Call Right!

Call Right!

The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him sincerely and in truth. Psalm 145:18 AMPC

Once again, it is a psalm attributed to David, a man who the Bible referred to as a man after God's heart. One of the things about David that must have held God's heart must have been his open, frank and honest opinion about himself when speaking with God.

There were times when David could ask God to to deal with him according to the cleanness of his hands, and then later on in his life, after all his experiences, he would ask God to deal with him according to His tender mercies and compassion. It is amazing that all we remember about God and David were the accounts of God's mercy and grace, even in the face of some of the most grievous sins committed by David.

First lesson: with God, I cannot boast of anything good in myself. I stand only by grace, and if it is by grace, no pride or self serving is allowed. Second lesson: with God, you have daily, regular access to the grace and mercy that flow naturally from Him to all who draw near.

It is important to emphasize this, as most of us come with pretence or hypocrisy, claiming to be who we are not. Rather than go to God as we are, we do not want to lose face or appear weak, so we pretend. Rather than get help, we become even more helpless, as the structures we have deployed to support us fall apart one by one.

Third lesson: God is near to all who call upon him indeed and in truth, in accordance with his terms. God has defined the terms of engagement, and asked us to draw near to Him, promising that He will be found by all who do so. God is just a call away. It does not matter what language you use; just call on Him with all sincerity and truth.

Remember, you deal with a God of total and absolute knowledge, One you cannot deceive or fool. The deepest motives of a man's heart is laid bare before Him, so if you must come, better come with an open and sincere heart. That is the God David knew and called on; which one do you know and which one holds your heart? It is pointless to deceive myself down here for just a short while, and pay the price in eternity. His time of favour is here.

Who's this God?

Who's this God?

The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and the One who rescues me; My God, my rock and strength in whom I trust and take refuge; My shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower--my stronghold. PSALM 18:2 AMP

This psalm is attributed to David, and the story behind the psalm reads as 'a psalm of David, the servant of the Lord, who spoke the words of this song to the Lord, on the day when the Lord rescued him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul'. Do you have a story to tell? When you look back and take stock of all that God has permitted, can you come to the same conclusion as David did? I also note that it was still early days for David, he wasn't king yet, but he had found a winning formula: consistent and daily thanksgiving, no matter what was ahead or around him. Until I come to the same conclusion, I cannot lay claim to the blessings of David's life.

All the attributes of God listed here speak about David's personal experience of God, but of course, God is not limited to just these. Do I have a personal story? For David, God was the rock, fortress, rescuer, his God, strength, shield, horn of salvation, high tower and stronghold. How do you fit al these attributes into one verse? Indeed, until you experience God on a personal level, all you will hold on to are other people's stories. You can make your own, and fill up your store of testimonies for the day of trials and tribulations, which will surely come.

Space and time will not permit details about each attribute in today's extract, but there are 2 thoughts that bear emphasis. One is God presents himself to us in so many ways and wants us to come to Him. He is the I Am that I Am; whatever you need is in Him. He is rock, refuge, fortress: lovely concepts, but will mean nothing unless and until I come to Him and take refuge. It is easy to sit and complain about my lot in life, and how things are tough, but the first and only question that requires an answer will be about my present location. Where am I? In whom am I resting: on my achievements, laurels, degrees or connections, or on the Rock, refuge and fortress?

Whatever my answer is will determine the experiences I will have and the end I will get. If I do nothing and do not approach, how do I complain when things go wrong? If I do not come to Him, why would I complain if my life is a mess? His arms are open wide; i am invited to come to Him. What's your decision? By God's grace, I have made mine. His time of favour is here.

Keep At It!

Keep At It!

For God is not unrighteous to forget or overlook your labor and the love which you have shown for His name's sake in ministering to the needs of the saints (His own consecrated people), as you still do. Hebrews 6:10 AMPC

It would seem clear from today's extract that it is not God's nature to forget whatever is done in His name and in accordance with His Word. If it is unrighteousness to forget the good done to us, imagine God's own perspective on this. It would be very appropriate to point out from the extract above that God will only sustain whatever He has ordained or whatever He has commanded. The first and most important step of my life will then be the discovery of what God can and is blessing and then pursuing that alone.

It would also appear that an outward sign of Faith in Christ is labour and love. I really cannot claim to know Christ if there is no outward flow of grace in and through me to bless other people. One of the feature of the Dead Sea, apart from the obvious name it bears, is that it takes in all it can and gives nothing back. Is my life like that? Have I found God, yet unable or unwilling to share that life flow with other people? God didn't call me in just to enjoy all He offers, but to also go out there and with my life, minister grace to other people. Am i living God's purpose or my own selfish dreams?

And it is not just anything, but one of the things God will bless is ministering to the needs of the saints. We seem to believe that in Christ, there can be no need, but we need to recall the early church in Acts, and how those who had plenty shared with all who had nothing. No wonder it is still the standard for a church after God's heart. Am I doing what God can bless and to people God approves? God will bless you for being a blessing to people, but be sure you are blessing those He sends you to.

