All Faith!

All Faith!

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

What is the gospel? Simply put, it is good news. Of course, the next question would be: good news about what or who? The answer is also very simple: the gospel is good news about Jesus. The old testament is grace covered; the new testament is grace revealed. The entire scripture is about Jesus, the one through whom all things were created, and the one who sustains all things even till today. Right in the Garden of Eden where man fell into sin, we see God lay out very clearly the essence of the gospel, the revelation of the seed of the woman, who would deal a final and fatal blow to the power of sin and the devil. It may have taken a few centuries for the seed to be made manifest, but there is no doubt that the entire Bible is about God, his Word the Son and his work in the hearts of men by His Spirit. 

What does the gospel reveal? It is clear that effort, striving and labour have not much effect. Since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, he has tried to please God by works. The tower of Babel is a good example. Even till today, we seem to think we can deceive God by outward devotion that is empty of heart's sincerity. The devil has made it easy to keep up appearances. However, God would have me know today that he is not moved or impressed by the drama and scheming that happens on the outside; he is interested in the work that happens on the inside, in the hearts of men. That is why the righteousness of God is revealed as a function of faith, not works. That is why no matter how hard a man tries, he cannot by labour lay hold of that which only faith can supply. 

It is faith from first to last, and of course, everything in between. If it is faith from first to last, I cannot insert works and labour anywhere in the middle. Yes, I have to work, but the work must be based on the firm conviction that I qualify not by what I do, but by who God is. He makes the work worth it, because the work is done with a heart that knows that it is grace that has made it possible for him/her to stand. I must note that the gospel is singular; there is only one gospel, and it is centered on Jesus. God does not author confusion, and he cannot confuse anyone. He has made it clear: walk with me by faith, first of all, and I will make your life worth it. That is the promise that was laid out in the Garden of Eden, and it is still the promise held out for all who will dare to walk with Him by faith today. 

The righteous, who have come to trust in God, know that it has nothing to do with how hard they work. The righteous clearly know who helps them remain faithful and committed in service. If at any time I feel that I deserve whatever it is I have now, I need to think again. If at anytime I am tempted to think I am smart and have life all figured out, I need to retrace my steps back to God before it is too late. God wants to help me; I have to embrace his help. He will not force himself in me, but if I surrender to him, I have access to a lifetime of help down here and an eternity to look forward to. God's time of favour is here. 

Harmony!

Harmony!

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Romans 10:10 KJV

You can state, with very little opposition, that God's greatest gift to man is salvation. Man was made in the image of God, but he chose to submit to the devil. Sin came into the world by the disobedience of one man, and all who are born by the natural consequence of birth take on that nature of sin. No amount of detergent or bleach can wash away the stain of sin, because its stain is not the stuff that a machine, labour or device can wash away. By God's own standard, the only remedy for sin was blood, which represents a life taken. By blood, sin was atoned for in the old testament, and by blood, sin is also atoned for in the new testament. 

The blood under the old testament could only cover sin, because the blood was not perfect. The blood under the new testament was the blood of Jesus, God's son, who knew no sin. He was not born by the natural process of birth, so he was not subject to the nature of sin we all had. He offered his own blood as the perfect sacrifice for sin, and by that offering, he has fully paid the price for sin so that none of us has to pay again. This is the sacrifice that brought man back to God, repaired th broken bridge and sealed eternal life for man. Even for generations yet unborn, this sacrifice is good for all time, and all who want to can take advantage of what is on offer. 

This is where it gets personal. The price has been paid; the offer has been made; the choices have been laid. God does not compel a man against the exercise of his freewill. I must make up my mind what I want to do in response to what I have received from God. Two things are mentioned in today's extract which are important: the harmony between my heart and my mouth. Many do not have this harmony; what they seek is the image of sincerity, with no heart commitment. They know what the right image is, and they seek to conform, but their hearts are far away from the right image. I must avoid such hypocrisy. Is my mouth truly confessing what my heart has believed? Both the heart and mouth are key. 

The heart is the place where the work is done. That is where God has to lay out the case for eternity. It is the place where man must settle the argument of what is truly important. When the heart has believed, the mouth usually would follow suit. It is from the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks. Unfortunately, just as it is true in the positive, so is it true in the negative. If a man will not believe and reject the gift, it is the same heart where this seed will be sown, nurtured and cultivated. I must remember: the gift has been given and will not be withdrawn until death or rapture happens. Then, it will be too late. While I have time now, I must take God up on the free gift he has given. Eternity is too long a time not to be sure where you will spend it. God's time of favour is here. 

Do!

Do!

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Philippians 4:9 KJV

We live in a generation/dispensation that is high on words but low on action. We have messages that speak highly of positive thinking, but do very little to drive positive action. We now want to feel good about ourselves, not really minding whether what we hold on to is the best God wants for us or not.  There are not too many good examples to emulate around us, as music or film stars have become the image most children and young adults aspire to copy these days. It is such a dangerous time that we are in, yet we read of words like today's extract and sense that there is hope somewhere. 

What would God want me to know from the words of today's extract? Can I dare stand before men like myself and lay my life down as an example they can emulate and be safe? You see, for Paul, it was more than just words; he was a man who could lay his private and public lives as a harmony that spoke to men. He was not a hypocrite who failed to practice what he preached, but he was a man whose personal conviction aligned with his public profession. There was no secret sin that the devil could use as a hindrance to his ministry. That is the harmony that is missing in today's world. 

Look at the words: learned, received, heard, seen. My understanding of these words is that whether I am conscious of it or not, my life, words, actions, reactions, conversations, conduct and company speak at all times. I cannot get away with deceit, no matter how hard I try or how well I am able to compartmentalise my life. People observe; most know the right standards, even if they choose not to follow them. Comments like: "and you call yourself a Christian" show that those who say it have a good idea what the right thing is, even if they have chosen not to follow it. Am I that kind of person, focused solely on impressing, without impacting? 

Can I ask anyone else to follow after my life's pattern? Paul could lay his life down as that right pattern, and nothing was hidden from public view. I am the light set on a hill, with no possibility of hiding in the shadows. I am calling to people to do what they see me do, speak the way they hear me speak, and conduct themselves the way they see me do. Actions speak, and they are reflections of who I truly am. God's peace will only thrive and survive in that perfect environment of harmony. Yes, there will times of disagreements, but they will never change the foundation of the harmony that a life in Jesus has. Do I have that harmony? God's time of favour is here. 

Alive Forevermore!

Alive Forevermore!

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25‭-‬26 NIV

A friend of the family, Lazarus, brother to Mary and Martha, was sick and at the point of death. The sisters sent for Jesus, but he delayed in coming, and then the brother died. Why would a man who could heal the sick, forgive sin and raise the dead delay in coming? If indeed he is the one the whole world was talking about, why would he not come on time? There are things that happen to us that may not always make sense; we ask God for something, and the very opposite happens. We hold God hand for something, and it seems that we are left holding the short end of the stick? Does it mean that God does not hear, or does it mean that he cannot save? 

There must be no doubt in my mind about the identity and power of the God who calls me to Himself. He is the Almighty God, with whom nothing is impossible. When he died and rose again, he dealt a fatal blow to death, so that death now has no power over those of us who have come to put our trust in Him. That is the essence of today's extract: even when the unthinkable and unexpected happen, I have the assurance that death is not the final chapter but the door into the final chapter, which is eternal life with Jesus. By his death and life, Jesus now personifies resurrection and the life. All who believe in Him to the end enjoy these benefits. Do you? 

That faith in Jesus is key. It is faith in the finished work that qualifies me. If I believe in Jesus, I enter into life already. It does not matter what my physical circumstances are, or how the end comes; what is important is that the end finds me in Christ. Death is an appointment all of us must keep if Jesus tarries long enough, but there is also the assurance that through His life, death has no real power. Imagine Jesus saying this to the sisters who had just lost a brother, particularly one that they sent for Jesus early enough before he died. If I were the sisters, would I listen? Thank God they listened, and we know how the story ended. 

We come to the same decision point in our own lives today. With all the problems staring us in the face, what would we believe? Just as Jesus asked the sisters in those days, so does he ask us too today: Having heard of me, and seen the things I can do, "Do you believe"? He is asking me to trust him, not my daily reality. He is asking me to ignore plain facts, and just focus by faith on who He is and what he promises. I take comfort from this fact: the One who makes these promises has outlived all fo the problems I could ever face, so if he says I am safe in him, he is speaking from victory and experience. I can trust him to keep his promises. I can trust him to perfect all that concerns me. God's time of favour is here. 

Sent for Impact!

Sent for Impact!

