Give!

Give!

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭11:25‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

The liberal person shall be enriched, and he who waters shall himself be watered. 

The Context and Focus:

Again, we come to the book of one-line messages, where every sentence is a message on its own. Today's verse speaks to man in his natural, sinful nature. It is in the nature of man to seek to amass and acquire, because the world defines value in terms of what man holds, not what he gives out. Even the popular measuring indices of wealth all point to acquisitions, not charity. It is from what you have that you can give in the first place. This makes man pursue after wealth and acquisitions with a heart bent on any means necessary. This is why armed robbery, fraud, stealing, corruption and other vices will be difficult to stop or curtail, because it is man's natural tendency. Of course, the heart of man is critical to this conversation, because that is the place where all these desires come from. No one just does anything anyhow or at anytime, without first thinking about it. I need to submit my heart to the total control and influence of Jesus, if I want it to produce in line with what pleases God.

The Message:

It is also the same way with a heart that is ready to give. The word used in the verse above is 'liberal', which means 'of a free heart; free to give or bestow; not close or contracted; munificent; bountiful; generous; giving largely'. These are not careless or mere buzz words, but they come from a place of total surrender. I note that there is no precondition laid out for the liberal heart; it gives because the heart is not closed or contracted to the point where it has to see the benefit before it can flow out. Too many times, we do things because we want to be seen or appreciated, or because there is something to be gained from the gift, but the liberal heart here does not care about the benefit as much as the grace of being a blessing to someone else. There is a need to be met; a life to be saved or impacted. That is the focus first and foremost. Can I say, of a truth, that this is the motivation for all I do? Are there any selfish or self-serving interests in my heart that I need to deal with? 

The Conclusion:

And by God's special design, He will always give me what I can give out. No matter how little you think you have, you have something that can be a great blessing to someone else. I have to also note that God sees my heart and I cannot deceive Him. He knows the motives and intentions of my heart; therefore, whilst men may be applauding the generosity and the giving, there may not be any account with God for Him to bless in return. It is very important that as I ask God to bless me so I can be a blessing, I must make sure that I dispense His grace in line with His will. As God pours into me, He expects me to pour back into other people. That is the surest way to never lacking what to give, because my heart is not fixed to possessions, but on the God who owns all in the first place, and can dispense resources however and whenever He pleases to whoever He pleases. If I want more, I must give more. Only in God does a man get more when He gives, because God does not owe. If I obey Him, His promise is that He will bless me. Try Him today, and you will not be disappointed. God's time of favour is here. 

Saved!

Saved!

‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:10‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

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

The Context and Focus:

Online Medical information says that the 'Vagus nerve', also known as the vagal nerves, are the main nerves of the body's parasympathetic nervous system. This system controls specific body functions such as digestion, heart rate and immune system, as well as mood, mucus and saliva production, skin and muscle sensations, speech, taste and urine output. Interestingly, available information also confirms that these functions are involuntary, meaning you can’t consciously control them. See how my heart rate is linked to my digestion process, as well as all the supporting conditions for a healthy and balanced life. If this information about medical science is this precise, imagine the equivalent of it in the spiritual. If by human standards, God can connect my heart to my mouth, then He can also connect them in the spiritual. If what I take in from the mouth impacts how my heart works, then I need to pay attention to what the verse above has to say to me.

The Message:

There is a strong link between my heart and my mouth when it comes to the salvation experience. The natural heart has been declared by God to be beyond help, as you read the verdict in Jeremiah where God says that the heart of man is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. In another part, he makes it clear that he has to take out the heart of stone in man and give him a heart of flesh, upon which He is able to write His laws. Sin has messed up the heart of man, and has made it impossible for man to naturally seek God out. The fallen sinful state of man cannot please God, neither will it seek God. But when light comes, and man comes to an understanding of His need for God, he needs to make a decision on what to do with that information. God's power, might and mercy have all been revealed by the things He has made, as well as His Word that He has given, and He gives grace for me to consider all of these, and then come to the right decision, which must be total surrender to the Lordship and authority of Jesus. 

