See: A New Thing

“Do not remember the former things, Or ponder the things of the past. “Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even put a road in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert. ISAIAH 43:18‭-‬19 AMP

When dealing with God, our greatest assets are our brains and hearts, yet they can be our greatest limitations. There are things that God does that man may never understand, and there are experiences God will permit to teach us lessons that will help us through this journey of eternity. First, God hates sin and punishes it, no matter in whom it is found. When it comes to sin, God has no preferences or favourites, and all men would have to answer to God. God has sent his own chosen people into exile, and so many had died in foreign lands, so please don't think that if you live in sin, you would enjoy any kind of waiver, simply because God 'talks' to you.

However, with God, there is always a place for a new, clean and fresh start. With God, you are never far away from mercy. The timing and manner of the dispensation of his grace is his prerogative, but you can get that his grace is available. A new year by human calculation has begun, but with God, his mercies are new every morning. By human calculation, years come to an end and new ones follow each other, but God's faithfulness never comes to an end. His word today is that irrespective of whatever had gone before, he's doing something new. This is not subject to man's feelings or permission, but it is at God's discretion. All that I thought were impossible will be made possible, and all that I thought were beyond repair will be restored. God stakes his reputation by putting his name to the promise, so that if the promise fails, you know who to hold.

This year, commit all your ways to God. He is interested in giving me new experiences everyday, as long as I depend on him daily. Only in and through him do God's promises find fulfilment, and all impossibilities become the norm. Do you know this God? Have you met him? Does he know you as his own? Remember, it isn't what you say that counts; it is whether what you hold on to aligns with God's perfect will. His time of favour is here.

All Things New!

Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]. 2 CORINTHIANS 5:17 AMP

The old is out, the new is in. We celebrate the new, forgetting that in the process of time, and according to the laws of nature as established by God after Noah's flood,  this present life will continue to revolve until God calls it to an end. What was new a few days/weeks/months ago would become old. Do we see a parallel in the spiritual? I believe there is a correlation, but from a different perspective.

The first man was born an original, brand new, no evil, no sin. The seed of righteousness was inputted into him, because he was created in the image and likeness of God. The original plan was a man created to think, act and be like God over all that had been created. There was no provision in the initial plan for sin and its effect, because with God, there is no mistake or Plan B. Man's mistakes and carelessness are the root causes of second options and the new plan to redeem man from the clutches of his evil choices through Christ.

For all of man, no matter how nice you are called, there is a need to take advantage of the plan in place by God to restore man to his original position. All of us must go through the process, if we must enjoy the benefits and blessings promised under the new birth. All of man must go through the prescribed process if man must end up in the prescribed end. The process is as highlighted in today's extract- joined by faith in Christ as Saviour. Nothing else will work; because with God, you can't come to him on your own terms. We already tried that before, and what we see today is the result of that evil choice. Now, God provides a new way, an eternal way, through his own Son, for us to get back all that was taken away from us. The old must pass away, the new must come in. New life is birthed through Christ; no other way will secure that same end. What is your decision today? Remember, with God, a thousand years are like a day. Whist there is room, make the right choice, and enjoy the fullness of all God has prepared in Christ. His time of favour is here.

Go!

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually -regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.” MATTHEW 28:19‭-‬20 AMP

While man counts in years, measuring advancement and progress by ephemeral and temporal things, God measures progress and success by completely different indices. A year is becoming old, as its days count down, while a new one is just beckoning. God isn't so much interested in the years, as much as he is interested on the impact on the hearts of men. For everyday that passes, the call to eternity draws near, and only what is planted in the heart of man will stand the test of eternity.

The command in this age is to GO. God asks us to move out and make disciples of all men everywhere. Disciples look like the One they follow and imitate, and you can never show another man the way if you do not even know where you are going. I must have tested and confirmed that He is the Way, before I can prove him to another person. The message is ALL about the One who calls us to service; there is no room for self glorification, self advancement or self promotion. It is a privilege to be commissioned for service by the One called the King of kings, who also promises us his eternal and ever abiding Presence as we go to work for him. It is a Co- mission: he does not send me out on my own; he sends me out with his backing, stating that no matter what comes, He will always be there beside me.

The message is only about Christ. He is the One who is Life and gives life, and who will hold us to the end. His Word is constant and trustworthy, and if He says a thing, you can be sure it will come to pass. This age will come to an end, one day. All that we see today will not last forever. Fashions and trends last for a season, and then other trends come into play. God is for all seasons and one day, all of us will answer to Him. Are you ready? His time of favour is here.

Right Approach!

Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God's unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it]. Hebrews 4:16 AMPC

Today's extract addresses the right approach to God. It tells me how and why I should approach, and what I stand to gain when I approach. It's never about qualifications, connections or abilities; it has always been about grace. It is a throne of grace, because man does not qualify for anything there by merit, but simply because of God's own nature. It is a throne of grace, because God, the mighty one dishes out grace as he pleases and to whoever he pleases.

The target of the grace are people with a consciousness of who they are and what they lack. Until a man realises his need for something or someone bigger than he is, he cannot be helped. For as long as a man feels self-sufficient and capable in himself, he cannot be helped. When I know and acknowledge my need, I am set free to seek help in the right place. That right place is at the throne of grace. There is mercy there to deal with my failures and shortcomings; there is mercy there to clean me up and set me on a new path. With God, as long as there is life, there is always room for a fresh new start.