“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. Matthew 10:16 NIV

Again, it has to be emphasised who Jesus was speaking to here. In the first verse where today's extract is taken from, it is clearly stated: Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. You do not dare go out in his name without first being subject to his name. In fact, demons and impure spirits owe you nothing if you are not under the authority, command and assignment of Jesus. My first assignment here is to be sure and certain of the One who has called me to service. Am I a disciple, or am I part of the crowd, content to just tag or flow along, with no sense of urgency or an idea of what I have been called out of and into?

That understanding is central to the extract of today. Do I know who I work for? Do I know who has called me to work? When I know, it will impact how I relate with the people around me. I am sent; I do not get to choose the audience, the platform or the kind of message I am to deliver or when I am to deliver it. I am placed where I am because the One who determines placement and impact knows just how and where best my life can be a blessing. The fact that He sends me and is backing me up does not also mean there will not be opposition. Wolves are natural enemies of sheep, and would eat sheep without hesitation, yet God would have me know that if he backs me up, I will survive as sheep among wolves.

Let it be clear: I am sent, not to pursue my own thing, but to serve the one who sent me. He knows the territory, and knows what is coming. He knows the nature of the battle and how best to fight and win. I must be as shrewd as snakes and also as innocent as doves. How is that even possible? For a disciple that must live in this world, that is a balance he must find and keep. He must learn what the world represents and how to keep himself unstained by it. He must let his light so shine that his light can be seen by the world. He must not join the world, but seek to impact it by the light he carries. Am I that kind of disciple? Have I sorted out my identity? Am I at work for the One who sent me? God's time of favour is here. 

Compassion!

Compassion!

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him; Psalms 103:13 NIV

Let us look at the simple definition of 'compassion' and it is: sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others. First, there must be a heart that seeks to identify with the pain and suffering of other people. It is not compassion if my heart responds with pride, or if I only want to show off what I have or know. Secondly, it would appear that for me to be seen as compassionate, I am not to the one to claim I have it, but other people will call me as such when they see the fruit in my life. So, two things: experience and personality flow together to define compassion. Can I examine my life and, without fear of contradiction, say that I have a heart that seeks to identify with other people? 

Am I so focused on my own problems that I do not have the time or patience to bother with another person's experiences? How do we explain compassion from an earthly father's perspective? Most fathers naturally want the best for the children. We slave and drive ourselves to the ground, simply because we want to secure a good life for the children. Sometimes, fathers engage in crime because of the need to settle the family and meet legitimate needs. Sometimes, we defend the chase by saying "the end justifies the means", but it still does not absolve a man from crime if he is caught stealing, even if it is to put food on the table for his family. If earthly fathers, sinful, redeemed, or whatever state they may be in, can be this focused and dedicated to the family, can you imagine what the perfect heavenly Father would be like? 

Imagine the love a father has for a child, then picture this love multiplied in multiple folds beyond measure, then you get an idea of the kind of love God would have us know and experience. As children of earthly fathers, we can all point to instances where we knew we were wrong and deserved punishment, but our fathers somehow overlooked the faults. For some of us, the threat of punishment or the words we would hear was enough to drive us never to do the wrong again. If we so feared our earthly fathers who could only apply discipline for a short while, how much more should I fear the heavenly Father who can destroy both body and soul in hell. 

Our earthly fathers could only deal with us as best as they could, and with the resources they had, and for a short time while they could. I must fear the Father who is able to train and prepare me for earthly impact and eternal reign with him. God wants me to be a blessing down here on earth and also be fit for service in the kingdom of God. The fear of God is the key to this reality. Nothing else will work. Do I fear God so much that I always want to please Him? If I will access his compassion, freely, then I must fear Him. God's time of favour is here. 

Action and Reaction!

Action and Reaction!

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: Matthew 7:7 KJV

It is always important to determine who the audience of any particular message is, so you can determine how it applies to you and what you need to do or stop doing. The extract for today is taken from the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus took his disciples up on a mountain, sat them down and laid out the principles of the kingdom of God to them. There was a large crowd at the foot of the mountain, as was common wherever Jesus went, but he did not address these words to them. These words were for those who have followed Jesus up the mountain and are ready and willing to listen to and obey him. It is not for people who are content to get lost in the midst of a crowd. Which one am I: a disciple ready and willing to go up the mountain or part of the crowd, content to listen from afar and then pick and choose that which is convenient for me?

If I have made up my mind to climb up the mountain, listen to God and then be committed to obeying Him, then the words of today's extract will make sense. There is an expected action from every human being alive on earth, as we all have needs that have to be met, but the guarantees are only for those who are disciples. Don't forget: Jesus was speaking here to disciples up on the mountain with him. They would have heard him speak, and they would have known his heart. What they would be asking for will be completely different from those who are at the foot of the mountain. If you have ever listened to anyone who has a burden for Christ to be formed in him, his prayer points will be very different from someone who has just met Christ or who is content being part of the crowd. When I know who I am, whom I serve and follow and what I am called out of and into, my asking, seeking and knocking will reflect different priorities from someone else who does not yet know who he is or where he belongs. 

For God, his response and reaction will always match his nature and what is the appropriate answer to the need. Nothing about God who makes these promises can fail. In fact, it is impossible for God to fail because he is not subject to the things that limit natural persons. That is why when I ask, I receive that which I ask for. When I seek, God knows what it is I need and he will provide in line with that which I seek. When I also knock, whatever door needs to be opened for his perfect will to be done, will be opened by God. The responses are God's prerogative; mine is to simply align myself with his will. I may not always get what I think I deserve, but the God whom I have come to know, follow, believe and obey will never fail to supply that which is quite appropriate for the direction he is taking me. There is the confidence, assurance and certainty that run through the verse above. What more could I need? God's time of favour is here. 

Upheld!

Upheld!

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

The amazingly wise God created man in his image. God breathed into man and man became a living soul. All that God is has representation in man, and even though sin had come in to tamper with the original template, the death and resurrection of Jesus have restored the template. We are made a little lower than the angels, and crowned with glory and honour. All that God created have also been put under our feet. We live in the daily reality of who God is, and as we live daily, we show off God in all his glory and power. 

How do I know this? Where is the proof of God's plan, purpose and intentions? The place where God has seen fit to plant and nurture this seed of greatness is our hearts. This is the place where he seeks to influence our daily actions, reactions and choices. His Spirit in us wants to impress upon our hearts the importance of allowing God do his work in and through us. It is natural to have and make plans; that is a reflection of God in our lives. However, my plans cannot be my most important consideration; it has to be what God's perfect will for my life is. 

I am free to make plans; in fact, the world frowns at a planless life. I can lay the groundwork for all that I want to achieve, short, medium or long term, but I must never lose sight of one thing: it is only that which God permits that will happen. In all my planning, I must always seek God's face for what he wants me to be doing per time. Like Samuel, there is a danger that God has moved on to David, and I am still stuck in the past of Saul, no matter how attractive or predictable it may be. Am I stuck in the past, or am I caught up in the present, where God is at work now? 

God's nature and power is such that cannot be thwarted or delayed. All of us would have to deal with God one way or another, or at some point in our lives. His counsel and purpose were established long before any of us came to be, so it would be foolish to think that I can come in now and change God's plan. If he permits it, it is because it lines up with his will. The amazing part is that even what we call 'evil' lines up with his will. Can I dare surrender totally to God, so he can do what he wants to do with my life? Plan, but also plan for God's counsel. God's time of favour is here. 

Power of Halfs!

Power of Halfs!

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, James 1:19 NIV

James was writing here to the twelve tribes of Israel, who were scattered among the nations. If you trace Israel's history back to about 1,000 years before this letter by James, you see how God warned the nation over and over again about sin but it would not listen. With Israel's sin came punishment, which was banishment. However, just as it is with God, his nature prevents him from forgetting his people. For me, I am engraved in the hollow of his palm, and nothing touches me without first touching him. That is the special relationship I have with God, and which I must do all I can to nurture and preserve it. God does not forget anyone; his love makes that impossible. However, he will keep warning about what the right priorities are, and if I will listen, I will enjoy all that God intends, and also have eternal life with Him, which is His ultimate. So, am I his child, totally surrendered?

Today's extract is for those who have identified themselves as part of the family of God, who also admit that God's instructions are for them. God wants me to listen more than I speak. If I really consider the human anatomy without any unusual characteristics, God gave each person two ears and one mouth. It means that I must listen twice as much as I can speak. It also means that I must learn that there is no way one mouth can speak of all that the two ears receive. God in his wisdom had designed the human body in this way. Listening is an art in patience and seeking to understand, not to prove a point. Listening tells people that you are interested in what they have to say, not what you want them to know. If all I want to do is force my point of view on people, I tell them I do not appreciate their viewpoint, and it is only my way that is right. That is not the way Christ in us would want to be represented.

