Helped!

Helped!

A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, Is God in his holy habitation. Psalm 68:5 KJV

The Context and Contention:

David is credited with the words of this psalm, and as we know quite well, David's life was full of drama, and his psalms and songs would mostly reflect that drama. In the days when he needed God to save him from death, he would sing about God's protection. The same happened too when the need was provision, guidance or deliverance from death. As I take regular stock of my own life, can I say I know the value of who I am, and who I belong to? God is the One who is and can give me all that I need for life and Godliness, but I have to trust and depend on Him on a daily basis. 

He is called the all-sufficient God. There is no demand on earth so complex that it can exhaust the resources of heaven. If God says He can do a thing, rest assured that He has the ability, capacity and resources to do it. That is the message in today's extract: even in the most distressing of circumstances, God comes through. Even to the people the world would generally treat poorly, or not consider important, God takes a different approach. For all who can trust and hold on to God alone, there is help available, full and free. Can I trust God enough to fully depend on Him alone? 

The Charge and Conclusion:

If God deals with the helpless this way, I must note that if I will enjoy the favour of God, I have to deal with the helpless the same way. The truth is that we all have areas where we need help, because no man is truly self-sufficient. Only God is. The fact that the needs of other people are obvious does not mean I am better off. I ask God to also help me in my areas of lack and weaknesses, and they are many. 

However, I also note one final bit: the description of the God who offers help: He, as well as His habitation, is described as Holy. If you will deal with God, it has to be on His terms, not mine. I have to live up to His expectations. If He commands it, He will give grace for me to align. So, I have a description of God, as well as clarity on his expectations from me, as well as what He offers for all who will come to Him. Now, I know; you also know now; how do we respond? God's time of favour is here. 

Trust 2!

Trust 2!

Commit thy works unto the LORD, And thy thoughts shall be established. Proverbs 16:3 KJV

The Context and Contention:

I note that today's extract says I should commit my 'works' unto the Lord, not my prior thoughts or the intentions and motives of my heart. I consider this and realise that my 'works' are the visible expressions of my inner thoughts, intentions and motives. There are times when my actions are deemed right by some people, whilst others will deem my actions wrong. I realise I really cannot please all of the people all of the time, but because of who I am, who I belong to and who I serve, I need to be sure that the basis for my 'works' are right before the only One whose view matters. Too many times, we have allowed the applause or disapproval of men to dictate our 'works', and because God cannot be deceived, the 'works' do not always satisfy God's requirements for impact. Yes, lives may be touched and even changed, because God decides to use the 'works' for his glory. I must rid myself of all desires to please man, and simply seek to please God with all that He requires me to do. 

That is the bit about committing my 'works' to the Lord. I am telling God that I want my life to impact other people under his leadership and guidance. I do not want to live for my own pleasure, or under any pressure to conform to the world's standards, but to live for the fulfilment of God's purpose for my life. This is the product of a life that is fully committed to God. It is equally also important who you commit your works unto. This is a picture of giving it all up and letting go; not dragging or seeking to share control with God. Interestingly, 'commit' is defined in two places as: ' pledged or bound to a certain course or policy; dedicated' and 'denoting a long-term emotional relationship'. You cannot truly commit to anyone you have not spent time knowing and trusting; this is why knowing God for myself is my greatest discovery. Commitment takes sacrifice; it is not something you do for a while and stop; you must be ready for the long game. It is a lifelong assignment. Does this describe you and I?

The Conclusion and Closure:

Interestingly also, the issue of my thoughts then follow. You have to wonder: why would I first commit my 'works' to the Lord, so that he can then establish my thoughts? Actually, the thoughts control the works, and if God will be glorified by my works, he has to be the One controlling the thoughts. At the heart of what I do is who defines the seeds of my actions. If God controls the works, it is because He already has control of the inner man. If I can trust God to help me think right, then He will help me to do right. Before I act, I listen for divine guidance, and on a daily basis, I trust God to lead me in line with His will. That which I think becomes all that God desires; I seek to please him in all ways. I lay out my life for Him to lead as He pleases, so that my life becomes a platform for the display of His grace, power, mercy and nature. Both the inner and the outer man align; there is no confusion. This is the best use of my life: living to glorify God and make Him known publicly. He will glorify Himself in me, and make me a blessing to the generation He has planted me in. God's time of favour is here. 

 

Trust!

Trust!

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths.

Proverbs 3:5‭-‬6 KJV

The Context and Charge:

These words seem to be attributed to Solomon, the wisest king of his time. He did not study at the feet of any great teacher, but He had the blessings of the God of wisdom. The book of proverbs is full of one-line messages, and today's extract is full of one-line messages. The first one deals with trust; you cannot trust someone you have not spent time knowing and learning about His ways and acts. You do not arrive there by accident, but by careful, daily and consistent learning.

If I am charged to trust God with all my heart, it is not enough to go halfway and stop. I deny myself the earthly and eternal benefits of trust when my whole heart is not committed to it. It has to be the whole thing, or nothing at all. I cannot lean on my own understanding because I am limited in all aspects of life. I do not have the faintest idea of what the next second brings, so I need the help of the One who formed time and controls all of it. He wants to help, but I must let Him. I cannot be in charge of my life, expecting God to stamp my own ideas; it has to be Him running the show. 

The Conclusion and Comfort:

I have the assurance that if I let Him, He will not let go. If I acknowledge Him in all ways, I will be directed and led aright in all ways. I note that the word ALL is used quite extensively in today's extract, which again shows that God does not do half measures. Check out all the men and women of the bible and you will see the effect of total or partial commitment to God. If I want to see all of God's grace, I must leave all the confidence in man-made schemes. They have always failed, and no matter the lies the devil will have us believe, they will continue to fail. Trust in God; the benefits are eternal. God's time of favour is here. 

The Greatest!

The Greatest!

And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

1 Corinthians 13:13 KJV

The Context:

Paul writes to the church in Corinth, highlighting the principles, practices and peculiarities of the personality of charity, called love in other versions. He very clearly lays out what love is and what it is not. He leaves us in no doubt as to the true measure of what love from God's perspective is: it has to look like God. The perfect example has been laid out and only that which is in line with the example will be blessed by God. I can make all the right noises and even know what the practices are; if it is not the real thing, it can never pass as the real thing. So, I check my life again: is what my life professing in line with what God is demanding? 

The Charge:

Love is the greatest. Other practices of faith are very important, such as faith and hope. They are all central to the Christian faith, but love is presented as the greatest. Faith is first personal, before it ever flows out in public service. Hope is never seen in its raw form, but its presence is seen from the private and public life of the person who has it. The man with faith and hope is full of life and vitality, because there is someone in him who keeps him focused and committed. Yet, one day soon, when the mortal gives way to immortality, faith and hope will find fulfilment, and be of no more use. The end of faith and hope is eternal life; they keep our eye on that which is truly important. 

The Conclusion:

Love, on the other hand, has no such limitation. No matter the side of eternity you stand, love is relevant. It is love that brought salvation to man, and it is love that draws the hearts of men back to Jesus. It is love that allows faith and hope find expression in and through me. I can relate with anyone because I know who I am and what I have received. Love is the person of God; God also gives hope and helps our faith, but love is always described as God's nature. My faith and hope may not directly be seen physically, but love in my heart cannot be denied. My life will be a visible expression of that love. Does this describe me? God's time of favour is here. 

Even Though!

Even Though!

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, Neither shall fruit be in the vines; The labour of the olive shall fail, And the fields shall yield no meat; The flock shall be cut off from the fold, And there shall be no herd in the stalls: Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk 3:17‭-‬18 KJV

The Context:

Habakkuk had a concern: why would God use people who are more sinful to punish his own children who sin? One of the deep mysteries about God is that He is in charge of the affairs of this world, and He can use anything or anyone to achieve his earthly and eternal purposes. Let it be clear to me today that God punishes sin. He does not condone and will not excuse it. Habakkuk wanted God to punish the nations that He had used to punish Israel, but God made it clear: that's my prerogative. God is saying: However I choose to deal with the nations of the world, that is my business. You just focus on knowing who I am and what I demand from you. 