The help will always come at the right time; when I need it and anytime I need it. All I need to do is ask. I could complain to people, grumble about my lot in life, but until I take the right decision by speaking to God, I cannot be helped. As long as man is my focus, I cut myself away from God's grace and help. What would it be for me? His time of favour is here.

Wait!

But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired. Isaiah 40:31 AMPC

Whatever comes before a BUT is the exact opposite of whatever follows after the BUT. There are two classes of people: those who wait for the Lord and those who do not. There is no middle ground; no sitting on the fence on this one. You are either there or you are not. Waiting on God is defined here: expecting, looking for and hoping in God. It is not a passive acceptance of anything and everything, but an active working out of your faith that all God brings will work out for your good. Waiting on God is not folding your hands and expecting manna to fall from the sky; even if it falls, there is a process of gathering, storage, preservation and usage. God does not waste resources.

As I wait on God, doing what he commands, my strength is renewed. Inward change is a part of waiting on God. He builds up patience, persistence and perseverance in me, as I wait for what he alone can do. As I wait for him, being careful to obey his commands, he draws me closer to himself and reveals more and more of himself to me. Just as eagles mount up, so do I grow up in my knowledge, understanding and experience of God. A warning though: the higher and deeper my experience of God is, the harder the fall. I must watch my steps and my life closely as I seek to know God more.

The promise is that what I know I couldn't do by myself becomes possible in and through God. The things my human strength couldn't sustain become possible in and through God. I cannot rely on my own power; I must depend daily and regularly on God alone. If I must make it to the end, only the Beginning and the End of all things can hold me and sustain me. His time of favour is here.

Fear Not!

Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice. Isaiah 41:10 AMPC

Today's extract charges me not to fear. If I take a look all around me, that message is just apt for this season of uncertainties and inconsistencies. We live in a world where might is right, and sin is no longer viewed for what it is. Man has found novel and contemporary ways to define anything and everything.

Today's extract says there is nothing to fear. Before you go believing just that, read what follows: 'for I am with you'. That is the basis of any assurance or hope a man can hold on to. With God in you, fear has no place to dwell. If you do not have God in you, you will have everything to fear. If your inner man is not at peace, your outer man will definitely look around in terror. God never promised a life free of tribulation; he promised us his Presence and Power, which is sufficient to take care of anything the world can throw at us. He didn't say he will keep us from difficulties, but that he will strengthen us through them. He promises to hold us up with his victorious right hand.

It does not matter what is the quality and quantity of the opposition against me; I must sort out the Person and Presence of the only One who can take care of all the world can throw at me. Life will happen: ask Joseph, while he was in the Pit, in Potiphar's house, and in the Prison. It was recorded that 'God was with him'. No wonder he ended up in the Palace as Prime Minister. There is no limit placed on the man who has and serves the Limitless God. It may not always look like it should; but it will always end up the way it should, just the way God planned it. Hold on to him in this season of uncertainties, for his time of favour is here.

For Us!

For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 AMPC)

Christmas is not a day but a season of favour. It is not about the eating, drinking and  wearing of new clothes, but about the establishment of favour brought in by the greatest gift given. A lack of understanding of the times has led to the commercialization of the season. We focus so much on the outward, paying little or no attention to the inward. The world has taken out the Christ out of the season and replaced him with several unknown factors, such as the X. Unfortunately, without Christ, the season can never be the same.

Why is Christ so fundamental to the season? Today's extract says a child has been born to us, given to us, One through whom Authority is established and governance is instituted. At the time the message was given to Isaiah, Mary's grandmother wasn't even born, but God's plan for redemption has always been in place. No force on earth, no matter how powerful or connected, can thwart what God has established. The identity, mission and purpose of the gift is also highlighted in today's extract: wonderful counsellor, He is the Mighty God, he's the Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace. Each of these identities has an impact on our lives today and in eternity.

As we keep celebrating this season, crossing into a new year, let's never forget how we came to be where we are. Outside of the Christ of Christmas, the season's celebrations, eating and spending would make no sense. When you are properly located in Christ, then you have been properly positioned for eternal life. His time of favour is here.

Praise!

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.” Luke 2:13‭-‬14 NLT

Even the heavens rejoiced at the birth of Jesus, the Saviour. I wonder what could have caused the joy. Heaven must have foreknown the events at Calvary, where the most powerful One would be at the mercy of created beings, and would be put to death in the most shameful and public way, yet Heaven rejoiced. Heaven must have known that the Saviour would be treated like the scum of the earth, would be rejected and despised by the very ones he came to save, yet Heaven rejoiced. There must have been something known to Heaven at the time, which was not visible at the time to the mortals on earth.

Today's extract, which talks about the events at His birth, gives a window into Heaven at the time. Everything about the birth of the Saviour was unusual: he was born in the feeding trough of animals, not in any medical establishment. He was declared a king, yet the palace had no room for him. Wise men came from very far, worshipping the One they recognized from his star as a king, while Herod, the present king, was plotting how to take the baby's life. When the angel would annouce the birth, he left the cities and the rich, and went to lowly shepherds, who didn't even have a place to sleep that night. All these point to one fact: The Saviour is for all men, irrespective of origin, class, prestige, social standing or qualification.

Check out the words of the angel: Glory to God in the highest. There is no doubt about the Lordship and Authority of God, and his power extends to the earth also, where his creation dwells. His gift has brought peace and goodwill, which had always been his plan from the creation of the world. For as many as would accept the gift, the peace offered becomes a reality. For as long as the world rejects the Giver of Peace, it cannot know peace.

