Come!

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation]. MATTHEW 11:28 AMP

This is a call, an invitation, an advice, a counsel. Anyhow you view it, it demands a response from all of us. The One speaking had seen the world and its troubles, and had seen men struggle through all of life. In Him alone lies the solution to all the world needs, but the world does not just listen.

There are many invitations. There are competing interests. But the promise is for all who will come to the right source. Man will give you options, seek to distract you, but you must keep your eyes on the prize.

It is to all who respond, people who are aware of their weaknesses and areas of need. They do not pretend to be okay, but they are content seeking God as they are, trusting that just as he promised, he will give you rest. Are you weary  and burdened? Only in God are those burdens taken care of.

No man can truly satisfy; no man has all the answers you seek. To those who are aware of their need and understand that only God can give them rest, I can only say: "Take God". Are you heavy - laden, feeling the world is against you?

Rest is only in God, nothing else and no one else can give you that.
High fences and wild animals can't give you what you want: only a total assurance will suffice. His time of favour is here.

Believe!

Then Abram believed in (affirmed, trusted in, relied on, remained steadfast to) the Lord ; and He counted (credited) it to him as righteousness (doing right in regard to God and man). GENESIS 15:6 AMP

There are things you hear and you laugh silently, because they are simply incredulous. Nothing around you assures you that what you have heard will ever come true. You have weighed all available options, and you are sure that nothing WL work. People around you seems to be moving on and forward, but you seem stuck on one spot, uncertain of the future and unsure about the next step.

We can read about Abram now and claim his promises, but he had no precedence before him to encourage him. You tell a man above 75 years that he will have a son, and he would probably smile in the outside whilst crying on the inside. The reality of his situation will remind him that nobody has ever had that kind of experience.

The one thing that makes me smile is God's testimony about Abram. God says Abram believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness. If that is God's testimony, who am I to argue? If God accepted Abram as he was, with all his baggage, then I can only ask God to show me the same favour and accept me. One day of God's favour on Abram, and we are still claiming his promises till today. That is God: faithful and consistent to the end. His time of favour is here.

Fear God!

By mercy and lovingkindness and truth [not superficial ritual] wickedness is cleansed from the heart, And by the fear of the Lord one avoids evil. PROVERBS 16:6 AMP

The world has symbols, practices and conventions which determine acceptability; God gave his life to bring all men to himself. The world has always sought to make itself worthy by outward shows of piety, yet God's standards have always remains the same: you can't come to God on your own terms, bringing your own tokens with you. You have got to drop all you have gathered and relied on, and take on the mercy, lovingkindness and truth on offer by God.

God has done his part, and has opened the way for us to come to him. The offer stands for as long as we breathe God's air on this side of life. When this phase ends, mercy as we know it now will not exist. Whilst I still breathe this air, I must commit to my heart the warning here: 'by the fear of God, one avoids evil'.

It is man's natural tendency to love evil. Sin took care of that and gave us a nature that God could not work with. God had to give us another nature, one he birthed and could work on, so we could be all he created us to be. He has done his bit, and calls me to a higher standard, a closer walk, and a careful life. I must shun evil, avoid sin, and fear God, even as i walk closely with him. Think about the end of this present life, and consider very carefully if your present course will take you to God's expected end. His time of favour is here.

Resting Well!

In peace [and with a tranquil heart] I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O Lord , make me dwell in safety and confident trust. PSALM 4:8 AMP

You can't dwell in peace if  you don't know the Prince of Peace. Today's extract rests on that basic truth. Storms can rage on all around you; you must not let the storms cause you to take your eyes off the one who calms every storm. The water may get into the boat of your life, but as long as you don't lose sight of the One whose words alone can calm every raging wind, you will be fine.

It does not say you won't see trouble; it only promises that even in it, you will sleep soundly. It says 'I will both lie down and sleep'. It is one thing to lie down, and it is another to find sleep. It is God who gives both. Men have built high walls, electrified fences and used dogs, snakes and other wild animals for security, yet on the day of reckoning, death would come knocking and, except for grace, could not be ignored.

