Faith!

Faith!

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Hebrews 11:6 NIV

The Charge:

The first verse of the chapter from which today's verse is taken from defines faith as 'the assurance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen'. This already tells me that faith does not depend on the human senses for it to make sense. Even the world has a few definitions too, and two of them are as follows: 'strong belief in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual conviction rather than proof' and 'complete trust or confidence in someone or something'. Can we see any evidence that makes human sense here? Faith in God would not always follow or align with logic, because its strength lies in inner conviction, much more than outer proof. If you have seen it already, it is not faith. If you need to hold God's hand for a season for something, welcome to the realm of faith. 

Why is faith so important to God? As it says in today's verse, without it, it is impossible to please God. Faith is the ingredient that tells God that I trust Him, even if I don't understand the WHY and the HOW behind the WHAT that he asks me to do. If I already have all the physical resources, help and information I need to achieve God's assignment, where is the place of faith? Why would I need to hold God's hand for anything, and still press on if there is delay, if there is no blessing or gain at the end of the journey? I cannot please God by depending on my physical senses alone. Yes, there is a place for reading and hearing God's Word, but these are the foundations that must then lead to the birth and growth of faith. Do I devote the right time to the reading, hearing and studying of God's Word?

The Conclusion:

It is clear that God wants to have a healthy relationship with us. He wants us to draw near to Him, so he can show us great and mighty things about Him. He who comes to God recognises that He is mighty, and that person must know that God rewards all who come with a sincere heart. I note that the verse says God rewards all who earnestly seek Him. We speak about rules of engagement in human terms, and in the walk of the Spirit, there is this one rule: I must make the approach. God is already waiting for me, so the greatest challenge of access has already been solved. All I need to do is come. There is a standing promise from God that He will not cast out anyone who comes to Him. What are you waiting for?  Don't delay, or let anyone or anything stop you. God's time of favour is here. 

His Name!

His Name!

Whatever you do [no matter what it is] in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus [and in dependence on Him], giving thanks to God the Father through Him. Colossians 3:17 AMP

Context and Charge:

Paul, who wrote these words to the church in Colosse, would know what he was talking about here. Paul had also walked in ignorant zeal before, thinking he was offering service to God by killing people who did not hold on to Judaism in its pure form. His zeal, though awesome, was totally misdirected, but God in his mercy, took hold of him and turned his life around, giving him purpose and direction. All that Paul did after that encounter was about directed impact and guided influence. He was now totally submitted to God and was ready and willing to be used. This has to be the default setting for all who desire to make impact, God's way. You cannot insist on your own way, and then also seek to glorify God with your life. I cannot insist on my rights and privileges, and still want God to flow unhindered in and through me. 

Those who bear the name of the Lord are called to act. live, speak and relate on a different standard from the rest of the world. Those who bear the name of the Lord cannot be careless about their affiliations, goals, pursuits and priorities. Everything I do reflects ownership and allegiance, and it will be the highest form of hypocrisy if my life profession does not match my mouth confession. Talk is cheap, as anyone can make whatever claim is convenient, but as I live my life from day to day, who I know becomes apparent from the way I live on a daily basis. Today's verse makes a reference to 'Whatever' I do. There are no time-outs when it comes to bearing the name of the Lord. You do not get to drop it when it is inconvenient, or because you want to quickly do what you know to be wrong and contrary to the demands of the name you claim to bear. 

Conviction and Conclusion:

Doing things in the name of the Lord is being conscious of who you are and who you work for. The attitude must be right: I am working for a God of total knowledge, as well as the rewarder of all men who diligently seek him. He cannot be deceived by hypocrisy, eye-service or pretence. He made the heart, so all its motives and machinations are known to Him. It is a life of TOTAL dependence on God, with a heart of gratitude that appreciates what it has been given, and the promise of eternal life that lies at the end of faithful service. God does not lie; whatever His Word says is his covenant, and he has the capacity, capability and competence to bring to completion whatever it is he commenced. I must make sure that whatever I embark on has his backing. God's time of favour is here.

Love, In Action!

Love, In Action!

love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. 1 Corinthians 13:5‭-‬6 GNT

Context and Charge:

Again, love has several definitions. It does not mean all definitions are correct, but each is the product of origins and experiences. Films and movies will present love in a very particular way, because it is what is popular and acceptable. Human beings also have their own definitions too, which flow from interactions with other people. There is, however, one version of love that we must pay close attention to, and it is God's view. Many passages in the bible speak on love, and lay out what its inner convictions and outer professions look like. I must subject my life to God's view, so that I can confirm if what I hold on to is the correct version. I owe it to the lives God has given me to ensure my life can impact them with what God supplies, not what I have made up on my own. 

These verses lay out what love is not: selfish, irritable or ill-mannered. It does not keep a record of wrongs, and is not happy with evil. I have been given the acceptable standards, and I will do well to heed; if I can submit my life to the searchlight of the Holy Spirit, He can reveal me to myself so I know where I stand. There is no use pretending or lying about who I am or where I am; once I know the standard, it is sin for me if I refuse to live up to the standard. How do I relate with other people? Am I all about what I can get out of it or can I pour myself out into other people from the abundance that God has deposited inside me? Do I keep a record of all the good I have done, so I can demand same from other people, or is it the bad that I hold on to, at the expense of the peace that comes from letting God do His work in and on you? What is your definition of love?

Conviction and Conclusion:

It is your definition that you will give room to take root and grow in and out of you. Do I love the truth, or am I comfortable around deceit and deception? Do I look for ways to promote truth in its pure form, not one that is compromised and prejudiced to look like what I am comfortable with? Remember, the definition that works is that which God lays down, and it is that which is Him and His nature. If it does not glorify him, it does not matter how popular it is, or how much men celebrate it. If it is not God's, then it is not love. Love and Truth are the same sides of the same coin and reflect who God is. I owe it to the lives that have been entrusted into my care to impact their lives with what God has placed in me. That is my gift of love to the world. It was first given to me; now, I must flow out to the world. The world is waiting. God's time of favour is here. 

In Me 7!

In Him 7!

Blessed be the LORD, Because he hath heard the voice of my supplications. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: Therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. Psalm 28:6‭-‬7 KJV

Context and Charge:

True power lies in that which is within. It's as if life wants to prove that visibility must always equate to relevance. There is so much noise on the outside, with men trying to prove to other men like themselves that they are smarter, richer, better or more influential than other men. However, from all that we read in the Word of God, we know that the heart is where God's greatest work must be done, if that life will matter and make impact. Long before the lips can profess, the heart must process and believe. It is from the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks. When I come before God with my burdens, even when I can't find the right words, He who created the heart and knows its motives and intentions still knows what I need. This is the God who cannot be fooled by hypocrisy, pretence or eye-service. 

This is why David could write these words: blessed be God. He had come to prove that God is indeed personal and powerful. For David, God was also his strength and shield. That is protection, provision and peace. David also could trust in God, and could access His help. These are just a few of the things David spoke about from his personal encounter with God. Until you have yours, you may never fully understand why David wrote this way. How would you, like David, sing songs of praise and thanksgiving to God, if you are still caught under the weight of unmet expectations? How can you praise God if you have taken your eyes off God and placed them on the size of your problems? Like David, I must know that my heart cannot successfully focus on both God and the world at the same time; no man can.

