Drink!

Drink!

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

The Jews had feasts and festivals established by God, as a constant reminder of their walk with Him, and a warning not to get too familiar with God. The feasts endured, but the heart of the people had wandered far away from the essence of the feasts. In fact, it would appear that even the position of the High priest, which should be spiritual, had become very political and its occupier was now a power broker. That is the context of today's extract.

Jesus came to the feast of Tabernacles and observed events. Men had become robots; no substance; just routine observance. We 'do' church now; we keep up appearances and want people to see how 'religious'  we are. No wonder he had to stand up and cry out: 'whosoever is thirsty, let him come to me and drink'. The offer is for ANYONE, no matter what the past looks like. It is for all men who will make the approach and COME, believing that Jesus holds the key to true life. You have got to make the approach; His arms are open wide but He will not force Himself on anyone.

What's the benefit of the approach: you get to have the Source and Essence of all things living in you. With your faith in God comes a possession of your entire life by the One who is able to secure both your present and eternal future. When Life lives in you, there is nothing else you can produce but what lives in you. As that life has or knows no end, your life cannot end. What ends is this present earthly phase, which gives way to true life. Life flows out of you continually, without measure and without end. That life will impact other lives around you too, because it is a Life that cannot go unnoticed.

There is a decision to be made; it is one that is tied to my eternal destiny. The offer has been made clear and your decision awaits; my decision awaits. What's it going to be? His time of favour is here.

See!

See!

So we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen; for the things which are visible are temporal [just brief and fleeting], but the things which are invisible are everlasting and imperishable.
2 CORINTHIANS 4:18 AMP

God has given us eyes, along with other sensory organs. These help us in our daily human interactions and help put perspective to the experiences. The eyes look at things. That is their function. We observe and take note of objects, situations and events and we shape our lives in line with what we see. There are also people who do not have eyes that see in the physical, but God has so ordained it that other senses strive to make up for the limitations. It's not perfect, but God's ways are mysterious.

There is however another realm God would have us get to in our walk with Him, and it is about seeing what the physical eyes don't or can't see. The walk with God is a walk of faith, where I am called to ignore most of what my physical senses tell me, and focus on what God is saying. At the risk of looking stupid, how do I take life's decisions on the basis of things I cannot naturally sense?

The physical is important, but the spiritual is even more important. The physical remain relevant down here but the spiritual is relevant both for this present time and the time to come. That is why physical possessions do not last; that's why there is  no end to learning and knowledge. That's why no man can predict the future or determine how life will play out. It takes a man of understanding to focus on the eternal and the invisible.

Why is the eternal so important? It is because one day soon, life as we know it now will end. All that you think are important now will be burned with fire. Nothing familiar will remain. At that time, the only thing of value will be the summary of your faith in God, and how you have walked with Him. Life's blessings are important, but they are not a substitute for the person of Life Himself, who is Jesus Christ. If you have Him, you have all you need for this present life and the one to come. His time of favour is here.

Judge!

Judge!

Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. Matthew 7:1‭-‬2 KJV

The instruction in today's extract is simple: DO NOT judge. Judging signifies you know the intents and motives behind a person's actions, and you have concluded on his guilt even without knowing or having all the facts. It is claiming the place of God over someone else; assuming that you know all about the person. This is different from reproof, which is to simply correct wrongdoing, which even God says must be done with a sense of humility and love.

When I claim superiority over someone else, I am saying that God is partial. When I conclude on another man's guilt or innocence without getting to know all the facts, I am trying to play God in the life of that person. And God alone is the righteous judge; able to give to every man the just rewards for all we do. And there are earthly judges, who are appointed to dispense justice according to law, but the rules for judgment are so strict that it has been said that: 'It is better for 99 guilty people to go scot-free than for 1 innocent person to go to jail'. Even by the world's standard, justice must be done the right way.

How then do we relate with people around us? What God expects is loving correction, not superiority complex. We show love to other people, and draw them to God through the quality of our lives. The reason why I must be careful is this: my own judgment too is coming, just as it will be for all of human life. If I keep this at the back of my mind, I am reminded to deal with people with the fear of God and watch my own life too. You only give out of the abundance of your own heart; if all I have is bitterness, it will flow out. If all I have is God's love, sure of His mercy, that will also flow out. Judgment is coming for all of us; how are you preparing? His time of favour is here.

Trust!

Trust!

I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge and my Fortress, my God; on Him I lean and rely, and in Him I [confidently] trust! Psalm 91:2 AMPC

This is the age of extreme hypocrisy and eye-service. Man has mastered the act of saying one thing and meaning the very opposite or just simply living contrary to all that had been earlier affirmed or said. God is very much interested in my private life as much as my public life, because both should be a devotion to Him. My private life will show my heart's priorities, and my public life will show off the things I have stored up in my private life.

That public life is also a loud testimony to my private allegiance. I can speak positively and make all the right noises; I can make all sorts of claims in my public life; I can keep up appearances and pretend as long and as much as I can; but who I really am will always be revealed over time and by the God who cannot be decieved. And all of life's experiences will lead you either towards or away from God. There is really no middle ground on this one. Your daily decisions show where your trust and confidence are in.

If I say God is my refuge and fortress, do I have viable options, in case God 'fails'? Have I put ALL my hope in God like Job, who said even though God slays him, he will still trust God? Is God sufficient for you, or do you need to have a Plan B, in case God is a bit slow? Can I trust His Word, backed up by his name and his timeless consistency? Trust is a hard word; it signifies total assurance that the target of the trust will be all you have been told it will be. Do I know God; do I seek Him in daily devotion? Does He know me as His own? Don't forget: man may be decieved by the false sincerity in your words; when dealing with God, remember He created the heart and he can see through all pretence. His time of favour is here.

