ENLARGE YOUR TENT

Isaiah 54:2-3

New International Version (NIV)

“Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtains wide,do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities."

Meditated on this verse about a week ago during my quiet time. It spoke a lot in my heart so I shared to my Vgroup my thoughts on how we can really enlarge our tent. Sharing to you today how we can enlarge the place of our tents as believers and followers of Jesus.

1. ENLARGE YOUR CAPACITY TO GROW.

"Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation"- 1Peter2:2

Ever wonder why Jesus always compares us to a tree? Because just like a tree, we are expected to grow and bear fruit; as believers of Christ, we are expected to grow in the knowledge of who Jesus is. Our salvation is the beginning of our walk with the Lord as we walk each day, we are to discover more of who Jesus is. We are expected to desire more of His goodness, love and faithfulness. As we continue to walk with Jesus, we are being changed to His likeness. So Crave, crave so much about Jesus read His word and fall inlove with it over and over again each day. Never waste a day, there's so much about your Savior that needs to be learned.

"Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble" - 2 Peter 1:10

The bible encourages us to make our spiritual growth our priority. In the book of Romans, apostle Paul said that "Faith without works is dead" - James 2:26 Though of course we cannot earn salvation through good works (Ephesians 2:8-9) the term "work" mentioned here means how our faith manifests in us, because true faith is active in the things of God, a person who has really received salvation has an ongoing and active faith. It's interested with the gatherings of other believers and it is interested in learning more about Christ. This is why the bible tells us that we should confirm our calling and election, because if we do (this is God's promise) we will never stumble. Its easy to profess about the faith we believe in, but the true condition of our hearts are revealed through our interests and priorities. Whatever or whoever our takes more of our time, energy and attention is the "Master" that we serve.

So keep your faith active, do not let it die. Keep the fire burning. Spend time with other believers, read your bible and grow. And if you think you are being pulled away, don't run away, never let the enemy pull you down, Go! and run closer to Jesus! Make sure to understand deeper the meaning of salvation. We have to keep in mind that there is no limitation when it comes to our maturity Christ, its a long journey we have to walk in. God's word is so rich that it constantly reveals to us things beyond our comprehension. So again, make every effort to learn and make every effort to grow.

2. ENLARGE YOUR AREA OF INFLUENCE.

The bible says "Many are called but few are chosen"- Matthew 22:14

YOU ARE CHOSEN. You are chosen to be influential over your family, over your friends, over your acquaintances and over anyone you come across. As Christians, we carry a light that attacts people's attention. We are called to be WORLD CHANGERS. Make sure that the light you have shines bright; Never let distractions of this world prevent you from sharing Jesus to others.

The bible says we are the LIGHT AND SALT of the Earth. Why light? because God puts us in a place where it is dark, where people are living and walking in the darkness. We are to be a lamp in that place and point to them the right direction. Why salt? Its odd that Jesus compared us to this, isn't it? But if we will come to think of it, salt has a distinctive taste and flavour and God is saying that our "flavour" makes us different from others. Ever heard of the saying "If you can't beat them, join them" ? We should do the exact opposite of this. We are NOT to conform but to be different from the world. Be influential, influence people by standing firm to the biblical principles that God has taught us.

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will." Romans 12:2

3. ENLARGE YOUR AREA OF RELATIONSHIP

Christians are meant to build relationship with one another and encourage one another.

Why?

1. Because it is God's commandmandment.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

- John 13:34-35

Relationship is built on love. We are encouraged to build relationship with other believers because LOVE is a skill, it needs to be practiced. Be part of a small group, build relationships that has an eternal value, keep on practicing the skill of loving.

2. To safeguard our faith.

"Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? " -Ecclesiastes 3:9-11

Two heads are better than one. ALWAYS. Christian walk is a long journey , how long you ask? let's just say you are walking from earth to eternity. Yes, its that long. As we are on this road to eternity, we will be pressured, hardpressed, from side to side. There will be little rocks along the road, that could make us stumble, cracks that could discourage us and weeds that could pull us down. Believe me, you will need people who walks on the same road as you are to encourage and build you up. Remind you of God's promises and share the light with you when you are running out of it.

This is a charcoal, together with other charcoals, its fire will burn bright. But alone, its fire will die down. Rule of thumb in our Christian Journey: NEVER WALK ALONE.

ISOLATION will make you stumble. The enemy's job is to "Kill, steal, and destroy"- John 10:10 and Isolation is the devil's first step in destroying your faith. Because no one will know. No one will know you made a mistake, no one will know you made a compromise, no one will know you are running out of light. Make sure your fire is burning, be connected with other believers.

4. ENLARGE YOUR COMMITMENT.

The bible says we are the body of Christ.

"Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it."- 1 Corinthians 12:27

Do you know that time is the most rare thing on earth? because once you give a minute, there's no way you can take neither earn it back. Our commitment in giving changes us from inside out. Be involved in your local church.

