Speak!

Speak!

O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works. Psalms 105:1‭-‬2 KJV

There is power in the spoken word. Today's extract underlines this truth so deeply. No matter how bad things get or become, the charge before me today is to give thanks. No matter what the challenges are, I am expected to give thanks. It doesn't ignore the realities; it just reminds me to see the divine at work even in the most distressing of times.

I cannot give thanks without remembering all the things God has done, brought me through or out of, or allowed to build me up. My life is a summary of many experiences, and I am reminded that as I draw people's attention to this God, He is made known and his glory is revealed amongst men. And as I remember these mighty things, the expected reaction is praise. Am I cajoled into praising God or is it a daily and faithful offering from my heart to Him? Do men see Him through my life? Is my life a platform for His manifestation? Do I just mean it sincerely in my heart, but my life bears no reflection of this truth? 

You see, the more my life reflects His glory, the more men are moved to know and seek Him. I cannot make known His deeds if I have not first experienced his power and deeds. I cannot speak of his mighty works if I have not had first hand experience. I cannot sing about someone I have not known on a personal level. It then means that there is no substitute for a personal experience of God. Men praise other men because of what they have received; men respond by seeking to do more to maintain that praise. If this applies to weak, mortal men, imagine how God feels when I drawn near, seek to know Him, praise Him and also draw other men's attention to Him.

Times may be hard, but God is awesome. He cares, and His grace is a daily manifestation. He deserves my praise, worship and love. Do you know Him? Does He also know you? His time of favour is here.

Response!

Response!

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 1 Peter 5:7 KJV

Peter takes time out to speak to people who have the clear understanding of what a relationship with God looks like. The verse before today's extract lays the foundation for what we read here. In dealing with God, there is no room for pride or self-sufficiency. We were created by God, for his pleasure and our lives must be lived in light of that understanding. The man who will go far with God is the man who recognizes his limits and is totally and daily dependent on the true source of strength for support and help.

And that leads to today's extract: I am charged to cast ALL my care on the One who calls, supports, upholds and helps. I am not expected to do stuff by myself; to seek to solve the world's problems on my own. He promises me his help, and if I do not take it, I cannot turn around and blame Him for not helping. He stands at the door of my heart and He is knocking. He made the heart, but He gave the heart the freewill to choose. 

I cannot give Him some of my care and hold on to some. I do not have the capacity or ability to determine how situations end. By myself, I am limited, but the limitless God calls out to me, asking me to make the approach, and give him all my fears, worries and issues. His arms are called everlasting, because nothing in there goes to waste. If it is placed in his arms, you can rest assured that He will take care of it. 

And there is no limit to what I can give to Him. He is concerned about ALL things that relate to me. He cares. It may not always look like it, especially when the trials are so strong and pressing, but as long as God is involved, his promise is that He will not put on us more than what we can bear. His love just will not let us go. I have the Loving Father on my side; therefore I know that all will end well. I take advantage of the grace made available in and through Christ, and I give Him total control of my life. I have no idea what the future holds, but I know the One who holds that future in His hands, and that is enough for me? What of you? His time of favour is here.

Watch Where you Are

Watch Where you Are!

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. Psalms 1:1‭-‬2 KJV

The whole book of Psalms starts with the admonitions in the verses highlighted above. In effect, where you walk determines what you get. Where you are at this moment in time is a strong determinant of what you stand to gain or lose. In our walk on earth, there is nothing that is said in vain or done in futility; our lives at each moment is a function of the aggregate of our daily walk and choices.

There is counsel that the ungodly give. They are the ones who tell you it does not matter, you can do whatever you like, after all, God is a God of love who cannot destroy his creation in hell. The ungodly tell you it does not pay to serve God alone, that you must add something else to the faith you have received. There is a way a sinner walks that appeals to him. The devil makes the way of the sinner appear smooth, without hassles. Everything a sinner touches seems to turn to gold. There is a place scoffers sit to mock God and his ways. Because they are close-minded, they cannot perceive anywhere that God is at work, even in the midst of the terrible situations of life.

For us who have identified with Christ, do we still struggle for clarity in your walk with and work for God? You cannot play both sides; you cannot serve God and also pay obeisance to the devil at the same time. There is no middle ground, no de-militarized zone. f I do not associate with the ungodly, if I keep away from the sinners and avoid the scoffers, then it means that I am busy at the other option- delighting in the law of the Lord and meditating day and night on it. You cannot avoid both or get engaged with both. God does not make room for hypocrites. In my walking, standing or sitting, God expects my life to speak of him to other people. I can only make impact when I am filled with the right stuff, and I am busy seeking to know more about God. I am careful to avoid being caught up with activities that are not assigned to me, no matter how inspired the assignments are. God leads my life, guides my thoughts and directs my actions.

The questions remain: where and with whom do I stand at the moment? Where am I walking and who am I walking with at the moment? Where and who are my companions where I am sitting at the moment? What I am engaged in at the moment? The fruits of my life will be determined by the answers to those questions. His time of favour is here.

Plan, yet Do God!

Plan, yet do God!

A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life], But the Lord directs his steps and establishes them. PROVERBS 16:9 AMP

No harm in planning; in fact, it is good to have an idea of the direction you want your life to go. Life itself is a journey, which one must prepare for. There will be early risers, late bloomers, bumps on the road, detours from the main road into other routes, minor accidents, and so many other things related to journeys.

However, I learn today that I must seek approval and validation of my plans from the owner of life itself. Of what use are well laid plans made without the approval of the only One who can bring them to pass? Have you seen any man who can beat his chest and swear by all he has that he is a self -made man?