Soon!

Soon!

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. Revelation 21:4 KJV

A time is coming when everything you think you know or are familiar with will change. A time is coming when the usual will give way to the unusual and the supernatural. The first test to determine if any of these things is true is to critically examine the life and credentials of the One making the promise. There are several promises He's made, yet so far, none has been found to be false. If He then makes the promise in today's extract, then you can rest assured that He is able to bring it to pass.

Why is today's extract so important? Sin changed the entire landscape of our lives, both physically and spiritually. We lost the life that could not end and we got a life full of pain, sorrow and death. In fact, one of the pronouncements by God in Eden was that only through tears and sweat would man be able to get anything from the ground. And till today, the story is the same. There is so much labour and striving, but sometimes, the output is nothing compared to the effort.

However, it seems to me that in the same sentence, God is addressing both the present and the future. Everything you think you know changes when you come in contact with the eternal God. The former things give way to the new. In Christ, you receive new life; the hope of eternal redemption is sealed and the journey into the purpose of God for your life begins. At the end of the journey, when the reward for folowing God to the end is given to you, it will all be worth it. Tears will be wiped away; death will lose its hold; sorrow will become a thing of the past and pain would no longer apply to our changed bodies. After all, death and pain only apply to our mortal bodies.

In light of these, I am charged to hold on to God to the end. Would it be worth it if I hold on the things the world can give me, and lose out on the things God has promised? Nothing the world gives can replace the things God guarantees; eternity is the end of all our earthly labour. Where I spend mine is the result of my present daily life. If the Lord were to demand an account today, where would I end: with Him or away from Him? His time of favour is here.

Placement!

Placement!

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God [set aside self righteous pride], so that He may exalt you [to a place of honor in His service] at the appropriate time. 1 PETER 5:6 AMP

Today's extract speaks on shared responsibility between God and man, in the pursuit of purpose and the making of impact. If I will be all I have been created and gifted to be, there are some things I have to do. God is always faithful and will do His part. My responsibility is to humble myself under God's mighty hand. This means that nothing I do or become must be bigger than the One who gives it all meaning. The world celebrates visibility; the Word of God reminds me to never crave the spotlight, but to let God be glorified in ALL I do.

Being under God's mighty hand is the best place to be. There, I am taught the right way to do things. I am taught to honour God in all my experiences, good or 'bad'; in fact, in God, I am taught that all things work together for good, as long as I am in God's will. When the world applauds you for your achievements, where do it find you: in your cocoon of self-importance or under God's mighty hand?

Because God is faithful, he keeps his promise. He says all who do the right thing and place themselves in the right place will be exalted. God understands that by nature, we are driven to excel wherever we find ourselves. We are built for growth and progress. However, it is important to go about it God's way, not ours. It is also about His timing, not mine. When the time has fully come, whenever it is and however it will manifest, God will come through for all who trust Him.

One final word though: it will never happen the way the world expects it, as both the Word and the world see things from parallel perspectives. Therefore, I cannot subject what God does, how He does it, when He decides to do it and even if He decides to do it to the standards of the world. In today's extract, the world's view isn't important; just my walk with God and total submission to His will. That is the sure way to all of God's promises. His time of favour is here.

All God's!

All God's!

Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. 1 Chronicles 29:11 KJV

All that my eyes see, or mind conceives belong to God. All that the world claims as its own belong to God. The world also wants to be reckoned with; the prince of this world, the devil, made a claim to the wealth and riches and power of this world during the temptation of Jesus. It is therefore no surprise that till today, the world keeps claiming it also has power. However, there is power and there is POWER, the type you can only associate with the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

Possession in nine-tenths of the law; the law assumes that anyone in possession of a thing is the owner unless and until evidence to the contrary is proved. If God claims ownership of all power, who can question that claim? For all who have experienced both sides of the spectrum, you will have no doubt as to who has the ultimate power.

A kingdom is the symbol of authority and rulership. It defines a territory and a person in charge of that territory. God is the King over all the kingdoms of the earth. Whoever exercises 'temporary' power had better be careful how it is exercised, as an account will be demanded by the Authority over heaven and earth. It is called THE kingdom, to show that there is just one and no other can be referred to by that name.

In light of all these, the most important question is this: which kingdom do you answer to? Where does your allegiance lie? Don't forget: there is an eternal consequence to your response. At the end of time, every knee WILL bow, either by choice or compulsion, to the King of kings. Do it with joy now. His time of favour is here.

Guided!

Guided!

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. Psalms 23:1‭-‬2 KJV

Do I acknowledge and accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour? If I do, then the verses in our e extract for today will make sense. I can quote the whole chapter and recite it every morning and night, but there is no magic to what God does; it is all a function of relationship. It does not read that 'God is my shepherd' but that the Lord is my shepherd. There is a personal touch to what you get from God.

And he is described as 'my shepherd'. If you know what a shepherd does, you will appreciate the sacrifice and love spoken about here. The parable of the lost sheep and the story of David tells you of the daily dangers faced by the sheep as well as the Shepherd. But in both stories, you see the shepherd going all the way out to secure the sheep. The shepherd will even risk his life for the sheep, and no living sheep is so lost that it is beyond God's grace. Our own shepherd already laid down his life for us and the only way I can repay that love is to surrender to His Lordship.

That is the reason why I will not want. Whatever it is that I need will be provided by the Shepherd. That is His promise. He also promises a kind of peace and calm around me that enables me lie down in pleasant places. When the world has threatened or done its worst, I come to God and he provides succour, calm and peace. I just note that personal effort counts for nothing here. This is not a function of what I do well or how I do it, but about the work of the Shepherd. It is His name, power and grace at stake.