Spiritual commitment is important, because as we commit more of our time, effort, and even money to the church, it takes us from being SELFISH TO SELFLESS. Be part of a ministry, disciple people, lead a group. Commit to your vgroup to share your story. Move from being selfish to selfless. Make sure you are doing something as part of the church community.

5. ASK GOD TO ENLARGE HIS FAVOR UPON YOU

"Call to me and I will answer you, and I will show you great and mighty things which you do not know" - Jeremiah 33:3

I want to encourage you on this. Ask Big, always ask big things from your Father in heaven. Do not put a limitation to your requests. Ask for wonders, miracles, ask for great and mighty as what is written on His word. I have read before that if you want a miracle, then ask for a miracle. Sounds simple isn't it? Thing is, we rarely ask for these things because we tend to measure GOD'S GREATNESS WITH OUR OWN IDEA OF GREATNESS. However, this is the truth, "Without faith, it is impossible to please God"- Hebrews 11:6 It pleases God when we ask in faith.

After all, didn't He say in His word that "Faith can move mountains?" Mark 11:23 Read this over and over again until every fiber of your being believes that faith can indeed, move mountains. the more impossible the better. Remember this: Your Father in heaven is the God who parted the red sea, the God who provided manna for the Israelites in the desert, the God who raised Jesus from the dead. And this is the same God that you are serving today! Isn't that good news?

Before I end this blog, I want to share something worth sharing. A story that I learned from a friend..

Well suppose you found out that God has prepared to send you Thirty blessings today, but you got only one? What do you suppose stopped the other twenty-nine blessings from reaching you?

The story of Mr. Jones

There's a little story about a Mr. Jones who died and went to Heaven. Peter was waiting at the gates to give him a tour. Amid the splendour of golden streets, beautiful mansions and choirs of angels that Peter showed him, Mr. Jones noticed an odd building. He thought it looked like an enormous warehouse since it had no windows and only one door.

When he asked to see inside, Peter hesitated before replying, "You really don't want to see what's in there!" Mr. Jones was puzzled. "But, why should there be any secrets in Heaven?" wondered Mr. Jones, "What incredible surprise is waiting for me inside there?"

When the tour was over he was still wondering about this building, so he asked again to see inside. Finally Peter relented, and when the Apostle opened the door, Mr. Jones almost knocked him over in his haste to get inside! The enormous building was filled with row after row of shelves, floor to ceiling, each stacked neatly with many boxes tied with red ribbons.

"All these boxes all have names on them," whispered Mr. Jones. Then turning to Peter he asked, "Do I have one?" Peter took Mr. Jones arm as he replied, "Yes, you do" and tried to guide Mr. Jones back outside. "Frankly," said Peter, "If I were you ...."

Mr Jones as he rushes to the J aisle and he finds the box with his name on it and opens it up. His mouth drops, his pulse quickens, and finally he says to Peter, “What are all these wonderful things inside my box? Are they the good things in store for me now I’ve reached heaven?”.

“No” replies Peter. “They’re all the blessings God wanted to give you while you were alive on earth, but which you never received.”

A sad look came over Mr Jones. He looked into the box, to Peter and then back to the box. “Why?” he asked St Peter. “Why did I miss out on all these blessings?” Peter replied...

"You do not have because you do not ask" (James 4:2)

PRAYER:

Father in Heaven,

I praise you. Thank you for giving me a clear message though your word on how I can enlarge my tent. Lord I pray that you will create in me a heart that thirsts for you above anything else. Let this thirst only be quenched by You alone, let nothing satisfy my heart but your love. Constantly reveal to me Lord the meaning of the cross, what Jesus has done for me and as I learn more about it, may it continue to change me.

Send me Lord and use me, to influence the world. To fulfill my purpose of being the light and salt of the earth. Allow me to bring one lost person into your light, Lord. And by the power of the Holy Spirit, help me to stand firm to the truth of your word. Safeguard my faith Lord that I will not conform to the pattern of the earth but I will make a difference and claim for you every territory I set my foot on.

Father I pray that you will continue to enlarge my tent through relationships with other believers . Let their faith inspire me and may you connect me to people who will help me continue running the race and will encourage me to fight the good fight of faith. I understand Lord, that my journey with you is a long one and I want to humble myself today that I need people to constantly remind me of your love. Let nothing distract me, but may I be focused on Jesus, the author and perfecter of my faith.

Thank you Lord because you are capable, of providing everything that I need. Because I am your child I know you will provide everything that my heart desires according to your will. Father, encourage my heart to ask more from you to put no limit to your power, for if you were able to part the red sea, then surely you can make these miracles in my life too. I ask Lord that you will allow me to experience wonders after wonders, and may I not forfeit the blessings that you have prepared for me each day. May I be so full of faith to ask and see an my impossible prayers turn into a reality. Show me these great and migty things which I do not know. I want to see them Lord! I desire to see your power over my life.

I seal this prayer, in Jesus mighty name.

Amen.