Friends?

Friends?

A friend loves at all times, and is born, as is a brother, for adversity. Proverbs 17:17 AMPC

Human relationships are complex. You find good friends and people who become bad friends. Most times, they didn't start as bad people, but due to different circumstances, they became something else. It seems to me that today's extract defines a friend as someone who is there for you, no matter your circumstances or issues. Friendship is not based on external bliss, but is the result of time-tested values. You find someone who you can relate with, and both of you work at being the best version of yourselves.

Let it be clear that quarrels and strife will arise. No good friends can successfully keep misunderstandings away, but what is key here is that clear line that come what may, nothing affects the foundations of the love that we share. David and Jonathan are one of the best examples of true friendship. Here was a boy anointed to be king, being in close friendship with the known heir to the throne. Yet, no matter how hard Saul tried, he could do nothing about this love. That's what God needs from us in this generation.

What use is a brother or friend who lies and pretends all is well? What use is a friend who is only true when things are fine? How do you trust the heart of another when you only see them when all is well with you? It could be that they were just there for the good times, not the bad times. It may be a good time to audit my own relationships as well as my own heart. What kind of friend am I? Can I be trusted long-term? Am I good for all seasons or only the nice seasons? His time of favour is here.

Leading Well!

Leading Well!

The king by judgment establisheth the land: but he that receiveth gifts overthroweth it. Proverbs 29:4 KJV

Who is a king: a person who either by birth or by choice of people occupy a seat of authority and influence. It also signifies a person who has control over a definite territory as well as subjects who recognise and accept and respond to that authority. Of course, being a king would also require sensitive decisions to be made sometimes, and this is where most people in authority take decisions that could make or mar their destinies.

Let it be made clear here that any person who is responsible for the welfare and wellbeing of another individual is in authority over that person. This extract would therefore apply to you. When it is time to take a decision, what do you consider: how it affects you, how much you stand to gain from it, or how God can be glorified in it? It is by the right judgment that a land is established. No man can by force of war or earthly wisdom preserve a land; it is by alignment with God and an obedience to His commands that such a land enjoys God's peace.

The opposite is equally true. If all I care about is what I gain, and judgement for me is for the highest bidder, the destruction of the land is just a matter of time. Gifts do blind, and men who are led astray by it are not wise. It is by bribes and gifts that oppression and injustice abound.

I take stock again and ask myself: how am I discharging my responsibility over the people God has placed under me and above me? Do I set the right example or am I a bad influence? The land I have been placed will be affected by my decisions so I must be careful. His time of favour is here. 

Balance!

Balance!

Behold, I am sending you out like sheep in the midst of wolves; be wary and wise as serpents, and be innocent (harmless, guileless, and without falsity) as doves. Matthew 10:16 AMPC

We are indeed in strange times. This is a generation God spoke about long ago when He said that iniquity will abound. We have mastered the art of disobedience and rebellion against God's express commands; we have closed our ears and eyes to the things He would have us hear, see and respond to. 

However, one thing is also clear: in every generation, God preserves for Himself a remnant. The number isn't important; it just matters that irrespective of the decadence and the evil around, God will always have the few that know and hold on to Him, seeking to worship and work in line with His commands. This is the generation God is speaking about in today's extract.

God is sending out: all who claim to know and follow God CANNOT be masters of their own destiny. You answer to God and are subject to his authority and you go out as and where He commands. He sends us to the world around us to impact it for Him, not to sell our own ideas. He sends us out to draw men to Him; to be the ointment that is a sweet smelling savour that will attract men to God. Am I truly one or have I blended in so much that the world cannot see the difference?

He sends me out and makes it clear what and how I am to impact. Sheep are docile animals, incapable of evil actions, yet they are placed in the midst of wolves. In physical appearance and attitude, both are unique. You cannot mistake one for the other. Wolves only know how to tear down and consume; sheep know and recognize the voice of the shepherd and they follow him wherever he leads. 

I am told again to be as wise as serpents, but gentle as doves. Following Christ doesn't rob me of my senses and reasoning, but it subjects them to the authority and leadership of the Holy Spirit. I may not always understand where and how He leads, but if I am truly a follower of God, I will not struggle with knowing His voice and obeying Him. Men must see a difference in the usual and the normal around me, if my life will speak for God. Is that true about me? His time of favour is here.

Sacrifice!

Sacrifice!

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1 NIV

There is a place for judgement and a place for mercy. God is the dispenser of both, and by His nature, He has the prerogative on how to and when to dispense both. This is the reason why God is to be feared: the things I consider important may not be viewed as such by God, and the things I would naturally treat with levity may have eternal consequences. This is the foundation of today's extract. 

We speak so lovingly of God as a merciful God, which is quite true. It is because of that mercy that the call of today's extract makes sense: while you have mercy, give your life totally to God. While you still can, give God your all. Mercy isn't deserved, but when it comes, it demands sacrifice from you. There are new priorities, new aspirations, new goals, all based on the new relationship you have been called to. 

The demand under this new relationship is one of sacrifice. It has to be total, absolute and irreversible. As long as I still have some measure of control over my life, I am not ready. As long as I can dictate terms and conditions, I am not ready. Have you ever seen any animal already offered as a sacrifice still having an opinion? Have you seen a lamb to be offered as a sacrifice dictating the terms of the sacrifice? We have become so full of ourselves that we want to tell God how best He can work in our favour, not the other way around. 

The sacrifice must be holy for it to be pleasing to God. It is not something done by accident; it is the result of total submission to God, a realisation of our need of Him, and a daily dependence on His help. God WILL NOT accept anything less than his standard of holiness and He will not lower the standard because He needs numbers. For all the people, few or many, who will seek God out on His own terms, and align themselves with the terms of the covenant of life God is seeking to enter with us, they will see God at work in and for them. If you want it, you have got to live it. His time of favour is here. 

Attitude!

Attitude!

Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.  Let all your things be done with charity. 1 Corinthians 16:13‭-‬14 KJV

Paul speaks here of the need to be on your guard as you run the race God has marked out. We all have individual races to run. There is a unique end for all men, and there is only One person who can help us get to that end, but the course of each man's journey is different. In running this race, a few things become important to emphasise:

1. WATCH: God calls me to watch. There are times and seasons set up by God, and He uses them to teach us life lessons. If I do not pay attention to what God is saying through these seasons, or if I do not have an idea of what God expects me to do next, it is not likely that I will understand what God is doing now and where I fit into his plans. My greatest impact is tied to my understanding of the times I am in.

2. STAND FAST: I am called to stand firm in the faith. This instruction would not make sense if there was no danger of falling into error. God warns ahead of time that there will be demands on the foundations of my faith and the basis of my confidence in God. It is the season of strange and convenient doctrines; it is the season of itching ears and lying lips; it is the season of compromise and falsehood. If you do not stand for the Truth, you will fall for anything.

3. BE STRONG: It is quite important to be strong in these strange seasons we are in. It is the season where only those who know who God is, who belong to Him and serve Him acceptably, will be the ones who will do exploits. The weak will always seek the path of least resistance; the strong depend on the One who commissions their assignment for help. 

4. CHARITY: This is the crowning glory of all God calls me into. This is the attitude and medium through which my life's pursuits and priorities must be expressed. No matter how nice I am viewed or how the world applauds what I do or celebrates my achievements, it amounts to nothing if not done in love. 

The summary of the above is this: it is not what the world considers important that matters, but what God says it is. It is when I do what He commands and how He commands that I get all He has promised. Nothing else will work. His time of favour is here.

Right Mix!

Right Mix!

By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honour, and life. Proverbs 22:4 KJV

God wants me to enjoy the life He has brought me into. The Word of God says that He has given me all that I need for life and Godliness. This means that all that I will need for this present earthly phase as well as the unseen spiritual implications of this phase have been provided ahead of time. 

As I walk the walk and run the race, what is expected of me: humility, which is a key ingredient in this walk. I note that I must play my part first before I can lay claim to the benefits and blessings that are promised in line with the right walk. Check out the extract again: the way up is the way down. If you would enjoy God's elevation, you have got to start all the way down. 

Jesus lived this out on a daily basis. He is God, yet left all the glamour and came as man to die for our sins. The fear of the Lord is also part of the package. When I keep God as the focus, every other thing loses appeal. When God sits at the head of the table of my heart, I am on the path to impact, relevance and eternity with Him. 

So, as I seek to enjoy what this life offers, I must align with what Life directs. Riches, honour and life are only found in Him who is called Life. Have you met Him? Does He know you as His own? His time of favour is here. 

Pursue!

Pursue!

Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor. Proverbs 21:21 NLT

Human nature abhors a vacuum. At no time is the human mind able to remain idle or be totally inactive. At every point in time in our lives, we are actively/passively pursuing something or being pursued by something. This is where the power of choice and the understanding of God's will for my life become very important.

Let this truth be known: your pursuits will always be determined by your priorities. You do not need to convince me about the things you consider important; I will see it from the decisions you make daily. As always, there is a choice between two extremes: God or the devil. You cannot sit on the fence on this one; no middle ground. You are either all in or all out.

Check out the focus of your pursuit: righteousness and love: both God's attributes. My pursuit must be centred around God, if my life will make sense. And of course, what you seek is what you find. God's Word makes it clear that what I sow is what I reap. If I seek the right kind of fruit, I must ensure I plant the right kind of seed. Check out the fruits of the right kind of pursuit: you get a mix of God's nature, as well as earthly impact, the kind no amount of money can buy or preserve.

God wants to make my life a spectacle of His power and grace. He wants to flow out through me to bless lives, but there is no way I will make it outside of Him. It all starts with the right foundation: the pursuit of God. When that is in place, every other thing falls into place. His time of favour is here.

Patience!

Patience!

Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.  For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. Hebrews 10:35‭-‬36 KJV

Everything commanded or ordained by God attracts blessings only if I obey. Confidence here is seen as attracting reward. It is not just mere confidence, the sort that puffs its chest at danger or the one borne out of a healthy bank account or high fences. It is  confidence in the right person. It is not a fixation on what I can get, but on who God is. For God to warn here, it means that there is a clear and present danger that if I do not watch my life and conduct, I could lose the reward that goes with faithful and consistent service to God.

Confidence in God shows that I know and trust Him to work out His purpose in my life. It means that no matter what comes or happens to me, the foundation of my faith remains unshaken. Trials will come; storms will rise; winds will blow; but there is an assurance of standing firm if the foundation is on God. The responsibility of keeping the confidence is on me; it is my duty to watch out for anything that will threaten the peace of my heart and guard against it. How would I have confidence in a God I do not take time out to know and relate with on a regular basis?

Lie it has been said, the reward from God is not tied to mere activity, but to doing the will of God. You can be quite busy, yet God is wondering who has commissioned the assignment you are presently engaged in. You have got to audit your present and future pursuits and priorities, and be sure that they align with what God has directed. The will of God is what attracts reward; not my own pleasure. And the reward is coming; the world as we know it will soon dissolve by fire and all men will be judged on the basis of their relationship with God. How's yours? How's mine? His time of favour is here.

Standing with God!

Standing with God!

But let all those who take refuge and put their trust in You rejoice; let them ever sing and shout for joy, because You make a covering over them and defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You and be in high spirits. For You, Lord, will bless the [uncompromisingly] righteous [him who is upright and in right standing with You]; as with a shield You will surround him with goodwill (pleasure and favor). Psalm 5:11-12 AMP

Where do you stand? Who holds your confidence? That answer will determine what you stand to gain or lose. If your trust is in God alone, you are assured of his protection and defence. He does not guarantee me an existence free from trials; he only promises that he will be there for me as a shield and defence. That is good enough for me.

It then means that there are other options. People have developed man-made devices to guarantee security and protection. Unfortunately, if God has not ordained it, he will not sustain it. If its foundation is not in God, it is not built to last. Joy is not a function of external comfort but of internal bliss.

