God's Will, Defined

God's Will, Defined

Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. Luke 22:42 KJV

The Context:

It is difficult to put into words the agony of the moment captured in the words of today's extract. This was the day he was arrested, the day before his agonising death on the cross. All of Jesus' life was leading up to this very moment, yet it appeared that the strength to face it was waning. 

His purpose for coming into the world in the form of man, leaving all his glory in heaven, was to pay the price for man's sin, yet at the place of fulfilment, we read today's words. Let nobody claim that Jesus had it easy; it was more about him submitting to the will of his father, than enjoying the pain that was about to be unleashed. When next I consider the price that was paid for my new standing in God, I must remember these words, and be eternally grateful for the mercy that persisted, even in the face of certain pain and death.

The Message:

Knowing what is ahead is just part of the story; being willing to submit to and embrace it are equally important. Right from the beginning of his public ministry, he knew how it would end, but that never bothered him. He kept working: preaching, teaching, healing, rebuking and praying. Is there anything I consider so important that it can take the place of the right priorities in my life? Can God trust my focus, that it will not be shaken at all, no matter what comes my way? Is God keeping some assignments away from me because he cannot trust that comfort, convenience and calm will not confuse my focus?

In the prayer in today's extract, a few things are settled:

1. God's perfect will must be the ultimate pursuit of a man's life. If I do not pray it every day and mean it with all my heart, how can God reveal his mind to me per time? If I keep quiet and make assumptions, how can I be certain that the course of my life aligns with God's will for me? 

2. Jesus did not keep quiet; he prayed. He took his desires to his father and laid it all there. I must do the same: trust God with my burden, and when I have dropped them, leave them there. What is the use of praying and asking God to help me with my burdens, when after I have prayed and said Amen, I pick up the burdens again and go with them? Where is the trust in God? Where is the confidence in his power, grace and mercy? 

3. I must trust his response. I can only expect a response when I have asked. This is not the grumbling, murmuring, complaining, arguing or fighting that we erroneously call prayer; it is that humble sitting at the feet of Jesus, worshipping him as a Father, tabling your needs before him, receiving clear guidance on what is ahead, and acting like one who trusts that God is with him in all that is ahead. 

We know that as soon as Jesus had finished praying for God's will, he was able to face what was coming. It is the same strength that is available for us as we trust God for the present and the future. 

The Response:

I must not face the world before I have faced God and obtained his clear direction for my life. Is God my father, to whom I relate as a child, or is he a stranger that I only go to for provision, protection and power, but no desire at all for his presence? This is such a thin line but with a remarkable impact. We all call God our father, when we recite the Lord's prayer, but recital does not make it true. It is only when I have submitted to his authority and discipline that I become a son. I can call him my father all day long; if he does not hold my heart totally, he is not my father.

If he is my father, I will embrace his will. If he is my father, I will not struggle to submit. Prayer becomes a joy. Prayer activates joy, because I know I am receiving guidance for my life. When I have received it, I trust his process, procedure and precision in bringing me into his perfect will. That is the only way my life can end well, when it is lived in total submission to and acceptance of God's will. Is that my default setting, or does God need to do a lot of work to get me to submit to Him? His time of favour is here. 

Love, God's Perspective!

Love, God's Perspective!

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 KJV

The Context:

As I read the chapter where today's extract is taken from, I am moved to appreciate God for all I have received. The chapter starts with highlights of all I have come to receive in and through Jesus. I have justification by faith, I have access to grace by faith, and I am able to look forward to trials also by faith, because all of them are working in me that which is God's perfect will. 

The one thing then that makes me pause and wonder is this: what did I bring to the table that allowed me to walk away with everything listed in the passage under consideration? What price could I have paid that would be a fair reflection of all I have now received: grace, joy, hope, patience, and the many other things that come with the package of faith in God. Indeed, my life is not mine to live as I please, but one to live in appreciation of all I have received. How do I get to the point where I can really understand who I have become and what I have received? 

The Message:

If a man deserved that which he received, he would not need to express gratitude. If a person could point to directed labour and effort that led to a determined end, it will be easy to link the effort to the result. It has always been the way of the earth, as God has graciously set it up, that there will be sowing and reaping. If I make the effort, the result will follow. This principle is easy when it comes to most things, but when it relates to salvation, it is a whole different principle. At the time I received it, I could not earn it. There was nothing I could have done or brought to God that would have been a fair price for the life He had to offer. In fact, I deserved death, as a result of sin. The principle of God has always been that the wages of sin is death. If I did the crime, I had to do the time. 

God's principle is that whatever a man sows is what he reaps. I should have reaped death, and in line with God's principle, the price had to be paid. I could not pay it, so Jesus came in and paid the full price. The price for sin had now been fully settled, and I could come in to enjoy the benefits of that which I did not pay for. That is the reality of the benefits I enjoy today. I didn't earn them; someone else paid the price so I could stand where I am now. 

And this is love, from God's perspective. He did not wait for me to be deserving; he made me deserving. His own kind of love wasn't waiting for me to merit it; his love made it possible for me to even dare to dream of possessing all on offer. His love wasn't the type to only give me gifts, but He made it first about himself. He is the greatest gift I could ever get, and with him comes all the other things that make for life and Godliness. This love was not about what I could get first, but about who I should know. You don't define God's love from what is visible but from who He is. It is who he is that defines what you then get. Men of the world do not understand this, as all they know is transactional: for me to get something, I have to give something. Thank God I couldn't earn this love, otherwise, I would not know its value and price. Thank God I did not need to pay a price again for the love I received, because there was nothing I could have brought that would measure up. 

The Response:

In that light, what type of person then should I be? If I truly know the value of what has been paid to get me to the place where I stand now, how would I live? There is no room for pride or self-sufficiency; there is no room for any feeling of superiority. All I am and have reflect who I know. 

Christ dying for me is the full expression of love. His love met me in sin, but did not leave me in it. His love pulled me out of sin, and showed me the full picture of what I stand to gain in and through Christ. I have a decision to make: accept or reject that which has been done for me. God will not force His will on me, but I don't have all the time in the world to decide. God's love is eternal, but my response to him is time-bound. Just as his love will speak to eternity, so also will my response speak into eternity. 

His love met me in sin, but will not leave me in it. While I have time, I must take full advantage of the love and gain all that is God. If such a high price of a life was paid to secure my own life, imagine the horror and the eternal consequence of rejecting that price. If God has done this much and I still reject his love, then I cannot blame him for the consequences of my decision. His love is free; my decision is of my own freewill. His time of favour is here. 

The Way; God's Way!

The Way; God's Way!

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6 KJV

The Context:

These were the final teachings of Jesus to his disciples, just before he went the way of the cross. There is no record of anyone else being there apart from his disciples. They were the ones he addressed from chapters 13 to 17. Long sermons, but full of nuggets for all who claim to follow Christ. God's instructions are for his children, though his mercy will reach everyone. It is easy to mistake God's mercy for his approval, and it is a part of God that I must take heed to. The fact that I am alive today is a testament to God's mercy, but it is also an avenue for me to evaluate my life and determine if I have God's approval also. It is not enough to keep claiming mercy; I also must live in line with God's clear mandate and instructions. What decision do I need to make about God's approval as well as his mercy today? 

Judas Iscariot was there, listening to the words of Jesus. The one who would betray Jesus also had his feet washed and wiped. Mercy was fully available, but he chose greed. Being in church does not by itself hold the key to eternal life; called by church titles does not automatically assign me the keys of heaven; there is a person that I must know personally and fully embrace, if I will be all that God wants me to be, and end up where he has planned for me. 

The Message:

We see Jesus promising his disciples an eternal reality that is different from all they had ever seen or known. He was promising them a home with him; rest from every labour and residence with God. When I consider all the stress of this present earthly phase, it sure makes you look forward to all that is ahead. Jesus laid out some facts here, and these facts hold the secret to all I pursue today and all I look forward to. He calls himself the Way, the Truth and the Life. The use of THE shows that only one version is genuine, and all others are not. As long as it is Jesus' father you seek, the son is the channel that enables you meet the father. 

Jesus is saying: There may be other gods that appeal to you, but if it is my father, the Lord God Almighty, that you seek, you have to go through me. I cannot take you to any other father not known to me, and you cannot meet any other god in or through me. The way is the channel by which all who seek God can come. The truth is the laid out fact that only in Jesus do I find out my true state, my need for help and the reality of both this present life and eternity. The Life is the end of it all, when this present earthly phase is over and I stand before this same God for judgment and reward. If I had him in me before physical death comes or he returns to take me home, it is these three facts that secure my eternity. 

