Those of you of Caribbean origin may have heard and know what the phrase “bigup yourself” or “bigup your chest” mean.  It stands for giving yourself praise or a pat on the back.  Their slang way of saying stand proud or be proud.  Similar to a rooster, sometimes called cockrel or male chicken that bigup or puff ups its chest.  You also see it of some men who want to look strong.  They take a big breath into their chest and push it out.  I suppose it is not limited to men.

Some of you familiar with the bible  may know the verse of 2Ti_2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  In other words one can wrongly divide or understand God’s word of Truth.  The verse says you firstly have to be a workman at the task of understanding the scriptures and then not to be ashamed of rightly dividing it.  Maybe those who wrongly divide it should be ashamed; yet those are generally the ones who try to make the right dividers ashamed.

So I have put the two things together to get the title “Rightly Bigup Yourself”.   Many people bigup themselves in their and others eyes; but have they got the standing to do that?  Or are they “fronting it” as another phrase goes.  Giving an image without backing.  For example driving an expensive car financed on hire purchase, or while living in a bedsit.  Or even as I heard last week,  living at the charity of a friend yet borrowing thousands from the friend to buy a £19k brand new car having recently lost their job.

For bible believers and in God’s eyes, I suspect He sees many “Christians” with the same mentality of “fronting it” in their, others and even God’s eye.  Remember Mat 7:21  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Mat 7:22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? Mat 7:23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. I suspect those persons were “fronting it” and even “bigging up” themselves believing their own facade.  We can put on an impressive front to ourselves and others; but God looks inwardly not at our exterior.  1Sa 16:7  But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. 

One’s heart can be good or evil.  What is God looking at our hearts to see and what is the criteria by which He defines its condition?

Jer 11:8  Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart: therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do; but they did them not.  

Psa 40:8  I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.  Isa 51:7  Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings.  Rom 2:15  Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, Heb 8:10  For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:  

I was invited to be a member of a WhatsApp apparent Christian group by its founder.  People were posting opinions without any scripture reference.  After a few weeks or months of me posting scriptures, I was told by the organiser two persons had left.  After further scripture posts I received this message from the organiser “this group is about lifting people up and those who believe God is speaking to them through their relationship with him.  Many good people have left this group because of you.  I tried to be like Jesus and go after the lost sheep; but realise I am not Jesus, so I need to let you go”. 

After I sent some further scriptures to the organiser I received “if you’re going to talk religion, I’m going to band you”.  To which I replied, “spoken like a true Christian” and that “people want to be Christian; but not Godly”.  That is the point brethren.  People want to front it and wrongly in the name of God bigup themselves.  It’s all about the compassion of Christ.  Using His scriptures to uplift themselves and each other; but not their obligation to change their lives.  They want to belief what they want to believe rather than rightly divide the word of truth.  In obvious disobedience and living a life contrary to His word they believe “God is speaking to them”, they are “good” and have a “relationship with Him”.  From God’s point of view, is the relationship He has with them a good or bad one.  Are they doing what His prophets did that they at least have a basis for their belief? 

One person had previously posted this message numbering the types of Christians as preached by a pastor.

“1. Convenient Christians.  They do what is fun and easy. They don't belong to anything in church.

2. Conservative Christians. They do what is acceptable. They don't take a stand for God.
3. Crisis Christians. They go to church only in emergency cases.
4. Carnal Christians. They work on feelings. The Word of God doesn't matter to them. Do things they're not supposed to be doing as long as they are not caught.
5. Convicted Christians. They are Word minded. God fearing. They respond to everything by the Word of God.
6. Covenant Christians. Students of prophecy. What is God doing that I can be part of? Always looking for something to do for God.  

Where do you belong to? 

As the year comes to a close - may God's Word realign your destiny. You cannot continue living for yourself. We have questions to answer. You can thank God for what He did for you but if heaven shows you what God delivered you from, you won't serve God on your terms”.  

I was accused of being a number 5, convicted Christian.  Responding to everything by a scripture and this annoyed them. Or pricked their conscience so they did not want to hear, almost like Steven’s stoning.  People want Christianity to be a Sunday day club with dancing, singing, feeling good and getting a scriptural pet talk.  And anyone who corrects as advised by Paul in 2Tim 4:2-5 is branded as not being humble or being arrogant.

2Ti 4:2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 2Ti 4:3  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 2Ti 4:4  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 2Ti 4:5  But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, 

I suppose no different than those of the bible who were called trouble makers for bringing the Word of God to those who preferred not to practice it.  Remember the events of

1Ki 18:17  And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? 

Act 16:19  And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, Act 16:20  And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, 

I got this video about Kim Berelle... Standing up for the word of God by speaking out against being gay, yet another gay christian cancelled her appearance on her show and no big church pastor is coming out to support Kin Berelle as the Word of God directs. 

People are always trying to silence God’s truth and those who publicise it.  If more people daily woke up with the habit of preaching God’s truth to someone and correcting their scriptural error, the devil may stay in bed.