I focus today on the One who truly secures me. The world will pretend to have answers, but it cannot solve the eternal question. It is He alone who matters in this life's journey. Every other person is just a part of history. His time of favour is here.

Take Heed!

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. Romans 15:4 NIV

The account of the lives of the men of old are varied. There are the good, the bad and the ugly; we read stories of Cain and Abel, and the end of both of them; we read of Abraham and the covenant of blessing  over his life extending to his generations; we read the love stories of the Songs of Solomon, and the account of Ruth. There is one conclusion, which is also the introduction to today's extract: in God's hands, nothing is wasted.

Today's extract tells me that 'everything written in the past was written to teach us' today. I must therefore take the time to extract the lessons from everything I hear and read and apply it to my life. What do the accounts teach us? Today's extract says: ' endurance taught in the Scriptures and the  encouragement they provide'. If you are looking for a feel good message that tells you all will be well all through your life, then maybe these accounts are not for you. If you are looking for earthly comfort and convenience, then maybe these accounts are not for you. Nowhere does God promise a smooth sail; he only assures us of his presence, and a hope that sees beyond the immediate into God's perfect purpose.

Read the stories of Hannah, Ruth, Jeremiah, Paul, Peter even Jesus. We read about them today and by faith, claim the promises of their lives. What of their bitter experiences? See Stephen being stoned to death, yet he saw beyond the then. Paul said 'to live is Christ, and to die is gain'. Men don't talk like that unless they see something beyond the now. We must learn  from them and ask God to give us the same eyes, so we can take comfort from the truth that God knows what he is doing, and anything he brings will end well. I may not see it in my lifetime, but God is trustworthy enough to keep his promises. His time of favour is here.

This Jesus

He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Isaiah 53:3 NIV

As I read today's extract, so many questions come to mind? Why did the man spoken about here come? Who did he come for? What was his mission? Considering this account of what he suffered, When will the mission be fully achieved?

The man here is despised and rejected by man. He actually came because of man. God's original plan for us had been disrupted by sin, and a remediation plan had to be put in place to restore man back to his original position. However, the One sent was rejected. Even his own family took him for granted, after all,  they knew his origin and history. Too many times, the familiar and the usual prevents us from seeing as God intends. We think we know him well, only to discover that we have not even scratched the surface in our walk with him.

God's treasures are hidden in the strangest of places. He puts his Spirit, nature, attributes and power in a clay jar, simply because he can do it, and so we can know it is not about us. A son was sacrificed, a life was given freely and taken, so we could walk free. The One who paid the price did so at a time when the recipients of the prize didn't even appreciate or acknowledge him. We didn't care; we didn't even know better.

He has come, he died and rose again, and lives forever, offering the same benefits to all who will come to him. The offer is to EVERY MAN, irrespective of race, creed,  colour or language. His mission is to save lives, and to offer them true life.

The price has been paid, and the prize is eternal redemption for all who will come to him as they are and receive the life on offer. Though we hid our faces from him at a time, a time is coming when all will see his face. Though he was despised and held in low esteem at a time, soon, a time is coming when every knee will bow to him. Can you do it freely now, when you still have the time? His mission has an expiry date. Decide now, for His time of favour is here.

This God 2!

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High Will remain secure and rest in the shadow of the Almighty [whose power no enemy can withstand]. PSALM 91:1 AMP

Throughout history, men have always defined God through their experience of him. I am introduced to a God described by the Psalmist as the 'Most High'. I believe that a man's description of God is a function of personal experience. You can read or write all you want about him; it all boils down to what you know about him from a personal relationship. That is the view of the Psalmist in today's extract.

He must have had encounters with dangers for him to know the safest place to be. We knew him as a young boy who fought beasts, both human and otherwise. One thing that stood him out was the evidential knowledge of who God is. He didn't claim perfection, but he sure knew where his interests were well secured. The Most High is a shelter, a place of security, protection and rest. This offer is open to all, but not all may accept it and come in. You could live as you please and view it as an emergency number to call when trouble comes. Who knows, you may get results, if his mercy permits, but really, God's desire is that I dwell in Him and obtain round the clock protection.

