The Possession

The Possession!

Matthew 5:3 AMP

[3] “Blessed [spiritually prosperous, happy, to be admired] are the poor in spirit [those devoid of spiritual arrogance, those who regard themselves as insignificant], for theirs is the kingdom of heaven [both now and forever].

One definition of inheritance that speaks to the verse above is this: 'to come into possession of or receive especially as a right or divine portion'. It is not the usual way by which men receive an inheritance. The owner of the possession has to make his will clear as to who takes over what and how, and whatever it is to be inherited must still be in existence and under the ownership and control of the person giving that thing away. You cannot write into a will that which is not yours at the time of death. I also note that the definition above speaks to divine portion. This is critical: the inheritance here does not look anything like what the natural man handles.

This inheritance is of divine origin and focus, but its reality will indeed be felt, seen, and handled when it is received. As we also know, you have to belong to the family of the man giving out his possession, for you to even dare think of getting anything. In the same way, for this divine portion to accrue to me, I have to belong to the family of the One who owns the eternal reward. I note that the words above were said to His disciples, not the crowd. Yes, the crowd was listening, but as we know, proximity does not always equate possession. Being close to the heir means nothing, unless the testator mentions your name directly. Am I one of the disciples? 

Being part of the family gives me access to the benefits of the family, but the verse above takes a step further to make clear what I need to do to lay hold of the inheritance. As this is a divine portion, it is not about what I deserve, merit or work hard for. I need the right attitude to have access to what is available. The verse above speaks about being poor in spirit; being empty of all spiritual arrogance. It is good to be a disciple or follower as the first step, but it does not end there. I must stay connected to the supply that I need for the journey. I do not have it all figured out by myself; the One who calls men to Himself, is the One who can help me stand. Do you have Him? 

The reward is His to determine, and when the heart is right, I have access to what has been promised. It is interesting to note that the verse above speaks to the inheritance of the kingdom of heaven being for those who are poor in spirit. Heaven is the ultimate goal, yet we have a taste of it whilst on earth. My life of submission and surrender is the platform on which heaven is made manifest. I start to enjoy all that heaven represents, even before I I lay hold of the eternal life that has also been promised. This is where God is not like man: He lets me have a taste of the real thing even before I lay hold of it permanently. This is what I am entitled to by my new birth. What of you? God's time of favour is here  

This God!

This God!

Psalms 42:11 AMP

[11] Why are you in despair, O my soul? Why have you become restless and disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God.

Depending on which version of the bible you use, at the top of the chapter from where the verse above is taken are written the words: 'Thirsting for God in trouble and exile'. This reflects seasons of pain and distress, as seen in some of the words used in the psalm here. The writers were called the sons of Korah, and these were a Levitical guild of temple musicians and gatekeepers. They knew the standards of worship in the temple, and did their best to maintain and uphold those standards, even in the face of apostasy from both the leaders and the people. As one who has had an encounter with Jesus, do men see His imprint in and on me? 

These men must have seen a lot of evil in their own days. With the voice of joy and thanksgiving, they led the people to the house of God, singing and dancing in festival, yet it appeared that their hearts were weighed down with some things. You read words like 'My tears have been my food day and night, While they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?'. Even though these men looked happy, their hearts were heavy. We do not have all the details, but it was clear that their souls were in despair. What are my current circumstances causing my heart to be in pain or distress? Like the sons of Korah here, there is a solution worked for them, and would work for me too, if I apply correctly. 

As the verse above makes clear, we would always have moments of despair, when it seems that the burden is more than we can bear. Life on this side of eternity was set up to be brief, no matter how much you have, or how many people you know. This is why I cannot afford to live life without the help of the God who has conquered sin, death and the grave. As the sons of Korah lay it out, I keep God in remembrance at all times. I keep God right at the centre of my heart, before anything or anyone else seeks to make a claim on my heart. I do not permit anything negative to settle in and on my heart, before it leaves a lasting impression on my heart. 

I seek to subject all things to the litmus test of God's word. I must know what God says about everything that touches me, and this is only possible when I know His word for me for every situation. Hope in God is built on a clear understanding of who He is, what He can do, as well as embracing His wisdom when it seems like He is quiet. I expectantly wait for someone who I am confident will come through for me. He brightens my day and stays in, when everyone else stays out. He never fails, disappears or disappoints; He is my ever-present help. Why would I stay in despair when I have an eternal God? Do you also have Him? God's time of favour is here. 

Grace!

Grace!

2 Corinthians 12:9 AMP

[9] but He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you [My lovingkindness and My mercy are more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation]; for [My] power is being perfected [and is completed and shows itself most effectively] in [your] weakness.” Therefore, I will all the more gladly boast in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ [may completely enfold me and] may dwell in me. 

One definition of grace is 'unearned and undeserved favor; God's unconditional love and generosity, freely given to humanity despite our flaws or failure to earn it. It is often summarized as getting what you don't deserve, such as blessings/salvation, and not getting what you do deserve (punishment). It is in the light of the above that the verse above needs to be understood. Paul was a man who had seen the world.  He was learned in the ways and customs of the Jews, and he was zealous to defend those ways. Thank God for the same grace that is the focus: God did not judge him based on his bad conduct, but He reached out and saved Paul. 