I cannot pick and choose the ones that make me comfortable; I cannot come to the saving knowledge of Jesus, and then seek to work out my eternity on my own terms. I cannot claim to know Jesus and hold on to the lie that he did not die on the cross or he is not the son of God. I cannot know him and not know life. He is the first one from the dead, who rose again and now lives forever. As it has always been said: Know Jesus, know life. No Jesus, no life. 

The Response:

So I see that all is taken care of, from life's first cry to final breath. The journey to that Life on offer starts from knowing who or where will lead me there. That is the WAY. I must also be armed and equipped with that which will keep me focused even in the face of distraction and distress, and that is the TRUTH. Of course, the end of all these is LIFE. 

When I have Jesus, I have all three. When I have Jesus, all ends well. He is the embodiment of all three. If I don't have him, nothing else I hold on to will work for me. If I don't have him, nothing else will matter. I pray that Jesus reveals himself to me again, so that I may know what he has called me to, who and how I am to serve and where I am headed eventually. That is focus. His time of favour is here. 

Directed or Applauded?

Directed or Applauded?

At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. But he said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” Luke 4:42‭-‬43 NIV

The Context:

Let's look at the chapter where today's extract is taken from. Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness where he was tempted. There was nobody there except him, but we read of the devil's attempts to derail and distract him. We see how he overcame, and that the devil left him for a season. A life that will make impact for God is first sorted out in the secret place. 

It was in the power of the Holy Spirit that he burst unto the scene in Galilee, and the fame of him spread round about the entire region. He came into Nazareth, and taught with authority, and with signs and wonders following. In fact, right there in the temple, where the revelation of him was made known, was his first conflict with the people of his time. They wanted to kill him for blasphemy, but he simply walked on and left. The same chapter, a demon-possessed man was made whole. In the same chapter, Peter's mother in law, who was sick, was made whole. That same evening, the whole town came with their sick and the Bible records that he laid his hands on EVERY single one of them, and healed them. Public ministry flows out of private devotion. Men would see the mighty things done, but they will not see the nights of prayers and seeking God. They will applaud the awesome miracles but will not or cannot pay the price to be used by God in the same way. 

The Message:

Be careful of human applause and approval, and a life that is constantly in the public eye. There is nothing wrong with a public ministry, but is it really founded on private devotion and commitment to God? In one chapter, whole families and communities had been impacted by the public ministry of Jesus, but what would Jesus do following these mighty works - he departed to a solitary place. Men of our day will linger in the place of miracles, seeking the adulation and recognition that come with these. I learn from the life of Jesus: public opinion is NEVER the measure of a life of impact.

Of course, when your life has been impacted by someone, you want them near you every time. The people came looking for Jesus, seeking that he never leave, just as they did at other times. Remember the feeding of the 5,000, where men wanted to come and make him king by force. His response holds some truths for us in our own day:

1. Every life, everywhere is precious to God. We cannot secure anyone's life on our own, but we can introduce them to the one who is able to secure it. That is the eternal impact God wants me to make in a man's life.

2. I must know with clarity and certainty what I have been gifted and where I have been planted to make impact. If I do not clarify that, it is men who will direct and run my life on my behalf.

3. I must know who I am working for, and why I am working. If I know it is for God, I will always seek his approval

 If I am not sure, I will certainly seek confirmation from other sources. Men's approval of me isn't the measure of impact; God is. His work for me is defined by him, not what man says. Man only looks for what answers to his immediate need.

4. The message must be about the kingdom of God, and it is a message for all men everywhere. I am not called to play God in the lives of men, deciding who gets to hear about God from me, but it is a message for all generations. Because there is visible success somewhere does not mean I must pitch a tent there. God may intend that a life is touched here, or a whole town is touched there, but that determination isn't mine to make; it is God's. Mine is to follow closely where he leads at all times, so I can be where his power, presence and blessings can reach me. 

The Response:

I see the words MUST PROCLAIM in today's extract, and it has to be the summary of my life. That is my assignment. It is the focus of the Great Commission. It is not a choice, but a commitment. All who claim to follow Christ have the mandate to proclaim. Guess the important questions then are: Am I born again? Do I know this Jesus on a personal level and have I received my marching orders? Have I defined my assignment, clear on who is my master and director, where I am to work, who I am to impact, and how I am to get the work done? When I am sure of these, I don't get distracted. Nothing of this world appeals to the man whose heart is set on God. 

I must take stock again right now: do I know why I am alive at this time? Who or what am I preserved to promote? May God's perfect will be made clear to me, so that my pursuits and priorities will line up with God's perfect will. His time of favour is here. 

Dependence, God's Version!

Dependence, God's Version! 

He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. John 15:2 NIV

The Context:

To fully understand today's extract, it is important to go back to the verse just before today's extract: "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener." This is a direct quote by Jesus as he taught his disciples toward the end of his earthly ministry. I note that in that first verse, the foundation of today's extract is laid. The question of identity is answered, the question of location and placement is answered and the question of expectation is also answered. Jesus makes it clear that his father is the full and final authority over all that he does. There is no accident or mistake about what Jesus came to do on earth; it was not an afterthought, but the product of God's eternal plan. Jesus could not have done all he did if his father didn't permit it. That is why all who will be like Jesus, living as he did and making the impact he made, must first know who they are and where they stand in God. It is only a man who knows who he is and what is expected of him that can properly put down his roots in God and depend on Him for daily nourishing. 

When I have found and met God, it has to be noted that because of the nature of the vine, my roots aren't in the ground, but tied to the vine. I don't get to play independence or superiority, but I am only relevant for as long as I am attached to the vine. The amazing thing about God is that all who come to him are able to start showing off the proof of their being attached to the vine, which is the fruit of his presence in their lives. This is one time when the concept of time does not apply to plants. The day I gave my life over to God, his life is birthed in me and all that is of him starts to flow in me. If I am truly founded in God, my life is bound to show off fruits that line up with my location. If men look at my life, are the fruits of my connection to God evident? 

The Message:

The picture is that of a vine which is connected and held up by a support system. Google defines a vine as a plant whose stem requires support and which climbs by tendrils or twining or creeps along the ground. Is it not interesting that Jesus describes himself as not just any vine, but the true vine. Even he does not lay claim to independence from the Father, but to a true dependence on His father for help, support and nurture. If Jesus could be this dependent on his father, how can we who claim to be followers of Jesus make a claim to independence and self-sufficiency?

It is therefore not a suprise that today's extract warns about a sense of independence from the vine. I am yet to see a branch of any tree that lived on by itself after being cut off from the tree it was attached to. It is even made more complex when you consider that the branch being cut off was a part of the true vine at a time, yet for reasons that we must carefully consider, it lost the ability to bear fruit and became useless to the vine. The fruit of my location in the vine cannot be faked; it is either I have it or I don't. There is no middle ground of uncertainty here.

And the consequence for not being fruitful is quite severe: being cut off from the vine. Men can look at a man's life and applaud what they see but the husbandman who nurtures the vine knows that that life is not fruitful. Be careful about man's applause and nice words; run away from men who seek to mold you into an image of God; flee from men who will 'celebrate' you at the expense of the God to whom you are attached and who actually owns and supplies that which men can see in your life.

The Response:

Am I attached to the vine or am I making assumptions based on what I think or what people are saying? Think about it for a minute: how does a branch attached to Jesus stop bearing fruit? This is the reason why it is dangerous to depend on people's opinions for your walk with God. Sin creeps in, complacency sets in, the flesh seeks some glory, pride tiptoes in, and the hedge is being broken little by little. This attachment to the vine is not remain in place automatically, but it has to be nurtured and preserved as the most important decision of your life. 

The connection can be lost, and that is why today's extract carries both a word of warning as well as a word of encouragement: if I lose my place, it does not matter what anybody says. In fact, whether I am connected or not, it will not matter what man says, but what the husbandman says. He is the one whose view counts, and he cannot be deceived by platitudes and hypocrisy. For the husbandman to cut off the branch that does not bear fruit, he would have done all that is needed for the branch to thrive. The nourishing, weeding, watering and care required for fruiting is the job of the husbandman, and he knows how to do this and has been doing this since the creation of man. He will do all that is required, and then he will demand fruit. If I bear fruit, he won't leave me alone, but will still take me through processes that will bring even more fruit out of me.

