Striving Right!

Strive to live in peace with everybody and pursue that consecration and holiness without which no one will [ever] see the Lord. Hebrews 12:14 AMPC

As representatives and ambassadors, you really cannot live outside the dictates and terms of engagement determined by the principal. When you acknowledge God as the leader of your life and the determinant of your decisions, then your life must look like the One you represent. The key words here are important:

1. I must STRIVE to live in peace with all men. Nothing is said about other people's reactions; I only need to watch mine. Nothing guarantees that other men will respond the right way to me, yet God commands me to strive to live in peace. It means I must go out of my way, I must work at it, I must not take things for granted or make assumptions. There is no room for pride, conceit or feelings of superiority. I cannot earn God's favour by strength, but when I am set free in my knowledge of God, I can pursue his will without fear.

2. I must PURSUE consecration and holiness. It is a picture of a race, either away from something or towards something. Joseph ran away from Potiphar's wife, Samson slept off on the laps of Delilah. We know how both ended up- used by God, but with different eternal consequences. There is a price to pay for holiness, but an even greater price for an unholy life.

Striving and pursuing gives a picture of activity. I can't add anything to what Christ has settled; I can only stand in that victory and secure my environment for Christ. I can't fold my arms and expect that everything will just fall into place; you must RUN the race before me, WALK by faith everyday and FIGHT the good fight of faith.

Do you know what is at stake? Eternity is. Seeing God at the end of our stay on earth must be the utmost desire of all of us. Life never truly starts until it is surrendered to the One called Life himself. Have you taken that step of surrender and sought his help to strive right? His time of favour is here.

Casting Right!

Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you; He will never allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail). [I Pet. 5:7.] Psalm 55:22 AMPC

In context, the Psalmist here had experienced treachery, betrayal of trust and vicious attacks. Men who he called 'friends' had turned their backs and forsaken him, whilst others planned evil attacks. It does not matter how many assurances man gives you; you cannot fully trust man. The first command in today's extract is in two folds: we are asked to cast all our burden and to cast it right upon the Lord. You don't cast your burden and still hold on to it; you don't give it to God and still hold tightly to it. You can't do both- cast and hold on. You can't play both sides too.

The promise from God is that he will sustain you. When hearts are heavy and life is burdensome, give all the cares to God. He says he will sustain. It means that I cannot worry about what I have already given up. That has become God's worry and business. His promise also is that the righteous will never be moved. Deep words.

Who is a righteous person? That is a man who has made God his only focus of trust and faith, and does not rely on human knowledge, connection or ability. There is no faith in human attributes of wealth, position, power or possessions. When things don't go according to plan, s/he is not bothered because there is an understanding that God is sovereign.  He is the One who holds up so we don't fall; he's the One who sustains so we don't burn out. Even when the Righteous fall, there is an assurance that God will always raise him up, no matter how many times s/he falls.

Are you weary? Are you burdened? Work on your focus- God says cast those burdens on him. He has capacity to absorb them. Leave them there and see God move heaven and earth in order to prove his love and affection for you. His time of favour is here.

Process!

For this reason I am telling you, whatever things you ask for in prayer [in accordance with God’s will], believe [with confident trust] that you have received them, and they will be given to you. MARK 11:24 AMP

That’s why I urge you to pray for absolutely everything, ranging from small to large. Include everything as you embrace this God-life, and you’ll get God’s everything. Mark 11: ‬24 MSG

Two versions of the same Scripture, and with the deep things of God revealed. First there must be an asking, not a murmuring, complaining or grumbling about an issue to anyone. It is important that I ask God for whatever I want, not talk to men about it first. When I place men ahead of God, I make him a second option or an alternative. He is the only One who can give me all I need, so I must ask aright.

Secondly, my asking must be in prayer. It sounds ordinary, but I believe God considers it important. Do I go to God in daily devotion, ASKing for his will and purpose for my life, SEEKing his direction for my activities, and KNOCKing on his door of favour daily? Is it a daily walk or a seasonal experience?

God's will is the paramount consideration, not my needs. This is hard, but it is the only way to getting God on your side. When I pray, I must settle my heart on obedience to his will and direction. God never takes away our choice of freewill, but he knows that our lives will only make impact when we are aligned with his will. He keeps his eyes on the future, so that today will align with his plans for tomorrow. I therefore rest in that knowledge, because I know I am safe in his will.

Faith is the key ingredient in getting what I ask for, seek or knock at. There is nothing as interesting as holding on to God for daily sustenance, knowing that bank balances, houses or possessions are not the insurance, but God's presence and promises to you are.

When all are aligned, you are guaranteed answers. God is a Father with deep love for his children, and he can move heaven and earth for their sake. Am I his child? Have I surrendered control to Him? Am I holding on to the false assurances of the temporal and the physical? Time will destroy all these; God alone lasts forever. His time of favour is here.

Help? Anyone?

I look up to the mountains; does my strength come from mountains? No, my strength comes from God , who made heaven, and earth, and mountains. Psalm 121:1‭-‬2 MSG

Indeed, how and what you see determine what you get. There are many eyes that look and behold but not too many eyes see right. The world teaches us to look and observe and critically examine, but the world does not have any kind of insight into the things that really matter. The world teaches us to install the right gadgets, acquire the latest, learn the contemporary and know what is happening around you. This advice is very good, but beyond the acquisitions, what matters is the matter of the heart, not the eyes. It is the state of your heart and  its pursuits that will determine what you become.

The Psalmist here must have considered the many options available. Some would have seen the high mountains and felt secure; the  psalmist saw them, yet considered them inadequate for protection: a matter of the eyes that see. Others would have considered the mountains around Jerusalem as sufficient protection against enemies, but as we know, the city was attacked and conquered more than once. How do you see? What do you see? Do you trust in man-made devices and secure yourself with the latest contraptions? Have you based your safety on the ephemeral measures of the world around you?

Like the Psalmist, for a short while, take your gaze away from the measures, principles, policies and gadgets around you, and focus on God. His nature guarantees you all you need. When you call him the Protector, he is both the One who protects and the One who gives protection. You cannot acknowledge God for who he is, and then go outside of God to get what you want. He is a complete package, with all of life and Godliness packaged in Him.