My past is not as important to God as my present and future. There is no useless or wasted experience; God can use anything at all for His glory. Paul went from a serial and serious persecutor on the church, to a serial and serious promoter of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was given some unique and special encounters with Christ, and the church today is blessed because of the lessons of the life of Paul: a man credited with writing about 24% of the books of the new testament. In God's wisdom, there was a bigger message to be preached; with all the special encounters Paul had, he needed a constant reminder that it is all about God's support, not his skills. 

Man is prone to pride and self-sufficiency, and we all need the very consistent reminder that we are nothing outside of God. Paul needed a thorn in his flesh to remind him to constantly depend on God. Three times, Paul asked God to take this thorn away, but rather than take it away, God gave Paul something that would outlast the thorn: His grace and help. As the verse above makes clear, God's grace is more than enough—always available—regardless of the situation. God's power is best seen in man's weakness. If I could do it on my own, why would I need help? The fact that the work is not mine, means that what I need to succeed has to come from the One who owns the work. 

It is not a wonder, then, that Paul came to the conclusion at the end of the verse above: when I have God's backing, there is no room for pride or self-sufficiency. Paul made up his mind to gladly boast more in his weaknesses, so that the power of Christ could completely enfold him, and dwell in him. Reflect on this: as I empty myself of all that is me, I give more room for Christ to be made manifest in and through me. The more of Him I allow, the more of Him I resemble. When men come in contact with me, do I ooze with grace from God, or am I all about personal charm? God wants to dwell, not rent temporary space. If I allow Him, He will display His power. He will not force Himself on anyone. Would I yield? Would you? God's time of favour is here. 

Inspired!

Inspired!

Matthew 10:19-20 AMP

[19] But when they hand you over, do not worry about how or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given you within that [very] hour; [20] for it is not you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

There came a time when it was just Jesus and His disciples. The crowd was not there, so there was no temptation to perform for the audience. Jesus summoned the twelve men He had called to follow Him as disciples, and gave them authority and power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. That is amazing. It is not a mistake to read this about those who followed Jesus at the time. It is still the same call today, as well as the demand and supply economics of God. As long as there are willing vessels, there is always a willing God to fill up the vessels, and use for His glory. 

A common mistake to make, even when you are sure that God is leading you and backing you up, is to think that nothing can go wrong. Many people will assume that going where God sent you guarantees you smooth sailing, but as we know, the devil also has an idea of what lies at the end of your obedience, and he will try to sway you from that commitment. He will raise opposition, resistance and obstruction. That is the promise in the verse above: persecution is part and parcel of the call of God into service for Him. I note that the verse above starts with 'When they hand you over', not IF. You cannot pray your way out of it. Prepare for it: get ready the right way for it. 

When it happens, it is also normal to feel helpless and inadequate. Truthfully, that is the right way to feel. You are standing as the human representative of an immortal God, and He has promised to back you up. He has said that I should not worry when the arrears and persecution start;; the right words and the right message will be given to me. I can only say here that it is dangerous to launch out into the world without the safety net of God's presence and power. I cannot face the world with whatever weapons and gulle the world gives. How can you defeat a system with the same tools that the world has invented? I will need all the resources which the One who has totally defeated death can supply.

As the verse above makes clear, there is help available from God at all times. There is no experience so dire that God is not there with me. He asks me not to worry; His presence will guarantee the right words. After all, how else will the world hear the word if it does not create the platforms and channels that will support the message? Let the fear be taken over by the God who promises His power and help at all times. He asks me to be ready and available, and He will do the rest. There will always be a supply that will match the demand of the moment. Can I trust this immortal God and give Him my all? God's time of favour is here.

The Right Fear 2!

The Right Fear 2!

Proverbs 29:25 AMP

[25] The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in and puts his confidence in the Lord will be exalted and safe.

Similar to our reflections yesterday, we are again reminded that there is a good fear with a great ending, and a bad fear with a terrible ending. The foundation of each type of fear is laid on the focus, allegiance and daily reflections of the heart. What do I spend time consuming? What occupies my heart most of the time? What are those thoughts that settle upon my heart and are able to hold attention for a while? These are the things to be careful about. I cannot afford to let just anything or anyone hold my heart captive. Whatever you continually give your heart to will eventually become master of your heart. Who sits at the control centre of your heart? 

The bad fear is the fear of man. This is where man can dictate your pursuits and priorities. It is not a bad thing to respect man; after all, it is God's command that we obey authority, and there are kings and rulers to direct the affairs of man. The problem usually comes from the unhealthy subservient behaviour of man, where we elevate man over and above the God who should be feared and worshipped. I must keep checking my heart, to be sure that it is not being enticed by the false images of power and influence that the world seeks to promote. The problem with the fear of man is that what you feared today will change the next day, either in form or target. 

