Kept 2!

Kept 2!

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. Psalm 23:1‭-‬2 KJV

The Inspiration:

The journey into the fullness of God's grace and favour starts with a personal encounter with Him. How do I look forward to all the amazing things He has promised if I don't even know him at all? How do I hear him if I am not acquainted with His voice or open to His leading and direction?  The man who wrote the words of today's verse was David, who God Himself testified of as a man after His heart. This did not happen overnight, but was the result of a daily and regular search for God. David wanted to always be in the presence of God, and looked forward to being in his temple. He knew God and his laws, and even when he sinned and was reminded of what he did and was punished, his love for God knew no bounds. It is not a wonder that he could refer to God as His shepherd. Of course, a shepherd will have many sheep, but it is the sign of His power, might and grace that he can deal with each one in a special way. He knows each sheep by name, and leads them out to pasture. He is able to keep and preserve all who come into the sheepfold, depending on Him for all that they need. 

The Contention:

With God as the Shepherd, all who belong to his fold do not want. It does not mean that you will get ALL you want, but whatever is required for you to be all the Shepherd wants you to be will be provided by Him. In a world that celebrates acquisitions and possessions at the expense of a personal relationship with God, this message is apt for this season. A man's life does not consist of the abundance of the things he possesses, but in the reality of the presence of God. With God, I actually have all I need, because He is and has all I really need for life and Godliness. Healing: He is the Jehovah Rapha. In need: he is the Provider. In danger: He is my Refuge and Fortress. In pain: He is my joy and peace. In fear: He is Love personified, who takes away all fear. It does not matter the severity of the storm that comes, or the wind or fire that blows or burns; as long as I am in the sheepfold, I am safe and secure from all alarms. I must note that these benefits are not mine by right, but by relationship. Am I one of God's sheep, or am I still in charge of my own life? 

The Conclusion:

As part of his sheepfold, there will be times to work, and times to rest. He leads me out in the morning, feeds me and then allows me work to impact the world I have been placed in. I return to the fold to rest, refresh and be recharged to go again. The world will want me to keep running after imaginary success, but in God, I have the person and presence that guarantees peace. Even when I think I can't take a break, he can make me. Sometimes, things happen that we cannot explain, but at the end, we find ourselves rested and refreshed, ready to go again. Sometimes, when God needs to reach us, he keeps us in a quiet place where we can hear His still small voice. He leads me where he knows I can get what is appropriate for the season I am in. The world has no such benefits and cannot offer you any, because it does not know God. You cannot give what you don't have. The world can only offer you tribulations and tough times; in God, we have peace that the world cannot define, limit or tamper with. Who would you rather follow? Which side would you rather choose? God's time of favour is here.

Power!

Power!

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words. Proverbs 18:21 AMP

The Inspiration:

Solomon is credited with most of the words of the book of Proverbs. He was a man favoured by God to become king out of all the many sons that David had. At some point in his life, having considered his helplessness and cluelessness, he asked God for wisdom in order to rule God's people the right way, and God, being who he is, gave him more than he bargained for. He got the wisdom he asked for, and he also got riches far more than anyone before or after him ever got. With God, you can approach him and ask Him for anything. He desires for me to enjoy the life He has given me, and he has supplied all that I need for life and Godliness. However, with great power comes great responsibility. One of the great powers God had given me is the power to choose how I will live. I have some measure of control over where I live, work, play or what I do. Man was created in God's image, so that in his engagements, expressions and interactions, man could show off the nature of God in him. Sin came to tamper with that original template, but thank God for the grace and love that set in motion the plan of salvation and redemption. 

The Contention:

By this death and resurrection, i have a new standing in and with God. There are things in my past that the new life in Christ must deal with. One of them is the use of my tongue. It is an integral, yet dangerous part of my body. With it, God expects me to praise and thank Him, and to testify about Him to other people. The devil also wants to control and use it for the promotion of his evil agenda. The question then is: 'who would I cede control to'. Would that be God, or the devil? I must remember that the one to whom you give control of your life to defines and determines your eternal reality. Before I make the choice, I have the time to consider the options; well, for as long as there is time to consider the options. The moment the choice is made, the eternal consequences of that choice begin to direct my life towards its determined destination, unless and until I change my mind again. I get to choose the response for every situation, up until the moment when time is no longer available. At that time, eternity has rung its bell, and you are left with the consequences of your decision, whatever it was. 

The Conclusion:

Whatever it is, make sure you submit yourself to the leading, direction and control of the Holy Spirit. The tongue is the window into the kind of person I am, and my usage of it speaks to the contents of my heart and the character traits expected from me. No matter how hard I try, I cannot present or promote a different argument from the contents of ny heart and the expressions of my tongue. God has so ordained it that the exercise of my power is in my hands, or rather, in my tongue. Whatever it is I seek, I speak it into existence. Whatever it is I do not want, I decree it as such. I must take good care of my tongue, because in its operation lies life and death. If I indulge it and fail to control it, the consequences will be mine to bear. If I also take care of it, the blessings will be mind to enjoy. The one who made it is best suited to provide guidance on how to control it, but I have to cooperate with, listen to, and obey Him promptly, if I am to succeed in the proper use of the power I have been given. After all, what is the use of a power that you cannot use the right way, and it ends up destroying you? God's time of favour is here. 

Kept!

Kept!

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. Isaiah 43:2 KJV

The Inspiration:

'When' gives an indication of an event that is determined to happen, not a possibility. It is not open to negotiation or compromise, unless you take yourself out of the scope of its operation and applicability to you. Two things are then clear here: life will happen to all of us at some point in time in our lives: loss, pain and death are parts of this phase called life. We can pray against untimely death, which is in line with God's will, but God's will also is that it is appointed unto man once to die, and after that comes judgement. The other thing is to be sure of the right person to go with you as you go through this phase called life. It is a waste of time praying that death should not come; the best of us have days appointed for us, and the best use of life is to live it for the One who gives life in the first place. These two parts are critical to having a successful and impactful life: the knowledge and acceptance of God's purpose behind your pain, and the knowledge and experience of God's presence, no matter what comes your way. 

The Contention:

The waters will come; they will threaten to upend your boat. In fact, at some times, the water may even get into your boat, and some things would have to be thrown overboard. The rivers will flow, and at some other times, they will so overflow that there could be irreparable loss. Sometimes, the pain will come in waves; as one incident seems to be passing on, another one is knocking. I wonder what Joseph, the son of a wealthy Jacob, was feeling when he was sold into slavery by his own brothers. He stood against sexual immorality, and rather than be 'rewarded', he was thrown into prison. The man whose dream he interpreted and was restored to his former position, forgot about Joseph. However, one thing was constantly repeated in the story of Joseph: "And the Lord was with Joseph". No matter where Joseph found himself or the waves that swept over him, he made sure he never let go of God. Fire too will burn, and as we know, there is nothing fire touches and leaves the same way. Fire will change it; it either consumes totally or purifies absolutely. 

The Conclusion:

In all of the 'distressing' situations presented above, note the counterbalance: "I will be with you". Don't dare face the world without the help of the One who has conquered the world. Don't dare face the elements without the presence of the One who formed them and placed limits over their scope and operations. He does not promise that the elements will not work as they should, but He makes it clear that He is all-powerful, and He determines just how far they go. I can rest assured in the confidence that no matter what comes, or how fierce the battles rage, the presence of God guarantees that I will be alright. Yes, it may have consequences that the world will view as 'bad', but in the hands of the Creator and Ruler of all things, everything works for the good of them that love God and are called according to His purpose. Whether it ends like the 3 Hebrew boys and Daniel, or like Stephen and James, at the end, it matters that God is glorified, and He finds me a vessel through which His glory is made manifest. What better use of a life can there be? God's time of favour is here. 

Friends!

Friends!

No one has greater love [no one has shown stronger affection] than to lay down (give up) his own life for his friends. John 15:13 AMPC

The Inspiration:

As Jesus came to the end of his earthly ministry, He took time out to teach his disciples some principles and practices of His kingdom. For all who want to be a part of the new dispensation that Jesus births and sustains, there are rules of engagement, and policies, practices and procedures that govern that relationship. It is not a free-for-all where I get to do as I please, when I please or how and if I please, but I am under an obligation to align with the rules of engagement. This is the first lesson here, that the words of Jesus here are for disciples, not the crowd. You cannot demand allegiance from someone who is not a citizen of your country. He may dwell there temporarily, but if he has the power to leave as and when he pleases, he has no long-term commitment. For those who have attached themselves to the kingdom of Christ, they have sworn allegiance to Christ, given up all old connections, and are now making efforts to live by the dictates of the country of new allegiance. I have to truthfully answer the question about my current citizenship: who I am, and where do I belong? 

