Just for me!

Just for me!

He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. Isaiah 53:3-4 KJV

As I read this extract, I am reminded of my past and conscious of all that Christ has done for me. I am reminded that it was because of me that God paid the very high price to guarantee salvation and redemption for me. I am reminded that I now stand in the present on the finished work of Christ on the cross and possess the fullness of the blessings that his death and life guarantees.

But, what did it cost Christ? Here was the creator of the world, the One who gives life and breath to all things, being treated shabbily. He came in human form and identified with us in our humanity. He left all the glory that was his and took up the lowly form of man, just to identify with us and take our place. The enormity of what he was to face is best understood by the events in the garden of Gethsemane when he prayed that if it were possible, the coming cup of suffering should pass over him. Rather than God granting that prayer, angels were sent to strengthen him. The rest, as we say, is history, but still affecting current affairs today, and is a determinant of eternity.

He was despised and treated shabbily by the same people he had come to save. He was rejected by his own kinsmen who knew his history and family tree and expected nothing from him; he hung on the tree alone, God himself turning his eyes away from him as he bore the sins of the whole world, yet we thought he was paying the price for his own misadventures and misdemeanors.

But we stand here today because Christ bowed his head to the Father's absolute will. We can raise our hands to God because Christ surrendered his hands to the nails. We can rejoice as we fellowship with other believers and as our feet rejoice to share the good news, all because Christ also surrendered his feet to the nails. Our communion is sweet because we share in the body and blood of Christ as symbolised by the Lord's Supper.

All the above are made possible because of the sacrifice of Christ. May his death and life not be in vain over our lives. May his life be our total experience.

Faithful Commitment!

Faithful Commitment!

Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands. Deuteronomy 7:9 NLT

There are gods, but there is one true God. There are pretenders who arrogate to themselves the status of God, but who fail miserably when it matters most. It is not really what you call yourself or what people call you that matters; it is a function of who you are backed up by what you have done, what you are doing now, and the incontrovertible and undeniable proof what you can do. That is the God we are introduced to here.

From the extract above, we see God as a covenant keeping God. He made a promise long ago to Abraham that he would be the father of many nations. At the time of the promise, Abraham had no chance: his name did not reflect it, his attitude did not accept it, his wife did not bother believing it, and natural circumstances made it difficult to believe. But when you are dealing with the God introduced to us here, you meet a God who cares little about what you think you don't have and will do much more than what your feeble mind can fathom.

So, God takes care of the past by entering into covenant with Abraham. All of us who believe and as many will believe are recipients of this grace and will partake in the blessings of Abraham. For all who love him and also obey him in the present, God showers and lavishes his love on them. This picture is one of God holding nothing back; giving his all to his children, giving abundantly out of the immeasurable riches of his grace. That takes care of the present.

Fortunately, it does not end there. For a thousand generations to come, God does not forget his promises. He is a faithful God, not easily broke. No demand on earth can exhaust the resources of heaven. He has more than enough in his storehouse and he is able to give us all more than enough.

What part of your life then do you think is beyond God? What part of your life do you think that God cannot correct or direct? Give him total control, and watch him do exploits with a life that is totally surrendered to him.

Unfathomable!

Unfathomable!

Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. Isaiah 40:28 NLT

I wonder if you have ever asked these same questions in our extract today. Have you looked at the crises in the world and wondered if indeed there is a God working in the affairs of men? Have you looked at the pain, sickness and death in the world and asked why a loving God would allow such things to happen?

Unfortunately for us, we are limited in knowledge, understanding, depth, insight and scope. We can only see as far as our physical eyes can see, and even that too is limited. We judge based on what our limited eyes, ears and mind can fathom, and we think that we can reduce God to the same level. What today's extract shows is that God is beyond what you and I can claim to fully understand or explain. First of all, he is the everlasting God- he has been around long before the world became like this, and he is still around, working out his best in our lives. His work may not always be evident but there is no doubt that he is always there.

Secondly, he is the Creator of the earth. How do you wonder that a God who could create something as complex and wonderful as this would not have the capacity to take care of it? How do you wonder that God, as mighty as he is, would create something and give up on it? He is still the One at work, doing great things, even in the midst of all the pain and problems the world is facing right now.