Today, the same message goes out: Peace has been given, free of charge. All I need to do is allow the Peace into my heart, and all of God's promises are part of the realities to come my way. His time of favour is here.

The Sign

Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign: Behold, the young woman who is unmarried and a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel [God with us]. Isaiah 7:14 AMPC

Placing today's extract in context, this was pronounced in a season of war and conspiracies. Israel had teamed up with an enemy nation - Syria - to oppress Judah. This was a nation called by God to be different, yet had blended into the environment. It no longer sought God's help, but now relied on human alliances for support. In this season when we remember the greatest gift and help given, we must remember that the arm of flesh has been failing since the days of Adam, and it will keep failing as long as this earth will remain.

The king of Judah was promised protection, not necessarily because he was a good man, but because of God's own promise of sustenance. When things go the way you 'plan', do you acknowledge you have been helped? When all seems to fall into place, does your heart acknowledge the fact that only God does perfect things?

And then the prophet asked the king to ask God for a sign, to prove that all of God's promises would come to pass. The king declined. Very importantly, God doesn't need my validation for his Word to be fulfilled. God himself gave a sign, and it is the sign for this season. I wonder why this had to be the sign - the coming of the Saviour. No matter what happens in the now, God's gift has taken care of the future. Even when the present does not make sense, God's gift says that today and tomorrow is taken care of. Everything about the sign speaks of God's power and might. From a virgin conceiving and giving birth to a son, one vouched for by God and approved as the Saviour of the world, to the fact that this gift is named Emmanuel, God's ever present help, I get the distinct impression that God really does have a plan for my present and my future. His gift is the greatest any man could receive, and I can only enjoy what the gift offers, if I accept the gift as He is. This gift is the peace all around, even when war is imminent, and He is the assurance of eternal redemption even when nothing seems certain.

What would it be for you? What is your decision? His time of favour is here.

Why He came!

For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge (to reject, to condemn, to pass sentence on) the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe and sound through Him.
John 3:17 AMPC

The verse before this one is the universal invitation to all men to accept the free gift that has been offered, in order to enjoy the eternal benefits also promised. There is an eternal consequence to every man's choice, whatever it turns out to be. I cannot make a choice for anyone else; I must decide for myself alone.

Why the gift, the conditions and the eternal consequences? We were made for eternity. Our lives were not meant to end; at least, that was the original plan in the Garden of Eden before sin came to distort the original. God created us for fellowship and communion with him, and this eternal purpose still stands, no matter what the devil does to distort it.

Sin came with condemnation; Christ could not have come to perpetuate the same conditions. His coming was to restore man to his original state, as originally established by God. Christ didn't come to hold an axe over our lives by judging our cases and holding us guilty, without first offering us a way out of the consequences of our sin. He came in our own human form, offered a once-in-a-lifetime and valid-for-all-time sacrifice to deal with the roots of sin and plant the seed of Righteousness through his Life in us.

It does not matter what the world offers you: you are only safe and sound in Christ. The world does not have the answer to the question of eternity. Only the Word of God does. You can only provide a solution when you understand the origin of the problem or you are older, wiser and bigger than the problem. That is what Christ is. He is God's standards- bearer, the One who can bring us to the place of eternal hope and rest. Do you know him? Have you surrendered to Him? Does he know you as his own? His time of favour is here.

Love Defined!

In this the love of God was made manifest (displayed) where we are concerned: in that God sent His Son, the only begotten or unique [Son], into the world so that we might live through Him. 1 John 4:9 AMPC

We may never understand who God is or how he works if we stand afar off. Knowledge and experience of God would only make sense when you have found God on a personal and relational level. Forget what people say about God; who is He to you as a person?

Of course, my knowledge and experience of God would also reveal how I understand his love. It is the way of the world to love someone else, simply because there is an advantage or benefit to be derived, or because the person had done something big for you in the past. But for God, he didn't wait for value or consideration to be given by us; he simply offered it to us himself. He didn't wait for us to qualify for his love; his love was offered full and free and without limitations to ALL men, thereby qualifying us for eternal life, if we accept His love.

Love without sacrifice would carry no weight. Love that didn't demand a denial of self and profit for the sake of other people may not be regarded as love. Same applies with God. He didn't just claim to love us; he showed it by example. He didn't demand our lives from us, without first giving up his own so we could truly and freely and willingly surrender our own lives to Him. Surrender to God says I acknowledge that I cannot make it on my own, but with your help, I will. Surrender to God is an admission that God alone is the One who can admit us to the place of eternal rest, as he has promised.

I could claim by voice that I love God, but my life's daily investment will show if indeed what I have is love. I could gain the whole world and all its benefits, but if I do not experience God's original idea of love, then I have indeed gained nothing. His time of favour is here.

Real Scope!

She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus [the Greek form of the Hebrew Joshua, which means Savior], for He will save His people from their sins [that is, prevent them from failing and missing the true end and scope of life, which is God]. Matthew 1:21 AMPC

It is the season of Christmas, when we celebrate the greatest gift ever given to mankind. It's not about a particular day, but about the physical manifestation of God's divine arrangement of eternal redemption for all of mankind. We don't focus on a particular day, but we focus on the one who makes all days worthwhile simply because he willingly surrendered his life for our sake.

Today's extract talks about the prophecy and circumstances around the birth of the One who makes all days worthwhile. The vessel through which the gift would come and the name the gift would bear had already been determined. A virgin was to conceive and bear a son. If I can believe God as a miracle worker, how would I doubt that he can disrupt nature just to prove a point? If he could make the sun and the moon stand still for a whole day, while his people were fighting a war, how then do I doubt that he can choose any way of his choosing to bring about his eternal plan?

