Ask!

Ask!

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 NASB

Like every child knows, at a particular age, after your basic needs are met, you get only that which you can define. No parent makes assumptions for their children throughout their lives; at a particular age, the child grows to develop a mind of his/her own, and can articulate what is required for the next level. Just as it is in the physical, so is it in the spiritual. I read in several places where Jesus would meet a person with an 'obvious' need, such as blind Bartimaeus, and then ask: 'What do you want me to do for you'? Thank God for the benefit of knowing how the story ends, but imagine if you didn't. 

At this very point in time, can you define what you need? Like James wrote here, in the spiritual, I must also be able to define what is lacking and know exactly how to meet the need. Part of the story is knowing the need; the other part is knowing who can meet it and how to ask Him to meet it. Today's extract answers all the parts. No matter how complex the generation or the dispensation is, God is the answer to ALL of life's needs. If I am able to define the need, God is able to meet it. If I do not know or agree that I have a need, how would God meet it, and even if He did, how would I recognise it to thank Him for it? 

God has no problem with meeting every need; in fact, no demand on earth can exhaust the resources of heaven. The power of God is seen in the fingerprints given to every person, never repeated. If God can be that specific, he has enough resources to give to the whole world. All I have to do is ASK. I open my mouth and define what I need. If I know I lack wisdom, I go to the source and ask. If I seek him genuinely and sincerely, I have an assurance from the embodiment and source of wisdom that He will give me generously. He won't tell me that I am asking for too much, or that I am disturbing his peace. In fact, He loves to hear me speak to him. 

It is such a personal walk that I cannot hide behind other people's experiences; I must seek my own. It is my own personal walk with God that raises stones of remembrance of the mighty things that God does in my life, and becomes a  testimony to other people. My life becomes a public reflection of the private dealings of God in my life. God wants to be a part of my life; in fact, He wants to control it, but I have to give it to him willingly. He is the only One who can turn my life's mess into a message. All I have to do is ASK. God's time of favour is here. 

Right Desires!

Right Desires!

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6 KJV

There is always a spiritual dimension to anything that is a physical reality. The human body needs food and water to survive, and there are only a number of weeks that the body can do without both and still thrive. As it is with the human body, so is it with our spiritual body. Whether we know it or not, we all have a spiritual body. It is a part of us, ingrained when God made us in his own image and breathed upon us the breath of life. 

We may not yet know it, but it appears to me that the first step in today's extract is to know and recognise the need to activate the spiritual body. Without it, how can I even know the right things to seek for? How would I know what is missing from my life if I am not pursuing the right things? The devil is smart; he keeps men busy and focused, but most times, we do not have the slightest idea that the things we are holding on to are not important. 

We judge on the basis of human approval and applause, forgetting that God is not moved by such things. All God wants from me is to seek after the things that He considers important, and these centre on his nature: righteousness and holiness. Because his breath is in me, as long as I am alive, I will only be truly alive if I am using my life to seek after that which pleases the one who owns my breath. What are my present pursuits and priorities? 

God's promise also stands out. He gives an assurance that all who seek Him in this way will certainly be filled. If I know that I need help, I will seek it the way the one who can help me has laid it down. If I seek filling, I must seek the right stuff, and in the right way. Hunger and thirst are deep desires that cannot be satisfied by any other thing except that which is appropriate and fitting for the need. God is able and sufficient for all needs, but I must seek Him with all that I am amd and have, sk that I can get all that He is and has. My life will definitely be better for it. God's time of favour is here. 

Treasure!

Treasure!

A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. Luke 6:45 KJV

For all who are engaged in agriculture, particularly around the planting of trees that produce fruit, the desire for good fruit must push you to find good seed. The foundation for good fruit is good seed. You cannot settle for just any kind of seed, unless you are not really bothered about the quality and quantity of the seed you desire. Of course, it is also important to note that it is the kind of fruit you desire that drives you to seek the kind of seed that will lead to that fruit. I cannot desire oranges and be seeking for corn seeds. The expectation of fruit drives the pursuit for seed. What is it that I desire as fruits from my life? Am I content with just about anything proceeding out of my life, or am I deliberate about the seed that goes into my life, so that I can produce good fruit? 

In the event that it was not clear the first time, please note: Jesus was speaking here to his disciples, not to the crowd. Knowing and following Jesus are fundamental requirements to the end result described in today's extract. The crowd and multitude will struggle with it, because its demands are unique. If I want good fruit, I will also be careful about weeds, bugs, too much water, fertilizer and other things. I must cultivate the land carefully, plant the seed at the right time, and provide it with nutrients and protection, so that it can lead to good fruit. I do not plant and go to sleep;  there are other people who are waiting for the smallest evidence of growth to pluck it out and sometimes go and re-plant elsewhere, or simply destroy out of spite. 

When you see a life produce good fruit, it is because there has been investment in the seed; it does not happen automatically. There is no magic to good fruit; just dedication to duty, and constant attention to what happens to the seed. The seed is the Word of God; and its impact on my heart defines what my life produces. I do not get to be called 'good' unless and until the quality of my fruit is seen. Until I open my heart, life and lips, there is no way to determine the quality of my fruit. The mouth cannot speak of that which has not been first cultivated and nurtured in the heart. This is why the Word of God warns me to guard my heart with all diligence; from it proceeds the issues of life, and of course, of death. What am I cultivating at the moment?

My heart is like a storehouse; during my lifetime, a lot of things will pass through it. Some will touch very briefly; others will find a place of abode. Some will remain on the periphery, seeking opportunities such as anxiety or fear to penetrate. I cannot produce that which has not yet been cultivated; I cannot give what I do not have. That which men see, hear or read of me is the mirror into my heart. For a child of God, it has to be the right stuff; I have to look, sound and appear like one who has the seed of God living in him. I take stock again today; what is the state of my heart? What seeds am I cultivating? If I were to be forced to eat the fruit of my own life, will I relish or hate it? God's time of favour is here.     

 

Reciprocate!

Reciprocate!

This is how we know what love is: Christ gave his life for us. We too, then, ought to give our lives for others! 1 Jn 3:16 GNT

As we usually do, it is best to look at how a principle is defined, so we can make informed choices based on our understanding of that principle. The principle in focus today is LOVE. The world has a definition and the word of God also has its own definition too. The world will always define a thing from the perspective of what it can get out, while the word of God usually defines the same thing from the perspective of what it has first given, before it makes a demand. The world will even make a demand where it has not invested anything, which is why it is not a suprise that those who live by the world's definition are usually too confused and distracted to make meaningful decisions. Which one drives you: the Word or the world? 

Having made this distinction, we see love from the perspective of God: He first gave. He did not just give something to bribe us to loyalty, but He gave his best: His own Son. He could have given anything else, but a God who will demand our all first laid down the perfect example for us by giving himself, his all, His Son. If he has given his all, what else is left to give? Christ came to die for the sin of the world, even of those yet unborn at the time. Imagine being given a trust fund at birth, from which you can draw from at any time till death. That is what we have received.  Remember however that receipt of this gift leads to a demand from us, as is seen in the same verse above. What does God want from me? 

Having loved me this much, the least God expects me to do is love other people the same way I have been loved. I can't give what I don't have, but that which I have received must flow out of me into other people's lives. It will be an unfortunate if I am like the Dead sea, content to take and never willing to give. After a while, that which I have is stale, because it is not refreshed and renewed. Only by giving out love can I get even more in return. It is this giving of love that proves that we are the children of God. This is how we bring the message about Christ to life, and change the world's perspective about Christ. Can I give my life for the sake of other people? Can I spend my life in the service of other people? 