Conviction and Conclusion:

I have to make up my mind and decide what is really important. My heart must sort out its allegiance, so that it knows and can embrace whatever it is that is coming. I note the number of times the words I and MY are used in this one verse, and that is 9 times. it is first personal, long before it can be public. God wants to do His work in me first, because He knows that once He holds my heart, He holds all that is me. He knows distractions hold no power; as long as I am focused on him, I can smile in the midst of the storms. The natural outflow of a heart that has been helped by God will be thanksgiving and praise. God wants to take glory in and through me, and if I can only surrender my heart to Him, my life will be the visible and audible platform for the manifestation of God's glory. God's time of favour is here. 

In Me 6!

In Me 6!

For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, But My lovingkindness will not be removed from you, Nor will My covenant of peace be shaken,” Says the Lord who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10 AMP

Context and Charge:

Right from creation, God had established times and seasons. These seasons come and go as God has ordained, and they remain in place through the changing dispensations and generations. Yet, by the word of this same God,  all of these things that seem fixed will be removed or shaken, so that the things which cannot be shaken or removed may remain. This tells me that there is nothing I see today in the world that is assured of permanence; they will all come, and then pass. God's Word already makes that very clear, when it says that even heavens and earth will pass away, but His Word will never pass away. I know now what I need to focus on; what I need to devote time and attention to. From the verse today, these would be the covenant of peace and God's lovingkindness. These must hold my attention, to the total exclusion of all other distractions. 

I note also that all the things that are at risk of being shaken are all on the outside, while all the things that will remain in place are the things God does on the inside of me. His lovingkindness is double delight, because I get both his love as well as His kindness. I also get access to His covenant of peace, and if there is anything about God that is certain, it is that He keeps his word. He is not like man who needs the stars to align, or the weather to cooperate before he can fulfil promises. God is the Lord over all, and if He says a thing, His name and reputation are tied to those things, and he cannot deny himself. Check how long the promises of times and seasons have been made in Genesis 8:22, and you know that God is faithful. Man's inconsistencies don't bother him. He does not need man to be God. 

Conviction and Conclusion:

The times of fear will come, if they have not yet come. The world is in its final stages, and according to the Word of God, the perilous times are here. However, no matter the storms on the outside, I have the inner presence of God to comfort and guide me. His love and kindness are not subject to me being worthy or deserving at all times, but because love is God's nature, that is all He can give. He is the Prince of peace, so I get peace in all its fullness, no matter what else is going on outside of me. He knows my weak frame, and that if He does not help me, I will not make it. His promise is therefore not subject to my being worthy, but to His own nature. I can look ahead with joy to all that is ahead, because I know who I have believed. He is faithful and can be trusted. God's time of favour is here.

In Me 5!

In Me 5!

“Blessed [anticipating God’s presence, spiritually mature] are the pure in heart [those with integrity, moral courage, and godly character], for they will see God. Matthew 5:8 AMP

Context and Charge:

Jesus speaks here to His disciples, men he had just chosen out of many, to follow Him. He was teaching them about the principles of the Kingdom of God, and the rules of engagement with the Kingdom. It has to be noted here that it is not a democracy, where my views are sought before decisions are implemented, or where I get to vote in the leader every 4 or 5 years. This is a benevolent dictator, whose word is law, and whose rules are specific and particular. They leave you in no doubt as to the expectations, and I get to decide if I will follow, or if I will draw back. I must also not forget that the message today is for both the crowd and the disciples, but for the disciple, the demand is to understand what God wants and then pursue it with wholehearted devotion and dedication. The crowd may be content with just hearing; the disciple must take the next step of obedience. 

It is this next step of obedience that separates the disciple from the crowd. A disciple is a follower of Christ, and has totally embraced the demands of that discipline. One of the demands of that discipline is purity. You don't first see the purity; it must have first taken root in my heart and life as total surrender to God, before it can then flow out of me in my conduct, conversation, and the company that I keep. When men relate with me, it won't take much time for that which is IN me to flow OUT of me. This is why lying and pretending are just a waste of time; give it enough time, and all that is inside of me will be made manifest to the world. That is why the heart is key to this very important conversation. I must guard my heart with all diligence, because out of it will flow the issues of life. Before the issues can flow out, there would have been investment of time in the right things. 

Conviction and Conclusion:

The benefits of the right content of the heart are also eternal in nature. The verse before us makes it clear that if we get it right, we will see God. That is such a great end to the demand of purity, and it is an important part of our earthly walk. As we live down here, we are actually preparing for our eternal reality. Everything I do down here matters; nothing is inconsequential. What is the use of a life that does not end ìn the presence of God? What am I living for if I don't have anything eternal to look forward to at the end of my life on earth? If I will see God, I must live in a way that attracts all that He is. Let it be clear right away: sin will cause permanent separation from God. God will not condone sin, and anyone who desires the end of today's verse must align with the first part of the verse. That is God's standard, and the heavens and the earth will pass away before God breaks his Word. Now I know; there is no excuse. God's time of favour is here. 

In Me 4!

In Me 4!

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33 KJV

Context and Charge:

Jesus took out time to teach his disciples a lot about the coming Kingdom, and the expectations of God from all who seek to identify with it. It is not a kingdom you can bribe your way into, and it is not one that supports a careless lifestyle. It is a kingdom with a specific code of conduct which aligns with God's Word and will demand a lot from all who seek to submit to it. Jesus took time to speak to his disciples, and I can imagine how they felt hearing about persecutions, tough times ahead, and the worst of them all: the coming painful death of the One they had known as Master and Rabbi. He was all they knew, now he was going to be taken away. Again, nothing in this world can fill the void that the absence of God creates. You can get busy and occupied, but if He does not reside IN you, there is nothing of eternal value that can flow OUT of you. Who lives in you? Who defines your pursuits, priorities and purpose? 

These words that Jesus spoke here were to birth and sustain peace in the disciples. Peace, from God's own perspective, is not so much the absence of conflicts, but it is the Presence of a Superior being that can calm whatever conflict rages. Being in Christ and working for Him would not totally protect me from tough times and trials, but I have the standing assurance that, as long as I remain connected, I have the supply required to make impact. The world would teach the opposite, seeking to promote its version of peace through enforcement and coercion. However, if the Prince of Peace is not ruling in your life, the confusion will flow out to affect your family, society and the nation. The world cannot give or promise you something it does not have, and no currency has yet been formed that can pay a sufficient price for the peace that God offers. The world cannot understand God's peace, and it cannot replicate it, because its source is God.

Conviction and Conclusion:

This is why I must do all I can to get the original version of peace. The world will give you what it has in abundance, which is tribulation. God will give you all He also has in abundance, some of which are peace, victory and joy. When I know that the end of any experience that comes my way is known to and is under the control and influence of God, what is there to fear? How would I not look forward with joy to whatever is coming, since I have the assurance that God knows how to work out all things for my good? As he encouraged his disciples then, so does He strengthen my heart today: In Him lies the full package of joy, peace and hope required to overcome all that the world will throw at me. The wind will blow, the rains will come, and the floods will rise, but in God, the foundations are set upon the Rock of Ages, and He will help me stand to the end. He has overcome the world, and all who are in God enjoy the same victory. Am I IN God? Does He know me as His own? God's time of favour is here.

In Me 3!

In Me 3!

