Elect!

Elect!

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Colossians 3:12 KJV

If I am asked to put on something, it means that something completely different from what I am asked to put on must be put off. It then means that there must be a very clear distinction between the things I put on and the things I put off. Because these two are extreme positions, you cannot combine both at the same time. You cannot put one on top of the other. For all the attributes listed here, imagine the opposite and then consider what the old man looked like and why it is impossible for God to work with that old man.

A clear idea of your identity determines your pursuits and priorities. When I know who I am, my race, fight and walk become a lot clearer. I will not envy what is going on in the other person's life; I will not wish for his/her own kind of life; I simply focus on my own walk. When my walk is right before God, impact is non-negotiable. Could it be that the reason why I am asked to put on these new attributes is because when I am rightly clothed and appropriately dressed, my life becomes a platform for God's glory and grace to be made manifest. It really does matter what you 'put on and off'.

Men have held on to the excuse that it is not what I wear that matters but my heart. We so conveniently forget that we are dealing with a God of total knowledge; one who knows the secrets of our hearts and the motives behind our actions. What goes on outside is a good reflection of the state of my heart. Each piece of my new clothing is important. None are tangible attributes you can physically see or hold on to, yet they drive at the very heart of God. These are attributes that underline all that I do; they lie at the very heart of my confession of Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Men can tell by my life who is in charge of my heart.

That is the basis of the 'elect'; chosen by God, not because we are the best of people but because God has a plan and purpose that needs us to be available and willing tools in His hands. God cannot use the 'old man'; He needs me to surrender my life to Him so He can work in me His perfect will and make me all He wants me to be. His time of favour is here.

Empowered!

Empowered!

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
2 Peter 1:3 KJV

The fundamental reality of a walk with God is that you can never operate over and above the level of knowledge of God that you have. First, faith comes by hearing the Word of God. You hear about God; something clicks in your heart and then there is a change; then you seek more and more of God, and the more of God you know, the deeper and more fulfilling your walk with God is. No wonder Peter here was emphasising this knowledge: the verse before today's extract says: Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord. The walk into heaven starts with a knowledge of the gate into heaven.

What is the purpose behind the reality of knowing this God? It must get me to a point where I fully understand all that God has given. Through his power, everything I need in this present earthly phase has been provided for, including every provision for Godliness and my walk with God. The same power addresses my physical as well as my spiritual needs. How do I know this: the day I gave control of my life to Christ, eternal life was sealed. My name is written down in the Lamb's book of life. But that is just the start of the journey. God will not bring me into a relationship with Him and then abandon me to sort things out on my own. He will not take hold of my life and then leave me to struggle through the realities of daily living. If He's in charge, He will take control of all that concerns me, so I can in turn be all that He has ordained me to be.

We are called to glory and virtue. Nothing less than this reality will work. Men need to see the effect and consequence of our walk with God in the things that we do and say. We point out Christ and publicise his virtues through our lives; we cannot keep the light of God in us hidden under a bushel. The light wasn't built to be hidden but to shine out as a beacon to other people, and to lead them to the light. How's my light? How's yours? Am I living out the light of God and is the knowledge of Him evident in my life? His time of favour is here.

The NOW!

The NOW!

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:48 KJV

Jesus' first teaching of his disciples is this account by Matthew, where He taught them through 3 chapters, touching on so many aspects of human life and Godliness. Today's extract is the last verse in Matthew 5, and it is a charge, admonition, command and encouragement all rolled into one. Let it be said here that God doesn't command a thing that He has not empowered us to obey, and He will not place a burden on us that He has not given grace for us to bear. If He commands it, He commands grace to accompany it.

So what is at stake here: perfection according to God's standard. As hard as this may sound, it is NOT perfection as best as I can, but perfection as God commands. It is NOT perfection as much as I can try, but perfection in line with God's expectation. What this means is God is not looking for me to impress Him by my own efforts and labour, but by total dependence on Him. Any other thing becomes fruitless activity, results in inconsistent application and uncertain outcomes. You do not determine how you will obey and please God; He's already told us how we can do that. Nothing else will work here.

And we have the perfect example to keep us in line: Jesus Himself. He came to the earth in our likeness, so He could share our humanity. He went through human phases such as hunger and pain so He could feel our infirmities. He walked in our shoes so we too could walk in His shoes. After all He has done for us, the least we can do in return is seek to please Him. As we can see, no options or second opinions are given here; you do not get to pick and choose whether you will obey.

His standard is made plain in His Word; the right examples have been given and a summons issued to all who claim to know and follow Christ. Remember Enoch? He walked with God to the point that he was no more. If a mortal man could do this, then it is possible. Are you one of such people who will walk in line with God's expectation? Are you walking in line with this command/admonition/instruction. Take your pick; his time of favour is here.

End 3!

End 3!

The Scriptures say, “Our lives are like the grass of spring, and any glory we enjoy is like the beauty of a wildflower. The grass dries up and dies, and the flower falls to the ground. But the word of the Lord lasts forever.” And that word is the Good News that was told to you. 1 Peter 1:24‭-‬25 ERV

Peter seeks to remind us of a truth that was established since the days of Noah - as long as the earth remains, God promises that life will be made up of times and seasons: seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night; God promises that these will never cease. The same is applied to us as human beings; we were originally created to have a never-ending life but sin dealt with that.

Our present life is compared with flowers and seasons. Nobody is promised forever this side of eternity. A flower undergoes a process of birth, growth, renewal, refreshing and eventual death. Another grows in its place. This raises one fundamental conclusion: all of human life will one day end. For so many people, their own end has already come, and judgment pronounced. But one day soon, the God who promised that He will return will bring this earthly phase as we know it to an end. When that end comes, where will it find you?

There is the certainty of death and there is the certainty of change. And there is the certainty and consistency of the Word of God. The Word of God is introduced to us as lasting forever and the only One who is described as eternal is God Himself. Everything He has said in His Word has come and is still coming to pass, so you can trust that if He says He's coming back, you can bet that it will come to pass.

Since you know this, it is necessary to make the right decision to locate yourself where you can be guaranteed eternal life. The Word of God has been introduced to us: it is the person of the Word Himself- Jesus Christ. Good news isn't good news unless it is about the free gift of God given for the salvation of all mankind. The gift was given so that life could be secured. If you want to be eternally safe, find and hide yourself in the refuge and protection only the Word of God can provide.

