Done Well!

Done Well!

So then, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of [our great] God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 AMP

In this generation that celebrates individuality, and not much of corporate responsibility, today's message is timely. We may not have noticed it, but over the past few decades, the distance between neighbours' houses has increased. We have put up high fences and wire meshes to keep our lives private, and we have set up artificial boundaries to create the impression that we are bigger and better than our neighbours. We live for our own pleasures alone, claiming that after all, it is our money that we are spending. We have become blind and deaf to the realities around us, forgetting that the world, with all its pretences, is under the pain and burden of sin. How do I get the mind of God in the midst of the mindlessness around me? How do I find out and promote God's perfect will in this world of sin? 

Paul speaks about the believer's personal conviction as the foundation of all that s/he does. This is quite true: I must know who I have come to know, follow and serve, if my life is to impact the generation I am a part of. However, tied to that personal conviction is the need for me to live responsibly, caring about the foundations of the faith of the other person. We will not all grow in the same way and at the same time, so I owe it to other people to help them in their walk of faith. My convictions are personal, but their impact will be felt by all who come in contact with me. I am not saved and taken from the earth; I am left down here to make a difference. I am called to active duty, and everything I do matters. Nothing is inconsequential; I am not going to get away with blending in and compromise.

We may call it simple, but eating and drinking have led many people astray and into sin. We may call it simple but for a child of God who understands destiny and purpose, there is nothing the devil cannot try to exploit to further his evil interests, and there is also nothing that God cannot use to promote his will on the earth. The secret then lies in my recognition of, submission to and embrace of all that God wants to do in and through me. If I know very clearly that food is an avenue of ministry, I will be very careful of how I do it. If I know that with God, nothing really is useless, I will take care of the things that men find with me, so that my life can be a message that speaks of God's grace in all its fullness. I do not live anyhow; I do not seek to only satisfy my own desires; I seek to please God in all that I do.

That is the message of Paul here: Live as someone who knows that the lives of men are at stake. Live as someone who has eyes on eternity, even as s/he seeks to impact the earth. God's glory is seen in the daily grind of life; in the simple daily decisions of my life. God's power is made manifest in the mundane. God's wisdom is made manifest in the folly of man's best efforts. God is indeed great, yet He has chosen to make mortal man his eyes, ears, hands, feet and heart. God seeks men in whose lives He can show off His great might, wisdom and grace. This is a great responsibility that I cannot take for granted. Can God count on me to represent Him everywhere I stand? Is my life that constant reminder to people that God lives here? God's time of favour is here.   

 

 

Right Pursuit!

Right Pursuit!

He that followeth after righteousness and mercy Findeth life, righteousness, and honour. Proverbs 21:21 KJV

We read the words of the wisest man of his time, according to God's view. You may not like all of Solomon's decisions and actions, but you cannot fault the wisdom behind his words. God gave him wisdom simply because He asked for it, along with riches and honour beyond his wildest dreams, simply because He got his priorities right. Therein is my first lesson from the life of Solomon: God answers prayers. His response is secondary to the fact that he hears and answers. Too many times, we are caught in the No he says, and do not appreciate the fatherly care that is available to us at all times. 

If we can only see how much love God has for us, we won't be too bothered about the things we do not yet have. Therein lies the second lesson: if I get my priorities right, I get more than I can ever ask for. There is a standing point of order that has been laid out in the Bible: 'God is able to do exceeding abundantly far above all we can ever ask or imagine'. It is within God's prerogative to match and exceed all that I could ever request from him, but the secret, just like Solomon, is in knowing what God can bless and where He is at work at present. You can never go wrong. 

That is true from today's extract. Mercy and righteousness are God's nature; they reflect who He is, and of course what He does and demands from all who choose to follow Him. Following after God means I embrace all He demands from me, without question. I do not seek to do my will, but His. I do not pick and choose that which makes me comfortable, but I choose to follow Him wholeheartedly, taking him up on his offer of help and salvation. I follow after, not lead. I don't know the right way by myself; I need the help and guidance of the One called the Way, the Truth and the Life. I don't insist on my rights; I allow God rule and reign in and through my life, so that men can come willingly to the saving knowledge of Jesus. 

When I do the above, i get more than I put in. When I follow after God's nature, I get all of him. When I have all of Him, what else do I need? When I get back his kind of life, as well as righteousness and honour, what could be bigger or better than these? When earthly and the eternal life are fully sorted, pray, what else in between matters? If He has sealed honour for me in this life, what can man give me that can match that which God gives? It is very important for me to sort out what is really important to me, so that I can focus and pursue right. My pursuits and priorities are a reflection of my life's focus. They must be right, if I will end up in the right place. God's time of favour is here. 

Tuned In!

Tuned In!

He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Psalm 23:3 KJV

David, as a shepherd boy first before he became the shepherd of Israel under God's watchful eye, understood what it meant to be tired and refreshed. He would take the sheep out to find pasture, and he had to protect them from natural elements as well as the beasts of the field that would seek to eat the sheep. If any of the sheep was tired or hurt, it was his duty to care for it and nurse it back to health. The sheep was totally dependent on the shepherd for all its needs. As it was for the sheep then, so is it for us today. No matter how old we grow, how rich we become, how much we know or how much we acquire, we can never outgrow our need for the shepherd.

Today's extract is just one out of the many roles of the shepherd. For the shepherd to be able to restore the soul, the soul must have been battered by life's storms and winds. Restoration is a return to original position before the change occured, and in this instance, would mean that God is able to restore me to where I was before the threat. He is also able to keep me, even in the midst of the trouble. He is not just interested in what I put on my body, but He is also concerned about the state of my soul. Man's best efforts can only affect the body; God is able to address the needs of both body and soul, and of course, the demands of the spirit also.

He takes me by the hand and leads me in the paths He chooses, which will give glory to Him. The paths are of righteousness, which is His nature, and shows that God's best intentions line up with whatever He allows. If He brings it my way, it is because He knows it will work out for my good. If He keeps it away from me, it means it is either not for me at all, or the fulness of time for it has not yet come. With God, there are no accidents; with Him, there are no near-misses, as long as I am tuned in to God's perfect will. I have to understand this: when I carry God around, making claim to His name, that name is at stake. 

God will never allow anything bring that name to shame. When I identify with God as my shepherd, his name is branded upon my life. Life will happen to me, as long as I am on this side of eternity, but if the owner of life is in charge of mine, I am assured of his presence, protection, provision and peace. He leads, I follow. He restores, I respond by grateful and responsible living. In all spheres of life, no matter how complex, God has paths that glorify Him and make Him known. I will do well to know who this God is, and what He has called me into, so that my life's choices will glorify Him. God's time of favour is here. 

Love!

Love!

Beloved, if God so loved us [in this incredible way], we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:11 AMP

We have an incredible example to emulate and to pattern our lives after. We see the heart of an eternal Father revealed to those he calls his children, mortal and weak men, but who have personally had a life-changing encouter with his heart of love. The first word here reveals the target of today's message, and it is those referred to as the Beloved: deeply loved. Not the usual kind of affection you have for people generally, but a heart that yearns for the target of the love. God calls me his beloved: someone he has set his deep love on. It comes with a sense of purpose, as well as responsibility. It demands a response or a reaction from me.

It was this deep affection that made God give up his one and only Son for my sake. He did not wait for me to be worthy; in fact, my being worthy was not even the reason why He did what he did in the first place. He knew that some people will reject his gift to the end, yet He went on and gave his life. He knew some will spurn his love, yet for the sake of all who would embrace his love, He knew the sacrifice would be worth it. For the sake of all of mankind, He died. That is love: not waiting for the target to be worth it first, but by the love shown,drawing men to Himself and granting them eternal life by their acceptance of the love shown.

He has laid down the example, and He expects me to follow suit. I do not have to guess how to love but I simply have to follow His lead and live and love as He did. I am not to wait for the 'right' response or attitude before I love, but to simply love people, because it is all I have to give. I can only give out of the abundance I have stored up, and if it is God's love that fills my heart, no matter how hard you press me, all that I will produce will be in line with what I have. Fortunately, God has not placed a limit on the status, colour, race or language of people I can love. He has also not given any limit as to the value of the love I must give. 