The Contention:

When you know this God, the presence or absence of anything else does not bother you. The breath of God in us at creation guarantees that we will always seek a higher power in order to make us complete. Some seek after power, position, possessions and other palliatives; none of them can function in the place of God. Habakkuk had come to know this God from a place of personal encounter, so He was not bothered by either the presence or absence of physical comforts. The world will have me define life from the perspective of the physical, but what if the physical fails? Does that in any way stop who God is? Not at all. 2

The Conclusion:

The things mentioned in the verse above are quite fundamental to life. Food is key to life, but God who can fetch water with a basket because He wants to disgrace the bucket can make the usual fail, so that my comfort and confidence can be in Him alone. It is that confidence in God that He rewards, and He is the One who can make all that has failed to come back to life. If He can make an iron axe head float on water, there is really no situation that is beyond His power. My heart rejoices in God, because He is and has all I need for life and Godliness. He can command the earth's resources to come to me. He is the Almighty God. Do you know Him? Does He also know me as His own? God's time of favour is here.

Words!

Words!

Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. Proverbs 16:24 KJV

The Context:

Not much is laid out by way of context for this verse, as the entire book of Proverbs covers different facets of human life. Each verse of the book holds truths that can be blessings to anyone who will follow them. The verse before us today focuses on the power and effect of words. In order to fully understand this power, it is good to take a look at the verse before: The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips. Proverbs 16:23 KJV. It would mean that the words I speak out are an outflow of the lessons my heart has learnt over time. There are really no accidental words; whatever my lips produce is a reflection of the state of my heart. 

The Contention:

It would mean then that it is futile to teach anyone how to speak the right words; what you need to do is to teach them the right heart contents. Focusing on teaching the right words is a waste of time, as long as the heart is not regenerated. Think of this: who taught Cain how to kill, and then lie about it? The human heart is capable of anything, and it is only in the hands and under the control of God, its creator, that it can produce in line with the nature of its creator. The benefits of knowing and speaking the right words impact both the earthly and the eternal: it blesses the speaker, as well as the hearers. It does good to me first, and then the good can flow out to do good to others. 

The Conclusion:

You may wonder how pleasant words are sweet to the soul and health to the bones. Picture the life that you have spoken kind words to, and imagine the smile on that face and peace in that heart. I must seek to make that kind of impact on another person's life. Now, the caution also is this: like the honeycomb, I must continue to work to make it constantly flow. It must not be a one - season wonder, or a one-off commitment, but the practice of a lifetime. I cannot give what I don't have, and I cannot force a withdrawal from an account I have not made any deposit into. Are my words the sort that blesses lives? What do I need to do if I am not yet where I believe God wants me to be? May I surrender my life to God, so that all my life produces line up with God's perfect will. God's time of favour is here. 

Take No Thought!

Take No Thought!

Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. Matthew 6:34 KJV

The Context:

This verse is part of the Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus spoke to his disciples about his father's expectations from all who will follow Him. The focus of the section from which today's extract is taken is on the place of God and possessions in my life. There is no amount of worry, anxiety or fretting that will automatically provide all that i need for life; I don't get all that is coming my way simply by fear. God knows all I need for life and Godliness, and His promise is that He will supply them. I only need to trust in, depend on and obey Him completely, and He will sort it all out. Or is there an alternative to trust in God? Do I really want to find out what the effect of self-help is? 

The Charge:

There is enough trouble for each day God brings, without my adding to it. The pursuit of purpose is a daily thing, and just as God works to bring His will to pass, so does the devil work to frustrate God's will in our lives. God releases brand new mercies each day, but I must seek out those mercies and make them mine on a daily basis. I can't rely on what worked yesterday to process today's challenges; it is a daily walk, not a weekly, monthly or yearly appointment. You can't keep an eye on tomorrow while trying to sort out today's challenges. I must live in today, trust Him today and leave Him to sort out that which is tomorrow. After all, what can I do about a day I am yet to see? 

The Conclusion:

It has to be repeated here that today's extract was addressed to Jesus' disciples then, and is still applicable to them today. It is the way of the people of the world to worry about what they can get for themselves out of the world. The world can take care of its own, but it cannot guarantee eternity with God because it does not have it. Each day answers to the dictates of the One who created it and assigned its priorities. My life is best Iived under the control and direction of that Creator. Plotting and thinking would change not a single thing. God's time of favour is here. 

Attention!

Attention!

For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, And his ears are open unto their prayers: But the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 1 Peter 3:12 KJV

The Context:

Peter seems to be drawing a clear and direct connection between the family life and societal impact. If a husband is able to live with his wife in peace, raising Godly offspring and living in peace with others, this is the foundation of a society that works and glorifies God. If a man is at peace at home, he will attract and dispense peace wherever he goes. What kind of person am I? Is my personal life a reflection of a personal encounter with the Prince of peace? It is not about what I claim, but about who I am and do. I serve a God who abhors hypocrisy and eye-service. My one and only acceptable service must be that which He can bless. 

The Contention:

I may not be married but in my personal life, are people happy that I am in their lives? I may not be rich, but do the things I own control my life? Am I one to pursue my own agenda, not minding the cost or impact on other people, as long as I get ahead? Don't forget what today's extract says about God: His eyes are over the righteous. You can bet his eyes can also see all the unrighteous too; in fact, we are told that his face is against them. If man fights you, God can hear and consider an appeal, but if it is God who fights you, who can argue your case or defend you? He sees, knows and can do all things; I need him on my side for all that life will throw at me. 

The Conclusion:

Now that I know who this God is and what He wants, there is no excuse. If I live right, I get his attention. He will not demand from me that which He has not supplied grace for. If He watches me, who/what can take me out of His hand? If He hears my prayers, what is the purpose behind man's manipulation or deception? If God helps me, vain is the help of man; in fact, until God helps me, vain is still the help of man. This is the time to really consider where I stand with God; the signs of the end of this present age are all upon us. We don't have much time; Jesus returns soon. May He find me ready. God's time of favour is here. 

Seek Right!

Seek Right!

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13 KJV

The Context:

God indeed is mysterious; a lifetime of experience does not give you plenty of information about how He works and why He does whatever He does, but it is clear that He is in charge of all things. Whatever He says becomes the law. He warned the nation of Israel about the consequences of sin, but it wouldn't listen, and so He punished the people. They went into captivity: prophet, priest and people alike. Sin has a high price; God warns that the wages of sin is death, and there is no amount of education, enlightenment, exposure, expertise or experience that will change that. I must avoid a life of sin, if I want to enjoy all that God has in store. 

The Contention:

For those who were sent into exile then, and for those who may be in exile now due to sin, today's message is this: repent and return, and seek God with ALL your heart. It is ALL, not almost all. We deal with a God of absolute knowledge, who cannot be deceived by hypocrisy or platitudes. He sees the deep secrets of all hearts, and he knows the motive behind all our actions. My greatest service to Him isn't so much in quantity, but in quality. He asks me to seek Him, because He knows that it is in sincere seeking that He is found. He has promised, and as we know, He keeps His promises. If He says He will be found, as long as we seek Him in line with the conditions, we get the comfort. 

The Conclusion:

It is easy, and it is hard at the same time. It is easy because that is all God asks for: a sincere search for Him with all my heart. It is hard because the world will not allow our hearts to be still. It will keep giving us alternatives, and if we do not see what we are searching for, we are distracted into seeking the alternative. Unfortunately, the alternative is always a poor substitute for the original, no matter how attractive it may be. Don't settle for the lie of the devil that God is too far away; if he says He can be found, the best I can do is seek Him. The benefits of finding God affect both this present earth and all of eternity. Once I have found God, I have secured eternal life. Have you? God's time of favour is here.

One Lord!

One Lord!

