Love!

Love!

2 John 1:6 AMP

[6] And this is love: that we walk in accordance with His commandments and are guided continually by His precepts. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should [always] walk in love.

John, called the apostle of love, was writing to the 'chosen lady and her children'. Whether this was an actual person or a symbol of a church, it is not clear but the message in the letter is clear and unmistakable. John was writing about the topic of love. To the natural man, love is that feeling that makes your heart beat faster when you see the subject or object of your affection. To others under the same human influence, love is proven by the things you do to or for other people. As dealing with the natural man is not an exact science, you find sins like fornication and adultery labelled as 'making love'. It shows that the natural man can only understand love from the perspective of what it can see, feel or receive. That is why the natural man cannot be the source of anything Godly. The natural man is unable to grasp the scope, height, or depth of the love of God, because it cannot receive, respond, or submit to it. 

The spiritual man is the one that is able to receive and respond to the love of God, which is the focus of the verse above. The verse lays the right foundation of love as a relationship with the One called Love Himself. The verse above makes a categorical statement: love id proven by walking in accordance with His commandments. How do ypu align with the commandments of a God you do not know, recognise or submit to? How can you be guided by the instructions of an authority you do not recognise, or claim the benefits of an authority that you do not submit to? These are fundamental questions that require honest review, so you know where you stand, or what you can look forward to receiving from God. God is merciful, and sends His rain on both the good and the bad, but like all natural men, no matter how nice they are, when it comes to writing a will, their natural children who have stayed faithful are the first priority, before any outsider is considered. 

The verse above also makes it clear that love is a command. This tells me that this is not one of those negotiable options; it is a command that demands allegiance and total obedience. How can you even partially obey God? It is as good as disobedience. God commands His own to love, and of course, the proof of love will be seen in the outflow of my life. Can men come in contact with the Love of God in my life? Does Jesus shine in and through my life too? Is His light evident in my life in a way that men can see the results of His presence in me, which are good works that bring glory to His name? Do I let the world define my view of what love is, or is God sitting in full control of the strings of ny heart, defining its pursuits and priorities? I must also note that there are permanent and eternal ramifications to my response to the love God offers. May it not be that it is at the throne of judgment that reality dawns that the wrong version of love had been pursued. May God help me find Him, and find life. God's time of favour is here. 

Generational!

Generational!

Proverbs 23:24 AMP

[24] ¶The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, And he who sires a wise child will have joy in him.

These are the proverbs of the wisest man who ever lived, according to cyber God's own view of the life of Solomon. His life would be a reflection of the verse above. As we know, David was a man after God's own heart, but that did not mean that God permitted or approved all the actions that David took. The Bible records the many achievements of the man David, as well as many of his faults too, but one thing the bible accounts make clear is that God's standards are generational. He does not hold one generation to one standard and then hold a different generation to a lower or higher standard. He is called the same yesterday, today and forever for a reason, and it is because He does not change like shifting shadows. What he called sin in the days of Adam and Abraham are still so called in the days of Peter and Paul. That is consistency and predictability: attributes of God that emphasize His nature. 

As we consider the life and impact of David the father, it is not a wonder that Solomon the son made some good choices. He personally knew the God of his father David, and sought Him early to ask for wisdom for the work he had been given. Even the bible says that God loved the boy, and even sent His prophet to give him a name to reflect that love. We also know that the father laid some bad examples that the son also picked up, one of which was the love or lust for many women. I am not sure why power, position or privilege fill men with inordinate desires, but we see this play out across all generations of human activity. It is a word of caution to all who seek to make impact: actions have eternal ramifications. I do not get to claim that I live for myself alone. Life is about generational connection. David's actions got him an eternal kingship. Abraham too received eternal blessings due to his faith in God. 

We see the men of the bible pass on the fruits of their actions to their children, whether good or bad. If I am righteous by God's standards, I am leaving a good example for my children to emulate. My father's example is a seed that I may eat from, but I also get to lay down a good example for my own children too. My father may not have known God, but God expects me to lay a good example for my children to follow. This is one of the ways by which God perpetuates a Godly generation. His light in me becomes necessary inspiration and guidance to those who watch me. Can I truly say that God is evident in my life? There is joy to the man who is able to pass on the personal knowledge and experience of God to others. There is joy for the man who has invested time and resources in mentoring another person to walk in line with the will and mind of God. Does this describe me at the moment? God's time of favour is here. 

Do Right!

Do Right!

Romans 12:10 AMP

[10] Be devoted to one another with [authentic] brotherly affection [as members of one family], give preference to one another in honor;

In order to fully grasp the weight of the counsel given in the verse above, it is important to consider the audience of the letter. Paul was writing to brothers and sisters who were connected by the blood of Jesus, to offer their bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, as true and proper worship. This counsel is for people who have made up their minds to follow Jesus as their Lord Saviour and Master. The counsel becomes quite critical considering the times we are in, and the demand of this present generation. We are in a careless world, where standards are being compromised. The fear of God no longer seems to be fashionable; we now define love from a selfish, narrow-minded perspective, seeking only what I can get out of the relationship. It is not a wonder, then, that Paul goes on to charge his audience not to be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of their minds.