Do you know the Shepherd as Lord? Is He just one of the stories you have heard or does He know you as His own? Don't forget: all I get is a function of who I know. If you know God, you get all of Him. If you don't, then you will struggle to get anything. His time of favour is here.

Run!

Run!

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1 NLT

The lives of all the people who have gone before us are examples and lessons for us. Their actions, right or wrong, hold eternal lessons for us and teach us what the right way is. Their acts of faith are both lessons and warnings to all of us today. Think about this: if this was the standard in their own days, when God did not let sin go unpunished, even when He showed mercy, why would we think that God will lower the standard for us living in this generation? Has God's grace now become a license for loose living?

As someone who has come to know who God is and what His standard for my life, It is my responsibility to strip off the weight and the sin. It is the season of grace so I do not have an excuse. I must be careful not to get careless and take God for granted; I must be careful about other people's opinions about me or how I react to people's opinions about me. I must be careful not to live for the praise of men but to seek the applause of heaven.

And then I must run. I believe God used the word run for a reason: it will take effort, it will take time and it has a destination and purpose to the effort. God is the One who sets the race, and all of us are called to run, whether you know it or not. There is a goal and purpose to the race, and there is a judge at the end of the line, and a prize to be won. It is not about who comes first, but about finishing my race. I am not in competition with anyone; I am only focused on getting into the rest God has promised all who hold on to the end. There is one right way to run, and it is as God commands. No other way will cut it. How are you running? His time of favour is here.

Sacrifice!

Sacrifice!

For I desire and delight in [steadfast] loyalty [faithfulness in the covenant relationship], rather than sacrifice, And in the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings. HOSEA 6:6 AMP

God is a God of order. He's also a God of process and procedure. Right from the Garden of Eden, he lays down the rules on how man is to relate with Him. He prescribes a code of conduct for all who will approach Him. Through all the lives of those who walked with him, we see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, all offering sacrifices to God, even though there was no command to that effect. We see the people of Israel receive the law, commanding various offerings and sacrifices. All of these were to flow out of their relationship with God. Their hearts were to flow with appreciation for all that God had done, and the offerings were to be visible expressions of their inner joy.

After a while, it all became a routine. Men would offer sacrifices on the Sabbath, and then go into their places of business and steal, lie and cheat. Isaiah 58 speaks a lot about this hypocrisy: men will pray and fast, yet turn around and cheat others. The same thing has crept into the church: we are quite religious on Sundays and fellowship days, but we are a different bunch every other day. Do we really think that we can deceive the creator of the heart with outward piety and inner filth?

We have commercialized God's gifts and made them ours; we have personalized the Holy Spirit's works and made them ours; we seek man's approval and applause, forgetting that everything we are and have and do flow from God. Today's extract says it clearly: God's delight and desire is FIRST on the state of my inner man, before He even considers the offerings of my life. Well, how can my offerings be acceptable if the inner contents are all filthy? We must stop for a moment and consider our ways so far: what have we focused on in the past?

Sacrifices are commanded by God; offerings also glorify Him, but make mistake about this: Saul offered sacrifices but his heart was far away from God. Solomon offered many sacrifices, but his heart still wandered away from God. The people of Israel saw God's glory, yet it did not stop them from frequent rebellion. I must not think that this carelessness cannot happen to me; I must keep myself under God's daily guidance, so I do not become full of myself and think I can bribe Him with good works or plenty of sacrifices. My heart had better seek after God first, so that all I do become blessed by Him. His time of favour is here.

My God!

My God!

And my God will liberally supply (fill until full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. PHILIPPIANS 4:19 AMP

Popular verse; frequently quoted. Let's put the words in the right context. Paul was speaking to the church in Phillipi, which had been very supportive of his ministry. The church had tried to meet his needs while he was with them, and still sent men and materials to him even when he was away. First lesson: as indicated in the bible, you are more blessed when you give than when you receive. Only in God do you get this kind of blessing. The world is all about the acquisitions and amassing; the Word of God is all about giving and making impact.

Paul appreciated all the gifts sent to him by the church in Philippi, and he pronounced the prayer in today's extract. He spoke about God from a personal experience; not from a general assumption. God is God of all; but He is the Father of all who have put their trust in Him and have learnt to obey his leading. If I am to claim the blessings of provision in today's extract, am I giving to support missions and evangelism the way this church was doing? How much of my resources are being used to help other people? We want the blessing without the work; the benefits without any of the inconvenience. With God, there are no shortcuts to his blessings.

And God has abundant resources for all of the world's demands. No demand on earth can exhaust the resources of heaven. He provides through his one and only son, Jesus himself. Through Him, he has given us all we need for life and Godliness, but as always, the password to all of these things is Christ Jesus. He is called the Way, the Truth and the Life. He is the channel, the embodiment of all God is, and the end of all life. If I am looking for provision, protection, guidance, leading, health, possessions, whatever it may be that is my present concern, all are found and accessible only in and through Christ.

No other way is prescribed; nothing else will work. Before I can claim the provision, I must know the provider. Otherwise, how would I know if what I have received is the real deal? His time of favour is here.

On Assignment!

On Assignment!

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10 KJV

Today's extract speaks of two extremes; two eternal destinies. It speaks of two parallel assignments and two masters. Man fools himself if he thinks he is the master of his own destiny. In fact, there is just one thing man is a master of, and that is just his or her choice. The consequences of that choice is way above the manipulation or control of any man. Man will do good to remember this when next you are tempted to think you are in control of your life. How can you claim control over something you never knew how it began or the things that went into its being?

