Time!

Time!

He has made everything beautiful and appropriate in its time. He has also planted eternity [a sense of divine purpose] in the human heart [a mysterious longing which nothing under the sun can satisfy, except God]—yet man cannot find out (comprehend, grasp) what God has done (His overall plan) from the beginning to the end. Ecclesiastes 3:11 AMP

Indeed, the testimony of the Word of God about creation is that: 'God saw all He had made, and behold it was very good'. The story of creation was broken down into days and nights, and everything was done in perfect and unique order, with one thing following another. Provision and guidance for the next phase was provided first, then the ultimate beneficiary of all of these things: man- was made last. 

Today's extract harps on this important point: time. God has an amazing understanding of time. We count in days, years and seasons, but God just has one concept, and it is 'his time'. It doesn't matter what has gone before or what has been promised for the future. The testimony is that all has been made beautiful in God's own time. It doesn't matter if things are rough now; when the season of change as ordained by God comes, the change will happen. 

The ultimate thing about time from God's perspective is that it really cannot be measured by earthly concepts. How do you place a timeframe on eternity? What is the measure of how long eternity is? God has placed a longing, a desire in the hearts of men that only Him can satisfy. Men have filled the desire with earthly things, but because the longing is not of this earth, nothing of earth can satisfy it. Until a man finds and follows God with all his heart, he may not understand the full measure of what God is doing now and what He has in store. 

Another season has started. We call it a new year; God calls it a function of eternity. All we do now is a preparation for eternity, and it could be today, tomorrow or next week, but what we see now will end one day, and the real deal will start. Only in God can you fully understand what is going on now and what is ahead. Only in God can you know what is going on and how you fit into God's divine plans. Eternity is God's time; how are you preparing for it? His time of favour is here.

The End!

The End!

After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;  And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. Revelation 7:9‭-‬10 KJV

The events of the end of this present earthly phase are presented in vivid colours in the book of Revelation. So many parts, but one very conclusive summary: Jesus will return one day. Nobody knows the hour or the day, but just like all the promises of God which keep getting fulfilled, this also has a timeline and you can rest assured that if God said it, He has the capacity and capability to bring it to pass. 

One day soon, a multitude wll gather from all nations. They will come from different tribes and tongues, but the connecting factor will be the redeeming blood of Jesus. They had their sins cleansed by the blood, and had been washed clean. They had the right to now stand before the throne and before the very one who gave His life: the Lamb. For all who are alive today and are struggling with life's pressure, remember this: nothing down here was built to last forever. There is no present earthly experience that can follow you into eternity except the quality of your faith in Christ and His finished work. 

And the song here speaks volumes: salvation is of God. He is seated on His throne, full of power and grace, but He is also seeking to sit on our hearts, guiding us into eternal life. He wants to take charge; He wants to lead; He wants to guide us into the life He has prepared for us. As always, He won't force Himself on anyone; the choice is mine to make now, but one day soon, the choice of eternal residence will be taken away from me, and will be based on the decisions I am taking now. 

If the Lord were to make a demand of my own life now, where would I end up? Another year ends; another one begins shortly, the day draws near when all you know will come to an end and judgment will come. Are you ready? His time of favour is here.

One Day!

One Day!

And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one. Zechariah 14:9 KJV

A little context: Zechariah was speaking into the future of Jerusalem in the earlier part of today's extract. God's nature abhors sin, and He punishes it wherever it is found. God does not condone sin in any shape or form, and when sin is involved, there are no favourites. God promised to punish Jerusalem through the nations around it, but He would also punish those nations too for their sins. Take stock today, as another year starts. Where do you stand with God. If He were to demand an account today, what will your record look like?

Zechariah spoke about a day; one day to come soon. In that day, the light will not be clear, yet it will not be dark. It is a day of personal reckoning. All we do today is a daily preparation for what is ahead. However, one thing is clear: the authority and kingship of God will be made clear, manifest and undeniable. The earth was made by Him, but the system of the world seeks to put out the false narrative that man is in control of his destiny and he can live as he pleases, with no thought of accountability. Let it be known that this is falsehood: there is a king that is coming, and that king is the Lord God Almighty.

He is King, not because I say so, but because that is who He is. The earth may not accept it now, but it is under the control and influence of the One who is Lord of all. He is called by several names, but there is no doubt as to His identity and person. He is known on a personal level by so many people, but there is no doubt as to who He is and what He can do. No matter what popular culture or opinion says, there is only one God, and his name is the Lord God Almighty. He is coming back one day soon, and all eyes shall see Him. He is coming to judge the world, and He is just and impartial. 

May our lives be worthy of heaven whenever God returns. Whilst you may say Amen, there is a need to ensure you are in the right relationship with God and striving to please Him. Shouting a loud 'Amen' is not the ticket to eternity; it is submission to the Lordship of Jesus and accepting Him as your Saviour. That is your guarantee of eternity. His time of favour is here.

Light and Life!

Light and Life!

The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. John 1:4‭-‬5 NLT

The Word is uniquely different. It is presented as a Person as well as the power behind the word spoken by God Himself. The Word is also presented as light, and as we well know, Jesus had introduced Himself to the world as its Light. Today's extract is therefore all about the identity and person of Jesus Himself. All you see today is a physical expression of the power of God. All we see in the physical is the outward manifestation of the deep, hidden and amazing power of God. 

By the Word, all things were created. By the Word, all things are sustained and kept in place. It doesn't matter whether you believe it or not; there is nothing that is on record now that existed before the One who created them all. It is His life in us that gives us life, and it is His light in us that guides our paths and leads us right. Note that the offer of life and light is for everyone. God does not discriminate when it comes to what He offers, and what He offers is full and free and we will do well to take Him up on His offers before they are withdrawn. 

And of course, the reason why we need to respond is because of darkness. How would you appreciate the power and efficacy of light if you never had to deal with darkness? How would I fully appreciate God if there was no choice to make or no battles to fight? The devil knows what is at stake, and he will fight to keep his territory and to drag as many as He can with him to hell. The Light of God is the antidote to darkness, and all who dwell in His Light are eternally safe from the power of sin and darkness. 

No matter how deep or long the darkness has reigned, the Light of God can overcome. You can give the Light full access to your heart and allow Him reign and rule. That is the assured way to true life itself, the type that never ends, promised by God, sustained by Jesus and guaranteed by the Holy Spirit. His time of favour is here.

Praise and Pressure!

Praise and Pressure!

