Commanded!

Commanded!

I command you today to love the Lord your God. I command you to follow him and to obey his commands, laws, and rules. Then you will live, and your nation will grow larger. And the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take for your own. Deuteronomy 30:16 ERV

Just before Israel would enter into the promised land of Canaan, God took out time to commission a memorial/reminder to his people of how far they had come, what they stood to gain from remaining obedient and what they stood to lose if they rebelled. One thing about God that stands clear from his Word is this: He leaves no one in any doubt about the consequences of his/her actions. If you obey, you get the blessing; if you disobey, you get the curse. Simple as that.

Moses had himself been a beneficiary of both ends. He had been the source of torment to all of Egypt; had brought plagues and death to the land, then moved a host of people through the Red Sea into unknown territories, seen God move in miraculous provision and protection. Yet, at the point of entry into the promised land, Moses made a costly mistake which cost him entry. So, his message to Israel in today's extract is both a personal message as well as a generational one. You don't get to play familiarity with God; His commands are really not negotiable.

He does give us a choice to make, but when you think of the consequences of rebellion, you do not want to go down that road. Moses is practically commanding Israel to love God and to follow and obey His rules and commands. That is the secret to long life and permanent possession of all of God's promises. Obedience holds both personal and generational blessings: you get to live long, the nation gets to grow larger and you and the land get to enjoy God's blessings. I do not know anything that can beat that. Do you?

The only secret to God's blessings is the path of daily obedience. You can't switch it on and off; it's got to be a daily walk; a daily love affair with God. You may not always get it right, but God sees our hearts and His help is always available to set us right and on the path to eternal life, which is His ultimate promise. Have you met this God? Have you surrendered to Him? His time of favour is here.

Little is Much!

Little is Much!

He who is faithful in a very little [thing] is faithful also in much, and he who is dishonest and unjust in a very little [thing] is dishonest and unjust also in much. Luke 16:10 AMPC

Indeed, great things have small beginnings. It is very difficult, or almost impossible for you to find anything of great value that did not have a story of insignificant start or a slightly difficult journey. Just as this applies in the physical, so does it apply to the spiritual. Why would Jesus take time out to establish this truth to his disciples: 12 men who had walked with him for some time now?

I believe the first and most pressing reason would be so that the disciples would know the HOW behind the WHAT they were called to do. I could spend my whole life working and labouring and at the end of it all, not get any kind of reward from God. I could look quite busy, show off great work and be applauded by men, but the fundamental question would be: what is the state of the heart from where the motives and intentions flow from? Am I given to clever pretence, eye service or hypocrisy?

Unfortunately, no matter what I tell myself, God knows too much to be deceived. He created the heart so its secret desires and priorities are laid bare before Him. God's greatest blessings are in the most insignificant of things; and here, you have to be careful about the things you view as insignificant, because it is never about my perspective, but God's view. He is the One who knows just where on the ladder He wants me to start, and He alone knows how the journey ahead will go.

If He cannot trust my heart in matters that are insignificant now, how does He hold my heart when I am popular? If He cannot trust my choices in the daily routine of life, how do I expect Him to trust me in the seasons of pleasure and wealth? It is a daily and consistent walk with God that insulates your heart from the inconsistencies all around. If my heart is totally given to God now, and I place a guard over it daily with His help, it won't matter what comes up. So, how's your heart? What are its present priorities? His time of favour is here.

Priorities!

Priorities!

Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words and], slow to anger [patient, reflective, forgiving];
JAMES 1:19 AMP

James writes here to people referred to as his beloved brothers and sisters, that is, people with blood connections. Here, it is not about natural birth, but about the new birth made available in and through Christ. When a person comes to know and accept Christ as Lord and Saviour, he becomes a part of a large family bound by the blood of Christ and called into a new life. If I cannot point to a time when I made that decision, or when a change in pursuits and priorities happened, then maybe I do not yet belong to the family. It is not too late to be sure.

However, if I am sure of my family lines, there is a code of expected behaviour. First, I must be quick to hear. A child of God needs to know and heed God's voice as he leads, and there are several ways and channels through which God speaks. He could speak through a trial or even through pain. Closely related to this is the charge to be slow to speak. Both senses cannot be put to use at the same time. Even in regular human relationships, you cannot hear and speak at the same time. I must learn the wisdom of knowing when to speak, what to say, and when it is best to just listen.

I am also charged to be slow to become angry. Anger, it is said, resides in the laps of fools. It is easy to destroy lives through the wrong application of anger. I note it does not say do not be angry, but be slow to become angry. Anger is a human reaction, but the danger is in not being able to control your thoughts and action when it comes. Whoever you give control of your heart to determines your actions and reactions. If I am struggling with letting go and letting God rule, then maybe I have not truly surrendered to God.

It is a call to a life of accountability; where I am held to a higher standard than those around me, simply because of the faith I profess. If i claim family lineage with Christ, his nature must be evident in my life. Is my life showing him off? His time of favour is here.

Let It!

Let It!

Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always]. COLOSSIANS 3:15 AMP

As always, I have the power to choose from 2 possible outcomes. I could allow God work in me or I could pursue a personal agenda; there is actually no third option, as indecision is a stand against God. No matter the choice I make, I should aslo note: there are eternal consequences attached to every choice.

There is a peace Christ gives that nobody else can. There is a joy and hope that Christ births in any heart He is allowed into. That peace is a function of God's presence and is nurtured by a daily walk with Him. I note there is no promise of peace around you on the outside; God is more interested in my heart than in my earthly comfort. He knows that if He has my heart, He has everything about me.

