THE ROAD TO LOST OPPORTUNITIES (SEPARATION)

THE ROAD TO LOST OPPORTUNITIES ( SEPARATION )
Scripture: Luke 15:11-24
Topic: The Road to Lost Opportunities (SEPARATION)

There are two cardinal mistakes, which make us lose every opportunity that comes our way... Anybody who makes these mistakes will definitely be denied the blessings of all God-given opportunities. I want to share these mistakes with you now:

The Mistake of Separation

“………..…and took his journey into a FAR country and there wasted his substance with riotous living.”
                                                                                                                                                       Luke 15:13

The first mistake that leads to lost opportunities is separation from God or fellowship. The prodigal son knew that he could never waste his life away at home. He had to separate himself from the rest of the family, so that he could be on his own. Then he could do whatever he wanted to do.

I have lived with people who once worshipped and served the Lord. Today, some of them fight against God. This happened because they were separated from fellowship. I remember going to the home of a backsliding brother to counsel him. He took a cigarette, lit it and began smoking right in front of me. When I attempted to restrain him, he replied that his intention was to let me see him smoking. Then he showed me a picture of a scantily dressed girl lying on him. When I picked the Bible to talk to him he said, “Wait a minute. I know which verses you will quote at this time.” And he quoted the Scriptures one after the other. You see, there are certain sins a Christian can never commit when he is in fellowship with the brethren. Before he commits them he must keep himself apart, separating himself from God and the church. The prodigal son had to “journey into a far country”. He did not just go to any country, but to a far country, where there was no way any member of his family could communicate with him. There was no telephone, no fax, no airmail and no email for communication.

He was far away, where nobody could see him, and nobody knew him. Some people deliberately move from church to church in order to be where their history or background is not known. That is why the devil would like to keep you from coming to church. Since I became a Christian, I have always been afraid to be alone, that is, to stay away from the fellowship of the brethren. I went to England to visit an uncle after my ‘O’ Level examinations. He had great plans for me to live in England. His intention was for me to continue my education and become a medical doctor in England. He even sent me to a local school to get me acquainted with the system. However, l decided not to stay in England, because I was then a new convert. I did not know of any vibrant “born again” church there. Moreover, I did not know any Christians I could fellowship with. I believe that it was a crucial turning point in my life. That was an important crossroads in my walk with God. If I had stayed on in that spiritually dry place, I would probably have backslidden. Some people would grab this opportunity thinking it was a major breakthrough for them. They would claim God had opened a door for them. Chief, God does not lead you to backslide!!

“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own
soul...?”
                                                                                                                                                Matthew 16:26

When you are separated, you will not hear the voice of God or the right advice anymore. Instead, you will be exposed to all sorts of evil thoughts. This could be the reason why so many branch pastors rebel and become wasteful separation. They separate themselves from sweet communion with other level-headed ministers. I try to have a lot of interaction with all pastors. Fellowship will keep us all in touch. David said,

“...that l may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.”
                                                                                                                                                       Psalm 27:4

When you come constantly to the house of the Lord, you will see the beauty of the Lord. This will prevent you from living a wasteful life of sin.

Credit: Excerpt From
Opportunities
Bishop Dag Heward-Mills
 

Comments

  1. Beryl21 May 2022 at 04:55

    Separation from God and fellowship leads to wastage and loss of opportunities. May God grant me the grace to
    remain firmly planted in my fellowship with God and brethren

    ReplyDelete
  2. JenipherTerry21 May 2022 at 09:51

    Becareful when you find yourself being isolated from God and Fellow brethrens, separation leads to wastefulness and lost o
    Opportunities. God does not lead anyone to backslide!!! Lord help me to remain steadfast and connected to You and Fellow brethrens

    ReplyDelete

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