Everything your heart may behold today, remember, God made them all. He is the One who can secure you when all of life's security has been stripped away. How do you explain Daniel in the lions' den or the 3 Hebrew boys in the fiery furnace? If God would not secure you, you have everything to fear. But if God secures you, who is the person, born of woman, that can harm you? His time of favour is here.

Getting it Right!

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. Romans 10:9‭-‬10 NIV

The question of eternity must be answered by all of us. It does not matter how long or short you live; one day, this phase called earth will come to an end and you will have to settle your eternal destination. There are a lot of suggestions  and claims everywhere you turn, but form today's extract, there is a process established by God for man to be certain of his eternal destination.

First, your heart and your mouth can never be in discord. You may pretend for a while, say something and mean something else, but over a period of time, the truth about your motives and intentions will become apparent. That is why there can be no talk of the mouth without a corresponding comment of the  heart. With God, you don't confess something with your mouth and mean something else in your heart. It is not an option; you are either all in with both, or not in at all.

Secondly, it does matter what you say and what you believe. Beyond just speaking, what are you saying? Your mouth has got to say the right words. You may be truly sorry about your past, and really wish to live differently, but Jesus has got to be Lord of your life if that life will make sense. Being morally upright, good in character or the best of people by the world's standards will not be sufficient. You must confess Jesus as Lord. That is the hardest thing to do: admit your helplessness and accept the free gift in faith. It works though.

Your heart also must believe that his death and life is the guarantee of your eternity. Your journey to eternity starts at the foot of the cross. Until you know, understand and accept that Life is only available in Christ, you have not begun the journey. Justification, sanctification and salvation are all available through Christ, not from good works or family connections.

So, where are you headed? What destination are you working towards? His time of favour is here.

Divine Seal!

and [pray] that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not everyone has the faith. But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you [setting you on a firm foundation] and will protect and guard you from the evil one. 2 THESSALONIANS 3:2- 3 AMP

We live in strange times. Innocent lives are taken for no just cause, men act as if they personally own and hold the keys to eternity, we act as if we are not accountable to anyone. All over the world, persecution and evil seem to be gaining ground. Part of the reason for this sorry state of affairs is given in today's extract: 'not everyone has the faith'. Sounds simple, but in effect, the output of your life is determined by the value of your inner content. What your life produces can never be different from the qualities and personality of your  control centre. If your faith is in mental or physical things, you are in trouble, because God assures us that all we hold and own today will be destroyed one day by unquenchable fire.

When confronted by evil, what is your reaction? When things don't go the way you have planned it, and pressure mounts to compromise or stand down, what motivates you to go on? Paul had experienced God like never before, so his words here give hope: God is faithful. That statement is true for all eternity. It has been true long before the world as we see it was formed, and it will remain so for all eternity. When nothing else works, God works. When human support fails, God never leaves. When weakness threatens, his strength is available. When danger lurks, he says 'I am your refuge'. There is no situation so dire that God is not aware of or made adequate provision to solve. How he solves it is his prerogative; how we respond to him is our choice.

Check your foundations today. Are they set on the feeble, temporal comforts around you? Have you founded your faith on the unchangeable and immovable foundation of faith in God and his finished work through Christ? Remember, 'Faith' is a daily walk with God, even when you don't understand his leading. His time of favour is here.

Power of Words!

Gracious speech is like clover honey— good taste to the soul, quick energy for the body. Proverbs 16:24 MSG

There is no doubt about the power of words. Contemporary realities keep attesting to the power inherent in both the spoken and the written word. Wars have been fought and lives wasted, simply through the wrong use of words. Lives have also been saved and great things established through the right use of words. Same content, but different outcomes.

For the natural man, it is easier to speak than to dispense grace. The natural man never sees anyone better than he is, and he is always trying to get even or to give as good as he gets. However, God calls us to a better life, one with a good grasp of what he wants and how we can do what pleases him. The key word here is 'grace'.  You can speak all you want, prove you are right or make a point, but you must do all with God's grace in full view. A man who is conscious of the grace he has received is quick to share the same grace with others. Anyone who has enjoyed God's mercy, and has received what he didn't naturally merit, will never be in a hurry to condemn others. His words, conduct and relationships will show that fact.

Words that have grace as ingredients are like honey: gives good taste to the bones and gives quick energy to the body. Nutritional facts back up these assertions about honey. Can my life be truly aligned with the attributes of honey? Do my words heal or destroy? Am I more interested in proving a point or in dispensing grace? When people sit and listen to what I have to say, do they go back with hearts that have received grace?  Remember, a life that has received grace is an ambassador of grace; I must represent the One who gave me grace, so that through my life, conduct and words, others will experience and embrace the same grace. His time of favour is here.

Identity!

Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. Ecclesiastes 7:9 NIV

To place the above in context, the Preacher was emphasizing the importance of patience, and the danger of pride. The verse before today's extract talks about the end of a matter being better than the beginning. This statement is true on so many levels. When you consider the importance of relationships, that advice is critical and fundamental. If you know and appreciate the value of what you have, you will be quick to resolve misunderstandings. Same with God: if you know God on the heart-level, you will not do anything to jeopardize that relationship.

Then, immediately comes today's advice or counsel: do not be quickly provoked in your spirit. Your control tower determines your reaction. You can say all the right words, and put up the best attitude; what you do when pressure mounts and offences come, will be the result of your command/control centre. Who is in charge there? Have you solved the "Identity" question?

In so many places, the danger of anger without control is emphasized. The Bible says "Be angry, and sin not". That advice would not be so critical if God did not understand just how much sin crouches close to a quick temper. The first murder in the Bible was due to silent anger. Throughout the bible, we see the result of lack of self-control; men giving in to the desire to get even with others, forgetting that God is the ultimate judge, and he alone will reward each man for his actions.

Anger resides in the laps of fools. Fools also say in their hearts that 'There is no God'. Who am I? Am I quick to anger, or have I given total control to God? Do I have close friendships with men who are also quick to anger? Self-control is one of the fruit of the Spirit, while fits of rage is one of the manifestations of a life controlled by the flesh. If I review my life honestly, in the light of God's Word, where do I fit? If God were to publish an assessment of my life for all to see, who would he say I am? His time of favour is here.

