Wait!

Wait!

I wait [patiently] for the Lord, my soul [expectantly] waits, And in His word do I hope. Psalms 130:5 AMP

The Foundation:

Waiting can be a dangerous game. The world does not usually promote waiting, because it does not understand the value. The world teaches all who are in it to fight for all they want before it is all gone, and that would be true because the world's supply is indeed limited. The world wants to project an image of abundance and prosperity, but it is clear that not much of the world's supply can be sustained. This is why the men of the world don't wait; they grab what they can, and hoard as much as they can. That is why today's world is the way it is: men do not care about others except themselves, and while some are dying from lack, others are dying from excess. The world has to sit back and learn a fundamental truth from the Word, and this truth is 'waiting is great'.

The Expectation:

The one you wait for is very critical to your expectation. The psalmist here made it clear who he was waiting for. It was not so much a thing, but a person. This is quite important: do not hang your hopes and dreams on what a man promises, but hang on to the One who does not fail. Things are to be acquired, used, replaced or then dumped and the cycle goes on and on. It means that whatever it is you have now cannot really satisfy you; you will always need a new one or another one. That is the language the world understands. There is the Lord who this writer waited for at the time, and he encourages us also to wait for this Lord. If there were no benefits, the writer will not stake his life and hopes on someone who could not be trusted.

The Conclusion:

The attitude is to wait with patience. There is a waiting that may look like waiting, but it is just until the next option comes around. I must make sure I am not just marking time on one spot, but busy at my duty post, wherever and whatever it may be that God has commissioned me to do. There has to be an expectation at the end of my waiting, so that hope can be kept alive. It is hope that makes pain worth it. I know that there are blessings at the end of the wait. Of course, God's Word is the basis of the hope, because that is the only person who cannot fail, and will outlive all of the world. That is power, and that is what the world needs to embrace and surrender to. The psalmist had made up his mind; I also have a personal decision to make. God's time of favour is here.

The Secret Place!

The Secret Place!

But when you give to the poor and do acts of kindness, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing [give in complete secrecy], so that your charitable acts will be done in secret; and your Father who sees [what is done] in secret will reward you. Matthew 6:3‭-‬4 AMP

The Charge:

There is no doubt that there is power in the secret place. There is a kind of peace, strength and grace that flows in and through a life that understands the secret place. Even God has a secret place; the psalmist spoke of it as a place where a man is under the protection of the Most High. You can't live in God's secret place and be bothered by the cares of this world. You can't be in God's secret place and the devil will be oppressing, suppressing or repressing you. He may try, but the devil cannot touch a man that God keeps, unless God permits, and as it was in the days of Job, so is it in our days: if it is God who keeps you, you are in the best place possible. The man who understands the power of the secret place will not hesitate to flow out with that power into the lives of other people. 

Giving is one of the signs that I know the power of the secret place. Nothing I hold or own can be more important than this secret place. It is so secret that even the right hand must not know what the left hand is doing? How would this work? It must be done with a heart that just seeks to do good to other people, not to seek any personal gain. I am not seeking to be known or celebrated; I just seek a way to let God be glorified in my life. Even my heart must be subject to the truth of God's Word, so that any trace of hypocrisy can be dealt with before it grows to destroy my life. This is how you define a man who is truly broken: self has been crucified, and all that matters is God glorified. That is the fruit of the secret place. 

The Conclusion:

God is not unjust; he won't demand of me that which He will not give grace for, or also supply favour and blessings for. The God who sees in secret also knows what is done in secret. The hidden motives are laid bare before his eyes. The false notions of good that we want to promote are made manifest before Him. His rewards are just, because they are based on truth, God's standard. He sees in secret, but the blessings attached to his command can't be hidden when they come. When God's blessings come down, men will make a beaten path to your door to ask you how you did it. That is also another fruit that comes from the secret place. I must submit myself and learn from that secret place. My earthly life, as well as my eternity, will be grateful that I submitted to God's process. God's time of favour is here. 

Faith!

Faith!

Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses].

Hebrews 11:1 AMP

The Charge:

The world teaches me to trust my senses, because they attest to what can be proved physically. There may be nothing wrong with that, because in a court of law, you can only rely on what you have personally experienced. However, the Word of God teaches me to trust the sense of faith, which is not tied to any of the popular senses, but is equally as real. If you have ever had to hold God's hand for anything, through seasons of doubt or uncertainty, you know how powerful the sense of faith can be. It is faith that can give a man an assurance that whatever is hoped for has come. You do not have it yet, but the reality that you have it is so strong that you can rely on that assurance to take the next steps. 

You hear of people in a drought called to pray for rain, and a young boy brought an umbrella. You read of a barren woman trusting God for a child, and after a word of assurance, begins to buy both girl and boy clothes for twins. In both instances, God came through: the rain fell before the meeting was over, and the woman got the twins she had taken action on. That is faith at work. It isn't so much about words but about what you do. How can you claim title deeds to what you cannot physically define? How can you be convinced of the reality of something that does not yet physically exist? It means that what would give a man that confidence is not what the world can produce or define. It is first a matter to be settled in the heart, before it can become a reality that will be made manifest in the life.

The Conclusion:

God calls me to walk with him by faith. There are a lot of things that will not make sense at the time, but if I know the person who has called me, He walks with me. His presence makes the pressure worth it. He would want me to trust Him completely, and not rely on the deceptive senses. There will be things that I will see and hear that will try and threaten the peace God gives, but if I hold on to the One who asked me to trust Him, all will be well in the end. God does not call a man to walk with Him by faith without providing actual assurance that all will end well. Faith sees the way God wants me to see, and that is to know that He is in charge of my life and He can turn any situation around to favour me. Would I dare hold on to Him to the end, no matter what is going on around me? God's time of favour is here. 

Prepare!

Prepare!

The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Isaiah 40:3 KJV

The Charge:

The Lord hates sin. We see this laid out so clearly in the verses just before today's extract. Israel had rebelled against God, and in line with God's Word, severe and terrible consequences followed. Let it be very clear that God does not condone sin, no matter in whom it is found. God will not play favourites when it comes to the very deliberate breach of his commands. Yes, he is a merciful God, but He is also the one called the all-consuming fire. A healthy and progressive knowledge of God will help me watch my walk and work, so that I do not place myself in danger. God punished his people for their sin, but He also showed them mercy. He sent his word of peace, as well as an end to his punishment. We ask God to also send the same word of peace to our nations today.

The same voice that spoke to Israel then speaks to us today. In the dry places of the desert or the highways of the city, the message is still the same: 'Prepare the way of the Lord". The Lord is coming back for a people that are eagerly waiting for Him; men and women who know the call of God upon their lives, and are busy at work. They are committed to preparing men for the return of the Master, and are not seeking fame or fortune. There is no desire for self-promotion, but just a desire to see God lifted high and exalted among men. Even the driest places on earth will get the message of the coming king, and all men will have the opportunity to hear about the good news of Jesus. That is the promise of God, and as we know, He can bring His Word to pass without my help.