Without sounding extreme, can I lay down my life to see others come to the saving knowledge of Jesus? Can I leave my comfort zone, to show forth the light of Christ to places and people that do not yet know Him? Does the love of God compel me to seek the eternal good of other people, or am I content being the only one in my society heading to heaven, while others are headed in the opposite direction? I ask God for strength to show forth fruit that proves that Christ's love has been birthed in me. It is the message the world needs at this time. Isn't it also interesting that this verse perfectly mirrors the love of God, laid out in another verse by the same John, same chapter and verse, but at different times? John 3:16 is that perfect mirr. God's time of favour is here. 

Right Perspective!

Right Perspective!

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

1 John 2:15‭-‬16 KJV

The world has a certain attraction. If it didn't, the people of the world will not kill to have its treasures. The world appeals to all who are deceived by its offer; it does not show them the full picture, but just the parts that appeal to the desires of men. The fall of man in the Garden of Eden laid the foundation for the attraction of man to the false hopes that the world offers. John wants us to take a closer look again at the world and define our lives by what God demands, not what the world dictates. 

John makes it clear: you cannot love God and love the world at the same time. Both loves can't exist together in the same heart. The things God considers important are mocked by the world, while the things the world celebrates are hated by God. The love of God in a man's heart leaves no room for any other affair or affection. God is a jealous God, as He defines himself, and He will not compete for attention with any other. Who sits on the throne of your heart: the Word or the world? 

Why is the world the opposite of the Word? Both have different priorities down here on earth, as well as different eternal consequences. Check out what the extract for today says about what is in the world: the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. These do not come from God, and if God hasn't birthed or ordained them, be sure that God will not sustain them. I must take a careful look at myself and be sure that none of the things that belong to the world is found in me. 

The danger of the mix is seen in the story of Jericho and Ai. One man's greed led him to bring into the camp what was already cursed, which then led to defeat and the death of his entire clan. Death is the end of all that is in the world and if I am truly a child of God, I will choose my options very carefully. The word LOVE is used, not LIKE, which shows strong affection, and a commitment of the heart. Do I love God enough to make sure that there is no other competing interest in my heart? God's time of favour is here. 

Fight!

Fight!

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12 KJV

Paul writes to the young man Timothy, charging him to keep his focus on the things that glorify God. It may sound normal, but as we now know, following God seems to be quite difficult for us in this generation. We equate following God with zeal, thinking we can get God's attention by labour, striving and activity. For God, the first thing is a walk of holiness, keeping the consciousness of who God is front and center of all I do. This is the key to access all that God is and has. 

In the event that it is not yet clear, let's say it again: following God costs something. I must sort out my pursuits and seek the right priorities. The word used in today's extract is FIGHT. It may sound odd, but God does not do mistakes. If he calls what I have been called to a fight, it is really one. In a fight, the enemy, the duration and the end goal are all defined. You can't be fighting and at the same time, be concerned with other matters that do not relate to the fight. Am I focused on the right thing? 

The other part is to LAY HOLD. As I fight, I am working towards the end goal, which is eternal life. I should not fight as if I am only living for the now; I must keep eternity in view. For all who have come to the saving knowledge of Jesus, this is what God calls us to. When I made the decision to accept Jesus, I told the world that my focus and pursuits had changed. I must let go of anything that will distract me from this important thing. It is the one thing that counts; all other things are only for this earthly phase. 

This is the demand of God for such a time as this. We can't be raising entitled children, who think that being in Christ insulates them from all kinds of trouble. How do I prove the power of God if there is no tough situations to apply it to? I am a child of God; I am his eye, hand, ear, mouth and heart. How I live and what I live for show that I understand the call of God upon my life. The call to Timothy then is a call to me now. How do I respond? God's time of favour is here. 

All!

All!

and thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. Deuteronomy 6:5 KJV

The words of today's extract were spoken by Moses, the man of God and addressed to ALL of Israel. As long as you identified with the people of God in the desert, the words here mattered. Why would God, the One who chose Israel as His own treasure, have to remind it of the need to love God? Like all humans, we forget the things that are of eternal value; we get caught up in the daily grind of life, and forget that with God, only one thing matters, and that is the state of my inner man. All the other things that the world celebrates are very inconsequential; only that which is offered to God in truth is important. 

Moses speaks to ALL the people, and charges them to love God. It sounds easy to say to people who already know or have heard about this God, but as we know, reading, learning or hearing about God is not sufficient; the knowledge of God I acquire must push me to love Him with ALL that I am and have. Why is the ALL important here? Because God does not do half-measures. You either give him ALL you have or you keep your all to yourself. God is not going to negotiate ownership with you; it is either He owns ALL of you or nothing of you. You cannot play both sides.

Moses starts with the heart, and moves on to the soul and then might. My zeal and impact are first settled in the inner man, before they can be made manifest on the outside. Men focus on how they can impress others, or how they can drive attention to their labour. Sometimes, we even demand that God also recognise our labour done in His name; unfortunately, labour, by its own, is not what God wants to see. He is looking first for a heart that is totally surrendered to Him. If my heart is correct, my life's output will also be correct. The opposite is also true. 

The soul is the real me; the might in the physical body applies to seasons and times. A time comes when due to age, I can't jump as high as I did when younger. If the soul loves God, age will not matter. In every dispensation or generation, God keeps a remnant for Himself that ministers to that dispensation or generation. The key is to be sure that my heart and soul cling to God with all that they have. There is no room for alternative or competing interests. All I do must flow from a heart and soul that love God. Does this describe me? God's time of favour is here. 

Lifetime!

Lifetime!

For His anger is but for a moment, but His favor is for a lifetime or in His favor is life. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5 AMPC

A few things are quite important in the verse under consideration here, and the first is that God is perpetually angry at sin. Let no man be deceived: God can and will never condone sin. It does not matter who you are or what you become in God's hand; sin will be a man's downfall if He does not repent and return to God. When I look at the price that God paid for sin, which was the life of his own Son, Jesus, I realise now that if I reject the gift of his Son, then there is really no other hope for me. If I reject the One who could take God's anger away permanently, who or what else will make atonement for my sin? Let it be once more settled: God hates sin, even though he loves the sinner, and would that the sinner turn to Him and be saved. 

The second thing is the proper response to my understanding of God's anger at sin? Where do I stand on the scale of things at the moment? Have I responded to the love of God by embracing his gift, Jesus? It is my response to this gift that unlocks the rest of the verse. I cannot access a favour that I have not accepted its source. I can claim all I want; the key is in the life of the Son, Jesus. He is the One who has paid the price for God's anger, by dying on the cross. He has given me the power to access all that He is. In that access is life; the real version, not the fake one that the world celebrates and promotes. The world will have me believe that life is about possessions, power, position, privilege or prestige, but it is first about the presence of God. Once that is in place, the rest have the right context and foundation. If I don't have the presence, every other thing I have is a waste of time. 

David, who wrote this psalm, knew who this God is. He had personal experience in dealing with both God's anger and favour, so he could sing and speak of both. I must note that God's anger may last a moment, but there is an eternal consequence to sin. There is also an eternal consequence to God's favour. I don't have to labour hard to get it; that is why it is called favour. If I earned it, pride will set in. If I could work for it, I will be entitled to it, but God has so done it that no one can earn it by works, but only by embracing the gift of his son. Where do I stand on this matter? Am I still in the darkness of sin, or have I taken steps towards the light of God's favour? A day of God's favour will more than make up for more than 5 years of weeping and darkness. 

Yes, weeping may seem to endure and persist; there could be problems which just refuse to go away or be resolved. There may be circumstances that seem beyond man's wisdom or manipulation, but God seems to be saying here: 'Just hold on'. No matter how long the night is, it will be followed by a morning of joy. The night may persist in darkness, and the storms and wind may rise, but God is saying: 'The  morning is coming'. There may be things in my life at the moment which seem resistant to change, or just seem to be stubborn, but God is saying: 'As long as your life is in my hands, I can guarantee you a good end'. With God, the morning will bring joy. I await the manifestation of God's favour in my life. What of you? God's time of favour is here. 

Eager, Regardless!

Eager, Regardless!