There are two sides to today's extract. Both ends of this piece reflect compulsory assignments. Both are progressive in nature; it doesn't start and end on one level. The thief's assignment is to steal, kill and destroy. It starts with taking what God has given you and replacing it with a lie. The experience in the Garden of Eden was the foundation, where the life of God in us which never ends was replaced by death through sin. Then the devil progresses to kill, because he knows that it is only physical death in sin that will guarantee the last level, which is to destroy in hell forever.

The other side is the life of God Himself. He comes to do just one thing, and it is to restore the quality of life man lost to sin in the Garden of Eden. With that life comes all of the things required for life and Godliness. He doesn't just promise life; he promises it in abundance. Did you notice the word 'come' in both assignments? This shows that whether you know it or not, both God and the devil are on assignment, both with an offer for you. This is where the power of your choice comes in: you choose who you will follow. Once you have made a choice, the consequences of that choice is already settled, as revealed in today's extract.

If I claim God is too nice to throw his creation into hell, why do you think the devil doesn't have such limitations? God wants me to know today that His life is full and free, and the benefits are eternal. Come to Him today; He will give you all of Himself, which is abundant life. His time of favour is here.

Pray!

Pray!

And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. Matthew 6:7‭-‬8 NKJV

This is part of the Sermon on the mount, the first public preaching of Christ. He covered quite a number of topics, including prayer. We are talking about actual prayer here, not gossip, unhealthy desirings, or tale bearing. When I take honest stock of my life, what do I actually do? Do I pray or do I do something completely opposite of prayer?

It is never about the length of time spent talking or the volume of words spoken. Those things are not the focus of prayer. In the final analysis, prayer sure takes effort and has to involve spoken words, but they are not what gives prayer the power God set it up to be. And prayer is also not making assumptions, where I also keep quiet and claim that, after all, God knows what I need so there is no need to keep talking about the same thing over and over again.

If I am in a relationship with God, I will want to talk with Him constantly. His will is made clear in prayer; his purpose is established through prayer; his love and mercy are revealed through prayer. There are treasures in God only a faith-based conversation with God can unearth. The heathen (those who only have a head-knowledge about God) believe in many words; God thrives on relationships. That is why he is called "your Father". He is a God of absolute knowledge, who knows all we need even before we speak.

I must take advantage of the benefits of prayer. I must seek God out daily and pray His will into my daily reality. He wants to hear me speak; his hands are NOT too short to save or his ears dull of hearing. Even if it takes me 3 hours, it is a result of a love relationship, not a desire to drive up numbers. How's your connection to God? His time of favour is here.

Shine!

Shine!

And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. Daniel 12:3 KJV

As I read the verses before today's extract, you get the very clear picture that we are in the last days. All around us, the world keeps getting more and more unsettled and uneasy. Conspiracies, rumours of war and actual wars as well as deceit rule the affairs  of the world. Yet, in spite of all these, there is a silent thread of hope that runs through all you read: nothing happening now is a suprise to God, and for all who know and follow Him, there is a good end promised.

The only definition of wisdom that God approves in his Word is a function of man's relationship with Him. The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. You can amass knowledge and insight about God from reading about Him in the Bible, but only a relationship with Him will speak good for you in the day of trouble. In the midst of the darkness in the world, God is looking for men and women who know their God and through whom God can do exploits.

What are your pursuits and priorities? Does God feature at all in those plans? One of God's greatest desire is to reach the world through His Word. Eternity is at stake and the heart of man is the battleground. If I am truly wise, my focus has got to be the salvation of the souls of men. Am I an example people can follow? This is a generation without the fear of God, and the result is quite evident for all to see. However, for all who will dare to follow God and do his will, they will enjoy the favour of God down here as well as a life of glory forever and ever. My end is a function of my present pursuits. Where am I headed? His time of favour is here.

Plain!

Plain!

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
Proverbs 17:22 KJV

God understands our frame; afterall, He put us together and fashioned our parts. He knows what makes us tick and what upsets our hearts. The heart is that hidden, but very important part of man. In it lies the seat of all decision making, intentions, motive and action. That is the basis of today's extract.

The heart is also called 'deceitful and desperately wicked' by the God who made us. This means that for any heart to experience today's extract, God has got to work in and on that heart to make it into what He can impact. The days God gives me are to be used for learning more and more about God and understanding what He wants for me. As we seem not to take this seriously, it is not a wonder then that the world is the way it is.

We speak about mental health and depression, and we make men rich by buying physical prescriptions for spiritual problems. We replace God with activity, friends, likes on Facebook/Instagram, and we expect our hearts to be at rest and at peace. If the Prince of peace is not in charge in there, there is nothing of great eternal value that can come out of such a heart.

The secret to your heart being merry has nothing to do with Possession, Power, Privilege or Position, but with the Presence of God. You are not shaken by the wind, storms or fire, because your anchor is tied to the Rock of Ages. I face trials with joy because I know they have been structured to make me grow, not kill me.

So, what is your own reality? Is God in there or you are the one fully in charge? Remember, your reaction to the realities around you is an outflow of the contents of your heart, and the contents of your heart are determined by the control centre. Who's in charge in there? His time of favour is here.

The Same!

The Same!

Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is [always] the same, yesterday, today, [yes] and forever (to the ages). Hebrews 13:8 AMPC

In this very uncertain and constantly changing world, we need some stability in our hearts so we can be all that God intends for us. There have been all sorts of earthly dispensations, and there have been phases in all of life's seasons. Even after the flood of Noah's season, God promised that as long as the earth remains, there would be times and seasons in line with God's divine plan for us.

Yet, tied to all of the seemingly simple rules of nature lies the divine hand of God in all of life's affairs. The world would have you believe that you are the master of your own destiny, and whilst that may ring true in some respect, there is the divine and the unexplained: the God-factor. Have you ever stopped to ask yourself how the earth remains in place without physical foundations? Have you ever asked yourself where God is in the midst of the never-predictable world we live in? Let it be clear today: nothing down here can fully explain the God we are called to trust and obey; you just have to know that no matter the season or the dispensation, nothing about God changes.