Man is the one who complains about being tired or weary. Like as been established, God has been at work long before the world was ever thought of, and long after what we think we know now will cease to exist, God will still be God. He does not grow tired or weary, and you can never ever understand how he works. You can only trust that he is powerful enough to bring to pass all that he has promised and he is able to do exceeding abundantly above all our human minds can think of or fathom.

Power over sin!

Power over sin!

For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.1 Corinthians 15:56-57 NLT

Have you ever wondered why it is hard to live and do right by your own power? Have you ever wondered why you struggle so hard to do what is right, even when you know it is the right thing to do? Welcome to the world of the law of sin and death, where death was the natural consequences of sin, which is itself powered by the law. A good example of this is: When man was created, he had everything he needed for life and Godliness. God walked with him daily and gave him control over all he had made. There was authority, dominion and control. All man had to do to retain all these was to avoid the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil. He had a choice to make: eat and die OR keep away and live. That singular act of eating the fruit was an act of disobedience (sin) through which death has come to dominate man. Because of sin, man now has a permanent date with death. No wonder the extract for today says sin is the sting that results in death. As long as a man was naturally born, he was born into sin, and so partook of the nature of sin, and of course, death as its natural consequence.

But thank God the story does not end like that. Christ came and with his death and life, paid the price that sin demanded. The consequences of sin was death, as we have already established. Someone had to die to pay that price. Christ was the perfect sacrifice because he had no sin, so the natural consequences of sin had no power over him. He could not remain dead because sin had no hold over him. He stood in our place and paid the price we should have paid for our sin. He took away the sting of sin, which is death, and through his life, given us through life and immortality. Now, my life never truly ends. Painful as it may be to those left alive, physical death for someone who has identified with the death and life of Christ, is a translation from this limited life to limitless life. We are the ones who weep over the death of a loved one, but the dead in Christ have no regrets: life has only just started.

Which one will it be for you? Are you still under the pangs of sin, working towards the certain end of death?  Have you secured your life by identifying with the death and life of the only one who can give victory over both sin and death? The choice is yours; you belong to your choice, and the consequences of your choice are eternal. Eternity is too long a time not to be sure of your eternal destination. 

Proof of New Life

Proof of New Life!

As you have therefore received Christ, [even] Jesus the Lord, [so] walk (regulate your lives and conduct yourselves) in union with and conformity to Him. Have the roots [of your being] firmly and deeply planted [in Him, fixed and founded in Him], being continually built up in Him, becoming increasingly more confirmed and established in the faith, just as you were taught, and abounding and overflowing in it with thanksgiving. Colossians 2:6- 7 AMP

Today's extract seeks to establish a truth: there is accountability when it comes to knowing and growing in Christ. It all starts with the decision to accept him as Lord and Saviour and with it comes a whole life-journey. Before you can talk about the responsibilities involved, the first question is: have you received Christ ams Lord? Only then can you read further and confirm if your life agrees with the provisions that have been highlighted.

After receiving Christ, it does not just end there. I am expected to walk in union and conformity with him. I am not to walk ahead, thinking I know my way or can help myself, but I must walk in his steps. I must conform to what he commands and directs. It is then that my roots can become firmly and deeply planted in him. This shows source, inspiration, strength and nourishment. When the roots are right, the fruits will be right. When I am firmly fixed in Christ, my life will produce fruit that tallies with the strength, quality and abundance of my roots. How deep are your convictions and beliefs? In whom are they founded? Who is the inspiration behind your priorities?

Once the roots are right, the quality of the fruits will be apparent. You are built up on the strength of your roots. Testings and trials will come, but when your roots are right, your fruits will be right. When your faith is tested, as it must be, your fruits will be determined by the quality of your roots. And of course, your life will result in Thanksgiving to God. When you stand to speak about your experiences, someone is challenged to hold on to God. When I testify of the quality of my fruits, based on the strength of my roots, people are encouraged to decide for God and to hold on to him irrespective of what they may be going through. It all flows from the quality of my roots. Where and in whom am I rooted?

Different!

Different!

Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. Romans 12:2 AMP

Indeed, there is a need for a different approach, attitude and consideration of this phase called life. Today's extract emphasizes a shift in thinking, with foundations rooted in the understanding that the world and the Word cannot coexist together or operate on the same level. The world has its standards, with its external superficial customs which keep changing through the generations. God's Word also has its own standards, which have remained the same all through generations and in the face of the pressure from the world.

