Living the Price.

 Awesomized" is the word to describe my feelings while mulling over how God saved some of His chosen ones out of captivity. On point is the fact that it wasn't sin or their poor choices that led them there...it was actually part of the  process in God's divine plan to refine and make them channels of blessings. I was captivated especially by the lives of Joseph and Daniel. They chose to be different and didn't compromise their love and stand for God under extremely difficult circumstances. 

In the process of sacrificing their privileges to honor God, they were invariably living the price which in turn in the fullness of time added up as the full payment of receiving the great gifts of interpreting and understanding dreams and visions. What they needed to get them out of captivity was given to them by God right there in the tough circumstances. In other words their sacrifices were payments for the great gifts God used in setting them free. God downloaded these great gifts into them after fulfilling their own part of the process and in the fullness of time God also orchestrated situations that placed great demands on those gifts by the kings who set them free and even more, promoted them. 

So, it's critical for us to understand that there's a price tag for every great destiny in God. The process of living a highly rewarding life of God involves not just praying but paying the price. Frankly, effective prayers actually empowers us with grace to pay the price with great attitudes and in full. Just as only those who endure to the end shall be saved so also, only those who pay in full shall obtain the promises of God for their lives. It doesn't come free, it's not cheap nor does it come on a platter of gold ..it's on a platter of sacrifice. Of course just as no discipline is pleasant in process so also the process of payment is never easy. Have you realized that you actually have to pay through your nose to buy pure gold? It can be bought only if you have the currency in full...no story!  

There's so much to glean from the life of Christ Jesus who exemplified to us that the life of a Christian is essentially one of sacrifice. As we celebrate Christ Jesus, the Resurrection and the Life, let's remember that "Grace" was given to us through the highest sacrifice. Jesus paid the highest price for our abundant redemption so we could reign in life and ultimately in heaven. Though He loved the Father and came from the Father, Jesus still had to go through the process of becoming the sacrifice worthy to save us and He obtained the highest reward. 

 "The more excellent Name of Jesus came by three means... Jesus' Name is great because He inherited a great Name. His Name is great because of His achievements. His name is great because it was conferred upon Him."...Kenneth Hagin.  

In essence, you pay the price before you gain the prize! Thankfully, Jesus has paid the ultimate price of salvation for us. He paid for what we could not pay for however, we as God 's own still have to pay our own individual price to obtain every promise God has ordained for us in Christ. Every price is a function of the assignment. 

Let's be encouraged to draw strength from the life of Christ; " Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2

As we look up to Christ, we shall receive encouragement to follow the due process for we still have to qualify by faith through grace. In Christ, grace is available freely for us to appropriate and pay every price attached to our high calling in God. So If you are faithful to God and your trouble lingers, don't be dismayed...you are possibly paying...much more living your price for greatness...be attentive to the Holy Spirit and learn the lessons you are being taught...let Him educate and train your senses to know that God's plan for you is so great. Living the price is simply paying the price with the right attitude. Ask God for wisdom as often as you need it, grow in Grace through the knowledge of God and His ways... through fellowship with God in worship and the Word also by building and investing in appropriate  relationships...much more you got to be authentic. 

Authentic people have variations. They believe God yet pray " Lord, help my unbelief" they are afraid yet they exude strength and courage...they have 'big needs" yet they give themselves to helping others to meet their needs ... they keep and share God's testimonies to comfort others... 

They say to themselves " it doesn't make sense to be calm in the face of a great storm neither does it feel good to pray when hell breaks loose but I know that my redeemer liveth forever...."

They remember "... though He slay me yet will I trust Him .." They are revived and refuse to stay down ... they refuse to compromise their trust in God. 

We must understand that anytime you are paying the price ...that is, during a trial of faith the word of God is suspended so you would go through the process successfully and be refined. For instance during a trial of faith that bothers on your finances, no matter how sin free, heaven bound God pleasing you may be, even if you pay tithes regularly at that trial period it may not stop adversity and your promised blessing may be suspended. But after that trial period, your blessings will pour down delivered in full. Your trial was just to test and refine your heart and develop godly character and wisdom in you so you could be a blessing to others in your hour of prosperity.  

Beloved, buy the truth and sell it not...

 Great pressure will come upon us during the trial to make us change or try new courses to get out of it- resist them! Make straight paths for your feet (Hebrews 12: 13). In the trial, hold your course, hold on to what God has given you....pay...much more live the price! 

Yours sincerely

Segilola.