The offer is for 'He who dwells' - picture of total dependence, residence and trust. A place of dwelling is a place of security, where a man knows that he will find rest and succour after the day's hustle and bustle. Imagine a God who offers you that all life-round, with an inner peace that cannot be shaken by any external circumstances.

Dwelling secures for you security and rest in the shadow of the Almighty. If his shadow can secure you, imagine what his full presence can achieve. In Him, you are safe. The world will rage, Satan will accuse, but you can rest secure that everything God allows has been sifted through by God and it is bound to work for my good. No enemy, no matter how strong, smart or brave can withstand the power of the Almighty. All who have tried have been forgotten; the Almighty remains the eternal God, with arms open wide to receive all who will come to him. His time of favour is here.

Standing Right!

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1 Peter 1:3 KJV

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 1 Peter 1:3 NIV

Peter, who wrote this book, understood what it meant to be God's elect, yet an exile. All the men of old used by God understood this distinction: ownership by God meant a different standard from the world's. Peter himself was harassed, imprisoned, beaten too, but he had no doubt as to where his allegiance lay. Do I have the same conviction?

Peter starts off with praise to God, a clear acknowledgement of who is at work. One thing has been clear to me for many years now, and it is that nothing works unless God is in it or allows it. We could claim ability, connection or intelligence for all we have achieved, but the foundations of all claims is God's mercy and grace. Without these, there will be no life.

Yes, mercy and grace: 2 very essential parts of the person of God. I see nothing about works or qualifications here, I see nothing about what I could do to earn these. God has already settled these and invited me in to come and enjoy the benefits. He's given me new birth, called me out of darkness into his light, changed me over from death to life, and given me a hope that there is true life waiting for me even at the end of this present life. Grace asks for nothing except a commitment. Grace asks for no monetary value or physical worth. All these were sealed through his life, and it is his life that secures my life. Nothing else can and nothing else will work.

Of course, the question for me is: "Have I availed myself of the benefits of his grace and life? If this present life ends, do I cross over into true life?". You have got to be sure; nothing down here will last forever or guarantee you eternity, except the One who is himself called Life. His time of favour is here.

Your God?

Know this: God , your God, is God indeed, a God you can depend upon. He keeps his covenant of loyal love with those who love him and observe his commandments for a thousand generations. Deuteronomy 7:9 MSG

First of all, I must clear from my head and heart any thought of worthiness or merit. Sin dealt with that mentality. We could not plead our works, we could not plead our sincerity, because all these had been tainted by sin. So, from the start, anything I am today isn't so much about who I am or what I do, but on who God is. No wonder today's extract starts with an introduction of who this God is: he is God, no doubt, but has he become 'your' God? Is he my God? Have I surrendered totally to his will, power, wisdom and work?

God will always remain true, but what I get from him will depend on me. The people being addressed here weren't there when God covenanted with Abraham, but they and their children enjoyed the benefits of that covenant. It wasn't as if these people loved God so deeply, but they only enjoyed the benefits of a God who could be trusted to keep his promises.

That is God; what about me? What is expected? Today's extract says it all: I must love God and observe his commandments. Sounds ordinary, but that is the secret of a successful life, as defined by God. If it was so simple, why do we have so much rebellion against God today? It simply means that the grace to know, love and obey God isn't something you earn by works or looks, but by grace. This grace has been released to all men, and an account will be given of what each man did with what he received. His time of favour is here.

Staying True!

Blessed [happy, spiritually prosperous, favored by God] is the man who is steadfast under trial and perseveres when tempted; for when he has passed the test and been approved, he will receive the [victor’s] crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. JAMES 1:12 AMP

First, trials and temptations are a part of everyday life. No one is immune, nobody is above these. It does not matter how young or old you are; testings are a part of this life, and God's way of knowing our priorities and allegiances. One big lesson I have learnt: God does not commit great assignments into the hands of people he himself has not 'tested and approved'.

Second, God's idea of 'being blessed' is a far cry from the world's idea of blessing. We focus so much on the physical, and even weigh our importance on the basis of what we possess or what we know. Unfortunately, God sees differently. He ties true success to his Word, and it is his standards that define success, not the world's warped views. The world may see me as foolish and slow; God sees differently, because he measures us by different standards.