At the heart of this charge is the last part of today's extract, which charges me to be slow to become angry. I believe this is key. It is anger that drives speech, action and reaction. It is anger that leads men to say words they regret later. It is anger that stops me from listening and to lash out at people, destroying relationships that may have been built over a number of years. By God's standards, a man who is able to control his temper is greater than the warrior who conquers a city. A man who is able to control his temper is a man who daily depends on God to help him. Efforts such as psychology, drugs and positive confession may help in some regards, but it is the Holy Spirit who is the Great Help, leading me to total submission to God and a full embrace of His grace. Am I that kind of person? God's time of favour is here. 

Treasures!

Treasures!

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: Matthew 6:19 KJV

Our lives are indeed treasure houses. God created us in his image, formed us from the lowest of materials: dust, but then put in us the highest form of substance, which is His breath. His breath is what gives the dust substance and ensures that it can make impact. However, due to sin, we have lost sight of what is really important and have gone in pursuit of other alternatives. We seem to have moved on from depending on God to seeking to mine treasures by ourselves from things created like us. We have become distracted by the earthly, temporal and carnal, forgetting that nothing of the earth will outlive the earth. Whatever it is the earth gives has an appointment with fire, and all that is the earth's will perish with the earth. It means then that I need to focus on something with longer value than what the earth can give me. Today's extract makes that quite clear.

By my daily thoughts, actions and reactions, I am storing up eternal treasures. I may not know it but all I do, say and think are reflections of what I have spent my life developing on the inside. I must keep an eye on the eternal while seeking to make impact on the earthly. I can't ignore one at the expense of the other. The earth has its realities: people of the earth do not know the value and impact of the spiritual. Most people live for what they can get out of life now, not concerned about what the effect of their actions is. The people of the earth seek after riches, wealth and honour, and will do anything to keep these things to themselves. Unfortunately, as seen in today's extract, moth, rust and thieves are part of the reality called earth. There is no security measure that can't be beaten, either by internal/external collusion or by sheer external force breaking in. 

That is why I must focus on the eternal, where moth, rust and thieves have no power. My life down here on earth must be spent investing in the right way, and on the right things. Do I want to be rich by the standards of the world; known by all men on earth and respected by all who hear of me, but with no record at all in heaven of what I have done to advance the kingdom of God? Would men on earth know my networth, but heaven have no idea of who I lived for? I must lay it all up in the right place, little by little, bit by bit. It is a daily walk and work, a marathon, a lifelong pursuit. I must learn to live each day as if it were my last, and seek to do only those things that lead to treasure. If I know I have limited time to amass treasure, and that the treasure is to be mine forever, won't I focus on the things that will help me in this quest? What am I living for? What's my life's treasures looking like right now? Remember, eternity is the end game. God's time of favour is here. 

Loaded and Directed!

Loaded and Directed!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Psalm 23:6 KJV

A quick peep into a few things that lays the foundation for today's extract. These words are spoken by a man who had a personal encounter with the Great Shepherd. He was himself a shepherd, so he understood the role as shepherd plays in the life of the sheep. He finds safe pasture for the sheep, keeps them safe from harm, and ensures that they return home safely and are locked up properly at night, away from any possible harm. That is a small picture of what a shepherd does. David had firsthand experience of what a shepherd ought to be: he fought bears and lions up in order to keep his father's sheep safe. God does the same for us too, as he does not allow evil to happen to us without his permission. 

There is however a caveat, as seen in today's extract. It says: Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me. The question then is: who/what am I following, if I am to access this promise? I definitely cannot pursue after my own things, and expect God to just back me up anyway. I cannot be living outside of God's perfect will and still expect him to pat me on the back and approve all I do against his will. That is not God. If goodness and mercy, attributes of God, will follow me, I had better be sure that I am also following after the things that God approves of. This present age is too confusing for me to navigate without the help of the One who is not limited by circumstances, time and space. 

With God, I don't get seasonal or circumstantial help; I get it all the days of my life, as long as I hold on to and trust him. God is not like man who cannot even predict the next 2 seconds, but this is a God who wrote down all my days in his book even before I physically manifested. That is wisdom, power and might. That is what I have access to all the days of my life. I also note that it is an individual impact. We can come to church and claim it for everyone who came in, but its eternal impact is only experienced by those who know the Shepherd on a personal basis. Does the Shepherd know me as his own, or am I the one claiming what is not true? Do I recognise, accept and embrace his authority over my life?

That is why I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. I do not see how anyone or anything else can guarantee that which God promises here. Access to all that God is and offers is tied to who God is and where He is. I cannot continue in sin and demand that God's grace continue to abound. As the Bible says: "God forbid". I cannot insist on my own way and expect God to validate it without question. Let's not forget: what I can access is tied to my embrace and acceptance of who God is. I will not get goodness and mercy from the devil; there is no place of rest with the devil; the devil has nothing of eternal value to give to anyone. Forever is such a strong word; may nothing of this world hold my attention so much that it distracts me from all that God is. God's time of favour is here. 

Facts!

Facts!

Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8 NIV

Sin always has consequences. I am not sure what other message is being preached, but as long as it is the True God who made the heavens and the earth, there is only one verdict for sin that remains unconfessed and not repented of: eternal damnation. Everywhere you turn to in the Bible, God makes it very clear that he will not condone or toy with sin. As God puts it so succinctly, the wages of sin is death but his free gift is eternal life through his son Jesus. He makes the offer of life to all men, and waits expectantly for us to respond to his love. He will not force himself on me; my willingness to accept him as Lord and Saviour is the best gift I can offer God.

God had dealt with Israel due to its sin, and Judah was now being warned about its sin. Isaiah knew God's nature: he hates sin but loves the sinner. This is what makes God peculiar: it is the sin he hated so much that made him pay such a high price for our salvation. He is called Father, because his heart is such that cannot bear the death of a sinner. A father does not ever disown a child, no matter what the child does while alive. The question then is: if God's love is this special, when does man still reject it? Why do we insist on our own way as the right way, when everything around us tells us we need God? 

The statements in today's extract are facts, no matter what the strength of the argument against them are. We claim to be mature and independent; people who are old enough to take decisions for themselves. In the name of liberty, we have moved from one extreme to the other, adding sin to sin. However, one thing is clear: the clay can never become the potter. No level of skill, intelligence, knowledge or power can change that arrangement. The clay does not have a mouth, so it cannot dictate terms to the potter. It cannot decide what it wants to become of itself; that is the prerogative of the potter. Is this true of me: do I know and respect my limitations? Have I discovered who I am in God, and what God formed, gifted and planted me to do? 

I am therefore in the hands of the potter, the one whose heart is wide enough to forgive me when I do wrong, and who holds on to me even when the whole world lets go. I must know and respect my limits; I must also acknowledge the power, might and mercy of God. My clay must submit to the wisdom and direction of the potter. My clay must embrace the planning, planting and purpose of the potter. I cannot make or re-make myself, because the ultimate power to design and produce belongs to God, and I take authority from him to also design and create. I am nothing outside his grace, and will never be able to achieve anything outside his mercy. I know that; do you? Is there any area of life that we need to submit totally to God, so we can enjoy the fullness of all He has planned? Total submission to God brings no regrets; it is the key to the fullness of all that God is. God's time of favour is here.

God's Heart!

God's Heart!

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

2 Peter 3:9 NIV

Today's extract gives us a small glimpse into the heart of God. Man's heart was the focus of yesterday's piece, as we carefully examined the investments of God in a man's heart. No matter how far a man wanders away from God, God never lets go. His deposit of treasures in a man's heart makes it impossible for God to give up on man. He does not waste resources, so if He gives it, He wants to profit from them as man uses the resources for his glory. However, the warning here is this: God will play his part, but you can be sure that God will demand an account of all that He gives. 

His nature and power make it impossible for man to live as he pleases without consequences. The Bible has stories of men who lived for God, as well as those who lived for their own pleasure. The end of the story always showed that God's Word cannot be broken: God will play his part, but man must take responsibility for his decisions and actions. One of God's promises is about the end of all time, when the heavens and the earth will be destroyed by fire. All the fine houses, cars and possessions have an unbreakable appointment with fire. In that light, God calls us to pursue after the things that have eternal value, such as salvation from sin. 

Men have heard this message several times, and it seems that it has lost its shock value; but then you see the effect of the power of the Word of God, and you realise it is still very active. He is still changing men and calling them to service and impact in his kingdom. He is still at work on the earth, and how he reaches men and changes them from within still remains his forte and expertise. So, when I am tempted to look at the world and think that God has lost it, I must remember that God is not like man: helpless, clueless and blind. The fact that He 'seems' slow to punish must not be taken as weakness or stupidity but as love for the heart and life of the sinner. 