The Conclusion:

God does not force anyone to accept or submit to Him, but we know that the benefits and blessings attached to total surrender are amazing. Every crooked path has to be made straight and level. With God, you cannot get away with hypocrisy, eye-service or pretence. How do you make highways if you do not know the value of the One you are preparing for? My heart needs to make space available for God to occupy. The call still goes out to all of us today: the Lord is coming. He is the One with authority, and on the day He comes, repentance will be too late. If I am reading this, it is not too late. While I still have time, I make room for God in my life. I ask Him to walk in and work on me, so that I become all He wants me to be. God's time of favour is here. 

God at Work!

God at Work!

The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. Numbers 6:24‭-‬26 KJV

The Charge:

God asked Moses to instruct Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel with the words of today's extract. It has to be emphasized that God is the One who laid out the words to be used. I cannot take of my own intellect or understanding to deal with God's people; I must rely on the God who owns them for the right words to use. I must also note that God gave the duty of blessing His people to the leaders He raised and assigned. Let no man take the responsibility of pronouncing God's blessings on God's people, unless s/he has also been commissioned by the same God for the assignment in question. It is a responsibility that calls for caution. 

The Lord is the One who blesses; no one else can. He is the One who blesses, and adds no sorrow to it. He is the One who keeps, and the one who he keeps is the one who is safe from harm. He is the One whose face brings life, health, peace and joy to all He looks at. One day of favour from Him will make you forget 10 years of labour. When he extends his grace to you, who can question His decision or prevent him from doing whatever he wants to do? There is a reference to the Prince of peace in the old testament, and the God of Peace in the new testament, and both refer to the same God. This is the God Moses knew and walked with, and is the same God seeking true worshipers. Am I one?

The Conclusion:

Moses knew this God, and that His promise is as good as anything you can depend on. Moses strived to introduce this same God to Israel, but they just would not cooperate. Even Aaron and his sons took wrong steps at certain times in their lives but God would always remain God. He would not change his mind because Israel was rebellious, because it is His nature to be faithful to His Word. He wants to bless abundantly, but He will not go against the exercise of my free will. If I give him room, He will do what He alone can do. If I shut the door, He will keep knocking until it is too late. May I allow God work in and on me, until I become all that He wants me to be, and the kind of life he can bless. God's time of favour is here.

In-House!

In-House!

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10 KJV

The Charge:

Paul writes to the church in Galatia, encouraging the church to hold on to God. This message is quite timely, considering where the world is at this point in time. The world only knows and recognizes that which it births, and that is evil. Since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, it has become impossible for the world to produce anything other than that which aligns with sin. As we know, you cannot give what you do not have; don't depend on the world to produce the kind of good that Paul speaks about here. You may be distracted by the state of the world at the moment, but it is important to focus on that which God has said. As I do all that God commands, obedience unlocks all the good available in God. 

Does the above describe me in any way? I note that the verse targets ALL men. It is not about other people's reaction or response, but that I do good, simply because God says so. I do good, because the One who commanded me to do good is himself good. God does not demand from me that which He has not provided grace and strength for. As often as God gives grace, I must rely on this grace to live for Him, showing off that grace in all its fullness and riches. The world is always watching; it knows that it needs help, but the world does not know how to seek God. Those who know God have a duty to make Him known, so that the world is attracted to God. May my life make God attractive to the world.

The Conclusion:

The emphasis is also on the household of faith. It would mean that God favours those who are already surrendered to Him and accepted him as Lord and Saviour. God created all human beings, but today's verse seems to suggest that those who are members of His family take precedence over those who are not. There is no demand on earth that can exhaust the resources of heaven; as long as I ask God, He will supply all that I need. It frees me then to live out the life of God in me; I do not have to pretend to be who I am not. The blood of Jesus seals eternal life for me, and it also lays out the life of impact that I have been created to have. Would I allow the life of God to then flow out? God's time of favour is here.

Express!

Express!

I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all thy marvellous works. Psalm 9:1 KJV

The Charge:

David writes the words of this psalm, and this is one where no context for the psalm is given, or anything said about a problem that David had, but just a simple statement that this is by David. We know David as the one that God called 's man after my own heart'. What could David have done to get this description? Close to the top of the list would be David's life of constant praise and thanksgiving to God. He would do so in the morning, afternoon and evening, and would also do so even in some of the most distressing circumstances. Even when he committed adultery, his repentance involved praising God. In the far, quiet places in the desert, where he had only his father's sheep for company, he would still praise God. That is sheer commitment.

God has not changed, even long before the days of David. He does not need approval from me for him to be God, but my life could use a lot of the things God is and has. The key to access all that God is and has is praise. For man, it is difficult to know when praise is genuine, yet men will give anything to be appreciated by other men. For God, he inhabits the praise of his people, but let no man be deceived into thinking that you can hold God to ransom by only praising him when he does something for you. Yes, that is easy, but the essence of total surrender to God is that no matter what comes my way, my life must be a daily display and outflow of praise and appreciation for all that God is. Does this describe me in any way? Is praise part of my daily lifestyle choices, or do I need to be cajoled to do so? 

The Conclusion:

It must be noted that if I am to be compelled, there may be no blessing attached. The whole of my heart must be involved, because that is proof that I know who God is. If my heart is not fully in it, that is hypocrisy. By praise, I show off God's grace in all its fullness. I cannot live a life of praise and not announce God to the world. The world needs new inspiration and direction, and only a life of praise, in the face of distressing circumstances, will speak loud and clear for the world to hear. For David, his commitment was clear, and for me, it also has to be. I can't focus on all I don't have yet, but must pay attention to who God is and what he has freely given me. What I have in God is greater than all of the world's treasure, which will all fade with time. That which God is endures; he deserves all my praise. God's time of favour is here.

Located!

Located!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. Psalm 23:6 KJV

The Charge:

This verse is usually recited at the end of our church services, as we disperse. The verse speaks of the benefits of a cordial relationship with God. It is a personal song that reflects the heart of a man who has seen, tasted and experienced the impact of God's presence. David would know what it meant to have God as your friend; to be able to talk to him wherever you needed to. It meant understanding that God is always there, no matter what the physical realities around me may be. These words are spoken from a place of both public and private confidence in God. You don't say them only because you can; you say them because you know the God who is spoken of here.

Goodness and mercy are God's nature and attributes, so what I say when I read these words is that God will surely be with me all through life. These attributes are not for a season, but for a lifetime. They are not what you get to switch off and on at will, but they are available all day, week, month and year round. Again, it has to be said that these words flow out of a heart and life that knows God personally. You can take a man's testimony and run with it, but you need to make your own. These attributes will follow me everywhere I go, as long as I am doing what God wants me to do. Is this God actually your God alone, or are there other options? Does this God know me as His own, and do His attributes extend to me?

The Conclusion:

It is not a wonder that David concluded the song with a commitment not to leave the house of the Lord. When you have seen God at work, you do not want him to stop. When God has touched you, you will do anything to remain where He can keep reaching out and touching your life. David wasn't concerned with other people's views or opinions; He had made up His mind on what he needed to do. Like David, this season calls for decisions. There are options in front of all of us, and we must know that all options have consequences. You are either with God, or against Him. There is no middle ground. Think about all that God has said, and decide for Him today. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. God's time of favour is here. 