The Conclusion:

The heart is the place of surrender, as well as decision. God also warns me to guard my heart with all diligence, because out of it flows the issues of life. As I consider all that God has done, I come to know Him, and I know he wants to live in me, and change me from inside. His work on my heart will lead ne to making a declaration that I want him to be my Lord and Saviour. The reason why both the heart and the mouth must align is to avoid hypocrisy and eye-service. Both heart and mouth have to truthfully agree, if the experience will be seen as genuine. If God rules the heart, there is justification from God, where the burden of the past sins have been dealt with. When man confesses Jesus as Lord and Saviour, he receives salvation. That is the total package on offer. God will not just deal with the pressure and weight of sin; He will also totally cleanse, and then supply the power and grace needed to live above sin, and to please God on a continuous basis. The question then is: am I saved? Are my heart and my mouth aligned? God's time of favour is here. 

This God!

This God!

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭40:28‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the Lord, The Creator of the ends of the earth, Neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable.

The Context and Focus:

One good way to appreciate the value of the verse above is to look at the entire chapter. Jerusalem had been battered and bruised by the enemy due to sin. The land had been severely punished by God for its sin. Again, it has to be emphasised that God has no favourites when it comes to sin, but He will punish sin, no matter in whom it is found. Men assume that the closer they get to God, the more He will pardon or excuse iniquity. In fact, the opposite is the case. The more of God I know, the more of His will I must personalise and internalize. The things God may overlook in a person who has not surrendered to me may not be excused in someone who has tasted of the new life in Christ, and then turns back. God seeks men who will make time to seek and know Him. There is a lot about God that only time we'll spent will reveal, and it will be the greatest use of my time if I can seek Him out. He wants to be known, and by the amazing things He has done in creation, His power and nature have been made known. 

The Message:

With all that have been revealed about God, what is my response? Would I seek him out, or am I content with where I am right now? Jerusalem had been battered, and had given up hope of being restored, but as long as God remains God, there is no end to the restoration or renewal that is possible in God. As I read the entire chapter, it is clear that God wants me to know Him personally. By nature, man needs the guidance of a supreme and spiritual being. This is why man always seeks something deeper and higher than himself. The devil also knows this, and that is why he will raise all sorts of distractions to replace God in the heart of man. Today is a reminder of what is really important, as God asks me to come look for Him. Whatever I may have heard in the past, or whatever it is I may be going through right now, I need to go in search of the Truth about God, and then make decisions based on the truths I have come to know. He is waiting for me to reach out. He is never so far away from me that He cannot hear me.

The Conclusion:

So I can know what I am in line to receive, the verse above gives some insights. This is a God who is called the everlasting God, the Lord, the creator of the ends of the earth. All I see today owes its existence and sustenance to this God, and if He has made them, He can command them to work for my good. He can direct the resources of His creation to me, and He can open doors that no man can shut. He is a God who does not faint or become weary, because He is not subject to the same limitations I am. He is a God who is in heaven, yet present everywhere at the same time, and even also living inside of me. That is power, might and strength, and even more. His understanding is unsearchable, because He has been before the creation of time as we know it today. He does not need me to be God, and He will remain God long after this earthly phase is over. With all I have read today, what is my response? God's time of favour is here. 

The King of Glory!

The King of Glory!

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭24:9‭-‬10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

[9] Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; And the King of glory shall come in. 

[10] Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah

The Context and Focus:

Again, these are the words of David, the man after God's heart. It is always important to lay this fact out, so we can also learn how to approach and hold God's attention. As we know, David did not always claim perfection, but he had perfected the art and act of making the right approach by making the right play. He had walked with God for some time, and he knew a little bit about what made God tick. Praise and thanksgiving are some of the things God would have me give him, and David perfected that into an art. As it was then, so is it still now. God is still looking for men and women who will make the same commitment. If I am looking for open doors and open heavens, I am not sure that there is a better way to guarantee these. The entire chapter from where the verses above is taken is a testament to the person, identity and demand of this God. Have you met this God? Does He know you as His own? Like David, have I come to know, understand and fully appreciate the value of praising God for who He is, what He has done, what He is doing right now, and the amazing promises that the future holds for me? 

