Where is He?

Day 305- Where is He?

The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him sincerely and in truth. He will fulfill the desires of those who reverently and worshipfully fear Him; He also will hear their cry and will save them. Psalm 145:18-19 AMP

Let it be fully understood that ALL of God's promises are qualified. His promises are for everyone, yet are really for all who come to him on his own terms, not at their own pleasure.  No matter what anyone says, there is a true Lord who has promised to draw close to all who call upon Him in truth, not out of selfish desires. You may have pressing needs or you may have scores to settle. God does not help you settle scores, neither does he help you get even. It is my responsibility to go reconcile with my neighbour before I come seeking God.

The desires of all those that reverently fear Him are also fulfilled. He also promises to hear them and save them. It is important to point out here that the promise is made by God on his terms, not on ours. What this tells me is that God decides how, when and where he will answer. He may not do things the way we expect but maturity in our walk with God requires that we walk with God as he walks and work with him as he works too. Our lives will be less stressful or complicated when God is at the centre of our desires, pursuits and labours.

Where does God fit into in your life schedule? Is he at the centre of all your plans and purposes, or you have found a convenient corner for him? Do you go to Him when all other viable options have been exhausted and there is nothing else to do and no one else to turn to? Is he your one and only option? Call on him on his own terms, in sincerity and in truth and in reverence, and watch him perform miracles on your behalf. His time of favour is here.

Day 302- Labour and Reward 

God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.Hebrews 6:10 NIV

When you think of God, what comes to mind?  A God so high up, that mortal man can never aspire to reach him?  Do you see a God so big that feeble man dare not come near?  Or a God so fearsome, dishing out punishment for every rebellion and ruthlessly crushing any opposition?

From experience, I have come to learn that God's love is amazing. If a father can hold his own daughter in his heart for life, imagine what God would do. If I can cherish the moments spent with my kids, how much more the creator of every life and the Potter who makes all things beautiful?

Therefore, as I work and labour, I must keep at the back of my mind that nothing I do is in vain. God keeps records and he will reward accordingly, not as man expects. Too many times, we have allowed the world's values and opinions shape our understanding of reward. We see it as what we deserve for doing good and we fret when people do not seemingly appreciate the good we have done.

Rather, let us keep our gaze focused on God who sees all, knows all and will bless us as he pleases. As I spend myself for other people, the focus isn't what I stand to gain, but how God may be glorified. When I take care of God's business, he takes care of everything that concerns me. His time of favour is here.

Labour and Reward

Day 302- Labour and Reward

God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. Hebrews 6:10 NIV

When you think of God, what comes to mind?  A God so high up, that mortal man can never aspire to reach him?  Do you see a God so big that feeble man dare not come near?  Or a God so fearsome, dishing out punishment for every rebellion and ruthlessly crushing any opposition?

From experience, I have come to learn that God's love is amazing. If a father can hold his own daughter in his heart for life, imagine what God would do. If I can cherish the moments spent with my kids, how much the creator of every life and the Potter who makes all things beautiful?

Therefore, as I work and labour, I must keep at the back of my mind that nothing I do is in vain. God keeps records and he will reward accordingly, not as man expects. Too many times, we have allowed the world's values and opinions shape our understanding of reward. We see it as what we deserve for doing good and we fret when people do not seemingly appreciate the good we have done. Rather,  let us keep our gaze focused on God who sees all, knows all and will bless us as he pleases. As I spend myself for other people, the focus isn't what I stand to gain, but how God may be glorified. When I take care of God's business, he takes care of everything that concerns me. His time of favour is here.

None Other!

Day 293- None Other!

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12 KJV

The world loves having options. The world celebrates diversity -  in opinions, thoughts, approaches, ideas and application. We celebrate our differences and highlight the issues that make us different, while also assuming that the same should apply to our beliefs and faith. Unfortunately,  as much as we are different, God does not have a second opinion or an alternative to our channel of salvation.

Jesus was made the sacrificial lamb so we could be reconciled back to God. He was the one who paid the price so we could walk away with the prize of eternal life. He is the one through whom all people must come to God and be accepted. Every other option is the product of man's mind and will not work. Unless you seek something else different from salvation, Christ is the sole perfect choice for us.

Which one will it be?  Will I keep seeking other options or would I settle for the only viable option approved by God?  His name is the only one that guarantees victory. No one calls on it and remains the same. Nobody trusts in that name and is put to shame. Make sure you have that name. Without it,  all you have acquired on earth will be wasted investment. God loves you too much to let you waste away your life. His time of favour is here.

Love and Truth

Day 281- Love and Truth

Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. Proverbs 27:5-6 KJV

When I claim I love someone, what do I really mean? Is love really seen in words alone or by actions alone?  What is the place of truth and honesty in the reality of love and its expectations? 

Today's extract seeks to give answers to some of these questions. Atimes, out of 'love',  we overlook people's mistakes and offences, glossing over them. We do not want to offend so we avoid. We have children we love so much that we conveniently turn the blind eye as they stumble from one mistake to another offence. Later in life, when the children are fully grown in iniquity and have chosen the path of destruction, can we honestly say it was love that made us overlook their wrongs? 

Does love overlook wrongs to the point of being permissive about everything?  Is love so encompassing that it allows open and deliberate sins without punishment. I doubt it very much. Even God himself, the person of love himself, warns that as a father loves his children, so does he discipline them for their good. It is better to get God to discipline you now, than to allow you get away with deliberate sins and end up in permanent destruction.

When next someone pats you on the back for obvious sins, please run away from such a person. When you know you are doing wrong and someone is urging you on, not pointing out the error but encouraging the evil, know you are in trouble. Outward show of affection does not equate to true love. Kisses do not signify true love. Ask Judas Iscariot. Ask Abel. May I not be deceived by outward pretences. His time of favour is here.

Wise? Foolish?

Wise?  Foolish?

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. Proverbs 12:15 KJV

Are you wise or foolish? I think it is a bit too much to debate whatever your response is,  but one thing is clear: your response to today's extract will clarify where you stand.

As you examine your life today, who determines your path? Who decides for you what is important? Who sets the course for your life and the decisions that you make?  As long as you are confident in yourself, you are foolish. If you have built your hopes on the fleeting goods that the world promises, you are foolish. If your bank account balance is what makes you tick, you are foolish. If your degrees are your confidence and hope, you are foolish. If someone has made you a promise, and you have hinged your entire life and happiness on the fleeting and vain hope of man, then, you are indeed foolish.

Trust me, education is important. Having a plan for the future is good. One thing though: your plans only make sense when they are hinged on God's will and purpose. If God cannot disrupt your well laid plans, so you can attend to the things that he considers important, then you have not discovered your true essence. Can God count on you, your time, your resources, your home, your life?  Can he call on them and make use of them whenever he pleases?

If your way is the only way, you have not discovered the true source of life. If your way is the only high way, you are on the high way to trouble. Get counsel for your life from the one who has written down all your days. Get direction from the one who has the entire universe in his hand and can direct resources to you as he pleases. He is the Wisdom of God, the one whose counsel alone matters.

Be wise, get God on your side. His words are life to all who pattern their lives after his directives. His time of favour is here.