Let's Go Planting 5 million Trees In 1 Day

 "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor" (I Cor 3:6-8)

The "Green Ghana Project" which was officially launched some weeks ago, took of today, with many traditional, political, religious leaders, and ordinary Ghanaians taking part in it. Also, whilst agencies such as Ministry of Land and Natural Resources, Forestry Commission, the Ministry of Environment and Government driving the initiative, NGOs, Schools, Civil Society Groups, Churches of Christ, Church of Pentecost, Anglican etc are solidly supporting this project. Many have seen the importance of this project and hence it was widely preached to many others to the extent that all political parties are unanimously involved.The initial target was 5 million trees across the country however due to massive support, the target has been raised to 10 million. Wow.This is wonderful.

What is the point here?

As I listen to news updates on this Green Ghana Project today, I cannot stop reminiscing the interesting times I joined my zealous brethren at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)- Church of Christ and University of Ghana (UG)-Church of Christ at various parts of the Country for a spiritual tree planting project- EVANGELISM. There were times that some brethren did not even intend to go on such gospel campaigns but then, the excitement and infectious energy of other brethren get them come along.

And eventually they come to understand the importance of winning souls for Christ and get involve with all their heart. Sometimes the number of students set out to carry out this God-given task increase and become huge and leaders will have to now book extra vehicles. Personally, I liked these evangelism projects so much that, on many occasions, I had to join brethren and risk the consequences of having less time to prepare for exams. I say to God's glory that, it was a risk that paid off- it's not for everyone to do same though. I hope brethren would work hard and bring those gospel campaigns back post Covid-19 and it restrictions.

The Challenge

Now as many spoke about the necessity of this Green Ghana Project and the benefits we are going to reap in future as a country the most repeated concern was the nurturing of those trees i.e watering, clearing, pruning, etc and also the sustainability of this project. The President, the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources and many others talked about the need for continuous care for these trees so that they don't end up dying, rendering this wonderful initiative useless. Thus, I will even suggest that records should be kept so that 5-10 years from today, those who would have their trees still alive and flourishing, should be rewarded.

Question: And is it not true that souls that are won for Christ must be nurtured to a point where they are able to stand alone and grow?. One of the challenges I have seen which I believe you have also noticed is the lack of following up on new converts and prospects in our campus churches and local congregations. I am not saying it is not done at all but rather, it is not enough. As a result of this challenge, many new converts backslide into their past life and pseudo religions. Very painful!! 

Moreover, have we not read about Paul and Barnabas saying “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.” ?(Acts 15:36)

Brethren let us encourage the habit of following up on new converts and responsive prospects. For by so doing we will be watering what we have planted, the seed-the word of God (Luke 8:11) and God will give His increase (I Cor 3:7)

Apart from our laziness and unwillingness to follow up, our lifestyles even sometimes discourage and dampens the spirit of the new brethren (converts). This is real. Have you not read about Jesus proclaiming " “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves"? (Matt 23:15). Oh brother, sister in the Lord, may it not be said to you;  “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of offenses! For offenses must come, but woe to that man by whom the offense comes! (Matt 18:6-7)

 “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea" (Mark 9:42) 

This is interesting

Today, many people including you (if only you did) , planted trees with  prominent people of this country such as the President, the ministers, political and religious leaders. You labored with such great people today. 

Question: But have you considered that any time you participate in spiritual tree planting such as public preaching, personal work, distributing gospel tracts, reaching to people through social media with the gospel, inviting others to the true worship service etc, you are laboring with God, "For we are God’s fellow workers;" (I Cor 3:9). Can you imagine being God's fellow worker?

Importance

We know of the importance of this tree planting done today. How our depleting forest is going to be restored if this project is sustained. The shade they will provide, how the trees will hold the soil together and prevent erosion. Some of the trees to may bear edible fruits, some too may be cash crops, the trees will also give us fresh air. There are so many importance that we can obtain from these trees planted

Now similarly, let's consider the merits of spiritual tree planting (EVANGELISM). The world will get to know the truth and be set free (John 8:32).  Many will be turned towards God (Acts 26:20) and be spiritually minded (Rom 8:6). Many people will be saved (I Tim 2:4), the Kingdom will spread (Luke 4:43), effects of sin will be mitigated. In fact the benefits of evangelism surpass all I can think about and mention in this article. As we plant the fruitful word of God in honest hearts, let us continue to nurture them for the Lord urged us to continue "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you;" (Matt 28:20).

Rewards!

I don't know if ordinary Ghanaians who partook in this tree planting exercise have been given any rewards. Obviously not. But for all of us who engage in this spiritual tree planting exercise (Evangelism), each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor"(I Cor 3:8).

Finally, if we plant and nurture spiritually, our trees "shall be like a tree

    Planted by the rivers of water,

    That brings forth its fruit in its season,

    Whose leaf also shall not wither;

And whatever he does shall prosper" (Psa 1:3).

Let's go planting 'world billion' trees. Rescue the perishing.

#The Churches of Christ salute you.

#spotlightontheword.com

#The Churches of Christ salute you.

#spotlightontheword.com

You can also find this on Kasukose blog.com

IT GOT LOST IN THE TEMPLE: THE STORY OF THE BIBLE

There is always an increasing desire among people, especially the youth, to satisfy their curiosities about some lost books of the Bible. Many videos and articles have been written about some lost books of the Bible. Sorry to disappoint you if you are one of such people. There no lost books of the Bible which we must now hunt for but that which we have now as scriptures is from the inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Tim 3:16-17). This topic is not about lost books of the Bible but a very dynamic lesson which I have dubbed: It got lost in the temple: the story of the Bible.

Now, something happened during the reign of Josiah 2 Chron 34. Josiah became king at the age of eight. At age 20 he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of idolatry. In the course of this restoration, Hilkiah the high priest found the book of the law written by Moses (14).

On the recovery of this book,"some think this “book of the law” was only the book of Deuteronomy, and some say it is only some part of the Torah; However, many others think it is the whole Pentateuch, and that not a copy of it, but the very autograph of Moses, written with his own hand, as it seems from 2 Chronicles 34:14".

