Stable!

Stable!

Righteousness guards the person of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner. Proverbs 13:6 NIV

Context and Charge:

Defining righteousness under the old testament was a bit different from how it is described under the new covenant initiated by Jesus. I mainly had to follow all the rules laid out under that old covenant. It wasn't immediately obvious if my heart wasn't in it, as what was measured were the offerings and sacrifices made to atone for sin. A man could therefore boast about the righteousness of his hands, especially if there was no other witness to the state of his heart. With God, it worked for a while, but it could not be sustained. Effort and labour are great, if the foundation is an understanding of who God is and what He desires from me. 

The opposite would mean that what I get is just activity and recognition for the physical; no spiritual connection. The new testament definition ties righteousness to the finished work of Christ on the cross. It does not place effort first; it is about Christ from first to last. It is by the work of the cross that a man can have integrity that God regards. God blesses all men, but there is a special connection with the man who has based his life's work on that finished work of Christ. Where the man cannot speak, the finished work of Christ goes ahead to speak for him. 

Conviction and Conclusion:

Of course, if you will not hold on to the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, there is only one other alternative: eternal death, with sin as its causative factor. Sin manifests in every man born of woman, and is the default setting for all of us. This is why the cross had to happen. As we read from this verse, there are only 2 possible choices and 2 available outcomes. There is no middle ground mentioned here; no fence of indecision to straddle. I don't get to stand afar off and let others decide for me; I have to define my eternal reality by the decision I have to take. 

Would I rely on the finished work of the cross, or would I rely on my ability, capacity and capability? If I seek stability and longetivity, the secret is in the hidden walk with God. It is not in the applause or approval of men, or even the silent appreciation. Man is limited by time, knowledge and information, and so makes decisions based on earthly realities. God makes decisions based on total knowledge, and if He approves my life, it really does not matter what anyone else thinks. If He says he hates sin, nothing I do will change his mind unless and until I repent. Which one am I holding on to then: the righteousness from God, or the deceit of sin? Remember, both have eternal consequences. God's time of favour is here. 

Trust!

Trust!

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.

Psalms 20:7 NIV

Context and Charge:

We live in strange times. The fear of the uncertain present and the unforeseen future has made the hearts of men to melt. This fear has also led men down the path of sin and compromise, making it even more difficult for them to find the right kind of help and at the right time. Fear makes you do odd things, which you may not normally do. It is in these times that the quality and depth of your convictions will be made plain. When I consider all that is going on around me, what are the first thoughts that cross my mind? Do I consider the greatness of the God who calls me His own, or am I swayed by the weight of the problems in front of me? 

It matters who or what sits on the throne of my heart, because that will drive my actions and reactions. Man has devised 'viable alternatives', seeking to replace God with other created things. We ignore the Creator and focus on the created, forgetting that the created can never give you what only the Creator can give you. Think of it this way: the Creator can make for you that which you need, and you do not have to steal that which belongs to another, or envy and seek to copy another man's experiences. He can create a solution that will fit your peculiar need, so that you do not ever have to look at anything else for help. 

Conviction and Conclusion:

In what or who is your confidence and trust? The created or the Creator? Is there anything someone has promised you that it works, but you are sure it is not the Lord? Is there something someone claims to have tried and worked for him/her, yet you are sure it did not come from the Creator? In all these instances, be careful of the false tokens of men. Be wary of the false hopes given by things that cannot guarantee tomorrow. My trust must be in God; the one and only God who seeks to reveal himself personally to the one who truly seeks Him. 

Chariots and horses are symbols of strength and power, yet are limited in their power to save. Men have constantly sought after these things, and seen them fail, but sin will not allow us learn that the world cannot secure for me that which only the Word of God offers. Trust is key here; I am telling God that even when I do not understand what is going on, I know the One who holds everything together. I am telling God that I see what others are doing, where they go and the compromises that come easy to them, but for me, my mind is made up. Even if it kills me, I will trust God. Does that describe me in any way? God's time of favour is here. 

Own It!

Own It!

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3 NIV

Context and Charge:

Jesus speaks to his disciples seated before him, while the crowd stayed at the foot of the mountain. As always, all that God speaks is for all of us to listen to and respond. God does not compel anyone to listen, but He promises great blessings for all who listen and obey. The question then for all of us will be: what is my response to the words of Jesus? He promises blessings to particular people in particular situations. I can moan or cry but God is not obligated to do anything for me unless and until I align with the conditions for his blessings. 

The blessing here is the kingdom of heaven. Trust this: there is no earthly reward that can be bigger or better than this kingdom. What can the earth give you that it will not later take away from you or exchange with another thing? What eternal value can anything from the temporary earth guarantee? Unfortunately, we have listened to the lies of the devil, who has kept our focus on the earth and its deceptive wealth. If only I can look away for a moment, and see what God wants me to see, I will have access to the deep riches of God's grace available in Jesus. 

Conviction and Conclusion:

What is the key to access this kingdom? It is an admission of helplessness and total dependence on God. It leaves no room for alternatives; it is either I am all in or all out. There is no fence to sit on, because with God, you don't get to be indecisive. It is to see myself as poor; in need of God's help. It must also be the right kind of poverty, the type that is of the spirit. This flesh cannot be saved and is beyond redemption. It is the spirit that profits, as the flesh has nothing to offer. Know that God cannot use the flesh; it is the spirit that God can relate with, and that is where the hunger for God must be birthed. 

Nothing else will work. My spirit must connect to God's spirit, so that I can hear all that God wants me to hear and know. No matter how deep the experience and encounter with God goes, I can't grow out of the need for more of God. No man on this side of eternity knows all there is to know about God. We keep growing and learning, until we cross over to the other side of eternity, where we get the promised reward, which is the kingdom of heaven. I must be and do all I can to get the reward. The end makes the journey worth it. God's time of favour is here.

Peace!

Peace!

Jesus repeated his greeting: “Peace to you. Just as the Father sent me, I send you.” John 20:20‭-‬21 MSG

Context and Charge:

Think about the events that surrounded the words of today's extract. Someone the disciples had called Teacher and Master, someone they had seen perform several miracles, had now been killed like a common criminal. He had mentioned all these things to them in the past, but they still did not remember. Now, they heard that he had risen from the dead. Fear had gripped them and they were all locked up in a room. Are there things that cause fear in my own heart today? Are there events that I do not fully understand, and which make my heart tremble? The One who spoke here is still speaking today, and His message is PEACE. 

The passage mentions the fact that He repeated his greeting of peace. We say repetition helps memory. What I hear over and over again holds my heart in place. I also note that the One who speaks here is qualified to dispense that which he pronounced. How can anyone promise you peace when s/he does not have it? You can't give what you don't have. You then have to ask: "Of all the things on the minds of the disciples, why was it peace that He mentioned first, and left with them?" I believe that if I have peace, I have the greatest treasure in the world. 

Conviction and Conclusion:

The people of this world will pay anything to secure peace, but it is not a commodity that can be purchased or secured by physical measures. When there is peace, storms can't bother me. When peace reigns in a man's heart, he might not be able to explain the calm, but he can't deny it either. Check out the world we live in now, and you will see clearly that there is no peace for anyone under the control and influence of this world's system. However, if you are able to secure God's kind of peace, you are set free from the world's expectations or limitations, and you can serve as best as you can, with the wisdom, strength and grace supplied by the One who gives peace.

Jesus pronounced peace before he gave out the commission or assignment. I dare not launch out to work without being sure of who is backing me up. Before I claim I am at work for the Lord who speaks here, have I settled the question of my content, composition and character? Have I received the place that God alone gives? I have to be sure; the world also has its own close alternatives. He is the perfect example of what works; if you don't have Him, you can't fake it. His life, words and actions aligned, provide the only template for how to obtain, keep and sustain God's approval. God is looking for people He can use; but they have to give room for his nature and nurture to take hold of their hearts. This are the times when God's heralds and messengers of peace are needed. Am I One? Has His peace done His work in and on me? God's time of favour is here. 

Like a Child!

