Today!

This [day in which God has saved me] is the day which the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it. PSALM 118:24 AMP

Placing today's extract in context, the Psalmist had experienced danger on all sides, but he had also experienced God's deliverance and safety. Enemies had surrounded him on all sides, but he had received help from God. One thing is clear: the world has its share of trials and tribulations. It does not matter on which side of the globe you are on: earthquakes, wars and its rumours, tornadoes, corruption and its effects, tribal warfare and genocide; you get it all around. However, in the midst of all these, you find the soothing words in today's extract.

No matter how a day turns out to be, know this: the One who created all things, including the day and all its happenings, cannot be surprised by anything that day holds. Everything that is created answers to the One who created it, and He determines the What, the When and the How. As long as God wakes me up to a new day, it is my understanding that it is a day to experience the mercies of God in new dimensions. Challenges and difficulties may come, the day may start off all dark and gloomy, but once it is settled that God reigns and rules in the affairs of man, I can rest assured that all will end well.

There is therefore a choice to be made: take the day as God intends, or choose my own path. Today's extract advises us to rejoice and be glad. Being able to rejoice has nothing to do with clear skies everyday, but with an inner assurance of divine control everyday. Being able to rejoice is a result of inner conviction that no matter what comes, it has to pass through the Creator to get to me. If he allows it, it will end in joy. I may not always see the big picture, but seeing God at work is just good enough for me. What of you? Can you trust God that he knows what he's doing? His time of favour is here.

Now!

The Lord does not delay [as though He were unable to act] and is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is [extraordinarily] patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. 2 PETER 3:9 AMP

Man measures life by years, months and days; God measures life by impact and decisions. Whilst man sees the acquisition of earthly goods and the command of man's respect as the ultimate, God sees the decision to surrender to Him as the best decision anyone could ever make. All through life, men have lived and died, leaving behind ALL they had acquired over the years. It then means that there is something very fundamental to life that goes beyond the physical.

When it appears that God does not 'act' as and when he should, remember today's truth. If we were to be dealt with as our deeds deserve, I do not think anyone will be alive. The mercy of God keeps us sane, pulls us through, helps us up. When he delays judgment, man thinks he is smart. When a man does not get the just punishment for his misdeeds, he gets emboldened to do worse things. Let it be known today that what keeps you isn't so much about you, but about God's mercy and grace. Sometimes, we think we are so good, and others are so bad, that we forget that it wasn't ever about our qualifications, but always about God's nature.

God promises judgment for all evil. He has clearly stated the end of all decisions and whatever choice I make, the end has been determined upfront. God leaves no one in doubt as to the end of all things. I must therefore make sure I am on the right path, and headed in the right direction. One day, life as we see it now will cease to exist. All that will matter will be the decision to accept the free gift of Life, personalised by Jesus the Son. That is the prescribed way to Life, as determined by God.

As he waits patiently, he wants to give us life. He wants to be a Father to all, and wants us to reign with him. His patience is extraordinary and there is no end to his mercy, but for all of life, there is an expiry date for a decision. What is yours? His time of favour is here.

Choices!

But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right [the authority, the privilege] to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name. JOHN 1:12 AMP

Wherever there's a BUT, the words before look nothing like the words after. If there was a receiving after a BUT, it means there was a rejecting before the BUT. In every age of human existence, the freedom to choose who to follow has always been guaranteed. From creation and the Garden of Eden, man has been given the freedom to choose who he would follow. Man chose to be independent of God, and the consequences of that choice continue to operate till now.

Today's extract lays down a truth: you can choose differently. It does not matter what has gone before; a new phase can begin, if I can only choose right. The gift has been given long ago, the gift that brings life. I must receive and welcome him into my life. It is not enough to read or hear about him, or to applaud other people's testimonies about him. In the final analysis, it is an individual decision, a personal experience. It says to 'as many'. There is no limit to God's capacity and grace to redeem; it appears we are the ones who do not understand what God can do.

Receiving God into your life brings several other benefits, but there is one fundamental benefit: being called a 'child of God'. Until you become one, you may never understand the effect. A child inherits the blessings and benefits of the family s/he belongs to; nobody else can. It is important that I give careful consideration to my relationship with God. Do I believe in God? Do I understand the power of his name? Does God know me as his own? Fundamental questions, eternal answers. His time of favour is here.

Everlasting Word!

IN THE beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself. John 1:1 AMPC

Looking at the account of creation, you discover that the essential material required to put the earth in place was the Word of God. With the Word came the accompanying inherent power and authority needed to give the Word fulfilment. From recorded history, as far as the written word of God records, there was darkness all over, the earth was formless and void, practically non-existent. What began the whole process was the Word of God, spoken from the Person of Authority. These are fundamental truths in today's extract.

God spoke, and asked that light appear, and because He is the One with the required authority, there had to be fulfilment of what he had spoken. When next the confusion in your heart is massive, and you don't know what to do, go to the One who speaks and there is order and direction. It took a Word from the same authority to calm the storms, it took a Word to silence the mouths of lions, it took a Word to render powerless the venom of snakes and all through human life, that same Word is still at work.

Of course, there can be no fulfilment if the One speaking does not have the power to bring what has been spoken to pass. Before you go all out acting, be sure that the right authority is backing you up. Men had spoken in the past based on other people's experiences, and the story of the sons of Sceva is important here. You can claim all you want, or do all the necessary things; if you are not backed up by Him, then you are on your own.

The identity of the Word has been revealed. You then have a choice, depending on what your expected outcome should be. God always states clearly what my course of action is. I have a choice to accept or to reject Him, knowing fully well that the end of my choice is either eternal life or eternal damnation. His time of favour is here.

Staying Strong!

No temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word--He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy]. 1 CORINTHIANS 10:13 AMP

Depending on whose opinion you hold, you can discover a treasure trove of help and grace as you walk on the pathway of life. It has always been emphasized that since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, where he chose to reject God and make his own way, man has lost the inner strength to live right. In all spheres of human interaction, the desire to get ahead and beat all opposition has been in man. In the political, religious, academic or economic life of man, it has become a race to be better, bigger and brighter than everyone else. Where then is the light?

Today's extract provides light. No matter the weight of the pressure, God's grace is heavier. No matter the quality of the opposition, God's strength is bigger. Nothing comes to me without his permission or approval, and there is already an assurance that nothing in that situation will  overwhelm me. One of the strongest reasons why we get overwhelmed is because our human sense of independence wants to go on his own strength and wisdom. At no time do I have the power, ability or capacity to succeed; at all times, I must depend on the One who holds the time and seasons in His hands.

Check out the words again: God knows about what is coming to you in the future. He ensures that the experience is specifically tailored to the size of your strength and ability. Whilst the situation is unfolding, his grace has already unfolded and is waiting for your call. Nothing in that situation is created to defeat you, but to empower you for greater heights. Inside that particular situation is grace for the journey ahead, as well as strength to overcome and come out stronger. God will provide strength to match the trial, or bring a trial that will match our strength. Either way, we are covered. God isn't like man, inconsistent and untrue. If he says he will, history has proven that he does not lie. The secret is DAILY DEPENDENCE. Nothing outside of Him will work. His time of favour is here.

God's Searchlight!

Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart; Test me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way. PSALM 139:23‭-‬24 AMP

Whilst I appreciate the depths of the mercy and grace of God, I must also be aware of his judgement. I cannot lay claim to all the good he offers, and then choose to ignore all the directives he gives to enable me enjoy all the good. Walking with/working for God is such a delicate thing that I must get the process, environment and culture right; otherwise I would only run or labour in vain.

David here prays a prayer that all of us must pray constantly: God, search me. The flesh in us is strong willed and will not give up without a fight. The natural man in us does not accept its faults or weaknesses, but would always have a reason for everything it does, good or bad. Only in subjection to God's searchlight can a man's life make impact. Only as God works on a heart can that life meet with God's approval. There is nothing in my natural man that can qualify me for that good.

Being sincere is just the starting point. You could own up to your weakness, yet not go to the right place for help. David's prayer is a guide to us too: only God can reveal to man the true state of his heart. When God searches, he is like a fire. Check out Malachi's discovery in Malachi 3:2b - For He is like a refiner’s fire and like launderer’s soap [which removes impurities and uncleanness]. When I open my life to the Word of God, I allow him do what he alone can do. When I surrender control to God, I simply confess I cannot help myself and that only He can bring me to the place of repentance, rebirth, restoration and regeneration.

All of my thoughts and ways are open before him. I must not deceive myself and hide away from his searchlight. There are eternal consequences to all I do NOW, and only as I submit DAILY to his guidance do I also receive grace to live right. Nothing else will work. His time of favour is here.

True Love!

For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is fulfilled in one precept, “You shall love your neighbor as  yourself [that is, you shall have an unselfish concern for others and do things for their benefit].”GALATIANS 5:14 AMP

First of all, there is nothing like a 'lawless' society. A society can choose to ignore the laws that apply to it, or the laws may not be strong or comprehensive enough to cover all areas of human imagination, but in all areas of life, there are rules, regulations and obligations that apply. The same is true in the spiritual: at different times, God had placed obligations and codes of behavior before his people, and demanded obedience from them.

In the old testament, there are over 6,000 rules, ranging from interactions with God, man and other created things. I am not sure there's an area of human interaction that God has not covered. In today's extract, there is a summary of the thousands of rules governing human relationships, and the summary is 'Love'. When I am tempted to insist on my own way, to the detriment of other people, God reminds me to put other people's interests first. When it appears that my friend is progressing and I'm standing still,  and envy wants to rear its head, I am reminded that God loves me and gives grace to enable me show the same. When offences come, and I am tempted to retaliate and give as good as I get, I am reminded again that it was love that paid the price for my own offence.

In all areas of human endeavour, as long as I have to relate with another person, I must give room for friction and tension. Only as I respond in love do I prove my understanding and appreciation of all that I have received from God. His love shone through when he died for me, even when I had not even seen, known, acknowledged or appreciated him. That's love: shown even when the target does not care. I do not wait for the other person to be worthy of my love; I give it anyway. I do not wait for the other person to reciprocate the love; I simply pour out the love of God in my heart and through my life and trust that it will make impact in the hands of him who asks me to obey. Can you trust God with your heart and let his love shine through? His time of favour is here.

New Things!

but just as it is written [in Scripture], “Things which the eye has not seen and the ear has not heard , And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him [who hold Him in affectionate reverence, who obey Him, and who gratefully recognize the benefits that He has bestowed].” 1 CORINTHIANS 2:9 AMP

It is the age of knowledge and discoveries. If many of our late fathers who died about 150 years ago could see us now, i am sure they would marvel at how far we have come in our journey of discoveries and innovation. Since the discovery of the lightbulb, we have progressed to both constructive and destructive discoveries. Just as the heaters warm our beds, so do the nuclear materials destroy lives and nations. That is the reality of the world we live in.

You then wonder where God is in the midst of all these. It appears as if man has been able to do all these without bothering about God. The argument has been put out that God would not do for us what we can do for ourselves. I wonder just how to sort out exactly what it is that we are required to do by ourselves and what is exclusively God's own preserve. Man's fall has led him to a sense of independence and self sufficiency, and only a deep understanding of who he is, his limitations and dependencies, and his understanding of God's nature and power, will help put his life in order.

