A Special Invitation

Dear Wonderful Readers,

We are just a week away from a Programme I feel very compelled to invite you to join in and really look forward to seeing you in "The Fragrance of His Presence"

Ministering will be Rev&Rev Mrs Samson Ajetomobi of Men of Isacchar Vision
Date :July 7-10,2016 (11-6pm)
Venue:New Covenant Church,Manchester. M12 4QW

It promises to be a time of refreshing in God;s presence.

Also please note that the series "On the Way to the Palace" will be continuing , We are looking at the life of Joseph @Feasting at the Table
Time:11-12pm Every Saturday
Station:Peace&Joy Online Radio  or Download TuneIn

Grace Tom-Lawyer

Happy Father's Day

So we have come to the time once again in the year where a day is set apart for us to honor our Fathers. Literally most people take this to be the man who gave seed to them while some others prefer to use that name for the man who may not have contributed biologically but one who has done all that man could have done or refused to do. 

It is interesting that when it comes to Father's Day, there seems to be a universal day unlike the Mother;s Day celebration  that is marked in the United Kingdom in the month of March  and celebrated in May in the United States of America.Does it mean that women cannot just agree to one thing compared to men?I guess it is food for thought.

But as the celebrations began this weekend, and I listened to some programmes for the Men, I heard someone say something about Fatherhood that was quite profound  and it is the fact that fathers are the only side of our parents that share the same name with God.We refer to God as our heavenly Rather and several people in Scriptures referred to him as Father,even Jesus ( 

What a honour the men have to share a name with God and how the responsibilities and privileges of Fatherhood ought to be taken more seriously as it is the relationship a child has with the  earthly father that will most likely form the basis of their relationship and perception of God,the Father of all.Some fathers today may truthfully say that they have not modelled God properly and may be the cause of the strained relationship between their wards and God.How can this be amended

 Apostle Paul said, "I bow my knees to God the Father by whom all families are named.... "(Ephesians 3:14-15).Remember it is from this same God that every good and perfect gift or blessings are derived (James 1:17).So the blessings come from an acceptance of the authority of God. Note that Apostle Paul bowed his knees to God the Father as a sign of worship and surrender.To get the blessings that come from God the Father of all  the families of the earth,there is  a choice. You can either run into his loving arms and  surrender by bowing down on  your knees.A man brought to his knees is not only  at a place of surrender  but vulnerability and utter dependence which is something God can handle or  you  can stand aloof and  judge him by the fathers we have known.But I encourage you to run to him today because he is a good good Father and the only Perfect one, full of mercies and good thoughts about us.

I join to celebrate all the men who are  fathers in whatever kind of capacity, enjoy your weekend and HAPPY Father's Day.

With loving thoughts,

Grace Tom-Lawyer

The Error of Balaam 15c

Then Balaam said to Balak "Stand by your burnt offerings and I will go ,perhaps the Lord will come to meet me and whatever He shows me, I will tell you "So he went to a desolate height. Numbers 23:3  NKJV New King James Version

We continue to look at the life of Balaam and compare with our lives so as to avoid the many errors that Balaam made on the way to the final error for which he is most known for(greed).It seems that it was the greed and his eye on the reward he would get that shaped  the several choices that he made.

When we compare the conversation of Balaam with the messengers from Balak at the very first and second meetings Numbers 22:4-8,18-19 there  appears to be a change in  Balaam's demeanour  when he finally meets Balak( Numbers 23:3). He is no more as sure as he was of an answer from God.

Whereas when he was originally met by the messengers from Balak in  Numbers chapter 22, he told them categorically that they should wait as he would hear from God and get back to them( Numbers 22:8),however some chapters down the line it is the same Balaam who now tells Balak that perhaps the Lord would speak to him(Numbers 23:3). Earlier on in this series,we  did commend Balaam for having the kind of relationship with God that is enviable. What made Balaam move from a state of absolutely sure to a state of perhaps?Could it be that his sense of perception was dulled by continuous disobedience? Sometimes in our lives, we find out that we are not as perceptive as we used to be and the issue may just be in the area of obedience. Refusing to do what we know God has asked us to do has a way of hindering our relationship or standing as a veil between us and him.It could also stop the receiving of further instructions as there is no need to have more instructions to disobey.

Disobedience itself is an act which stems from the spirit of rebellion. God had a right to tell Balaam what to do but because Balaam was  more concerned with having his own way, he refused  to submit to authority, thus became guilty of rebellion. And he was ready to use different ways to manipulate God and that in itself is witchcraft. No wonder the Bible likens witchcraft to rebellion (1 Samuel 15:23).

