Declare!

Declare!

The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament sheweth his handywork. Psalm 19:1 KJV

The Context and Charge:

Again, we read of David's words in a psalm. As always, his words are borne out of his personal experience of God. Nothing can beat that which your hands have touched, ears heard or eyes seen. This is why eyewitness accounts are the most reliable in a lawcourt, and not hearsay. For the disciples who followed Jesus and later wrote a few verses of the Bible, you see the evidence of that encounter in their words. What evidence do I have in my own life to a personal encounter with God? Am I all about noise, and not much substance? 

David took a look at his surroundings and it was as if he could see and hear the heavens speak. He could hear them declare the glory of God. You stand outside one day and watch the sun rise and set, and the moon emerge at night and see if you will not be amazed at the wonderful creation of God. The sun comes out in its glory, and men have learnt how to harness its power for so many things. The moon, stars and clouds all have their functions in the weather and seasons. That is just a small part of the amazing dimensions of God's creation.

The Contention and Conclusion:

There are planets human life has not yet known, as well as parts of the galaxy that are yet to be conquered. Maybe there are parts to this earthly plane that we will never be able to figure out, but all go to show the amazing power, wisdom and detail of the One who formed them all. If all the things you see and hear do not move you to find out more about this God, maybe nothing else will. God has done all He has so that men can seek Him out, and submit to His purpose for their lives. There is beauty and grace in this submission and there is no regret.

For me, what is the decision going forward? If things without human lips can declare God's glory, how much more we who are made in the likeness of the Creator of all things? If I am to be cajoled into praising God, maybe I am yet to fully understand who this God is, and what He desires from me. If I come into God's presence more out of a sense of duty than devotion, maybe I do not really understand who God is. Heavens and Creation play their part; what is my excuse? Can God count on me to show forth his praise to the ends of the earth? God's time of favour is here. 

Ask; God Hears!

Ask; God Hears!

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 1 John 5:14 KJV

The Context and Charge:

How does a mortal man speak with so much conviction and confidence? The only way I know how is from personal experience. It is one thing to hear other people's accounts of God's dealings with them, or to hear them recount the stories of God's grace upon the lives of other people, but nothing can beat that which you see with your eyes, hear with your ears and experience in your own life. That stays with you forever. This is the point where God would have me settle: the place of personal conviction and experience. Is all I know about God only that which other people say, or have I come to know God for myself? What say you? 

This verse was addressed to very specific people, as seen in the verse just before today's extract, which says very clearly: These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God.  It does not leave you in any doubt as to those who can claim the benefits laid out in today's extract. God has enough blessings for the whole world, but there is a different level of grace, favour and mercy that those who believe in His Son experience. These are people who have come to trust in Jesus, who have surrendered their lives to Him and given Him control over their lives. Does this describe me in detail, or is there an area I still need to address? 

The Contention and Conclusion:

Surrender to Jesus births confidence in your relationship with the Father. I cannot be my father's child and be afraid to ask Him for anything. Even if he will say NO, I can still make the approach due to the blood-relationship of Father and child. If this is true in the physical, between fallen and mortal creatures, imagine the impact of this relationship between a loving Father and his creation? Please check the subject of your confidence; if it is not in Jesus, it is in someone else, as there is always a spiritual dimension to our lives. The One in charge defines what I get. We know who we have come to trust, and we know what we have received from Him? Do you?

This is the benefit of the access God gives us: we can ask anything according to His will. Because we belong to Him, his Spirit in us helps us to crave after the things He loves. I just note that the verse ends with the truth that God hears. Can I trust God enough that he hears and will do according to His perfect will for me? Since I have surrendered to His will, I will have no problem accepting His response. His love for me already guarantees I will get His best. Surrender breeds confidence; ask God for anything out of a healthy relationship with Him. You are sure to have his heart and ears. God's time of favour is here. 

Focused!

Focused!

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. Romans 5:3‭-‬5 KJV

The Context and Charge:

Part of the Christian experience is a walk of faith. All that Jesus offers is received by faith from first to last. There are things that are promised that do not immediately manifest; in fact, some of them only manifest in full either at death or rapture. This is why no one can work with God by reason of physical strength, human wisdom or influence; there are things that will happen on this walk of faith that you will need divine help with. One of such things is the experience of tribulations. Why must they happen to those who have already surrendered their lives to Christ? What purpose do they serve?

God seems to be saying here that the true value of my life is seen in the tough times He brings my way. It seems that God is unable to full commit mighty things into a life He has not tested and proven to be dependable. God's gifts and treasures are too valuable to be wasted; He knows that the devil as the accuser will strive to do what he does best: accuse, blame, steal, kill and destroy. God prepares me for all that is ahead; I can face whatever comes. Like the Great Physician that He is, he knows the right materials required for my growth and development, so I can turn out right. 

The Contention and Conclusion:

I am asked to rejoice in the face of these tough times, and this can only be possible when I know very clearly what lies at the end of the experiences. How do I keep focus on the end goal if I do not know the value of the journey? Look at the path that has been laid down for the tribulations ahead: they first work patience in me. It does not end there, as patience always has fruit at the end. Patience works when you know the certainty of what you are expecting. That is why hope lies at the end of the sentence about tribulations. Pity the man who has nothing to look forward to or to anchor his faith on.

By virtue of the presence of the Holy Spirit in us, we have hope. This hope cannot be understood by the world, because the one who holds the world's systems cannot provide or guarantee it. God in us keeps us sane, even when the world around us is falling to pieces. Hope in God can never lead to shame, because He is the One who can make good ALL He has promised. I hold on to God; He cannot fail, fall or falter. His presence makes the pressure worthwhile. Receive God into your life; no one has ever regretted truly surrendering, submitting and serving God. You won't. God's time of favour is here. 

 

Access!

Access!

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

The Context and Charge:

Some statements are not worth much, particularly when you consider the caliber and character of the person who made them. There are also some statements that are eternal in their outlook, direction and impact, and today's extract is one of such statements. How do we confirm this? By looking at other statements made by the same person. Have they also come to pass? Is there any consistency to the principles, policies and processes behind those statements? We have the whole of the Bible, as well as our daily lives, to prove the quality, depth and truth behind whatever it is that Jesus says. 

I cannot take some parts of Jesus' words as true, and reject other parts. If I accept Jesus is Saviour and Lord, I cannot pick and choose what is comfortable and convenient; the full gospel of Jesus is the good news of his birth, death and resurrection, which form the basis of our faith and hope. I must accept the complete package as presented by God, who himself testified publicly at the baptism of Jesus that He was his beloved son in whom He is well pleased. If this is the Son that God backs up and recommends to the world, then I will do well to listen to what He says and align my life accordingly.

The Contention and Conclusion:

He says He is THE, which means that even in the face of many options, he is the only genuine version. Men had stood up in the past to lay claim to deity or supernatural powers, but death has always been the defining factor for such claims. The created can NEVER assume the powers of the Creator. If Jesus, by and for whom all things were made, declares who He is, I must sit up and take notice. What he says about Himself is also specific, targeted and eternal: WAY, TRUTH, LIFE. He is the channel, content, constitution, connection and the conclusion of all life. 