It will all end one day. All of these ephemeral things will cease to exist. They belong to the world and will go with the world. If God doesn't give you, you can't hold on to it. You have been told; you have been informed; you have no excuse. His time of favour is here.

End 2!

End 2!

Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death [death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace [both now and forever]. Romans 8:6 AMPC

Some key words feature in today's extract, and these words are on two opposite sides: mind, flesh and death on one side; mind, Spirit and life on the other. First lesson: there is nothing like a middle ground when it comes to matters of life and death, which this present earthly phase is. You do not get a middle course; a demilitarized zone where you can sit and relax and decide where you want to go or what you want to do. Even inaction or indecision is a decision. You are either working towards life or death. There is no third option.

There is one common thing to both sides, and it is the mind. This is the battleground; the place where decisions are made and settled. It is the place God and the devil seek to take charge and lead. It is the seat of emotions, the place of control. The verse before today's extract uses the word 'control'. This tells me that this is not a negotiation; it is a battle for the soul of man and one with eternal consequences. You cannot leave things to chance and somehow will it to end well. You have got to know what you are getting into, carefully consider your options and choose thoughtfully. Eternity awaits as the end of your decision, whatever it is.

The flesh does not submit to the Spirit; the Spirit can never be in alliance with the flesh. The end of the flesh has always been death since Adam, and nothing has changed from God's perspective. The end of the Spirit is life and peace. Both extremes have an end: eternity. You get the reward for your choice down here. Since you know where it all ends, you need to carefully consider where you want to end up. Who is at the centre of your life at the moment? Who is in charge? Who dictates your daily decisions and your pursuits and priorities? Your answer gives you a good idea of where you are headed. His time of favour is here.

The End!

The End!

But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Jude 1:20‭-‬21 KJV

The start of all things God does is faith, and the end is eternal life. There are so many other things in between but these two are so fundamental to the Christian experience God wants us to have. No matter the distractions going on around me, the charge to me is this: I have a responsibility to build myself up in the faith that led me to Christ. Faith in God's ability to save me is the reason why I walk where I am now, and it is the same faith that will sustain me in this walk.

Did you see that the faith here is described as 'holy'? Let no man deceive himself into thinking that you can get by with anything less than God's standard of holiness. It is His nature; his command and His expectations for his children. We cannot do anything less and expect the same results from God.

'Building up' gives a picture of work, effort and labour. Nowhere does God say I can fold my arms and expect things to just sort themselves out; I have a part to play in all of these things and it involves spiritual exercises: praying, studying the Word, keeping myself in God's love by knowing what it entails and demands, and seeking to be both a receptacle and an outflow of mercy to other people.

'Keep yourself in God's love' demands that no matter the pressure, love, by God's standards, has to be the response. If the right foundation has been laid, the right kind of love will flow out from me. I have the duty to ensure that I am rightly located: in God. The world will hold out other viable options; but if it is not God's way, there is no guarantee that it will end well.

And while I live down here, I keep an eye on the end of all things. While I seek to make impact down here, I must keep as my focus my eternal destination. Of what use is my life if I deny myself worldly pleasures and yet do not get the reward for righteous living? Mercy is available, full and free for all men, but walking in it is first my choice. God has done His bit; made adequate provision for my walk of faith. I have to respond; all of life waits for my decision, because only those who have encountered God can affect the world for God. Where do you stand? His time of favour is here.

Commanded!

Commanded!

And what this love consists in is this: that we live and walk in accordance with and guided by His commandments (His orders, ordinances, precepts, teaching). This is the commandment, as you have heard from the beginning, that you continue to walk in love [guided by it and following it]. 2 John 1:6 AMPC

There is something mysterious about the relationship God has with us: it is based on love but there is an underlay of authority and obedience that runs through everything. God's love for me encourages me to love other people; first because God's love flows in and through me and also because God commands it. If it were easy, it won't be a command. If it was a negotiation, I would have an opinion. On this matter, God commands and all who claim sonship have a duty to obey. As hard as this may sound, Christianity is not a negotiation, where you get to deal with God on your own terms.

Love consists of obedience to God's commands. You do not pick and choose the ones you will obey; ALL commands by God become a code of conduct. Love is His command and his commandments are summarized in love. The 2 greatest commandments, as taught by Jesus Himself, are love for God and love for fellow human beings. If you do not have God, it is impossible to have any motivation to love, as God and love are the same.

Note: it is a call to live and walk in line with the commands of God. The confession of my lips must match the profession of my life. How did the world then know to call the apostles 'Christians'? Nobody referred to themselves in that name, but people observed their lives and could see clearly the inpact and influence walking with God could make on a life. When men come in contact with me, what stands out: my networth or the quality of my relationship with God?

And one thing about God that you can trust is His consistency. What he commanded under Adam and Eve is still his commands in our present age. He's consistently faithful and not given to rash decisions. His love was well thought out; it wasn't dependent on my response but on his nature. The problem is that one day soon, I will have to give account of how I related with his commands and instructions. While I still have this life, I must diligently seek out His Word and be careful to obey. That is the secret to a life of impact. His time of favour is here.

Fruit!

Fruit!

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Matthew 7:17‭-‬20 KJV

Fruit is a function of seed. Seed goes into the ground unseen but its fruit is obvious and cannot be ignored. To get a good fruit, the seed must be good. Natural consequence that follows careful choosing, preparation, planting, fertilization, nurturing, weeding, watering and of course fruiting. The end is always the consequence of all the other activities that were put in. If you want to get a desired end, it all starts with the quality of the seed that starts the whole process.

By the nature of God's power, you cannot affect a thing without affecting its foundation. If you will spoil a good tree, you must first tamper with its good foundation. If you will raise up godless seed, you just ensure that they do not know the things of God or they are not bothered by the things God desires. Once the foundation is affected, the tree will only bring forth in line with the quality of its seed and preparation.

This is why you do not plant a good seed and go to sleep; you have to keep it free from whatever will pollute or corrupt it. What guards and controls am I putting in place to protect the integrity of the life of God in me? There is an eternal consequence to the requirement of fruitfulness. There will come a time when the ability to remain will be based on fruitfulness, not just being in place.