When it seems you do wrong and 'get away' with it, remember the heart of God. When you see the wickedness of the world around you, reflect on the love of God that does not destroy immediately and completely. When I am tempted to think that I am perfect by the labour and striving of my hands, I remember that it is only by grace that a man is able to stand. The love of God is such that he will leave 99 sheep safe and go in search of the 1 that wandered off. No life is so inconsequential that God will give up on it. As long as He created it, He will help it to succeed. Men may give up and condemn; God's nature does not allow him to condemn without first warning. 

Now, this is further confirmation of God's heart: judgment is coming. The time for it may differ from person to person, but it is an appointment all of us must keep. There is no one who will not keep this appointment, as this earthly life is not the peak of all that God plans for us. The end of salvation is eternal life. God saved us from sin, so we could live as His children down here, as we prepare for our eternal home with God. He does not rejoice over the death of a anyone who dies without Christ, and he will do anything, even move heaven and earth, where a life is involved. He hates sin, but loves the sinner. If that is his heart, and I claim to be his child, I can't do less than that. 

Can I love other people the same way He does? Can I seek after their spiritual wellbeing the same way God does? Can I love people, no matter what their past and present look like, so that their future can be sorted out by God? God cannot delight in the eternal destruction of a life that He creates, and I also must not rejoice when someone who sins dies in his sin. The appropriate response must be that my heart seeks after that which God seeks after: that everyone comes to repentance. It does not matter what the past or present look like; God's love can take all that mess and turn it into His own message. While there is time, I must take advantage of this love, embrace it and make it mine. Eternity lies at the end of all these. May the Lord make us all worthy at the end of our lives. God's time of favour is here. 

Man's Heart!

Man's Heart!

So above all, guard the affections of your heart, for they affect all that you are. Pay attention to the welfare of your innermost being, for from there flows the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23 TPT

Who is a guard? Quite simply, this is a person employed to protect a building or property against intruders or damage. One thing is obvious from that definition, and it is that there are both internal and external threats that a guard must address. Another thing that is clear is that the guard is not doing the work for free. By the nature of the job, there must be some training, information and secrets that are under the direct or indirect influence or control of the guard. This is why the guard is paid a fair wage as an employee, as motivation for the work to be done. I also note that the job is not related to or based on gender; if the person, role and specifications fit, it's a match. 

The above lays the foundation for where God wants us to focus on this day. The place of treasure is the human heart. That is where God seeks to  deposit the gifts that will bless the world. He places these great treasures in earthen vessels so that no man can take the glory for the gifts, but the responsibility to guard the treasure from internal rot due to non-use or misuse, as well as from being stolen or lost, lies on me, the person employed by God to guard the place of treasure. I am the guard, and God is the employer. My heart is the place of treasure, because my heart is the place from where all that will impact my world, both positive and negative, will flow from there. 

The guard is not concerned with what goes on in another treasure house; his first and only priority is to secure the place where he has been employed to guard. Even when there is an alarm triggered by a robbery going on in the property next door, as long as there is no immediate threat to the place the guard is securing, he cannot be concerned with what is going on next door. The issues next door could be a distraction to make the guard lose focus; s/he will not be paid for securing another property if where s/he was employed to guard is broken into. Am I focused on the place where God has asked me to stand guard and secure, or am I too distracted to sit in the place where I have been assigned? 

I must understand that my heart is the place of treasure. At birth, it is built as a treasure house, and I will spend the rest of my life laying up treasure in it. There is nothing I do, see, say or become that is not as a result of the things I have spent time storing up. That is why I am asked to guard the affections of my heart. What are the movies that catch and hold my attention? Does gossip about other people interest me in any way? Does the need to get even with people drive my actions and reactions? Can I be trusted with other people's money? Can God commit the lives of other men into my hands? These questions give you a view of the importance of the heart in God's scheme of things. 

I must learn the rudiments of the work that God has placed in my hands, and not assume that I know it all. I must strive to carry out the job that has been assigned to me, not what I see other people do. My heart is my responsibility, not my pastor's. God will judge him for his own actions, but he will not be solely responsible for my own heart's focus and life actions. God may demand an account from him, but he sure will not overlook my own part. The welfare of the heart requires my attention, because it is its current state that determines my final estate. 

Planning for eternity does not allow me to be careless about anything that touches my heart. I must be deliberate about its focus, and careful about its pursuits and priorities. God knows the heart of man, and understands what it is capable of, and that is why I am tasked with guarding it. God will supply grace but I must tap into that grace and make sure I am all that God expects. I must invest in the welfare of the heart, feed it right, treat it right, so it can always lead to the right outcome. Whatever I feed it, it will take, nurture, multiply it and give it back in multiple ways. All I give it by becomes a spring, that will lead to an eternal supply. If it will spring forth with God's grace, I must feed it that which is full of God's grace. May the Lord make me a right guard for all he has laid on my heart, so that my life can be a generational blessing. God's time of favour is here. 

Worthy 2!

Worthy 2!

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” Revelation 5:13 NIV

Once again, we are given a glimpse into heaven, and what obtains there where God dwells. We are given a peek into what heaven does on a continuous basis, and as you know, time and number have no direct significance to what we know down here. A thousand years is like an evening gone to God, and the same 1 day can be like a thousand years. This is a God who was gracious enough to allow mortal man like John to come up and see the mighty things going on in heaven, so that we can adequately prepare for our final home. We have all the information we need to get it right, so I do not have an excuse if I reject God. 

We see heaven again, and see that the One who sits on the throne is the centre of attention, attraction and all that goes on in heaven. He is the One who created ALL that John could see, and we are given a picture of the honour, glory and might ascribed to the One who sits on the throne. If heaven worships God this way, what excuse do I have not to do the same? If the whole of heaven, with the living creatures and trillions of angels all rever God this way, is it not expected, as one also created by God, to worship God the same way? Does the earth even know who this God is? Does it know it exists for the sole pleasure of the One who created it? 

The host of heaven knows the One who sits on the throne. The reason why they could also worship him was because they also knew that the Lamb, who died for the sins of the world to reconcile man back to God is also worthy of worship. This is the key to the song in today's extract: the One who sits on the throne and the Lamb are worthy. Look again at those who now recognise authority and power: "every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them." A time is coming when, either by free choice or compulsion, EVERY knee shall bow and acknowledge that God is the Lord of all, and that Jesus is the Son of God. I have the grace and opportunity to accept him now as He has been introduced to the world, as a time is coming when it will be too late to change your mind. 

"praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”. You do not use words like these for mere mortal men. The words forever and ever do not apply to the natural man. It only applies in the spiritual, as God is a Spirit, without start or end, or limits or boundaries. All who will praise and worship God like this in eternity can't rely on the natural and the earthly. A man has been given the rare privilege to see into what heaven does, and we know now how God is held in high esteem in heaven. As we look ahead to our own eternity, we exalt the name of the Lord. We worship him for who He is and what He has done. We worship him for his power, might and mercy. 

Heaven does it without compulsion; I must do the same. Heaven knows the power and authority of the One who sits on the throne; I must do the same. Heaven breaks out in worship constantly; I must do the same. Heaven recognises the power of the blood that was shed so that man would be reconciled back to God and the best response to this offer and sacrifice is WORSHIP; worship from the heart, in sincerity and in truth. I do it now with joy, because I know in whom I believe. I invite you to also come to the throne, see God in all his glory, so you can worship him for who He is. He deserves it all. Do it now, from your heart. A time is coming when all of creation, without fail, will fall down in worship of The One who sits on the throne, and then there will be judgment. May we all be worthy of heaven. God's time of favour is here. 

Anger!

Anger!

Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. Ecclesiastes 7:9 NIV

One of the strongest ways to pass a message about a verse in the bible is to use imagery. Let's take a look at the verse for today: do not be quickly provoked in your spirit. How does that work? Why is the spirit the place of focus? How easy is it for a man's spirit to be provoked? One of the most poignant verses of the Bible about the spirit of man says: The human spirit is the lamp of the Lord that sheds light on one’s inmost being. Proverbs 20:27 NIV. The spirit is the place where God xan meet with man to lay upon his heart the things he wants the man to do. The spirit is the connection between God and man, where the light of God can shine upon a man, reveal who he is to himself from God's perspective and guide him into the right paths. 

Imagine then the man whose spirit is polluted by the things of the flesh, such as anger, pride, hatred, sin and other fruits of the flesh. As we know, God cannot behold sin and that is why the flesh is not his tool for speaking to a man. The flesh is beyond redemption due to the nature and power of sin. If God would speak, he needs to be able to impact a man's spirit. My spirit has to be clean and clear of all that would prevent God from being able to reach me. If God were to make a demand today for my full attention, would he find me yielded, available, teachable and moldable? The devil understands this, and will do all he can to break or tamper with that connection, so that man is not able to fully access all that God wants him to have. 