There is nothing in me that can prepare me adequately for all that God has in store for me. There is no human measure that can quantify all that God has set in motion to be fulfilled in my own lifetime. Just searching through the lives of men of old gives you an idea of God's power. His ways are beyond searching out, and his answers would sometimes confuse you the more. How do you take a man from prison and in one night, make him the Prime Minister? How do you put men in a fiery furnace and they are not killed? How does one man, through faith, secure eternal blessings for his whole generation? These are just a few of the amazing things done by God in the past, and as you know, he does not change like man does, and his love knows no bounds.

Before we go jumping up in expectation, please note the condition: 'for those who love him'. It is not for everyone, but for anyone who recognises his limitations and depends solely on God who gives all. Only in and through God can I access all the benefits that have been promised. Note that the timing, impact and quality of the experience are all determined by God; all I can do is trust that his love for me is total and complete, and he will not let me go to waste. His time of favour is here.

Blessed!

“Blessed [with spiritual security] is the man who believes and trusts in and relies on the Lord  And whose hope and confident expectation is the Lord . “For he will be [nourished] like a tree planted by the waters, That spreads out its roots by the river; And will not fear the heat when it comes; But its leaves will be green and moist. And it will not be anxious and concerned in a year of drought Nor stop bearing fruit. JEREMIAH 17:7‭-‬8 AMP

It appears that over the past few days, God would have us understand what means to be truly blessed. The world has definitions, which are never consistent, because the world's standards are never consistent. The world cannot understand the principles of God's Word, so it can never define things from God's perspective.

You can NEVER be truly blessed outside of God. What the world can assure you of are riches, connections and alliances; it can never guarantee you anything permanent. Haven't you wondered why it appears that riches founded on other things except God hardly lasts beyond the 3rd generation? As long as the focus isn't God, then the foundation of whatever you hold on to is shaky.

First note: the one who is truly blessed is connected and founded right. God is the first and only focus. The person trusts, believes and relies on God, and all hopes and expectations are hinged on that personal experience. If you don't have him, you can't fake it. If you don't know him, it doesn't matter who else you know.

Secondly, the consistency of such a life is tied to the roots, not the outward physical appearance. We focus so much on the outward, and define men by the physical, forgetting that what we see outside is just but a reflection of the inner. Green leaves aren't mainly a function of lovely stems, but of deep roots and abundant nourishment. How are you nourished: are you focused on window dressing or do your roots go deep down into God?

Of course, the fruits will always manifest. It is never about the environment, but about the quality of the nourishment. Isaac sowed in a land of drought and reaped a hundredfold; Joseph went from the Pit to Potiphar's house and to the Prison, then to being Prime Minister. In these 2 cases, a statement is common: God was with them. It doesn't matter what is the quantity/quality of the opposition; just sort out the Presence of God and the connection to his power. Long after human ability has ceased, God's help and grace will speak. Check out your connections; his time of favour is here.

Right Perspective

If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love [for others growing out of God’s love for me], then I have become only a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal [just an annoying distraction]. 1 CORINTHIANS 13:1 AMP

The Christian life is a rich experience. It exposes you to grace on various levels, helping you see God in different dimensions, and boosting your relationships with other people. I have never seen anyone who showed off his inner convictions just being by himself alone; the test of the inner quality is always revealed by the strength of the outer relationships. It is in this context that today's extract makes sense. It appears that we are no longer seeking to make impact God's way; we now want to be known, recognized and celebrated.

Rather than appreciate our differences and understand that it is in our differences that God's amazing power and grace are best seen, we now build closed empires and shut out others who don't align with our point of view or share our own convictions. Our gifts, given for the edification of the church and to aid the maturing process of the people whose lives they were meant to bless, now become bargaining chips on how much we earn, or how much control we can have.

Tongues is a gift from God, and is one of the many given for the edification and strengthening of the body of Christ. In so many New Testament passages, particularly after the Pentecost experience, this became one of the many early gifts given to people who identified with the message of Christ. The decision to give was God's; and he decided who and when to give. If I understand this, on what grounds do I stand to manipulate the gifts to my advantage? On what grounds do I use the gift in any other way, except in God's love towards other people? Note today's extract: I can have the best of the Christian graces, and yet my life will have no impact whatsoever. It all depends on the environment in which my life's impact is sown.

Love is the defining difference. It does not matter what else I have or don't have; when love is absent, noise is the only thing left. Man can stand up and applaud my presentation, diction and grammatical construction, but if not done in sincere love, defined by God, I have only made noise. It is my heart, not my tongue, that makes the greatest impact. Because the heart is unseen, I must take care of it, and ensure that what it produces is such that God can use to bless others. Anything else is a waste of time and divine resources. His time of favour is here.

Truly Blessed!

Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin. Romans 4:7‭-‬8 KJV

It has always been emphasized that the way the world defines 'being blessed' is a lot different from the way God defines it. Because the world sees things in physical and quantitative terms, it has to determine the value of anything it defines in those terms. That is why the richest people in the world are defined by their monetary value, not necessarily by their impact or eternal footprint.

David who spoke here, but was quoted in the New Testament, understood the power of God's grace and mercy on a human life. His life was a living testimony to what mercy can accomplish. His beginning was humble, his youth was eventful and his kingship was 'impact -full'. There was an incidence of adultery, as well as murder. God didn't allow him build a temple for Him because his hands were soiled with blood, but when you deal with the mercy of God, you really don't get what you 'deserve'. Man's and God's judgement for what David did should have been death, but when mercy speaks, natural laws are put on hold. I cannot claim to know how this mercy works in all its fullness, but I can definitely attest to the fact that I stand here because of that mercy.