I believe also that it is the entire law of Moses. Again, some Bible students think that a godly high priest hid the book of the law during the reign of Ahaz or Manasseh, to prevent the book from being destroyed . Some people also think this book of the law was lost and missing; misplaced and abandoned, as some throw their Bibles into their rooms and do not keep it well . It was no marvel that the people were so corrupt, when the book of the law was so scarce. Whiles renovating the temple, the book of the law was found, and brought to the king. This was yet another evidence of God's providential care for the Bible, protecting it and handing it down to generations.

. "It was the temple copy, which had been laid (De 31:25, 26) beside the ark in the most holy place. During the ungodly reigns of Manasseh and Amon—or perhaps under Ahaz, when the temple itself had been profaned by idols, and the ark also (2Ch 35:3) removed from its site; it was somehow lost, and was now found again during the repair of the temple" another commentator observed.

But, the inscrutable question is how the book of the law got missing in the temple. I think the temple should have been where the book of the law can commonly be found.

The only answer i found which best fits our puzzling question is the the apostasy enjoyed by the nation of Israel about seventy years after Hezekiah's restoration. When they went into apostasy, they lost the word of God.

Though we have plentitude of Bibles, yet the Bible is as lost to us, just as it was to them.

Yes! The Bible is missing. 

How else would you have me convince you, when a nation that was founded on Christian values (such as the United States of America) would now be forced to permit wicked acts like abortion, homosexuality, transgenderism etc?(Rom 1:22 Professing to be wise, they became fools).How come the Bible cannot be taught freely in public schools without infringing on another person's right? ( The message is offensive to them Gal 5:11).

If the Bible were not missing, how come a country like Ghana which we claim is a Christian nation would be full of murdering of innocent people by some evil workers, cutting corners, sexual assault, violation of authority and other people's rights, manipulation, secret and daylight robbery, corruption; abnormal profits, hatred, profane talk, obscene videos on social media, hypocrisy, partisan politics, unfair treatment of others, acts which fuel factions, drunkenness, culture of insults, indecent dressing, promiscuity, gossip and among others? 

Remember! righteousness exalts a nation,

But sin is a reproach to any people (Prov 14:34).

During the reign of king Manasseh when the Book of the Law got missing, this was what happened: "But he did evil in the sight of the Lord, according to the abominations of the nations whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel. 3 For he rebuilt the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down; he raised up altars for the Baals, and made wooden images; and he worshiped all the host of heaven and served them. 4 He also built altars in the house of the Lord, of which the Lord had said, “In Jerusalem shall My name be forever.” 5 And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord. 6 Also he caused his sons to pass through the fire in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom; he practiced soothsaying, used witchcraft and sorcery, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke Him to anger. 7 He even set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God" ( 2 Chron 33:2-7).

Thus, it is clear that just as the Book of the Law was lost to the nation Israel, so the Bible is missing in countries like Ghana and others who are deemed 'Christian nations'. 

Let's now turn to the denominational world where most believe they are the more 'spiritual' as far as Christianity is concerned- which is not true anyway. Let me repeat my question: how come the book of the Law got misplaced in the temple? 

In most of these denominations, the sale of anointing oils and other items is a way of making money. Yet, followers are often deceived that such practices are communicated to the 'pastor' or man of God by God. Rom 16:17-18

Worship is no more based on a " thus sayeth the lord" rather based on what members and church leadership think. Things are done in a way to keep members. And that's why most cannot speak against immodest dressing of youth that throng their auditoriums every Sunday. Church growth is no more about effective preaching of the gospel but some quick fixes that would help the church do what will please members.

The rest who claim to hold on to the scriptures also mishandle them, and only practise parts of scriptures that are favourable to them and reject the rest( meanwhile all His commandments are truth and righteousness Psa 119:151,172.

If all the points highlighted above do not give you the reason to believe that the Bible is missing, then what else would? 

Now to you my brethren in the lord's Church, you all together are the temple of God and your bodies individually are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 3:17, 6:19, 2 Cor 6:16). Nonetheless, the Bible is missing in you, the temple of God. Why is it that we are less enthusiastic about Bible studies and discussions now than before. ?Why is that most of us could no more memorize verses of scriptures than before? Why is it that daily Bible reading and devotions are not ongoing in our houses ?

What could this be if not the missing of the Book of the Law in the temple of God, which we are.

"For great is the wrath of the Lord that is poured out on us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the Lord, to do according to all that is written in this book.”(2 Chron 34:21)

We are are not different from the people of Israel now. Unless we change our ways and restore the book of the law back into our temples. For a genuine restoration to take place we need to first turn to what the Book says. Josiah did so by inquiring of the Lord from the prophetess Huldah (2 Chron 34:21). Let us allow the effect which the reading of the book of the law had on the heart of Josiah so that we may humble ourselves and go before God.

As we strive to repair the temples and seek and restore the missing 'Word' in our hearts, our churches, our communities and in our country, let us remember this:

“For this commandment which I command you today is not too mysterious for you, nor is it far off. 12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend into heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 14 But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it (Deut 30:11-14). May God bless you as you do so. Amen.

"Let Us Make God in Our Image, According to Our Likeness"- Episode 2

"Men create gods after their own image, not only with regard to their form but with regard to their mode of life" - Aristotle

The last episode of this article focused on false philosophies such as atheism, agnosticism etc. I hinted on wrong ideas on sexual orientation, homosexuality, marriage and divorce. This second episode will tackle issues such as denominationalism, interpersonal relationship, and adverse societal changes.

 Whilst we are still considering how man projects himself unto God, let us consider worship and denominationalism. 

The God who said let us make man in our likeness, by virtue of His nature and what He has done, is to be the centre of our worship ( Psa 45:11). However, since we have created God in our likeness, we determine the type of worship we would like to give to God.

 a) Many look for churches, organisations, groups , fellowships etc that organise worship that suite them.

 b) The focus of worship is either it's convenient to them or it's acceptable to them based on their personal standards. 

c) Worship services have turned to entertainment concert settings. "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. 24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”(John 4:24). 

