Decision!

Decision!

If you want to grow in wisdom, spend time with the wise. Walk with the wicked and you’ll eventually become just like them. Proverbs 13:20 TPT

There comes a time in everybody's life, when you have to take decisions that will impact eternity. One of these decisions revolve around the company you keep and the people you keep close to you. Everywhere you turn to in the Bible, from the story of Rehoboam to Shechem to Amnon, you find the consequences of bad company. And it is clear: there is no sitting on the fence on this one. At one point in time or the other, the decision you have made will show. 

It is a clear choice between two extreme positions. It is between choosing wisdom or following wickedness. For a man who knows and understands the power of purpose, you get to make this decision carefully. You can pretend to be what you are not, but your motives and intentions will be made manifest by the output from your life. Purpose drives pursuits and priorities. Imagine then, if a man has not discovered the reason why he has been planted where he is. He is bound to be busy with the wrong things.

What you spend time with will eventually flow out of your life. You become what you spend time with. If you spend time with the wise, their wisdom becomes a part of your guiding principles. If you spend time with the godless and the wicked, just give it time; you will begin to speak, act and think like them. This is why the decision on your company cannot be taken lightly. God wants me to impact my generation for Him. He wants my life to be a channel He can flow through. Would you let Him? His time of favour is here.

Confess!

Confess!

Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. 1 John 4:15 KJV

The keys in today's extract are the words WHOEVER and CONFESS. First, there is an open invitation to all men, irrespective of race, creed or culture, to make an approach and embrace the One who has been affirmed by God to be His Son. You see, it is not my opinion that makes such a statement true. I can contest the veracity of that claim, but unless I am able to establish a contrary truth, this is a fact that will stand the test of time. And the earlier I embrace and accept it, the better for me. 

And when I come, there is a response that is expected, and it is to confess. You see, whatever is my confession will be made manifest by my profession. I can make any claim with my lips; my life will bear testimony to the quality of my confession and convictions. And of course, what I confess matters. It cannot be anything that catches my fancy; it has to be something based on the established Truth of God's Word. It may not always be FACT; as you know, faith and facts do not always see eye to eye on so many things. 

And when these two align, the result is seen in the extract above: God dwells in such a person and that person also dwells in God. What is the big deal about God dwelling in a man? Well, the biggest impact is always the question about eternity. This earthly phase is a preparation for eternity, so the picture of my permanent residence will start to develop from down here. How's yours developing? His time of favour is here. 

Prosper!

Prosper!

Beloved friend, I pray that you are prospering in every way and that you continually enjoy good health, just as your soul is prospering. 3 John 1:2 TPT

This extract is written by John, the Beloved. He understood love from a different perspective, as is evident from his discourse in almost all of I John. It is also clear that he understood the impact of love in a life. Think about this for a moment: If I counsel you to love another person and show it, is the benefit of your obedience an immediate gain to me or you? If I store hatred in my heart for someone else, who may not even understand the reason for the hatred, who suffers the more from the storage: the one hating or the target of the hatred? 

Today's extract is just an extension of the thoughts in the letters of John. No one truly prospers until s/he lives in line with the express direction of God's will. You cannot live on your own terms and think that God will validate your views. It was clear that the target of this letter were enjoying the prosperity of the soul, which really wasn't visible, but John also prayed that they would enjoy in prosperity in other ways that would be visible and relational. If I am truly saved, walking with God, the fruits of my life must be so visible that people will see and know the reason for the fruits. 

My view: sound health is part of the package for walking with God. We don't read of any of the great men of God who nursed sicknesses all their lives. Moses' eyes didn't go dim at 120, Caleb could still fight a war at 80, Anna aged 84, a prophetess, didn't leave the temple till she saw the birth of the Messiah, Paul did exploits, even with a thorn in his flesh. Elisha fell sick at the end of his life and eventually died, but even his bones raised the dead to life.  It didn't matter what their physical realities were; none of them died without that clear truth that all they were and accomplished were as a result of their relationship with God. If it is the same God, we get the same benefits, only if we walk like the men of old did.

Let's get the balance right. Both are important: the physical and the spiritual. Both are God's ways of dealing with man and establishing His will in the lives of men. I must submit to His wisdom and power; then watch Him work wonders through the vessel of clay that I am. His time of favour is here.

True Service!

True Service!

I’m obviously not trying to flatter you or water down my message to be popular with men, but my supreme passion is to please God. For if all I attempt to do is please people, I would not be the true servant of the Messiah.

Galatians 1:10 TPT

Categorical statement by Paul; he was sure of his mission and purpose, and he knew there was no room for hypocrisy, pretence or self-service. A few things bear emphasis here: 

1. Natural men love flattery and want to hear convenient things. As long as it makes him comfortable, the natural man's heart is not troubled or pricked. Unfortunately, man has learnt how to pretend or suck up to this desire, and we preach convenience and compromise, forgetting that the truth of God's Word is not affected by generation, tribe or culture. What was wrong in Moses' day is still wrong today.

2. There is a need to establish your loyalty from the very beginning. Before you start the journey or implement the commission you have received, be sure you know who you are working for. Paul's supreme passion was to please God. What is yours? Are you a social media fan, careful of how you are perceived by the public, but not interested in how the Lord of the assignment you are on feels about you? Well, of course, it means you even know who you are working for in the first place. 