Check out the name given- Jesus - meaning Saviour. As much as I would love to receive all things from him, my greatest need in life aligns with his name. Until I have accepted him as Saviour and surrendered to him as Lord, I cannot fully enjoy the blessings and benefits of his name. I could call him for provisions or  protection and he will answer, but if I have not accepted him for his primary assignment, then at the end of my life, I would come to the realization that I only settled for the shadow; I didn't get the substance.

What is the significance of that name too? Today's extract also says that when I accept him for his name and purpose, I am missing the whole essence of my life and the true end of all things, which is God. Oh, trust me, everything else you see today will come to an end one day; the only thing that would speak on my behalf will be the Presence of that name in my life. If I pursue and possess the world and all its trappings, and I miss the full package of God for me, then I have wasted God's deposit and investments in me. All he wants is my life, given back to him in full realization that he owns it in the first place, and I will give account of whatever I do with it to Him. Do I know him? Does he know me as his own? His time of favour is here.

Power to End Well!

For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ, for it is God's power working unto salvation [for deliverance from eternal death] to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, to the Jew first and also to the Greek, Romans 1:16 AMPC

What is the gospel? Why is it given prominence so much in Paul's messages to all the groups he wrote to? The 'gospel', in its ordinary form, means 'good message'. It has got to bring something good if it is to be understood in that context. If it does not speak to my eternal redemption, it cannot be said to be good. If it is only good for this earth, and does no good for my permanent residence, then it does me no good. If the message only addressed the outer conditions, and could not provide a lasting solution to the problem of the heart, then it cannot be described as 'good'.

We see here that the 'good message' is all about Christ. Christ is the power behind the message, bringing to life and light all that has been promised. He is the One holding out life; life that secures both the present peace and future hope. Only in and through Christ do you get the salvation on offer: a deliverance from certain death and destruction. All I need to do is to believe in Christ, his power and might, and rely only on Him. I can do nothing more to earn salvation; it has never been about qualifications or achievements or connections. It has always been about the finished work of Christ, which is all I can claim.

Paul experienced firsthand what this power can do. Everyone who has come in contact with this power knows what this power can do. You also can know and experience this power if you would just simply believe Him and allow him into your heart. He wants to come in, make changes and plant eternal life in you. Would you let him? Have I given him control? His time of favour is here.

Deep Things!

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and decisions and how unfathomable and untraceable are His ways! ROMANS 11:33 AMP

For a man to pen down the words of today's extract, he must have experienced another dimension of God which he never had before. Paul himself was the beneficiary of today's mystery, as he met Christ on the way to arresting and persecuting all who followed the same Christ. He recognized this grace upon his own life, and always lived in full consciousness and appreciation of this grace. When I look at my own life too, I see this grace evident upon my life.

Everyday, you realize there was nothing you could have given to deserve the grace and mercy that you enjoy today. There is nothing that should qualify you for the favour you claim. There are people who seem 'bigger and better' than you, yet have gone to the great beyond. You may not have everything you need now, but when you look at your life critically, you realize you do have much more than a great percentage of the world's population does not have.

Knowing God and understanding how he works is a lifelong discovery. You do not make a conclusion about God based on only one experience of Him. His decisions are taken in light of eternity; we are the ones who want everything today. His ways and thoughts are higher than ours, and whatever he does or allows has been carefully arranged to bring us to His own expected end, not ours.

I must therefore trust God that he knows what he is doing. Whatever my today looks like has nothing to do with what God has planned for me. I keep my eyes on the eternal prize, being sure that God will bring me home, no matter what he allows me to pass through. His time of favour is here.

From Source!

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [for He is perfect and never changes]. JAMES 1:17 AMP

God is a good God and all he does is good. We usually don't doubt that statement, but when we are faced with challenging situations, we may begin to critically evaluate that statement. However, does how I feel change who God is in anyway?

God is referred to as the Father of lights. He is the Creator of all we see or can't perceive, and at the time of creation, God declared that ALL he made were good. It doesn't matter how much sin has come to damage the template; God's original plan and purpose stands till today.

However, to enjoy all that God has planned, you have got to be in Him. We read about him, we hear about him and we see what he does, but we can never truly experience God for who he is until He lives inside us. His blessings are for all his creation, but a relationship with God opens other doors that may not necessarily open to other people who are content with a surface knowledge of God.

God is constant; He is not like man: unpredictable, uncertain and unsure. What he calls sin 2,000 years ago is still sin today, and the terms of engagement are the same today, just as they were with Adam. He wants me to experience his good, and he wants me to know him intimately. Don't be content with head knowledge; seek a heart knowledge of God, and experience the grace and good that only God can bring. His time of favour is here.

In Place!

Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. Colossians 3:13 MSG

There are times you read God's Word and you wonder if what he commands is possible this side of heaven. Please read again what today's extract commands: 'be content with second place'. Everywhere you turn to, being first is highly regarded and rewarded. Coming out on top is seen as the pinnacle of achievement. Every other position is treated as inferior.

You then wonder just how anyone can be content with second place. I live in a world where what you get is a function of how high I can jump, how fast I can run, or how much I can outsmart the other person. For a child of God, the priorities and pursuits must be different. God tells me to place someone else's interests over and above my own, and be quick to forgive an offence. What this tells me is that God will judge me based on my obedience to his command, not by the other person's response to me. People keep malice with each other over very ephemeral and temporary things, mortgaging their eternal futures over emotional baggage.