 In the next half of verse 23 of 1 Samuel 15, we are told that obedience is better than sacrifice. I must confess that the Bible is quite exact as the very thing we do after being rebellious is to be manipulative and then try to offer sacrifices to serve as alternatives for our obedience. All through the Bible however, we learn that obedience is non-negotiable. This is best summed up in the words of Apostle John  and Jesus who confirm that obedience is the mark that we really know him ( 1 John 2:4) and love him(John 14:15).

 Sometimes acts of sacrifices may be a way of avoiding what we know is our call of duty, and although they may seem impressive to others, God has regard only for the man who trembles at his word instead(Isaiah 66:2).ready to obey them.

Balaam indeed did many sacrifices for so many rams and bullocks were slaughtered during his consultation (a staggering total of almost 50 animals ), but in spite of all these, God’s verdict for Israel(they cannot be cursed Numbers  22:  &23:8 ) did not change  as He cannot be manipulated

 The place of obedience in our relationship with God cannot be overemphasized. It is our regard for God that makes us reverence and obey his Word. When God speaks, he speaks to be obeyed .Reasoning God’s word has a way of dulling our perception to his Spirit as we see in the life of Balaam.

 In His Service,

Grace Tom-Lawyer.

The Error of Balaam 15

Then Balaam said to Balak "Stand by your burnt offerings and I will go ,perhaps the Lord will come to meet me and whatever He shows me, I will tell you "So he went to a desolate height. Numbers 23:3  NKJV New King James Version

We continue to look at the life of Balaam and compare with our lives so as to avoid the many errors that Balaam made on the way to the final error for which he is most known for(greed).It seems that it was the greed and his eye on the reward he would get that shaped  the several choices that he made.

When we compare the conversation of Balaam with the messengers from Balak at the very first and second meetings Numbers 22:4-8,18-19 there  appears to be a change in  Balaam's demeanour  when he finally meets Balak( Numbers 23:3). He is no more as sure as he was of an answer from God.

Whereas when he was originally met by the messengers from Balak in  Numbers chapter 22, he told them categorically that they should wait as he would hear from God and get back to them( Numbers 22:8),however some chapters down the line it is the same Balaam who now tells Balak that perhaps the Lord would speak to him(Numbers 23:3). Earlier on in this series,we  did commend Balaam for having the kind of relationship with God that is enviable. What made Balaam move from a state of absolutely sure to a state of perhaps?Could it be that his sense of perception was dulled by continuous disobedience? Sometimes in our lives, we find out that we are not as perceptive as we used to be and the issue may just be in the area of obedience. Refusing to do what we know God has asked us to do has a way of hindering our relationship or standing as a veil between us and him.It could also stop the receiving of further instructions as there is no need to have more instructions to disobey.

Disobedience itself is an act which stems from the spirit of rebellion. God had a right to tell Balaam what to do but because Balaam was  more concerned with having his own way, he refused  to submit to authority, thus became guilty of rebellion. And he was ready to use different ways to manipulate God and that in itself is witchcraft. No wonder the Bible likens witchcraft to rebellion (1 Samuel 15:23).

 In the next half of verse 23 of 1 Samuel 15, we are told that obedience is better than sacrifice. I must confess that the Bible is quite exact as the very thing we do after being rebellious is to be manipulative and then try to offer sacrifices to serve as alternatives for our obedience. All through the Bible however, we learn that obedience is non-negotiable. This is best summed up in the words of Apostle John  and Jesus who confirm that obedience is the mark that we really know him ( 1 John 2:4) and love him(John 14:15).

 Sometimes acts of sacrifices may be a way of avoiding what we know is our call of duty, and although they may seem impressive to others, God has regard only for the man who trembles at his word instead(Isaiah 66:2).ready to obey them.

Balaam indeed did many sacrifices for so many rams and bullocks were slaughtered during his consultation (a staggering total of almost 50 animals ), but in spite of all these, God’s verdict for Israel(they cannot be cursed Numbers  22:  &23:8 ) did not change  as He cannot be manipulated

 The place of obedience in our relationship with God cannot be overemphasised. It is our regard for God that makes us reverence and obey his Word. When God speaks, he speaks to be obeyed .Reasoning God’s word has a way of dulling our perception to his Spirit as we see in the life of Balaam.