Check out those words: 'passed the test and been approved'. Grace is always available to help us pass the test. The question always is if we take advantage of that grace. The crown of life is the reward of faithful and consistent service, and the benefits start from down here. The world may define it differently, but then, popular opinion has never been God's way of dealing with his own.

Can God find you faithful and true? Can he count on me to stand for him, even when everything around me is falling to pieces? Can he count on my allegiance? His time of favour is here.

Who Do You Have?

“The person who knows my commandments and keeps them, that’s who loves me. And the person who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and make myself plain to him.”
John 14:21 MSG

There is a big difference between knowing and keeping. With knowing, the emphasis is on gathering information about someone or something. You devote time and resources to this exercise, because there is something you want to do with the information you are gathering. Then, when you think you have obtained enough information, you act on the knowledge received. The acting on the knowledge received is the keeping part of today's extract.

Men have devoted time and years to studying about God, seeking to know him and to understand who he is. Unfortunately for most of these men, that is where the search ends. We seek out knowledge, because we want to boast in the quality and quantity of information we have, yet we do nothing with the search. We have a deep head knowledge of who God is, but lack any heart experience of who he really is. Obedience to his commands becomes hard work, we struggle with daily devotion to his  commands, we labour very hard just to give the outward impression that all is well.

For God, the measure of love for him is the keeping of his commands. I must take out time to know him, and as I discover who he is, I take delight in obeying him. O can never get to the full measure of knowledge, but as I seek him, his promise is that I will find him. As I knock, he promises to open the door to me. His love is full and free, but for all who will take delight in obeying him.

Where do I stand? Like the Psalmist, can I say with all boldness, that I have kept God's word in my heart, so that I may not sin. Do I take God's word as my most prized possession, or it is one of the numerous things that I must squeeze into my day? His time of favour is here.

Bearing Fruit!

But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. GALATIANS 5:22‭-‬23 AMP

Fruitfulness is a function of the roots. No tree, no matter how well placed or precious its seed is, will bear fruit until its roots have gone deep down into the resources of nourishment. When the roots have received nutrients, they send these to all parts of the tree, ensuring that the tree bears fruits after its kind. That is the law of sowing and reaping, established since the days of Noah.

Even in the spiritual, the same principle applies. Today's extract talks about the 'fruit of the Spirit' and part of the exposition is that this fruit is a result of God's presence in us. So, the fundamental question is: who lives inside me? The answer would determine what my life produces. Inflow determines outflow. If all I invest in are things of this world, when it is time to withdraw, I can only get out what I have put in.

Another fundamental part to this is that my inflow would determine my outflow to others. When God's spirit dwells in me, everything of God's nature also dwells in me. My life impacts others. The fruit here isn't so  much of what I get, but what I give. God is love, so when he dwells in me, my life will produce love for  others. His presence teaches patience, so when he dwells in me, I can relate to others in the same manner. Once God comes into a life, he comes with everything that he is.

Please note, the 9 attributes mentioned here are parts of one fruit. There are no multiple fruits, just many parts to a life already surrendered to God. I cannot pick and choose what is convenient; my life must produce everything, if indeed God dwells in me. No law on earth can make love an offence. No law on earth can legislate against self control. That is the advantage of a life totally controlled by the Holy Spirit.

I take stock today, and ask God to dwell in me, so his Life can reflect in my life. What about you? His time of favour is here.

The Choice!

There it was--the true Light [the genuine, perfect, steadfast Light] which, coming into the world, enlightens everyone. JOHN 1:9 AMP

Today's extract is the testimony of someone who has met and experienced the genuine article. S/he has encountered the true Light, which is the focus of today's piece. Why is this understanding so important?

The verses before this talks about someone who is the fundamental piece to all of creation. He is the One through whom the whole earth is created. He is the One who sustains it till now, holding all in place by the power of the same Word used to create it all. He is referred to as 'Word'; 'God'; 'Light'; 'Life' all through the few introductory verses. As I examine these  descriptions, I realise that he is all I need to successfully navigate through life. He has spoken into the earth all I will ever need in my life's journey. All he requires for me is to trust him and walk with him daily.