If I want to find God, I must come through Jesus, because He is the WAY. When I have found Him, I need His Word as the TRUTH to guide and guard me as I work and walk. As I work and walk, I am headed into LIFE eternal with God, which is the end of all labour on earth. There is no part I can leave out; otherwise it would not be the full gospel of Christ. I cannot forge my own path or choose a path that is convenient; Jesus has laid down the path and process, and if I will discover, pursue and fulfill His purpose for me, He is all I need. Nothing and no one else will work. God's time of favour is here.  

  

Behold!

Behold!

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

The Context and Charge:

John the Baptist was a prophet in his own right. A lot was said about his birth and mission on earth, but no one could have imagined the impact he would make in the short time he lived. As far back as Isaiah and Malachi, words were foretold of one who will come and prepare the way for the Lord, turning the hearts of men back to the Lord. If it were other men, there could be pride. If it were other men, there would be feelings of importance and superiority. For John, it was first and foremost about the One he was sent to proclaim. He was not about popularity, power, possessons, position or presentation, but about proclaiming the Presence of the Lamb of God. 

What is in it for me today? Am I doing whatever it is I am doing for gain or worldly pleasure? Am I seeking to be known, recognized or celebrated? Am I after the praise and applause of men, or can I consistently point men to the God who reigns and rules in my heart? John was popular, yet it was not about his charisma or dress sense; he wore clothes made of animal skin, and ate locusts and wild honey, yet successful men went to him in the desert. A man with God's message will always command an audience. It could be one or a million, but the man with God's message is not distracted by numbers or comments, but is focused on divine leading, inspiration and impact. 

The Contention and Conclusion:

What has been laid upon my heart and hands to deal with? How do I see the work to be done? Can I daily point men in the direction of the One I work for, if it is indeed God? John was working, and he had disciples too. He was leading men back to God, preaching repentance from sin and baptising men in the Jordan, but when the Lamb of God, the gift that was given to take away the sin of the world came toward him, John knew this was the crowning glory of his life and ministry. He made Jesus known, so that all who were there would know Jesus. In fact, the bible records that his own disciples followed Jesus. 

There was no bitterness or envy, or a contest for recognition; just pure joy that he was found worthy to draw the hearts of men back to Jesus. He knew who Jesus was and he was proud to make Him known. Do I know this Jesus? Do I make him known in my conduct, conversation and the company that I keep?  Is His imprint visible upon my life's actions, decisions and direction? The identity of Jesus was clear to John; he had no doubt about who was coming toward him. As it was then, so is it now. Jesus seeks to come to me, to change who I am into what He wants. Would I let him have his way? God's time of favour is here. 

Saved!

Saved!

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

John 3:17 KJV

The Context and Charge:

Today's extract follows the popular verse that speaks about the love of God that gives. That love made God give up his best: his Son, so that the world could be saved from the power and destruction of sin. His love wasn't the type that waited for us to deserve it; this love is freely given, so that we come to Him out of a heart that appreciates and embraces what it has been given. There is an end to that love though, and it is that all of us may come to Jesus and accept his gift of salvation. Have you responded? Have I? 

This is such a critical juncture in our human experience. The world didn't deserve redemption, but God gave it anyway. He wasn't looking to condemn the world, but to make the world realise it needed God. Jesus came in the form of the people he was sent to save, but He did not share in the Adamic chain of conception, so He could be free from the power of sin, and so be the perfect sacrifice for sin. The gift has been given; blood shed and life restored. Think about this: would God do all of these things and there will not be both eternal benefits and consequences for whatever response I have to the gift given? 

The Contention and Conclusion:

If God has not condemned me, I must not listen to the devil's alternative messages. He has no idea of the fullness of God's eternal plan, so he will try and deflect, deceive, distract and destroy all that God seeks to do in me. All I need to do is embrace all that I have been given, so that I can lay hold of all that I have been given. The price for rejecting this gift is also eternal; if I turn my back on that which was given to save my soul, who or what else can save me? If Jesus can't, who can? 

The gift is for the whole world; do not let the devil deceive you into thinking you are beyond redemption, or that your past is so filthy that the blood of Jesus can't cleanse you. Remember, the blood was shed long before I sinned, so the blood has gone ahead of my sin before God. There is nothing the blood cannot cleanse, as long as I confess it before God and renounce the old ways. It is a free offer to everyone; no one is excluded. What is my response? What is yours? God's time of favour is here. 

For Me!

For Me!

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:5 KJV

The Context and Charge:

Do I know the full story behind the cross? Have I really considered all that the cross represents for me? Today's extract is just a small part of the story of the cross. Part of the story of the cross was the excruciating pain of beatings and stripes. The Bible records that he had a crown of thorns pressed upon his head, and he was scourged with whips. Whether it was the custom of the Romans to treat all criminals this way, it was cruel and mean. I could imagine the flesh tearing up; blood gushing out in several places, and Jesus not taking anything to lessen the pain. Even the people who stood by offered him vinegar, because they could imagine the pain. That is a small picture of the pain and suffering Jesus endured for me.

What makes it even more precious is the fact that at the time Jesus went to the cross, I was not even born. There was no guarantee that I would even accept Him as my Lord and Saviour. God knew that there would be several people who would reject Jesus as Lord till death, yet it did not stop Jesus from paying the full price for sin, for all who will accept the sacrifice and come to believe in Jesus as Lord. This is what makes the sacrifice even more precious. Every part of the experience was excruciating for Jesus, but liberating for me. He died, so I would not have to die. He went through pain so that I will be free from pain. He bled, so that I do not have to die eternally. He would still have done all this, if I was the only one on earth.

The Contention and Conclusion:

This is where the caution, admonition and encouragement come in. My sins took Him to the cross; my iniquities led him to die; the price for my peace were his beatings, and my healing was sealed by his stripes. I note that the entire verse is quoted in the past tense. At the time Isaiah was receiving this, Jesus was not even born, yet Isaiah spoke as if it had already happened. With God, there are no accidents or afterthoughts; we are the products of a love so amazing that redemption was sealed long before we even realized we needed it. That is why rejecting the cross and all it represents is quite dangerous. If God considers the life of His son the perfect sacrifice for sin, imagine the weight of the damnation that awaits anyone who rejects this gift. 

God does not want anyone to perish; His offer of life is valid for all of time, at least until the end of time as we know it now. Healing, peace, joy, hope are all parts to the Life that the cross has sealed for all who believe in Jesus. This faith is the key to access; knowing, reading or hearing about this offer is good, but it is not enough. I must accept and personalize the gift by accepting that I need help, and that the help can only come from Jesus. I must accept Him as Lord and Saviour, surrendering all to Him and trusting that He can take care of me. In Him, I have peace; I can look ahead to all that may come, because I know the One who owns and holds today, tomorrow and forever. What of you? Where do you stand? God's time of favour is here. 

Copy-Right!

Copy-Right!

So if I, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet as well. John 13:14 AMP

The Context and Contention:

The natural man loves power, position and possessions. He seeks it by any means necessary, and will do anything to retain all these, or acquire more. It is not part of the psyche of the natural man to put others first. It is in this light that today's extract makes sense; I have been called to a different standard. I note that Jesus was speaking to people who recognised him as their Lord and teacher. If Jesus is not yet my Lord and teacher, it could mean that this verse is not yet for me.  This is the first and most important step: submission and surrender to the One called Lord and Teacher. 