The situation is not different with the issue of denominationalism. We have recreated the God who is not the God of disorder nor the author of confusion ( I Cor 14:33), in our likeness. Thus, we don't see anything wrong with the thousands of denominations who claim to worship the same God, with the Bible as their standard and yet teaching various conflicting doctrines. They say unity in diversity, since they have created God in their likeness. The true teaching that the apostle Paul taught saying : "I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, 2 with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, 3 endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." 

Many who don't see the need to abide by the teaching of the Bible about the One True New Testament (Churches of Christ, Tom 16:16) which Christ purchased with His own blood(Acts 20:28) have been well described this way: "For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple" (Rom 16:18). 

To many in Christendom today, baptism is not essential to salvation, it doesn't matter the church you attend, doctrine is not important but love, eternal hell is a thing of the past, heaven is no more the focus of the Christian life, but materialistic gains etc.

As if the above is not enough, it's even more discouraging when we look at how we treat our fellow man. The sanctity of human life is nothing to ride home about. Even the God who created man in His likeness, we have managed to create him in our likeness how much less our fellow human? We don't believe this anymore: "For there is no partiality with God." “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. 35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him"(Acts 10:34). Thusly, we can think of some people as less of humans and hate them. Meanwhile, "Love does no harm to a neighbor;" (Rom 13:9-10). “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

The apostle Paul rightly forewarned:        “First of all you must understand this, that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and indulging their own lusts” (2 Pet. 3:3, NRSV). There's a recalibration of all lifestyles the Scriptures explicitly condemn. That has made it possible for us to indulge in our ways and still believe God is okay with us. 

Some of our ways include "being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful" (Rom 1:29-31)

Unfortunately, the same message word received, is the same word to us: ‘An end! The end has come upon the four corners of the land.

3 Now the end has come upon you,

And I will send My anger against you;

I will judge you according to your ways,

And I will repay you for all your abominations (Ezek 7:2-3).

"But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”(I Pet 3:12).

In fact our societies together with the religious bodies are equally confused, "In that you say,

“Everyone who does evil

Is good in the sight of the Lord,

And He delights in them,”(Mal 2;17).

"Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;

Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;

Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (Isa 5:20).

Conclusion

Our societies and those of us who claim we are Christians will continue to waddle in our own iniquities and degeneracies because we have created God in our image, in our own likeness. Consequently, we cannot speak of objective truth, we cannot condemn sinful acts, we cannot rebuke, reproof, correct. A thing is right or wrong base on how you see it or feel about it. This is far from the nature revealed in scripture to us about God. Whilst we have done our best in shifting the goal posts and re-establishing foundations God has laid already to suit our appetites, God still speaks through the Prophet Malachi saying: "For I am the Lord, I do not change;" (Mal 3:6)

"Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness;"

Let's uphold this eternal truth instead of acting and saying "Let us make God in our image, according to our likeness"

Dear reader be made in the image and likeness of God by believing on Christ who died to save you and I (John 5:24); repent of your sinful lifestyle (Act 17:30); confess Christ as the Son of the living God both by mouth and life (Rom 10:9-10, Matt 10:32); be baptized in the name Christ Jesus and into His church (Acts 2:38, Gal 3:27); and continue to live faithfully (I Cor 4:2).

Reference

NKJV/ NRSV of the Bible

https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1225-straight-talk-about-homosexuality

"Let us make God in our image, according to our likeness" Episode 1

"Let us make God in our image, according to our likeness"

Jer 9:23 Thus says the Lord:

“Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom,

Let not the mighty man glory in his might,

Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;

24 But let him who glories glory in this,

That he understands and knows Me,

That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth.

For in these I delight,” says the Lord.

The prophet Jeremiah speaking to these different classes of people: wise, mighty, rich, and all who glory, in essence was emphasizing the need to understand the nature of the God of the Bible by all and sundry.

Unfortunately, from the Athiest to the Zoroastrian many has not made this their goal in life. However, we have rather "sought out many schemes” including creating God in our own image. Pathetically, even those who claim to be Christians can best be described in the voice of the prophet Zephaniah as: "Those who have turned back from following the Lord, And have not sought the Lord, nor inquired of Him.” (1:6)

In ages past, the Almighty declared: “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness;.."

But today, mankind says "Let us make God in our image, according to our likeness"

How did man create God in his likeness? When did that happen? Why did man create God in his likeness? 

Let me walk you down the rest of this article, to get you the answers to the above questions.

To begin with, we are living in the age of Atheism, Agnosticism, Skepticism and all the 'isms' one can possibly think about. Now all of these arose from a core problem of man trying to create God in his own image so that he can get away from being accountable to the Almighty God. It is not for nothing that the apostle to the gentiles rightly warned that: “See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the universe, and not according to Christ” (Col. 2:8, NRSV).

 Thus, the apostle Paul cautions his hearers to be wary of the toxic and menacing effect of philosophy and empty deceit which are according to human traditions. 

Furthermore, Wayne Jackson wrote: "Homosexuality is now an equal rights issue. Political advocacy groups, legislators, activist judges, the media, Hollywood, and some public schools, press to legitimize the behavior. “Gays” can’t help who they are, they say. Supposedly, we must respect their “sexual orientation” as a matter of nature".  

Now people who would speak against such a perverse lifestyle would be labelled as politically incorrect, intolerant, ignorant etc. I was surprised to hear an argument on radio station in Ghana here, where the panelists were clearly justifying a homosexual by saying: "well, that's his sexual orientation" Really? Have they forgotten I Cor 6:9-10: "Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God"

Have they forgotten Sodom and Gomorrah? (Gen 19)

Also, Rom 1:26 "For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due." The problem is: we have created God in our image.

Incredibly, some so called sexuality educationist are teaching teens that, and I qoute from one site: "However, gender isn’t about someone’s anatomy, it is about who they know them self to be. There are many different gender identities, including male, female, transgender, gender neutral, non-binary, agender, pangender, genderqueer, two-spirit, third gender, and all, none or a combination of these". 