Like a Child!

and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 18:3‭-‬4 KJV

Context and Charge:

This is not reported speech; these are the words of Jesus himself, spoken to people called his disciples. It did not matter how long the men had walked with Jesus, if they did not get it right, they would not end right. As it was then, so is it now. I must not be so concerned about what people say or do, but about my walk with God. There are too many things fighting for attention around me, seeking to hold my heart and mind. I note that what holds my heart controls my life. If it is not God, it will not end like God. What is use of a life that does not obtain eternal life? 

There is a conversion, context and condition that must happen if I will have access to where Jesus is. He speaks about a conversion experience that must happen. Whatever it was I thought was right, I must be converted to the things that Jesus considers important. The state to be in is that of a little child; believes all s/he is told, does not argue, and looks forward to all that is ahead, no matter how uncertain. Have I been converted, or do I see myself as indispensable and irreplaceable? What God says I need must align with what I seek.

Conviction and Conclusion:

So, whatever it is that I may have achieved, or the mighty things I may have amassed, or the value others have placed on me, I must humble myself before God. I must not wait for Him to do the humbling, because it is usually massive. That is why it is first my responsibility before I can claim the benefits. For those who have dealt with little children, you see very clearly that they don't see colour, race, creed or religion. They just want to be and have friends. It is age and experience that give us our inconsistencies. Does this describe me in any way?

Remember, the prize is life eternal with God, and the price to pay is humility and a child-like heart and mind. Humility is telling God that you do not matter anywhere outside of Him, and that all you are, have and do are because of Him. How would God not honour a faith and life like that? I must do away with pretence and hypocrisy, as well as a life of pride. God cannot be deceived by the external; He knows me even more than I know myself. He will take care of me, if I align with his demands. God's time of favour is here. 

Portion!

Portion!

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalms 73:26 NIV

The world is indeed a strange place. We live in a world where men scheme to take advantage of all that the world has to offer yet think that they can enjoy its provisions without consequences. You want to take off the world, and yet do not want to pay the price the world will demand for its provisions. There is a system and style to the world, and anyone who seeks to enjoy it must play by its rules. That is the focus of the passage from which today's extract is taken. Asaph took stock, looking at the seeming prosperity of the wicked and the arrogant, and wondered why it seemed that they prospered. It was as if God just turned a blind eye to their wickedness and allowed them to get away with anything. That same feeling is still relevant today, as we consider the spate and scope of evil around us. You may wonder: 'where is God in all these'? 

Asaph got the answer, and part of the answer lies in the words around today's extract: 'Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you'. When evil seems to be popular, I am reminded of the eternal presence of God, and the fact that He alone is eternal. When men scheme and plot their way to get what they do not deserve, or even what they deserve, but in an evil way, I am reminded of the ever-present help of God for all who dare wait for Him. This is where it gets hard: it is not always convenient to wait for God; he sometimes appears slow, or hard to please, but evidence and available accounts all point to the wisdom and sovereignty of God, and the fact that nothing actually happens without His permission. 

When I have that clear understanding, it will keep me from fretting unnecessarily. People may do evil and seemingly get away with it, but if I know who this God is, and who I am in Him, I do not have to fret over things I do not understand. No matter what I own or hold on to now, it is temporary. All physical possessions belong to this earth and will perish with this earth. The body I have been given grows old every day, and one day, it will return to the dust from which it was taken. The human heart is a machine, pumping the lifeblood all through the body and keeping things ticking, but like all machines, if it works long enough, one day, it will simply stop working. in light of these, I have to focus on that which will outlast this physical earth and all that it has, and only God fits that description. He has to be the one and only consideration that matters.

Today's extract calls him my portion forever. What is a portion: as a noun, it means part of a whole, and as a verb, it means to divide something into parts. Either way, God is awesome. He has given me a part of himself to carry around, so that everywhere I step into, I represent Him. I am His eyes, ears, feet, hands and heart, and as long as I am in this physical body, God has to be apparent in me. I am a part of His whole, a reflection of his complete nature. If I know this, why should the schemes of men bother me? If I know that God is my portion, I have all that I need for life and Godliness. Even when all that God places in me: heart and flesh fail, due to the passage of time, the timeless God in me is sufficient, and He will bring me to the place He has prepared for me. This is my confidence in this new year: God is enough for me. Is He for you? God's time of favour is here.   

No Fear!

No Fear!

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control]. 2 Timothy 1:7 AMP

Context and Charge:

It is a settled matter that when I came to the personal knowledge of Jesus as Lord and Saviour, I received something from God. God does not save a man and leave him the same way He met the man; there is an impact on the life of that man. That impact is personalised by the presence of the Holy Spirit in the life of that man. God also does not give man that which he is not or what He does not have; He can only give of Himself and His nature. My first assignment then from today's extract is to define with certainty that which I hold or have come to know. Is it that which God ordains and is able to sustain? 

Why is it important for me to confirm what I hold is the real deal? It is because the days of testing and proving are coming; all that I claim to have will be tested. If I claim to be a child of God, the devil will test that truth in my life. He will bring situations that will make me doubt if God is indeed in charge of my life and the things that happen to me. God does not give a spirit of fear, because He does not have fear. He is the Fear of Israel, that the entire creation must fear. You also look at the capacity, ability and capability of God to do all that he has said, and you know of a truth that this is a God of absolute power. 

Conviction and Conclusion:

God does not joke with his nature or gifts and does not leave me high and dry. He does not meet me and leave me empty; He fills me up with what I need for the work He needs to get done in and through me. Check out what He gives: power, love and sound judgement and personal discipline. Check out the jword AND connecting them all together. He will not give me one and deny me the others; His Spirit in me gives me all of these attributes. I also note that what I need for personal, emotional, spiritual, financial and all other kinds of impact are supplied by the Spirit. Nothing is missing for all of life and Godliness. 

Of course, the end goal is both earthly impact and eternal life. God does not do wastage; He gives me all of Himself to profit by, both down here on earth and in eternity. His giving of His Spirit is the expression of His love, care and concern for me. He knows that I will not survive on my own, and that nothing of me can help me succeed at the work. Depending on my circle of influence or bank account balance amounts to foolishness; they cannot save on the day of God's wrath. The work is God's, and only that which is God's can help me make a success of the work. God's time of favour is here. 

Calm!

Calm!

Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. John 14:1 KJV

Context and Charge:

Jesus speaks here also to those who had taken the decision to follow Him. "Why does following Jesus involve so much trouble", someone may ask. Actually, the bigger issue at stake here is the knowledge and understanding of what is at stake. What holds my focus in all that Jesus said in the verse above? He lays out a problem statement, then follows it up with a solution with eternal consequences. If trouble does not come, how do I know if I can be trusted with the riches and wealth of heaven? 

If I only know good days and no bad ones, my experience of God will be limited. When God takes me on a journey, He already knows how it will end, but I have a role to play: trust Him totally. He does not promise perpetually blue skies, but He promises his perpetual presence and power. He does not say anywhere that life will always be smooth; but He promises that he will make the crooked paths straight. He knows that sin has brought trouble to the world, but he would want me to know that only in Him is the power of sin broken. 

Conviction and Conclusion:

I need to know and trust the God who speaks here. Jesus asks those who he was speaking to here to believe in Him. Now, whether I accept or not, it does not change the identity of the One who speaks; however, faith in the One who speaks activates the assurance that it will end well. When God asks me to believe in Him, he is asking for more than just blind loyalty. He is asking me to fully invest and trust Gim completely. I can't get away with half-hearted devotion, or sitting on the fence. You gain nothing by being indecisive. A man who is half-hearted in devotion and commitment is described as double-minded and cannot receive anything from the Lord. 

It is important that I know what is at stake and what's required to receive all that God has promised. I cannot believe in God and not believe in Jesus. The IN signifies location and position. It shows that God is my all; with no alternative plan or exit strategy. Does this describe me at this moment in time? Are there measures I need to take to be fully invested in that which God has for me? God's plan is eternal in outlook and outcome and if I can cooperate with Him, I am guaranteed a good end. God's time of favour is here. 

Right Fit!

Right Fit!

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:6 NIV

Context and Charge:

What does my life produce? Or, what are the foundations of my life? What goes into my life and then comes back out as conversations, conduct and the company I keep? We need to put first things first; I cannot demand good from a place where I have not first deposited good. Land will not automatically produce good fruit without some form of clearing, cultivation, cutting, culturing and sowing, then weeding, watering and nurturing. If you see anything grow, someone at some point in time, laid the groundwork for what is now visible. As it is for plants, so is it for people. 