Life's pitfalls are many, and I need the experience of the Master compass to navigate successfully. My steps need direction and my plans need establishment, and both can only come from God himself. The fact that I have made wonderful plans and they all seem to be falling in place has got nothing to do with the intelligence of my mind, but with the mercy and favour of God himself.

So, enjoy the journey. Plan well, travel well, take in the sights, sounds and experiences that life will throw at you. But never forget in whose hands you are and under whose command you live. God will not force himself on me; he only wants me to willingly surrender all to him so that my life will make the impact it was destined to make. After all, the life was never mine in the first place. His time of favour is here.

Input; Output!

Input; Output!

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. Colossians 3:16 NRSV

There is a process to impact, and it starts with a relationship with the Word of God, who is Jesus himself. Today's extract talks about this process, and of course, the start point is what I do with the word of God. I could give it some room in my heart, or I could confine it to specific areas of my life. Whatever my decision is, this is what will determine the rest of today's extract.

God's Word is to DWELL in me richly; it is not temporary abode, where it comes in and goes out, or like the seed that fell by the wayside, with no impact at all. It is to find permanent residence in me, so it can dictate terms and direct my life. And of course, residence status determines what you are entitled to. If God's Word dwells in me, then I can teach and admonish others in all wisdom. I note that the grace to teach is not a function only of spiritual gifts, but of the outflow of grace I have received from being connected to God.

And of course, wherever the Word of God dwells, thanksgiving and praise are also present. God's Word speaks to the human condition, and is able to push through the limitations and realities of human nature, and give me a reason to be grateful to God. It sure does matter what my understanding of God is, because there will be times when you may not understand what He's doing, but your relationship with Him gives you the confidence and assurance that it will always end in praise.

So, what's the residence status of God's Word in your heart? Is it the steering wheel or a spare wheel? What you get is determined by who you know and belong to. His time of favour is here.

Benefits!

Benefits

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.1 John 1:7 NIV

My identity cannot be established outside of the One who loved me well enough to die for me. If I claim I am a Christian, then I derive my identity, my functions, my heart, my life and my pursuits from Christ. I must go beyond the drama of mouth confession and move into the realm of life profession.

What are the benefits of my identity in Christ?  First of all, as today's extract establishes, I walk in light. When I have Christ, I cannot walk in darkness. His presence guides and guards. Secondly, fellowship with other believers will make sense, because there is a connecting sense of purpose. I realise I am not alone as I run my race; God keeps bringing in people who will encourage, bless and build me up as I work. The connection is the blood of Jesus, by which men of all tribes and colours are united in the kingdom find God here on earth.

Are you a part of this Kingdom?  Have you been washed in the blood, and become a part of this family? Do you have the light?  Have you been cleansed from sin, and walking in the fellowship of imperfect people made perfect by the perfect Master himself, Jesus Christ? And at the end, cleansing from sin is the key to eternal life. It doesn't just end down here; life here is a preparation for eternity. How are you preparing? His time of favour is here.

Love in Action!

Love in Action!

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; I Corinthians 13:4 NKJV

The characteristics of love are on full display in today's extract. It is easy to claim to love someone; the proof is in daily interaction with other people, and the decisions made. I can make any kind of claim about my love for other people, but my outer life's profession is the loudest testament to my inner life's confession. 

There is nothing hasty or unprepared about love. Long before the tests come, love has already drawn on the grace available through the source of love on how it will react in those tests. When you say love suffers long and is kind, it is because it has been tested and found to be true. There would have been times when it was easier to lash out than hold it in, or when it was easier to insist on your own good rather than another person's, but love seeks the higer, nobler path by seeking someone else's welfare, most times at its own expense.

There is no envy in love, because it is not focused first on selfish gain, but on the other person's welfare. You can't keep an eye on doing good to another, and still be pursuing personal gain at the same time. Such hypocrisy is usually revealed before long, as it is impossible to serve or submit to two different masters or priorities at the same time. There is no room for pride because love is always all-encompassing, leaving no room for self to take control. 

And I note that human attributes are given to love, so that we know that these attributes are possible, if we depend on the One whose power makes all things possible. I cannot do any of these things by myself, as I don't have the power, resources or wisdom to do it right. I must totally depend on His grace and strength, and I must seek Him daily in prayer and bible study and fellowship, so that I can grow in my knowledge of Him and what He expects from me. Who's in charge in there? Who do you answer to? His time of favour is here.

Clear and Faultless!

Clear and Faultless!

For ever since the creation of the world His invisible nature and attributes, that is, His eternal power and divinity, have been made intelligible and clearly discernible in and through the things that have been made (His handiworks). So [men] are without excuse [altogether without any defense or justification]. Romans 1:20 AMPC

We have listened to various versions of how the earth was created. Rather than solve the puzzle, science has created an even bigger problem, due to the conflicting accounts of how the earth was formed. We speak about man's evolution, prehistoric age and several other things, yet there seems to be a complete ignorance or lack of knowledge of the power behind all that our eyes can see. Unfortunately, the existence of God is not based on my acceptance of the fact.

All around me, if I will listen carefully and observe what is going on, I will see God at work. Is it the way the clouds form or the changing seasons? Is it the fact that it is sunlight in one part of the earth and thick darkness in another part of the same earth at the same time? Is it about each person's particular fingerprints, or the fact that our DNA shows our shared humanity, irrespective of the colour of our skin or the language we speak? We focus so much on the things that make us 'superior' to others, forgetting that it is our peculiarities that speak the loudest message about the power and greatness of God.

There is no excuse for not knowing God. He has made his will and purpose clear in creation, and creation continues to speak of His power, wisdom and might. Are we even listening or does God have to knock us on the head to get our attention? I can't blame God for how my life turns out, if I spend my life ignoring Him. Whilst there is time, I must seek Him out and submit to Him, so my life can be a vessel He can shine through. His time of favour is here.