The Contention:

The reason why I have to answer the question about citizenship is because of what it will demand and require of me. First, before God places a demand, he makes an offer, and then he backs up that offer with appropriate action. He knows I am weak and cannot save myself from the power of sin, so He sent his one and only Son to die on the cross to save me. The one without sin paid the price for sin, and not just past and current sin, but even for those who are yet unborn. That is the power of the sacrifice made for me. You would then wonder why God would pay such a huge price for people He could not guarantee their total or permanent allegiance. Why go all out for people who may reject you to the end? Why kill yourself for people who would not even life a finger to defend you? This is what makes Jesus unique: he wasn't waiting for me to be worthy, but His nature of love made it difficult for him to sit by and watch the devil destroy my life. His heart of love would not sit idly by and watch lives He created for his glory living for pleasure of self. This is the one definition of love that is real and personal, because it provides evidence I can hold on to.

The Conclusion:

Of course, the power of choice given to me by God is both personal and consequential. I get to choose how to respond to the gift of love I have received. God does not force Himself on anyone, but for all He has done, he will demand a response from me, one way or another. For all that God does and demands, there is no fence for non-committal. You cannot pick both sides at the same time, as it is not possible to please God and the devil at the same time. These are two authorities so different from each other; one has eternal life to give, and the other will be cast into the lake of fire for everlasting torment. There is no fence or middle ground here. Everyday is an opportunity to take a stand for who I will obey, and as the verse above makes quite clear, obedience is a sign that I appreciate what I have received from God. No enemy will do what He did, and he has proven to be a dear friend. Now that I know what He has done, how do I intend to respond? Would I also give up my life to Him in full appreciation of what he has done? Or would I hold on to my own life to the end, and risk eternal separation from God? The choice is mine to make. God's time of favour is here.

Pray 2!

Pray 2!

And when they had prayed, the place where they were meeting together was shaken [a sign of God’s presence]; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness and courage.

Acts 4:31 AMP

The Inspiration:

A lame man had just been healed. A man who had never walked was now walking, leaping and praising God. Even the Jewish leaders of that time, who constantly opposed Jesus when he was on earth could do nothing to deny the miracle that had happened. This is what happens when God intervenes in a man's life and changes his story. There is no life so bad or situation so dire that it cannot be reversed by God. Even death, which we call final, is not the final bit with God. He raises from the dead, and by his death and resurrection, has sealed eternal life for all who come to trust in Jesus. Is Jesus the Lord and Master of your life? Does He own you? Until He is, you may get some blessings in life but they will not lead you to eternal life. The leaders at this time wanted the disciples to stop speaking about Jesus, but when a man has experienced the amazing, he cannot keep quiet. When you have received the original, every other option is a waste of time. 

The Contention:

The disciples were threatened, but rather than keep quiet, they told the leaders that they would press on with the assignment they had been given. The One who sends out is the one to be feared and honoured, not the one to whom the message is sent. The leaders could not deny the miracle, but they wanted the message stopped. They warned the disciples not to speak anymore in the name of Jesus and let them go. The disciples returned to the others and reported what had happened, and rather than moan and complain, they prayed. What a response; with death and danger staring them in the face, they looked up to God. All around them, things were looking terrible, but as long as they were focused on God, things were going to be alright. My eyes must be fixed on Jesus, and my life must seek to give Him glory everyday. The best use of a life is to spend it for the One who gives life. Any other venture is a waste of time. 

The Conclusion:

It is not a wonder that when the disciples prayed, God moved. There is nothing that moves God more than sincere prayers from the heart, with a desire to please Him. If you will cry, please cry, but make sure you pray. If you will talk to someone about it too, make sure you talk to God too. The disciples did so too: they reported to the others, and then they prayed. God moved, and the place where they met was shaken. The Holy Spirit is God's gift to believers in these times, and He is an indispensable part of my walk with and work for God. Be expectant when you pray; ask God in faith for anything you want. Live in total obedience and surrender to the will of God, and see Him do wonders in your life. God moves when we invite Him to do so; when He moves, there is unlimited power available. When He backs you up, there is no room for fear. Don't dare launch out without the full backing of God. Time spent in prayer is never a waste. It is wise to invest in prayer, so I can live a life of purpose. God's time of favour is here. 

Disciples!

Disciples!

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Matthew 28:19 NIV

The Inspiration:

The words of today's verse were spoken by Jesus just before He ascended into heaven. He had finished his earthly assignment, and was going to prepare a place for us to come and reign with Him at the end of our earthly sojourn. His life has become our own life, and all who accept Him as Lord and Saviour have been given the awesome responsibility to represent and speak of Him to others. It is the last assignment given by Jesus to specific people, who had followed him for three and a half years. It means then that if I am not first a disciple, I cannot make disciples of anyone else. What would I give, if I don't have what is required? This is not an assignment that mere words can help you accomplish; only the backing and empowerment of the One who sends out can help us accomplish what God commands. This is not an assignment that education, enlightenment or earnings matter, but simply the power of the Holy Spirit. He is all that counts.

The Contention:

The assignment is targeted at all nations, and no matter how bad things get, I must depend on the One who has commissioned the assignment to provide the right guidance and help required. After all, there is nothing I can do by myself or in my own understanding. The message that I have been given to say is not mine, but it is about Christ. The platform on which the message is to be proclaimed, which is the earth itself, also belongs to God. The audience that the Lord wants me to reach out to with the Message are also all created by God. Even the vessel God wants to use: you and I, also belong to God. All these mean that outside of God, there is nothing I could have done to impact the message, the platform, the audience or the vessel. I can only place myself in the position where God can find me as a ready and available vessel, usable for the Master and prepared for the good work God intends to do in the earth. Am I available? 

The Conclusion:

The making of disciples is a time-consuming exercise, and is not something to be rushed or messed up. Disciples spend time with the master to perfect their craft, and the nature of this assignment is one that you never really graduate from. You keep at it until the Lord calls you home. You don't stop, and you don't rest. When the audience receives the message through any platform God decides to use, they are baptised in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. All three are perfect in unity: the same God manifesting to man in different dispensations, but with the same grace of salvation. All three are present to give life to all who ask, and they work in and walk with all who surrender their lives to Jesus. With all these benefits, I am encouraged to reach out and seek to touch lives. God is waiting for all who will surrender to be used by Him. There will be no regrets for all who surrender. Heaven is the reward for faithful service. Am I looking forward to it? Would I work for it, in line with the will of the Master Himself? God's time of favour is here. 

Pray!

Pray!

Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people).

Ephesians 6:18 AMPC

The Inspiration:

Paul, the writer of these words, informs the believers of his time, as well as the rest of us in this generation, that we need to be ready for what is coming. Everywhere you turn, there are pressures to compromise or blend in. It takes less effort for me to flow with current trends than to dare to stand for what is right. Fortunately, God is also aware of these challenges, so He provides tools, information and help that are adequate and sufficient for whatever is coming. Just as the top of the portion of the bible from which today's verse is taken, you find these words: 'be strong in the Lord; draw your strength from Him'. God will not remind me of who He is, what He is and what He gives, if there is no situation that will place a demand on these at some point in my life. God has done for and given me all I need for life and Godliness; the question will be if I know God, and I can take Him at His Word. Am I fully relying on God and His strength, or am I seeking other options and alternatives? 

The Contention:

God's provisions for the season we are in are important for every Christian. If I am truly one, I must be aware that I will not survive the coming battle without the complete armour. Different parts are mentioned, covering different but important parts of the body. There is a part for the head, and another for the chest. There is a covering for the feet, and something to hold in both hands, either as a weapon of offence, such as a sword, and a weapon of defence also, such as a shield. All of these parts are critical for the survival of the Christian soldier, and I do not see how a soldier can fight well, if any part is missing or taken off in the midst of a battle. Pray, what is the fate of a soldier who fights without any helmet protecting the head? What would happen if there is no shield to protect from the missiles the enemy will throw? When there is a need to attack, but there is no sword and no word, how would you defeat the devil? Don't dare face the devil without being properly kitted, so you do not become a casualty of war..

The Conclusion:

There is a part of the armour that is not tied to a part of the body, but is critical indeed. It is prayer. You can do all you can: dress up properly and be ready as best as you can, but you need the help of the Man of War to help you deploy the weapons in the right way, in order to achieve the right results. There is no wrong prayer, as long as you are led by the Spirit of God. He is the One who knows the mind of God, as well as how best a particular battle can be fought and won. I need to be constantly tuned to what God is saying and where He is leading. Prayer can never be too much, and there is no limit to topics, events, situations or people that cannot be covered in prayer. It is an invitation to God to come and do what He has already promised He can do. It is an acknowledgement by me that God is all-powerful, and prayer is my way of asking Him to come and display his power. He may not answer the way I think best, but He will always do what will bring Him glory, and that is enough for me. I take advantage of the opportunity and access God has given, and I ask Him to come and show Himself strong in my life and world. Would you let Him? God's time of favour is here. 