I look at David's words again and I marvel at its simplicity. All I need is mercy. I stand only by grace. When my sins are forgiven, the fear of judgement is dealt with. When the blood of Jesus covers your sins, the hold of the past is broken and a new phase starts. When the blood covers all the past, even the devil cannot bring it up against you. When the blood speaks, it is Life that is speaking, and when God's Son is the One speaking, of course, the Father will listen.

When a person comes to God, dirty, wounded and broken, acknowledging his helplessness and asking for cleansing, the person gets it. Have you approached the contact point of mercy? Do you know all persons are welcome there, no matter who you are or what you have done?  Come as you are, and meet with the only One whose touch can set you right and guarantee eternal life. When next you are tempted to think that the good around you is a result of the good in you, remember, you stand only by grace. His time of favour is here.

Crucified!

And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature together with its passions and appetites. GALATIANS 5:24 AMP

It has always been said that your ownership determines your priorities. It doesn't matter how long you succeed in deceiving other people or getting away with compromise; the quality of your life will be determined by the quality of your connections. There are big differences between hearing/reading about something and knowing that thing. Knowledge is strengthened by personal experience and the more you learn, the deeper the connection. That's how it is with the Christian experience.

Today's extract is targeted at those who understand who they are and who they belong to. It is not about who you think you are, but who you really are. You may attempt self deception, and also succeed in deceiving others for a while, but the One who owns all hearts cannot be deceived. He demands a standard that his grace alone can sustain, and all who come to him in true surrender enjoy that grace in full measure. If I claim I belong to Christ, my life must show this in true measure. What is demanded of me: all of the old nature and self must be crucified. Sounds easy? The old nature has demands. It will task my decision to follow Christ and reject the world. It will make it appear I made a mistake to reject the world. It would make it seem that the old way was better.

At no time can I succeed in this Christian experience all by myself. The power to live right isn't in me, and at no time am I expected to do it all alone. God promises grace, help and mercy as I depend on him daily to live right. Back to the basic truth: do I know who I am and who I belong to? The two extremes: Christ and Self cannot coexist and function in the same life. One must give way to the other. Both choices have eternal consequences. What would it be for me? His time of favour is here.

Foundations!

The righteous man who walks in integrity and lives life in accord with his [godly] beliefs-- How blessed [happy and spiritually secure] are his children after him [who have his example to follow]. PROVERBS 20:7 AMP

At all times, and in all ways, let it be known and understood by all that by our actions today, we sow seeds that will bear fruits and others coming after us will reap, either to their benefit or to their detriment. It does not matter how small you think the action is, or how personal you think it is to you; as long as you breathe as a human being, all actions have consequences. As it has always been pointed out, a man isn't righteous because he knows what to do, but because he has put his faith, trust and hope in the only One who is able to help him/her live right. A person isn't righteous by his own standards, but by God's own standards. S/he is daily depending on God to speak right, do right, think right and relate right. Would s/he make mistakes? Probably!. But then, the strength to live right is supplied by God, and He alone knows how to help all who depend on him. The Righteous person walks in integrity because s/he listens to instructions, and lives as God directs.

In today's contemporary world, we don't hear about such men too often. It is no longer popular to be called 'honest'. We have formed words like 'practical' and 'realistic' to justify our compromise. We claim that it is not easy to be upright in this present world, forgetting that, as was pointed out above, the power to live right was never of us in the first place. God does not demand of us something he has not supplied grace for, and if he says something is possible, only in and through Him can we find grace to comply with the instruction.

It becomes even important to live right, when you consider the fruit that others coming after you will eat. In all honesty, if you were to be shown the eternal consequences of your actions today, and your biological children were to be fed with those consequences, would you continue your present course of action? If your children were to stand as accusers today, weighing and judging your actions and motives, can you honestly defend what you presently do and how you do them? Interestingly, it is generational. If I as a parent fail to live right, my children are watching. I am laying a foundation, and they will be forced to live by the consequences of my actions, UNLESS they choose a different course of action. That is God! Merciful, Gracious and Kind, yet a Righteous Judge, giving to all men as their actions truly deserve.

Follow the right example; there are generational blessings tied to living right. Don't rely on the excuse that nobody showed you the right examples. God's grace is bestowed freely on all men, and his breath in us shows us how to live right. I have a choice; there are eternal consequences tied to my choice. His time of favour is here.

Aligned Right!

A simple life in the Fear-of- God is better than a rich life with a ton of headaches. Proverbs 15:16 MSG

Better is little with the reverent, worshipful fear of the Lord than great and rich treasure and trouble with it. Proverbs 15:16 AMPC

In a world where success and achievements are measured in physical and material terms, today's extract needs to be looked at again critically. The world's standards have become the popular yardstick for measuring everything we see. We define men by how they look, not by who they know. We define men by their present circumstances, not by their eternal journey. We see men from our own narrow prism, rather than how God sees them. No  wonder the world is in turmoil, and until we get the standards right, we will can never understand the full dimensions of God's purpose for our lives.

What makes a life simple: is it in outer possessions or inner Presence? A man can have the whole world, yet lack the most essential thing, which is the Presence of God. You can have the whole world at your feet, but make sure that God stands with you wherever you are. There is no crime in being rich, after all, God owns the earth and all its resources,  and he determines who and how he blesses. But be careful about how you define 'rich'; a man's life does not consist of the abundance of the things he possesses. In all my aspirations and pursuits, God has to take centre stage. He must guide my actions, thoughts and motives. His fear must be the motivating factor in all I do.