And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one. Zechariah 14:9 KJV

The Context:

A few of the minor prophets prophesied about the punishment of Israel and Judah, by referring to the day of the Lord. That day has both an earthly and eternal meaning, and I will do well to pay attention to both meanings. God hates sin, as He has made abundantly clear in the Bible. There is no man that can say that he has walked away from the consequences of unconfessed sin. As long as God remains God, the wages of sin will be death. I do myself eternal good if I take advantage of this day of the Lord, when I still have opportunity, come to Jesus and take of the blood of redemption and atonement, get cleansed, and then I can look forward to the other day of the Lord which has eternal consequences. I cannot have any hope or look forward to the eternal day of the Lord, if I have not yet sorted out the other day. Today is that day of salvation; tomorrow is really not assured. A day is coming when men will have wished they had taken advantage of the day given them to make the right decision. 

The Charge:

That eternal day draws near; the key thing about this day is that nobody knows what day it is. There is no science to the exact prediction, though God has given us some pointers as to what will happen as the day draws near. Right now, in our day, there are different pretenders to the throne; men lay claim to all sorts of powers and authority, and by virtue of the world's system, they are able to wield some power and influence. Unfortunately, whatever the world gives or secures for you is only good for a while and does not last forever; that which God does is eternal and lasts forever. There are also different rulers over different territories, and except in the context of war, one person's authority does not extend beyond the physical borders of that domain. There is a Lord whose authority and territory is not defined or limited, because it really has no limits. The earth is such a small place that the bible refers to it as God's footstool. If this is the God who is coming to reign, I had better sit up and take notice. 

The Conclusion:

I have been served; now, I know. This is the God who is in control of the earth. On that day, He will reign, and whether by choice or compulsion, EVERY knee will bow before Him and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord. On that day, we will all realize the power of grace; all sorts of authorities rule the roost now, but on that day, there will be only one Lord, and his name one. We call him by different names, but He is Lord. On that day, all the world will know Him. Today, I get to choose of my own freewill to surrender to Him; a time comes when I can no longer choose, and the consequences of my choice become my eternal reality. That day draws near; it comes with certainty. I can do nothing to stop it, but can only prepare properly for it. His Kingship brooks no opposition; I must sort out and secure my total and absolute allegiance today, before it is too late. There is no room for halfhearted devotion or hypocrisy. God's time of favour is here.

 

 

Timely Help!

Timely Help!

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1 KJV

The Context:

Another popular psalm, this one penned by the sons of Korah. There is no background story to the psalm, like some of David's songs, but there is no doubt that the words of today's extract come from a place of personal encounter. Until a man has walked through the valley of the shadow of death and come out on the other side, he may not fully understand the impact of God being a refuge and strength. It is one thing to listen to other people's testimonies, as they help strengthen faith, but it is the personal touch that deepens the personal experience. There is really no substitute for that personal encounter. 

The Charge:

Have I met this God that this psalm talks about? Is He real to me, or he is still the product of my imagination? Life will happen to each one of us, but it is important that we have God on our side as we encounter life. Life is full of unpredictables; we need the certainty of God's power and presence if we will survive to the end. It is first personal before it becomes public. You don't celebrate a refuge unless you have had reason to run into one and be truly safe from certain trouble. You do not appreciate the value of divine strength until you have had seasons of weakness when you knew that if not for God, you would have missed the mark. What's your story? 

The Conclusion:

God wants to be all He can be in my life, but there is a place of surrender that I must come to. His help is free and available, but He does not force it on anyone. He is called a very present help because no matter the dispensation or generation, He is always relevant. These statements in today's extract are laid out for my attention and reaction. I can choose to accept and live them out, or I can reject them and strike out on my own. If the latter is the reaction, be sure that it will not end well. God knows all that today and tomorrow hold, and only in Him am I truly safe. What is your reaction/response? God's time of favour is here. 

Divine Distance!

Divine Distance!

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8‭-‬9 KJV

The Context:

Isaiah speaks of an invitation by God to all who will heed God's call. God does not force anyone to heed; He just lays it all out and asks me to come. The warning, however, is that I do not have forever to make up my mind. Events around the world speak of the end of the age, when Jesus returns for all who are eagerly waiting for Him. There is a time to seek God; when you have found Him, it does not matter what else you don't have. If you don't have him, all the wealth of the world will not save you on the day of God's wrath. That is why today's extract is quite important: I need to align myself with God's divine plan, if I want to end up in line with God's divine plan. 

The Commission:

God's process for dealing with man does not really go according to man's plan. The nature of God is both very predictable and also very unpredictable at the same time: from the time of Adam, what he called sin is still sin in our days, yet he has so many ways to bring his plan and purpose to pass in my life. If He can give over 7 billion people on earth distinct fingerprints, He has over 7 billion ways to solve a particular problem. He does not need my permission to be God, but if I allow Him work, my life will be glad I did. Long before I was born, He has been working out His eternal plan, and if He tarries long enough, long after I have finished my race, and the earth remains, He will continue to work out His eternal plan. That is the power, might and wisdom of the God who calls me His own, and invites me to come to Him. 

The Conclusion:

He made the heaven and the earth yet none can contain or limit Him. There is nothing created that does not answer to the authority of its Creator. God's thoughts are such that my human mind cannot fully comprehend the depths or heights or scope of God's divine plan for me. That which I call bad could be the right ingredient for an amazing miracle. That which I call ordinary becomes very extraordinary in the hands of the amazing God. With God, distance isn't anything. At His command, even the devil obeys. If this is the God who calls me to Himself, I had better respond to His call. My acceptance of His power makes it easy for Him to work out what He wants to do in me unhindered. Would I let Him work? Would you? God's time of favour is here. 

Pure Religion!

Pure Religion!

Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. James 1:27 KJV

The Context:

James lays down some of the tenets of the Christian experience, and as we see from yesterday's piece, trials and tribulations are a part of that experience. There are other parts to the Christian religion, but there is this popular defence that 'Christianity is not a religion'. Actually, there are 2 definitions that are relevant here, and these are: 'the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power'; and 'a particular system of faith and worship'. As we see from these definitions, there is an element of worship and a system to every religion there is. There are acts and practices that make it obvious which religion is being practiced or discussed. So is it with the Christian religion: it has an element of private worship as well as public service. It must be the private worship that drives the public service. All that I do and say in public must reflect the truth of my private devotion and worship. I cannot be hypocritical or pay lip service to the faith; it has to be sincere and true. 

The Charge:

Unfortunately, the nature of the private worship makes it easy to fake it; because there is no art to determining the sincerity of the private worship, men keep up appearances and just go through the motions. We assume that what we see is the result of sincere private worship, but unless God reveals to you, there really is no way of knowing what is true or not. However, one thing is clear: God lays out what He expects from those who claim to worship Him. The output of the life of a truthful worshipper of God will reflect today's passage: it is a life that is lived in service to other people, particularly those who cannot stand up for themselves. The balance is there in the passage: flow out into other people, and keep the divine connection intact. I cannot lose sight of either; I cannot be so focused on heaven that I forget to impact lives, or be so focused on impacting lives that I fail to keep myself from the world's pollution. Both are important, forming the package that is the Christian religion. 

The Conclusion:

I examine my life again today: what is the nature of my connection with God? Does my life reflect the demands of the religion that God accepts? Remember, it is not what is popular or applauded by men that counts, but what God says he desires. When God has spoken, it really does not matter what the whole world says. God placed me on earth as His representative, so the world must know that I am different. What are my current pursuits and priorities? What are the things that take and hold my attention? Are people grateful that they have me in their lives or are they relieved when I have left the scene? Are there people who can be grateful to God for my life of selfless service, pointing their attention back to God, or am I consumed with how people see me? I must remember the one I am called to serve, and that it is a privilege, not a right, to be called into that life of service. Gratitude and service are the right responses to this privilege. God's time of favour is here.

Life Through the Fire!

Life Through the Fire!