This submission means I recognise his authority and will do as He commands. His life becomes the example I seek to copy every day. In this story, the example He showed was to do the work of a servant: wash the feet of his disciples. This was a thankless job, as it really had no recognition or applause, yet Christ the Lord did it. He had nothing to prove, because He knew who He was. Service for me must have nothing to do with the status of the ones being served, but with the understanding of who I am, whose I am and who I work for. If I can sort that out, there is nothing else that will be too basic or ordinary for me to do. 

The Charge and Conclusion:

Jesus washed the feet of people who should have been serving Him. He had no status to preserve or image to protect. The only things that mattered to Him were service and impact. What can I learn from this? Let nothing be too much or beneath me that I can't do, as long as God commands it. I must not copy and paste the good actions of people, simply I want to be noticed. There are no blessings attached to eye-service and hypocrisy. Unfortunately, unless the Holy Spirit reveals the mind of man to you, you cannot quickly identify hypocrisy. May I not spend my life in the pursuit of that which God will not bless. 

Like all things that Jesus says, there is always a choice of response. Like He told his disciples here, so does He tell us today, if indeed we are his disciples, to copy him the right way. He does not and will not force me to obey, but if indeed I belong to Him, I do not need to be compelled to do as He commands. There is nothing undignifying about obeying Jesus; after all, service on earth is the limited edition, and is the preparation for eternity. Would I sacrifice my eternity with God, simply because I was too ashamed to serve? Would I risk eternal reward just for earthly recognition? God's time of favour is here. 

Pure Joy!

Pure Joy!

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. James 1:2‭-‬3 NIV

The Context and Charge:

James speaks from experience here. It is not certain if this was one of the disciples of Jesus, or one of the other brothers of Jesus, but we know that he had seen firsthand the pain and suffering the Jews were going through as a result of their faith in Christ. It was to these people that this letter is addressed, and to us too, who are also going through tough times today. Nowhere in the Bible does God promise perpetually blue skies and merriment. Yes, I will have joy, but a lot of stuff will happen to test the source and quality of that which I hold. If it is of God, it will stand the test of time. If it is not of God, I still have time to sort it out and make sure that what I hold is that which comes from God. 

The pain and tough times that the world offers require me to be sure. Today's extract does not make it a supposition that trials will come, but a certainty. And it will not be just the one, but many. Life itself is full of tough situations, so imagine what it is like to go through life without the help of the One also experienced the tough times but overcame. His life has become the template on how to look forward to trials with hope, sure and certain that the trials will work out that which God intends. The devil came at him several times, but He overcame by using the Word of God and being close to his father in prayer. Nothing else is recommended; nothing of this world can defeat the schemes of the world. 

The Contention and Conclusion:

I am encouraged to count it as joy that God sees me fit to face trials of many kinds. He knows I will overcome, and He wants to use my life as a test case for his glory to be revealed. Why joy? Because of the end game. God does not permit anything to come to me if He does not know how it will end. If He allows it, like the Great Physician and Pharmacist that He is, it will be perfectly suited for my person, bringing out His best in me and leading me to the place He has prepared for me. Accidents do not happen where God is concerned; all that comes line up with His divine plan, which is always of good, not evil, to give me a future and a hope, and to bring me to God's expected end.

It is not about me, but about His glory and grace in me. Through my experiences, I become a spectacle of His power and favour, so that men ask me about the quality and depth of my faith. I can share these experiences of God with them, sure that God will take glory through them. I am able to endure whatever comes because I know the One who brings them, and where He is taking me to. The eternal is always bigger, better and brighter than the earthly. I am able to persevere and hold on because I know that eternal life lies at the end of all the experiences. Lord, keep my heart filled with your joy, so I can keep looking forward to all that you want to do in and through me. God's time of favour is here. 

   

Call!

Call!

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13 KJV

The Context and Charge:

Paul writes to the Roman church, speaking of different issues of importance to the church at the time. I learn that Truth is Truth, but I must ask God for grace to learn when it is best to speak it. Paul knew that the church in Rome was struggling with a lot of vested interests, but he knew what was most important at the time was not so much what to get out but who to allow in. My life is a function and reflection of the One who pulls its strings. And whether I acknowledge it or not, there is always someone pulling the strings. The question then remains: 'Who is pulling the strings of my heart and dictating its pursuits and priorities'?

This question is quite important and relevant to the verse under consideration today. Salvation is God's greatest gift to man; power, position, possessions and privilege are all relevant only up to a point, for a reason or for a season. You do not go to heaven or hell with anything you have acquired on earth; you only go into eternity with whoever possessed you and you called upon for help while on earth. If that person who possesses you now is God, you are safe. If it is not the True God, the father of our Lord Jesus, then trouble is ahead. I need to be sure; eternity is too long a time not to be sure of where you will spend it.

The Contention and Conclusion:

The key to access all of Christ is in calling out or asking for help. It sounds funny, but that is it. CALL OUT. You do not call out in your mind by making assumptions that the person will know what you are saying; CALL OUT.  You do not wait until the weather is convenient; CALL OUT. Calling out is a sign that you know you  need help, and the one you are calling out to is the only one who can help. It is one thing to know who can help; it is quite another to reach out to that person the right way. It is an open cheque; an open invitation to anyone and everyone. He does not ask any question about your past, and he does not care how filthy you are; He simply seeks to wash you clean and give you a new, clean start.

Would you allow Him do what He alone can do? Would you call out to Him today? The One who invites me to call on him says He will save me. When I check his antecedents, I see that He can do what He has promised. It is not a measure of probability, but a function of certainty. He is able to save, but this is for those who call out to Him in faith, who are sure and certain that, just as He has said, He will save, not just from sin and its consequences, but also offer eternal life full and free. I wonder: what could be better than this? What else can I get that can be better than what I have in Christ? The name od the Lord is a strong tower, and all who run into Him are safe. That is a promise with eternal ramifications. Would you call on this Jesus? God's time of favour is here.

The Package!

The Package!

for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Romans 3:23‭-‬24 KJV

The Context and Charge:

Two sentences; two different earthly and eternal realities. Two verses, with very different conclusions. Two truths, one with a non-negotiable conclusion, and the other with room for a decision. For all men born of women, the first part is true. All of us were born in sin, inheriting the nature of sin from Adam, our first earthly father. All, without exception, have sinned. We could not earn God's approval by anything we could do, say or offer; even the blood of bulls and goats was just a stop-gap to cover over sin until the perfect option could be offered. We all have fallen short of God's expectations for us. 

However, that is not where the story ends. The next sentence tells us what we have received to counter what the first sentence says. Yes, we sinned, but the perfect sacrifice was offered as a price for man's sin. It came free to me, but it cost God the life of His only begotten son Jesus. We received justification, which is a gift that is fundamentally different from what it came to cure. In line with God's Word, sin rightly required judgment and punishment, which God would have been justified to apply, but his grace spoke on our behalf, giving us what we could not work for or earn and what we did not deserve.

The Contention and Conclusion:

As I read the above, I realize that I have been both advised and warned. I have been advised of the benefits I can access in and through Christ, but I have also been warned about what I stand to lose if I reject the gift I have been given. This is where the caution is: God has done, once and for all, what is required for men to be fully reconciled to Him. His arms are wide open to receive as many as would return to Him, but he does not compel. Like the verses above say, I have received justification freely, without price to me. If it is free, imagine the contempt and disregard many will show to that grace.