There are people who have been in a church community and do not get involved in anything. You are content with just coming and going; you take in all the nutrients available in God, yet nothing flows out of you to touch other people and bless their lives. Do you think God wastes resources? Would you not consider that the reason why men nurture a seed, plant it in a good soil and nurture it is because at the end, there will be enough to eat in the immediate, and save up for future planting? That is the same way God sees us: seed that He has planted and nurtured and made manifest to the world, so the world could be blessed by His life flowing out of our lives.

If I then do not fulfil purpose, why do I live? The end of a tree NOT bearing fruit is to be cut down, and then thrown into fire, where there will not be a chance of restoration. While I still have life in me, I cannot afford to take space and not impact my generation for God. I cannot be a consumer of resources and not become a producer of life in line with God's investments in me. The end of today's extract is quite insightful: it is not about how fine the leaves are, or how deep the roots go. Men can testify of the structure of your words and the quality of your presentation. Men can be moved by the outward appearance of piety and poise, but from God's perspective, the only thing that counts is the outflow that blesses people and draws them back to God.

If there is nothing at all in me that men see and want to go back to God, maybe I need to re-examine my present pursuits and priorities. If I am all noise and no message, then I may need to keep quiet and go back to the planter himself; the vinedresser, and ask Him to do His work in me, so that I can be all He has created me to be and that I may thrive wherever He plants me. Creation awaits my manifestation; I cannot be less than what God intends. His time of favour is here.

Rest!

Rest!

He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him–not for my earning it, but] for His name's sake. Psalm 23:3 AMPC

Today's extract is part of the popular 23rd Psalm, the one that talks about the Lord being a Shepherd, and the benefits that come from that relationship and encounter. Being a shepherd reflects both encounter and relationship. You need to know the shepherd on a personal basis. You cannot recognise his voice or know what he wants without taking time to study Him, know His will and voice and follow Him closely daily. He leads daily, and my following too must be daily if I will really enjoy all the benefits of being His sheep.

When the issues of relationship and encounter are settled, life becomes a mix of all sorts of experiences. You get refreshing, rest, provision, protection, discipline, comfort, peace, joy and so many other things just as an outflow of that relationship with the Shepherd. I note here that having God as a Shepherd does not keep you away from trials and tribulations; His Presence is the key to standing tall and remaining strong. Or how do you appreciate refreshing and restoration if there has been no battering or pressure?

And one other thing: if I will remain stable and standing, I need to hear His voice and obey his leading. He LEADS me means He tells me WHAT to do and HOW and WHEN to do it. He helps me walk in the paths that look like His nature, because for all who follow God, our lives become a platform for God to reach the world. If I am not different from the people of the world, how would God be glorified in and through me? I do not earn or deserve it; God is even quite happy to give me all of it, because it is His name at stake and He will do anything to promote it and cause men to praise Him.

Therefore, the fundamental question is this: who is in charge of your life? The answer to this question has eternity as its target. You do not want to get to the end of your life and discover that you had submitted to the wrong guide and had listened to lies. God wants to be a Father, Shepherd and Guide, only if you let Him. What's your response? His time of favour is here.

Hope!

Hope!

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 1 Peter 1:3 KJV

If I am to fully understand the context in which the words of today's extract is set, the verse before this speaks to the target of the encouragement here: people who are the Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, who have been sanctified by the Spirit, and called into obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. No a single part of this process can be skipped; you do not become saved without all of the above being present.

The big question then is: am I saved, according to God's standard here or do I just do church? Have I made a home in church, yet the owner of the church does not know me as His own? Do I stand and 'minister', yet have not a single flow of His Spirit and Presence in me? Fundamental questions; with eternal consequences.

If the above has been settled, then there is an abundant and never-ending supply of grace and peace. You are not compelled to praise God; it flows naturally out of your life because you know the God you have been called to follow. The charge to bless God is founded on the knowledge and appreciation of what He's given and done. Why is this so important? It is because earthly impact in the immediate and eternal life eventually are at stake.

God did not call me and set me apart just for 120 years on earth; he saved me so I could be an earthly outflow of His power and then come and reign with Him in heaven. He has to 'begat us again', because sin had dealt with the initial 'begat'. It was his abundant mercy that was the medium and the target is this eternal hope that when it all ends down here, it is just a transition into the realm of the eternal.

In the light of the above, what kind of life am I expected to live? If God has taken time to do all of these things for me, surely there is an expectation from me. If God has given me all I need for life and Godliness, let it be assured that an account will be demanded from me of all that He's given. The hope we are called to is alive; the One we are called to follow and serve is alive; we are called to live our lives in that consciousness, certain that the life of God in us will keep us in his will till He returns to call us home.

As we wait, we live right; we give praise and through our lives, point other people in the right direction: to God. May his praise continue to be evident in and through us. His time of favour is here.

Love!

Love!

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

As I read today's  extract, one thing seems to strike me from the very start: God has a destination  in mind for all that He has created. He doesn't waste resources,  and there is no human being  alive with no plan and purpose.  You may not yet have known it, but God wants to bring all of us into an experience of who He is and what He can do. Paul's  prayer here is therefore  very instructive: the one way into the discovery  of God's  purpose for my life  is for me to respond to God's leading  and directing. God never stops speaking, leading, helping  or directing. His love is the type that does not let go.

God has to lead my heart into an understanding and  expression  of His love. My feeble human heart  cannot comprehend  it on it's own. Sin has dealt  with my sensitivity  to the things of the Spirit, but God holds out his hands daily, creating the right environment  for me to return to Him. He will not force Himself  on me; but He will not let go until He has to let go. That understanding  is both a comfort and a burden: comfort that when I come to Him, he will accept me and clean me up, and make my life a living expression of the same love I received. A burden because if I reject Him, I will have no one to blame but myself. Please note: it is impossible  for a man to come to God unless God draws him near. The prayer here is therefore fundamental  to all I will ever become, and my response is: God, help me to respond to you as you seek to lead me. May I not be deceived by the tokens and comforts of men.

And there is another dimension: the patient endurance that comes from Christ. I do not know what you may have been told when you responded to God's  invitation, but a part of that call is a call to endurance and patience.  Is there anywhere in the bible that God promises easy living? What He promises are His presence and power, and if I will be all He has created and gifted me to be, those are all I need. Trials will come, the wind will blow, the storms will rise, but God's presence predates any of those experiences.

