The Cross!

The Cross!

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18 NIV

There is something deep about the cross: it is the symbol of hate and love at the same time. It is the connection between death and life at the same time. It is the bridge between God and man; the highway of reconciliation which makes it possible for man to approach God. Why, then, is the message of the cross so offensive to people?

Could it be it is because the cross does not respect intelligence, wealth, connections or abilities. You do not come to the cross peading anything you have achieved or done; you do not come to the cross claiming rights or entitlements; all I could ever need was settled by the cross and all I am asked to do is simply believe and receive the fullness of the blessings the cross has sealed. It does not ask for anything else and it will certainly not take anything else.

That's why it is foolishness to those who are perishing. They cannot understand why there is no price or value demanded and why they cannot pay a high price for it. The cross makes nonsense of all of man's pride and achievements, and simply asks for faith and trust in what the cross accomplishes. For those who have experienced the power of the cross, they know it is God's power at work, able to wipe the slate clean, give a fresh start, guarantee a life of peace down here and bliss in eternity.

Note that being saved isn't just an event; it is a journey. You don't get it and relax; there is some working out to do. You do it in the power of the cross, and you can be certain that victory is sure. His time of favour is here.

Right Call!

Right Call!

and My people, who are called by My Name, humble themselves, and pray and seek (crave, require as a necessity) My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear [them] from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 CHRONICLES 7:14 AMP

Solomon had just built an imposing edifice as a temple to the God of Israel. He had also offered many sacrifces on the altar to the same God and God was pleased with the offerings that He came down in His glory to sanctify the temple and promised to make the temple His chosen place of sacrifice. Please note that at no time did God intend to make the physical temple His permanent dwelling place. In fact, from today's extract, it is clear that all answers are given directly from God, not necessarily because prayers are offered in church.

And the multitude of sacrifices and prayers didn't stop God from warning Solomon of the dangers of rebellion and disobedience. No matter how many offerings or sacrifices you offer, once the heart is not totally surrendered to God, it will amount to a waste of resources. God is saying: "I place more importance on the state of heart of my people than on what they can offer me. After all, I own all of earth and heaven". If they would only humble themselves, seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, the promise by God is that He will hear from HEAVEN, not the amazing temple built, and will forgive and heal the land.

Isn't it surprising that it is God's own people who are called upon in today's extract? Sometimes, familiarity breeds contempt. Imagine that Solomon, with all he did here, still ended up serving and worshipping strange gods. It is a warning to all who depend on activities and the outward show of piety that God cannot be decieved. We can hoodwink man with false pretences but God is supremely intelligent, and as the creator of the human heart, knows all its hidden motives.

So, what's it going to be: honesty before God or pretence? Sincere worship or the usual Sunday Sunday application? He sits and watches and promises to reward ALL who sincerely seek Him. His time of favour is here.

Wait!

Wait!

Wait for and confidently expect the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for and confidently expect the Lord. PSALMS 27:14 AMP

In a world where men are rewarded for speed first and maybe accuracy, today's extract may seem a bit strange. There are proverbs and 'wise sayings' which further emphasize the importance of being quick, being proactive; being sharp. There's nothing wrong with these sayings; it is just that when God is added to the mix, most of the things you think the outcomes are sure suddenly become uncertain.

Yes, this is a God who says to one man: "Wait and watch me do amazing things" and it would seem that what others had pursued for years is given to you in a matter of hours. To another man God says: "Make haste" and when the person obeys, there is much gain to make, long before anyone else even thinks of the same thing. So the lesson is this: with God, there really is no template to copy; God deals with us on the basis of personal knowledge and relationship with Him.

So when others seem to be making it, even with God's direction, don't assume that is your own way also. When others seem to advocate action, be sure you are moving only at the command of the One who sees all. Be sure you are waiting for God; not the vain assurances of men or the inconsistent promises of fickle man. When God is your confidence; you won't lose sleep; when man is your confidence, you better not sleep. When God is your confidence, your heart is at rest and is secure in the knowledge that no matter what comes, God has got it all under control.

So, in who/what is your confidence? What fuels you to go on when nothing seems to work? Your answer will determine your peace of mind down here and your eternal destination. His time of favour is here.

Power!

Power!