So, the right balance must be struck: I cannot afford to have the whole world and not have the true owner of all things in and with me. I cannot afford all the good things in life and not have the only One who can guarantee the end right from the beginning. I cannot afford to have the world around me and not have the Word in me. He alone can sustain all I am and have, and long after the world and all its false images have faded, he remains the same. So, as I go through life, I seek to enjoy all that God has on offer. I am his child and entitled to have all that his Life guarantees for me, but I am also careful to ensure that I go about it the right way. The end is near, and an account will be demanded of me. What would be my reason for everything I pursued? His time of favour is here.

Truly Safe!

The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the [consistently] righteous man [upright and in right standing with God] runs into it and is safe, high [above evil] and strong. Proverbs 18:10 AMPC

In human relationships, names are important. Beyond just a mark of identity, we give names to children to reflect our experiences, or as a reflection of where we want to be. From biblical times, the importance of a name is underlined in several places. Destinies have been fulfilled and destroyed on the basis of names. A name is a mark of authority, something signifying individuality. Sometimes too, God had moved beyond names to prove his might and power; ask Jabez, whose name meant 'Pain' but whose life had a turnaround after meeting with God.

Reflecting on today's extract, the name of the Lord is seen as a 'strong tower'. What's in a name, you may ask. A lot. This is God we are talking about. The same one who Abraham trusted, and generations after, David also  trusted, and even generations after, the apostles also trusted. The same God Joseph called on from the prison is the same God Jeremiah called on from the pit and Daniel called on from the lions' den, and Paul called on from prison, and John called on from the Island of Patmos where he was banished. It doesn't matter what the generation looks like; all that matters is that I call on the Lord. He is called a 'strong tower'. A tower is already strong, high and powerful. Adding 'strong' to it could only come from experience and personal conviction.

What happens when it appears as if the name of the Lord 'does not' answer? You read about Stephen, stoned to death for his faith, or John the Baptist, beheaded for speaking the truth to power. Did God fail? Do I measure God's work by physical signs or only when my interests are protected? When I consider the end of the lives of these people, and the results of their sacrifices, I realize that God has the prerogative to answer; I have the duty to run into him. How and when he answers is his right; running into him and staying there is my duty. Safety is in and of God.

The righteous are the ones who are promised safety when they run into him. I must then ask myself: Am I truly dependent on God or have I found alternatives? Do I see God as a rubber stamp, who must approve all I do, or do I trust him with my life, no matter what he may bring? The men of old trusted God with their lives, and even in the face of death, were convinced that God knew what he was doing. Their faith wasn't tied to 'physical things', but to the promise of God's grace and power, irrespective of their physical experiences.

Can I trust God in the same way? Can I surrender all to Him and allow him direct my life? No matter what comes, can I rest in his name, sure that my end will always bring glory to God? Even when I don't know where he's leading, can I trust his workings? Hard questions. His time of favour is here.

Life's Summary

Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived. Galatians 6:1‭-‬3 MSG

In today's extract lie life's summary, how I can live it within the boundaries of God's Word, & my relationship with other people. Offence is a part of human relationships. We step on each other's toes, offend each other, yet there is no replacement to human connections. Sin too is a part of the human experience, and it will be foolishness for any man to think he can master sin by his own power. What then is required of me? Firstly, I learn that since I am human, I must leave room for offence and forgiveness. I remember that the reason why I stand where I am is because I was also forgiven. If God has extended this grace to me, it is only fitting that I also extend this grace to other people.

Secondly, there is no room for criticism without humanity. We look down on some sins and feel that the people committing them are worse than other sinners. Unfortunately, with God, all sins, irrespective of 'gravity' have the same consequence: Death. My heart must remain humble enough to realise that I stand all by grace, nothing else.

Thirdly, wherever I am has nothing to do with ability, capacity or capability. Natural man is tempted to ascribe his position in life to something within himself. The truth is all I could ever be is tied to grace, so I must learn to stoop down and help others. Christ stooped down too to help me, and if indeed I follow Christ, then I must live and love like him.

Fourthly, I am asked to share other people's burdens. All around me are needs. I cannot answer all, but all that God has deposited in me is an answer to a particular issue. If I hide it, I do myself and that issue no good. It wasn't given for my self-glory, but for the good of the person whose life needs that answer.

If at any time I feel I am too good for the lessons above, I am only deceiving myself. I will give an account of all God has deposited in me, so I had better live right today. His time of favour is here.

What's Right?

Every man’s way is right in his own eyes, But the Lord weighs and examines the hearts [of people and their motives]. PROVERBS 21:2 AMP

We justify our actions by appearances; God examines our motives. Proverbs 21:2 MSG

When man was made and put in the Garden of Eden, he was made complete, perfect and in the image of God. He had unbroken, unpretentious fellowship with God, who was pleased to come down at regular intervals to talk with Adam. Yes, Adam was given the freewill to choose, and until he fell to the devil's manipulations, he enjoyed the best God had to offer.

Then came the fall, and man lost his place and fellowship with God was broken. God came down as he usually did, and man had to hide. Sin will always lead you away from God, and until sin is dealt with in a life, that life cannot enjoy all that God has on offer. With sin has come a fierce sense of independence, with man telling God he can run his life without help. Our actions and thoughts show that God's will or desire for our lives aren't our own priorities. We convince ourselves that we are right in our own eyes, and put out arguments in support of our position. We forget that we cannot deceive God, who owns the heart and understands all its secrets.

Just like the MSG version says, we justify our actions by appearances. We focus on the outward and forget the inward. We have an answer for what we do, forgetting that we will answer to God for those decisions at some point. God weighs our hearts. I recall King Amaziah, with God's verdict being that 'he served God all the days of his life, BUT NOT WITH A PERFECT HEART'. When you are dealing with God, know this: Men like yourself can be deceived; God cannot. God is not like your everyday person, but he is the one who is from everlasting to everlasting, and will request an accounting from every life he has made. What would be your response when he calls? His time of favour is here.