And for as long as I am still on this side of earth, work will not stop. At no time am I free of the command to labour and love for Christ's sake. I note that nothing is said about the other person's reaction or reception; it does not matter if the target of my labour does not care or appreciate; I can only do as God commands and leave the results and consequences to Him. After all, the Life he calls me to is His own, and if I live it on His terms, it will end in praise and eternal life. His time of favour is here.

Walking Right!

Walking Right!

but if we [really] walk in the Light [that is, live each and every day in conformity with the precepts of God], as He Himself is in the Light, we have [true, unbroken] fellowship with one another [He with us, and we with Him], and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin [by erasing the stain of sin, keeping us cleansed from sin in all its forms and manifestations]. 1 JOHN 1:7 AMP

We are called first to a daily living and not weekly appointments. The faith which has been handed down to us was practised by men of old on a daily basis; they walked with God and related with Him personally; they heard His voice and went all out in obedience to His commands. That is the definition of true Christianity. God is the Light, and all who claim to walk in the Light find expression in and through God. Do the realities of my life look like someone who has seen and experienced Light?

As stated in today's extract, the only way to maintain unbroken fellowship with God is to remain connected and rightly located. Note that it is not about seeing the light or sitting close to it; you have got to be in it. Many of us would be content with regular church attendance or faithful giving or service to humanity. Whilst all of these are important, it is very important to note that they cannot replace the need for walking IN the light. Before fellowship with other people can make sense, my fellowship with God must be in place. What kind of encouragement would I offer if I am not first encouraged by my knowledge and personal experience of God?

Sin is the biggest challenge to fellowship with God. It was the reason for the first break, and it is still the reason why men do not want to associate with God. Sin can be attractive yet deceptive, and it is only by the blood shed on Calvary by Christ that permanent victory over sin is guaranteed. No amount of sacrifice is enough; the best sacrifice has been offered and accepted by God, and is now recommended to all by God as the path of reconciliation and life. God waits for all to return to Him, to seek Him out, to desire to walk with Him.

God has taken care of the past weight of sin, and given me the blueprint to a daily life of victory through the blood of His son, and also securing my eternal future. All He asks me to do is come to Him, believe, accept Him as Lord and Saviour. That's all He asks for. Would I approach? His time of favour is here.

Benefits!

Benefits!

Praised (honored, blessed) be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)! By His boundless mercy we have been born again to an ever-living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [Born anew] into an inheritance which is beyond the reach of change and decay [imperishable], unsullied and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, 1 Peter 1:3‭-‬4 AMPC

Let it first be established that God is God, not because I say it is or agree it is. Nothing I do or refrain from doing can change who God is. Peter here speaks about God the father and the Lord Jesus as being praised, honoured and blessed. These words can only come from an experiential knowledge of God. Have I come to know and accept God as highlighted above, or is there still an identity crisis?

If I then know this God, what has he done to further underline his status as the blessed one? Today's extract talks about his mercy. This is so fundamental to all I am and become. His mercy gives new birth, which opens the door to other blessings made available in and through Christ. If all I hold on to is the natural birth, the first experience of life, then I cut myself off the amazing blessings that the new birth can bring. Nicodemus heard it loud and clear: new birth leads to new life and eternal life.

This new life is important because it does not end. The first life, the one we got by natural birth through Adam, became tainted by sin. Sin cut it short, and access into the true life God promised was closed. However, by blood, access to God has been opened up. All the new life secures for me is in turn secured by the nature of this new life: there is no fading, decay or stealing. The natural progression of time does nothing to diminish the value of what we hold. It is reserved in heaven, the reward for faithful service by the One who cannot lie or be deceived. If He says it, you can rest assured that He can bring it to pass.

Very important: it is the new life that secures all these blessings. It is not about ability, connection, logic, reasoning or common sense; it is first, foremost and only  through faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross. Believe Him; accept him as Lord and Saviour, and walk into the hope already secured for you in heaven. His time of favour is here.

God Hears!

God Hears!

I love the Lord , because He hears [and continues to hear] My voice and my supplications (my pleas, my cries, my specific needs). Because He has inclined His ear to me, Therefore I will call on Him as long as I live. PSALM 116:1‭-‬2 AMP

I do not know the context in which today's extract is placed, but at least one thing is clear: the writer loved God. This may sound odd, but the truth about all who come to accept Christ as Lord and Saviour is that they must have come to a realisation that they were better off with Christ than with the world. Something about Christ must have caught and held our attention, and helped our decision making process.

For this writer, we read about his love for God and the testimonies that are connected to this love. God hears and continues to hear all the prayers offered by this writer. Did you note that what he focuses on is the fact that God always listens to all he says, even if He doesn't say yes to all he asks. Is my love for God about what I get from Him or who I know him to be? Even when it appears that all I ask for is not granted, can God still have a hold on my heart? Can I be content with a living, breathing and active relationship with God, even when I do not have everything I desire? At some point in my life, the questions above will be asked, and my life must provide answers.

