Critical!

Critical!

1 Timothy 4:8 AMP

[8] For physical training is of some value, but godliness (spiritual training) is of value in everything and in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.

Paul was speaking to Timothy, his son in the faith, and a young man he was mentoring. Are there lives that God can commit into my hands for nurturing and safeguarding? In the last days that we are in and where many are turning away from the faith and paying great attention to false, deceitful and seductive spirits and doctrines of demons, I am always reminded that I cannot afford to be careless about the foundation and pillars of the faith that I profess. The devil knows the value, having lost his place due to pride, and he will seek to drag as many people as he can into eternal damnation with him. The good thing here is that long before things go wrong, the Omniscient God tells us what is ahead and how to prepare the right way. The verse above is one of such ways that God wants us to be ready for whatever is ahead. 

As an athlete or anyone preparing for a race, a fight or any competition, you know there is an end in view. You know what lies at the end of the cycle, and what exactly you need to put in in order to win the reward. You do not prepare like a boxer in order to run a 400m race. You cannot afford to spend all your time on speed only, if you are engaged in a marathon. The nature of the encounter is what will define the terms of engagement. The people of the world understand this perfectly, and they will invest time and resources to prepare the right way. Imagine the time, effort and preparation that go into winning a 100m race that lasts maybe all of 10 seconds, but the global and economic realities that surround success make the investments worthwhile. If this can be true of the human experience, reflect on the implications in the spiritual. 

If men can sometimes cheat in order to win an advantage in races or fights, imagine what the eternal implications of getting it right will be. If physical exercise is of value, as seen in the lives of people who have attained global acclaim by success in their chosen field, it is also important to consider how I can apply the same principles to my spiritual walk. The spiritual training of Godliness is fundamental to my earthly and eternal realities. Phyiscal exercise profits for a season; Godliness profits for eternity. Both physical and spiritual exercises must be maintained to keep the relevant body in tune, but physical exercise is only for a season. A day comes when it is no longer sustainable in intensity. However, for spiritual exercise, you never outgrow the need for it. I am encouraged to focus on that which is of eternal value. My eternity will be glad I did. God's time of favour is here. 

Run Well!

Run Well!

Hebrews 12:1 KJV

[1] Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us

The verse above starts with a direct message to specific people. It follows on from the list of heroes of faith who walked with God. They didn't see the fullness of the plan of God made manifest in their time, but we have been given the grace to experience Jesus in His power as Saviour and Lord. We have tasted of the gift of the Holy Spirit, and been given a foretaste of what joys are ahead of us if we hold on to the end. The verse above is solely addressed to those people who identify with Christ, have taken Him up on His offer of life eternal, and are focused on pleasing God in every way. It is important to define who I am in the light of the description above. Anyone can make claims to anything, as talk is cheap. However, you can only access that which you are entitled to by new birth. Do I qualify to be one of the WE referred to in the verse above? Does my life reflect a connection to the One who is Life?

WE are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, both alive on earth and witnesses from heaven. We cannot afford to live as we please, because the new life we have does not permit carelessness. WE have lives to impact; WE have souls in need of direction and care. Men are on the lookout for those who know God and can point Him out by their actions. It is not this seasonal catch up, where I get to act as a Christian when it is easy or convenient, but a lifetime of focus and dedication to the things that please God and make Him known. This is what is called a race that is set before us. Why a race? WE are on a journey to a definite destination. We do not know when we will get there, but we are sure of the place. We have been made aware of what we need to have to get into the place, and we will do well to avoid any distraction that may take our eyes off the goal. 

That is why we must lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us. The world has its worries and cares, and some are legitimate. We must take care of our families and play our part in the society. There are people who look up to us for some of life's decisions. In all, we must not forget that God calls us to represent Him wherever we go, and in all we do. WE cannot afford to toy with sin; WE cannot use life's challenges as excuses for sin. Challenges will come to all of us at different stages of our lives, but we have the support, encouragement, and examples of all those who had gone ahead of us, whose lives teach us that total dependence on God pays. A race has been set before us; it is not one race for everyone on earth, but a personal race that will lead to personal reward at the end. I must run my own race, dependent on the One who sets out the rules. I must run in line with the rules, so that I may take hold of the rewards. May my life not be a waste. God's time of favour is here.