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

The Context:

James encourages the Jews of his time, who were now scattered among the nations, probably due to trials and persecutions, to hold on to the faith that they had received. How do you encourage someone to endure tough times, unless you know, by experience, the blessings that come from going through those tough times? James is basically saying: 'Count it as a thing of joy when you are tried and tested'. For James, he had his own personal experience of what walking with Jesus entailed: he was one of the inner caucus of Jesus' disciples; he saw firsthand all the opposition and threats that Jesus faced while on earth. If he did not have the hope of a better tomorrow, or a clear idea that the tough times were just temporary, he may not have had the courage to hold on to the faith that he had received. This is my first charge: I must accept and embrace tough times; they form part of the package that God has prepared for my growth and development. If they do not come, how do I know who I am and what I can endure? If I cannot stand in the days of trouble, it is very likely that it is the days of convenience that will put me in trouble. 

The Charge:

There is a blessing in being tested. My limits are stretched, and the things I thought were impossible become possible. When God pronounces/promises a blessing, watch out for the conditions. In the context of today's extract, I cannot lay claim to the blessing promised here if all I do is avoid being tried and tested. I also note that the blessing actually manifests when I have endured the test. It does not say anything about what kind of tests will come, except that they will surely come. It does not say anything about the duration of the tests, or in what format they will come, or who/what will be used to test me, but I must be sure that the tests will come. I look at the reward: the crown of life. You wonder then, that if my eternity is secured, what is my fate down here? You can be sure that God does not hold anything back from me on this earth, and He will supply all that I need for life and Godliness. He does not want me to just keep an eye on the crown in eternity, while 'suffering' down here on earth, but He wants me to know that He will give me all that will make me an effective vessel in His hands. Is this the God I have come to know, or is there another?

The Conclusion:

It's hard to connect love with trials, isn't it? Yet, with God, one sure sign that he loves me is that He allows me to go through tough times to test and prove that love. It is one of the things about God that is difficult to understand, yet it is also one of the things about God that show his mighty wisdom, power and grace. How do I stand and testify of the grace of God that has helped me to stand, if there are no accounts to prove so? How do people seek to know about my God if there are no personal accounts of his dealings with me, even in my pain? He does not call me to himself for fun, or just to frustrate me; He has a plan, both for the earthly and the eternal. I have to trust His process, plan and procedure for that purpose of His. I also note that there are no collective messages here; it is for individuals. God calls me as a person, and my path may cross with yours, but each of us must find God for ourselves, and allow Him do what He alone can do with surrendered vessels. My eternity will be glad I did. God's time of favour is here.

Secure!

Secure!

I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: My God; in him will I trust. Psalm 91:2 KJV

The Context:

The name of the person who wrote this psalm is not stated, but there is no doubt as to the inspiration behind the words. In these strange times that the world has found itself, these words have become the comfort and anchor for those who have come to put their trust in God. It has to be clearly stated from the outset that, like all other claims and promises we may seek to hold on to, there are conditions to be satisfied. The key to unlocking this verse lies in the verse before it, which says very clearly: ' He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty'. The key is in dwelling in the place where the Most High has defined as his own secret place. It is secret because not too many people bother to find it, or take the pains to search for it. It is the man who has found that secret place, and is abiding there, that can then go on to speak in the manner stated in today's extract. Do not bother to make a claim on a God that you have not submitted to, or a God whose instructions and guidance you consistently ignore. 

The Charge:

The man who has found the secret place and is dwelling there is the man who can claim God as his refuge and fortress. Will God constantly protect a man who does not recognize God as his refuge, and has found alternatives to protection and provision? God may continue to preserve that man's life so he can see the error of his ways, but God is only going to grant full, permanent and eternal protection to all who have come to trust in Him. I must take a honest audit of my life, and really settle the question of my identity, ownership and focus. If God is not at the centre of my life's decisions, then who/what is? If God is not in charge of my life, and all sorts of priorities define and distract my life, how can my life end where God desires? Before I dare stand and make claims, I had better be sure that God himself knows who I am and where I stand with Him. It is quite easy to make claims; the human part of us is permitted to make plans; but God is the One who is able to give life to these plans, kill them outright and establish new plans. 

The Conclusion:

The question of my identity is fundamental here, and is the start point for all that God can do in and through me. Can I say I trust God with all my heart, or are there small reserves of my heart kept for me to deal as I please? Do I have God as my sole trust, or am I able to share the control centre with other masters? Remember, that which is able to dictate terms to me is able to define my eternal reality. If a man allows the devil dictate terms, the man must not be surprised if everything he gets does not secure his life or give him peace. The world cannot give you what it does not have and cannot get; only the Prince of peace can truly satisfy you, giving you all that pertains to this earthly life, and then secures the eternal also. Refuge and fortress show the presence of war. We will contend for the faith down here, but we have an assurance of victory because the one who fights for us - the Man of War - cannot be defeated. He is the One whose name and reputation is at stake here. He does not compel, but He will keep safe that which is committed into His hands. God's time of favour is here. 

 

Tongue or Deed!

Tongue or Deed!

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:18 KJV

The Context:

John speaks to people he calls 'children'. Children have a common affinity with the parents. There will be some form of connection, mainly by blood, then genes and facial resemblance. As it is in the physical, so it is first in the spiritual. We are children of God when there is a blood connection: the blood of Jesus. Creation is the first stage; consecration is the second and most important stage. All of us are created by God, but until you take the step into salvation and consecration, you don't get to be called 'a son of God'. God has already laid out the conditions for sonship, as John 1: 12 says: 'But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God'. It is therefore important to start by sorting out my identity: am I just created, or am I consecrated as a child of God? The world cannot understand love is because it does not have or know God. 

The Charge:

For all who have sorted out their identity, there is a call to a particular lifestyle. I am not called to live as I please, but to live to please the One I look like. I was saved from sin so that I can live by a different standard. The world may have its own definitions and demands, but because my allegiance is to the One who saved me, I live by the definitions and demands of His Spirit. One of such words that the world has tried to define is 'LOVE'. Movies refer to 'making love'; people use it so deceptively these days that it is difficult to find the real version anymore. However, no matter how hard it may seem, or how far a lie goes, it can never outrun the truth. God has a definition of love, and my life will only make sense and have impact when it is lived subject to God's definition of love. Which one do I hold on to? Do I just say it or do I live it out on a daily basis, even if it hurts or is not returned?

The Conclusion:

Love is not first about what I say; the fruit is in what I do. It is easy to form the words, as talk is cheap, but when the demand to look outside myself comes, what do I do? Can I lay myself down for people to walk over me, or am I too important to serve tables? Do I just know the right words, with no idea how to put the words into action? The natural man is naturally deceptive, as God says 'the heart of man is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked'. You cannot rely on the words of the natural man. Love is first and foremost the nature of God, and only those who have their identity in Him can live it out indeed. You cannot give what you don't have, and you cannot place a demand on an account into which you have not first made deposits. If I want to experience God's love, I must first embrace God's love. When I have it, it will flow naturally out of me. I ask myself again: 'Who am I?' The answer will define the output of my life. God's time of favour is here. 

 

Helped!

Helped!

The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; And saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Psalm 34:18 KJV

The Context:

David was a fighting man, but there were times when strength could not help him. He was in the court of a king that could have killed him, but he had the presence of mind to fake insanity, so he was able to escape. One quick lesson for me here is never to rely on strength or force for all that God commissions me to do. God always works in a way to prove that He is God, and He gives victory to all who depend on Him. Life will happen to every one of us; there are times when you have done all you can, yet nothing will work. These are times that who you rely on will shine through, and your inner contents will be revealed. When the pressure comes, what will flow out of you? God helped David and he was able to escape, and then he wrote the words of this psalm. When God does all He does, am I grateful? When God steps into situations that are beyond me, what do I do to show appreciation for all that I have received from Him? I note that my heart is the place of the battle: I must sort out my allegiance and dedication to God in my heart before the trouble comes. 