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. Psalms 42:11 KJV

Life has PRESSURE; that is an undeniable fact. Nowhere does God promise that things will be all rosy, but at least He promises us His PRESENCE. The writer of this psalm, attributed to David, underscores a very important thing: how I react to unpleasant situations speaks to the contents of my heart and soul. That is why the writer had to speak to his soul, a fundamental part of himself, asking it fundamental questions too.

If my soul knows its creator, why does it fret? If my soul knows that nothing of the earth can kill it, why does it fear? If my soul knows that God is able to keep and guard it from evil and preserve it into eternity, why does it allow the pressure of the world distract it from seeking and resting on God? As long as my focus is not solely on God, I open myself up to many options. As long as other options are attractive and attainable, I may not be moved to seek only God. 

If I can keep my hope on God alone, I am destined to end well. If I am able to praise in the face of pressure, I will see great and mighty things happen. If I am able to give God pleasure through my attitude to Him, I am bound to enjoy the pleasures that come from his Presence. And the benefits are both physical and spiritual. You get health that reflects in your countenance, and you get God as a Father who will move heaven and earth for the sake of those who put their trust in Him.

Now you know: the decision on how to relate with God is yours; push through the distractions and the discomfort; let God get a hold of your heart and let His light disperse the darkness around you. You will become a beacon of praise and thanksgiving for others to see and seek God out for themselves. Is that how your present life is described? His time of favour is here.

Impact!

Impact!

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2:14 KJV

Today's extract is the song and testimony of the angels at the time the king was born. The shepherds, the most inconsequential of all witnesses, were among the first set of people who were told the good news. The birth of the Saviour is not for some people or special people or the most connected of people; the gift is for all men, irrespective of colour, age or creed. That is the foundation of who God is and how he deals with all men. 

The Shepherds had come to see the king, born in a manger. They had no gifts to give Him, but they had received the greatest gift of all: heaven's testimony of who Jesus is. There is no gift that can be greater than the one already given, and no one can outgive the gift Himself. He is the Lord and Saviour, the One God has approved as the Way, the Truth and the Life. 

No wonder heavens had to burst out in praise. I do not think the heavens had ever seen anything like this: the Son of God came down to man's level and took on the form of man. He was willing to be born in the worst of places, so that man could have the best of Him. He left his glory, and took on human form, so that through his experiences, man  would experience the same glory He had. 

God has glory, whether I acknowledge it or not. God will take glory, whether I give it to Him or not. The earth has received peace, whether it knows it or not. Those of us who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour know this peace. It is not tied to external forces but to the inner Presence of God in us. Our lives give God glory because we represent Him and reflect Him in our lives. This season isn't so much about food and drink, but in the food and drink, we do not forget that we are what we are because of who He is. 

Have you known this peace? Does God know you as His own? Have you experienced this God, who is able to take the ordinary and turn it to His glory? His time of favour is here.

They Gave Gifts!

They Gave Gifts!

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. Matthew 2:10‭-‬11 KJV

These were wise men from somewhere in the East. We were not told their number, but we were told they knew something awesome had just happened, and the star they saw and followed was the evidence. Is this Christmas season the usual for you, full of eating and drinking, or have you come to the personal knowledge of the one who makes the season special?

And the wise men took a long journey; not sure where they were going, but certain that it would lead them to the right end. And they walked. This season calls for fervent devotion and commitment to the One who makes the season tick. Every other thing we do is activity; the whole essence of this season is relationship. How's yours with the reason for the season?

And they found the reason for the season. They didn't just stand outside; they came in and worshipped. They didn't stop to admire the scenery and lights; they came looking for the reason for the season and they wouldn't leave until they had worshipped Him. Is this the usual time for new clothes, shoes and styles, with little focus on the person who came to give true life?

And they wouldn't leave without opening their treasures and giving him gifts. They opened up and gave of the best they had. Each gift symbolized something, but at least they gave of their best. God calls out again today, as He has always done, and He is seeking from me my best and my all. He is not content with eye-service or hypocrisy; He cannot be deceived with external piety that is empty of sincere devotion and faith. As you open your heart's purse, what are you going to give Him; your best or the dregs; the highest and the noblest or the minimum? 

God calls out today: He is the reason why we are alive, and He is the reason for this present season and all seasons. What are you going to give to Him in appreciation of all He has done and given? If a man could give His life for men who didn't even like him at the time, how much more love could you expect from such a man when we turn to Him in faith and accept Him as Lord and Saviour? He is calling, He is waiting, and He will save and preserve into eternity. What are you waiting for? His time of favour is here.

Certainty!

Certainty!

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21 KJV

Who would have thought that a virgin would suddenly be found pregnant, and the one who was betrothed to her would have no knowledge about the pregnancy? Who would blame Joseph for wanting to put her away quietly, rather than make a public fuss about it? In the midst of all the confusion, an angel appears and assures Joseph: all of these things are from God. 

Let's see what is at stake here: first, there is a definite message for a definite person. This message is for SHE. She is the vessel through which God's perfect will is to be made manifest. Who says anyone is beyond God's amazing grace? You can be the forsaken or forgotten of the earth, but God has a message in this season for you. It does not matter what the world may have said about you, or what it is presently thinking about you; what is important is what God is saying about you.

And there is a definite assignment; an amazing work God wants to do in you. For Mary, it was conception without inception. She was TO BRING FORTH A SON. Only God breaks protocol when He wants to do what He alone can do. For you, it could be the breakthrough you have sought for so many years. It could be that job that people have told you is impossible. One thing Mary did was hold on to God's promise. You have to do the same. God has placed in you the raw materials needed for this generation, and He has also supplied the power to bring it out. It will be great disservice to God if I sat on His gifts and call, and neglected to play my part.

And all God does has a purpose to it. Even His names have a background and eternal impact to them. For Mary, the son was to be called Jesus, which spoke to his source, earthly assignment and eternal impact. Whatever God has placed in my hand isn't just for this season alone, but for all eternity. Jesus' assignment is tied to his name, and it is to SAVE HIS PEOPLE FROM THEIR SINS. Note that no particular tribe or culture is mentioned: all who are born by way of the flesh are the beneficiaries of this blessing. 

It is the season of Christmas, where we celebrate the Life that was given so we could have life. God's eternal plan is made manifest in human form and His best is given freely to all men. Do not let this season pass on without a firm commitment to enjoy all that God offers, which is in the person of His Son Jesus. He is the reason for the season, and the gift that keeps on giving. His time of favour is here.

A Sign!

A Sign!