The perfect example has been given, with Jesus himself pronouncing forgiveness even for those who hurt him by nailing him to a cross. Stephen didn't utter an unkind word, as he was being stoned to death. I cannot lay claim to knowing God if my life's pattern and direction do not align with his commands. If I have received absolute mercy, the best I can do is extend the same mercy to other people.

And of course, the question arises from today's extract: can I forgive, yet not completely? Can I truly stand before God today, and say with every measure of certainty, that I have dealt with everyone the way He has dealt with me? Think carefully on your response; your eternal home is tied to it. His time of favour is here.

What Love means!

“You’re familiar with the old written law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. Matthew 5:43‭-‬44a MSG

We must be careful about the pressures of this age we live in, and how it seeks to conform us to its ways. It is fashion to love people who love you in return and it is natural to avoid someone who is viewed as an enemy. This is the problem: whose opinion counts: is it the world, with its inconsistencies and uncertainties, or the Word of God, who challenges us to a higher, nobler standard?

The world understands sowing and reaping, just as it applies under the Word. The world calls me to respond only to all who love me, the Word asks me to be the first to reach out to all men, irrespective of their reaction or response to me. The world makes it a norm to hate the enemy, without defining who the enemy is, while the Word defines the only enemy I have as the devil. If this was impossible, God won't command it, and as we know, Jesus lived out the truth of this instruction in his every day life. He had traitors like Judas Iscariot following him daily, yet he was sent out with the 72 to preach, with miracles following. He was the one who betrayed Jesus, yet I get the feeling that if he had truly repented, he would have been forgiven. Saul of Tarsus got a measure of that love, and we are beneficiaries of the love of God in his life through the letters he wrote in the new testament.

You have no idea what your actions today will birth. You have no idea what the consequences of your actions today will be. Remember, how you react speaks to your ownership and allegiance. If I truly belong to God, I will act like he does, and love as he does. If I don't, then I can make all the noise and keep up the pretence; the fruits of my life will eventually reveal my priorities. Even when all I get from the other person is negativity, all I can do is act right. I cannot control the other man's reactions; I must make sure that the love of God i have received shines through me to bless someone else. His time of favour is here.

Glory in Suffering!

There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. Romans 5:3‭-‬4 MSG

Before learning about the treasures in today's extract, what are those things which have come before? The foundation of all I enjoy today is faith in Christ. All I have now- justification, sanctification, purification, grace and peace are all made possible in union with Christ. I also read in the verse before the one above that because of my faith in Christ, I can rejoice in the hope of the glory of God, which will be revealed in due course.

When you weigh these blessings, you wonder just where to fit in today's extract. If I'm looking forward in hope to the glory to be revealed, what is the place of rejoicing in the face of troubles? How do I keep hope alive when everything around me is falling apart? I think today's extract also provides insight. The end result of whatever God allows must be my focus all through my life. This is how it flows: whatever comes, I rejoice. It's not as if there is no pain, but I have learnt that with God, nothing is wasted. I know that the experiences will instill patience, which will in turn strengthen virtue in me. I learn that with his grace, I can weather any storm and not lose sight of the shore. I learn that in God, I am truly safe no matter how fierce the winds and waves are. I also know that God prepares me for greater heights through the valley experiences he brings my way. I haven't seen any man God has used mightily without giving him testimonies of hard times and seasons of total dependence on grace alone. God's treasures are too great to be committed into untested hands.

Can I rejoice in the face of difficult circumstances? Can God count on me to hold on to him, even when everything around is uncertain? What you do in such seasons speaks a lot about your centre of dependence and whether God can commit his plans into your hands. His time of favour is here.

Confess and Receive!

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and there is no truth in us. But if we confess our sins to God, he will keep his promise and do what is right: he will forgive us our sins and purify us from all our wrongdoing. 1 John 1:8-9 GNB

Getting all God desires for us starts with  seeing ourselves as God sees us. All of us were born in sin, because we inherited the Adamic nature. We were naturally opposed to the truth, as we could not expose our hearts and lives to the searing flame of God's Word. It does not matter how moralistically upright a man is, or how perfect his life is; the foundation for all he can ever be starts from an understanding of who he is and who he belongs to.

Sin and Truth cannot coexist in the same vessel. Both answer to 2 different masters and both have eternal destines attached. If I avoid the truth about my present condition, how do I ever acknowledge that I need help? If I feel self-sufficient and confident in my abilities and connections, why would I ever think I need a Saviour?

It starts with an acknowledgement of my weaknesses and inabilities, and a surrender to the Only One whose help is always available. I come to God confessing that I cannot help myself and I need his grace over my life. I confess all wrongdoing and ask him for a fresh start. His promise is certain: he will forgive sins and purify my heart. The only sacrifice that makes a man new is the one done by Christ himself when he gave his life for our sake. Nothing else can be added to that sacrifice and the sacrifice cannot be improved upon. You can either take it as it has been offered or wait in fearful expectation of judgement for rejecting his offer of life.

As always, the choice is mine. No matter how much I try to impress anyone, the final decision on my eternal destination lies with me alone. I won't go with anyone else to the judgment seat, neither can I drag anyone along with me to plead my case. While there is still time, I must take that step. His time of favour is here.

God at Work!

