Conviction 2!

Conviction 2!

Acts 20:24 KJV

[24] But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

One of tha hardest things to do in life is to say goodbye to people you have walked, worked and lived with, and have made an impression on you. God has so done it that no man can by himself achieve all that God intends. He will place people and situations in your path in order to strengthen, challenge, encourage or push you to the limits. He will arrange some situations and circumstances that will make you seek help from Him, and He in turn will send help, sometimes from the most unexpected of places. There is really no limit to what God can do in a life that has been given to Him in total surrender. That is the confidence in a verse that says that 'all things work together for good to them that love God'. If I will claim the benefit, I must align with the condition. 

Paul found himself at the point of farewell. He had been on several missionary journeys, and he was certain, by the leading of the Holy Spirit, that he would not be seeing or passing through Ephesus anymore, so he sent for the elders of the church to encourage them. He had been an active and fervent servant of God, and lives had been touched by his life and ministry, but now, it was time to go. Like all things that are earthly, we have not been promised eternity on this side of earth or in this physical body. We are also not given unlimited time to carry out our assignment, but as God's word puts it, there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. How am I preparing for my eternal life? What am I doing to ensure that I fulfil God's purpose for my life?

Can I speak like Paul here, confident in the assurance of God's presence, no matter what the physical reality around me is? Can I focus on the One who gifts and equips for the work that He commissions? He does not leave a man alone, not even at the point of death. He does not let me fend for myself, but all through the course of life, He will protect, preserve, provide, promote and thereafter He will present me as perfect before His Father at the end of the assignment. That was the motivation for Paul, who would endure many painful moments, because he knew the glory that was ahead. God has not changed; still the same One who called Abraham, Moses,  Elijah, Peter and Paul, is also the same One who calls you and I. Focus on the assignment; God is faithful, and He will supply grace for the course He has prepared for me. God's time of favour is here. 

Victory!

Victory!

1 Corinthians 15:57 KJV

[57] But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

A good starting point for the devotion for today is to define victory. It is also amazing that online dictionaries recognise victory from the perspective of the Bible, and one of the definitions available online says victory 'generally refers to triumph over adversaries, obstacles, or challenges, often signifying God's deliverance and the fulfilment of His promises'. The definition goes on to include both phyiscal and spiritual conquests,  including overcoming sin and ultimately, experiencing God's redemption and eternal life through Jesus Christ'. Reflect on all the many parts that have been laid out in the many definitions above. First, there is a clear reference to a process that encompasses a battle, a fight, resistance, opposition or some form of challenge. Without the raw materials listed above, there can be no finished product.

Please ignore all messages about Christ that lays emphasis on an easy life, with no stress, pressure or challenge. That is not in line with the clear message of Christ, which says that in this world, we would have tribulation, but the counter message is that we have already been given victory through the same Christ. In the definition above, we also saw the direct reference to sin, and the fact that victory in Christ covers the scope, reach and impact of sin. That is the context of the verse above: sin has power, no doubt. It keeps its loyal and faithful subjects in bondage, and the devil will fight as long and as hard as he can to hold on to what he has. I have to know what Christ has done for me, so that I can live over and beyond the reach of sin or the devil. Knowing fuels application, and application means I can retain that which is mine by my new birth.

Whatever the devil can throw, Jesus is able to deal and defeat. No matter the depth or scope of present sin, the blood of Jesus is sufficient and capable to secure victory. I also note that the victory referenced here does not have a time limit or an area of specialisation. As long as I am IN Christ, I stand to enjoy all that He is and has. I could not even dare to secure anything of value by myself; flesh and blood can never secure the victory that only the blood of Jesus can provide. He is the One qualified to give that which He has secured by Himself. A man cannot give what he does not have. A man cannot give you what is not even sufficient for himself. It is the will of God that I live above sin and its influence and control. It is the will of God that I trust in His finished work and take hold of His life. Jesus is the only Way, the Truth and the Life. No one and nothing else will work. What is your decision? God's time of favour is here. 

Worthy!

Worthy!

Hebrews 5:7-8 KJV

[7] Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; [8] though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

Not much is known about the writer of the book of Hebrews, but there is no doubt as to the eternal dimensions of the messages in the book. The verses under consideration take a look at the life of Jesus, the Son of God. It has to be made clear from the start that whatever it is that Jesus did had to come of His own freewill. There is no force on earth that is strong enough to compel Him to do what He does not want to do. There is no power on earth, not now, not ever, that could have forced Him to the cross. This sacrifice had to come from His heart, and that is what we got. An amazing God, Omnipotent and Omniscient, capable of miracles, signs and wonders, yet subjecting His Son to some of the most cruel experiences anyone could ever have. Reflect on this: what was so serious that such a sacrifice was the only thing that could address it? 