You may be in prison like Paul, and yet ask the Philippian church to rejoice always. It all depends on who you know. The words 'You' and 'Your' referring to God appear 7 times in those two verses. God is the key factor here and he holds the key to all you can ever be. Where do you stand?

Did you read the bit about the 'uncompromisingly righteous'. We can claim all of God's blessings as much as we want, but there is a condition that must be met if we are to qualify for the blessing. I have got to be on God's side, doing what He commands. I have to have him living inside of me and directing my affairs. Who's in charge? His time of favour is here.

Clean!

Clean!

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. II Corinthians 7:1 NKJV

In order to fully understand the Therefore at the start of today's extract, we need to fully grasp what has gone before. The verses before today's extract demands a life of separation from anything unclean, which is the basis of acceptance by God. And it is the foundation of today's extract. If i will lay hold of the promises of sonship and the benefits of having God as Father, the first task is to cleanse myself from every filth. 

This is a role for me to play. No cleaning will happen without my clear cooperation. What am I required to clean myself from: all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. I thought someone has said that the flesh cannot respond to God. Have you met the God who cannot behold iniquity; who destroyed the world of Noah with water or Sodom and Gomorrah with fire? This is a God who warns copiously in his Word that I must subdue my flesh so that it does not lead me to hell. I therefore have the power and the grace to subject my flesh to God. It also shows that the spirit of man can be polluted. How does this happen: it is all through the senses: sight, hearing, feeling, taste and touch. If I do not place a guard over the things I allow into my life through these points, I am setting myself up for heartache and damnation.

This is the groundwork for the perfecting of holiness. I'm on a journey towards perfection and it will not happen overnight. The fear of the Lord is the key to all that God intends for me, and if I will be all God intends, I must walk and live as God directs. His promises have context and preconditions, and no matter how much I cry for them, I will only enjoy them if I align with the conditions and obey as directed. His time of favour is here.

He is Faithful!

He is Faithful!

Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) Hebrews 10:23 KJV

There are about four pillars on which today's extract is based, and these are as follows:

1. Hold Fast: If I am charged to hold fast to something, it means that at some point in the past, I must have held on to the wrong thing or I wasn't holding on to anything of much value. At every point in time in my life, there are pursuits and priorities that define what is important to me. Can I truly say that what I am pursuing now brings glory to God? God will not charge me to hold fast to anything if there was no danger in letting go. In the letter to the church at Philadelphia, Jesus said:...hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown. Revelation 3:11 KJV. 

2. The Profession of our faith: I need to know what is that right thing I am to hold fast to. The devil is smart; he makes the world's goods attractive to us, and he wants to keep me engaged on activities, at the expense of a relationship with God. Faith in God is the basis of all that is valuable and eternal, and without it, no man can please the Lord. At all times, there is something of importance to me, and it would either be something of eternal value or earthly importance. You can't play both sides at the same time. 

3. Without wavering: the big lesson in all of these is that only those who endure to the end will be saved. It is not about your start alone or the journey but about the end. There are people like the thief on the cross, who didn't have anything of spiritual value to offer until the point of death, where he had a life encounter with Jesus. Compare him with Judas Iscariot who walked with Jesus for three and a half years. The start and the journey are important, but much more important is how I end. God's rewards are not tied to the start or the journey; it is tied to a good end. It is not tied to mere activities, but to the fulfilment of His own purposes. There will be shaking; the wind will blow and the storms will rise, but only those who hold on to the end get the reward for steadfast faith.

4. He is Faithful that promised: I consider it impossible for any man to endure what this life offers if there was no hope of a better and brighter tomorrow. It is that hope that keeps me sane when everything around me is falling to pieces. It is my personal encounter of God that keeps hope alive. If I do not have that personal experience, how would I know how to hold on? If I do not take time out to study the Word of God to know what He says, how would I know the promises He has made about my present experiences and my expectations for the future? 

Do I know this God? Have I met this God? Is what I am holding on to now of any spiritual value? Is the right foundation in place for me to aspire to eternal impact? These questions are so important and so personal that there cannot be joint answers. Each of us would have to work out what God desires for us and pursue it with a focused heart. His time of favour is here.

Come!

Come!

And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.

Isaiah 60:3 KJV

I relate today's extract to the teaching of Jesus at the start of his earthly ministry, when he uttered those immortal words: 'You are the light of the world'. For all who bear allegiance to the One and Only True God, there is a nature and attribute that we possess, and it is the Light. You cannot have God and be or walk in darkness. You cannot know God and still love darkness and sin. You have become God's spectacle to the world and all you do and say must reflect these new realities.

Those who are outside the light must see the remarkable difference. It is that unique quality that sets you apart, and it is the point of attraction of all men. Do I reflect the right kind of light? I need not worry about how the attraction will happen; all that God asks me to do is to Arise and shine. I cannot explain the light but my life will show it and men will come to it. Am I prepared for the scrutiny and attention? Am I seeking to live right so I can be all that God intends? 

What do kings really want? They already have a throne, a territory, assets and subjects. The one thing that looks likely here is more grounds to conquer. The joy of new lands and territories gives them the push to pursue. The light becomes a new discovery for kings, and it is a kingdom too, one ruled by the King of kings and where even earthly kings are subjects. It does not matter what your present state is: all I am asked to do is to shine the Light. Men will come; kings will come; the attraction of light is such that cannot be ignored. 

Am I truly shining as expected by God? Can God count on me to reflect His power, glory and grace? His time of favour is here.

Faith and Sight!

Faith and Sight!

For we walk by faith [we regulate our lives and conduct ourselves by our conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, with trust and holy fervor; thus we walk] not by sight or appearance.