When was the Genesis account revised by God or repealed? "...in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them" (Gen 1:27). The world is now confused about gender identity whereas the above text stated it black and white. We tried and are still trying to become wiser than God "but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,"(Rom 1:21-22)

Moreover, in the area of marriage, divorce and remarriage, we would better have God listen to us than we listen to Him. Many run away from the responsibilities attached to marriage, divorce and remarriage. We would like to create our own god and then give him the rules we want. And when we wake up one day to realise we are not interested in those rules anymore, we can put that God away and look for a new one. Nevertheless, God's truth still stands that: "‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”( Matt 19:5-7)

Marriage is seen more of a social contract than an institution established by God. You can divorce your partner when you have "fallen out of love" and for many other absurd reasons, re-enacting the Pharisees' problem: “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason?” Matt 19:3

We have difficulty accepting the plain teachings of the scriptures on such undebatable topic because we have created God in our likeness. Therefore, we think God will accept how we treat such issues. After all, He is like us.

          To be continued.......

WHAT PRAYER IS

PRAYER

Historically, God has spoken to man in diverse ways [Hebrews 1] and man, in turn, has uttered not a few words back to his Maker. Today, contrary to the phony claims of so-called prophets, God has spoken [and continues to speak] to us through the inspired record, the Bible, and man has the privilege to speak back through prayer, either privately or publicly, to God.

Meaning of Prayer

One dictionary defines Prayer as communication with God [where one addresses God directly] and may include petition, entreaty, supplication, thanksgiving, praise, hymns, and lament.

The English word Prayer derives from the Latin prex meaning petition, entreaty, or request. Two examples in the Bible can be used to demonstrate this.

First, Paul wrote, “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.”- Rom 10:1. 

Second, childless Hannah petitioned Jehovah in Shiloh for a son: “Now it happened, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli watched her mouth. Now Hannah spoke in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard [...]”- 1 Sam 1:12-13

Prayer, therefore, can be summarized as the sincere desire of the heart expressed in intelligible words [either audible or inaudible] and directed to God. The point must quickly be made to exclude from this definition the modernist’s view of “praying in tongues”, which is nothing more than the ecstatic expression of streams of unintelligible words.

Importance of Prayer

James penned, “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” Perhaps, the power of prayer can physically be likened to the strong and powerful front limbs of the Mantis religiosa, commonly called the praying mantis [front limbs are held together at an angle that suggests the prayer position].

Twentieth century gospel preacher, B. C. Goodpasture, once stated,

_“It would be just as possible to live physical life without breathing as it is to live spiritual life without prayer.”_

The essentiality of prayer in the Christian faith is seen just prior to the establishment of the church [Acts 1:23-26], immediately after her establishment [Acts 2:42] and during crisis [Acts 4:23-31]. To the Thessalonian Christians Paul admonished, “pray without ceasing” -1 Thes 5:17.

The founder of the Christian faith, Jesus Christ, was a man of prayer. Mark is careful to note, “Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.” –Mk 1:35. The importance of prayer can never be overly stated.

Who Can Pray

Every saint, either male or female, has the right to pray privately to God. In the congregation, however, only the male saints are to lead in prayers. - 1Tim 2:8

How to Pray

Regardless of who prays, it must proceed from a righteous heart [See James 5:17]. A righteous heart eschews evil and seeks to please God by doing what is right in His sight. When a penitent sinner, for example, comes before the LORD in prayer pleading for pardon, he displays a righteous disposition of the heart and is, therefore, heard.

Prayer must be carried out with great respect and reverence towards Jehovah. The Psalmist declared, “God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be held in reverence by all those around Him”- Psa 89:7

Matthew chapter 6 is a guide post to every saint on the proper disposition of character to assume when approaching God through prayer. The faithful Christian will seek to study and apply these principles during prayer times.

Prayer must, however, be offered to God through Christ our Mediator - Heb 7:25

Components of Prayer

1. Praise: means to shine forth light on something. We must declare the absolute goodness and perfect attributes of Jehovah when we pray. The Psalmist declared, “Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD”- Psa 150:6
2. Thanksgiving: A grateful heart will always be filled with thanksgiving to God. Paul wrote, “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”-1 Thes 5:18; cf Eph 5:20

The Psalmist reminds us to offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving to Jehovah for His deliverances- Psa 116:17. Ungratefulness is the attitude of the unbeliever and unrepentant in heart! cf Luk 17:17

3.  Petition: means to “turn to” or “to appeal to”. Petition and thanksgiving are two sides of the same coin. Philippians 4:6 states succinctly, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”

4.Confession: admission and confession of sins [both omission and commission] to God precede forgiveness. The faithful Christian will remember to confess when on the knees. - 1 John 1:8-9; cf Luk 18:13

Hindrances to Prayer

Apart from neglecting the aforementioned specifications on prayer, the following inhibit prayers:

1. Selfishness: a materialistic approach to prayer petitions will never be answered. – Jam 4:3
2. Faithlessness: seeds of doubt sown before, during or after prayer will yield fruits of nothingness and render the prayer forlorn. Cf Mat 21:22; Jam 1:5-8
3. Broken Relationship: a sinful way of life is a great hindrance to prayer, for God does not hear sinners! Isaiah cried out to sinful Israel, “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.” – Isa 59:2; cf John 9: th31. To the married, humility and honour must be accorded each spouse in order to avoid barriers to prayer. -1 Pet 3:1-7
4. Arrogance: pride always goes before destruction [Prov 16:18]. A humility-deficient-prayer is already doomed! –cf Luk 18:11-12
5. Profane Prayers: Let us now briefly discuss two very common, but detestable, forms of prayer.
6. A Sinner Praying: the prayer of an unrepentant sinner is an abomination –Prov 28:9; John 9:31
7. The Sinner’s Prayer: this widely accepted and practised prayer, despite its human origin, promises the naïve sinner of salvation in Christ. This is a first-class salvation scam and lacks Biblical proof.

To be saved one must Hear the gospel [Rom 10:17], Believe it [John 8:24], Repent [Acts 2:38], Confess faith in Christ [Acts 8:37], be Baptized [Acts 22:16], and be Faithful [Rev 2:10].

