…spreading the fragrance of His knowledge…
“You are bigger than what people say, Jehovah, You are bigger than what people say (2x)
You are good, You are kind; You are bigger than what people say.”
Anytime I sing or hear this song, I rarely think about the size or majesty or mighty power of God.
Rarely.
Instead, what always comes to mind is the ‘maturity’ of God.
Let me explain…
Last June, I worked with some brethren in the local church assembly to plan and execute a picnic. God in His infinite mercies enabled us to raise the funds and execute our plans.
All went well. The brethren were happy. The kids loved it. We did not spare anything to give them the time of their lives.
As I grow older, I realise it’s ridiculous, foolish even, to criticize certain denominations or doctrines because we don’t need them yet, or we have outgrown them, or we feel – at the level we currently are – they are extreme.
Let me explain.
I grew up attending a well-known church whose major doctrine was holiness: righteousness, sanctification, abstinence from sin, living a holy life – down to our physical appearance…
The first time I heard this statement from a minister, I chuckled, like most people in the congregation. It was more than the statement itself; it was the way he said it – and the wicked grin on his face when he did:
“Where do you place your ‘BUT’?! Put your ‘BUT’ in the correct place!”
It was hilarious.
However, beyond the humour, that single placement will radically influence your walk with God.
Let me explain…
Ask any Christian – and they’ll reel off the drill needed for spiritual victory: Pray. Read the Word. Meditate. Fast. Pray in the Spirit…and so on.
However, you can do all this – and still be a spiritual weakling.
Kenneth Copeland shared how his wife, Gloria, had been asking God to teach her how to fully and more powerfully operate in the spirit.
A few days ago, it suddenly struck me, “Deborah, it’s been a loooong time you’ve been depressed!”
Momentarily sad, unhappy or upset due to circumstantial happenings? Oh, sure.
But depressed? It’s been ages. Literally years.
This was a miracle because, many years ago, I used to be depressed. Really depressed..
A young lad was brought to stay with us. His English was really bad. He could barely hear or speak the language.
When I spoke to him, I tried to speak slowly and in broken (Nigerian pidgin English) so he could understand me.
I started, “Wetin be your…?”
Immediately, my mum interrupted me sharply. “No.”
Have you ever thought to yourself: “I’m between the devil and the deep blue sea?”
Well, who told you the devil and the sea were your only options?
God had been teaching someone I know to walk by faith…
Debby Osa 