So, when questions, storms, winds and trials arise, the deciding factor in what to do, where to go and how to proceed becomes the peace that Christ has birthed in me. And there is this joy that comes from like minds also coming together in fellowship; where one person's experience becomes a testimony for another person; where one person's victory becomes another person's expectation. I do not run this race alone; my experiences may be peculiar to me alone, but the resources and help available in and through Christ are amazing.

So, when the devil wants you to think that you are alone, remind Him of similar promises of God in his Word about His abiding presence. When you know who you belong to and who you are, you will be eternally grateful. Christ wants me to know and walk with Him daily, so I can experience the fullness of the riches of grace available in and through Christ. What are you waiting for? His time of favour is here.

Dwell & Rest!

Dwell & Rest!

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

Like all of God's commandments and promises, there is the power of free choice for anyone who will enjoy the benefits and blessings on offer. Today's extract follows the same pattern. One of the central themes of today's extract is the type of residence required of one who will enjoy what God offers, and it is on DWElLLING, not any other kind of residence.

And there is an appropriate place, not just any kind of place. You do not decide where you will stay; you have got to be where God says He can protect you. Another version calls it the 'secret place of the Most High'. It is secret because not everyone can find it, and it is a place your entire heart must seek after if you will find it. It is secret because it takes commitment and total devotion to seek after it and to remain in it, no matter the attraction other options offer.

The One you seek after must be clear in your heart: it is not an idea or a concept; it is a person. Many go after the possesions; you have got to seek after the Possessor Himself, the One in whom all fullness rests.
Security and rest are found in the Most High, not in high fences or gates or tall guards. When death or evil come knocking, physical bars won't stop them. Only a sure foundation on the Most High will guarantee safety and security.

Things may not always go the way you plan it, but you can rest assured that in Christ, it will surely end in praise. You may not always get what you want or think you need; your most important decision is actually about residence and content. If you have these rightly sorted out, you are prepared for both this present earthly life and the one to come. His time of favour is here.

Root and Fruit!

Root and Fruit!

And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colossians 2:6‭-‬7 NLT

The fundamental starting point: have I accepted Christ Jesus as Lord, not as anything else? He's so many things: healer, provider, refuge, fortress, high tower, but the most important is Saviour and Lord. Every other thing is an offshoot of his Lordship and authority. I may get all the other things, but what's the point of getting so many external comforts, when the most important of it all- the inner presence, is not sorted out? Why settle only for the earthly manifestation of God's gifts of mercy and end up under judgment for rejecting the actual source of mercy Himself?

Flowing from that is the grace to continue to follow the One I have submitted to. Nowhere does God say it is enough to submit; I must live out that submission in my daily life. My daily life is the outward display of my inner content; if God lives inside, then the outside will definitely reflect  that. If what my life produces does not show off God, it does not matter what I tell myself. How do I ensure that the inner is right: my roots have to go deep in Him. That I can only achieve by a daily search of Him and daily relationship with Him. Rooting takes time; in fact, the strength of the stem is usually determined by how deep the roots go.

When the rooting is assured, fruiting is non- negotiable. Storms will come and the winds will blow. Your faith will be challenged and the basis of your decision will be questioned. If you were never sure, most likely, you will never stand. If you are sure of who you are and on who you are founded on, then your life will overflow with the abundance of the natural output of your life's contents. It is expected that if I have spent time learning about God and putting His Word into practice in my life, then the natural outflow will be thanksgiving.

What are you founded on? Don't be content with what people say; be very sure of your foundation. It is the only thing that will help you stand the tests that are coming. His time of favour is here.

Just Call!

Just Call!

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

Today's extract is from Peter's first public message after the encounter with the Holy Spirit at the upper room. About 120 people were gathered there in obedience to the final words of Jesus before he ascended to heaven, where he had made a promise of the Holy Spirit. So, in obedience, the disciples and other believers waited, and a few days after, the promise of God was fulfilled.

The first lesson today's extract teaches me is: God is faithful. He is too invested in his Word for him to lie. He is staking his name, reputation and prestige on his infallible Word, so when He says something, you can bet your life that it will surely come to pass. The Holy Spirit is given, and men of Galilee were heard speaking in other tongues, and men could hear them declaring God's mighty works.

Another lesson: all of God's gifts are for his glory, not the pushing of personal agendas. Peter then got up and declared a powerful message about Christ and in the power of the Holy Spirit. Today's extract lies at the heart of the whole essence of Christ and why He came to the world. He didn't come for his own personal agenda; he came to fulfil God's purpose, which is the salvation of all mankind.

And the secret to accessing the gift is to make an approach and ask. It is that simple, maybe too simple. Maybe that is why it is too good to be true for so many people. How do you tell a person who has lived on the strength of personal effort that God does not need the effort, just the heart? The  devil pushes out effort; God asks us to simply approach, call out to Him and enjoy the benefits available in Christ.

I am assured of an answer when I call, and it is not just any kind of answer; it is an eternal response, one that is good down here and valid for all eternity. I am assured that when I call, He will hear me and give me what I truly need: Him. Not all the treasures of this world, not possession, power, position or privilege; just His presence. That's good for me, because with Him, I have all I need. Without Him, it does not matter what I have. His time of favour is here.

Faith 2!

Faith 2!