How will my conversation be always full of grace if I am not myself a product and output of grace? How can I show what I do not understand or been able to apply to my own life? Amazingly, no one can conclusively determine what kind of person I am until I am heard or I act. It is not a one-off wonder, but a lifetime of impact. I don't get to be gracious one moment and nasty the next. Even when it is important to correct or rebuke, can God entrust me with the lives of people, because He knows that I will allow God's grace which I have received to flow out to those them?

Conviction and Conclusion:

The world we live in is too complex for me to be careless about my choices. I have to be deliberate and precise, seeking to ensure that I am the right fit for whatever situation God places me in. People are facing difficult times right now and words matter; they could be the difference between giving up and pressing on. What works well for one person may cause harm to another. For all of us, words trigger us one way or another. For some, they need a lot of words. Others need just a few. Salt is fundamental to food; you don't put the same quantity of salt to match the quantity of food. Just a little would work the magic of adding flavour and taste to your food. It is the same with a life created by God; whether you know it or not, you will impact lives one way or another. 

This knowledge is very important because it helps my relationship with people. Knowing God helps me know how to deal with His creation. For every question of life, there is an answer from God, and if I will give it, I must personally know the source, as well as his timing and mode of delivery. What is the use of having oratory power, yet have no word for the season? I do not worry about whether people like me; I just concern myself with being a vessel through which God can reach out to other people. Men must know that I have met with God, and that I speak as He leads. That is the path to impact. Do I really know this God? Am I someone He can entrust his Word to? God's time of favour is here. 

Submit; Resist; Win!

Submit; Resist; Win! 

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 KJV

Context and Charge:

The process is important. With God, you have to follow His rules if you want to see his moves. With God, there are no hidden surprises from the point of view of His expectations from those who would follow Him. His Word makes it clear what he wants from us, how and when he wants it and what we stand to gain if we adhere. Today's extract also follows in the same pattern. The first step in the plan of victory drawn up by God is to submit. Have I submitted to God or am I still fully in charge of my own life? Have I drawn a boundary for God to stay in, or have I laid it ALL at His feet? 

Now, whether we know it or not, we all submit to an authority, either God or the devil. Our daily decisions and actions reflect the status of our submission. The sentence on submission is a full one, no commas or pauses. You don't push ahead until you have settled this. Don't bother with resisting the devil if God does not first own your life. If you do not submit to God, how can you resist the one who rules your life? So, first things first; God must rule in your life, if you will rule over the devil. The opposite is also equally true. Have you submitted? Have I?

Conviction and Conclusion:

God and the devil are both masters. They rule over those who submit. There is a power of choice given to all of us, and you will see that there is no compulsion placed on anyone to decide one way or the other. You get full information on what each master offers, so you get full disclosure so you can choose wisely. Don't settle for the lies of the devil; he has no life in himself so he can't give you what he does not have and cannot guarantee. God is the Way, Truth and Life, so you know what you stand to gain from Him. He wants to be Lord and Saviour if we will let Him and He will supply all that we need to overcome. 

You resist the devil only by the power of God. You resist only by the Word of God who gives guidance, wisdom and victory. Don't dare face the devil by your own power; you will fail horribly. When I counter the wiles of the devil with the Word of God, I am assured that He will flee. Jesus did it and overcame, and as His child, I have the same grace and supply to be able to do so too. I must also note that the submission and resisting don't have expiry dates on this side of eternity. You keep at these until we see Jesus in glory. I must not be careless or self-confident, but daily depend on God to help me. His grace is very sufficient. God's time of favour is here. 

Safe!

Safe!

The name of the LORD is a strong tower: The righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Proverbs 18:10 KJV

Context and Charge:

God does not do guesswork, or make empty boasts. When he speaks, his name, reputation and integrity are at stake, so when he speaks, all of who He is become the focus. We all know the power in a name; there is a spiritual dimension to what we call ourselves or our children. The same applies to God here; He has many names, but the same God. No matter the point at which I encounter God, he reveals himself to me as the Lord. Being the Lord means that every other thing submits to his power and authority. What name backs me up? Do I know this God as Lord? 

The name of the LORD is presented as a strong tower. In the days of the psalmist, having such towers was a sign of strength. You could see trouble coming miles away and warn the city. It was situated in a place where it could not be attacked directly. The person manning the tower had to be alert and on guard. Like all men, tiredness and sleep could be a challenge, but we speak here of a Lord who neither slumbers nor sleep. He is the tower, the guard, the watchman and the protection all at the same time. It's a strong one, not an ordinary one. With God, you get the extra, not just the ordinary. 

Conviction and Conclusion:

This tower is a place to run into. It offers protection and safety from danger, but it seems to only keep those who run into it. You can't stay outside it and expect to be kept safe. You cannot come in on your own terms, but in line with the dictates of the One who offers the protection. The righteous have come to know and submit to this Lord, and that is why they can run into Him. Why run? The devil too will fight to keep us outside, where sin and death thrives. He will do all he can to offer empty alternatives, but if it is not in the LORD, you are not really safe. 

Have I come to the saving knowledge of Jesus? Is He my Lord and Saviour? Am I daily depending on the grace and mercy of God available in Jesus? Those are the attributes of someone who knows that the Lord is the only way to be safe. The world has no answer to the troubles of its own creation; only in God am I truly safe. He is a tower that offers protection for life, both down here and in eternity with God. Each gives what he has: life from God and death from the devil. So, run into God today. Don't wait for trouble to overwhelm your heart. In Him are all that I need for life and Godliness. God's time of favour is here. 

Come!

Come!

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 KJV

Context and Charge:

Jesus is introduced here as the great high priest, a role that is not known to the old testament tabernacle. The offices of the priest and high priest were filled from among the people of one tribe, Levi, but here, we see Jesus appointed by God Himself, and not from the old order of Levi. A new standard has now been set. Jesus has ascended into heaven, where he sits at the right hand of the Father. It is He who is our visible representative, who went where we couldn't go, so we could then qualify to stand where He is already standing in. 

He gives me access to the throne of God, and as He is the one introducing me, grace, mercy and help are all available at that throne. I am asked to come boldly, with confidence. I come boldly because of the finished work of the great high priest, not because of my personal achievements. I don't come looking for man's approval or applause, but to a specific throne, with a specific offer. The throne is a place of authority, and whatever the throne backs up or directs is enforced. If it is mercy and grace that are required, the throne is the place to go and ask for it. Any throne that cannot command subjects to do as it directs is not a throne. 

Conviction and Conclusion:

God brooks no opposition, and when he says he will give something, his records speak for themselves. It is a place of deep searching and reflection. You don't come to the throne and speak or act carelessly; standing in the presence of a king demands decorum. You ask in a way that you can receive from the throne, and the throne will be happy to give you all you ask for. A throne depicts a territory with loyal subjects. A non-citizen cannot make a claim on benefits that belong to another territory. Does this describe how I come? 

I find grace and help in time of need. When I need Him, He is there. I come prepared; I come expectant. What you don't prepare for may not bless you, as you may not recognise the day of your visitation or the impact of the season you are in. A man who does not know he needs help can't be helped. The first step to being helped is an admission of helplessness and dependence on God. You give what you have. God has all that I need for life and Godliness, and He wants to give freely. No one else can make such a claim. All I need to do is come, and ask. God's time of favour is here. 

Meet and Exceed!

Meet and Exceed!

And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19 NIV

Context and Charge:

We quote this verse a lot, but it is good to consider the context of the verse, so I can align with the expectations, before I make a claim to the benefits. This was a church that supported Paul in the early days of his ministry. It was clearly stated that not one church shared with him in the matter of giving and receiving, except the church in Philippi. I bring it home: what am I known for? Am I known only for what I can demand or claim, or what I am able to give? Are we raising a generation known more for what it can amass, more than what it can give out?

Over and over, this church gave. It was not as if it was always convenient, but the church seems to know the value of giving for the right cause. By the help of the Holy Spirit, Paul saw their hearts and actions, and knew that all they did was from a heart of sacrifice. No wonder then that he could pray for them the way he did. Am I also all about convenience or conviction? What is the secret motive behind all that I do? Let it be clear: God cannot be mocked. I can impress people with currency, but God determines the true value of what is given.