 In His Service,

Grace Tom-Lawyer.

The Error of Balaam 15 - the error of inconsistency

“Then Balaam said to Balak "Stand by your burnt offerings and I will go ,perhaps the Lord will come to meet me and whatever He shows me, I will tell you ".So he went to a desolate height. Numbers 23:3  NKJV New King James Version

We continue to look at the life of Balaam and compare with our lives so as to avoid the many errors that Balaam made on the way to the final error for which he is most known for (greed).It seems that it was the greed and his eye on the reward he would get that shaped  the several choices that he made.

When we compare the conversation of Balaam with the messengers from Balak at the very first and second meetings Numbers 22:4-8,18-19 there  appears to be a change in  Balaam's demeanour  when he finally meets Balak( Numbers 23:3). He is no more as sure as he was of an answer from God.

Whereas when he was originally met by the messengers from Balak in Numbers chapter 22, he told them categorically that they should wait as he would hear from God and get back to them( Numbers 22:8),however some chapters down the line it is the same Balaam who now tells Balak that perhaps the Lord would speak to him(Numbers 23:3). Earlier on in this series, we  did commend Balaam for having the kind of relationship with God that is enviable. What made Balaam move from a state of absolutely sure to a state of perhaps? Could it be that his sense of perception was dulled by continuous disobedience? Sometimes in our lives, we find out that we are not as perceptive as we used to be and the issue may just be in the area of obedience. Refusing to do what we know God has asked us to do has a way of hindering our relationship or standing as a veil between us and him.

Disobedience itself is an act which stems from the spirit of rebellion. God had a right to tell Balaam what to do but because Balaam was  more concerned with having his own way, he refused  to submit to authority, thus became guilty of rebellion. And he was ready to use different ways to manipulate God and that in itself is witchcraft. No wonder the Bible likens witchcraft to rebellion (1 Samuel 15:23).

 In the next half of verse 23 of 1 Samuel 15, we are told that obedience is better than sacrifice. I must confess that the Bible is quite exact as the very thing we do after being rebellious is to be manipulative and then try to offer sacrifices to serve as alternatives for our obedience. All through the Bible however, we learn that obedience is non-negotiable. This is best summed up in the words of Apostle John  and Jesus who confirm that obedience is the mark that we really know him ( 1 John 2:4) and love him(John 14:15).

 Sometimes acts of sacrifices may be a way of avoiding what we know is our call of duty, and although they may seem impressive to others, God has regard only for the man who trembles at his word instead(Isaiah 66:2).ready to obey them.

Balaam indeed did many sacrifices for so many rams and bullocks were slaughtered during his consultation (a staggering total of almost 50 animals), but in spite of all these, God’s verdict for Israel(they cannot be cursed Numbers  22:12& 23:8 ) did not change  as He cannot be manipulated

 The place of obedience in our relationship with God cannot be overemphasised. It is our regard for God that makes us reverence and obey his Word. When God speaks, he speaks to be obeyed .Reasoning God’s word has a way of dulling our perception to his Spirit as we see in the life of Balaam.

 In His Service,

Grace Tom-Lawyer.

The Error of Balaam 14 -the Error of alternative obedience

“Then Balaam said to Balak "Stand by your burnt offerings and I will go ,perhaps the Lord will come to meet me and whatever He shows me, I will tell you ".So he went to a desolate height. Numbers 23:3  NKJV New King James Version

We continue to look at the life of Balaam and compare with our lives so as to avoid the many errors that Balaam made on the way to the final error for which he is most known for (greed).It seems that it was the greed and his eye on the reward he would get that shaped  the several choices that he made.

When we compare the conversation of Balaam with the messengers from Balak at the very first and second meetings Numbers 22:4-8,18-19 there  appears to be a change in  Balaam's demeanour  when he finally meets Balak( Numbers 23:3). He is no more as sure as he was of an answer from God.

Whereas when he was originally met by the messengers from Balak in Numbers chapter 22, he told them categorically that they should wait as he would hear from God and get back to them( Numbers 22:8),however some chapters down the line it is the same Balaam who now tells Balak that perhaps the Lord would speak to him(Numbers 23:3). Earlier on in this series, we  did commend Balaam for having the kind of relationship with God that is enviable. What made Balaam move from a state of absolutely sure to a state of perhaps? Could it be that his sense of perception was dulled by continuous disobedience? Sometimes in our lives, we find out that we are not as perceptive as we used to be and the issue may just be in the area of obedience. Refusing to do what we know God has asked us to do has a way of hindering our relationship or standing as a veil between us and him.