Abundance!

Abundance!

And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 2 Corinthians 9:8 KJV

We start, not with the promise, but with the conditions. The world loves the promises, but is not quick to align with the conditions. God is not a magician, but a God of principles and process. If you check the verse just before today's extract, you will find one fundamental principle: you get the same measure you put in. You cannot claim from the ground something you didn't first put in it. It is called the law of sowing and reaping. 

When I align with God's standard of giving, He is then obligated to do His part. Note that there is no mention of value or frequency, just the act of sowing. God who created the heart knows the sincerity or otherwise of the sowing and that is why he can't be deceived. If I sow faithfully with the substance I have, God will bless me bountifully in return. If I am deceitful with the substance I have, I can only blame myself for the repercussions that will follow.

Nobody forced Ananias and Sapphira to act; the substance was theirs, and it was theirs to apportion how best they thought fit, but instead, they lied about their intentions and they paid a huge price. The widow who gave 2 coins was commended by Jesus, not because she gave so much, but she gave from her heart, and gave her best. The world measures in quantity, quality and weight; God measures in heart. 

And when I have done my best, God launches out his best: his grace. When a man has been touched by grace, his life and everyone else around him know the impact. This grace is the source of God's abundance and sufficiency in all things. When you have God's grace, you have everything you will ever need for life and Godliness. The little you give in sincerity becomes the source of the miracle of abundance, so much so that you will never lack substance for future good works. God's grace opens up a stream of never-ending supply, so that I become a blessing to my generation. 

It all starts with an understanding of who this God is, and what He can do. He is awesome and mighty, and He can do all things, but His great power is tempered by my decisions and actions. If I obey completely, I open up my life to the amazing impact of God's power and grace. If I do not, then God is limited in what He can do in and through me. What's your decision? How would you react? What would you have God do for you? What would you do to activate his grace? Questions, with answers that will speak into eternity. His time of favour is here.

Why Pray?

Why Pray?

Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the Lord God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again.

1 Kings 18:37 KJV

Israel had wandered away from God. They had settled in the land of Canaan, but had allowed the culture and traditions of the land to influence them. The rules and commands of God had been ignored, and the people now had varieties of gods they were serving. First lesson: never get too comfortable or familiar with God that you think you got him figured out. Whatever he calls sin remains sin, no matter how popular or powerful contrary opinion is.

In the midst of the rot, God preserved Elijah as one of his own. Second lesson: It doesn't matter how bad or evil a generation is, God always has a voice on his side. It may be 1 or 2 people, but with God on your side, it doesn't matter what the quality or quantity of the opposition is. As long as you speak for God, He will always back you up. When the right time to confront evil came, Elijah challenged the false prophets to a contest to see which God is the true God. Third lesson: Don't dare claim you speak for God if you have not been sent. God always honours his Word, but the vessel to be used must be totally submitted. 

And we know how the story ends, but the prayer of Elijah here is instructive. He had NO doubt that God answers prayers, but He wanted the people to know who the true God is. Fourth lesson: when all you desire is God's glory and praise, you open the door for God to show Himself strong on your behalf. When you draw men's attention to God, you draw God's amazing favour into your life. There is no room for self-promotion; if God is glorified, he promises that He will draw men to Himself. You can't do anything by your own power to fast track it; you can only depend on God's amazing timing to work out whatever is His perfect will.

So I pray, not because I have all the answers now, but because I want God to be glorified in me. I surrender my life to God, because I know His plans for me are perfect. I seek His glory and praise in all I do, and I promise by his grace never to take any glory for whatever He does. I pray that as I live, men will see His power, might and glory made manifest in abundant measure in my life. What about you? His time of favour is here.

Fashioned!

Fashioned!

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 2:10 KJV

I am not the usual, the normal or the expected; I am fashioned by an extraordinary God to impact the world I have been placed in. I note the first sentence is in the present tense, which tells me that as long as I am alive, I am never quite the finished article in terms of usage. I am complete in God because all I need for life and Godliness have been provided in Him, but there is no limit to how and where God can decide to plant me for impact.

Workmanship denotes art, precision and beauty. When you see a life that God uses, it may not start pretty, but check out the end of ALL men who were used by God. Their errors, mistakes and emotions all became mighty tools in the hands of the Mighty God to do mighty things. It matters in whose hands you are and who is using you. The beauty of my life is seen in what Christ is able to do in and through me. Note the order: created in Christ to do good works. Good works done in and through Christ are what generates eternal reward. Ask Cornelius: he was a good man, spoken well by all who knew Him, but God still sent Peter to preach the gospel of Christ to him. It goes beyond being good; it is first about being IN Christ.

And the plans of God are eternal in nature and impact. God doesn't do things by half; He is the one who ordains things from before the foundation of the earth was laid, and He keeps things moving by His mighty power. His plans cannot be thwarted, and His purpose will endure to all generations. He calls me to walk with and work for Him, which is an amazing privilege.

I am not my own master, or the determinant of my own fate; that is God's prerogative. I am only safe when I am in His hands, and doing what He has commissioned. So, the questions: who is the throne and authority behind your present pursuits and priorities? Who is your guiding light and partner? Do you know who you are or who you belong to? That understanding is so fundamental to all that I can become and achieve in this present earthly phase. His time of favour is here.

Want God?

He will bless them that fear the Lord, both small and great. The Lord shall increase you more and more, you and your children.
Psalms 115:13‭-‬14 KJV

God does not do small time, one season- only wonders; he keeps his gaze on eternity. He keeps his eye on the prize, while he works in and through yielded and unyielded vessels to bring his purpose and will to bear. Two perspectives: first, it is not about your choice or cooperation; it is about a limitless God, at work since creation, bringing to pass ALL he has promised. 