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.
GALATIANS 6:9 AMP

The first assumption today's extract makes is that I know who I am working for. Until this is settled, it is not likely that today's extract will make much sense. You see, knowing the who helps to explain the what. You really do not need to know the why. When I know WHO I am working for; WHO has called me into service and commissioned my present assignment, then I know that WHAT I do is part of the greater good. I may not always understand the WHY behind the things that happen to me, but knowing God makes the journey worthwhile.

If I have settled the issue of my commission and assignment, it means I am also sure that there is a consequence to all I do today. That's the second assumption. It is easy to look at the reward system and think it is unfair if it does not always give you what you think you deserve for all the efforts you are putting in. Fortunately, if I have the first assumption settled, this one too becomes easy. I do not work for earthly gain; it may come in the form of physical, tangible benefits, but that's not the ultimate goal. God never calls a man He cannot show off to the world, and He cannot commission a man He cannot bless.

And if anyone assures you only of earthly comfort as you work for God, better check your commission properly. Trials, storms, winds and tribulations are buit into the DNA of my life's experiences. These are to make me dependent on God and able to stand for Him. Nowhere does God promise anything like an easy life; in fact, he promises trials and tribulations and persecutions, but it just does not end there. He says that after this earthly phase of suffering and pain, we awake to the real life, the fulfilment of eternal life promised to all who hold on to the commission to the end of their lives.

I walk with and work for God by faith; I hold on to the infallible Word of God and His grace that is always sufficient, and can help me stand even when everything around me seems to be falling apart. His time of favour is here.

Introductions!

Introductions!

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth does not become tired or grow weary; There is no searching of His understanding. ISAIAH 40:28 AMP

A brief introduction is required here: in the journey of life, there are a few peole you are required to meet, if your life's journey will make sense and have impact. A few of them are hand-lifters, encouragers and givers. But there is a glue that holds all of them together and give them meaning, and that glue is a Person- the Everlasting God. He's the One being introduced in today's extract and he is one that we all must meet and know personally if our lives will find and fulfil purpose.

He's called the Everlasting God, the Lord. He's God- identity, power, grace, all summed up in that one word. He's also Lord- master, creator, boss, leader and controller. The issue is one of personal experience: do you know Him as one or the other or as both? Do you recognise him as God of all and also Lord of your life? Both are important. Many people know God as God; they respect Him as such, but cannot submit to His Lordship and authority. We pay lip service to knowing this God; we read and hear of his exploits all around us; we even see his acts in the lives of other people, yet we struggle to give Him control of our lives.

He's called the creator of the ends of the earth. Science has tried to explain it all away but the created will never be able to fully understand its creator. He's always at work; giving knowledge of discovery and improvement in daily life; giving men the ability to push the boundaries of medicine, technology, extraction and information in order to make the earth a better place. However, rather than move towards this God, we are running away from Him, pursuing the things the earth gives rather than God Himself. Man runs after the benefits the earth gives, and knows nothing about the wisdom, power, authority and influence behind all he can see.

That's the God being introduced in today's extract. That's the God you and I need to meet. One day with Him is better than all the world can give you. The world and its distractions are attractive, but they are only temporal and finite. God is the eternal One, and He offers eternal life to all who will come to Him. What are you waiting for? His time of favour is here.

Input; Output!

Input; Output!

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. Colossians 3:16 NRSV

There is a process to impact, and it starts with a relationship with the Word of God, who is Jesus himself. Today's extract talks about this process, and of course, the start point is what I do with the word of God. I could give it some room in my heart, or I could confine it to specific areas of my life. Whatever my decision is, this is what will determine the rest of today's extract.

God's Word is to DWELL in me richly; it is not temporary abode, where it comes in and goes out, or like the seed that fell by the wayside, with no impact at all. It is to find permanent residence in me, so it can dictate terms and direct my life. And of course, residence status determines what you are entitled to. If God's Word dwells in me, then I can teach and admonish others in all wisdom. I note that the grace to teaching is not a function only of spiritual gifts, but of the outflow of grace I have received from being connected to God.

And of course, wherever the Word of God dwells, thanksgiving and praise are also present. God's Word speaks to the human condition, and is able to push through the limitations and realities of human nature, and give me a reason to be grateful to God. It sure does matter what my understanding of God is, because there will be times when you may not understand what He's doing, but your relationship with Him gives you the confidence and assurance that it will always end in praise.

So, what's the residence status of God's Word in your heart? Is it the steering wheel or a spare wheel? What you get is determined by who you know and belong to. His time of favour is here.

Fruiting!

Fruiting!

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

Paul, writing through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, outlines the outward proof of a life's inner contents, looking at both the good and bad outcomes. For every situation discussed in the Bible, you have both sides present: the good and the not so good; the decision to follow God or to heed the dictates of the devil. There is really no middle ground. You are always under the control of a spiritual power: the lie that I am in charge is just what it is: a lie.

Whoever is in charge of your life detemines what your life will produce. If it is the flesh, the verses just before today's extract talks about the natural outcome. If God is in charge, then today's extract is the expected outcome. And fruitfulness is both a natural and a spiritual law: whatever I sow or feed will always grow. I do not get the exact quantity I sowed, but I will reap the same quality of what I sowed, and a geometric increase of what I sowed.

I note that the nine attributes listed here are referred to as fruit, not in the plural form. I cannot pick and choose which ones I would exhibit and ignore the others; it is not a matter of choice but of content. If indeed God lives in me, my life will be headed in the direction of the expression of the fruit. If I am struggling with the expected output, I need to cry out to God for his help. Perfection will not happen overnight; but there will be no doubt as to the sincerity of my heart in pursuing the course set out by God.