But we have this precious treasure [the good news about salvation] in [unworthy] earthen vessels [of human frailty], so that the grandeur and surpassing greatness of the power will be [shown to be] from God [His sufficiency] and not from ourselves. We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair; hunted down and persecuted, but not deserted [to stand alone]; struck down, but never destroyed; 2 CORINTHIANS 4:7‭-‬9 AMP

The world focuses on the external without any understanding of how the internal works. The Word focuses on internal first,  because it knows that the internal alwaya affects the external. When I critically assess my life and its priorities, it will be clear to me which one is of utmost importance to me: the internal or the external. Every day, my life will provide insight into the one I consider more important.

God's great treasures are placed in vessels of clay, so that it is clear to the clay that what makes it special isn't its own material but what it carries inside of it. The world projects an image of success and it is all on the outward; God's Word works on the inside first, because once the inner man is secure, the outer man will always make impact. The outer man knows that what makes it tick isn't about how fine it is, but how connected its inner man is.

Pressure, perplexity and persecution all occur on the outside but their effect is actually made on the inside. God wants to build spiritual muscle, where no matter what goes on outside of me, it does not affect my inner stability. God knows that comfort is risky, and I can become complacent when there is no challenge to face. And because God is interested in my eternal impact, He won't let me go to waste and He won't allow me waste His resources or treasures.

And none of those experiences will ever be bigger than the God who lives in me. Physical death is the highest risk to the outer man, but is just a passage to eternal life for the inner man. Nothing down here is so powerful that it can tamper with God's plan and purpose, so I face anything life brings me with the confidence that if God allows it, it is for my benefit and it will only bring out His best in me. Do you hold on to the same confidence? His time of favour is here.

Secret!

Secret!

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:6 KJV

Prayer is the secret key that gives you access to God's great treasures. We talk a lot about it but do so little about it. Books have been written ans seminars organised about it, but nobody can force you to tap into the benefits and blessings that come from actually engaging in it the proper way.

Prayer is that secret part of an open relationship with God. Men may assume you are a child of God from the way you relate with other people, but it could all be a lie. You could pretend for so long that it becomes a part of you, but the one thing you cannot fake is that secret part: prayer; because you deal with a God of absolute knowledge and power, one who cannot be deceived by appearances. You can keep up a show in public for the benefit and praise of people, but when you come before God, you will do well to check all pretence at the door.

The secret is to approach God in secret. God is presented as the One in secret, no because He is hidden, but because He will not draw attention to Himself. His mighty works are evidence of His might and power and anyone who will come to Him should already know who s/he is dealing with. You go to Him in secret, where His power and might is made manifest to you, and when you emerge from the secret place, your life carries the mark of that encounter. Ask Jacob who became Israel or Jabez whose destiny was changed, even though men still called him by his old name.

Did you note that answers that I want is not assured; God never said He will do all I want when I want it, but He only promises that my life will be a visible reflection of his touch, which comes from my secret prayer life. A man who has had an encounter with God isn't difficult to identify. Ask the apostles after Pentecost. How's my secret life? Can God count on me to do what is required, so He can also make me all that He requires? His time of favour is here.

Right!

Right!

It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. 1 Corinthians 13:6 AMPC

The Word's standards are indeed different from the world's standards. For every idea or concept spoken of in God's Word, the devil has an alternative or a second option. His own options are coated to look like the real deal, but anyone who has experienced the original can easily identify the fake and deal accordingly.

The world keeps records of all things, both good and bad. The Word of God also keeps records, but the big difference between the two positions is what the records are used for. The world will always remind you of the bad you have done and conveniently forget the good; the Word is always seeking out the good in you whilst warning about the consequences of evil. Whilst the world will rejoice in your downfall or celebrate evil, the Word will rejoice when good triumphs. And because the world's position is popular, it appears it is always right.

Fortunately, the Word's standards have always stood the test of time. It doesn't matter how long falsehood and evil have existed; God's Truth is able to catch up in an instant. If I check my heart today in the light of God's Truth, not my emotions, what would be said about my heart's contents? Am I secretly happy at the gains of evil and falsehood or am I always seeking out good in and for other people?

Remember, the consequences of all decisions will be made manifest in the course of time. What side are you on: Truth or evil? If God's love lives inside you, you can only produce fruit in line with the seed planted in you. If what you produce isn't looking like the real deal, check the seed. His time of favour is here.