I have a clear understanding of who I am and who i belong to and serve, and that helps me stand in the face of the most pressing of circumstances. All through  my life, I look forward to each day, certain that no matter what happens, I am safe in God's hands and will end well. That is the definition  of the love I have received, and the love that keeps me till the Lord returns for me. What  kind of love holds your heart? His time of favour is here.

Imitate!

Imitate!

Beloved, do not imitate evil, but imitate good. He who does good is of God; he who does evil has not seen (discerned or experienced) God [has enjoyed no vision of Him and does not know Him at all]. 3 John 1:11 AMPC

Everywhere you turn in this present earthly life, there are examples to imitate. The first consideration isn't so much about whether these are good or bad examples, but it is first about the quality of my own heart's convictions. Nothing I do starts from the outer; it is first about my belief and value system, the things I consider important and which I set my heart on to pursue. Whatever it is that you find me doing or copying is a reflection of who I am and who I follow. And let it be repeated here again: there is no middle ground when it comes to these things; you are either all for God or all for the devil. Who does your life look like it is patterned after? Who are you following?

In today's extract, there was an example of bad behaviour by a man called Diotrephes, who just wanted to be the leader, but appeared not to have the required qualities of a leader as instituted by God. In my dealings with people, am I after position or impact? If it is position, it is not likely that I will care too much about how people feel or whether God is glorified in how I do things. When I find myself being praised by some men, I must take stock. When I find myself also hated by some men, I must take stock. It doesn't matter what men say; what pleases God must be front and centre of all I do and how I do them.

What you do and how you do them is a reflection of your allegiances. If you do good by God's standards, it shows you truly know and follow Him. If you don't do good by God's standards, it doesn't matter how many gold standards and medals men give you; God does not reckon with you and it is just a matter of time before the shame of the hypocrisy will become obvious, unless there is true repentance and return.

This is the conclusion: don't crave man's applause; seek to know God. Ask Him for help to know what to do and how to live to please Him. Because your life is precious to Him, He will definitely guide right. His Word is such a rich trove of knowledge of the consequences of every action. You will find rich examples of the good, the bad and the downright ugly. In ALL instances, there was a just reward. If you think you are fully in charge, then you don't need God. Just know that there are eternal consequences to every choice you make today. His time of favour is here.

Called!

Called!

I THEREFORE, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to and beg you to walk (lead a life) worthy of the [divine] calling to which you have been called [with behavior that is a credit to the summons to God's service,
Ephesians 4:1 AMPC

It is often said that the quality of advice or counsel is often measured from the personal life prism of the One giving it. Do you consider advice from a 'prisoner' as good advice? Whether it was a physical prison Paul was referring to here, or a spiritual prison, one thing is clear: all of us are prisoners of a kind. We are servants of one of two masters. Anyone who has surrendered his/her life to Christ is a prisoner, just as anyone who is yet to know the Life Jesus offers is a prisoner of sin. As a Christian, you no longer control your life but you now answer to another higher power. There may be physical limitations, but there is a freedom Christ births and sustains in all those who have put their trust in Him. What kind of prisoner are you: one bound to sin or the one bound to Christ? There is no sitting on the fence on this one.

From personal experience, Paul could use the words in today's extract: walk worthy of the divine calling to which you have been called. Over every life on earth, with the breath of God flowing in it, there is a divine call to service and impact, whether you know it or not. God doesn't waste resources and if He has kept me alive till now, it is because there is a need I was created and gifted to meet. God's call is very restrictive; it doesn't permit you to live as YOU please but as God desires. There is a part for God to play, which He had done by creating and gifting me. There is a part for me to play, which is to discern and walk daily in line with the discovered purpose of God for me.

Walking in line with my call involves a life that gives glory to God. It is a life of active service; not passive living. It is not really measured by length but by depth. Think of it like court summons: no matter what you are doing at the time, you must drop them all and obey the summons. If you ignore the summons, you could end up in jail. God calls out to all of us today; He's seeking lives He can empower to make impact for Him in this generation. My walk must match His call upon my life. Men must meet with and encounter God as they relate with me. My life must be a daily expression of a life that has met and also meets with God on a regular basis. Can these be said about me today? His time of favour is here.

Words!

Words!

When there are many words, transgression and offense are unavoidable, But he who controls his lips and keeps thoughtful silence is wise. PROVERBS 10:19 AMP

The importance and impact of words cannot be overemphasied. God himself is the perfect example of the power of words when he created all the beautiful aspects of creation that we see today simply by speaking his powerful word. Oh, they were not mere words; they were words spoken out of a powerful mouth, backed up by a powerful name and spoken out by the One called the Omnipotent God. The same power is given to us, made in His likeness, so we can also replicate the same attribute of God. The devil understood that power when he twisted God's express commands to Adam, and the problems associated with that act of disobedience then still lives with us today.

These days, hypocrisy and lying lips seem to be the norm. We have categorized lies by colour, we add exaggerations for effect and impact, we justify a zero here and there to make extra income, or we simply lie about what we do, simply because we have to take care of our families. One way to avoid this extreme is to consider this: do I really need to say anything here? If God were to stand right beside me in all his majesty and holiness, would I really say this? And really, God is everywhere, watching what we do. Words are very powerful, and we must consider how they are sown in the lives of the people who God has placed in our care. Words have power to reproduce after its own kind, just like God commanded all that he created and has life to reproduce after their own kind. If I will be all that God desires, I must audit my life and words and make sure that whatever I say is targeted at good fruitfulness.

We bring the same situation to church, and we pretend to like other people that we obviously cannot stand, and we make the usual noises about love, whilst our hearts speak something completely different. Why do we think that we can deceive the creator of our hearts? Does He not see all that we are and do? Do we not know or realise that our human relationships are reflections of our spiritual relationship with God? If I deal with fellow men in hypocrisy, how would I expect it to be any different from how I relate with God?

From today, I take the decision to watch what I say and how I say it. Silence is seen as wisdom; even a fool is thought to be wise unless and until the mouth is opened. I learn the importance of the right words spoken at the right time from the lives of Samson and Jesus. In both circumstances, their words carried eternal implications. May God help me. His time of favour is here.