None of the fruit-expressions is negotiable; none of them can be bought with money; none of them can be inherited or willed down to children; none can be passed down to other generations through a book. It can only be learned by a personal encounter with God, and a daily dependence on his grace. No earthly law can make any of them a crime, and the world cannot resist a life that has the fruit. You can kill the shell, but the contents have eternal value. Where do I stand? Where do you stand? His time of favour is here.

Love's Focus!

Love's Focus!

Do not love the world [of sin that opposes God and His precepts], nor the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world--the lust and sensual craving of the flesh and the lust and longing of the eyes and the boastful pride of life [pretentious confidence in one’s resources or in the stability of earthly things]--these do not come from the Father, but are from the world. 1 JOHN 2:15‭-‬16 AMP

It starts with an admonition; an advice on priorities. 'Do not love the world'. As simple as those words are, they lie at the heart of all God desires for me. First, love is so total and absolute that it leaves room for nothing else. Once I have focused on an object or subject and given it my love, it leaves no room for anything else. That's why today's extract also says that once you love the world, the love of the Father cannot also be in your heart. You cannot play both sides: you cannot love God and also love the world equally. Both are parallel lines that can NEVER meet.

What does the world represent? It is different from the earth, which is the physical space created by God for us to fill, inhabit and replenish. The spiritual side to our physical existence is referred to as the world, fully represented by man's fallen nature of sin. The world has a system designed to rule over all who submit to it, and you really cannot overcome it by your own power. How do you know if you are subject to the world's system: by your present love life. What are those things that hold your heart so tight that it is difficult to let go? What are those things that have become so important that they take the place of God in your heart?

The lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life: the summary of the world's system. These are the things the world promotes, and it is all those in the world pursue. These were the basis of man's fall in the Garden of Eden, and they are still man's greatest distractions today. Unfortunately, there is no proof that things gotten from these can satisfy. Solomon pursued all the world could offer, yet came to the conclusion that: 'All is vanity'. As long as there is anything else holding my heart, I cannot claim to love God with all my heart.

And God will not settle for anything less than my all. He will not share my affection or devotion, so I need to make up my mind on my priorities and pursuits. What's it going to be: love for God or love of the world? Both have eternal consequences. His time of favour is here.

Testing.....

Testing.....

“The heart is deceitful above all things And it is extremely sick; Who can understand it fully and know its secret motives? “I, the Lord, search and examine the mind, I test the heart, To give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds. JEREMIAH 17:9‭-‬10 AMP

2 verses, each with contrasting messages; one speaks about the condtion of the human heart; the other speaks on the limitless power of the creator of the heart. One speaks on the natural consequences of the fall of man in the Garden of Eden; the other speaks about the solution to the  condition arising from man's fallen state. Since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, there seems to be no end to the propensity of man to find and commit atrocities. Day after day, we read and see the effect of man's fallen state.

The heart of man is capable of producing the vilest of atrocities. It is from man's heart that the evils of Sodom and Gomorrah were produced. It is from the same fallen state that Lot's daughters thought the best way ti have children was by sleeping with their father. The same heart was the place where pride started for Lucifer, and the world is stuck with the devil till today. Unfortunately, man cannot help himself. He cannot fight this state by himself; there are eternal consequences to every action and reaction under this fallen state.

However, there is no heart so powerful that it is beyond God's power. God is able to go behind the facade and reveal the state of my heart to me. He created the heart, so it is impossible for the created to hide from its creator. Because He also created it, he is able to test the motives and reward/punish accordingly. I can tell myself anything or convince myself about the sincerity of my actions, but I cannot sustain any deceit in the presence of the One who knows ALL about me.

The day of reckoning is coming. The day when I must get the true reward for all I have done is coming. It is not about what people say or think; it is not based on man's applause, but on God's standards. If I am to be judged and paid in full for the things I have done now, what would God's verdict be? In sincerity, if I am not sure, I only have now to make the necessary changes. No one is promised eternity down here. His time of favour is here.

Faith!

Faith!

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6 KJV

Today's extract is taken from God's hall of faith. First note that what qualified men to be mentioned here isn't man's opinion but God's prerogative. So, before we start to ask questions such as why men like David or Samson or women like Ruth, a Moabitess and Rahab a prostitute qualified for mention here, remember: we all answer to God, not man. Man's opinion remains based on ephemeral themes like connection, family background and networth. God is only concerned about the status of my relationship with Him.

Faith is defined in the very first verse as 'assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen'. It then means that faith cannot be tied to the world's assurances, as there is nothing of value to the world if it is invisible and intangible. If it cannot be touched, felt, tasted, seen or smelt, it cannot be 'scientifically proven'. Unfortunately, the world's standards cannot explain the divine. Everything about God, from the salvation he offers, to the hope of eternal life, and heaven are all based on invisibles: faith is the one ingredient that is needed if my walk with and work for God will make sense.

If I do not have faith in God, what do I have? If I cannot hold on to God's assurances and promises, sure and certain that He can do all He's promised, what's the purpose of my holding on? If all I trust are my instincts and senses, then it means that I cannot truly walk with God. There are things the world will never be able to explain: the joy I have in the face of trials; the peace I have in the midst of storms; the hope that one day soon, heaven becomes my eternal home. Nothing down here can sustain that assurance; only faith in God can.