Empowered!

Empowered!

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV

Paul warns against a focus on physical abilities and prowess. The only language the world understands is power. Men of the world seek it; crave it and also kill for it. The men of the world do it for something ephemeral and temporary; something that cannot be sustained beyond the life of the person holding it. The Word of God also speaks about power, but of a different kind.

For you to cast down imaginations and every high thing seeking to exalt itself against God, you have got to be safe and secure in your own knowledge of God and in His power. You must have experienced His power, if you are to fully manifest His power. Do I know God that well? Am I living in a daily reality of His nature? Does He live in and through me? Does my life reflect the proper ownership? Am I a true refection of the power of God?

And the power of God is even made more manifest in the fact that it has power over the unseen realm; the imaginations and thoughts of man's heart. No power on earth can determine exactly what you are thinking per time; it can suggest or manipulate; but it is limited to that influence. On the other hand, God is so powerful that even before the thoughts come, He knows them completely. That is the God whose power is spoken about in today's extract.

If I will live out this reality of victory, I must be living daily in the reality of daily surrender. If I have not surrendered control to God, how do I draw others to God? If my heart is not totally committed, how do I get other people's hearts to seek after the victory God alone can guarantee? You cannot give what you don't have; you cannot command what you have not yet mastered. So, what's your status? His time of favour is here.

Offering!

Offering!

May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14 NIV

Today's extract is a prayer we all must pray at some time in our lives, if all that we are and have will be acceptable to God. One key thing established in today's extract is that what comes out of my mouth is very important to God. The output of my mouth also does not just happen; it is a function of what I have spent time storing up in my heart. It then means that the prayers in today's extract actually address the same thing: the foundation of who I am.

Whatever I consider important will be revealed by my words. What I say will reflect my heart's pursuits and priorities. And for me, if I know my origins and nature, I understand I cannot speak as i please. God is the One who through words created the heavens and the earth, and by his breath in me, I am empowered to be as He is and do what He does. If God is able to speak things into existence, I have also been given the same power. Do I know who I am and the power I have been given?

So when the Psalmist here prays this prayer, I consider it important to check my life and ask if I can actually pray the same prayer. I am asking God to weigh my words and accept them, because they come from a pure heart. I am telling God that the product of my lips is the product of a heart totally given to Him. I am telling God I have made Him my Lord and Redeemer, and i have surrendered all to Him, asking Him to be Lord and King over all I am. Can that truly be said of me at the moment? Can I dare God to reveal the secrets of my heart to the people around me, confident that no fault will be found?

One good thing: with God, change is never too late. As long as I am alive, I have room to make a change. God calls, and I have to listen if my life will make impact. God, I give you my heart; make me all you want me to be. His time of favour is here.

New!

New!

Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you, and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. EZEKIEL 36:26 AMP

In addition to all that God promises to Israel, he also makes the pronouncement in today's extract. Why is a new heart and a new spirit important in this experience we are called into? First, I believe it is because the human heart is so susceptible to evil. It's natural inclination is towards all things sin, and God, in his holiness, cannot work with such a heart. Everywhere you turn to in the Bible, you read of men with both kinds of hearts; one thing is clear: all were human, but some allowed God work on them, and their end was marvellous.

Why can't God stay with the old heart? Because the natural consequence of sin is death. And one is dead due to sin, even while physically alive. Note that God is the One making the offer here; there is nothing the natural man could have done to earn the new heart. In fact, natural man would not even know he needed the new heart. When a new heart is in place, there is no end to what God can do with such a life. Even when mistakes are made, because the heart has been given to God, he knows how to restore such a heart if it is sincere in its repentance.

A heart of flesh looks like the flesh it is put in. A heart of stone is out of place in a body of flesh. If you allow God work in you what He wants, you last the distance. He is able to impress His ideas, desires and commands on your heart. He is able to direct your heart into His will and purpose. So, what kind of heart is in place in you? Does God hold control or are you firmly in control? As it has always been said: your control point determines your eternal destination. You have got to allow God work in you what is His will, so you can be all He desires and you can end up where He has ordained. The alternative is eternal damnation. His time of favour is here.

Get It Right!

Get It Right!