As long as it proceeds out of a heart that knows what it has already obtained from God, God will bless it and it will impact lives. As long as it comes from a heart that appreciates the sacrifice that brought it into this new grace, there is no room for pride, self-sufficiency or superiority complex. Humility and a deep appreciation of what I have received become the new normal for the Beloved. Am I truly one? Have I embraced this love? What is God expecting from me? I am His eyes, hands, ears and heart. Is my life a daily testament to the love of God? Is His love my daily reality? God's time of favour is here. 

Give!

Give!

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, Matthew 6:3 NIV

Now we come to the practical aspect of our faith, the outer proof of an inner conviction. If I claim to have accepted the gift of God, which is Jesus Christ and all He offers, I must also know that there is nothing I can give that will be better or greater than the gift already given. God gave Himself: the highest and noblest gift anyone could give. Having received this great gift, the best I can do is to find ways to give my own best to other people. I can't repeat the gift I have been given, but I can replicate the spirit behind the gift. I must give with the same heart and mind that God gave. 

When I do this, God is made known to the whole world, and the world can be attracted to the God I have come to know and believe. The needy are an integral part of our society. At all times, we have all had areas of need that God raised people to fulfil. Our greatest need was salvation, and Jesus fully satisfied that need. Now that this deep need is settled, there are areas of life that we have now been gifted to satisfy. We may not have all of the world's goods, but with Jesus, we have the basic foundation to be of help to others. It can be a kind word, or a shoulder to lean on, or even a hot meal to share, or a cold drink of water. 

The value of what is given is not the issue here, but the heart with which the need is met. The needy will always be here with us, and I could even be one of them. If I were to be treated the way I have treated others, would I like myself right now? The word 'WHEN' shows that helping others isn't optional, but a matter of certainty. I don't get to pick and choose those who are deserving of my help, but as often as the call comes, or the need arises, that which is in my power to do is done with the right heart. The right heart means secrecy and privacy; no announcing from the rooftop; no celebration of acts of charity or seeking the praise of men. 

It has to be acts taken with a heart that is grateful to God for the privilege to even give at all, knowing that it is able to give simply because God first gave. I give out of a heart of gratitude for what I have also received. There is no room for pride or any self-sufficiency, but an eternal appreciation of who God is, what He has given and all that is ahead. Have I taken hold of the free gift of life that is in Jesus? If yes, what would I give to others today in appreciation of that great gift? You can't give what you don't have, but when you have Jesus, yoy have all it takes to change the lives of all around you. God's time of favour is here. 

Peace, By Choice!

Peace, By Choice!

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” Luke 2:14 NIV

A few days ago, it was the rich, learned men from the East, who found the star of the new King and travelled from far to seek him out and worship Him. Yesterday and today, it was the turn of poor, lowly shepherds who were keeping watch over their flock at night. Again, it has to be emphasized that the birth of the Saviour does not make any distinction between the state or estate of anyone on earth; the gift is given to ALL men, no matter their station in life. If the giver of the gift has made it clear who his gift is for, who am I or what right does anyone have to shut the door against anyone based on their past or present? 

Of all of us on earth today, who was there when Christ died, or who could have known the mind of Christ at the time, beyond what has been revealed by God in His Word? This lesson calls me again to caution, so that I do not seek to play God in the life of anyone. The same God reached out to the rich wise men from the East, as well as lowly shepherds nearby. Distance is not a barrier to all that God has given. The same message came to both then, and the same message comes to us also now: a Saviour has been born. No matter what else he becomes to me, he is first the Saviour. No matter what else I get fron God, until He is my Saviour, I have not received the fullness of all that God intends.

What is clear is that even heaven was moved with wonder at what had happened here. A mighty God, who brooks no opposition, stooped so low as to be born like man, in order to save man. Heaven knew who this God is, and it is not a wonder that the host of heaven had to sing the song of todays extract. God is given the highest glory, because all of heaven knows who He is. It is the earth that debates the power, might and wisdom of God; heaven has no such concerns. For heaven, glory is given to God without end. Now, this is where it gets personal: on earth, for as many people as would embrace all that God has given, peace is the result. 

Like all that God gives, my freewill is very critical to what I can access. God's favour is the reason why His Son was given, and I must embrace that gift, if I am to enjoy the peace that comes with the gift. Jesus is called the Prince of Peace, and he reigns as such in the lives of alll who surrender to Him. If I allow his favour to rest on me, I get the riches of his grace. If I seek to sort out things by myself, I am telling God that I have things figured out by myself and don't need him. Of course, if you don't have the Prince of Peace, how can you have access to the peace that he gives? The world will continue to struggle, because it does not give God room to operate, but for me, it has to be different. Would I allow God have his way this season, so I can access all that he is and gives? God's time of favour is here. 

Today!

Today!

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2:11 NIV

Yet another day, and another declaration. We saw the rich wise men from the East who followed the star they saw far away all the way to the house where the baby lay. These rich wise men studied stars, yet it was the basis of God's engagement with them, and a message to us today that God does not care about distance, orientation, race, language or leaning; his gift is for all the world, and as many of us as would embrace the gift will also have access to all that has been given. The message is for the here and the now, and today is the day I need to respond. It really cannot wait for tomorrow. 

The message to the poor, lowly shepherds was sent on the day the Saviour was born, so it really reflected in the message of the angels. But as we know, the Saviour has been given, but the message is still as timely as ever. Centuries have passed since the gift was physically given, but the message of the gift is still relevant. Think about this: the first recorded promise of the Saviour in the bible was at the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, yet the actual birth occured centuries later. The passage of time did not reduce the efficacy or certainty of the promise of God, but it was waiting for the day that it would be fulfilled. It has now been fulfilled; the gift has been given, and all that I must do has been laid out: receive, worship, follow and serve the Saviour. 

Today, the gift has been given. In line with the promise, He was to be born in a specific place, and indeed He was. He was to be given a specific name, and indeed He was. His name spoke of his earthly and divine purpose and as we know, He fulfilled that purpose. If God can fulfil promises made 6,000 years apart, then you can rest assured that there is nothing too hard for him to do. If He went this far ro announce his gift to the world, don't you think that it means that there are grave consequences for rejecting the gift? As it was to the shepherds, so is it to us now. A gift of a Saviour has been given; it is given today and all who will receive him must respond today. Tomorrow is not assured; we pray for long life, but would true life be defined by its length or impact? To make my life count, it has to have the life of God in it, and that is the gift that has been given. Do you have Him? Do I? God's time of favour is here. 

Universal Appeal!

Universal Appeal!

When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:10‭-‬11 NIV

We can all debate the place of reading and following stars, or we can simply marvel at the universal appeal of the birth of Jesus to the entire world. The boy was not born solely for his fellow Jews alone but for the whole world. How else would God have proved his gift was for the whole world, if He did not bring people from the East to come and seek the king that was born. We do not know how far East they lived, or how long they travelled for, but we were told they came from the east. Either by the science or superstition of star reading, they knew there was something amazing about the star they just saw, and they made up their minds to seek out the truth about the star and the King it seemed to speak about. That is God for you: able to speak, even in the most distressing of circumstances. 

They came to Jerusalem, and in a city that already had a king, they declared that they had come to worship another king. I don't know why they did not think about the effect of their words, but it is also clear that God's Word was going to be fulfilled, no matter what man's great efforts were. While they went in search of the king, Herod and his entire court in Jerusalem were troubled. As it was then, so is it today too. Men are still troubled about their prestige, position, privileges, possessions and power, but forget that there can only be one king. Yes, there will be temporary pretenders to the throne; men who will think that they can dictate the course of human history. However, it is very clear that a man can only be whatever it is that God allows him to be. What am I holding on to now that is not in line with God's will for me? 

The drama in Herod's court and Jerusalem did not bother the wise men. They came to the house where the child lay, and they offered him gifts; gifts which had prophetic impact on the life, times and future of the child. How would adults worship a child, if they did not know anything about the child? The wise men had no doubt they were in the presence of a king, and they responded accordingly. The same message goes to all of us today: do we know this King that has been born, and deserves to be worshipped? Do I need to be begged or cajoled to worship this king? Would I even go out of my comfort zone to know this king and to offer him my best and my all? These men came and worshiped, giving their best. The same is expected of me this season. Don't just eat and drink; make sure your heart is totally given to the king of all of the earth. He will not take anything less than my all. God's time of favour is here. 

A Sign!

A Sign!