Taught Right!

Taught Right!

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. John 16:13 KJV

The Inspiration:

In the midst of all the falsehood and deceit gaining traction all over the world, God's truth continues to remain steadfast. It really does not matter what I think; long before I was born, God has made his standards known in His Word, and long after this present world ceases to exist, the standards laid down by God will continue to operate. He leaves us in no doubt as to what His expectations are, and then he also provides help for us to live up to those expectations. The world will make rules and then compel compliance. It is one thing for God to place demands on me, and it is another thing for him to also supply the grace and help I need to also comply with his demands. This is what makes God unique: His will may not be popular with the world, but as many as would come to Him receive help to live right. The key to receiving this help is total surrender to God. I cannot claim to be self-sufficient and still be expecting help from God. 

The Contention:

This help is in the person of Himself and this is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is not an idea or concept, but a person. He was  promised by Jesus when he was leaving the earth physically, and his purpose is to guide us into all the truth of and about God. The Holy Spirit does not promote or support anything contrary to the will and purpose of God. Man by nature needs guidance and leadership. We will not deliberately choose that which is good without God's help. This is why God will do all He can do to bring me to the place of the discovery, pursuit and continous fulfilment of His purpose for me. The Holy Spirit is not selfish or self-promoting, but He will only take of that which is God's, and teach them to those who have surrendered their lives to God. It would therefore mean that if I am not surrendered, I cannot have access to this help. 

The Conclusion:

The role of the Holy Spirit is so critical to the mess the world finds itself today. There is so much uncertainty; so much distress. Nobody can predict any degree of assurance what tomorrow will bring. Forecasts and predictions have all failed, but there is a God of absolute knowledge who knows the end from the beginning, and He is able and willing to guide, if we will let Him. The Holy Spirit will only speak that which He hears from God, so if you are seeking validation of your own plan, made without consulting God, this is not for you. The Holy Spirit cannot back up any interest that does not support God's truth.  He is able to guide right, because he is the determinant of the future. Nothing happens without his permission. If He is on my side, and I cooperate with Him every step of the way, I couldn't go wrong. Things may not always make sense, or happen the way I want them to, but the knowledge that God has my back is enough encouragement. I can face whatever comes, because He is in and with me. Do you have the Spirit? Do I? God's time of favour is here. 

Clothed!

Clothed!

Clothe yourselves therefore, as God's own chosen ones (His own picked representatives), [who are] purified and holy and well-beloved [by God Himself, by putting on behavior marked by] tenderhearted pity and mercy, kind feeling, a lowly opinion of yourselves, gentle ways, [and] patience [which is tireless and long-suffering, and has the power to endure whatever comes, with good temper]. Colossians 3:12 AMPC

The Inspiration:

There is a popular saying: "You are addressed the way you are dressed". There ls also another truth in the fact that the way a person is dressed reveals a lot about the person's country of orign. These points mean that it is quite important to watch what you put on, as it reveals a lot about your character, person, origin and destination. There are rules of engagement for every facet of life. Even small equipment such as a table clock has an operating manual. You don't make anything and then leave out instructions on how to get the best out of that thing. If this is true of the physical, then note that it is equally true for the spiritual. There is a particular dressing that fits a particular kind of office role, and I will do well to also consider what God's recommendation for serving in His house is. God has invested a lot in His house, and He will demand that anyone seeking to serve at His altar know what these demands are. 

The Contention:

Aaron the priest under the Old testament had recommended dress for service at the altar. In fact, God laid out every piece of Aaron's priestly garments. Any departure from the laid down rules led to death. In the same way, as we come to God in total surrender, He invites us to come to Him and serve. As the verse above makes clear, the demand is placed on those who know they are God's chosen people. It may sound odd, but the demand is not placed on everybody. Yes, God's will is that all men come to the saving knowledge of Jesus, but we will not all come to Him at the same time. If I come, I must note that He will wash me clean from sin, and impute to me His own righteousness; I am purified, holy and loved by God. It is a call into a new purpose, with new priorities and pursuits. God will play His part by providing the parts, but it is my sole responsibility to put them on, and then go out and do the work required of me. Do I know God at all, and what he demands of me?

The Conclusion:

The dressing must reflect ownership, direction and impact. I must look like the One I claim to represent. When men see, hear or come in contact with me, the proof of identity and citizenship must be evident. I cannot be on a journey to heaven, and be found with the baggage associated with the old way of life. I cannot play both sides at the same time, or sit on the fence of indifference. What I need to be and do have been laid out quite clearly in the verse above, and the best use of my life is the discovery, pursuit and fulfilment of that purpose. If you check out some of the words used to describe my dressing, you find words like "mercy', 'kind', 'gentle', 'patience'. These are attributes that also describe God, and must be seen in those who claim to follow God. Am I dressed for service in God's kingdom or do I need to change what I am wearing right now? Heaven has a dress code, and access is based on being fitted right. God's time of favour is here. 

IN Christ!

IN Christ!

For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38‭-‬39 KJV

The Inspiration:

The entire chapter of Romans 8 speaks to the blessings and benefits the new life in Christ brings. It starts off with a declaration that there is no condemnation for all those who are IN Christ. That distinction is relevant to the verse above, as it is my current location that defines my current entitlements. In Christ lies all that God has provided for life and Godliness. All I would ever need to please, serve and worship God have been made available. Now, it has to be clear that as free as these things are for me, they actually cost God a lot. Imagine giving the life of your son for people you were certain would reject you to the end. But God would still go ahead, even if it was for just one person. It didn't matter how many rejected Him when he came to the earth in human form, but for as many as received Him, to them God gave power to become the sons of God. That is a privilege that cannot be bought by human connections, influence or networth. 

The Contention:

True Life is simply the free gift of God, and is accessible by faith in the One who died and rose again, and now lives forever. He extends the same grace to all who will come to Him. If He could give His life, what else can't he give up? If He could make the worst of sinners the best of saints, no one is so far gone that s/he is beyond the grace of God. There is no sin so dire that the blood cannot cleanse. There is no one so evil that Jesus cannot redeem. The man who wrote this letter, Saul/Paul, is proof that the saving grace of God can take a man from the deepest pit of sin and then plant him on the highest mountain of grace. It was love that drew the plan of salvation, not minding the past or the present, but focused on the endless possibilities that had now become real. With all that Jesus has done and given, how do I plead? How do I intend to respond to the grace of God that has now revealed? God waits for me; eternity hangs on my response. 

The Conclusion:

Today's verse is clear about what I stand to gain from God's perspective. For Him, he moved heaven and earth just to save me from the consequences of sin. His love for me is perfect and complete, and is beyond measure or limits. This means that no matter the velocity or fierceness of the storm, fire or wind that is coming, I have an assurance that the love of God is greater, stronger and deeper. No matter the pressure the devil seeks to exert on me, the love of God guards my heart and keeps me focused. It takes a very personal encounter to be able to speak the words of today's verses. They come from a place of faith and confidence; faith in the power of God to prove as true what He has promised, and confidence in God's ability to hold me up and keep me to the end. I can face whatever comes, because His love is a solid anchor. Only IN Christ am I truly eternally safe. God's time of favour is here. 

Residence!

Residence!

Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

1 Corinthians 3:16 KJV

The Inspiration:

The question of identity is central to all that I do or say or think. If I know who I am, whose I am, and what I have been created, gifted, planted and placed to be and do, I will not have any struggle with my life's pursuits and priorities. A lot of the confusion and contentions in our lives today flow from not being sure of who this God is, who calls us to Himself. He is a Holy and Righteous God, one who cannot behold sin. Yet, in all His Holiness he dares to reach out to all of us, and anyone who will come to Him for forgiveness of sin and cleansing from guilt. The sacrifice for sin always involved death, and there was a very constant need to shed blood in order to atone for sin. This was the only way God would not strike man dead. Unfortunately, the blood of bulls and goats could not do the job, so Jesus offered his own blood as the perfect, unique and worthy sacrifice for sin. He didn't do it as a popularity contest, but as a seed for future generations who will come to believe in Him. 