This Heart!

This Heart!

Jeremiah 17:9-10 KJV

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

The world has promoted this false idea that we can do evil and get away with it. The world has pushed out the idea that we personally own our lives, and we can choose how we want to live. One of the cardinal results of Adam's sin was that he chose human wisdom and intellect over and above that which God had already offered. Recall what God himself said about man in Genesis 3:22: And the Lord God said, “The man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” if God could talk about man's rejection of true wisdom as far back as Adam, I wonder what His view will be about this present generation. Just reflecting on the verses above make it clear that time has not changed the tendency of the natural man. Man's heart was evil after the fall in the Garden of Eden, and it has not changed since then. 

Man has found new and novel ways of doing and perpetuating evil: we have found a silly substitute for Godly marriages; we call them trial marriages, cohabitation or friends with benefits. We call adultery mutual attraction or intercourse with 2 consenting adults. We refer to fraud and corruption as 'cooking the books' or being sharp, smart and savvy. We seem to have lost all fear of sin and its consequences. Homosexuality, inordinate desires and other vices that God clearly called wrong, have now been made to look better than they really are; the world is teaching us that these things are acceptable, with the claim that, after all, we are humans and perfection is not possible.

Unfortunately, the ultimate decision on what is right and wrong lies with God alone, and not man. We do not own the standard; God is the standard. We do not dictate life's terms and conditions; God does. 

We cannot cleanse our hearts by ourselves; only God can. He is the One who knows our hearts and can make us pure without and within. He is the creator of our hearts, and He alone has what it takes to give us what we really need, so we can be all that God intends for us to be, and at the end of our lives, be where God ordained for us to be. As Galatians 6:7 clearly states, do not be deceived, because God cannot be mocked. A man always reaps what he sows. There is yet no scientific breakthrough that can change the output of a seed into a different fruit. Let us take stock today and ask God for His help so you can live life according to His terms. All the people we seek to impress today will be gone tomorrow. The people we want to copy or emulate will also receive their own judgement. The things we thought were okay by the world's standards will face the judgment fire of God- the true and only Judge.

God knows our deepest motives and intentions, and whilst we can deceive the entire world, we cannot deceive the One who made us. He owns, holds and knows the manual for our lives. It will do me good if I found out what this God wants and pursue that with my whole heart. At the end of our lives, a reckoning will be done and a reward or punishment will be given. Which will I get? What I have done in the past can remain in the past if I choose a new start with God. Whatever it is I am doing presently will define how I end up. I must make sure it is what God approves. What will be found with me when Jesus returns? The prayer is that God will help me live in the light of His commands and instructions. May my life seek after His pleasure, so that I may enter into eternal life with Him at the end of my life. God's time of favour is here.

Where am I?

Where am I?

Psalm 1:1-2 KJV

[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. [2] But his delight is in the law of the LORD; And in his law doth he meditate day and night. 

The book of Psalms starts with the counsel and admonitions in the verses highlighted above. It is clear that where you walk defines what you get. Where I am at this moment in time is also a strong determinant of what I stand to gain or lose. In my walk on earth, there is nothing that is said in vain or done in futility; my life right now is a function of the aggregate of my daily walk and the choices I make. I have also been placed in the midst of people, which means that I cannot live in isolation. I will interact with people, and they will also impact my life one way or the other. I must be deliberate about what I allow to pass through the gates of my ears, eyes, feet and heart. I must know that the system of the world will be promoted by those under its influence and control. There is counsel that the ungodly have and give, because that is all they are exposed to. If all I am used to are the ungodly and the unholy, would it be a surprise if my life then produces in line with that exposure? 