Give us today our daily bread. Matthew 6:11 NIV

Today's extract is part of the popular Lord's  Prayer, where the disciples of Jesus came to him, asking to be taught how to pray. The template for prayer, as taught by Jesus, is instructive for our daily lives, and today's bit is just a small part of the whole prayer. What can we learn from today's  extract? First, there is a clear and definite source for all I could ever desire. I must know who I am talking to, understand his power and might, and know He is able to do all he has promised.

When I pray, do I even know who I am talking to? Has prayer become a routine or an experience? The prayer is the Lord's prayer,  not a litany of self-accomplishments and achievements. You don't come to God blowing your trumpet; you come with a sense of awareness that this is the maker of the universe you are speaking to. Do you know him as such? Does your life acknowledge him as such?

Secondly, I must know I am the target of God's amazing love. Everything he has promised is for my benefit, and as I pray, I am acccessing the riches of the blessings held in store for me. If I do not ask, how do I access? God knows what I need, yet he longs to have me speak to Him as a child speaks to a Father, certain that EVEN IF I do not get all I want, there is a bigger thing at play, which is the Father-child relationship. And that's the  basis of the third point: it is first about ownership and possession, not acquisition. The world focuses on what it can get, and defines its value in monetary or physical terms; God defines me on the basis of my relationship with Him, and on the final analysis, this is the most important.

And note that the provision is daily, not weekly or monthly or yearly. It is a daily request, a daily relationship renewal. You never stop; you never have enough of Him. And all you need is tied to that daily provision. As much as there is pressure to look ahead into the future, God says: 'I am sufficient for today '. And that should be enough for all who know Him. Why would all of these be important: because God is first a God of relationship before anything else. He wants me to seek Him out for Him first, before what I could ever desire from Him.

So, do you know this God? Does he also know  you as his own? His time of favour is  here.

Align!

Align!

You call Me the Teacher (Master) and the Lord, and you are right in doing so, for that is what I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher (Master), have washed your feet, you ought [it is your duty, you are under obligation, you owe it] to wash one another's feet. John 13:13‭-‬14 AMPC

A lot of the things i do now flows from my acceptance and understanding of God's expectation for my life. Today's extract is one of Jesus' last experiences with his disciples before He went the way of the cross. What lessons are there for us: 1. If you do not accept Him as Lord and Master, you do not have any duty to obey what is  commanded here. Since you are 'free' you can live as you please; but note that all choices have consequences. The command here is for those who know and recognise the mastery and Lordship of Jesus over their lives.

2. There is nothing I do or say that changes the authority and person of Jesus. He is not Lord and Master because I say He is; He's so because that is who He is and nothing I do or say can take away that fact. And what makes it even more striking is the fact that one day, we all will be judged by our reaction and acceptance of His Authority. I can choose now to submit willingly, or I can choose to face judgment for rejecting. As always, the choice is mine alone.

3. The command to wash one another's feet is still about those who share common ownership; who have submitted to the Lordship of Jesus. Among all of us, there is no room for pride or a sense of superiority over others. I am sure of my value in God so I see nothing as menial or demeaning because I am not really defined by what I do but by who I belong to.

No assignment is inferior as long as it is commanded by God. Nothing is beneath me as long as it is a blessing to someone in my generation. I see my life as a tool in the hands of God and I ask Him to take glory in and through me, even as I work for Him. His time of favour is here.

Blessed!

Blessed!

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

There are some deep truths that today's extract establishes, and we will do well to look at a few. First, God's definition of blessing seems to be far away from how the world defines it. The world views a state of calm, pleasure and physical abundance as the essence of blessing; God sees it the same way, but with Him, there is a context to all of these things, as well as an understanding that must come with it. God seems to say "I can guarantee you all that the world promises, but I need to prepare you to be able to handle them and not lose eternity".

Secondly, whatever else God approves or allows, He supplies strength and grace for us to stand up under the experiences. God will not demand from me something He has not supplied strength or grace for. The issue is that man's fall in the Garden of Eden led to a false sense of  self-sufficiency and independence. Man thinks he has got it all figured out, especially when things seem to be comfortable around him. However, a man who has experienced God knows that he is nothing outside God and he will not make it without God. That understanding is key to the blessings that matter, which God alone can give.