3. As long as my total allegiance is not to God alone, I am not a true servant of God. Note: you CANNOT serve two masters. All of us, irrespective of gender or station in life, are servants to one of two masters: SIN or the SAVIOUR. There is no middle ground. The one you serve will run your life on earth and will determine your future. 

Interestingly, you are free to change your allegiance until the power to change is taken from you, either by physical death or rapture. Then, the only thing left is judgement by the One called the Master of the Universe. You need to be sure where your present pursuits will lead you. Ask God for help today; He wants you to end well. Eternity is too long a time not to be sure of where you will spend yours. His time of favour is here.

Fear and Love

Fear and Love!

Love never brings fear, for fear is always related to punishment. But love’s perfection drives the fear of punishment far from our hearts. Whoever walks constantly afraid of punishment has not reached love’s perfection. 1 John 4:18 TPT

Two different concepts; two diferent realities. Love and fear find residence and expression through the hearts of men. Both concepts even have spiritual impact and implications and both also have spiritual and physical consequences. God would have me examine my heart again today in the light of today's extract. If what you have in your heart is love, there is no room for fear. 

The opposite is also true. Love consumes the totality of a man's heart, just as fear also does. The problem with fear has to do with its origin and purpose, which is to make you avoid punishment. It awakens in you a sense of dread, reminding you daily that if you do not do what is right by the law, you will be punished. Factually, there is nothing wrong with this; after all, the law was established to guide conduct and regulate behaviour, but when all you can think of is how not to break the law and less of how you can impact a fellow man, then the focus is wrong and the heart is distracted. 

However, if my heart is full of love, it is set free to relate with other people from the perspective of impact. I seek ways to bless other people. There is no law on earth that can make true love a sin or a crime. Examples abound of earthly kingdoms which tried to push an agenda of hatred and bitterness, but where are they today? What makes love even more interesting is that it is linked to who God is. God is described as Love Himself. 

If I will claim to love other people, I must first love God. If I do not love God, it doesn't matter what else I do. And of course, eternity is tied to the contents and focus of my heart now. What does it look like now? If the Lord were to xray my heart and reveal its content to me, what would it be: full of love, who is God, or full of fear, which is of the devil? Remember, God is not mocked. His time of favour is here.

Faith!

Faith!

NOW FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]. Hebrews 11:1 AMPC

The world teaches us to trust our senses; that they were given to us for a reason. The world cannot explain why some people lose some of these senses, due to medical conditions or just for some divine inexplicable reasons, or just weren't born with it, like the man who was born blind from birth. There are things that the world cannot explain, and one of the most fundamental is faith. 

When you look at the definition given here, it does not seem to have any rational foundation. Title deeds are given to properties that can be handled; things that can be specifically defined; something concrete, like a house or a car. God is saying here that faith is a title deed, and you have to wonder: what does the title deed cover? God wants to take me to a level where I am able to see all He is and has, not just what I hold on to now. 

There are things you have not yet seen or touched, yet faith delivers them to you as yours, backed up by the right of ownership, simply because you know the One who owns them in the first place. There are realities your senses will make clear to you, yet God calls me to look beyond those 'realities' and see what He is able to do. Faith is the key that opens us the treasures of God's house to me, giving me access to the deep things that none of my senses can give me. Physical senses are limited; faith is eternal. 

With faith, I walk in the realm of the supernatural, because I know the God who calls things that be not as though they were. He is the One who 'spoke' the world into existence, and till now, keeps holding everything together by his powerful Word. If this is the God who calls me to follow Him, I am in the right place. What are you holding on to: Faith or Feelings. There are title deeds to God's treasures and title deeds to physical possessions that will end up being destroyed. It is better to have both title deeds, than to have just the wrong one. His time of favour is here.

Treasures!

Treasures!

“Don’t keep hoarding for yourselves earthly treasures that can be stolen by thieves. Material wealth eventually rusts, decays, and loses its value. Matthew 6:19 TPT

Where is the right balance? Life requires the usage of things but when is getting more just enough? As we grow older, our needs as well as our pursuits and priorities change, but it appears from today's extract that there are some things that are fundamental to our lives and which will never change, no matter how old we get or how complex our lives become.

First, there is an earthly phase and an eternal realm. These are realities that are not dependent on our beliefs but on God's preordained purpose. God expects that I will use the earthly phase to prepare for my eternal reality. Some men have learnt the right balance; some have not, and as you observe your own life, you will not be in doubt as to what your priorities are. 

Secondly, nothing in the earthly phase will outlive that phase. You are formed from the earth, but your real self is not of the earth and will not perish with the earth. That has already been established by God. If all you are pursuing now are things of the earth, it means you do not have any thoughts for your eternal reality. Unfortunately, things of the earth are also subject to the uncertainties of the earth. Rust, decay and theft are a major part of the earthly phase, so if all you have laboured for and amassed are things that are subject to these varying conditions, then you are indeed poor. 

This then appears to be right conclusion: enjoy the resources of the earth but do not be deceived by them. Buy them for your use but do not attach any importance to them. Let the eternal reality dwell as your daily consideration; after all, nothing down here will be of value to you in eternity, except that which is of God which you had personalised before you changed residence. While you are still alive, you have the opportunity to make sure you are headed in the right direction. Eternity is too long a time not to be sure of where you will spend it. His time of favour is here.

Do Good!

Do Good!