I can't sit on the fence and just get by. There is no fence here. You are either bearing fruit or being prepared to be cut off. Pruning is the reward for fruitfulness while a cutting off is the reward for unfruitfulness. I can't get away with inactivity or passivity. At all times, a demand will be made on me in line with my pursuits and priorities. It is not enough for me to claim the connection; the connection must show in and through my life. If God were to take stock right here and how and decide what to do with me, what would he have to do: prune or purge? There is an eternal consequence attached to this question, and I owe it to my eternity to sort this out while there is time. His time of favour is here. 

Identity!

Identity!

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1:29 KJV

The Context:

John the Baptist came on the Jewish scene with a bang; no prior warning, no malice aforethought. He simply came on and started preaching. The people knew he was the son of one of their priests, Zechariah, so it must have been some shock and surprise to see him buck the trend. He was not interested in following his father's footsteps, at least, not in the way they all expected. I read the context of today's extract and I read where the priests and Levites: specific people who 'should know' where he fit came to ask him: "Who are you"? Oh, that is a question we all must answer to at some point in time in our lives. 

Am I content with following the crowd or ticking the boxes that had been drawn for me, even before I was born? Can people easily sway me from my path, simply because of the strength of a 'better argument'? John knew his calling, and he was laser-focused on it. It didn't matter if there were better options out there; God will bring my way all the people who need to hear what God has to say, if I am where God wants me to be. It is His Word, His world, his creation and his platform. My identity must be clearly defined from my personal experience of Jesus. Every other definition is temporal, of this world, and is fleeting. It will not last. 

The Message:

As you look at the life of John the Baptist, you see clearly that he knew who he was and what his assignment was. The priests and Levites of his day must have thought that he was the fulfillment of all that they read in the scrolls about a coming Messiah. They saw signs of something different, maybe even threatening to their own work, and they wanted to know who John was. John's response shows that he knew what their problem was: they simply just wanted to know how much of a threat he was to them. He told them very clearly: I am not the Christ. I know who I am and what I have been sent to do. For me, can my life's direction be this clear that nobody, no matter how influential or powerful, can sway me off it? The priests and Levites wanted an answer to his identity, because they needed an answer for those who had sent them in the first place. Nothing, nobody and no situation should be able to distract me from all I know God wants from me. Popular opinion, human applause and even the disapproval of men are all slippery slopes that I must avoid if I will be all that God intends. 

John knew who he was, but he also knew who his walk with and work for were about. He also knew who was coming and where he fit in the plans of the one who was coming. If he had no idea what was ahead, there was no way today's extract would read the way it did. This was the first time John would be seeing Jesus, yet he immediately recognised him, as well as his purpose, mission and assignment. Do I know why Jesus has come? Has my life embraced that purpose? 

Jesus came to take away the sins of the world. Everything he taught and the miracles he performed all further underlined his purpose: the salvation of all men from the power of sin. No matter what I know about Jesus, I must embrace that purpose and it must be real in my life. It is not about active membership of a local church but about the Christ of the church knowing that I am his. It is not about people just calling me a Christian, but that the Christ of the church knows that I belong to him and have accepted him as my Lord and Saviour. He has to be both, as that is the complete package he came to offer. As the Lamb of God, he went to the cross willingly, giving his life so he could become the channel of salvation for all who will come to him. 

The Response:

You cannot take the benefits of his identity in bits; you have to embrace the full package. Like John, I must know who I have been asked to believe and must accept him as he presents himself to me, not the way I think he should be. I must be prepared to defend my knowledge and experience of him before men like me. Men will come with ulterior and pure motives, but my vision must be so clear that it is fixed on the one who has called me to himself, saved me, asked me to walk with him and then sent me out at his own command. It is not about me, but about Him. My life must point to him and him alone. 

Am I truly saved then? Are you? Is my life a daily pointer to Jesus, so that he shines out of me daily? Can men see his imprint in and on me, or do I need to shout to make myself heard? These are questions that need answers, because eternity lies at the end of them. While I still have time, I must answer them the right way so that I can secure eternal life. His time of favour is here. 

Trust, God's Perspective!

Trust, God's Perspective!

Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is.

Jeremiah 17:7 KJV

The Context:

Jeremiah was a prophet who had the distinct privilege of speaking to Judah at the height of its apostasy and punishment by God for its sin. He warned Judah continuously about its evil, but Judah would not listen. Today's extract is taken from a chapter where God again warns that he will punish the evil of idolatry that Judah had engaged in. God is a jealous God, and whatever it is you know about jealousy, imagine a God who does not brook any competition for attention in my heart. It is either God sits on the throne of my heart, or he is not involved at all. We deceive ourselves into thinking we can play both sides, appealing to God to take what he can and leave the rest to us. It does not actually work that way. Ask Amaziah, the king of Judah, who men must have seen as a committed king, but God's verdict about him was: And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord , but not with a perfect heart.

2 Chronicles 25:2 KJV. You can't fool God with the external show of piety or hypocrisy; the one who made the heart knows all its tricks.

The Message:

It is in this context that todays extract applies to all of us. How's my heart? Is it fully committed to God or are there options that are able make themselves appealing to me? Check out the words used: blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord. Trust is not first seen; it is the result of a settled inner man; one that is not fazed with what is going on around him. Trust is first internal, before you can see its evidence out of the life of the one who trusts. And it matters in whom the trust is anchored. Man is wired to trust in something or someone. At all times, we need to be confident that something will work out the way it was built to. We get on the bus, trusting it can take us to our destination. We enrol in a course, confident that we will be better off for the knowledge we will gain. If this applies to the earthly and the temporal, imagine the impact in the spiritual.

How do you work out the blessings that come to the man who trusts in the Lord? If God knows my heart, and that it is fully devoted to him, he knows that if he commands, I will be quick to obey. He knows that before I take a decision, I consult him and only act on his instructions, no matter how odd they may sound. He knows that nothing else can catch and hold my attention except him, and that even in the face of trials and tough times, my love for him will not let me turn my back on him. Can this be said of me? Can it be said of you? Do I pay lip service to commitment to God, or does God know that I am indeed his own? 

Remember, we deal with a God of absolute knowledge, one who knows the end from the beginning. The latter part of the verse under consideration today says: whose hope the Lord is. I believe those words are instructive. Not really who hopes in God alone, but whose totality of hope is God. God is my hope, not just the one I hope in. It is not so much of possessing hope, but being defined by it, so that it becomes my identity. When you meet me, God, who is my hope, is so evident in and on me that he cannot but be noticed. Am I the one who has to shout it out that: 'don't you know that I am a Christian' or is that allegiance and relationship so evident that it shines out of me? 

The Response:

It matters what I do going forward. The path of blessedness runs through total submission to God and an embrace of all that He is and wants. One of the verses before today also talks about the opposite too, so you know what you are getting into:Thus saith the Lord; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord. You can't stay on the fence when it comes to commitment. There is no middle ground. You are either all in or all out. Where are you located? In God, or content being around what looks like God? You need to be sure; your eternity depends on your inner state. His time of favour is here. 

Submit, God's Style!

Submit, God's Style!

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

The Context:

James, the brother of John the Beloved, is credited with writing this book. He talks a lot about the Christian experience, and all that will come the way of the believer. This chapter from which today's extract is taken starts off with a warning or admonition or counsel on how to ask the right way, if I want to receive that which I ask for. A lot of times, we come with the heart of entitlement, thinking that God owes us for all we have done for him. We forget that outside of his grace and mercy, we won't be alive. If only we would take time often to think about our mortality and our limitations, maybe we will see ourselves as God sees us and take steps that line up with his will for us. 

James talks about the dangers of pride. God is not one to brook any competition for my attention. It is either he is all I got, or he simply takes a back seat and watches how my life will pan out. Things may look good; men of the world will even envy what I have, but if it is not of God, it will not last. What then is expected of me, as I seek to be all that God would have me be? 

The Message:

The secret to a life that God can use lies in the secret place of humility. It appears that it is my own responsibility to bring myself under the mighty hand of God. If I have to pray that God should humble me, it could mean that things have already gone wrong. Before God has to do it, I must learn to do it by myself. That is why today's extract starts with the words: submit yourself to God. 