There are lights, and there is the True Light. There are pretenders, and there is the real deal. Some have come, claiming the throne, yet not able to stand the test of time. Some have come, made some noise, and disappeared without a trace. And then, there is the real deal, at work since creation, and still at work now, imparting his life into every life he creates. For all of us who are alive today, what holds us up isn't so much about our ability, but God's power and Life.

In this reality, a choice must be made. What would I focus on - my inabilities or God's power? His light has been made available to me, fully and freely. All I can do is allow him work in me all that he intends and purposes. That is the secret to a fulfilled life, not so much in physical possessions and connections, but in divine connection and approval. His time of favour is here.

Speak It!

Let the [spoken] word of Christ have its home within you [dwelling in your heart and mind--permeating every aspect of your being] as you teach [spiritual things] and admonish and train one another with all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. COLOSSIANS 3:16 AMP

The Life of the Word is in its application. It does not matter how much of the written Word you can commit to memory; it will definitely matter when it is time to make a demand on what you have stored up. Does the Word of God have a home in my heart? Have I given it permanent residence? What you give room to will eventually take over your life, so be careful about the choices you make today.

The admonition today is to give room to the Word to take over. The Word is to be the daily, regular food of my life, not an occasional event. The Word must be a daily investment, because it is the Word that upholds when everything else is falling to pieces, it is the Word that sustains when all other things are crumbling. The Word is the substance of my walk with God, as there is nothing I can do that will be accepted by God, if done outside of the Word.

Faith, the basic ingredient of walking with God, is founded on the Word of God. You cannot teach Truth outside of the One the Word refers to as 'the Truth'. You cannot have true joy without the inner witness of the Holy Spirit. Peace that passes all human understanding, even in the face of the most distressing circumstances, is made possible only in God. Grace is a fundamental message about God, and understanding where I stand is a function of the God I know. No man truly knows God or walks with God daily without a daily dose of the Word of God.

How else does a man know God, if s/he does not know, read, understand and apply the manual of life? Note that from today's extract, nothing is said about degrees, connections, ability, capacity and capabilities. None of these will matter in the grand scheme of things. All that you need is a home for God's Word in your life. The benefits of that relationship are eternal. His time of favour is here.

The Process!

Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in [union with] Him [reflecting His character in the things you do and say--living lives that lead others away from sin], having been deeply rooted [in Him] and now being continually built up in Him and [becoming increasingly more] established in your faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing in it with gratitude.
COLOSSIANS 2:6‭-‬7 AMP

There is a theme that runs through the entire message about Christ, and it is the fact that he is the central and fundamental person in the whole message about God. This is not about a religion or an accepted pattern: this is about Christ, the One God himself has introduced as the Lord. Life itself begins when I have surrendered my own life to him and taken up his own life. Life truly begins when I am in Him.

Check out today's extract: so much emphasis on 'IN HIM'. I must walk 'in Him' if my life will ever make impact the way it was designed to do. I must be deeply rooted 'In Him' if I am to grow and bear fruits the way I have been commissioned to do. I must also be built up 'In Him' if I am to stand the test of time and circumstances, and if my life will bring glory to Him, the way it has been commissioned to do.

Why is being 'In Him' so important? I accept him as Lord and Saviour, giving Him effective and total control. It doesn't stop there; I must keep walking with and in him, so I can keep in step with his plans and purposes. As I walk with him, he works on me, molding and fashioning me out to look like him. As he works on me, I become totally dependent on him. My roots are firmly secure in him, not on my degrees and connections, but on His finished work. Only when I am deeply rooted can I be set free to bear visible fruit. No tree bears lasting fruit without first been deeply rooted. With fruitfulness comes abundance and overflowing. It is a process that only makes sense when I am truly and properly connected.

