DAILY HOMILIES #slavery

Many believe they would rise by destroying others. Remember that the razor blade and the axe can cut, but while the razor cannot cut trees, the axe cannot shave. We would do a great disservice to God if we fought each other because of their gifts. Count your blessings, develop your gifts, and work on yourself. Stop comparing yourself with anyone else; compete only with yourself. Seek to become a better version of yourself each day.

If asking has to do with praying, seeking involves making efforts. Yes, God is interested in the efforts you are making. The man who planted the fig tree did not see any fruits for three years, so he asked the vinedresser to cut it down. The vinedresser pleaded for more time to INCREASE HIS EFFORTS; that is, to dig around it, apply manure and water it more. What efforts are you making? Before you conclude that you cannot live above sin, why not increase your efforts? Why not dig around your heart and apply the manure of the word of God? The worst thing that can ever happen to you is to trivialise sin, painting it as “normal”. Every sin is a disaster.

The real impact of slavery is not so much the physical wounds inflicted on people but the psychological destruction it brings within a person. The slave begins to think of himself in such low terms that he craves for and worships his master. This is the stage of surrender! In the presence of his master, he is overcome by fear. This type of fear gripped the Israelites in the presence of Pharaoh. They even asked Moses, “Where there no better tombs in Egypt that you brought us out here to die?”

If there is any lesson we must take home today, it is: “Be good to children.” Help these little ones; help them achieve their dreams. The same Joseph considered unnecessary by his brothers became Governor of Egypt. The same Joseph sold off is the one about whom Pharaoh said: “Go to Joseph, do whatever he tells you.”

Start looking at what you have; count your blessings, develop your gifts, and work on yourself. Stop comparing yourself with anyone else; compete only with yourself. Seek to become a better version of yourself each day.

Like the children of Israel who called out to God in prayer when they were suffering in the hands of the Egyptians, the key to fighting sin is prayer. Jesus said: “Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8). If asking has to do with praying, seeking has to do with making efforts. Yes, God is interested in the efforts you are making

You can always determine who will be your Master and you can only have one Master. If you desire to be free from slavery to sin, you must subject yourself completely to God.

Truly, God cares. Just as He saved the people of Israel from bondage, God saves us from the bondage of our sicknesses and diseases when we call on him. The people of Israel cried to Him from Egypt and He rescued them. Do not lose heart, cry to God and He will rescue you.