Disobedience itself is an act which stems from the spirit of rebellion. God had a right to tell Balaam what to do but because Balaam was  more concerned with having his own way, he refused  to submit to authority, thus became guilty of rebellion. And he was ready to use different ways to manipulate God and that in itself is witchcraft. No wonder the Bible likens witchcraft to rebellion (1 Samuel 15:23).

 In the next half of verse 23 of 1 Samuel 15, we are told that obedience is better than sacrifice. I must confess that the Bible is quite exact as the very thing we do after being rebellious is to be manipulative and then try to offer sacrifices to serve as alternatives for our obedience. All through the Bible however, we learn that obedience is non-negotiable. This is best summed up in the words of Apostle John  and Jesus who confirm that obedience is the mark that we really know him ( 1 John 2:4) and love him(John 14:15).

 Sometimes acts of sacrifices may be a way of avoiding what we know is our call of duty, and although they may seem impressive to others, God has regard only for the man who trembles at his word instead(Isaiah 66:2).ready to obey them.

Balaam indeed did many sacrifices for so many rams and bullocks were slaughtered during his consultation (a staggering total of almost 50 animals), but in spite of all these, God’s verdict for Israel(they cannot be cursed Numbers  22:12& 23:8 ) did not change  as He cannot be manipulated

 The place of obedience in our relationship with God cannot be overemphasised. It is our regard for God that makes us reverence and obey his Word. When God speaks, he speaks to be obeyed .Reasoning God’s word has a way of dulling our perception to his Spirit as we see in the life of Balaam.

 In His Service,

Grace Tom-Lawyer.

Error of Balaam 13 -"The Error of using God

“Then Balaam said to Balak, ”Build seven altars for me here, and prepare for me here seven bulls and seven rams”, And Balak did just as Balaam had spoken ,and Balak and Balaam offered a bull and a ram on each altar”. Numbers 23:1-2 NKJV New Kings James Version

So Balaam commands Balak to offer the sacrifices following the building of seven altars. On these seven altars were offered seven rams and seven bulls. This is all in an attempt to pacify or appease God or rightly  the “gods” before cursing. It seems that  Balak did not have any problems with going along the notions as long as he got what he wanted.

So both Balaam and Balak offer the sacrifice (Numbers 23:2) in an attempt to curse the people of God. The error here to me seems to be the error of using God. It is the error of trying to buy God’s favour or anger , the error of using the externals. As spiritual as building altars or  offering sacrifices may be , it is wrong for us to use these things to serve our purpose. It is not surprising these days to see some believers fast and pray in an attempt to curse another individual who has perhaps hurt them or are perceived to have done so or be planning to do so.It is also common to hear the excuse of such acts being that one cannt argue with results but that in itself is wrong as we see God in the Old Testament questioning Moses results. Moses was told to speak to the rock but in his anger, he struck the rock and although the same result of water rushing out occured but not without God’s anger and pronouncement that Moses would not enter the promised land (Deutronomy 4:21, 3:27;Psalms 106:32,33).

 Some Christians today open some Bible passages, rather than reading for meditation, use it to confer curses on other people. Even during Jesus stay here on earth, we see some of his disciples asking that they used the power available to call down fire on the Samaritans who had not received Jesus and it is pertinent to note that Jesus rebuked them sharply and  reprimanded them  saying  “ye do not know what Spirit you have received(Luke 9:55).

The kind of spirit we have received is not the one that allows us to go cursing individuals like Balak intends Balaam to do. It may be something we do subtly with accompanying  spiritual exercises and disciplines but if our motive is borne out of vengeance or self preservation  rather than  out of love, Paul admonishes us that it amounts to nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1-4).

All through the Bible, there have always been people who were enemies to God’s people and time and time again, we have seen how God fought for his people. Our current case study is an example that God is well able to defend us. All we see happening behind the scene is unknown to the Israelites yet they cannot be cursed.

This is not to discredit spiritual warfare and prayers against the forces of darkness as the Bible enjoins us to (Ephesians 6:12),  but it is one thing to be praying against spiritual wickedness in high places and another thing to be praying against our neighbours, friends, family and supposed enemies. God is able to fight for us without us trying to curse people. It may be popular or people may have claimed it worked for them but the end does not justify the means rather let us take heed as everything will be judged by the test of love.

Yours in His Service,

Grace Tom-Lawyer.