And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 1 Peter 3:13‭-‬14 KJV

Today's extract starts with some sort of rhetorical question. You would imagine that if you did good, you should expect good in return. Well, by the standards laid down by God at creation, that would have been the norm, but sin has already tampered with the original template. However, this should take nothing away from God's original plan, which is that for all who follow God, good is the eventual outcome.

I love the next part: there is a BUT. When you have done all that God requires and there is still trouble, what do you do? How do you react when what you get for your good is evil? Did God ever give a guarantee in His Word that you will not see trouble? Why then do we react badly to trials and persecution? Is there anything happening to us now that has not been foretold by God ahead of them happening? 

The Word for today is: no matter how people react to you, joy must be non-negotiable. No matter how hard people try to frustrate and annoy you, remember the One who calls you and equips you with all you need for life and Godliness. Pain will come; persecution will rise up against you even from familiar faces and friends, but the confidence to stand comes from the pre-warnings of Jesus about these experiences and the assurance of His Presence all through the experiences.

You are not to fear or be terrified. People's opinions about you aren't as important as the Presence of God in you. You should not be troubled about what is going on around you as long as there is peace in you. Just keep on at the good God has called you to, look on to God for peace and direction and watch him impact your world through you. The end of all things is near; prepare for his return. His rewards are for all who endure to the end, doing what He has commissioned, not what they thought was best. His time of favour is here.

Love, Actually!

Love, Actually!

Love makes it impossible to harm another, so love fulfills all that the law requires. Romans 13:10 TPT

I am sure all of us have encountered the word 'Love' several times in our lives. Due to the complexity of the world after the fall of man in the garden of Eden, there are now various versions of love. At the time man was created and placed in the garden, there was no deceit or deception. But with sin now comes the need to audit our lives and check whether what we have or hold on to is the genuine article or not. 

Today's extract says it is impossible for true love to seek to harm another person. If what is in you is the real deal, then it is true. Love is not an idea, concept or theory; love is a person. God is presented in the bible as being love, not just giving or having love. It is because He is love that showing love to us is easy for Him. Because his nature is love, it is impossible for God to be seen aa evil. He may allow evil to happen, in line with the reality sin has created, but when you call God a good God, it is because He is inherently and foundationally and fundamentally good. 

If I find myself always thinking of how to beat someone else at something, or I am simply better gifted than someone else, or my giftings are more suitable than another's, or I gossip and seek to destroy another person simply because I feel threatened, I had better check myself, lest I deceive myself into thinking I am on the right path. 

And in conclusion, love becomes the whole essence and message of the law. The law was made to deal with sin and to punish deviant behaviour, but imagine if we all had a heart that sought the good of everyone else. That would be a great world; one where the law of love becomes a lifestyle of love. It becomes a world where men do not need to be compelled to love, but whose hearts are already sold out to the One called love. I do  not wait to be commanded to love; I already have love living inside of me, working in me and living out of me. That is what the world lacks and needs, and it is what the world will respond to. What do you have? His time of favour is here.

Good God!

Good God!

The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. Nahum 1:7 KJV

Three quick lessons:

1. The Lord is good: in the midst of all the evil going on in the world, how do you process a God who is portrayed as good? The usual question is asked: If God is so good, why is evil so prevalent and permissive? One good way to look at this is to also ask: why do so many people die from self-medication or from simply ignoring medical conditions? Because they refused to seek expert help. If I consider myself to know what's best, how do I turn around and blame someone else for the choices I have made? God offers help, full and free, but He will not force Himself on anyone. His goodness is available for all men; but it is a choice.

2. He is a stronghold in the day of trouble: the days of trouble WILL come. There will be a test of the faith you claim to have. The value of your convictions can only be tested and proven to be original through adversity. That has always been God's way of announcing those who are His own. Ahead of the tough times; ahead of the trouble; ahead of the pain and stress; God already provides a way of escape; a place of refuge. He tells me what is coming, but He also gives me a place of rest and peace. He warns me about what is ahead but He also comforts me with His Presence. A stronghold is impenetrable from the outside, except someone from inside opens up. As long as I remain in God the stronghold, I am safe from evil. I must not then use my own hands to give the devil a foothold over my life by allowing doubt, fear or sin to have a place.

3. He knows those who trust Him: of course, my actions will speak. I can say all the right words and give the right impressions to other people; it is what I do and how I live that makes all the difference. God who created the heart knows its hidden secrets, and there is nothing hidden from his view. While man looks and is deceived by the outward show of piety, God already sees the heart and knows its allegiance and focus. I love the way 2 Timothy 2:19a puts it: Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. 

You should know you are dealing with a God of absolute knowledge. He is good, no matter how the world seeks to potray Him. In Him, you have a treasure of gifts and grace no one else can secure for you. He invites me to come to Him, so I can enjoy all He has to offer. He won't force me to, but there is an account that will be demanded of me at the end of this present earthly phase. While I still can, I choose God, and lay claim to all the benefits and grace and help available in and through Him. His time of favour is here.

Call!

Call!

Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand). Jeremiah 33:3 AMPC

The One who is the Wisdom and Power of God is the One speaking here. He extends an invitation to all who will come near. If God asks me to call to Him, it means He has the power to hear me and also grant all I ask Him for. It also means that if I do not call, I cannot turn around and blame it on God when things don't work out. 

His promise is that He will answer our call. It is against God's nature to ignore the cry of anyone who calls out to Him. He may not always show up when you think its best, but He will definitely show up at His appointed time. Ultimately, it is important to note that the timing and effect are for God to sort out; my responsibility is to call as He directs. 