There are two interesting definitions of 'submit' that we should consider here: 'accept or yield to a superior force or to the authority or will of another person.' and 'subject to a particular process, treatment, or condition.'. There is a personal as well as a situational perspective to these definitions. You cannot claim submission to a person and then resist his dealings and authority over you. The one I submit to owns my life and my time, and can dictate all about my pursuits and priorities. Oh and it matters to whom you submit. People claim to be masters of their own destinies. In the event that you have never heard this before, let me be the first to tell you: you own or hold nothing. All you are, have and hold are gifts from God, the real owner of you and to whom you will definitely give an account of your life.

And don't assume that because you are submitting to God, the devil will make it easy for you. Satan came to Jesus after he had finished fasting for 40 days and nights. In Jon, the devil came even when the sons of God came to present themselves to God. The devil has no issue with offering you alternatives even while you are seeking to submit to God. That is why the full package of God's dealings also includes resisting the devil. It also appears to me that the role of resisting is mine; God will provide the grace and the strength, but I am the one that will draw the line. 

Resisting the devil may require a good running away like Joseph before Potiphar's wife; it could be standing boldly and declaring for God in public, even in the face of certain death like the 3 Hebrew boys. It could lead to certain death like Stephen, and it could lead to problems like the lions' den for Daniel. But in all these cases, even in death, God was glorified and the people involved gained eternal life. You do not want to know what the alternatives to eternal life with God are. Do I want to come to the end of my life and realise that God never had a hold of my heart and life at all? That would be a life of regrets. All he asks me to do is trust, rely, depend and draw on the grace and strength he has already provided. He will uphold and keep, and the devil will be unable to stay and oppress. 

The promise is that the devil will respond to my resistance and he will flee. A warning though: even for Jesus, the devil only left him for a season. The devil never stops looking for how to steal, kill and destroy, which means that I have a lifelong duty to also keep submitting to God and resisting the devil. And the order is important: if I cannot submit to God, I will not have the power to resist the devil. That order is important; it is the secret to a life of victory and impact. 

The Response:

As you look at the life of this writer, you see the truth of today's passage. Here was James, put to the sword by King Herod. No drama, no fuss. He was just killed, and only one verse of the Bible mentioned it. Am I ready for the fire that is coming? God's love makes it a guarantee that I will always have what I need to succeed at life; the issue will be whether I trust God enough to let him work in and on me, so I can be all that I can be. His time of favour is here. 

That One Thing!

That One Thing!

One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.

Psalms 27:4 KJV

The Context:

Again, we read David's words, the man after God's heart. The exact story behind the words here are not disclosed, but the lifestyle of David made it clear that seeking God was not a one-off or an accidental pursuit; it was the essence of his life. God was not an occasional wonder or an alternative pursuit; he was all that mattered to him everytime.

The Message:

Do I have an overarching desire, one that fills my heart so much that I cannot ignore? Is my heart filled with so many concerns, like Martha, that I do not know what is that one important thing that trumps all other things? Is my  heart able to process multiple priorities at the same time, or do I have one priority, over and above all else that is equally important? My pursuit and priority reflect what I consider to be important. If that which holds my heart has no eternal value, I am of all men most miserable. It means that I am labouring for that which has no reward.

Jesus speaks to the same priority at the Sermon on the Mount, where he enjoins us to seek first the kingdom of God, and His Righteousness. My heart is not built to focus on more than one thing at a time. Forget the manipulations of mere motivational speakers who try and push you into biting off more than you can chew. It is good to be multi-talented, but in the things of God, only one thing is expedient, and that is whatever God says is important. I may have several assignments at the same time, but the cord that binds them all together must be a thirst for all that is God. Would I claim to be busy for God, yet God has no record that I am actually working for Him? Is it just men who know I am 'working' for God, with heaven having no record of my service and labour?

It also matters what I do when I draw near. We seem to have mastered the art of deception when it comes to the things of man, and we think we can do the same when it comes to the things of God. We come before his presence, but our hearts are far away. We come to him, but our eyes are beholden by other 'good' distractions. David had that one desire: to dwell in the house of the Lord, but in that desire were the following: 'behold'  the beauty of the Lord, and to 'enquire' in his temple. The AND there shows none of these things was optional but part of the complete package in the desire of David. My eyes, my lips and my heart must all align as one. One desire, several parts. One focus, related packages. Don't claim to come seeking God, but your heart is focused on things outside God. Don't just say the right words, while the heart does not mean a single word. Let your eyes be clean, without distractions or deceit. 

The Response:

What is that one thing that you have found, and which has become the most important consideration in your heart? Does your pursuit keep you alert by day and awake at night, because it has to do with God?

Like David, it is still the same God. Dispensation may change; science and technology may simplify or complicate things and man's activities may endanger or improve the environment, but one thing still remains the same: God is there for the taking. He is available to all who seek him, and will be found by all who diligently seek for him. 

Am I seeking for Him how and where he may be found? He has a house, in heaven, but he also seeks a place in my heart. He is God over all the earth, yet he wants to dwell in a mortal man's heart. I learn from the life of David that education, enlightenment, exposure, energy, expertise or enemies cannot replace the need for God in a man's heart. If God is not in it, it will not end well. If God is not the focus and pursuit of a man's heart, how does that heart earn all that God offers? Get the pursuit right; get eternity right. His time of favour is here. 

Kept, In Times Like These!

Kept, In Times Like These!

The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. Psalms 18:2 KJV

The Context:

How do you start to describe the life of David? A man who from his youth lived in solitude, away from his family, with sheep, exposed to dangers. It didn't look good on the surface, but those were the ingredients for the miracle his life became. It was in that solitude that a relationship with God was birthed and sustained, from the confrontation with the lion, bear and the encounter with Goliath, to the eventual reign over Israel. I can say here that a good prayer is to ask God to help you crave private moments to know more about Him. The hustle and bustle of life keep us distracted; they do not allow focus on what is truly important. Men who God can use are made in the secret place, far away from the critical analysis of men. 

David here was one of such men, and it is not a wonder that the psalms he wrote then are the songs of past and present generations of Christians. It is God's dealings with a man that can make that man go this personal with God. There is a danger that this generation must avoid, and it is mere head knowledge about God, with no heart witness about who he is. We know a lot about him; we read several books about Him, and hear a lot of testimonies about him, but we really truly know very little about him. We know about his name, and in fact know the power of the name, but we don't know the One who bears the name. It is such a fine distinction that many in our present times miss, and it is an assumption that has eternal consequences. 

The Message:

In today's extract, there are 9 personal referrals, 9 ways God is described in just one verse: rock, fortress, deliverer, God, strength, trust, buckler, horn of my salvation, high tower. Tied to every one of these descriptions is a story of God's faithfulness and mercy. How do I get to this point without tough times? How do I appreciate God as my rock and fortress if there was no danger and the testimony of God's deliverance? How do I call anyone a deliverer or the horn of my salvation if there was not a time when death or danger stared me in the face but I survived? 

If my prayer is that God should keep me away from trials and tough times, am I not keeping myself away from all the wonderful encounters with God that these experiences can bring my way? Check out the story of David and how he ended up with the promise of an eternal kingship, and you will know the power of a life that is committed to knowing God personally. There is no replacement for that personal encounter; other men's stories should not make me comfortable, but point me in the direction of my own personal encounter.

And he takes care of both the internal and external. He girds my heart with strength, and he is my God, with my allegiance to him shining out of me as a public testament to who I believe. He is the Master of my private and public life; no hypocrisy or eye-service. Can I, with confidence, use the personal MYs that David used here? Can God say that indeed he is all of these and more to me? 

The Response:

Have I indeed met the God David describes here? Is He the One I presently serve or are there other viable alternatives? A personal encounter with God will last a lifetime; its value is good for both this present life and the eternity to come. The opposite is also quite true; without that personal touch, all I have are stories. Check again how many times David used the word MY. When God would respond to David, he said: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after my own heart'. When God is all I have, he makes me like I am the only one in earth. His heart is so large that he can take billions of people who come to him on that personal basis, and make them his personal people. Does He then hold my heart? Is He all that matters? Don't let the world tell you what is proper; make sure God knows He is your all. His time of favour is here. 

Ownership and Impact!

Ownership and Impact! 