The Son of God, the second person in the Trinity, the Word of God by whom heaven and earth were made, was sent in the flesh, just as I am presently, so He could feel what I feel, walk in my shoes, and be able to offer the perfect sacrifice for me. If He came as God, it is not likely that anyone could even lay a hand on Him, not to talk of putting Him to death. He came like me, so He could save me. He also looked like me, so that after the sacrifice He made, I could now look like Him. Before anyone thinks it was easy, recall all that He did in the Garden of Gethsemane, as He waited for the cross. He prayed that the cup of suffering may pass over Him, but He also knew that the way to save mankind was to go to the cross. At some point, as He prayed, His sweat became like blood. Even angels came and strengthened Him, but nothing could stop Him from going to the cross. What love! What sacrifice!!. What pain!!!

Reflect on this: the Son of God had to undergo so much suffering and pain, because of me. By the things He suffered, the Son of God had to learn obedience. Reflect also on this: if God did not spare His own son, but gave Him up for our sake, is there any excuse that would be accepted by God if we reject the sacrifice of His son? If the Son could pay such a high price for sin, what do you think is a good reason for not accepting the offer of salvation that has been made to all men? If the cross of pain, suffering and death cannot save you, what else do you think can? God has declared that sin has been dealt a mortal blow, and all who come to the saving knowledge of the One who went to the cross enjoy the benefit of earthly freedom from the power and influence of sin, uttermost joy and eternal life with God. God has played His part. The decision of response is now mine to make. Eternity awaits my decision. God's time of favour is here. 

Comfort!

Comfort!

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 KJV

[3] Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; [4] who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

There is something mysterious about that which God is and does, that is difficult to explain in human terms. The messages of salvation, redemption, sanctification and eternal life fall into this category. How does a Holy and Righteous God, who cannot behold iniquity, allow mortal, sinful man to approach Him for mercy and grace? In the face of the evils that go on around us, why does He not completely destroy man, and then make for Himself loyal and faithful subjects, who will do His bidding at all times? These questions run through my head when I consider the lives of men and women in the Bible, and by indirect extension, to our present earthly generation too. I come to the realisation that God can never be man, and His ways can never be our ways. We are human, limited and weighed down by the burden of the flesh; God has no such hindrance or limit. 

He is called the Omniscient, Omnipotent and Omnipresent God. He can do the most mighty works with the most mundane of things. The man who wrote these words to the church in Corinth would know a thing or two about this God. Paul was the one giving encouragement to the men who stoned Stephen to death, and he was actively involved in the persecution of the church that arose soon after. Several years later, Paul found himself too also persecuted for the same faith he once fought against. There came a time for him when he said a messenger of Satan was sent as a thorn in his flesh. He asked God to take it away, but rather than take it away, God gave him sufficient grace to keep him focused and engaged on his assignment. At times like these, when you see a servant of God going through tough times, there are dealings and experiences that will not always make sense, but they will always align with the will of God for that man's life. 

This is where the message of the verse above makes sense. God can choose to take His child out of that unpleasant situation, but if He chooses to leave the child in it, be sure that something amazing will come out of it. . There is no demand on earth that can exhaust the resources of heaven. When God gives comfort, He knows that His supply can never be exhausted by anyone, not even if all over 8 billion of us on earth ask Gos for the same thing at the same time. That which he gives me will address my need, but it will also be enough to be a blessing to another person too. Tough times are built into the fabric of our growth and development as Christians, but God never leaves us alone. His Word of assurance at this time is He is there at all times: in the valley, in the storm, in the fire, on the mountain, anywhere we find ourselves. That which He gives is for me, as well as the world around me. Make sure that you are rightly connected to the supply of grace. Your life will always make impact. God's time of favour is here. 

Example!

Example!

1 Timothy 4:12 KJV

[12] Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Paul was writing to a young man, Timothy, who he had met on one of his missionary journeys. On first glance, there may not have been anything impressive about the young man. In those days, not being a Jew was like a death sentence. Non-Jews were ostracised, or treated as second class citizens, especially considering the importance of circumcision to the Jewish culture at the time. This made Paul's ministry even more crucial to the world then, as his assignment was to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to these 'outsiders'. As it was then, so is it now. There are people who are yet to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus. There are people groups who are still unreached, and who need to hear about the love of God, and His eternal plans for man. What role are you playing in this assignment? 

For the sake of the Jews of his time, Paul had to circumcise Timothy, so that his message could be well received by the Jews. One has to be careful about man-made schemes and devices that operate to limit access to the abundant grace of God. God has so done it in a way that everyone has an opportunity to come before the throne of His grace, so as to obtain mercy and find grace in time of need. One must be careful not to place man- made burdens on other people, based on our own human experiences. I note that Paul did not lower God's standard in order to fit Timothy into the scope of the mission, but the mission was expanded to ensure that even a man like Timothy could stand before the Jews and speak the mind of God. How am I holding on to and ensuring that the standard is always maintained? 

