Power and Glory!

Power and Glory!

Ephesians 3:20-21 KJV

[20] Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, [21] unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen 

The story of the church in Ephesus did not start on a high note. Back in Acts, when Paul journeyed to Ephesus, he met a city that was steeped in idolatry and careless living. He stayed for some time there, teaching the word of God and raising disciples. There were also times that he was attacked and almost killed, but God spared his life. Ephesus later became the city for which the ministry of Timothy was known to start, and it later became one of the churches that were commended for their faithful service to God in Revelation. We serve a God who knows us more than we could ever think; there is nothing that escapes His attention. 

In this letter, we see Paul describing himself an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God. When you also consider the past of Paul, it was nothing compared to what he was at this time. Again, in the hands of this God, no life is so far gone that s/he is beyond the grace of God. As long as the life was made by God, even what some of us may call mistakes, God has an eternal plan, and He will move heaven and earth to bring His plan to pass. The major challenge with all that God can do with me is my availability and surrender. As we have said quite consistently, God does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill, but be sure that He will show Himself strong in the lives of all who are fully committed to Him.

This letter was written to the saints which were in Ephesus, described as the faithful in Christ Jesus. This is the position that is safe: in Christ Jesus. The world can make empty promises that it cannot keep, and you cannot hold the world to whatever it says, because the world system is not able to comprehend the eternal purpose of God. Reflect on the parts of the earth that your eye can see, and consider if all the knowledge of science that you have or heard is able to truly help you understand all that you see. This God does as He pleases in all the earth, and He answers to no one. My acceptance or rejection of His power does not in anyway change or limit who He is. 

He is the Authority, both on earth and in heaven. When the Lord’s prayer asks that His will be done on earth, it is because heaven has no such contention. For as long as the earth has been in place, seasons come and go, and nobody has been able to stop it. We may have made clones, but nobody has been able to fashion out a soul. This is the God that Paul knew, and the same One he wants us all to experience personally. He is able to do so much more than my human mind can fathom, but I must let Him work as He pleases. He deserves all the glory and praise. Let it come from a place of willing surrender today, because, one day, all will bow, either by freewill or compulsion. God's time of favour is here. 

Speech Power!

Speech Power!

Proverbs 18:21 AMPC

[21] Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life].

Matthew 12:37 AMPC

[37] For by your words you will be justified and acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned and sentenced.

When the wisest man on earth at the time,  and you can say, the wisest man on record, speaks on a matter, we will do well to listen. Solomon speaks about the features, benefits, blessings and curses that may arise from the use of the tongue. This was a man whose very first assignment as king was to settle a dispute that involved life and death. If not for wisdom from God, how could he have known which of the two mothers owned the living child? As the life of Solomon has shown, man is limited in exposure, experience, knowledge and power. There are limits set around mortal man; only the Omniscient and Omnipotent God is beyond limit. 

When He counsels us to take heed on any issue, we will do well to listen. Thr focus here is on the tongue, a small part of the body, but one that has been found to be at fault for many destroyed lives and destinies. Wars have been fought, lives have been taken, and many homes irretrievably broken up simply because one person said the wrong thing. The bible also warns us about the power of the tongue, calling it a fire that is able to contaminate the whole body, a restless evil,  and full of deadly poison. What a way to describe a part of the body that is not even visible; if I do not open my mouth at all, you may never see it. 

That is why the counsel in the verses above become critical. We have a part of the body that is able to impact eternity, not just for us, but even for those around us. When the wise men came to Jerusalem, their enquiries about the king that was born led to the king Herod slaughtering many children at the time. It was not done with evil intentions, yet it led to great sorrow and death. There are times when a gentle answer will turn away wrath, but the same word, spoken harshly, can stir up even more anger. Abigail used words to calm David down, who was on his way to destroy the house of Nabal. Words are not ordinary; they can shape or shred lives and destinies. 

It is the use of it that defines whether life or death flows therefrom. We all have the power to choose HOW we use it, but we have no power over the consequences that follow. As Solomon and Jesus say in the verses above, if I love to use my tongue, I must also be ready for the output that is tied to its use. There is no fence to sit on; I am either promoting life, or pursuing death. It must be noted that the best use of the tongue is to subject it to the control and influence of the One who made it. He is the One who knows the right word for the right season, so that life becomes the norm. Remember: surrender is a choice I have to make. Would you? God's time of favour is here. 

Well Presented!

Well Presented!

Romans 12:1 KJV

[1] I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 

As we know, Paul was writing to the saints in Rome, and the message was for tbose who had come to the saving knowledge of Jesus. It has been consistently established that there is a message for the crowd, and a different message for the disciple. The demands from both classes are different, and destinations for both classes are also different. It is also important that I know which class I belong to. The danger of indecision is in the permanent nature of the consequences. You do not get a second chance to make up your mind, or to make any other impression, once eternity has been settled. Do I know who I am, whose I am, and where I am headed for eternity?