Persistence in Prayer 2

For everyone who keeps on asking receives, and he who keeps on seeking finds, and to him who keeps on knocking, it will be opened. MATTHEW 7:8 AMP

Following from yesterday's extract, all who know God are mandated to ask him for anything. God has already stated categorically in 2 Peter 1:3 ASV that " .....his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness...." It then follows that asking God does not catch him by surprise, and he does not have to go looking for provision. All I need had been put in place long before I was born or before I ever even dreamt of the need.

Asking is a choice. We could murmur, grumble, complain or talk to a friend about our predicament, but for effective and conclusive solutions to our problems, God has laid down just one sure way that works, and that is by asking Him. How you ask also determines how and what you get. Our key word yesterday was "Relationship". When I know and love God, his desires will be my utmost pursuits. When I know and love God, my priorities take second place to his purpose. When I know and love God, my requests and desires are such that will advance his purpose and not my own priorities.

So, ask, seek and knock. The promise is for EVERYONE, and excludes nobody, unless you have excluded  yourself. Science teaches that for all actions, there is an equal and opposite reaction. The same is true for our spiritual walk too. Ask for anything in His name, he is bound by his name to do all he has promised. Seek his will, purpose and kingdom and watch him move mountains on your behalf. Knock on the doors of opportunity, favour and provision that he leads you to, and see how he places before you open doors that no man, dead or alive, can shut. I must keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking. My relationship with God is the key that unlocks the vast potential that is available for me in Christ. Nothing else will work. His time of favour is here.

Persistence in Prayer

“ Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you. MATTHEW 7:7 AMP

The words of Jesus himself. He owns all things and has promised to give us all that we need, yet he demands that we ask, seek and knock. He has assured us that no demand on earth can exhaust the resources of heaven,  yet he expects us to make that demand on those resources. He has been introduced to us as God our Provider, yet he wants to hear me ask and knock and wants to see me seeking him out. The first word that comes to my heart is "Relationship".

God can give me all I desire and need even without me saying a word. After all, the earth as we see it now was already created, with all its resources, long before man was made. Even when there was no man, a mist came from under the ground to water the earth, so God can sustain the earth even without our help. It is a privilege for us to be counted worthy of working with God to sustain, nourish and improve his creation.

So God says ask and keep on asking. You don't ask once and shut up, thinking you are disturbing God, or maybe you need to keep reminding him over and over again. " Relationship ": he desires to hear my voice, as I speak with him in frequent prayer. He says I should seek, and keep on seeking. On this side of earth, you can never have a full knowledge of who God is. You keep discovering, you keep knowing more. It is a never-enform process, and the fullness only commences on the other side of eternity. He says I should knock and keep on knocking. Sometimes, our staying power is tested by God when he 'delays' in giving us answers. He tests our convictions, seeking to know if we will stay the course even when things are not working out the way we planned it.

In all situations, there is an equal and commensurate response from God. That is a promise you can bank on, that God would always do whatever he has promised. Nothing I experience can diminish God's power and might. All he needs from me is absolute devotion and commitment. He is faithful; can I be trusted to do as he has asked? His time of favour is here.

Teachable?

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you [who are willing to learn] with My eye upon you. PSALM 32:8 AMP

God is always looking for people whose lives he can use. His usage of a life depends on that life's availability. Too many times, we seek an announcement without a preparation. We want to be celebrated without being tested. Unfortunately, with God, his power and anointing are too precious to be sent on unprepared vessels.

We see God here stating his desire for as many as would surrender their lives to him. When you surrender all, you tell God- "Here am  I". You are telling God that you want to be used, you are yielded and available. That is the hardest part. We are by nature full of ourselves. On our own, we can never admit to our weaknesses and limitations. God's part is simple-  he will instruct and teach and show us the right path; ours is to surrender all to him.

Are you willing to learn? Have you surrendered control to the only One who can give true life? Are you teachable and reachable? Remember,  God is watching and seeing all. Nothing escapes his attention. With him, pretence, eye-service and hypocrisy do not work; only a sincere heart, seeking God and his purpose, will work. His time of favour is here.

Life Fundamentals

“Therefore I tell you, stop being worried or anxious (perpetually uneasy, distracted) about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, as to what you will wear. Is life not more than food, and the body more than clothing? MATTHEW 6:25 AMP

How do you define 'Life? Is it a summary of possessions, or the depth of cease? There is always a world definition for every term, but there is also a God definition for the same term too, and it is important to know and follow God's definition. Today's extract seeks to define life from God's perspective.

God admonishes us to cease worrying over life. Why? Because none of us can change a single thing about what God has planned. We do not have control over the next minute or second, and we do not hold any power over all of life. It must be really humbling to experience such helplessness, knowing that you can't do a single thing to change what God has planned. Yet, man will try his best, relying on position, influence, wealth and privilege to change things.

Jesus here says: you can't help yourself. You can't change anything on your own, except to make it worse. You can't add a single cubit to your height or a single hour to your life. So, what would your worrying achieve? The question of eternity will never be answered with the abundance of wisdom, intellect, power, position or possessions.

So, look through the whole spectrum of life- eating, drinking, wearing, occupying and all others. God has promised to take care of all these. It is not about ability, capacity or influence; it is about God's name at stake. He has tied his reputation to the veracity of his Word, and he will move heaven and earth to fulfil his word. That is God- faithful as ever.  What of me? Can I trust him enough not to worry? His time of favour is here.

State of Heart!

And Jesus replied to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart , and with all your soul , and with all your mind .’ MATTHEW 22:37 AMP

To put today's extract in proper context, your search for God has got to be right. You must seek God with a heart that is free from pretence, hypocrisy and eye service. Just as it was in the days of Jesus, today, we find 'lawyers' everywhere, men with a deep knowledge of the letter of the law, but completely ignorant about the workings of the Spirit. We have emphasized the importance of head knowledge over and above a broken heart that acknowledges its weaknesses and seeks out the only One that can restore it.

So, a lawyer comes to Jesus, seeking to test him, asking him which of the over 6,000 commands given by Moses was the greatest. We do that today, seeking validation and approval from men in areas where we appear strong, whilst hiding the truths about our weaknesses so that we are not seen as weak. We want man's applause for our efforts, forgetting that man's applause never equals God's approval. If Jesus had given the lawyer a favourable answer, he would have felt self sufficient, thinking he had got the whole thing working well. That rich young ruler who came to Jesus was looking for validation, and focused on the written letters of the law. When confronted with the state of his heart, he went away sad, because he could not give up his possessions in order to fulfill the 'Spirit' requirements of the law. 