Thirdly, there is a purpose to all of these things. Nothing is in vain; God is too arranged and methodical not to know what He's doing. He places a choice before us and tells us the consequences of our choice before we make it. In the final analysis, we really cannot blame God for whatever goes wrong. A crown of life awaits all who endure to the end. It's not all about the good start, or a bad middle; you have got to stay in the race. You could fall or fail; but you cannot afford to quit. There is no reward for starting well; only enduring to the end.

Are you blessed; as defined by God? You are better off with God than with all the riches the world can promise you. His time of favour is here.

One Thing!

One Thing!

One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek, inquire for, and [insistently] require: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord [in His presence] all the days of my life, to behold and gaze upon the beauty [the sweet attractiveness and the delightful loveliness] of the Lord and to meditate, consider, and inquire in His temple. Psalm 27:4 AMPC

When you read words like these, you have got to check out the writer. It is no surprise that it is David who is said to have written these words. When a person has a personal encounter with God, it will definitely show in his/her words, conduct and outlook to life. We know David to be called by God as 'a man after God's heart' so it is no suprise that David's greatest desire was after God. What is your deepest desire?

David mentioned one thing, but went ahead to mention three distinct threads: 1. That he may dwell in the house of the Lord forever; 2. To behold and gaze upon the beauty of the Lord; and 3. To meditate, consider and inquire in God's temple. Actually, the three threads all relate to the same thing: a personal encounter with God. You really cannot pick and choose any; all are important parts of the same experience.

Can a person desire to dwell in God's house and not seek to know God? Is it possible to take out time to sit in God's presence and not come away with a personal and distinct experience? Would it make sense for me to sacrifice time to seek God out, and then be content without a personal touch? God promises that all who seek Him will find Him; so it is essential that I do not settle for anything less than what God has promised.

It is by dwelling that I can experience the beauty of God. There are things that I can only discover by careful study and meditation on God and his ways. There are mysteries God would show me, only if He is sure He has the whole of my heart. Does He have yours? Am I seeking Him out for what I can get from Him, or am I seeking to know Him more, so I can be more of what He expects of me? His time of favour is here.

Comforted!

Comforted!

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3‭-‬4 NIV

We know it is good to praise God, and we are sure of the many reasons why we should. We recall all His mighty works and his awesome deeds and we also testify, both in public and private, about the things He has done or is doing in our lives. Today's extract just gives another perspective to the 'praise' requirement, and it speaks from the view that even when things are tough and rough, God still deserves praise.

Check out the reason why praise is required in today's extract: God comforts us in all our troubles. First, He allows us go through trials and tribulations, then sometimes, rather than deliver us from them, He gives amazing strength, power and wisdom in dealing with them. The story of men like Daniel in the lions' den and the 3 Hebrew men in the fiery furnace keep reminding me that God's ultimate aim isn't so much about my earthly comfort but my earthly impact and eventually, my eternal destination.

He brings tests so He can build capacity & strength in me. He allows trials so He can take my eyes off external dependencies and cause me to focus on Him alone. He also knows that it is from His dealings with me that I can reach out and touch the world around me. How do I make a change in my world if I myself have not been changed? What do I offer the world if Christ has not first worked in me?

That's the conclusion of today's extract. The comfort God gives is a seed; it is for the benefit and blessing of other people. When I allow God work in me, His Word will flow out as blessings to other people. When I speak out of God's dealings, the world must sit up and take notice. Has God been able to deal with self and sin in me? Is His voice my one and only consideration? God wants to touch the world; am I a vessel He can deal with and work through? His time of favour is here.

Helped!

Helped!

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV

First, it is established that temptations and trials are part of life on this side of eternity. You cannot negotiate your way out of them and you cannot determine when and how they will happen; you just get an assurance from God that they will come.

Secondly, today's extract makes this clear confirmation that there is nothing you go through that's odd or unusual. Since man fell in the Garden of Eden, he has become subject to the failings and weaknesses sin brings. As long as I am clothed in this weak human flesh, I cannot avoid the experiences that this human nature brings.

Thirdly, and most importantly, I have the assurance of God's faithfulness, which makes the experiences commensurate with my strength. It's like a qualified pharmacist, dispensing the medication needed for my ailment in the right dosage and at the right time. He works out the WHEN, the HOW and the WHAT. Everything He allows has a part and purpose to play in my life.