Integrity!

Integrity!

How blessed and favored by God are those whose way is blameless [those with personal integrity, the upright, the guileless], Who walk in the law [and who are guided by the precepts and revealed will] of the Lord. Psalms 119:1‭ AMP

The Charge:

The writer of this psalm, which is the longest chapter in the Bible, is not known, but the message of all its 176 verses is centred on the power, integrity and effect of the Word of God. This power is not in doubt at any time, as we know that the earth was created, is still being sustained by the Word, and by that same Word, this present earth has been preserved for destruction. The Word of God then becomes the standard by which all other things are measured. It won't matter how hard I try and convince myself that I am right; if God's Word says a thing, that thing will be established. I must therefore take steps to align my life with the dictates and requirements of the Word of God. 

This is where personal integrity comes in. What is the value of integrity, if it is not based on the infallible Word of God? What would be the use of principles and policies that are not grounded on the revealed Word of God? How do I convince the world to follow the perfect example of Christ, if the life of Christ does not shine out of me? This is the dilemma of all who lay claim to the name of the Lord, who claim to be led and guided by the Word of God: it has to show out in daily living. It will be crass hypocrisy and eye-service if it is not so. Talk is cheap, but a life that is led by the Word of God will always speak and men will hear and heed. Does this describe me in any way?

The Conclusion:

I note the words: "the revealed will of God". This is very important; it is the revelation of God that I have that will give direction and fuel to my perspiration. All men may read the bible, with some enjoying the historical accounts, while others love the psalms and songs, but the one thing that's critical to this conversation is what the inspiration behind the Bible helps me know and understand, and then do. It is the doing that is the fruit of the knowing. I must not be content with head-knowledge but must press on to heart-application. God has his law, revealed in the words of the bible, and as a law-abiding citizen of the kingdom of God, men must know who I am and what I stand for. Eternity lies at the end of this decision. God's time of favour is here.

Go!

GO!

And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach and publish openly the good news (the Gospel) to every creature [of the whole human race]. Mark 16:15 AMPC

The Charge:

The need to define the terms and conditions of relationships are quite important. If I call myself a child of God, there are expectations that go with the call, and the proof of the call must be evident in my daily choices. Here, we see Jesus speaking to His disciples, men who had followed him for 3 and a half years, learning as much as they could from him. They had borne witness to some amazing miracles, and now it was time for them to go into the world and replicate all they had seen and heard from Jesus. The first question then would be for me to define my identity. Am I a disciple, or am I content to just follow the crowd? 

It is this identity that defines pursuits and priorities. The words of Jesus here lays out very clearly what I am expected to do, as proof of my identity. The message is laid out, the audience or target of the message is also laid out. Even the platform for the messenger is also defined. The message, which is the good news about Jesus, is for the whole world. No one is exempt, as we all need a Saviour to deal with the burden of sin. This is why Jesus came: to save us from sin. He died and rose again, so we can also enjoy the real life that never ends, the life of Jesus. This is the good news; anything else is a waste of precious time if it cannot guarantee eternal life with God.

The Conclusion:

Every one must hear, because everyone is in need of help. Jesus has been presented to us by God as the Way, Truth and the Life, and no one can come to the Father except you come through his Son Jesus. The entire human race is in need of help, not the type money can secure, but the type only faith in God and His gift can secure and sustain. It is my very clear understanding that it is God's desire that the whole world hears the good news of Jesus. Jesus does for the whole world, and there is no sin so dirty that His blood cannot wash clean, if the sinner would only come to God. For all of us who have come to know Jesus and are enjoying the benefits and blessings of this relationship, we have a duty to tell others too. May the death and life of Jesus not be a waste in my life. God's time of favour is here.

Thanks!

Thanks!

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalms 100:4 NIV

The Charge:

The author of the psalm is not known, but its message is unmistakable. It is a song that highlights the place of praise amd thanksgiving in a man's walk with God. It is easy to build an air of familiarity around the things of God, especially when you play the role on a daily basis, but it is important that we do not get caught in the dangers of routine and the mundane. This verse lays emphasis on access: how do I come before God in a way that I am sure to be heard and seen, and also have a personal encounter with God? First, it shows that there are gates, which means I need the key, or personal knowledge of the One with the key, if I am to enter the gates.

The key to the gates is thanksgiving. I do not know of any culture in the world that does not know the value of giving thanks. Even among family members, being grateful for whatever someone does or gives would open doors for more to be done. The words used in giving thanks would encourage the doer to do more, because s/he knows more will come. If this works for mortal men, imagine the impact on God when I come to Him with a heart of thanksgiving. I can look back and recall many of the blessings and benefits I have been given. Wants and needs like to be amplified, but I must consciously and daily amplify all that God has done, so He can do more.

The Conclusion:

When I have accessed his gates, I come to His courts with praise. I come before Him, and all I can say and do is to celebrate his power, might and glory. I can see his compassion and mercy, and I know He is the reason why I am still standing. It is from personal encounters or experience that a life of praise is formed, established and sustained. In God's court, only those who know and recognize the power of the place they are standing are permitted to remain there. I must not let the cares of this world distract my heart from the awe of being in God's presence. He is all I need and He has all i could ever need. God's time of favour is here. 

The Response!

The Response!

Beloved, if God loved us so [very much], we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:11 AMPC

The Charge:

There is a love the world tries to define and set as the only standard to live by. The world lays huge focus on actions and behaviours as the basis of love, but there is another side to love that the world cannot define, because it does not know the origin or its target and destination. That is the love of God. It is not a love that is first transactional, like the love the world tries to promote, but it is a love that is relational. It is love that is of God, who is presented to us as the personification of love. The bible says God is love, and love is of God. You cannot define love outside of God. There is no true version of love that excludes God. 

How do we know this is love? Consider what we got: the life of His Son was laid down so that my own life could be secured and free from sin. This is love in its full measure. My life will flow out with whatever I have received. I cannot take it, and I can't pretend to have what I don't. Love is not one of those things that you can simply talk your way into. It is first about who God is, then something I open my heart to. God has to first do a work in me before that work can flow out of me. This work of love is so amazing that words cannot fully describe it. It is love that I did not deserve, and there is nothing I could do to change God's mind about me. 

The Conclusion:

Just as I have received this love, God expects me to show it to other people. This love cannot be hidden; I cannot keep hidden that which is a spring of love in me. The work that God does is first internal, then the fruit will definitely manifest on the outside. Love from God will always look like God, and it is constant and consistent. It does not wait for me to earn it; God does not need my approval. I got it simply because I am created by God. He just would not see me go to waste. It is a duty on my part to flow out with what I have received from God. Men are waiting for the manifestation of God in and out of me. Would I allow Him do what He alone can do? God's time of favour is here. 

Consistent and Faithful!

Consistent and Faithful!