Another benefit in calling out to God is a deep revelation of great and mighty things. God wants to do great things in our lives but His greatest limitation is us. We acquire amazing degrees and titles, and we think they equate to a knowledge of God and how He works. We want to bring God down to our limited edition, forgetting that He is limitless. We think we have Him all figured out, forgetting that walking with God is a lifelong assignment, and one that can never be completed on this side of eternity. 

If I will enjoy the treasures of knowledge and insight God has promised, I must seek God at his level. I must call out to Him as He has directed, and wait on Him for as long as He desires. The benefits of this experience are things that will last throughout my earthly life and will translate into eternal life. You do not want to sacrifice eternal life for earthly gains, no matter how valuable. His time of favour is here. 

Move!

Move!

For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy on thee. Isaiah 54:10 KJV

When the word SHALL is used, you watch out for compulsory action; not maybes or uncertainty. It means whatever it speaks about will surely happen. And if you read the context of today's extract and critically review recent world events, you will admit that God's Word can never be broken. 

God was promising that just as in the days of Noah when he promised no more flood to destroy the earth, so was He promising here again that He would not take his kindness away from His people. That is a big promise, in light of the constant rebellion of the people of Israel to God's commands.

However, this is the nature of God's promise: if we were to deserve it, it would not make a difference. If we were to earn it by good works, it would not be mercy. We did nothing to deserve it, and this makes the gift even more special, considering that God would rather change the course of history and nature than change his mind towards me.

Mountains and hills were put in place by God, yet God is saying that for all who trust Him, He can move those things or turn them to dust if He needs to prove to us that His mercy and covenant CANNOT be broken. I take a look at my life, and consider all that has happened; I cannot find a single place where I can match what I have received with the effort I put in. God has consistently showed that He does not forget His children, even when they stray. His love and mercy just cannot let go. 

And on that note, the warning is clear: if God could deal with the works of his hands this way, should that not be a warning to us not to reject Him? If He would change the course of history and nature for those He loves, imagine the fate of those who hate Him to the end of their lives. While you still have life, take a good look at yourself; who is in charge of your life? If God were to come calling now, demanding an account, what would it be? His love is eternal by His nature, but my response to this love has to be made on this side of eternity. His time of favour is here. 

Secrets?

Secrets?

Whatever you have spoken in private will be public knowledge, and what you have whispered secretly behind closed doors will be broadcast far and wide for all to hear. Luke 12:3 TPT

As always, a crowd always followed Jesus everywhere He went. He commanded a crowd, but there were a few disciples. Many followed closely, but very few walked with Him. This was the background to the lesson Jesus taught here, which was centred on hypocrisy. This is the way of the world now, where we say one thing and mean the very opposite. We have mastered the art of deception and deceit, and we think that God also is caught by our schemes. 

Today's extract is a reminder that God is not man; by His very nature, God is the creator of the heart so all the heart's machinations are under his watchful eye. Jesus saw the crowd, but He addressed only the disciples, warning them against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. All of God's instructions are actually meant for all men but for those who claim to follow God, their public and private lives must line up with their professed allegiance.

Men who come in contact with me must recognize my strict allegiance. Am I paying lip service to God or does my life reflect the fact that I am on God's side? And the warning here is dire: a day is coming when all secrets will be made plain. It does not matter what your intentions were when you said it, but the warning here tells me to be careful of what I say and do. I could try and convince myself that I had the right motives but when I stand before God to render an account, would my reason be accepted by God? 

If I am not sure how God will judge my actions, it is time to go back to God and seek His guidance on how to live for Him. If I cannot stand before ordinary men to defend my actions, how much more God? I ask God for His help today to live right. Eternity will impact my present life. His time of favour is here.

Mercy!

Mercy!

Blessed (happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous–with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy! Matthew 5:7 AMPC

In all of the 'Blessed' statements from the Sermon on the Mount, one thing is clear: the focus of Jesus is first on the inner man, because it is the foundation to the life force and expression of the outer man. The world places so much stock on impressions and image; God wants to do his work on the canvas of our hearts because He knows that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. 

Today's focus is on those who show mercy. One definition of mercy is: compassion or forgiveness shown towards someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm. What this defintion makes quite clear is that mercy is not something you accidentally show; it is the product of the exercise of your freewill. It also means that it is only a person who has experienced it that understands its value and is able to show it to others. 

If I struggle to forgive others, or I am quick to pay other people back in their own coin, does this not show that I do not fully understand what I also have been forgiven? If I am driven by a desire to be right at all times, would this not be a reflection of a lack of understanding of who God is and what He has freely given me? And what makes this even more poignant is the fact that by God's own divine arrangement, whatever I give out is what comes back to me. That's the law of divine seasons, and as it has been since the days of Noah, so have they been till today.

Whatever I want to see in my life must first flow out of me. The right stuff will not flow out if I do not have the right person living inside of me. The right person will not dwell in a vessel that is full of the wrong contents. I have a major role to play: open my heart to God and let Him live in and through me. The world will see the difference and respond to the outflow of God in me. What am I showing to the world? His time of favour is here.

Instructed Tongue!

Instructed Tongue!

Anxious fear brings depression, but a life-giving word of encouragement can do wonders to restore joy to the heart. Proverbs 12:25 TPT

What is the foundation of fear? It is not being in control of the narrative; not being able to keep things under your control; not being able to predict, with a measure of certainty, how things will go. You may have laid out the best plans; yet God may just be leading in a completely different direction. When you have done all you can and nothing is still working out, fear could be the resultant effect. 