He called sin by its name in the days of Adam, and He still calls sin by its name today. His mercies kept the fathers of old, even in their rebellion, and till today, we enjoy the same mercies, in spite of ourselves. And long after we have moved on to eternity, as long as this earth remains, his standards will not be lowered for anyone. If I know this God, I have nothing else to fear. If I know that trusting Him to the end will secure eternal life for me, then I will hold on and press on. He will always come through. His time of favour is here.

Kept 3!

Kept 3!

But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 KJV

Wherever you see a BUT in scripture, it is a good idea to look at the thoughts that have gone before. Paul, writing to the church in Thessalonica, makes it clear that man, by nature, cannot be trusted. The best of men are sinners saved by grace, not by good works or connections. It is amazing how much we reject and resist God in our lives, despite the fact that He owns all of us. Paul had experienced resistance to his ministry, but he understood the power of prayer and consistency in service. These are the secrets to success.

Why is prayer important? It is because it is our responsibility to pray down God's perfect will down here on earth. There are times when we will not understand the WHY and the HOW of things around us, but the one consistent thing that we can rest on is God's never-changing power and wisdom. The assignment given to us is from Him, and the process and provisions required are under his control. Man is not always predictable, and his heart cannot always be trusted to follow the truth. That is why prayer is important.

And God is faithful; in fact, the reason why we still stand is because of God's faithfulness. It is His power that is able to hold up and sustain; nothing else down here can do that. The prayer includes establishing and keeping. In these very uncertain times, God is able to keep us grounded. Evil is all around us, and for all born of woman, evil has become a part of our nature. Only in God does evil lose its power and hold, and all who trust in God have the power over sin and evil. So, who is the Lord and master of your life? Who's in charge? His time of favour is here.

Lifted!

Lifted!

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. Psalms 121:1 KJV

At all times in this earthly plane, there will be physical realities you have to contend with. Part of the structure of the earth are the physical mountains and hills around us. Wherever they stand, they form part of the 'security' around you, as it is pretty difficult for strangers to attack those who live in and around mountains. That is the startpoint of today's extract. Physical 'security' is good, but it is not the full picture.

Jerusalem had these mountains and hills, but it didn't always keep the city safe. That is the other side of 'security': the spiritual. The writer here understood this, when he cast his eyes over the beautiful structures, yet knew they were not enough to keep a man truly safe. Experience has shown that these are no physical guarantees of protection from man-made devices; you are only truly safe when God keeps you.

We all need help; show me a man who calls himself a 'self-made' man and I will show you a selfish man, who has no idea that nothing in him qualified him for where he is.  Men boast about where they are and what they have become; we define impact by position and possession and privilege, forgetting that having the presence of God is the most important factor in becoming who God wants you to be.

This writer knew this when he wrote the words here. Total dependence on the right source of nourishment and sustenance and protection is the way to go. You are not safe until you are in God. You have no real help until you lift your eyes up to God and depend on Him for all of life. His time of favour is here.

Right!

Right!

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24 NIV

We were built for relationship and close fellowship. The very foundations of our lives are built on the connections that blood births. All of us are products of families; no one fell from the sky or just came into being. We come from families, we marry into families; we are loved all through our lives by families; we fellowship together as families and it is family that will stand by us through all the good and 'bad' times that will come our way.

Yet, in all of these, today's extract seems to warn against fruitless relationships. It seems to me that it is a good thing to be a companion to many people, but it is a dangerous thing not to know the heart of the people you are close to. There seems to be a warning here about unreliable friends; how do you know if someone is unreliable if you are not close to the person or if you have never had your expectations dashed?

The danger with too many friends, especially if they have different pursuits and priorities from yours, is that you get pulled in many directions and you lose your focus. If you need friends to give you validation, then the journey to fulfillment of purpose is still far. You need friends who have the same heart for God as you do, as well as people who will drive you closer to God. They could be few or many; the number isn't the issue, but it is about the impact on your life.

There are people God will bring your way for a reason, for a season or for the whole of your life's journey. You have got to know where each person fits. Some will teach you hard lessons; some will seek to bring you down; others will hold your hands up. No matter what comes, know this: God must be the focus at all times. He knows the right ingredients for my growth, and if I allow him work, He can guarantee a good end. Ask God to bring into your life helpers of destiny. They could be initially disguised as enemies, but at the end, God's purpose will speak. His time of favour is here.

Go!

Go!

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Matthew 28:19 KJV

The command here is to GO; not to fold our arms and watch the world go to pieces. The instruction is to those who are following Christ, who understand their calling, the One who calls, and the necessity of the assignment given. It is not for everyone; God says "How can they go unless there is a messenger? The messenger is the one who has heard the Word of God, responded to it, knows and understands the import of what s/he has heard and is willing to share that message with all to whom s/he is sent. That is the Great Commission.

The assignment is to teach all nations; not the ones that are convenient. If Christ died for all men, then there is no one beyond the grace of God. The assignment is to teach; not condemn. Grace is the message; the blood is the difference and eternal life is the prize. Every other thing the world offers is for this world, and it will pass with time.

And baptism is quite symbolic in this message, otherwise Christ won't teach it. It is an outward sign of an inner change; something that tells the world that you have decided to follow Christ and that you have died to the world and its attractions. Baptism symbolizes the death and resurrection of Jesus, and all who partake in it identify with the same process. It is not the proof of salvation, but a witness to the process and a reminder to you that you now have a new owner.