If I will embrace that grace, I will enjoy the benefits. It is as simple as that. At the time Christ died, I was not even born, so there was nothing I could have done to deserve him giving his life for me. His sacrifice has gone ahead of whatever sin I may commit, and as long as I repent and forsake the sin, I stand justified by faith in Christ's finished work. Jesus is the key to all these; He is the One whose blood speaks of better things than the blood of Abel. God's grace is able and sufficient for all that the devil may throw at me. I am set free; justified; bound for heaven. What of you? God's time of favour is here.

Right Experience!

Right Experience!

But if [one is ill-treated and suffers] as a Christian [which he is contemptuously called], let him not be ashamed, but give glory to God that he is [deemed worthy to suffer] in this name. 1 Peter 4:16 AMPC

The Context and Charge:

Peter writes these words, and from what we have read and learnt from his wife, from a place of personal experience. For all of Jesus' disciples, as soon as the Holy Spirit came down at Pentecost, all of them went through both personal and public experiences. At least, Jesus warned them ahead of time that their decision to follow Him would come at a cost to them, but for all who stayed on, the benefits were worth it. That is the focus I must have as life happens to me: I have been informed ahead of time that suffering is a part of the faith package; would I surrender my life to the process or would I resist? 

In submission lies the full release of all that God has in store for me. Peter knew from personal experience that suffering as a Christian has both earthly and eternal joy. Remember, this is the one place where the end of the experiences has already been determined. This is not one of those uncertain things. We have the sure word of God that assures us that if we indeed endure all that this earthly life throws at us, we will enjoy all that heaven has prepared for us. As always, there is the element of choice; God does not force me to submit. I must do that of my own freewill? What is my decision then?

The Contention and Conclusion:

The world will define being a Christian as derogatory, but then, the world can mock whatever it does not understand or cannot explain. For those who know the value of the faith they hold, they are not moved by the mockery. Each gives what it has; the world can only give you temporary earthly provisions; it cannot secure eternity with God for us because it does not have it. Being a Christian is to have the hope of eternal life with God, because God has staked his name and integrity on the guarantee of life with Him when this earthly phase is over. For all I know, God keeps his Word.

I look forward to all that is ahead. I give God glory that I have been counted worthy to bear His name. I rejoice that because of his name in me, I have been found worthy to experience some of the things he also experienced while he was on earth. At least, in the English language, you cannot spell or define a Christian without the mention of the One who makes it all possible: Christ. He is the One I must keep my gaze on. He is the One who supplies peace and joy that the world cannot understand, explain or limit. There is no shame for someone who has already secured eternal life with God. God's time of favour is here.

Access!

Access!

Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah. Psalm 24:9‭-‬10 KJV

The Context and Contention:

Again, these are the words penned down by David, the man after God's heart. The issues before David were not directly mentioned, but considering who David was, it could be that he had some long-standing problems, or lingering doubts about the direction of his life. Whatever it was, he spoke under the inspiration of the Spirit to make some declarations. It does not matter how long a problem has persisted; it will only respond to the inspired Word from God. I can spend time arguing, or I can simply speak in faith like David here, and see what God can do. 

Gates signify territory, or they could also signify limits or restrictions. They could close you in, or open up other opportunities to you. This is why I need the help of the Holy Spirit to navigate this life. It is impossible to know all the plots and pits that the devil has dug, and the only way to succeed is to depend on the One who walked the path in the past and succeeded. Like David, I decree that whatever the standing problem is begin to bow to the power and authority of the King of glory. When He wants to come in, there is no force that can stop Him. He is before all things, so all things answer to Him. Is there any area of life that needs to be opened up to this King? 

The Charge and Conclusion:

Remember, you are dealing with a God of absolute power and authority. The problems could have been in place as long as you can remember, but there is a God that has been in power long before those gates or doors. As long as those gates were made or created, they have to answer to the One called the King of glory. He leads an army, beyond what man's numbers can fathom or explain. He is called the Lord of hosts, because the armies of heaven are under his command. 

In order to have a clear view of the numbers we are talking about here, a verse of the bible will suffice:.... and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Revelation 5:11 KJV. A God who can command this number of angels has power all that life can throw at me. He is the only King whose power and reign are not subject to any man's permissions or interests. At his command, the gates must grant him access. I invite Him into my life, so He can do what He alone can do. I ask Him to break down every limit or barrier to the full expression of His power. He is God; my life must reflect that truth. God's time of favour is here. 

Laid Out!

Laid Out!

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6 KJV

The Context and Charge:

Just like sheep, the first man blazed the trail of sin and set the example of the power, depth and consequence of sin. Like sheep, the first man led and we all followed. Like sheep, we were clueless and helpless, blindly following the first man into wrath. Like sheep, we couldn't help ourselves. This is the dilemma of all men born of woman. As long as my lineage is of man, I inherit the nature of sin. None of us is exempt; it took God breaking the natural cycle of procreation to break the chain of sin. A virgin conceived and had a son. This was the only way the perfect sacrifice for sin could be offered. 

He also, like sheep, was led to the slaughter, and he did not open his mouth. Like sheep, he was quiet before his accusers. He willingly submitted to God's plan, so that we also, like sheep, could enjoy the benefits and blessings of the life secured for us by the Lamb of God. He is called the Lamb of God because only a lamb would not voice an opinion or fight its purpose; the lamb is used throughout the bible as a picture of calm, gentleness and surrender. He became like us so He could save us. He died and rose up again so we also could become like Him. It is such an amazing offer. 

The Contention and Conclusion:

Just as we submitted to sin, so did Jesus submit to God's process for salvation. We went astray, but Jesus looked for and found us, and then brought us back to the Father. He restored us to the life we once had before sin messed us up; He paid in full, once and for all, the price that sin demanded, so that we who were the original sinners and the natural inheritors of the punishment could walk away free from those consequences. However, in those words lie a word of caution: If I then reject all that Jesus has done and given, what is my fate? If I turn my back on the Lamb, who will plead my cause?

This is where I have to be careful. The price was paid once; I only have this present earthly life to decide what I want to do with the price. There is the prize of eternal life given out as a result of the life that was offered as a price. The Lamb He is now; the Lion of Judah will he be to us one day soon. Actually, He is both, but a day comes when judgement and reward are the only things that matter. At that time, repentance and return will be too late. I have the time NOW; today is the day of salvation. I must accept Jesus as that Lord and Saviour today, so I can take hold of eternal life. God's time of favour is here. 

Not Here!

Not Here!

He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

Matthew 28:6 KJV

The Context and Charge:

The disciples and the women had just had a very terrible weekend. The One they called master and teacher had just been put through the excruciating pain of crucifixion. All who knew and followed him then had all fled, and even Peter his friend denied knowing Him. He had been put in a new tomb, with its entrance sealed and a guard posted to ensure the safety of the dead body. At least, that's what the leaders of the Jews thought He was. All that could go wrong had gone wrong, but it is these terrible situations that make the story of resurrection even more weighty. 

The women came on the first day of the week to see and anoint the body. They completely forget Jesus had told them He would rise, maybe due to forgetfulness or unbelief. Whatever the reason, even the grave or tomb could not hold Him. The women got to the tomb and all that could physically limit them had been removed: the stone at the entrance, the guard posted and even the body. If the body was left there, there will be no hope of eternal life. Today's extract reflects the angel's words: this is not where Jesus belongs. He was here only for a while to fulfil purpose and to secure eternal life for all who will believe in Him. 