The Contention:

He did all of these so I could gain access to the power, grace and mercy that is freely available in Christ. He does not force anyone to come to Him, and he also does not compel anyone to remain in Him, but if I can only dare come to Him, of my own freewill, and take him up on his offer of salvation and eternal life, and then holding on to the end, no matter what comes my way, then I take hold of the life of God, live daily in the consciousness of what He has done, access all the blessings His life has secured for me, and then also look forward to the life that comes after this present earthly phase is over. It is a lot to process all at once, but the start point is the total surrender to Jesus and accepting Him as Lord and Saviour. Have I taken God up on His offer of salvation and redemption? Is He Lord and Master over my life? Does He dictate terms and conditions, or am I still laying claim to areas of my life that I want to keep from his control and influence?

The Conclusion:

He is either Lord of all or none at all. With surrender comes the infilling of the Holy Spirit who is Himself the seal of ownership showing that I belong to God, He is my Lord, and I answer to Him. His presence is proof that God is alive in me, and his presence cannot be ignored. He cannot fail to be noticed, because His presence will change my former pursuits and priorities. Of course, wherever God dwells becomes His home, where he must be revered and worshipped. I cannot have God live in me, and still be comfortable in sin. His Spirit will not push me into sin, so if i find myself still struggling with sin, I need to go back and ask God for his grace, freely given, to live above the dictates of the sinful life. Ownership defines priorities. Residential status also defines benefits. If I am a citizen of heaven, I will always seek after the things that heaven celebrates. Who am I? Where do I belong? Does God know me as His own? God's time of favour is here.

Believe 2!

Believe 2!

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 NIV

The Inspiration:

Today's verse is taken from the same chapter of the bible as yesterday's. Jesus had spoken to his disciples, encouraging them to look forward to all that God had promised. Hope for that which you are certain to get keeps you motivated. It is not a wonder that men and women of old stuck to their faith and would not be moved by threat or death. For some, they lost their lives in terrible ways, like Stephen or James, while others suffered loss or banishment, like John. Others stood for the Lord and enjoyed great success, like Joseph and Daniel. In all these instances, there would be something in them that kept them going, and it had to be the presence of God. God is the only One who can make beautiful pottery from broken and marred clay. In His hands, the worst of people become vessels of honour, purified and made ready for His use. It really matters who is backing you up or holding your hand as you go through life. 

The Contention:

Of course, God will not let you go alone, but you have to come to Him on His terms. He has promised me His peace, and this means what I get is Him. When God makes a promise, He stakes his name and reputation on His Word, and because He is an Eternal God, His Word also has that capacity to outlive any situation or circumstance. God promises me His peace, which, if I recall the stories of the bible, is a special kind of calm in the midst of the most chaotic of situations. This is a peace that could make Jesus sleep on a pillow, while a storm was raging outside. This is the peace that could make men like Paul look forward to trials and tribulations, because they knew the power of the God who was backing them up. When you read the account of anyone in the bible, and you see the expression: "and the Lord was with him", you know that the end of that person will be peace, no matter what the storms look like. Can I trust God with my life the way the people of old did? Can i take God at His Word?

The Conclusion:

It is also critical to note that the world does not have this version of peace. The world will use actual or perceived violence to enforce its own kind of peace. The state of the world today supports the truth that 'you can only give what you have". How would I look to this world and think it can give me peace? This is a world that even high fences and guard dogs cannot keep you safe. This is a world where evil lurks practically everywhere. God is the only One who has asked us to come to Him; he introduces himself to us as a Refuge and Fortress. With this assurance, why not come to Him? Why not take Him at His Word? If you have tried all other options and failed, why not try God? His peace is the calm we need in this world of chaos. Where His Word reigns, fear has no place. Because God has said it, the future of all who believe and take Him at His Word is settled. Would I trust God with my life then? He waits for us to come to Him. God's time of favour is here. 

New Order!

New Order!

‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Revelation 21:4 NIV

The Inspiration:

Today's verse is taken from the last book of the bible, which speaks extensively about the end of all things as we know it today. The book tells us all about heaven, as well as the expectations of God from all who seek to live there with Him. He does not hold back any information that can be of help to me on how to live right so I can end well. He tells me who He is, what He wants, when he wants it and how he wants it from me. The standard of holiness runs through the entire book, and it is quite clear that anyone who does not live by the standard will not get in. Let it not be that I was not told; God has made it absolutely clear what is coming, and I cannot plead ignorance at the end. He also tells me what the fate of those who miss it at the end will be: it is a life of eternal regret. Now, I have all necessary information I need to make the right decision. God waits for me; in fact, there are eternal consequences tied to whatever decison I take, whether it is for or against God. 

The Contention:

Today's verse tells me some of the things I stand to gain if I make up my mind to follow God. God promises to wipe away every tear from my eyes. Life is full of trouble, and it is almost impossible not to have tough times as a human being. There is the pain of sickness and disease, as well as the uncertainty and anxiety that the unknown tomorrow brings. I can make the best plans and lay the 'right' foundations for success, but what is the guarantee that anything will work well? As hard as it may sound, sometimes death is the release that someone may need in order to enter into the rest that God has prepared. No matter what lies ahead, it is clear that it is best to go on that journey with God. With Him, even pain is a blessing. There is nothing that God cannot use to glorify Himself or to make men fear and worship Him. He is in charge of all creation, and everything He has made answers to Him, even the devil. What excuse do I have then, not to surrender to this God? 

The Conclusion:

The new order is coming; one day soon, death and pain will have no power over those who have surrendered their lives to Jesus. For now, due to sin, the world seems to be under the control of the evil one, but for all who are owned by God, there is a bright future to look forward to. Everything that belongs to the old life, or this earth will one day pass away, never to return. All the gold and silver that the world celebrates today will melt and burn with fervent heat, but for those who have washed their robes in the blood of the lamb, salvation is sure and sealed. At that time, it will be too late to reconsider your ways; now is the time to be sure of where you will spend eternity: with or away from God. There is not much time left to waste, as events around the world show that the return of the Lord is at hand. Eternity is too long a time not to be sure of who you will spend it with. He's done, and He is still doing all He can to make sure I am safe forever. The decison is mine to make, and His help is available. God's time of favour is here. 

Believe!

Believe!

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God ; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. John 14:1‭-‬3 NIV

The Inspiration:

These are the words of Jesus to his disciples, just before he went to the cross. These men had left all they had and knew, and followed Jesus for years. It was not immediately apparent what they stood to gain from following this man; it wasn't as if they had any physical possession to show for the long service, or even public acceptance. They were loved and hated by many, but there was peace and quiet confidence in the One they had come to trust and follow. They had heard him teach and preach, and they had also seen the mighty miracles he did. Now, the man they had come to know and love told them He was leaving, and even in the most distressing way: dying on a cross. They would have been troubled in their hearts, wondering: "where do we go from here?" The verses above provide answers to some knotty questions. At the top of the verses is the message of peace: "Do not let your hearts be troubled". How easy it is to say, when all is fine around you. What of the times when things get so tough that it is hard to breathe?

The Contention:

This season of fear and uncertainty makes the message in today's verses even more poignant. There is so much violence around us; wars and rumours of wars, and man's inhumanity to man keeps getting worse but the words of Jesus today tells us not to be troubled. If indeed my heart will be at peace, it has to have a foundation of peace. Peace comes from the personal experience of the Prince of peace. You cannot have real peace outside of the One who speaks, and even storms obey Him. When he tells not to allow my heart to be troubled, it is because He has provided the cure to worry and anxiety. He tells me to believe in Him, just as I would believe in God the Father. He tells me that the situations of today are only for a season, and will not last forever. Nothing on this side of eternity is permanent; only that which is of and from God is guaranteed to stand the test of time. I may have had a terrible past; maybe  the present also has its own challenges, but the future is critical; there is nothing down here that is a close resemblance to what God has promised up there with Him. 

The Conclusion:

The promise is an eternity with God, when this present earth passes away. It does not matter how long you have lived for, or how long you still have to live; the years that are past are nothing to be compared with the endless life that is ahead. The One who promises will know what he is talking about, because he gave his life to secure this life for me. He wants me to be with Him forever; therefore, this present life is preparation for eternity. Of course, you can't give what you don't have, and you cannot promise something that is not yours to control or command. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life; therefore, He is able to give life. He has gone ahead to prepare a place for as many as would believe in Him, and he will return one day soon to take with Him all who have believed to the end. Have I truly believed in Jesus? Remember, this is one encounter that you cannot afford to fake. It must be genuine, and it must be the reality of my life until such time when God returns to take me home. Am I truly ready? Are you? God's time of favour is here. 

Witnesses!

Witnesses!