I note that God did not first consider race before He decided to use men like Timothy. Men like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob may have been recorded as having relationships with God, but we also find men like Rahab, Ruth and the Samaritan woman have encounters with this God, and their lives never remained the same. This is where my personal walk with God is critical: if I know who I am, whose I am, and who I work for, it will help keep me focused on what is critically important. Age is not a barrier to what God can do; wealth is but a state, and God can lift up one and bring down another, just to prove that He is God. My life has to be an example of God's touch. My life must reflect the grace of God in His beauty and fulness. Can men see me and see God at work? Do I represent Him well, or are there things that need to change? God's time of favour is here. 

Conviction!

Conviction!

Romans 8:28 KJV

[28] And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

There is a confidence, as well as conviction that  permeate the entire verse above. It is not that the end has come, and you are certain of how it ended, but that even before the end is made manifest, you know quite well how it will end. You do not yet know what life will throw at you, but you have the clear and quiet assurance that nothing life brings can be bigger or greater than the One who has called you to Himself, given you His Spirit and nature and set you on a path to eternal life with Him. The past may have been very shoddy, dirty and filled with terrible experiences, but as we know, the past has no bearing on what God can do in the present and in the future. God is not limited by the dirt or the weight of the past, as long as I hand it over to Him. This is the foundation of the verse above, and the lessons that God would have us take with us as we go through life. 

Paul, the writer of this letter to the beloved of God in Rome, who were called to be saints, would know something about the lessons laid out above. He had an interesting past, which would have led to eternal damnation if he had continued therein, but at some point in time, God reached out and he responded to God's call on his life. He became a minister of the gospel of Jesus to the Gentiles, who had been left out of the initial mission of the early apostles. At some point in his life, he would have looked back, and seen the definite hand of God at work in every facet of life. For a child of God, there are no accidents. Even that which is inconvenient or uncomfortable has a purpose in the hand of the Almighty God. In His hands, everything works out for His own purpose and plan. Reflect on the emphasis on the word ALL. 

That is unadulterated power. A God who can make all things work together for good is not a God to be toyed with or dismissed. We can call it evil; when it is given to God, there must be a change of direction, purpose and impact. However, it must be noted that there is the condition to be satisfied, for the results to also apply. The verse above says that the listed benefits are for those who love God; to them who are the called according to His will and purpose. This classification is critical: do not go around saying God is unfair, when He blesses those who have surrendered their lives to Him. If I am in control of my life, it means I am telling God to stay away until I call Him. How can I blame God for my choices if the consequences then apply? The impact is clear; the choice is mine to make. God's time of favour is here. 

Right Fear!

Right Fear!

Proverbs 29:25 KJV

[25] The fear of man bringeth a snare: But whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

Solomon, the man who wrote the words of the verse above would know a thing or two about the fear of God, and the fear of men. He was a man who was helped by God to become great and powerful; the witness of the Scripture is that there would be no other king like him in all of Israel's history. In fact, in terms of the display of wealth, as well as the international dimensions of his knowledge and wisdom, it is clear that there has not been any quite like him. That is the thing with a man that God helps; God can make a new path for a man who walks with Him. It does not matter what has gone before, or what is happening right now. What matters is that I submit to God and allow Him have His way in my life. There is no limit to the impact such a surrendered life can have. 

Unfortunately, like all things human, you must not take your eyes off the goal. The devil too is very smart; all he wants to do is to take a man's eyes off God and onto other 'nice' things such as position, power, possession and privilege. All of a sudden, the things that should not have mattered become so big that they cloud our eyes from seeing God for who He is. All of a sudden, we are more concerned with men's views and opinions, rather than the immortal and immutable principles of God's Word. We now want to please men, because we think we need them to get ahead. This is where the fear of man becomes a snare and a trap. You cannot start a viable project in God, and somehow expect that you will finish it by your own schemes and devices. Like Paul asked the Galatians, 'having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh'?

There is a good fear, and a bad one. There is a right kind, and a wrong one. Any fear that keeps your eye only on the mountains, and not on the Lord of all creation, is the wrong one. Any fear that keeps you from being able to hold on to God alone, to the total exclusion of all other options, is the wrong type. The fear of man will lead to further disgrace, as it is a slippery slope of which there is no way to define its end. There is the right kind of fear that keeps my heart focused on the awesome power of God, and His ability to change things, people and circumstances, only as He sees fit and when He sees fit. There is nothing in all of creation that can resist the authority of the One who made it. Why would I fear the created? Why would the created be so powerful that it can control my life or my emotions? The mandate is to trust in God alone; in Him, I am truly safe. Outside of Him is only trouble and distress. As always, the choice is mine. God's time of favour is here.