Outside of Christ, there can be no basis for faith. Could it be that outside of Him, nothing truly works? Yes, men have found different ways to push things, we have devised means of forcing things to work, patching it up as we go, but when it comes to Him, the principles and procedures of the world do not apply. Is my life a beacon to the world? Do men find God in me, and can my life be a living, breathing testament to the power of Christ? His time of favour is here.

Inner Work

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Romans 12:2 KJV

Two key words in today's extract: 'conform' means to 'comply with rules, standards, or laws.' Or to "behave according to socially acceptable conventions or standards." To follow convention, be conventional, follow tradition, follow custom, fit in, adapt, adjust, follow the crowd, run with the pack, swim with the stream". The other word is 'transform' which means "to make a marked change in the form, nature, or appearance of something or someone". These are dictionary definitions, but with a message for us today.

No matter what you think, you cannot be neutral. Both definitions require an adjustment. The world has a pattern, a way of doing things. For me to live by the world's standards, it takes nothing from me. I can fit in, adapt, adjust and follow the crowd. The sinful nature in me makes it even easier.

But when I seek transformation, the power for this is not the conventional and the usual. In fact, today's extract  states how the transformation can occur. It starts with my inner man, and reflects on the outer man. When my mind is renewed, it changes my thinking, my behaviour pattern, my attitude and my life. That power comes only from God; nothing else can supply that kind of power. It is a continuous process; if I stop feeding my spirit man with the right contents, I am giving my regular, sinful old man the power to take over again. As I feed the inner man, I discover God's purpose and can pursue it with all my heart.

So, the choice is clear: both the old man and the new man are in a battle for control. I can only discover what God desires for me when my mind is transformed by his power into what he can use, speak to and impact. If I am unteachable or already conformed to the world's standards, then I cannot fit into his plan. Eternity as always is at stake. His time of favour is here.

NOW!

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1‭-‬2 KJV

It does not matter what has gone before, as long as the issue of ownership and allegiance has been settled. As long as I cannot define my identity or clarify my location, I cannot claim the benefits of today's extract.

My location determines my allocation. Today's extract talks about being IN CHRIST, not around or about him. You have got to be in him. Men know so much about him, yet reject his dealings and teachings. We long for the miracle, yet reject the power behind the miracle. It does not work. The devil is smart; he gives us options and distractions, while the important and the eternal is ignored. Man can be celebrated by other men, yet be bound by the devil. It is all about who you know, not what you know.

There is always a law at work at all times in my life. My choices per time will determine the law at work in my life. Each law has eternal consequences and none of them has permanent death as its end. You will continue to live somewhere when this present mortal phase is over, either in eternal life or eternal damnation. Before the owner of life comes calling, you had better be sure that his own law is at work in your life. Be sure of your citizenship status, so that you can from now, know where you are going.

I am free, because I know the owner of life. Do you? His time of favour is here.

On Guard

Take care and be on guard for yourselves and for the whole flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you as overseers, to shepherd (tend, feed, guide) the church of God which He bought with His own blood. ACTS 20:28 AMP

A call to all who are called into 'leadership'. No, it is not about being the pastor or overseer, but to all who have even a small child looking up to him/her for guidance and direction. As long as there is a life to mold, a life to teach, a life to lead, a life to impact, welcome to leadership. This 'leadership' is a serious responsibility, one with both personal and eternal consequences.

First of all, Paul warns all 'leaders' to be on guard, first for themselves. I wonder why? Is it because it is easier to point out the way to others, while you have no desire to walk the path yourself? Is it because it is easier to tell others what to do, than to use your life as the loudest message on what you preach? Before I stand in front of people, I must be sure that the lessons have been personalized, so that the  devil, the accuser, does not wait for me at the season of manifestation.

Leadership connotes responsibility and accountability. Lives are placed in your care, and an account will be demanded. The one who appoints to service is the one who must be pleased. I must not seek to please the ones I am appointed to serve, as my account will be to the one who calls. No man owns the church; it is the Chief Shepherd who owns, holds and sustains his own. His blood paid the price, so I can work free and walk boldly, as I keep the appointment of God over my life.

Just as Paul has said it, so does it come to me again today: be on guard. I must watch my life, so that all I am and do will bring glory to God. Nothing else matters. His time of favour is here. 