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 NIV

The Inspiration:

The words of today's verse are from Jesus, just as he was about to be taken into heaven. He had completed the earthly mission, after offered his life as the perfect atonement for sin. Over a period of 40 days, he appeared to different people at different times, offering irrefutable proof that the same one who was crucified is now the Risen Lord. That is the foundation and pillar of our faith: we have a God who has conquered all that could hurt us and He has offered us a way back to the Father. Now, no matter what comes my way here on earth, I know it is for a season, and victory has already been secured for me by the death and resurrection of Jesus. For the disciples, it was quite real. They had seen it all, having witnessed the initial humiliation as well as the glory of His resurrection. Now, they were receiving a mandate to go out and speak about the things they have heard, seen and personally experienced. This is the simple definition of a 'witness'. You are a witness only to what you have seen, heard, tasted or felt yourself, not what a friend or another person had said, heard, tasted or felt. 

The Contention:

One definition online for 'witness' us to 'have knowledge of something from observation or experience.' Whst would I be a witness of or to? It is the power of God to save a sinner, and to offer life full and free. It is a witness to the power of God to keep a man from sin and on the path of eternal life. It is a witness to the power of comfort from God, even in the most distressing of circumstances. No matter what comes now or is ahead, being sure of who you are, what you have received and where you are headed are the greatest boosts to confidence and assurance in the person you are a witness for. This just means that if I am to be a good witness, it can't be about hearsay or someone else's view; it has to be mine. The only way it can be mine is to have the Presence of God in me, which is by the Holy Spirit. He is the One who has seen the Father, and as he comes into a life, he comes with the power required to be an effective witness. I cannot face the world without this power; I dare not face the devil without this power. Have I received this power? Does God's Spirit live in me, bearing witness to the power available for the life God has called me to? 

The Conclusion:

This Presence and Power are required for what is ahead. The world needs to hear of the saving grace of Jesus, and men will only respond when they hear the truth. How would I testify to the truth, if I don't know the truth? The journey starts from where I am now, and I must receive the power of the Holy Spirit before I dare stand before men. My Jerusalem could be my immediate community, or the place where I work or do business. It is the familiar that lays the foundation for world outreach. As I touch my own community with the power of the Holy Spirit, the message of life in Christ spreads outwards. Many of us may not have heard the message of life if someone did not reach out beyond their immediate environment. The power of the Holy Spirit to change lives is still as potent and effective as it was in the days when the words above were pronounced by Jesus. He seeks men who will speak to the convictions they have about Him. Have I indeed met this God? He can only flow out of me if He lives in me. God's time of favour is here.

Wisdom!

Wisdom!

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

James 1:5 NIV

The Inspiration:

The journey to a lifetime of impact starts with an acknowledgement of my limitations, as well as the knowledge of the One who can help overcome those limitations. As long as I hold on to my sense of self-importance and pride, there is little God can do in me. As long as I depend solely on the schemes of men or the power of influence or connections, the journey is yet to start. As long as I have alternative options, I will not really see God as important or critical to my life's journey. This is why men like Judas Iscariot and king Pharaoh during Moses' time ended up the way they did. Even though they heard of this God, the need for selfish promotion and pride led them to take decisions that led to death. These lessons are for us today, so we can learn and be cautious in our approach. Is there anything that has become so important to me that it threatens to take my eyes off Jesus? It is time to deal with it now. 

The Contention:

The one who knows he needs wisdom must come to the right source. There is information everywhere, but not all sources are genuine or Godly. There is a reason why wisdom is the critical thing here; men can seek information or knowledge about anything, but it is the application of that information or knowledge that defines wisdom. The fact that I know I lack wisdom is a beautiful thing; it means I know what is missing in my life, and I also know where to go to get it. True wisdom can only be gotten from God; the devil tries his best to imitate what God offers, but if it is not from God, it can never glorify God. I must seek out the true source of valuable wisdom, in the person of Jesus. The bible refers to Jesus as 'the wisdom and power of God'. He is the embodiment of all that God is and gives, and if I have Him in my life, I have all that matters in this life, as well as all I need for eternal life. 

The Conclusion:

Now, this is the true impact of wisdom: that I am not living only for the here and now, but also for eternity. God wants to give all of Himself, which he did when he gave His only Son to die for us. If He could do all that, what else is there that he cannot give? I ask in faith, because I know that the request is in line with God's perfect will for me, and I ask the right source, because I know God is the only source of true wisdom, the kind that points him out, celerates and glorifies Him. I ask, because God asks me to. He knows all that I need even before I open mouth, and he promises that even as I am speaking, He has already answered. Now, that is power on full display. God will not find fault with a request that seeks to make him known, because there is no way God's wisdom in me will not lead to the public display of God's power in and through me. He waits for me to ask, because He wants to be glorified in me. Would I let Him? God's time of favour is here.

Hid!

Hid!

Thy word have I hid in mine heart, That I might not sin against thee. Psalm 119:11 KJV

The Inspiration:

The words of today's verse are taken from the longest chapter in the bible. It is interesting to also note that the entire chapter pays tribute to the power of the Word of God. All through the 176 verses of the chapter, you read about the power and impact of God's Word in the lives of men, as well as in creation. It is very clear that what works is what lines up with the Word of God. You can try all the gimmicks the world teaches; if God is not involved, and the things i push or pursue don't line up with the principles of God's Word, there is no success. It is also not about what I tell myself is the truth, but what God lays down as His own truth. I do not seek to promote my own agenda; I simply seek to honour God, so He can show Himself strong and mighty on my behalf. It is not my word; it is His. I cannot back up my word by myself, or by my own power. God can do that all by Himself; in fact, He says He is watching over His Word to perform it. That is confidence in His ability and capacity; if this person backs me up, then I cannot fail. 

The Contention:

My desire for impact is the reason why I have to treat the Word of God the right way. The verse speaks about the writer's decision to 'hide' God's Word in his heart. Why is this significant? Let's look at the definition of 'hide': one says to 'put out of sight'. Another says 'to conceal for shelter or protection'.light, yet another says 'to keep secret'. All are relevant to today's reflection. That which I hide must be precious indeed. That which needs protection or shelter must indeed be prone to being stolen. The fact that it is prone to being stolen means it is very precious, and must be guarded with all that I have. It also matters where it is kept secret or hidden. The recommendation in today's verse is that the Word must be kept in the heart. This would mean that there are several places where you could keep the word, such as in the head, as picture frames on the wall, or on the pages of books, but the best place is in my heart. It is what is stored in the heart that can be easily recalled. What is in the head could be easily forgotten, and that which is written down on paper could be lost, but the heart is the seat of emotions, feelings and speech. 

The Conclusion:

The heart is the place from where all I say and do flow from. You can store the word in these other places, but you must make sure they are also stored in the heart. The bible already makes it clear that I have to guard my heart with all diligence because out of it flows the issues of life. The reason given in the verse for hiding the Word in my heart is because the presence of the Word of God keeps me from sin. The word I have stored up becomes the reminder of the standard of God for me. The Word reminds me of God's demands and expectations from me. When sin threatens, it must find the right standard in my heart. I will still have a choice to make, but at least, I have the right guidance and information in place to call on. The devil is smart, and he has been in this business of promoting sin for quite some time, so I have to be totally dependent on the One who gives victory over sin. God has given me all I need for life and Godliness, and I have access only if I ask the right way, and deal with His Word the right way. What decisions about God's Word do I need to make today? God's time of favour is here. 

Help Me!

Help Me!

Teach me to do Your will [so that I may please You], For You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground. Psalms 143:10 AMP

The Inspiration:

This is a generation that sets itself up for failure, because it wants to be independent. This generation promotes the idea that it is self-sufficient, and can achieve anything it wants to, without help from God. It is not a wonder then that this generation has gotten into trouble so many times. God cannot be mocked, as whatever a man sows is what he will reap. I cannot go on a frolic of my own and then expect God to back me up. David, the man who wrote these words, had his own personal account of how God dealt with him. He had times when he would completely depend on God for some issues in his life, and then there were times when he would do his own thing his own way, and of course, we know how that ended. As I read the words of this verse, it is clear that David had now learnt from personal experience that no man goes far in life without help. I can seek help from God, or I can seek help from man. Whatever end I seek will define the help I seek.

The Contention:

David asks God to teach him His ways. This is deep. God has his principles, and anyone who seeks to walk with God has to know how He operates and the things He likes and hates. This is a God you cannot bribe, and He is not placated by hypocrisy or eye-service. As He also knows me and my weaknesses, He would want me to come to Him and learn of Him. He knows that the world holds attractions for all who are under its control, and He knows that the only way I can fully overcome the world is to follow the One who has overcome the world. It will never be convenient or attractive, because the world and the Word will never have the same pursuits and priorities. No matter how hard it gets, it pays to follow Jesus, because it is only in and by Him that I receive power to do what is right. God's will is the most profitable pursuit a man can seek, because it is the only way you can please God acceptably, and it is the only path that leads to eternal life. 