Every good gift and every perfect (free, large, full) gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light, in [the shining of] Whom there can be no variation [rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [as in an eclipse].

James 1:17 AMPC

The Charge:

God is the Source of all things good and perfect. There are other sources for all sorts of things, but if you seek things that last forever, you only get those from God. However, with the way the world is, you need God's grace to be able to trust His process and be convinced that whatever He allows to come to you is for good. The world has pain, sickness, disease and death, and we all have at one time either directly experienced one, or know some one who did. How do you come to the conclusion that something so painful could actually be something so good? The secret is in relationship. 

It is my daily walk with God that defines my walk in the world. If I know this God, I won't struggle with accepting his plans and purposes for me. I fix my gaze above, because below here, all you get are daily distractions. The devil may present an experience to me as evil, but because i am secure in the knowledge of the love of God for me, I know that He can only do what is good. He is also the God of perfection; whatever he allows weaves into His perfect plan for me. If the world has not completely fallen apart, it is because the eternal God won't let go, and is waiting for us to turn to Him. 

The Conclusion:

Why this confidence in God? It takes a very personal encounter to speak this way. He is called the Father of all lights, One who does not cast shadows because there is no change, turning or variation to his standards. Men can make promises, but capacity and competence are two different things. In God, both are present; His Word can be trusted to perform as promised. He cannot lie, because that would be contrary to His nature as Light. He's not a seasonal wonder,  but the One called Wonderful. Do I know this God introduced here? He wants us to draw near to Him. Would you? Would I? God's time of favour is here.

Being Different!

Being Different!

Invoke blessings upon and pray for the happiness of those who curse you, implore God's blessing (favor) upon those who abuse you [who revile, reproach, disparage, and high-handedly misuse you]. Luke 6:28 AMPC

bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. Luke 6:28 KJV

The Charge:

Different versions; the same message: God calls me to live a life that is different in character, commitment and content from the people of the world around me. We keep emphasizing the need to let the light of God shine out of our lives, but how would that happen if I do not give the light of God room to first take root in me before its fruit can then flow out of me? The verse before us today is addressed to disciples, people who have made up their minds to follow Jesus everywhere, no matter where he leads. It is not a call to be taken lightly or without counting the cost, because it is a call that will cost you dearly. 

Men will deliberately step on you, so they can see the stuff you are made of. Men will go out of their way to mistreat you, just to see how you would react. Sometimes, it could just be indifference, but in all ways, I have a duty, and it is to ensure that the work of God in me is seen in my walk among men. When men come with curses and abuse, what flows out of me must look like what I have spent time storing up in me. If there is a squeeze on me now, what will flow out: that which the world recognizes as its own, or that which  is of God? Whatever it is that flows out forms my character. It has to be right.

The Conclusion:

There is no room for silence here, where I will just sit and do nothing. I am under a mandate to respond to whatever is going on around me. Like a thermostat, I am to regulate my environment and make it conform to the conditions of peace. I must not keep quiet and blend in; life demands a response or reaction from me, and I must show that I am a child of God. Whatever it is that I get, I give that which I have, which is God's nature. May it never be that I take the path of least resistance because I do not want to offend, but may the light of God in me  be attractive to men. God's time of favour is here.

Loved!

Loved!

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. John 14:21 KJV

The Charge:

The world lays emphasis on the power of the memory. The brain is one of man's greatest blessing, because by it, we can process all that our senses perceive, and with our hearts and minds, we can decide to love and follow God. However, it is not enough to just read and commit the words of the Bible to memory, even though that is the start point of any good that a man can do for himself, but the extra is the bit about keeping them. This is where we struggle; where we find it hard to accept or follow the words of God as laid down in the Bible. We want it to be a bit logical and reasonable, because we want it to conform to our own standards. However, if God will be God in our Iives, I have to allow Him and His Word to reign and rule in my life.

It is the keeping of the commandments that proves that I love God. These are not mere suggestions, which I can decide to discount or disobey without consequences, but they are God's rules for everyday life. I can't pick and choose the ones that I am comfortable with, but I must take the whole of His Word, as revealed to me, as His prescription for success in life and ministry. Obedience is the physical evidence of a healthy and thriving relationship with God. God, like any father, loves all He has created, but He has a special place for those who show that they are truly His children by being careful to obey Him at all times. Would this describe me in any way or are there areas where I am struggling to fully commit to total obedience? 

The Conclusion:

Do I need to start paying attention to my daily pursuits and priorities so they can reflect a life that understands the call of God upon it?You would not want to dispense with the love of the Father; no true child of God can. All that I could ever lay my hands on or become is a function of God's love. It was love that drew the plan of salvation that required the Son of God to die a shameful death on a cross. It is this same love that makes Jesus, the glorious One, live in my heart, guiding and directing its affairs. I can't claim to love God and at the same time, reject His Son Jesus. I cannot accept God's love and reject the human manifestation of that love. God has made His love known; I must respond by embracing Jesus. This is the guarantee of eternal life. God's time of favour is here. 

Shine!

Shine!

And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Isaiah 60:3 AMPC

The Charge:

God's promises are indeed Yea and Amen. God's Word comes from a place of power and authority, because they are the words of a God who reigns and rules in the affairs of men. You may not consciously submit to His authority, but nothing you do or fail to do diminishes his authority. It only helps me if I come to Him of my own freewill, and submit to Him. He is able to work in and out of me, so that I look like Him every day. What this means then is that it is not enough to be able to quote all of God's promises from the head; I must let the Source of that Word take root and grow out of me. It is when God sits on the throne of my heart that I can claim the promises that come from the relationship. It is not a switch where I can turn off or on at will, but one that I must do all I can to daily nurture and nourish. 

One of God's promises is access. When I allow God come in and operate out of my life, men will be drawn and attracted to the God at work in and through me. Of course, how would I have access to all God is, and men will not see the difference? That is why today's extract is quite important, in the times and seasons we have found ourselves. Darkness threatens to derail the world, and men keep finding new ways of hurting each other. Yet, for all who are God's children, we are to shine out with the light of God in us. My life has to speak; I am an ambassador for God, and I represent Him wherever I am. There are no time-outs when it comes to this walk, because men are constantly looking for those that will make a difference. I cannot switch off at anytime, but even when I do not measure up, God keeps supplying fresh grace so I can get back up again and keep walking and working. 

The Conclusion:

Nations must seek me out for solutions to their problems, and kings must be drawn to the brightness that comes from my rising. This means that I have a duty to be a vessel that this light can operate through. God will not come down in the flesh, but He will plant people on my way, who will enjoy the outflow of God's grace in my life. My life has to be clean enough for the light to shine out of. Imagine if there is black tape stuck to the window of my life; it will be difficult for the light to be seen or be effective. Like the lamp that is lit and then set on the lampstand, so am I on display. If I am true to the call of God on my life, men will ask me for the reason for my faith. If no one asks, maybe I have learnt the deceptive art of hypocrisy. May God be pleased with my life, and may He be celebrated because of me. God's time of favour is here. 

Authority!

Authority!