Practical Suggestions for Prayer

1. Make a prayer list

2. Organize your list

3. Have a proper schedule

4. Pray as a family

5. Pray fervently

6. Pray when discouraged and when happy

7. Pray persistently

Author: Obed Mortey

References

1. https://video.wvbs.org/video/the-truth-about-prayer/ Accessed on July 2, 2020 at 09:00GMT

2. Lexham Bible Dictionary

THOSE WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE US.

THOSE   WHO HAVE GONE BEFORE US.

On last Sunday, while on my way to Kumasi I found myself sitting close to two children (very young girls). As innocent and friendly children generally are, they became my friends after we recited a few rhymes they learned at school; we ate fruits together, we laughed and cracked jokes. These little new friends became so happy that now when I got to my destination, they did not want to let go of me. I had to take time assure them I would come and look for them though I did not know which part of Kumasi they were going. I finally dropped my contact with them and alighted at my destination. I realized how badly these young girls did want us to part ways, even for this short time we became friends. I believe some us might have had such experience before; where we met people just within a period of a day or less and we became friends and we did not want them to leave us or we did not want to leave or lose them.
As we reflect on these experience, how much more do we feel leaving or losing people we have known and friended all of our lives? Some: our parents, spouses, grandparents, aunties, uncles, siblings, cousins, classmates, very good friends etc.

For many people these holidays (from Xmas to new year) are a time of joy, a time of family and friends and food but for others, a time of sadness-due to the loss of a loved one through illnesses or diseases, accidents of various forms, natural disasters etc. Others also lost loved ones through divorce, conflicts etc.

These holydays become very difficult and especially so for people who have lost their spouses, children who have lost one or both parents, friends who have lost best friends because they are directly impacted by those who they have lost. Some passed unnoticed by those not directly impacted. The grief increases or is revived and memories resurrect during these times because usually these are times of celebration, joy and family fellowships.

For some, it is their first time of losing a loved one hence the loneliness alone (Psalms 102:1-11) could lead to depression, despair and despondence. For the above reason, I chose not write about how to end the year and how to make new year resolutions but to remember our loved ones who have gone before us.

The idea is not to pray in any special way for those who have died in the last two years (2018) or this year that is just ending (2019) or for their souls as some religious organisations do.

However, to remember who they were, the values they lived for, the impact the made on our lives, the duties or dreams they left unfinished and most especially their families and friends they have left behind.

As we receive this new year (2020) with joy and resolve, let us not forget to bear one another’s burden and so fulfil the law of Christ. Gal 6:2, Rom 12:15.  Let us do these simple acts for the families and friends of our colleagues that have gone before us;
Let us visit those we know have lost a loved one. Our presence alone may give them some comfort.

Let us ask them specific questions to know what help they need from us.

Let us talk to the person about the loved one they lost. This will bring some good memories and relief.

Let us ask them to keep to prayer in such times. James 5:13 and the Lord will hear their prayers Psalms 102:17 and strengthen them Psalms 27:14

Let us encourage them to fellowship with brethren.

Let us encourage and direct them to the Scriptures that through patience and comfort of Scriptures they might have hope. Rom 15:4. Usually, the Psalms are identified with our emotions and griefs. Psalms 102:18.

Let us encourage them to sing our hymns; it is well with my soul, farther along, what a friend we in Jesus, sweet by and by, in a little while we’re going home, this world is not my home etc. Act 16:25, Col 3:15-16. Eph 5:19-20.

Dear reader, if you are going through some pain due to the loss of a loved one, as we enter a new year, I would like to assure you that it is better to choose to go on with life than to burry your heart in sorrow or grief. May the God of all mercies and comforts comfort you in such times. 2Cor 1:3-4 knowing this 1Thess 4:13-14.

 My exhortation is; let us make life altering decisions which have eternal consequences this new year.

Hear the gospel……………. Jn 6:44-46; 12:48
Believe the gospel…………Act 16:31, Heb 11:6
Repent from a life of sin and turn to the lord………. Acts 17:27-30, Lk 13:3
Confess Christ………………………. Rom 10:9-10, Acts 8:29-39
Be baptised into Christ (his body –the church) ……………. Acts 2:36-42; 22:16
Be faithful until death…………. Rev 2:10
In remembrance of Stella Quayson, Bro. Kofi Tawiah, Bernard Amponsah, Akosua Oparebea, Oswald Affum and all my loved ones who have gone before us.
Visit any church of Christ in your neighbourhood for worship and further studies. God bless you.

SELF-DISCIPLINE AND PERSISTENCE EPISODE SEVEN

SELF-DISCIPLINE AND PERSISTENCE

EPISODE SEVEN 

Beware of endeavoring to become a great man in a hurry. One such attempt in 10,000 may succeed. These are fearful odds.  -BENJAMIN DISRAELI

Persistence is self-discipline in action. Remember we learned from the previous episode that courage is the strength of mind to carry on in spite of all challenges.

Persistence is pretty different from courage. Persistence is the application of that self-discipline courage. Putting that determination into action.

 When you discipline yourself to do what you should do, when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not, your self-esteem increases and it will eventually affect your success positively. The opposite of the above statement is also true.

Definition of persistence:

To be persistent means to continue to do something with determination in spite of opposition. Persistence is seen in what you do(action) and not what you say(words).

As you have seen earlier on, whenever you force yourself to persist on a task, whether it is large or small, you feel happier and better about yourself at long round-(that is the reward of persistence).

The  author, Brian Tracy in his book "The Power Of Self-Discipline" wrote;'your ability to respond effectively to setbacks-your level of "response-ability" - is the measure of your readiness to succeed". He continued to explain that when you experience a major setback or problem, you will feel temporarily discouraged. But you cannot continue in that disappointment, for that is not the sign of  persistence. Rather you have to rise and be on your feet. You need resilience.

Resilient means being strong enough to recover from a bad situation or event.

Developing resilience does not come automatically.

Optimism   cannot be left out in a discussion on Success and Persistence.

Being optimistic is having unlimiting confidence in yourself and your ability to ultimately succeed.

Do you remain optimistic when things go wrong?

Do you feel sorry for yourself and becomes vulnerable and you see yourself as  a victim?