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

First, it has to be established in what context today's extract is presented. Judah was being attacked by its own brothers, Israel, aided by Aram, a nation initially connected to Noah, but had now become a chief enemy of both Israel and Judah. At different times, there will be some sort of cooperation between Israel and Aram, and then other times, both of them will be at war with each other. The passage for today is one of the strange ones, with Israel ganging up with Aram against its own brother Judah. You can say that it was the context of war that makes us appreciate the message before us today. 

Aram and Israel tried, but they could not overpower Judah. Think again: 10 tribes, aided by a foreign power, against 2 tribes, yet the 10 tribes could not overpower the 2 tribes. That is why God remains God: He does as He pleases in all the earth. For him, power, strength, connections and influence are of no use to him. He gives victory to whoever He chooses, in line with his purpose. That is why a David could kill a Goliath. That is why a choir could lead ab army and without a single arrow shot, the choir saw a great victory. This is a God who is not conventional in any way. Is there any authority or power that is speaking over my life, contrary to what God has said? 

I need to be reminded about the ultimate power, God, who can do the most mighty with the most weak. A word of assurance was sent by God to the king of Judah: have no fear. The men you see today, in about a few years, will be too shattered to be a nation. As we know, these words came to pass, even though Israel was restored later. God then asked the king to ask for a sign that what had been promised would be done by God. Either it was by ignorance, foolishness or false humility, the king did not want to test God and so refused to ask for a sign. Maybe the reality in front of him made it difficult for him to believe it could be done, but the lesson for me is this: I must be certain of whose words I am holding on to. 

It cannot be about the false tokens of men like me, but the assurance, confidence and certainty of the Word of God. God gave a sign by himself. Sometimes, you wonder how this sign relates to what was going on with Judah, but the sign teaches a few lessons. First, God is eternal. He is not distracted by the drama going on with me now, but He is able to sort out both my present and the eternal, if I can just trust him. Secondly, the eternal plan of God is tied to his Son. Kingdoms will rise and fall, as it happened to Aram, Israel and Judah, but the kingdom of his Son will know no end. Thirdly, the nature of the birth and the name of the son all show God's perfect will and purpose, and that he can do absolutely anything. 

How would a virgin conceive without human help? How would a boy born in this way, birth and sustain God's presence with man, which is the meaning of his name? Guess the most important question then is: do I know the Son as presented here? Is He with me, as His name implies, or do I need to sort out my ownership and allegiance? I must remember that I am not promised forever on this version of earth, but the only way I can get the eternal plan of God for me is to trust the Son. He is key to all that God has promised. Do you have him? Do I? God's time of favour is here. 

Specifics!

Specifics!

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

How do you tell a man who is engaged but not yet married that the woman he is engaged to will have a child that is not his own? We read it now and we gloss over it because it is not the main message, but imagine what was going on in the heart of Joseph. When the road ahead is uncertain and God is asking me to just take him at his word by faith, it is not always easy in the instant. The story of Christmas may have been differently told if Joseph did not trust God enough to simply let go. I take my first lesson from the life of Joseph: it pays to trust Jesus, even when I do not see clearly where he leads. All I need to be sure about is that He is the One leading.

The message to Joseph was very specific and left nothing to the imagination. The message was about a specific incident, which would be about a specific child, with a specific gender, a specific name and a specific assignment. God does not uncertainty or guesswork; He is too powerful to make anyone or anything that He cannot control. He is too wise to have any situation confuse Him. He is too connected to have anything render him powerless. What is that situation that has been threatening my peace and joy? I need to hand it over to this God today and let Him work out that which is His perfect will.

This child to be born is the secret to all of God's perfect will for life. You see, sin is the one thing that causes eternal separation between God and man, and the Son is also the key to the restoration of the relationship between God and man. That is why the Son was sent: no one and nothing else could repair that broken relationship. Man has tried to build the bridge with good and great works of service to humanity, but outside of total surrender and acceptance of the Lordship and authority of the Son of God, that bridge will never be built right. I have to come to God on his terms, and take him up on his offer, not what I think is right. 

The name Jesus means Saviour. His name is the reflection of his assignment. As I call his name, I am asking him to come in and do the work He has been sent to do in me. All the other things we ask Jesus for: healing, provision, protection, power and possessions are all available in the name of Jesus, which means Saviour. If I only ask him for the benefits, I do not have his fullness. He may give me the benefits, but do I want to have all the good things of life, and yet lose eternal life? Would all of life's possessions help me on the day of God's wrath? I ask Jesus to come into my heart today, and do that which is in line with his name. I want to reign with him in eternity when this present life is all gone. God's time of favour is here. 

Filled!

Filled!

For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. Habakkuk 2:14 KJV

It will be nice to have some context to the extract for today. Israel had sinned and were punished by other nations which were arguably worse than they. Even the prophet Habakkuk had to question God's fairness, if He would use a nation with worse sins to punish the sins of his own people. Imagine Babylin, with all its small gods, able to conquer Jerusalem, empty the temple of all its treaures, and then burn the city gates with fire. Unfortunately, with God, there is no small or big sin, and by God's nature, He can decide the mode, instruments and tenor of the punishment for sin. His mercy is great, but He does not condone sin. 

Today's extract speaks of that which is God's perfect will for the earth. Yes, sin had come and it is here, but God's grace is greater than our sin. It is God's will for us to know, follow, serve and eventually reign with him in eternity. No matter what the present reality is, there is an eternal reality that God wants to birth in me. The passage for today makes reference to the sea: a great body of salt water that covers much of the earth broadly. That definition reflects the fact that the sea has definite contents as well as a definite scope or boundary. The sea will not be the sea if it was not the size referred to here: a great body of water. Yet, in all its greatness, God defines its boundaries for it. Does that not make it clear that there is nothing created by God that does not answer to God, either willingly or otherwise.

If the sea can fill the place where it has been assigned, and till today, no effort by man has been able to completely displace or relocate it, imagine the effect of God's promise about the knowledge of His glory filling the earth. If till today, the sea continues to thrive in all its glory, in line with God's command at creation, you can also trust God's Word that says that the earth too will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of God. And as we take stock of the mess the world is in right now, does it not look like we need a new perspective, focus and strategy? The old way of thinking has failed; strength and guile can no longer keep you safe from harm. What will work will be the knowledge of God I am able to get and preserve. 

God wants me to know Him. It is this knowledge that will see me through the seasons of uncertainty and fear. Whether I accept it or not, God is God. That is a fact that is not in dispute. However, what I do with that fact is equally important. Does it move me to promote God's glory in all I do and say? Is God's glory evident in the way I relate with other people? The season of the manifestation of the word for today is coming; i can either be a promoter of that which is coming, or I can be a victim of that which is coming. By my personality, pursuits, priorities and perspectives, I make God attractive or unattractive to other people. Note the word: shall. Whether I want it or not, it will happen. I take stock again today: is my life a place where this can be made manifest? God's time of favour is here. 

The Contract!

“For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 AMP

God so greatly loved and prized the world: in all the versions of this verse, God's love is ALWAYS presented in terms of its value, scope and depth. In several versions, the word SO is used to explain the love of God. We use so as a subordinating conjunction to introduce clauses of result or decision. This part explains the rest of the verse. If I know and fully understand what I have been given, it will help me know how to respond, and it also makes it clear what the end result of whatever my decision is. 

The whole world is the focus of his love. No one is exempt, no matter what they may have done. It can be difficult to let go of pain and hurt but think of a God who knew what would happen to His son, yet gave him up anyway. For the first time and of course the last time, even God looked away from his son as he bore our sin on the cross. Is that a love we want to take for granted, ignore or belittle? I cannot love the people of the world more than the God who loved it this much, but I can depend on God to let his love flow in and through me to touch other people. 

The major difference between the love of God and the love the world understands is that word: GAVE. You see, life is defined by value. The problem is always with what the world calls value, and what the Word of God calls value. The world defines its value by the things that is physically acquired, but God defines value by what he gave. All who will have true value therefore must align with God's view of value. 