The Charge:

How is my heart? Can it be described as broken? Am I in charge of it all, or can God make a demand on my heart when He pleases? Having a broken heart is to be helpless; recognizing the power and limits of sin and unable to deliver myself from sin. The human heart is defined as corrupt and desperately wicked and needs the touch of God to bring it to a place where God can use it to do what He wants to do. What is a contrite spirit too? It is a spirit that acknowledges its helplessness outside of God, and is receptive to all that which God offers. It is aware of its past, but is not bound by it; it knows who can help, and actively seeks the help of the only One who can give it what it really needs. Does the above in any way describe me? Am I content with where I am at the moment, or does God need to remind me of where I am, so I can see myself the way God sees me, and then take the right steps towards forgiveness, healing and redemption? Am I self-sufficient, confident in my abilities, capabilities and connections, or have I come to the point where God is ALL I seek?

The Conclusion:

I must note that God will not go against the exercise of my freewill, or compel me to choose Him. He will supply grace in abundance for me to choose Him, but it must come from a heart that has been broken, knows its need and comes willingly to God for help. God says he is near all those with a broken heart, because He alone has the right prescription for a broken heart. He saves all those with contrite hearts, because they are sorry for their past sins and desperate for His help for the future. By and of myself, I cannot overcome sin. By and of myself, the best way to me can lead down the path of disaster and destruction. I need the help and presence of the One who holds the whole world in His hands, and who can make the finest pottery out of broken and battered portions of clay. With God's presence comes a lifetime supply of grace, provision, protection and guidance for all that life will throw at me. Like David, the man after God's heart, I can also say: 'God came through for me when all hope was lost'. May God's help always be available. God's time of favour is here.

Laid Bare!

Laid Bare!

Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23‭-‬24 KJV

The Context:

The psalmist in this chapter lays it out very clearly the value of the human life to God. This is a God who created the entire universe, both the seen and the unseen parts. He is the One who also created man and vested him with all that man is, knows and can ever become. There is nothing new to God, because He is the One who gives man the wisdom and knowledge to create, invent and manufacture all that makes life very comfortable and interesting these days. There are things today which we take for granted that we would have called impossible fifty years ago. In all, the wisdom and power of God is laid bare, but the greatest testimony about this God isn't so much what she has made, but the man who He has formed and given control of all things to. That is the wonder of God's creation; the bit that makes man so awesome and yet so powerless. Man attributes to himself greatness, forgetting that he is nothing outside of the will, purpose and grace of the One who created, formed, planted and fitted him for where he is today. Why does man ever think he can become anything, if God the creator does not allow him? What makes us so proud and full of ourselves?

The Charge

Today's extract is a prayer that all of us must pray. The self in all of us seeks to be in charge, not subject to anyone or anything. Sin has given man a false sense of independence, with man thinking he can sort himself out without help from anyone. The psalmist here, from experience, knew this was not the case, and so, he asked God to search and try him. When God does the searching, He is able to reveal my true self to me. When He does the searching, all hidden motives are revealed. There are times when I will convince myself that I am sincere, but in the light of the Truth of God's light, my real intentions are laid bare. Of what use is self-deceit that leads a man to eternal damnation ? Why hold on to a lie, knowing you are dealing with a God who cannot be mocked or deceived? Am I not better off allowing God to do the work that He alone can do, so that He can go to the deepest roots of my life, and uproot all that He has not planted? This is the only way I can be all that God wants me to be. I may not enjoy the process at the time, but my eternity will be glad that I submitted to the process. Would I allow God work in me, or am I content with what I see in myself at the moment?

The Conclusion:

The end of today's extract is quite instructive; there is an eternal reality at the end of all that we see now. Think of this: would God invest so much of Himself into lives that have no eternal value? Am I living only for this present earth alone, with no plan for the eternal? If all that I have to live for is for this present earth alone, the Bible says I am of all men most miserable. The only guarantee of eternal life is to live as God pleases and directs, not the way I see fit. God can only then direct me when I am submitted to His leading and direction. He can see present and future errors, and he can also ensure that past hurts work out His perfect will. He is not powerless or clueless, as all mortal men are. He is the Almighty, the One who is the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End, and of course, the determinant of all that happens in between birth and death/rapture. I ask God to show me to myself, so that I can see as He sees, and can become all that He desires, and then be able to reign with Him in eternity at the end of it all. That is a life well spent; anything else is a waste. God's time of favour is here.

The Great God!

The Great God!

Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears. 2 Samuel 7:22 KJV

The Context:

David had been a fighting man for most of his life. At this point, the Bible records that God had now given him rest on all sides. For most men, that is the time to be selfish, thinking of how to satisfy the desires of the flesh and live for pleasure only. Not David; there is a reason why he is called 'a man after God's heart'. Rest on all sides for David meant he could now think of ways to serve God more, in this case, build a befitting house for God. The thought is really important: what fills my heart? What are the things that take up my waking thoughts? God loves David's thoughts, and even though God would not permit David to build a house, he promised that David's son would, and as we know, it happened exactly as God had promised. With God, there is a certainty about His promises. If He says it, be sure He can do it. Until He speaks, men are free to speak as they please; As soon as God speaks, it does not matter what any man has to say. 

The Charge:

The words of today's extract are an appreciation of God's promise to David. David was promised an eternal kingship, which, of course, had both physical and spiritual application. Till all of Judah was taken into exile, Judah was always ruled by direct descendants of David. Even in the spiritual, the soon coming king, Jesus, is also from the lineage of David. Again, God does not need my help to be God; He is capable of being all He is by Himself. Today's extract is about God and more - his identity, power, uniqueness, faithfulness, consistency and testimony. It takes personal experience to write these words; how do you know a great God if you have never met one, or seen one at work? If all I know about this God is what other people  say, it is such a poor level of knowledge. I need that personal touch in order to say, like David here, that I know this great God, the one who cannot be compared with anyone or anything else. Have you met this God?

The Conclusion:

David has made this God known, based on his own experience and encounter with Him. Do I have any such personal dealings with this God? The God who knows our hearts and cannot be deceived by outward platitudes and empty words. He is not like mortal men, dishing out favours only to those he knows or likes. There is no basis of comparison because He is a God who does what is unusual, unpredictable and miraculous. Yes, there are gods, but there is only one God. He desires to show himself strong in the lives of all who trust Him. When I hear other people's testimonies about God, I am encouraged because He is the same yesterday, today and forever. No demand on earth can exhaust the resources of heaven. I will also share my own experience of God, so that other people can also be encouraged to seek and know God. The experience will be worth it, for all of life and eternity. God's time of favour is here. 

Representing!

Representing!

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

The Context:

John had cause to remind his audience of the times and seasons they were in, and what the season required. It is easy to focus on the demands of daily life, and forget that which God expects. This is the season of the antichrist, which resists all that is Christ's. One of the fundamental truths of our faith and walk with God is that He sent his only begotten son Jesus to the world in the nature of man, so He could taste what we go through and provide the strength, wisdom and power to live right. Any person or spirit that seeks to deny this truth is presented as the antichrist. If Jesus did not come in the flesh, a valid defence could have been that he could not understand our peculiar weaknesses. As it is, He has all the experience to fully understand who we are, what we are and have been through, where we are headed, and how best to help and support us in that journey, so we can end well. His /humanity is our greatest blessing and weapon for the times and seasons that we are in now.

The Charge:

In His humanity is help and strength beyond our wildest dream. In his humanity lies the secret to our victory. His life has become the template for how to live life and be victorious. His example gives us comfort and hope that just as He made it, we also can make it. We won't be talking about overcoming if there was not a fight. We won't address this as victory if there was no initial battle. This may make for some uncomfortable reading, but nowhere does God promise us perpetual blue skies or earthly bliss without trials. What He promises us is His presence, power, provision, protection and peace. He has been found to be faithful to His promise, and the reason why anyone alive will read this message is because God keeps his promises. I must hold on to this God of promise, because His promises are for those who belong to Him, who have come to trust him as a Father. Can I say, with confidence, that this God is my Father, and I am His child? Remember, relationship is the key to access.