What would I rather have: God's listening ear or plenty of physical substances? If it came down to just one choice, what would it be? Solomon came to that point, and his choice at the time determined his life story. Abraham, Enoch and Joseph all had lives that placed a higher premium on their relationships with God than what the world could offer them. Eventually, their lives changed the world as a result of the lessons they learnt from walking with,  listening and talking to God.

The same standards still apply today; God is looking for men who will sit at his feet and listen to Him. He wants to speak with us, change our lives from the inside and cause us to affect the world for Him. He wants me to call on Him daily and regularly and as often as I want. He will always hear and the impact of my conversations with God will be heard all over the world, wherever God decides to place me. His time of favour is here.

Bread!

Bread!

Then Jesus said, “I am the bread that gives life. No one who comes to me will ever be hungry. No one who believes in me will ever be thirsty. John 6:35 ERV

Let's put today's extract in the right context. More than 5,000 men, beside women and children had just been fed with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes. The people could see a king in Jesus, someone who could meet their need for daily, human sustenance. The men came from all around, looking for him. When I deal with God, I must be careful of my intentions: why am I seeking Him? Is it only for the sake of human existence, or have I found God to be good for all times and seasons?

Jesus had to correct a lot of impressions the people had about Him. Men would only naturally pursue after the things that could sustain the outward; Jesus was more concerned about the inward. There is bread, and there is bread. There is a bread that satisfies human hunger, but there is a bread that literally satisfies spiritual as well as physical hunger. Which one do you pursue after? There is a bread that brings sorrow, affliction and leanness, and there is a bread that is and gives life. There is a bread that upholds disappointment and pain; there is a bread that births and sustains life.

As always, I get to choose the endgame. Jesus has already introduced himself to me, and as is His custom, He doesn't hide the consequences of every choice away from me. If I come to Him, there is a guarantee of daily sustenance and filling. Note, He does not say that there will be no trials or tough times; He just promises me His ever-abiding grace. I have to come to Him; I have to believe in Him. It is not just about hearing about Him, loving the stories about Him, enjoying the accounts of men of old about Him or just sitting in the assembly of other good/nice people. It is not enough: the difference is in the application of Faith to all I hear, read and know about Him.

I have to believe in Him and accept Him as Lord and Saviour, if it must all make sense. If I will enjoy the full package made available in and through Christ, I must approach Him under his terms, not mine. The end is assured; God awaits my decision and approach. His time of favour is here.

Safety!

Safety!

But I will sing about your strength. I will rejoice in your love every morning. You have been my place of safety, the place I can run to when troubles come. Psalms 59:16 ERV

When you hear a call to praise God and sing to Him, the first thing that comes to mind is that God has done something amazing and 'praiseworthy'. We want to hear of the  testimonies about the awesome power, the breakthroughs and the miracles he has wrought. Most times, it is the physical signs we want to see, but when we look at the context of today's extract, we begin to see praise from another angle.

First, David here wasn't all about the great and the awesome first of all, but about the daily experience of God. He spoke about God's love every morning, which to me means that he could see God at work every day. It didn't have to be earth-moving for it to be God; it was just enough to wake up every day to appreciate the mercy and grace of God. Secondly, the Psalmist could sing of the strength of God. There are ways you can recall the display of that strength in your life: outward or inward. God could have shown his power on situations around you by changing the narratives, or he could have  simply left the realities around you as they were but worked inside of you. Either way, you knew you had encountered God in a new way. That was the Psalmist's testimony.

Thirdly, God had been his place of safety, and the same God is still doing what He knows best how to do- secure lives. Placing today's extract in the right context, here was David, already anointed as successor to Saul, yet having to run and hide for many years because Saul was trying hard to kill him. Even with the assurance of kingship, David never forgot the source of all he was or had. When troubles come, and they will, what are your first options or your main considerations? Do you have options? Does God become your all or one of the many things you look out for?

As we always say, all that God is has been made available for me. I have the choice to make: take God at His Word and enjoy the life he has called me to, even in the face of troubles and trials, or place my trust in man-made devices and endure the trouble and trials that will still come, but without any assurance of help or victory. As always, every choice has an eternal consequence. His time of favour is here.

Freedom!

Freedom!

It was for this freedom that Christ set us free [completely liberating us]; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery [which you once removed]. GALATIANS 5:1 AMP

The verse that precedes today's extract reads as follows: So then, believers, we [who are born again--reborn from above--spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose] are not children of a slave woman [the natural], but of the free woman [the supernatural]. One thing that stands out is the truth that the circumstances of your birth will determine your present entitlements and eternal destination. If all I hold on to is the natural birth, I am limited to only those things natural birth can give me. Interestingly, the earthly life also has one particular feature: it is temporal and only good for the earth below. It cannot provide any answer to the question of eternity.

However, if I partake of the second birth, which is being born again, then I am truly free from the natural consequences of the earthly life. I am set free to follow Christ and to seek, discover, pursue and fulfil God's purpose for my life. The biggest question of this life isn't so much about possession, position, privilege or power but of purpose. Have I found the true meaning of life? Have I found the One called Life himself?