And the focus in all of these is clear: it must be God all the way. At all times, I must keep God as the focus of my life, activities and hope. Today's extract reminds me of what is truly important: possessions, position, power and privilege are all good, but the presence and pursuit of God are the most important things in this present life. What is your focus? What do you consider key? Are you on assignment or just existing? His time of favour is here.

Available!

Available!

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me. Isaiah 6:8 KJV

It is very easy to look at today's extract and seek to respond in the same way. We know God is looking for men He can use and we also want to be used by God, so we pray it and confess it: 'Lord, here I am. Send me'. Before Isaiah here could say the words of today's extract, let's examine some of the things he had to go through.

First, there had to be a clear vision of the One who calls men to himself and commissions them for assignments. If you do not know who is calling you, how do you respond in the right way, and how do you keep sane when everything around you is falling to pieces? The only way you can hold on when you do not even understand what's going on around you is being sure and certain of the One whose call you heard.

Secondly, there has to be a cleansing. God does NOT use dirty vessels. Yes, He will take them, but before He can use, He has got to purify. Tied to that cleansing is an admission of my own unworthiness. If I do not admit I need help, how does God help me? If I feel self-sufficient, how can God reach out and work in and on me? If I will be all He had created me to be, I have got to align with His expectations.

Thirdly, then comes the specific hearing. I have got to wait for God to call and commission and send out. With a new master comes new assignments, priorities and pursuits. It can't be the same old story anymore. God is always calling out; He does not force Himself on anyone. All who will respond to his call must know what they are getting into. It is NOT a life of earthly convenience and comfort, but a call to Holiness and righteousness.

If God calls, He will supply grace and strength to remain faithful. If you are struggling for identity and direction, go back to God. He alone can sustain whatever He ordains. If it is from Him, it cannot die or go to waste. Like Isaiah, does God know you are available, or does He have to make you very uncomfortable for Him to get your attention? Does sin need to be dealt with so you can hear God clearly? You need to take the right steps now before it is too late. Nobody is promised forever this side of eternity. His time of favour is here.

Owned!

Owned!

Do you not know that your body is the temple (the very sanctuary) of the Holy Spirit Who lives within you, Whom you have received [as a Gift] from God? You are not your own...1 Corinthians 6:19 AMPC

Today's extract starts with a question; one that goes to the root of our ownership and allegiance. Today's generation lays a stake on ownership and personal responsibility, claiming that the body belongs to them and they can deal with it as they like. For one moment, think about the complexities of the human body, its secret workings and the intricate systems for its functions and tell me which part any man could have created by himself.

Even the argument for cloning is all messed up, as you take from materials already made to imitate something already created. And try as much as we have, we are yet to have anyone cloned to look exactly like the man God created, with all parts like the ones God formed, and with the power of free will God gave to everyone He made. We were not made to look like anything else in all creation so we owe it to God to find out the purpose and thinking behind our existence and experience.

When God breathed in man, He made a case for ownership of man. He was saying that no matter how ordinary you think you look on the outside, your true value is who lives in you. God gave of his Spirit to us, not because we had earned it, but because He wanted us to seek Him of our free will, not from coercion or a sense of fear and dread. And it really doesn't matter whether you know or acknowledge it or not, you do not own the template of your life or hold the title deeds to your life. God does, and one day soon, an account will be demanded by the One who owns all life.

Think about it: do you think God would do and give all He's given us without any responsibility on my part to handle it right? His time of favour is here.

Faith!

Faith!

When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. Matthew 8:10 KJV

Let's put today's extract  in perspective: here was a Roman officer, who wasn't  a Jew, so didn't  understand  the fuss about where Jesus was from. All he knew was that there had been stories about Jesus from some of his fellow leaders of that time, maybe Jairus, who had told him about how Jesus raised her own daughter from the dead. This Roman official wasn't interested in following the popular trend; he needed something from God and nothing, not even tribe, language or culture barrier was going to stop him. Therein lies the first lesson: until I learn to ignore popular opinion, it may be impossible  to truly follow and serve God in an acceptable  way.  Never forget: God is looking  for men and women who will trust him completely. Are you one?

Then came the request: my servant is ill. Jesus offered to come and heal him, but the man understood the authority  and power of the one speaking. Too many times, we have allowed familiarity to blunt our expectations of Who God is and what he can do. We think we got him figured  out,  or there is just one particular place and  time He can be found  or sought out. Thank God  He is not like man: limited,  human and weak. This is a God who speaks from and into etenity; who works from the end to the now, whose wisdom, power and grace are beyond human comprehension.  That is  the God calling us into a relationship  with Him. We have got to know who He is, what he wants and  how he wants us to approach, lest we spend all our lives in the desert, ignorant of who we are called to follow, wandering about, not able to get into the promised land.

And the man said something profound: Just say the word, and my servant will be healed. That is the product of a consistent relationship with God. You come to a point where you know God is not a function of where you worship first of all, but who you know. Men go from place to place, seeking miracles and signs, but never taking time to study and know God. Yet, we want God to come through and show himself mighty on our behalf. If I do not even know how he works, how do I know when he has intervened? That man's statement elicited the words of today's extract. Not even in Israel had Jesus found such great faith. Don't be deceived by familiarity or popular opinion; it is faith that opens the door to the miracles and breakthroughs you seek. No matter the culture or environment, seek God for yourself. He responds to the cry of faith, and all men who have ever held his hands for anything, no matter how complex and irrespective of tribe, language or culture have all seen Him act. What are you waiting for? Call him in faith. His time of favour is here.

In The Now!

In the Now!

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Matthew 6:34 KJV

Easier said than done! Life itself is full of suprises and unexpected twists. We can lay down the best plans and just one simple event will turn everything upside down. Life itself is unexplainable; there are too many parts to it that you cannot legislate on or predict. Yet, today's extract says: 'Do not worry about tomorrow'.