Conviction and Conclusion:

If God rejects what I give, it won't matter how much it costs. Paul related the blessing to his God, asking his God to bless this church. I want this God to reveal himself to me, just as he did to Paul. It was this personal experience that made Paul speak this way. He had come to know a God who owns all that the eye can see or the hand can hold. If He blesses you, you are blessed indeed. If he withholds his hand, it does not matter how many people gather resources to help you. Which God do you know? Which God do I follow? What I get is defined by who I know. 

The resources of this God are inexhaustible, as no demand on earth can exhaust the resources of heaven. All he needs me to do is to ask in faith, but I must be willing to given up whatever he asks me to. After all, if He owns it all, He can replace, replenish, restock or remove. Whatever the need, this God is able to supply, because He is rich. The key to that supply is the location, and that is Jesus Christ. In Him is the fullness of God revealed; in him is abundance of mercy, grace and favour. He is no fool who gives up that which he cannot keep so he can lay hold of that which he cannot lose. God's time of favour is here. 

Worthy!

Worthy!

“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” Revelation 4:11 NIV

Context and Charge:

One of the ways we can fully understand the value of the words of today's extract is to look at the events that surrounded the utterance of these words. John had just received messages from the Lord of the church condemning and commending the seven churches in the then Asia Minor, as appropriate. These letters were written by one with full knowledge of the church; one who cannot be deceived by outward platitudes and pretence. Each church received its own personal and directed message, and then a door in heaven was opened, and John was given the rare privilege of having a foretaste of the things to come. If I will have John's experience, I must have John's submission. God wants to share his heart with me, showing me the things to come and how best to prepare, but he cannot do so with a heart that is not fully submitted to him.

In heaven, there is no power contest or elections, where people vie for positions, and every election cycle, other people come in. God is the ultimate and only power there is, and his word is law. The only person who dared to challenge God's authority in heaven lost his place and stands condemned forever. On earth, men have a choice of response: allow the rule and authority of God, as it is in heaven, reign also in their lives. We are given the power to choose; we are given the power to refuse. God does not go against the exercise of our freewill, but He makes it very clear that actions have consequences. For those who submit, heaven is open to them. For those who refuse to the end, heaven cannot be open. If heaven is not open, of course, the only other alternative destination is hell. There is no coming back from that.  

Contention and Conclusion:

Reflect on the words of today's extract. Think of how long these 4 beasts and 24 elders and the host of heaven have been doing this for, and consider that there is no end to, or timeframe for it. It is praise unlimited; the result of an acknowledgement of the power of the one being praised. The beasts and elders do not really need a reason to praise God, but seeing God at work and beholding the wonders of his creation only makes it more appealing. They know him as their God and Lord; is He mine and yours too? Do you have an alternative to this God? They are quick to ascribe to him glory, honour and power. Men would usually have these 3 - power, glory and honour - at different times in their lives. Even those born into wealth may not always have power. Yet, given time, even the most powerful or wealthy dies.

That is the baseline for submission. Nothing man has can go with him into eternity, except that which he does with God. This is the God who created all things, and wills all things to exist for his pleasure. If I am kept alive, it is because God has a plan for me. All that I hold must keep me grounded; it is a privilege, not a right, to be entrusted with bits and parts of God's creation. If I know and agree that God is sovereign, and that all I am and have belong to Him, it will reflect in my attitude and response to Him. Worship will come easy, as it will flow out of a heart that has had a personal encounter with the God who made all things, and to whom all things must answer to. Which God have I come to know and worship? This God, or the figment of my own imagination? God's time of favour is here. 

Real Repentance!

Real Repentance!

Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 2 Corinthians 7:10 NIV

Context and Charge:

Paul had written to the church in Corinth, seeking to correct an error or sin in the church. For all members of the church, this is an important lesson: I must never think I am above error or beyond correction. As long as I am a part of the church on earth, I am a work in progress, striving on to perfection. The church also has individuals who are in need of help with sin, and those who God has helped in that area become points of strength and encouragement to those who need it. Where do you fit? Where do I fit? Is my life an encouragement or a challenge to those God has placed around me? 

Paul corrected; those concerned listened and responded the right way. There is a reference to Godly sorrow, which means that there's an ungodly version. A good way to understand both is to look at the lives of Judas Iscariot and Simon Peter. Both were disciples; both denied or betrayed Jesus, and both experienced sorrow for their actions. But while one repented genuinely, the other hung himself due to regret. Sorrow pushed both to extremes, good and bad. Unfortunately, each response had eternal consequences.

Contention and Conclusion:

As God shows me who I am and what I have done wrong, can I trust His love to help me get back on track? I must not listen to the lies of the devil who wants me to think I am beyond help, or that my current limitations are because of my wrong. If God has forgiven, the past holds no power. If God has dealt with the past life of sin, I do myself a big disservice if I keep digging it all up. The right kind of sorrow is the type that pushes me to seek God, not run away from Him. No sin must be so grave that it will keep me from the One who promises salvation, cleansing and restoration if I will only repent and return. 

Am I running towards or away from God? If I see that I am running away from God due to sin, I must be careful to retrace my steps and return. Worldly sorrow has no earthly or eternal value. In Judas Iscariot's case, it led to eternal death. In Peter's case, sorrow led to repentance and restoration. May sin not have the power to keep me away from God. May my heart not deceive me into being complacent or careless. May I run to God at all times, seeking His help and favour for the journey ahead. God's time of favour is here.

The Good!

The Good!

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8 KJV

Context and Charge:

God leaves us in no doubt what His expectations from us are. He is not a boss who seeks to lord it over us for the sake of proving he is the boss, but with the power of omniscience, He wants us to be aware of the world we live in, its limits and demands, and how we can successfully navigate it. Who else can help me with the uncertain world, than the One who created it? Who else can help me with its intricacies than the all-wise God? For all who know and have surrendered to God, it is like a big advantage over those who don't. Do I know this God, and does He know me as His own? 

God has shown us all what is good. There is a portion of God's spirit in man, which was received when God breathed upon man. Without any prompt, we know when we do wrong but we can choose to ignore the silent warnings. Even creation speaks of the demands and expectations of God, and there will be no excuse for any man who chooses to ignore all these warnings. That good I was formed to do is the good I must pursue, if I will become all that God intends. I have God as the perfect example of good to look up to and emulate. He does only good and all who will show him off must also do good. 

Contention and Conclusion:

There are three dimensions referred to in today's extract. The first is to do justly. This would mean that my intention and action align. I do not say one thing and do the opposite. My life must look like one that knows the value and impact of God's kind of justice. The next is to love mercy. It sounds a bit contradictory to do justly and to love mercy at the same time, but when a man walks with God, he has God's mind and can live right. There will be times to insist on what is right in full view, and there will be times when even when justice is applied, it is tempered with mercy, without belittling God's expectations for our life.

The last is to walk humbly with thy God. It's the personal and private touch to the public interaction of the other 2 stated above. Justice and mercy are best understood in the light of interactions with other people, while humility is the fundamental ingredient in my walk with God. When I have all 3 in place, my life will definitely make impact. I also note that there is no OR in that verse, which means it is not really about picking and choosing what is convenient for you, but complying with all that God demands. God has made clear what his expectations are; what is my response going to be? God's time of favour is here. 

Justified!

Justified!

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:1 KJV

Context and Charge:

Paul would know the value of the verse under consideration today, as he had been one to seek justification from God by the law. He was a defender of the cause of the Mosaic law, and would not permit any deviations whatsoever. Even if it meant violence and death, he was ready to defend the cause. Like him, we have such people in abundance today, seeking to please God by acts of the flesh, forgetting that by the law, no man can be justified before God. The nature of sin inherited from Adam made that the case. No wonder the birth of Jesus had to break the chain of natural conception, so He could provide the right sacrifice that would provide salvation from sin and a new stand with God. 

It took just one encounter with this perfect sacrifice for Paul's view of a relationship with God to change. It was no longer a case of working hard to please God, but now relying on the finished work of Jesus to be acceptable before God. All of a sudden, it didn't matter what my past or present contained; the only thing that mattered was that I could call God Father just as Jesus does. That is one of the amazing benefits of my new stand in God. Now, my working hard isn't to 'buy' God's approval, but it is an appreciation of all that I have received from God through His son Jesus. The gift of Jesus opens up access to God and enables me to sit, stand and walk in places where I would normally not qualify to. 