Today's extract is just one of the many wiles of the devil. He fills the flesh with a desire to be always right, on top and in charge. He fills the flesh with pride, so that when things don't happen the way it wants, it gets angry and wants to react. There may be times when anger may be justified, in circumstances the Word of God permits, but it is only a spirit ruled by God that knows when it is time to let it go. Being easily provoked is one of the wiles of the devil, and it is very difficult to later explain the basis for the anger when relationships have become strained or lives destroyed. It is to be said again: anger is permitted, but you can only control it when your spirit is controlled by God. The devil only knows how to steal, kill and destroy so be sure that if he drives you into uncontrolled anger, it is because he wants to destroy you. 

Imagine anger finding a place for anger in your life. Imagine a life that is constantly harassed by the devil. The word: reside is key here; nothing wrong with being angry at sin and its power in the lives of men, but it must not be allowed to simmer and reside. Today's extract calls people who allow anger to reside in them fools. Who is deemed to be foolish according to the Bible? One of the many classes of people referred to as fools are those who say in their hearts that there is no God. Their lives deny the existence of God, as they live for their own pleasure. They do not think they are accountable to anyone. People who live in this way are quite open to the devil's influence and control. 

Anger would be a natural response to the things that happen to and around them. I must surrender my heart and life to God. That is the only way that I will not end up in shame. That is the only prescription against anger that leads to sin. I must ask God for help to deal with all channels that the devil can use to oppress me. I must keep my connection with God clean and clear so that He can reach me when he wants. My spirit must be in sync with God so that all that God is and desires of and from me becomes my daily pursuit. That is the way to secure eternity with God. May his grace be sufficient. God's time of favour is here. 

Born for Impact!

Born for Impact!

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. Proverbs 17:17 NIV

Life is about relationships. We love and live by the people that we meet on our way to fulfilling God's purpose for our lives. All the people we meet on our life's journey come to us for a reason. Some of them are to be with us for a season, and others are to be with us for a lifetime. There are some who are to teach us some life lessons such as patience, while others are to draw out the hidden potential that we never knew we had. Whatever is the reason why God has placed people in my path to destiny, or placed me in the path of other people's destinies, I owe it to God to find out that reason, and when I have discovered it, to pursue it with whole hearted devotion. 

Am I a friend in the way that has been defined in today's extract? Am I in only for what I can get out of it? Do I give up and give in when things get rough, or am I settled for the long haul? It appears that from today's extract, I cannot be called a friend if I am seasonal. Yes, it can happen that I am brought into another person's path for a season, but for as long as I am in that person's life, I must impact that life for God. I must pass on that which God has planted in me for the benefit of that person. That is what true friendship is, as defined by God. What makes it better is that He has shown by personal example what true friendship looks like. He won't demand it if He did not first give it. 

And then it gets a bit more complex and interesting. This statement: a brother is born for adversity - needs a second look. You would wonder why a brother is born, and you would think it should not be because of adversity. But then consider this: it is in and through adversity that the value of friendship and brotherhood is tested and proven. How would I know who you are and if you would stay with me if there are no tough times ahead? Relationships are both tested and strengthened by difficult times. When I know that I can trust you with my life, I can face whatever life throws at me. When I know you have my back, I do not have to worry about backstabbing. 

As I take stock of my own life today, can I say, of a truth, that I am a good friend, as described here? Am I one who can be viewed as a blessing in times of adversity? Jesus has shown the way and laid out the perfect example of a selfless life, and He calls me to the same standard. If I am his child, I cannot live less than his expectations. People will rub me off the wrong way; how do I respond? Can I allow the life and love of God to flow out of me to be a blessing even in the face of pressure? Hard times will come; it is even likely that friends will disappoint or disappear when you need them. The issue then must not be about what they did, but about who I am. Can God find me faithful to recommend me to another person? Can he find me a faithful friend? God's time of favour is here. 

Stable and Shaken!

Stable and Shaken!

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10 NIV

These are strange times. We are in the days the Lord referred to as perilous times. The bible even gives  records of some of the events that will occur in these perilous times, so we are actually not left in the dark as to what to expect in these strange times. I recall that in Hebrews, God promises that he will once again shake the heavens and the earth, and we are seeing the shaking happening everywhere around us. Nations are in a race to develop weapons that can wipe out humanity; we have made amazing discoveries that can improve the quality of life as well as impact its health. Yet, in all of the events of our days, one thing is clear: there is a Power and Presence that is in charge of all that is going on. 

There is a Person of total knowledge who reigns and rules over the affairs of men. Nothing catches him by surprise, and nothing happens without his permission. Even the things we would call 'evil' work into his perfect plan and purpose for our lives. With that knowledge, we can look at the events around us, and be comforted that we are in the hands of a God who cannot let us down. By His nature, He cannot disappoint or fail. He is not man who is unable to predict the next minute, not to talk of the next month, year or decade. The God who speaks here has been tested by men in the past and found to be faithful and dependable. That is why no matter what else around me shakes, all that He is cannot and will not be shaken. 

That is the basis of the confidence that God wants me to have in Him. The same God who promises that the mountains will be shaken promises that His unfailing love for me will not be shaken. That is a statement that requires a second look; the question would be: can the One who speaks like this be trusted? Is there proof that He had been so dependable in the past that I can now trust him to also keep this promise? Is there a consistency and faithfulness that gives my heart some comfort that as long as I am in the hands of this God, I am safe? You need to prove him; don't just take the words on face value. He is that dependable that he permits me to try him and see if He can be trusted. He has nothing to lose. 

His promises are not to be taken lightly; His words are backed up by his character, which makes it impossible for God to lie. By his nature, He cannot be found to be false or to make misleading or false statements. He does not mind if the heavens and the earth move; after all, they will pass away at some point. His Word cannot be subject to the same standard, as His Word is Him. If He cannot pass away, his Word cannot. If He cannot fail, His Word cannot fail. If He can be trusted, His Word is like him too, and can be trusted. His nature is love, which is why he would move heaven and earth so that I, the subject of his love, may enjoy the fullness of all that He is. 

Since you know the things that will be shaken and the things that can't be shaken, you have all information required to make an informed choice. I cannot turn around and blame God for how my life turns out. All that my eyes see now will be shaken; only God will remain stable and unshaken. In fact, he is the One that will shake all that I see, so my trust must be in Him. If my life is in Him, I am assured of stability. If I am not in him, the shaking that is coming will sweep me away. I must not be deceived by the false tokens of the world: high fences, security men, password and pin and all the other things that the world offers. Only in God am I truly safe. Eternity lies at the end of all the shaking that is coming; make sure that it meets you in God. God's time of favour is here. 

Sonship!

Sonship!

If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. 1 John 4:15 NIV

This is the heart of the gospel; the fulcrum on which the whole of our Christianity rests: Jesus is the Son of God. This has been the subject of so many debates by people, learned and unlearned, but there has not been any argument that has been able to conclusively and successfully prove that Jesus is not the Son of God. All of the tenets of our faith rest on this one truth, and if I will enjoy the benefits and blessings of the faith I claim to profess, I must start with this truth: Jesus is the Son of God. 

Of course, a son must look like his father. All that Jesus claims to be is also all that his father is. If He is love, God is love. If Jesus is holy, God is also holy. If Jesus is the Truth, of course, God is also True. Any argument that seeks to make Jesus out to be what his father is not is not a valid argument. This is where it gets sticky: I have the power to choose who to believe, but I must know that what I get from life is a measure of the faith I place on it. If I know and accept that the God I follow is the One Jesus came to the earth to introduce to me, then I can access all that Jesus is and offers. 

How can I put my trust in a God who cannot raise the dead, if indeed Jesus was not raised from the dead? How can I trust a God whose word is subject to emotions and feelings like man, if indeed He is not the Way, the Truth and the Life? I note the use of the word: acknowledge. It is not enough to say it or mean it; my life must be a daily, living, breathing, speaking testimony to that truth that Jesus is the Son of God. He is in God, just as God is in him. Even the devil knows that, so just knowing it is not enough. I must live it out daily, so that men who come in contact with me know who I am, serve and follow wholeheartedly. There is no room for hypocrisy and eye-service here; the son of God, in and by whom all things, including the human heart was made, knows all things. 

It also means that if my life denies him, I cannot lay claim to living in God. God is not found in anything that denies his name and identity, and God's identity is defined by the person of Jesus. He is the image of the invisible God, the One who makes God known. Acknowledging that Jesus is the Son of God means that I have found my life's worth in God. I know I am nothing outside of him; He is all I need. I know I have and get nothing of value outside of him, and if my life will be all that God has created it to be, it must have its full foundation and expression in and through Jesus. 