The Contention and Conclusion:

In the same way, all who have come to believe in the Son are not subject to the permanent nature of the grave. Physical death becomes a mere path into the life that Jesus sealed for me when he rose up from the grave. The women were asked to come in and see where the body was laid, so that there will be no confusion. We still have today a few people who argue that Jesus did not really die. At whatever point you are in life, please ask God to make his death and resurrection real to you. Ask Him to show you what his life means, so that you can walk and work right. 

The evidence of his life is all around us. Those of us who have come to know him have been shown proof and we are living testimonies to this reality. We have also been given the mandate to show and share his life with other people. Just as the angels pointed out the risen Christ, I must also point Him out to other people. Jesus is risen; nothing can hold him down. If I have his life, I have the same power. Can men see this power in and through me? May my life be a daily testament to what God has done, so that men will crave to know this God, whose time of favour has come. 

Love that Gives!

Love that Gives!

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 KJV

The Context and Charge:

This is usually a popular passage quoted at Christmas, but would there have been a celebration of life if there was not first a death? We claim eternal life through the death and resurrection of Jesus. If He did not submit to the cross, I wonder what our lives would have been like. Imagine the constant striving to appease God by frequent blood offerings, which interestingly could not even deal with sin permanently. Through the cross, we come to a place of total deliverance from the power of sin, and a permanent settlement of the question of eternity. 

Isn't it amazing that God's love is defined from the perspective of what He gave? Men ask for proof of love from what they have received, not what they give. We say: 'if you love me, you will do.....'. That is the way of the world. God had to do something the world could not define, limit or copy. What God gave to the world was himself. All of the above are made possible because of the gift that was given, with the gift also willing to lay His life down. There would be no life without the cross. You don't get anything from God if you don't first avail yourself of the gift that has been made available freely. 

The Contention and Conclusion:

God's definition is very important. He gave himself because that was the only thing that could provide full and lasting deliverance from the power of sin. God hates sin so much that this very high price had to be paid. The price has been fully paid, and the benefits of that price is eternal life. That is what Jesus came to give us. If I then reject this price, I wonder who else will plead my case before the judgment seat of God? 

I must note that judgement is coming. This is where the power of freewill is both a blessing and a burden. God does not force anyone against the exercise of that freewill, but there are eternal consequences to every decision made. Let it be known that no excuse will be tenable on that day of judgment, as I had all the time to decide to accept the price. Love has been given, and the call goes out to all of us today to respond the right way. Remember, the prize is eternal life for all who accept the price, but for all who reject, the price is eternal damnation. You do not want to miss the prize; eternity is too long a time to be spent away from God. God's time of favour is here. 

Tarry; Watch!

Tarry; Watch!

Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.

Matthew 26:38 KJV

The Context and Charge:

The last supper was done, a hymn was sung, and Jesus and his disciples were off to the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus knew very well what was ahead: the suffering, pain and rejection, but He also knew the earthly and eternal benefits that would follow his sacrifice. And as a great blessing to us, his humanity shone through. His soul was extremely sorrowful, even to the point of death. He was feeling our pain, as he shared our humanity. This is one of the place where heaven met earth, and we could see that Jesus was like the people he had come to save. 

We now have hope that because of his sacrifice and the new life he has secured for us, we can now look forward to taking on that new life as we believe in that sacrifice, and surrender our lives to him. This is an important step in the process: trust and surrender. The disciples had front-row seats to the battle for the souls of men; at that time, they did not know the full extent of what was going on, but today, we stand where we are now, because of the events surrounding today's extract. Have I surrendered to the One who went through this agony for me? 

The Contention and Conclusion:

Just as he told his disciples then, so does He speak to us today. The sacrifice Jesus made calls for eternal vigilance so we do not lose the blessings His death and life have sealed for us. He told his disciples to tarry and watch with him then, and he speaks to us today too to tarry in the place of prayer, fervent devotion to him, and service to others out of hearts that know the value of what was given. It is also a call to watch too; events around us keep telling us that we don't have much time. Not long after these words, the cross, the grave and the resurrection followed. 

The end of that sacrifice is also close; just as Jesus went to the cross and laid down his life willingly, so will he return one day to take with him all those who had willingly given their lives to Him. He is not coming to repeat the cross; that is a one-time sacrifice valid for as long as this earth remains. I must tarry and watch in the place of prayer, being careful that my daily pursuits and priorities line up with God's expectations. The end of all tarrying and watching draws near. While I wait, I must be on guard, keeping safe that which has been delivered into my hands. I have the life of God in me, if I have surrendered my life to Jesus. Have you? God's time of favour is here. 

The New Way!

The New Way!

A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. John 13:34 KJV

The Context and Charge:

It is important to note that the words of today's extract were spoken by Jesus at the Last Supper, just before he went to the cross. Judas had just left, the one who would later betray him, so he was left with the ones who had stayed true as disciples. These words are for us today, who have also made the choice to be faithful disciples of Jesus. If indeed we follow Him, we must live as he directs. Our lives must reflect our submission to His will and purpose for our lives. When men come in contact with me, can they see the imprint of Jesus on me? Is my life a true reflection of the presence of Jesus?

One thing that helps is that His own life is the perfect lesson in what love is. Earlier in this same chapter, He as master had washed the feet of his disciples, ordinarily what the servant or disciple would do. He teaches me that for a disciple, service out of love has no gray area; it is service to and for all, not because they have earned it, but because I appreciate what I have received from God. My life becomes a platform for the visible display of God's love. It is this version by Christ that is the new normal; loving another person like myself has been bettered by the love of Christ. What does that look like?

The Contention and Conclusion:

Christ's version is the type that sees others the way God sees them, not people to be exploited for gain or to simply rule over. This love sees other people as creations of God, who can be reached by love. It does not matter how bad the past is, or how rough the journey has been; for many of the disciples sitting at the table for this meal, there were no rich or highly connected men, but they learnt a valuable life lesson from Jesus here: Just live like I do. If you can replicate my kind of life, you will indeed be the true reflection of who I am. This is the standard; any other thing will not cut it. 

It is a new commandment because it is the new version. Now, we have a living example to emulate. His life has become public knowledge. Between disciples, there must be no doubt about the love we have for each other. It is in that communal love that the world sits up and takes notice. Imagine the disservice to the body of Christ if we envy or are jealous of each other's successes. How can we prove love, if our lives do not show it? The world will only respond to that which it can feel, touch or taste. Is my life that visible expression of the invisible nature of God's love in me. God's time of favour is here.

Obedience!

Obedience!

but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:7‭-‬8 KJV

The Context and Contention:

It is the season of Easter, and today's extract again lays emphasis on what we have received. The One who made Easter possible is God. But in his form and nature, it was impossible for death to even come near Him, not to talk of laying hold of Him. Something had to change; something had to left behind. The One who wanted to die for man knew that the best way to pay the price for sin was to look like the people he wanted to save. He made himself of no reputation and took the form of a servant. That was the only way man could be saved; by one who looked like him, and could experience the pain of sin, so that the penalty of and sacrifice for sin could be settled once and for all. 