In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. John 7:37‭-‬38 KJV

Context and Charge:

Feasts were instituted by God to mark various milestones in the lives of the people of Israel. These feasts were the Passover, Unleavened bread, Firstfruits, Weeks, Trumpets, Atonement and Tabernacles. The last one mentioned: Tabernacles, is the one being considered in the verse before us today and was a reminder of the time when Israel lived in tents, before they inherited the promised land. One danger for human beings is the tendency to forget the WHY behind the WHAT that we do. We can become so used to a thing that after some time, it loses significance and meaning. This was where the people of Israel were now: a lot of feasting, but no idea of the message behind the feasts. Many days spent celebrating, but with no idea of the Person and Purpose behind the celebrations. Do I know the person and purpose behind my perspiration and pursuits? 

The prayer is that we will not be caught up in the motions and then forget the essence of our celebrations. Jesus came to the feast, and after a number of days, had to speak out, directing the hearts of the people back to the right path. The people had left Jesus behind, like his parents did when he was 12 years old, and they had journeyed on for so many years. With God, it is never too late to retrace your steps, repent, return and be restored. This was the message from Christ then, and is the message now: Come to ME. I am the only one who can truly satisfy. No matter how deep the longing is, or how long it has persisted without being fulfilled, you can find true satisfaction only in ME. Do not just come because everyone is doing it, or because it is convenient; do it out of faith that I am the answer to all of life's questions. 

Conviction and Conclusion:

When I come in faith, I come with the clear understanding that Jesus is the answer to all my questions. The work He does in me, when I come to Him, is such that it must manifest out of me. When I have totally surrendered to Him, there is a spring that He births and sustains in me, that will continue to flow unhindered out of me. Jesus invites me to come and drink of Him; what I get is rivers of living water. What I take in reflects what pours out of me. He is the source of all good things, and His work in me has eternal consequences. The living water here is a picture of the life of God in me, and nothing can stop it from flowing, as long as I stay connected. Forget the stale promises of the world; it cannot give you what it does not have. Come to the source; He is ALL you need for life and Godliness. God's time of favour is here. 

In Me 2!

In Me 2!

He refreshes and restores my soul (life); He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Psalms 23:3 AMP

Context and Charge:

Life will happen to the best of us. The fallen human nature, due to the influence of sin, is prone to trouble. There are seasons of trials and tribulations, as well as seasons of triumphs. There are times when all seems to be well, and there will be times when nothing will seem to work. There are times when you would feel like giving up, and there are times when you just find inner strength to press on and keep at it. No matter what the external circumstances are, the one thing that I must not do without is the presence of God. No matter what else I have, if God is not with me, I am just an accident waiting to happen. Again, life will happen to me, but there is a standing promise from God that He will be with me.

When the pressure comes, God gives me the assurance that he will refresh and restore me. When life batters and presses me, God's dealings will always come at the right time, in the right measure, and for the right impact. The work that God does is first internal, then the effect is then seen on the external. I must also not forget that for God to be able to work like this in me, it requires my cooperation. The verses before today's extract refers to the writer as sheep under the guidance, protection and provision of the Shepherd. If I am an independent contractor, i may not be able to access God's help. If I have submitted to His authority, then I have unlimited access to all that God is and has.

Conviction and Conclusion:

As His sheep, I carry his name. As His sheep, He is my Lord and Saviour, and the owner of my life. Everytime I open my mouth, I make Him known. Because His name is at stake, He will do all He can to promote His grace upon my life. He is glad when my decisions and actions represent Him well, so He will always provide all I need for life and Godliness so I can continue to His good ambassador. Of course, God will not lead me into sin, because that would be against His nature. He will promote only that which looks like Him, which is righteousness. I may not always understand the WHY behind the HOW he leads, but I have the assurance that being God, He can never lead me astray. I trust His wisdom and judgment, and I know as His sheep, I am safe and secure from every alarm. God's time of favour is here. 

In Me!

In Me!

And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you. Philippians 1:6 AMPC

Context and Charge:

Paul writes to the church in Philippi, encouraging them to trust in God. The pressures of the Christian walk are such that we need to focus on the source of strength at all times. You cannot start in Christ and then seek to continue in the flesh or by sheer force of self-will. There are many demands that will be placed on a true follower of Christ, but the one thing Paul focuses on here is the confidence that God is able to perfect whatever work He starts in us. God does not do half-measures, and He does not do abandoned projects. He will not bring me to the place of purpose and not supply the grace, wisdom and strength required to succeed in that which He has commissioned. I must trust Him, and then walk with Him on a daily basis. 

It is God who begins any work that will last. Whatever else a man starts, or commissions, may persist for a while, but there is no guarantee that that work will reverberate in eternity. That work is IN me, not outside of me. The work must first impact my inner man, before it can make any sense on the outside. The world we live in today lays so much emphasis on net worth, bank account balance and material possessions, but with God, none of these things matter. God may use them if He desires, but He does not need them to impact lives. Jesus' greatest works were about the impact of the Kingdom of God in the hearts of men, not their pockets. The focus has to always be on that which is hidden away from the eyes of men, if I will be all that God wants me to be.

Conviction and Conclusion:

Check out the process too: Develop, Perfect and bring to FULL COMPLETION. None of these processes is easy or convenient. Each takes time to conclude, before it can move on to the next level and into eternity. This is the ultimate: everything God does has eternal implications. The day of Jesus Christ is coming; all men will encounter that day. It is a day of both terror and triumph: what it means for you will depend on that which you have given the power to take root in you, and which you have allowed to work in and out of you. Let God work in you; it is the only way I can be sure of eternal rest with Jesus. He will not stop working; His work cannot be stopped or thwarted by the machinations of men, or the schemes of the devil. That is power, made real in me. I am the platform on which God will be glorified. God's time of favour is here.

 

Discipline!

Discipline!

Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.  Hebrews 12:11 KJV

Context and Charge:

There is a place for discipline. Adults need it as well as children. There is a physical dimension as well as a spiritual dimension. What is discipline then? One definition is: "the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behaviour, using punishment to correct disobedience." From this definition, it is clear that discipline is not a one-off process, or something that happens overnight. It is practice; something you do over and over again. Another thing that is noted is that there are rules or a code of conduct to be enforced. It then means that discipline does not occur in a vacuum; it is always tied to an end goal or a purpose. All who seek a great end know that you need to have a structure in order to attain that great end. 

It must also be noted that discipline is usually unpleasant and grevious. No one willingly submits to tough times, but the verse before us makes it clear that the benefits of the process are eternal in nature, because it is God's way of molding and forming us into vessels He can use for His glory. The start is not always palatable but the end is always profitable. It appears that God needs to prepare me for the place He is taking me to, and without the process, I cannot take the position. If I want to be all that God intends, I must be all that God can use. The question then is: am I the kind of person that can submit willingly to God's dealings? Am I humble enough to surrender my life to God so He can deal with me as He pleases? 

Conviction and Conclusion:

I must remember that a man who God cannot discipline has no part in God. How can God commit great things into the hands of a man He cannot correct? Check out the fruit of God's dealings: the peaceable fruit of righteousness. Check out the double package: righteousness and peace, two sides of God's nature. This is what I get when I submit to God. Fruit also signifies a process: fruit does not grow overnight too. You have to put the sees in the ground, and then nurture it to fruition. The seed determines the fruit to expect; if I want a particular fruit, I have to sow the seed that will lead to that fruit. If I submit myself to this exercise. And this is a guarantee, that if I embrace the process, I get the present. Would I submit? Would I let God work? God's time of favour is here.

Crossover!

Crossover!