And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 1 Peter 3:13‭-‬14 KJV

Peter speaks to the family unit: foundation for all that the society becomes. There is a natural presumption that when you do evil, evil comes back to you and when you do good, good also comes back to you. Well, in some instances, this presumption does not always apply. There is really no guarantee that when you do good, you will always get good in return. Even for God, the greatest good He could do was to give the life of His son as a sacrifice for sin, yet with all the good God did, the world has chosen evil by rejecting the free gift. You can't predict the choices everyone on earth will make, but you can be sure that for God, if I embrace His gift, I will surely end up with His good.

There is a level that I will get to that doing good will be the default setting for me, no matter what anyone else does. I don't do good out of a sense of hypocrisy or eye - service; I do not do the good because I want good in return, but because it is all I have. Just like God is called a good God, I also produce good because I am God's child. Each person gives what he has: the child of God gives good. The one with an allegiance to the devil can only give out that which he has: he may become a terrorist and a troubler of the one who fears God, but the one with an allegiance to God need not fear. 

The God who holds and supports the one who fears Him has told me to be happy and not fear. Why is that? It is because greater is He that is in and for me, than He that is in the world. Suffering and hard times may and will come, but like the Great Physician and Pharmacist that He is, God tunes all He brings, permits or allows so that they work out His perfect will and lead to my blessing. It must be for the sake of righteousness, not for personal promotion. It must be something that leads to God's power and nature being made known. I must therefore eagerly look forward to all that God has ahead for me, as Hiss plans are always of good and not of evil. 

God is too invested in me to allow just anything to happen to me. If I am His, a good end is certain. The system and platform of the world are temporarily under the control of the devil, who rules by terror and fear. The devil has nothing to give, except to take that which you have and give you fear. God has all I need and that is why His heart of love and care tells me not to worry about what the world can do. I believe then that the biggest question for me then is: Am I for this God or the devil? Am I living under terror, or living for the pleasure of the One who loves me and has secured eternity for me, and does He know me as His own? Remember, eternity is in view here. God's time of favour is here. 

Mercy!

Mercy!

Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5:7 KJV

What does it mean to be merciful? Simply put, we can say it is to be full of mercy, or to show mercy to others. One thing that also seems to be clear here is that being merciful is not something that can be kept private and personal, but can only be seen and felt when it flows out to other people. How can I be seen to be merciful if nobody can point to any impact I have made in his or her life? How would I be seen to be merciful if there is nothing of that same value flowing out of me to touch other people? And the part that refers to being 'full' of it is also important; you can only flow out with what you are full of. You can't fake it; if it is not there, you can't squeeze it out. 

Another thing that is relevant here is the nature of God Himself. He is seen as the Merciful God, which means He is the personification of mercy. All he does is full of mercy, otherwise, we all would have been consumed. If death is the natural consequence of sin, we would have all died, but His mercy guarantees that we get the opportunity to make a choice to accept the gift of His Son, Jesus, who came to die for our sin, so we could be free from the coming wrath. It is the same mercy that brought salvation that also brings redemption, sanctification, and births a desire for holiness in all who have come to know this merciful God. 

If indeed I have received this mercy, it will show in my interactions with other people. It cannot be hidden; it is not a wonder that Jesus pronounces blessing on me if I am able to show mercy; it means I am a good representative of God. When men come in contact with me, they experience the eye, ear, hand, feet, lips and heart of God. I do not stand in judgment over any man, but by the mercy of God I have received, I am able to relate in grace with another who is struggling, to correct where guided to do so, and to just be there if that is all that is required. I take of all that God is in me, and I affect and impact the world I have been placed in. 

Of course, you cannot live for God and be abandoned by Him. He is a gracious God, who rewards all who stand by, live for and show off his nature. When I give out of that which I have also received, I leave room to receive more. It is the world that teaches men that hoarding is good; how can I make room for fresh seed if I do not let go of the old? As I daily empty myself in service of mercy to men around me, God continues to pour out his mercy still into me, so that I do not ever lack what to give. This is who God is, and His expectations for me. Would I dare make room today for God's mercy? There is no limit to what God can achieve in a life that is totally given to Him. God's time of favour is here.

Say Right!

A soft and gentle and thoughtful answer turns away wrath, But harsh and painful and careless words stir up anger. PROVERBS 15:1 AMP

Whatever comes out of me is a function of the investments I have made inside of me. It will never be about external pressure, peer pressure, parental background, lack of parental care and related matters. These may have a bearing on how I start, but it sure shouldn't define or limit me. Also, how I say what has to be said is as important as what I have to say. I could lose the chance to make an impact or lead a change, simply because I didn't say what needed to be said in the proper way.

I note that both responses are answers, but both lead to two opposite outcomes. For every question, issue or problem you are faced with, there are always two opposing responses. Life will not allow you to sit on the fence, as indecision is itself a decision not to do, say or be anything. If I give a soft and thoughtful response, the results are as stated, and if my response is the opposite, the results will also be as stated. Giving a soft answer doesn't make you weak or soft; it is a product of a life that seeks to speak of God's grace.

BUT, what if my soft response doesn't produce the results stated here? I sense here that the focus is on my own action, not the other party's reaction. I don't have much power over how my actions are defined, but I have the power to decide to act, speak and live right, as God commands. When I obey, I open the door for God to work wonders in ways I cannot imagine. When I obey, the results will always go beyond the NOW, and will impact the future. The power is in my life, in my mouth, in my heart. Is God in control there? God's time of favour is here.

Go!

Go!

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Matthew 28:19 KJV

We call this 'The Great Commission'; with a mandate to specific people to also reach out to specific people with a specific message about a specific person. There is no doubt about who this commission is about; it is not about promoting personal agenda, but promoting the message about Christ, who is the focus of the assignment. Every part of the verse above is important, and we start with GO. I am certain that there can be no going without action or movement. I cannot sit down, fold my arms and claim to be going. Going would require that I leave where I am to where the need is; it could mean speaking, relating, helping, guiding, praying or encouraging, or a combination of all the above, but it certainly will require action in my part. Am I going, or am I content just taking up space, pointing the finger at other people and criticising their approach, with no attempt on my part to get involved?

The assignment is to TEACH. It is not to promote another message, but to promote that which I have already been taught. To teach will first require that I be taught, as I cannot give that which I do not have. We do have people who do not want to take time to learn what the gospel about Christ is, or who have begun the journey of discovery but do not wait to be fully grounded before they teach. I must learn as much as I can, before I can teach others. Even the disciples were not sent out until they had received instruction from Jesus. Dare I do otherwise? I also learn that the audience is ALL NATIONS, no exception. Some don't deserve it more than others; Christ died for all nations, and His message of love is also to all nations. If I am a disciple, I must have his heart to go out and teach all nations. Does this describe my heart at the moment, or do I need to ask God for more grace? 

Nations are all around me: work, shops, school, neighbours, the community. I don't have to be a travelling evangelist to reach and teach all nations; God can bring them my way in the place where I am planted. The focus also is to baptize then in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I believe the combination is very important. The baptism is into union with the Trinity: Father, Son, Spirit. You don't take one and reject the other. You don't choose the one that makes you comfortable and reject the one that pushes you to be better. The message is about the love of the Father, brought to life by the gift of His Son, and then the help of the Spirit to live to please the Father and to live right. The death and resurrection of Jesus is the confidence I have to know that I am backed up by the Greatest power in the world: the power that can reverse the irreversible can change anyone's heart, no matter how vile.

It must be emphasised that this message is for those who are disciples. Jesus was not speaking here to the crowd; at this time, the crowd had all deserted him. Am I a disciple or part of the crowd? Knowing who I am helps keep me focused on the assignment. I also note that it is the great co-mission, which means I am not left alone to fend for myself or sort things out by my own wisdom and power, but by the help, support and comfort of the One who gave the assignment. He never leaves his own alone; His grace is always sufficient. I must also note that there is a measure of a command here; it is not a negotiation, even though I have a choice of response. If I know what I have received, I will have no problem passing it on to other people. The judgment of God in sin, which leads to eternal death, is sufficient motivation for me to reach out with the message of the love of Christ to all people. Am I a disciple on assignment with God, for the salvation of all nations? God's time of favour is here.