The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His kingdom rules over all. Psalm 103:19 AMPC

The Charge:

David wrote the words of this psalm, extolling the virtues of God, and asking us all to bless the Lord for all the blessings and benefits He has extended to us. It is a time-honoured principle that you can only give that which you have, so if God makes a promise to give us anything, we need to critically examine His nature, power and wisdom in order to be able to determine with precision, what we stand to gain. Just take a quick look at what we get from God, as laid out so clearly in the chapter from which the verse is taken: he forgives all sin, heals all diseases, redeems us from destruction, crowns and rewards us with his love and kindness, meets all our daily needs, and many others that space and time will not permit us to lay out here. He is the Source of all these, so if I want them I have to go to Him and ask. 

It then means that whatever God gives to or does for me is a function of who He is. He is God of all: no other person/creation can dare make such claims. Yes, earthly men lay claim to physical territories and defined kingdoms, but the fact that there are kingmakers and ruling families show that no mortal man can reign forever. There is a king who is called the Lord, and His throne is established in the heavens. This also means It is not a kingdom that is subject to my whims or caprices. I can decide to accept or reject the authority of this kingdom, but nothing I say or do can reduce the scope, reach, depth and glory of that kingdom. I must decide now, of my own freewill, to submit to and embrace this kingdom. He is king, whether I say so or not, but it sure makes my life easier when I give room for his kingdom in my life. 

The Conclusion:

In this kingdom, the power and authority of the King is never questioned or in doubt. We are the ones on earth who struggle to submit. It is no wonder that the Lord's prayer has this line, where we ask that the will of God be done on earth, as it is done in heaven. At some point in the near future, this same King will return to the earth, and His rule will be established on this earth. I note that the verse above speaks to both the past and the present. Heaven's place is already secured, but earth's too is a work in progress. God's kingdom rules; it is not subject to negotiation or consultation. God wants to lay the foundations of His kingdom in my life too; He wants to do a work in me that will reverberate into eternity. I have to make room for him to do His work; eternity will be glad I did. God's time of favour is here. 

Do Good!

Do Good!

And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased. Hebrews 13:16 NIV

The Charge:

The Holy Spirit inspired the writer of this book to lay emphasis on interpersonal relationships. What is the use of mouth profession of faith, if the evidence of that faith is not evident from the daily dispensation of grace and love that must follow on from that faith? Is it sufficient for me to pay lip service to a life of devotion, while my life does not in any way reflect the demands of that devotion? How else will the world be attracted to Jesus, if there is no difference between the way it lives, and the way I live? If I have made a personal confession of faith, the evidence must be seen in the public. It is another reminder of the need to live out the demands of the faith on a daily basis. Enough of paying lip service to Christianity; it is indeed a way of life, not just a box to be ticked on a form.

Doing good may not be easy, especially when the target of the good does not appreciate it, or chooses not to recognize it, or even pays back the good with evil. Well, the instruction to do good here is not subject to the recipient's response or reaction, but to the need to obey. If I am a child of God, I should not have any issue with obedience. My life before I was saved is also a testament to the grace of God. I would not be a child of God if the love of God did not reach out to me. I am saved, so I can extend the same grace I have received to other people. I am called to share with others, because whatever it is I have received is not for me to enjoy alone, but to extend to others. That is the evidence that I am God's child - I can look outside of myself and see with God's eyes.  

The Conclusion:

This is what pleases God - a life that is a visible expression of the invisible God. God will not come down by himself and do the good he needs done in the lives of men, but he has put me in the world, at this point in time, to be his hands, feet, heart, ears and eyes. Wherever I stand, I am an ambassador for God, because I represent Him. When I am an effective witness, I am a true representative of God. Men must come to know and love the God I represent. I please God when I do what he wants, when he wants it and how he wants it. I am his child, his servant, his ambassador all rolled into one. The world is waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God. The world needs something different from what it has always seen. Am I one? God's time of favour is here.

Set!

Set!

And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth.   

Colossians 3:2 AMPC

The Charge:

In a world full of distractions as we have it now, it is important to have a clear idea of what is important and what is not. The world will sell anything to you as very important if you do not have a clear idea of what is truly important. Bank account balances, circle of influence, net worth and network have all been sold to the world as the foundations of relevance, but for all who know the truth, we know that none of these things last forever. In fact, none of these things can take you into eternity on its own. You may own all of them, but you need one fundamental element in order to end well, and that is a focus on the eternal and the spiritual. Riches and connections are good; additionally, to have God living in and directing you are also necessary. Don't go struggling for the former, neglecting the latter; both are important for the journey of life that God has called us to. 

I am charged to SET my mind and keep it set on what is above. To set my mind requires a focus that is unyielding and fervent, not one that can be easily swayed by false arguments. It evokes a picture of permanence and endurance, not one that is for a season. Think about the bricks used to bulld a house; when you apply the cement, you are thinking of long-term care and usage, not something that can be easily removed. Whatever is to be trusted and depended on must be fixed to a place, not easily broken. Does that describe me in any way? I note that the place to SET my mind on is above, never beneath me. I have to aspire to an assignment that is greater than my current ability or intellect can achieve on its own. If what I have now can conclude the assignment, then I may not really need God. 

The Conclusion:

I must also not forget that God will only commit mighty things into my life if He knows I am stable and dependable. Lives are at stake; eternity with God is the end game. I cannot afford to joke or play with this assignment. It demands clear focus and consistency, as well as dedication and daily devotion to duty. I am at work every day that God gives me grace to wake up, and I keep depending on Him to supply all that I need for every facet of the journey, for all of this earthly life, and the demands of Godliness. Both are important, but I must remember that the earthly is the preparation for the eternal. I must do the earthly phase well, so I can then make it to the eternal. May nothing of the earth hold so much attraction for me, that it will deny me the blessings and benefits of the eternal. God's time of favour is here.

Use!

Use!

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10 NIV

The Charge:

Peter would know what he was talking about here. He was a disciple who Jesus took special interest in. He was quite emotional, sometimes acting before thinking, but you could never daily his commitment to Jesus. He didn't always make the right choices, but his heart was right with God, and that is all that matters. He was given a gift, and he used it to the best of his ability. Peter then passes on the lessons from his own life to us today: God is too awesome to create persons without any purpose or usage. God does not create anyone without pouring his skill and expertise into that person. When men get in contact with me, they must see the imprint and impact of God upon my life. This is the standard I am called to live by, and this is the standard I must live by. God is counting on me in these perilous times we are in. Can I be trusted?

God is the giver of all good gifts. He does not give me the gifts so I can make a name for myself, but so I can bring glory to the name of the Lord. It lays emphasis on my USE of the gift, not hoarding, selling or destroying the gift. There is no reward from God for a gift that was kept away from public eye, and the gift is for the benefit and blessing of other people, not the person who was given the gift. God will raise up people that will pour out God's gift in them into my life, but I must sort out my own usage. I must ignore other people's reaction or response to me; that is not my business. All I have power over is my daily availability. It is a duty, and it is also a choice. That is the amazing thing about God: He does not force himself on anyone; He will bless all who come to Him with all their hearts.