“Listen carefully, I have created the smith who blows on the fire of coals And who produces a weapon for its purpose; And I have created the destroyer to inflict ruin. “No weapon that is formed against you will succeed; And every tongue that rises against you in judgment you will condemn. This [peace, righteousness, security, and triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord , And this is their vindication from Me,” says the Lord.ISAIAH 54:16‭-‬17 AMP

The world has its fears and they are called by different names. All the phobias are linked to the fear of something, ranging from heights to water and so on. The devil has the world firmly in its grip and everyone who is subject to the world's dictates would also be subject to the devil's manipulations.

Today's extract seeks to draw our attention to a fundamental fact: God is the One who is truly in control of the whole universe. The devil also seeks to destroy, but his activities and influence has already been tempered by whatever limitations God has placed. Remember Job? The devil could touch anything, but he could not touch Job's life.  That's power personified.

When trouble and tribulations come, and you fear for your life, read today's extract again. Anyone or anything created answers to the Creator. Everything created has a purpose, assignment and limitation. It does not matter what the created wants to do; as long as the Creator does not approve, nothing will happen. The smith knows what he wants to achieve and has an idea of a weapon in mind. He then sets out the materials to use. He forges the weapon, while the one who will use it, the destroyer, would pick it up and apply. Unfortunately, in all of this planning, the Creator's counsel is not sought. 

The Creator simply says: let them forge weapons, let them arm warriors, as long as they all answer to me, nothing can happen without my consent. And before you go all out claiming this, recall the end of today's extract, and the people who qualify for this: the servants of the Lord.  Have you surrendered control to the Lord and owner of your life?  Are you still struggling for identity, unsure of who you are or who you belong to? Remember, anyone can quote Psalm 23, the psalm of the Shepherd. It would only be true for all who truly know the Shepherd of that psalm. Where do you stand? His time of favour is here. 

When Trouble Comes!

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you. ISAIAH 43:2 AMP

Just as it has been pointed out severally, trials and tribulations are not a function of IF but WHEN. There is no escaping trials and a strong faith in God does not insulate you from these experiences. Today's extract emphasizes that again. Just before trouble comes, you have got to be sure you have what it takes to overcome the challenges. Imagine a sailor getting into the middle of the river, only to realise he didn't have the required materials for the coming storm. The same applies to us; Jesus admonishes us all to 'count the cost' before deciding to follow him. He has told us upfront all that we will experience as we journey through this life.

He however promises us his Presence as our constant companion. The certainty of our experiences is as sure as the promise of his Presence. Whether it is waters, fires or rivers, he says he will be with us. There will be days when God may seem faraway; when it appears that He is just silent. Even in those days, one thing is certain: my emotions do not determine God's Presence; God is there no matter how I feel and no matter how things end.

And this is the clincher: how do you explain the experiences of men like Stephen and James, killed by a mob and the leader at the time, and it appeared God was silent? How and when God works is his prerogative; all I know is that he will be with me through it all, and all things will end up for my good. Should be good enough for me. The alternative is not a good choice. His time of favour is here.

This Present House

For I consider [from the standpoint of faith] that the sufferings of the present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us! ROMANS 8:18 AMP

A few points need to be emphasized from the today's extract:
1. Without any doubt, this life will have its challenges. I am yet to find any promise of a trial-free life from God; everything he talks about is strength, grace and power to stand in the face of these daunting challenges. 

2. You can only make it to the end by constantly depending on God alone. Faith in God holds on, even when present realities do not encourage hope. Faith in God says even if I do not understand the current circumstances, I know who is in charge.

3. It is this same faith that makes me believe that the end will be greater than the now. The only testimony in my heart is that God doesn't lie. If I can believe his promises, I can rest assured that he knows what he's doing and all he permits carries a greater good than my eyes can see now.

4. There is a glory being worked out in us now and a glory that is ahead. When you hear a man who has been held by God through difficult times, you can relate. When you sit down with a man who God has helped, you sense a total dependence on God and a complete lack of confidence in man's promises. The men of Jerusalem looked at the apostles and remembered that these unschooled ordinary men had been with Jesus. There was nothing else; just a definite encounter with Christ and the whole world knew the difference.

Can I speak just like the writer of this verse has spoken? Can I look back and see God's hand shaping my future even when the present is unclear? I hold on to the promise of the only One who can work out a perfect end from pieces of broken pottery. His time of favour is here.

The Peace Plan!

But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right--the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also. MATTHEW 6:33 AMP

Placing today's extract in context, human needs are varied and inexhaustible. We  worry about everything, from feeding money to school fees to rents and fares. Because the needs never stop, we never stop fretting. It appears to me that God indeed acknowledges our sorry and worrying state, yet wants us to know that no matter how hard we try, we cannot outrun the anxiety on our own. We need someone or something greater than ourselves to help us pull through.

The solution seems odd: seek God's kingdom. While I face daily stress, God says I should promote him. While there are daily worries and regular pressure, God says I should seek the things that please him. See, God knows our frame because he created us, and he knows how difficult it is for anyone to keep his mind totally focused on two different paths. You are either totally committed to one or the other; if you can't make up your mind, then you really do not want anything from God.

When my heart is totally committed to God and what he wants, my worries disappear. It does not mean that my needs automatically disappear, but God promises that when I take care of his own business, he will do the same for me. Note that this would be at his own time and in his own way. The only thing I can give is my total devotion. Whether he chooses to do it or if it is done at all, my relationship with God is nurtured and preserved. I may not have everything I need now, but when I have God, I have all I could ever need. His time of favour is here.

By Him Alone!