In this situation, it matters what you feed the fear. If you feed it negative confessions and admission of cluelessness, you make it worse. If you feed your fear with faith in God's Word, you deprive fear of oxygen and it will die. Fear brings depression; faith in God's Word breeds hope and joy. It sure matters what you feed your heart with. 

The importance of speaking the right words per time cannot be overemphasised. Wars have been fought over the wrong use of words; destinies have been shaped and destroyed by the right or wrong use of the tongue. God, the perfect example, spoke the earth into existence by words, and as His children, we carry the same power. How I use my words could mean the difference between giving up and pressing on for someone listening to me. 

It is appropriate to end on this note: right from creation to the end of this present earthly phase, God will always honour His Word. He always has something to say to all who will take the time to listen to Him. He wants to bless the world around me, and one way He will do this is by His Word. Isaiah 50:4a NLT says: The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary. Are you a fear-mongerer or a faith-builder? His time of favour is here. 

Light!

Light!

But if we keep living in the pure light that surrounds him, we share unbroken fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, continually cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7 TPT

What you get from God will depend on how you walk with Him. It's always been said that your location determines your allocation. I also note that today's extract emphasises on 'keep living'. It is not temporary accommodation, where you come in for a few days and leave. It is continous practice; permanent residence; consistent living. That is the secret to unlocking the amazing treasures God has in store.

What do I stand to gain from my residence status? There are 2 things mentioned here: 1. Unbroken fellowship with other people who share the same residence status. Skin colour, language and tribe become the flair that makes fellowship interesting; God is the chord that holds it all together. 2. The blood of Jesus is the foundation of that fellowship, because by the blood, our sins are forgiven and our eternity is secured, if we remain faithful to the One who paid the price. It is unbroken fellowship because the earthly phase is a small window into what will continue in eternity. 

Let it be said here: God is Light, dwells in light and all who claim to know Him must also walk in light. You cannot claim to know and follow God and still be comfortable around sin. You cannot serve God and the devil at the same time. God's arms are always stretched out; his gifts are on offer for all who will make the approach. It is a call that cannot be taken lightly; it is a call that will demand new priorities from you. It is a call from the ordinary and the mundane into the supernatural and the amazing. Would you accept God's offer and come? His time of favour is here.

Helped!

Helped!

He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it to abound]. Isaiah 40:29 AMPC

Today's extract speaks on quite a few things: 

1. There is only one source for all that I need, and it is God. Position, power, influence and education are good tools, but they are limited in their eternal impact. They have their uses, but in the day of trouble, you need more than a good command of English language to overcome the challenges before you.

2. I must acknowledge my weaknesses if I will take advantage of the help available in and through God. If I consider myself strong and self-sufficient, why would I need God for anything? Men refer to themselves as 'self-made', forgetting that no man is able to predict with any sense of accuracy, what is ahead. If I know I am weak, and present myself as such to God, I open myself up to the display of His power and grace. 

3. With God, not having any might makes no difference; after all, what you need isn't so much about what you can bring to the table as much as what God is able to do in and through you. We trust so much in our talents and gifts, forgetting that the One who gave them has an opinion on how, where and when they should be used. 

Don't ever think that God needs you in particular to achieve what He wants to achieve; what he needs from you is an available altar, from where He can speak to the world through your life. He can use anything and anyone, and when His power and enablement comes, you will know of a truth that this had nothing to do with your skills, but with His Strength. He's all you need. His time of favour is here.

Seek!

Seek!

Seek the Lord and His strength; yearn for and seek His face and to be in His presence continually! 1 Chronicles 16:11 AMPC

Why is SEEKING important? There is a 

God-shaped vacuum in every life, and someone or something MUST fill up that vacuum. Some fill the vacuum with a pursuit of wealth and influence; others fill theirs with power, position, wine and women. Some find the right treasures and find God, and their lives are better for it. The first and most important question therefore is: 'What are you seeking for at the moment?'. This determines the course of your life and the final destination.

For all who want to end right, God has to be your first and only priority; nothing else can take His place. You do not take God and leave out who He is and does. You cannot claim to follow God and ignore his warnings and help. His strength is who He is. You do not embrace the presents and ignore the Presence of Him through whom the presents come. 

Now, this is the flip side: strength has presence and manifests in obvious ways. If God were to defend me in public ways, everyone will know God has come true for me. What if the strength here is for me, not for someone else? What if the display of strength I seek is the sort that will help me stabilise and focus on God, not how he can help me avenge my hurts? We want to turn God into our enforcer, who must do our bidding against those who offend us. God is more than all these, and for all who will seek Him on his terms, you will discover a treasure of mercy, grace and help.

Check out the end of today's extract: seek to be in His presence continually. Things of this world fade away when you are in God's presence. The world holds no attraction for the One who is lost in God's awe and glory. A man who has been in God's Presence cannot but affect the world for God. If I will change the world; if I will draw men to God, the secret lies at the feet of Jesus. His time of favour is here.

Nature v. Nurture!

Nature v. Nurture!

O Lord, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. Isaiah 25:1 KJV

It is always personal. There is room for corporate worship and congregational praise but what happens in public is an outflow of your private devotion. You can pretend and go through the motions in public, but you cannot get away with pretence in your private moments. That is the foundation of today's extract. 