The Conclusion:

It is He who is in me that is greater than he who is in the world. It is NOT he who knows about the one in the world, or who can only speak eloquently about God. Speaking about God or knowing the language of the church is not enough; I must really and personally know this God. Other people's testimonies about Him are also good, as they help me know more about Him, but I must come to know Him for myself. It is that personal knowledge that is the victory over the world. Christ is the wisdom and the power of God; the world has a lot of confusion and uncertainty. If all I know is the world and its systems, I will end up confused. If I know the wisdom of God, nothing of the world can confuse me, because the One who is in me knows all about the schemes of the world. Nothing catches Him by surprise. The victory he gives is permanent, good for this earth and all of eternity. Nothing beats the seal of eternal life, no matter what the world brings. God's time of favour is here.

 

Peace, God's Version!

Peace, God's Version!

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7 KJV

The Context:

Paul, writing to the church in Philippi, was concluding his letter, writing the church of the importance of allowing God work. Maybe it was a church concerned about the things going on around it, and there was some anxiety. It is human to worry about the unknown, which is why God would have me look outside me for help. By and of myself, I cannot do much good, but when I look to God for help, I seek the help of One who is able to calm every storm, no matter how long it has raged or how terrible it may be. Only God can do the impossible. Can I dare place my life in His hands, so He can do what He has already promised to do? 

The Charge:

Today's extract speaks of the peace of God. If I look at the verse just before, it speaks about the importance of putting it all in the hands of the Almighty God. If I will access the peace, I have to surrender to the peace. I cannot access that which I have not subscribed to. Yes, God created us all, but just like any Father, there is a special grace upon those who have lovingly surrendered their lives to Him. It is called the peace of God, because it is possible that the world may sell off its own version to you as well: the type that power, position, privilege, possession and politics seek to establish. Unfortunately, as life has shown time and time again, that which the world sells does not last. It will give you that which it has, and then take the eternal away from you. Only God can settle you down here on earth, and also secure you for all eternity. 

The Conclusion:

It is peace the world cannot understand because it cannot give, duplicate or fake it. It is peace that secures my heart, because it is supplied by the Creator of the heart. When the heart is tempted to worry, it needs to be reminded that the God who rules and reigns over all is able to change the story, and even if the story does not change, can keep the heart from worry. This is the tough part: trusting God does not always remove the problem, but what you get is a calm heart that looks nothing like what it is going through. The key here is total surrender: you can't lay claim to peace, if you have not totally surrendered. With surrender comes possession. Does God rule my heart? If yes, I have peace, God's version. God's time of favour is here. 

Ask!

Ask!

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? Luke 11:13 KJV

The Context:

Jesus made it a habit to pray often; his disciples saw the evidence and wanted the same power. Jesus gave them a model of prayer, laying out the basis of prayer as a relationship first and foremost. We pray to God as a Father, and he answers us as one. All He gives us come from His heart of love and compassiona, and all He has asked me to do is ASK. He demands nothing more or less, and there is a standing promise that as long as I am His child, whatever it is I ask for, I will receive. It does not get any better than this. 

The Charge:

If I have God as my Father, I have access to all He has promised. The most important promise of God is Himself, represented by the Holy Spirit in me. Trust me: no matter what you have now, if you don't have the presence of God, all you have is temporal. God wants to give all of Himself; the question will be if I want to know Him well enough to appreciate what He is offering. For all of life, family and ministry, if I ever want to make impact, the presence of the Holy Spirit is not negotiable. Do I have the Holy Spirit? Do you?

The Conclusion:

Mortal man will do anything for his/her offspring. Man can kill just to make room for a child to occupy temporary seats of power. If as fallen man, we can still be this caring about our children, imagine the heart of the loving Father. All that I could ever dream of becoming or achieving is tied up in the presence of God in me. It is His inflow that defines my outflow. I must ask God, in line with His Word and Will, for the fullness of His presence. God is glorified when I represent Him well. His heart rejoices when I am a visible and audible ambassador for Christ. Does this define me at the moment? God's time of favour is here. 

Helped!

Helped!

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV

Not Uncommon with man: as I read the first line of this verse, at least, two things are obvious: the first is that nothing happens to me that has not happened to someone else before, and the other is that man is the template or the canvas on which God's display of grace and mercy is shown off. No matter what terrible things happen, the assurance is that they are not odd or strange from God's perspective. Yes, to me, they may be hard and unique, but to God, it is all part of the package of my being human, and being dependent on the grace of God. That grace is the reason why I can read the next part of the verse. 

God is faithful: this is the connecting thread in the whole verse: man's weakness and God's strength are laid out clearly. Due to sin, man is prone to temptation, but by the operation of God's grace, help is also accessible by man. It is that unchanging nature of God that gives man an anchor for his soul, so he can look forward to challenges with courage. That statement on God's faithfulness is not subject to any conditions; I can't do anything to reduce who He is, and he will be God, no matter what the world thinks. I can rest assured that this God can take me from where I am to where He wants me to be. 

Above what I am able: this must give me confidence. There is a guarantee that nothing that comes my way will be above my endurance. God is like the pharmacist, who prescribes the medication for my growth and development, making sure that what he allows will make me what he wants me to be. God knows my strength, and He is not a God who is interested in my downfall, or who rejoices when I make a mistake. As long as I am dependent on the grace of God, I can look forward to whatever comes, sure and certain that it will all end well. If all will end well, why should I worry about a bad turn?

Way of Escape: this is God's specialty: doing that which seems impossible. There is no problem that God cannot solve, and time is His own measure, not mine. I count in days, months and years, but God counts time as when it lines up with his plan, whenever that is. When God shows up, years of loss can be recovered in one day. When He shows up, crooked paths are made straight. I lay down whatever it is that is a concern to me at the feet of the One whose love is so great that it cannot see me go to waste. I am in the best hands possible: the everlasting arms. God's time of favour is here. 

The Big IF!

The Big IF!

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1 KJV

There is a big IF at the start of today's extract and it is an important IF. All of God's promises hinge on my full surrender. There is really no eternal promise of God that does not place an earthly demand on me. If I will enjoy all that is promised, I have to align with all that is demanded. Just like promises, so also is access to all that God has provided for life and Godliness. If He lays down a condition for me to access His throne of grace, He will also supply the grace and strength required to align with the condition.

The big IF goes to my foundation and identity. Do I know who I am, who I belong to and what I have been placed on earth to do? Am I risen with Christ, or still dead in sin? Until I rise with Christ, I cannot enjoy all that is provided above, where Christ sits. Yes, there are general provisions for the world: rain, snow, harvest, increase, but these all come to the good and the bad. There is a level of grace and supply that's available where Christ sits, and only those who have surrendered their lives to Him have access to that level.

You don't get it by influence, connection, power, position, bank account balance, or all the other things the world celebrates. It is by your position in Christ: be where He is. That is key. Don't fight for what the world gives, because the world itself can't give you what only Christ can. When I am where Christ is, my thoughts and actions are guided by that position. The earthly becomes the practice ground for the eternal. I audit my life again: where am I right now? With Christ, or with the world? Both have eternal consequences. God's time of favour is here. 

Loaded!

Loaded!

Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah. Psalms 68:19 KJV

Blessed be the Lord, Who bears our burdens and carries us day by day, even the God Who is our salvation! Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! Psalm 68:19 AMPC

Today's extract is given in 2 versions. First, it is established where the source of all things come from. The Lord is the One who makes all things available, and He is the One to whom all praise and adoration is due. The world offers competing and differing views on who is in charge of the affairs of this present earthly phase, and I will do well to find out the truth and align my life accordingly. 

Secondly, what has the Lord done that is so fundamental that the psalmist would have us carefully consider? He is presented as the One who daily loads us with blessings. It is daily and regular, because He is able to give us what we need for each day. He doesn't do stale blessings, but all He does is timely and appropriate for the season. He gives us just enough for what we need, and never too much than what we can bear. And what He gives are benefits, not detriment. He is the God of love, whose actions reverberate into eternity. 