Additionally, God's amazing power is seen in the fact that He also provides a way of escape out of whatever experiences may come. Whether it is a word of comfort for the trouble I am in, or a word of assurance for the storms that are brewing or an assurance of His presence in times of pain and sorrow, God always comes through. The problem, as always, is whether we are ever willing to surrender to His wisdom. Do we trust Him or do we depend on our own survival instincts?

What is my default setting when tough times come: flight into my own shelter or a constant daily dependence on God? Whatever my response is, I cannot change the process, but I get to decide how it will all end. What's it going to be? His time of favour is here.

Laid Bare!

Laid Bare!

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

To search a heart thoroughly is to examine it intimately. It is like an invasion of privacy, but where is the privacy when it is the owner and creator of the heart that is doing the search? Unless I plan on deceiving my own self, it is clear that hiding anything will not work. Sounds a bit funny that a mortal man is giving an immortal God permission over His own creation but that is how God has always worked. He won't force you to give anything up, but you have got to do it by yourself.

The heart is the seat of all I am- it is the seat of understanding; the place where allegiances are formed and from where all other pursuits and priorities flow out; to test a man is to investigate him, to try him to see what is in him, to examine thoroughly. What has been made clear in today's extract is God is able to show me who I am because He is the only one who knows who I am, but I have got to come to Him by myself. Sin has been the one and only barrier to all that God wants to do in and through me, and until He deals with the root and fruit of sin in me, there is a limit to what He can do in and through me.

If I will be honest with myself, can my life and heart stand up to God's intimate search in this manner? Unfortunately, it is the only way I can be fit for His use and worthy of eternity at the end of this present earthly life. If God cannot trust my heart, how does He entrust treasures into my hands? If sin has not been fatally dealt with in me, how does God entrust the eternal into my hands? As He is an eternal God, his eye is always on the eternal and all He does now is working towards that eternal end. I cannot afford not to key into the eternal plans of God, if my life is to make impact this side of eternity.

As always, the choice of surrender is mine to make, while I am still on this side. The time comes when the decision of eternity will be taken away from me, and will be based on my prior surrender to Jesus. What is your present status? His time of favour is here.

Blessed!

Blessed!

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

As always, the power of choice is sacred and sacrosanct. God, in all His power and might, has not taken away the power of choice from man. We get to decide how we respond to God, and we also get to enjoy or endure the consequences of our choice. We cannot turn around and blame God for the consequences; that's all on us, as God has made it all clear to us what the end of all choices are.

God pronounces blessings on all who keep His testimonies. What are God's testimonies? You would think that only humans testify, but it appears God also has testimonies: his mighty works, his gracious dealings, his merciful acts and his amazing favour. Men everywhere can point to these mighty acts and set their lives by them. God has done mighty things which continue to speak through generations; his standards have not changed all through those years and for all who come to Him, they find Him.

So if I keep his testimonies, align myself with what He's doing, allow Him display His power and splendour in and through me, I am placing myself in prime position to be blessed. The other half of today's extract is about consistently seeking after God with my whole heart. I cannot seek after God with all sincerity and fail to find Him. His nature and power abhor deceit; his promise is that ALL who seek Him with their whole heart do find Him.

If I will enjoy God's unlimited favour and the blessings it brings, the only way is by keeping to His dictates and desires. Nothing else works; nothing else will work. His time of favour is here.

Word, Sent!

Word, Sent!

“For as the rain and snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth, making it bear and sprout, and providing seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me void (useless, without result), Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
ISAIAH 55:10‭-‬11 AMP

God has laid down an order for all of life's processes. As far back as Genesis, God has instituted seasons and times, stating that as long as the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, day and night will not cease. That's established order by which the people of the earth set and plan their lives. If this can apply in the physical realm, imagine how powerful this will be in the spiritual realm.

Just as it is the function of the rain and snow to nourish the ground and make it conducive for growth and fruitfulness, so is it with God's Word. Rain go deep down beyond where the physical eyes can see, and provide the necessary ingredients needed for seed to fully express its potential. The Word of God also goes deep down into a man's life, changing it from within. Just as the greatest work goes on underground, where the eyes cannot see, so does God's Word do the greatest work where no eye can see. All the ground does is to provide a physical manifestation of all that has gone on behind the scenes.