He was made in the likeness of men, but he was not born in the manner of men. That natural birth process of man would have infused him with the nature of sin, so God suspended the natural law of procreation so He could break the power of sin in that one man Jesus. At his own birth, the cycle of sin was interrupted, so all He offered was free of sin and acceptable to God. By His sacrifice, a new way of life has now been opened up for man. Because of the nature of his birth, it is now possible for man to live above sin, if he can take hold of the life that makes it possible to live above sin. I can only imagine: what if He came to earth, but seeing the pain of the cross, refused to submit to it?

The Charge and Conclusion:

I live today because He died. He became obedient to death, so that death could be defeated for me. He tasted the pain, sorrow and rejection of sin, with the Father, for the first and last time, turning away from His Son at the time his son was bearing the sins of the world, so that I do not have to taste that anymore. However, there is a key factor to consider here, and it is the issue of obedience. If this was God's prescribed way to save the entire world, what good would it be if I choose my own way? If my way is not the way God prescribes, it can never lead to that which God prescribes. Can I say I have submitted my life in total humility to the One who is able to guarantee eternal life?

This is key: at the end of Jesus' obedience was total restoration of all that He laid aside so He could die for our sin. He even won over many brethren, who have come to believe in the finished work of the cross, and are now living as witnesses to the power of the resurrection and the hope of eternal life. I owe it to the One given as a gift to lay hold of the Life on offer and make it my own. I must come in total humility and accept that I cannot save myself; only by obedience to the rules of salvation can I enjoy the gift, as well as the prize of eternal life that lies at the end of the obedience. I also note that if I will take hold of the prize, I have to hold on to this gift to the end of this natural earthly life. There is no room for half-hearted obedience or hypocrisy. Eternity is too long not to be sure where I will spend it. God's time of favour is here.

 

     

All-round Peace!

All-round Peace!

saying, Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven, and glory in the highest.

Luke 19:38 KJV

The Context and Contention:

This season of Easter is a reminder of all that the birth, death and life of Jesus offer us. Easter is the celebration of life, eternal life. The One who died and rose again is Jesus, and by His life, has secured life for all who confess Him as Lord and Saviour. It would appear that two quick things are apparent from the verse today; the first thing is that it appeared that those who said these words probably understood the full scope of what God had done. They probably knew and accepted that Jesus is that King that is to come; the One to promote peace, both on earth and in heaven. Can I also say and mean these words? 

The second thing is not very obvious from the verse above. The same crowd which shouted the words of today's extract were shouting the opposite a few days later: 'crucify Him'.  You would wonder what made people who recognised the King of kings suddenly denounce him and hand him over to death. This is why Easter has become possible. At the time, the people did not know the earthly and eternal impact of what they were doing, but today, we are were we are and who we are because of the events described above. 

The Charge and Conclusion:

In light of the above, what decisions do I have to make right now? The people of today's extract recognised who Jesus was, as well as the spiritual implications of the events of that time. The call is still the same today: all of us must make a decision on what to do with Jesus. You cannot sit on the fence, as there is no fence on this matter. The decision has to be now, because nobody is promised tomorrow. He who was sent by God has brought peace from heaven to earth. If I am yet to have God's kind of peace, I must check again and confirm who is the power and presence behind my person. 

Heaven has no issue with who is in control of the entire universe. It is the people of the earth who have to sort out their own allegiance and identity. Heaven knows the value of the gift that was given at Easter; do I know? Have I taken advantage of the gift? Remember, eternity is too long a time not to be sure of where it is to be spent. Easter must not be wasted over my own life. God's time of favour is here. 

Benefits!

Benefits!

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: For thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8 KJV

The Context and Charge:

Again, David speaks from a place of personal experience. In the verses before this one, David relies on his knowledge of God to make some pronouncements. It is the presence of God in me that empowers to decree a thing and it is established. It is the presence of God in me that sees beyond the physical reality into the reality that God wants me to see. There are times when what is going on around me looks nothing like what I understand, but God has always proven that He can do the most mighty with the most mundane. It matters in whose hands that life is.

For David, he knew his life was in God's hands, so he could do the 2 things he listed here. There are times when night comes, but sleep seem far away. The mind is weighed down by many concerns and cannot switch off. Yes, it may be the right time to lie down, but there is no guarantee that you will have a restful sleep. God does both: enables you have peace and quiet enough to lay down, and then the presence of mind to be able to sleep and refresh. You do not want to take any of these things for granted; ask about the value of a good night sleep from those who have to be heavily medicated before they can doze off. 

The Contention and Conclusion:

The secret to these double blessings is also seen in the verse above: God makes me dwell in safety. Let it be clear today that no scheme of man can keep you safe if God does not allow it. How can that which a man is able to kill keep another man from death? If the Lord keeps you, it does not matter what the quality or quantity of the opposition against you is; if the Lord does not keep you, who else can do so? It is important that I dwell where God has planted me; I must not be given to wandering around or trying alternative measures. If I feel God is not sufficient, I might as well just leave Him alone, but if I am sure He is all I need, then I must hold on to Him with everything I have got.

Only those who dwell in the secret place of the Most High are kept safe. Only those who are where God wants them to be are guaranteed the blessings of today's verse. I can shout and scream and claim all the promises of God, but without obedience to instructions and clarity in direction, I will struggle to access all that God has provided. God is not mocked; He keeps that which is committed into his hands. He does not force himself on anyone, but He will definitely bless all who come to him and seek Him with all their hearts. Would you come to God on his terms, so you can access all that He is and has? God's time of favour is here.

Fruiting!

Fruiting!

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22‭-‬23 KJV

The Context and Contention:

Wherever there is a BUT, it is good to look at what comes before. The proof of a life under the control of the flesh is laid out in the verses before today's extract. You can't produce anything outside of the seed you have planted or nurtured. Whoever sits on the throne of my heart will be revealed by my daily pursuits and priorities. It is called 'fruit' because the Spirit is also like a seed; He is God, living in us and producing His own kind of life in us. He is like a seed that is planted in man, and if allowed to thrive, will produce fruit that will look exactly like what has been described above. As I take stock again, can I say of a truth that my life reflects the nature of the seed of God in me? 

Like all seeds, there is the impact of time, effort and nurturing. No good seed grows well without effort; I must keep weeding, watering and working to ensure the seed has the right environment to grow into fruit. In this instance, everything the Spirit has made clear is wrong must be avoided. I must seek to know more and more about what the Spirit desires, and be quick to align with it. Whatever weeds there were from the old life must be uprooted completely, so that the seed of the Spirit can thrive. 

The Charge and Conclusion:

As I take stock, I note that the fruit is referred to in the singular, despite the fact that 9 elements are mentioned. It would mean I can't pick and choose what makes me comfortable; it is a complete package, and my life must have all, and in increasing measure also. There may be areas where I am still struggling, but total surrender to the Spirit is the only guarantee to growing and fruiting. The Spirit supplies the grace, strength, wisdom and power to live right and show forth proof of the presence of God. 

There is no human law on earth that can make any of these 9 elements an offence. How do you turn joy into a sin when its seed is not of human origin? That which the devil cannot birth, impact or sustain is not subject to human law. It is the Spirit that produces these 9 elements all at once, and His Presence guarantees that nothing of this world can tamper with the fruit, unless and until I allow the devil in. He will keep trying, but as long as I hold on to the seed of the Spirit, I am guaranteed eternal life with God. That is a life to look forward to. God's time of favour is here. 