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4 KJV

The Context:

John wrote a lot about the love of God. Well, he should know, as he experienced the love of God in ways that maybe not all the other disciples did. He it was as one of the three members of the  inner circle of Jesus' disciples, the one who rested his head on Jesus' breast at the last supper, asking Jesus who would betray him, and the one to whom he handed over his mother Mary at his crucifixion. He saw love from a very personal level; no wonder he could write about it so deeply in his letters. Yet, in that love is the sense of judgment that its rejection will bring: Jesus has done all he needs to do to bring us to Himself; the decision to accept the gift of love is a personal one. There are many false versions of the real thing, and it is my daily assignment to make sure I know that which is true and hold on to it for dear life. 

Why is that important? It is because there is a danger of losing that which is God's and finding that which is of the devil. The devil knows the power of the truth of God's love and will do anything to soil, pollute or exchange it for his own false variant. And that is the warning as well as the encouragement in today's extract: find out what God has given you, and hold on to it for dear life. Don't let the devil take that which is of God in you, and give you that which is of no eternal value.

The Message:

Some versions of today's extract use 'of God' and others use 'from God'; both underscore the importance of a person's origin, sustenance and destination. John writes to those who are of or from God. Am I one? As I take stock of where I am now, and what I have been through, can I say with a sense of certainty, that indeed, I am of God? This origin is the source of all I will ever become on earth, and where I will end up in eternity. If I am in God, I am assured of victory. Of course, if I am not, imagine the result. 

My location in God is the secret to all that God wants for me. It does not matter what my age is, or the number of years I have walked with God are; what matters is that I am found in God. Victory over the world isn't because you know the art of war, but because you know the Man of War. The world has its ways, means and methods, yet in all the centuries it has existed, it has not found a way to defeat God. It cannot, because this is the God who created all that the eyes can see, ears can hear and the mind can perceive. As long as the human mind can conceive it, it answers to the God of all creation. If all of creation therefore answers to God, what then is it that can overcome the one who is in, of or from God?

And it is important to note again the words of, from and in. Don't replace them with around, in front, behind or aware of God. You have to be of, in and from God. Men have sought to replace a personal relationship with God with church membership or active participation. Men know how to call the name, and because the name has power, it works wonders, but it does not impact the lives of those who call it. Jesus warns of this when he says: Not all who call to me, Lord, Lord, will enter into the kingdom of Heaven, but only those who do the will of my Father in heaven. Don't settle for human applause; make sure you have heaven's approval.

The Response:

Make sure you are in, of and from God. You can't be at peace until you have settled your eternal reality. The world has its distractions and false promises; it cannot guarantee you anything beyond this very moment. It can promise you the world, but then, that is all it has. It does not have eternal life in it so it is the wrong place to go if you seek life beyond physical death. The world cannot even keep its own away from the power of death. But the man who is in, of and from God is assured of protection from the hurt of the second death.

This world will come to an end one day. All that the eyes see will burn with fervent heat. Nothing of this earth will survive the fire that is coming, so I have to be sure that what I hold on to is that which will survive the fire that is coming. May God not reject me while the world is celebrating me. May my life reflect the presence of the One who rules and reigns over all the world. My pursuits must reflect my position in and possession by God. If indeed God is in me, He must be evident in me. Can this be said of me? What of you? His time of favour is here. 

Pray!

Pray!

Pray without ceasing.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 KJV

The Context:

This is most likely the second shortest verse in the bible, after the one where 'Jesus wept'. Paul writes to the church in Thessalonica, reminding them of the day of the Lord, a day that will bring both joy and pain, depending on what that day finds in your heart and hands. Paul took time to explain to the church what things they were to be and what they were to be busy at, so that the day would meet them ready. If that message was important to the church at that time, more than 2,500 years ago when they were first written, imagine how relevant that message is for us today. If I have not known it yet, since I am still alive to read this, and the trumpet has not sounded, I still have an opportunity to get it right. It is too late when it is too late. 

Paul goes on to list the characteristics of a person who is eagerly awaiting the second coming of Christ. I must check my life to see if these things are in me: resist revenge; make sure no one pays back evil for evil; pursue doing what is beautiful to all people; let joy be your continual feast; in the midst of everything be always giving thanks. Today's extract is just another one of these life instructions. 

The Message:

The Passsion Translation of today's extract reads as follows: 'Make your life a prayer.' As I sit down to think of this instruction, I am reminded that prayer is less discussion and actual talking with God. Books have been written about the topic but it is hard to replace the actual act of prayer with a lot of knowledge about the topic. Knowing how to pray is important; actually praying to God is also quite important. What do you do when you pray: at the heart of prayer lies a heart that recognises its limitations and knows that the One to whom s/he prays to has all the answers. You may not always like what you hear at first, but the more you do it, the more you learn to embrace the perfect will of the One who has all things under his control. The more you pray, the more you can embrace the answers you get, and the less you struggle with them. The less I struggle with God's perfect will, the more my heart is at peace, no matter what goes on around me. Inner peace is the natural state of a person who knows the secret and the power of prayer. 

One of God's promises tied to prayer is: And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. Isaiah 65:24 KJV. God has not asked me to waste my time speaking; he knows my need even before I open my mouth. He loves to hear me trust him with my life. He wants to know if I can leave all in His hands. When I truly pray, I am answering those questions. If you don't know how to, read the bible and check out the personal experiences of the people who held God's hands in prayer and moved him to act. There were men like Stephen who prayed even to death; Paul and Silas, who prayed even after being beaten. These men knew the power of prayer and the folly of grumbling about your lot in life. You can fret about what life throws at you, or you can throw those things at the feet of the one who can take care of them. The choice, as always, is personal.

The Response:

Now that I know that God wants to hear my voice, I must cultivate the habit of speaking to Him daily and regularly. It says I must do it without ceasing, and to make it my life, not just a part of it. It has to be all I breathe, if it is to be my life. I must not take any decision without first doing it, and it must be the main event of my life every day of my life. The benefits are both temporal and eternal. I gain a relationship with God and I gain an inheritance with Jesus at the end of my  earthly life. There is nothing to lose but all to gain. I ask God to teach me how to pray right, so that I can promote and preserve that which glorifies Him. His time of favour is here.

Equipped, for a time like this!

Equipped, for a time like this! 

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

The Context:

Paul, writing to the church in Ephesus, had to address burning questions relating to salvation and good works. The people of Ephesus must have seen the new wave sweeping across the then Asia minor and they wanted to be part of the action. A lot was going on at the time, and it was nice to be noticed. Imagine the shock then when Paul writes and makes it clear that there is a place for works and physical labour, but it is best expressed in the context of daily dependence on and sustenance by God. None of us came to God on our own, and none can sustain himself in God all by himself. It is in this context that Paul writes these words.

The Message:

We come to God by faith but the demand of faith requires a daily walk and work that is the proof of my faith in God. God, Grace, Faith, salvation and works all come together to achieve a work in me that nothing else can sort out. And it was not a sudden or  accidental thing, or the result of an afterthought, but the result of careful planning and divine arrangement.

Let's look at how the past, present and future all come together in the same verse. My creation had a divine purpose; I was not placed on earth to run aimlessly. I was not called to a mediocre life; God does not do mistakes. If he took his time to form me, and give me peculiar fingerprints, then I am not useless. I was created IN Christ Jesus unto good works, so it is only IN Him that my life will make sense. It doesn't matter what anyone else tells you; if my life is not found in God, the devil will try to  shake and unsettle you.

Now, I am God's workmanship: the one to show Him off to the world, the testament to God's power. There is no room for pride or self-, sufficiency;  no room for claiming advantage over anybody else. God speaks into the present and the future, using the past only as a reminder of what He has brought you through and where he can take you.

Workmanship is never done; it is always a work in progress. I am constantly pruned, so I can bear more fruit. Whatever is in me that doesn't align with his purpose is brought under his control and dealt with. Am I God's workmanship or my own personal salesman, marketing myself to the world and celebrating my own achievements?

When the issue of ownership is sorted out, the good works that should follow then applies. The order must be maintained: good works only become possible when a man knows the reason why he was called by God and what he needs to do. And God would not first create me, then fret over what he will give me to do. All that is required from me is laid out by God and written in His book about me.

The Response:

I cannot be inconsequential. The deposits and investment of God in me make it impossible for me to go through life without impact. I am owned by God; gifted by God, fitted for his purpose and planted by him for impact and relevance, and headed for both earthly relevance and eternal life. Am I living the life I was gifted and fitted for? God does not make mistakes, and my life must not be one. God wants to be glorified in me; is my life such that God can shine out from? His time of favour is here. 

Living Right, God's Way!