The Conclusion:

This is a call to service, as I get to choose to serve wherever God may lead. Service that God accepts has no room for false pretence, selfishness or eye-service. It is a  call to dispense God's grace that I have been given. Imagine the beauty and blessing that come from all of us in church having the understanding of who we are working for. I am a steward of all that I have been given, and as we know, stewards do not currently own the house but are servants under authority. No matter the title on earth, service to people is God's greatest means to blessing his people. I must not settle for the praise or applause of men, which are only good for the earth and are temporary. No one has my personal fingerprints; I am special, and God has got my back as I seek to bring God to his world. God's time of favour is here.

Seek!

Seek!

I sought the Lord [on the authority of His word], and He answered me, And delivered me from all my fears. Psalms 34:4 AMP

The Charge:

David wrote these words after God had delivered him from the hands of a king that could have killed him. He was in the camp of the enemy, who knew of his exploits with Goliath. He was given wisdom to pretend to be mad, and he was able to escape. The words of the verse here are quite instructive: 'I sought the Lord on the authority of His Word'. My seeking must align with God's will and word if I must succeed. No matter how hard or long I cry, if want I desire does not match God's timing and purpose for me, He is not bound to grant it. Well, that is if I do not go outside His will to get it. If I can hold on to God, the present will not always be the final position; God always come through. For David, He did, and for us, He will, because He is consistently faithful. Can we dare trust Him to the end?

It must also be noted that seeking God on the authority of His Word means you will submit to whatever He says. If I recognize the authority of someone or something, I won't disobey or disregard it. I won't submit only when it appeals to my desires and then pursue other options when I don't like what he says. If God can't trust my obedience, how does He commit his heart to me? How does he know how I will handle the mighty treasures that come from obedience and total surrender? Like David, this must be my default setting, where God knows that I am completely in His hands, ready at all times to do His will. He is committed to answer, as He has promised, if I am also committed to obey as the condition to His promise. Where do you stand? Have you surrendered your life and all its pursuits and priorities to God, or are you personally in control of your life?

The Conclusion:

It is surrender that leads to conquering. It is only in and through God that this is even possible. Life will happen to the best of us and to all of us. The fallen human nature is prone to fear; the eternal consequences of sin must be feared, because it means a permanent separation from God forever and ever. If the solution is total trust in God, is that not worth trying out? God is the only one who has conquered death and all it brings, so He is the only one who can hold my hand through all that may threaten my peace. He is the Mighty Warrior who fights for me, as long as I hold on to Him with singlehanded focus and devotion. Remember, this is a God who cannot be deceived by eye-service; He wants to show Himself strong, if I will show myself committed to Him. He waits; would you come to Him? God's time of favour is here. 

Unfiltered!

Unfiltered!

Above all, have fervent and unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins [it overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others]. 1 Peter 4:8 AMP

The Charge:

Peter speaks to the believers of his time, encouraging them to seek after the things that make God's heart glad. He spoke about the signs of the end times, and the fact that we are in those times now, and we need to pay close attention to our actions as well as motives. Jesus has laid down the perfect example of a life that is committed to the good of other people, and He did this by laying down his life for us. At the time He did, we didn't deserve it, but because His heart is full of love, he did it anyway, and He waits for us to return to Him. There is an eternal end to all that we see today, and there is nothing the world offers you today that will not be taken away at some point in the future. It is very important then to focus on what the world cannot give you or take away, so that my heart can be fixed on what God is, gives and wants me to have for eternity. 

Whatever else you have, the Word for today says I must put fervent and unfailing love above them all. Love must be very important to God; it is one of the attributes of God. We say God is love; it must mean then that a call to love is a call to be like God, and to relate with people the way God would and the way He has already related with me. It was God's love that paid the full price for sin, past, present and future, and then also lays out an eternal plan to reign with Christ at the end of the earthly phase of life. While I wait for the manifestation of that promise, I have been placed on earth to impact it with the love of God that I have received in abundance. Of what use is a love that cannot be experienced on a personal level? Of what use is love that is only spoken about, but has no impact or footprint on the loves of people?

The Conclusion:

It is that personal touch that God calls us all to. All who have received this love have a duty to let it flow through and out of them to touch other people. People will step on my toes and wind me up the wrong way; how would I respond? People will say all sorts of things about me and my daily choices, but would I try to please men and then displease God? Love from God overlooks unkindness; it does not respond in kind, but it flows out with that which it has, which is kindness. It also unselfishly seeks the best for others, placing them above self-interest. It takes a totally surrendered man to walk in this path on a regular basis, but that is the demand of the call of God on our lives. If we are to be true Christians, this is the daily expectation of God from us. Can He count on you? Can He count on me? God's time of favour is here. 

Kept!

Kept!

You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character], Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation]. Isaiah 26:3 AMP

The Charge:

Every promise of God has a context, as well as conditions to be satisfied for the promise to take affect and be confirmed. It is a waste of time to just claim, and not be committed to the context and the conditions. The promise of God here is perfect peace. The world usually claim that there is no such thing as perfect peace but then, how can the world explain something it did not originate and can never understand? Each gives what it has, and the world, no matter what it gives you, cannot guarantee you peace because it does not have it. Jesus is called the Prince of Peace, and His Father is the God of Peace, and he has promised to leave us His peace, represented by the presence of the Holy Spirit in us. He can make such a promise, because He has the peace in great abundance. 

However, there is a condition, and it is open to all to apply: he whose mind is steadfast. This is not a mind that can be easily swayed and deceived by what the world offers, but it is a mind that has come to the knowledge of who God is, and is growing daily in that knowledge and experience of God. This mind does not allow the weeds of the world to take root, and where there are distractions, it is quick to recognize such and take steps to uproot them by the power of the Presence of the Word of God. You cannot fight the devil's wiles which just your willpower alone; you need the tried and tested power of the peace of God in you, to help defeat the devil. Oh, the world has distractions, but I must make up my mind to focus on God. This is the minimum requirement for the dispensation of God's promise of peace.

The Conclusion:

The journey is long, and may pass through the most distressing circumstances, but the peace of God is the surest possession a man must have, if he will still stand well at the end of the journey. Nowhere does God promise us a life free of trials and tough times, but the confidence comes from the knowledge that a God who can predict the world and its weaknesses so correctly, also knows how best to work out his peace for all who trust Him. I have to fully depend on Him; it can't be half and half, where I am neither all in or all out. That is hypocrisy, and it is dangerous when you are dealing with a God of total and absolute knowledge, who cannot be deceived. He is looking for people who will trust Him completely; they are the ones in whom His glory will be made manifest and obvious. Can He count on us? God's time of favour is here. 

Perfect!

Perfect!