The second version speaks about the benefits we get: he bears our burdens and carries us day by day. I picture it this way: the call of God upon my life doesn't absolve me of responsibility; in fact, it makes me more aware of what God demands of me. He calls me to be His eyes, ears, lips and feet, and the burden of that call must be evident upon my life. He won't leave me to go it alone; He promises to help bear those burdens and He carries me, holds me up and supplies daily strength to enable me function in line with His will. 

He is the God of my salvation. Outside of Him, there is reallly no true or lasting hope. He is the One whose arms reach from eternity to eternity, and seeks lives that He can impact and make a display of. The end of the extract asks me to pause and consider what I have read: an introduction of God, his ways, his works and his plan. You really are safe only in God. His love just won't let go unless you let go to the end. He waits on you and me, and seeks to load us up with all of Him, so we can impact the world with all of Him. Would you let him? Would I? God's time of favour is here.

The Eternal!

The Eternal!

A true athlete will be disciplined in every respect, practicing constant self-control in order to win a laurel wreath that quickly withers. But we run our race to win a victor’s crown that will last forever. 1 Corinthians 9:25 TPT

In the physical, a lot goes into the preparation for a race. It's amazing that a 100 metres race takes at most 20 seconds from start to finish but the preparation for it starts as long as 4 years prior to the race. Whatever the sport, the actual competition is prepared for way ahead of time. The race is not the practice session; if you were not ready before the race starts, you cannot win. It's that simple. 

In the spiritual also, the same applies: for all who claim to know God, we have been called into a race, one that requires and demands preparation. For physical races, your preparation must match the actual competition. You cannot spend time in the boxing ring, shadow-boxing, when you are preparing for a 100 metres dash. Preparation must match competition. Does this describe my life? 

That preparation involves a lot of self-control and strict discipline, taking it one day at a time, while looking forward to the actual competition. You will deny yourself what is convenient, because there is a target in view. As today's extract says, all these are done for a earthly reward that does not last. You are only the champion in that particular race, and next year's edition will require more preparation in order to keep winning. With age comes its own problems too. 

All of the above for a crown that fades; God calls me to a race where the reward is eternal. The crown here is not the type you can buy, or cheat your way into. It is not given, and then taken away after some time. The victor’s crown is given at the end of the 1 race I have been called to, which helps me focus on what is really important. You don't mention victory without a fight, and you don't win if you don't fight. God promises me help to win, but I must embrace his help by aligning with His rules. That is the guarantee of eternity with Him. Nothing else works. God's time of favour is here. 

The Word!

The Word!

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Matthew 4:4 KJV

Jesus too was tempted. Think about this: the Son of God, who cannot be tempted of evil, came to the earth as one of us, so He could identify with us, and provide us with the strength, information and guidance required to live a life of victory. In his human nature, He gives us hope that we are also able to overcome if we apply the principles that He applied and lived by. Let no man think s/he is above being tempted; there is no experience or encounter with God that will keep you from tough times or decisions. It is really odd to pray not to encounter the devil and his schemes. I must keep reminding myself of how Jesus lived; He has all that I need for a life of victory and He can help me overcome too. 

What did Jesus do? He knew and understood the schemes of the devil, and was able to apply the one thing the devil cannot fault: The Word of God. Needs are important, and it is good to eat. After all, Jesus had just finished his fast for 40 days, and was hungry. The next thing would be to eat. At the heart of the temptation to turn stones to bread was pride. The devil knew that Jesus is the Son of God, so proving it was absolutely unnecessary. Be careful of men pushing you to push yourself forward; be careful of a desire to be in the forefront, unless God has placed you there. Is God the source and author of my present pursuits and priorities? Can I confirm that God is behind my current focus?

The response of Jesus is quite instructive: Life is not all about the physical things that go in or out of the body, but by that which God supplies. Bread is good, but it is limited in its impact. It will satisfy a kind of hunger, but there is a deep hunger that all the bread in the world cannot satisfy. That is the hunger that only the Word of God can fill. Men have tried to fill that hunger with all sorts of things: power, position, possessions and privilege, but until the presence of the Word of God is secure, men will continue to labour without eternal impact. Until God speaks, the devil can make all the noise; once God has spoken, it really does not matter what else anyone, even the devil, has to say. Get a Word from God today; He has an answer for all that is troubling me. His Word is the sole guarantee of victory over the devil. God's time of favour is here. 

Turn Now!

Turn Now!

Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:

Joel 2:12 KJV

It has to be emphasised again and again that sin brings reproach, punishment and eternal separation from God. It does not matter who you are or what God has done in and for you in the past; remaining in sin and rebellion towards God is a very dangerous state. The people of Israel here were promised rest in their land as long as they remained faithful, but as we know, it was a constant cycle of repent from sin, return to sin, punishment, then another cycle. Yet in all of these, God did not totally reject his people. This is God: always merciful and ready to forgive and restore. Let none think s/he can live above sin by sheer power or might; we need the help of God to live right, and He will keep providing all that I need for life and Godliness if I will keep depending on Him. 

When he says: 'Turn Now', it means I had turned away before and he is asking me to retrace my steps back to him before it is too late. The events around the world show that we don't have as much as time as we may think we do. God does not measure time the same way we do, and it will do me good to key into God's idea of time so I can access all that He has provided. If I do not turn to Him, how can I see all He desires to show me or what He wants me to do or become? When I turn to Him, all other distortions and distractions have to lose their appeal and attraction. When I turn to Him, my heart must wholly turn to Him. It cannot be a partial turn, with my heart divided between two opposing positions. It cannot be one leg in with God and the other with the world. God does not do partial commitment, as He is a jealous God who WILL NOT share his praise with anything or anyone else. 

The attitude of turning is also laid out here: with fasting, weeping and mourning. A man who truly does these things is not concerned with how he looks to men or what their views or opinions are. He is focused on God, who he is seeking sincerely. Let it not be that I am too distracted by the applause of men that I do not sincerely seek God. Let it not be that I am more concerned with what men say than what God wants. At the end of it all, whose view matters? Would it be that of mortal men like myself, who will also stand for judgment, or the God who will judge all men? This is the God who calls me to Himself, and it is an awesome privilege to be called by the Most High to turn to Him. He has all that I need, and He alone can guarantee eternal life. I am better off with him than without him. If he says turn, He is ready to receive and favour me. He cannot lie, and He will not turn away any one who sincerely seeks Him. Would you turn? God's time of favour is here. 

Satisfied!

Satisfied!

For I have satiated the weary soul, and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.

Jeremiah 31:25 KJV

A quick lesson I observed from the verse above is that all that God has done is indicated in the past tense. Here, He is not speaking about what He plans to do or what He is doing now, but what He has already done and finished. God is One with power and authority, whose words or actions can't be questioned by anyone. He does not answer to anyone, and does not need permission from anyone to do whatever it is He pleases. If He says he has done something, who is He that can question or limit it? God would have me know that He has power to sort me out, if I will only submit to Him and allow Him work.

There are messages for all souls, but today's message is for the weary and sorrowful souls. What could be the weight that has been laid on your heart? What are those experiences that may have brought you pain and sorrow? God is speaking to you today: He has provided the antidote to weariness and sorrow. In Him is all that I require for life and Godliness. What is the message for these souls: that God is all that I need, and in Him lie all that can solve the problems I have. The perfect solution to the specific problem is provided by God. 

The world cannot give you what it does not have, and it cannot solve a problem that is of its own making. Only God can do what no man can do, and I have to trust him completely by surrendering my life to Him. Remember, He can only sustain that which is under His control. He is the vine that provides the nourishment that the branches need. If I am looking for true satisfaction, God is the answer. His resources are limitless, and no demand of earth can exhaust the resources of heaven. Ask Him for all you need today; his heart of love will give you all that you need. God's time of favour is here. 