The Conclusion:

The complexity of this world makes it very important for me to seek God's help to navigate this life. God knows the future and He wants to help, but He will not force Himself on anyone. God's Spirit is given to all who surrender to Him so He can lead and direct; God's Spirit is that third person of the Trinity who knows God's mind and can help me pray in line with God's perfect will. No matter how educated or exposed I am, I do not have any idea of what tomorrow holds, unless God chooses to reveal it. This is why pride is foolishness, because it is only a foolish man who beats his chest and makes elaborate plans for a future he cannot guarantee by his own power. The road ahead will be rough; make no mistake about it. There are things ahead that may make me fret, but in all, I ask God to help me to hold on to Him, no matter what comes my way. May my life be pleasing to God, so that He can work in and through me that which is perfect and pleasing to Him. God's time of favour is here. 

Right to Become!

Right to Become!

But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the right [the authority, the privilege] to become children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name— John 1:12 AMP 

The Inspiration:

This is the introduction of the letter of John, not to any one in particular, but to all who would listen at the time, as well as now. It tells me about who Jesus, what He has done, what He offers to all who come to Him, and what we stand to gain if and when we come. The chapter lays it down as an undeniable fact that the world was created for the sole pleasure of God, and everything we can see, hear or perceive all exist at the command of the Creator. It would therefore mean that the best use of my life would be the discovery and daily pursuit of the purpose behind my creation, gifting and planting. What kind of device can thrive and survive outside the control, influence or direction of its designer? If this is true in the physical, imagine the power and effect of this in the spiritual. If I will be a blessing to my generation, the only way out is through the life of God in me. Do I have this life? 

The Contention:

It is this foundation that defines the benefits. I also realise that it is a choice, as God will not force Himself on anyone, as I have to come to Him out of a heart that appreciates who God is and what He has done. There are people who may reject God's love to the end, and there are also some who may choose to come just before the end, and there are yet other people who embrace God all their lives, but in all, God does not change or stop loving me, until it is indeed too late. His arms are always open wide, ready to receive me if I come. I must come, and then I must receive and welcome Him into my heart. God offers me the whole backery, where I can sit and enjoy all I can get; I must not just enjoy the crumbs that fall from the table. To ALL who come, they are given a part of God's power and nature. It is an invitation into a new phase of life; one without limit or end. It is a life that reflects who God is.

The Conclusion:

Being called 'a child of God' is the greatest blessing of this life. It means that while I am on earth, I am the earthly representative of the amazing God. I was made in God's image and likeness, but sin came and tried to tamper with the plan. God did all He could to restore me to the original plan, and the added blessing is that when all is over, I get to inherit the kingdom of God through Jesus. His death and resurrection are the foundations of this confidence, and it is by faith that I walk in this reality on a daily basis. It is for those who 'believe in His name". Please don't be content with just being a member of a church; serve out a heart that knows what it has been forgiven. By faith, I have been given the right to become all that God intends; the entire treasures of this earth can never secure for me what only faith can. Have you believed? Am I looking forward to spending forever and ever with God? Remember, eternity is too long a time not to be sure where you will spend it. God's time of favour is here. 

Not Condemned!

Not Condemned!

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

The Inspiration:

The critical question of identity runs through the verse above. The start point of any joy or peace is to settle the question about who you are and what is expected of you. Once I can establish these, then I am set free to pursue the purpose behind my planting. From the verse above, we can see the questions about identity, location and expectations all answered. First, the verse speaks about those who are IN Christ Jesus, not those who just go to church regularly, sing in the choir or keep up appearances. Cornelian gave arms and prayed regularly, but something vital was missing. I have to be IN Christ. The danger of not being IN Him is that you also do the regular activities of those who are IN Him, and sometimes, you will enjoy the supply of inspiration and grace that come from God's presence, but you need to be established in Him in order to sustain that supply. When I have found myself in Him, my location then defines the benefits and blessings I have access to, as well as the lifestyle choices I need to make. Being IN Him keeps the devil's condemnation and accusations away from me.

The Contention:

When the devil reminds me of my past, I remind Him that my past was the reason Jesus went to the cross. It was the past that took Him there, and the full price for the past was paid, so I could look ahead to a glorious future. The past can only power over me if it has not been forgiven. This is why the devil will seek every opportunity to keep my eye focused on the depth of my past sins, but if I can only look ahead to the grace and mercy now available to me in abundant measure, I know that the future is great. One of the blessings of the cross is a life free from the power, influence and condemnation of sin. Can I say, of a truth, that I have taken up the offer of salvation from Christ Jesus? It is important to be sure of this decision, because it will define and determine my daily walk with God. A man who is saved from sin is no longer under the bondage of sin. This man is now set free to walk in line with the dictates of the Spirit of God, given at salvation, and in increasing measure as a man continues to walk in and grows in His knowledge and personal experience of God.

The Conclusion:

There is a reason why the word 'walk' is used here, as it shows the fact that it is my contribution to the efforts God made to secure my life. My walk after the Spirit is my gratitude for the work of salvation done in me. How can God do such a mighty thing: give His life as the sacrifice for sin, be rejected by God for a moment as he hung on the cross, and I will think that all these will be just for fun? I can no longer live to satisfy the demands of the flesh, from which I was saved. Now, I am under new ownership and management, with new demands on my time and resources. The past no longer has a hold on me; I live by faith, and fully dependent on the grace of God for all that is ahead. Let the devil scream and shout about my past; if it is forgiven, it is forgotten. I look ahead to the supply of grace for me to live right, and to live well, and to make it to heaven at the end of it all. That is the ultimate desire of God for me;  he has done all that is required. Would I now walk with God on this amazing journey? God's time of favour is here. 

Right Response!

Right Response!

bearing graciously with one another, and willingly forgiving each other if one has a cause for complaint against another; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so should you forgive. Colossians 3:13 AMP

The Inspiration:

For all who have had a personal encounter with Jesus, there are fruits that their lives have to produce. The proof of inner conviction is seen in the things I do, the decisions I make as well as the company I keep. There has to be this clear difference between the life I had outside of Christ and the life I now have inside of Him. If I really cannot see a difference in perspective, pursuits or priorities, then I have to go back to God and be doubly sure. The consequences of being wrong or not being sure are quite eternal, and there are second chances to make it right once you miss the mark. Whilst I still have this earthly life, and I still hear and read God's Word, I have all the information required to take a decision. It is not one that anybody can take on my behalf, as it is not possible to represent another person in heaven or in hell. When the personal is sorted, then the corporate fellowship can make sense. It is the fruit of the presence of God in me that will be a blessing to other people around me. 

The Contention:

This is why God does not take me away when I have given my life to Jesus. He places me in the world so I can impact it on His behalf. I must know that the same way I had a past is the same way people with a past will also come my way. I have a responsibility to treat them the same way God treated me. I cannot make assumptions about anyone, and I must not condemn anyone. Just as grace found me, so can grace find anyone else. That is why the verse above enjoins us to bear graciously with one another, and willingly forgive each other. It takes a clear view of who I am and what I have been given, in order to extend the same grace to others. Let it be clear that human relationships naturally attract offence; it is impossible for two or more people to dwell together in the same place for a while and not have disagreements, but what is critical is the understanding of who we are individually and collectively, and where we are headed. 

The Contention:

God intends that I make it to heaven at the end of my earthly sojourn, but as I wait for this manifestation, there are lives to touch and impact. When people offend me, I must remind myself of the fact that Jesus also forgave all my sin, and gave me a new leaf. He does not hold my past against me, or keep reminding me of my past faults on a daily basis. That is the standard that has been set by God, and the standard God demands from me. If He did not supply for grace for it, He will not demand it. If He tells me it is possible, all I can do is rely on His grace and strength to do it. I must also remember the fact that the world is watching; it needs a different perspective and challenge from what it is used to, and that is what God has called and set me apart to be. Am I living up to God's expectations then? Can He depend on me to be His eyes, ears, feet and hands? He waits for us. God's time of favour is here. 

Confess!

Confess!

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

The Inspiration:

The start point of a walk with God is a realisation of my weakness and need for God. There is really nothing in me that could make me deserve God's mercy, as I could not buy even a tiny bit of mercy for a lot of money. When God made man and placed him in the Garden of Eden, it was so that He could have unbroken fellowship with man. All was well until the devil came and sold evil lies to man. Man believed the lie of the devil and now, sin is the default setting of all men. It does not matter how nice you become eventually; my best is founded on sin, and my life was headed to eternal damnation and separation from God. This is the issue with sin; it causes a break in relationship with God, and until and unless it is dealt with, man has no route to reconciliation with God. The Bible already makes it clear that sin is the reason why it seems God cannot hear us, or his arms cannot reach us. His eyes are too pure to behold iniquity, and there is no other way, except by the cleansing blood, that sin can be fully atoned for. 