Then, there is the second perspective, which is that for ANYONE who will choose to walk and work with God, the benefits are limitless. You may think you have a choice in the matter, but even your rebellion/ disobedience plays a role in God's ultimate plan.

I see both perspectives here: God's nature is to bless all who fear him; man's responsibility and response is to fear God. Both go together. God's resources are unlimited, but he does not waste them. It does not matter how the world views or sees you; what counts is what God says about you.

You may be small or great in man's eyes, but be sure you have the fear of God reigning supreme in your heart. The fear of man is a snare, and once you set down that road, you are stuck. You will only keep making compromises, and living beneath God's expectations for your life.

Everything I do has generational impact. My children after me will reap the consequences of my decisions today. Ask Abraham, Jacob, David, Hezekiah, Ahab and so many others. For some, it started with them, for others, they simply walked into the seeds others had sown. It matters what I do NOW.

Don't see increase here just by numbers alone; God is bigger than all that. Abraham was promised seed, yet he got only 1 son by promise. Today, there is no doubt God's promises have been fulfilled. Physical numbers are just a small bit; eternal impact is the big picture. I'm not settling for the temporal and earthly recognition of man; I want the full measure of all that God wants for me. What do you want? His time of favour is here.

One and Only!

One and Only!

Jesus said to him, “I am the [only] Way [to God] and the [real] Truth and the [real] Life; no one comes to the Father but through Me. JOHN 14:6 AMP

Thomas asked a question leading to today's extract, and we all must deal with this question at some point in our lives. Thomas had heard Jesus speak about what was ahead, and he wanted to know how he could qualify for all those wonderful things. Jesus' response captures the channel, the substance and the end result of all that God holds out to me. First, he talks about the channel: no one else can give you access to God's best, except the One God Himself has laid out as His Son. Through Him, access has been given to all of us to approach God.

Secondly, the substance of all God holds for me must be my highest priority. I must search for that truth; the real deal. The world has got so many options; God only offers me one option, and for all who know God, He is predictable about one thing: no matter the generation or the dispensation, God's standards do not change. If He says something to me today, as long as I remain faithful, that Word will Work Wonders. In fact, it does not matter if I remain faithful; his Truth is not subject to my nature but to his own nature.

Lastly, He offers life, the type that the world cannot offer or guarantee. He keeps His eyes on eternity, whilst He works through and in me. It does not just end down here, but here is just a preparation for eternity. And the thread that ties them all together is Faith in Jesus. Through Him, these great promises are fulfilled. By God's standards, nothing else works now or will work in the future. God has laid it all out; and as always, the power of choice is given to me. Literally, I live or die by the quality of the decision I make before death or rapture comes. What will it be for you? His time of favour is here.

The Word of God!

The Word of God!

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12 KJV

There are words, and there is the Word. Men speak, and then God speaks. When you have heard both, you know which one to trust. There are powers, but there is one called the Omnipotent God, who can do all things and is not limited in any way by anything or anyone. That is the basis of today's extract: making the introduction of the God who speaks and every voice is silent and still.

Men's words may carry power, especially when there is authority and position backing them up, but it is also possible that even with all the authority and position, these men still have expiry dates. Men can make things happen, but they cannot guarantee how these things will end. Then you have a God whose Word also carries power, and the authority and position are also embedded in the Word. And because he is limitless and without end, there is no expiry date or limit to his Word. 

The power in His Word is made manifest in so many ways. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, cutting even the hearer, speaker or the receiver of the Word. There is no stopping its effects,  because it is not subject to my emotional manipulation. It is not first about my comfort, but about building my character. It is able to cut through the pretence, hypocrisy and the self-deception, and show me who I really am. It cuts so fine and so close that you will know, without a doubt, where you stand and who you are in Christ. 

And it goes even deep into your thoughts, motives and intents. We can convince ourselves that we are right, but it is not enough. We can deceive ourselves into thinking we gave our all or our best, but before we go pumping our chests at our achievements, we had better check that God shares the same idea as ours. It will be most unfortunate to go through life thinking we were working for God, only to discover at the end of our lives that we were only promoting our own agendas. 

We deal with a God of absolute knowledge. We deal with the creator of the heart, so nothing escapes his attention. He is the God of all flesh, and his power remains absolute and all-encompassing. How would you respond? His time of favour is here.

United!

United!

An enemy might be able to defeat one person, but two people can stand back-to-back to defend each other. And three people are even stronger. They are like a rope that has three parts wrapped together—it is very hard to break. Ecclesiastes 4:12 ERV

Whether we are ready or not; whether you want to or not, battles are a part of everyday life. At different times in our lives, we will have to take a stand on issues, and we may have to lose a few things or friends in order to maintain that stand. In that context comes today's extract. There are several sides to the passage under consideration, but I believe that God will make things clearer as we study His Word.

The enemy is always waging war, and it is his desire to steal, kill and destroy. One way he does this well is to isolate us as individuals and make us think we can go it alone. Now, there is a truth to the statement that one with God is a majority, but the same God placed us in a community of believers so we can draw strength and purpose from one another. It was never his idea that anyone walks this life alone, and that is why even the basic family unit isn't possible outside of a union of  at least two people. That is the foundation of unity: where 2 different people from two different backgrounds have to work together to achieve a common goal.

One person may be able to withstand the enemy, but a lot of energy may be expended in making that stand. Two people can stand back to back and fight the common enemy, not each other. That is another common strategy by the enemy: make you think you are better off on your own, or that the other person doesn't have your interests at heart. If I am able to make a common stand with another person of the same mind and heart as I, then we share a common front and the enemy cannot come between us. 