The writer knew God as a personal God. Does God know you as His own? Am I good at speaking about God but with little or no idea of his ways? And of course, it is my knowledge and personal experience of God that guide my appreciation of Him. He is already lifted up, whether I acknowledge Him or not; He is worthy of all praise, whether I want to or not. It is therefore a privilege that I am called to praise and exalt Him. Nothing I do or refuse to do can belittle or reduce His greatness and glory. 

Reasons are given for the writer's response to God's greatness: he has done marvellous and wonderful things, and He has been faithful and true. Actually, faithfulness and truth are not concepts; these speak to His nature. He is called the Faithful and True Witness in at least 4 passages in Revelation. No matter the generation you apply Him to or the pressure in any generation to compromise, His standards remain the same and will not bend for anyone. 

From generation to generation, God has always made clear His purpose and will. Man will always want to test God's limits but if there is any takeaway from today's extract, it is that man CANNOT outlive God. We do our bit, live for Him and pass on to glory. Who is your God? Who are you living for at the moment? His time of favour is here.

Suffering 3!

Suffering 3!

Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 1 Peter 4:16 KJV

Let it be known here that suffering will come for all who profess to follow Christ. You have gone against popular opinion; you have pledged allegiance against the norms and traditions of the world you live in; how would you imagine that the devil will leave you alone? Your new priorities will be the grounds for the battles you will face and God already makes it clear ahead of time what you should expect.

Suffering isn't such a negative word; it is the summary of all the experiences all those who follow Christ must undergo. When the world is comfortable with little white lies, you stick to the truth. When it is more convenient to cheat and make a quick buck, and you stick to the right channels and actions, you will pay a price for it. The world isn't set up to reward honesty; it is God who rewards. And when the pains of my stand with Truth comes, the bible says I should not be ashamed. This is a tall order for anyone who doesn't know who s/he has been called to follow.

My experiences must glorify God. God takes no pleasure in my suffering and dejection, but He must prepare me for the place and heights He's taking me to. God is glorified when men stand for Him, even when the world mocks. The reason why I should glorify God for my experiences is because God WILL always come true. My life now may not show it, but by God's nature which makes it impossible for Him to lie, Joy always comes at the end of the experience. 

So, I look forward to the experiences. I know God will not place on me more than I can bear. I look forward to a life of impact down here and eternity with Him at the end of this present phase. No matter what comes, i hold on to God's everlasting arms, able to hold, comfort and support. His time of favour is here.

Suffering 2!

Suffering 2!

Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10 KJV

Jesus left the crowd at the bottom of the mountain and took his disciples up the mountain to teach them. Today's extract is from the Sermon on the Mount. The charge here is NOT for everybody; not everyone can stand trials and tribulations. If you do not know the value of what you hold, you will not understand why you need to be faithful to the calling you have received.

Jesus refers to all who are His own as BLESSED first of all, before he goes on to list various ways in which these blessings manifest. I note that none has to do with physical comfort or convenience; it is first about an inner Presence in the face of all experiences, which then leads to outer calm. Today's extract speaks on persecution, strictly for righteousness' sake. It has got to be based on the quality of your faith; not anything else. 

It must be for a Godly cause, not just any cause. Men love to speak of their scars and their battles; but the one thing God rewards is a stand for him, not just any kind of stand. There were men who claimed miracles in the name of Jesus, 'whom Paul preaches'. We know how they ended up. Peter also spoke about men who claimed to be suffering for Christ's sake, but were only suffering the consequences of their wrong actions. It matters what your stand is on, because there is an eternal consequence to this present earthly phase.

God promises an inheritance and eternal reward for all who go through these experiences. The big question is: if all I am living for is the kingdom of heaven, what happens to me in the meantime? This present phase is a preparation for eternity. All that God permits down here is preparing you for the glory that is promised. The perfect example: Jesus; had the same experience: he left his glory to die for our sins, but is now restored to glory. With God, the end always justifies the means. If I will end up like Him in glory, I must trust His process. I may not always understand the process, but if it is indeed God, I can rest assured that it will end as He had planned: in glory. His time of favour is here.

Life's Deals!

Life's Deals!

Why are you in despair, O my soul? Why have you become restless and disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, The help of my countenance and my God. PSALM 42:11 AMP

Questions, questions!. Answers are difficult to come by, because the problem at hand is not one with conventional or usual answers. The Psalmist in today's extract has simply put into words the general state of mind of almost all of the world's human population. Everywhere you turn to in this adulterous and sinful generation, sin is the order of the day. Everywhere you turn to in these strange times, men seem to mock God and dare him to challenge or stop them. 

In this context do the sons of Korah pen down these words. They remembered the good old days; they remembered the days when God's hand was visible in and around them, and they rejoiced as they went to His house to worship. Now, trouble had come, and those things they probably took for granted had been taken away. 

It is the same in this generation too: men find the path of least resistance when it comes to serving God. As long as it is not convenient or in line with his plan, man finds it convenient to just do away with Godly commitments. However, one thing is clear from today's extract: trouble doesn't change who God is; it only tests the quality of my faith and dependence on God. 

No wonder the writers here made their choice so clear: they spoke to themselves and in the light of the past experiences of God's faithfulness, charged their souls to remain focused on God. Storms will come, doubt will speak, winds will blow, strange voices will speak, the devil will roar, but yet, none of these will matter if my soul is fully anchored on Christ. This anchor bit is very important because it is the one thing that will keep you sane when everything else falls to pieces.