Glory!

Glory!

And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.” Isaiah 40:5 NIV

Repititon strengthens memory. When a matter is emphasised, even the normally forgetful retain something. Today's extract again refers to the danger and effects of sin in a man's life; God hates sin, and will punish it, no matter in whom it is found. Let no man deceive himself into thinking that God's mercy will permanently overlook sin; right from the Garden of Eden, we know God's view and treatment of sin. Even for God's chosen people, the children of Israel, when they sinned, God did not spare them. If He treated them this way, can I boast of a special relationship with God that will make me careless about sin? I must avoid sin at all cost; its wages might be high and attractive at first, but they end in eternal death. 

Before God can move in the land, sin must be dealt with. Before I can call on God to make himself known, the path of holiness and righteousness has to be laid out. It does not matter how dry and uninteresting the path has always been; when God is ready to move, there will be a change. No matter how hard the punishment for sin has been, God is able to bring about the change in circumstances that his presence requires to be manifested. We have already established that God cannot be present where sin thrives; if I can get rid of the unrighteous leaven, then God can come into the land and make himself known to all men. When sin has been dealt with in the camp, then we are ready for the mighty move of God in the land. 

Then comes the atmosphere in which the glory of the Lord can be revealed. It will not thrive where sin abounds. Yes, God's glory is not limited by my sin, but my life cannot experience that glory if there is sin. God's glory is not in doubt; everywhere you turn, you are reminded of the might, power and wisdom of the God who created it all. But if my life will reflect that glory, it has to reflect his presence. When God's glory is revealed, it cannot be ignored. When God's glory is revealed, all men shall see it. There is also another level of glory that God seems to be speaking about here: a time is coming when my glory will not require your cooperation. It will be made manifest, whether you want it or not. That time is soon. 

A time is coming when the whole earth will see the glory of God, from one end of the earth to the other. A time is coming when either by free choice or compulsion, I will kneel in reverent submission and recognition of God's glory. God has said it, and as far as I can tell, no part of God's word will ever pass away without being fulfilled. If God says His glory is coming, I must note that there is nothing I can do to stop it. I must just cooperate with Him and let Him do what He has promised. How do I prepare for the coming glory: by surrender to the authority and Lordship of Jesus. He is the manifestation of God's glory and the One who is returning soon. Can I say, of a truth, that my life is a ready vessel for the earthly reflection, as well as eternal preparation for the manifestation of the glory of God? God's time of favour is here. 

Value!

Value!

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalms 139:13‭-‬14 NIV

There are a number of fsctors that drive the value of a thing, and i believe three of them are: origin, ownership and usage. It is possible that someone makes or forms a thing, but he does not plan to own or use it. It could be that the maker has been commissioned to make the product for another person, giving up all rights to the product to the owner who commissioned the product. So, you have a maker, an origin, as well as the owner of a thing, and then you have the planned usage. Tied into all the planning that goes into the making of a thing is what it is to be used for. The one who commissioned the making of a product is the best resource for determining the actual usage of that product. 

In God, you find all three, and more. He is the one who commisons, designs, makes and forms me as an individual. All that is in me, and even that which I have not been given, are all determined by God. He does not make me and then hand me over to another to play with, but He is also the owner of all that He has fashioned me into. There is no template that can be used to replicate me, as all that is in me is an original, including my fingerprints. No other person in the world, as many as we are, with my unique set of prints. As the owner, He also determines the best place for the best display of all that He has made me to be. My value is therefore not determined by what a fellow creature like me says, but what its creator says.

Those points are laid out quite succinctly in today's extract. God created my inmost being, and how he formed it remains his sole prerogative. Even when I look like someone else, maybe because we are members of the same family, yet I am different. Away from prying eyes, in my mother’s womb, I took shape, and then emerged with the potential for growth and impact. In all of these, man's efforts do not apply. There was nothing I could have done to change any of the above, and then I become an adult and then think I own myself and answer to nobody. That is the error that sin promotes, but for all who know who they are and where they come from, the only reaction is praise. That is my usage: to praise the One who owns me.

That simple, yet complex explanation of who I am drives me to appreciate, praise and worship the One who formed me. When I consider who I am, what I am, where I am and the journey of my life, it is clear that a divine hand has been guiding me towards the discover and fulfilment of God's purpose for my life. God's works are wonderful; of that, there is no doubt, and I am the personal and living proof of God's works. I come to the daily realisation that even though there are prescriptions that can aid sleep, there is none that can wake up, not even alarms. It is God who gives sleep and also wakes up. For all I am and have received from God, I am grateful. Are you also? God's time of favour is here. 

The New!

The New!

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV

Paul writes to the church in Corinth, reminding them of the new life and stand that all who are in Christ are called into. Let us break this down further. As you see from the extract above, there is always the power of personal choice. At no time will anyone ever claim that s/he was forced into a decision. Everywhere you see God asking men to come to Him, He always lays it out a a choice and the exercise of freewill. But please note: in every choice is the seed of its own consequences. This is the silent bit in all the choices we are faced with daily: there really is no free lunch anywhere. Whatever it is that is on offer has either been paid for, or the price will be paid for sometime in the future. I get to claim the one already paid for if I respond to the offer in today's extract. 

If any man will respond to the offer and come INTO and remain in Christ, the effect or consequence is that s/he becomes a new creature. I note that the secret to the newness is not hearing, reading or speaking about Him alone; these are all good but they are ideal in conjunction with residence: being in Christ. No matter how much I read, know or learn about claiming citizenship of a different country, until I actually put in an application or align with the requirements, I receive nothing. The same applies in the spiritual: God wants to change my life, but He can't do a complete job if I won't submit to Him or become a part of His kingdom. He is the King of kings but whilst I am on earth, He will not encroach into territory that has not freely surrendered to Him. 

I may not yet have fully grasped the dimensions of what this new life means, but as I have come to know God, it is a journey of daily discovery of who God is. From the passage above, when a man has discovered God, the old must give way to the new. In Christ, it is NOT possible to mix and match the old and the new. It is the deceit of the enemy to push the theory that the only way you can change the world is to be a part of it. Elijah asked the Israelites: “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him."

God also told the church in Laodicea: "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!" You can never do both at the same time.

The new life is the consequence that follows the decision to be in Christ. I note the old is referred to in the past tense as having passed away, like died. It is never to become important or relevant to my life anymore. It must not be resurrected or given time, space or a foothold in my life again. The new is spoken of here in the continuous present tense: it is happening right now, and it will continue to happen until I become all that God expects. It does not appear that there is an end to the newness, as in Christ, your life never really ends; you just exchange the earthly for the eternal. Christ makes all things new, including any life that has been freely given to Him. Is yours in His hands? God's time of favour is here. 

Owned!

Owned!

The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; The world, and they that dwell therein. Psalm 24:1 KJV

Concise statement, but one that has been the subject of so many postulations and theories all through the centuries. Science has attempted to provide a logical and reasonable explanation for how the earth was formed, and even tries to set a definite timeline to its discoveries. There is no doubt about the breakthroughs and advances that science has been able to lay down to make life on earth easier and more comfortable, but there can be no doubt in my heart that none of these achievements can take the place of the truth that is laid out in today's extract: 'the earth and all its fullness belongs to the Lord'. You can accept or reject this truth, but God is not God simply because I agree He is or I want Him to; He is God, regardless of how I feel or what I think. Where do you stand on this matter? 