A horse is a false hope for victory; Nor does it deliver anyone by its great strength. Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon those who fear Him [and worship Him with awe-inspired reverence and obedience], On those who hope [confidently] in His compassion and lovingkindness,
PSALM 33:17‭-‬18 AMP

In the pursuit of comfort and convenience, man has discovered and devised ways and means by which he may enjoy this short life. We have built high, electrified  fences; we have reclaimed land from the waters and turned the land into prime real estate; we have surrounded ourselves with gadgets the best money can buy; yet it appears that we are not truly more secure. Advanced nations assume that the threat of nuclear weapons will keep everyone in line, but the realities of this troubled sinful world dictate the opposite. Where then does hope lie?

Today's extract highlights two different perspectives: man's and God's. We have looked at man's perspective above and found it incapable of giving us what we need. What then does God offer? Let's first settle this: being in God does not insulate you from trials and troubles; in fact, when you declare allegiance to God, you are now a target. However, one thing God has promised is that his eye is on all who fear him. This means NOTHING happens to me without God's express approval. If I have sorted out my ownership and allegiance, then the questions of my present help and future hope are settled. Fear isn't a bad thing when God is the target; in fact, we have also been admonished that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom.

Fear leads to obedience and true worship in reverence. You don't come to God with pretence and hypocrisy, saying one thing with your mouth but meaning something different in your heart. God cannot be mocked and he is not fooled by outward piety without inward conviction. All I do for God starts from my heart. If my heart is right,  its offerings and sacrifices will be right. It doesn't matter how much I convince myself I'm right; God's standards are the start point.

If God were to administer a test on my allegiance and loyalty today, would I pass? Forget what man tells you or how you convince yourself all is well. One day, all of us will stand before God to render a true account of all we were and did. The people I'm trying to impress today won't be there that day. How would it end for me? Ask yourself the same question. His time of favour is here. 

Right and Wrong!

Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word nor unwholesome or worthless talk [ever] come out of your mouth, but only such [speech] as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God's favor) to those who hear it. Ephesians 4:29 AMPC

In the face of human rights and fundamental freedoms come the words of today's extract. The charge by Paul is that I make a deliberate choice of the words I speak daily. Our age promotes freedom of speech, but cannot compel decency and proper conversation. We make jest of anything and everything, sometimes bringing in God's Word into the mix. We want to make people laugh, or to make people comfortable around us, so we make compromises with God's standards.

What is encouraged is conversation that builds up, not destroys. What is encouraged are words that lead to the spiritual edification of all who hear us, not necessarily what is funny or convenient. We have to choose whose priorities we will pursue; whether the Word's or the world's.

What makes it more necessary to be careful is that what I say must match the occasion and timing. Job's friends knew the right words but they  knew nothing about their friend Job or the workings of the God he served. In all I do, I must seek God's view before I launch out. When I speak as God directs, grace is released and comfort is assured. The words may sound empty but with the backing of the One who calls and empowers, the Words will speak life and healing. Imagine the opposite.

Let's end with this: The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned. Isaiah 50:4 KJV. Can this be said of me? His time of favour is here.

Knowing God!

“There is no one holy like the Lord , There is no one besides You, There is no Rock like our God. 1 SAMUEL 2:2 AMP

Let's put today's extract in context. Here was Hannah, in a polygamous marriage, no child but plenty of mockery from her rival who had children. Year after year she would come to the temple in Shiloh, hoping for a child. She knew the God of Israel, but that was no guarantee that she would get all she wanted at the time she thought best. And herein lies our life's lesson: God doesn't exist at our own pleasure, but we were made for his glory. However he intends to bring glory to his name through our lives, it is up to him, not up to us.

It appeared that Hannah prayed what God was looking for. The priest on ground -Eli - was old and appeared he couldn't control his sons. He actually warned them but it appeared that they didn't take him serious. Even a prophet was sent to Eli as additional warning, but he wouldn't take any further steps to address the issue. It was a ticking time bomb God had to address. And in here is our second lesson: parents: we will answer to God for how we nurture the gifts he has entrusted into our care. It doesn't matter how much we make or don't make; what would be the focus will be how much of God we knew and passed on to the children God gave us.

Hannah prayed God's heart and got a son, and as promised, gave him back to God. And this song by Hannah gives us a picture of who God is. He is Holy. He demands holiness from all who approach him. Don't get so familiar with God that you think you know all about him. He is like no other person or god; he holds the power of life and death and everything created answers to him. He is a Rock, signifying strength and protection and only IN him is anyone truly safe. It doesn't mean there won't be trials and difficult times, but like Hannah, a song of thanksgiving would always be the end product of our experiences. Do you know this God?  Does he know you as his own? His time of favour is here. 

Who's Holding You Up?

Because I, your God , have a firm grip on you and I’m not letting go. I’m telling you, ‘Don’t panic. I’m right here to help you.’ Isaiah 41:13 MSG

The reason why I am where I am has nothing to do with what I have or know but with who God is. There is something personal about God that we all must know, and it is that inasmuch as he is God over all the universe and its contents, yet he seeks a personal walk with each one  of us. He could command our obedience if he wanted to, but he would rather have our total and heartfelt submission to him.

He is my God only for as long and how far I allow him work. He introduces himself to me, stating that he has a firm grip on me and not letting go. When I consider my experiences, I remember that there several times I knew I couldn't make it on my own, but someone was watching out for me. There were days when sitting in with fear looked a better option than setting out in faith. Through all these seasons, God was there, holding me up and telling me not to fear. It is a firm grip; his arms are referred to as the everlasting arms, and he assures me that nothing can pluck me out of his hands. Even when trouble and tragedy come, his Word of assurance says: "Fear Not".