So, if I will come to God, I must come with the full knowledge of who He is and what He can do. He's a rewarder of all who seek Him diligently, and becasue He knows the heart of man, He cannot be deceived. If you will come, come with all you are, or come when you are ready. Remember, you do not have forever to make up your mind; one day soon, faith will meet reality and eternity will be forever settled. What will it be for you? His time of favour is here

Final!

Final!

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk 3:17‭-‬18 KJV

There are natural processes laid down by God Himself, which He also respects. His Word, right from Genesis, assures us that as long as the earth remains, seedtime and harvest will NEVER cease. Most times, we plant seeds and expect to reap after some time, and we hardly pray for the results, because we assume that the natural process of life will lead to harvest. That's the way the world works.

However, there are times and seasons where it appears that God permits a suspension of that natural order for certain reasons; either to teach a lesson in trust and dependence, or as a punishment for sin. The prophet here knew the reason why Israel was in trouble, and he went to God with his questions. However, like Job, though he didn't hear the kind of answers he wanted, he learnt something eternal about God's power, prerogative and mercy:  Sin always comes with a price, and God has left us with no doubt as to the price. We do have a choice.

Even if lack comes through no fault of mine, and it seems that my best laid plans are not working, would that change my perception and understanding of who God is? When I have done all I can: nurtured and fertilised the fig tree, vine and olive trees, given them a conducive atmosphere to thrive and flourish, and the flock of sheep and cattle all get food at the proper time, yet they all fail, what will be the state of my heart?

For this writer, his mind was made up: nothing on the outside will be so powerful that it will upset my inner equilibrium. Nothing about my external circumstances will take away my joy and peace. I have God as my salvation, not a genie who grants me only my wishes. He's God: absolute in power and wisdom, and whatever He does or allows has the ingredients to bring me to the place of my purpose. My joy isn't tied to the economy of the land or my pocket, but on the God who is able to raise funds even from strange places, such as a fish's mouth. His time of favour is here.

Expiring.....

Expiring......

And now there remain: faith [abiding trust in God and His promises], hope [confident expectation of eternal salvation], love [unselfish love for others growing out of God’s love for me], these three [the choicest graces]; but the greatest of these is love.
1 CORINTHIANS 13:13 AMP

Looking at the three virtues mentioned in today's extract, you wonder why love is seen as the greatest. A quick review of what these three are may help to resolve that wonder. First is faith. It is defined as an abiding trust in God and his promises. In fact, the Bible says that 'without faith, it is impossible to please God'. It means faith is an essential part of my daily life and is the channel through which I can access all of God's precious promises.

Next is hope, which is defined as confident expectation of eternal salvation. It means that there is an end in view, already determined by God, and hope is the fuel that drives me on, even when things don't make sense. It means that it will not just end in uncertainty, but in definite eternal realities at the end of this earthly phase. So, as I live, I know that one day, there will be a transition, and everything I have been told b God will become realities.

And then there is love, defined as unselfish love for others growing out of God's love for me. You really cannot define love without using the word love again. One quick connection between all three: they all have a part to play in both the present and the future. They keep you grounded down here, as you look forward to all God has in store up there. But there is a remarkable distinction: faith and hope will expire at some point. When I get to heaven, and all my expectations are matched and surpassed, is that not the end of faith and hope? Would heaven not be the crowning glory of all the pains, trials and tribulations I had to endure down here?

Or could it just be that God is love and love is of God? Love never ends. It is God's love that saves man, and keeps him on God's path till the end, and it is also the sole ingredient that heaven is based on. Down here, God's love helps me connect with others; up there, God's love becomes even more real and personal, and I get to see the physical manifestation and personification of that love. That's why love is the greatest. Do I know this love? Have I met this love? His time of favour is here

The Heart!

The Heart!

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit [through factional motives, or strife], but with [an attitude of] humility [being neither arrogant nor self-righteous], regard others as more important than yourselves. PHILIPPIANS 2:3 AMP

Actions speak louder than words: that's a very popular saying, both by the world's and the Word's standard. The world defines my pursuits and priorities by the things I do and the Word of God is able to determine the course of my life by the things I engage in, particularly when it comes to love. 

However, there is a silent part of action, and maybe a stronger claim on my actions, and that's motive or intention. The world sees and judges me based on my physical actions; God judges me based on intentions and motives. The world could stand up and applaud my actions; can God do the same based on my motives?

Humilty is strange to human nature. Since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, it has been the norm for man to ascribe to himsel airs he does not have or grace he does not understand. We consider ourselves as important and indispensable; we think we are immune from accountability; we think we go first when it comes to benefits and blessings; we think we have it all figured out and no one is more important than we are.

If only we could seek God out and find out what He thinks about us. If only we could ask God to reveal our hearts to ourselves, so we could see ourselves the way we really are. Maybe we would be slow to point the finger at someone else, and we will be a bit more sober and reflective. If God were to reveal to us the truth behind WHY we do WHAT we do, can we allow the world know the truth?

It ends up as a personal decision; this is something I must do by myself, or at least by depending on the Holy Spirit for help: continually subject all I do and say to the help of the Holy Spirit. If I allow Him work in and through me, impact is inevitable. When I allow Him speak through me, the world will know that God is alive. May I never be in competition with God in my life and may He always find my life a platform He can use for his glory. His time of favour is here

Love, Indeed!

Love, Indeed!