It is the ungodly that will tell you that "It does not matter; 'you can do whatever you like, after all, God is a God of love who cannot destroy his creation in hell'. It is the ungodly who will tell you that 'it does not pay to serve God alone'; and that you must add something else to the faith you have received. There is a way a sinner walks that speaks to his inspiration and backing. The devil makes the way of the sinner appear smooth and without hassles. Everything a sinner touches seems to turn to gold. There is a place scoffers sit to mock God and his ways. As a result of their ways, they are close-minded and cannot perceive anywhere that God is at work. Do you belong to any of the groups already discussed? For those who have identified with Christ, do we still struggle for clarity in our walk with and work for God? It has to be noted that I cannot play both sides; I cannot serve God and also pay obeisance to the devil at the same time. There is no middle ground, no de-militarized zone. 

There is no fence of indecision to sit on. I do not associate with the ungodly, and if I keep away from sinners and avoid the scoffers, then it means that I am busy at the other option- delighting in the law of the Lord and meditating day and night on it. You cannot avoid both or get engaged with both at the same time. God does not make room for hypocrites. In my walking, standing or sitting, God expects my life to speak of him to other people. I can only make impact when I am filled with the right stuff, and I am busy seeking to know more about God. I am careful to avoid being caught up with activities that hold no value, no matter how inspired. God leads my life, guides my thoughts and directs my actions. So the questions still remain: where and with whom do I stand at the moment? Where am I walking and who am I walking with at the moment? Where and who are my companions where I am sitting at the moment? What I am engaged in at the moment? The fruits of my life will be determined by the answers to those questions. God's time of favour is here.

Guard!

Guard!

Proverbs 4:23 AMPC

[23] Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.

(Pro) 4:23 CJB Complete Jewish Bible

[23] Above everything else, guard your heart;for it is the source of life’s consequences.

Proverbs 4:23 NIV

[23] Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

Let us consider two main words in the verse above: HEART: The heart works as a powerful, four-chambered pump, controlled by its own electrical system, that circulates blood through two loops: sending oxygen-poor blood to the lungs to get oxygen, and then pumping that fresh, oxygen-rich blood out to the entire body, repeating this cycle continuously. This happens with coordinated contractions (systole) and relaxations (diastole) of the atria and ventricles, directed by one-way valves, ensuring blood flows in the right direction. All of the medical grammar noted above underscores the importance of the heart and the work it does all through a man's life. Just imagine how much a heart has worked to keep a man alive for 90 years. This is the amazing thing about God: it is the little things that drive big impact. It is the hidden parts of life that does the work no one sees, yet would lead to death if they do not work well. 

The other word is GUARD, which is to 'watch over in order to protect or control'. This simply means to be aware of what is going on around you; intentional about what you allow in, and deliberate about what you keep out. I cannot do one without the other. I cannot claim to be only focused on what my life produces on the outside; it is that which goes in that will eventually determine what comes in. Why do I need to guard anything at all? Why is the heart very important in this lfe conversation? Why am I required to guard that which sustains life? It is because of the consequences of carelessness. There is nothing like a lack of accountability; God does not do anything without a reason. If He creates a heart that can receive, process and apply information, then it is equally important to ensure that I lay the right foundation with that which I allow to make an impression on my heart. 

Let us apply both definitions to our lives. We have been given a processing centre; one that is able to absorb anything. The capacity of the human mind is beyond understanding; it keeps working until it does not. We may call the work it does boring, but in that 'boring routine' is safety. In that almost unnoticed cycle is human life sustained. However, in that routine also lies the danger of assumption. Is it because we do not physically see the work the heart does, that we put pressure on other parts of our bodies? Am I careless with what I allow in? Be sure that no matter how minute the inflow is, it will definely leave a mark. If I get careless with what comes in, it may lead to studen or untimely death. That is what happens when blood becomes contaminated; it affects the entire body. My guard must kick in at the point of inception, not firefight when the damage is already done. Just as my human heart needs diet and exercise, so does my spiritual heart need nurturing, through faith, prayer, or meditation, in order to stay "healthy" and be receptive to divine leading. God does not force Himself on anyone, but be sure He will display His power in me if I let Him. Would you? God's time of favour is here..

Right Response!

Right Response!

