasure, the most valuable treasure that every believer should desire.
Worldly treasure cannot stand the test of time. What you see as treasure this year, will be out out date over time. If it does not go out of trend, it may be broken, stolen or destroyed. That is what our text is talking about. It does not worth it to run helter skelter over Worldly treasure that last but for a moment, and lose our heavenly treasure.
1st Timothy 6:9-10 says " Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 11.But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
 None of the wealthy people that died, took their wealth with them. All the treasure in keep will automatically becomes someone else's. If they did not do any good work while living, their "heavenly safe" will be empty without any good things to be rewarded for. What will their testimony be when they get to heaven?  What shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? ( Matthew 16:26).
"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." (1Timothy 6:17).
These worldly possessions or treasure are not eternal but temporary. Desire the eternal treasure, store up treasure in heaven, be good to people, love the "unlovable" touch lives positively, walk and be blameless before God (ask for the grace). Live in the consciousness of heaven so that the worldly pressure and pleasure will not swing you off course. Shalom.

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