It was this idea of value that laid the foundation for what God gave. The physical is required for life, but the phyiscal only has true value when it is based on this foundation. Until that foundation is laid, every other thing I lay hold of is a waste of time. That he gave his only begotten Son: He could have given anything else, but so that the world will know the extent of his love, he gave his best: that which is of himself. Jesus is called God the Son, so God offered himself to the world as the path to salvation. He knew that nobody else could do it, not even the blood of bulls and goats, so he gave himself. I note that this is a one-time offer, valid for all time. No need for repeat offerings. It was sufficient the first time around to deal with the problem of the world, which is sin. The cross is the start point for the walk of eternity. If i will lay hold of all that Christ, i must start from he place of total submission to the will of God, which is the cross. 

(Whosoever believeth shall not perish): the contract ( offer and the acceptance) : in law, there is something called offer and acceptance, which makes a valid contract. When you go into a shop and see the prices of goods, once you take the goods to the checkout, you are accepting the offer of the prices that you have seen. If you go to the shops were prices are negotiable, when you make a request to pay a different price than what is advertised, what you are doing is making a counter offer, which the seller has a choice to accept or reject. We have an offer here, which is the Son of God. To accept it, I have to believe and trust in him as Saviour. 

You see, that distinction is very important. Until I accept him as Saviour, I have not accepted the offer. I cannot make a counter offer and ask God to take something different; he has already made it clear that no other offer will work, no matter how much we are willing to pay for it. That is why works does not stand alone, it is believing in him that is the key to the offer. My confessing him as my Lord and Saviour can evwn be considered as 'works' based on my faith in Christ. Taking him as provider alone is fine, but it is not enough. Taking him as healer is not enough. I have to start from the premise of salvation. Before he can be my friend, he first wants to be my Saviour and I believe that is why the word Saviour is used in this verse. 

I cannot outgive God. There is nothing in my hands right now, or at any time, that can adequately compensate God for what he has given. He has so done it so that nothing of the physical can weigh the same measure as what he has given, and the only thing that counts is the totality of my life. It is that surrender that is difficult, but it is the sacrifice that tells God that I appreciate all he has done and given me. I am saying to God: thank you for what you gave; I am giving back to you that which you came to die for. He did not die solely for me to acquire cars and houses, which is good, but he died so that I can have true life: the type that does not end. 

Shall have eternal life (the result): it is believing gives me eternal life. Is that not strange? If God makes you an offer and says that for you to get all he is, that is all you have to do, why should I make life difficult for myself? Why can't I simply take God at his word and try him out? What do I stand to lose? If I have tried other options and have not yet found peace, why not try God today? If there is anything I know, it is that no one comes to God and is cast away. The offer is to the whole world, no matter what the past could have been or what the present looks like now. Praying for eternal life and saying Amen is not really the final answer. If i shout "I receive"; without the right action, I will not get the right result. As we have seen, there is a need for a decision. That decision has to do with how I respond to the gift that has been given: the decision must be to accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour. He is the reason for this season. God's time of favour is here. 

Guided!

Guided! 

I hear the Lord saying, “I will stay close to you, instructing and guiding you along the pathway for your life. I will advise you along the way and lead you forth with my eyes as your guide. Psalms 32:8‭ TPT

Of course, the life of the one attributed with writing the words of today's extract is our first port of call. David had made it a habit to totally depend on God for everything. He did not always make the right decisions every day, but there was no doubt as to his commitment and sincerity with God. He would sing about waking up early to seek God's help, depending on God for strength for the day's activities, even when he had to face lions and giants, and then also thanking God for the end of the day and the blessing of sleep given by God. David's life is a study on daily dependence and I will do well to critically examine this man's life and see how I can also access all of God's rich mercy, just as David did. 

The words of today's extract are pronounced by God, so I pay attention to all parts of it. He makes a promise of a close walk with me. He will not deal with me from a distance, as He wants to be close to me, able to instruct and guide me. How do I hear a God I am far away from? Even if he shouts to draw my attention, how will I hear if I am already distracted by the daily grind of life? Unfortunately, there is no manual for life inside life itself; the right manual is in the hands of the one who formed life. How can the created determine what is best for itself? Would it not make sense that the One who created a thing is the best resource person for that thing? How can I know what is best for me, if I am far away from the One who created me, gave me breath and holds me till today? 

The devil will have me think I can control the narrative. He tells me that after all, God gave me a mind of my own, but he does not mention that the power of freewill is to make it easy for me to choose God. If I willingly come to God, He knows he has my heart forever. That which I do of my own free will is what God accepts. Even when I have accepted and surrendered to him as Lord and Saviour, he doesn't leave me to my devices, but he will advise me along the way as I go on. He never leaves me alone, as I have become his prized possession. He is the leader, not I. He is the master, not I. He is the guide, not I. He has total and complete authority, and I take after him, not the other way around. Is that true of you? Are you the boss of your own life, pursuing the lie of self-sufficiency? 

The verse ends with a curious bit: God says he will lead us forth with 'his eyes as a guide'. What would that mean for me? When I read of God's eye in the bible, I see holiness, righteousness and truth. There is no hypocrisy, pretence or deceit. His eyes are too pure to behold iniquity. He demands total submission, not partial obedience. Before I begin to claim the blessing, can I first make sure that my life is such that will attract the blessing? We conveniently concentrate on what we can get out of God, but make no effort to find out what God would want from us. We become claimers, not doers, and unless and until I become a doer, I cannot get any blessing from God's word, no matter how long I shout "I receive". I need God to guide me; I know nothing of the pitfalls and dangers ahead. I need the wisdom, Amen nce and help of the One who knows the path and knows what is ahead. When I seek his will, my life makes impact. When I listen out for him, even in the hustle and bustle of life, I am distinct because I listen to a different voice from the world. His voice does not ever align with current realities, but his commands will make everything real. Where he directs may not make sense, but he alone knows the final destination. I am very limited in understanding, insight and foresight; only God's eyes see into eternity. I trust him with my life, and ask him for grace to continually obey him. With him, I can't go wrong. Without him, I will always go wrong. God's time of favour is here. 

Relationships!

Relationships!

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 NKJV

Paul, writing to the church in Ephesus, runs through everything that is important and relevant to the Christian life. He addresses the Old man and its dangers, demands and expected destruction, and he also addresses the New man, and its own demands from all who seek to be subject to it. At some point in our lives, all of us would have to decide who we will be subject to. That decision must be made before eternity is defined and determined, and this means that whatever decision I make will definitely impact the earth, before I am called to give an account before God. Note that both the Old Man and the New Man are put in capital; both are powerful; both demand all that you are and have, so I must fully know what I am getting into before the day of judgment comes. Ignorance will not be an excuse.

For all who want to know who this verse speaks to, look at some of the words Paul uses just before today's extract: "ye have not so learned Christ"; ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus"; "renewed in the spirit of your mind"; "put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness"; "grieve not the Holy Spirit of God". As you read these words, you see very clearly the attributes of the people that today's extract speaks to and make demands on. The words of today's extract are not for everyone, but for those who are ready and willing to submit to the New man. That identity is key to being able to align with the standard, as the Old man by its nature can never conform to this standard. I have to take stock right here and now: does today's extract describes me?

 

The standard is kindness, and I note that nothing is said about the other person's response or reaction. I am not to be bothered about how the other person responds to my kindness, since I do not have to prove anything to anyone. I simply align with the standard as defined by God. Don't forget: the words today are for people who share the same affinity and connection: they have been saved by grace and share a common connection to Christ. That connection is strong enough to confront anything that tries to divide them. I must forgive, not only when it is convenient, but because I know what I have also been forgiven by God. A man who knows the value of what he has received is quick to show the same grace to other people. As I relate with other people, does this understanding govern everything I do?

This example of Jesus is the loudest testament to what God demands from me. What he has done for me is the perfect example of his expectation from me. For to whom much has been given, much will be required from him. How would the world know God, if I do not make him known? How would the world know and understand the love of God if my life, its focus and impact do not reflect that love? I cannot be a hypocrite, or be content taking up the name; there is a demand and an expectation from all who claim to bear the name and identity described above. Would I let the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross go to waste? Would I make a mess of the message of the cross, and the hope and life it goves, simply because of pride or selfishness? I ask myself again: does the above describe me? Does it describe you? As long as there is life, it is not too late to make amends. God's time of favour is here. 

 

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rejoice!

Rejoice!