2 Corinthians 5:7 AMPC

The very quick version of this extract is: "We walk by faith and not by sight". The version we consider today looks at the broad view of what the simple sentence is addressing, and which are broadly categorised into the following:

1. There is a specific target

Today's extract is for specific people; those who have come into a new relationship with God. The WE refer to people of like minds with Paul, the writer of this book: people who have come to know who Christ is, and have given Him total control of their lives. They do not understand the full scope of this new relationship or see the full picture all at once, but there is a burning conviction in their hearts that only the Presence of God can ignite and sustain. Are you one of the WE? Who is in charge of your heart? I am NOT the one you have to convince; God has got to know who your allegiance is to. It has nothing to do with church membership or language or cultural similarities; this has to do with the blood of Jesus, which brings all men, irrespective of age, culture or colour into the WE.

2. There is a specific assignment or task

The WE here are called to do something quite simple, but yet profound: WALK. That is the central theme of today's extract. WE were not called into inactivity or simple existence; by the way we walk and work, the world must know our stand and our convictions. If God didn't want the world to have a witness as to what walking with God looked like, those who gave their lives to Christ would have been caught up to heaven immediately they did so. God leaves the WE on earth as a witness to His power and imprint. Am I one of the WE? Is God right to leave me down here as a physical specimen of His nature and power? 

3. There is a specific method or model for achieving this assignment

The walk is one of faith, not by sight. Why is this important: WE are called into higher service, the type that requires something out of ourselves. We were given physical senses to enable us understand our environment and respond accordingly but then God calls us to a life that teaches us to rise above the dictates of the senses and walk with Him. There are many things about the call of God that will not be obvious now; but the closer you walk with Him, the clearer His will and purpose become. Sight is deceptive; there are things your senses say that may not always be true. Men of old like Joseph and Samson are examples of the power of the physical senses and the consequences that follow the choices I make about how I walk and who I walk with.

4. There is specific consequence to whatever choice I live by

This is the crowning moment: there is nothing God commands that does not have eternal consequences. Think on this for a moment: would God do all He has done and paid such a high price for salvation, if it were all to end here? If a God who is from eternity to eternity, with no determinate start or end, now demand relationships that are only valid for this physical earthly realm alone? God is eternal, and WE were created for eternity. How are WE preparing for this other phase? The NOW determines the THEN. All I do now is a preparation for eternity. How are you getting ready? How do you walk? His time of favour is here.

Trust- Eternal

Trust Eternal, 

Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength: Isaiah 26:4 KJV

I am asked to trust in the Lord. It all depends on whether I know who I am, and if I truly know what is expected of me. Trust is not a passive thing; you do not show trust by folding your arms and watching life pass you by. You cannot claim you trust in God simply because you know the right phrases and actions that give the impression that God is all you know. This God who demands your trust is not a God you can fool or deceive with outward pretence. 

And trust, the genuine kind, is not time-bound. You do not trust God for a season and then let go. You do not trust God because of what you get and change your mind when things dry up. Trust has to be forever, because God is eternal. I am not called to trust a God who cannot correctly predict or determine the future. Of what use is a God who you cannot commit your present to, sure and certain that He is able to keep all you have committed into His hands?

Another reason is given at the end of today's extract: in God is everlasting strength. You refer to God as the One who is timeless and without origin or end; He's the One called our refuge and strength. He has not left us without a clear understanding of who He is, and what He can do. Whether now, in this present phase, or in the phase that is yet to come, you have to deal with God. It is better to trust in Him now and end up with Him, than to trust in man and end up without Him. His time of favour is here.

Mediator

Mediator!

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Hebrews 7:25 KJV

When a statement like the one in today's extract is made, you need to examine the source and determine the basis of the authority by which the statement is said. What is at stake here: it is the souls of men; the eternal destiny of all men. Creation gives an insight into God's mind: he wanted living beings who would choose him of their own freewill and give their lives totally to him. When sin came and tried to tamper with the template, God had a plan in place to restore the divine design. 

That plan was the greatest gift given: the life of His Son, Jesus. By his death and life, He has sealed eternal redemption for ALL men. It doesn't matter how far you have wandered or how 'good' you have been; it was never about qualifications or ability in the first place. It is about God placing His Son before us as the way back to Him. That is the ONLY prescribed way by God to be restored to Him and if I will enjoy all that is on offer, I must come to God on His terms, not mine.

The difference between Jesus and other earthly priests is that He is the author of the mysteries that earthly priests had only a faint idea of. The earthly priests ministered as best as they could, showing the way back to God but Jesus comes as the Way Himself. He says: COME. To all who are tired of fruitless labour, who have expended all human effort, who have tried good works and found them to be insufficient, the invitation still stands: COME. God is waiting for you and I. He wants to plant eternity now in my heart while I wait for the actual manifestation. His time of favour is here.

Testify!

Testify!

For there [is only] one God, and [only] one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, Who gave Himself as a ransom for all [people, a fact that was] attested to at the right and proper time. 1 Timothy 2:5‭-‬6 AMPC

Let it be said here again that thee is only one God. I do not know which one you have been introduced to or who you have followed all your life, but the only God tells us who He is, what He has done and what He desires for all who want to come to Him. You cannot claim Him as your own and reject His gifts and his nature. He is a complete package:both the Gift of all that is good and the Giver of all good things. 

He is also called the Mediator between God and man. Only someone who has functioned well in both parts understands what this role requires. A mediator is not required if there is no quarrel and when all quarrels cease, the role of a mediator becomes obsolete. Sin changed the landscape for man and made him a candidate for judgement and destruction, but the mediator, who is both God and man, who is Jesus Christ, has paid the price for a full pardon. 

At the time the price was paid, we didn't care too much who He was. We made our life's choices as we went along, but when the time had fully come, we found our way to God. Now, we stand as personal witnesses to the grace, mercy and love a wonderful father has for us. We couldn't earn it, we didn't work for it, but He showed us His grace anyway. The door of mercy is still open, for as many as would come in. 

The gift has been given, and all through the years, people have testified to the amazing grace of God manifested in salvation. On this side of eternity, we do have a choice to make and a response to sort out. A time is coming when the testimony about Jesus will no longer be about salvation but about judgement. He is the Lamb now, taking away the sins of the world but one day, He will return as the Lion. He is the advocate and mediator now, but one day, He will return as the Judge. Have you responded to the gift on offer? His time of favour is here. 

