ENDORSEMENT
"For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice, that the LORD may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him." - Gen 18:19
A man whom God endorses will have heaven's backing in whatever he is doing. It takes a belief in someone's capability or a tested relationship over time, for a vote of confidence to be given. When the Lord attested to Abraham's faith, it was a prove of how much God believed in him.
There are times when the believer desperately needs God to give him or her a vote of confidence, sometimes it may come from men but it may not be assuring or soothing; but once heaven attests to a man's faith or his ways - such a person has encountered grace at its peak. Moses was pleading to see the glory of God, when the Lord granted the request, God said, 'I know you by name, you have also found grace in My sight.' (Exo 33:12)
Your proven faith is an attestation of heaven's seal and approval over you; there are times when men are confused as to what to do or believe about a brother or sister; if heaven gives a vote of confidence over such a person, all doubt will be erased and more will trust the walk. Many times, men struggle to prove their integrity and they keep saying; 'I'm a Christain' and all of such things...much of that will not be needed if God gives you a vote of confidence.
It is him, who is commended by God that is approved, a person who has gotten a vote of confidence from God has earned God's trust and can have assess to secrets hidden from the foundation of the world. I may not fully know the criteria by which heaven gives endorsements, but a life of obedience and unbroken consecration cannot be out of the criteria.
HEAVEN'S ENDORSEMENT
"While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!' And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly greatly afraid." - Matt 17:5-6
That was the second time a voice will come from heaven validating the person of Jesus, at first it was the voice after His baptism, then the transfiguration. Anyone who had doubted before that time, will know that Jesus wasn't faking it and would easily be convinced that God is with Him.
The endorsement of heaven did not stop at Jesus' encounter, people whose life are pleasing to God are still being endorsed by heaven today. Demons know those who are called of God, the evidence of the Holy Spirit can be an endorsement from heaven, the grace at work in a person's life and ministry can be an endorsement from heaven.
At several times, the Spirit of God will bear witness in our hearts to know the prophet or minister heaven recommends, and of course, at times we will be led by the Spirit to see the fruits of the Spirit in a man's life. The greatest proof of heaven's endorsement in the life of a person is; the undeniable character of Christ outflowing.
"Then the LORD said to Satan, 'Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?'" - Job 1:8
I see the Lord not just endorsing Job but also bragging about this man, I also know that from Satan's reply, he was aware that someone like Job existed, but had his opinion too. Satan thought he knew what made Job strong and he gave his own assessment of that man.
Many times if we discover a product, we also want to brag about it. But I must bring to your notice that, anyone heaven endorses is prone to several test as Satan would seek to discredit such a person. Abraham's test came when he had to wait for the promised son and also to sacrifice the beloved son Isaac. Every test an endorsed believer passes, further endorses the believer to higher realm.
Even when Jesus was endorsed with that voice from the clouds, it still wasn't a smooth journey all through, but it was needed for the ready hearts who were with Him. Heaven's endorsement may not always exclude us from the critics of men and their taunting, but the endorsement will surely help encourage and seal a person's faith to believe God the more.
EARTH'S RECOMMENDATION
"Now there was a young Hebrew man with us there, a servant of the captain of the guard. And we told him, and he interpreted our dreams for us; to each man he interpreted according to his own dream. And it came to pass, just as he interpreted for us, so it happened. He restored me to my office, and he hanged him." - Gen 41:12-13
When heaven endorses a man, he gets recommended for divine assignment here on earth. Spiritual giants in the kingdom are tested and trusted men. God doesn't just use the skilled, he calls the tested most times. If we get heaven's endorsement - men will have no choice than to recommend us for divine assignment. Joseph was just seventeen when his process started and thank God he passed the test of endorsement.
I often wonder how people lobby to be known and hang their spiritual relevance on publicity, I am most times taken aback how men are so sophisticated in packaging yet without an endorsement from heaven. A person who proceeds on divine assignment without an endorsement risk failure.
The test of endorsement for the new testament Christain is walking in the Spirit and obeying His commands, the endorsement of the new testament Christain comes with a test of overcoming habits and addiction... If these are many and more vices are not overcome, such will become a disaster...until there is a test, there may not be a trusting or endorsement. Even Jesus was tempted.