One grave warning: you could lose it all. The devil is not happy when anyone escapes his kingdom, and he will do anything to bring the person back. Distractions don't always look evil; they could be the usual, daily routine of life. The moment I take my eyes off the One who calls, I expose myself to hurt and danger. Losing your freedom in Christ is not always obvious, and you could be caught up in very religious and pious activities, yet the power of God would not be present.

Total freedom was secured by Christ, and this same freedom is sustained by His life. As I remain in Him and hold on to Him, I retain strength to live right, do right and end right. To be anywhere else is to be under a yoke, either of human acceptance, religous practices, empty rituals or just self. And as always been said, all decisions come with eternal consequences. I had better be sure I am headed in the right eternal destination. His time of favour is here.

Life!

Life!

He who believes and trusts in the Son and accepts Him [as Savior] has eternal life [that is, already possesses it]; but he who does not believe the Son and chooses to reject Him, [disobeying Him and denying Him as Savior] will not see [eternal] life, but [instead] the wrath of God hangs over him continually .” JOHN 3:36 AMP

There is a life decision all of us must make at some point in time in our lives. It is a decison that transcends this earthly phase, as this present earthly life is temporal. There is nothing down here that can replace the amazing life promised by God to all who hold on to Him to the end of their lives. That decison is broken down in the first part of today's extract. It is an open invitation, an offer made to all human beings.

The package is only complete when I have accepted Him as Saviour. Many people know and acknowledge God; they have heard about Him and read extensively about Him, yet do not take that all important decision to accept Him as Saviour. Unfortunately, no matter what you believe, you are not safe unless and until Christ sits on the throne of your heart. I can be moral and incorruptible; but just like Nicodemus, Cornelius and several other people, it is not just enough to be good, the good God has to reign and rule in my heart. The decision to accept Him as Saviour already secures eternal life for me; every other thing that comes after is only good for the life down here.

The opposite is also true. If I decide to reject the offer, the conclusion is that there is no life. There is no middle ground. You are either in Christ or out of Him. Wherever you are, know this: there is an eternal destination at stake. I am not asked to bring anything, or to work hard to earn what is promised - no gift, no bribe. I just need to come to Christ, take him up on his offer and enjoy all He has promised down here and also secured for me where He is. May I not be so focused on the world and its distractions, that I forget where I am going. His time of favour is here.

Do Good!

Do Good!

So then, while we [as individual believers] have the opportunity, let us do good to all people [not only being helpful, but also doing that which promotes their spiritual well-being], and especially [be a blessing] to those of the household of faith (born-again believers). GALATIANS 6:10 AMP

Wherever you read a 'So then' you need to look at the words that come before. So we check and read as follows: Let us not grow weary or become discouraged in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap, if we do not give in. There will be a few clarifications: first, who does Paul address these words to? He speaks to a people with a unique identifier. This has got nothing to do with age, class, language, tribe or culture, but it is fundamentally based on the blood; not just any kind, but that of Christ. If I have settled the question of my identity and ownership, then what I do and how I do it would lead to impact and blessing. Who owns and holds your heart? Unless and until you define this, you will be busy but you may not have an eternal reward.

What are the people connected by blood required to do? All that Paul talks about is doing good. And this good is to be targeted at everybody. Note that it does not say you do good because anyone has been good to you, but you do good because the foundation of your heart and life has been fixed by the blood. This good has no timeline, definition, scope limitation, so I have the full range of human existence to make an impact. Can I truly fold my hands and say there is no good i can do?

And because we are human, we need to be reminded that there will be seasons of weariness, when I would question the basis of all I do. I must keep at the back of my mind that there are eternal consequences to all I do today. What we see as natural laws of sowing and reaping are actual manifestations of one deep spiritual truth: God does not owe any man anything. What I do is just the surface; the reason why I do it is the basis of my reward.

Could a man accuse God of bias? Paul adds that this good we do should be to all men, but adds that it must be targeted especially to those of the household of faith. My good is to all men, but my good to those of a common faith will be a loud testament to the grace and power of God. I rwcall the testimony about the early church in Acts, where the believers had all things common. It was so amazing that it was recorded that no man had less or more than he needed. No wonder people came to know the Lord in thousands, and no wonder people like Ananias and Sapphira tried to copy the template.

I could spend my whole life in the service of humanity, yet not earn eternal life. The foundation is the blood, and from it a life of total devotion to God flows. However and Wherever God would have me make impact, all I can do is surrender and allow Him work in and through me. The world is waiting for the manifestation of the children of God, who are washed by the blood and sent out to impact their world. Am I one? Are you? His time of favour is here.

Personal!

Personal!

Remember your leaders. They taught God’s message to you. Remember how they lived and died, and copy their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:7‭-‬8 ERV

I am encouraged to remember my leaders. If man cannot be my focus, how does today's extract help? I believe that being a leader, as defined by God, comes with some fundamental realities. First, for everyone who functions as a leader, there is a call of God on that life. It does not matter how many people you lead, or whether anyone even recognises you; what is fundamental is that you have been called to lead, and you have heeded the call. Whether it is as a husband or wife, or a leader of a unit or a big conglomerate, as long as there is at least 1 life to impact, welcome to leadership.