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. John 5:24 KJV

Context and Charge:

Jesus speaks here yet again, this time to the Jews of his time. This is interesting because these were his townspeople, who knew his history, family and life journey, and so should relate. Unfortunately, they could not understand how the son of Joseph, the carpenter, could make such claims as being God's child, and making himself equal with God. I must be careful of actions I take due to ignorance òr incomplete information. For the Jews of Jesus' time, and for us today, the message remains the same: it is not enough to know or hear about Jesus, or be familiar with the tokens that are associated with Him; those extra steps of believing in and then obeying him are very important. Don't settle for only head knowledge, as it is not enough to guarantee you eternal life. You must take the extra step of believing and obeying that which you have come to know.

Hearing is important; believing and obeying must follow. The seed only becomes active when it is put in the ground where it can yield increase. You can admire the seed, but if you do not put it to work, in the right environment and conditions, with nurturing and care, you will never see the full capacity of that seed. Until it is applied the right way, it remains dormant with all its capacity. You can make as many demands as you want, but if that seed is not put in the right ground and given all that it needs, it will be wasted. The same applies to us; unless and until we apply the Word we hear to our daily lives, allowing it to impact our actions and decisions, it will not do us good. Some may argue that the Word may not be effective then, but the question would be whether I have made the free choice to allow the Word do His work in me. He does not force Himself on anyone. 

Conviction and Conclusion:

The end of the right process is eternal life. This is important to know, particularly when you consider the temporary nature of the world we live in, and the false promises behind power, position, possession, privilege and politics. The one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God and has accepted Him as Lord and Saviour is the one who has received eternal life. Note that ALL men will be judged but the one who has Jesus as Saviour has already had sin judged in him/her and will therefore not be subject to the judgment of condemnation. Life in Jesus is eternal; in and by Him was death permanently dealt with. I cannot therefore be in Christ and at the same time still be subject to the operation of sin. I am now a partaker of the life of God in Jesus, and also entitled to all that Jesus is and has. Is there anything better than these? Is there anything more valuable than a life that has no end? God's time of favour is here. 

Fear God!

Fear God!

The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning and the principal and choice part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; but fools despise skillful and godly Wisdom, instruction, and discipline. Proverbs 1:7 AMPC

Context and Charge:

It's quite instructive that the book of Proverbs starts with a tribute to wisdom or knowledge, depending on the version you pick. Solomon the son of David, the king of Israel, is credited with almost 98% of the book. He would know the value of wisdom and knowledge, because he was privileged to receive the original versions from the real source, which is God. If I am sincerely seeking righteousness and truth, God is the true source. When you have had an encounter with this God, your life never remains the same. When He has shown you a side of Him, you can't but bow down in adoration and worship. I may not be able to explain why the world is the way it is,

 but I can seek God out for myself: seek to know Him, know His ways and follow Him. The benefits and blessings from this experience will definitely change me, then change the world around me.

Why is the fear of God so important? It is because it is the key to all other blessings and benefits from God. The world will teach us that fear is a bad thing, but when it comes to God, it is a good thing to have the right kind of fear. I note that the verse above says the fear of God is the beginning of the process. It would mean that once the fear of God is in place, then other things must follow. The fear of God has fruit; I can't claim to have it and there will not be any evidence of it in my life. The verse also calls the fear of God the principal and choice part of knowledge. No matter what else you have, until the fear of God is in place, you do not yet have anything of value. I also note that by nature, all of us must fear someone or something. That which you submit to will rule your life and determine your eternity. If it is God, it will end well. The opposite is also true.

Conviction and Conclusion:

If you don't fear God, you will fear something or someone else. The heart is such a delicate organ; so many things will impact the heart and seek to make an impression, but I must be careful what I allow to take root. If you have no fear of God, today's verse calls you a fool. You can say whatever you want, but if you do not make room for the fear of God, you will have no room for wisdom, instruction and discipline. It cannot be faked. You cannot get it by ignoring the source, and you will not go far in life without his help. Whatever it is that I despise cannot turn around and bless me. And as we know, in the spiritual, there is no sitting on the fence, because there is none. You either fear God, or the world. As always, the choice is ours to make, along with its eternal consequences. God's time of favour is here.

The Command!

The Command!

And what this love consists in is this: that we live and walk in accordance with and guided by His commandments (His orders, ordinances, precepts, teaching). This is the commandment, as you have heard from the beginning, that you continue to walk in love [guided by it and following it]. 2 John 1:6 AMPC

Context and Charge:

Who do you go to if you need the correct definition of love? Would that be the movies produced by Hollywood, or what your friends say? Would it be the product of your own imagination, or the result of research and logical thinking? Whichever position you take, one thing that is apparent from today's extract is that love is seen from the perspective of what I am first, and then this leads to what I do. All other definitions or perspectives see love first from the perspective of what is visible or tangible. This is the language that the world understands - what its senses can relate to. If the senses cannot perceive it, then it is not real. For those who know how the things of the spirit work, you know how deceptive and deadly that position can be. The things of God don't follow the pattern of the world, and the world cannot fully understand or explain the things that the spirit births or sustains.

Obedience to God's command is the physical evidence of my love for Him. The two are closely linked, and you cannot do one without the other. I cannot claim to love God, yet constantly and consistently kick against his commands and instructions. If I claim to love God, the proof is my daily devotion to what God has made expressly clear in His Word. Like we also know, it is one thing to speak the language because you know what it is like, but it is a different thing to live it out on a daily basis. That is what this verse makes clear: I must live and walk in accordance with God's instructions. There is this connection again: live and walk. It is hard work being a hypocrite, or just merely paying mere lip-service to God's command; I cannot afford to be lukewarm or lackadaisical about the commitment required for this life that God calls me to; I have to be consistent and focused on what God says.

Conviction and Conclusion:

Do not forget that love is a command, as well as a relationship. It is the start of all beautiful things that God does, and it is the full content of all that God is. You cannot separate God from love, and you cannot separate God's love from all that He does. In fact, it is love that drew up the plan of salvation that was fulfilled in Christ Jesus, and it is love that continues to sustain the life that is now available to all who come to God through Jesus. And when you truly love, your life can flow out with all that God has birthed in you, and you can be a blessing to other people. God is the definition, expression, and the fulfilment of love, and all who will be like God must love exactly the same way He does, which is selflessly. That is love that the world cannot ignore. As I obey, I represent Christ as His ambassador. His light will speak, and the world will know that God is real. God's time of favour is here. 

Give Right!

Give Right!

Let each one [give] as he has made up his own mind and purposed in his heart, not reluctantly or sorrowfully or under compulsion, for God loves (He takes pleasure in, prizes above other things, and is unwilling to abandon or to do without) a cheerful (joyous, "prompt to do it") giver [whose heart is in his giving]. 2 Corinthians 9:7 AMPC

Context and Charge:

Paul speaks here to the church in Corinth, and as is his usual practice, he encourages them of the benefits and blessings of giving. For Paul, in another book, the one he wrote to the church in Philippi, he had told them he had learnt the secret of being content at all times, whether well-fed or hungry. He knew the value of possession, but he also knew the value of giving out. Paul was himself a giver too, who was always quick to share all he had. That has to be the same heart all of us must have, which is one that gives without holding back, because we know who we are serving. This is the truth that has to be laid out so clearly: giving is first settled in the heart, and the value is always secondary. Who is qualified to determine the value of a gift, if not the one to whom it is given? In God's case, he is both the original owner of all things, and then He is the One to whom all things return. 