The story of creation provides a logical explanation for all we can see now. Even if I am a proponent of 'the big bang', how did the bang occur, and where is the template from which all that we see today were copied from? If I am to think of the amazing plants and trees that have been planted, how were the seeds produced or manufactured? As I consider the fact that while I sleep at night here, there is someone on this same earth that the sun is shining brightly on, and looking forward to the cool of the day. The same earth, yet different realities, seasons and times. As I look to the skies, either with my naked eye or with the help of telescopes, I see a world far beyond that which I can fully explain. These are a just a few of the wonders of creation, which make God the unquestionably amazing God. 

I say again: this is not a statement to be debated, but one that just lays out the truth, whether you accept it or not. God says in His Word that ALL things were created by Him and for his pleasure. Even man, the one given authority over all that God has made, was himself also made by God. He cannot create himself, no matter the advancement in science. You may take from that which has already been made, and seek to mold something that looks like man, but as long as the breath of God is not in your creation, it is not the same as the man God created. That breath is the distinguishing factor that makes man different. The entire world, with all its complexities, belong to God. No matter what is discovered today or tomorrow, the seed or raw material was already in place before the discovery was formed or made. 

It was a lie of the devil to come to Jesus in the desert and ask Jesus to worship him in exchange for the glory of the kingdoms of the world. That same lie is still the modus operandi of the devil. He makes big claims, which are all lies, and offers to man that which he does not have. You can't give out the glory of the world if it was never yours in the first place. Man's sin was the key to temporary power given to the devil, but for all who will submit to the Lord, the original owner, you will have the power restored. Don't settle for a lie; seek that which God offers fully and freely and enjoy all that God has provided on the earth that you have been placed. As a representative of the owner of the earth, I have a duty to make Him known. Am I doing so? God's time of favour is here. 

Flow!

Flow!

Instead, let justice flow like a stream, and righteousness like a river that never goes dry. Amos 5:24 GNBUK

Again, it has to be emphasised that sin carries huge consequences. When it comes to God and his nature, sin has no place. Think of this: even God had to turn his face away from his Son, for the first and last time, as He hung on the cross, paying the price for sin, as required by the law. If such a high price is demanded as the propitiation for sin, imagine what the consequences will be for all who reject the price that has been paid. That is the right foundation for the passage that is under consideration today. Israel had sinned, and God applied punishment. It did not matter that this was God's chosen people; as long as sin is in the camp, punishment is certain. 

The above explains God's nature. The fact that he does not totally destroy does not mean that he condones sin. His mercy is the reason why many of us are still here. He warns us about our daily choices, asking us to get it right, so we can end up right. Of course, He will not force me against the exercise of my freewill, but let it be clear: choices have consequences. God lays out the case against his people Israel: they took bribes to pervert the course of justice, oppressed the poor, yet they were looking forward to the 'day of the Lord', when they were expecting Him to return and exalt the nation of Israel. Pray, how can a man remain in sin and still be looking forward to the day of the Lord? 

It is sheer ignorance that makes a man comfortable in sin, and still claim to be looking forward to the day of the Lord. Indeed, the day of the Lord is coming, but it is not a day that sinners must look forward to. It is a day that the Lord will lay down his law, and uphold his nature. It is a day of deep darkness and sadness for all who remain in sin but a day of great joy for all who have upheld God's nature and law. As I take stock of my life again now, where do I stand? Do I consciously promote that which celebrates and announces God to my community, society and nation, or am I lost in the crowd of compromise and complicity, blending in because I am ashamed to be connected to the name of the Lord? 

God's nature is justice and righteousness and it is my sacred duty to promote these. It is time to stop the hypocrisy around mere religious festivals, plenty of burnt offerings, or noist songs, which men will see or hear and applaud, but which, as far as God is concerned, are useless. I must focus on the things that God celebrates, which are justice and righteousness. You can't go wrong with pursuing that which makes God known. My duty is to make them flow, and they can only flow without hindrance when my life has given them room. When I am full of them, then they can flow out of my life to bless the world I have been placed in. Is my life such a vessel or receptacle through which God can be made manifest? God's time of favour is here. 

The Greatest!

The Greatest!

But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. Matthew 23:11 KJV

Jesus always had running battles with the Pharisees and scribes of his day. There was also always a crowd following Jesus everywhere he went. Imagine the envy of the pharisees and scribes, who were the supposed spiritual leaders of the people. However, Jesus taught the crowd a very fundamental truth: 'do what they tell you to do'. As long as what is taught aligns with the law of God, do it. It will not be a good excuse that I did what I saw my leaders doing. The leaders will have their own judgement, and the led will also have their own. I owe it to my eternity to sort out who I will honour, respect and obey. 

Jesus knew the pharisees and scribes well and he described them to the crowd. One of their attributes was pride. Position, power and prestige had made them full of themselves, and they had become praise seekers, not truth seekers. They loved the limelight and the recognition that their position gave them, but they had no regard for the things that God wanted. Well, you have to know and fear God for you to seek to pursue that which honours and glorifies Him. As I take stock of my life now, why do I seek the things I pursue? What is the motivation? Is it for the prestige they promise, or the applause and approval of men they generate? 

Today's extract is one of the lessons that Jesus taught the crowd, including his own disciples. It is a lesson that cuts across all spheres of life. The natural man loves attention, and will sometimes compromise on standards if it will generate applause or recognition. The natural man does not seek after lowly positions, or flow towards things that are not celebrated. The fall of man in the Garden of Eden proves that the pride of life is one of Satan's tools in distracting men from the path God would have us walk. I must audit my life now, and rid my heart of all that seeks after self praise instead of God's praise. 

If we can only seek after that which is in God's heart, we will be free from unhealthy comparison or competition. By Jesus' own standard, the way to greatness lies in service. You serve at the pleasure of the Master. You do not control the narrative or the terms and conditions of the service: it is not given to me to be master of my own destiny; Jesus has already sorted that out. All I need to do is to submit totally to His plan, no matter where it may lead. As long as it is Jesus, it will definitely end well. The title is not as important as the service; I must make my life count in the way that its owner has determined. That is true greatness. God's time of favour is here. 

Proof!

Proof! 

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Ephesians 4:1‭-‬2 KJV

An online definition of 'vocation' reads as follows: 'a person's employment or main occupation, especially regarded as worthy and requiring dedication'. That is the pivot upon which today's extract is based. Paul makes it clear who he is, as well as the nature of the calling we have received from God who calls men to Himself. It is important to note that no man defines this vocation by himself; as long as I had to answer the call of God, I am obligated to respond to the call as it comes, not seek to redefine it in line with my own personal preferences. That is why it seems we struggle a lot with the call of God: we want to say YES, but we want it to be on our terms. Can I say of a truth that I have heard, and responded to the call of God on my life? Do I see what I have been called to do as a vocation, as defined above?

Until I see all my life as a vocation defined above, I will not fully grasp what is at stake here. If I do not see my faith as a full-time job, I will likely embrace compromise at some point when it is convenient to do so. If I do not see my walk with God as a vocation requiring dedication, I could be tempted to live as a part-time Christian: one who is only 'holy' on Sunday, but seeks relevance and acceptance by the world on every other day. It is also called a walk, because it will demand that I move into the world so I can affect it for good. No man ever made an impact sitting on his hands and moping; change comes when I know who I am in God and I take steps to make him known. I have to check my current walking and living: are they aligned with the vocation I claim to have been called into? Remember, God cannot be deceived.

How I must walk is also defined in today's extract: all lowliness, meekness, longsuffering, forbearing one another in love. All these words have a place in my vocation. Pray, how do I impact lives if I am proud and haughty, full of myself and not of God? How does God take glory from a life that He can't control or influence? How does the perfume of God's grace become evident, if the life it should flow from is full of anger, rage and bitterness? How can God's nature be revealed and appreciated in a life that has no patience, is easily irritated and cannot bear other people's weaknesses? It is easy to make claims on knowing Jesus, until life has to squeeze that which is in you out of you? When life happens to me, what flows out of me: the sweet aroma of God's grace or the stench of a life that has not been surrendered to God? 