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Philippians 4:4 NIV

Life will throw us curveballs. You can make the greatest plans, and be able to address all possible scenarios, yet God can turn those plans to nothing simply because He wants me to know that He is God. There is really no harm in making plans, but can I trust God enough to know that He is in charge, even when he takes me in a direction I do not know or foresee? Can I hold on to him, even when all that's familiar around me fails? There are some key words in the extract for today that require emphasis, which will help define what God expects from me. As we look at these words, may God's mind be made clear, and may I be tuned in to what he is doing and saying, so I can have peace.

Rejoice: this is defined as "to feel or show great joy or delight". It means that when I rejoice, there is both an inner and an outer witness. It is from the abundance of the heart that the month speaks, or the life manifests. There is a limit to pretence and pure hypocrisy, as the truth of my convictions will be laid bare after some time. It is also important to note that the word here flows from joy, not necessarily happiness. Joy is part of the fruit of the Holy Spirit, which means that for me to truly rejoice, I must have a measure of the Spirit of God. My joy is not tied to physical realities, but to the presence of God in me. 

In the Lord: this leads to the next important bit, which is the context of the joy I have. What drives your joy: physical possessions or Pure Presence? Men attach great importance to possessions, power, position and physical prosperity, and networth is mainly defined by these terms. Unfortunately, a man's life does not consist of the abundance of the things he possesses. You can get happiness from the latest acquisition, but as we all know, the latest gadget is only so for a few hours, days or months, until the latest update is released. You can't get joy from this reality, as all that you hold now will become stale if you give it enough time. The only person in your life who never becomes stale is the Lord. He is always current, relevant and contemporary. Is He enough for you? 

Again, rejoice: it is repeated here for emphasis. It is repeated so that I can know how important it is for me to have the right attitude and mentality to all that God brings my way. In the event that I did not hear it well the first time, I am reminded again of the right response to all that God brings: rejoice. God does not promise perpetually blue skies and a life free of trials, but he promises me his Presence. When he is with me, there is nothing that can overwhelm me. If nothing can overpower him, then there is nothing that can threaten me as long as he is in and with me. Guess the most important question of all of life is this: who or what do I have in me, that will sustain me for all of life? It has to be right, if my life will turn out right. God's time of favour is here. 

Faith!

Faith!

By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones. By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. Hebrews 11:22‭-‬23 NIV

Two men, separated by at least 400 years, yet bound by faith. Both lived under different realities, but there was a connection: faith in God who had made promises and whose word could be trusted. The two men did not get distracted by their physical circumstances, but kept right before them the promises God had made. This is the first lesson for me: is there a promise that God has made to me? God's nature is such that it is impossible for Him to lie. If he says it, you can trust it, even to death. We see Joseph actually dying before the reality of God's promises came, but he knew the God he served, and made preparations for his bones to be taken out of Egypt. No man speaks like this without a clear assurance that he has received a word from God. Like Joseph, can I also speak into my future based on the assurance of God's certain word?

Fast forward to another 400 years, and a couple was blessed with a son. How did they know the child was no ordinary child, if they did not have a sure connection with God? For all that lies ahead, I need guidance, leading and direction. I cannot rely on what is popular, or what man thinks, but in what God says. Men may all flow in the same direction, but if it is not God, it does not matter how many people come together to promote it; it will fail. Joseph knew this, Moses learnt this, and as we read about these men today, we are reminded to seek that which lines up with God's priorities. That which God ordains, he will sustain. If it is not of him, he will not promote it. What is the thing I am engaged in at the moment? Can I honestly say it has been birthed by God, or am I pursuing my own agenda? 

When the reality of life stares me in the face, what do I do? How do I respond to situations that are beyond my understanding? When the road ahead is unclear; when men are unsure of what to do; when hope seems to be lost, there is a birthing in me that must come to light, and that is faith that God can do all that he has promised. Joseph did not see the reality, but he spoke of it ahead of time. Moses' parents did not fully understand what was going on, but they acted in faith and kept the boy safe. It took about 430 years but all that God promised was fulfilled. All each needed to do was take steps of faith, and God honoured their faith. For me, what is God expecting from me? What would he want me to do? Where does he want me to be? If I only obey, I will see the mighty move of God in my life, as well as around me. Do you have this kind of faith? God's time of favour is here. 

Light!

Light!

Once more Jesus addressed the crowd. He said, “I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” John 8:12 AMP

Again we come to the matter of light, and we will again repeat our working definition: 'the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible'. It is difficult to determine how light became a natural agent, or how it was created, but we know that its first mention was at creation. It was spoken of against the backdrop of the deep darkness that covered the earth at the time. For God to really work, he needed that which is of himself, and he then spoke light into existence. All that followed are the results of the light that came first and till today, we see the effect and impact of light. 

Light is such that nothing is hidden from it. It makes things in darkness visible. How would I know where I stand with God, if the light of God does not reveal me to myself? The devil will have me content with where I am, but if I will rise to the place where God intends, I have to seek that which the light reveals and take the right steps to correct accordingly. Jesus made this clear to the crowd that followed him: don't be content with just existing, and living from day to day. I have more than the norm, the usual or the expected; I have eternal life in me. 

Am I content being in the crowd, taking all that happens to me as part of the package of life, with no hope for that which God promises? Jesus understood the problem of the crowd: it is content with blending in. It does not want its activities to be revealed, and it will do all it can to pretend that all is well. However, the light will not permit that. The call by Jesus here makes it clear that the crowd's priorities are not His own priorities. He wants to give life and light to all who come to him. He wants to take away all that supports or promotes darkness so that His light can reign in and shine through me. 

But as always, he will not compel me or force himself on anyone. Just as he introduced himself to the crowd here, so does he tell me all I stand to gain in and from him. The world can't give you what it does not have. It does not have true light, and that is why it is wrong to set your life by what the world promotes. I have to decide to follow Christ. He has all I need to succeed in this life. He is the Light that reveals all the deep things of darkness. In him, eternal life is secure and assured. Remember: all that we see down here will perish with the world, and only that which is of God will live forever. Do I really have him? Do you? God's time of favour is here. 

Always!

Always!

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:16‭-‬18 NIV

There are three words in today's extract that bears emphasis on what the right pursuits and priorities are, and these are: ALWAYS, CONTINUALLY and ALL. These words signify a continuous, never-ending sequence of events, and it will be appropriate to look at the events these words are tied to:

CONTINUALLY: I am asked to pray

continually, not to complain, murmur, gossip or bear tales about what I am going through. Telling me about your problems without first telling God is exposing yourself to manipulation and embarrassment. If I raise a committee of friends to help you and God does not help you, all our efforts are in vain. But if God helps you, even if all of us gang up to frustrate you, it will not stop the help of God. That is why it really matters to whom I pray and whose help I seek: is it the Lord Most High, or mortal, helpless and clueless men like myself?

ALWAYS: I am asked to continously  rejoice. In order to do this, I have to first settle in my heart what the right pursuits and priorities are. My heart is the battleground for all sorts of thoughts and emotions, and if I do not properly sieve through all that flow in and out of it, I will be too distracted to rejoice always. Joy does not deny reality, but it has settled its own reality, which is that what is in me is greater than what is going on outside of me. All that is outside of me has an expiry date; God in me lives forever, and cannot die so if I am also in me, physical death is just but a phase into eternity. I rejoice, because I have God and that is enough for me. What of you?

ALL Circumstances: there is no situation that is exempt here; you may experience pain, even loss of a loved one, but as hard as it sounds, God still wants me to give thanks in all these situations. Honestly, if I will do this, what is in my heart must be bigger, better and more enduring than the pain I am going through now. I keep at the back of my heart that God is working out a great thing through those experiences, and if I can just hold on, I will see his goodness and mercy. God asking me to give it means he has supplied grace for me to do so. He won't place on me or demand from me what I can't handle or give.

All the above form God's will for me. No matter the situations I may face, the above represent God's cure for depression and hurt. With God on my side, enemies may strive but they will not thrive. I cannot pick and choose the ones that make me comfortable; all of them are relevant to my walk with and work for God. They impact both the internal and external content. When I pray right, I have joy. When I have joy and can give thanks, I cannot hide and what I have is infectious. Does any of the above describe me, or do I need to go back to God so I can get it right? God's time of favour is here. 

Noise!

Noise!