Secondly, God will always equip the one he calls with the required tools for success. He does not bring out a man to lead, and then leave him high and dry. Moses, David, Samuel had the call of God upon their lives from a young age, but God had to take time preparing them for the seasons that were ahead. The story of their lives show that there was much value to the season of equipping for the task that was ahead. God's work is too delicate to the placed in the hands of men who are not fit, ready, submissive or humble enough to handle the seasons of preparation that must always precede the season of manifestation.

Thirdly, God decides the season of manifestation or what could be called the commission. I have learnt that being able to perform miracles does not equate to starting a ministry. This generation is so hung up on physical signs, and has no depth. We love the special effects, yet cannot take time to sit at the feet of Jesus and learn life's lessons from Him. It is not every one who is called to minister from a pulpit, but every one called by God must hear from God about the specific commission s/he has been called to fulfil. Do I know mine?

Then comes the glory that is given back to God through me. When my life pleases God because it is lived in line with his dictates, impact is non-negotiable. Thesw are the reasons why Paul could ask us to remmber our leaders. As long as they follow God, their lives of faith are examples to emulate. The standard of God has not changed, no matter how much seasons have changed now. Death has always been the wages of sin, and the blood has always been the way out of it. No advancement in science and technology can do anything to change that. Is my life one that God can take glory in and through? Remember, Jesus is the same, and is still calling men from everywhere. Am I surrendered? Am i yielded? His time of favour is here.

Today!

Today!

“Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes. Matthew 6:34 MSG

The world has its race; the Word of God also talks about a race. Whether I know it or not, I am in pursuit of something. There is an end to all I see today, but why, how and what I pursue are the fundamental questions that today's extract would have us answer.

Note that God is always at work. From generations past, present and to the  generations yet to come, God's amazing hand is seen and will be seen in the fabric of daily human existence. However, much more fundamental is the understanding of my place in all that God is doing. What am I called to do? Where am I called to stand and serve? In the moment, NOW, am I where God would have me be, doing what He wants me doing and exactly how He wants me to do it?

It is easy to downplay my NOW because I think others are way ahead of me, or I could ignore what I am called to do because it is not as popular, rewarding or visible like what the other person is doing. WHAT or WHO is the measure of impact and relevance?

Can I focus on the NOW and leave the later in the hands of the One who is called 'the same, yesterday, today and forever'? Can I dare trust God that while I work in the NOW, He is taking care of the later? It is human and appropriate to plan for the future, but I must be careful that it does not take my eyes off the One who matters to the things that are temporary and ephemeral. That tomorrow that I am so worried about, what can I do to change its course?

Hard times will come; I already have the certain word of God to that effect. However, that is not the whole story; the asurance I can hold on to is that God will provide help to deal with whatever is ahead. I imagine how Abraham felt when God told him to leave the familiar and venture into the unknown future. All he had was God's assurance; and today, centuries after, men are coming into the promise of Abraham and walking away with eternal blessings. I live today, conscious of the fact that God is on the throne, reigning over the affairs of men, certain that all He brings my way will bring me to the place of his purpose and plan. His time of favour is here.

Take Care!

Take Care!

Better is an open reprimand [of loving correction] Than love that is hidden. Faithful are the wounds of a friend [who corrects out of love and concern], But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful [because they serve his hidden agenda]. PROVERBS 27:5‭-‬6 AMP

Human relationships are complex. Right after the fall of man in the Garden of Eden where God had placed the first man, formed the first woman and gave out assignments, man has always struggled to have really meaningful relationships. The first child who came out of Adam and Eve was a master in deception, who deceived his own brother into the field, killed him there, hid his body and then tried to hide the truth from the great Seer himself. Basically, that's what we do today.

We have become masters in deception; people who can say one thing with our lips and mean the very opposite with our hearts. Because we do not want to hurt another person's feelings, we have found ways around the truth. Whilst it is a good idea not to emotionally destroy another, it seems from today's extract that God would have us find the right balance between truth, relationships and eternity. Should I be more interested in the soul of the person or my friendship with the person? Should I place more importance on being nice or on being real? How do I speak the truth to another, retain the person's trust and still secure the life of that person?

And on a personal level, can I also take the heat when it is on me? If I go wrong, am I reachable and teachable? Have I become a know-it-all, who cannot be wrong, or can I keep my eye on eternity, while sorting out the complex daily human interactions? It is better to be a friend who speaks the truth out of love. It is better to have a friend who is not shy to speak the truth. If I am a pretender, or I am an insincere or untruthful friend to another, I open myself to the same treatment, and God forbid, nobody will be able to correct me when I go wrong.

So, which would I prefer: wounds from friends or kisses from the enemy? And on a personal level, which one am I: a friend or an enemy? Only a close and daily walk with God can give the right ideas on how to handle complex human interactions. I have to daily depend on God for the right words, the right actions and the right direction. Any other option would have dire eternal consequences. His time of favour is here.

Increase!

Increase!