So it is with us today. God's commandments are a guide for our daily living, but no man alive can ever succeed in walking with God unless and until that man has a living, breathing love relationship with God. You can't obey God without loving him and you can't claim to love God if you do not obey. The two go together. Do not seek God for what you can get first of all; seek him out for who he is.

Your heart, soul and mind are all key to this relationship. So many verses talk about the importance of these three. Your heart is the seat of life, the processing centre for everything your life produces. When your heart is right, your output is right. When there is pretence,  God knows. Your soul is your real essence, the part of you that is eternal. The body is just the cover, and will return to dust. Your mind is the seat of intellect and understanding, and you study God's word, you get a deeper understanding of who this God is and what he  has done, can do and is doing presently.

So, what is the state of your heart? Can God confirm that your  love for him is genuine? Do you need to search your heart again? His time of favour is here.

Wisdom!

The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; But arrogant fools despise [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction and self-discipline. PROVERBS 1:7 AMP

Fear is both good and bad, depending on the context and the subject/object of the fear. When you fear man, you have convinced yourself that man has the power of life and death over you. That fear is crippling and burdensome, because you always have to adjust your expectations and life to what man wants. When you fear God, you have convinced yourself that He has the power of life and death over you. However, this fear does not cripple; rather it frees you to live the kind of life that pleases God, because you have known him, his ways, and his expectations for your life.

Please note that you cannot have both. You can't fear God and also fear man at the same time. It is impossible to place your life in God's hands and still allow the desire for man's approval and applause run your life. Fear of God is reverent; it holds God in high regard and acknowledges his power and might. A man who will claim to be truly wise must start the journey to true wisdom through the path of fear and awe of God. When you fear God, you open your heart to God, and you give him access to teach you deep things about him. What was the difference between Saul and David? Saul would sin and still be looking for Samuel's approval and public affirmation; David would run to God for forgiveness. No wonder the end of both of them were different.

Do not also forget: Christ has been declared to be the 'wisdom and the power of God'. You really cannot claim to know or fear God if you reject what he has laid down as the path to life. God calls him the 'Way, the Truth and the Life'. Fools despise and reject godly wisdom and then wonder why their world is falling to pieces. Wise men continually seek God and desire to please him. They receive and adhere to instructions for life and they make impact for God everywhere they go. That is the testimony of a life that fears God. What would it be for you? His time of favour is here.

God's Timing

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God [set aside self-righteous pride], so that He may exalt you [to a place of honor in His service] at the appropriate time, 1 PETER 5:6 AMP

God is always at work - that has been a settled and indisputable  truth. He is also looking for someone after his heart, someone who he can visit, empower and use to make impact in his/her generation for him. You could wonder why the mighty God, with the mighty hand, would still be looking for people, when he has power to command anyone to do his will.  This is where God's nature is even more mysterious- he seeks our cooperation as he moves to change the world around us.

First of all, we must humble ourselves. The responsibility of placing our hearts before God, asking for his help daily is ours. God will do the work, but we must do the submitting of our own free will. If you wait for God to do the humbling, disgrace usually follows.

Secondly, God's mighty hand is the major factor in our decision. If we acknowledge God's power, we will not be forced to submit to him. It appears that sin has blinded us to our own limitations and inadequacies, and we have been deceived into thinking that we are self-sustaining, without any need of help from God. A life that has surrendered to Christ knows the difference between reliance on self and total dependence on God. The consequences of both are obvious all around us.

Thirdly, when I know God is always at work, it means that I will not miss my day of visitation and manifestation, as long as I stay true to purpose. I cannot announce myself; I cannot claim to have arrived. It has never been about me and my gifts in the first place; it is always about God and his glory. My life and its gifts are the medium through which God wants to work to bring out his glory in our lives. I must therefore allow him work, allow him deal with me, and allow him use me how, when and where he pleases. After all, it is his creation, his gifts and his platform; I am just privileged to be a vessel in his hands.

Don't worry yourself about the platform of manifestation. The world has an expectation of someone who has 'arrived'; God has a different view. You only arrive when God has brought you there, not when you have arranged it. Who is the inspiration behind your present pursuit? His time of favour is here.

Daily Delight!

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord , and who meditates on his law day and night. Psalm 1:1‭-‬2 NIV

We all desire blessings from God. In fact, all of us ascribe our visible signs of 'success' to God, even if we have gone outside God to get them. We are creatures who have been given a mandate to increase and multiply and we are only fulfilled when we are pursuing that purpose. How then do we get God to bless what we do? How do I align myself with what God is doing?

1. I must watch where I walk, where and how I stand and where I sit. Indeed, I must watch every output of my life so that God can be glorified thereby. It is a misnomer for a child of God to be engaged in activities that God has expressly forbidden. It is improper for a child of God to live in sin. It is an abomination for a child of God to sit with those who mock everything about God. It is not about seeking to be popular; it is about knowing the God you have and what he wants, so that you can please him daily.

2. It is not an  occasional thing,  but a daily living. You do not walk with God some days of the week and walk with the world the other days. The risk of pollution is high. You must fix your eyes on the goal- pleasing God- and ignore all distractions and detours.

3. There is nothing like an empty vessel. At every point in time in your life, you are either being filled with something, or you are giving out something. You can never give out what you do not have, neither can you make a withdrawal of good things out of an account that you have not invested anything good.

4. The priority must be knowing and following God daily. The world understands the power of knowledge. It has a wealth of information and resources to hep build a well- read and knowledgeable person, but it has no eternal value without a true knowledge of God. The world cannot fill that void, because it does not know or acknowledge God. God's Word clearly tells us about God, and his demands on us. As we walk with him daily, seeking his will for our lives  and doing what he pleases, we are blessed beyond measure. As we read about him daily, we know him more intimately and his desire becomes our ultimate pursuit.

Can this be said about me? Is that the testimony of my life? Have I allowed the world's style dictate terms for me? Is walking with God a daily or seasonal thing? His time of favour is here.

Fact!

For with God nothing [is or ever] shall be impossible.”
LUKE 1:37 AMP

For no word from God will ever fail.” Luke 1:37 NIV

As we journey through life, we will come across several people, situations and circumstances that will test our principles and  foundations, in order to confirm if what we have and hold is the genuine article. God would also not commit genuine, precious assignments into the hands of an untested and untrusted vessel, lest that vessel mess up the assignment. What then is required by us, as we trust God to help us walk in line with his will? What does today's extract say?