The counsel above is important. God calls His own to live by different standards. The way of the world is good for those who are under its control and influence. The way of the world is strange to those who are under the control and influence of the Holy Spirit. It is by total surrender to Jesus that I am able to test and approve what God’s good, pleasing and perfect will is. How would I know what God's will is if I do not place myself where I can be exposed to His Word? How would I know His mind, and what He loves and hates, if I do not spend time with like-minded people, who are seeking the same thing as me? It has to be clear that the expectation of God for His children are different from those who are yet to submit to Him. If I claim to know and follow God, I will not struggle with the instructions in the verse above. If I am still fighting for my own selfish interests, I may need to check and confirm who is sitting on the throne of my heart. 

What does it mean to be devoted to one another with [authentic] brotherly affection? It means that blood is the main factor that determines identity and relevance. We all come from different backgrounds and have different start points, but the blood of Jesus gives us all a level playing field. Nobody is better than any other person. The blood of Jesus makes me see the other person the same way Jesus does;: a life that is precious. The blood of Jesus makes us all members of one family; one Saviour, one Lord, a common salvation; one hope of eternal life, and one destination. This understanding helps me in giving honour to other people. It does not in any way make me inferior to anyone,but helps me reflect the identity of Jesus. I do not have a problem with giving preference to another person, because someone else is doing the same to me. That is what we have been called to do. Can God trust me to align my life with His will? God's time of favour is here.

Basis!

Basis!

1 Peter 4:16 AMP

[16] but if anyone suffers [ill-treatment] as a Christian [because of his belief], he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God [because he is considered worthy to suffer] in this name.

As it has always been pointed out, it is the audience that defines the impact of the message. Peter presented himself as an apostle, a special messenger, and a chosen representative of Jesus Christ. His letter was to the elect—both Jewish and Gentile believers, who were living as exiles, scattered all through Asia at the time. Just in the event that you are not sure if your being elected in Christ Jesus means anything special, consider how Peter presented it in the letter he wrote: chosen, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, and by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and to be sprinkled with His blood. It will take personal experience to fully understand what these mean, but let it be known that being called a child of God is no mean feat. It is a reflection of grace that gives special access to those who have personified and personalised it. 

Let it also be known that you cannot lay hold of it by influence, connections, networth, or any other earthly metrics by which the people of the world measure success. The reason why nothing of this world can help is because of the tough times in store for those who choose to follow Christ. That decision is not popular with the world and the devil that is in charge of its systems and structure. You are saying in effect that you are choosing a path that goes against everything the world represents. Do not be worried if the world and its commander then fights you. You are going up against a system that has been in place long before you were born, but there is One who has no beginning or ending, and is able to provide the help, support, guidance and resources required to overcome. What this means is trials and tough times are a part of this walk of faith, and I have to be prepared the right way for whatever may come my way. 

There may be times when one suffers the natural consequences of wrongdoing, but in this instance, the world can label and treat you like a criminal, because you go against everything that is accepted by it. The world wants to make the idea of human applause popular, and will try and shame you into thinking that standing alone is not healthy. It must be made clear that human applause without God's approval, is a waste of time. Do not pursue public acceptance at the expense of God's backing. Unless one is good at compromise, know that standing with God means standing against the world. Best be prepared for whatever the world will throw at you, but note that God backs you up. How does one rejoice in trouble, unless there is a backing that makes the pain worthwhile? It is faith in God that is the basis of hope. May nothing keep me away from total dependence on God. God's time of favour is here.

Comforted!

Comforted!

Psalms 94:19 AMP

[19] When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, Your comforts delight me.

Life happens to the best of us. Life will throw all sorts of experiences and incidents at you, trying to break you into pieces. The impact of sin on man cannot be fully dimensioned on this side of eternity, but we are seeing the signs of what man's fallen human nature can produce. We have found new and novel ways of committing evil and excusing it. We seem to have seared our conscience so it does not speak as loudly or as forcefully as it once did. We now excuse behaviour that we know quite well to be sin, in the name of being aware, being educated, being enlightened or being influential. We have given modern names to things God called abominations, yet, no matter how hard you try, or how far you want to stretch sin, it will never become anything other than sin in God's eyes. Can I dare call sin anything else other than what God calls it?

In the light of all the above, today's verse is a message for all who seek God's will in all things. 