Do you criticize, blame others,  or give excuses?

These questions will help you know whether you are optimistic or not.

Be proactive not reactive. Focus on the solution and not the problem. Look for the good in every situation.

Learn valuable lessons in every problem or difficulty.

"Within every problem or obstacle lays the seed of an equal or greater opportunity or benefit. Your job is to find it."- Napoleon Hill 

And also resolve in advance that you will never give up and your success is almost guaranteed. Nothing can stop you but yourself. Discipline yourself to persist on the face of  adversity and your self-esteem and self-confidence will increase.

JESUS TELLS THE PARABLE OF THE PERSISTENT WIDOW

Read Luke 18:1-8

He(Jesus) told them (his disciples) a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.

.......the widow kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary'

The import of this parable is the widow's persistence and how she didn't give up. So as a Christian you must be persistent in prayers to God,  and don't give up on asking him for your needs. Sometimes the answer may delay but you still need to keep trusting and hoping in him i.e persistent in faith.

The obvious principle of this parable can be applied in all walks of life .

Not that I have already obtained all this,  or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold.....................Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,  I press on toward the goal to win the prize........  Phil 3:1

Conclusion:

“I will persist until I succeed. Always will I take another step. If that is of no avail I will take another, and yet another. In truth, one step at a time is not too difficult. I know that small attempts, repeated, will complete any undertaking.” — Og Mandino

Read Episode 6.              

(https://kasukose.blogspot.com/2018/06/episode-six-on-and-courage.html?m=1)

 and all previous episodes on kasukose.blogspot.com

AN OBJECTIVE LESSON

AN OBJECTIVE LESSON

Moses, as was confronted by God to lead His people -Israel ,was probably belittling himself. Both parents were in bondage in Egypt, though a prince yet a slave. He had killed an Egyptian; and that matter may come up  one day since his fellow, a Hebrew knew what he has done. Perhaps he saw himself a coward that's why he fled to Midian for the fear of Pharaoh. He was a poor Shepherd.  Besides he was fully aware of his personal deficiencies.... With Moses' dialogue with God,  he gave more excuses why he can't do what God was asking him to do or be. Exo 3-4:178

1. GOD: "Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring forth my people, the sons of Israel, out of Egypt "

    Moses: "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh,  and bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?"

2.  GOD: "but I will be with you; and this shall be the sign for you,that I have sent you:............"

     Moses:  "If I come to the people of Israel and say to them,  'The God of your fathers has sent me to you' and they ask me, 'what is his name?' what shall I say to them?" (another excuse)

3.  GOD:  "I AM WHO I AM"

(God promised Moses that the people will listen to him. He said the elders of Israel also would go with him to Pharaoh. God told him of his might and the wonders he was going to do in Egypt through him- he gave him more assurance.)

    Moses: "But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, 'The Lord did not appear to you.' "

4.  GOD: "What is in your hand? "

     Moses: "A rod."

5. GOD:  "Cast it on the ground "

(God demonstrated His might to Moses by the 'serpent-rod'; the 'leprous hand' and 'the blood water from the Nile' on a dry ground)

 

6.  Moses: "Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either heretofore or since thou hast spoken to thy servant; but I am slow of speech and of tongue."

GOD: "Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him dumb, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak"

7.  Moses: "Oh, my Lord, send, I pray, some other person."

Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses and he said:

       "Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? " I know that he can speak well;..............Exo 4:17 The dialogue ends.

While Moses was busily looking for reasons why he can't do God's assignment, God on the other hand, was patiently  giving Moses so many solid, good reasons why he was capable of doing the work. Moses finally had a change of mind. He rejected all the excuses he gave and accepted God's task. He tried almost in all circumstances to obey God, until once he disobeyed God outright and that disqualified him from entering the promised land.

His accomplishments were; the greatest Jewish leader, he set the Exodus into motion and was used by God to lead Israel to defeat their enemies, he was a prophet and a lawgiver, he recorded the ten commandments, he was the author of the Pentateuch.......and so on and so forth.

Now at the end of Moses' life, it was recorded of him in Deut 34:10-12; And there has not arisen a prophet since in Israel like Moses,  whom the Lord knew face to face,  none like him for all the signs and the wonders which the Lord sent him to do in the land of Egypt............. Wow, what a great legacy!!!

Hold on for a second, let's go to the dialogue and read Moses' responses: Was he the same person who said 'who am I?'; Was he the one who said Israel won't believe him?; Was he the one who was not eloquent?; Was he the one who said 'behold, Lord send some other person?'

CONCLUSION

Just like Moses, most of us also have more excuses why we can't do what God demands us to do even though he has assured us that he would be with us.

Probably we are asking the same questions Moses asked;

 Who am I?

 - my parents are poor, I don't have good educational background, people don't respect where I'm hailing from etc. But don't look at who you are. Look at who is sending you,  the one who has called you. Rather look at God's background,  how mighty, awesome, miraculous, all-knowing  He is. etc.

Perhaps, you are asking the same question like Moses: what shall I  say to them?. You don't even know what you have in you. You don't even know what it is that you are capable of. Moses had a rod in his hand and least did he expect that that rod could turn into a serpent with God's command. We have so many potentials and least do we expect to be that successful person we dream about each day.

If you don't know what to say (what you have), asked The 'I AM WHO I AM'

However, if you know what are your abilities, then trust in the One who gave you those potentials(God), that with your trust in him and obedience to his Word, you can achieve everything (Phil 4:13). God does his greatest work through frail people.

Maybe you are saying I'm not this, I'm not that. I'm not good enough, I'm not smart enough for that job. 'You are not eloquent' This person is better than me. Ask yourself; who created me.Who made me who I am? Remember what God asked Moses: who has created man's mouth?,  who makes him deaf, dumb, seeing, or blind ?

Instead of looking at how weak you are, rather focus on the one who gave you that ability you even call 'weak'. He is able to complement your abilities with whoever he desires for you to achieve the impossible. It is Him you should be focusing on.

Finally, you are actually saying: "oh no, it cannot be me. I cannot fix that mess. How difficult it is. How unpleasant this job is. Oh no it cannot be me. Lord send some other person.