Know!

Know!

And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:32 KJV

As usual, Jesus had a crowd following him everywhere He went. Men saw the mighty miracles and heard the amazing words he preached, yet not all believed. It is not about the quality of the seed; God's Word always has effect and impact. It is about the quality of my preparation to receive the Word of God. People come to church at least every Sunday and maybe one other day of the week, yet our lives do not always match what we hear. Could it be it is because the ground of our hearts have not been broken up enough to drink in all that God has for us?

Jesus was preaching at the Treasury; the crowds were there, the Pharisees, the Scribes and the Jews were recorded as being there. Of course, the Pharisees and the Scribes lived by what they could touch, see or feel, and they needed evidence of Jesus' sonship. Jesus told them: You just lift me up, and you will know that I am the Saviour, the One who gives life. Once again, it is not in the quality of your education or exposure, but in the expression of Jesus in and through you. Does God hold all of you or a part of you is reserved for your own personal use?

Of course, some believed, as some still do today. It is not enough to confess Jesus as Lord; you have to continue in His Word. In it, you have access to the greatest treasure in all life. It is the secret of true discipleship; where the heart and purpose of God is made clear. If I do not know what God is saying, how do I move at his command or show up where he can glorify Himself in and through me? Then the words of today's extract will make sense: in knowing the truth through diligent study, heart commitment and life application, the truth becomes a part of me. I am not moved by the inconsistencies around me; I just focus on the revealed truth of God.

Have you searched out the Truth? Do you know the truth? You cannot be truly free or claim to be truly free outside of the One called the Truth Himself. He is Jesus, God's revealed Truth and the Life of God. His time of favour is here.

Liberty!

Liberty!

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (emancipation from bondage, freedom). 2 Corinthians 3:17 AMPC

There are 3 concepts that can be taken out of today's extract and these are: Identity, Location and Impact. If we go back to the days of Moses, the glory of God was so evident on Moses that the people couldn't look directly on his face so he had to use a veil. The veil then was physical, but till today, a spiritual veil covers the hearts of men. Insight into God's Word is not given to you simply based on your educational history or the time you spend reading it. Only by the help of the inspiration behind the Word are you able to unearth the treasures and that is the Spirit of God. This is the first concept: you have got to find the One person who matters in this conversation and that is the Holy Spirit. No one else can.

And when the identity of the person of the Holy Spirit has been settled, you have got to be in His presence daily and regularly. Wherever the Spirit of God cannot dwell, you cannot expect Him to do mighty works there. You cannot be loving and living in sin and expect the Spirit of God to do mighty things. And of course, that is the third concept: impact. There is no life so far gone in sin that cannot be changed upon an encounter with the Spirit of God. There is no life so messed up that the Spirit of God cannot turn into a message. Only by and in the Spirit is true liberty: the kind that sets me free to worship God; to seek His face; to see Him move in mighty ways in and around me.

The God who called back in Paul's day is still the same God calling out today. He wants to do a mighty work in me first before doing the same work through me to touch lives. The encounter with the Spirit of God is non-negotiable. Do I truly have Him? Do you? His time of favour is here.

Believe 2!

Believe 2!

For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [his] salvation. Romans 10:10 AMPC

2 parts of the human body are mentioned in today's extract: the heart and the mouth. One is very plain for everyone to see; the other is hidden away from public view. We can see the outward flow from one; we need spiritual insight to understand the workings of the other. Both of them play fundamental roles in the experience and plan of salvation, as laid down by God.

First the heart is mentioned: the seat of all emotions and decisions. This is the part of the body God called 'deceitful and desperately wicked'. It is because God knows the heart that any great work He has to do has to start here. I can make all the public show of faith and piety, but that hidden part of me: the heart- will always be plain before God. I can deceive men with an outward show; the creator of the heart cannot be fooled.

That is why any sincere change must start here: I must believe that Jesus is the Son of God, sent as the Saviour who loved me enough to give His life for me, and I must submit to Him by accepting Him as Lord and Saviour. It is not enough to know this as an external truth; it is my nner reality; the start point of my relationship with God. I get a new start; a new heart. Justification comes when my heart is cleansed from sin. The devil has no hold again on my heart.

Then comes the part where my mouth must function. This is where the world takes note that I have had an encounter with Jesus. No one who meets with Christ in the secret place can keep that experience a secret. The work of salvation is first an inner work, but there is a place for a public confession of faith, which is a witness to other people that a change has occurred, and it is a reminder to you that you now have a new owner, new pursuits and priorities and new direction.

There are men who have all the drama of the mouth totally figured out. They know the right words, and can speak the 'Christian' language. They grew up in or around church and know how it works, but there is no heart involvement. They can quote the scriptures, but they do not have any kind of encounter with the God of the scriptures. Am I such a person? Am I all mouth and no heart? Remember: we deal with a God of absolute knowledge; one who created both the heart and the mouth and can discern hypocrisy.

God calls me to come to Him. He wants to do an eternal work in me; He wants to make me a candidate for heaven. He must first own my heart so He can impact my life and make me a platform from where my lips can speak for Him. Am I that kind of person? Are you? His time of favour is here.

Believe!

Believe!

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

Two absolutes again; with God, there is no such thing as 'sitting on the fence'. You are either all in or all out. You can't keep one foot in God and the other foot in the devil. You cannot take from God's abundant store of grace and still be comfortable in sin. These are two extreme positions; parallel lines that can NEVER meet, no matter how long you draw them or how hard you argue the positions.

Contemporary thinking or the modern age cannot change the principles on which God has been dealing with the earth since its creation and how He has continued to do so. The focus is on the Son of God- Jesus Christ. It is not about the knowledge of Him or the mere recognition of Him as Lord and Saviour. People all over the world know and admit that He is a Mighty prophet, the Son of God, the Saviour of the world.

Unfortunately, that is not enough: it is about believing and trusting Him as Saviour and Lord. Don't be content with reading about Him; you have got to decide to submit to His Lordship over your life. The day you do, you already have eternal life sealed for you. You become a carrier of His Presence and Power, and all who come in contact with you get a touch of that life.