Love is also mentioned, and that should not be a surprise, as love is God's identity and nature. It was love that called me out of sin in the first place, and gave me the vocation I have been called into. It is love that keeps me on the narrow path, even when it is not convenient, and helps me to stay true and focused on God. It is love that supplies the strength and grace for all the other attributes to be birthed and sustained in me. The call of God on a man's life will demand new pursuits and priorities, and take me down a path of grace that I would not otherwise be able to take on my own. The devil knows the value of that vocation, and he will do all he can to distract and discourage. Just hold on; He who calls is faithful and able to keep that which has been committed to his care. Is your life in His care? God's time of favour is here.   

 

The Cost!

The Cost!

And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. Luke 9:23‭-‬24 KJV

Jesus speaks here to his disciples, men who had made a choice to follow Him. He didn't force any of them to follow Him, but for all who did, there were terms and conditions attached to the decision. As it was in the days of the first disciples of Jesus, so is it in our own days. As long as it is the same Master and Leader, and as long as I desire the same impact and end as the first disciples, I must align with the terms and conditions attached to the call of God upon my life. I cannot choose how to live; the process, practices, principles and procedures are all laid out by the Lord and Master who calls us. God is like a benevolent dictator; He gives us the power to choose to submit to His authority. He lays out very clearly the rules of engagement and asks me to learn, know and follow them.

I can choose to submit, or decide not to, but because He is Lord, one day, either by free choice or compulsion, I will bow the knee before Him. I must do so now freely, and enjoy the earthly and eternal benefits of His kingdom. This truth is laid out very clearly in today's extract. First, the power of choice: IF ANY MAN. It is all about the power of freewill. It is given to all men, and all men will account for how the power was exercised. The decision is to COME AFTER ME, DENY HIMSELF, TAKE UP THE CROSS and FOLLOW ME. Did you notice that the word OR is not included at all in the passage above? You can't pick and choose the parts you are comfortable with or the bits that suit the direction you want to travel in. Every bit of the instructions above give the complete picture of what God desires for all who will follow Him. 

Time and space may not permit a breakdown of each part, but what is obvious is that to follow Jesus, it really must take you out of your comfort zone. All that made you tick in the past must now be brought under the control and influence of your new master. Denying myself means that whatever it is I want to do is subject to the will of the master, not what I want. I must take up my cross; not that of any other person. It is an individual walk with God; others too will have their cross, and as we walk together, in line with God's will, we will impact the world we have been placed in. It is not what I do only on Sundays, but daily. It cannot be a yearly affair, done at Christmas, but daily. I cannot do all the above and then miss the final piece, which is to Follow Jesus. All the above is the complete package.

The final bit is a sober reflection on what is really important. Don't go looking for schemes that can guarantee you safety and a long life. How can mortal man give you immortality? How can that which can be killed be used to secure your own life? If I will truly live, and enjoy all that God intends, I must spend my life for the One who is able to secure it, both down here and for all of eternity. Schemes won't work and mere labour is not sufficient. I have to depend on the One who calls, and is able to sustain that which he has ordained. I must just focus on spending my life for the One who can make it worthwhile. If I do, I am assured of eternal life. It has to be for His sake, not mine. It has to be spent for his purpose, not mine. God's time of favour is here. 

Power!

Power!

For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18:20 KJV

You may wonder what power has to do with the passage under consideration today, but as we prayerfully consider this verse, the Lord will make his Word clear. When God created man, there were some words he pronounced that tie into the verse before us for consideration. Among other blessings, He told man to be fruitul and multiply, to fill the earth and subdue it. This means that there is power in numbers but it must be noted that it is not just numbers for the sake of the count, but for three pursuit of the divine purpose of God. If I seek numbers in order to pursue an ungodly end, it may seen to succeed but because God is not in it, you can bet that it will fail eventually. Don't live your life on the basis of what is supported by many people, but by that which God has ordained. 

Based on that early template, God has always reckoned with man in numbers. Even if God calls a single man, just like He did Abraham, Moses, Elijah and Joseph, the impact of their lives will always reach generations of men. Yes, I am an individual with personal DNA but DNA that is connected to my family history. God works in and with a man, but that man is being prepared to touch generations. That is why it is a sacred duty for me to discover the purpose of God for my life. I must seek for and find out the reason why I have been created, gifted, placed and planted where I am at the moment. Two of three may come together in fellowship, but it is important that these two or three are people who know the reason why they are coming together. Do I know the reason why I join others in fellowship? 

There can be no personal agenda or a promotion of selfish interests, but only that which honours the name of the Lord. Remember, there is power in unity of purpose. When we have a common agenda to lift up the name of the Lord, God is glorified. When we come together to sharpen and help each other grow, God is glad to be in our midst. When each person knows who s/he is in God, there will be no quarrels about who does what. All that will be important is lifting up the name of the Lord and getting the blessings of His presence sorted out. Of course, when each person who has known God personally comes in contact with another person who also knows God, think of the power that is available and accessible. No one comes in contact with God and then lives a life without impact. It is not possible. 

The result of our purposeful coming together is the presence of God. Of course, wherever God is, all that He is and has is available. Don't forget: the coming together has to align with the purpose of God. God is not the author of confusion so wherever there are persistent quarrels, God is not being recognised. If He warns and is consistently ignored, He will leave. Imagine a church where its head is absent or where the owner has been locked out. How would such a gathering find God? There is power available in purpose, population and presence, but all have to align with God's will for me to have access to all that God is. He wants to display His power in me, but I have to let Him. That which I do or hold now, are they the sort of activities that God can honour? God's time of favour is here. 

Choices!

Choices!

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23 KJV

There are two parts or halves to today's extract. When you hear wages, you know it is due reward for work done. Wages are earned, not awarded based on connections, influence or status. Yes, wages may lead to enhanced status and all that, but first of all, wages are tied to work done. In this context, God says the wages of sin is death. It means that sin is the work, and death the due wages. Interestingly, from the fall of man till today, all human beings, born of women, have all sinned. It does not matter what family you were born into, or the quality of the spoon with which you were fed, silver or gold, or even the colour of your skin or the language you speak; all men have sinned, and are entitled to the wages set by God, which is death. As hard as this may sound, it is the understanding of this position that leads to the truth of the second part of today's extract. 

If the wages was the final word on sin, we would have had no hope; nothing to look forward to. Thank God sin does not have the final say in our lives. Yes, we have all sinned, but then in came Grace. Grace provided a way of escape from the due wages of sin. Remember, wages are legal; as long as you have worked, you are entitled to due wages. No court of law will allow an employer deny any employee any earned wages, as long as the employee worked in line with the terms and conditions of the employment. The same applies in the spiritual; as long as I am born of a woman into this earthly plane, I am working for those wages. I must not be deceived into thinking that having good morals or right standing with men is sufficient; there is a place for them, but they cannot stand alone. If they could, then grace, mercy and God's free gift in the second half of today's extract will all be of no use.

That second part of today's extract is the reason I am alive today. If God were to apply the wages for sin, I am not sure there will be anyone alive. God's grace works in such a way that when you receive it, you know it is not what you worked for. This is why it is so different from the wages of sin. One is earned, the other is not. One is legally applicable; the other is graciously given. Look at the word 'free'; I do not earn it by connection, capacity or clout, but simply by grace. That free gift is defined very clearly as eternal life; God does not promise abstract things you cannot understand. Remember also that both the wages and the free gift are eternal in their consequence. Whichever one you earn to the end of your earthly life becomes your eternal reality. No man can give you that free gift; a man cannot give you that which he does not have. Life is of and from God, and He alone gives that which is of himself.