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 KJV

A little context: Syria and the kingdom of Israel had come together to fight Judah. One of the plans of the unholy alliance was that a new king would be installed in Judah after Syria and Israel had defeated the king of Judah. First of all, remember the promise God made to David: 'You will never fail to have a man sit on the throne'. Here were mortal men trying to overturn God's established order and promise. Let it be known that there is no force or power in heaven or on earth that can overturn what God has said. As long as it is a sure Word from God, it is backed up by the very nature of God Himself, who is unable to lie and who has power, capacity and capability to bring to pass all He has promised.

And Isaiah asked Ahaz to ask God for a sign that God could keep his promise. First of all, it is odd that God would ask man for a sign that He could keep his promise, but since He had asked, it was left to Ahaz to do as requested. However, either for false humility or sheer ignorance, Ahaz claimed he would not tempt God by asking for a sign. We know how that went: God is not man, so He is not limited to the usual inconsistencies known to man. God Himself would give a sign: one that will reverberate throughout eternity. 

The sign is one that underscores God's mighty power. Never before the time of Mary or since then has a virgin conceived without human interference. That is a sign that with God, the usual is the miraculous. That sign given then is the reason for this present season. Christmas is not about the particular day but it is about the person, the sign that was given then, and which is personified in Jesus Himself. 

Even the name given is instructive: Immanuel means God with us. The almighty God found it necessary to come down to our level, identify with us and give us a divine opportunity to know God. His Presence is never-ending; the name is always in the present. God's Presence isn't subject to how I feel or what I think, but its manifestation is subject to my cooperation. God would not force Himself on me, but He wants me to give Him room willingly. 

It is the season of Christmas; the season of giving and the season of life. God has done his bit; it then remains what my reaction would be. His time of favour is here.

Victory!

Victory!

The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:56‭-‬57 KJV

2 contrasting verses; 2 different earthly and  eternal realities. 1 speaks to the source, power and finality of sin; the other speaks to the source, power and finality of faith and grace. Let it just be made clear here that we are called into a battle, whether we realise so or not. Sin fought for and demanded our souls; God also fought for and paid the price sin demanded. The fight over the souls of men continues to this day, and we all will do well to understand what is at stake, and take appropriate steps to align with the right side.

Of course, a battle signifies that there are warriors or fighters on both sides. Sin has got Satan in its side; grace has got God on its side. There is a fundamental position that either side defends: sin ties itself to the law and renders guilty all who fail even one of the law's demands. Grace ties itself to God's ability, capacity and supply, to help and uphold man in his life's journey. Both are extreme positions; both have different priorities and both have very different eternal consequences.

Sin has and will always lead to death. Grace has and will always lead to life. The big factor is MY decision and response to either side. There is no sitting on the fence also on this one. One of the 2 sides will win. There is no joint effort or venture on this one. You have got to decide for yourself which side wins with you. The answer will actually be clear now from your present pursuits and priorities but if your present pursuits isn't leading you down the right path, it is not too late to change. While God's grace calls, do not ignore. His arms of love, mercy and grace are open wide and He will accept you, clean you up and make your life a shining example of his power and victory. His time of favour is here. 

Shine Out!

Shine Out!

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 KJV

It is called 'your light' because it is a personal experience. It is not our light, where you can hide behind another man's experience and claim it as your own. God calls us as individuals first of all, before he commits an assignment into our hands that will impact not just ourselves, but the world he has placed us in. You have got to have your own light, forged from a personal experience of the Light Himself. It is not light if it is not a reflection of the Light Himself. 

My light is to shine 'before men', not in some obscure underground where nobody knows who I am or what I stand for. My ministry is before men, because men need to have light and examples to guide them on their own paths. What is the use of light that does not lead by example, from the front, visible for all to see and simple enough to be followed? My light is of no use under a bushel, or hiding behind activities alone, because it will be the most unfortunate circumstance if I get the Light, enjoy its warmth and Presence, but then refuse or neglect to let it do the work that light does: shine out as a beacon for all men to see.

And men will see, because they are watching closely. It is amazing that men know the right standard, yet are not ready to bear them up. However, for you who claim to know the right standard, you had better be ready to live and die by them. When men look at me daily, what do they see: the manifestation of light or deep darkness? It is important to state here that the defence of 'It is my life' does not hold water here. The moment you gave your life to Christ, if you have, is the day you lost the exclusive right of ownership and handed it over to Christ. 

And what men see will lead to what their lives produce. Here, the bible expects that when men see the Light in me, it will lead them to glorify my Father which is in heaven. Is that really what goes on now? Are men moved to glorify God because of the output of my life or are they led deeper into despair because there is nothing good to follow? My life was made for eternity, and the earthly phase is the preparation for it. If I do not give God glory down here, how do I qualify to reign with Him in eternity? 

The Light is Jesus. Nothing else will shine brighter or for all of eternity. If my life will make eternal impact, it has to be reflect the eternal. His time of favour is here.

The Voice!

The Voice!

The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. Isaiah 40: 1 - 3 KJV

This is a prophecy spoken about the birth of the Saviour: the one chosen by God to be the channel and instrument of salvation for the whole world. We have already established that sin had tampered with the original masterplan; God put in place another plan to deal with sin once and for all and to secure eternal life for all who will come to Him. He is the reason why I stand where I am. 

The Lord has come and is still coming. He came in the form of mortal man, so He could assure us He knew and understood our pain and weaknesses. When He left in the physical, He left us with the Holy Spirit, who guides us into all Truth, as established by God. The one who was sent to announce the arrival of the Saviour in those days (John the Baptist) and those of us who have been sent to announce the arrival of the Saviour in these days have the same message: 'Prepare ye the way of the Lord'. He has his own way, and all whose lives would make impact must take that path.

God does not follow the trend; he is the trend setter. Everything you think you know now will change; everything you think is familiar will give way to the miraculous: valleys shall be exalted; mountains shall be brought low; crooked paths made straight and rough places made plain. For all who know God, your usual is the miraculous. Every day is filled with a personal experience of who this God is. It may not always be earth-moving; men may not always perceive it but for you with the personal residence of God in you, there will be no doubt that the hand of the Lord is visible on your life.

Of course, when God is at work, glory and praise are the outcomes of these experiences. No life experiences God and remains the same; no one walks with God and regrets it; you do not give God room in your life and not hear his voice guide you into his perfect will and purpose for your life down here and with eternal reward at the end of this present earthly phase. Think about it: where do you want to end up? His time of favour is here.

Joy in Pain!

Joy in Pain!