He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound]. Isaiah 40:29 AMPC

When dealing with God, there are a few things that we cannot take for granted. If we put today's extract in the right context, we see Israel in trouble, knowing that it was because of its sin it was being punished by God. The same principle that applied to the nation of Israel applies to all of us today: the wages of sin has always and will remain death. Nothing will change it, as long as God's standard remain unchanged.

Looking at today's extract, there is an offer on the table from God. He seems to be saying to all of us: "everything you are looking for is in me". Until I come to God and depend totally on his power and might, I will remain helpless and doomed. Check out one offer: he gives power to the faint and weary. Do I acknowledge my weakness and inabilities? Do I admit I cannot help myself or have I filled my heart with a sense of my own importance? If I do not think I need help, I will not seek out true power, the type that enables and cannot be defeated.

Offer number 2 is that even to the one with no might, God increases strength. If I have nothing, how does God increase nothing? Well, meet the God who does not need anything from you, except your total submission, to take you to the place of purpose. Meet God who uses the weak things of the world to shame the strong, so that no one can boast before Him. What I need is not so much of myself but much more of Him. We start well by depending on His power, then we get to a point where we think we can do the rest. Let it be settled today that on our own, we will NEVER amount to anything.

Only in and through Christ is the power to do exploits made available. It is that strength that keeps on giving, as it is inexhaustible. No demand on earth can exhaust the resources of heaven. For as many as would come to Christ, seeking his help, he will make it available. Look to Him today; you will not be ashamed. His time of favour is here.

This God!

This God!

This God—his way is perfect; the promise of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all who take refuge in him. Psalms 18:30 NRSV

I don't know which God/god you have come to know and serve, but today's extract talks about one God, one known to the writer, who seeks to introduce the same God to us. Until you know the real God, you can never speak about him with any real conviction or even introduce him to anyone. The first rule in testimony then becomes a personal knowledge about the person you want to speak about.

So, who's this God? The Psalmist kicks off with an introduction: "his way is perfect". It does not say everything will always look good, but that as long as I follow his leading, wherever he takes me will always end up in good. We love the messages that tell us that God is good, but whilst that is so true, these messages need to be balanced with the realities of daily living. We are not promised a trial-free life; just one with an assurance of God's never-ending help.

God's promises have also been tested and proven to be true. Men and women of old tried and tested them and found them to be trustworthy. Men will not always trust what I say, but they will definitely be moved by the proof of my life. My life will speak about its priorities and pursuits and God will be spoken about, one way or the other. I get to choose how people see God in and through me. As I hold on to those good promises, I am assured that I am backed up by the greatest power in the world, against which nothing can stand.

And He is a shield; but note that it only works for those who recognise and treat him as such. I can say the right words and give the right impressions, yet my life could be the very opposite of all I say. God is all I need, but whether I am content with God alone will be determined by my life's choices. Just like the gift of eternal life, God's protection is available for all, but will only work for those who have come to accept him as Lord and have put their absolute trust and faith in God. Where do I stand? Where do you stand? His time of favour is here.

Flow!

Flow!

He who believes in Me [who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me] as the Scripture has said, From his innermost being shall flow [continuously] springs and rivers of living water. John 7:38 AMPC

All of God's promises of blessings come with conditions. There are a few things you get as a result of just being alive, like rain, snow, sunshine and harvest. However, if I will enjoy a relationship with God that goes beyond the surface, there is a price I must pay. What does believing in God entail? Today's extract sheds some light on this: cleave, trust and rely on God.

I cannot claim to believe in God if I do not cleave to Him and Him alone. As long as I cannot fully and completely trust that God is enough, and God is one of my many viable options, then whatever it is that I think I have, it is not the real deal. And as always, everything God demands of me is a choice; I get to decide if I will take God on his terms, or seek out my own terms. Either choice has eternal consequences, so I had better decide right.

It is God's opinion that counts, not mine. I get to approach God as he demands, not as I desire. I cannot again bring God down to my level; he already came down to my level, paid the price for me to sit with Him in heavenly places, and demands that I take my place with Him, far above powers and high places. From my new position, I now have a never-ending flow of Life from inside me. I bring good change to all who come in contact with me. The Life of God in me flows out to touch other people.

It is a spring, in fact, multiple springs and rivers of living water. Anyone who is in God must impact the world. It does not matter in what obscure corner of the world you are; as long as you are rightly connected, you will be rightly located, and a man with a message will always command an audience, even if it is just 1 person. It will and cannot stop flowing, because the Life of God has always reached out to bless people and till now, is doing great work in the lives of all who allow Him.

The option is available; it will not happen by magic. Am I willing to surrender to God and allow Him have his way in and through me? If I do, there is no limit to what God can do. If I don't, he won't force himself on me. Heaven's resources are available to all who surrender to God. His time of favour is here.

Strength!

Strength!