Contention and Conclusion:

It won't stop people from still trying to earn salvation though. It seems that human nature just does not trust anything that comes without a price tag. All of our lives we have heard that you are only entitled to that which you have earned, and are now faced with a situation where nothing in my hands or life can be an effective substitute or sufficient payment plan for all that God has done. That is why making this claim hinges on my relationship with the key, who is Jesus. This promise of justification is accessible to those who are IN Christ Jesus, not those who just know the name or love the way the name sounds. Am I IN Christ Jesus? 

My relationship with Jesus defines how and where I walk. If Jesus has indeed sealed life for me, I must walk to please Him. I need the help of the Holy Spirit to do this. Flesh can never please God, because it is the nurture of sin. It cannot be broken, which is why flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. I must audit my life and make sure it lines up with the dictates of God's spirit. What inspires my daily pursuits and priorities? Is it a desire to please God or to seek after my own pleasure? I must keep at the back of my mind that my walk has eternal consequences. I can't afford to be careless. God's time of favour is here. 

Covered!

Covered!

For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

Habakkuk 2:14 KJV

Context and Charge:

Habakkuk had spent some time asking God about his nature, power and idea of justice. He had wondered why God seemed to acquit the guilty and condemn the innocent. He also wondered why God would use a nation more wicked than Israel to punish his people. Maybe God's responses were not what Habakkuk was expecting, but it was evident that Habakkuk came to the conclusion that God is sovereign and does what He pleases whenever He pleases. That conclusion must be my final position too, if I will see and experience God for who He is. 

For all of us on earth, we have to proceed with the clear and undeniable knowledge of God's power and might. I note that my view or agreement is not required for God's glory to fill the earth. The operative word here is SHALL. It leaves no room for debate; actually, I can choose to accept or reject God's position, but my decision has no impact on who God is or what He can do. A frank review of the world as it is now shows that though evil abounds, the knowledge of God also abounds. God created the earth, and it must definitely answer to its maker. 

Contention and Conclusion:

In places where you would wonder whether God exists, God is raising an army of people who know and celebrate Him. It's not just in places that are convenient, but everywhere on the earth. As long as I carry the presence and power of God, I am a representative of this God. Just as waters cover the sea, which is the right place for water, and the right contents for seas, so also is the knowledge of God the right content and composition for the earth. 

The question then is: am I a worthy representative of this God? Can He trust me with the deposits of His power and grace? Have I first submitted my life to the person, power and presence of this God? I can only push and promote that which is a  personal experience to me. It was God's plan to restrict the seas to its place; in the same way, if He says His glory will fill the earth, I do not see any person or power that can resist Him. This is the God who calls me to Himself; on whose side would I rather be? God's time of favour is here. 

Known!

Known! 

The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. Nahum 1:7 KJV

Context and Charge:

Nahum here received a revelation about God from different dimensions. Can you imagine the depth and scope of the revelation of God as a jealous God, who is filled with wrath at iniquity, and who punishes sin? Do you know what it takes to be shown the side of God with his fierce anger, and whose wrath is poured out like fire? Is that a God you want to joke with or to ignore his warnings? We are now in an age and time when it is not convenient to speak about this side of God. We want to make him attractive, so we speak only about his love and mercy. Whilst that is all true, it is also equally true that mercy has an alternative. If I will come to God, it is proper that I know who He is and what He expects, so I don't make costly mistakes. It is therefore important for me to critically consider this question at this time: "Which God have I come to know?"

The answer to that question has both earthly and eternal ramifications. It is a personal answer, with nothing to do with whatever any other person is doing. Today's extract looks at 4 dimensions to that answer. First, God is good. Yes, He is, no matter what the reality around me is. The fact that I do not yet have it does not mean that it will not come, and if it doesn't come, it means the good God does not intend for me to have it. It leads into the second, which is that the day of trouble will definitely come, but if I am constantly dependent on the good God, I am assured of a good end. He is called a stronghold in that day of trouble. Because He is good, he is the secure option on the day that everything falls to pieces. We do not know when that day will come, but the provision of God for that day is already in place. Talk about prepaid security. 

Contention and Conclusion:

His knowledge of all of us, as well as those who trust in Him, are the last 2 dimensions to that answer. God is omniscient; nothing is hidden from Him. Even in the deepest darkness, everything is light to Him. It will therefore amount to foolishness for anyone to think that s/he can hide anything from this God. We act like we are masters of our own destiny, or that our education, elocution, exposure, experience, energy, earnings or exertions are what gives us the provisions that we get. Unfortunately, there is such a big limit to what the above can secure for you, and because the world's system gives you, you have to keep using world's system to keep them in place. The world cannot give you that which it does not have, and it can't secure for you that which it does not understand.

With that specific knowledge highlighted above, now picture the blessings attached to fully trusting this God. Imagine also the folly of thinking you can make it on your own without help. For all who come to the saving knowledge of this God, they are known by Him and set apart for amazing blessings. He knows those who trust in Him, as well as those who are in it for what they can get out of Him. It was said of King Amaziah that he served God all the days of his life, but not with a perfect heart. No man could have said this; only the One who knows all secrets can say this. Forget pretence and hypocrisy; it is time to sincerely seek God out, so we can be known by Him. If He knows me, I enjoy all that is in Him. If He doesn't know me, it won't matter who else I know, no matter how connected they may be. God's time of favour is here.

Prepared For Fruit!

Prepared for Fruit!

Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. John 15:2 KJV

Context and Charge:

It is very important to define my location. My location defines my allocation. If God has made supply available in a particular place, it is very foolish to demand that supply from another place different from where God has put it. There is a vine from which supply for all branches are available. That vine is sufficient for all branches, but this is where there is a catch: branches in this vine have a role to play: to stay connected to the vine and take all nutrients provided, so they can bear fruit. This is where both the hard and the easy parts meet: God does not force a branch to remain in Him, but He can guarantee fruit for any branch which does. 

And then there's the flip side which is: if a branch does not bear fruit, it ends up disconnected from the vine. It does not matter how fresh it looks at the beginning; it will eventually rot. It is not enough to just look green; fruit is the output of the invisible input from the vine. How can anyone come to the vine for nourishment if there is no value available? This is why bearing fruit is the proof of discipleship, and why God takes very seriously the issue of not bearing fruit. Imagine that a branch once connected to a vine is now cut off, left to rot with its final use being fuel for the fire. Is that the best use of a life created by God?

Contention and Conclusion:

Is it not strange that the branch that is cut off due to fruitlessness was once attached to the vine. Never assume that because you can speak the 'christian' language or you understand the doctrines of the bible, you must be connected to the vine. This connection must be sure, certain and fixed, because eternity depends on it. When Jesus returns to take his church home, the criteria will not be language or influence, but connection and fruit. I must make sure that I constantly check that my connection is secure. 

And in that connection is also this reality: fruitfulness requires pruning or purging. There is always room for more fruit, unless you want to start dying. For all who submit, God will take them through a process that will guarantee even more fruit. Imagine a branch with fruit all year round, and you get the picture of what God can do with a life that is fully submitted to Him. The path and process to purging is painful, but the benefits are eternal. With purging comes even more fruit. Just leave your life in the hands of the One who can take care of both the earthly and the eternal. God's time of favour is here. 

No Thought!

No Thought!

Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

Matthew 6:25 KJV

Context and Charge:

Jesus, speaking to his disciples seated with him on the mountain, highlights the importance of our thoughts. Whatever is able to hold my thoughts, good or bad, becomes the focus of my heart and life. Long before I act, there is a processing that goes on in my heart, so that the actions that follow fully reflect those thoughts. There is actually nothing like 's/he acted thoughtlessly'. It may not be a good outcome, but we all act based on the contents of our hearts. It then means that my main assignment is to guard my thoughts so they can lead to the outcomes God intends. 

Jesus asks me to take no thoughts. He did not ask me not to plan for the future, but to make adequate provisions but leaving room for God to lay out His own plans. It means I must not be obsessed with what I want, but be conscious of what God wants for and from me. I must view life's provisions as part of the package of God for me, and not allow them rule over my life. After all, no matter how much I eat now, my body will process that which has gone in, expel that which it does not need, and in a few hours, I would have to do it all again. 