"Then she said to her mistress, 'If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! For he would heal him of his leprosy.'" - 2Kings 5:3
After Jesus' open endorsement, the scripture tells us that his fame went all over the city. It is clear to me that because heaven endorsed the ministry of Elisha, his fame grew. The exclamation mark shows that, the maid said it with all assurance. A man whom heaven has endorsed, will always be consistent and there will be no fear of inconsistency even with men.
I know we are in the era of grace and that we can do all things, but dear friend, the stewards of the mysteries will be tested with faithfulness...your endorsement will come through test of temptations. How much have you embraced the grace to overcome them.
Before God recommends you to be an instrument of divinity, you must even be a person of fellowship...you won't be that person who runs when the Lord has not even sent you. Self will have to be dealt with, ego and carnal competition will be done away with - yes the Lord will test your contentment level.
Can I also point out here, that endorsements are in levels, he gives us according to our ability - you wonder why people have not started moving for counselling under you, maybe you haven't dealt with the lust that creeps in your heart. You wonder why you haven't been given that slot or that big opportunity - just be patient with the test, concentrate on passing.
When you are endorsed on a particular phase, no one can stop your recommendation. They may struggle as Saul wanted with David, but every attempt only makes you recommended the more. I know that career is sometimes, based on the recommendations we have, sometimes the ministry is also like that, but you may have to be tested and endorsed before such recommendations come.
FAILED REFEREES
"and do not think to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones." - Matt 3:9
One of the greatest deception of our time in this faith, is that we hold on to 'papas' and 'mamas' too much. We have become lazy and we bank on a false believe that the 'mantle' of these men of faith, will help us scale through or give us a safe landing. How wrong we have become, to think that the references on our faith CV, will guarantee us heaven.
Though you may have a good heritage of godly parents or may still be covered by a good covenant that came from your parents; but dear friend, that will not save you if you go wrong. Those men that have gone ahead of you are to encourage you, they are not to live the Christain life on your behalf, God does not acknowledge such reverences in the new testament..You got saved by yourself and not even through them.
It is totally allowed that we draw inspiration from the lives of fore fathers of faith whether living or dead, but it is not good to count on their history as your own present, that would be a great deception that will keep a person in darkness. I love some real men of God, but I am awakened to the fact that I have my race to run and the grace made available for them is still very much available for me, if not even a greater grace!
"'even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live,' says the Lord GOD, 'they would deliver neither son nor daughter; they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness.'" - Ezekiel 14:20
It is obvious from the above text that God recognises men of faith, yet He will not go against His principle. No 'papa' or 'mama' will validate or reduce your responsibility or consequences as regards the faith...if you don't work it out independently, you will crash.
Our fathers of faith have gone ahead to leave us an ancient landmark, but they haven't lived to become guarantors of our salvation, if we do not understand this; disaster will loom for that Christain. Let it dawn on you right now, that you can't begin to say we have anyone as 'father' then you ease yourself from the walk of faith...
Their names may enhance miracles as we often shout 'God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob' but remember that the rich man in hell was also the son of Abraham!
Moreover while such a claim is irrelevant for heaven's endorsement, such a person too becomes irrelevant because, God is able to raise genuine Christians from stones. God is able to raise a new breed who will become godly references but not guarantors for generations to come.
WALK OUT YOUR SALVATION
"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" - Phil 2:12
Dear friend, the most essential thing required of us is to under grace, take responsibility for our faith, our growth and our hope. If we live to please the Lord we will be endorsed. There are many things required of the believer, though they seem insurmountable, but I am convinced that grace makes us do all things.
You must begin to sort out your own endorsement, if you have been endorsed to a certain level before, you must work and pray for more endorsement, we saw that twice Jesus was endorsed openly with a voice from the cloud. You cannot just retain that one endorsement - there is a higher call.
It is your own salvation dear friend, not a friend's. It is your duty, don't pass it over, every man will bear his own burden, says the scripture. Your burden is light and of course the yoke is easy - but you must carry it yourself and take the yoke yourself.
CONCLUSION:
Endorsement comes as a result of pleasing the Father! We must make that our most holy passion.
A CRY
Until I am totally approved by You in heaven first and then before men, please Lord help me to continually strive on towards your endorsement. Lord if I am not endorsed by You, I am no good both to heaven and even the earth. Lord may grace be available unto me, to pass the test of endorsement in Jesus name (Amen).