The Message:

First, there is a declaration of the person and identity of God. He is the owner of all that my eyes can see or my hands can hold. He is the One who opens a door and no one can shut it. He is the One who makes declarations today, and for all of eternity, there is a power that will bring it to pass, no matter the level of opposition or resistance. Secondly, for those who will access this power and grace, there are standards to follow. The Holy God cannot behold sin; therefore, the person who would have access to all that has been promised has to live a life free from sin. How can God continue to bless a life that has no regard for or fear of Him? How can God control or inspire a life that is not under His total control and influence? How do I have access to, and also command the resources of a kingdom to which I am not a loyal subject? It is clear that I can only have access to resources and blessings that come to those who have made Jesus Lord and Saviour. Yes, there are general blessings everyone will get by virtue of humanity, but would you want only that which perishes with this present earthly phase, or would you also strive to lay hold of that which has eternal value?

The Conclusion:

This understanding then leads to the verses above. There can be long-standing issues in my life, but when I surrender control to the One who is called the King of glory, this is the beginning of the change my life needs. When the King of glory comes knocking, it does not matter how long or how hard the mountain has stood; nothing and no one can stand against the King. He is called King, because it is about power, authority, ability and capacity to make pronouncements that carry the force of the law. They may be everlasting doors, but before the everlasting King, they must submit to the authority of the King. The identity of the King is also made clear in these verses, so that there is no confusion. He is also called the Lord of hosts, because there is an army under his command, the number of which it is difficult to determine. Revelation refers to 'the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands'. That is the God whose authority and power cannot be resisted. I need to know and submit to this King personally, if I want to enjoy his rule and reign. He will reign, no doubt. The question is whether I submit to Him willingly now, or be compelled to do so, and them still lose. God's time of favour is here.

Kept!

Kept!

‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭3:3‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

Yet the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen [you] and set you on a firm foundation and guard you from the evil [one].

The Context and Focus:

Paul, Silas and Timothy are credited with the words of the book of 2 Thessalonians, and this letter is written to the church, who are in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. This location is quite critical to the entire discussion, and I will do well to pay close attention to the class of people referred to as the audience for this letter. Am I in God and in Christ, ‭or am I still struggling to know who I am, what I am, or what I have been planted for? I need to know the answer to the question of identity, because it controls the other parts of the verse above. If I do not know who I am, it is likely that things will fall apart when tough times comes. If I do not know who I am, it will be difficult to stay true to God when things fall to pieces around me. Paul, Silas and Timothy all have different salvation experiences, yet here they were, writing the same principles to the church, encouraging them to hold on to the truth as laid down by God. That is the standard, the same as had been in place in the days of Abraham, the same as Paul, and the same even in our own days now. That is confidence and consistency. 

The Message:

The writers had seen the amazing work that God's word was able to do in and through them, with God performing miracles, signs and wonders among the brethren. As much as Paul and company would have loved to dwell on the miracles, they knew that the personal encounter with the Truth of God's Word is the one thing that really matters. You can only sustain a miracle by the knowledge of the will of God for you. What you don't have, you cannot give, what you cannot define, you cannot identify, and what you have not submitted to and embraced cannot work for you. Many will hear the Word, and because their hearts were prepared, there is immediate impact. There are others who may hear it, but it takes some time for it to make the right impression. There are also some who will mock and reject the Word, to the end of their lives. Whatever response to the Word of God defines you, it is important to note that the Truth will always be powerful, because Truth is the very nature of God Himself. Have I met, known and submitted to this Truth?

The Conclusion:

He is able to keep safe all who entrust their lives into His hands. Let the whole world go to pieces, as God has already said it would, it would still not change the fact that He is a faithful God. It is His nature to be faithful, and I need that to be true, considering all else that is false around me. Even in the times of the greatest weakness, God is the Strength of my life. In the times of danger, He is my guard and guide. Even when the enemy comes in like a flood, threatening to sweep me away and drown me, God sets me on a firm foundation, even in the midst of the sea. The above are just a few of the reasons why I need to put my life in the hands of this amazing Father. He is able to protect, keep and preserve to the end. The enemy will make threats, and sometimes, it may appear that the devil is winning. However, let it be clear that when God commands, even the devil obeys. I am fine if I am on God's side. This is the package I am entitled to, when I give my life to Jesus. Does He own you? If not, what are you waiting for? He returns soo, and his reward is only for those who have trusted Him to the end. Am I one of them? God's time of favour is here.