Test!

Beloved, do not believe every spirit [speaking through a self-proclaimed prophet]; instead test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets and teachers have gone out into the world. 1 JOHN 4:1 AMP

Starting from the very beginning, please note that today's extract is addressed to people the writer, John, identifies as the Beloved. The focus of the message about Christ is love, from start to finish. All the benefits and blessings promised and established by God are for people who have identified with God's love and have immersed themselves in it. If I have accepted Christ as my Lord, I accept his terms and conditions and promise to live by his standards. If he lives in me, I live by his standards and undertake to do as he commands, not as I please. If I am to be truly called his beloved, can I truly say that I am bound by love to and for God and my fellow man, nourished and connected to the One who calls us all to himself, and headed in the same direction - eternal life?

The instruction then comes to all who are the Beloved: 'Do not believe every spirit'. You can never identify the fake unless you have held, tasted, felt, seen or heard the original. An application of this is on currency notes. You are taken through a series of identification techniques on what a genuine note look like. Nobody ever shows you a fake note. As you immerse yourself in the seen and unseen features of the original, you can easily identify when you encounter a fake note. It is the same with the things of the Spirit. Do you have the Spirit of God? Does God know you as his own? It doesn't matter what answer you give yourself; the fruit of your life is the biggest testament to who is in charge of your life.

This generation is hung up on the physical. We crave physical evidence of God's move, we are deceived by the outward show of piety and 'miraculous' works all around; others have closed their minds to what God can do, and the devil is giving us very similar options to what God is doing. We cannot afford not to identify the fake. We cannot afford to accept all that comes, without testing out what is genuine. Even if it looks like the original, test it. Balaam was a 'prophet', who because of monetary gain, was going to change God's verdict about Israel. The old prophet deceived another young prophet to come in and sleep for the night, even when God specifically said the young prophet should not, and Judas spent three and a half years with Christ, eating and drinking with him, yet betrayed him for money. I cannot afford not to know the intention, motive and purpose behind everything I see.

Do you know when the Spirit speaks? In the midst of all the noise around me, can I discern when God speaks and what he wants me to do? Falsehood is gaining grounds and becoming popular by the day, and standing for truth is becoming uncommon. However, God's Word has always been true, and a day of reckoning will come. On that day, the standard will be the Truth as defined by God, not the popular culture of our day, or the inconsistent standards of this generation. I had better be sure I am standing on the side of Truth, and truly living for the pleasure of the One who loved me enough to give his life for me. His time of favour is here.

Anger, God's Way

Be angry [at sin--at immorality, at injustice, at ungodly behavior], yet do not sin; do not let your anger [cause you shame, nor allow it to] last until the sun goes down. And do not give the devil an opportunity [to lead you into sin by holding a grudge, or nurturing anger, or harboring resentment, or cultivating bitterness].
EPHESIANS 4:26‭-‬27 AMP

Man, by nature, since the fall in the Garden of Eden, has become easy prey to a range of emotions, ranging from anger, malice, greed and covetousness, among many others. Long before God gave Moses the 10 commandments on Mount Sinai, Cain had murdered his brother, men in Abraham's days had been involved in sexual immorality, and God had wiped off a generation of men with a flood, due to sin. It therefore means that man's tendency to sin isn't about generation or lack of rules, but about the Adamic nature he inherited due to the generational nature of sin.

Today's extract seeks to make a distinction for those who claim to be born anew, and who claim God as their master. Anger is an human emotion, but what usually follows it becomes a function of your understanding of who you are and who you belong to. I can be angry, I am allowed to, but if I cannot fulfill the other part of the sentence, I must watch it, so I do not go contrary to God's command. I can be angry, but I am not allowed to sin. When emotions are high, sin is not far, and I must take very great care to ensure that my words, actions and intentions reflect my relationship with God.

When anger comes, it must be aimed at correcting a wrong, if possible, or if it sin, to make it right. The devil has been in the business of deceit for a long time, and I cannot beat him at his game. All he needs is a handhold, or a small window of opportunity to destroy a life. What starts as a small slight escalates into a big offence, and then malice,  hatred and bitterness creeps in silently. Pride makes it difficult for me to see where I went wrong, or to apologize to the other party, so I stay off. My prayers are hindered because God would not accept prayers from a heart filled with bitterness; I cannot relate well with people, simply because I have allowed a wall to build up between us. Look back at the beginning of this paragraph, and identify how it all started: anger at a slight or offence. It always starts with the small things, and we will do well to always watch our lives, so we do not open ourselves up to the manipulation of the Devil.

Before it goes out of control, resolve the hurt. Reconcile. Forgive. Let go. Move on. Don't let your heart be a fertile ground where the seeds of discord, bitterness or hatred can be sown. The fruits of those seeds will hinder God's move in your life, and prevent you from enjoying all that God intends for you. Remember, it always starts small. His time of favour is here.

Blessed!

Blessed and favored by God are those who keep His testimonies, And who [consistently] seek Him and long for Him with all their heart. PSALM 119:2 AMP

We all crave blessings and love the good things of life. We seek the favour of men, because we feel it is the easiest way to get what we want. Sometimes, we pretend to be what we are not, so we can deceive people into giving us what we don't deserve or need. This may work with man, but with God, deceit or pretence will not get us what we truly need. Today's extract talks about how to be blessed the right way and what I need to do to sustain the blessing.

First, God's testimonies are to be kept. If I do not know what they are, how do I keep them? The Hebrew translation of testimony figuratively suggests something that relates to the heart, mind and intellect. In this context, it would have to mean that all who will be blessed must seek, know and follow the things that are dear to God's heart. You don't seek it once and stop when things get difficult; it is a lifelong commitment. It is not done with insincerity or pretence; God always sees through the pretence.