The law of the Lord is perfect (flawless), restoring and refreshing the soul; The statutes of the Lord are reliable and trustworthy, making wise the simple. Psalms 19:7 AMP

The Charge:

David would know something about the law of the Lord. He had spent some time in private, away from public adulation, meditating on the laws of God, and seeking to know more about this God. His job as a shepherd gave him a unique perspective into relationships, and he understood what it meant to depend on an established structure. God's Word is that established structure on which all other things hang. His Word is the basis and foundation of all that can grow and make impact. By the Word of God, the heavens and the earth were made, and by the same Word, they are being sustained, and even by the same Word, the end of the present heavens, as well as the earth, has already been determined. It means that God's Word is not to be toyed with, and everyone who will enjoy the fullness of God's grace and mercy must live by the Word. 

The Word of the Lord is also known as His law. As we know, as soon as a law is promulgated, it is no longer subject to negotiation, compromise or consent. I either comply or suffer the consequences of disobedience. God does not compel a man to follow His law, but if I align with His law, the benefits include restoration and refreshing. God does not do anything contrary to His law, so I can be assured in the confidence that whatever God allows to happen to me reflects His Word and will be for my ultimate good. Statutes are also like decrees made by a sovereign; one whose command is not subject to negotiation. I must come to a point where I recognize the authority of God over my life. He made and formed me, giving me breath, and then gifting and placing me where he knows I can function in line with His perfect will. 

The Conclusion:

The benefits of the law and statutes are also laid out quite clearly. Restoration of all that is lost, refreshing of the soul, as well as wisdom that the world cannot counter are just a few of the benefits and blessings that come from the law of God. God's laws are not burdensome, and the major difference between the laws of the world and the Word of God is that God supplies the strength and grace I need to comply. God does not leave me to go it alone; He is with me every step of the way, guiding, helping and encouraging me on this walk and work of faith. You can depend on the Word for the rest of your life, because it is not subject to varying weather conditions. For all of eternity, God's Word is settled, because the Word is Him. He does not lie and does not change to suit my preferences. He is reliable; can I trust Him with my life? God's time of favour is here.

Keep On!

Keep On!

And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Galatians 6:9 KJV

The Charge:

Doing good can come at a cost. There are no guarantees that those who you do good to will recognize or appreciate it. There is even no assurance that you might get into trouble for it, or that the person you have done some good to will not turn around and repay you with evil. Since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, there is no end or limit to the depravity of man, or man's inhumanity to another man. However, one thing is clear here: God is not asking me to live my life on the basis of another person's response or reaction to the good I do; I am to keep on doing good because it is all I have. A man gives whatever he has; you cannot place a demand for something you have not first stored up. I do good because the good God lives in me, and my life is a daily expression of that good wherever I go. 

The encouragement is to keep on; not to get weary. Yes, words hurt. Indeed, actions can be mean, and rejection can be hard to process, but there is an end to all we see down here. There is nothing this world offers that is guaranteed to last forever, so whilst I still have the breath of God in me, I must keep doing the good I know how to. Do not forget: the focus is on well doing, not on retaliation or revenge. If I am only focused on getting even when others hurt me, I am pulling myself away from the grace that is freely available in God. God will not demand of me that which He has not supplied grace for, so if He asks me to do it, it is because I have been given the strength and grace to do it. I do not need to depend on my clout, wisdom or ability anymore; God's grace is more than sufficient for all of life's demands. 

The Conviction:

There is a reward at the end of the labour. This is also part of God's nature; He is fair. He knows all I do as well as the motives behind whatever I do. I cannot deceive Him with hypocrisy, eye-service or pretence. There is a due season coming for each one of us. Nobody knows the exact day and time of his or her own due season, but it will come. That due season comes with a reward for perseverance in doing good. I note that the reward here isn't so much for just any action, but for staying the course and being faithful to the good I have been called to do. This is not a congregational blessing, but an individual one where all of us must work out with God's help. If I hold on, I get the reward. God's grace is abundantly available; would you take advantage of what He offers? God's time of favour is here.

Helped 3!

Helped 3!

Give us this day our daily bread. Matthew 6:11 AMPC

The Charge: 

Jesus took time to teach his disciples how to pray. Prayer is one of the fundamental principles of a walk with God, and It is not strictly based on a schedule or timetable, but it must flow out of a heart that fully understands the place of relationships. You pray to God because you know and  love Him, and because you are totally surrendered and committed to His will. It does not mean that you will get all you ask for when you want it, but you are confident in the knowledge that you have a Father who loves you and wants the best for you. This is quite evident from the passage that is before us today: the daily provision that meets daily needs, by a God that is in total control of the past, present and potential. Do you know this God? Quite simply also, does He know you as His child? Do you love Him so much as to desire to speak with Him regularly?

Remember, prayer is an acknowledgement that you know who is the Source of all you ask for or require for life and Godliness. This verse asks God to GIVE. You cannot give what you don't have; if you have it, and people know you do, they will surely come asking you on a regular basis. If I know God is the only source of all good things, why would I go to the devil for anything? What good thing can the devil give, when he has nothing good to give?  What does God give? The verse refers to OUR DAILY BREAD. It is daily, not weekly or monthly or yearly. You ask for it daily, which means I must have a thriving and healthy relationship with the Source. If He knows my heart has other options, he may want me to exhaust all those options before he answers. You can't give full attention to both God and the devil at the same time. 

The Conclusion:

It is THIS DAY, not tomorrow or next, or any other day. It is daily dependence, not weekly appointments. It is provision that is sufficient for this day. Bread may mean different things to different people, but it is provision that is appropriate and proportionate to the day, and will meet the need for that day. God does not give me all that I will require for life in one go, but as I depend on Him, He gives me all that I need for every facet of life. There is no wisdom in worrying about tomorrow that is yet unknown. God is in charge of it, and if He says He will take care of today, then as long as I wake up to a new day, I have the assurance of provision for all that the day will require. At the end of each day, there will be no doubt that whatever may have happened was God's perfect will. There are no accidents where God is in control. God's time of favour is here.

Helped 2!

Helped 2!

Two are better than one because they have a more satisfying return for their labor; for if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. Ecclesiastes 4:9‭ AMP

The Charge:

Solomon, who is credited with writing most of the words of this book, would know the importance of cooperation and collaboration. His father, David, was the study in the power of focused alliances. David had his mighty men, and they made a huge impact that their names had to be listed in the Bible. You will not go far in life, no matter how gifted or talented you are, if you just want to go it alone. God in his wisdom did not also go it alone at the critical stage in creation,  when he made man. His Word is His Son, his word is power, He created the world by and for His Son, and His Spirit sustains all of ceation: same God, different manifestations. In creation, God places the power of increase and dominion in cooperation, agreement and alignment of ideas and labour. If I am created by this amazing God, I will only properly function when I live and work in the way He has designed me. 

One is good, but two people bound by the desire and heart to achieve a common purpose always leads to greater results. One may achieve a lot, but two people, pulling in the same direction, will achieve even much more than one working alone would. Think about the multiplier effect of putting 2 seeds of corn in the ground, in one place, or planting at least 100 seeds of the same corn scattered in different places on a ground prepared to receive corn. Compare the harvest that will come from 2 seeds with what 100 will achieve, and you will know the power behind focused and committed numbers. There is really no job on earth that can be fully achieved from start to finish by only one person. God has so designed every part of life, whether physical or spiritual, that we will need at least someone else to achieve the set targets. 