And the evidence of that work is multi- dimensional. The nourished ground will provide after the kind of seed sown, and the fruit produced will satisfy so many needs. The fruit carries in it the ability to satisfy present hunger and needs, and also carries with it the ability to satisfy future needs. Bread for the eater is a present need, able to meet present hunger; seed for the sower is future needs, which is stored up for future planting seasons, so that a steady stream of nourishment can be guaranteed.

No matter the need, God's Word envisages it and has made provision for it. No matter the generation or the peculiarity of the need, God's Word provides the answers, both to meet present need and to lay up eternal treasures for the life to come. Have you met this Word? His time of favour is here.

Deep Desire!

Deep Desire!

As the deer pants [longingly] for the water brooks, So my soul pants [longingly] for You, O God. My soul (my life, my inner self) thirsts for God, for the living God. When will I come and see the face of God? PSALM 42:1‭-‬2 AMP

This psalm is attributed to the sons of Asaph, who also penned down some of the beautiful psalms we read about today. And for every outward expression of man, there is an internal basis or foundation for that expression. For a man to pant longingly after something, he must have a clear conviction that that thing will satisfy his thirst and improve his life. Whether it is negative or positive, your search today explains your pursuits and priorities. In this case, the focus of the panting is God.

Ever seen a deer hunted by a wild animal and is able to escape? Imagine that deer able to find refreshing water, sufficient to quench thirst and provide refreshing. Imagine the long drink the deer will have, and then imagine that the deer will rest beside the waters for a while, before setting off again into the wild. These pictures just depict the same way we can get God to meet our needs too.

I must understand that this life will pose challenges to me. Nowhere did God promise anything like smooth sailing. But He gives me an assurance: whatever it is I need, I should just approach Him. In Him I find the refreshing and restoration that I need. In Him, I find life - giving water; the sort that wells up in you to eternal life.

I must also know that God delights in me seeking Him out. The psalmist here was asking: when will I come and see the face of God? Seeking God is more than what I can get from Him but knowing who He is. Seeking God has to be more important than the greatest discoveries on earth. Am I seeking Him out or am I content with my own devices? Remember, the challenges and race ahead require strength nothing else outside of God can provide. Make sure you are properly connected. His time of favour is here.

Return!

Return!

“Even now,” says the Lord, “Turn and come to Me with all your heart [in genuine repentance], With fasting and weeping and mourning [until every barrier is removed and the broken fellowship is restored];
JOEL 2:12 AMP

For anyone who desires fellowship with God on a new level, or who desires a restoration of the relationship that may have suffered damage in the past, today's extract is the key. If we put today's extract in the right context, we see God warning his people that their day of visitation for his judgment was at hand. His people had rejected Him and followed after other masters, and despite several warnings, the people had refused to return. Of course, with God, sin will NEVER go unpunished.

It is clear that it is never God's plan to put his people under the pain of judgment. He does all He can to ensure that his children know His Word and He supplies grace to enable them obey. When all has been done and people still rebel, then the only response is punishment. Even with the threat of punishment, God still extends a hand of mercy, promising that if His people truly repented and returned to Him, He would restore them.

The repentance has to be sincere and total. God is too 'knowledgable' for anyone to think you can fool Him with hypocrisy and eye service. He does not settle for less than all of my heart. If it is not all I am giving Him, I shouldn't bother coming. And when I come, I had better pay close attention to what God desires: fasting, weeping and mourning. These mean that my heart must be in what I am doing, and there has to be a sincere desire to seek God's face, find his mercy and receive restoration. Why should I  do all the activities, if I know that I am not sincere? Why waste my time keeping up appearances, if I know I am not truly seeking God?

So, it is clear: if I seek God sincerely, I will find Him. If I do not, I will not find Him; in fact, at some point, I will have to face His judgment. Paying the price down here is easier; God promises that I will find Him. After here, it is too late. So, whilst I have the assurance of God's attentions, now is the time to sincerely seek Him. His time of favour is here.

Knock! Knock!!

Knock! Knock!!

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20 KJV

Today's extract is addressed to people in a local church - Laodicea - one of the seven churches in Asia Minor that John received visions and messages for. It is instructive to note the full message God sent to this church, so we can take caution and learn from it. This is the same church referred to as lukewarm and inconsistent, and God was about to spue it out of His mouth. It was a church.