Living Right, God's Way! 

Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:  And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Ephesians 4:31‭-‬32 KJV

The Context:

Paul writes to the church in Ephesus, charging them to remember who they are, who has called them, and what they have been called into. A sentence from the very first verse of today's chapter reads: "I... exhort you to walk worthy of the calling wherewith ye have been called". If I never knew it before today, I have to know it now: all who claim allegiance to God have been called by him into a new life and new ways of doing things. It is not business as usual, or a commitment to the things of the flesh and the old man, but to the things of God. There is a calling upon my life that I must live up to. If I do not know this, then maybe I do not yet know what the demands and expectations of God on me are.

Paul tells me here what the minimum standard of behaviour for all who bear allegiance to God should be. It cannot be more of the same as when I was in the world. My salvation experience need not be as dramatic as Saul's, but it must happen. There has to be an inner work in my heart, so that this inner work will lead to an external manifestation in my daily life.

The Message:

What is expected of me? There must be both a putting off and a putting on. I cannot have both at the same time. The call of God upon a man's life NEVER leaves him the same way; something must give. The evidence of the old man is all around us: bitterness, anger, wrath, malice and evil speaking. Long before a man speaks evil, his heart is polluted. The work is first inner, before it can impact the outer. A daily audit of my life is really important here: what are the fruits my life is manifesting right now? Is God glorified or made known in and through my life?

And when I have put off that which belongs to the old man, I must put on that which belongs to the new man. I cannot be found naked; I would always be clothed with the nature that reflects my choices and priorities. I take stock again: what are my present pursuits? Am I dressed in line with my calling? Does the proof of my daily life align with God's call upon my life? The fruit and evidence of my walk with God are also obvious: kind, tenderhearted and forgiving. You see again the proof that it is first an inner work before it becomes a public walk.

The Response:

God has laid out the perfect example of what life under his control looks like. He loved us at a time when we were incapable of love, because we had no idea what God's love looked like. He forgave us our sins and past, by allowing his only son to be put to death for our sins. My response, in accepting the gift of life I have been given, is to ensure that the world can see the fruit of my acceptance of the gift. Whatever it is I pursue must show off my acceptance of the gift of life through the son of God.

If there is no difference between my past life and the one I live in the son of God, there is an issue. If my life profession does not match my mouth confession, I am a hypocrite. If men only know me by my past, with no record of anything different from the usual and the normal, I need to check again if God has truly worked in and on me. Life is provided in and through the son of God, and only by total submission to him do I enjoy the life of God on offer. Am I born again? Is my life showing off that new life? Eternal questions, with eternal consequences. His time of favour is here. 

Service, God's Style!

Service, God's Style!

If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.

John 13:14 KJV

The Context:

Jesus had settled so many quarrels relating to pride and position among his disciples. Many of them saw him as a master, a great man and the son of God. They had seen him perform miracles; in fact, all of them were sent out too and they all returned with testimonies that at the name of Jesus, even demons fled. That was the quality of life under the man they saw as their master. This must have been the reason why the mother of James and John came to negotiate a good deal with Jesus for her two sons. 

Imagine the shock as they sat at table, close to the time of his death on the cross. He took out a towel and began to wash the feet of the disciples who had been following him: no drama, no cameras, no fuss; just simply washing and cleaning. It was not a job for the master; it was a job for the servants of the house. But before we look at the of washing and cleaning, let's look at the verses before today's extract. 

The Message:

Jesus had no issues with his identity. He had nothing to prove; he had no axe to grind with anyone. He was comfortable in his state because He knew who he was. He knew Judas would betray him, yet he washed and cleaned his feet. He knew Peter would deny him so loudly, yet he washed and cleaned his feet. There were others there whose hearts may not yet have processed all they heard Jesus say, but their feet were washed and cleaned. Do I really have anything to prove to anyone? Am I comfortable in myself, knowing who has called me and who I serve? Do I serve with a zeal that knows no hypocrisy, safe that the one who commissions my assignment is the one who will reward accordingly? 

He washed and cleaned the dirty feet of his followers, and then returned to his place. His place was there all along, and as long as he was alive, his life would be an example worthy of emulation. Am I all about position, power, possession and privilege, or is it about the presence of God that keeps a man from pride? If Jesus, the Lord and Master of his disciples could stoop to the ground to wash the feet of his followers, what other example would the followers have to be proud or to consider some jobs beneath them? If I know who I am and who I work for, nothing will be too hard for me to do. 

The Response:

The Master has spoken: whatever he does, he expects me to do. If he has done it, he will supply grace for me, as his follower, to also do the same. If I see myself as being above service, maybe I am not a true follower of Jesus. If I consider myself as being superior to you, simply because of what I know, or what men call me, then I may not be able to achieve all that God has called me to do. 

Washing each other's feet could mean giving up my rights so that another person could have his way. It could mean going above and beyond the terms of the assignment, so that another person can be blessed. It could be anything at all; my heart must be ready at all times to make sacrifices to show off God in all His glory. I do not have an excuse; I have been shown what to do, not just told. It is not an option or a negotiation;  it is a command. The way of blessing passes through obedience. If I will be blessed, and enjoy the fullness of all that God intends, now I know what He expects. The world waits for all who will live by the example of service and humility. His time of favour is here. 

World Impact!

World Impact!

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15 KJV

The Context:

We call this particular passage 'The Great Commission', as it is the final assignment Jesus laid out before he left to go back to his Father. He had spent three and a half years with these people, telling them about His kingdom, the coming glory and the role of the Holy Spirit in that which was ahead. He left them in no doubt what was ahead, particularly that even though he would be killed, he would rise up from the dead. All that he had predicted, including Peter's denial of him, Judas' betrayal and all the other disciples abandoning him had all come true. Could their doubt of the truth about his promised resurrection be excused, as they had never seen anything like that before?

In walking with God, nothing about Him is predictable or boring. It takes grace to accept him as He has revealed himself and faith to walk with him on a daily basis. Things will happen that will try and shake the very core of my walk with God, but if I truly know who I have come to believe, I have all I need to end well. The disciples were afraid, and so they doubted everyone who came to tell them that Jesus has risen from the dead. He rebuked them for their unbelief, even though they had walked and worked with him for more than three years. Am I stuck on titles, time and intangibles such as people's opinions of me, or am I all about what God wants of and from me?

The Message:

Jesus rebuked his disciples for their unbelief, despite all the experiences they had shared with him. Just there and then, he gave them the assignment in today's extract. You have to wonder at the timing and place for the message. Could it be that Jesus wants me to know that because I have experienced Him, it is my responsibility to share that experience with the world? How will the world know what it is missing if there is no difference in the lives of those who seek to impact it? How do I preach a message with my life if it is no different from the lives that need to be reached with the life of God?

It is my responsibility to take of that which I have seen, heard and experienced, and share it with the world. I note that Jesus did not address this to the crowd; none was there at this time. This was all about witnesses; those who had walked with him, heard him teach, and had believed in his name. It wasn't for people known to be churchgoers, but for the people who had become the true church of Christ. Am I one of such people? As I open my mouth to speak, are my words reported speech of the product of an encounter with the person of Jesus?

The assignment is to GO, not stay in one place and be content with the normal, the usual and the expected. The world is the audience that has to hear the gospel of Jesus. It is a universal message, one for all ages and men. Hell does not discriminate; the devil is not a racist or a pacifist; his work is to steal, kill and destroy, and he will do so for as long as there are lives to destroy. The reason Jesus was manifested was to destroy the works of the devil. Am I making this Jesus known in and through my life? I may not be able to travel across physical borders, but my words, actions and relationships can speak of my connection to Jesus. When men hear me speak or watch my actions, is Jesus shining out so brightly or has sin, self or Satan been able to darken the windows of my life so that nothing shines through?

The Response:

It is about Jesus from start to finish. The gospel is the good news of Jesus: how he was born, how he lived, why he died, his resurrection, ascension to heaven and the sending of the Holy Spirit as our help in these times. All of these events hold eternal lessons for us who are witnesses to these things. The Holy Spirit in us bears testimony to Jesus, and He is proof that he is true. The One who sends out will not abandon His messengers, or leave them to flounder and mess up. If he sends out, he will accompany. If he births and ordains, he will sustain. If he is involved, he will stick to the end. It is called a CO-MISSION, which is an effective partnership between the Master and the Messenger, with the Message about the Master the focus. No one and nothing else matters. He will not abandon; He will not leave His own alone; He will not let me walk and work without help. If He is involved, success is guaranteed. I do not need to know the full story or how it will all end; mine is to preach. He will work out the results. His time of favour is here. 