When I don't feel his Presence near, I remember his never failing promise that he will never leave me or forsake me. When all around me is sinking sand, I hold on to the Solid Rock, the Ancient of Days. Oh, there may be experiences like James, killed without any 'response' from God, or a man like Stephen, stoned to death and it appeared God too was silent. Does that change who God is? When I don't understand his silence or his actions, I hold on to his never failing Word, Presence and Power. His time of favour is here. 

He's Coming!

“Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will prepare and clear the way before Me. And the Lord [the Messiah], whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming,” says the Lord of hosts. MALACHI 3:1 AMP

As I read today's extract, one sobering thought just sticks out: if indeed it is true that the Lord is coming back, am I ready? Now, I know there are arguments trying to deny this, claiming that there is nothing around us that makes that event a certainty. But then again, i take stock of all God has said and I realize he is actually trustworthy. If he says something will happen, he has the power, capacity and capability to bring it to pass; after all, several promise have already been fulfilled. I had better take stock again and be sure I'm ready.

God promises to send his messenger to prepare and clear the way. John the Baptist has come in the flesh for the physical preparation, but all around us today, we are being reminded again that he is coming. John the Baptist preached repentance; men are sent by God today to preach the same call to repentance. Just as John the Baptist warned men to flee from the wrath to come, so does the same warning go out today. Men have appropriated wealth, connections and possessions to themselves, thinking that these will provide protection or insurance against the coming wrath. Please be reminded that the God who promises to return soon has stated categorically that all we see will be destroyed by fire. The devil has succeeded in distracting us from the things that really matter, and we are busy comparing physical structures and the population, forgetting that all will end up in unquenchable fire. We argue about jets, space and management style, forgetting that the coming wrath is an individual call, not a church- based call. God will not ask me where I worshipped, but if indeed I truly worshipped the Living God. God won't ask me if I did right by what he gave me, but first whether I prepared well for my eternal dwelling. He is coming.

Today, ask yourself, just as I have just asked myself: "Am I ready for judgement"? Let no man deceive you and claim that God is merciful; that is just a part of the whole picture. His mercy is why I am alive today, but his judgment is coming. All I do today is preparation for that one decision that will determine my eternal destination. What would it be for you? What would it be for me? Am I looking forward with expectation, or am I afraid that if he comes now, I may be found wanting? While there is time, please be sure. That song says: Life at best is very brief, like the falling of a leaf, like the binding of a sheaf. If in sin you longer wait, you may find no open gate, and your cry will be just too late, be in time. " His time of favour is here.

All Grace!

Saving is all his idea, and all his work. All we do is trust him enough to let him do it. It’s God’s gift from start to finish! We don’t play the major role. If we did, we’d probably go around bragging that we’d done the whole thing! No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. Ephesians 2:8‭-‬9 MSG

Let's see the version we can easily remember: For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast.Ephesians 2:8‭-‬9 KJV

Nobody qualified; sin made us not good enough. We exchanged God's permanent glory for temporary gain and we became objects of wrath. However,  God's original design couldn't be altered; he had to find a way for us to gain back what was lost. So today's extract makes sense in this light; it is all about God from start to finish.

Long before we earned it, it was offered freely. Long before our works could make us worth it, he had settled it. There is no room for pride,  no room for self and no room for effort. If I couldn't create myself, then of course, I know nothing about how my life came to be and what it would be like. All I can do is trust the wisdom and power of the One who did.

I love the ending: God does the making and the saving. Start to finish. End to end. He made me for  his purpose and saves me for his purpose. Nothing else can beat that buy myself. If I reject him, I tell him I can save myself. If I reject him, I tell him I don't need him. Because he alone saves, I must answer to him when this present life ends. Am I ready? His time of favour is here. 

Be Still!

The Lord will fight for you while you [only need to] keep silent and remain calm.” EXODUS 14:14 AMP

It is difficult to stand still when everything around is shouting for action. Sometimes, it appears that God would have you do something before he shows his hand. It is difficult to understand the way God works from a distance; you have got to build a relationship with Him first of all. When that is settled, then today's extract will make sense. If you check out the context of today's extract, you wonder why God would do all the mighty miracles he did in Egypt, only to seemingly abandon his people in the wilderness, and between the Red Sea on one end and the advancing Egyptian army on the other end. I have just learnt that in God, the lessons never stop.

The phase of leaving Egypt is settled; another test of faith beckons. Yesterday's victories remind you of what God can do, and how powerful he is, but may not give you any idea of where the next test is coming from. You can search the scriptures and ask God all the questions; it's his prerogative to answer you, or to give you a response that you will only understand as time goes on. Please help me out here: look at this scenario: Egyptian army pursuing, Red Sea ahead, everyone's heart is melting with fear, and God says: be still, I will fight for you. Trust me, it would take Faith for a man to really relax in the face of these daunting challenges.

However, a knowledge of God helps me to understand God. I may not understand how or why he does whatever he does, but I need to know God personally. He says he will fight my battles for me; it means to me that as much as I can, I have to be careful just how much I try to help God achieve what he alone can do. I can fret and plan all I want; God can decide to mess up all my well laid plans just to make a point. When you read the end of this story, I am not sure there was anything the Israelites could do to help God; they just had to trust him and move at his command, when he commanded and wherever he commanded. I believe that is the secret to a life of victory. It is never about what I can do but about who God is and what he commands. His counsel may look stupid, but when you are dealing with the one called the 'Ancient of Days', be rest assured that he is always current and contemporary. Would you trust him totally? His time of favour is here.