Hope in God never fails. The world may have you believe the gospel of self help and manual labour, but God does not need my help to prove that he is God. If I can hold on to Him, he will come through for me. If I can depend absolutely on his power, grace and mercy, I will have cause to smile. 

Things may not end up the way I planned them, but they will always end up right, because God is in charge. After all, the life I live is his, not mine, so it must reflect his glory if it must be lived right. His time of favour is here.

Clay?

Clay?

But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand. Isaiah 64:8 KJV

It is important to take a close look at the verses before today's extract. Sin brings reproach; it doesn't matter how high you have come or how close your walk with God is; you must pay attention to the power of sin and address it accordingly, by fleeing all its deceptive appearances. Sin will not only deprive you of God's help down here; it will also deprive you of eternal life with God when this earthly realm ends. You do not qualify on the basis of good works; it's all about the grace of God that brings salvation to all men.

One thing is however constant: God's unfailing love. There is nothing that can keep us away from His love, except we reject Him to the end of our lives. As long as we are alive, we are never beyond His grace. In today's extract, He is called OUR FATHER, even though the people had sinned. Note: Nothing I do changes the fact of relationship; however, everything I do impacts that relationship. God remains a loving Father who holds out His arms, seeking men who will trust His love. My response to that love will reverberate all through eternity.

We are the clay; thou our potter: this is a basic understanding of who I am in the light of who God is. Clay never has a voice; the potter does. Clay never has an opinion; the potter does. Clay doesn't determine how and where it ends up; the potter does. Clay does not determine its usage or sphere of influence; the potter does. Why does our own clay seek to determine its own destiny, thinking it knows best how to live? How did we develop a sense of independence from God, thinking we could make it on our own? 

Do I acknowledge God's supremacy over my life or am I steeped in the knowledge of my own importance? Do I consider myself the architect of my own fortune or am I solely dependent on the One who gave me life and determines the course of my life? I am the works of his hands, not just the product of a union between a man and a woman. If God didn't bless the union, I would not exist. I therefore owe it to God to find out why I am where I am, and what I have been placed in the location I am in to do. The world is waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God. Am I one? Are you? His time of favour is here.

Servant!

Servant!

Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my Spirit upon him, and he shall show judgment to the Gentiles. Matthew 12:18 KJVA

For all who love titles and the recognition that comes with leadership positions, check out what today's extract says. This speaks to the one and only begotten Son of the Father, Jesus Christ Himself. There is no doubt He is God, as referred to in several passages in the Bible, but by revelation to Isaiah, he is referred to as a SERVANT. Pause for a moment and think: Jesus - Saviour and Lord as a servant? 

Who is a Servant? Someone who answers to a master and is SENT to fulfil the commission defined and ordained by the Master. The servant would not normally have an opinion, but as long as he admitted his position, he was bound to obey the orders of the Master. Imagine Jesus in this position. He is called a servant, chosen by God, and at the same time, beloved by God. Look at what Hebrews 5:8 KJVA says about Him: though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered. If Jesus, God's Son was defined this way, how did we come to a point where we demand hero worship from men simply because we have received an assignment to teach and make disciples of other men? 

God is showing Jesus to the world, announcing Him as His chosen one. God was certain that His Son knew his assignment and would fulfil it in line with his master's command. Can God hold the same confidence in me? Is anything entrusted into my hands safe? Can God entrust me with the deep mysteries of His Word, sure and certain that I will dispense it according to His leading? 

Jesus' assignment was clearly defined; the scope and target audience clearly laid out. For me, in this generation, am I content with obscure service where there is no applause? Am I desperate for some recognition or public acceptance, or am I content being where God has placed me, sure and certain that I will thrive there? The few people He has asked me to nurture, am I faithful in that little or am I distracted by another man's field? 

Jesus calls us FRIENDS now, but do not let that distract you from the reality of Work. Being called God's friend is a function of relationship and revelation, where Jesus is pleased to show you deep treasures from His Word to people who are close to Him. When He has revealed to you, and He sends you out, you become a SERVANT and minister of the treasures that have been committed into your hands. Which one is your focus: just to enjoy friendship without accountability, or the right balance between relationship and responsibility? Both extremes have eternal consequences. His time of favour is here.

Simply Faith!

Simply Faith!

For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” Romans 1:17 NIV

Let it be known today thst the summary and foundation of our Christian walk is FAITH. The source and sustenance of this faith is the Word of God. As you read the scriptures, there is a summary that jumps out to you: all of the men and women who turned out great became who they did as a result of a walk of faith in God. Some had degrees like Paul, some had skills like Peter, some were brave like David, but we remember them today, not for the things they did, but for who they knew and followed. 

With God, it isn't important WHAT you know, but WHO you know and follow. The righteousness of God is the fundamental reason why any of us can stand and speak, and it is the reason why we do not qualify any other way. Imagine if the way to heaven could be bought with the riches of this world, not many of us would enter. Imagine it was all about good works only, many of us would boast about what we had done. Fortunately, it isn't about the things man applauds but what God recommends. 

It is by faith, from start to finish. Anyone who will be called righteous: God's nature and attribute, must come to God on His own terms. I cannot claim righteousness holding on to my personal account statements or my academic transcripts. I do not claim righteousness depending on position, power or possessions. None of these things hold any value if eternal life is not secure. I walk by faith, not by sight. Without faith, it is IMPOSSIBLE to please God. 