Light!

Light!

And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it [put it out or absorbed it or appropriated it, and is unreceptive to it]. John 1:5 AMPC

There are eternal statements made in today's extract that need a closer look. First, there is Light. It is referred to as a Noun here, starting with a capital letter. It is not a concept, idea or thing; Light is a Person. Second, there is darkness. Darkness can also be felt and it has power of its own. Both light and darkness have been given power to operate in the earthly realm, though they also have spiritual impact on both the earthly and the spiritual realms.

To appreciate the value of light, you need to know how powerful darkness is. The first thing God created was light, and this underscores its importance. It is easier to create darkness than to create light; in fact, the default setting for the world is darkness. With sin came darkness, and the world seems to love darkness rather than light. The world is comfortable in sin, and would resist all attempts to shine the light on itself.

However, there is a statement of fact and truth here: the light shines on. It is not based on anything a man can or will not do, but on the nature of God Himself. The light shines on, not because anyone permits it, but because it is its nature to highlight the dangers of darkness and offer people hope that things could be better. The light shines as a counter agent to darkness, because God would never leave the earth without options. Two sides are always presented: God does not compel anyone to choose Him but He will lay everything bare before us so we can make the right choice.

God's power is seen by the fact that no increase in darkness can shut out the light. A ray of light from an ordinary phone torch can dispel the thickest darkness. As long as that torch is on, it doesn't matter how thick the darkness is or how long it lasts, men will find the light and be drawn to it. Can you be that light that shines on, no matter the pressure around? Can you be the light that makes a difference, no matter how comfortable people are around darkness? Can you dare to stand up and stand out for the light, in this sinful and adulterous generation? God is looking for people who He can entrust the deep treasures of his nature to. Are you one? Am I one? His time of favour is here.

Right Thoughts!

Right Thoughts!

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8 KJV

When you read the word 'Finally', you need to pay attention to the things that have gone before. Paul had taken time to focus on the state and contents of the heart, and was emphasising the need to watch out for the things I focus on. The contents of my heart are so important to God that so many verses in the Bible warn about what I allow into it. For example, Paul warns against worry and doubt, and underlines the importance of taking everything to God in prayer. When I know there is a God who is interested in every aspect of my life, it takes away fear and uncertainty from my heart.

Today's extract focuses on the contents my heart must have if it is to thrive. The picture that seems to be emphasized here is this: I have control over what I allow in. I'm not helpless in the face of the onslaught going on. The devil will throw all he can my way: pornography is on the increase; sin is being presented as fashionable; rebellion is introduced as maturity and development. There are a lot of things happening all at the same time, yet God is saying to me: you have the power to choose what goes in. You are the gatekeeper of your heart and mind.

And God prescribes the right materials for focus. Everything mentioned here is related to God's own nature: true, honest, just, pure and of good report. I have been given the power to determine what is right or wrong, and to act accordingly. If I choose right, I get the right outcomes. If I choose wrong, I also get the right outcomes in line with my choice. I cannot then turn around to blame anyone else for the consequences of my own decisions.

God has made it clear how everything ends. I have been given advance notice. I have been appropriately advised and all requisite information on eternity provided. The end of both choices is made clear; eternity awaits my decision. His time of favour is here.

In Conclusion!

In Conclusion!

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiastes 12:13 KJV

Solomon has wisdom beyond his years. He had asked God for wisdom to lead Israel the right way, and because God is wisdom, God gave him what he asked for and much more. God's summary of Solomon's life was this: before him there was none like him and after him, there will be none like him. That is divine choice, election and privilege, the sort you do not take for granted. God does not give His resources carelessly, or without demanding an account.

We know how the story of the writer went. He started with a bang: life decision. His fame spread throughout the entire world at the time. Men and women, kings of the earth and rich people all came to hear his wisdom. There was nothing his eyes desired that he did not get. One account reads he had 1,000 women, including wives and concubines. He did not fight a single physical war all his life, but there was an inner war, the sort that would lead him to pen down the words of today's extract.

No matter what I become in this life or acquire, there will be a conclusion at some point. I am not promised forever on this side of eternity. Whilst I live down here, there is a minimum standard of behaviour expected of me, and that is to fear God. With that fear comes a consciousness of what God wants and how I should live. If I do not fear God, I will not hold his Words in any regard. Obedience is the most important ingredient in the fear of God. Nk matter how far I go or how much the world accepts me, I must not forget this one thing: a day is coming when all that will matter is my relationship with the God of all the earth.

How I live now is proof of my preparation to give an account. Fear of God is the key to all of God's blessings. I was put down here to shine as the light of God, and it will be such great disservice to God not to let His light shine in and through me. If my life were to be concluded right here and now, how would my account look like? His time of favour is here.

Law; Grace!

Law; Grace!

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. Romans 6:14 KJV

For all who claim salvation, there is a fact that must ring true: you cannot be truly saved and still be under the bondage of sin. The world wants me to think I cannot truly live above sin; that it is humanly impossible to not sin. Fortunately, the God who called you didn't ask you to do it all alone; that is why it is His call first of all. He calls men to Himself, equips them for all they need for life and Godliness, and provides grace and strength to live above sin's demands. That is the call of God on all who will come to Him and the demands of an effective walk with Him.

If it were impossible to live above sin, God would not demand it. He can sustain whatever it is He ordains. There were men on record in the Bible who walked with God. The Bible didn't portray them as being totally perfect, but it is on record that God accepted their walk as perfect enough for Him. It is never about the world's accepted standards; it is about what God demands and approves. If He says something is wrong, you can bet it is wrong no matter how much the world accepts it. If He says He is fine with something, who can say anything contrary?

One thing is clear from God's perspective: sin will destroy all who are under its control. It is a dominating master and an evil boss. It is the gateway to eternal damnation. The solution to sin isn't more good works to counterbalance its effect, but a total reliance on the grace of God made available in and through Christ Jesus. Through God's grace, we are given the power to live right and to honour God. The law tells us what is right and wrong and apportions reward and punishment for all actions. It does not have the power to compel righteousness; that is the function of God's grace released to all who will come. With grace comes the power to live right, according to God's standard.