He has been introduced to the world as God's Son, and all who accept him get all the blessings and benefits of that new relationship. Does God live in you? Is He your all in all, or do I have viable alternatives? Do I consider him as just one of the many possible options, or would I trust that Jesus is sufficient for all I need? He is indeed all that I need; nothing and no one else will satisfy that deep hunger that has been put there by God and which he alone can fill. May I come to know Jesus as the son of God and the Saviour of the world. May his life be my daily experience. God's time of favour is here. 

Trust!

Trust!

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5‭-‬6 KJV

Trust is a very expensive commodity these days. It is used by many people but it is not the true attribute of many people. We demand it, but we are not quick to give reasons why people should give it to us. If this word can be this important between human beings, imagine what its effect and impact will be when you look at it from God's perspective. The man who wrote these words: king Solomon - understood what it meant to trust God. At least, he had seen the evidence of the blessings and favour his father David had enjoyed from God. He had seen the amazing miracles, blessings, favour, wealth and riches that God had given him. He had built a magnificent temple for God, which God honoured with his presence and glory. But, I note: at the dedication of the temple, God came down to Solomon and warned him: don't let the physical things like the mighty temple you have built distract you from the most important thing: Trust in Me. 

We can get so distracted by the blessings that we ignore the Blessor. We can get sidelined by the things we possess, and forget that we only hold them because the Possessor of heaven and earth has made it possible. We can get so moved by the created things around us that we forget that they are all the works of the hands of the Creator and they answer to him, not to us. The word trust, as used in the bible in many places, mean refuge; be confident or sure; be bold in; secure; sure; hope. One thing is clear from all the uses of the word trust: it does not leave room for alternatives. That is why today's extract says it clearly: Trust is only truly Trust when it is total, complete and absolutely in the One I claim to trust in. I cannot claim to trust when my heart is divided among several other alternatives or choices. Trust is not true when my heart is not fully focused on the object or subject of trust. 

My heart has to be fully in it if I am to enjoy the benefits of it. I want to be guided and directed; I want the benefits and blessings of the presence of God. Life is too complex and confusing to try and navigate it on my own. I will make mistakes, and that is why I need the help of the Help of Israel to succeed in life. As Solomon learnt the hard way, riches and wealth do not guarantee a happy life. He had all that the eyes could see, but at the end of his life, he learnt too late that God will not be involved in multiple choice questions where you can choose to ignore him and still get all the benefits of His Presence. It does not work that way. I am either all in or all out. And I have to know that I am dealing with a God of absolute knowledge. He cannot be deceived by outward piety with no inner truth because he is the Creator of the heart that seeks to deceive.

Acknowledging God means consulting him for all you want to do. You seek his face before you seek the help of man. You put him in front of all the options and opinions that guide your life. He is the first and last option and all in between. That is trust. It cannot be only in some areas of your life, but it has to be in all. The passage above says: in ALL your ways. I cannot claim expertise in any area of life, because I do not have sight of all dimensions to all areas of life. I have to trust the one who is knowledge personified; who fills all things in all ways. What I get for total trust in God is daily guidance and direction. This is a God who knows all of tomorrow, even before time began. He can direct me into an action that will look stupid initially but when all is said and done, it would sound like I had prior knowledge of what was going on. 

As mighty as God is, he needs my life, hands, feet, mouth, eyes and other body parts to be the testaments to his power. He wants to do great things in and through me, and he can only do so when I submit to him and allow him have his way. There is no point resisting God; I am yet to see any created thing that does not render account to its creator. I can get away with resisting God for a while, but there is an eternity to consider. Do I really want to have my own way down here on earth and then have to deal with God's wrath forever? Or would I just let God have his way in my life down here, so that his grace, mercy and favour can be my daily experience, and then I continue to enjoy all of God for all of eternity? As usual, the choice is mine to make. God's time of favour is here. 

Right Help!

Right Help!

My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. Psalm 121:2 KJV

Life has challenges. There are situations and circumstances in life that will threaten the peace in your heart as well as want you to doubt the presence of God in you. The statement above makes one very clear assumption: that God lives inside of you. Let it be clear: life will always bring you challenges. There is no amount of spirituality or prayers that will prevent you from going through tough times, but the assurance from God has always been that He is in and with us, and nothing we go through will swallow us up. Even in the extreme case of death, God in you means there is a hope of glory. After all, this earthly life is just a phase; it ends soon and we will be going home to the place God has promised all who endure to the end. These are promises made by the All-powerful God, the El-Shaddai, who has always been found faithful to His Word. 

Before these tough times come, God has already provided His Word. The world too has its own provisions, and they can sometimes be so attractive that they become distractions. When there is an urgent need, and it does not appear there is an immediate solution, what do I do? When I have held on to God for a while, and it seems that nothing is happening, how do I handle the uncertainty? The writer of this psalm too had to look up and wonder where help was going to come from. It is a legitimate concern, and God too is interested in providing comfort and answers to that concern. In the event that you were wondering what hills had to do with Jerusalem, history says that Jerusalem is located roughly in the middle of a range of low mountains. It is not itself built ON a mountain, but it is built IN the mountains, and surrounded by seven mountain peaks higher than itself. 

I am sure that this picture provided comfort for many Jews. They could look to their city and have confidence in its safety. However, they did not reckon with the power of sin and the undeniable power of God, who can render defences useless just to prove that you are safe only in Him. The typical Jew would look up and see the hills and mountains and would take comfort in these; the writer here knew the folly of trusting in created things instead of in the Creator. We read how many times Jerusalem was attacked and conquered, which goes to show that you really don't need high walls to be safe; you just need God. Many have trusted in their bank account balances, and realised too late that money was only a defence in limited things, but not in eternal equations. Many have trusted in the safety of their circle of influence, but also learnt that man can only lift you as high as his limited arms can carry you, and only if he is not already holding something else in his hands. 

Oh, the folly of trusting in limited editions of man like myself. There is nothing man can give me that God cannot give me even better versions. We have listened to the lies of the devil for too long, as he seeks to deceive us with his offerings of safety and protection, when he is himself subject to enternal damnation. How can anyone promise you what he does not possess or control, or offer you what he does not have? How can a man offer me life without end by killing something or someone in order to secure that offering? The writer introduces to us the One who has all that we need in abundance, and who offers us free of charge. He is the One who rose up from the dead, is alive forever, and now offers us life like his own, which has no end. All he asks is to give him is total and absolute faith in Him that He can do all He has promised. 

He is the Lord, the maker of heaven and the earth. Think about that: the Maker. If he makes a thing, can that thing ever work against his purpose? Even for earthly things, can a TV ever work as a deep freezer? No, the creator of the TV and the freezer would insert components that will make the TV and the freezer work as they should, and that is the basis of the confidence of the writer here. He says he will look up to the Lord, who can command what he has created to do his bidding, as well as that which is not even normal for the created to do. How do you command money from the mouth of a fish? How do you feed 5,000 men with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes? How does a man walk on water? How does a man who has been dead 4 days come back to life? These are a few of the mighty acts of the creator, who is not limited by time, space or circumstances, but can do as He pleases and no one can question him or his decisions and actions.

He has introduced himself to me; I have a decision to make. I have to submit to someone: God or the devil. There is no middle ground; God does not do lukewarm. I have to either choose him or reject him; I can't play both sides. Today's extract are the words of someone who has probably tried both options, and has found God to be the real, true help, who can do all that He has promised. His principles with David are the same principles with John; he is still the same God and if I can only take him at his Word, I will find out that he can indeed be trusted. So, what decision do I have to make? I don't have forever to make up my mind; I have to do it before it is too late. God waits on me; all his promises are Yea and Amen. God's time of favour is here. 

Commanded!

Commanded!

Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. Joshua 1:9 KJV

For any pronouncement by anyone to have power, there are a few things that must be in place. First, there must be recognisable and acceptable power and authority for the person to speak. Secondly, the spoken words themselves must align with the authority of the person speaking them. There would be examples of past incidents when the words of the same person had power and were fulfilled. It would not matter what the quality and quantity of the opposition against the words were: the nature of the words and the person who spoke them were enough to compel adherence and fulfilment. 

Thirdly, the person the words were spoken to also had to accept the authority and power of the One who spoke the words. It is not that the person speaking does not have the power to bring his Word to pass, but the human life and its submission to and acceptance of the authority of the source of the word received are the loudest testaments to the power and authority of the spoken word. Furthermore, you have the assurance of not a one-season wonder, but a continual assurance that the One who spoke the word will always be around to enforce his word, no matter what your personal circumstances were. 