Little children (believers, dear ones), let us not love [merely in theory] with word or with tongue [giving lip service to compassion], but in action and in truth [in practice and in sincerity, because practical acts of love are more than words]. 1 JOHN 3:18 AMP

Man has learnt and perfected the art of pretence. We can say something very clear with our lips, yet mean something very different with our hearts. We can project a particular image to other people, when we know the image is able to get some some benefits from them. We have found novel ways to describe cheating, lying, hypocrisy, hatred and bitterness towards other people, and we call it 'Life'.

God never intended that we carry such baggage with us on our journey in life. That's why He gave us a choice, along with the power to make the right choice. Today's extract is addressed to people who have made that right choice: who believe in the Son and have handed their lives over to Him. You see, the power to live in line with today's extract isn't by physical or mental strength; it is by the power of an inner Presence. If you don't have Him, you don't have it.

Every day you wake up, you have an opportunity to prove your inner contents. God will bring my way situations that will test my convictions. There are lives to be impacted; destinies to remind, purpose to be discovered, direction to be determined and eternity to be ingrained in the hearts of men. Every day I am given, I must remind myself of this truth and pursue it with single minded devotion.

And there is an eternal reward in view. I am not called to make sacrifices in vain; i am called into a race, a fight, a path where HOW I end determines WHAT I get. Nothing from God is ever wasted; all He takes me through takes me closer to the person He can use to affect the world. Will i cooperate with Him or do I want to do this all by myself? Would I allow His love shine in and through me, so that the world will seek to know and meet this God? His time of favour is here.

Workmanship

Workmanship

For we are God's [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. Ephesians 2:10 AMPC

First, it is settled truth that I am a finished product. God already put in me all I need for life and Godliness and placed me in the very  spot where I am to fulfil His purpose for my life. I am called his workmanship- the outward proof of God's skill, prowess and ability. In me, his power, wisdom and strength are all made manifest, and the only way I can live in gratitude for all He's done is to find out the WHY behind my life and pursue that with single-minded devotion.

Until I find Christ, it is likely I will continue to struggle. In Christ lies all I need for life and Godliness, and only in and through Him am I able to fulfil God's purpose for my life. Though I am the finished work of Christ, I do not actually begin the journey of discovery; pursuit and fulfilment until I have met and accepted the One who can make it all work out. I do not come into this life and start to grope in the dark, looking for what to do; God already settled that long before I was born.

Every experience, trial, tribulation, storm or wind all work towards the making of me into what God intends. The course and path for my life doesn't catch God by suprise; not even my mistakes and wrong judgments can derail His plans and purposes. I can get delayed by the choices I make or the path I tread, but there is nothing in this present life or the life to come that can change God's purpose. It then means that the greatest assignment of man is to find out what he's been created to do, and to get busy doing it in the strength and power of the Only One who can bring it all together.

So, what am I doing right now? Am I busy at my own things or doing what God intends? As always, rewards are tied to what God ordains, not what I commission. His time of favour is here.

The Whole!

The Whole!

Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. Ephesians 6:11 AMPC

Please note that the mandate is to put on - you cannot run this race or fight this fight with nothing on. You cannot afford to be naked; in fact, it is suicidal to be found with nothing on, or with the wrong material. Please also note that there is something to put off and something to put on. You must get the order right.

It's a complete package - the whole armour, not part. You can't negotiate your way out of any- is it the prayer bit you want to take off or the faith bit? It is not a time-based request, where you get to a point where you are now fortified or strong enough to take anything of. It is a lifelong learning; a lifetime of warfare. Am I content with being half-dressed or almost there? With God, it is very dangerous to get on the battlefront and not be ready or prepared for the battle ahead.

And the materials are supplied by God, not man. They are not tied to bank account balance or family connections. They are not earned by labour or sustained by intellect; they are God's provision for the life he's called us to, and He alone knows the dimensions of the battle and the capacity and limitations of the enemy we are facing.

When I fully depend on God, I am guaranteed a good end. The enemy will fight, and he usually fights dirty. Nothing is sacred to him when it comes to this eternal fight. He will attempt to take anything from you or touch anything precious to you. Your heart has got to have only 1 priority- pleasing God. Nothing else must hold your heart so strong that it becomes difficult to hold on to God completely.

If I will have total victory, it has to be total dependence. God Himself will not settle for anything less than my all. His time of favour is here.

Unbreakable!

Unbreakable!

No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39 NLT

In placing today's extract in the right context, I am reminded that I am called into a life whose details are not always clear, smooth or pain-free. I am reminded that the call of God on a life does not always guarantee plain sailing. There are situations and circumstances that are set up to test the quality of the faith I profess and my heart now will say a lot about how and where I end up.

Paul, who writes here, is a study in daily dependence on God. He had gone through the whole process- from being an independent Jew, a zealous believer in everything Jewish, to a committed soldier for the cause to a repentant and dependent Christian, Paul knew what the love of God meant. He had seen it firsthand, so he could talk about its height, depth, breadth and length. Until a man has had a very personal encounter with God, his best efforts will be much labour and not much favour.

And forces will contend for your heart. That is the seat of the battle. Once I am able to sort out my heart's priorities, then nothing else can tamper with its equilibrium. Once I am able to place the Love of God in the right place in my heart, it does not matter the quality or quantity of opposition against me. It does not matter what the source of the opposition is: in the heights above or in the depths beneath; as long as God's love reigns supreme in my heart, nothing can displace my joy. Oh, they will come and threaten to derail my joy, but if I have already settled the issue of the One who lives in me, all the drama going on around me are all temporary distractions.

Do I have God's love living inside me? Who is pulling the strings? Remember, standing firm in the face of storms is dependent on my relationship with God. If I have Him, I'm safe. His time of favour is here.