If I will give the right way, I have to seek His view on what is appropriate and adequate. My heart must seek after God first, before it seeks to present anything to God. This must have been what Cain neglected to do, but which Abel fully understood, and it is not a surprise that God accepted both Abel and his offering, while rejecting both Cain and his offering. The heart is the place where both hypocrisy and sincerity are nurtured and then made manifest. I can make claims to anything, but God who made the heart knows all its hidden motives, and He is able to reveal the deep secrets of a man's heart to him, so he can make amends. Why would I willingly deceive myself, claiming I am giving cheerfully, when there is bitterness in my heart, or I just want to show off?  How's my heart before God today? Is it settled in the clear understanding that all I am and have belong to God, and that, at best, I am a trustee of all that I hold now?

Conviction and Conclusion:

God loves a cheerful giver. The state of cheer is first an internal condition of the heart, before the fact of giving is considered. That order is important; by the world's standard, a tennis racquet in my hand may not be worth anything, but in the hands of the world no 1 in tennis, it is indeed valuable. That player would give all that is in the heart, and you find the evidence of the contents of the heart in the display on the court. The heart behind the hands really does matter. Don't do it because other people are doing it; they may have their own convictions or other selfish motives. Don't copy another man's actions simply because they look good; do what you have been convinced is right, so that no matter what men say, your heart is settled and at peace. If your heart is in it, you won't need to be compelled or cajoled. God's time of favour is here .

Give Thanks!

Give Thanks!

O GIVE thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever! Psalm 107:1 AMPC

Context and Charge:

It is amazing how often the call comes to us, asking us to praise God. I note that this call mostly comes at a time of great tribulation, trouble and trials. I must also add that we can also praise God when all is well, but I believe that God must have a secret about this reaction and response of thanks that he wants me to know and live by. Though the writer of this psalm is not specified, the most popular writer of psalms, David, knew and understood the power of this reaction. He was a man whose default setting was praise and thanksgiving to God. He must have learnt by personal experience and encounter the things that made God tick, and these things he would do on a regular basis. I must live by the same principles, practices and processes if I am to arrive at the same place where David got to: known as a man or woman after God's heart. 

I note that the call to give thanks is for all of us, no matter the generation or dispensation. The verse directs us to give thanks, and gives us reasons why we should. It is important to note that this is the reaction God asks for; He knows the problems and challenges we face on a daily basis, and He knows the power of these issues to overwhelm us, yet He asks us to praise Him. That reaction of giving thanks is my invitation for him to step into the situation and turn things around. The verse above calls God good; it does not mean that 'bad' things will not be permitted to happen, but because the One who is in charge is good, only good can come out of his dealings and permissions over my life. No matter what the view of the world is, it does not change the nature of God and the things He does or allows. The key is in total surrender to the power and wisdom of this God. 

Conviction and Conclusion:

This is the only way God can be made manifest in my life. I cannot hold on to my own views and still see God at work. He is eternal; nothing outlasts him, and nothing exists outside of Him. If I agree and also acknowledge that He is eternal, then I can surrender to whatever procedure or process He brings me through. I do not have to fight or struggle for relevance; the battle is not mine to sort out. Too many times, we think we have the hang of it all, and we know what is best for us, but if I can't play God, then I cannot be wiser than Him. Everything this earthly life births is temporary, no matter how tantalising or terrible. I trust the God who makes iron float on water to sort out both my earthly and the eternal. He can turn the mundane into the miraculous. God's time of favour is here. 

Light!

Light!

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

Context and Charge:

We are introduced to the light, mentioned here as a noun, with a capital L. This is no ordinary Light, but one that is the epitome and personification of what is represented in today's verse. You don't describe light this way unless you have had a revelation of who or what this light represents. Jesus is the Light here, as the verse before today's extract lays out so clearly: In Him was Life, and the Life was the Light of men. Again, see how  Life and Light are mentioned with capital L. There is something about this Life and Light that God would have us consider. Most times, the best way to know the value of something is to consider its alternative. In this case, that would be darkness. If you have experienced both, no one has to tell you which one is better, unless you would rather embrace the darkness because you do not want your acts to be seen. 

The verse above is not subject to negotiation, compromise or understanding. It is not open to debate or contention. In fact, the verse is true, whether I accept it or not. This is the truth about all that Jesus says. He gives me the power to choose how to respond or react but I must know that nothing I do or say will make a difference. My brain is my greatest blessing as a human, as it allows me process all I see, hear or feel, but it can also be my greatest limitation, if I have to subject all I see, hear and feel to logical reasoning. As we also know, once light comes, it does not need permission from the darkness to show its nature and power. Its nature is not first about degree, but about impact. That is why no matter how dark a room is, even the reflection of the light of a phonescreen will make a difference. That is the nature of light; you can't keep it from showing itself. 

Conviction and Conclusion:

Some categorical statements are made in today's verse. A few of them are relevant here: Light will continue to shine. Darkness will continue to exist. No matter how long or hard darkness tries, it cannot overpower light. No matter how long you draw them or try to find areas of common interests, these are parallel lines that can never meet, because both of them have different origins, different travel demands and itineraries, and different eternal realities. Both of them will seek to control the lives of men, and if you can do that successfully, you control families, nations and the world in general. This is where i am given the power of choice; which one will I give room to operate in my life? Which one will I feed and nurture? I must remember that both have earthly and eternal consequences, which means both have power. Be sure that you are subject to the one that represents God, and can guarantee eternal life. Nothing else is worth the attention. God's time of favour is here. 

Visible and Audible!

Visible and Audible!

Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven. Matthew 5:16 AMPC

Context and Charge:

We consider again today part of the first sermon of Jesus on the mountain. It must again be established that Jesus was speaking to his disciples, though there was a crowd at the foot of the mountain, also listening to Him as he taught. That is our first consideration: light is only genuine when it is linked to Jesus. Any other inspiration or perspiration may last for some time, but it will not endure. All who are in Jesus have light in them, but the nature of the light is such that it must not stay inside them. The nature of light is such that its presence cannot be denied, and its absence cannot be ignored. The tiniest sliver of light in the midst of the deepest darkness will attract everyone. When Jesus therefore refers to us as light, it is an assignment we cannot take for granted or treat lightly; it calls for accountability and responsibility. 

How would the light shine if it is not both visible and audible? The world is the stage for the light to be made manifest. I can make any claims I want about the light, but my daily living must show off the proof of the light in me. Light has fruit; it has physical, tangible evidence. If I have it, it will show; if I don't, this is the one of those things that cannot be faked. The light also is required in a world that is full of darkness; the world cannot overcome the light, no matter how hard it tries, but those who are the light must let it find expression in and through them. Men have to see the fruit of the light in me, because it is the fruit that will lead to praise to God. If God were to force me to eat the fruit of my life right now, would I enjoy eating? Can I also offer the fruit of my life to others to eat? 

Conviction and Conclusion:

It then means that I have to dare to stand out, be different from the world around me, if I am to be the light to the world. I cannot blend in with the world, and also impact the world. The Light and the world are two opposite dimensions, with opposite control centres and different eternal realities. I must remember that fruit is to be eaten, which means that my life must fill out the hunger and thirst in people. Men must come in contact with the life of God; they must be grateful to God that I came their way. God wants to take glory from my life, because I have been made in his image, and then placed on the earth so I can represent God. It will be a shame if God were to be ashamed to call me His own because I am not living according to the light that I am. I ask God for help, so I can be all that I have been made to be. God's time of favour is here. 

Pray Right!

Pray Right!

Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working]. James 5:16 AMPC

Context and Charge:

There is power in fellowship. There is power in community. There is a dynamic force in play when people of like minds come together to pursue and achieve a common purpose. I also note that there is power in each person. All who have come to accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour have that power living in and working out of them. Please note that being of like mind, or that we are all Christians, does not mean that you will all see issues from the same perspective, but that the common foundation of all of us helps us see the bigger picture. The bigger picture here is our common faith and trust in Jesus, the One who saved us from sin, called us to Himself, and then sets us on the path of impact and eternal life. This common foundation is bigger and better than all the other minor issues that may seek to divide us, and it is this foundation that helps bring this verse to life. 

How else, and on what other platform can a man dare confess his faults to another, and be sure and certain that he would not be condemned or mocked? This common fellowship also helps me pray for another person, or another person can pray for me, and issues are resolved. There is a standing assurance that based on this common foundation, we can ask God for healing, or even restoration, and we will receive it. We have a common Father, a common Saviour and a common Helper, who is the Holy Spirit. When we all call on our Father, He hears us, either as individuals or as a fellowship of believers. Even when there is misunderstanding or conflict, when we pray, God's grace helps us find areas of cooperation. The One who brings us together is more powerful that anyone who may seek to divide us. We know that we are on a journey, and that God never leaves His own alone. 

Conviction and Conclusion:

The latter part of the verse is an emphasis of the individual power, leading on the impact that we all can make. It is first an individual walk, but it does not stop there. My life must flow out with that power, and then touch everything around me. Righteousness is the nature of God, replicated in the lives of all who are in God, and if I am indeed one, I have access to the treasures and resources spoken here. It does not always mean that God will give me all I ask for, when I want it and in the quantity I want, but it means that I know I am His, and that knowledge gives me comfort that nothing can happen to me unless He permits it. Power is available to all who know God in this way, and nothing else can give you access to this power, unless you seek it the way God lays it out here. There is no room for pretence or hypocrisy; just a sincere heart that seeks God. Does this describe me at the moment? God's time of favour is here.

On Guard!

On Guard!

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

Context and Charge:

This is not a message we hear a lot about these days. We encourage people to seek success, relevance and influence, but we forget to prepare them for the appointment before God's judgement seat. We have ready-made answers for how to really make money, but we cannot answer the basic question of where we want to spend eternity. Jesus was speaking to his disciples here, as He always does when he is teaching the principles of His kingdom. This is not a message the world can respond the right way to, because the world cannot accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour. The one who will respond the right way to this verse must leave the world and surrender totally to Jesus. This is the key to making a man ready to stand before the judgement seat of God, when Jesus returns. 

How do you define being 'ready'? One definition says: "in a suitable state for an action or situation; fully prepared'. Another one says: "easily available or obtained; within reach'. These definitions make it clear that there is always an event in the future, for which suitable and adequate preparations must be made. This means that the nature of the event defines the nature of the preparations. The way you prepare for the visit of royalty to your home, is not the same way you prepare for the visit of a regular friend. If there was a call now to prepare for war, would it find me sufficiently resourced for the demand of battle? How are you preparing for the coming of the Son of Man? It is clear that He is coming back some day. Would my current preparations be considered sufficient and suitable? 

Conviction and Conclusion:

I must note that the coming of the Son of Man is at a time that no one anticipates. This is what makes being ready so important. If the man of the house knew at what time the thief was coming, he would have stood watch, and not allowed his house to be broken into. There is no metrics or science that can help me prepare adequately for the coming of Jesus beyond the Word of God already provided. The Word makes clear what the signs of the end times are, and what I need to do to prepare the right way. If I will take time to read, I will know what He expects of me. I cannot turn around and blame God for the consequences of my actions if I fail to prepare the right way. The appointment is certain, as well as judgment for all men. Would what I do now earn me a good reward? It is not too late to be sure; eternity is too long a time not to know where you will spend it. God's time of favour is here. 

Harmony!

Harmony!

For with the heart a person believes (adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Christ) and so is justified (declared righteous, acceptable to God), and with the mouth he confesses (declares openly and speaks out freely his faith) and confirms [his] salvation. Romans 10:10 AMPC

Context and Charge:

There is a settled form of peace that is of God, comes from God and is expected to be replicated in the lives of all who claim to be followers of God too. There is this harmony in heaven, where the leadership and authority of God is not questioned, and this same harmony is what God would want to see in the lives of all who claim Him as Father, Lord and Saviour. This harmony therefore has an origin, physical and spiritual manifestations, and an eternal reality. We have already agreed on its origin; how does it become a reality for me, so I walk in it? One key step is the confession and believe that Jesus is the Saviour, and the surrender of my life to Him. I note that it starts in the heart, in the place where I must settle my priorities before they become public pursuits. Faith in the heart is the foundation of the confession of the mouth. 

The heart is the place where a lot of information comes into, and is then weighed, considered and either acted upon or discarded. It is in the heart that adultery has to take root first, before the senses then follow that lead. That is why God would warn me to guard my heart with all diligence, because out of it flow the issues of life. It is also the same as salvation; men may see the fruit of a changed life, but it did not start there. The foundation was laid in the heart, where faith, birthed by the entrance, encouragement and enshrinement of the Word of God, is able to thrive and survive. This faith leads to justification, where I get to walk away free from the consequences of my own evil acts. Well, it was free to me, but imagine the pain Jesus was in when even His Father could not look at Him, as He bore my sin on the cross. 

Conviction and Conclusion:

Be sure of the person your heart trusts in. That person holds the key to your eternal destination. The men of the world preach independence and self-sufficiency, but the one who has been saved from the power and consequences of sin knows the value of what has been received. Once the heart knows and is sure, the mouth has no choice but to speak about it. The mouth is able to confess Jesus as Lord because the heart knows He is so from experience. He is not Lord because I say so; He is so no matter what comes my way. I must seek this encounter; the heart and the mouth will work in harmony to lay out that which was God's will from the Garden of Eden, which is the salvation of the whole world. Now I have it; I know its value. My mouth will keep confessing God as Lord, which is what my heart knows. God's time of favour is here.

Inner Strength!

Inner Strength!

Let the word [spoken by] Christ (the Messiah) have its home [in your hearts and minds] and dwell in you in [all its] richness, as you teach and admonish and train one another in all insight and intelligence and wisdom [in spiritual things, and as you sing] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making melody to God with [His] grace in your hearts.

Colossians 3:16 AMPC

Context and Charge:

The world emphasizes physical strength, backed up by physical evidence too, such as muscles and exertion. We see some extreme sports designed to celebrate feats of strength, but as we know, there is a limit to what brawn and muscles can achieve for you. There is a realm where muscles and brain power are of not much use, and this is where real power is revealed. To build the right kind of muscles, you need the right kind of nutrients. You will not indulge in junk food, or drink just about anything that catches your fancy. It is a deliberate pursuit of all that will lead to the place you want to get to. Just as it is in the physical, so it must be in the spiritual: if i know where I am headed, I must seek after the things that will preserve and keep me in that path. I will strive to engage in the activities that support that path. 

For a man who would enjoy God's strength, he needs to go to the supply, and that is the person of the Word Himself, Jesus Christ, who is called the Wisdom and the Power of God. His Word must find a home in my life and heart, and cannot be an afterthought, or something you pursue only in an emergency. The Word is the Word; it has no variant or option, and you must take it as it is written, not the way you want it to suit your desires. It has to dwell in you, which means it must have a home in you; He is not something to be put aside at intervals. It is from the abundance of the Word that one is able to teach the right way. How do you teach out of something you do not know? How would you convince another person of the truth of God's Word if you have not submitted yourself to its guidance, leading or direction? 