This raises a very important point: God's standards for his church have been laid down; why is there so much departure from the standard? Why do we find it so easy to pretend and keep up appearances, all the while forgetting that the owner and founder of the church knows all about our hearts, our service and sincerity? His help is always available: after all, by His words to Peter, it is His responsibility to build the church, sustain her and protect her from all attacks. But the church must be willing and ready to depend totally on His strength and power.

You cannot lay claim to the benefits of the position and not be ready to align with the demands of that position. God's help is always available; but I have to take the step of asking for that help. That's why he stands at the door and knocks. The creator and owner of the heart wants the heart to take a decision of its own free will to follow Him. When the decision is freely taken, the commitment is also certain. If I open to Him, his promise is to come in.

Can there be anything more personal than the creator of the earth eating with me and I with Him? That's the picture of personal relationship; where secrets are shared and strength is renewed. Have you opened the door of your heart to Him? His promise of life only works for those who He inhabits. His time of favour is here.

Hope!

Hope!

For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope and overflow with confidence in His promises.
ROMANS 15:4 AMP

The Bible has got a lot of stories to tell. They speak of God's plan and man's plans; they speak of the earth's foundations as well as man's origins; they outline God's plan of redemption and salvation for the whole human race, and also details where everything all points to. You read of men and women and their search for meaning and direction. In all, one thing is clear: there is nothing in the Bible that is just there for fun; every thread holds a lesson, and every piece is a part of something eternal.

How do you explain David, a young man who was not even considered important by his father; yet became the defining point of his father's house, till today? How do you explain Ruth, a Moabitess, who God had excluded from the assembly of Israel, yet by her choice to follow Naomi, became part of the earthly genealogy of Jesus Himself? How do you explain how Hezekiah, maybe one of the best kings of Judah, fathered Manasseh, arguably one of the worse kings of Judah? How did Judas Iscariot witness all the great signs and wonders when following Jesus, yet, because of greed and love of money, waste his life?

Not all of these stories had happy endings, but one thing is clear: the ones which did had a distinct flavour: God was involved in their lives. Some didn't even know who he was by virtue of the circumstances of their birth, but when they heard about Him, they opened up to Him, and he changed their lives. That's the essence of today's extract: hope that only a touch from God can birth and sustain. It doesn't matter how you start; it is important how you end.

God wants to be involved in my life, but He won't force Himself on me. I have got to give Him access, so He can start, polish and perfect all that concerns me. He alone has the power to birth and sustain that hope, because the roots of the hope lie in Him and the end of all hope also lie in Him. Do you have Him? Does He know you as His own? His time of favour is here.

Blessed!

Blessed!

“Blessed and happy and favored are those whose lawless acts have been forgiven, and whose sins have been covered up and  completely buried. ROMANS 4:7 AMP

The words of today's extract are ascribed to  David, and from what the Bible records about David, these words made sense from his own personal perspective and holds lessons for all of us who will read and hear about him, and seek to relate with God on a personal level. From the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, man has always struggled to regain those heights of relationship with God, where God would come down in the cool of the day and talk with man. Even though man has fallen, God desires to take us back to those basics, and that is the whole essence of mercy and forgiveness which He graciously offers all who come to Him.

David sinned against God in some very terrible ways: committed adultery with another man's wife, conspired with his chief of army staff to kill the husband, who happened to be one of his mighty men, and tried to cover it all up with righteous indignation when the prophet Nathan confronted him. Before we point the finger at David, please note: all sin, no matter how the world explains it, has the same end result: death. The world grades sin and seeks to explain some away; God deals with sin the same way He has always dealt with it: He offers the blood as the path back to Him, and all who will enjoy the benefits of today's extract must walk that path.

Those who have experienced the joy and ecstasy that a clean slate can give you can relate to today's extract. Imagine if God were to tell you: "Your entire past is erased. Because of your sin, Eternal Death would have been your end, but I choose to give you a new and fresh start". That's eseentially what forgiveness by God offers: a clean, fresh start. God promises that He will forgive our sins and remember them no more, but the condition is that I admit I nee His help. I cannot hold on to my position and access God's mercy. I have got to surrender to Him, so I can experience all He has to offer.

Do you have this assurance? Can you say you are truly blessed in line with today's extract? As long as I am alive, it is not too late. It is too late when the end is here. His time of favour is here.