In the chapter before the one from where the verse above is taken, Paul talks about the engrafted wild olive branch, which now enjoyed the supply of the vine. The vine will always support and supply what is required for any branch connected to it to grow. This was how Paul viewed the Gentiles, even though we know that God's plan of salvation was for the whole world, and not just the Jews. For those who are not Jews, we have tbe encouragement that the same opportunity given to the Jews has also been given to us. God has not lowered His standards for anyone; He included us in His plan, but things happened according to His timing. 

If we know now that we are privileged to be part of God's plan for salvation for the whole world, how do we show gratitude? If I know that I could not earn or deserve all that God did for me, how best can I show and live a life of gratitude? The verse above lays it all out: it is first an inner consciousness of who I am and what I have received, before it then becomes an outward presentation of a life that is marked by God's mercy. We are saved by grace, not by entitlement. God's mercy reached out to us, even when we did not know that we needed help, and He made a way for us to be reconciled to God. In Christ, the brokenness introduced by Adam is redeemed.

Those who know the value of what they have received know that there is nothing else is too much to give up. This is the message in the verse above. If I know what Jesus gave up to redeem me, I know I must present what He has redeemed back to Him. It means my life is no longer mine to deal with as I please, but to please the One who now owns it. A living sacrifice is strange: dead, yet alive: dead to sin but alive to righteousness. It does not respond to the devil the way it did before, as it is now under new management. It is this new life that drives my pursuits and priorities. This is the only service that God reckons with. Am I truly His? Are you? God's time of favour is here.

The New!

The New!

Revelation 21:4 AMPC

[4] God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and death shall be no more, neither shall there be anguish (sorrow and mourning) nor grief nor pain any more, for the old conditions and the former order of things have passed away. 

As we read yesterday, the host of heaven do not have any doubt as to who is in charge. The host of heaven spend all time, however it is measured, in worshiping the One who sits on the throne. If heaven knows who is in charge, and we pray that God's will be done on earth as it is done in heaven, then be sure that God is able to bring this to pass in His own way and at His own time, as determined by Him. When we refer to Him as Omnipotent and Omniscient, it means that He can do all things, He knows all things, and He will work out all things as He pleases. That is power and authority that cannot be contested or limited.

This is what makes the God who makes the promise in the verse above quite special. He not only takes care of the present, but He also seals the future. None of us can predict the future as accurately as God can. We can try, using what He has created to make a fair guess, but if you are seeking certainty, God is your sure confidence. The first promise in the verse above is that He WILL wipe away every tear from our eyes. This tells me that the old order that brought tears will be completely done away with. Whether it is pain, loss or death, all of these ends once the old gives way to the new. The verse above says that death shall be no more, neither shall there be anguish, sorrow, mourning or grief. 

The fallen human nature has made these part of our existence, but a day comes when all of these will no longer apply to us. What a life it is to look forward to. What a state to look ahead to, and hasten its coming. Let us not forget that, as was mentioned yesterday, this is a vision that was given to John as he was on the island of Patmos. If all of the things written in Revelation are still coming to pass, be sure that this too shall happen. We have this assurance about the immutability of the Word of God. It does not matter what the generation or dispensation is; as long as He has said it, be sure it will come to pass. God has staked His Name and Nature on His Word and He cannot lie.

What is expected of me? One thing that has been clear is that God does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of our freewill. He lays it all down on the table, and asks me to choose my eternal destination very carefully. I also do not have forever on this side of eternity to make up my mind. The changing times and seasons, as well as the verse above, make it clear that the old order of things will definitely pass away, and give way to the new. There is no force on earth that can stop what is coming; the only thing I can do is to surrender to the God who can secure eternal life with Him. Have you surrendered? God's time of favour is here. 

Worthy!

Worthy!

Revelation 4:11 KJV

[11] Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

One thing is clear: we have a God who is in full control of all that He has made. The story of creation, as laid out in Genesis, lays great emphasis on the immense ability, capacity and capability of God to do the amazing. Hw made everything for His glory, and creation continues to find ways to draw man's attention to this God. Even with the faĺl of man in the Garden of Eden, it has not changed or lessened the power of this God. In fact, it is man's sin that has even made God's grace the more appreciated. It has to also be noted that the story of creation further makes it clear that an accounting will be demanded from all of God's creation for how we have used what He has made and given us. 

John was the one who received these amazing revelations of who this God is. He was banished to the Island of Patmos because of his faith in Christ. He could have folded up, cried and become bitter, or he could look up to God for help to face all that was coming his way. He chose the latter, and we now read of the amazing things he was shown by God. God has not changed; He still seeks men who would seek Him with all their hearts, even when nothing works, or it seems that they are in the minority. God does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill, but be sure He will not turn His back on a heart that is fully surrendered. 

After the letters to the seven churches came the visions. John recalled getting access to heaven and seeing things, some of which he was not permitted to speak about. It has to be noted that we are dealing with a God of absolute knowledge and power, and it is His desire to provide all that will help us walk with and work for Him with joy. If a man has seen the coming glory, or has experienced the joy that comes from a personal walk with God, what is that earthly experience that can distract such a person? Could it be that the reason why we are so distracted is because we have not yet experienced that change that only God can birth and sustain in the hearts of men? 