Word and Heart!

Word and Heart!

For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 AMPC

Meet the Word spoken about in today's extract: it is referred to as the Word that God speaks, which means its origin, purpose and direction is of God. If it is of and from God, it means it carries all of God's nature, power and authority. The Bible is replete with examples of people and situations that encountered this God and we know none of them remained the same,either for good or the reverse. That's the power in the Word.

Today's extract also speaks about the nature of the Word-alive and full of power- of course, it is backed up by the greatest power in the world. It means the Word is a Person, of great wisdom, power and might. The Word is referred to in various ways but none signify weakness or inability. It is referred to as active- it is an instrument of change, a conviction to something eternal and a motivator to an inspired and Godly life. You do not come in contact with it, and it leaves you the same way. Today's extract says the Word is sharper than any two-edged sword- cutting either way- to the speaker, to the listener, to the reader, to the hearer.  As it adresses the life of the one reading it, so does it affect the lives of all who hear or speak it or apply it.

How deep does the work of the Word go- to the fine line between the soul and the spirit; to the joints and marrow; able to discern the fine lines of motive and reasons for all I do. It can deal with the hypocrisy of my heart and reveal me to myself. It can deal with the pride in my spirit and make me humble. It can deal with fleshly lusts and make me utterly dependent on God. It is not about what I say to myself, but how God sees me.

Men may applaud my actions and reactions; God weighs and judges my heart and its intentions. What would be the verdict of the Word if He were to judge me now? Can I subject my heart and life to the amazing power of the Word? Well, at some point in time, his Word will do its work. It is only better if I submit willingly now, before it is done in judgment. His time of favour is here.

God and Man 2

God and Man 2

Teach me to do Your will [so that I may please You], For You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground. PSALM 143:10 AMP

The natural man has priorities and pursuits that differ from what the spiritual man desires. What I consider as important to me are formed out of my relationship with God. If I am truly surrendered to God, it will show in my life's experiences. If it is not so, it will also show in the things I consider to be important. David, who wrote this psalm, is a study in dependence on God. He didn't always have it right, but his heart was right before God, and his life story shows that God will always be found by those who sincerely seek him out.

Today's extract starts with a request borne out a certainty of relationship. David asks God to teach him how to do His will, because he was sure God was his God. Dp I know my relationship status with God? Is He the One holding the reins of my heart or am I struggling for control with Him? Does He have the whole of my heart or are there areas where I am fully in charge? Well, it is not the answer you give that matters; it is the quality of your life and the true state of your heart, as detemined by God, that matters.

Doing God's will does not come naturally to fallen man. Man has to learn to submit to God and allow Him work. When God truly becomes God in my life, i cease to struggle for relevance, importance or impact. When I learn God's will and pursue it by his power, then I discover the treasures and blessings that come from knowing and following God. That is why having God's Spirit in me is a non-negotiable part of life, if that life will be worth anything. God alone knows the present, as well as the future and eternity, and it will only be wise, in the face of the uncertain future, to commit my life into the hands of the One who holds it all together.

Most important question: who is God to you: an idea, a concept, head content or heartfelt relationship? Whatever the truth of your response is, remember that there are eternal consequences to every sutuation. He wants to reveal Himself to all; would you let Him? His time of favour is here.

God and Man!

God and Man!

But Jesus looked at them and said, “With people [as far as it depends on them] it is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” MATTHEW 19:26 AMP

True life starts with a fundamental understanding of the dynamic relationship between God and man. In today's extract, a rich, young ruler came to Jesus, after hearing him speak, desiring to know what good thing he had to do to be worthy of eternal life. That's the same question most people are asking: focusing on what they can bring to the table of God's mercy and grace, forgetting that the gift isn't accesssed by works, no matter how good, but by faith first, then proven by works.

The rich young man had everything: he even  knew the commandments and according to him, had kept them all his life. Oh, the deceit of the human heart that thinks it has arrived when it has not even started the journey. The man knew the letter of the law, but at the first test of the spirit of the law, he fell away. Have I fallen into the same trap, thinking I can negotiate heaven only with the works of my hands? And of course, when Christ demanded practical living, the man went away sad.

Today's extract speaks to the statement about the rich getting into the kingdom of God, but it is also true about everything else about God. Man looks at things from his own narrow understanding; God sees the whole picture, because He's the photographer, picking and setting the scenes and determining final output. When God promises a thing, it does no good for me to begin to wonder just how it will come to pass; I just need to know who has made the promise. That should be enough for me.

Is there any situation I have taken to God and it seems man is saying it is impossible. God is saying: 'Don't bother too much about what man says; he's limited in power, but I am limitless. When man's opinion has been heard and thoroughly examined, you realise that God is able to put expert opinion aside, simply to prove his power and authority. What is that situation threatening my peace? Hear God's Word today: with man, it is impossible, but with God, all I seek, in accordance with His Word, is possible. His time of favour is here.

New!

New!

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19 KJV

There was a time that Israel had to suffer for their rebellion against God. They had eaten and become full, and they thought they could do the rest on their own. Of course, God gave them over to their enemies, particularly the Babylonians, who oppressed them for so many years. It is a clear principle by God that unconfessed sin brings punishment. If I persist in sin, I can only expect the natural consequences, which is death.

However, God promises a new thing, a new beginning, a fresh start. As I read the verses  before today's extract, I am reminded of the mercy and grace of God. I am reminded again that I stand where I am because of God's unconditional love, not because of anything I have done to deserve the good. All I read here is an outflow of God's mercy, where he decides on the timing, value, direction and impact of whatever is within his power and might to do.