Luke 1:46-47 KJV

[46] And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, [47] And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

Context matters here. How do you handle news that you are not prepared for? How do you handle opportunities as well as threats that may come your way in this journey of life? Here was a young lady, minding her own business, doing the right things by Jewish customs and traditions. She kept away from fornication, keeping herself for the man she was betrothed to. I am sure both were looking ahead to the day they would start their own family. One day, everything she thought she had locked down was turned on its head. An angel came to her to give her unusual news. She would be pregnant, but not by the one she was betrothed to. Even the name of the child, as well as its mission on earth, was given to her. Tell me, how would you have handled this complete upheaval of all that you have known all your life? Is God permitted to change the course of my life if it aligns with His will and purpose for me? 

It is hard to define how this lady really took the news. At least, we read of the proposed response of Joseph, who was planning to divorce her quietly, to keep her from public disgrace. When God deals with me as He pleases and as I permit, there is no guarantee that men will understand or applaud my experiences. In fact, it is likely that men who do not know anything about God's dealings will mock and talk negatively about me. That is the way of the world, and that is why it is not sensible to stake your life on the basis of what men say. Once God has spoken, I have all that I need. Once God has spoken, it does not matter the number of the people who say anything contrary. We know how this story ends but what if it was what the world calls 'bad' news that was delivered? Would you still speak as Mary did in the verse above? Can God trust my response, even when the events around me do not make sense? 

Mary's reaction here speaks of a heart of total surrender to the will of God, no matter where it may lead. Hearing the news was going to change her life and the lives of those around her, but she knew that God's plans always lead to blessings beyond her wildest dreams. She broke out in worship, saying her soul magnifies the Lord. No matter what was there now or coming, my soul worships the Lord. No matter how hard things get, I have made up my mind to hold on to God. Where else is safe? Who else can guarantee a good end like this God, who calls Himself the author and finisher of our faith? Her spirit also rejoices in God her Saviour. Her entire life was focused on God. That has to be my default setting too. It cannot be this occasional or weekly catch up with God, where I touch base with Him when I need something, or when things have really gone wrong. Does this speak about me? Would I also surrender to God and allow Him work that which is His perfect will? God's time of favour is here.

Fruit!

Fruit!

Hebrews 10:23-24 KJV

[23] Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) [24] and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

The writer of the book of Hebrews is not part of the record of the book, but we can deduce the audience from the first chapter of the book, where it states that God in these last days has spoken to us by His Son, Jesus, and has made his angels to be ministering spirits sent to minister to those who are heirs of salvation. This tells me that the promises and commitments that are made by God in this book can only be claimed by those who have given their lives to Jesus, and have taken hold of eternal life. If I will lay claim to any good thing in the Bible, I have ro align with the terms and conditions of that thing. God is a miracle worker, not a magician, and He does not waste resources. If He has made clear what the requirement for His intervention is, He will not lower the standard for anyone. That is why advancements in technology, medicine or science have not been able to change what sin is. 

If it was sin under Adam, it remains sin under this current dispensation. The message in the verses above are for those whose lives have been surrendered to Jesus. The admonition is that I hold fast the profession of my faith. The reason for this admonition is connected to the reality of the times we live in. It is easier to blend in than stand out. It is easier to keep quiet than to challenge the iniquity of the times we live in. However, the bigger source of encouragement is the statement made in the verses above, that the One who promised is faithful. This is a commitment that can be relied upon. God is unchanging; He can be trusted to keep His promises, and there is no one who has truly experienced God that can say He cannot be trusted. If I know the value of who God is, what He can do, and what I stand to gain if I hold on to the end, I will not let go. Do you know this God? Does He also know you as His own? It is that personal knowledge and experience that drives the second verse above. 

When I know this God, I am able to impact lives. If I have experienced God's kind of love, I am able to also express that to other people. The verse above charges us to provoke one another unto love and good works. It seems to be that showing love should be a 'healthy competition', almost as if we should try and outdo one another in love. It does not lead to envy or hatred, or anything negative. It is being sensitive to the needs around us, being careful to let the love of God permeate all that we do, and being intentional about the motives behind what we do. The good works become the output of the inner presence of God in us. Just note again that it is the audience that drives the demand. If you do not belong, you will struggle. May the fruits of my life show total dependence and reliance on the One who loved me enough to die for me. May my life be visible and audible proof of a life that is owned by God. God's time of favour is here.