The opposite is true for all who reject Him too. I ask this question often: do we really think there will be no consequences to the way we live our lives today, rejecting God's express commands and living for our own pleasure? Do we really think that there will be no account demanded from all of us when this present earthly phase ends? All of God's promises are true, and as we review our lives, we will see that He is too faithful to lie. If He warns about our decisions today, it is because He is concerned about our eternal destiny.

For all who reject the Son as Saviour and Lord, the wrath of God rests on them. That decision to reject Him means I am saying I can take care of myself; I do not need anyone to help me. I can guarantee life after death; I am the master of my own destiny. For those who can think deep, remember: there is nothing about how and when you were born or the family and country you were born to that you had no power over. If you couldn't control anything about your beginning, then know for sure that you are safer off with the One who formed you, placed you where you are, and demands that you live for Him while on earth.

A day is coming when the One who gave you life when you knew nothing at all, will demand that same life from you. What would be your response to the One who promised you life? Have you responded now? It is not too late until it is indeed too late. His time of favour is here.

Sing!

Sing!

But I will sing of Your mighty strength and power; yes, I will sing aloud of Your mercy and loving-kindness in the morning; for You have been to me a defense (a fortress and a high tower) and a refuge in the day of my distress. Psalm 59:16 AMPC

David was referred to as a man after God's heart and on the evidence of the Psalms and songs, this won't come as a surprise. Here was a young boy who learned how to find God in silence; the years spent in the fields taking care of sheep, honing his protective instincts and looking out for his animals. No wonder God found him a vessel He could use as king over His people and no wonder men who didn't know his story, like Saul, tried to kill him.

Let it be known that being loved of God does not protect you from harm; it only keeps you in it. While men are running around, seeking man-made structures for safety and protection, those who know God rest secure in Him, sure and certain that God is enough for them. Men lay in wait at night, seeking to kill David, yet David will rise up in the morning with songs of praise on his lips. You don't rise up with songs if you have not laid down in faith, confident in the One who promises you His mighty strength and power.

Days of distress WILL come; there will be challenges to the faith you claim to have. The devil will manipulate events to give you the idea that God is far away; don't believe for one second that God cannot take care of you. His love and mercy do not let go at all; his fortress is impenetrable and his tower is high indeed, able to see all dangers ahead and warn accordingly. He is a refuge, strong and mighty, stable and dependable, no matter the season.

If a man like David could catch God's attention this way, we can also. No matter how bad I have been, God's arms are open wide to receive me. He's able to pick and clean me up, and then set me out as an example of His grace and mercy. We speak about the sure mercies of David, and we refer to Jesus as the son of David. All because one man dared to move the hand of God through a life of worship. What are you waiting for? Know God; worship Him with all your heart; see Him move heaven and earth for your sake. His time of favour is here.

Hope!

Hope!

May the God of your hope so fill you with all joy and peace in believing [through the experience of your faith] that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound and be overflowing (bubbling over) with hope.
Romans 15:13 AMPC

Which God have you come to believe in? There is only one true God; the One who invites me to come into a relationship with Him, who demands total submission to Him and complete faith in Him; the One who gave His life so I could have life. He is the One who is introduced to us here. He is called the God of your hope. If He is not your God, you cannot lay claim to the benefit of hope that He offers.

And when you come to believe Him, He fills your life with the hope that comes with joy and peace. He fills every available space, because He is the all-sufficient One. He doesn't do half-measures; it's either He is enough for you or He is not there at all. When I believe in Him, he takes over my heart. The things that were difficult for me to trust Him for become easy, because His Spirit now lives inside me. I look forward to eternal life, because my faith in God believes his promise of eternal life.

As a result of God's total occupation of my heart, there is no way I will not overflow. If God fills all of me, my life becomes a daily overflow of His Presence. When men look at me, the signs of a healthy relationship with God is very evident. I am not moved by things around me; I only work on having and keeping God inside me. When storms arise or winds blow, I just confirm that God still lives in me and i smile. The hope in me is not conditional on things being easy; but it is hope born, raised and sustained by the Lord of the Universe. Is this the same God you have submitted to or do you have another? His time of favour is here.

Absolutes 2!

Absolutes 2!

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

Once again, we read of absolutes in today's extract. There is no sitting on the fence; no middle ground; just the certainty of God's nature and power and a choice to be made by me on how to respond. God puts it all out there, tells me who He is, what He can do and has done and what I get when I come to Him.

What's the name of the Lord? God reveals Himself in different ways and at different times to people; He is the Lord the Provider as well as God Almighty to Abraham, he is the Shepherd to David and He is Glory to Moses. However, with all of these manifold revelations, one thing is clear: the essence of who God is does not change, no matter the generation seeking Him.

No matter who you are or where you have been, God calls you to come near. He invites me to a loving relationship with Him, where I come to Him, just as I am, and He gives me all of Himself. If God could reveal himself in so many ways to so many people, it means that there is no situation so dire or terrible that God does not have a solution for, and there is no danger so pressing that God does not have an answer for.

What He needs from me is to make the approach and come to Him. But I note the attribute of those who will truly be safe: the consistently righteous. Anyone can run, but to be truly safe, you have to put your total trust in that refuge. If you would not believe, why would you run in? If God is the only alternative when every other thing has failed, then you leave yourself open to disappointment. If you would be safe, you have got to be saved.

Please note: The name of the Lord will always provide refuge for all who call to Him. Men who only heard about Him called him in trouble and he saved them. That is his promise; however, it doesn't end there. Think about permanent solutions, not a temporary fix. Come to God today; totally trust Him and watch Him work wonders on your behalf. His time of favour is here.

Absolutes!

Absolutes!

If it is not the Lord who builds a house, the builders are wasting their time. If it is not the Lord who watches over the city, the guards are wasting their time. Psalms 127:1 ERV

These are absolute statements. Life is a summary of decisions and actions. We move from total dependence on parents to a series of events that help build our stamina and independence. We go to school to get a basic education; we develop friendships and build relationships, some lasting for a season and others for a lifetime. We build houses, buy cars, invest in stocks, all in a bid to secure a bright future for ourselves and our children. That is the story of our lives as human beings.