My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties, see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can! For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up power within you to endure all things. James 1:2‭-‬3 TPT

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. James 1:2‭-‬3 KJV

It is only in God that you get this kind of counsel. First, these verses are addressed to people who have surrendered control of their lives to the One who is able to preserve and keep them to the end. Surrender to God is the one and sure antidote to fear and worry over circumstances. You may not have much power to change your external environment, but the inner Presence of God is your sure confidence that no matter what happens on the outside, your heart is fixed on God. 

And that foundation is important for the things that are ahead. Trials will come; fierce storms will rage; winds will blow; persecution will rise up from all sorts of places. These experiences can be so overwhelming that they keep you from seeing who God is and what He's doing, but the encouragement here is the fact that all that God allows has been carefully considered and are tailored for your peculiar situation and will bring out God's ultimate best for you. What you need to do is to constantly remind yourself of the Power and Grace of the One who calls you His own and calls you to Himself.

All He allows is for a purpose. Every test and experience has a reason, and the ultimate goal of all that God brings is my perfection. You don't attain perfection without testing, and you don't attain perfection outside the knowledge and guidance of the One prescribing the test. He's like a pharmacist, with full knowledge of the ailment and the process required to mitigate the ailment, as well as the right dosage and degree of pressure and consistency required to match the severity of the ailment. 

I must trust His wisdom and His timing. I must trust that God knows what He's doing. I must trust that His prescriptions are for my good, and as my Father, He will seek out what is best for me. His Presence in me is the guarantee that I will end well. His time of favour is here.

Word Became Flesh!

Word became Flesh!

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1:14 KJV

The whole earth was created by the Word. God spoke, and things were. The Bible records that in the beginning, the Word was with God. We may not have been there in that beginning, but when you consider the consistency of the Word of God, and how its values have remained the same in the face of pressure and compromise, you know that the Word of God is true and dependable.

And then the Bible says God's Word is a Person. That is the bit that may be difficult to understand, but let's see it in this light. How do you trust someone's word: you weigh the antecedents of the person speaking and who is backing him up. If the support is as strong as the words spoken, you are confident that all you have heard is true. That is the foundation of today's extract: he spoke the Word, and the words he spoke were backed by the power and might of Himself: the Word. 

The Word was He himself, but because He wanted us to know Him, and be able to relate with his demands and expectations of us, he came in human form. He ate, drank, slept and related with us at our level, so He knows what we are going through. His power and glory was intact; nothing could change that, but His earthly visit was to remind us that no matter how bad things got, we would always have His support.

The Word came down and dwelt among us. The Word still dwells among us. His power and glory and grace are still of the same efficacy as they were at the beginning of time. Because He came and dwelt with us, He knows our weaknesses and has provided grace. For all our failings, He is sufficient. For all our faults, his grace is adequate. For all the lies the devil will promote that God does not care, the Truth of his love shines on. 

But note: then he didn't, and till now, He still does not condone sin. He wants to give a new start, but I must confess and forsake sin. The whole essence of the Word becoming flesh was to deal with the power of sin. Do not let God's sacrifice and love be in vain over your life. Give your life to Him, and watch Him do wonders in and through you. His time of favour is here.

Reconciled!

Reconciled!

And God has made all things new, and reconciled us to himself, and given us the ministry of reconciling others to God. 2 Corinthians 5:18 TPT

God makes things new. Creation was the first record of his power, mercy and grace. All we see now were made from His own template. There was nothing to copy from, and all we see now are creations out of what God has already provided. Even at the story of creation, when the devil wanted to tamper with God's template, God provided yet another new way back to Him: through the blood of His Son Jesus. In essence, with God, you are assured that you will experience the thrill and joy of seeing great things; things beyond human comprehension. Note that we said: 'With God'. Outside of Him, you may not know or recognize what He's doing.

And it is this same God who has called us to Himself. Sin created a chasm, but the blood of Jesus closed the gap and restored man back to God. The amazing thing is the price was paid long before any of us even needed it. God broke down the dividing wall of hostility that sin built, and with His love and mercy, opened up a new way to Him. Sin is the only thing that can tamper with this new way. All my shortcomings and weaknesses are taken care of; grace is supplied in abundant measure to help me stand, and eternity is planted in my heart by the presence of the Holy Spirit in me. 

With all of the above, God expects me to break out with His power and affect the world around me. He wants me to bring the same benefits I have enjoyed to other people. The same message of reconciliation that Jesus brought is for the whole world too; after all, the death and resurrection of Jesus wasn't for a select group of people, but for the whole world. If Christ died for all men, I cannot see myself as superior to anyone. If Christ is the reason for this season, He must be spoken about, preached, taught and shown to all men. 

The message is clear: Jesus loves you. He wants to be your Father for life and also lead you into true life when this present earthly phase is over. Would you surrender to Him and let Him do the new thing He wants to do in your life? Remember, eternity is too long a time not to be sure of where you will spend it. His time of favour is here.

WHY and HOW!

WHY and HOW!

We love him, because he first loved us.

1 John 4:19 KJV

For all who are alive, we are a function of our background, as well as our experiences. We are defined by our values and allegiances, and men seek to define us by our pursuits and priorities. I believe God does the same, but He runs by fundamentally different standards. Men love other men simply because there is something to base that love on. We are nice to people who are nice to us, or we go the other extreme by being nice to people simply because we need something from them. That is the way of the world, but certainly not the way God works.

At the time we were shown love, there was practically nothing valuable we could offer God in return. We couldn't work hard for the love; we could not earn it; we could not force it. Yet, at a time when we didn't care who He was, God showed his love. Long before I even knew I needed help, He was there by my side, offering His blood to cleanse me from my sin, offering His life in exchange for the death that had become my portion due to sin, and sealing eternal life for me, even whilst I was still living through the earthly phase. That is love like no other: giving all, even when the target of the love didn't even understand what was at stake.

God, who showed this love, knew what was at stake. He knew the power of sin, but He also knew the power of his love. God knew that His love was stronger, deeper and higher than sin, and that is why His love flows freely to all who will accept. And of course, if you have received His love, you cannot contain it or bottle it up. It has to flow out of you. It becomes a spring; fresh and clean, not based on popular opinion, but on the ever-constant mercy of God Himself. 

And because we have received His love, we can love others without pretence. We are able to overlook faults because we have also been forgiven much. We love, because we are also loved. What flows out of us is a measure of the love that we ourselves have received of God. When men come in contact with you, what flows out? What is the lasting impression that people leave with when they have met you: is it love as defined by God, or just simply selfishness and a desire to be better than others? Do not forget: eternity is at stake here. Your choices and decisions today will impact that future. His time of favour is here.