The big question then is: who is in charge? Is sin the boss or God's grace? Don't forget: your control centre is the clear determinant of your eternal destination. You do not want to get to the end of your life, only to discover that sin had robbed you of eternal life with God. Consider it today while there is still time. His time of favour is here.

Holy!

Holy!

But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves in all your conduct [be set apart from the world by your godly character and moral courage]; 1 PETER 1:15 AMP

Wherever you read the word BUT, you need to pay attention to the words that come before it. The people of Peter's day were caught in the uncertainties about the new birth and God's requirement for all who would come to Him. For all who would truly follow Christ, there must be a clear distinction between the old life and the new life in Christ. If there is no time you can point to a different allegiance, different pursuits and priorities, different desires, then maybe you need to check what you claim to have received. Do you have a BUT in your life that marks the change only God can birth and sustain in a life totally given to Him?

And the One who calls is described as HOLY here. He could have been called anything else: nice, simple, Father. But holy is used to underline the importance of what we have been called into. Holiness is God's nature and his expectation from all who claim to follow Him. How do I claim to be a follower of Christ if I do not look like Him in anyway or behave as He does? How do men know I have been with Jesus if nothing about Him is evident on my life? And we all are called; the challenge will be whether we respond to the call or not. A call indicates a peculiar and personal assignment, based on individuality. No 2 people are called into the same kind of assignment at the same place and time, and even if it happens, the call of both will complement each other.  The call may differ, but the demands remain the same: if I will walk with and work for God, I must come to Him on His terms, not mine.

Holiness requires being set apart. It is the natural consequence of my new life. If I am still comfortable around my old life, then maybe I do not understand what is at stake. I am set apart for the glory and praise of the One who called me, and I will one day answer to Him. My daily life becomes the answer to the call of God on my life. For all who will heed the call and approach, are you ready for the demands the call will make on your life? Pretence won't work here; you deal with a God of absolute knowledge. His time of favour is here.

Life!

Life!

For His anger is but for a moment, but His favor is for a lifetime or in His favor is life. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5 AMPC

David who wrote the words of today's extract would relate well to the words. Here is a man who had done so many things, bad and good. Adultery and murder were just a few, but there was something he never lost: an understanding of who God is and what He offers all who come to Him. This lesson is central to all who will come to God: you don't have to pretend to be good; you only just have to make the approach. God hates sin; but there is no doubting His love and affection for all He has created.

It was sin that changed the landscape in the Garden of Eden and it is sin that runs through the entire world now. But it is also God's favour that keeps us from being consumed. God promises punishment for sin but He also promises mercy and forgiveness when there is genuine repentance. Let no man deceive you into thinking that God is too nice to destroy a soul in hell; if God could give up his own Son as a sacrifice for sin, and look away from Him while he hung on the tree bearing the shame of our sin, imagine how God views sin and what will happen to all who choose to remain in sin.

Sin is temporary; favour is eternal. Sin comes with anger; favour comes with life. If I realise I am in sin, and I genuinely repent, God promises light and joy. If indeed I return to God, weeping will only be for a season; joy is always be the result of God's intervention in human affairs. If I remain in sin, death is inevitable. As always, for whatever choice I make, the consequences are made clear. As always, there's no fence here: you are either on the side of his anger or his favour. Choose wisely; his time of favour is here.

Refreshing!

Refreshing!

So repent (change your mind and purpose); turn around and return [to God], that your sins may be erased (blotted out, wiped clean), that times of refreshing (of recovering from the effects of heat, of reviving with fresh air) may come from the presence of the Lord; Acts 3:19 AMPC

This is part of the quick message Peter preached at the Beautiful gate of the temple after the lame man had been healed. Isn't it strange that this message was directed at people in the temple? Do I equate church going, fervent service and good works with true faith in Christ? It is easy to appreciate titles and get recognition for work done; it is easy to get carried away with outward impressions; the key is this: who is the foundation of all I am and do?

The people in the temple had been coming regularly to the temple; listening to the teachers of the law. You have got to wonder what they had been taught all the while. When there is an opportunity to teach, what do you focus on: grammatical construction or sincere conviction of the heart? Do I seek to please man and not God? Do I seek to move men's emotions and not prick their hearts? Of what use is a message that does not push you into a definite stand, which leaves you very comfortable in sin and encourages you in error?

That's why today's extract is timely: repent! It doesn't matter how long you have walked on the path of sin or how comfortable it has made you. The wages of sin under Adam and Eve was death and it is still the same till today. Repentance must lead to a change of purpose, direction and pursuits. That is my part. God's part is forgiveness and cleansing from sin AND then times of refreshing. This is the part we must all look forward to: After mercy and forgiveness comes the wave of God in abundant measure.

God never leaves a man who is on his side alone. You now have an unending supply of grace; a never-ending flow of power and the constant support of God's presence. There will be seasons when life's experiences will want to make you doubt God; but remember that even in the midst of the darkest night, God sees you and is able to help you. Faith keeps me focused on God even when all else around me is going to pieces. No matter how bad things have been, go back to God. His arms are open wide and He will receive you again. His time of favour is here.

Hear!

Hear!

Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: Deuteronomy 6:4 KJV

Hear: the presence of ears is not an assumption about the ability to hear what is being said. It is even one thing to hear and it is a completely different matter to perceive and understand what has been said. We cannot equate hearing with understanding, but understanding starts with how you hear. When God speaks, what do you hear: do you hear God speak or do you hear men's grammar, diction and charisma? What moves you: construction or conviction? The depth and spread of your impact on earth will be driven by the impact and imprint of God's Word upon the canvas of your heart. Be careful of what and how you hear.