The Contention:

In stepped the blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God. In and by Him do we even stand a chance of standing before God and being able to speak to Him. I note that the start point is the confession of sin. I must not come before God with a false air of righteousness; I don't have the type of righteousness God reckons with. The righteousness of man is like filthy rags before God, and only the righteousness given by His Son is the type that provides the right kind of cover. I must come by faith and believe in the Son of God, in order to enjoy the righteousness Jesus gives. I confess Him as my Lord and Saviour, ask Him to take over my heart, and He supplies all the grace and help I need in order to live right. By the nature of God, He will not turn His back on the prayer of repentance from a sinner. If I can only come to God with a sincere heart of repentance, being truly sorry for my sin, He will take me back, wash me clean and set my feet on the path to eternal life. 

The Conclusion:

He has power to forgive. No other God can make such a claim. He has power to cleanse from the stain of sin, and then give a fresh, clean start. With confession comes possession. When I turn my back on sin, I am telling God I recognize His power to deliver from death, which is the end result of sin. All of us were subject to it until we came to Jesus. As I come, I receive the life and nature of God, which helps me to live above the power, reach and effect of sin. The blood is the purifying and cleansing agent; the blood has made a way to access back to God. The blood speaks of better things than the blood of Abel. Where would any of us be without the blood? If I will truly be grateful, I must watch my life closely going forward. I can't live as I please, or go wherever I please. I have a new master now, and He must be pleased with the product of my life. Can I say right now that God is indeed glorified in me? God's time of favour is here.

Guard!

Guard!

Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life. Proverbs 4:23 AMPC

The Inspiration:

Solomon, the son of David, is on record as the wisest man of his time in the Bible. In fact, God said of him that there will not be anyone like him either before or after him. What did the man do to deserve such accolades? He simply identified his limitations, and asked the God of no limitations for help. He asked for wisdom, and God gave him more than he asked for. However, like all things God gives, there was a condition, and this was he would continue to enjoy all that God had promised as long as his heart remains true to and solely focused on God. One of the benefits of his heart's condition, before it all went downhill, was this extract: "So Judah and Israel lived in safety, everyone under their own vine and fig tree, from Dan to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon.” Solomon was no involved in any major wars, as long as his heart was right. My heart is very important to God, because it is the seat of all decisions made which will affect not just me, but the lives of other people around me. What do I need to do in order to guard its focus and output? 

The Contention:

Indeed, there is a need to sort out input, if you want a good output. No serious farmer sows just any kind of seed; he looks for the right kind of seed, the right kind of soil, watches for the right kind of weather, and then seeks to create the right kind of conditions for the seed to grow and fruit abundantly by providing water, weeding out unwanted pests and plants, and protecting the seed from human and other parasites. This is the same with the heart; it needs regular attention and care, and cannot be left to its own devices. The heart can never be empty; at all times, it is subject to external influences. From it comes thoughts of malice, leading to actions such as covetousness or murder. This is why I must take active steps to watch what flows into my heart. I may not be able to prevent my eyes and ears from seeing or hearing evil, but I can prevent evil from settling on my heart and making an impression. 

The Conclusion:

I have to guard my heart. The picture here is one armed for battle, conscious of the danger of not been ready for whatever is coming. Many things will seek to make an impression on my heart, and it is my responsibility to sieve and allow only what is relevant to growth. I cannot turn around and blame anyone for whatever I allow. I am the guard of what has been entrusted into my hands. The quality and treatment of the seed determine the fruit. If I were given the fruit of my life to eat, would I  Life and death are the only two consequences of the decisions I have to make. There is no middle course or fence; my choices either lead to life eternal with God, or life eternal without God. You do not want to live a life that is outside God's grace and mercy. 

Be Kind!

Be Kind!

and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:32 KJV

The Inspiration:

Paul, writing to the church in Ephesus made it clear who his audience was. He was speaking to people who had been called by God, out of the darkness of the world into the glorious light of God's presence. These were people who had not only put off the corrupt old man, but had also been renewed by the Spirit, and put on the new man, created after God in true holiness and righteousness. This categorisation is critical to this discussion, because there can be no demand placed on a man who has not submitted to the process. If I am yet to give my life to Jesus, and submit totally to Him, it will be difficult for my life to produce anything resembling what has been laid out in the verse above. The issue of identity is therefore the right place to start: have I accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour? Is He fully in charge, or am I attempting to share the throne with competing interests? God does not do half-measures; He is either in total control or someone/something else is.

The Contention:

It is when identity is sorted that the issue of evidence and fruit become relevant. I note that kindness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. It is possible for anyone to be kind, but to have the Holy Spirit in you is to have divine help to keep at it, even when it is inconvenient, or even when it hurts, and no one seems to care. After all, you are not kind because you need applause or approval from men, but because you understand the demands of the God who calls you to Himself. This is one of the many dimensions of the fruit which can never go against God's law, or even any human law. I am yet to see any country's laws that can make loving other people illegal. The lives of other people form the platform for the manifestation of the fruit of the Spirit. This is why God does not take me away as soon as I am saved, but He leaves me here to touch lives on His behalf. As I dare to be different from the world, that is how the world can take note of the difference my life makes. 

The Conclusion:

The physical evidence of the fruit will be made manifest in different ways. When the squeeze comes on my life, something must flow out. Whatever or whoever is on my inside will answer when life comes knocking. I must therefore make every effort to ensure my content is right, if the impact on other lives will be right, and I can also end right. What is in me cannot be hidden, and it will flow out one way or the other. I have the perfect example to emulate, which is a God who loved me when I was not really nice. I had forsaken and rejected Him, turning my back on Him, yet His love will not let me go. He went in search of me and found me, paid the price for my eternal redemption, and then set me on earth to represent Him. That which I have received must not be kept to myself; may God help me so that His life in me can be a blessing to the world I am in. I am forgiven; who do I need to extend the same grace to? God's time of favour is here.

React Right!

React Right!

When I am afraid, I will put my trust and faith in You. Psalms 56:3 AMP

The Inspiration:

It is a season of fear. Anywhere you are in the world, there are things to both excite you as well as others to discourage you. You read the news and you see just how busy the devil is in trying to turn the world upside down. But you also hear accounts of God's dealings with men and these stories encourage your heart to hold on to God. All of these means that fear is an human reality. There is a good version as well as a bad version. Fear is defined as 'an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm.' Fear is that expectation that something evil is about to happen. The unfortunate thing is that that evil thing may never happen, yet fear can so grip a man's heart that it will prevent the man from being able to do anything to help his situation. This is the bad version of fear, and it usually leads to depression. Is there anything weighing so heavily on my heart that it is keeping me from being all God wants me to be? 

The Contention:

And then there is the good kind of fear, the type that constantly reminds me that God is in charge of my life, and nothing about me can escape his attention. This is a God with total and absolute knowledge about me; one who knows all the days appointed for me, even before one of them came to pass. Even in the face of the daunting challenges of the times we are in now, God continues to prove that He is in charge of the universe He has created. There will be times when you are tempted to think that God has lost control, but if you know God on a personal level, you know that no one can determine what tomorrow holds if God does not reveal it. This is the God who wants me to trust Him completely, not partially. It does not pay one bit to come to God with half-hearted devotion. Don't fool yourself by offering Him a sacrifice that is not from your whole heart. It is this good fear that drives a man to seek God on a constant basis, and not just when you need something. Seeking God becomes equally as important as eating. 

The Conclusion:

And as David the writer of the verse above has made quite clear here, when the bad fear comes, I must let the good fear drive me to seek God. It is almost impossible to make the bad fear go away completely, but it must keep driving you toward the One who said in some places in His Word: "Do Not Fear". He who spoke these words knows me, so before the bad fear can take root, I must remind myself of all the times God has asked me to come to Him. Like David, it is important to put my trust and faith in the Lord. Where else would I want to put my trust? Is it in weapons that can kill both the user and the target? Is it in high fences that cannot keep out disease and death? Is it in men, who cannot even guarantee that they will see tomorrow? If you have tried all the above, and you still do not have peace, try God. He has never put to shame anyone who trusts in Him. He is able to keep safe whatever is committed into His hand. God's time of favour is here. 

He Cares!

He Cares!

Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. 1 Peter 5:7 AMPC

The Inspiration:

At creation, man was required to keep the garden. All he needed for the life he was given was supplied by God, even a help meet for him. There was no record of any care or worry by man in the Garden of Eden; in fact, it was God who saw that it was not good for man to be alone, so He formed a woman out of man's ribs for him. Unfortunately, sin came in and a  different perspective was birthed. One of the pronouncements by God as punishment for the sin of the man was that he would have to toil and labour for whatever fruit of the ground he would need. Out were the freebies in the Garden of Eden; in came the worries and the anxieties of each day's work, wondering if the efforts would yield any increase or gain. This is where sin leads: a place of self- effort, where there is no help from God if one does not retrace his/her steps back to God. It is therefore important to determine where I am now: in sin or in God?

