LESSON FROM MY ATM CARD
This morning I had my bath and dressed up to go out when suddenly I realized my ATM card wasn’t on me. I forgot to pick it from my wife earlier.
I was stranded as a result. So I have to begin to search the home for any stranded money in my wardrobe. I couldn’t find any money enough to go out in spite of my frantic efforts. I gave up and had some of my clothes scattered around. I resigned… Not knowing what to do.
Meanwhile I had good amount in my bank account but I couldn’t access it because I wasn’t with my ATM card.
Then my wife entered gave me my ATM card and the cash on her.
Then I was able to gain some spiritual truth from the experience today.
God had everything we need and we will ever want in life…. Many of us agree with this
The next truth is what many of us may find hard to relate with:
God had given us all we will ever need here on earth as his children.
See this scripture
2 Peter 1:3 KJV
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
The Bible says all things. Yet many of us are struggling in life to keep up and live in his abundant grace. It is like having abundance in the bank yet not having an ATM to make a withdrawal
Though I had much in my bank account, yet I was as good as the poor man out there without my ATM.
Christ has bequeathed his riches and goodness to everyone of us whether we know it or not.
2 Corinthians 8:9 KJV
For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.
Many of our troubles, challenges and destitution aren’t God’s fault but our shortfall in converting our heavenly riches to earthly usefulness. So if you have all the gifts and goodness, what’s blocking it? What’s blocking the flow of his abundant goodness?
1. The devil
John 10:10 KJV
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Jesus gave the increase, but the devil comes to steal those blessings. Many of us behave as if God is punishing us and holding his goodness away from us. Most of us suffer and blame God for the pains caused by the devil. The Bible says: resist the devil and he will flee
Again the Bible says: For this cause Jesus was manifested that he might destroy the works of Satan.
It’s easy to resist the devil… Know when Satan is attacking. Then pray to God as you stand firm on the finished work. Knowing that it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.
2. Sin
Sin can take the spiritual ATM card to access the riches of God. Reading through the old testament we will realize that Israelites suffered many times as a result of sin.
Though God had made all grace available, *sin can block the flow.
The Prodigal Son in scriptures has everything life could offer. But his experimenting with life of vanity pushed him out of his wealthy place to live on pig’s food.
3. Ignorance
Though we have all things:
Salvation
Joy
Peace
Wealth
Home
Etc.
Yet ignorance can deprive us of those goodness
Hosea 4:6 KJV
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
I mean ignorance can deprive us of the things God has given us. What you don’t know you have you cannot enjoy.
Many believers are being tormented by the devil and many will die of oppression though God said he has delivered us already.
Colossians 1:13 KJV
Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
The scripture above is saying that we have been delivered… Already. Then why are many children of God being tormented? The simple answer is: ignorance.
What you don’t know you’ve you cannot enjoy.
4. Unbelief
Many people believe that God can do all things but in times of trial they lose confidence in God
Why do people go to occultists for solution? They knew God is powerful but have unbelief of whether God will do it or not.
Hebrews 11:6 KJV
But without faith it is impossible to please him : for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Many believe God is God but that’s how far they go. They don’t believe he will help them through.
They do not complete the word… That he is God who rewards those who diligently seek him. These lines above speaks even to me
When we know that he will reward us if we are diligent, then we will not grow weary while following.
Knowing that he leads us by the still water should settle the issue fretting our souls.
In rounding up we should know that:
God has provided us all things to enjoy
All we need is to get our misplaced ATMs as a result of:
1. Satanic manipulation
2. Sin
3. Ignorance &
4. Unbelief
If we would rebuke the devil, repent of our sins and do away with works of darkness, build up knowledge and build our faith… Nothing shall hinder us from the surplus which is already in God.
Be mindful… God’s surplus isn’t just about money or material things but much more of spiritual… Things of greater worth like peace, joy, provision, holiness.
My prayer: that we will not be deprived of the riches of Christ in Jesus name.