Loved!

Loved!

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

The Context and Charge:

Paul writes to the church in Rome about the love of God. He had experienced it, so he understood what it meant. It is easy when the object of the affection is a deserving family member or a friend who is also loving; the true test of the value of love is when you are not certain of the acceptance of the love but you show it anyway. If I have to be deserving of your love before you can give it, it is mainly transactional, and is not God's version. How do I know God's version: I cannot point to anything I did to deserve it, but there is no doubt that I stand here today because of it.

I note that all the actions referred to in today's extract are all in the past tense. God showed his love to us long before we were born. We were all born in sin, so the question of being qualified did not even arise. The sacrifice of Christ on the cross was settled in the Garden of Eden long before it came to physical reality, and his death and life has now sealed eternal life for all who come. This is the only part that speaks of choices and action today. God has done all that is required for me to enjoy all that He has provided for life and Godliness. My response defines my eternal reality. 

The Contention and Conclusion:

This is love at its best and worst; it is not dependent on the response or reaction of the target, because from the very start, it is not the target who defines love. It is the giver. Each gives what he is and has. God could only give love, as that is His name and nature. As we receive this love and allow it settle and do its work in us, we become more and more like the One who loves us. We can then also flow out with the abundance of the love we have also received. You can't fake it; if you don't have it, you don't have it. There are no close alternatives. 

It was in sin that this love met us, but it will not leave us in sin. He came to us in our lowly estate and raised us up; we must now live as people who know and appreciate what we have been given. Remember, it was sin that led to that great sacrifice been offered. Imagine the effect if those who have been given this love turn their backs to it. What more can God do? What other sacrifice can save a man from the reality of hell? If a man rejects God's love, can he withstand God's wrath? I heed the warning, and embrace the love I have been freely given. I want to spend eternity appreciating God for all I have received. God's time of favour is here. 

God's Grace!

God's Grace! 

No temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word--He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy]. 1 CORINTHIANS 10:13 AMP

The Context and Contention:

Depending on whose opinion you hold, you can discover a treasure trove of help and grace as you walk on the pathway of life. It has always been emphasized that since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, where he chose to reject God and make his own way, man has lost the inner strength to live right. In all spheres of human interaction, the desire to get ahead and beat all opposition has been in man. In the political, religious, academic or economic life of man, it has become a race to be better, bigger and brighter than everyone else. Where then is the light?

Today's extract provides light. No matter the weight of the pressure, God's grace is heavier. No matter the quality of the opposition, God's strength is bigger. Nothing comes to me without his permission or approval, and there is already an assurance that nothing in that situation will  overwhelm me. One of the strongest reasons why we get overwhelmed is because our human sense of independence wants to go on his own strength and wisdom. At no time do I have the power, ability or capacity to succeed; at all times, I must depend on the One who holds the time and seasons in His hands.

The Challenge and Conclusion:

Check out the words again: God knows about what is coming to you in the future. He ensures that the experience is specifically tailored to the size of your strength and ability. Whilst the situation is unfolding, his grace has already unfolded and is waiting for your call. Nothing in that situation is created to defeat you, but to empower you for greater heights. Inside that particular situation is grace for the journey ahead, as well as strength to overcome and come out stronger. God will provide strength to match the trial, or bring a trial that will match our strength. Either way, we are covered. God isn't like man, inconsistent and untrue. If he says he will, history has proven that he does not lie. The secret is DAILY DEPENDENCE. Nothing outside of Him will work. God's time of favour is here.

Specifics!

Specifics!

This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Joshua 1:8 KJV

The Context and Contention:

Joshua had just witnessed the death of Moses, and he was now the new leader of the people of Israel. He had seen the stubbornness of the people; saw the golden calf, the swallowing up of Korah, Dathan and Abiram, the leprosy of Miriam and Aaron, the rebellion of his own contemporaries sent out as spies to Canaan about 40 years before this account. It was as if God was using those experiences to prepare him for leadership. There is no wasted experience for a child of God who wants to do his father's will. 

The words of today's extract are quite instructive and specific: the words delivered to Joshua are not a set of negotiated settlements, but statements of intent from God. It is the book of God's law, just one genuine one. It is to be taken as man's most prized possession. It holds the key to the mind of God and his desire for all of man. It is never to depart out of my mouth, because my mouth is key to the fulfilling of my destiny. It is from the heart the mouth speaks, confessing and possessing all that God intends. The heart also stores up that which is valuable as it encounters the book of the law, so that when a demand is placed on the heart, the mouth can speak that which lines up with the mind of God.

The Charge and Conclusion:

I am to meditate on the book at all times, day and night. It means there is no time that God's Word isn't my priority. The devil does not rest; I cannot afford to be careless. After reading and knowing the mind of God, I must be quick to obey. Reading, hearing, meditating and even speaking about the law of God is good; the reward of good success is actually tied to obeying. We all love a good sermon; it is in the practice that we need God to help us. There is good success as seen here, which means there is a bad kind. As long as what you hold on to is not prescribed by God, it will not be sustained by Him.

When I obey, God makes me a spectacle to the world. He makes my way prosperous. I become a beacon of light and an example of God's grace and favour. It is in my hands; God does not demand from me something He will not supply grace for. If He commands it, it is possible for me. The secret lies in total, prompt and active obedience to God's Word. If I have struggled in the past with obedience, I must go to God again and ask for fresh supply of grace. Because he wants to be known in the earth as the God who keeps His Word, He will supply. His supply and my surrender, leads to success. God's time of favour is here. 

That One Thing!

That One Thing!

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

Psalm 27:4 KJV

The Context and Contention:

Again, we read a psalm of David, and as is the case, it is a song from a place of personal experience. Nobody can experience God on your behalf; you can enjoy the testimonies of other people and love what God is doing in their lives, but you have to walk the path toward God by yourself and of your own freewill. The benefits of that personal walk are amazing; you have to be in it to enjoy it. Check out how many times the word I is used in this single verse; any other context, you will call David self-centred, but here, this is the definition of personal commitment to all that is God's. What is my own stand today?

The human part of us will want to do 'important' things for God at the same time, but we can learn one thing from David's story today: there is only one thing that is fundamentally important first of all, and then other things will follow. That one thing is the Presence of God.  David understood fully what the presence of God is and means, and from his own life, we see the benefits of that understanding. No matter what I do, the one thing I must not lose is the presence of God. No matter who I become or achieve, the one thing that will determine my eternal reality is the presence of God. What is important to me now: pleasure or the presence of God? Praise from men or the presence of God?

The Charge and Conclusion:

Dwelling in the house of the Lord reflects permanent residence; not temporary abode. It means your heart is committed to the place you want to dwell. I must check my heart today: am I just in it for what I can get out of it; am I just there for now until something 'better' comes along? Am I biding my time until I get a better offer? Remember, the heart's motives and secrets are laid bare before its creator. He knows all that goes on in it. If I seek to dwell in the presence of God, there are things I must avoid, and things that must align with my new status. Is that what my heart truly seeks at this time? 