For all who know God as a personal Saviour, there is an added element: a clear understanding that without God involved, all I do is self-deceit. When you see men run to 'make it', you wonder who has defined success for them and who is standing at the end of the race to reward them for coming in 'first'. We have allowed the world dictate terms and we keep running, unsure of where we are headed, but desperate to look like our neighbours. The words of today's extract are so telling: the God factor can never be ignored.

It is proper to make plans, but it is foolishness to plan without the master strategist. It is nice to own your own house and put in place measures to protect yourself and all you own, but it is foolishness to do so without the One called The Refuge. You see, only projects ordained by God will stand the test of time, as He is able to sustain whatever it is He has ordained. It is vanity to build high walls and fenced cities, or invest millions on worthy projects, when God is not backing you up.

Why not seek God first, get his backing and then you are empowered to face the world? Those who stand with God can stand against anything. If God is not for you, it doesn't matter how many people are on your side. Who's watching your back? Who's securing your life and investments? His time of favour is here.

Do Right!

Do Right!

What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
Psalms 56:3 KJV

David understood fear. He was a young man who got exposed to life quite early. While his brothers were being trained for war in Saul's army, he was left alone to take care of flock. He didn't have any formal training or guidance; he learnt how to fight, defend himself and protect the sheep. It couldn't have just happened that David knew how to fight the lion and the bear; there had to be a time of preparation for the experiences that would come after. And that is the first lesson here: nothing keeps you from danger. You are only promised protection IN danger, not FROM danger. How does God test your heart's allegiance if everything goes smoothly everytime?

Times of testing WILL come; not MAY. You do not get a pass from trials. David was being prepared for greatness, just as Joseph too was, but the paths they took to get there didn't look like it initially. Second lesson: whatever God allows or brings is for your building up and strengthening. God does not waste resources; if indeed you were created by Him, you are a work in progress, being prepared for manifestation and impact.

And like David, you have got to settle in your heart how you will handle trouble. If you wait until you get into it before you decide, it will most times be too late. Daniel made up his mind long before the meat was laid before him; the 3 Hebrew boys knew the God they served and no earthly king was going to shake that resolve. It is now that you must prepare for those perilous times. Anytime fear comes, I know what to do: I run to the One who has already secured my eternity. Everything else going on around me is just temporary. He has never disappointed anyone who put his/her trust in Him, and His nature is such that cannot lie or change His mind.

Whatever it is that has gone before or lies ahead, hold on to God. Trust Him completely; He is too faithful to fail. His time of favour is here.

Rest!

Rest!

The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior [Who saves]! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17 AMPC

Today's extract is all about the God who calls us to Himself. He tells us who He is and what we get from coming to Him. First, He is the Lord our God. He isn't your buddy, who you can treat as you please, but He's God, the master of the universe. Don't let His love fool you into carelessness; He's both the Lion of Judah, as well as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.

He's also the Saviour, who dealt with sin with a single sacrifice, and calls us all to walk in that freedom and grace made available. Even before I knew him or cared who he was, he loved me enough to die for me. He didn't look at my past, but saw what I could become, and he paved the way for me to get there. And that is the basis of his joy: that I am who I am, where I am, doing what He has called me to do, all because of his sacrifice.

Isn't it surprising to see the word 'rest' used in relation to God? We are called to work for our new master, and we are assured of a rest no other master can guarantee while we work and at the end of our labour. So, where is the rest for God coming from? It is from the finished work on the cross, and the seal of redemption for all who come to Him. My sin and past is forgiven and forgotten; the shame of my past is washed clean. He does not recall my sin or mention them anymore; I get a clean slate to be all He wants.

He will even sing over me. Heavens are in constant praise and as we have read, when anyone comes to the saving knowledge of Jesus, there is joy in heaven. So, the big question is: Is my life producing the joy that is spoken about here? Is my life totally surrendered to the Master of all life? Is He in charge or am I? Who you answer to now determines what becomes of you and where you end up. Make the right decision today: His time of favour is here.

Bonded!

Bonded!

Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover or pretext for evil, but [use it and live] as bond-servants of God.
1 PETER 2:16 AMP

For all who have come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, they have freedom from the power of sin, death and Satan. For all who have surrendered control of their lives to the Saviour who shed his blood on the cross, they have walked into the grace and mercy that a life of faith can guarantee.

But therein lies the dilemma: you have been called into new life in Christ through your faith, and you have walked into the freedom available in Christ. Actually, what you have is not freedom to live as you choose, but freedom to submit your life to a new benevolent master. Nowhere does God say that surrender to Him is a license to live as you please. You have only exchanged masters, and one way or the other, all of us serve one of two possible masters.

Don't claim exception from rules simply because you are now a Christian: in fact, with your decision, your life has become a public spectacle. People will measure the sincerity of your faith by the things you do. You have to be careful of your decisions and actions, not necessarily because you want to appear 'good' to people, but because you have an understanding that your life is now an altar from which God can stand to minister to the world.

God is the master to all who have given Him control. You are now free from sin but bound to God. Rules have changed; masters have changed, destination too has changed but impact is non-negotiable. Can God count on me to be his servant, showing Him off to the world around me? Does He have full and absolute control over all I am and do? Is my life a platform for His grace to speak? His time of favour is here.

Enter!

Enter!

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad and easy to travel is the path that leads the way to destruction and eternal loss, and there are many who enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow and difficult to travel is the path that leads the way to [everlasting] life, and there are few who find it. MATTHEW 7:13‭-‬14 AMP

There are clear messages in today's extract. Life is about choices and because God never leaves his children without guidance, the right choice is emphasized. God tells us what is ahead, and it is clear from today's extract that there is nothing like the 'sitting on the fence' option. You are committed one way or the other to one choice. Both choices lead to a final destination; an eternal conclusion.

The gate or pathway to destruction has been described, and it looks nothing like its advised end. There are really no restrictive rules for travelling on that path. It is wide enough to take all sorts of characters; it is wide enough for friends and companions to find common ground as they walk along. If you are on 'Easy Street', you find people like you who love what you do, and want to be associated with you. It is a popular and well-traveled route.

The other road is everything the other one isn't. Its paths are small and inconvenient; it does not leave room for popular movement or mob mentality. There is nothing like 'our walk with God'. It is first an individual and 'lonely' walk; though you will meet other  along that path whose life story will encourage you to press on. It is about my decision to walk with God, and everyone else connected with me would have to walk their own separate paths on that same road. Here, you have to search for it like hidden treasure and hold it precious when you find it.