The writer of this psalm is not known, but the message is clear, as always. What is going on in the world today should make men pause and wonder. Even for those who are saved, and believe in the word of God which has laid out the signs of the end of the world, we may still be shocked at the depth of the depravity and disaster that the world has become today. Today, man is really fulfilling the words of God in line with these present times. It is okay to have anxiety at the thought of all that is going on, but it is equally, if not more important, to hand over all that anxiety to the One who is able to keep, preserve and uphold my heart in trust, rest and quietness. He has asked us to cast all our cares on Him.

That is His Capacity and Capability on display for us to tap into. I also note that the verse above uses WHEN, not IF. This tells me that I may not be able to resist the thoughts from coming, but I can decide what to do with them when they come. The devil is smart; he knows how to keep a heart weighed down with so many 'legitimate concerns'.

God wants me to hand over all these concerns, because He cares for me. His comfort is the medicine my heart needs for such a time like this. What do God's comforts mean? This is where the might, power, wisdom and strength of God make a lot of sense. Whatever the need may be at the time, He is more than able to meet it. No matter how hard things get, the hands of God is the place to be. His comfort stays in when other people walk out. His comfort steadies my heart in the face of the storm. His comfort is the anchor when the winds blow. Do you know and have Him? Remember: God does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill, but if I dare trust Him with my heart, that is a lifetime supply and guarantee of comfort that will lead me to eternal life with Him. What other comfort could be better than eternal security? Do you  have Him? God's time of favour is here. 

Empowered!

Empowered!

Philippians 4:13 AMP

[13] I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]

Paul was writing to the church in Philippi, and as is the custom, it is pertinent to note the audience he was speaking to. In this instance, Paul and Timothy were addressing the saints, including the overseers and deacons. The message in the verse above is part of a larger message intended for those who had made a decision to follow Jesus. It needs constant emphasis to note that demands are placed on those who claim to know and follow Jesus. The decision is always first and foremost personal, and the devotion to that decision always remains personal, but the fruits of the decision cannot remain personal. At some point, the benefits of my relationship with God must flow out to impact the lives of other people. The personal decisions I make, and the commitment to devotion and service will speak of my life's priorities. This was part of the message of Paul to this church in this letter: 

Paul could say he had come to the point where nothing moved him anymore, because he knew the One backing him up. We now know the story of Paul and his many trials and tough times, and when you read verses like the one above, you have to wonder if it is the same man with these 'bitter' experiences that could speak with such clarity and confidence about God. This is what happens when mortal man gets it right with an immortal God. There is a supply that cannot be mentally explained. There is a supply that man cannot turn off or limit. There is a supply that cannot be fully explained by logic, reasoning, elocution, or diction. It is a supply and support system that makes a man go higher, further, farther and longer than he could have done under other circumstances. God is the only One who can guarantee such support and supply for as long as life exists. Would you trust Him for all of life? God's time of favour is here. 

Response!

Response!

Romans 5:3-4 KJV

[3] And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; [4] and patience, experience; and experience, hope:

As we saw in our reflection of a few days ago, the season we are in calls for something that this world cannot give you. You have to see with the eye of faith if you will rejoice in the face of trials and tribulations. The verse above also has the same theme, and it seems to me that God would prepare us for all that is ahead. He does not want me to be unprepared for all that this race calls for; ahead of the seasons that may come, God wants to know if I am on His side. The verse above speaks to specific people who are justified by faith, and have come into peace with God through Jesus Christ. These are people who have access into unprecedented grace, and can rejoice in hope of the manifestation of the glory of God. Does the above describe me in any way? Is there anything at all in me that looks anything like what has been described here? 

Pause and reflect: have I been justified by faith? Have I come into the new life that Jesus was made manifest to give to whoever will accept Him as Lord and Saviour? Do I have this hope that no matter what today holds, there is a tomorrow that is greater and better than anything I have ever seen. Pause and reflect: what could make a man rejoice in the face of trials and tribulations? There has to be something the man sees or knows that is not visible to others. The part that always makes me wonder at the mighty works of God is joy in the face of tough times. It is hard, but you rejoice because you know it is for a short while. You cry sometimes, but at all times, there is a presence that assures you that all is well. It is clear that we are not speaking of anything that this world produces but something only an eternal God can initiate and sustain. 

That is why I can rejoice in the face of trials and tribulations. I can laugh at the storm because Jesus is my boat. I can rejoice in tribulations because, as the verse above makes clear, there is a working of patience that God knows I need for whatever it is He will bring my way. If I ask God to teach me patience, how else would He do this if I do not learn from tough times? As I go through these experiences, no matter how unpleasant, I am stretched. The things that I did not know I could do become easier. The things I used to struggle with become easier. The pain and discomfort that sometimes accompany life's pursuits become bearable, because God is in and with me. The end really justifies the means. Because He lives, I have all I need for life and Godliness. At the end, I reign with Him. This hope keeps me sane and focused. What about you? Do you know this God, or better still, does this God know you as His own? God's time of favour is here.