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the Rock and firm Strength of my heart and my Portion forever. Psalm 73:26 AMPC

Indeed, I am again reminded of the futility of trusting in flesh. The world's system has been set up to celebrate man's empty life - achievements, possessions and active connections. Unfortunately, none of these things can stand the test of eternity. With the passage of circumstances and the effect of time, even the strongest man will die. It does not matter what assurances medicine and science may have given to the world; there is still nothing that can reverse the effect of time, chance and circumstances.

Men are born, they live their lives as God has ordained, and when the time appointed for each person comes, the owner of the life makes a demand or demands an accounting. The Psalmist understood that clearly when he penned down today's words: "My heart and my flesh may fail". Things will happen that will shake our core. Death, distress, disease and destruction surround us daily. There will be times when life itself becomes a burden, when it would appear that giving up is easier than going on. In those times, whether you are able to survive will depend on your roots and foundations.

As time happens to me on the physical, how am I prepared for the eternal? Did you note that the same heart that may fail is the same heart held in place by the One called the Rock and firm Strength? No matter what goes on on the outer, I must be very sure of the state of my inner man and its focus. Is God the one holding it all in place, or do I have my own devices? Is God a seasonal wonder to me, good only for the times of pain, and completely ignored when all seems well? The Psalmist kept his eyes on the eternal, while working through the earthly and temporal. We will do well to have the same attitude.

Nothing else can guarantee eternal life except being rooted in the eternal God. Live your life, enjoy all that God provides, but don't cross the line wtithout being founded in and on the Rock of Ages, the only One who makes "forever and ever" worth it. His time of favour is here.

Focus!

Focus!

IF THEN you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. Colossians 3:1‭-‬2 AMPC

Today's extract starts with a conditional statement, and I would have to satisfy the condition if I am to enjoy the attendant benefits. We love the blessings of increase, favour and riches, yet we do not take the time to find out what needs to be done to enable us access the blessings. We want to turn God into a magician who dispenses pleasures without responsibility.

Today's control is my understanding of who I am and where I am. When I know these, then what I do and how I do it flow out of this understanding. When Christ died, he opened the door to a new life, a deeper understanding of who God is and a closer walk with God. I cannot rise to the heights of the heavens if I do not start at the foot of the cross. Everything I can rise to become was settled at the foot of the cross. Through his death, eternal life became free and available. Because he died, I do not have to die, and because He lives, I can look to the future with hope.

God should be my focus. Every other thing around pales in comparison to the eternal blessings available in Christ. There is nothing else that should hold my heart and attention. I am asked to set my mind on what is above. Why would God not do it for me, or force me to do it? It is because serving God only makes sense when it is done out of a heart of devotion, not compulsion.

Things down here are always for a season; times come and go, and if you live long enough, what came around the last time will always come around again. It will be a grave danger to pattern my life after such ephemeral themes like connections, possessions and talents. Things up there are forever, backed up by the promise of One whose word has remained the same long before creation, through the times and seasons, and will remain the same all through eternity. That's the God who calls me into a special relationship with Him, and asks that I give him my life. Can I trust Him with my life? Can you? His time of favour is here.

Strength!

Strength!

In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]. Ephesians 6:10 AMPC

There is a foundation I must settle in my life, if the journey will be worth it. As always, Paul discusses various issues with the Ephesian church, ranging from living right by God's standards to proper relationships. Then, the clear understanding from most of Paul's letters is this: life is a battle. I have been called by God to fight on his behalf, to establish his purpose and counsel on the earth. It is not your usual fight, where you emphasize physical abilities, but one where God remains the only major factor that will guarantee victory.

How do i guarantee this victory? Simply by being in the Lord, relying on Him daily. It may sound odd, but it is easy to claim to trust God when things are smooth. The danger of confort is that it numbs your sense of dependence on God, and takes your eyes and heart away from Him. When my bank account smiles back at me, or my trust fund has multiple zeros, or I consider that sheer hard work has brought me to where I am now, it may be difficult to understand why I need to look up to God for anything.

True strength comes from and is found in God alone. What Jesus says in John 15 is instructive, where he confirms that 'apart from Him, ye are nothing". The world has false promises and broken dreams; the world offers false hope to those who do not know where to turn. Even the world cannot protect those who are in it. I need more than physical measures to protect me; I need more than high walls, electrified gates, armoured vehicles to keep me safe. These things have no value in the face of the fight God has called me to. All he wants from me is total surrender, absolute dependence and complete trust. Only in and through Him will all of life's experiences make sense.

He will supply all I need to make my life worth it. His strength will help me achieve things that I know I couldn't ever achieve on my own. His power is full, free and for all. I can look back now and conclude that indeed, I stand where I am today, not out of connections, ability, influence or anything personally special, but as a function of the might, power, grace, mercy and favour of God. His time of favour is here.

In His Presence!

In His Presence!

Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually [longing to be in His presence]. 1 CHRONICLES 16:11 AMP

It is interesting to know the context in which today's extract is based on. Just a few months before this account, David had tried to bring in the ark of God from the land of the Philistines back to the place he had prepared for it. He had done all the outer preparations, and had selected the oxen and cart that would bring it home. In the excitement of all of these, something very fundamental went missing: God's clear command on how the ark was to be moved.