First, we must understand the source and origin of all that we have and hold. Man has found confidence in himself- his position, possessions and power; however, life has shown that these things do not last and cannot even sustain you on the journey to eternity. What then is the right source- it is a Word from God. When all around you is uncertain and unsure, what God says is the only anchor that will hold you up and sustain you. Nothing else will.

Second, when you have understood the source, you must trust the Source completely. Too many times, man has seen and treated God as one of many options. We take God as equal with other choices, and we assume that if he fails, there are other options to explore. Unfortunately, life has also shown that God alone lasts forever. There is a big difference between knowing the source and trusting completely in the source. One can be obtained from reading about him or hearing about his exploits as testimonies, but the other is forged through experiences. As you experience difficulties and hardships, whilst holding on to God, what you have read and heard about him is applied to your life, and you see God in a new light. Nobody can help you trust God, you must learn it by yourself, because what you know is first personal, before you can show/teach it to others.

Thirdly, an undeniable fact; the source has power that cannot be faulted or countered. I am yet to see a man who stood against God and lived to tell the story. With God, nothing fails. With God, everything he says or does is loaded with his nature, power and might. You can't stand against him if he is at work; you will do best to just hold on to him and his never-failing Word.

I hold on to God. I have learnt that everything around me is temporary; only God and whoever he helps actually stands. What would it be for you? His time of favour is here.

Attitude!

Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [greatest] reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve. COLOSSIANS 3:23‭-‬24 AMP

Life is always about action and activity. We find fulfilment in the things that we do or create, and it is not a wonder, because we were formed by a very creative God. We can only showcase his power in us when we work to bring out his glory and power in our lives. How do we achieve this:

1. It is not about what you do, it is about how we do it. It is a bit hard to wake up in the morning and go to the job that you hate so much. Maybe its time to stop seeing it as a job and start seeing it as a pulpit, from where you showcase God's amazing power and grace in your life. When you work from the soul, giving your best, you tell the world watching you that you are a different stock and you aspire to higher standards. It is not about an office job; it is about your platform through which God can touch the world through you.

2. Get the master-servant relationship right. Most times, we are fixated on the attitude of the boss, forgetting that the boss also has a master to answer to. It then means that I must keep my eyes fixed on pleasing the ultimate master, and the way I work must show that I serve a God who rewards men, not on the level of hypocrisy and eye-service, but with sincere devotion. The day we surrendered control to Christ, we told him that he is Lord, Master and Saviour. Our daily lives cannot deny that truth.

3. I am working for a reward. Trust me, everything in life has a consequence, good or bad. There is nothing done in secret that will not be revealed, and the motives of men are laid bare before God who sees all. Yet we pretend to work, while we are busy wasting God's precious resource - time. At the end of time, the true reward of what we did or didn't do will be delivered. If you were to be given the sincere rewards for your work today, what would it be - good or bad?

As a new working week starts, see whatever you do as stewardship for God. After all, there is nothing you hold now that you will take with you to eternity. We are only working for God, and our attitude will determine our eventual altitude. His time of favour is here.

New Mercies

It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22‭-‬23 KJV

Last time I checked, the wages of sin is still death. God's standards have remained the same since before the fall of man and he continues to reiterate his desire and purpose for man. Before man fell, God has given direct instructions on life. However, man chose his own way and the results have become apparent. However, even at the fall, God made plans for man's  rising. He established a way of mercy, whereby through Christ, we could be reconciled back to God and not suffer the punishment that our sin deserved.

Let's get it straight- for all actions, there are consequences. For sin, it is death and destruction. However, mercy has intervened and we talk about second, third, fourth chances and many others. It is this mercy that is the focus of today's extract. If we seriously consider our past and present, we will agree that we stand where we are because of mercy. David wasn't the best of people, but God promised him his sure mercies and generations after, even in the time of Jesus, appealed to that same mercy and got the desired miracles.

God's mercies know no bounds. It has got nothing to do with wealth, otherwise the rich of this world would make it unaffordable for millions. It  has got nothing to do with intellect, otherwise the learned would take it all and leave nothing else. God, in his infinite wisdom, has tied his mercy to his person and all who will enjoy it must come to him as they are, without pretence.

As a new day and week starts, we have fresh new mercies lined up for us. They come in daily, fresh doses and are available for all who will come to God as they are. You could be dirty, unworthy and unqualified, but then, if you were perfect, mercy would make no sense. Come, just as you are, and take freely what what has been purchased at a high price by Christ himself. Come now, tomorrow is uncertain. Mercy is free but it would not always be there. Once man dies, the next thing is judgment. Before that comes, make sure you have taken advantage of the mercy available. His time of favour is here.

Success Defined!

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall read [and meditate on] it day and night, so that you may be careful to do [everything] in accordance with all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will be successful. JOSHUA 1:8 AMP

The world has a definition of success, and the results of that definition is always visible. The Word  of God also has a definition of success and its results also are visible and tangible. How does God define success and prosperity:

1. My mouth must never lack the right words from the right source. It all starts from the contents of the inner man. I can only speak what has been deposited inside of me. If all I have is junk, my lips will only produce junk. If I have spent time investing on the right contents- the Word of God- then when I speak, lives are blessed because I am speaking Life himself.

2. Reading and meditating on the Word of God is fundamental to the journey to success and prosperity. God's Word contains directives, recipes and ways to please God and live a life of impact. When you read and meditate, you become aware of the amazing God you have come to know.

3. You must take a step further into obedience. Knowing God's will is a waste of effort if you are not going to obey what he commands. Spending time reading about God will not guarantee you success if you are not quick to obey what the same God commands. Obedience also must be on God's terms, not ours. We do not decide what to obey or how to obey, we simply obey as directed. It is hard, especially when you do not understand the why and the how of the commands, but then, God never has to first make sense for you to obey; obedience will later help make sense of what God has commanded.

4. All the above lead to success as defined by God. The world emphasizes the outward, the physical and the visible; God works first on the inner man, exposes  his Word to that inner man, deals with all pride and self sufficiency, and then the man is empowered to make impact for God.

What is my own focus; success as defined by the Word of God or the world of men? Both have different priorities and different destinations. Choose well, choose life; his time of favour is here.

