Directions Are Guaranteed

We are introduced to Elijah who told King Ahab;

1 Kings 17:1 (NKJV)

…As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.”

Emphasis Mine

1 Kings 17:2 (NKJV)

Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying,

Emphasis Mine

1 Kings 17:8 (NKJV)

Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying,

Emphasis Mine

On 3 different occasions, the word of the Lord is mentioned and in every season, the purpose of the word that came was specific

In the first verse, the word of God spoken was a declaration over a situation. In verse 2 and 8, the word of the Lord that came were specific instructions for Elijah. In all 3 verses, the word of God changed the direction of activities for the season. Amen!

Elijah declared that there will be no rain as surely as God lives after which the Lord instructed Elijah on where to go right after the drought was declared. Then, when the brook dried up, the word of the Lord came to Elijah again instructing him to go the village of Zarephath.

As we read this chapter, many things come to light;

1)     Selflessness – Elijah comes across as someone who understands that His life is not his own. Meaning, his very existence was for God. Elijah was so dependent on God to a place where he only moved from one point to the other based on the word. Unless we develop a selfless attitude, it will be impossible to abandon the direction of our lives to God. Amen!

2)     Focus – It takes a certain level of spiritual attentiveness and alertness to hear the voice of the Father. We can agree that Elijah remained focused evidenced by his attentiveness and alertness to spiritual matters. When God spoke, he heard and acted immediately. Also, at no point was Elijah confused neither is it recorded that he panicked because of the unfavorable conditions surrounding him at the time. Therefore, his obedience to God was not dependent how favorable or not the conditions were, around him.

3)     Trust - His trust in God was expressed through his obedience to God’s word/ and instruction for the season. In verse 5, the Bible says “So Elijah did as the Lord told him…”,  In verse 10, after the instruction from God to Elijah, the Bible records “So he went to Zarephath…”. Amen! So he trusted God consistently.

It is best for you to allow the seasons of your life to be determined by God’s word. That is the lifestyle of the Godly. Let go of control over your life. Surrender your entire being to his leadership and direction and you would not regret it.

Purposefully Choose Your Companions - The Requirements

Acts 13:13 (NKJV)

 Now when Paul and his party set sail from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia; and John, departing from them, returned to Jerusalem.

We are not told why John Mark made this decision, however, it is clear that prior to this occasion, he kept company with Paul and Barnabas and at this point, he chose to go a separate way from them.

Acts 15:36-41 (NKJV)

Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “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.” Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark.  But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God.  And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

Emphasis Mine

Quite a lot could be learned from these scriptures about companionship. Amen!

·       Companionship requires decision making by the people involved.

-John Mark made a decision to go his separate way for reasons untold.

- Paul made a decision to not go with John Mark to the city although Barnabas wanted John Mark to go with them. This affected Paul and Barnabas’ relationship.

-As a result, Paul and Barnabas made a decision to go separate ways. Barnabas took John Mark and went to Cyprus while Paul chose Silas and went through Syria and Cilicia.

So, we see that a series of companionship decisions were made within these few verses.

·       Companionship is seasonal.

-We are not told why John Mark left Paul and Barnabas. However, for a season he served with them.

-Also, Paul and Barnabas served together for a season before going separate ways.

-Their separation led to a dawning of a new season for Paul and Silas. Subsequently, Paul and Silas were joined by Timothy and Luke.

·       Companionship requires agreement.

Acts 15: 37-39 (NLT)

Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus.

Emphasis Mine

Amos 3:3 (NLT)

Can two people walk together
    without agreeing on the direction?

Emphasis Mine

·       Companionship should be purpose-driven.

Acts 15:38 (NIV)

but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work.

Emphasis Mine

This scripture insinuates that the purpose of their companionship was to work together. Paul, being purpose driven, did not think it wise to keep company with someone who did not seem to respect the reason for their companionship.

·       Companionship requires wisdom.

Acts 15:38 (NIV)

but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work.

Emphasis Mine

·       Companionship requires loyalty.

Acts 15:38 (NIV)

but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work.

Emphasis Mine

The fact that Paul and Barnabas were deserted by John Mark suggests that they were abandoned. Possibly, John Mark was not loyal to this course.

·       Companionship requires communication and unity.

Acts 15:36 (NIV)

Sometime later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.”

Emphasis Mine

Paul communicated with Barnabas. And there was a sense of unity of purpose in their companionship. 

Purposefully Choose Your Companions - Speech and Action

As we continue to look at Saul, we can see that his speech and actions changed by virtue of his companionship. The bible says, ^“Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God - Acts 9:20 (NKJV).”

Luke 6:45b (NKJV)

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good, and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

Emphasis Mine

Our speech and actions tell on us all the time.

This scripture is a good example of scriptures to use when determining whom you should keep company with. Have practical criteria of whom and what you will like to keep company with. Listen to people. Watch people. It is that easy. Your confusion will be resolved.

I call on you this day to make up your mind; make a quality decision to purposefully choose your companions. Do not associate with any and everybody just because you feel like doing so. Or just because you will benefit from them. Amen!