Conviction and Conclusion:

The Word must birth new desires, pursuits and priorities in you. It must change the old way of thinking and birth a new phase of life. God's Word cannot co-exist with the world in a man's heart; it is either the Word is allowed to work, or the world is able to promote its works. By the working of the Word, you are able to teach, admonish and train, and then you are also able to sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, because the Word has birthed grace in your heart. Those are the signs that the Word of God is doing his work in you. These reactions are not normal or expected for everyone; only a life totally submitted to the Word can produce this kind of fruit. What goes on outside the heart and life cannot stop the joy and peace that are resident inside. It is only the Word of God that can provide the strength you need to face up to and survive the onslaught of the world. God's time of favour is here. 

Forgive

Forgive!

For if you forgive people their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins, leaving them, letting them go, and giving up resentment], your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

Matthew 6:14 AMPC

Context and Charge:

Jesus was teaching the disciples about the power of the secret place. The disciples were with Him at the top of the mountain, with the crowd all around the foot of the mountain, also listening to Jesus. As always, I have to decide what my reaction, response and reception to the Word of God will be. The Word of God speaks a universal language, but there is a need for a personal encounter with the Word. It is that encounter that colours all that I do, and drives my daily pursuits and priorities. Don't forget: Jesus was speaking to His disciples about the power of the secret place. A lot of the issues and heartaches we have today are due to our inability to understand and comprehend the value of that secret place. Is life only about what men can see and applaud, or do I seek only the applause of heaven?

Part of the power of that secret place is the grace to forgive all who wrong me. From the verse above, it is clear that forgiveness has a strong hold over a man's life and destiny. God ties his dealings with me to my dealings with other people. If I can let go of offences and hurt from other people, I am saying very clearly that I also recognise the grace I have received from God too. This is the God who forgave me all my sins, even before I was born, and long before I would even commit them. As I consider this definition of forgiveness, I begin to understand the full measure of what i have received: "a conscious, deliberate decision to release feelings of resentment or vengeance toward a person or group who has harmed you, regardless of whether they actually deserve your forgiveness." That is deep.

Conviction and Conclusion:

You see, you forgive, not because the person has asked for it, but because it is all you have to give freely. You are not compelled to do it, but it is all that can flow out of you when the squeze comes. Jesus is not asking me for excuses, or genuine reasons why I cannot forgive. I must, if I will receive the same treatment from Him. And because I have been placed on earth, people are the raw materials for this test. They will get on my nerves just as I will on them too, and that is why forgiveness is important. We may not always agree but we know that our humanity is the common thread and we all need God's grace. Don't take up the poison of resentment and hurt yourself; learn to let go, so you can also enjoy the mercy and grace of God in all His fullness. God's time of favour is here .

Incomparable 2!

Incomparable 2!

Who is a God like You, who forgives iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retains not His anger forever, because He delights in mercy and loving-kindness. Micah 7:18 AMPC 

Context and Charge:

The verses just before this one takes us on a journey; we see God's hatred of and punishment for sin, but we also see His heart for mercy and grace. We see the prophet review his immediate environment, and he could see the evil being perpetrated by the people of His time. Justice was now put up for sale to the highest bidder, and men found it easy to conspire to do evil, safe in the false hope that they could get away with it. However, for Micah, his personal encounter with God would not allow him sit on the fence, as there was a need to take a stand and declare the counsel of God for such a time like this. Can God count on me as a vessel He can use in these strange times we are in now? Is my life the kind that can remind people of the importance of fleeing sin? 

We see God introduced to us by someone who would have experienced His mercy, grace and forgiveness. Let it be known that the only way we could be alive today is because of God's mercy. Sin is such a big deal that it would have led to eternal separation from God, if Jesus had not died. His death and resurrection have opened the door for us to make an approach to God's throne of grace, and we now operate under a new covenant of life. By the blood of Jesus, we now have a new standing. There is nothing else that can wash away sin; no soap or cleansing soda could have done the trick. No person, no matter how gifted, talented or connected, can do the work that Jesus has done. If you have experienced the power of the blood, it is not what you take lightly. 

Conviction and Conclusion:

We know the value and do not take it for granted. It is an experience all of us must seek and hold on to till the end. Let it be known today that there are eternal consequences to sin. God would not pay such a high price for something frivolous; if Jesus had to die, it must have been for something serious. God's anger has now been fully satisfied by the punishment for sin, which was the shedding of blood. It is mercy that drew these plans out, and then grace brought the plans down to man. It will then be utter foolishness for a man to wallow again in that which he has been saved from. I do not want to incur God's wrath on myself; God delights in mercy, but this mercy only applies down here on earth. A time is coming when mercy will be withdrawn, and then only judgement will remain. I must strive to get it right; eternity is at stake. God's time of favour is here.

Incomparable!

Incomparable!

There is none holy as the LORD: For there is none beside thee: Neither is there any rock like our God. 1 Samuel 2:2 KJV

Context and Charge:

We read these words and remember the story behind the glory. A woman had been married for quite some time, but had no children. She had some bitterness in her heart, because she had a rival who already had children. Life will definitely not always be fair, and it will not always give you what you want, when you want it and how you want it, but the one thing you must know is the God who has given us all that we need for life and Godliness. He knows what this life is all about, and He can change the story whenever he wants to. The woman would come every year to the temple to pray, and I wonder why she never gave up. It could only have been from a place of personal encounter with this God. You do not use these words if you have not met the God of those words. Have you met this God? Does He know you as His own?

The woman eventually got what she had been asking God for: a son. She must have prayed God's heart, because God was looking for a fresh start at the temple in Shiloh. The rot had gone deep and Eli and his sons were not interested in the right direction. The prayer of Hannah was the key to the next level. Be careful of the words you use when you come to God in prayer. He does not joke with His words. I must ask God for help to pray the right way and for the right things. When I have found God's perfect will, I will not struggle. A man will only insist on his own way if he has never experienced the joy, peace and quiet that comes from letting God have His way. In praying, I must ask God to help me pray His perfect will, and this can only come out of a heart that knows this God. Again, I ask- do I know this God?

Conviction and Conclusion:

The attributes of God are made clear here: his holiness, his incomparable nature and his strength, stability and consistency. These are just some of the things God would have me know about Him. I cannot deal with God and not respect His holiness. I can't get anything from Him if I do not deal with these attributes. We want the blessings, but we want nothing to do with the demands. We even know these attributes, but we assume they are for other people, not us. We make excuses sometimes, claiming we are human and that God understands, but what God has done is to supply the grace we need to live up to these demands. God is incomparable; He has laid down the perfect example, supplied the grace we need, and then calls us to walk with and work for Him. It is a privilege not to be taken for granted. God's time of favour is here. 

Hear and Do 2!

Hear and Do 2!

And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. Matthew 7:26‭-‬27 KJV

Context and Charge:

The account of yesterday would not be complete without the truth of the other half. For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. For every word or instruction from God, there is a right and wrong action or decision. We established yesterday, and it must again be repeated here, that God is always speaking. His nature abhors that He punishes a man without first instructing Him what to do or not do, and also make clear the consequences of all actions and decisions. For all men, there is a standing promise from God that we will all have the opportunity to hear God's Word. By preaching, teaching or listening, God's Word goes out daily. As always, the final decision is on me: what would I do with the words I hear on a daily basis? Would I yield my life to its instructions and directives, or would I seek my own way? Remember: how you react defines how long you last.