Blessedness of Giving!

In everything I showed you [by example] that by working hard in this way you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed [and brings greater joy] to give than to receive.’” ACTS 20:35 AMP

It has always been said that 'Example is better than precept'. People say a lot of things by rote because they have been fed those things by other people, not because they have tested and proven the truths of  what they have heard. One important lesson life teaches is that what have tested and proven is what will sustain you through the dark days of uncertainties.

How about giving and receiving? Is it your right to receive when you have not learnt how to give? I look through Scriptures and realize that all the men who made impact where people who invested time and resources in the lives of other people. There are some we don't know their names, like the boy who gave up his lunch to feed 5,000 men, and the ones we know  their names, like Zaccheus, a chief tax collector, rejected by the world, but accepted by God because they learnt that the secret of impact is in giving your life and resources in service to other people.

We claim to entitlement as a result of the titles we bear, forgetting that God's PROVISION is always assured for any VISION which he births. Ministry isn't an excuse for laziness or indolence, but a challenge to do what you can to be a blessing to the world you have been placed. We don't define impact by money alone; imagine the value of a kind word given to someone who has been battered by the world's unkindness. Imagine the value of a visit to someone who has lost everything and is alone.

I must not be carried away by 'my needs', but I must ask God where he wants me to fit in and impact for him. He also gave first of all, and I stand here because he gave. He demands I take of what I have received, and like him, impact the world with what I have received, which is Him. Is that true of you? His time of favour is here.

One Thing!

One thing I have asked of the Lord , and that I will seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life, To gaze upon the beauty [the delightful loveliness and majestic grandeur] of the Lord  And to meditate in His temple. PSALM 27:4 AMP

What qualifies me to stand and declare anything on behalf of God is my relationship with Him. Men of old didn't just stand to speak simply because they were orators or just had to say something; they first confirmed their connections, then spoke as directed. Can the same be said about me in this generation?

Drawing a distinction between experiential knowledge of God and the testimonies of men is fundamental to my walk with God. Today's context establishes that I must decide what is really important. The Psalmist talks about one thing, and it is the one eternal thing that is fundamental to my life - to know God intimately and walk in his will, which is the first and most important thing, as I seek to fulfill his purpose for my life. If I am not daily living in this reality, then nothing I pursue really matters.

The Psalmist seeks to DWELL in God's presence. It gives a picture of residence, comfort, home. Is that the picture of my relationship with God? Do I spend more time 'outside', or are the things outside more attractive to me than what Home provides? The world sure has its attractions, but they are just temporal. Only in God do I find eternal treasures and pleasures, when one look of favour from God can seal my eternal bliss.

As I meditate in his temple, I discover the treasures that his name, word and power brings. As I live out his Word in my life, I come to discover who God is, who I am, who I belong to, and what I have been shaped to be. Nothing else can satisfy, nothing else can take God's place. I have come to understand the depth of the riches that knowing God can bring. Have you? His time of favour is here.

Walking With God!

But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him. HEBREWS 11:6 AMP

The men of old who walked with God were not perfect; none of them were. They were weak, mortal and ordinary men, who made mistakes, some of them very deadly. However, that is not the focus; in spite of their weaknesses, something very peculiar ran through their lives' testimonies - they knew God and walked with him in faith.

Faith seems like an abstract concept, but today's extract breaks it down simply by saying that without it, you simply cannot please God. Faith has 2 clear realities: the reality of the physical senses and their limitations, and the reality of a God who can break any kind of law just to make a point. Check out all the men of the Bible who we read about today - Abraham, Joseph, Moses, Jeremiah and all. They all had struggles and limitations, and they spoke about them freely. These were their physical realities, but they had another reality, one that took them through dark days and gave them eternal testimonies, which we read about today.

God created the world as we see it now, simply by speaking everything to existence by the power of his Word. He invites me to a relationship with Him, so I can experience this same reality. The same power is available in Him, and I must be in Him if I am to experience the power in Him. I cannot stay outside and want to enjoy the benefits of relationship; only a diligent and earnest search for God will open the doors of this reality to me.