Contention and Conclusion:

No matter how fine the clothes are, at some point, due to constant washing and treatment, they would wear out or become small, and would need to be replaced. Are these the things that should take up my heart so much that they become sources of worry and anxiety? Whatever this earthly body needs will come from the earth, and because this earth is temporary, nothing it provides or promises can last forever. I must take that all it provides and use well, but be mindful that they do not become sources of worry to me. 

While I am on earth, I must pursue that which is of eternal value. Food and drink are good, but they only nourish the body. Clothes are good, but they only cover the physical body. These have spiritual equivalents, with the soul also requiring spiritual food as well as spiritual armour. This earthly phase is too short for me to focus only on that which the physical body needs; I must also prepare for eternity. God promises to do both: take care of the physical as well as the spiritual. If he's in charge, I need not worry. God's time of favour is here. 

Stored Right!

Stored Right!

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

Context and Charge:

Jesus was addressing his disciples here on the mountain, even though there was a huge crowd at the foot of the mountain also listening to Him. As always, the message of Christ is for all men; no discrimination or favouritism. The gift of eternal life through faith in Christ Jesus has been given to all men, and I can only enjoy the benefits when my life aligns with the conditions. Today's extract is therefore one of many lessons on the demands of salvation. It calls for specific action from all who claim it. Am I saved, or do I still need to clarify my identity in Christ? For the sake of eternity, this is a question that must be answered in the affirmative. 

We are all storing up something precious somewhere, whether we are conscious of it or not. Our daily decisions, thoughts, actions, relationships and interactions all show the contents of our hearts. If my life is a daily dedication to obeying God's word, I am laying up treasures in the right place. If I am constantly seeking my own way, believing I am my own master, I am also laying up treasure somewhere else. The key thing to remember is that my eternal reality is defined by the location of my treasure. If I have nothing of eternal value stored up, how do I draw out of it when the time comes? 

Contention and Conclusion:

Eternity has no credit facilities; only reward. The earthly life is the only place where I can use the credit of God's grace to store right. It is also important to note that there is no place on earth, no matter how secure, that can hold eternal treasure, because eternal treasure cannot be understood by the world. Give it enough time, everything earth produces or initiates always dies, either by rust, disease, change in fortune or content, or death. God has so done it in a way that the only thing of this earth that will survive the fire that is coming is my eternal soul. That has to be my focus and my daily priority: how do I secure eternal dwelling with God?

Salvation is the foundation, and service to God forms the building blocks. It does not matter what the job specs say; just make sure that it is what God prescribed. Do not do it only because there is earthly gain involved; that must not be the sole reason why I do what I do. There has to be eternal value to whatever will demand my effort and time. If it is worth doing at all, it must be worth doing well. Remember, a fire is coming that will utterly consume all that we see now. I must make the best of the earth's resources, but I must not let them consume my heart. The eternal must be the pursuit. God's time of favour is here. 

Right Power!

Right Power! 

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. Proverbs 18:21 KJV

Context and Charge:

Again, we look at the book of one-line messages, with each sentence practically a full message on its own. The man who is credited with most of the words in the book of Proverbs was Solomon, a man blessed by God with wisdom. If God is the sole inspiration behind your perspiration, impact and impartation are non-negotiable. However, if I have found alternative ways to get things done, God will simply watch while I labour and perspire without results. That power of choice is both a blessing and a burden, and it is important that I know and understand this power, so I can harness and channel it appropriately. 

The power of choice covers different areas of my life, but today's extract speaks about the tongue. This is actually a small part of our bodies, and is hidden from view unless and until someone opens his mouth, but it holds the power of life and death over a life. How does this work? A careful consideration of God and how He works helps put it all in perspective. He spoke and all that we see today came to be. That same creative power is in all that God formed, because we are made in His likeness. It is not a responsibility to be treated lightly.

Contention and Conclusion:

It is a warning to all of us to be wary and careful of the power of the tongue. Check out a few uses: we praise and worship God with it, but when friends offend us, we are quick to remind them of all we had done for them. We pretend to like people and praise them so we can get something from them, and then turn around to speak evil of the same person. It cannot be as God planned it, that what was given to use for the glory of the giver has now been turned around into an object of ridicule and scorn. I can't use one part of my body for good purposes and then seek to use other parts for sinful purposes all at the same time. That would be similar to hypocrisy, which God does not like. 

He has made his will clear: if I want to enjoy life, the secret lies in the usage of the parts He has given me. I consider it a privilege to be able to speak; not everyone on earth can. I must live in daily appreciation of all I have been given, never seeking to promote my selfish interests over and above those of other people. If you love it, it means you can die for it. I must therefore be sure that all that God has given me is used to His glory so I can have and enjoy the price, which is eternal life. God's time of favour is here.

No Fear!

No Fear!

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness. Isaiah 41:10 KJV

Context and Charge:

This is a season of fear for those who live by what policies, processes and procedures the world highlights for them. The world knows how to keep under bondage those who are subject to it. That is why investments in protection services are popular with the world. Yet, in all, there is still no guarantee of safety or protection, because the world cannot give you that which it does not have. Each supplies that which it has in abundance. God who speaks here stakes his name, honour and reputation on his words, and from experience, He is a God who can be trusted. The first step in taking hold of all God offers is to know Him personally. That is non-negotiable. 

If I read the words of today's extract, how do I know how to deal with the world's fear if I do not know the One who has defeated it? God says I should not fear, because He knows what the world can do to those under its control. He also gives me reasons why I need not fear; His presence is the only antidote to fear. Check out the lives, impact and end of all the men and women in the Bible for which it was recorded that God was with them; they could not always explain the process or the journey, but they had a testimony that stayed with them that God is sufficient, and we can learn from their lives too. Is this God enough or am I considering other options?

Contention and Conclusion:

Consider the other benefits of God's presence: strength, help and upholding. I am yet to see a man dependent on God's grace who ever became self-sufficient. I am yet to see a man who knew and acknowledged he was helped by God become proud of his achievements. I am yet to see a man who is upheld by God's strength boast about his superiority in relation to other people's weaknesses. You do not get supply from God and think you have arrived; it makes you even more dependent on this God.

As I journey through the world and live the life God has given me, I must always remember that I have God on my side. His promises stand out, because long before I was born, He has documented these promises so I do not need to scheme to get them. I just have to be where God wants me to be, doing what He commands. I couldn't earn it by good works, bank account balances or circle of influence; faith in God is the only key that activates the promises of God here. He is God, whether I agree or not, but my life will be easier if I let Him be God and just work with Him. A good end is assured. God's time of favour is here. 

Love, God's View!

Love, God's View!

Love beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 1 Corinthians 13:7 KJV

The Context and Charge:

Paul writes to the church in Corinth about a more excellent way. He had just written to them about the value and impact of the gifts that the Holy Spirit gives to the church and how these gifts help the church become what God intends. But Paul had to make it clear that all gifts require the right context, platform and target for them to have the right impact as defined by the One who gave them. As long as I am not the owner of the gift, I do not get to choose how and when the gift is used. If the owner lays out the right way, I will only survive if I go that right way. 

That more excellent way is the way of love. Just as Paul made it clear in this letter, I can have the most precious and visible gifts, but they profit me nothing if I do not exercise them in love. If I speak expressly in tongues, yet I am quick to envy or keep malice with someone else, what is the value of the gift? Would I crave after the gifts of the Holy Spirit and then refuse the fruit of the Spirit? That would be a grave mistake. The fruit is the visible expression of the invisible gift. The man who truly loves can never be hidden. 

The Contention and Conclusion:

Love is part of the fruit of the Spirit. Today's extract lays out part of its contents and manifestations. It proceeds from the place of absolute trust, not initial suspicions. It gives the benefit of the doubt; hopes that there is plain and honest dealing all around. It endures whatever comes, as it knows that there is profit at the end of the pressure. It can bear the pressure, because it knows it is just for a season. And this is not just about the things that are convenient; but ALL things, without exception. This is the true value of love: no discrimination or partiality. 