Walk Right!

Walk Right!

Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. John 8:12 KJV

Jesus spoke these words just after he had reproved the men who brought the woman caught in adultery to him, asking that He pronounce judgment. We know how that went. Before I am quick to point the finger, have I examined my own life? Have I weighed my standing in the light of God's standard? In that light, Jesus spoke the words of today's extract, teaching us that those who know and walk with Him enjoy a special privilege: their standing with God is correct and based on truth, not on popular opinion or on the shaky and unstable principles of the world.

Jesus says He is the Light of the world. Not just that he gives it, He is the personification of Light. In Him is light; of Him and from Him is light and light is His nature, foundation and guiding principle. He offers it also to all who will follow Him. The choice of who to follow is mine; as always, God does not force Himself on anyone. I make the conscious decision to seek Him out and submit to His control and leading. God assures all who do this that they will not walk in darkness.

Need to clarify this: those who follow Jesus are assured that they will not walk in darkness; nowhere does He promise that darkness will not threaten. The devil wants to deceive us into thinking that the outward facts that surround us are our inner realities. He wants us to think that the presence of tough times is the absence of God's presence with us. However, today's extract gives this assurance: when you have Jesus, the presence of threats and trials doesn't change the fact of his Presence. Nothing on the outward can disrupt the rhythm of the Peace inside of you, unless you allow the external dictate the internal. Do you just hear about Him, but have no personal experience of Him? Reading and hearing and writing about Him is not enough; you have to know Him as personal Lord and Saviour.

That's the basis of the last part of today's extract: have the light of life. Light becomes a personal possession; it guarantees you life eternal with God; it guarantees that you will never walk in darkness and that the good end God promised is already secured, even while you live in the now. What could be better than this? His time of favour is here.

Do Good!

Do Good!

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10 KJV

God has standards. He leaves no man with a doubt as to what He demands or expects from all who will follow Him. And one of the standards God maintains and demands from those who claim to have submitted to His control is doing good. We call God a good God because He does good things; those who are His children cannot be said to do the opposite. We call God a good God; the only way men will know and understand my allegiance will be through the fruits my life produces, and whether they line up with the One I profess to follow.

One more standard: the good is not discriminatory in nature, where I do good simply because I expect something good in return or because the person has also been good to me. The example of God that is common to man is the gift of His Son to die for the sins of the whole world. At the time of this sacrifice, we didn't know Him or care who He was, but He paid the price all the same. Through His death and life, the floodgates of mercy and grace have been opened to all men, and all of us can come in and take of the free gift available in Jesus.

And this is the clincher: the good we do is for all men, but the good to fellow believers like us is even more rewarding. There is a common bond, a unique spiritual connection and a peculiar relationship that runs through people who are joined, not by tribe, culture or tradition, but by the blood of Jesus. Good always reaps good; it may not happen in the immediate but it always comes through in the end. What are you doing at the moment? Would your present works stand the test of God's standard? His time of favour is here.

Grace!

Grace!

For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Titus 2:11‭-‬12 KJV

The Universality of grace

All men, born of woman, have received grace. The fact that you are alive and reading this means you have received grace. Whether you know it or not, you have received grace. Of course, the next important questions are asked and answered below. 

The source of grace

Grace is not grace if it is not of God. I do not know who else you can attribute unmerited favour and blessings to, if it is not the only wise God, immortal and invisible. He is the Source of all good things, and the one with an eternal plan, even before the world itself began. He is timeless and ageless, and his love for man knows no bounds. This is the God who calls out to all men, asks them to come to Him so He can change their lives and give hem eternal life. 

The benefits of grace

What do I stand to gain from this grace? It is difficult to fully dimension the benefits in this limited piece, but the biggest benefit is to be secured for life, both down here and with God for eternity. God wants to bless, he wants to keep, he wants to impart life, but He needs my cooperation. 

The demands of grace

Grace demands I live in line with the commands of the One who offers it. If God lays out the terms and conditions attached to his grace, can I turn around and then blame Him if I refuse to align with the conditions? Grace demands right living  and daily dependence on God to live right. The supply required has been provided by God. 

The earthly nature of grace

Grace only lasts this side of eternity. When I take my final breath or the Lord comes to take his own home in rapture, Grace expires. At that point, judgement is the only certain thing remaining. How you love down here is the preparation for your eternal reality. 

The limits of grace

Grace does not compel you against the exercise of your free will. You were made like God; free to make a choice but also bound by the eternal consequences of your choice. Grace only lasts for as long as man's breath remains. 

With all the above, it is very important to consider critically and carefully your personal application and response to this grace. How are you living now? Remember, the Lord returns some day soon. His reward is with Him, and He will give according to all that we have done. Pretence won't work; hypocrisy won't cut it. You are dealing with a God of absolute knowledge so make the approach with a sincere heart. He will supply the grace you need to live right and end well. His time of favour is here. 

Like Christ!

Like Christ!

But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Luke 6:35 KJV

Another account from the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus took time to highlight the extract of the old testament and then lay down the new standard under the new testament. One of the things that become clear as you read Matthew chapters 5 - 7 is that Jesus knew what the provisions of the law were. In dealing with God, ignorance of his commands will never serve as a valid excuse for disobedience. If I will follow after God and learn His ways, I must study His Word and know his mind.

Why do the words of today's extract matter? It is because God is holding us in this present generation to a higher standard. In the past, Moses' law may have allowed you to get away with hating your enemy, but under the new dispensation of grace, you cannot get away with hatred. Moses' law may have permitted an eye for an eye, but under the divine law of grace and love, God expects better. Let's see what God demands: love your enemy, do good, and lend without expecting returns. I tell you, unless your outer man is totally broken, you will struggle to do any of the things demanded for here.

However, one thing is clear: God shows the perfect example and He requires all who bear allegiance to Him to do the same. He doesn't  discriminate in the dispensation of his mercies and grace, and He wants all who follow Him to also walk in those steps. Your ownership will reflect your pursuits and priorities. If indeed I belong to God, his ways and grace will shine in and through me. So, who am I: doing my own thing or living to please my Father? Who is the master dictating terms and conditions for me? Do not forget: eternity is tied to the answer to this question. His time of favour is here. 

Talk and Walk!

Talk and Walk!