God bless you and I love you
Akinsuroju Femi
© The Fundamentals
A man whom God endorses will have heaven's backing in whatever he is doing. It takes a belief in someone's capability or a tested relationship over time, for a vote of confidence to be given. When the Lord attested to Abraham's faith, it was a prove of how much God believed in him.
There are times when the believer desperately needs God to give him or her a vote of confidence, sometimes it may come from men but it may not be assuring or soothing; but once heaven attests to a man's faith or his ways - such a person has encountered grace at its peak. Moses was pleading to see the glory of God, when the Lord granted the request, God said, 'I know you by name, you have also found grace in My sight.' (Exo 33:12)
Your proven faith is an attestation of heaven's seal and approval over you; there are times when men are confused as to what to do or believe about a brother or sister; if heaven gives a vote of confidence over such a person, all doubt will be erased and more will trust the walk. Many times, men struggle to prove their integrity and they keep saying; 'I'm a Christain' and all of such things...much of that will not be needed if God gives you a vote of confidence.
It is him, who is commended by God that is approved, a person who has gotten a vote of confidence from God has earned God's trust and can have assess to secrets hidden from the foundation of the world. I may not fully know the criteria by which heaven gives endorsements, but a life of obedience and unbroken consecration cannot be out of the criteria.
HEAVEN'S ENDORSEMENT
"While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, 'This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!' And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly greatly afraid." - Matt 17:5-6
That was the second time a voice will come from heaven validating the person of Jesus, at first it was the voice after His baptism, then the transfiguration. Anyone who had doubted before that time, will know that Jesus wasn't faking it and would easily be convinced that God is with Him.
The endorsement of heaven did not stop at Jesus' encounter, people whose life are pleasing to God are still being endorsed by heaven today. Demons know those who are called of God, the evidence of the Holy Spirit can be an endorsement from heaven, the grace at work in a person's life and ministry can be an endorsement from heaven.
At several times, the Spirit of God will bear witness in our hearts to know the prophet or minister heaven recommends, and of course, at times we will be led by the Spirit to see the fruits of the Spirit in a man's life. The greatest proof of heaven's endorsement in the life of a person is; the undeniable character of Christ outflowing.
"Then the LORD said to Satan, 'Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?'" - Job 1:8
I see the Lord not just endorsing Job but also bragging about this man, I also know that from Satan's reply, he was aware that someone like Job existed, but had his opinion too. Satan thought he knew what made Job strong and he gave his own assessment of that man.
Many times if we discover a product, we also want to brag about it. But I must bring to your notice that, anyone heaven endorses is prone to several test as Satan would seek to discredit such a person. Abraham's test came when he had to wait for the promised son and also to sacrifice the beloved son Isaac. Every test an endorsed believer passes, further endorses the believer to higher realm.
Even when Jesus was endorsed with that voice from the clouds, it still wasn't a smooth journey all through, but it was needed for the ready hearts who were with Him. Heaven's endorsement may not always exclude us from the critics of men and their taunting, but the endorsement will surely help encourage and seal a person's faith to believe God the more.
EARTH'S RECOMMENDATION
"Now there was a young Hebrew man with us there, a servant of the captain of the guard. And we told him, and he interpreted our dreams for us; to each man he interpreted according to his own dream. And it came to pass, just as he interpreted for us, so it happened. He restored me to my office, and he hanged him." - Gen 41:12-13
When heaven endorses a man, he gets recommended for divine assignment here on earth. Spiritual giants in the kingdom are tested and trusted men. God doesn't just use the skilled, he calls the tested most times. If we get heaven's endorsement - men will have no choice than to recommend us for divine assignment. Joseph was just seventeen when his process started and thank God he passed the test of endorsement.
I often wonder how people lobby to be known and hang their spiritual relevance on publicity, I am most times taken aback how men are so sophisticated in packaging yet without an endorsement from heaven. A person who proceeds on divine assignment without an endorsement risk failure.
The test of endorsement for the new testament Christain is walking in the Spirit and obeying His commands, the endorsement of the new testament Christain comes with a test of overcoming habits and addiction... If these are many and more vices are not overcome, such will become a disaster...until there is a test, there may not be a trusting or endorsement. Even Jesus was tempted.