God Watches!

The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.” 1 Peter 3:12 NLT

This must be one of  the most ignored warnings in the Bible. Slowly, yet steadily, there are generations that have found interesting and novel ways to break God's commands and do their own things. Since the fall of man in the garden of Eden, the natural man has always desired independence, freedom from all limits and  self-help. Throughout the Bible, we read of men who disobeyed and were punished, and of men who followed God closely and were rewarded. Yet, we seem to persist in our own ways and means, somehow assuming that we can do what we please, how we please and when we please, and still fulfil God's purpose for our lives.

Today's extract reminds us again of God's ways and our own responsibilities. God is searching out men who know him and do what is right. Right from before the days of Adam, God has been at work, and he seeks men and women who share his heart and can represent him in the world. Just like God told Asa king of Judah, in 2 Chronicles 16:9 KJV: For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him.

That is God- always seeking out a man, always desirous to show forth his power, desirous to make a big impact in the lives of those who follow him. He longs to hear their prayers and grant them their desires in line with his will. Another warning though: He also turns his face away from those who do evil. The problem is we are always focused on the outward, visible signs of the success of the wicked; we never consider their end. God wants us to change the focus, keep an eye on what is truly important and seek out his will for our lives.

Today, check your focus. Are you more interested in the world's definition of success, or in God's amazing favour? Nothing the world gives you will last beyond the here; only what God gives you will last your lifetime, and generations after you will reap from  the same favour. Ask Abraham, ask David and ask Jesus himself. His time of favour is here.

Reflecting Christ!

Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:31‭-‬32 MSG

When the Bible talks about change, it is not a focus first on the outer, but on the inner. With man, change is first about the external: change in habits, lifestyle, relationships and all. This is part of the inner change but the first thing that God must work on is our inner man.  When the inner man has been changed, all the external evidence of change will make sense. With man, there is a focus on effort; with God, there is a total reliance on the help of the Holy Spirit to sustain the change.

That is the thrust of today's extract. When a man claims to know God, there must be a clear difference between the former and the present life. When a man claims to know God, the world must notice a difference between its own standards and those of that man. Backbiting and profane talk are not the products of a regenerated inner man. When a man has met with God, his life experiences a total turnaround for good. A life given to inanities becomes focused on the things that God considers important.

When you read about the 'fruit' of the Spirit, do you consider the fact that all 9 attributes are seen as one fruit? You cannot know God and be choosy with the fruit that your life is expected to bear. When you are born into a family, you bear a new name and assume all the nature and features attributable to that name. It is the same with spiritual matters. When you surrender to Christ, you bear a new name and live in accordance with the dictates of that new name.

Forgiveness is mentioned, maybe because it is one of the hardest things to give as humans. We hold on to a sense of self-righteousness when others offend us, but we are quick to seek mercy when the consequences of our own evil actions come. God has laid down an example for us to follow: forgive as quickly and as thoroughly as God forgave us. He offered his life even when we didn't deserve it, and he keeps knocking on the door of our hearts, seeking to come in and prove himself mighty in us. His life is still on offer for as many as would accept him. His mercy is still available and will remain available until rapture/judgement. Take advantage of this offer now. He wants to change you to be like him. He wants to empower you to live like Him. Would you let him? Would you surrender all? His time of favour is here.

Called to Holiness

For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 1:9 NLT

It is important to consider the basis of our position in Christ and what that position entails or demands from us. God clearly underlines the basis of the relationship that he calls us to, and it is very clear that God is the One taking the initiative every step of  the way. First he created man and breathed into him. He placed man in the environment where he would thrive and fulfil purpose, but man fell. Yet, God would not give up. Right there in the place of sin, mercy spoke about a plan for salvation through the seed of  the woman. It was not an emergency plan; nothing catches the eternal God by surprise. He knew what was ahead and made adequate eternal provision for any eventuality.

Christ is the basis of our stand in God. Nothing else has been given, no other channel has been approved. If God called us by himself, we owe it to Him to discover why he called. The extract above clearly shows the basis of our call- to live like God, to be his representative, to live a Holy life. Everything else is extras; the only reason why we were called out and saved is to live holy, like God. If it were not possible, God would not make such a demand on us. The reason why God demands such from us is also indicated in today's extract- it is not because we deserve it. With God, merit, connection, ability, capacity, intellect and capability do not count for anything; long before I was born, God had already laid the foundations of my relationship with him through Christ. All I had to do was believe and receive.

In Christ, the first and most important reality isn't so much about what I can get from Him, but how I should live my life in appreciation of what he has done. If someone has given his life for me, the best I can do is to live my life in daily appreciation of that love. Too many times, those who claim to have Christ live by standards set by those who do not know God or who have rejected his gift. We pursue possessions, position, power, influence and privilege, forgetting that nothing in this life lasts, except the One who lives forever and only those found in Him are guaranteed life after now. Everything else you touch down here is just but for a moment.

Grace has been offered and grace is personified through Christ. He is the certified way to God and he is the fulfilment of God's eternal plan for all of mankind. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life; life itself must go through him if it will be relevant and will make impact. There is no place for self-esteem and qualifications; those things don't count when it comes to grace. There is no "I" or "me" in Grace. It is all about God, helping me run the race that he has set before me and providing all that I need to ensure that I end well. His time of favour is here.

At Home!

But if you make yourselves at home with me and my words are at home in you, you can be sure that whatever you ask will be listened to and acted upon. John 15:7 MSG

There is a big difference between the people who know the Bible and those who know the God of the Bible. We also seem to make a distinction between  the words that we read and the person who personifies those words Himself. We read the Bible and enjoy its stories, forgetting that nothing makes sense if read outside the inspiration, direction and inspiration of the One called the Word of God.

Today's extract contains a peculiar statement: 'make yourself at home with me and my words are at home in you'. You can never make a distinction between the Word of God and the words of God. You cannot accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour and reject his words. Making myself at home with God's word means that i am comfortable with it, even when its words correct and rebuke me. I do not resist its promptings and warnings, because I have accepted it as complete package. Being at  home with Jesus and his Word means that whatever he commands, I do, even when I do not understand.

Note that it is a two-way street. God's Word remains in you and you also remain in God's Word. You can't have it in one direction. You can't abide in God's Word and not have God living in you. You cannot truly know God unless and until you invest time, resources and effort in studying Him through the words he has provided, which is about Himself.