The Way of Blessedness!

The Way of Blessedness!

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. James 1:12 KJV

The Context:

James, who wrote this book, would know what he was talking about here. Here was a disciple, brother to John, sons of Zebedee, whose mum had come to Jesus secretly to negotiate privileged sitting for her sons at the side of Jesus in His kingdom. After seeing the mighty miracles that Jesus performed, they must have thought that this would be an easy kingdom, one that would please them and work in their favour. Jesus' response to the brothers was a question: Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? I do not think they understood what this cup and baptism meant, but they answered: "We are able". And their requests were granted. 

The Message:

Fast forward a short while later, king Herod had James beheaded; no fanfare, no special announcement, just a simple execution. John was banished alone to an island, maybe after attempts to take his life failed. Whatever else it is that I may have learnt from walking with God, two things are evident from today's extract:

1. Be careful what you ask for. The path to your desired impact lies through the crucible of temptation and trial. I am yet to see a man who was 'used' by God who didn't have to go through tough times. As I cry to God to use me for His glory, have I settled it with God to embrace whatever path He has chosen for me? 

2. Trials are a non-negotiable part of my training and upbringing as a disciple of Jesus. I get to choose what I will be: a disciple or a graduate of God's school. I can't be both at the same time, as the one who has graduated is no longer subject to the dictates and regimen of the school of discipleship. 

Am I still in God's school or have I left? I need to check recent events around my life: does it feel like God is still able to teach me things or has He left me to my own devises Because I am unreachable, untrainable and unteachable? 

There is a blessedness in the path of trials and temptations. There are lessons that I cannot learn unless they are disguised as trials. A lot of my pursuits and priorities are refined in the crucible of trials. Whatever grand plans James had were suspended as he sat waiting for the king to determine his fate. Can God hold my heart this way, knowing that I am ready to drop all in my hands at His command? Do I keep my plans fluid enough for God to disrupt them when he chooses? 

NOTE: He does not promise that the trials will come to an end before the end of my earthly life. What He promises is a crown of life if my love for Him is greater and deeper than the experiences He permits. There is no guarantee that the pain will end on this side of eternity, but we have a sure word of God that no matter what this earthly plane holds in store, that which God promises lasts forever.

The Response:

I must therefore sort out my priorities. What holds my heart: the temporal things of the world or the eternal blessings of life? Crowns depict kingship and authority, and when I have obtained eternal life, what could be greater than that? What can the world give me that will beat what God offers? If I am a true disciple of Christ, I am already seated with Christ over all situations and circumstances, but God will permit trials so that I can know the value of what I hold now and what I looking forward to. God's blessings are also tied to experience, not just knowledge. If I have been promised something, the God who is faithful can be trusted to keep his own end of the bargain. He waits on me: would I cooperate with Him? Would I trust Him with my life? His time of favour is here. 

Kept, God's Way!

Kept, God's Way!

Righteousness keepeth him that is upright in the way: but wickedness overthroweth the sinner. Proverbs 13:6 KJV

The Context: 

Welcome to Proverbs, the book of one-line messages; each verse with a complete message about life, its measure and its impact. As I read the first few verses before today's extract, I see the benefits of a conservative lifestyle: one that is careful about what it takes in so that it can also be deliberate and careful about what it gives out. If my life will make impact and have direction, it has to prioritise the things that God counts as important, and chief on that list is character like God, which is defined as 'righteousness'. 

Who would have thought that righteousness was also an old testament message? It goes to show that no matter the generation or the dispensation, God's requirement for life will always be the same: righteousness. It does not matter what the excuse is, or the perceived lack of help; God's standards are not subject to popular acceptance or the whims and caprices of man. It has always been the minimum requirement for God to engage with man. He knows that man is by nature full of sin, yet He comes to man, seeking to walk with man. Whoever will respond to that call must embrace the consequences of that call. God will take me on as I am but He will not leave me as I am. He will demamd different pursuits and priorities from me, and if I will be all He wants for me, I have to be all He is.

The Message:

If I will be truly safe, the only way is the way of righteousness. I must watch my walk with God and the path I walk in on a daily basis. It cannot be an occasional thing; eternal vigilance is the key to ending well. The devil does not sleep; he goes around seeking whom to devour. If there is no break in the hedge or fence, the enemy cannot come in to steal, kill and destroy. Even when things don't go according to plan, as long as I am on God's side, doing what He demands from me, I will end well. 

The lives of the men of old speak to this reality. It was not about living as they saw fit, but how God directed. There is a reference to 'the way' which means that there is just one way that worked; any other option was a pretender. Am I on that way or am I content being on any way, even if it leads nowhere? Before it is too late, I had better retrace my steps if need be, and get back on the right way. My eternity will be glad I did. 

The Response:

Am I on the right way? Am I on the path of righteousness or just content with getting by? The path I am on will either lead to me being preserved or simply perishing. As always the choice of eternal reality is mine to make. God has laid out His path, and He encourages me to follow it. He will not force Himself on me; His nature is to keep all who come to Him. If I will end well, I have to be in God. So, where are you? Where am I? His time of favor is here. 

Comfort, God's Version!

Comfort, God's Version!

As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.” Isaiah 66:13 NIV

The Context:

In reading the entire chapter where today's extract is taken from, you see yet again the effect of sin. It does not matter who you are, what you have or where you have been; sin will reduce you to a piece of bread. God's verdict on sin has not changed all through the dispensations he has worked, and what He called sin in the days of Adam, Enoch, Isaiah, Daniel and Judas Iscariot is still sin today. No amount of bleach, radio jingles, popular culture, motivational speaking or grammatical manipulation can change sin into anything else. The wages of sin from the days of Adam has always been death, and nothing I do can change it. I can only come to God in true repentance and accept His final solution to the problem of sin, which is the blood of Jesus. 

Israel had sinned against God and of course, the punishment for sin followed. Nations that could not look them in the face before now took them captive and a few even burned down the temple that so much fanfare had accompanied the dedication. You can never replace a personal experience of God with an adherence to religion. Men can call you a man or woman of God; does that God know you as His own? The punishment for sin came; exile and destruction followed. Even other nations of the world knew that God was punishing Israel for its sin. But before I point the finger at another, have I taken stock of my own life also? If God were to apply the due consequences of my present actions now, what would they be? The same God who punishes is the same one who is quick to mercy. 

The Message:

But for all who tremble at God's Word, there is a message of hope and deliverance. For all who come to God seeking His mercy and grace, He promises an abundance and an overflow. Today's extract is for those who have come to the realisation that they are better off on the side of God's mercy, not judgment. Even though Israel had sinned, for as many as would come to Him, He will forgive and restore. You see, the physical Israel is a nation loved by God and all who love her will also enjoy God's favour. We can relate this to us who are the spiritual Israel. 

Am I born again? Does God know me as His own? If I am, God is able to restore to me all that sin had taken away from me. This is the basis of the comfort that God promises in today's extract. Israel was blessed by God and even though it sinned, when God forgave, all that it lost was restored in full. The same applies to the spiritual Israel too: if God is able to forgive, He is also able to bless beyond that which our minds can fathom. The comfort God promise here makes sense when there has been affliction. If I have never been through the valley of the shadow of death, how can I ever appreciate the value of God's comfort? He does not comfort me so that I become so comfortable that I become careless; his comfort leads me to totally depend on Him for daily help to live right and do right. 

A mother's comfort knows no bounds. A mother's love is not subject to popular acceptance. A mother's comfort does not wait for reciprocity. A mother's comfort also does not excuse indiscipline. All of the above show the importance of a mother's love. Unless the parent is careless and nonchalant, no parent will permit or excuse indiscipline. A mother's love will discipline, but it will also embrace. That is the picture of perfect parenting. The same applies to God too: don't think for a moment that God would love a man so much that He will overlook sin. God forbid. 

The Response:

With all that I have known today about God, what steps do I need to take? With all of God that I have known, what do I need to do to take hold of the comfort that God promises? Those who love Jerusalem will also partake in its joy and restoration, and as I take steps to seek restoration of my own spiritual Israel, people who come in contact with me will also enjoy the comfort that God gives. Don't forget: God does not excuse sin. He does not close his eyes to sin. But when a man repents and returns to God, the comfort of God is fully and freely available. 