Have I met this God, or am I still relying on  hearsay? Do I know him, does he know me, and am I walking with him closely? I will face the realities everyday, but the reality of God's existence, power and presence is the One that will sustain me through all of life's course. His time of favour is here. 

Saved!

‘And it shall be that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord [invoking, adoring, and worshiping the Lord Jesus] shall be saved (rescued spiritually).’ ACTS 2:21 AMP

On the day of trouble, a man calls on whatever it is he believes will rescue him. Whether that which he has called upon will also rescue becomes a matter of relationship. Today's context talks about a day that is coming; it is referred to as ‘the great and glorious day of the Lord'. On that day, nothing else will matter, except my relationship with the One referred to as the Lord here. He is Lord because he is the owner of the life I live, he is Lord because all of life will answer to him, either by choice or compulsion.

That day is coming, and it may be sooner than we think. Forget service, forget making impact first of all, forget capacity and ability, or gifts of oration. When the day comes, all of these won't matter. The first matter to be settles will be my allegiance. I just must make sure it is right.

Have I called on the name of the Lord at any time in my life? Have I surrendered control to him at any point in time in my life's course? The invitation is for ALL men of all races, colour, creed, allegiance or inclination. All who were made in the image of God are invited to come and experience his saving grace. Call on him today, call on him sincerely and in truth, call on him to save. His name means 'Saviour' and he will gladly answer. His time of favour is here.

Work in Progress

For we are His workmanship [His own master work, a work of art], created in Christ Jesus [reborn from above--spiritually transformed, renewed, ready to be used] for good works, which God prepared [for us] beforehand [taking paths which He set], so that we would walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us].
EPHESIANS 2:10 AMP

God declares me as his workmanship, a work in progress. Never completed, never finished, but always in progress, perfection in waiting. I read this extract and I see the past, present and future summarized in one verse.

At the time I was physically born, the bible records I was born in sin. Sin is the nature of all human beings, yet, long before I was born, the price of my sin was fully paid. God's original plan and purpose, which sin could not destroy, was already in place long before I existed physically. I was designed for good works by a good God, who had put in place every good required for me to represent him.

Accepting Christ activates the plan. All I was created to be comes to active manifestation upon that decision. Every man has a purpose, but in Christ, its fullness is made manifest. Everything in my past and present is a tool in the hands of a God who keeps his eye on the future. Nothing in my past is in vain; nothing I have endured so far is a waste. If I know that God's plan is absolute, then I can rest assured that he is able to bring my past and present to be exactly like his plan for my life. I may not understand it fully now, but I place my trust in a God who says he's always working on and in me, so that I may look like him and represent him in all I do.

Is my life available for God to use as he pleases? Am I a work in progress, or I see myself as the finished article, therefore with no need for further work? Have I arrived, or do I acknowledge my total and absolute dependence on the only One who can help me truly live the life I was created to live? His time of favour is here.

Priorities!

For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand [anywhere else]; I would rather stand [as a doorkeeper] at the threshold of the house of my God Than to live [at ease] in the tents of wickedness. PSALM 84:10 AMP

Life is all about options. Whether you discuss the spiritual or the physical, life is all about choices. Every day God gives also offers us choices, and whilst we have power to make the choice, the eternal consequences of our choice will run our lives thereafter.

Before you make the choice, consider the end. The Psalmist here must have seen both sides, for him to conclude on the better options. Same for me: I must not take someone else's word for it; a personal experience will teach me a lot better than what other people's stories will tell me.

One day in God's courts teaches me dependence. One day in God's courts teaches me absolute trust in the One who holds all in place. One day of God's favour will recover for me what a year of labour cannot guarantee.

I see here a focus on relationship at the expense of service. The psalmist saw God as a personal God, one he could refer to as 'my God'. Can I truly say the same thing about God? In fact, does God know me as his own? When I have him as 'my God', when I know who I am and whose I am, service is a pleasure. Whether I am visible, celebrated, known or appreciated become secondary, as long as God knows me as his own. I see nothing as beneath me, as long as glory is given to God through me. Is this the same for you? His time of favour is here.