The only way today's extract will make sense is if you are connected in the right way to the right source. What is the right connection: today's extract was addressed to the disciples and those who followed Jesus. The foundation of a life free of worry is a life full of faith. When faith fills all, there is no room for fear. The moment you take your eyes off the One who sustains, you see the ones who are pretenders, who claim they can help you but are themselves powerless.

Built into each day by the One who made the day are the resources that day needs to be a success. That's why the Bible says:
This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalms 118:24. If you know what power, wisdom and grace have been built into each day that God allows you to experience, you will realise the futility of worry and the importance of faith.

Built into each day also is the 'evil' by the prince of this world. The devil also works to make sure the day has no joy, but then the point is this: what you get out of the day is a function of who you know, follow and obey. When you have sorted out your allegiance, you are bound by the rules of the game. When God is your leader and guide, the day will always turn out good, no matter what the fine details are. When God is your father, every thing required for life and Godliness is guaranteed. Who's in charge? Who do you answer to? His time of favour is here.

Impossible?

Impossible?

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Matthew 5:44 KJV

Let it be said here that there is nothing God commands that He does not supply grace and strength for. We can debate the possibility of any of his commands or we can simply ask Him to supply the grace and strength needed to obey. That is my own personal contribution to the fulfillment of God's purpose for my life. Let's see where today's extract leads.

Whatever went before today's extract is the usual and the expected: love those who love you and hate those who hate you. That has been the way of the world since sin came in. BUT there is a new order: love is a reaction based on WHO lives in you, not WHAT people do to you or WHY they do what they do. If I wait until the recipients of my love 'deserve' it, I forget that I am also a recipient of love at a time I didn't even care so much who Jesus was. His love was given freely, and it is still available, through all the times of rebellion and disobedience.

Even when people have nothing good to say to or about me, the outflow of my life should speak of my life's investments. When people meet me with hate, I must meet them with good. When people seek to exploit me, I should meet them with prayer. I note that I cannot afford to hate, curse, despitefully use other people or persecute them. If I will take advantage of the blessings God has pronounced on all who obey His commands, then I must place myself in line with his commands.

And these are all 'active' verbs: love, do good, pray. God didn't call us to a life of passivity; where you go through life like a zombie. He created us for relationships, as we allow his life flow through us, people will see God in us and our lives will give glory to Him. What could be better than that? His time of favour is here.

Kept 2

Kept 2

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. Isaiah 43:2 KJV

The backdrop to today's extract wasn't so palatable. God had punished his own people for their sin, but now He was promising them new beginnings. Let it be said again that when it comes to sin, God has no favourites; He will punish sin, no matter in whom it is found. That has been the standard since the Garden of Eden, and will be the same till the second Adam returns.

God promises that He will redeem His people. No man can save Himself; we all stand here simply by God's grace and mercy and these are the daily realities we must have if we are to survive the coming flood. Today's extract makes it clear that being in God does not insure you from tough times; you are only promised protection and safety IN them, not FROM them. The word used is WHEN, not IF. The waters are coming and they will rise against you. The rivers will flow and threaten to overflow: the fires will burn and rage. Those are guaranteed realities of life; the promise, however, is that none of these things can shake or dispel the equilibrium of God's presence inside of you, IF you have Him.

They will rise, flow and burn, but you will not be swept away. It is very likely that things that gave you comfort will be swept away, but this is so that you can focus on God alone as your strength. The things of this world are fleeting; nothing permanent, so it is dangerous to tie your safety to anything the world offers. Find God and rest in and on Him. The reason why you can look forward to the coming storms is in the first part of today's extract: "I will be with thee". When God is with you, the size, quality, quantity and frequency of the storms don't matter; you are kept by the One who can, with a single word, silence all the storms. Find Him, and rest in Him. His time of favour is here.

Kept!

Kept!

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. John 14:21 KJV

There is a progression. Just before Jesus went the way of the cross, He took time to show and teach His disciples what it meant to follow Christ. Today's extract speaks to a part of that charge and it has to be fully understood that what counts before God isn't head knowledge but life application. It is one thing to have God's Word; in fact, the Bible is one of the most printed book in the world today, and in several languages, so it is quite easy to know what it says. It goes beyond what you read into what you keep. Your treasures reflect your pursuits and priorities.

If all I know are the passages that speak to earthly prosperity, how do I stand when the trials of life come? If all I focus on are battles, how do I know God's mind on his provision for the life of Godliness He has called me to? It is important to have the full knowledge of who God is and what He has freely given, so I can be all He has called me to be. And the keeping is the sign of love for God. Men see the outflow of God in your life, but they see nothing about the time, resources and energy that have gone into studying to know God through His Word. When men look at me, what flows out of me? Can the output of my life draw men to God?

And the reward for a life of knowledge and obedience is a life full of the manifestations of the presence of God. When Jesus says God will love those who keep his commands, He says that the one sure way to get favour is to follow God closely. You can't do it from afar; you have got to daily seek out truth and pursue it. God must be your most important search and treasure. Love isn't about what you say: it is about who you know and follow, and which will reflect in what you do. For me, what is my present state? What's it going to be for you? His time of favour is here.

Whatever!

Whatever!

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23‭-‬24 KJV

Whatever you do- It is not first about the quality of the work, its value or how much you are paid for it, but it is first about your understanding of your employment conditions. Do you know who you are called to work for? Unless and until you fully understand this, you may struggle to fully comprehend the why and how behind the what that you do.

Do it heartily, as to the Lord- technically, you work for God as His child first of all. You answer to Him first of all, and His will and word must be your priorities and pursuits. Even when the assignment is laborious and boring, I keep in focus the WHO I am working for. When He is your focus, your immediate environment isn't a limiting factor, because God is able to change your story in an instant. When I know the WHO, the WHAT and the WHY become less important.