The Contention:

That question above is the control for today's verse. Only in God does a man find comfort in the midst of pain and suffering. Only in God can a man find strength to continue, when all the odds are against him. As the verse says, it is hard to cast the whole of your care on a person you do not know, or someone whose identity and capacity you cannot determine. The first step is to therefore seek to know and submit to this God. Knowing Him means knowing who He is, what He can do, what He directs and commands, and where He leads. The natural man is quite  territorial, and will not give up space without a fight. We hold on to our prejudices and opinions, afraid to let go of our identity and comfort zone, but here is a God who knows us more than we could ever know ourselves, because He formed and placed us where we are now. Nothing about me can shock him, because He is omniscient. He wants to do a work in me that only He can sustain. 

The Conclusion:

The question, as always, is if I will let Him work. God does not force Himself on anyone; He tells me who He is, and what He can do; He can take good care of all that is entrusted into His hand. You can't be in control of your own life, and then wonder why things are not working well for you. If you have been willing to try all other options, and you don't like the fruit you are seeing, try God. What do you have to lose? If you will try God, don't start and stop halfway; go the whole hog. Make God your sole focus, not one of your many options. God is not an afterthought; He is watching His Word to bring it to pass. As the only part of His creation that the bible says was formed in His image, He will do all He can to bring me to the place of His perfect plan. He watches over all that is kept in His hand. Am I under his watchful eye? Remember, you can only place a demand on the rights and benefits of a country where you are a citizen. God's time of favour is here. 

Pray!

Pray!

Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2 AMPC

The Inspiration:

For all who claim to be children of God, there are practices that are attached to the confession of faith. I cannot be a Christian and not be in a living, breathing relationship with the focus of faith, who is Jesus. When I gave my life to Jesus, I surrendered total control to Him; I invited Him into my heart and asked Him to be the Lord and Master over all that my heart seeks. Once that is settled, life becomes a daily journey of discovery of all that God desires for me. I must keep the line of communication clean and clear, so that the One in charge of my life can reach me whenever He desires to, and I can speak to Him on a regular and ongoing basis. This is what prayer is all about; it should be about giving God a list of demands and giving him a time frame within which He must deal, or else.....It has to be more than an appointment I keep out of a sense of duty or obligation, but one that I have come to see the blessing and value in it.

The Contention:

A Christian's prayer life must be the source of power and direction. How else can I know what is ahead, if I don't spend time asking the One who knows, and who knows the end from the beginning? How else can I know what to do per time, if I don't ask the One who gives wisdom for the season? Recall the men of Issachar, who had understanding of the times, and knew what Israel ought to do. They were not many, but their impact could not be denied. They must have spent time with the God of all knowledge, so that when they spoke, their advice was always timely. This must be the desire of every follower of Christ, and it is God's desire to reveal his heart to all who will sincerely seek Him. It has to be done with the whole of your heart, not almost all. I recall King Amaziah who the Bible says served God all the days of his life, but not with a perfect heart. His end proves that you can't achieve anything of value if God is not involved, or directing your affairs. 

The Conclusion:

This is why today's verse is quite critical. I have to persist and be consistent in my life's focus. As I seek to impact in the marketplace, I  must be steadfast in my prayer life. I must pray, and also remain alert for whatever God will say, or wherever He may lead. I must be aware per time of what God would have me do or say. There are times when silence is God's way of speaking, and there are times when words must be used to establish God's purpose. And as I pray, speaking to God about what He wants from me, I must remember to thank God for all He is and does. A heart of thanksgiving proves that my heart knows and appreciates all that God is and does. Have I truly met this God? Does He know me as His own? Can I commit to a daily, regular and healthy relationship with this God, so that I can be relevant in the generation I have been planted? God's time of favour is here. 

Comfort and Edify!

Comfort and Edify!

Therefore encourage (admonish, exhort) one another and edify (strengthen and build up) one another, just as you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 AMPC

The Inspiration:

Paul writes to the church in Thessalonica, speaking to them about a topic that he had covered several times, which is the return of Jesus. One thing that is clear is that I cannot pick and choose the truths of God's Word that are convenient for me; I have to accept all of God's revealed truths. The Bible makes it clear that Jesus will return some day; nowhere is the day known, but like all of God's promises, you can be sure that this will also come to pass. What this makes clear is that nothing in this life is destined to last forever, except that which is God's. If you buy and engrave your name on anything, when death comes, you still cannot take it with you. Even if you are the founder and brain behind an invention, the day you die is the end of your hold or claim on that thing. That day will come like a thief in the night, who comes when no one is expecting him. Even if he gives notice, you can only prepare as best as available information can help you plan. 

The Contention:

This is where God's word comes in, as it has now provided adequate information on what is ahead. The Word of God tells me what is ahead, as well as how I can adequately prepare. I note that those who can prepare the right way are described as 'children of the Light'. Light shows the way. It tells you who you are, as well as the path you are to take. I will not have a valid excuse, because God's word is available in many languages and across different media. I cannot plead ignorance, because even in creation, God's mighty hand is revealed. I need the help of the One who inspired the contents in order to fully understand what the bible is saying. I will also need the company of other people like mysel, who desire to know more of God, and who are eagerly expecting his return. For all who come together in fellowship, we are dressed for service and impact in the world we have been planted. 

The Conclusion:

We belong to the day. Jesus died and rose again, so we could be delivered from the power of darkness, and translated to God's kingdom of light. We are permanent citizens of the kingdom of God, and whilst we wait for the full manifestation of the transformed body that God promised us, we keep waiting, praying, working, hoping and watching. This is why the verse above is so critical to this discussion. Life will throw all sorts of things at me as I wait, but I keep my eyes on Jesus. I know the present may be tough, but the life that lies at the end of it all makes the journey worth it. Even in the face of death, I know that eternal life lies at the end of the process, whenever that may be. This is the comfort for me, and it has to be the daily focus. It has to be the point of edification for all who will come to the saving knowledge of Jesus. That hope is what keeps us sane, even as the world is falling to pieces. Do you have this hope? God's time of favour is here. 

Exalted!

Exalted!

O LORD, thou art my God; I will exalt thee, I will praise thy name; for thou hast done wonderful things; thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. Isaiah 25:1 KJV

The Inspiration:

The bible makes it clear who God is, and how we, as humans, ought to approach Him. He is Spirit, and all who seek to worship Him have to do it in spirit and in truth. This would then mean that the first step to making the right approach is to know Him the right way. You can only do that out of a heart that knows and follows God wholeheartedly. You cannot do it from a divided heart, or one given to deceit or eye-service and hypocrisy. The writer here had a clear understanding of this when he wrote about God being His God. God does not need me to be God; He has been God long before I ever existed, and if Jesus tarries long enough, He will still be God. It is an awesome privilege to be able to call this amazing God my Lord, and to relate with Him as one would to a Father. The question for me, then, is: "Do I know God as my own Lord?". Better still, does He know me as His own? Can I speak like the writer here, and God will indeed confirm that I am His? 

The Contention:

The knowledge and clear understanding of the above then leads to the next point, which is the right response. What should I do with the knowledge of who God is? In fact, the knowledge of who I am, who I belong to, and what I have been created and planted to do on earth should move me to discover, and seek to fulfil that purpose. What is the use of a product that has been exclusively designed for something, but fails or refuses to work in line with that purpose? If you made someone for your own pleasure, and the person continuously rejects you, what would you do? Remember, we were made for the sole pleasure of God, and nothing else we do will bring the satisfaction that our lives seek. The writer here understood this clearly, and would break out in praise, worship and adoration of the Lord he had come to know and had fully submitted to. What of me? Can I say the same thing about myself? 

The Conclusion:

It is this understanding that helps me focus on the right response. The foundation of all we see today is based on God's nature, which is faithfulness and truth. If it were man, anger with man would have led to the total destruction of the human race. By the mere fact of God's grace and mercy, the human race continues to exist, not because of merit or hard work. Even in the face of the greatest sin, God continues to extend mercy and grace to all who would seek to know and follow Him on a daily basis. He is a faithful God; if He makes a promise, He is bound by His Word to do all He has promised. God is able to do much more than all I can ever ask or imagine. There is no limit to God's power, unless I decide to limit His operation in my life. He is True, and all who know Him must walk with Him in that reality. This is the decision I have to take; God waits for me. God's time of favour is here.