Wait a minute, think about what was written about Moses after all those excuses -there was none like him in Israel .

God will not change whatever abilities you already have -He can mold them into something better to achieve greater things .

Learn the lesson; don't let the past compell you to give excuses when God is offering  you lots of opportunities. Don't let the present also scare you of taking steps  into the future.

There maybe hardships beginning this year,  but with faith in God He will  bring us to a successful end.

Most importantly whatever your life is now,  God can still accept if only you are ready to accept His terms of condition:

Hearing His Gospel ............Rom 10:14-17

                                                Acts 2:37

Believing in Christ through the gospel....................................Mark 16:15-16

                                               John 6:40,48

Repent from sin...................Luke 13:3

                                                Acts 3:19

Confess faith in Christ........Rom 10:9-10

                                                Acts 8:26-39

Be baptized............................Acts 2:37-38

                                                Matt 28:18-20

                                                Mark 16:15-16

God adds you to the Church(the Body) of Christ........................................Acts 2:47

Continue to abide in him.....I John 3:28-29

Please keep visiting this blog and share with friends. Read and comment, or ask questions and I will be ready to welcome any of those. Thanks for reading and sharing.  God bless you. 

LET'S END IT THIS WAY

                LET'S END IT THIS WAY 

                                    INTRODUCTION 

As I was under the impression that the year 2018, all too soon has ended, the meaning of the word 'END' came across.

This three-letter word has a very strong implications. The feeling behind the word END is very diverse yet very strong.

For instance watching  movies; the end of some movies leave us with sad feelings, and others leave us with joy or happiness.

Now think about the word again:

Think about an interesting game coming to an end.

Think about the life of a person(especially a loved one ) coming to an end.

Think about a good business coming to end.

Or think about a tough semester coming to an end.

What about a difficult year coming to an end.

Think about anything at all coming to an end and assess how you feel about that.

The final part of a period of time, an event, an activity,  or a story (end)  is very important. In fact I  can't say more than what the Holy Spirit has already recorded in Eccl 7:8

Better is the end of a thing than its beginning

And the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.

Why the end is important

Because it's very easy for everyone to kick start the new year with a lot of energy or enthusiasm. But as to whether that will last to the end or not, no one can guarantee.
The end is when we see the conclusion of everything.

The end is when we reap the fruit of all  that we have sown. We see the results of the decisions we have made. 

The end is when we see all we have achieved from all the objectives we have set for ourselves.

The end is when we are judged and give account of everything given to us from the beginning.

At the end we get to know whether we have succeeded or failed.

Now, this is the  end of 2018. 

Not long ago in the first day of the month of January that I published a tract on new year resolutions. The question is; all that have we set for ourselves, have we been able to achieve those goals or objectives?

All that you said you would do, did you do them?

The changes you made, did you keep to this end?

If you have achieved all that you set for yourself, well done and glory be to God. If you have not achieved anything then you  have a problem which needs to be addressed urgently as we move into yet another new year. Stick to your plans‼️‼️

If you have achieved some and remaining with some too,  don't worry, this is not the end of everything. So far as we have life, there is still hope.

All I'm saying is that we should not only be happy about entering into a 'new year' but we should also consider how we would want the end of the year to be. We should consider that there will surely be difficult times, yet with God on our side we will succeed. The end will be better when we are patient in spirit and wait on the Lord.  We should intentionally plan how we will  want the year 2019 to end(i.e on our part/responsiblity). For the end of a year is more important than the beginning.

                               INVITATION 

 Lest I forget,  there's one more 'end' which is most important -the end of our lives (whether God calls us home at his purposed time and or Christ comes a second time).

To have a joyous end let us rely on the one who knows the end from the beginning Isaiah 46:10

Let's surrender our will to Him in this new year by

Hearing His Gospel ............Rom 10:14-17

                                                Acts 2:37

Believing in Christ through the gospel....................................Mark 16:15-16

                                               John 6:40,48

Repent from sin...................Luke 13:3

                                                Acts 3:19

Confess faith in Christ........Rom 10:9-10

                                                Acts 8:26-39

Be baptized............................Acts 2:37-38

                                                Matt 28:18-20

                                                Mark 16:15-16

God adds you to the Church(the Body) of Christ........................................Acts 2:47

Continue to abide in him.....I John 3:28-29

Please keep visiting this blog and share with friends. Read and comment, or ask questions and I will be ready to welcome any of those. Thanks for reading and sharing.  God bless you. 

BLAMING GOD? III

BLAMING GOD? III

THE HOLY SPIRIT AND INTERPRETATION
I have a friend who never yielded to anything I explained to him about usually beliefs on which we differ. I tried to find out why he does not agree with anything I say even though the explanation is clear. His reply always is; you see, you just read the Bible to me. But I have to pray so that the Holy Spirit would reveal the meaning of it to me.

The seriousness of what I'm saying is that there are thousands of people who have similar mindsets to that of my friend's. One may ask but what is wrong with this mindset. Let me make it more clear to you.

There are some people who hold the view that without the Holy Spirit, one can't understand the scriptures and for that matter cannot interpret. They further attest that the Spirit reveals the meaning of the passage to you.
The purpose of this episode of the entire series  of 'Blaming God?', is to propound such a view  with regard to it genuity as far us the Bible is concerned.

Let me quick to raise the flag on this that nothing in this tract is of the intent to blaspheme the Holy Spirit (Matt 12:31,32);
To lie to (Acts5:3a); To resist (Acts7:51a); To grieve (Eph 4:30); To insult or despise (Heb 10:29); To quench (I Thess 5:19) the Holy Spirit.

But to bring up the misrepresentation of the Holy Spirit in Bible interpretation and present Him rightly. Now let us approach the heart of the aforementioned matter. One must keep these facts in mind:

1. The Holy Spirit and the Word of God is clearly seen as cooperating in many cases of conversion recorded in the New Testament ( Acts 2; 4; 5:14;8:5-12;9;10;13:43-48;16) etc.

2. Also, the Holy Spirit is the mastermind behind the production of God's Word (I Thess 5:21), as well as preserving it for us.