I then have a review and an assignment: do I have the kind of love described here? Is my heart large enough to accommodate even those the world finds difficult to love? Can I say, without any fear of contradiction, that what I have is the definition of love from God's perspective? This is not the time for false narratives or deceptive confidence; the source of both the gift and the fruit is the One who can help me see myself the right way. When he shows me who I am, then I must act. Love must align with the demands of the source, not the reaction of the target. I surrender my heart today to the One who can birth and sustain that which is true and eternal: love from God's perspective. God's time of favour is here. 

Due Honour!

Due Honour!

Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

Ephesians 6:2‭-‬3 KJV

The Context and Charge:

Today's extract is an exact replica of one of the commandments that Moses received on Mount Sinai, as God was preparing His people for life in the land He had promised. God does not do things haphazardly; He is a methodical God, who plans ahead of time and works out His will as He pleases. It is no use trying to argue your way out of His commands; my path to success, favour and increase lies on the path of obedience to instructions. What steps do I need to take today, so that I can align with God's plan for me, and that my life will be all that God intends?

Today's instruction is about honouring parents. It is interesting to note that for children who are told and taught here to honour their parents, at some point in time in the future, will also become parents. Isn't it a bit funny that if you thought you can't honour your own parents for something they did to you in the past, your own children too can think the same way when you have them? The lesson then is to remember that you will definitely reap whatever you sow. If you sow the wind, you reap the whirlwind.

The Contention and Conclusion:

Each gives what s/he has, and gets whatever s/he gives. God has an amazing mix of fairness, justice and mercy. I note that the word used here is 'honour'; as hard as it may sound, I must be careful to know the place of God's instructions on my life and the place of parents too. Would I displease God if it means displeasing my parents? Would I commit sin because my parents asked me to? May the Lord give us understanding of His will and purpose for our lives. I must honour my parents, but I must also honour and obey God. This is the balance I must be careful to maintain.

And of all the many commandments given by God to Israel, this was the first with a promise attached which is long life and prosperity. 1 promise, many parts. You get all of God when you do all that He commands. Too many times, we are all about what God promises us, and we can pray long and hard about what we want, but we don't like to hear about what he demands from us. If I will access what is provided, I must align with what is demanded. He cannot lie; He can do all He promises. Can He count on me to do what He instructs? God's time of favour is here. 

Doing Right!

Doing Right!

and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:24‭-‬25 KJV

The Context and Charge:

Life itself is a community. God in his wisdom made life to be enjoyed in the midst of community. God made the first man, then realized that man was indeed alone after some time. He had work to do, a garden to tend, animals to take care of and God's creation to nurture, but there was no one on his intellectual and spiritual level, apart from God, that he could relate with. God formed the woman and brought her to him, laying the framework for fruitfulness, multiplication and impact on God's earth. If this is God's model for life, we will do well to consider the full picture, and take steps to align with the divine mandate. Nothing outside of God's divine order will stand the test of time. 

It is this community that today's extract further underscores. I cannot thrive on my own: God did not form life to be like that. I am an encouragement to someone else; I am a source of inspiration to another person. That which I have received from God was not meant to be hoarded, but shared. The love of God in me is only fully appreciated when it flows out to touch other people. When people see the output of my life, they must be encouraged to seek the same foundation for their own lives too. I must do good works, and by my example, encourage others to follow my example, as I also follow Christ. That is the standard. Can I say that my life is a reflection of the presence and power of God?

The Contention and Conclusion:

After the 'good works' in the verse for today is a full colon, which means what follows is an example of the good works expected of me, and it is fellowship. How can the world recognize and celebrate God's version of love if it is not seen? Can 1 person ever do it alone? With God on my side, I am a force, but imagine the harnessed power of individual forces coming together in one accord. Alone, I can only do so much, but together with other people of like minds, we can achieve so much more. That is why today's extract encourages us not to forsake the assembly, as some are doing, have done or are planning to do. I must not turn my back on God's prescription for his move in these last days.

Would we disagree? Definitely. Would we always see things from the same perspective? Never? Yet, God in his wisdom has called people with different backgrounds, races and history into fellowship with Him and one another. The common factor is the blood, and you are family with anyone you share blood with. That is the most powerful reason why, in spite of disagreements, we keep on. There is a day coming when all of these things will make sense; when there will be the eternal fullness of the earthly fellowship we currently enjoy. As I wait for that day, I keep doing right down here. I take from what God has given to others, and I supply that which God has deposited in me. God's time of favour is here.

 

The Mediator!

The Mediator!

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 1 Timothy 2:5 KJV

The Context and Charge:

Paul was writing here to his young protégé, Timothy. He had found the young man at some point in his missionary journey, mentored him, and by his own personal example, prayed for the young man. It is recorded that Timothy was given a gift of God through the prayers and laying on of hands by Paul. It is this example that lays the foundation of today's extract. The chapter from which today's extract is taken starts with that clear exhortation: supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men. Hete, enemies, strangers, friends, neighbours and the world in general are all covered. Have I learnt the power that prayer holds?

If I am to experience that power, I must know the One who has that power. How do I access it? How do I enjoy it? The answer is in today's extract: the One called the mediator, the man Jesus Christ. See how he is described: the man. Maybe if he was presented as the Lord Jesus, we would have struggled to identify with him, but he came like us, lived like us, died in our place and then now lives forever, so we can taste all that He is and has. His humanity is His greatest offering. This tells us that He knows and understands our weakneses and struggles, and He can help us overcome, just as He overcame. Is there any area of my life that requires God's intervention? The man Jesus is sufficient for whatever season may come. 

The Contention and Conclusion:

You do not need a mediator if there has not been a prior quarrel. A mediator is defined as: 'a person who attempts to make people involved in a conflict come to an agreement; a go-between'. This must be a person who understands both sides because He has walked in both sides. No wonder he is called the man Jesus. He is God; at the same time, also man. He is in the best position to be a good advocate for us. He is God, so He understands and knows the heart of God the Father, has experienced the pain of sin and can then offer us the help that we need. Have I recognized my need for help or do I think I can make it on my own? 

In those words today is a note of caution too: the source of the conflict must have been pretty serious for Jesus to die. It was such a high price to pay that for the first and last time, Jesus knew his father forsook him in the hours that he bore our sin. Jesus paid the penalty for my restoration; what help can I access if I reject the only one who God listens to when he presents my case before His Father? If Jesus cannot mediate on my behalf, who else can? One God and One Mediator. All other options will fail. Jesus' CV reads well: He has been doing this for a while now; this earthly life is the platform for his work. The time comes soon when I will enjoy the eternal benefits of his work. May my life be a reflection of the amazing work of mediation that Jesus came to do. God's time of favour is here. 

Granted!

Granted!

Delight thyself also in the LORD; And he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Psalm 37:4 KJV

The Context and Charge:

In writing the words of this psalm, David must have looked at the lives of wicked and evil men, who seemed to be succeeding in all they did. I am sure he must have been distracted a bit by what he saw, but from the words of this psalm, he must have seen the end of such men and realized that envy was pointless. How can you be envious of that which leads to certain destruction? How can I seek after the benefits of a path that has never ended well? Like David, I also must come to the conclusion that evil does not pay; only in God am I truly safe, and as I depend on Him alone, I get the supply, support and sufficiency only available in Him. 

That was the conclusion David came to here: I have to 'delight' in the Lord; he has to be all that I seek after. Until I have him, I cannot rest, and once I have him, I must not let go. To delight in someone is to always desire to be with them, like the joy of new and fresh love. Being in the presence of the one you delight in is life's greatest joy. You do not want to let go; all He wants becomes my daily pursuit. There is no pressure, just simply pleasure. There is no pain, just great peace. Does this describe my walk with God at the moment, or have I learnt how to compromise, seeking to mix things up, in the event that one does not work out?

The Contention and Conclusion:

The delight must be in Lord, not in what he gives. This is important; if I do not watch out, the gifts become the focus. When I delight in God, I have the assurance that he will give me the desires of my heart. One thing I have learnt is this: if God really controls my heart, there is no room for selfish ambition or recognition of self. All I will crave for is more of God, and my desires will be all for Him. And because he knows me, He is able to supply all that I really need. The AND that joins both sentences show that the two parts are connected; you don't get to claim the benefits of one half and reject the demands of the other half.