He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. 1 John 2:6 KJV

Man has the power to speak as s/he pleases and make pronouncements as s/he sees fit, but the quality and depth of man's convictions will be seen from the way that man lives on a daily basis. The fall of man in the Garden of Eden has made it easy for man to seek to deceive. We now say one thing and mean the very opposite; we find it easy to speak from both sides of the mouth. We blend into every situation we find ourselves, able to compromise standards just to be accepted by all. Anyone whose life would mean something has got to be better than this.

Today's extract emphasizes one central theme: my walk must match my talk. My life is never really quiet; it is always speaking. I am either speaking in line with God's standard or I am pursuing my own pleasure. There is no middle ground; no sitting on the fence. If I claim to know God, I do not have to keep saying so; my life's daily pursuits and choices will show that I know Him. If I do not know or have Him, it also doesn't matter how many times I say so or do things that look like it; eventually the lack of His Presence will be evident.  

No matter your present position, one eternal end is certain: it's either eternal life or eternal death. That is God's position. If I want to get all that God promises, I must walk in line with His precepts and commands. And it is not a negotiation, where I get to pick and choose what I will obey. It is either I obey all or I walk away completely. If I say I abide in God, men must see that proof of residence in me. When men look at me, they should see the outward proof of an Inner Presence. Is that true of me? Is that true of you? His time of favour is here.

True Service!

True Service!

The greatest among you will be the one who always serves others from the heart. Remember this: If you have a lofty opinion of yourself and seek to be honored, you will be humbled. But if you have a modest opinion of yourself and choose to humble yourself, you will be honored.” Matthew 23: 11 - 12 TPT

“Do you want to stand out? Then step down. Be a servant. If you puff yourself up, you’ll get the wind knocked out of you. But if you’re content to simply be yourself, your life will count for plenty. Matthew 23:11‭-‬12 MSG

2 verses; 2 versions; same message. The way up is the way down. The opposite is also equally true. If I will amount to anything by God's standard, I have to be content with anonymity. Being popular or generally accepted by the world is not a requirement for service in God's vineyard, so I do not need to kill myself to get them. All I need is a clear understanding of who I am working for, what I have been chosen and gifted to do, how I am to impact the generation He has called me to, and when I am to quit. When these are settled, impact is non-negotiable.

Let's look at the context: Jesus taught that it is the way of the world to carry yourself in a manner befitting your status. Men of this world understand power, privilege and position but they know nothing about their source and purpose. And of course, when the purpose of a thing is not understood or defined, abuse is inevitable. Jesus' teaching here leaves 1 incredible impression: if you know whose you are, nothing is ever beneath you as long as it has been commanded by God. Men who have to announce themselves or who need to be recognized know that they do not have anything to offer. 

And you can pretend all you want that you are humble and ready to serve; the creator of the heart and the searcher of motives knows when service is sincere or hypocritical. It is even the height of foolishness to imagine that any mortal man can deceive the One who gave him form and life. If I will go up, I must be willing and ready to serve at the bottom. No truly great and Godly man started from the top; God had to take them through a process of building character, so He could trust them with dizzying heights only possible for those who allow God to deal with self in them.

Serve; but do it with a humble heart. Be willing to be stepped on or abused; it is part of the process of honour by God's standard. Put your heart into your commission and God will commission great and mighty assignments into your heart and hands, by which His glory and praise will be made manifest in and through you. His time of favour is here.

Pure!

Pure!

Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8 KJV

“What bliss you experience when your heart is pure! For then your eyes will open to see more and more of God. Matthew 5:8 TPT

1 verse; 2 different translations. The story behind these words is the Sermon on the Mount. The message was not for the crowd at the bottom of the mountain, but for the disciples who had dared to come up the mountain after Jesus. If you are content with the ordinary, you can stay with the crowd, blend in with it and most often, get lost in it. There aren't high standards in the crowd; after all, nobody will notice you. If you want more than the ordinary, come up the mountain and hear what Jesus has to say to all who will follow Him.

He calls the people who will follow him into a life of Holiness and purity. In fact, you cannot walk with God outside of holiness. The Bible clearly says that 'without holiness, no man shall see the Lord'. It is not a negotiation; it is an essential ingredient in my walk with God, if I really want to. What is being pure in heart? It is about the focus of your heart, built over time and built with consistency. If I will have a pure heart, it starts by the things I consider to be priority. What do I spend time on? What holds my heart? If God was to turn a searchlight on my heart, what would his search reveal? The answer gives a clear idea of the contents of your heart and the consequences that will follow this focus.

And of course, with God, there are always consequences to every action. If I pursue after God and his will, God says I will see Him. If I do not seek Him on his terms and in line with His will, it doesn't matter how much I search for Him. If the reason for my labour is not based on Truth, all I get is a lie. The more of God I know, the more like Him I become. The more of God I know, the more of Him I reflect. When I see God, the world will see Him in me. If I do not know God, making all the right noises and shaking things up a bit may impress people, but for me, there will be no eternal reward. Is there a point to life if I only impress the world and God does not reckon with me? May I not get to the end of my earthly life and discover that I had pursued the wrong things. His time of favour is here.

Grace; Faith

Grace; Faith

For it was only through this wonderful grace that we believed in him. Nothing we did could ever earn this salvation, for it was the gracious gift from God that brought us to Christ! So no one will ever be able to boast, for salvation is never a reward for good works or human striving.

Ephesians 2:8‭-‬9 TPT

It is called grace because it is not a function of how good I am or how well I have behaved. If it was about good works or affordability, the rich of this world and the philanthropists would have picked up all the available spots. If we had to earn it, what would be the standard or cost that we would have to attain to or pay in order to have it? The reason why God remains who He is is because He doesn't lower his standards to get us to like Him; he only lays down the rule, but then supplies the very ingredient that gives us power to align, which is grace.

This grace is the key to salvation. Sin would not let us know we needed help, but God also would not let go. He offered His own Son, to be the perfect sacrifice, and through Him, we walk into the full benefits God has on offer. We couldn't make it on our own; in fact, we didn't even know we needed help. If no price was demanded of me when Christ called me to Himself, where then is the place for boasting, pride or a sense of self-attention?

All I am is a function of who God is. Take away God and I wouldn't even exist. I live at God's pleasure and thrive under His guidance. The day I think I matter because of how people like me, or how well I speak or how much I have, that is the day that ignorance begins to destroy. God has levelled the playing field by ensuring that nobody comes to Him from a position of strength or superiority. The grace of God is the defining factor and the thread that runs through all that we are. I must never forget this as long as I live. To forget is to think I have arrived, which means I am actually ready to depart. Thank you Lord for your grace. His time of favour is here. 