O CLAP your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph and songs of joy! Psalm 47:1 AMPC

This is a psalm by the sons of Korah. It starts with a command: CLAP. It is not a passive command, which you only do in your heart or mind, but it is an action that is visible and audible, which means that men must see and hear it, and will most likely ask you the reason why you are clapping. Do I really have a reason to clap, showing to the world that there is something God has done that needs to be made clear to the world? Do I even need to be cajoled or compelled io clap, if I truly know all that God has done? 

In today's extract, it is clear why I am asked to clap: triumph - a word that signifies a battle and a victory. You cannot mention defeat and triumph in the same breath. Triumph is the end result of a battle, which has now been concluded, to my advantage. If I am defeated, and in chains, where are the hands to clap? It then means that if God is asking me to clap, it is because my hands have fought and won and can now clap for joy. I can also sing songs of joy, which means that my voice is also set free from limitations. 

It is a call to all peoples, of all tribes, languages, tongues and colours. God does not discriminate; his life is made available for all men and His acts and ways known, to all who seek him. When God has been good to you, giving you victory over sin, self and Satan, you cannot keep quiet. If I know the value of the life that has been secured for me on earth, as well as the eternal life that has been sealed, I can't keep quiet. There is a spring of joy in me that no man can limit or stop, and which will always find expression. Do you have that same joy? Have you experienced this victory that Jesus purchased and has sealed for you? God's time of favour is here. 

Ready?

Ready?

You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour and a moment when you do not anticipate it. Luke 12:40 AMPC

Today's extract starts with a specific and emphatic focus on the target: ME. Jesus was speaking here to his disciples, making it clear that this message is not first for the world, but for those who have come to believe in Him and have made him Lord and Saviour. Does this describe me? Have I surrendered my life to God? I cannot hide behind corporate anointing, as precious as it is, as I must seek God out for myself, find him and follow him closely. He wants to guide me into earthly impact and eternity life with him, but I must align with his will and purpose for my life. He won't force himself on me, but if I surrender to him, there is no limit to what he can do with my life. 

So that there is no confusion about what today's extract says, let's look at the definition of 'ready': "in a suitable state for an action or situation; fully prepared", and also

"easily available or obtained; within reach". These definitions are so apt for the season we are in and the direction God wants for our lives. To be ready isn't about what I say but what I do on a regular basis. Like Daniel, before the test comes, I have already settled in my heart that there is no room for pollution. Like the 3 Hebrew boys, I must be settled in my heart that there is no room for any other god or man. Again, I ask: does this describe ME?

Like the disciples were told, so does God say to me again today: you must be ready at all times. Jesus, the son of man returns soon, and He is coming for those who are ready for him. You see, being prepared is just a small part of the puzzle; the main matter is to define what it is you are waiting for. It is very easy to get distracted by activity. Been busy is not the same as being ready. Am I living for earthly relevance alone, with no thought for eternal life? Am I focused on what I can get from God, with no concern as to what God would want from me? He saved me, but placed me back in the world so I can be his eyes, ears and hands, and show others the way to God. My service in this way is proof to God that I know he's coming back.

If there is advance warning that a thief is coming to rob, adequate safety measures can be put in place. If I can so respond to earthly threats, I must also likewise respond in the right way here, as Jesus already warns that his coming too will be like a thief. His return is certain; we do not know the exact date and time, but his Word has made clear what the signs of the end times are. We do not have the full details now but we have God's Word as the anchor for our souls, keeping us focused on both earthly impact and eternal life with God. Both are important; I have been warned; there is no excuse. God's time of favour is here. 

Faith!

Faith!

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

The world teaches us to trust our senses, because they are the basis of what we can prove. In the human courts of law, we call witnesses to events; we do not rely on third party accounts or hearsay. All that we look at for the basis of judgment has to come from people who heard, saw or tasted it. The world does not know any other way it can process that which is laid before it. The Word of God however calls us to a different standard, and a new way of thinking. God asks me to never rely totally on what my senses are telling me, as they could deceive me. This is a hard message for the natural man to take, because he has always been taught to trust his senses. 

God is saying to me: I gave you the senses, but I am not limited by them. I can choose to work outside the senses to prove that I am God. The man who will see this side of God is the man who is ready to walk with God on that level, which is faith. God is not asking me to deny my senses completely, but that I do not allow them to rule how I think, see things or respond to them. He wants me to take Him as the most important person in my life and that what he says is my utmost priority. My senses may be saying something contrary but I would have settled it in my heart that no matter what I see or feel or hear, who God is and what he has told me is of utmost importance.

That then raises a very important point: do I know this God then? Is my knowledge of him all about what other people say about him or what I have personally experienced? Walking with God demands a new and fresh perspective. God will make it clear that he needs me to see him at work, even when the reality around me is saying something very different. He would want me to hear him, even when there is so much noise around me. Imagine Elijah seeing the wind, fire and earthquake, yet nothing moved him until he heard that still small voice. That is how God wants me to respond: be unmoved by the drama, but seek that still small voice that changes the reality around me. 

Faith in God opens doors that nothing else can. Faith leads me to new heights, new grounds and new earthly and eternal realities. Faith is the title deed to that which you do not yet hold in your hands, which is quite unusual. I lay claim and receive that which I have not yet physically laid my hand on. My entire life becomes a reality of that which I believe I will receive, not only that which I hold now. My life becomes a story in conviction and assurance that I am not defined by what I hold, but by who I know. If I live only by what I can see, hear or hold, I will be living a limited life, but if I will see, hear and feel as God desires, then I can live the life God called me into. So, can what I hold be defined as faith or self-promotion? God's time of favour is here. 

Pray, Not Worry!

Pray, Not Worry!

Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Philippians 4:6‭ MSG

The natural human reaction to things we do not understand is worry. It comes very naturally to all of us at different times and stages of our lives. Various human milestones also generate these feelings: change of school, work, marriage, location and others. Because we are not very certain of all the details ahead, we fret over the things we do not know or cannot control. Even when we have laid out very detailed plans, there is that grey area of uncertainty that wants to hold our hearts and make us wonder if we have actually done the best we could. Is it possible then to never worry about anything? 

Is there anything I can change by a good, long bout of worry? Is there any record of worry being the one single factor that changed a situation from bad to good? The Sermon on the Mount, at the beginning of the earthly ministry of Jesus, also made this clear: worry changes nothing. I cannot change my height by meditation, neither can I change my skin colour by positive confession. The one ingredient that Jesus recommends as the appropriate response to situations around me is to pray. The amazing thing about either worrying or praying is that the world may not see you pray or worry, but give it time, and the evidence of the one you have fed will be made manifest. 

So, when the next bout of worry threatens, recognise it for what it is: an attempt to get you to shift focus from the God who is bigger than the cause of the worry to the cause of the worry itself. If the devil is able to get me fixated on the size of the problem, I will not be able to appreciate the size of the God who is able to deal with all that worries me. That is why God prescribes the solution to worry here: pray. When I pray, I am telling God that I recognise and acknowledge his power, ability and capacity to deal with all that worries me. When I pray, I am telling God to step in and take charge of the situation. Don't forget: prayer cannot be a rehearsal of the worry before God, but total submission to God's will and an invitation for him to do as he pleases.

Petitions, praises and prayers form an unbeatable combination. I can come and cry before God, even if it is about my worries, but I must come with a heart that knows that God can deal with them. Why waste my time if I know that as soon as I finish praying, I will pick up the worries again and go with them? If I do not accept that God has power to save, why did I bother to come before him then? I must not spend the time arguing with God or complaining about my lot in life; I just simply talk to God about my concerns. That is all I am asked to do; power to address the concerns do not lie in me, but God is able to do so. Therefore, I just pray and ask for his help. That is all that is expected of me. What would you do about your concerns today? Pray or worry? God's time of favour is here. 

Shine!

Shine!

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16 NIV

The definition of 'light' from a few days ago needs to be repeated here: 'the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible'. It is called a natural agent, which produces or is used for obtaining specific results. It is the mean, the channel and the tool by which all things are revealed and made plain. It is also amazing that God always uses light in the context of human expression. From creation, we see the light also made manifest, and all through history, light has always been a subject close to God's heart. Why is it this important? Could it be it is the reflection of God in man, and the means by which God is known to all? How would God be identified if there was no one to bear his nature, reflect his power and wisdom, speak and act as He would, and show off the mercy and kindness of God? 