Like David, can God say I am a man after His heart? Am I all about what I can get from him, and not who He is or what He wants to be in my own life? There is this vacuum in every human heart, and because the breath of God is in man, until God fills that vacuum, man is bound to keep chasing after 'something'. I must recognize God as my biggest need; He is the key to all that I am and can become. He does not force himself on me, but like David, if I surrender to Him, my earthly and eternal phases are forever settled. What could be better than this? What more could be added to a lifetime with God in eternity? God's time of favour is here.  

Give!

Give!

give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again. Luke 6:38 KJV

The Context and Charge:

In a world that has been sold on the ideas of acquisitions and possessions, today's extract is like a kick in the teeth. The world seeks to define men by the value of their net assets, not net givings. Forbes list isn't about what men give out, but first about what they have. The world also defines success by the value of those acquisitions and possessions, so much so that now, we have a generation of young people sold on the idea that if you do not have, then you are worthless. The world is actually unable to define success in concrete terms, yet it pushes men to pursue the illusion, unable to determine if they have attained it, or whether there is still a lot more to do. Is that really the best use of the life God has given us? 

When you read today's extract, you get the distinct idea that God's view of life is fundamentally different from the world's. God still wants me to have all that He has provided, but he does not want to define my life by what I have, but by the understanding of who I am in Him. Possessions do not stay with you forever; even the things you customize to your taste can be stolen or destroyed. Giving signifies a heart that is not bound to the things it holds, but to the One he knows. Giving indicates that I know and understand the limits of things, and like the example of Jesus, when you give, it always comes back to you. Think of the billions who have come to be joint heirs with Christ, simply because of the life He first gave. 

The Contention and Conclusion:

Giving has a guarantee of returns. That guarantee is backed up by the greatest power in the world; the same power that created all things and to whom all created things answer. When He commands, His creation has no choice but to respond. This is the same God who used a stick to make an iron axe-head float on water; who placed money for tax in the mouth of a fish; who made a cruse of oil have endless supply while there was famine in the land; who fed over 5,000 people with a boy's lunch. 

There are endless possibilities of the returns you get from giving what you hold back to God. Actually, there is nothing in your hands now that really belongs to you. Before it came to you, it was in someone else's hands. Once a man dies, whatever he holds is given to someone else, or is destroyed. God does not force you to do anything; whatever you give him from your heart is what He takes, multiples and gives back to you in multiple folds. When He commands the increase, even the devil has no choice but to comply. Isn't God the better option then to obey? If i obey, I get the full package as promised. The opposite is equally true. God's time of favour is here. 

My Heritage!

My Heritage!

No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD. Isaiah 54:17 KJV

The Context and Charge:

As always, the character and reputation of the person who makes statements like the one in today's extract would determine if the person can be trusted. God speaks here, laying out his ownership and possession of all that is used to make weapons or to speak in authority over situations. He is so powerful that even that which should cause disaster and pain are all under His control. If He controls them, they answer to Him and work as He directs. That is authority; pure and unadulterated. You can't fight that kind of power; you just submit to it.

What makes it even so amazing is the fact that God, the speaker here, knows the mind of the forger of the weapon. Men can plot and scheme; sometimes, even forge weapons with a name to it. The devil knows our location, and if we are the servants of the Lord, he needs to get us to change location so he can apply his schemes. Think of this: all men on earth were subject to the power of sin at birth, but the day I surrender my life to Jesus, I change location, destiny and ownership. I cannot claim the promises here unless and until I am truly a servant of the Lord. 

The Contention and Conclusion:

How can God keep someone who does not accept His authority? For a servant of God, no weapon formed against me shall prosper, but I must never lose connection with the one with the power to keep and preserve. Men can speak as, when and what they please, but as long as my life pleases God, no plan of the enemy can succeed over my life. Now, you may wonder why servants of God lose their lives sometimes; the story of Stephen and Saul makes it clear that the way God works is fundamentally different from the way man thinks. 

At the end, God makes his will and purpose clear: He is God. He keeps; He protects; He guides. He is a refuge and fortress to all who have come to trust in Him. It does not matter how the story of my life goes; if I am in Christ, I will end well. Even when the weapons seem to be made specifically for me, with my name on it, God is able to turn them away, and give me victory. He is able to write the story of my life the way He pleases, and which will glorify Him. That understanding must keep me focused on God; He is all I need. If I serve Him, He will keep me. That is my heritage - my right, my benefit, the fruit of my relationship with God. God's time of favour is here. 

 

This God!

This God! 

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. Psalm 18:2 KJV

The Context and Charge:

The introduction to this psalm gives the background to the words of David here. God had delivered David from the hands of his enemies, including the then king Saul. God does the amazing and the miraculous every day, but sometimes, due to the frequent and repetitive nature of these events, we take them for granted. How many of us are conscious enough to thank God that we woke up this morning, still clothed in our right minds? Do we just assume it is a right? I learn this from David: my life must be a daily and constant appreciation of God's grace. 

I note that these words were written to celebrate God's deliverance but the book of psalms gives us an insight into the heart of David. He was not a man who would only sing when all was well, but also when things were tough. In fact, it is the tough times that define where I stand with God. I must not be a fair - weather friend, only there when the going is smooth. God is always present and available, no matter the season of my life, and I must relate with Him with that understanding. Can God count on me at all times, or am I there for what I can get out of Him?

The Contention and Conclusion:

It showed here that David knew and related with this God on a personal level. Check out how many times I and MY are used in this one verse: 9 times. That is personal. Whatever other people's view of God is, no matter how lovely it sounds, I must have mine. It is the personal that drives the public. Testimonies of other people are good, as they help me seek God for my own. I do not want to live solely on what other people say; I want to be able to speak of my own experience of God's grace, mercy and favour. 

None of the words used to describe this God can be explained without a story. Can you call anyone your rock or fortress if you have not been kept from trouble or danger? Can you fully explain God's strength if you have not first experienced weakness and had to depend solely on God? Can you call God your high tower if you have not found him to be a safe place to run into for protection? There will be times when I do wrong, and should be punished, but where will anyone of us be without God's mercy? This is the power of personal experience. God is all that David listed out here, and much more. 

All the men and women in the Bible had their personal experience of this God. I need to make my own, so I can, like David, list all the amazing things God is to me, and the awesome things He does. My life must draw attention to, and be a daily testimony of God's grace. This is my own story about this God. What's yours? God's time of favour is here.

Grace! Grace!!

Grace! Grace!!

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 KJV

The Context and Charge:

What is it about grace that makes it clear that you do not deserve it, yet cannot get enough of it? It is given in abundance, beyond any limit known to man, yet man has not been able to determine the source, nature, depth and scope of this grace. A man who typifies this is Paul, who wrote the words here. Actually, these were God's Words to him, following some experiences he had with some sort of pain or discomfort. There are things about God that I may never be able to understand, but I will not be left in doubt as to the workings of God's grace. That is what today's extract emphasizes. 

It doesn't matter what the weight of the problem is; the grace of God is sufficient. It doesn't matter how long the pain has lasted; God's grace has existed way long before that pain. Life will happen to the best of us; sin has made pain and suffering part of the human experience. What makes it hard sometimes is the fact that even Christians are not completely immune to the pain. God, in His wisdom and power, may permit some things to challenge our faith because He has a bigger and better agenda for us than we expected or imagined. It is the process that is hard, yet the prize makes the pressure worth it. 

The Contention and Conclusion:

As long as I have a source other than God, I will always have alternatives. It is in weakness that God's strength is best appreciated. When I lay it all down at the feet of Jesus, I am telling Jesus to pick it all up and glorify Himself the best way He can. I do not have the wisdom, capacity, capability, strength and connection to make it on my way or to force things; God, who knows me, is the One who is able to do exceeding, abundantly above all that I can ask or imagine. Paul, having known this secret, would not let go. I must discover this same secret, so I can speak the same Paul did here.

God will supply what I need, but I must take advantage. God will play his part, but I must rely on Him on a daily basis. God's power makes all the difference; a staff becomes the instrument for parting the Red Sea; his command created the heavens and the earth, and His Word is the force behind his person. This power is available; his power is sufficient. His power turns a mess into a message, tough times into testimonies and trials into triumphs. Paul was a living testimony to that power; I can also experience the same too, if I only can surrender and embrace the source - God. God's time of favour is here.