How do you keep reminding yourself the reason for your fear, if it keeps changing? If it is not the fear of sickness, it could be the fear of earthquakes or storms. The fallen human nature is now prone to the attacks of the devil and he is smart; he has been in the business of fear since man fell. He will magnify the problem to seem bigger than the God who made me, and if I fall into his trap, he will keep me focused on the size of the problem. I need to check my heart; who is bigger: the Creator Himself, or any of His creation? He who made me knows all about me, and nothing catches Him by surprise when it comes to me. Why would the created hold that much power over me? 

To trust in God is to have focused attention on God, to the total exclusion of all other options. You cannot keep God at the center of your heart, as well as any other authority. It will not work. The verse above challenges us to trust in and put our confidence in the Lord. It does not mean that things will always work out the way we want them to, but we have the confidence and assurance that, in the hands of God, it always works out well in the end. The reward of such investment is that you are exalted above all the schemes of the devil, and safe from all alarm. Who can offer you anything better or higher? Can I trust Him with my life? God's time of favour is here. 

Right Fear!

Right Fear!

Proverbs 9:10 AMP

[10] The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of wisdom [its starting point and its essence], And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding and spiritual insight.

The life of the man who wrote the words in the verse above must be studied. He was not supposed to be king at all; the circumstances of his birth should have disqualified him, if his brothers had their way. However, the bible was deliberate to mention that the Lord loved him, and even gave him a name. As we know, he became king, and in his personal encounter with God, he was given a blank cheque to ask God for anything he wanted. He chose wisdom above anything else, and it is not a surprise that we speak about his words and actions till today. He had a healthy fear of the Lord, and the Lord blessed him more than all the kings before or after him. 

That is what God does to and with a life that has the right relationship with Him. There is a 

fear that cripples; there is another fear which liberates. It is very important that I know the difference. There is nothing wrong with giving due regard to the rules and laws of men; affer all, we are placed on earth to interact with men, and due to the fallen human nature, we will rub each other off the wrong way atimes. How we deal with those uncomfortable situations will define the kind of fear that we have. Do I hold men in such high regard that I do not mind offending God? Is man's approval and applause more important to me than the applause and backing of heaven? 

There is the right kind of fear called the reverent fear of the Lord. It is that fear that teaches me how to worship and regard Him as truly awesome, and relate with Him on a regular basis as such. It is a fear mixed with reverence, knowing that this is a God that can bless beyond limits, but also destroy without remedy. The right kind of fear keeps me in check, not taking only the side of God that is convenient for me. I cannot take one side of God and reject the other; He is the Lord, and He deserves and demands total allegiance. It cannot be half-measures; God takes all, or do not bother giving Hm anything at all. That is where it has to begin from. 

That good fear is presented as the beginning and the preeminent part of wisdom. Without it, ypu really have nothing of value. This is where a life of impact and blessing start from and build upon. To be called truly wise is to know who God is, as well as the right way to deal with that knowledge. The verse above also says that the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding and spiritual insight. This tells me that knowing God is not this one-off experience; it is a lifetime of amazing revelations. It is deep spiritual maturity to never get tired of seeking God out, and God always rewards such devotion. Want to go far and end well? Fear God. God's time of favour is here. 

Restored!

Restored 

Jeremiah 33:14 NIV

[14] “ ‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah.

When you read the verse above, then consider the context in which the verse is placed, you may struggle to understand how God moves. The first verse of the chapter from where the verse above is taken refers to the prophet Jeremiah, who was confined to the courtyard of the guard, because of his prophecies and messages to both the leaders and the led in Israel and Judah. He stood for truth, but the people preferred to listen to and trust in lies, and of course, God cannot be mocked or ignored. As He has made clear what the standard is, and made help available for His people to comply, He would have been justified to punish any who disobeyed His instructions. 

This was the place Judah found itself. It was a nation helped by God, but now, it had found itself under the judgment of God because of its sin of rebellion. Let it be clear that God has no favourites when it comes to sin, and He will punish sin, no matter in whom it is found. 

However, just a few verses down the line, we read consecutive verses where God makes it quite clear that He was going to hide His face from the city of Jerusalem because of its sin, and that enemies would come in and destroy the city completely. This was a city protected by mountains, but that did not do any good once sin came into the camp. Avoid sin at all costs. 

However, just immediately after this declaration of punishment, God promises that He will bring health and healing into the city; He will heal His people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security. How did we move from certain punishment to certain restoration? These are some of the mysteries of God that we may not fully understand on this side of eternity, but we will do well to know His standards and adhere to them. He can punish, but He can also restore. He can kill, and He can also make alive. He is not a God to be trifled with. This is the background to the verse above. In spite of all that Judah had done, God was still setting a time for their redemption and restoration. 

If you do find a man who has fully understood God's ways and knows His next move, please let me know. God's ways are beyond searching out; His understanding no one can fathom. When He makes a promise, He is staking His name and reputation, and you can be sure that a God who watches over His Word to perform it will not be careless about the words He speaks. Hs does not make empty boasts. It does not matter how long ago He made the promise; what counts is that He made it, and He will move heaven and the earth to guarantee the integrity of His Word. As I go through life, I must not dare confront the world without the sure word of God. Whatever may come, it must find me in God. Where are you too? God's time of favour is here.