We are charged not to be conformed to the pattern of the world, but be transformed by the entire renewal of our minds. What does this mean? I believe that whatever the world applauds must be avoided at all costs; whatever the world says doesn't matter, should be of utmost concern to us. The world and the Word will never agree on anything because the source, inspiration and end of both authorities are different and distinct. You have a part to play; you are not a mindless zombie, unable to think or reason or decide; you have been given the power to test, prove, approve and consciously decide to follow your choice. You are your choice. You are the product and end result of your decisions today.

Have you found out what is that good, pleasing and perfect will of God? Have you made a conscious decision, under God's help, to follow him all the days of your life? His will is always perfect, pleasing and good. Find his will, find life. Eternity is too long not to be sure of your eternal destination.

The Law!

The Law!

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2 NIV

There is always a law at work in our lives at all times. Today's extract makes that abundantly clear. Both las have their basis, their levels of operations and their definite end. A fundamental decision will have to be made on which law is at work in you today and which one should continue to operate. If I must end well, I must submit to the law that will aid that final determination.

When man was created, God desired fellowship and intimacy. No wonder God would come every day, in the cool of the day, to speak with Adam. There was fellowship and communion and relationship. Then, man fell.  Unfortunately, before the fall of man, the law had not been given, therefore there was no consciousness of sin. With the fall came the guilt, condemnation and punishment that usually follow sin. We became cursed due to sin, and we became subject to the natural consequences of sin, which is death. That is the basis of the law of sin and death.

It took Christ dying on the cross for another law to be established. His death opened the doorway for a fresh start and his life sealed a new covenant and a new life. Because death, the natural and eternal  consequence of sin had been defeated at the cross, a new law had to come into play. Because a perfect sacrifice was offered, the power of sin over us has been completely broken. One major difference though -  it is not automatic. The law of sin and death bound everyone born of woman, and whoever remained under its control could not enjoy the benefits Christ offers. However, when a man comes into Christ, just as today's extract says, the condemnation, guilt and shame sin brings is defeated.

Note that it does not say being around Christ, or hearing and reading about him, or knowing about him; it is a permanent residence in him. In Christ is the power to live above sin, and in the true liberty only a relationship with God can guarantee. His time of favour is here.

Giving and Getting!

Giving and Getting!

In everything I’ve done, I have demonstrated to you how necessary it is to work on behalf of the weak and not exploit them. You’ll not likely go wrong here if you keep remembering that our Master said, ‘You’re far happier giving than getting.’” Acts 20:35 MSG

The world places value and measures value on the basis of what you own and hold. The people referred to as rich today are called so because of their net worth. The world does not seem to reckon with those who lack or those who do not  enough. Success has been reduced to definable terms such as monetary value, with the man who has enough feeling he is better than the one who does not have, and the one who does not have feeling inadequate.

Paul here challenges this thinking, asking that we imitate his life on some issues. Here was a very busy man, committed to preaching and teaching wherever he went. He could have demanded care and attention from those he was going to meet, but he decided to be a blessing to others, not a burden. He got his hands to work, earning a living to sustain himself and the ministry. There is something very fundamental though: the purpose of God's blessings over your life is not for you to sit down and enjoy alone, but to be a blessing to others through God's provenance.

When God gives, he always has a purpose. His nature is giving, and his plans are eternal, so when you key into his nature and live like him, then you are guaranteed a life of blessings and eternal rest. Am I focused on what I do not have, seeking to have more, or have I come to understand that everything I have is from God? The weak are precious to God and he will not condone oppression of any kind. You had better be sure that you do not oppress the weak. You are much happier putting a smile on someone's face than a tear of regret.

Jesus himself has laid down the perfect example for us. He gave all he had, even when we were the most undeserving of people. He has done his bit, what am I doing now?

One Thing!

One Thing!

One thing I ask from the Lord , this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. Psalm 27:4 NIV

When you check out the extract above, the first thing that strikes you is the simplicity of the request but the complexity of the implementation. The psalmist goes to God, requesting for just one thing from the Lord. That one thing was paramount to him, key to his present and future and the guarantee of his eternity. What is that one thing?