As I take stock right now, I need to ask myself: 'where am I on this scale'? Am I at the end of the first half of today's extract, where I am working hard to earn the wages of sin, which is death? See, this is God's view, not mine. You can pick a quarrel with the viewpoint, or you can seek out the One who speaks and makes clear what the standard is. Am I at the second half, where I have taken advantage of the free gift of God, which is Jesus Christ? The name of Jesus is mentioned; God leaves me in no doubt who He has laid down as the source of eternal life. I can either take God at His Word, or take the dangerous risk that God is wrong. He wants to be the Lord of my life, if I will let Him. He will not force himself on me, but if I let Him, He seals eternal life for me. No matter what happens down here, I am sorted for all of eternity. God's time of favour is here. 

Lit!

Lit!

Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. Isaiah 60:1 KJV

A few things precede the verse under review today: first, God will always punish sin. It does not matter how special you think you are; once sin is in the camp, you run the risk of God's anger and judgment. Secondly, it is also the nature of God to show mercy. His nature hates and punishes sin, yet the same nature shows compassion to all who turn away from sin. In fact, it is because of His compassion that we are able to return to Him. If God were to mark iniquity, nobody will be able to stand. Thirdly, God is not looking for impact that will be a flash in the pan; a one-season wonder, but a life that will leave a mark on the earth that will have eternal implications. All that God does is to raise men and women who will his ears, eyes, lips, feet and heart, representing him in all they do. Am I such a person? 

Today's extract flows from the understanding of the above. Whatever it is that may have gone before, God calls on me to arise. Whatever may have held me down: sin, fear, Satan or the flesh, it is time for me to rise up and take my rightful place in God. I must not forget: I cannot continue in sin and expect the grace of God to keep abounding. That will amount to trying to take God for a fool; whose word cannot be trusted. God will never fail to honour his word, as well as all who revere his command. You do not command a man who is already on his feet to arise; it must be addressed to people who may not be aware of who they are and what they have in God. Are there areas of my life that need to hear the command of God today to arise? Do I need to change my present position so I am able to arise?

There is also a command to shine. Now, to shine, you need light. It could have been ignorance of who I carry, or ignorance of what I have become in God that had prevented me from shining in the past, but now, the command goes out for me to arise and shine. The time for God to be made manifest in and through me has come; the time for God's power, might and mercy to be made manifest has come. God is mighty, no doubt, but in his mercy, he reflects his power through mortal men like me. When men come in contact with me, they must see God's grace in all His fullness. When men relate with me, they should know that I have also been in the presence of light. God will be glorified, whatever I do, but my life will be easier if I just fully cooperate and let God flow through me.  

The season of the manifestation of God's glory is upon us. All over the world, the mighty acts of God are obvious and He keeps revealing his ways to as many as would seek Him out of a sincere heart. I note that nothing is said about the collective; it is a personal discovery; a very personal walk with God. God is light, so if I will shine, I must be in Him. God is strength; if I will stand, it will only be by His help. God is Glory-personified; if I will shine out with His glory, I must be all for Him. Where do I stand at the moment? Who am I? How is my personal walk with God? All of these questions must be correctly answered, if my walk with God will be correct. The season we are in has no room for being lukewarm. God's time of favour is here.   

 

Cast!

Cast!

Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22 KJV

As I read the verse before us today, I look at the word 'cast'. One definition is: 'an act of throwing something forcefully'. Think about it for a moment: what am I asked to cast? Life is full of weights, burdens and concerns. When man fell for the devil's lie in the Garden of Eden, we gave up God's peace for the devil's machinations. Now we are subject to burdens that were never meant to be placed on us. Now, man's heart is distracted by so many concerns and worries: he has to fret about what to eat, drink and put on; where to live and how to afford even the basic necessities of life. Yes, these may be legitimate concerns, but who, by worry alone, is able to wish all he desired into existence? If worry alone can't change it, why then do we worry so much? 

There are a number of reasons why we worry, but due to time and space constraints, we will focus on what today's extract shows. First, it is about the knowledge of the help that is available for me. If I don't know that I can cast it away and let other people bear them, I will continue to suffer in silence. God never intended for me to be burdened by life's demands, and that is why he gave me dominion over all He created. That is His perfect will, and that is also the second point. Even with man's disobedience, God still had a plan for restoration and that is why He introduces Himself here as the burden-bearer. If He can't hold them, his nature prevents him from lying. If He says He can bear them, it is foolishness for me not to at least take Him at His Word. 

The offer is made: take the step and cast ALL, not some of your cares. He is able to bear all. We sometimes think that God is like earthly rich men who have no time for the mundane. God is interested in the tiniest facet of my life, and if He could give up His only begotten Son for my sins, even before I was physically born to at least commit the sins, then there is no part of me: past, present and future that He is not interested in. All I have to do is simply cast all unto Him. At least, He offered. I didn't go looking; He came to me. I didn't know what was available, but His love wouldn't let go until I came to know Him. Now that I know Him, all of Him is available. I have access to the fullness of the riches of His grace and mercy. That is responsibility and of course accountability. 

Now, this is where it gets interesting. God asks me to cast all my cares on Him, and He will sustain me. Check out the meaning of sustain: 'strengthen or support physically or mentally' and let me also add spiritually. If I have cast all, what then should I be holding on to? What God gives me in exchange for the burden I could not bear is a shared responsibility. He partners with me to impact the earth, which was the original plan before sin came. The work is massive; intellect, ability and connections are secondary. What is key first and foremost is that God is the one leading and directing the work, scope and impact. Whatever it is that He ordains is what He is obligated to sustain. Because I am 'free', it does not mean that I can now do what I like or when and how I like it.

I answer to the One who took up my burdens and gave me a fresh lease of life, a new purpose and direction and a reason to really live. That means that if I will get the fullness of these blessings, I have to align with the conditions. It is the righteous that He has promised will not be moved. He did not say that they will not be shaken or threatened, but they WILL NOT BE MOVED. Even when life happens to the righteous, and the winds blow and the storms beat against the house, all of thess things are defined from the perspective of the One who holds them in His hand. If He plants the righteous, who is strong enough to uproot them? I owe it to God then to sort out my rooting, so that I can settle my standing. Earthly impact and eternal life depend on that understanding. God's time of favour is here. 

Attitude!

Attitude!

But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 2 Corinthians 9:6 KJV

One thing is made clear: the church will always have needs that must be met. The church is made up of human beings, both saved and unsaved, rich and struggling, old and inactive, as well as young and active, and those who are deeply rooted in the teachings of the Word and those who are still struggling with the elementary teachings of the Word. The church has all these people, and its ministry must be to all these people if it has them. Of course, it means that there must be both spiritual as well as emotional and financial resources available to the church. If we all left the needs to the 'church', who is the church? Is it the building we occupy, or the people God has raised up to impact lives? It has nothing to do with the physical space being occupied, but by the lives that have been brought under one umbrella. How am I interacting with the lives that have been brought into my path? 

Giving here is an outflow of my inner and spiritual understanding. Too many times we speak about giving as being good, but we do not emphasize the importance of getting the motives right. Would I give simply because I am asked to, or because I understand the blessing and mystery behind giving with the right heart? It is easy to define a man by the value of what he gives, but as we have seen, both the value and the heart with which a thing is given are equally important. God gave his only begotten son, the widow gave two small copper coins and we know, by virtue of God's own view, that these gifts had very great value before God. I must not focus on impressing someone with expensive gifts; rather, I must focus on my inner man, and how it views possessions. If I get that right, my life will be right. 

Paul lays it out quite nicely: the heart with which you sow is the determinant of the value you will reap. You see, at the heart of sowing sparingly is a heart that wants to hoard. It does not like to share. It sees only its own need, and no other person's. Once I am all about what I can get, it will be hard for me to see what I can give. But if I am free from the bondage to possessions, I can give up anything if a life will be impacted. That life is aware that a man's life does not consist of the abundance of the things he possesses. Networth is not defined by physical currency but by spiritual investment in other people. If I get that right, I cannot but impact lives physically too. All I have that is valuable is seed; I must make sure to sow it right, so my life can be a blessing both on earth and into eternity. God gave his best so I can be his best. I must give my best so I can show off God's best. God's time of favour is here.