Purposefully Choose Your Companions - Impact

-Your companionship relationship

·       Has the potential of impacting you immediately.

·       Has the potential of having a lasting impact in your life.

There is a tendency to embrace companionship casually with a mindset that “I will not be affected or influenced”. We are looking at a case in point right here and we thank God that it was a quality decision. Saul chose the companionship of the disciples after his conversion and we are told that “immediately” he preached the gospel in the synagogues. Let’s read this together;

Acts 9:20 (NKJV)

Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.  Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.

Emphasis Mine

If you read further, Saul never looked back from this point. Now, picture a companion that could possibly lead you downhill. Imagine yourself embracing this relationship casually with a mindset that it will not have an impact on you, but later discover that certain aspects of your life are unfolding negatively as a result of the company you chose. I bet you will not be pleased. So, this is why we previously examined that the aftermath of companionship could be immediate or lasting.

So, make a decision about who and what to keep company with; understand that it is a choice and remember that the outcome could be immediate and if not, down the road, the impact will be felt. Amen!

Purposefully Choose Your Companions - Choice

We have educated ourselves through the scriptures on the various ways we can keep company with the Word. Just a brief recap on how we keep company with the Word;

-Studying the Word – and we gave some preparation tips.

-Meditating on the Word – studying the Word gives you substantial materials to meditate upon.

-Listening to the Word being Preached and Thought – we emphasized that doing and preaching go together. So, the lifestyle of the person you listen to matters.

-Reading of the Word – and we emphasized on the benefits of public reading of the Word.

-Watching others preach the Word – We emphasized that what we permit our eyes to see, influences our lives.

-Teaching and Speaking the Word – In this context, we said teaching will mean sharing the revelations you receive from the Word with the purpose of being a blessing to the person. For speaking, your words and actions should synchronize every day, every time. Amen!

Companionship is purposeful because it is something you can choose to do or undo.

Acts 9:17-20 (NKJV)

And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”  Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.  Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.

Acts 9 talks about Saul’s conversion. Saul had a life-changing encounter and his name is later referred to Paul in Acts 13:9. However, at this point when we meet Him, the scripture refers to him as Saul. What stood out to me as I studied this passage of scripture is that immediately after the life-changing encounter, the very first thing Saul did was change his companions. Yes, he did. Great decision.

So much can be learned from this one action of Saul.

-Companionship is by choice. Whom you choose to spend your time with or associate with is your choice. I can understand how challenging most situations can be and an individual may resolve to saying that “I do not have a choice”. Listen! You have a choice, let no one disarm you of something that has been freely made available to you by the Father. You have willpower. Saul had a choice to join his previous companions but he did not. And the reason I say so is because, the people he now chose to keep company with fell under the category of people whom he was actively persecuting, but he still chose to spend days with them, according to scripture.

Saul had reasons to say that, I have no friends so I might as well go back and join the former associates because what is the possibility that the disciples will not revenge on me? 

Keep Company With The Word - Teach and Speak

Teaching is simply passing on information in the best way that can be understood by the receiver. With that in mind, everyone can teach another person something. Seek opportunities to pass on what you learn.  Purpose in your heart to have a godly impact in the lives of the people God brings your way. So, when you study the Word, Meditate on the Word, listen to the Word and Watch the Word; you can certainly teach the Word. Not so much as to be called a teacher; however, enough to pass on revelation in a way that the receiver understands. There must be something that you are able to learn through all these various ways of keeping company with the Word, that you can pass on to others in order to be a blessing to them.

As you teach, continue to seek more avenues to challenge your knowledge and growth in the Word. Such as enrolling in some bible schools, scheduling yourself to study more, read more, etc.

When it comes to speaking the Word as a way of keeping company with the Word; seek opportunities to associate your spoken words with scriptures.  Let your identity be known where ever you find yourself even by your spoken words.

When you speak, your listeners should be able to associate your speech with your character. There should be no confusion; there should be no difference. Amen. Your speech should be one of the tangible evidence that indeed you have been keeping company with the Word. When faced with any kind of situation, let your words align with scripture. Consistently.

By so doing, you are keeping company with the Word.

There is no time when being godly is unacceptable. It is an acceptable lifestyle for a child of God. Do not be the person who picks and chooses when and when not to be godly. Be an example everywhere, every day. Amen.

                                          

Keep Company With The Word - Watch

Show a sense of responsibility, by making a choice over what your eyes see.

Psalm 101:3 (ESV)

I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.

Other translations talk about wicked things, vile things, unjust things, and more. Why wouldn’t you do that? Because the things you watch have the potential of clinging on to your memory and influencing you.

Matthew 6:22 (ESV)

“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light.

So, in order words, if you feed your sight/ eyes with healthy images and information, your body will benefit.

 Make a decision today, to incorporate watching images that portray godly values, sermons being preached, TV shows that communicate the Word of God as a way of keeping company with the Word.

Promote a healthy atmosphere in your home by the kinds of shows you permit to be watched by everyone. Not every TV program rated “G” is worth watching. Carefully choose what you expose your eyes to. So much have been thrown at us through the internet and TV; however, we are privileged to make choices over what we permit our eyes to see.