You shall receive the reward of inheritance- not may but should. The One you serve will determine what you get. God says He will reward. This is a God with inexhaustible resources; no demand on earth can exhaust them. So, if He promises an inheritance, it is certain He has something to give. It has to be something good down here, before it gets real in heaven. An inheritance is something passed on from father to son and to future generations, so if it is something that God promises, it means that whilst I am down here, there are benefits and blessings for me, and not just for me, but for as many as would trust God through my diligent service.

Ye serve the Lord Christ- this is the key to the whole verse- the revelation of the identity of the master and the reason why we must keep the right attitude. We serve at the pleasure of the master and Lord. He detemines the scope of assignment, its tenure and the people it must impact. I need to show up everyday for work, like someone who knows that the key to getting paid is diligent and faithful service. If I am waiting on God to sort me out; if I am looking forward to the blessings promised, then I must do what waiters do: serve with all my heart. God is faithful; He will come through. His time of favour is here.

Impact!

Impact!

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. Numbers 6:24‭-‬26 KJV

Indeed, it matters under whose ministration and ordination you sit under. Let's put today's extract in the right context: Moses was commanded to give to Aaron and his sons the template for blessing the people of God. God didn't give Moses this special assignment; God preserved it for the Levites he had chosen as priests. They had the spiritual mandate and authority to bless and God Himself would back up the blessings that had been pronounced. God could have honoured Moses' words, but at this time, it was Aaron and his sons that had the prerogative. Who's laying hands on you to bless you?

And one of the things that frighten me about God is this: Aaron wasn't the most principled of men. He wanted to please the people so much so that he led them into idolatry. Yet, God didn't change the line of authority because of that incident. 2 of Aaron's sons were killed by God for offering unholy fire before God, yet God didn't change the line of authority because of this. If God in his mercy deals with mortal man like this, we have to be careful to align ourselves with what is His perfect will and purpose for our lives. If He has not sent any man to lay hands on us for God's blessings, we had better NOT submit ourselves to such.

And if God ordains it, He will sustain and order it aright. A man who has not experienced God's blessing cannot give it; a person who has not been commissioned by God is limited in his/her impact. I owe it to my generation to make sure I am where God's generational blessing can reach and touch me. And today's extract has generational impact; if you have peace, your children will also enjoy it. If God shines on you, where is the power of darkness? If grace is your daily reality, does it matter who or what comes against you? Be sure you are backed up by the only power that counts. And for all who know and follow God, you are his priest, able and qualified to make the pronouncement of blessing. What are you waiting for? Go ahead and declare; for his time of favour is here.

Plan; Realise!

Plan; Realise

There are many devices in a man's heart; nevertheless the counsel of the Lord, that shall stand. Proverbs 19:21 KJV

There seems to be 2 distinct parts to today's extract. First, there is a realistic expectation that man must plan. The world also says: 'to fail to plan is to plan to fail'. Even in spiritual matters, God also advises man to commit his plans to Him, so He can make his man's plans straight. Man has been given the nature of God by the breath of God in him, so He also has the ability to think up great plans. Sin has not been able to take away that ability, but what it has done is to introduce other dimensions into the planning process.

Man is now able to make grand plans that have no single input from God, or plans that simply go against God's express command. We sit and plot evil, without a thought to the consequences of our actions or God's opinion on the matter. And the heart is the seat of these devices, where no other man sees. All that man sees are the fruits of the seed planted in the heart. If God were to reveal the contents of my heart to every other person around me, would I hold on to those thoughts?

The second and more important part is that God's counsel and plan will ALWAYS prevail. Man will plan, but there is the invisible thread of divine power that rules and reigns in the affairs of men. No matter the source of your own plans, make it your most important consideration to know God's mind on the matter. Then your plans have divine approval and align with the divine plan. God is omnipotent and omniscient and if He has not ordained something, there is no power on earth that can birth or sustain it.

What joy this is: knowing that nothing can touch me without God's approval, and nothing about me catches Him by surprise. I can face the world with joy and hope, sure and certain that as long as I hold on to Him, everything about my life will work out to His glory. His time of favour is here.

Copy- Worthy!

Copy-Worthy!

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Philippians 4:9 KJV

A fundamental part of human relationships is mentorship. This applies both on the physical and spiritual planes of life. We all aspire to be like the great people we read or hear about, and God himself underlines discipleship as a fundamental part of our walk with Him. So, how does this apply to us today? Paul lays down the standards in today's extract.

First, he mentiones learning, which is a process of study. It is time-consuming and takes effort. You do not pick up value from the streets or the dumpsite; it is something you search for diligently. So, looking at any life, don't be carried away by the flashy and momentary attractions; take time to study the foundations. Time is a great revealer of secrets.

He also mentions receive: which is through some of the senses, like sight, hearing or through the silent instincts of the heart. Are you led by what you can eat now, or can you discipline your senses to recieve guidance from God on who to follow or what to do? There are so many options out there but there is just one way that leads to eternal life. There is the hearing, which is the selective sieve that only goes after the truth and nothing else.

And there is the seeing part; where I carefully observe your ways and words and see if you truly walk the talk. And did you notice that the word AND connects all these  requirements together. You cannot rely on only one and ignore the others. Your own study, discoveries and silent heart witness are the most important parts of your walk with God. People will always suggest things or offer you options; if you do not know the truth, you will most likely follow after the most attractive option.

How do you identify the right behaviour if you do not study the Word? How would you know the right examples worthy of emulation if you have not learnt to discern truth from falsehood? God's peace is available only to those who submit to it. It is the follow up blessing to those who allow the Word of God to dwell in them. Where do you stand? His time of favour is here.