The above points lay the foundation for today's extract. Joshua had seen God at work through Moses for about 40 years. He was there at the crossing of the Red Sea, the disobedience of Korah and company and how the earth opened and swallowed them and all they had, the provision of manna from heaven, and chief of all, he caught a glimpse of God's glory when he came down on Mount Sinai as the people waited for Moses to come down from the mountain. Unfortunately, he also saw the rebellion of the people that led to Aaron's trouble as well as Moses' inability to enter into the Promised land. How does a man step into those big shoes? 

One quick lesson again from here: if the material things you hold now can guarantee you success in God's assignment, you don't need God. Until I come to the glaring realisation that without God, I am nothing, I am not ready for the message in today's extract. I must come to the point where nothing outside of God gives me comfort. God knew the heart of Joshua, and that he had fear. These were stubborn people, but  God was saying: I am your commander, and the words I give you are sufficient for the challenges that are ahead. Things will happen that will scare you, but as long as you hold on the words I have commanded you, you will be fine. 

The word is: do not fear. You do not tell a man these words if indeed there was no basis for fear. The one who speaks lays out his credentials, asking me to consider who He is and what he has done in the past. I am the One who commands and every thing I have made obeys. There is nothing created that does not answer to its creator. The command is that I be strong and have courage. I look at the antecedents of the One who speaks, and I realise he has been doing this long before I was born. His power has been evident in all of creation, even before I came to the scene. He knows what is ahead, and so he girds my heart with the confidence of his Presence even before I go through what is ahead. That is power unlimited. That is presence personified. That is purpose unbreakable. He will not tell me not to fear if he is unable to deal with whatever is ahead. 

He is the Lord, the One who goes ahead of me into whatever battle is ahead. His presence is required for l the battles that are ahead. I note that nowhere does God say that I will not have anything to do; He promises that he will go ahead of me, but there is a standing I am required to do. I have to stand in the place he has planted me and enforce the plan and purpose of God in and through me. The world is waiting for the earnest manifestation of the sons of God. How would the world know God if it does not see Him in and through us who claim we are his children? In the midst of the most difficult situations, God's presence, power and words are my most important possessions. I dare not face the world without them. I must search the Scriptures regularly, so that I can know God's mind per time, not per week, per month or per year. His command aligns with his presence. I must be sure that where I am is where his Word can sustain me. I must not go outside his will or his word, and I must take regular audit of my life so that at all times, my life can be a reflection of someone that God helps. I have been commanded; I must live in the reality of that command. God's time of favour is here. 

Comforted!

Comforted!

In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.

Psalm 94:19 KJV

We are all human beings. The best of men is but a breath; weak, clueless and helpless, and in need of the help, support, love, comfort and encouragement from his Creator. There is no other person who is more qualified to understand the form of the created than the Creator. He is the One who fashioned the hidden parts, placed them in the right place and assigned them their functions in the body. He is the one who then placed all these precious parts inside an earthen outer container called the body, breathed into that body the breath of life, before the body became referred to as a living soul. The One who did all these did it with the highest form of wisdom, so that no created being will reach its highest potential outside the One who created it. That is why a man will always keep running after someone or something, and until the One who formed him occupies his heart, he will continue to run.

Part of the human package is the desire to achieve great things. There are some dreams that God births in us, and there are others that other forces will also seek to introduce to us. One of the attributes of God, which has also become one of us due to the breath of God in us, is the power of thoughts. It is the thoughts in us that lead us into acts, that then lead to habits, which then forms our reputation and character, and ultimately, our eternal destiny. All through the stories in the Bible, men and women exercised their power of thought. Some of them succeeded, while others failed, but one thing was clear: their thoughts only went as far as God allowed. How do we know: the fact is there is no one who can outthink God, as God's thoughts are higher than our thoughts. All who succeeded only did so because their thoughts aligned with God's plans. Can I say, with certainty, that my thoughts are aligned with God's perfect will? Do I need to submit parts of my life to God again?

It is by total submission to and embrace of God's perfect will that my thoughts can always align with God's perfect will. Many thoughts will flow through my mind and heart; that is the normal way of life for all human beings. However, if I will enjoy the comforts that God promises, there are conditions to satisfy. In the face of the many thoughts that will fill my heart, I must make room for the imprint of God upon my heart, which comes with serenity and peace. In the face of the many thoughts that will fill my heart, I must seek God's face for that which pleases him, which means I cannot be given to rash decisions or quick action at all times. A man who wants God's comfort is not bothered by the world's expectations. He only looks forward to God's Word of comfort. Until he gets it, his heart is allowed to think up many thoughts. Once he gets it, all other contrary thoughts cease.

It is not a one-off experience, where I settle for a one-season wonder. It is a lifelong pursuit of God's comfort, which is only available by regular and diligent search. How would I know and recognise God's comfort if I only get it once in my lifetime? It would only have value when it becomes an integral part of my life and the foundation upon which my life's decisions are taken. I must tell my heart not to hold on to anything unless the comfort of God accompanies it. I must tell my heart not to listen to the machinations of men, but to the still, small voice of God's comfort, which will not raise its voice but whose presence cannot be ignored. I must not settle for cheap alternatives, but strive to pursue after that which God offers. When I have laid hold of it, nothing else will matter. Until I lay hold of it, nothing I presently hold also matters.

Guess the question then is: who holds my heart? Who dictates its pursuits and priorities? Who defines its main thoughts and actions that follow? When pressure comes, and there is a temptation to compromise, is there an anchor in place to hold and direct my heart in the right place and in the right direction? Are God's comforts my delight or a burden? Do I see God's interventions in my life as a burden or do I welcome them with joy? God is interested in both my earthly impact and my eternal destiny. He won't make my life hard down here for no reason, but he would want me to know that he cares about me and he will move heaven and earth for me, as long as it lines up with his Word for me. That is his promise, and I can take that to the bank because he always keeps his Word. May I not settle for anything less than his best for me. God's time of favour is here. 

Worthy!

Worthy!

Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Revelation 4:11 KJV

In order to fully understand the context of today's extract, it is important to look at the entire chapter from which the verse is taken. John the Beloved had been banished to the Island of Patmos due to his faith in Christ. The people who banished him thought they had led him to his death, but before he died, John received some revelations about his own present day as well as the days to come. This is the thing about God: his gifts and grace do not respect location or logic; all he needs is a heart that is willing to seek after him. Check out all the men God used mightily in the Bible: Abraham, David, Paul and John. They were from various levels of society, with some educated and others mostly not, but there was no doubt about the imprint of God upon their lives. Would I surrender my life to God totally, like John here, so I can receive mighty revelations like he did? Can God trust me with deep treasures of his Word? 

John caught a glimpse of heaven, where God reigns. We may not fully understand the scope of all he saw and wrote down, because he used the materials that were available at his time to describe what he say, but there was no doubt about the Lordship, power and authority of the One who sat upon the throne. Everything that John saw centred on the throne. The One who sat on the throne was the force of attraction for everything else that was happening. If John had focused on the other amazing things that were happening around the throne, for example, the sea, clear as crystal, or the thunder and lightning proceeding out of the throne, or even the other thrones that surrounded the throne, or even the living creatures, he would have missed the essence of the Presence of the One who sat on the throne. 

As it was with John then, so it has to be with us now. We can get caught in the drama and action around worship services that we forget the essence and target of the worship Himself. We are not saying we should not prepare ourselves for worship, but we must not be so distracted by the preparation that we do not remember WHO and WHY we worship. The entire chapter 4 of Revelation speaks about the One who sat on the throne. Yes, there were several other personalities spoken about in the chapter, but there was no doubt as to the most important of them all: the One who sat on the throne. Do I know the One who sits on the throne? Have I truly met him, and does he know me as his own? Do I truly recognise his authority, power, dominion and Lordship? You see, it is not my acceptance that makes him Lord, but I only make my life easier when I recognise and embrace his authority. 

The One who sits on the throne is still very much on the throne. The essence of the chapter 4 hasn't changed at all; all of heaven recognise the Authority and Lordship of the One on the throne. The 24 elders, the 4 living creatures and the host of heaven all worship him. The 24 elders also have thrones and crowns, but they are not in any competition with the One who sits on the throne. When it comes to the One who sits on the throne, other thrones and crowns do not matter. Whatever it is I think I have achieved, it pales before the glory of the One who sits on the throne. Whatever applause or recognition any man may give me, it is inferior to the glory of the One who sits on the throne. If the whole of heaven recognises the power and authority of the One who sits on the throne, who am I to think I can deny or dent his authority and power? Is there anything I can do to change who God is?