When I know God personally, my prayers and requests line up with his will. When I know God personally, I seek his purpose, not man's applause. When I know God personally, I crave his presence, his assurance, his comfort and his counsel, and all these are accessible through His Word. When I know God personally, I understand that he always answers prayers. I have matured in my thinking, and I do not assume that God must give a YES to all my prayers. Even when he says NO or NOT YET, I do not fret, because I know beyond all doubt that God is at work in my life, and he will bring all to a good end.

God delights in a personal relationship with you. He is the God who moves the ends of the earth for the sake of his own children and he wants to show himself strong in our lives. Will we let him have his way? Will we allow him work in and through us, as he establishes his purpose on earth? His time of favour is here.

Chosen!

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 1 Peter 2:9 KJV

In any generation, names are important. Destinies are tied or defined by the names given to individuals as is evident in Bible times. We see men like Jacob, who despite his best intentions, had to be given a new name by God because he had a destiny to fulfil. We also see men like Jabez, who cried to God when his name was becoming a limiting factor, and though his name was not changed, his destiny was  redefined. It then means that names are important, but it is even more important for God to define your life and chart a course for you. That way, irrespective of whatever name the world calls you, you are on a journey of discovery and impact.

Check out the names God calls us here: 'a chosen generation'. Out of many, called by God. Not just as an individual, but as a generation. It means that all I do now is a seed that children after me will reap from, good or bad. Ask Abraham, whose blessings we are still claiming till today. Or you could ask Judas Iscariot, who may never have anyone bear his names for all eternity.

God also calls us 'a  royal priesthood'. Even in old testament times, NOBODY combined the office of a king and a priest, not even David. But in this generation, God himself assigns both offices to those who are his. Great privilege, yet great responsibility. You can't live anyhow, you can't speak or act as you please, because the world is looking at you. You are a living, breathing testimony of God's power and you must live daily in that consciousness.

God also calls us 'a holy nation'. Holiness is God's attribute, and all who claim his name and blessings must live in that reality. You can never claim to know God and live in sin. You cannot continue in sin and expect grace to abound. 'A peculiar people' means that you cannot hide, unless you are good at compromise. You cannot truly live for God and not be hated by some and loved by others. Your life will prick some  people's hearts while others will mock your stand and principles. Whatever happens, you are confident in the knowledge that God backs you up.

All the names above have a purpose- that my life show forth God's praise. God didn't call me those names so I can be puffed up or think I am the best around; but that I live in the consciousness of the One I represent. I don't have a life of my own; God owns all that I am and have. Am I therefore living like someone who bears the name? Can people call me by those names, confident that I can bear those names to God's glory? Or am I the one claiming the names, while God himself does not reckon with me?

I must settle the question of my identity today. God must re-name me if need be, because it does not matter how the world sees me now or what it calls me, what God says is fundamental. I have an eternal question to answer. My names will be the answer to that eternal question. His time of favour is here.

Vital Link

“I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. John 15:5‭ MSG

Life too is about relationships. There is nobody alive without vital connections. You were born by a person into a family, with ties leading into other families, related by both blood and marriage. You really can't do much about your foundations, because they define your origin and are reference points that help people understand where you are coming from.

Can we draw a parallel between the above and today's extract? This is a picture of a tree, with roots, a vine and branches. There is no part that could exist on its own, and no part exists without taking its nourishment and sustenance from somewhere. Jesus referred to himself as the Vine. That means that as sure as he is, he also takes his nourishment from the roots that go deep down into the ground and hold up the vine. God is that sure foundation and he has established Jesus as the only vine that can support all branches. We are the branches, also taking support, nourishment and sustenance from the vine. If Christ is connected to God, we must be connected to Christ if we are to enjoy the fullness of life that only God can give.

If my life will make impact, my connection with God must be unbroken. Check out the words used: the relation intimate and organic. There is nothing ordinary about a relationship with God. It is unique, special and must be nurtured and sustained. I cannot flip an on/off switch anytime I don't feel like relating with God; it doesn't work that way. The branches do not choose when to be connected; they must always be connected if they are to enjoy the fullness of what God has on offer.

If I am to make impact therefore, I must keep that link secure. My life is like a seed planted on the earth, in the place where God has placed me. I am his hands, eyes, mouth and ears, and all I do must reflect God. If I am filled with Christ, when I speak, act or relate with others, God must be manifest. If I lose that vital link, or I am separated from Christ, then I am powerless, direction-less, and without any hope.

I choose to keep that vital link. The benefits are enormous and eternal, and a permanent loss of connection also has eternal consequences. What will it be for you too? His time of favour is here.

Living like God

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Ephesians 5:1‭-‬2 NLT

We all have mentors of some sorts, or people whose lives are examples that we pattern our lives after. We all have had people whose personal victories had become inspirations for us, challenging us to also aspire to be better individuals. I am also sure that we all have had people whose lives were worthy examples and then suddenly, as a result of personal struggles, these persons compromised in one way or the other, and we felt disappointed and cheated. In that moment, we had forgotten that man will always be a man- helpless and hopeless without God's help. 

Paul's message here is a message for this generation. We have built monuments to men and made them gods in our lives. We have lived for just one picture with a man of God or just a word of favour from him. We have struggled to win man's approval, probably thinking it will bring in quicker returns than waiting on God. As influential as Paul was in his days, he never once directed people's focus on himself; he was always quick to turn men to God. What do we have today- men of God who God does not know or approve of, Christians who are so in name, denomination and church basis only, but without a living, breathing relationship with the true God. Men live for a word from man, forgetting that man is at best, dust, and only the breath of God in him makes him alive and relevant. 

Paul turns our attention to God alone. He says that in everything we do, we must imitate God. Who gives me inspiration for all my pursuits? Does God have a say in my life or do I first seek out man's opinionand approval before setting out. It is not just enough to pursue God in some areas of your life and take charge of other areas; you must seek God in ALL areas. The example of Christ here is just perfect: at a time when we were unlovable and undeserving, he gave his all. He gave his life so we could have life, and he laid down this example as a lesson for us to imitate. That love is the best lesson for us and a guide to our relationship with others. When there is something to gain, can I place other people's interests over and above mine? Can I dare to love and give all like Christ did for me? Easy to say, until the decision to place others ahead of us stares us in the face. 