If God were to do the usual, maybe it won't catch our attention, but here He's promising to do the unexpected. The wilderness is seen as barren land, where no one wants to go. The desert is seen as a dry land, where survival is minimal, yet God seems to be promising something uniquely different from all we have come to know and expect. The greatest obstacle to faith is the usual and the regular, but God is saying here: 'I will blow your mind by doing what nobody expects'. And if it is God at work, you can bet He knows what He's doing.

Is there any situation you have taken to Him that seems lost? Trust His eternal power, might, authority, dominion and victory over everything. He's God. Simple, yet profound, and all of creation, seen and unseen, answers to Him. His time of favour is here.

Complete!

Complete!

And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.
Philippians 1:6 AMP

Paul writes here, thanking God for the faith and practical Christianity of the Philipian church. This was a church of elders, bishops and members who believed in God and whose lives were public testimonies to that relationship. They supported the work of the ministry and helped to spread the good news about Christ the saviour. The first question then is: "Have you met this Christ? Does He know you as His own? Are you working for Him or for yourself?

I just note that it is God that is at work; the focus isn't so much about man's labour, work or achievements. A man is said to succeed only when He is where God wants him to be and he's busy at the assignment he has been given. Too many times, out of envy and jealousy, we have coveted other people's gifts and assignment, abandoning our own. It is what God ordains that He will sustain to the end, and if He has not commissioned the project you are on, then it means you cannot guarantee its successful completion.

It is also made clear that everything God is doing now on earth has an expiry date. We make a distinction between the work and the person. Everything God has asked me to do will be perfected on the day Christ returns for me, either by physical death or rapture, but for me, it is just a passing phase into eternal life. I am being prepared for eternity; all I do now are seeds towards my eternal reality. I am the vessel through which God's power, might and grace are made manifest, so the fundamental question is this: What are my present pursuits and priorities? Are they inspired by God or presently sustained by popular opinion?

The end is coming; this present earthly life is just a passing phase. I work down here with a consciousness that I am aiming for an incorruptible crown, tied to my working out God's divine purpose, not my selfish interests. Is it the same for you? His time of favour is here.

Attitude!

Attitude!

Worship the Lord and serve Him with reverence [with awe-inspired fear and submissive wonder]; Rejoice [yet do so] with trembling. PSALM 2:11 AMP

When I place today's extract in context, it becomes even clearer how mighty and awesome God is, and why you can't treat as you would treat a fellow human being. God is not your regular buddy, who you can pat on the back and send to do your bidding; He's called the Mighty and Terrible One for a reason, and the verses before today's extract puts that in focus.

Men will be men; seeking to prove that they are bigger and better than who they are; men will will fill their hearts with evil devices, thinking that by sheer force of will or intellect, they can get away with anything. However, the charge today is to all men who think they can outsmart God or put Him in a box or predict His moves: you know nothing about this God except what He chooses to reveal. You cannot determine his path unless He gives you an insight into what He's doing, and invites you to join in.

That's why I am asked to worship God and serve Him with reverence, which is the right mixture of fear, wonder and awe. This will not make sense to anyone who is yet to fully understand who God is, and what He can do. If I do not know the value of a thing, abuse is inevitable. If I do not know the God I am called to worship, how do I offer him anything acceptable? I am also charged to rejoice, but to do so with trembling. This picture just evokes a sense of caution, so it keeps me grounded. I do not ever lose sight of the fact that I exist solely at the pleasure of God.

So, attitude matters. The world will see the activity, but God focuses on the inner man. Worship could be physical or internal, rejoicing may be an activity or mentality, but God looks at the state of the heart offering these sacrifices. If God were to show me the state of my heart right now, would I like what I see? Can it be said of my heart that it is right with God? His time of favour is here.

Timeless!

Timeless!

Nevertheless, do not let this one fact escape your notice, beloved, that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like one day. 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 3:8‭-‬9 AMP

First, it must be established that God isn't your regular guy; predictable and logical. He does not do things the way the natural man would expect, and that's why He is called God. Man defines life on the basis of time and seasons, and we expect specific milestones at specific times in our lives. The world makes it worse by trying to place our lives on a tight schedule, telling us what we must do by certain times, and giving the impression that we have failed if those things have not been achieved.

Meet the God who is not bogged down by such ephemeral considerations. To God, a thousand years is like a day, and a day is like a thousand years. He dwells in timeless reality, he's not bound by the limits man is tied to, he has an eternal timetable for his purposes and plan, and nothing down here can defeat that plan. One of his great plans is the eternal salvation of all men. He gave up his own Son so that we all could be saved, and he keeps holding out His hands, waiting for us to accept his gift and enjoy the life on offer.

Sometimes, you look around and see the pervasive evil around, and you wonder where God is. You would wonder whether God is truly in control of the affairs of the earth, but then you ask yourself: if God were to deal with me as a person based on my actions and thoughts, would I still be alive and standing today? If I acknowledge that I am a product of mercy, it makes it clear to me that God's patience isn't misplaced and if He could be patient with me, then I can also expect Him to be patient with other people.

Nobody is so far gone that s/he is beyond the grace of God. I could look at a life and conclude that that person is so wicked and deserves death, but thank God He is not like man. However, please note: The same grace He is extending to all men is based on time, and when it expires, only judgment remains. Whilst I still have time, I run to God and accept his gift. What's your response? His time of favour is here.