Instead I constantly hear the Christian excuse “I am not perfect”.  They seem to take some pride, satisfaction or consolation in not being perfect thinking that would suffice to get into God’s promised kingdom.  What bible version are they reading or what man’s interpretation of it are they believing? Are we not called to be perfect and does the bible not say others achieved it?

Gen_6:9  These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God. Gen_17:1  And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared to Abram, and said unto him, I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

Deu 18:13  Thou shalt be perfect with the LORD thy God. 

2Ki_20:3  I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah

1Ch_28:9  And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

Job_1:1  There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.

Pro_11:5  The righteousness of the perfect shall direct his way: but the wicked shall fall by his own wickedness.

Mat_5:48  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Those who are satisfied with non achievement, remaining a sinner and not aiming to be or becoming perfect remind me of Mat_15:8  This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

They all want and even claim deliverance; but not of the kind taught of in the bible.  That teaches deliverance from sin through obedience to God’s laws and faith in His son’s redemptive blood.  I cannot recall the gospel was to teach any other deliverance.

I REMEMBER FROM ONE OF MY YEARs AGO STUDIES  T.O.R.A.H means to hit the mark like an arrow to the bullseye.  Unfortunately, I had not the time to search for that old study.  The TORAH, righteous living instructions of God or Law as many term them, are to make us hit the mark, bullseye and live up to being the apple of God’s eye.  I remembered that point when I listened to the first of these two following videos.  In it the speaker says the meaning of sin in Greek.  In the other video it shows it is really a copout by Christians who use the excuse they are not perfect.  The world knows how to achieve; yet they donot know the meaning of Php_4:13  I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

SHOW VIDEO Eagle or chicken 6 MINS.  Sin is to miss the mark.

Show no legs gymnast being champion at tumbling, plays basket ball and achieve things as if had no handicap i.e. we can achieve if out mind to it.  renew mind. 

People can bigup themselves for all manner of reasons.  Possessions, beauty of themselves or their partner, number of boyfriends or girlfriends have had, even the number of people they have tricked or murdered.  They also take different actions to get that thing that will in their and others eyes big them up.  High heeled shoes, plastic surgery, implants, stealing, lying, murder.  Many of the things what will actually reduce their status in the eyes of God. 

The proper way to big oneself up is not by artificial means; but diligent endeavour.  The image should neither be a temporal thing; but a sustained or permanent one.  Almost like going to the gym to gain bigger muscles.  One training session may bigup the muscle for that day; but unless repeated over and over, building on the previous achievements, the muscle will deflate.   I remember my mother sending  me to weekly piano lessons when I was about 12 years old.  Now I do not know the first thing about playing the piano.  Many skills, I used to have I have no more.  So my point here is not only are we to achieve the proud stance by proper honest diligent means; but maintain the same by constant attention to what it takes to remain at that level.  Whether the fastest runner in the world, best boxer, doctor or nurse, we have to maintain.  Some professions today have its members take an annual or periodic assessment to ensure they have remained fit for the job in knowledge, training etc. 

So now that I have established that people of the world and of the Bible can wrongly bigup themselves, let us look at some teachings of God as to how to rightly bigup or be proud of  ourselves in His eyes and our brethren even if not the world’s. 

Firstly like Daniel and his colleagues we have to purpose in our hearts to obey God and His authority not man or man’s.  It is a teaching throughout the scriptures 

Jos_24:24  And the people said unto Joshua, The LORD our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey. Act_5:29  Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 

Second, know, recognise and accept keeping His ways brings blessings to your life  Deu_11:27  A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: Deu_11:28  And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known. Deu_13:4  Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him. Deu_30:20  That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days:

As Daniel and his colleagues said and as it is mentioned in Jerimiah, we obey God regardless of the possible outcome Jer_42:6  Whether it be good, or whether it be evil, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God, to whom we send thee; that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.

So if you have met those initial criteria take one breath into your chest, give yourself one tick or pat on the back.

Third, take delight in serving God.  He ask we do it with mind, body and soul.

Psa 1:1  Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. Psa 1:2  But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. Psa_40:8  I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. (see also Psa 119).

Rom_7:22  For I delight in the law of God after the inward man:

Have you also met that criteria?  Take another breath to your chest, tick on the paper or pat on the back.

Then take action to have God delight in you by avoiding what upsets Him and doing what is pleasing to Him.

Pro_11:20  They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.

Pro_12:22  Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.

Pro_15:8  The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.

Of what have most Christians today got to be proud?  Most go to church on the wrong days.  Are following man’s created “new moon” equivalent in honouring Christmas, Easter, Mother’s and Father’s days.  Treat services like a party with noise and dancing similar to when Moses went up to speak with God in Ex 32.  They were not worshiping the true God as Aaron said in verse 4.  Then they bring their vain offerings for the purpose of getting prosperity or a blessing; but actually only goes to enrich the pastors.  Who has given them this system, not God.  This is what He says about such a system in Isaiah. 

Isa 1:10  Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah. Isa 1:11  To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. Isa 1:12  When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts? Isa 1:13  Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting. Isa 1:14  Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them. Isa 1:15  And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood. Isa 1:16  Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Isa 1:17  Learn to do well;

Jer_9:24  But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise loving kindness, judgement, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.