The word is consistency. God's Word promises that all who truly seek him will be found by him. David once said he thirsted for God like a deer pants for water. Isaiah testified that indeed, whoever would seek God with the whole of his/her heart will definitely find God. Men of old thrived on this search, and their lives made impact based on their experience of God. We read of such men today, and we desire their experiences. It will not happen by magic; only by a conscious decision to consistently seek God.

Can I truly say that God is my one and only desire? Is my heart truly focused on God or is there room in my heart for other distractions? Remember, your heart's focus will determine your life's impact. You had better be sure you are headed in the right direction and focused on the right pursuit. His time of favour is here.

Guided Right!

Commit your works to the Lord [submit and trust them to Him], And your plans will succeed [if you respond to His will and guidance]. PROVERBS 16:3 AMP

As I read the verses before today's extract, I am reminded of the futility of trusting in man or his devices. Sin has deceived us into thinking we can make it on our own. We have been led to believe that we have the power and ability to control some things, whilst God can do the rest. We interpret the verse above to mean that we should make all the plans and take them to God for stamping and approval, not minding whether they line up with his express will or not. We assume we can deceive God with an outward display of piety and goodness, forgetting that all created things, like the human heart, must answer to the One who created it.

Today's extract says we should 'commit' our works to the Lord. Another version says 'Roll'. The import is that I will not be forced into trusting God with my life; it has to be a willing sacrifice. Committing something into another person's hands cannot be partial; it must be total and complete. I do not go to God in prayer with my cares, and as I get up, I pick up my cares again. I do not complain to man about my problem, and leave God out of the discussion. Trust is a fundamental part of this verse, and it means that once I have agreed I am helpless, I am set free to fully trust the One who says I should leave it all to Him in the first place.

I cannot claim the latter part of the verse without fulfilling the first part. My plans only succeed when they have passed through the hands of the One who sees the end from the beginning. Who would have thought that when Abraham was asked to leave his father's house and he obeyed, we would still be talking about him today? Who would have thought that trusting God for his present would earn David an eternal kingship? We are limited in scope, sight and strength. We cannot see beyond the NOW, and even in the NOW, we are blinded by the pretence and deceit in the world. We will only do well to trust the One who owns and holds the hearts of men in his hands, and who is not deceived by outward show of piety. He provides guidance and will lead aright, if I can trust his wisdom.

Would you trust him by leaving all your cares with Him? Can you dare submit all about yourself to him, knowing that nothing in his hands is wasted? Paul says: ...... for I know Him [and I am personally acquainted with Him] whom I have believed [with absolute trust and confidence in Him and in the truth of His deity], and I am persuaded [beyond any doubt] that He is able to guard that which I have entrusted to Him until that day [when I stand before Him].2 TIMOTHY 1:12 AMP. Can I trust him to the end like Paul? His time of favour is here.

Dead, Yet Living Right!

Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life.  He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them. 2 Corinthians 5:14‭-‬15 NLT

I cannot control how others think, or determine the contents and direction of their thoughts; I can only control and determine what my motives are. When I weigh the benefits I have received from my union with Christ, I cannot but want to share the same with other people. The love of Christ is complete and total, taking care of the past, present and future and in his death, the foundations and eternal consequences of sin were permanently dealt with.

The penalty and price for sin is death. All had sinned and were required to pay the price. Unfortunately, none of the sinners could pay the price, but Christ came, paid the full price by offering his life, and in his death, all who sinned have had their penalty fully atoned for. I have been set free to live my life in the consciousness of that atonement.

What I think is my own life isn't really my own life. When the price was paid, I became indebted to the One who paid the price. I cannot live for myself now; I must live for the glory, benefit and purpose of the one who gave his life so I could live. If he hadn't offered himself, I wouldn't be alive now, so it is only proper that all my days are lived in the consciousness of this truth.

Remember, a day of reckoning is coming: all men will answer to God for all they do in this present life. I must live daily in this consciousness, and determine that my life will please the One who owns it, and gave it purpose. His time of favour is here.

Gathered Right!

For where two or three are gathered in My name [meeting together as My followers], I am there among them.” MATTHEW 18:20 AMP

When there is a call to gather together for worship/service, it is important to first weigh my motives for gathering, before I set out. It is important to clear out any doubts relating to the WHY I am setting out, and the WHO I am going to meet. When the WHY and the WHO are ascertained, then I am ready for true worship.

This present generation seems not to understand this: we have replaced the reality of God's Presence with superb buildings and multimedia worship aids; we equate quality worship with the style and voice of the worship leader; we seek physical signs that give us a 'feel good' mentality, rather than seeking out the true personal experience of God. We come to the place of worship with bitterness in our hearts against fellow worshipers, and then wonder why our services are empty of God's true move. It's not that all these aids are unimportant, but when God's Presence is absent, it doesn't matter how much is spent to make the service interesting.

Look at today's extract: it is never about number but about purpose. We can be only 3, yet God would do mighty things. There were about 12 apostles, with a few others, in the upper room then, and these were the launching pad for the gospel after the Holy Spirit came. It is about knowing why and to whom we gather. The gathering has to be in the right name for God's grace to be made available. We gather as God's followers to receive instructions for life, and we submit our will to God's purpose. We allow God dictate our actions, direct our thoughts and determine our impact. When God is in charge, impact is non - negotiable.

If I seek God's Presence, I must seek to do his will. If He must manifest himself in my life, my life must be an open and willing vessel for his Spirit. Is that true for you? His time of favour is here.

Empowered!