Just as the man who hears and then does as expected was given the power to choose, so is the man who hears and does not do what is expected. God does not compel any man against the exercise of his freewill; you have to make up your mind what you want to do, and then God allows the consequences of your decisions to direct your life. We turn around and blame God for the rot in our society, while we forget that because of sin, we have now become prone to doing wrong. We do not have the power to help ourselves, but we can depend on the One who is eternal and omniscient. Just as the rain came down on the one who hears and does, so also would the one who hears and does not do. There is a guarantee that the same experiences will happen to all men; what would make the major difference will be the decision on your reaction to what you hear.

Conviction and Conclusion:

It must be noted that by our response/reaction to the Word of God, we are building a house. Whether we get to live in it for a long time depends on the quality of the building materials. These materials are my daily decisions. Again, the rain will descend; the floods will come; the wind will blow, all of them will beat against the house. Being a Christian cannot insure you against the experiences; in fact, I am better off if I seek for them, because they will prove the quality and depth of my foundations. I must take time to build that which works; standing fast will not happen by accident, but by attention to details. The fruit of my response will also be seen by all men; whatever will happen to my house cannot be hidden or denied. There is no fence here, no middle ground. Your house will either stand or fall, in line with the investments you have made in obedience. God's time of favour is here.

Hear and Do 1!

Hear and Do 1!

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. Matthew 7:24 -25 KJV

Context and Charge:

Jesus was speaking to his disciples here, even though the crowd at the foot of the mountain could hear Him. As always, the message is for everyone, but the impact lies in the choices that I make on a daily basis. I could decide to remain a part of the crowd, content to just hear, or enjoy listening, but then do nothing about the words that I hear. Jesus continually speaks through His word, and all that He tells us to do must align with the Word He has graciously given us. What this means then is that I do myself a huge favour if I can spend time reading, studying and meditating on the Word of God. The Word of God holds the secret to the great things that God has in store IF I do not read, hear or listen to the Word, how would I know God's expectations for me? If I do not know what He expects, how do I please Him? The key is in the knowledge and practice of the Word of God.

I note that the verse above speaks about 'hearing and doing'. There is no OR; only AND. You cannot be selective in your hearing when it comes to what God says. Anyone can stay in church and hear; or pick up the paper or electronic version of the bible and spend time reading; these acts would not be enough on their own. You have to add a desire to DO. It is in doing that the fruits of my reading, hearing and studying are made manifest. Men are able to see my daily actions and decisions, and know that I have had an encounter with Jesus. Jesus calls the man who 'does' a wise man. He is laying up treasure for the future; planning for the unknown tomorrow. It is that unknown tomorrow that involves the rain, flood and winds. I note that these do not contain IF, but WHEN. I cannot pray my way out of the rain, floods or winds. They must come and test the strength of what I have spent time building. 

Conviction and Conclusion:

The rain would eat at the foundations of your building; the floods do not happen overnight, but steadily build until they are strong enough to sweep your feet away. The winds can be pretty heavy, and can cause damage. These events are bound to come, but they have to meet preparation. I must be ready for them. The devil will not rest until his final defeat, and I must also not be careless and slack off, thinking I have arrived. The Word of God will ground me and make me unmovable by the rain, flood or wind. Events around the world show that the best plans are useless outside of God; the hearts of men are shaking at the crises and uncertainties around us, but for the one who has learnt to listen and can discern the voice of God, s/he has all that is required to rejoice, no matter what the physical circumstances are. Does this describe you and I at the moment? God's time of favour is here.

 

Right Thoughts!

Right Thoughts!

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Philippians 4:8 KJV

Context and Charge:

No matter the dispensation or generation, there is a truth that governs all of life, and it is there is power in our thoughts. The mind and the heart are intertwined in the final output that our lives produce. No matter how minute or how great the output is, you can trace it back to the seed that was sown as thought. A lot of the terrible, as well as the amazing things we see today, do not happen without a cause or a foundation. It is very important then to settle the matter of the foundations of my life today: what forms the seeds of my thought life? If I were to be fed with the consequences of my thoughts and actions, would I look forward to the meal? The spiritual is equally important; adultery starts from the hidden thoughts of a man's heart, so it is therefore important that I guard my heart diligently.

The verse above describes the things I must focus on. What I focus on grows, whether good or bad. Every seed bears in it the capacity to grow and bear fruit after its kind. It will then matter in which kind of ground it is sown, and whether all the conditions that are conducive for growth have been supplied  around the seed. Check out all the things I am told to focus on and you will find the nature of God in all of them. It seems that the verse is asking me to make God the sole focus of my life. It then means that I cannot force my life to produce anything like what is described in the verse above without the help of the One who is all I need. He will not only supply the nutrients required, but He will also provide the support, shade and strength I need to stand well, and to last long. Is God the One holding me up?

Conviction and Conclusion:

I can pretend for a season, or fool a lot of people for quite some time, but because the evidence of fruit cannot be denied or ignored, my life will eventually reveal the truth behind its focus, pursuits and priorities. Thoughts lead to actions; actions are the bedrock of habits, and habits are the building blocks of character, and as we know, character is the foundation of destiny. We may judge men based on what we see them do, but in the real sense, God judges the intentions and motives of our hearts because He knows these are the most important parts of our lives. As I face the world, in its present state of confusion and calamity, I must make up my mind about what is really important. I cannot make assumptions about where I am, what I should do, or where I am headed. I must be deliberate; lives are actually impacted much more by why I do what I do than what I actually do. May God help my walk with and work for Him to be right. God's time of favour is here.

Love and Fear!

Love and Fear!

There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love's complete perfection].

1 John 4:18 AMPC

Context and Charge:

From God's perspective, love and fear cannot exist in the same vessel. These two come from two very different sources, have two vey different realities and of course two very different eternal consequences.  God is presented to us in the Bible as the personification of Love, and this would mean that any definition of love that does not reckon with who God and what He has done cannot be love. The world tries to present some other version as love, which is built on that which is solely physical. We call the act love, but forget that it is first a person, before it ever flows out into the action. The action is empty of life and impact if its foundation is not that which is God's. What do I have: is it the love that God defines, or the false hope that the world tries to sell off as the real deal?

Fear is the very opposite of love. Its foundation and impact are tied to the devil. Fear is tied to the thought of punishment, because it feels you with a sense of inadequacy. Fear keeps you from seeing yourself the way God sees you, and it will never allow you to experience or appreciate the full measure of the love that is in God. A man who has experienced love has a lot of room for growth in the right direction. A man who has not experienced love does not know who God is, who he is, and how he can grow into the fullness of the grace that is available in God. Fear only tells me what the law is, and what it demands from me, but it can never supply the grace and strength required to keep the law. It is love that supplies all that is required to seek to do God's perfect will.

Conviction and Conclusion:

Full grown love drives out fear. Fear is the default setting for all of us due to sin, but in Christ, we now have access to the love of God. When love comes in, fear has to leave. When love comes in, a man is persuaded to seek after God of his own freewill. There is no coercion; no compulsion, just a heart that is thrilled about who God is and what He has made available. This is where all of us have to decide and determine where we stand; who am I and where do I stand? Full maturity is in Christ, not in practice, convention or procedure. Do not let the devil deceive you into thinking you can earn God's love only by labour; all I need is to embrace the love of God represented in Christ. If I am in Christ, His love is birthed in me. If I do not have him, I do not belong to Him. All I have left is fear, the end of which is eternal death. Who am I? Who are you? God's time of favour is here.