Light is of no use if it is not used and it is also of no use if it is not applied in the right way. Just as the verse before today's extract makes clear, I do not light a lamp and put it under a bowl; light must not made for such. A lighted lamp is best appreciated when it is on a lampstand, visible for all men to see, feel, and to enjoy. A lighted lamp under a bowl serves no purpose, especially when there is darkness all around. Why light the lamp, if it will end up under a bowl? Why would God invest so much of himself in me, if I will not show off his light in me? Why would God call me his own and set his affection on me, if I will not reciprocate and also declare his affection to the world around me? 

The altar of expression is my life and the world is the platform. My life must bear the mark of the light; the light would have first changed me internally, and then all who come in contact with me will know that I carry light. Light is not held, but its effect and presence cannot be ignored. In the midst of the darkness around, the message of light is quite relevant today. It is before men, not angels, that my light must shine. We want to get to heaven by being righteous and sinless, but we do not want to impact the earth. We are so focused on heaven that we forget that we hsve to first live in a way that we can draw other people to heaven by the way we live our lives. 

And I note it is both a general as well as a personal light. It is 'your light' and 'my light', because God calls me as an individual. If I am God's child, I carry his light - period. Yes, we could work as a group, but it is the combination of the lights that make us impactful. I must know and have the light for myself first, and then my light can come together with your light to change the world where we have been placed. I have the duty to make sure I shine where I am. There is no wisdom in wishing you were somewhere else; right where I am now, God wants me to represent him. How I do that will determine how the world sees God. Do I show him off, or am I one of the people of whom it is said: "And you call yourself a Christian". 

You see, not everyone will like you so you might as well dispense with the need to please everyone. I must live for the applause of only one, and that is God. He wants to be glorified in and through me, and he will be, whether I cooperate with him or not. People may question my life's pursuits and priorities, but in  the final analysis, it is not what men say that counts, but what God says. If my life is right, the light will shine and men will come to know God through me. Yes, some will mock and resist, but it will be clear that my light is shining. Is my life at the moment one that can lead to God's praise? I must watch my life from today; eternity lies at the end of all I do now. God's time of favour is here. 

Pleasure in Pressure!

Pleasure in Pressure!

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Romans 5:3‭-‬5 NIV

Again, it is important to set the stage for the target of the words of today's extract. I do myself no good claiming God's promise if my life does not align with the prerequisites for the promise. So, who can claim the benefits in today's extract: those who have been justified by faith. The world only knows, recognises and rewards labour; it has no other way of identifying sincerity or hypocrisy. That is why the men of the world can deceive each other, but the man who relies totally on the finished work of Jesus on the cross has no room for pride in anything else except that which s/he has received from God. The question then is: who am I? Am I justified by faith in God, or am I still trying to work it out by strength, labour and energy? 

Everything I will get from life hangs on this connection by faith. Life will throw the kitchen sink at me; I am not promised an easy ride into any benefits, but I have the support of the One who loved me enough to give his life for me. If he could lay down his life willingly, what then is it that will be too much for him to also give me? That is why I can boast in the hope of the glory of God. I can look forward to all that is ahead, because I know that what I stand to gain is far more precious than all that I can see now. The world will seek to show me its glory, but when you have tasted the grace and mercy of God, you know that there is nothing else that can ever replace these. Do I know this God then? Have I met him and taken him up on his offer of life? 

And then it gets a bit tough: I have access to grace, but then grace does not keep me from tough times. This is the message that is not popular these days. We want to coast through life, enjoying all that God is and gives. There is nothing wrong with that, but how does God move me from glory to glory if there are no trials or tough times? How do I know the value of what I hold if it is not tried by fire? There are life lessons I cannot learn unless I pass through tough times. I may not understand the reasons why God gives all he does if I do not also know the danger of losing them. I must not take my eyes off God at any time, but must focus on him, even when there is pressure to compromise or give in. I keep at the back of my mind that God would not do all he did or give all he did, to then abandon me to my own devices.

I take comfort from the last part of today's extract: the Holy Spirit is the seal of God in us, guaranteeing that all that has been promised will be fulfilled by God. The Holy Spirit births and sustains the hope of eternal life in us, so that nothing down here can take our hearts away from that which is ours in God. All that the world offers is temporary; whatever belongs to the earth has to be used on the earth and will perish with the earth, but there is Hope, the eternal light that burns in all who have come to put their trust in God. That hope keeps me sane and focused; the world holds no attraction or distraction for me. What of you? God's time of favour is here. 

Pray!

Pray!

if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV

These are the words of God, sent to Solomon at the dedication of the temple. A beautiful edifice had been built, many animals sacrificed and the materials used in the temple included gold. Any mortal man would marvel at the edifice, but like all things that God speaks on, he is not fooled by the outward. He focuses on the inner man, that part of us that is not open to other men, and where our thoughts are processed into actions. Solomon had built an edifice and wanted God to live in it. Of course God warned him: I will put my presence in it, but watch yourself. Just as he warned Solomon in those days, so does he warn us today: Watch yourself. 

God sets stock by the people who are his own. He has laid down the standard by saying that the prayer of a sinner is an abomination to God. I cannot continue in sin and expect grace to abound. God is too pure to behold sin, so if I will get him to listen to me, I must first deal with sin in my life. God is looking for people who have submitted to him. He is looking for people whose hearts are under his total control and influence, and are depending on him for daily strength to live right. So as he seeks to impact the earth, he starts with these people. I must realise I am helpless without God, and that outside of him, I won't amount to anything. 

When that foundation is laid right, every other step makes sense. When I am his own, my prayers ascend to God in heaven. All the steps in today's extract - humble themselves, pray, seek my face, turn from their wicked ways - will lead to God's response in mercy toward the land. If I want God to intervene in my nation, the secret is in those steps listed above. Until we come to realise that concepts, theories, political and governance masterclasses will not solve the problem of sin, we will continue to struggle as a nation to be all that God intends. When God is given the right to rule, he will heal the land. It is first about me: am I a child of God?  If I am, then I am a tool in the hands of God to bring about the change this nation needs. Are you? God's time of favour is here. 

Worship!

Worship!

O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker. Psalm 95:6 KJV

The writer of this particular psalm is not known, but there is no doubt as to the truth of the words that we read here. There is a call to all men in all places, irrespective of colour, race, creed or language, to come before the Lord in worship, humility and reverence. It does not matter where you have been or what you have done in the past; the call is in the now, the present tense. It takes a personal knowledge of this God, and a very personal encounter with him to be able to fully understand what this call means.

If I don't know who the Lord is, how can I know the right manner of approach? Recall Pharaoh, and those words he uttered: "Who is the Lord, that I should let the Israelites go"? Well, at the time, maybe he did not know the Lord but he surely knew a little by the end of the 10 plagues. It does not have to get this bad before I come before the Lord in total surrender. Worshipping and bowing down are signs of submission and recognition of the authority of the One to whom I bow. Who or What is that person or thing that commands my attention so much that it can demand my obeisance? It must be the Lord, otherwise, it will be a waste of allegiance. 

A man who kneels before anyone or anything cannot hurry out before the presence of that person or thing. One who stands and one who kneels hsve different reaction times. The one who kneels seems to be saying: I am here in total surrender; even if you will kill me, I cannot really run anyway. Of course, the one who stands finds it easy to run if there is a hint of trouble. Of course, this does not mean that standing up to worship God is not good, but the question would be: no matter what posture I take, am I in a position of helplessness, totally committed to depending on God for everything, even if He slays me, like Job said? 

That attitude will be shaped by my knowing who this God is: my maker, my creator, my Lord and God, and the One before all men and created things will bow, either by free choice or compulsion at the end of this earthly phase. This invitation to come still stands today; it is not a call to self-promotion or pride, but to worship the Lord. There is no time limit placed on this call; I have to learn how to do it right down here, as I would have to do it also for all of eternity before the throne of God. Does God have my heart in totality? Is my heart in total surrender to this God? God's time of favour is here. 

Unconquerable!

Unconquerable!

And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it [put it out or absorbed it or appropriated it, and is unreceptive to it]. John 1:5 AMPC

How do we define 'light'? One says it is 'the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible' . It is called a natural agent, which produces or is used for obtaining specific results. Very quickly, you see that you really cannot define the origin or source of light, but you can't deny its existence, reach or impact. You cannot lay a finger on how it is produced, yet when it exists, it is almost taken for granted. This is the amazing thing about light in today's extract: it is defined from the perspective of a person, and that can only be Jesus, the Light of the world. Light was spoken into existence by God at creation, and it was by the essence of light Himself that God made the whole earth. 