Let it be known today: God isn't looking for people who are already good ; He's looking for people who will depend on His goodness and walk in line with His purpose and plan for them. Are you one? Am I one? His time of favour is here. 

Riches!

Riches!

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; 1 Timothy 6:17 KJV

I note that the verse here speaks of being Rich IN this world, not OF the world. It tells me that IN is just about ordinary location, physical location and existence, and NOT about actual possession. The devil has long tried to deceive us into thinking we actually own anything. We refer to my house, my car, my investments. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that; but actually, do you really OWN them? When stock markets crash, what happens to stock? When there is economic depression, what happens to bank account balances? In the event of a fire, where do all of the 'possessions' go?

One definition of Ownership is the ultimate and exclusive rights and control over something that have been conferred by a lawful claim or title, with the power to use and dispose of without any limitation or restriction. Think about this for a moment: can anything I physically 'own' now be so exclusive that it can be described as exclusive? Before it became mine, wasn't it owned or produced by someone else? Did I not lose something else of value in order to claim it as 'my own'? If indeed I am not the producer of a thing, or the exclusive owner of all materials used to make a thing, can I claim it as 'my own'?

Jesus said it best when He prayed for his disciples, asking God to keep them while they were IN the world, though they were not OF the world. There is a massive difference. People with a clear idea of their location know and understand the place of provisions and materials for the journey ahead of them. The focus is not on possessions, but on the Provider Himself, the one who OWNS all things and gives them out freely to all men to enjoy.

By the way, being highminded means to think too highly of oneself, most likely due to what s/he thinks is owned. As long as the mind has something else as its primary foundation other than God, it is highminded. No man who has God as its sole focus can ever imagine anything or anyone else taking God's place in his/her heart. The reason why we allow other things take root in our hearts could be because we do not yet fully know the God who calls us to trust in Him.

We are called to trust in the living God. He gives us richly ALL things to ENJOY, not own. Is there a difference? Whatever you enjoy becomes evident in your life. Whatever you enjoy becomes a blessing that others can touch or feel. God never intends that we replace Him with anything; He is all we need and He has all that we need. Whatever He has placed in my hands is to be used for my enjoyment, in a way that gives glory back to Him. I use all He has given me with the sober realisation that there is NOTHING under my control today that I can take with me when death comes. So, I am careful to live life well, under God's command, and with an eye on eternity. What of you? His time of favour is here.

Warn!

Warn!

Give a warning to all those who cause arguments. If they continue to cause trouble after a second warning, then don’t associate with them. Titus 3:10 ERV

Human relationships are complex. It would seem that disagreements and arguments are integral parts of these relationships, as it is almost impossible for any two people to be completely agreed on any one point. However, what is important is this: what do I do in the face of disagreement? How do I handle opposing ideas and views? What is the best way to handle disagreements? Today's extract sheds some light on these matters.

It appears to me that there could be a central truth on a particular issue, but there will be different perspectives to how two people receive and understand this central truth. If I take a point of view that is opposite of my friend, would I be willing to hear my friend out and see his/her point of view? As long as the other person's view is not against God's Word and will, would I be willing to accommodate this other view? When it does not appear that there is any agreement on this view, how do we proceed? If there is any threat to the good of the church, both parties must be warned about their conduct and where the threat continues after a second warning, Paul recommends a stop to associating with such persons.

Why is that: the focus isn't about who is right or wrong, but about keeping the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. When the focus is on God, I worry less about being right or wrong or having my way. Why would Jesus ask me to turn the other cheek or even surrender my cloak if asked to give up my coat? It's never about being right all the time, but allowing my life to be a vessel God can flow through. What louder message can my life preach than when God's peace is my response to conflict and disagreements?

And the warning is dire: do not associate with that divisive person. Why is that: it is easier to pollute a good mix than to make good what is already bad. The Bible warns: bad company corrupts good manners. Why can't more of good manners overwhelm the bad? This is why I must be careful of the relationships that impact my life. There are also eternal consequences to the decisions I make today and the company I keep presently? What's your present focus? His time of favour is here.

Patience!

Patience!

Now may the God Who gives the power of patient endurance (steadfastness) and Who supplies encouragement, grant you to live in such mutual harmony and such full sympathy with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,

Romans 15:5 AMPC

As I read the verses before today's extract, there are a few questions that ring through my mind. One is: what have I been called into? From today's extract, it is apparent that nowhere does God promise that things will always be rosy or convenient. If God wanted to, He would have said so: promising me only comfort, convenience and commercial gain. Yes, it is his will that I have all of the above, but His call is far more complex than just these.

The next question is this: Which God have you met or been introduced to? Are you sure that the God you follow is the same one spoken about here? He is referred to as the God who has the power of patient endurance and who supplies encouragement, and these show who God is and what He offers. Many come to God expecting an easy ride or magic without effort; that is not who God is. He can do miracles, giving you something you didn't really deserve, but He will demand a life of total devotion and commitment from you if His work in you must be perfect. 

And of course, another question is: What is then expected of me? Since God has been known to be faithful to His own promises, I have to also play my part. My part is living in harmony and in sympathy with other people. If I have the understanding of who I am and serve, obedience is easy. If I struggle with God's commands, maybe I am yet to fullly submit to the One who has the power to enable me live right. 

Peace is easy; harmony isn't difficult; empathy isn't hard; only if I am under the control and command of the One who is able to ordain and sustain whatever it is He has commissioned and commanded. His time of favour is here.