3. Though the above is true, does it then mean that the Holy Spirit reveal some interpretation or 'new truth' to us apart from what can be known or understood by correctly studying and applying good hermeneutical principles to that particular passage?

4. And does it follows that without the Holy Spirit, one cannot understand what he reads and therefore cannot interpret what he or she reads?

Answer:
5. God in His divine wisdom has decided to use words (instrument) to communicate His will to us, which makes the Bible a normal and logical communication. Thus, when we read we are able to understand. (Eph 3:4-6). The Apostle earlier stated in this chapter that the mystery of the stewardship of God's grace was revealed to him which he wrote down for his audience. He further stated that the mystery of Christ was revealed to the apostles and prophets by the Spirit and they penned it down for us. What more could one make of this passage than the resounding fact that the Spirit operates by the revealed truth? All truth has be revealed to them as promised by Christ John 16:13 and they manifested it II Cor 4:2 and so that's is why we are admonished to study this word of truth to be able to handle it, teach it, apply it correctly, accurately, with precision. (II Tim 2:15).

What is the point here?

The point I'm making is that the Spirit does not reveal any new truth apart from what has been written down. And so it follows that the Holy Spirit is not in the life of the Christian to cure his poor interpretation of the Scriptures. He does not perfunctorily reverse repercussions of breaching hermeneutical principles. The Holy Spirit works within the proper form of communication but not independent of it. You can not disregard, context, grammar, literary form etc and still think that some way some how, the Holy Spirit will give you right interpretation. The Holy Spirit desires to use the believer's mind in Bible study. God expects to carefully study and use our minds to reason and apply principles of interpretation. So, many times the Bible asked us to think (Phil 4:8; II Tim 2:7). The Spirit has already revealed the truth and sound interpretive principles will get us to the understanding.

Contrast, those who read and still expect the Holy Spirit to speak verbally ,through vision, dream or some inner light are bound to twist the scriptures to their own destruction (II Pet 3:16). The Spirit has spoken already. He has spoken in His word and continues to speak through the Word.

6. Unbelievers are without the Holy Spirit. Could they understand the Scriptures or not?
Most people would agree that they could not and would usually defend it by I Cor 2:14 . But unfortunately that would be erroneous. As stated earlier on that, the Scriptures are made of normal and logical communication. I need not to list the many unbelievers who have good understanding of the Scriptures. It is a fact that the Spirit has revealed to us the truth already and whoever study it will understand. The unbeliever still in his unbelief may not appreciate or see the significance of the message in God's plan of salvation and in his or her life.

Considering 1 Cor 2:14
The larger context of the passage should be considered carefully. I.e the first 3 chapters of the book of I Corinthians. Specifically chapter 1:18-3:23. In it proper context, the Apostle was not discussing the unbeliever and the Holy Spirit. He stressed more on wisdom; worldly wisdom and God's wisdom, wisdom of the flesh and that of the Spirit. History bear witness that the Greeks had the reputation of "pursuing every kind of knowledge " as reported by Herodotus( History IV.77). The Bible also does; as we clearly see that being portrayed by the Epicurean and Stoic Philosophers and their brethren Athenians and foreigners who lived there spent their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new.cf Act 17:17, 21. Paul argued that true wisdom is not the wisdom of the wise, wisdom of the world, wisdom of men or wisdom according to world's standards. I Cor 1:19,20;3:19; 2:5 and II Cor1:12. So the Greeks boasted of such wisdom whilst Paul said true wisdom exist in the revelation of  the gospel embracing the message and mission of Jesus Christ.

What am I saying ?
That the Greek who taught has wisdom of his own would see the the gospel message as folly and he cannot understand it as wisdom because he relies on worldly wisdom but Paul, whose wisdom is not from men but from God sees it as true wisdom. It is just as to the Hebrew too Christ's crucifixion is a stumbling block. So in effect, the arrogant man who relies on his worldly wisdom does not understand the things of the one who is spiritually endowed with true wisdom.(inspiration, he was inspired)
Paul is seen as the spiritual man and the natural man is is the one without inspiration( who relies on worldly wisdom).
So the I Cor 2:14 does not say unbelievers cannot understand the Scriptures. Then why would Christ command us to preach and teach the lost world the gospel message if they cannot understand. Cf Matt 28:18-20.
And does it also mean that,the Spirit is to be blamed for difference in interpretation of all who call themselves Christians? Certainly not. I Cor 14:33

Now that these two questions of numerous misconceptions are answered, let ask ourselves the actual role of the Holy Spirit

The "modus operandi" of the Spirit is through the word He authored.

1. He reminds us to study the word diligently. II Tim 2:15.

2. He reminds us to prove all things I Thesis 5:21.

3. We are to humble ourselves and realize that the Scriptures is from the Spirit, hence what we  see in the Scriptures  should be consistent with the work of the Spirit.

4. The other aspect is that with prepared hearts, the Spirit gives us understanding through His word. Ezra 7:10. He helps us to appreciate and apply Scriptures in our lives.

EMPHASIS ON DILIGENT STUDY

1. Jesus emphasized on diligent study
.....John 5:39  Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

2. Peter emphasized on diligent study

2 Pet 3: 16  As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

3. Paul emphasized on diligent study

2 Tim 2: 15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Paul himself didn't only urge us to study, he practiced it...
2Tim 4:13  The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.(implied).

4. Luke emphasized on diligent study

Acts 17:11  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

5. The Old Testament Prophets also studied

1 Pet 1:10  Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:

You see, if the prophets who were inspired still searched diligently, then how much more you who do not receive direct inspiration as they did. Proper understanding and interpretation of Scriptures has to do with studying the Scriptures diligently; Studying by applying good hermeneutical principles, considering the context, and gathering all the information that the Scriptures have to say about the topic. The Spirit has already made the truth revealed. And you shall know it and by knowing, it shall set you free. John 8:32.
God indeed cannot be blamed.
Look for the last episode of "BLAMING GOD? ", which will cover the topic: 'Authority of the Bible'
God bless you.



Notes: shutterstock. Images.
Bibliosapologia.com
Christian courier.com
Biblestudy tools.com