The three piece cord is even stronger. The more people share a common goal, the harder it is for the enemy to penetrate. God had to concede that as long as the builders of Babel had one common goal, nothing would be impossible for them to achieve. If this is God's perspective, imagine the power at our disposal when we live this out in our daily lives. What this makes clear is that I should not first be concerned about numbers, but about common purpose. Numbers are not the raw material God counts in first; it is a heart that is focused on Him, and then seeks the good of other people. 

As I go through life, I recognize the clear importance of unity of purpose and mind. There is power, not just in numbers, but in unity of heart. God moves in mighty ways when men have the same heart, and it is easy for his glory to be made manifest when we work together as one. Am I content being on my own? If yes, what is the motivation? Do I seek out people of like minds as get involved in their lives? God is counting on me to affect and impact my world for Him, and I cannot do that by sitting in my corner, doing nothing yet waiting for a miracle. Get involved; His time of favour is here.

Wisdom!

Wisdom!

The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning (the chief and choice part) of Wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight and understanding.
Proverbs 9:10 AMPC

Wisdom is critical for all of life. It is man's greatest need, yet it is one of the most misunderstood concepts of all time. Could it be that the reason why wisdom isn't really understood is because not too many people know its true source. We interpret it to mean different things, but it would appear that wisdom is steps deeper than both of knowledge and understanding. Today's extract says 'the fear of the Lord' is the beginning of wisdom. It all starts in man's heart, and then it grows as a function of man's relationship with God.

If the fear of God is not real and embedded in your heart, you can never fully understand the commitment which God demands of all who claim to follow Him. If the fear is not real, you will never hate sin with the same passion God does. You see, this fear is just the start point, and as you grow in that fear, you grow in your knowledge and understanding of who God truly is. The One you fear will always be of paramount importance to you, and you wouldn't want to do anything to annoy the One you fear.

Let it be known that this good fear isn't a negative thing; in fact, you need to have it if your relationship with God will be of much value. Good Fear leads to a desire for knowledge, and the more I know about God, the more I understand how He works, what He wants and what I should avoid. The more I understand how He works, the more I walk in step with Him. Ultimately, I become more like Him, when I have his kind of heart. So, what's the state of your heart? Who's your fear? Who is in charge there? His time of favour is here.

Order!

Order!

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 KJV

For all who will walk with God, there are set rules of engagement. First, let it be clear that as long as we are in this earthly body, the devil will keep fighting to control and destroy God's work in us. This is the reason why today's extract starts on the right note: submit yourself to God. I do not have the slightest idea of the forces arrayed against me; God does. I do not have any strategies for the kind of battles that are coming; God does. I do not even know how to fight; God does. I will do well to submit to God's authority and power and rely on Him to get me home safely. 

Submission to God makes resistance of the devil possible. One before the other. The devil is skilled in warfare, and has been fighting dirty since before man was created. He is crafty, but God is wiser. If I will be able to resist the devil, I cannot do it by my power or wisdom. I have to depend on the One called the Man of War. How can I resist: I simply learn more and more of God, what He desires of me, what he wants me to do and say, and I speak to Him daily, seeking guidance and advice on life. 

Oh, trials will come; nowhere does God promise immunity from persecution, but He promises me his presence, protection, provision and peace. When God backs you up, it doesn't matter what the quality and quantity of the opposition against you is. God promises that if I can sort out my submission and I can depend on Him for grace and strength to resist the devil, the devil is bound to flee from me. The devil will keep trying, but as long as I don't shift my focus away from God, I am safe. Where do you stand? His time of favour is here. 

He Lives!

He Lives!

For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: Job 19:25 KJV

Job had gone through an unusual and quite painful experience. He had lost all that he had and knew, and even his body wasn't really what he recognised anymore. His wife had advised him to curse God and die, and he now had friends who felt his piety was a cover up: pretence to be what he was not. No matter how hard he tried, his friends weren't convinced he wasn't the reason for his dire predicament. What do you do when your actions are interpreted wrongly, and men cast aspersions on your character and intentions? How do you change the opinions of men who have made up their minds about you?

Actually, the reactions of men to you are outside your immediate control, so you can't really let that bother you. The most important questions are these: Who do I know? What do I seek? How do I hold on to the end? Job's statement here kind of covers these. No matter what goes on around you, be very sure about the One living inside you. There is nothing that can prepare you for the shock and awe that the world will bring, but you will only stand to the end if you know the One called the Redeemer. 

Job knew Him, and his heart could rejoice, even in his terrible physical state. The hope tied to this knowledge keeps you sane in an insane world, and it is this expectation of great things that keep you holding on to the end. The end is coming: there is no doubt about that. If men were to inherit this world, they would not have to physically die, but death is a precursor to the amazing things God has promised. One day, Jesus will return to the earth, and He will stand as the Righteous Judge. He calls out, seeeking men who will allow Him work in them that which is His good will.

The question then remains: how do you respond to this God who calls? Do you know Him at all? For those who claim to know Him, does He also know you as His own? He is coming back to take with Him those who are eagerly expecting Him, and the one way you can qualify if for Him to be your redeemer. Have you surrendered? Is He in charge? His time of favour is here.

Covenant-Keeper

Covenant-Keeper

Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations; Deuteronomy 7:9 KJV

God took time to warn Israel about the land it was about to enter: a land it didn't work for or deserve. That's the first lesson about God: you cannot really lay claim to anything of value that makes you deserve God's mercy and grace. It is about God's prerogative, not man's ability. 