And then there is darkness, which is also defined as 'the partial or total absence of light.' Did you see that even darkness is defined from the perspective of light? It is clear that anything that does not fully portray light in its totality is courting darkness. If I am to bring this home, it means that I cannot successfully combine elements of light and darkness together at the same time, in the same place and in the same life. It also means that the smallest sliver of light makes an impact on the thickest darkness. As a natural agent, it is the place of light to shine, no matter how thick the darkness is. Is my life a platform from which this light can shine out to the world? 

This question is very important, considering the realities on earth. By sin, the entire world is now in the grip of darkness. However, no matter how bad it is, there is also the reality of God, his nature and his presence. By sin, man chose darkness, but even at the scene of man's greatest crime, the light of God was revealed. As man embraced darkness, God was already shining the light of the seed of the woman. By God's nature and power, nothing can stop that which he institutes. No matter how long the night is, it is followed by the morning, before another night. It will not be the same night, but you will always get the same light. 

No matter how hard the devil fights, he is only prolonging his day of reckoning, as well as his judgment. The extract for today is like an assurance by God that no matter how hard the devil tries, he cannot defeat the light. If I carry the Light, I am unconquerable for the devil. Oh, he all try and distract, deceive and deflate, but God's presence will not desert his own at any time. Darkness cannot put out the light or limit its operation; it is light that chases out darkness. Darkness cannot absorb the light; it is light that dispels darkness. I also note, with a sense of caution, that darkness cannot respond favourably to light. Both are on opposite ends of the spectrum, parallel lines that can never meet, no matter how far you draw them. 

As we have seen, light is not dependant on darkness, but is visible to all, no matter where I am located. That is the warning for me: darkness leads to eternal separation from God. God is light, and he invites me to take hold of him so I can enjoy all that he is and offers. I cannot keep a foot in the light and the other in darkness. There is really no fence to sit on, and there is no middle ground to bet on. One day, all of us will be judged by the light, and all the things done and said in secret will be laid bare before God. Am I ready for the light to reveal my life's secrets? Can they stand the test of the light of God? Remember, eternity is at stake. I cannot afford to be on the wrong side. God's time of favour is here. 

Cast!

Cast!

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:7 NIV

Peter, who writes here, would know a lot about the focus of today's extract. He was the worrier-in-chief of the disciples, always fretting about image and impressions. He was part of the inner caucus of disciples, so he knew a bit about the mind of Jesus. One moment, he was inspired to declare those immortal words: "You are the Christ, the son of the Living God" and almost the next moment, he was trying to pull down God's eternal plan of salvation for all men by trying to stop Jesus from going to the cross. One moment, he was swearing that he would never deny Jesus; a few hours later, he was calling down curses on himself, saying he never knew Jesus. If not for mercy, what would the end of Peter be? I can say the same about myself too. 

So, Peter starts by asking me to cast all my anxiety on Jesus. One good definition of 'cast' is: 'to throw or set aside; discard or reject; dismiss. Look at those words again: it is a state where I have come to realise that worry and fretting lead to no good outcomes. It is pointless to worry about things you can't control but I can surrender the reins of the worry to the One who asks me to bring them. He knows I can't help but worry sometimes, but he also asks me to hand them over to him when they come. I cannot claim to believe in Jesus, and then try to work out stuff by my own strength. I cannot claim Jesus is my exclusive Lord and Saviour when there are other 'viable' concerns that have taken over my heart and are dictating terms, conditions, pursuits and priorities. 

I note the words: 'ALL your anxiety' and I believe they are laid out like this for a reason. How can I trust God completely and yet not be able to lay all my burdens down at his feet? Is there anything I have heard that God cannot do? Have I ever seen him fail? Has he told me that he has reached his full capacity and does not have room to help me anymore? If none of these has happened, then I have no basis for fear and anxiety. Anxiety cripples, and does not allow a man see all that God intends. The One I am asked to cast all my cares on is called by different names, including the true burden giver and bearer. He wants to give me his own kind of burden, which is easy and light, and he wants to take away the burden of the devil, which kills. 

He gives burdens, supplies the strength I need to carry them, and then also helps bear my burdens. History and precedence show that God has been in the business of helping right from the Garden of Eden. He has not changed, and his nature is such that changing his principles is impossible. He does not change like shifting shadows; if he says he is able to do a thing, he is staking his name, reputation and character on that thing. God does not do shame or lies, so I can rest assured that he has got my back. He can be trusted; he is everlasting, and as long as burdens have expiry dates, they can't outlast him. God's time of favour is here. 

Saved, by Grace!

Saved, by Grace!

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8‭-‬9 NIV

We recall the power of sin, as well as the power of the blood of Jesus. We have seen the power of God's judgment, but we have also seen the power of God's grace. It is this mix that makes God unique: he hates sin but loves the sinner. He does not want anyone to perish due to unconfessed sin, but he makes very clear that the wages of sin is death. Can I then take the part of God that makes me comfortable, and ignore the part that pushes me to be careful about taking God for granted. Where do I stand? 

 I did not earn the gift given, because it came free to me. It cost God a lot, as he had to look away from his own son as he hung on the cross, doubly cursed due to sin and the nature of the punishment. Grace is the key that draws men to God. We do not come of our own accord; something would have pushed us to seek God. Grace comes from God; faith comes from within me, but birthed also by God. There is no room for self - sufficiency or pride. Because it is a gift, merit is inconsequential. Because it is a gift, price is immaterial. God has made it so that no one has to labour or strive to get it; all that is required of me is faith in Jesus. 

It is as simple, yet as complex as it has been stated above. The world teaches that a man has no right to that which he did not first work for. Maybe in some instances, but for all I will get from God, I get all, not by good works first of all but by grace and faith. God has so ordained it that no matter what I hold or who I know, nothing will make sense until I take hold of Jesus. He is the answer to the problem of sin, but like all gifts, I get to choose my response, and to live or die by the consequences of my response. I wonder, what would it be for me? What of you? God's time of favour is here. 

Flow!

Flow!

He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

John 7:38 KJV

The Jews had festivals to remind them of the milestones in their lives. They celebrated these festivals on a yearly basis, but like all things that hang on action without inspiration, it got to a point where it was more about fulfilling righteousness than understanding why God instituted it in the first place. Men kept the festivals, but their lives were daily denials of the God who demanded faithful worship. Where do I stand here: am I like the children of Israel, keeping traditions but without any personal encounter with God?

As usual, the people came into the temple to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. It was a reminder of the wanderings in the desert, where they had to live in booths and temporary shelters until God brought them into the promised land. I wonder what the festival entailed when they knew nothing about the God they had come to worship. Jesus came and with a loud voice, cried out the words of today's extract. What would these words mean to us today? What steps do I need to take today to make my life aligned with God's perfect will? 

The secret is to believe in Jesus. He is not asking for what I do not have, but the most important thing I have: my life. He does not need earth's resources; He created all things and they answer to him. I cannot take of that which God has created and replace him with material things. Where then does the image of water come from? History seems to suggest that there were streams of water that flowed around the temple in Jerusalem, and the priests would go year after year to take the water and pour on the altar. This was a yearly ritual: taking of that which flows outside the temple, bringing it into the temple and pouring it on the altar. This is the picture that the coming of Jesus has come to fulfil. 

No more the annual ritual; no more the taking of water from an earthly source and pouring same on a physical altar in a physical temple. In this new dispensation which Jesus speaks about here, there is a new spring of water, which no human hand can stop, control or limit. The life of God in me is the source of the new spring, and if you cannot stop the life of God in me, you can do nothing about the spring. The spring is deep within the one who believes, and his life becomes an expression of the presence of God. 

Trials and tests, and even the fear of death cannot limit the flow. No need for a mortal man to come and draw out the water; I have become a priest of the Most High, and can offer the sacrifices that please him. My life has become an offering poured out willingly by myself, with total surrender to God the secret to a life of impact. No annual ritual, just a daily life of devotion. No dependence on man or his help; just the outward expression of the inward presence of God. Who am I really? Does the above describe me or you? Remember, eternity is at stake here. God's time of favour is here.