Calm in the Storm!

Calm in the Storm!

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Philippians 4:6 KJV

In a world full of uncertainties and inconsistencies, today's extract seems a bit out of place. In a world that teaches the law of the jungle, where it is 'eat, or be eaten', there is a need to re-examine the words for consideration today, and see what God would have us know. Paul was writing to the saints, as well as the bishops and deacons in the church in Philippi, so let us not think he was writing to unbelievers who had no idea who God is, or what He can do. You would expect the bishops and deacons to know better, but this is where God's grace and mercy find expression in the daily lives of men. It is never about the titles of men or the opinions from men, but what God says. I should not be concerned with the expectations or the demands of men, but rather focus on that which God wants me to know. What has He provided? What is He asking of and from me? 

First, be careful for nothing. Easy to say, right? Well, back to the beginning: it is about who lives on the inside of you. If you belong to God, you have a measure of His Spirit in you, and you have the greatest power in the world on your side. It will not always be rosy, but with God's presence, you are assured of joy beyond your circumstances. If my heart is filled with all that God supplies, there is no room for anything else. There can only be room for fear and anxiety if I allow it. Secondly, it is not about passive resistance but about active offence: Prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving. You cannot be filled with murmuring, complaining and whining, and still have room to pray. How can I pray if I am filled with jealousy of another man's achievements? How can I pray if my heart is not freed from the burden of man's expectations?

It is prayer, not murmuring. It is an engagement with God, not a pity party. I can come and cry and tell God everything about how you feel, but I must make sure I pray. It is prayer that engages God. By praying, I am telling God that I accept His Lordship over all that I am, have and experience. By praying, I engage God's help in the situations and circumstances around me. Getting to the calm may not happen overnight, but by consistent practice, God becomes the daily reality of my life. When my default setting is to go to God for everything, I am developing a relationship with God that tells him that I value his friendship and leading in my life. That is the secret to the calm that God promises: not by labour, striving and campaigning but by seeking God in all that comes. When God is my all, He gives his all. What more could a man want?

We make judgements based on human perceptions and the images presented before us. We are distracted by the things the world wants us to see, or the things the world wants us to think we do not have. The world cannot explain the benefits and blessings of the presence of God because it does not have it. That which it has, the world will flaunt and promote. We have God living inside of us, therefore we can face all that the world throws at us. We take advantage of that knowledge, and we go to God for everything. Nothing is too small or too big to take to him. He is the double-breasted One, whose hands are wide enough for all of us to be engraved thereon. I come to him with all that I need, and I know He is sufficient. With God with me, I have all that I need. I can thank Him for all He is, and all He gives ne. What can I lack when all of God is available? God's time of favour is here. 

  

Guided!

Guided!

Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. Psalms 119:105 AMP

The writer of this psalm is not really stated anywhere, but the words of the entire psalm relate to prayers and meditations on the Law of God. The chapter has 176 verses, divided into 22 sections of 8 verses each. In each of the 22 sections, there is at least one reference to the law of God or his expectation or demand from all who claim to follow Him. I am not left in any doubt as to who this God is, what he wants from me and the resources He has provided for me to align with His will. Other dictators will demand obeisance without an commensurate performance, but God matches his demand with His supply, providing the needed help and resources I require to make a success of my life, family and ministry. Today's extract is the perfect picture of God at work in the lives of all who come to Him for help.

God's ideal provision for all of life is His Word. Space and time will not permit a full picture of who and what God's Word is, but the Word of God gives us insight into a few parts of it. The world was made by and for the pleasure of the Word; the Word is presented to us as a living person, who was there when the earth was being formed. The Word is presented to us as flesh; one who, though He is God, left all that glory and was born in human likeness, so He could walk in our shoes and in that same human form, provide us with all that we need to stand unblemished before God. The Word of God goes further to lay down its own eternal, unchanging nature, and states very clearly that when all that we see and hold now are gone, the Word will still be there, because He does not lie and cannot die. What more can be added?

God would not be God if there was no trust or confidence in what He says. His Word says He is watching over His Word to perform it, which means that He does not speak carelessly; whatever He says will definitely come to pass. He stakes his name and reputation on His Word; what is left for anyone when he is found to be a liar and an untrustworthy person? He tells me to trust what He says and that it is His nature, which makes it impossible for Him to lie, that makes it easy for me to trust that whatever He has said to me cannot be broken. It then means that His Word must become my most important search and tool for life. It means that I dare not launch into the unknown without a word of guidance from this God. I dare not move until He has spoken, and once He has spoken, I have no fear about the unknown. 

He wants to guide me; he wants to lead me down the right paths. He wants to be my first and only consideration and consultation. He knows what is ahead, and knows how the past impacts the present and future. When I am uncertain about what is next, or I need light to shine upon the options before me for consideration, God's Word comes in as the standard against which all actions must be considered and weighed. He will never leave His own stranded, or leave them without a sure Word for the current situation. He is never late; always on time and always on point. He wants to lead, guide, help and assist. Will I allow Him do what is His nature to? Would I give him total control? Remember, God does not force a man against the exercise of his freewill. It has to come as an offering freely given. God's time of favour is here.  

  

The New!

The New!

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:18‭-‬19 NIV

It is quite convenient to look at the two verses above and claim them as they are, but the context of the verses may even help to further understand the amazing messages in these two verses. God had punished Israel and Judah for their sins. He handed them over to their enemies, who plundered them, yet God said His people did not seem to learn anything. Yet, for no other reason except God's mercy, God turned around and had pity on His people. He sent a word for their deliverance. It was not as if Israel and Judah had fully realized the error of their ways, but remembered His covenant with Abraham, and his mercy was activated. This is the season for God's mercy; if He were to deal with us according to our ways, not many of us can stand. Sin is bondage; God's mercy has provided a way of escape for us: Jesus Christ.

God sends his Word of encouragement as well as restoration. The enemies who had attacked Israel would become captives themselves; men who had taken pride in their achievements and accomplishments will become fugitives. With God, there is really no room for pride or a sense of personal accomplishment. There is nothing a man has that He has not been given. There is nothing a man becomes that He has not been made so by God. So, God takes pains to explain to Israel and Judah who He is, in the event that they had forgotten. He recounts all the things he had done for them in the past: deliverance from Babylon, even the events around the Red Sea and the destruction of mighty Egypt at the time. He is the same God who did those things, and He is asking me to remember these things. However, that is not where the message ends.

As mighty as these things are, God asks me to forget them. As amazing as they are, God seems to be saying to me: 'They belong to the past.' The enemy of future testimonies can be the amazing present. We can be so focused on the mighty things God has done in the past, or even the amazing things that are happening presently, that we do not perceive what He wants us to see as touching the future. God is saying to me: 'No matter what you think you have seen now, it is nothing compared to what I have in store for you in the immediate future'. He is saying that I do not have to wait long to see it, as He is already at work doing it. Do not dwell on the past; it is limiting and distracting. Forget whatever is in the past; I am at work in the present, and laying the groundwork for the testimonies that will manifest shortly. What is it that I am hearing God say to me? What work does He want me to focus on NOW?

He gives an insight into the amazing work that He is doing now. The places that could never support streams will now have them flowing in abundance. Places that men had abandoned and called wilderness would now have pathways leading to them. This means that there will be things happening in the wilderness and the wastelands that will draw men there. One thing that is clear with God is that location is not as important as His presence. Wherever He is at work, no matter how dry it starts, will become a flourishing place. Wherever God is at work, change must happen. Are there dry areas of my life at the moment, and am I trusting God for a change? The secret is in holding on to and trusting the word for this season. He is at work; change has come, and access is only by His son Jesus. Would you let Him work? God's time of favour is here.