Continue!

Continue!

Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; Colossians 4:2 KJV

There are quite a number of action words in today's extract but we start with clarity on the target of these words. Paul speaks to masters, those who had slaves, charging them to remember that the earthly state is just a preparation for the eternal. I must not be so caught up in temporary power, position and privilege that i forget that I am also a servant to God. No matter how 'high' I raise or how 'low' the work I am called to do is, I am a servant, and there are things expected of servants. A few of these things are the focus of today's extract. 

I am asked to continue. Whatever lies at the end of that continue must have been started, for it it continue. A servant must continually draw strength from the One who has it in abundant supply. You cannot continue something you never started, and you cannot start it if you do not know the value. Prayer is the supply of all that I need for effective service. Labour isn't as important as the heart behind it. If the heart is wrong, men may applaud, but if God does not accept, it has no reward. Have I found the secret to a life of impact, which is prayer? 

Jesus understood this power and used it a lot. All who will get this power must use it a lot. And there is the bit about 'watching'. Can a man pray well and still watch well? Actually, that is the right balance. If God answers the prayers, how would you know if you don't watch? He determines how best to hear the prayers, and if I remain connected to Him, I know what the next step is. If He would have me stay still or move on to something else, the secret is in both praying and watching. I can't be so focused on prayer that I fail to watch. 

And in all, there is the bit about giving thanks. I cannot fathom the depth of the love of God who calls me to himself. He is the ruler of the universe, the Mighty Man of War, yet he seeks me out: mortal and weak man. If that does not make me humble and dependent, then I may be beyond help. And I note all these actions are in the continuous tense, which means that I never stop doing them for as long as I live on this side of eternity. I don't stop depending on God, and death or rapture is just a transfer to eternal life and peace with God. This is the God that Paul introduces here. Have you met Him? Does He supply all that you need, or are there other viable options? Remember, He only sustains that which is entrusted to Him. God's time of favour is here. 

Confess!

Confess!

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 KJV

John lays the groundwork for the witness that is effective: it has to be personal. In the human court of law. eyewitness accounts are the strongest testimonies. Hearsay is not admissible. If this is the rule for human courts, imagine how it also applies to God's court. He wants me to come to a personal knowledge and experience of Him; the testimonies of other people's experiences are good, but I must have my own. When I stand to speak, the strength of my convictions will be revealed by the depth of my personal experience. I can make up the stories as I go on, but there will always be a test that will prove the worth of that which I hold on to. Fellowship with God will impact my daily decisions, pursuits and priorities. Have I met this God that John speaks about here, the One who craves fellowship with me, so He can pour of Himself into me?

The secret to all of these treasures is to hate what He hates and love what He loves. At least, His Word makes it clear that God hates sin. He has made adequate provision for sin by the blood of his Son, Jesus who knew no sin. His sacrifice is the perfect antidote to the power and effect of sin, and it is sufficient for all generations, but there is a key: Confession. This is where it gets personal: I cannot confess on your behalf, as I cannot go to heaven or hell on your behalf. It is a personal experience, and it is by confessing my sins and forsaking them that I access the forgiveness that is available with God. As we know, God does not make promises He does not intend to keep; if He says it, He can do it. Confession is my admission that I cannot help myself and that all I need is found in Him alone. Have I come to that point yet?

Remember: Confession brings Possession. If I confess my sins, God will forgive me. It is as simple, yet as complex as that. It is simple because that is all that God requires from me; He has not asked me for blood offerings or an arm or leg; just a simple admission that I need help, and a request for God's mercy. It is also complex because it seems that man always wants the hard way: he wants to earn it. Unfortunately, this is one of the many things from God that education, enlightenment, exposure, expenditure, elocution or experience cannot get for you; simply asking God for mercy is all that gives me the new life in God that guarantees eternal life. Would I settle for the simple or the complex? God has done His part; would I come to Him and take hold of that which He has provided? God's time of favour is here. 

 

 

Repent; Refreshed!

Repent; Refreshed!

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; Acts 3:19 KJV

A miracle had just happened; a lame man had been healed. It was not really a new thing in those days, as Jesus was always performing such miracles, but apart from the coming of the Holy Ghost upon the apostles, with evidence of speaking in tongues, this was the first recorded miracle by the apostles after Jesus had left. The first lesson for me here is that Jesus keeps his word; he said that greater things his followers will do, and that is what happened in the account for today, and is happening in our day today. Peter would not pass over an opportunity to remind the crowd about the reason for the miracle: Jesus. This is the second lesson for me: it is the name of Jesus that underpins any miracle or change that I seek. Education, enlightenment, exposure, elocution and experience are all good, but an encounter with Jesus is the only guarantee of a miracle. The greatest miracle is that Jesus, the one who is King of kings and Lord of lords, seeks to come into a sinful man's heart and bring about an eternal change. 

He is still in the business of bringing change, if I will let Him. He will not go against the exercise of my freewill, but I must submit my heart to Him willingly, out of a heart of love and appreciation. That is why today's extract starts with a charge to the crowd then and to us today: 'Repent and be converted'. It is for me to realize I need help and to seek out the One who is able to help me the right way. Repentance leads to cleansing, and then refreshing. Let it be known today that God says the prayers of a sinner are an abomination in his sight. Sin is a barrier to all that God can do in a man's life, and this is why sin must be the first thing I must deal with, if I will see the refreshing promised by God here. The prayer of repentance and daily dependence on the grace of God to live right is key to accessing the refreshing that is promised here. I cannot continue in sin and expect God's grace to abound; the bible says: 'God forbid'. Am I truly sorry for my sins and ready to renounce them, repent and return to God?

Remember, for all of God's promises, there are conditions. Refreshing is subject to repentance. I can weep and cry for as long as I want, but if there is no true repentance, God is not obligated to release refreshing. What would the refreshing from God give to a man who is not sorry about his sin, and does not seek to change? Grace is available, but even grace expires once the earthly phase is over. For every supply that God also gives, an account will be demanded. God has no problem supplying all that I need; after all, no demand of earth can exhaust the resources of heaven. But if he gives me, I can be sure that it will be sufficient, but it will also make a demand for right living from me. Just as Peter spoke to the crowd then, so does he speak to us today: Repent and be converted. There is not much time left; Jesus returns soon. Events around the world prove this. If Jesus returns right now, what state would he find me: repented and refreshed, or unrepentant and rebellious? As always, the choice is mine to make. God's time of favour is here.   

Seek Right 2!

Seek Right 2!

My inner self thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God? Psalm 42:2 AMPC

Yesterday, we established the truth about the kind of search that leads to a good find. Not all searches will give you a good end; as long as the source of the supply and sustenance is not God, it will end in disgrace. If I seek after God, the right way, and in line with the principles of His Word, I am assured that I will find him. Today's extract speaks to the same truth: it matters what my search is about. By nature, we have different needs at different times, but we do not always have what we want when we want it. There is however a need that cannot wait: the discovery of who God is. This is an experience that cannot be delayed. Are you seeking for God or are there other things more important to you now?

Check out the psalmist's priority: the search was from his inner self. Too many times, we are distracted by the outer. We focus on making the right impressions, thinking we can get by with human approval or applause. With God, none of these things is important. God is not moved by what men see, but He sees and rewards the true thirst that comes from the inner self, that part that cannot be seen by man. At least, I may be able to deceive others, but I have to be true to myself. I must rid my heart of all hypocrisy and self-deceit, so that God can reveal myself to me. Then and only then can my search for God be true.

This true search must lead to a decision: seek out all that is God's, and make it personal. I cannot be comfortable around sin, and claim I am seeking God. God cannot be found where sin is permitted and unchallenged. I must take stock: what are my priorities? No matter what it is I have laid hold of, I know it is incomplete without God. No matter the value of the things I possess, I know that my greatest possession is to know and have God. No matter how far I wander away, I know God's arms are wide open to receive me, if I can but return to God. He waits for me; would I come? God's time of favour is here.