Love has been shown, life has been given hope has been established, all because of God's grace expressed in Christ. May my life be a worthy reflection of that love and may my life point others in God's direction. His time of favour is here.

Perfect Love

My dear, dear friends, if God loved us like this, we certainly ought to love each other. No one has seen God, ever. But if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and his love becomes complete in us—perfect love! 1 John 4:11‭-‬12 MSG

One very clear message of this season is one of love. All of life is an expression of God's unconditional love. In fact, our lives are what they are because of the love  that was shown and given. A dictionary will define love as a feeling or proven by an action or series of actions, but we see God defined as Love himself, One who through his nature, has proven beyond all doubt that his love is eternal.

If God can then lay this example for us, it means that we have the capacity to do the same. He made us in his image and breathed into us his breath, making us people who can live like him, love like him and impact the world for him. Trust me, the only language the world will respond to is the message of love. There are harsh realities all around us, and the world seems to be on a race course to nowhere particular. However, as people who have received Love, we live differently, we pursue higher priorities and live by higher standards. We don't show love simply because the other person deserves it, but simply because we are also the objects of amazing, unconditional love.

Our walk with God is a walk of Faith. Nobody has indeed seen God, but we have received the imprint of his touch and power in our lives, therefore we cannot remain the same. When we truly love, we show God off to others. When we truly love others for who they are, not what we can get from them, we are simply living and loving like God. He is a God of perfection also, and he wants to replicate that same nature in all who claim to know him.

Check your life today: do you love others for the sake of worldly possessions, or are you in it for what you can get out of it? Do you love others the way God has shown you love or you are like the Dead Sea, always taking in but never giving out?  Remember, true love is found only in God and you must go through him if you are to ever know and experience the genuine thing. His time of favour is here.

The Sum of all Experiences

But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. 1 Peter 5:10 KJV

Life is all about experiences. We see the good and the ones we call the not-so-good ones. God allows different things come our way and make us grow, because he is more interested in our depth and maturity than he is in the world's definition of success. God always keeps an eye on the eternal whilst he is at work in the temporal, ensuring that everything I go through here leads to that eternal purpose of his. How do I know this?

First of all, God is described as a God of grace. That is fundamental to who and what God is. Grace walks in when everyone else walks out. Grace qualifies when there is nothing else that could ever qualify a man. That is what you and I have as a defence, anchor and rest. We must take full advantage of this.

Secondly, there is an eternal call upon our lives. God would not invest much effort and time on creatures if they were just temporal beings. He created us in his image, then placed a part of himself in us- his breath/Spirit. We do not actually die; we simply continue our eternal existence somewhere else. We are all working towards that eternal destination everyday, with our decisions, choices, relationships, actions and reactions. We had better be sure of where we will end up.

Thirdly, that call upon our lives includes suffering for the sake of Christ. We preach air-conditioned messages these days, telling people that our God is not a God of suffering. Whilst that is true, we do not tell the whole picture. He is not a God of suffering, but he is a God of purpose who may take us through the valley of pain and trials so we can endure the heights of joy that he has prepared for us. Joy is not determined by the outer, but by the Inner Presence. Note however, that nothing will last forever, except God. Sufferings, pain, outward success and symbols of prosperity will all come to pass, but God will remain forever. You must therefore be found in Him first of all, so that all that you hold and have will make sense. Don't labour for perishables; pursue the eternal. The benefits are worth it: you are made perfect, established, strengthened and settled. Only God does that, no man can. His time of favour is here.

The Way

Jesus said to him, “ I am the [only] Way [to God] and the [real] Truth and the [real] Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. JOHN 14:6 AMP

There is nothing as powerful as quoting the exact words of a person with proven authority. We are people created through the power of words, and our lives are daily built up by the words that we speak or allow into our lives. The same principles apply as  we relate with others and as we bring up children. We are daily speaking, molding their lives and raising them up to look like the words that we speak to them daily.

Today's extract also personifies that truth. Jesus is the one speaking here with authority and he declares himself as the only Way to God, the real Truth and the real Life. One thing is established: the fact that someone has declared these words means that there are indeed other channels open to man, and which man may seek to go to God. Man has devised several means all in an attempt to replicate the God-experience. We have tried technological discoveries, we have tried knowledge of deep mysteries, we have conquered space, we have built weapons of mass destruction, we have found novel ways of communication, but we have not been able to replace the God-shaped vacuum in our hearts. We may seek after the best life has got on offer, but until we find God, we are on a journey whose outcome will only hurt us.

When God breathed into man, he put himself in us. That is why we are defined as 'created in God's image'. All his creative power has been replicated in us and until we find him, we will never discover the essence of our existence. Forget the noise of the world all around, and the false picture of peace that it wants you to see. There can never be peace outside the  One called the Prince of Peace; there can never be True Life outside the One called Life himself and there can be no other eternal truth apart from the One who lives forever and who has promised eternal life to all who come to him.

These benefits await all who come. Life is freely given, it is for any and all. Accept that Life today and begin to really live the life that you were created to live. His time of favour is here.

Peace!

Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.] JOHN 14:27 AMP

A simple message, but one with deep implications for life and the journey of faith. Jesus, at the point of leaving the earth after his death and resurrection, spoke these eternal words: 'my peace I give to you'. What a man does not have, he cannot give. When God says he gives us peace, it is because he is undeniably the Prince of Peace. He is not man that is unsure of the next moment, uncertain about his future, and running helter skelter, trying to sort out his present and the future.

Another fundamental truth is that Jesus does not give the way the world does. The world does not give a man something for free; it is either that something else is expected in  return or a bigger favour will be demanded for in the future. That  is the way of the world. For God, he gives us all and gives freely, without so much as expecting much from us in return, only our absolute devotion.

This peace is also not the absence of trouble, but the assurance that all will work out for good. It is never a complete message to preach total freedom from trials once a man gives his life to Christ. Nowhere in the Bible does God promise such. What he guarantees is his never-failing presence and his constant grace that helps a man stand in the face of the most distressing of circumstances. Challenges and trials will come; they are a fundamental part of the growth process. You don't mature without trials, and you don't know your capability until you are tested. In the midst of it all, God's presence stands as a sure rock, ensuring that all ends well. Don't run away from trials; they will guarantee growth and maturity, and ensure that God's purpose for your life is achieved. His time of favour is here.