The Conclusion:

If one person owns the land, s/he would have to employ a team to clear, plough and prepare it for the sowing and weeding season. There would also be the need to employ a team for the reaping, harvesting, storage and transportation cycles. If this is very critical in the physical, imagine the impact also in the spiritual. Even God recognized the power behind the evil plot of the Tower of Babel and he had to do something about it. As I strive for mastery and competence in my sphere of influence, I must also remember to take along with me people of like mind, who can help. In the spiritual too, God has placed different gifts in different people and in different places, so that the beauty of God can be seen in different expressions and manifestations. I must be a help and blessing to the world I have been placed and planted in. God's time of favour is here. 

Delivered!

Delivered!

For He has rescued us and has drawn us to Himself from the dominion of darkness, and has transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, Colossians 1:13 AMP

The Charge:

There are kingdoms, dominions and authorities. There are dictators and authoritarians. As we have then in the physical, so do they exist in the spiritual. It will be foolish of me to think that I can decide by myself, with no external influence, the direction and focus of my life. It must be known today that both God and the devil are in it for total control and domination. None of them brooks opposition or rebellion; you are either all in or all out. There is no fence to sit on on this matter; you are either totally committed to one cause or totally opposed to the other. Remember the words of Jesus: "You cannot serve both God and mammon". God and the devil represent kingdoms and authorities. Both have eternal consequences, and I must know what both offer and where they end up, so I can make the right choice. 

You won't talk about a 'rescue' if there was no danger. For Jesus to have rescued us, we must have been in bondage. That is what the devil can offer: destruction, dominion and death. He only knows how to oppress and cannot deliver. In fact, his mission is clearly stated: to steal, kill and destroy. I also believe it is not a mistake for the verse to refer to each territory as the 'dominion of darkness' and 'kingdom of His beloved Son'. These definitions are quite important: darkness dominates, as God's kingdom invites you to come. The dominion of darkness gives you what it has, which is darkness, while the kingdom gives you what it has, which is love and light. The cross is the place of victory, where Jesus went into the kingdom of death and darkness and overcame all that could frighten us. Now, we have a standing invitation into the Kingdom of love. Would you come in?

The Conclusion:

That invitation stands for all time, until time as we know it now ceases to exist. He will not just do one part and leave out the other; if He can rescue me and draw me to himself, then He can transfer me to the kingdom of His Son. That is the personal touch available when God says He loves us. He will not let us go to waste, but there is a very important step I need to take, and that is total surrender. If I do not admit that I need help, why would I go in search of that help? If God's arms are wide open for me to walk into, I cannot turn around and blame God for the consequences that come from rejecting God. I also note that though it is a kingdom of love, it is still a kingdom with rules, loyal subjects, authority without end, and an unquestionable King. Do you belong to that kingdom? God's time of favour is here. 

Helped!

Helped!

The Lord is my Shepherd [to feed, to guide and to shield me], I shall not want. He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still and quiet waters. Psalms 23:1‭-‬2 AMP

The Charge:

God is introduced here as the personal shepherd of the writer of this psalm. Of course, we know God reveals Himself in different ways to different people at different times, but the one sure thing you can hold on to will be the very personal  revelation of God to that person. That personal encounter will be the sustaining power for that person, so that, even in the face of the most difficult circumstances, hope is not lost. This must have been the state of David as he wrote these words: if you don't know Him as One, you can't experience Him as such. David was also a shepherd of sheep, so he also knew what it meant to be responsible for a few sheep. Every experience God brings my way is teaching me dependence and reliance on God. No experience is wasted, because the end of my life is important to God as much as the journey itself.

The Shepherd knows his work. He feeds, guides and shields me. He does not take a break, neither does he go on holiday. It is a lifelong assignment for the Shepherd to take care of the sheep. Of course, this would mean that the sheep have totally surrendered to the Shepherd. They trust his leadership and guidance, and follow His lead, wherever that may be. The sheep does not have an opinion contrary to the view of the shepherd, because it is the shepherd who will answer for the sheep. Can I say, of a truth, that I have God as my own shepherd? Is He Lord of ALL my life or just in charge of some areas of my life? Remember, the verse is about God being my shepherd, who leads me in the right path, and who knows just what is best for me, at the right time, in the right quantity and in the right way. That is the package that comes with being sheep under this shepherd.

The Conclusion:

He does not make any promises about perpetually blue skies without any tough seasons, but He gives me assurance that wherever He may lead, whether it is through the fire, the sea or the storms, He is there with me. No matter what is going on outside of me, it does not affect the balance and peace inside of me. That inner peace is not by magic or physical labour, but by the gift of the presence of God. I note that the verse says "He leads". He knows the future, and he will not take me where His grace can't preserve me. Where he leads will calm my fears, because He is there with me. No matter what else I get, I must make sure I have the Presence of God. That is the one person who lasts forever. All who are in Him will also get to live forever. Does He know me as part of His sheep? Do I know His as my Shepherd? God's time of favour is here. 

Faith 2!

Faith 2!

For I consider [from the standpoint of faith] that the sufferings of the present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is about to be revealed to us and in us! Romans 8:18 AMP

The Charge:

Again, from Paul's perspective, we read here of another experience that hangs on faith, and that would be trials and tough times. I do not know of anyone who can correctly predict what kind of trials God will bring His way, but the only thing that a man can really do is to ask God for grace and strength to be able to stand up under these circumstances. Let it be known that the one thing that's guaranteed in this earthly life is that there will be tough times I cannot pray my way out of them, but I can successfully navigate through them with the right heart and mentality. This is where faith comes in. From yesterday's verse, we defined faith as 'strong belief in the doctrines of a religion, based on spiritual conviction rather than proof' and 'complete trust or confidence in someone or something.

When it comes to faith, I do not wait for something to make sense to my physical senses. My senses will never be able to fully understand how I am able to press on in the face of trials, even when nothing seems to make sense. You see the dilemma between the physical and the spiritual? It is because faith is first spiritual, and then the evidence of the spiritual is made manifest in the decisions and steps that I take in the physical. When tough times come, it is from the spiritual abundance of faith and hope that have been stored up that I can draw on, press on and labour on. If there is nothing to draw on, there will be nothing to provide comfort and succour. This world has nothing to offer you except suffering and pain, and it means that if I will stand, I must be filled with the right stuff.

The Conclusion:

I have to know that there is something amazing and awesome ahead; therefore I cannot get distracted by the issues of the past or present. Life will happen to the best of us; dispensations and generations come and go, and physical death is am appointment all of us must keep, if the Lord tarries long enough. There is a glory to be made manifest to and in me. It is the Presence of God in me that will shine out and speak to other people. The world is very seriously waiting for the earnest manifestation of the sons of God, who will draw the hearts of men back to God. That is how His glory will be revealed, and it is a privilege to be called to be part of this glory. God has no problem shining out of me, but would I let Him? Would I offer my life as a platform for Him to reveal His glory? God's time of favour is here.