O Israel: instructions for specific people at the time it was spoken. There are also instructions for us too in this present times; we live in perilous times. These were God's people, chosen by Him and set apart for exploits. All who claim to know Christ are called into a special relationship with Him. You answer now to a different master, and now have different priorities. Do you even know who you have been called to believe in? Isn't it odd that Israel is being told again, that the Lord who they have come to know through Moses is one Lord. Did they need to be reminded? Do you need to be reminded again of the One you have believed? Has anything changed?

One Lord: this is the mystery about God. In walking with God, you cannot make assumptions. You do not become comfortable in your knowledge about God, thinking you now know all there is to know about Him. He is the Lord God Almighty; He is our God, He is also the Trinity: 3 in 1 God; the One who owns generations and works in different dispensations as the same God. He is the One who calls out to us, no matter the complications or complexities of our life's seasons and asks us to give him all we are. He is the ssme across all seasons; His standards do not change at all.

Have I truly met this God introduced here? Have I had a genuine encounter with Him? Does He know me as His own? God speaks, all confusion is cleared. He tells me who He is and what I stand to gain from a close walk with Him. The choice is always mine to make, and eternal consequences always follow whatever choice I make. His time of favour is here.

Knowing!

Knowing!

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. James 4:17 KJV

Today's extract is a direct and very personal message to all who read this: To him who knoweth to do good.... which means that it has been given to every man to know what is right and wrong. The breath of God in a man is a measure of God in him, reminding him of his ownership and allegiance. Like all things human, I can decide to ignore reject the warnings given.

This isn't first about being a Christian, though it definitely makes a difference, but for all persons alive, there is a witness in the Bible where Romans 20 CEB says that: Ever since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities—God’s eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, because they are understood through the things God has made. So humans are without excuse.

If God has deemed it fit to show us His power and nature, through the things He has made, and He has also given us an inner witness that reminds us that there is a God in charge of the affairs of men, if I then choose to ignore his Word and warnings, I  cannot turn around and blame God for the consequences of my choice. If I have been told what is right and wrong, and I choose what is wrong, God defines that as sin.

I cannot measure my own standing with God by another person's life; I cannot walk with God through the lens of another man's experience. It is first a personal walk and a personal race, long before it becomes a fellowship of believers. God is able to deal with sin, and one way He does that is by His Spirit continuously speaking and reminding us of His will. Will I listen and respond accordingly? Will you? His time of favour is here.

Same Mind!

Same Mind!

Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus: [Let Him be your example in humility:] Philippians 2:5 AMPC

As I look at the text of today's extract, the first thing to consider is the mind of Christ. If it will be the perfect example laid before me, I need to understand why and how. If I carefully consider the verses after the one above, I learn a few things: 1. Jesus was secure in the knowledge of who He was. There was no threat to his identity or nature and nothing man did or didn't do could change that. For me, if indeed I have given my life to Christ, I should be confident in my new ownership. I answer to a different master now, and no force of earth or hell can shake me, unless I allow it to.

2. Jesus willingly gave up all the glory that was His and left it in heaven so He could identify with us and help us become like Him. For me, if indeed I am confident in my new allegiance, no assignment or labour is beneath me. Earthly man defines work by its monetary value; God defines work by its impact and the one who commissions it. If God backs you up, it really doesn't matter how people perceive you or if they even listen to you. You are not required to prove your identity; that is already settled. You are only required to deliver the message you have been sent, and leave the reception or rejection to man.

3. Jesus took on the worst of assignments so He could get the best out of man. He died a terrible death; one with a curse, so we could be a blessing. It was the only way for man to be redeemed; nothing else would have worked. For me, I carefully consider this: is there any assignment so hard that I think I can't carry out? Is there a limit to my commitment, especially when life is involved? Can't speak for anyone else, but men like Stephen, James, John the Baptist all served and stood for God, yet their end was not 'attractive'. If God calls in this manner, can I dare say YES?

4. For Jesus, the end justified the means. He paid the price and laid the path to life, and invites all men to come in freely, without price, and take hold of the free gift of life on offer. For me, I must keep at the back of my mind and in front of my eyes the end game: what is this all about? Where am I headed? At the end of it all, what is in it for me? Jesus got all His glory back and maybe much more, and for all who stand to the end, there is a promise of crowns and glory. I keep this in view, realising that nothing in this present world can replace the personal experience of God in my life.

Jesus is the perfect example, not just for humility, but in all life. His Word gives an insight into his life and how he lived, and how I can live as He did and be a blessing as He intends. Am I reading? Am I listening? Am I obedient? His time of favour is here.

Rebuked!

Rebuked!

The ear that listens to and learns from the life-giving rebuke (reprimand, censure) Will remain among the wise. PROVERBS 15:31 AMP

The first impression upon my heart as I read the words: 'the ear that listens' is that as always, I have been given the power to  choose and I will limited to 2 responses. It is either that I listen to or I simply ignore instruction. The physical ear was created to aid the sense of hearing and balance, and that is a window to the spiritual also. The inner ear enables me discern what I hear and under God's control, know the motives and intentions behind the things that I hear. God is so great that even without the physical sense of hearing, men can have a deep spiritual sense of discernment. It means then that with God, it is not really about what you hear but how you respond to the matters that imprint your heart.

What is at stake here: it is eternal life, pure and simple. The emphasis of today's piece is 'Life-giving rebuke'. How can rebuke be life-giving? It must have to do with the source, purpose and target of the rebuke. When I seek to correct, what is the focus? Is it to make me look good or to promote God's Word and work? Is it to show off just a depth of words without the corresponding depth of the knowledge of God? I must be careful about how I speak, and also about what I listen to, as well as the people who have an impact on my heart.

Or how else do you define hypocrisy, if it is not a life whose walk does not match its talk? A life that spends so much effort on impression and has little time for truth. Like it has been said, what is at stake here is eternal life. Wisdom is summarized in the fear of God and one of the keys that opens up God's wisdom is an ear that listens in the right way. So, is my life an example of an ear that listens? Can I be defined as wise or as foolish? Don't just take in the rebuke and insist on doing things your own way; you have got to learn what God wants you to from every experience. That is how a man becomes and remains wise: by listening to Life himself and the things He teaches. Are you wise? His time of favour is here.