God also reminded Israel about the covenant He had made with Abraham and their fathers, and the conditions attached to the covenant. We love to claim the blessings, but we always conveniently ignore the conditions. As God reminds Israel of who He is and what He can do, He reminds them also of what He expects from them. God is faithful to His Word and Promise, as it is his nature to be. He will keep his own part of the covenant. It is man that must be careful about what he does, so that he can enjoy the full benefits available under the covenant.

He warns ahead of time that obedience to His commands is the key that unlocks His full ability to bless. God's resources are inexhaustible, but they will not be wasted or  dispensed without accountability. God is also a generational God; one who is able to uphold his own end of the bargain for as long as the earth remains. If the seasons could remain since God made that pronouncement to Noah all those centuries ago, then you can rest assured that God is able to keep his promise of mercy to all who remain faithful and obedient.

That is my first and utmost priority: to know Him, what He wants from me, and obey Him. Relationship with God, reading, research and remembrance of His Word, with personal and lifelong commitment to obey. That must be the summary of my life's goals, if I will end well. What's your decision? His time of favour is here.

Set and Sustained!

Set and Sustained!

I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Psalms 16:8 KJV

I have set the Lord always before me:

What is God's position in your life? Is He fixed or variable? Is He the one and only or one of many options? How often do I go to Him for support and guidance? Is He an occasional flame, good only for the winter season and ignored when all is bright and rosy? Is He the only focus or an afterthought? Whatever you set before you becomes your most prized possession or inspiration. No matter the answers you give to the questions above, you must remember that you are dealing with a God of absolute knowledge, before whom nothing is hidden. 

He is at my right hand:

NOT that I am the focus of attention, but He is. He is the One sustaining and holding me up, not the other way around. The One who is supporting the other is the One that matters. As yu examine your life, the critical question then is: Who is holding who up? Are you the one giving God the instructions and setting the limits or is it God? Are you fully in charge or is there shared responsibility for decision making? The right hand signifies strength; you can only be as strong as the One who helps and supports you. 

I shall not be moved:

We usually start from this portion, and ignore the more important part which speaks about the conditions for being immovable. We love the promises, but conveniently forget the conditions. We want to turn God into a magician, or we want to arm-twist Him to act in a certain way or do for us what we want and when and how we want it. It is when the earlier part is settled and secure that this last part is sure and certain. Oh, be prepared: storms will rise, winds will blow, but if I am fixed and helped by the right person, I will not be moved. The world will even come to an end sometime, but I rest assured that God has got my back. 

Decision:

David knew the One who is spoken about here on a very personal basis. What of you? Are you content with what people say about Him or would you come seeking Him for yourself? Would you make God the steering wheel of your life; the one in full control or do you have alternative plans, just in case the main one doesn't work? Questions, with answers that will speak into eternity. His time of favour is here.

Attitude!

Attitude!

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV

Nowhere does God promise us clear skies and jolly good times for all the moments and days that He has given us, but He promises us His Presence, Power, Provision and Peace. Since these promises are backed up by the greatest power in the world, the one thing that is left to sort out then becomes my own response and reaction to the things already promised. 

I am told that IN everything, I should give thanks. Whatever it is that comes my way, and no matter how difficult and terrible it may seem, God says I should give thanks. I note that He is not asking me to assume that everything that happens is His perfect will, but as long as I am IN God, I have the clear assurance that I am where God wants me to be and He will bring me to the place He has prepared for me.

I am thanking God on the basis of personal relationship and a clear understanding of who I am and who I belong to. I am not thanking Him because I am afraid He will kill me or because it is just the smart thing to do, or because I have nothing else to do: I am thanking Him because I know that beyond my present experience lie a glory that outweighs these present realities. I acknowledge His wisdom and timing, and know that if He allows it, it's because He has measured it to bring out the best in me.

And that is the underlying fact behind God's will: nothing happens without his knowledge. I am not an accident, neither am I the product of careless thinking or planning. All that has or will happen are all part of his plan to bring me into perfection. So, I rejoice, NOT for the bitter experiences that have come, but for the better days that are ahead. I give thanks for the divine support available, sure and certain that God is on my side, and at the end of it all, it will end in praise. If I want to end well and make it all worth it, my highest pursuit must be the perfect will of God. His time of favour is here.

Expectant!

Expectant!

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;  And patience, experience; and experience, hope. And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Romans 5:3‭-‬5 KJV

Salvation seals my hope; it is the start point of the journey that ends in eternal life with God. This hope fills my heart with joy, as I am certain about the end, and who I will spend it with. If the passage ended here, maybe we would relax and get careless, but today's extract extends that hope into an unusual territory. 

We are told that the joy of salvation also extends into how I view tribulations and trials. How do joy and tribulations mix? How do I view hope from the prism of unusual and sometimes painful experiences? Only in God do these things make sense, and it is made clear from today's extract that no one else can make it all come together except God Himself. He allows trials that He has vetted to come my way, so I can learn patience. He dispenses them in the right measure and at the right time so that I can learn more about Him and his ways, and also learn more about His giftings and purpose for my life.

God doesn't waste resources. The experiences he brings teach me more about God than anything or anyone else can show me, and from those experiences, hope is birthed and sustained. Hope that is not founded on God is not defined as hope, because from today's extract, it is the Holy Spirit that is the inner and present manifestation of the hope living inside us. How do I look ahead if I have no clue what is going on? How do I expect good if God does not live inside of me? How do I know what next to do, where next to go, how else to act, if there is no divine guidance by the One who holds tomorrow in His hands?