Isa_58:13  If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Isa_58:14  Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

1Sa_15:22  And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

Rom  6:16  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? Rom 6:17  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.  Rom 6:18  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.  

People think they have a good relationship with God and have the Holy spirit.  Is this a false bigging up of self in light of Act_5:32  And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. 

The Holy spirit is God in spirit form as He was in the flesh form of manifested Yahshua.  Would God really occupy unholy ground and bodies?  Persons who do not keep His law, holy days etc.  Who occupies such bodies?

Eph_2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:  Eph_5:6  Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.  Col_3:6  For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

Scripture says God does not occupy such bodies; but destroys them in His wrath if they do not eventually wise up.  Remember His law is wisdom.  Now I know some may be sincere in their error; but sincerity does not pay a bill, neither satisfies God’s requirements.  And if they want to call on the mercy of God, Exodus 20:6, Deu 5:10 says He shows that to those who keep His commandments.  I can give scripture after scripture where ignorance is no excuse. Hence the iniquity judgement in Matt 7:23.  He doe snot big them up; but blots them out the book of life.  However, you keepers do not have to worry what happens to those who do not keep.

It amazes me how many people that do not keep, do not try to keep or think they do not have to keep certain commandments of God yet claim to hear from and teach God.  They bigup themselves based on things like their experiences or hearing from Him in a dream to validate their teachings, authority etc.  Did Peter ever recite his walking on water or cock crowing prediction to anyone?  Did Steven or anyone else use in the New Testament use their experience or dream?  Their preaching generally started with Abraham and Moses, the law and prophets to end up leading to and talking about the promised Messiah.  Only Paul, I think once in Acts 22, used his Damascus experience to confirm his teaching when his authority as an apostle was in question.   Today we ought to preach law, prophets, Messiah and God solely not us.  We only come into it as a personal witness what God has done for us and thus can do for the person to whom we are speaking.  Experiences can be deceiving.  Hence why Peter advised to try the spirit if it is of God.  Basically, leave out and use the written word of God.

Col_3:22  Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye service, as men pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:

Psa 1:5  Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgement, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. 

2Pe 2:9  The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: 

2Pe 3:7  But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. 1Pe 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 1Pe 4:18  And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 

Psa 1:6  For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish. 

Job 21:30  That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath. 

Do you believe the above and have the fear of God in you?  Scripture says that is the beginning of wisdom.  That wisdom that at least has led you to keeping the correct days of God holy.  Take another breath, tick another box, receive another pat on the back. 

If you have met all the above, you are standing reasonably proud now, with a reasonable big chest.  However, I am sure we all know following God correctly is not all joy.  Nevertheless, even in trials know God will walk through them with you and continue to BIGUP YOURSELF, STAND TALL and Proud: 

2Pe 3:14  Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. 

1Pe 4:13  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 1Pe 4:14  If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 1Pe 4:15  But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, ... 1Pe 4:16  Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 

1Pe 4:19  Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.  

I am glad to see you here every session to build your spiritual muscle with learning and remembering the teachings of God.  The teachings which are aimed at making you perfect in the sight of God.  By which you can rightly bigup yourself and stand proud as an example of His children, as was Job.  I assume it is to be as Paul advices in

Col 1:9  For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; Col 1:10  That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 

Jas 3:1  My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. Jas 3:2  For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Jas 3:3  Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Jas 3:4  Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. 

The James verses above says things and animals can be controlled.  We see examples in circuses and dolphin environments where animals are trained.  James also says we can train ourselves by simply controlling our tongues.  If a simple small item as the tongue can show control to others, imagine what obedience to God’s will show. 

Psa_19:7  The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. Luk_6:40  The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.

Rom_12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Eph_4:13  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

Col_1:28  Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

Heb 13:20  Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, Heb 13:21  Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever.  

SHOW VIDEO “SUCCESS”.  Briefly, examples given were success is not measured by comparison to others as you may come top in the class with a low mark.  You are not smart, they are simply stupid.  A hawk that acts like and lives as a chicken has not been successful in its created purpose.  We are successful when we achieve our full purpose i.e. as God created us.  To live as He intended. 

Now to put my message in perspective.  I am not saying we should bigup ourselves  by boasting we have achieved righteousness in God’s eyes whether through our own efforts or the mercy of God.  Yahshua spoke of this attitude in his parable in Luk 18:9  And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: 

Paul also spoke about boasting in Romans 11 and other places.  Yet scripture says Luk_15:7  I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

Yet that does not mean we are to walk around solemn face and solemn heart.  We should have a form of self respect, pride and achievement as children of God.  We all know it is not a short or quick easy road.  We have to be trained.  Maybe forty years like Moses, more or less; but hopefully at the end we will have God say of us as He said of Yahshua after His forty days of temptation this is my beloved child in whom I am well pleased. 

Friends if you feel small in the eyes of others or the world, be assured by adhering to the commandments of God you are being Bigged up by His son to His Father.  You have achieve more than most humans would.  Realised God’s purpose for creating you and setting you apart as a special person.  You are on your way to being successful in fulfilling your purpose. 

I also see you as persons I am proud to know so let us together rightly big each other up.

Shalom.