God, just like an earthly mother, cannot rejoice in the destruction of his own creation, but like an earthly mother, He will do all He can do for the child, but the child has a choice of reaction and response.  He has done all He needs to do so I can enjoy the fullness of all He is; the choice is now mine to sort out. Eternity lies at the end of they choice. His time of favour is here. 

Being Acceptable, God's Perspective!

Being Acceptable, God's Perspective!

So may the words of my mouth, my meditation-thoughts, and every movement of my heart be always pure and pleasing, acceptable before your eyes, Yahweh, my only Redeemer, my Protector. Psalms 19:14 TPT

The Context:

This is David again, the man after God's heart, who knew just how to get God's attention. The whole chapter is dedicated to celebrating the might, power, strength and wisdom of the God who created all that our eyes see. David took a good, long look at creation around him, and he could see God's mighty acts on display. He looked at the host of heaven, including the sun in all its glory, and he understood his own limitations in the light of such amazing revelation. As I look around me and consider all that God is and has done, what does it awaken in me? Does it lead me to praise or to condemnation? When I encounter things I do not understand, does it make me go to the One who has all things under control, or do I resort to self-help or worship of creation rather than the Creator Himself? 

The Message:

And the seat of all that I do lies in the heart. That is where God must first do his work before that which he has done in me can flow out of me. Just before we read today's extract, we see all the benefits of the Word of God and what He can do in a man's life. The work has to be internal first before the value can be seen externally. I check out all the things the Law, statutes and commands of the Lord are to achieve in a man's life, and the first point of call is a man's inner man, away from the prying eyes of man or the distraction of man's applause and approval. 

We can get very confused by the ever changing ways of the world if that is all we care about. We can get very confused when we let the world dictate what the Word is saying. It is the law of the Lord, not that of any man, no matter how gifted with words. It is called law, statute and commands because the Word of God is not subject to negotiation; I have to either accept what he says or strike out on my own. This is why David could ask God to work on his heart so that he would not be carried away by all the drama that the world brings. When God is able to work on a man's heart, He makes him acceptable. The world's opinion does not count here; all that matters is that the One who is able to preserve to the end is in charge and all will end well. 

The Response:

No wonder David could pray the prayer in today's extract. The words of my mouth must match the meditation of my heart. When God has worked in me, what comes out of me will look like the One who is working in me. He has to work in me if I be all that God intends. As long as I am alive, I will keep speaking, my heart will keep thinking, and I will always have to focus on something. God has to help me so that what my life produces is in line with that which God can bless. 

When God has worked in me, there is harmony out of me: no confusion, hypocrisy or eye-service. I am not looking to impress you; I am simply seeking that which will bring glory and praise to God. If God accepts my life and service, what does it matter what man thinks? If God rejects my life and service, what does it matter how long man applauds? I have got to know that which God can bless, and make that my eternal pursuit and priority. Look at today's extract again and see that there is not a single reference to any other person apart from the speaker and God. That shows that from God's perspective, man's view about you does not count. Focus on God and get him on your side. Ask Him for help on how you can please Him and be accepted by Him. Your eternity will be glad you did. His time of favour is here. 

Confession, God's Version!

Confession, God's Version!

I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Psalms 91:2 NIV

The Context:

Psalm 91 is a popular psalm, and is quoted by so many people, particularly in this pandemic season. We quote the entire chapter, claiming the promises of protection and safety, as well as provision, healing, long life and salvation. Quite a lot of God's mind is revealed in the 16 verses of that chapter, but the control of the entire chapter starts in the very first verse: "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty." It is not enough to be able to recite the entire chapter by heart; it is more important to be in a place where the words of the chapter can be true for you. 

I can't claim the promises of a God I have not submitted to. I can't hold God's Word over Him when I have not submitted to the authority of His Word. This is not magic; it is actually logical. If I will enter another country legally and operate within its borders legally, I need the cover and the authorisation to do so. The same applies here. And I note that there is a choice to make: it says WHOEVER. It is open to all men, no matter what the past looks like. It is free to all men, and I can approach at any time, as long as I do it before physical death comes. Then, it is too late. And it matters WHERE you dwell: not behind high fences, but in the secret place of the Most High God. It is secret because only God can take you there. It is secret because not too many people take the time and effort to find it out. Bank account balances can't buy it; circle of influence can't secure it for you; political or spiritual connections can't guarantee it for you. Only God can, and He will do so for all who come to Him, seeking a place of rest, clear in their minds and hearts that no other option is open, and it is God or no one else. Am I at that point yet? Are you? 

The Message:

That is the foundation of today's extract. Don't go claiming God's Word when you don't even know the God who spoke the words. It appears we are raising people to be full of words but not the Word. We encourage them to recite scriptures, which is not a bad thing, but we must take the extra step to introduce the God of the Word to the world. The world has to know what it is missing. When I open my mouth to speak, what is evident? Is my allegiance to God obvious from my words and actions? Am I all about the right words, or is the power and presence of God evident in my life? These are questions that only a daily walk with God can sort out. It won't happen by accident, but by deliberate decisions. 

The choice of words also matter: refuge and fortress. These words will not make sense if there was no risk of a war or danger ahead. You don't need a refuge if there is no danger around. You don't need a fortress if there was no army coming against you. Trust is earned, and is the result of testing, trying and assurance. You get to trust someone you have proved to be true. All of these speak about who God is and what He can do. He does not promise that things will always be easy, but He does promise that if I allow Him, He will be with me and preserve my life through all that may come.

The Response:

So, does God know where I stand with Him? Is my heart committed to Him or are there other viable options to consider? Am I all talk and no action, full of words but no personal experience about the Word of God? The writer isn't known but it would appear that he knew who God is. I must not be content with just getting by or just living; I have to seek God out for who He is. It is not first about what I can get from Him, but about who He is and where He is taking me to. The daily experience is the secret to all that God is. Would I seek God out for myself? It is said that confession brings possession, but empty confession without the personal experience of the One who owns it all won't get you anything. With God, you have to add personal experience to confession, if you will get all of God. His time of favour is here. 

Work, God's Version!

Work, God's Version!

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23‭-‬24 NIV

The Context:

Paul, writing to the church in Colossae, took time to address all strata of society. He spoke to fathers, children, slaves, masters, wives and husbands. No class was left behind. The message of Christ is for all people; nobody is exempt. Christ died for the world and that is why anyone, no matter what the past looks like, is accepted by God when they come to Him. Have you taken the step of accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour? So you would know how important this decision is, the very first verse in the chapter under consideration reads as follows: Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Your location and position in God are quite relevant to the decisions you make. Even though these words are spoken in the context of how you will advice a servant to deal with his master, the lessons also apply to all who understand who they are and who they work for. 

The Message:

If my work will be accepted by God, my walk with him must first be perfect. Men may choose to applaud or not to, but that must not be the basis of the work I do or why I do it. Too many times, our desire to be liked by people or accepted by them pushes us to make compromises most times against God's perfect will. The way of the natural man can never lead to the perfect will of God. The natural man must find God and submit that nature to the cleansing power of the blood of Jesus. Then can a man's life be acceptable before God, as well as all he does.

That is the foundation that must be laid for today's extract to be true in my life. How can I work for a God I do not know or submit to? How do I close my ears and eyes to what is convenient and settle for that which pleases God? Hypocrisy and 'good' eye-service may earn you man's praise, but when you deal with a God of absolute knowledge, know that you cannot deceive him with platitudes. If my heart is not fully in it, He knows. If my heart is not perfect before Him, he also knows.

What lies at the end of my service should keep me focused on my service. I stand to receive an inheritance from the Lord. It is in the future, but it is my present that will secure it. It is something to look forward to, and to keep my eye on. The earth as we know it now is temporary, and nothing in it is guaranteed to last forever. In fact, the Bible says that a fire is coming that will consume everything we see now. As I wait for the manifestation of that word, I must keep my heart on that which lasts forever.

The Response:

It is obvious that there is no room for inactivity. There is no room for sitting still doing nothing. There are lives to impact for God, and He will supply the grace for the work to get done. I just have to show up. It is called WORK because it will demand something from you. It is called WORK because it is proof that I appreciate what I have received from God, and I am willing to give back to the lives of people around me. I must not forget: who I know defines how I act, how far I go and if I do what is expected. If I am confident and assured about my employment situation, I won't mind the work. His time of favour is here.