Today is a new day; God wants to birth hope in us. He wants to live in us, so He can do His perfect work in and through us. He wants to make our lives a living testimony of His power, grace and strength. He will not compel anyone, but He will come into anyone who willingly opens his/her heart. When He comes in, eternal life is secured. Everything else that comes after becomes lessons and preparations towards the fulfilment of that hope. Will you let Him have his way? Will you open up to Him? His time of favour is here.

Get it Right!

Get it Right!

Make God the utmost delight and pleasure of your life, and he will provide for you what you desire the most. Psalms 37:4 TPT

The writer of this psalm knew what he was talking about when he penned these words; after all, he is called 'a man after God's heart'. You don't get to be called that unless you have made God your one and ultimate desire. There are always distractions around us; our hearts are so easily moved towards the appearance of 'success' by friends and foes around us, but today's extract simply says that if I am able to get my heart's focus right, then I can have all I ever desire from God.

How do I make God the utmost delight and pleasure of my life? The foundation and the process of getting there are all important. On a daily basis, as I wake up and go about my  duties, what are my pursuits and priorities? Do I have those quiet moments to seek God's face about my daily life? Do I seek his opinion as a priority or as one of many options? Does His Word provide me the required guidance for daily life or are there other sources I depend on? These are questions that need to be answered if indeed I will enjoy the benefits stated at the end of the extract.

When I make God my one and only pursuit, He also gives me his special attention. When I take care of God's business, He takes care of my business also. It is my personal responsibility to make God the utmost pleasure of my life; God does not force Himself on anyone. He gives me the freewill to choose Him and He also has the freewill to bless me in line with His Word. If I will lay claim to the blessings on offer, I must be ready to align with the conditions attached. No demand on earth can exhaust the resources of heaven, so ask in line with the will of heaven, and watch heaven make your life a public testimony of grace, favour and mercy. His time of favour is here.

Trust-Worthy?

Trust-Worthy?

The one who manages the little he has been given with faithfulness and integrity will be promoted and trusted with greater responsibilities. But those who cheat with the little they have been given will not be considered trustworthy to receive more. Luke 16:10 TPT

Very clear message: do not expect anything greater or bigger than your present level of accountability and responsibility. We aspire to great heights; we want to be encrusted with great assignments; we desire higher responsibilities. We love to hear other people's stories, but we care nothing about the journey and their private dealings. We seem to forget that the first thing we must do is sort out our hearts. 

Why the heart? Because that is the place of the battle. That is where the reactions and expectations are settled long before they are called into manifestation. Did you think that Daniel's resolve not to eat the king's meat was a sudden one? No, he had taken time to study and know what God wanted for them, and he had made up his mind not to compromise. David was complex, but his heart was simple: as soon as he knew he had sinned, there was no pretence or self-denial; he just went straight to God and asked for mercy. Little wonder these lives became the types we read about and learn from today. 

If God cannot trust my heart, how does He commit great treasures into my hands? If my heart is not His to control, how does he guarantee the safety and sanctity of his work and Word in my hand? And of course, he starts with the litttle things, the hidden, private lessons where no one else can see. He deals with me in private, away from public eyes, away from human applause, so He can test and certify my trust-worthiness. When He knows my heart is all His, then and only then can He trust me with all of Himself. 

If you see a man prospering in God's work, celebrate the God in Him, who sees the heart. If you see a man that God is using in any way, celebrate the God who knows just how and where best each vessel fits. And then for myself, I go to God and ask Him to deal with all that limits his power and grace in me. If I will go higher and deeper with God, I must pay the price in devotion, commitment, time investment and faithfulness in the little secret things. God alone can do the most mighty things with the most ordinary vessel that is totally surrendered to Him. His time of favour is here.

What's the Control?

What's the Control?

Righteousness (rightness and justice in every area and relation) guards him who is upright in the way, but wickedness plunges into sin and overthrows the sinner. Proverbs 13:6 AMPC

As always, there are two dimensions to all of life. There are only two sides to the coin of life and what you get out of it is dependent on what you put into it. You are either on God's side or against Him; no fence has been built to accommodate indecision. We have already laid down the fact that sin has changed the landscape and brought death to all of man, and the only cure is a return to the God of mercy, who through his blood can give a new, fresh and clean start. 

However, one thing is needed from me: total dependence on God. He supplies the grace and strength required, but I must show up for it. Righteousness is not of me, but of God. I cannot push out my credentials and think they are sufficient for purpose. In dealing with God, qualifications and connections are inconsequential. I rely totally on the God who knows me to help me. I cannot lay claim to anything good in myself, because even my highest good could be tainted by selfish interests and self-preservation.

When I depend only on God, He guards my way and guides me into his perfect will. Of course, the opposite too is true. If I depend on what I have accomplished, or I push forward my own agenda, I simply tell God I can take care of myself. Anything that celebrates me at the expense of God is simply wickedness. Anything that tells man that he doesn't need God is wickedness. The consequences of that mentality is death, as established by God.

It is time to take stock yet again. Who is the motivation behind your present pursuits? It is good to always remember that there are eternal consequences to the decision to be made. You don't have all of life to make that decision, and you had better consider what will happen to you when this present earthly phase is over. You do not want to stand before God at the end of your life, and realise you had pursued the wrong options. God keeps calling; His arms are open wide and His righteousness is free for all who will trust Him. What are you waiting for? His time of favour is here.

Acceptable!

Acceptable!

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.

Psalms 19:14 KJV

Sin really is a game-changer. God's plan was man without blemish or fault, walking with God daily and fully aligned with His will. With sin came the consciousness of our mortality, weakness and end. However, between the time of our birth and death, a few things bear mention and emphasis. 