Search!

Search!

With my soul I have desired You in the night, Yes, by my spirit within me I will seek You early; For when Your judgments are in the earth, The inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness. Isaiah 26:9 NKJV

As always, seeking God is never a joint effort but a personal experience. It is not a journey for 'us' but a journey of one with God. God does not call a multitude; He calls that one man who will impact the multitude, but He deals with that one man in the secret place, behind closed doors, away from prying eyes and inquisitive minds or doubtful haters. God doesn't need to convince the world; his acts and dealings with man will speak at the right time.

For the man here in today's extract, there is an understanding of the One who is calling. The writer here knew God and was going to give up anything, as long as he was able to see God. The question is: what is my most important life consideration? Is it power, is it possessions, is it position? What keeps my attention? Is it human applause or popular opinion? No matter what my response is right now, the truth is, this is a question that my life is answering right now. When I wake up in the morning, what are my priorities? All through the day, what are my thought-investments? What do I devote time and energy to? 

The writer here has made God his one and only pursuit, whether it was daytime or night. Do I have compartments where I have limited God to, or does He control and dictate the totality of my life? You see, God is God, not because I say so, but because He is, no matter what my opinion is. He is in charge of all the earth, no matter what the physical realities look like now. He is both Judge and Advocate, and He will judge the earth. Whilst I still have time, I must submit to His Lordship and Authority. A time is coming when the power to choose Him will be taken away, and all knees will bow to his judgment. You can do it now willingly. The only other option isn't worth considering. His time of favour is here.

In Secret!

In Secret!

But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: Matthew 6:3 KJV

The secret to a blessed life is always in that hidden place, beyond prying eyes or inquisitive minds. It must be as personal as your left hand not knowing what your right hand is doing. Sounds almost impossible since both hands belong to the same body taking the decision, but with God, the secret to all of His treasures is in the knowledge of how he works and what he blesses. Not everything that the world applauds is His pleasure; you get to know what he likes by seeking out what He wants from you and doing it the way He directs. 

The decision to impact or bless lives is first personal. I am yet to see where God forces a person against the exercise of his/her free will. The decision to impact or bless lives is also based on knowledge. How would I know how to live right if I do not seek out the right kind of knowledge from the One who knows all things? And when I have sought and found it, I must seek to obey the instructions that come with that knowledge.

So, whatever it is my hands find to do, I must be conscious of the HOW and the WHY behind those actions. The glory of God and the promotion of who He is must underpin the HOW and the WHY behind what I do. As I seek to impact lives, I must not do it for selfish motives or the praise of men. These are temporary and of no eternal value. Doing things God's way is the only way that guarantees that all will end well and that eternal rewards wait at the end of the endeavour. You do not want to get to the end of your life and discover that you had pursued the wrong things. His time of favour is here.

Process!

Process!

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV

For every experience God allows me to undergo, there is adequate provision and support for me to stand up under it and be victorious at the end. For all of us, the destination is the same but the journey and the scenery along the way will not be the same. For others such as John the Baptist, he was beheaded for speaking the truth to power. For Paul here, there had to be a thorn in his flesh to remind him to constantly depend on God. 2 different physical ends, but there is no doubt that God was glorified through the lives of both of them. 

The law of demand and supply, similar to economics, also applies here. For all who want to amount to anything in the hands of God, you have got to seek God out and tap into his never-ending supply. For all who will impact this generation for God, what you need isn't so much about what you are but how much of God you allow to flow out of you. What makes me a blessing has nothing to do with what I do but the One who empowers me to do all I do. That is so clear in today's extract: I can do my best by my own strength, but it will not amount to much unless God is backing me up.

And the response of Paul is instructive: I will keep highlighting my weaknesses, so that more of God's power will be made manifest in me. The more of God is promoted in and through me, the more of God is known. That is the foundation for impact and the fuel of manifestation in any generation. The audience God sends you to belongs to Him; the message that will impact lives belongs to Him; even the vessel that is to be used belongs to Him; where then is the place for pride or a sense of importance? I depend on God for all I hope to become and I depend on Him for daily sustenance so I can in turn flow out with the resources that this generation needs. His time of favour is here.

On Top!

On Top!

Do not let yourself be overcome by evil, but overcome (master) evil with good. Romans 12:21 AMPC

The heart's focus helps to make daily choices. Daily choices lead to lifestyle choices. Lifestyle choices lead to eternal destinies. Everything that is of eternal value starts with an understanding of the things not mostly seen or tangible: a commitment to do good, to obey God, to love other people, to serve as best as you can. None of these decisions can be 'seen' or 'touched', but there is no doubt that a life with all the above in place will always stand out.

You do not stumble upon a Godly decision by error. It is the product of a consistent lifestyle of seeking to know God's mind on any matter and being careful to obey. Today's extract charges us not to be overcome by evil. The only way this works is to be so full of good that evil has no place in you. Output is always a function of input; you cannot shortchange or game the process. With God, being smart means nothing if it does not result in a life that blesses other people.

If I will overcome evil with good, I must know and have good in me. God alone is the One called good; no man by himself is able to sustain much good. Life will deal you all sorts of hands; it will serve up all sorts of experiences, but the one thing I must keep doing is seeking good. How can I do this: it is by knowing and following the one called Good. You see, nothing can sustain good like Good Himself. He is the One who supplies strength in the face of pressure; he gives grace in the face of grave pain. If I do not have Him, I may not last the distance. 

As I submit to God, I become a master of my emotions. I may not be able to control the situation, but I can control how I react. By submitting to God, I become a master of situations and circumstances. That is the secret to mastering evil with good. So, who is the master? Who are you submitting to? When pressure comes, what flows out of you? Questions, with answers that will reverberate through eternity. His time of favour is here.

Not Condemned!

Not Condemned!

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:17 KJV

Let's place today's extract in the right context. From Biblical history, there appears to have been several dispensations on record: there was an age of complete good, the dispensation of sin, with the knowledge of good and evil; the dispensation of the law, the silent years and of course, the dispensation of grace. In all of these dispensations, we see God's hands moving through the times, working in the lives of the people in these dispensations, proving His power and wisdom even in the face of their limitations. 

In all the dispensations, one thing remains clear: the standard of God remained the same. The wages of sin has always been and still remains death. That principle applied to Adam and Cain, as well as to Achan at Jericho, to Daniel and the 3 Hebrew boys as well as Israel and Judah in exile, to Judas Iscariot and to our own generation also. It really doesn't matter what popular opinion is or what people have generally come to accept as the norm. If God didn't excuse a thing then, nothing now would change His mind.