And the whole of heaven has only one focus: the worship of the One who sits on the throne. His glory is such that he deserves to be worshipped. For all who have truly experienced him, you cannot but praise and worship him. The song today says God is the worthy to receive glory, honour and power. Some out of the many reasons why the One who is on the throne is worthy are given in the verse for today: He created all things for himself and for his pleasure. All the creatures who give him praise in heaven are the works of his hand, created for his pleasure. They serve and exist at his pleasure. They worship him out of hearts of appreciation; they do not need to be compelled or cajoled to praise him; the worship flows out of hearts that recognise the authority of the One who sits on the throne.

If this is the standard that we have been introduced to, can we do any less? Man wants a reason to worship God; when there is a call to worship God, he is easily distracted. The devil knows and understands the power of worship; he once led thousands upon thousands of angels to worship the One who sits on the throne. He will so anything possible to make sure I do not identify or take advantage of the benefits of worship. Today's extract is a reminder of why I am created, for whom I am created and what I was created to do. I was created to worship God and give him glory. My life will only have meaning when I live in the daily reality of that purpose. Every other thing must fade away in the light of that reality. Every other pursuit finds a basis in the light of that reality. John the Beloved was given the grace and opportunity to catch a glimpse of the unchallenged glory and power of the One who sits on the throne. If the will of God must be done on earth, as it is done in heaven, I must play my part. My life must be a visible and audible expression of the worship of the One who sits on the throne. That is the only service all of heaven offers, and as I prepare to join them when this earthly phase is over, I must make sure that God is glorified and worshipped in me, by me and because of me. Is this my daily reality? It is not too late to start; the One who sits on the throne is not going anywhere. He was worthy when John wrote these words, He is worthy now in our time, and he will remain worthy into eternity. It is a privilege to be called to worship this God; I don't take it for granted. God's time of favour is here. 

Love: Commanded!

Love: Commanded!

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. John 15:12 KJV

There are a few things that need to be settled before I can fully understand the contents of today's extract. The first is the matter of identity. Who am I? Do I know who I am, what I am, who I work for and represent and why I have been placed wherever it is I have been planted? The people who Jesus was speaking to here were his disciples, people who had followed him everywhere for more than 3 years. These men had seen miracles, and even performed some when they were sent out two by two to preach the gospel of Christ. If I will be all that Christ has formed, gifted and planted me to be, I must sort out the issue of my identity. I cannot be content to just be part of the crowd; I must commit my life to a daily walk with God both as a child and a disciple.

Now, this is the sobering thought: as much as they were used by Christ, there was a Judas Iscariot among them. He saw and also performed miracles, yet there was an unsubmitted part of his life that put him in trouble eventually. For all who will follow Christ, I cannot come to him on my own terms, seeking only that which makes me comfortable. Following Jesus will cost me some things; it may be that some friends no longer feel comfortable around me, or some habits would have to go. Whatever it may be for me, it is personal. It is not the business of anyone else, but it is between God and I. If God is fine with me, it really does not matter what the world thinks of me. If God is not fine with me, it still does not matter what the world says. 

The above lays the foundation for today's extract. How do I take the word of anyone as a command if I have not submitted to or recognised his authority? I will only be free to move about and take advantage of all the benefits of a country whose laws I respect and where I have valid reasons to be in. In the same way, the commands of Jesus will make no sense to someone who has not surrendered control to Jesus. There are a lot of pretenders who know all the images of what a Christian should be but who will not pay the price. Which one am I: one who has totally surrendered to God, or one still struggling with identity, unsure of who God is and not willing to pay the price to find out? Does God even know me as his own, or am I one who claims to be what he is not? 

If I recognise his authority, I will recognise his words as commands. Sometimes, we think God's words are basic suggestions which we can choose to accept or reject as and when we please. No, when God created the world, he did not seek the opinion or permission of anyone; he simply commanded and His authority and power brought all he commanded to form. That authority is still very much in place; all who are His own recognise and submit to it. Whatever he asks me to do is a command and I do not get to choose if or when to obey. In this instance, the command is to love. He won't command something he has not first done, and he won't command without leaving us a valid example to emulate. 

What other way can love be defined other than the way the One who commanded it defined it? He is the One who gave his own life to redeem the world from sin, even when those he died for spat in his face. Even when we sinned, his love would not destroy us without several warnings. His love gave us the power of choice. He could have made robots who had no mind of their own, but he wanted us to choose him of our freewill. 

I don't know of any other lord or master who gives his subjects such power. However, it must be noted that with great power comes great responsibility. He gives me power to choose, but he also makes clear what the consequence of the wrong choice is. 

His life is the only example worth emulating. His love is the only version that is true for all time. As I embrace this love, I get it in all its fullness, and I can share it with others too in all its fullness. I can't love like him until I have experienced his love. When I have personally experienced it, then I can show it. I can't fake it; you only get to give out of what you have first received. He will not command me to show what I don't have, but once I have received him, I have his love and I am commanded to show it. It is easy when I have it. I can't hide it when I have it. People will know when I have it, as my life's choices will always reflect who is in charge of my life. Can I say, of a truth, that I have accepted the love of Christ? Remember, eternity lies at the end of the choice to accept or reject the love of Christ. I must make sure I am headed in the right direction. God's time of favour is here. 

Occupied!

Occupied!

Let the word [spoken by] Christ (the Messiah) have its home [in your hearts and minds] and dwell in you in [all its] richness, as you teach and admonish and train one another in all insight and intelligence and wisdom [in spiritual things, and as you sing] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making melody to God with [His] grace in your hearts.

Colossians 3:16 AMPC

By the fact of my creation, there is a power that I have been given by God, and this is the power of choice. This power is the foundation of the discussion of today. The power of choice covers different things, and one of them has to do with the choice of inspiration and guidance for my daily life. For all of us, we are faced with these choices on a regular basis: who do I listen to, who/what do I submit to, how do I make use of the things I have learnt? 

God will and he always plays his part; I am the one who has to LET the Word of Christ in. He does not force himself on me or go against the exercise of my freewill. He stands at the door of my heart knocking, waiting for me to open up to him. But I must also note that the devil is also interested in making an offer to you, just as God is. Don't think you can escape making a choice; there are only 2 options, no fence or middle ground. The one I submit to defines the rest of my life. 

In making that choice, I need to know what I am getting into. What God and the devil offer are made clear: one comes to steal, kill and destroy, while the other comes to give abundant life. No matter how the devil pretends, he can't offer me what God does, because he does not have what God does. Each gives what he has. In making the choice too, I must also remember that the choice first impacts my inner man before it flows out to touch the outer man. People see the fruit of my life, and some may applaud while others criticise, but I can never show fruit that is different from the choice I have made. I can pretend for a while but eventually, the choice I have made will be made manifest. 

There is a richness that the Word of Christ has, and it is only by total submission to it that I can enjoy its benefits and blessings. In defining what this richness is, it is not so much about monetary value but about spiritual and eternal value. There is no phase of life that the Word of Christ does not speak about. There is no human experience that the Word of Christ does not speak about. That is why the Word of Christ is given for my growth and development, as it is profitable for doctrine, reproof, instruction and training in righteousness. Whatever my need may be, the Word of Christ is the answer. 

Before my life can flow out with the benefits of the Word of Christ, the Word must have found a home in me. It is not the occasional interest, or the type where I only go in when it is convenient or when I am in trouble, but the Word must DWELL. The picture here is one of residence and settlement, not uncertainty. The Word of Christ is not a magic wand to be waved at problems when they arise and then ignored when all is well. The Word of Christ is the tool to change the world, and it starts with me. How do I teach, train and admonish others with something I do not know? How do I show others the example of a life that is patterned after the Word of Christ if I do not even know what the Word is? 

The inside will be revealed by the outward pursuits and priorities. It remains the written word until my surrendered life brings it to real life. My life must be the proof of the power of the Word of Christ. Whether it is in teaching or in singing, God's grace must be evident upon my life. It is from the indwelling Word of Christ that the grace to teach, sing and encourage others will come. It is the Word of Christ that should inspire the right kind of songs. All that I do and say must flow out of the abundance of the grace of God upon my life. 

Men cannot ignore the reality of the evidence of the presence of the Word of Christ in me. It is either there or it is not. You can't fake it if it is not there, and you can't hide it if it is there. Is my life a visible and audible proof of the indwelling Word of Christ? Is my life a melody of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, or is it a harsh discordant mixture of sounds, because my actual life does not line up with what I claim to be? God knows what my life is, and I also know. If I have to make changes, now is the time. No one is promised tomorrow; I have just now to make the right decision:, who will I allow to dwell in my heart? Is it God, in all his richness or the devil, with all his deceit? Eternity is at stake; I must make sure I have it sorted out before it is too late. God's time of favour is here.