Just like citizenship, it confers me with both rights and duties and I cannot claim one and reject the other. Am I content just being where God is, listening for his voice and directions? Is the beauty of the Lord sufficient for me, or are there other attractive offers from the world seeking to hold my gaze? When the heart is right, its enquiry will be right. When God is my heart's sole focus, all that it seeks will be to honour God. If all I think of is how to please God, sin, self and Satan's machinations hold no attraction for me. I must therefore, as aa matter of urgency, settle the question of my heart's allegiance today. What is my utmost pursuit and priority? Is it God? God's time of favour is here.

Saved!

Saved!

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12 KJV

The Context and Contention:

Right from the Garden of Eden, God had a plan for the salvation of men. The garden was the place of the first disobedience, but it was also the place of the divine intervention. The seed of the woman was laid down as the source of salvation and redemption from sin. From that time till now, the source has not changed. Education, enlightenment, exposure, energy, effort and entitlement cannot change that source. Salvation is God's process for changing the world and laying down God's divine plan for the world. Have I taken advantage of the plan as laid down by God, or am I striving for my own plan? 

Remember, if it is not of God, it will not last. The channel of salvation has also been laid down by God, and He is Jesus. Life will offer viable alternatives, seeking to distract from that which is of God, but if God has clearly stated how salvation will come, I owe it to myself and my eternity to align with His plan. Jesus is the One who has secured eternal life for all. He is the only one who has access to the Father, and invites us all to make the approach to the Father. His promise is that all who come to Him will not be turned back. Would it hurt in any way if I take advantage of God's offer? What do I have to lose? 

The Counsel and Conclusion:

Men may give the same name to their children, but unless it is the name of Jesus, backed up by God as the source of salvation, it won't have the same effect. Names are important, as they give a window into the destiny of a child. Jesus has been given a name by which men can be saved. If this is God's prescription, nothing else, no matter how close, will work. Of course, there is an end goal: eternal life with God. God won't do all He did if life were to end down here. There has to be an eternal plan, something that will outlive this present earth. 

He is the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one can go to the Father except through Him. He is the seal of redemption; the proof that my life matters to God. His love is such that it will never let go until it is too late. No other plan of God is more important to us than this: that He wants me to be with Him forever. Every other thing is extra, and part of that eternal plan. Am I using all I have been given on this earth to plan and prepare for eternity? Remember, eternity is too long a time not to be sure where I will spend it. God's time of favour is here. 

Plan of Salvation 

Process of Salvation 

Channel of salvation 

End of Salvation 

Value!

Value!

Iron sharpeneth iron; So a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

Proverbs 27:17 KJV 

The Context and Contention:

Again, we look into the book of Proverbs, where each line is a full message on its own. Today's extract looks at the value of human interaction, and seeks to establish how best my life can impact others the way God planned it to. It must be established from the outset that God does not create that which He has no use for, and He will do all that is required for me to be a blessing in my generation. However, I have a role to play: subject myself to divine discipline. If I want to be used, I must submit to the process.

Only iron, or a material of its kind, can sharpen iron. You can't change the established order, or seek to do it any other way. You can melt iron in the fire to make a different tool, but as long as the need is sharpening, only iron will do the work well. The same principle applies in the spiritual; God has placed me on earth, and amongst people, so that my life can be a tool He can use to impact others. Think about this: there is nobody alive on earth who is not connected to other people, and as we relate, we show off the contents of our inner state. 

The Charge and Conclusion:

God did not create any man to be self-sufficient; the gifts in me are best used in the service of other people. I flow into other people's lives, just as other people flow into mine. What then am I bringing into the relationships that God has surrounded me with? Am I living to please God, and to serve others to the best of my ability, or am I all about what I can get first? Am I toxic to the people who surround me, or am I full of grace, with my conversations and conduct seasoned with salt the right way? I must recall that I sharpen the countenance of my friend. 

If I am your friend, it means that we share similar interests and impact. Those who come in contact with me would know what kind of person I am, when they see the kind of people I am comfortable around. Also, the more of God in me shines out, as I impact my space, the more friends are able to see, appreciate and embrace God in me. Is that the kind of impact I have? Before God, I must be sincere and honest; after all, God cannot be deceived. He knows me more that any other person does, and wherever He has planted me is my sphere of influence and impact? How am I faring? God's time of favour is here

Properly Dressed!

Properly Dressed!

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Ephesians 6:11 KJV

The Context and Contention:

Paul, writing these words to the church in Ephesus, must have been in prison, or had encountered Roman soldiers at some point. He had seen the way the soldiers dressed and how they were prepared for any event. The dressing showed preparation and readiness, and it was not taken off until the end of the shift and the changing of the guard. As it is in the physical here, so is it in the spiritual. The occupation of the soldier is known by his dressing. The occupation of the Christian also needs to be very clear from his/her appearance. Today's extract lays out what we are required to put on. 

It is called the armour of God, which means that God makes it clear that His call on our lives will demand a fight. I must not think that salvation keeps me away from tough times and trials; they will come. Before they do, God gives me clarity on what I need for that fight and how I can win. God gives the armour; no blacksmith, no matter how gifted, can forge that armour for you. If I will make it to the end, I must take on God's prescription for victory. This is even more important considering that evil days are here. 

The Charge and Conclusion:

Before those evil days come, how am i preparing for them? The devil has been fighting God's purpose and plan in man's life, and as he has been doing this for quite some time, he is quite experienced in deception and deceit. However, God is more experienced in destiny building, and He will do all He can to bring me to the place He has prepared for me. This is where the power of personal choice becomes important. I am the one asked to put it on. God will satisfy the supply, but I have to claim the supply. God will always supply the resources for the assignment that He ordains.  

I cannot work as a part time soldier, and I cannot put on part of the armour. It is a complete package, because each part has been fashioned by God to achieve his divine plan. I must not settle for anything less than God's full provision for victory over sin, sickness and Satan. The full armour ensures you can stand well in the day of trouble. And yes, those days are bound to come. May I not be found undressed or unprepared on the day that trouble comes. May I always be dressed for service and impact. God's time of favour is here. 

Wait!

Wait!

I waited patiently for the LORD; And he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. Psalm 40:1‭-‬2 KJV

The Context and Contention:

Again, we read of God's dealings with the man David. Let it be known that David did not claim to be self-sufficient, but he learnt by experience how to trust in God. There were instances in his life when he was close to death, just like he said here, but because his trust was in God, he was helped. That's the core of the lesson here: life will happen to us. Things may not always be rosy, but i have the assurance that if I can wait for God, things will end up alright. That is a promise you can take to the bank. 

David was speaking from personal experience here. He had cause to wait, and God came through for him. He described the waiting as 'patiently', which gives the picture that when it is God, you really can't be in a hurry. My time isn't what is important, but God's. He also gives me assurance that he will hear and deliver me. He may not always keep me from trouble, but His glory is made even more relevant when He saves and delivers. Whose account speaks louder: the man who has never been tested, or the one who has gone through several tough times, and God had kept? I must look forward to those experiences, because by them, God builds me up for the place He is taking me to.

The Charge and Conclusion:

God will play his part well; that is a given. Man also needs to play his part well, by learning how to wait. It is the picture of being still before God, not with your own ideas of how best it will work, but totally submitted to whatever God wants to do. He is the only one who can take me by the hand and lead me down the path He desires for me. He wants to take me places, but I must first learn how to trust Him, that He is all He says He is, and can do all He says He will do. Would you trust Him and hold on for His help? Would I? God's time of favour is here.