Saved... Lost!

Saved...Lost!

For whoever wishes to save his life [in this world] will [eventually] lose it [through death], but whoever loses his life [in this world] for My sake, he is the one who will save it [from the consequences of sin and separation from God]. LUKE 9:24 AMP

FOR - another strong word relating to yesterday's extract. IF refers to the election of choice; the power you have to choose. You are given options, and you are given time to make a choice. As soon as the choice is made, the consequences automatically follow. The FOR introduces the consequences in today's extract. When you have made the choice of who to follow, just as a man decides his life is more important to him than an allegiance to Christ, you have to face up to the consequences of that decision.

Two options are given here as usual: taking steps to save your life and living your life in total submission to the will of God. As usual, no middle ground. No decision is a decision. The world wants us to think we have the power over our lives, and we can live as we please with no consequence. The Word of God wants us to know that our lives belong to God, his breath is the reason why we live and to Him we all shall return for judgement.

Think about it: which one looks plausible: the present world system that is itself the result of disobedience to God or the Word of God that created the earth as we see it and continues to sustain it? Both extremes make strong cases for your attention; both want your commitment and lifelong devotion. If my priority is saving my own life in this world, God says I will lose it in death. I cannot sustain life in any form; it is not set alarms that wake me up in the morning or good healthy food that keeps me alive.

Good food and exercise may help, but there is someone else who is fully involved in my life and wants me to know Him. As long as I am involved in self-preservation, I am telling God that I can take care of myself. If on the other hand, I know my limitations and go to God for help, I tell Him I acknowledge His power and grace. I surrender my life to Him to use as He pleases. At this point, I am handing over control; losing my life and my power over it to the One who truly owns it. That is the decision that seals eternal life for me.

Make sure you hand over control not just to anyone or anything, but to the One who is Life Himself. In Him is the fullness of all that God is and has, and faith in Him gives victory down here and secures eternal life with Him at the end of this present earthly phase. You do not want to get to the end of your life and discover you had run after wrong priorities. Eternity is too long a time not to be sure where you will spend it. His time of favour is here.

Spirit-Life!

Spirit-Life!

If we [claim to] live by the [Holy] Spirit, we must also walk by the Spirit [with personal integrity, godly character, and moral courage—our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit]. GALATIANS 5:25 AMP

Today's extract starts with a big IF. We call God nice; which is of course true. He does not force Himself on anyone; he wants us to come to Him of our own accord. He lays down the choices available, and because He is nice, he limits us to only 2 choices. If you check out the verses before the one above, you find the contention between the old man and the new man. It has been the contention since the days of Adam and Eve, and remains the same till today.

The IF signifies the room for consideration and then a decision and action. It means that there is first a choice, an action that naturally follows, then consequences. The choice is a matter of control; who have you submitted to? Who is in charge of your life? Who pulls the strings? Who do you answer to and whose name do you bear? Who is the most obvious influence on your life that people cannot but notice? When you have a clear and definite answer, then the actions that must follow will shine through. The IF changes form as soon as you make a choice; then the eternal consequences of your choice kicks in.

Your daily life and walk will make your choice obvious. Your daily life is a mirror of the choice you have made. There is no sitting on the fence on this one; there is even no fence. If the Spirit will be the guard, He has to have total control. If the flesh is in control, you can bet that there will be no roon for the Spirit. Both are parallel lines that can NEVER meet, no matter how much you stretch either. Walking with God will impact your integrity, which is first an inner conviction, then your character which people view as a result of constant interaction with you and of moral courage, which shows a consistent lifestyle. The morals come last; integrity comes first. The inner controls the outer.

The Holy Spirit is the enabler; the power and the strength behind these right decisions. I need Him if I must walk in line with God's expectations. If my talk will match my walk, the Holy Spirit is the only person approved by God to initiate and also sustain that consistency. So, the big question is: Do I have the Holy Spirit in me? Is He the one in charge or am I the one pulling the strings myself? Deep questions; eternal consequences. His time of favour is here.

Love- God's Summary

Love- God's Summary!

Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Matthew 22:37‭-‬39 KJV

There is quite a number of instructions given in the bible for daily living. Exodus speaks about the 10 commandments, but there are several others touching on human relationships; how to treat other parts of creation such as animals, land and nature as well as keeping God at the centre of everything. In the old testament, at no time did God say one of the commands was greater than any of the others, but in today's extract, Jesus takes time out to answer a question seeking to know which of all the commandments was the greatest. Pleae note that the word 'shalt' is used here, to signify a command, not 'may'. This is not a negotiation; it is an instruction.

Jesus' response is instructive: no command is greater than a response to God out of love. You can adhere to a set of instructions and still lack the personal experience a walk with God can give. The rich young ruler 'knew and kept' all of the commands, and Jesus commended him for it. However, when the test of that knowledge came, he failed woefully. Or is it Judas Iscariot, who had walked with Jesus for 3 and a half years, heard him teach and command and seen his miracles, still ended up dead by suicide. It is never about labour, striving or trying by your power; it is first about the depth of my love for God and a desire to obey Him.

Or you could be like John, quiet and unassuming, but one who Jesus could trust with his mother when he hung on the cross before he died. He wasn't about noise or show off; it was about the knowledge of who Jesus was and wanted, and how he could be a blessing to someone else. We can get so caught up in our own needs that we do not have sight of what is going on around us. We can get so selfish that we want to satisfy ourselves first, before we think of anyone else. Love for God is the driver of love for other people; love for God is the foundation of all other things. When God sits on the throne of your emotions and decisions, love is natural. When love for God is settled, love for others becomes a part of life.

And it is a package that touches your entire life: heart, soul and mind. Your lips can say whatever it pleases; eventually the truth of your convictions will be made manifest to all. From the seat of your emotions, feeling, decision, action, thought, motive and inner convictions, your entire life is defined. So, who's in charge? Who sits on the throne of your heart? Who comes first: your needs or what God desires? These questions have eternal consequences; you have got to be sure where you are headed. His time of favour is here.