The popular road is a tourist destination; there is not much work to be done to find it: you just enter into it. The hard path must be sought for diligently, and when found, all other considerations become less important. And a final warning: don't think that because you are on a particular path, that is where you will end up. Just as God gives the option of repentance to those on the wide path, so does He give grace and strength to those on the narrow path.

If I take the option available to me, no matter what path I am on now, I will end up. If I take any of the offers for granted, I cannot turn around to blame God for how I end. His offer is still open, as long as you are alive. The next second after reading this may be too late. His time of favour is here.

Sharpen!

Sharpen!

Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend [to show rage or worthy purpose]. Proverbs 27:17 AMPC

If you would sharpen another iron tool, the best option would be another iron or metal tool. In our homes, one of the easiest examples will be where we use another knife to sharpen another life. In that example lies a deep lesson: if you desire a particular end, you have to be around people who have the skills, knowledge and experience to get you there. If I seek to affect my generation for good, I cannot stand, sit or walk with people who do not share the same vision with me.

The major reason why I have to watch my company is because I will eventually look like the company I keep. 'Show me your friends, and I will tell you who you are' is a very interesting statement. You can make all the claims; the proof of your destination will be revealed by the type of people you journey with. Today's extract says the same thing: why am I asked to watch my company? It is because bad company corrupts good manners. Eventually, if you stay around the wrong people long enough, you begin to look, talk and act like them.

And that is how God set up human relationships. We were built to interact; nobody can exist on his/her own. As I move towards the fulfillment of God's purpose for my life, I must audit my relationships and ensure that I am keeping only those who add value. Am I also the kind of person who I would want to spend my own time with? Do I incite people to anger with the way I act or am I a peacemaker? Do I push people into noble causes or into shameful acts? I am what I attract. God is seeking men and women who will be tools in His hands to change the course of history. Can he count on you? Can He count on me? His time of favour is here.

Led!

Led!

Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble in dread before them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not fail you or abandon you.”
DEUTERONOMY 31:6 AMP

As I read today's extract, I am reminded of the enormity of the task ahead of the people of Israel in those days. Imagine being promised a nation that essentially was not yours in the first place; you are about to dispossess nations and conquer territories that had giants and mighty men of war. These nations had men who were physically stronger than the people of Israel, who were led by a 120-year old, who was about to hand over to maybe another 60-year old man.

It is natural to fear anything beyond your capacity and capability. As long as you have all the resources in yourself to do all that you set out to do, it is likely you will not need to factor God into your schemes. As long as you are confident in your abilities, you wouldn't need assistance from anyone. But when you know your limitations and seek the help of the One called 'Our Help in Ages Past', you call on the only One who can truly guarantee a good end. What you do with the fear of the unknown is so central to how you turn out.

Do you have a God who goes ahead of you to fight for you, or do you have a clear idea of how to fight for yourself? You have the promise of the Presence of the Almighty God, the Omnipresent One, who fills all things in all ways. You have the assurance of success, by God's standard, not because you know how to fight, but because God fights for you. Never lose sight of this fact: nothing I do on my own can give me the miracles I seek; God is the One who guarantees a good end. His time of favour is here.

Open!

Open!

A [closed-minded] fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his personal opinions [unwittingly displaying his self-indulgence and his stupidity].
PROVERBS 18:2 AMP

How do you see yourself? Do you consider  yourself as someone wise? Actually, your choices define you; you do not get to impose on God how he sees you. As I live my life from day to day, I am revealing the treasures stored up in my heart and as well as preparing for eternity. How are you preparing for your eternal rest?

The bible identifies a fool as anyone who says that there is no God. In the midst of all the amazing things we see; the awesome parts of creation; the flow of the seasons and the ceaseless and changeless nature of time, it is indeed foolishness to ascribe all these things to a big bang, or a theory called evolution. How did anything you see now evolve? From what or where did they evolve from? Who has been able to reproduce any of the amazing parts of creation to function in the same way as the original?

Understanding who God is provides the key to being all that God intends. You have got to spend time with Him, read up about Him and experience Him daily for you to understand Him. As long as I am not doing this, I am telling God I can take care of myself. I am telling God that my opinions are better than God's; and that I have better idead about how things work. These will be the simple examples of foolishness.

I am what I am, where I am and how I am simply because God made it to be. He is the embodiment of life; the resson why life is good. It is not because I am well educated or have a good job or I am connected; I live at the pleasure and command of the Ruler of the Universe. Any other motive, action or thought, which puts ME at the centre of the world and outside of God, is foolishness. When men come in contact with me, what or who do I celebrate: the God who is the essence of wisdom, or myself, the feeble creature whose breath can be taken away in an instant? Where do you stand? His time of favour is here.

At Work!

At Work!

Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise. Jeremiah 17:14 KJV

Today's extract is a recogntion of the healing power of God. He is called the Jehovah Rapha, the Lord who heals. The first time this is mentioned happened to be just after the miracle of the Red sea, with God reminding Israel that anyone who partners with Him, living right and being obedient to His commands stands to gain blessings that money cannot buy. He's also called the Saviour, the ultimate being the One who guarantees eternity for our souls at the end of this present life.

If God touches your life for good, there is no 'evil' that can touch you. Even when the unexpected happens, God is simply moving the scenes around for the next amazing miracle. Even when you do not understand the WHY behind your experiences, the WHO that you have come to know and follow will always prove Himself. However, even when things don't get better, does this change who God is? While I wait for the physical manifestation of all I am trusting God in faith for, can I hold on to the One who remains the same, even in the ever-changing world that we have come to know?

This is more about the nature of God than it is about my capacity to believe. This is more about who God is and what he can do than it is about where I stand. If God says NO, what man is there that can change it to a YES? And if God affirms you as His child, it doesn't really matter what people's opinions are. Who can speak and it comes to pass when the Lord has not commanded it? Who can close the door that the Lord has opened or open the one He has closed?  If He heals me, he is God; if He saves me, He's God. Even if it looks like it does not happen for me, like Stephen or James, my faith in God must remain unshakable that God remains God. Praise is my daily offering; my acknowledgement of God's grace, power and mercy. His time of favour is here.