Big lesson: God loves for me to be excited about working for Him, but He places more stock on obedience than excitement. Uzzah had the right motive: wanted to steady the oxen carrying the ark, and God struck him dead. You would wonder why God would do this; after all, it was the symbol of His presence Uzzah was trying to defend. With God, the external is not as important as the internal. If David had spent some time going through the law, he would have clearly seen how the ark was to be moved.

Lessons were learnt, the right measures were taken. The foundation of a successful life is seen from today's extract: seek God always. Experience is good, but what kind of experience can you count on, if God is not involved at all? How do I know what is next, if I do not find time to seek his face? The world we live in is complex and unpredictable, and it is only God's sure word that will sustain a man through the storms of life. David must havw known the joy of seeking God's face, and he encourages us to set our hearts on the same too.

It is a continuous process, a never-ending quest. You do not do it once and forget about it, but you keep at it. God has promised to be found by all who seek Him, and there is yet to be anyone who went looking for Him and failed to find Him. The men and women of old staked their lives on this search, and their lives are defined today by their walk with God first, then what they did. I will amount to nothing unless and until I have sat with God and obtained daily instructions for life. Yesterday's news is stale; God is at work today, and He desires to guide and provide definite instructions for life. Would I listen? Would you? His time of favour is here.

Immovable!

Immovable!

I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Psalm 16:8 AMPC

Taste, See

Taste, See!

O taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good; How blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who takes refuge in Him. PSALM 34:8 AMP

I know we have heard several times that it is dangerous to be led by the human senses yet today's extract seems to be harping on 2 of these senses, calling on us to pay close attention to what these senses say, and on that basis, establish an eternal truth. David was the one attributed with penning down this psalm, so it is obvious that he has a fair idea of what he is talking about.

What is the point behind the sense of taste here? Could it be that the proof of anything sweet, sour or poisonous is mostly by the sense of taste? Could it be that whatever goes into my body through my mouth has the capacity to affect my life forever? Could it be that God is asking me to test him by my sense of taste, see if he is worth the trouble, and if I would allow him affect my life for good?

Then the sense of sight. Usually, we say we are not moved by what we see, but it would appear here that it is how we see God that determines how he moves in and through us. If I havev this clear understanding that He is all I need, then I will see him as such and I will see all he does through those eyes.

Dealing with God!

Dealing with God!

So trust in the Lord (commit yourself to Him, lean on Him, hope confidently in Him) forever; for the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages]. Isaiah 26:4 AMPC

Eternal Mysteries

Eternal Mysteries

He has made everything beautiful and appropriate in its time. He has also planted eternity [a sense of divine purpose] in the human heart [a mysterious longing which nothing under the sun can satisfy, except God]--yet man cannot find out (comprehend, grasp) what God has done (His overall plan) from the beginning to the end. ECCLESIASTES 3:11 AMP

Priorities 2

Priorities 2

May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ. 2 Thessalonians 3:5 NLT

Priorities!

Reactions!

Reactions!

A happy heart is good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing, but a broken spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22 AMPC

Who's this God?

Who's this God?

The Lord is my strength and my [impenetrable] shield; My heart trusts [with unwavering confidence] in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I shall thank Him and praise Him. PSALM 28:7 AMP

Did you notice how many times the word MY and I are used in today's extract? I count  7 times altogether. There is an advantage that a personal relationship and testimony will give you over someone else who is just listening and watching you for guidance. It then means that if my life will truly be the blessing it was formed to be, I need to be sure of who I am, who I belong to and what I have been called to.

As always, you cannot beat personal and unique experiences. When a man speaks in the possessive, he must know something no other person knows. When God introduced himself to Moses as the I AM THAT I AM, all through Moses' life, that was the constant touch point. Every person we call a great man/woman of God has a point of contact, where God came to mean someone unique and special, and the point remained a reference point all their lives. Do I have one? Am I moved by the next big thing or the special effects all around or am i secure in my personal knowledge of God?

It is not easy to trust only in God, especially when things are tough. We have found a way of giving God his due, yet, at the same time, giving room to other preferences. The Psalmist here says his heart trusts with unwavering confidence. Is God all I know, or do I conveniently combine Him with many other options? When I tell and show God he's all I have, then his help makes sense. Wouldn't it be a shame if the truth about my priorities and pursuits was made plain before men? Could I defend all I hold, and affirm that indeed, God is the only One I know?

Because I have made God my sole focus, my heart can rejoice. Note that it does not say that the problems are all gone and settled; it just says God's help is available to me. I sing songs to appreciate God for who He is, what he does and gives. It does not matter what goes on around me; as long as the inner man is at peace with God, then the outer man will be sorted out. So I sing my own song to God; I thank God for all he has been and what he keeps doing. I am indeed grateful for everything I am, have and do. It may not be all perfect now, but the God of perfection is at work. His time of favour is here.

Three Things!

Three Things!

constantly rejoicing in hope [because of our confidence in Christ], steadfast and patient in distress, devoted to prayer [continually seeking wisdom, guidance, and strength],
ROMANS 12:12 AMP