However, this is where the greatest gift given makes a difference. The standard is holiness, but no one could achieve it by self-discipline or labour, so the Son was sent. It was God showing his mercy, but also his judgment at the same time. He was sending out the only channel of salvation for the whole world, but He was also reminding the whole world that this same channel would be the basis for judgement. Think of it this way: the gift is given to remind man that he had lost his way and needed to return to his maker. The gift is the way back to the maker. All who accept the gift are reconciled to God. Of course, the opposite would also be true. If I reject the gift, I simply tell the giver that I do not need his gift and can take care of myself. 

God's purpose in sending the Son was to draw the world back to Himself. Sin had done extensive damage; in fact, sin had done eternal damage. But through the Son, we have all been given a way back to God. The law of Moses and other dispensations could not address the issue of sin, because they could not address the foundation of sin. But the blood of Jesus goes to the heart of the matter, touching the core of our nature and dealing with the roots of sin. That is why the two words: salvation and condemnation are mentioned in the same verse above. It all depends on what your response to the gift is. God would not force Himself on you; your response to Him must come from your heart. He is waiting on you; in fact, eternity is waiting on your decision. His time of favour is here.

Eternal Effects!

Eternal Effects!

O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever! 1 Chronicles 16:34 AMPC

Let's put today's extract in the right context. Just a few months earlier, David had carelessly placed the ark of God, recovered from the Philistines, on a new cart driven by oxen, and tried to bring it into Jerusalem. We all know how that went. The oxen stumbled, a man reached out his hand to 'help' the ark, and God struck the man dead. Of course, the journey couldn't continue and Obed-Edom became the unwilling recipient of the ark of God. Fortunately, the man knew and understood what he needed to do, and he ended up being amazingly blessed. In this, leasons abound. When you are dealing with God, ignorance of who He is and demands can be fatal. You cannot drag God down to your level; you must rise up to his standard if you will enjoy all He is and has.

Daivd knew he had done wrong and he took steps to remedy it. He ensured the rightful people were assigned to carry the ark, and he prepared a special place for the ark to dwell. Anyone who carries the Presence of God does not live anyhow or carelessly. God is a Holy God, and he DOES NOT toy or excuse sin. No matter the laxity or freedom any generation assumes is its, it must remember: God is the same yesterday, today and forever. If he calls something wrong then, my opinion wouldn't count now. It will still be wrong if it is wrong.

David had learnt his lessons. In bringing in the ark, he appointed praise leaders and singers and they sang and danced before the Lord. Today's extract is part of that song. No matter the evil going on in the world, God is good. His nature and person is good. The fall of man has introduced evil to the earth, but God continues to shine through the darkness and hurt. Is my life a vessel through which God is shining? David also speaks about the mercy and loving kindness of God as being eternal. As you look through your life, wouldn't you see instances that convince you that you are alive simply because God made it so? We all have had earth-moving experiences, which could have taken the lives of other people, but here we are, alive. It is never about what we have done, but about who God is. David understood this; it is no wonder he is called 'a man after God's heart'. 

Praise must be a natural outflow from a life that knows what it has received isn't from merit but from grace. And it does not matter whether other people see it the same way; David's wife despised him when she saw him dancing with all his might before the Lord and she despised him in her heart. Nobody was there but the God who sees all judged and she ended up barren all her life. Don't live to please people; strive to please God. He is the One who has eternity in His hands. All who come to Him enjoy all He is and has. Like David, let us learn about who God is and what he has done. The natural output will always be praise and thanksgiving. Don't forget: God is eternal. It doesn't just end down here; all of life is a preparation for the real life, which is eternal life. His time of favour is here.

Password!

Password!

You can pass through his open gates with the password of praise. Come right into his presence with thanksgiving. Come bring your thank offering to him and affectionately bless his beautiful name! Psalms 100:4 TPT

Fairly long piece, but the lessons are important. In placing today's extract in the right context, we need to cast an eye over the tabernacle that God commanded Moses to build. Moses was specifically instructed to ensure that he followed the exact pattern as he had been shown. Recall this: They serve in a system of worship that is only a copy, a shadow of the real one in heaven. For when Moses was getting ready to build the tabernacle, God gave him this warning: "Be sure that you make everything according to the pattern I have shown you here on the mountain". Hebrews 8:5 NLT. 

What was the pattern? First, there was a need for God to reveal his Presence, Power and Potency, and what better way for him to show himself to his people than through a system of worship? Note: God is not limited to walls, but He wants to reveal Himself. The whole essence of worship is to meet with God. If all I do is enjoy songs and melody, without a corresponding experience of the power and presence of the One who makes it worth it, then I have just wasted my time. 

Secondly, there is a structure and process and order to how things are done: looks like a two-part worship process: with praise preceding worship. The outer court was the place of praise and the inner courts was the place of worship, consecration and service. You had to enter into the outer courts through gates, which were always open. Funnily, a password is mentioned. It tells me that being present in the location of the temple does not guarantee you an experience of the God of the temple. You have to know and use the password to get access into His presence, and that is Praise. That outer court is a place where you lay yourself bare before God, confessing your sins and humbling your heart before God. You cannot access the inner courts with sin in your heart. The penalty for such at the time was death.

And then comes the approach right into his presence. Thanksgiving for all He has done and the new life He has given become the basis of this experience. In the inner courts, the table of showbread, the altar of incense and the golden lampstand all point to the Word of God, his Presence and a reminder of His holiness. You cannot but be humbled by that experience. 

Could it be that the reason why we do not have the regular demonstration of God's power is because we have lost our awe of Him? We come now to show off our gifts, forgetting that all we are and have come from Him. We come out of a sense of duty or boredom, just looking forward to the end so we can go about our daily life. We must go back to God and ask Him to reveal Himself again to us. If God were to deal with man as He dealt with Israel in the old testament, I wonder how many of us would be alive to this day. 

As we live our lives from day to day, let us be reminded: God has not changed. If this pattern is the heavenly format, the standards have not changed. Let us return to God and learn his pattern for worship and praise. He wants to show Himself strong in our lives but we must let Him. Jesus is the embodiment of all that the old tabernacle was: He is the Gate; He is the door; He is the Lamb of sacrifice that has cleansed us from our sins; He is the Word of God; He is the Light and the Lamp; and He is the access into the Holy of Holies, where God waits for us. What else is left? Why would we want to do church and leave Him out? His time of favour is here.