I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose--I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.] PHILIPPIANS 4:13 AMP

When I ponder on my life and consider my 'achievements', what are the thoughts that fill my heart? Do I convince myself that I made it on my own? Do I ever think I could have done anything to guarantee the success I see? Paul establishes a truth we will do well to heed, and it is that all things are made possible by the One who gives the power to succeed. The Oxford Living Dictionary defines empowerment as: "authority or power given to someone to do something".That is the life behind today's extract.

There is One who has the authority and the power. He is the same One who gives the authority and power as he deems fit, and for specific assignments. When I am tempted to think I am God's answer to all the world's questions, I am reminded that I can only do what God has provided authority and power to me to do. When I think that I can be of help to the entire world at the same time, I am reminded that I am only truly fulfilled when I am working hard at the things God himself has ordained for me. That is why my self - sufficiency is tied to God's sufficiency, and has nothing to do with me. Whatever he commissions me to do, he provides authority and power to achieve it.

When the assignment comes, I remind myself that it is God's assignment, not mine, so the resources required will be provided by Him, not me. I can only make myself available and ready for whenever or however he may lead. Whatever God ordains, he sustains, and when i heed his call, and obey his leading, success is guaranteed. Success here is not as the world defines it, but as God defines it. Nowhere does GOD guarantee a smooth run, but he guarantees his Presence and Power all through. That's good enough for me. His time of favour is here.

Heart Things

“The heart is hopelessly dark and deceitful, a puzzle that no one can figure out. But I, God , search the heart and examine the mind. I get to the heart of the human. I get to the root of things. I treat them as they really are, not as they pretend to be.”Jeremiah 17:9‭-‬10 MSG

God's verdict about the human condition is worth a second and third consideration. It does not matter what I tell myself or how much I convince myself that I am at my best. The measured and eternal words of the creator of the heart is fundamental. When you consider what's going on in the world, and man's never ending propensity towards evil, you are convinced that God indeed knows what he's talking about.

Consider contemporary events: man has found ways to destroy his environment and his fellow man; we have polluted land, sea and air, all in a bid to make extra money. We have put self love before any other consideration, and then wonder why the world around us is falling to pieces. We say one thing, while our actual intentions are the very opposite. Our life profession does not in any way match our mouth confession. That's today's man.

However, God is not moved by such surface considerations. He's not deceived by outward piety without a corresponding inner peace brought only by a knowledge of God. With God, what is key is knowing that you cannot deceive him, no matter what others tell you. God searches and examines the heart, and when he searches, be sure that he knows what he's doing. He gets to the root of the matter, which is sin. He's able to deal with its power and consequences, and his way of dealing with sin showed just how important he considers our eternal destination. Natural man, no matter how nice, cannot make it on his own. All natural men must be regenerated, born anew and into the Life made available by God. The earthly can never understand the spiritual, and the earthly can never inherit the spiritual.

Let's stop the pretence that all is well, and go to the only One able to make the required inner change that will secure eternity. Don't bother with impressing others; God's judgement will be universal and total, and all men will one day bow to the One whose life was given so I could willingly live as God pleases. The other side of this offer is not worth considering. His time of favour is here.

What's with the world?

Don’t love the world’s ways. Don’t love the world’s goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. 1 John 2:15‭-‬16 MSG

One of the first lessons that discipleship teaches you is that you cannot successfully serve/follow two competing interests. God who created us made us like him, able to focus on Him alone while seeking to impact the world around us. Sin came to distort the original plan, and all of God's gifts are given with one end in mind - our eternal redemption.

You cannot successfully follow God and also align with the world. These two are parallel lines, with two different sources, nourishment and end. The two have laid down paths, and once you make up your mind where you want to walk, the consequences of your choice begin to follow you. Your heart was not created to accommodate such inconsistencies; once a kind of love is rooted in you, no other love can come in. You have got to be careful what kind of love is taking root.

It is the way of the world to pursue personal interests; it is the way of God to seek out other people's interests first of all. It is the way of the world to seek personal promotion and self recognition; it is the way of God to promote others, sometimes at your own expense. Both interests are never in the same direction, and whenever you find yourself angry and bothered about other people's advancement or progress, or whenever it appears that your interests don't look like what the Word of God promotes, then you have got to take heed and make corrections.

What is it for you now? What are your priorities? What is holding your heart  down? His time of favour is here.

Being Correct!

Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly quote, God is there, ready to help; I’m fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me. Hebrews 13:5‭-‬6 MSG

The world has its definition of success, and it is more about visibility, quantity and value. The Word of God measures success by different parameters, but unfortunately, the world's view is made popular by TV, politics and socioeconomic factors. Fortunately for all of us, God's standards have not been raised higher than what all of us can attain; it only requires that we come to him in Faith, acknowledging our helplessness and craving his grace. The world does not understand this, as it has been taught that you only get what you fight, hustle or kill for.

Today's extract reminds us again not to fret over the physical. Life was meant to be more than these. Man acquires great things, yet children after him cannot enjoy any of those things. Man kills because of position and possessions, yet does not have the health or strength to sustain those things beyond a set period. We are enjoined to relax with what we've got. The reason why I can relax is in today's extract, and it is because I have God's assurance that he is ALWAYS with me. He says he will never let me down, he will never walk off or leave me. See, that's my greatest possession. If all other things walk away, but I have this omnipresent God, then I have everything. If I have the whole world at my feet, and God is not present in my life, then I truly have nothing.

That's the basis of the confidence in my heart. It is not based on the value of my properties, but on the Presence of the invaluable God. My life is not defined by the value of my human relationships, but on the value of the love shown me by the One called Love himself. When next someone wants to define or limit you based on monetary value, kindly look inward first; if Christ lives there, you are rich indeed. If He does not, then your monetary value then doesn't really matter. His time of favour is here.