Like the host of heaven, including the four living creatures and the 24 elders did in John's vision here, we also want to join them to worship this God. As the host said, this is a God who is holy, and demands that all who seek Him must pursue the same standard. This is a God who cannot be unseated, and whose dominion cannot be limited. How can a mortal man understand the scope, power and reach of an immortal God? This is the God who is worthy to receive glory, honour and power. He has them, and nothing I do can reduce Him, but it is to my eternal advantage that I offer Him the glory due Him. Like the host of heaven, I had better bow now in humble adoration as a matter of personal conviction. Have you met this God? God's time of favour is here. 

Live Right!

Live Right!

James 1:19 AMPC

[19] Understand [this], my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry.

James was one of the servants of the Lord Jesus Christ, and he was writing to the Jews who, because of their faith, were scattered abroad among the Gentiles. Ordinarily, it must have been a horrible experience for a Jew to find himself aligned with a Gentile, or even requiring anything from such a person, but the death and resurrection of Jesus had opened up some amazing opportunities for both the Jew and the Gentile to find common ground. The trials and afflictions that come from being associated with Christ would apply to both the Jew and the Gentile. The need to depend on the strength available in Christ would apply to both the Jew and the Gentile. 

No wonder James began his letter by charging his audience to consider it all joy as they faced different types of trials and tough times. It is only a person who has seen past the current challenges of life, and has seen the future, that can look ahead to tough times with joy. It is clear it is not the usual human reaction to trials, but there is a Presence,  Power, and Purpose inside a surrendered heart that make it possible to view tough times as reasons for joy. This is not a message that applies to the general crowd; it is for true disciples. The things that cause fear for the crowd provides encouragement for the disciple. Am I truly one? 

For the disciple who has the presence of God in him, there is a standard of behaviour also expected, when it comes to relating with fellow human beings. If I know that God lives in me, I will be intentional about how I live, what I do, and how I do it. The inner presence must drive outer impact. This is where the lessons in the verse above makes sense: this is for the attention of brethren, not the uncommitted crowd. Be quick to hear as a ready listener. I must also remember that it costs less to listen than it is to speak. A listening ear has become scarce these days, because everyone has an opnion, but nobody wants to take the time to offer empathy by listening. 

There is a reason why God gave us two ears and one mouth, and it is so we can listen at least twice as much as we speak. If I take my time to process all I hear, and take time to reflect before I respond, there will be less offence and more grace extended to those who I relate with. A child of God is not expected to react negatively to everything that happens, because the devil too is crafty, and he can magnify a simple issue into a life-threat. Do not give the devil that much power over you; he just needs a foothold into a life in order to destroy it. As a child of God, I must know who I represent. Do my current choices make that clear? God's time of favour is here. 

Be Right!

Be Right!

Proverbs 17:17 MSG

[17] Friends love through all kinds of weather,and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.

Relationships are one of humanity's greatest currencies. In the story of creation, man was the most thought out, and reflected the most creative part of God's power when He made man in His own image, and after His likeness. God did not stop there; He then placed mam in the midst of other people: made him a member of a family, placed him in the midst of a community of other people, gifted him to impact his society, gave him work or business to be able to meet and bless other people with his gifts, talents and endowments. From the life of Adam and Eve has now come the lives of over 8 billion people. What a testament to God's power. 

However, as we now know, the fact that we can all trace our origins to Adam and Eve does not stop conflicts or disagreements. The fall of man in the Garden of Eden now ensures that man can go to extreme lengths to hold and defend his position, even if wrong. It is hard for the fallen man to accept he is wrong, and wars have been fought and lives wasted, simply because one man would not accept the fact that maybe, he did not know all he thought he knew about a matter. We have seen where murder and mayhem are initiated by one member of a family against another, leading to the breakup of that family. This was not God's intention at creation. 

As you read the words of the verse above, you see clearly the mind of God for making and placing man the way He did. He did not create an Omnipotent man; there is no one like that. What He made is an independent creature in identity and purpose, but co-dependent in implementation and relationship. He knew the danger and power of pride, so He made sure that only in cooperation with other people  could all of our full potential be identified and realised. Relationships are built between people, and these sometimes transcend generations, tribes and cultures. When friendships are genuine, the bonds are deeper than skin colour or facial appearance. 

This is the message in the verse above. Why look for help from across continents, when you can have someone close by who could step in to help when needed? True friends are the ones who love you through any kind of weather. They may offer criticism sometimes, but it is from a place of love, not hatred. They may not always like your choices, but they are able to make that clear distinction between the person and the practices. God has placed us in positions where crucial help and support are available, whether it is un physical, or in spiritual families. Before making a demand on someone else, am I that kind of dependable person? Can God trust me to a friend to someone who needs it? God's time of favour is here.