"Then she said to her mistress, 'If only my master were with the prophet who is in Samaria! For he would heal him of his leprosy.'" - 2Kings 5:3
After Jesus' open endorsement, the scripture tells us that his fame went all over the city. It is clear to me that because heaven endorsed the ministry of Elisha, his fame grew. The exclamation mark shows that, the maid said it with all assurance. A man whom heaven has endorsed, will always be consistent and there will be no fear of inconsistency even with men.
I know we are in the era of grace and that we can do all things, but dear friend, the stewards of the mysteries will be tested with faithfulness...your endorsement will come through test of temptations. How much have you embraced the grace to overcome them.
Before God recommends you to be an instrument of divinity, you must even be a person of fellowship...you won't be that person who runs when the Lord has not even sent you. Self will have to be dealt with, ego and carnal competition will be done away with - yes the Lord will test your contentment level.
Can I also point out here, that endorsements are in levels, he gives us according to our ability - you wonder why people have not started moving for counselling under you, maybe you haven't dealt with the lust that creeps in your heart. You wonder why you haven't been given that slot or that big opportunity - just be patient with the test, concentrate on passing.
When you are endorsed on a particular phase, no one can stop your recommendation. They may struggle as Saul wanted with David, but every attempt only makes you recommended the more. I know that career is sometimes, based on the recommendations we have, sometimes the ministry is also like that, but you may have to be tested and endorsed before such recommendations come.
FAILED REFEREES
"and do not think to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones." - Matt 3:9
One of the greatest deception of our time in this faith, is that we hold on to 'papas' and 'mamas' too much. We have become lazy and we bank on a false believe that the 'mantle' of these men of faith, will help us scale through or give us a safe landing. How wrong we have become, to think that the references on our faith CV, will guarantee us heaven.
Though you may have a good heritage of godly parents or may still be covered by a good covenant that came from your parents; but dear friend, that will not save you if you go wrong. Those men that have gone ahead of you are to encourage you, they are not to live the Christain life on your behalf, God does not acknowledge such reverences in the new testament..You got saved by yourself and not even through them.
It is totally allowed that we draw inspiration from the lives of fore fathers of faith whether living or dead, but it is not good to count on their history as your own present, that would be a great deception that will keep a person in darkness. I love some real men of God, but I am awakened to the fact that I have my race to run and the grace made available for them is still very much available for me, if not even a greater grace!
"'even if Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live,' says the Lord GOD, 'they would deliver neither son nor daughter; they would deliver only themselves by their righteousness.'" - Ezekiel 14:20
It is obvious from the above text that God recognises men of faith, yet He will not go against His principle. No 'papa' or 'mama' will validate or reduce your responsibility or consequences as regards the faith...if you don't work it out independently, you will crash.
Our fathers of faith have gone ahead to leave us an ancient landmark, but they haven't lived to become guarantors of our salvation, if we do not understand this; disaster will loom for that Christain. Let it dawn on you right now, that you can't begin to say we have anyone as 'father' then you ease yourself from the walk of faith...
Their names may enhance miracles as we often shout 'God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob' but remember that the rich man in hell was also the son of Abraham!
Moreover while such a claim is irrelevant for heaven's endorsement, such a person too becomes irrelevant because, God is able to raise genuine Christians from stones. God is able to raise a new breed who will become godly references but not guarantors for generations to come.
WALK OUT YOUR SALVATION
"Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" - Phil 2:12
Dear friend, the most essential thing required of us is to under grace, take responsibility for our faith, our growth and our hope. If we live to please the Lord we will be endorsed. There are many things required of the believer, though they seem insurmountable, but I am convinced that grace makes us do all things.
You must begin to sort out your own endorsement, if you have been endorsed to a certain level before, you must work and pray for more endorsement, we saw that twice Jesus was endorsed openly with a voice from the cloud. You cannot just retain that one endorsement - there is a higher call.
It is your own salvation dear friend, not a friend's. It is your duty, don't pass it over, every man will bear his own burden, says the scripture. Your burden is light and of course the yoke is easy - but you must carry it yourself and take the yoke yourself.
CONCLUSION:
Endorsement comes as a result of pleasing the Father! We must make that our most holy passion.
A CRY
Until I am totally approved by You in heaven first and then before men, please Lord help me to continually strive on towards your endorsement. Lord if I am not endorsed by You, I am no good both to heaven and even the earth. Lord may grace be available unto me, to pass the test of endorsement in Jesus name (Amen).
God bless you and I love you
Akinsuroju Femi
© The Fundamentals
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