No matter the complexities of the implementation of that request, what the Psalmist is requesting for is one and the same thing. You do not go to God and come back the same way you went. You do not dwell in his Presence and not experience his beauty and holiness. You cannot seek God's face and not find his favour. Dwelling in a place connotes permanent residence, not seasonal fantasies. I cannot treat God as a spare tyre and expect him to be there at the crash. I cannot treat God as an alternative, and blame him when he seems not to act. Dwelling in a place is living there constantly, irrespective of pressure or the attractions that the world outside holds. It is when I dwell in God that I will see Him at work. It is when I dwell in God that I can seek him and find him. It is when I dwell in God that I rest in the answers i get to my prayer, assured that God knows what he is doing. My relationship with God is the key to unlocking the vast potential that the knowledge of God underlines. You may 'know' all there is to know about how God acts from reading the Word of God; that is the easiest part. You have to move beyond just knowing about God into experiencing God in all his fullness.

What is the one thing you have chosen- the temporary, fleeting thrill that comes from seasonal knowledge about God, or the constant joy that a relationship with Christ can guarantee? Where do you stand?

Sincerely Seeking!

Sincerely Seeking!

And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. Hebrews 11:6 NLT

The extract for today emphasizes the importance of a walk of faith. All that we know about Christ comes from a mixture of personal experience, other people's testimonies and a lot of faith. There are several promises that have been made by God that we are yet to fully experience but the basic ingredient for walking with God is faith. There has to be a witness in my faith that I am on the right path, even the road seems rough and uncertain.

Check out all the heroes of faith that we read and hear about: all of them had to walk with God on the basis of faith. They did not have all the answers, but they knew the God who had all the answers. They did not know all the details of the journey, but they knew the God who would walk with them all the way. Abraham was asked to leave his father's house, and go to a place that at the time he set out, he had no idea where. He just obeyed. He is called the father of faith today.

Too many times, we want to be sure before we set out: our brain is conditioned to logically process everything we hear. It has to be certain, sure and reasonable. With God, it does not always work out that way. You may have to run on faith the greater part of the way, not sure where he is leading, but sure of who is leading. When you are certain of the leader, the destination is sure. When you know that God will not lead you astray, your heart is at rest, willing to go with God wherever he may lead. He does not promise us a life free from trials; he only assured us of his ever-present help. That is good enough for me; is it good enough for you?

Priorities!

Priorities!

One day spent in your house, this beautiful place of worship, beats thousands spent on Greek island beaches. I’d rather scrub floors in the house of my God than be honored as a guest in the palace of sin. Psalm 84:10 MSG

Every day is the Lord's day, but Sundays are usually referred to as the Lord's day. Whatever day you hold precious, consider this: what do you do with the day of God has instituted? What activities do you engage in daily, not just the Lord's day?

The Psalmist had a fundamental understanding of priorities and I believe we will learn from his statement here. According to the Message Translation here, He says: One day spent in God's house is better than thousands spent in expensive Greek island  beaches. It is not a focus on the building, but on the personality you seek in the appointment. The focus is on God, not the people. Fellowship is important, but it will only make sense when all who gather in fellowship come to seek the person behind the gathering, not just for the sake of gathering. As you join others in worship, whether yesterday or today, who do you seek?

The Psalmist further says that: 'he would rather scrub floors in the house of His God than be honored as a guest in the palace of sin'. That's a fundamental departure from what we are used to. The world teaches us esteem, self-worth and value, claiming that some things are beneath us. The world teaches us to pursue noble, worthy things, and not degrade ourselves into menial, worthless endeavours. We now have people in church who consider some assignments menial and demeaning, who feel that their gifts must not be relegated. Once you do not value them or their gifts, they break out and go start their own 'church'. Unfortunately, when you are dealing with God, you must remember that just as the parts of the body are many, with various functions, including waste processors and eliminators, so do we have in the church various functions and assignments. Each part is content to do its bit, conscious of the fact that if one part does not function well, the whole body suffers. Sin does not have to be bold or in-your-face; God calls ALL unrighteousness sin.

This day, check again. What are my priorities? Am I focused on earthly gain or eternal value? Am I conscious of the impact I am making or am I content to be where God has placed me, working in his strength and grace?