First, only in and by God can my life be an acceptable offering. I cannot do it by myself or by own power, but as I depend daily on God, He supplies the strength and grace I need to succeed in my divine commission. Second, my life is a complete package; one where all parts must speak to the divine control and influence. I cannot claim to be under God's authority and then my life bears no semblance to my control centre. If indeed I belong to God, He must both by visible and audible in and through me.

And that is the whole point: the alignment of my life with my control centre. Do the words I speak reflect who I claim to be? Do I say one thing whilst my heart is tilted in the opposite direction? Am I a good pretender, able to show one side to some people and yet another completely different side to others? 

Today's extract emphasize the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart. Both are central to my walk with God. God and Man hear the words; but God sees the heart. The mouth speaks out of the abundance stored up in the heart. What do I spend time on? What are my daily pursuits and priorities and which of the flesh and spirit do I feed? The day of reckoning is at hand; all men will have to give an account of all that has been entrusted into their hands. 

God is watching and waiting for us to come to Him for help. He knows we cannot do it alone, so He supplies the strength we need. David cried to God here and we know how David ended. It's still the same God. What are you waiting for? His time of favour is here.

Never Stagnant!

Never Stagnant!

Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. John 15:2 KJV

The extract above reflects the relationship of God with those of us who claim to belong to or are attached to Him. It really doesn't matter what you claim; the proof of your identity will be revealed by the kind of fruit you bear and how you end up. 

Remember: the branch we are talking about here was attached to the vine. It got all the nutrients required from the vine, yet was not bearing fruit. It doesn't matter how much time you spend around church or keep up the right appearances; as long as you do not take nourishment from the vine, you are in danger of being taken away.

For the branch that bears fruit, there is also some work to be done: pruning. A painful process, but a required one to enable the branch bear even more fruit. The things you think you have achieved become history, and there are new grounds to conquer, new lessons to learn. With God, you are never at home until you have safely arrived at home.

It then means that in God, there is nothing like inactivity or dormancy. You are either growing and bearing fruit, or you are just taking nutrients and not bearing fruit. Both extremes have eternal consequences. For a branch that is taken away from the vine, how else would it ever bear fruit again, unless it is grafted back into the vine? For the branch that is pruned, there is room for more growth and impact. The vine will always supply required nutrients but it will not compel the branches to take them. 

The world is seeking men and women who are connected to the true vine. Their lives will reflect this connection. It is not something you can fake, because the manifestations are not within your control. Being on the fence is as good as being fruitless. Do you want to bear fruits, the type that abides? Do you want to impact your generation and the next for God? The secret is in your connection to God, not the applause that the world may give you. God doesn't waste resources; if He gives you, He will demand an account from you. His time of favour is here.

Submit!

Submit!

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

It is in the power of man to plan, scheme and devise ways and means of achieving what he sets out to do. There are short, medium and long term goals. There are also men who plan how to do evil. Since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, there is no limit to the depth and scope of man's inhumanity to man or the deadly impact of his actions on creation. Yet, for all who have come to know God on a personal level, and walk with Him on a daily basis, today's extract holds deep lessons.

It is okay to plan and devise means to achieve things; it will be against nature for a man made in the image and likeness of God not to be able to plan. However, the balance is this: in all my schemes and devices, have I sought God's face? Have I brought my heart first before God, asking Him to align my life, plan, priorities and pursuits with His purpose for my life? One thing that life has taught me is that no created thing can ever be wiser or smarter than the One who designed and manufactured it. If I admit that God created and formed me, why would I ever think that I could be wiser or smarter than Him or I could have a better plan for myself than He does?

The conclusion is actually sober; it does not matter how well laid your plans are; as long as they don't line up with God's will, they will be fruitless endeavours. It doesn't matter who is promoting or supporting or encouraging you; as long as they are not in line with God's counsel, there will be no gain at the end. I note that it says the Lord's counsel will stand. If God's counsel and opinion and advice cannot be thwarted, delayed or denied, imagine the power that is attached to his command, authority and direction.

God seeks men who will trust Him with their lives. Once my heart is fully committed to God, He can do anything He wants with it. Once I know who I am, whose I am and who I serve, impact is non-negotiable. His time of favour is here.

Temptations!!!!

Temptations!

When you are tempted don’t ever say, “God is tempting me,” for God is incapable of being tempted by evil and he is never the source of temptation. James 1:13‭ TPT

God does not tempt. This is an eternal statement that man has tried over and over to prove wrong. We have propounded arguments to claim that temptations are from God, and we have simply abdicated our responsibility when it comes to the choices that we make. 

First, temptations will come; that is settled. As long as we are clothed in this mortal body, we are subject to the limitations and weaknesses that sin brought. The same old attraction: become like God - that the devil came with then - is still the same old trick we fall to today. We then convince ourselves that we cannot overcome simply because we are human, forgetting that the power to overcome isn't in us, but is of God. Tell me, why would God provide strength and help to overcome something that He authors?

The next verse after today's extract tells us where these temptations come from: Instead it is each person’s own desires and thoughts that drag them into evil and lure them away into darkness. James 1:14 TPT. Since the fall of man, we have opened our lives to devilish manipulations, and then, just as Adam and Eve did, we are able to rationalise and explain away our own faults. However, as you know, God didn't accept the rationalization then, and each was duly punished. 

God may allow evil, but He is also the God called good. Through sin, evil has come into the world, and for as long as man is under the influence of the world, he is prone to temptations and evil desires. The way of escape is by total surrender to the God who gives grace that brings victory over temptations. God may allow trials and tough times to come your way, because He wants to strengthen your faith, but He does not deliberately set up a man to fall or fail. 

Check your heart: who reigns in there? The output of your life will be determined by the inner Presence. Who lives in there? His strength is free and available, if you will just ask Him. His time of favour is here.