New Birth!

New Birth!

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭1:3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.

The Context and Focus:

As is always the case, a command or directive requires the right audience, in order to measure obedience. As always, a command or directive is only binding on people who are subject to the authority and territory of the person giving the command. In this case, the verse above is directed to people who have been identified as 'God’s chosen people'. The introduction goes on to say that 'God had planned long ago to choose you and to make you his holy people, which is the Spirit’s work. God wanted you to obey him and to be made clean by the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ'. This clear understanding is very important for the verse that is before us today. There are no accidents with God. I am not an afterthought or a mistake of creation. The fact that God formed me, placed me in my mother's womb, allowed me to be born, and has taken me through different circumstances and situations of life make it clear that God has a plan for my life. Long before my parents even came together, He already knew I would be alive on this very day these words were written. 

The Message:

What else can be more more important than the discovery, pursuit and fulfilment of God's plan and purpose for my life? As it has been laid out above, you are subject to the authority and influence of whoever you submit to. If I am a citizen of a country, I am bound by the laws and regulations of that country. As it is in the physical, so is it in the spiritual. I cannot be physically present and resident in two different countries at the same time. I can temporarily relocate, or reside in another country for some time, or even have dual citizenship, but at any point in time, I am physically present in one location at a particular time. This is like the new birth; it is an experience that is necessary for my earthly and eternal relevance. Just as I have been born physically, so do I have to be born spiritually. Just as there had to be physical allegiance to a physical kingdom, so do I also have to bear allegiance to a spiritual kingdom. It is not negotiable. This new birth is not received by inheritance or will, or assimilated by the natural senses, but it is the result of the dispensation of God's grace and mercy, made real by the gift of Jesus the Son of God as a sacrifice for sin. 

The Conclusion:

The consequences of sin is death, and it would apply to all men, irrespective of colour, circumstances or conditions. All of us had sinned, and all of us deserved to die, but by the exercise of this grace, we have received new birth into a new life that ends in eternal life with God. There was nothing I could have done to earn or deserve this free gift, because it is at the discretion of the One offering the gift. The timing of the gift was also his own prerogative, but he then gives me a choice as to the response. By this gift, I have the past and its weight taken care of, I have the present and its challenges sorted, and I also have hope that whatever the future holds, God has it all under his control. By the death and resurrection of Jesus, I know he has power to give life to my dead body, and whenever He returns in glory, I will also be raised up with Him. It is in Christ alone that this hope can be birthed and sustained. There is nothing and no one else that can give me that. Do I have this hope in me? Am I looking forward to the fulfilment of this promise by God? God's time of favour is here. 

The Advocate!

The Advocate!

‭‭John‬ ‭14:26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

The Context and Focus:

Just as Jesus taught his disciples about the kingdom of God at the start of his earthly ministry, so did he find time to again empower his disciples with knowledge about the coming kingdom, just before he went to the cross. In the first sermon, the crowd was also listening to Him, but in chapters 13 - 17 of John, it was just the disciples, because the message here was not for the crowd, but for disciples. There is a message for the crowd, but there is an expectation and demand placed on disciples. Am I part of the crowd, or one of the disciples? Jesus spent time telling his disciples about the life of fruitfulness God expects from all those who have given their lives to Him. It is only in connection with the supply of this kingdom that my life can have meaning or direction. No one branch can stand on its own if it loses connection with the stem that is supposed to supply what the branch needs for nourishment and growth. No one or nothing else signifies the importance of this point more than the person, work and impact of the Holy Spirit in the life of a disciple. 

The Message:

In order to fully appreciate the value of the person of the Holy Spirit, a good place to start is to define Advocate. It means 'a person who publicly supports or recommends a particular cause or policy'. When the verse speaks about the Holy Spirit being an advocate, it means his work in and for me cannot always be silent. Yes, there is an inner presence that must be in place, but there is an outer witness that the world must see, and be convinced of the power, might and mercy of God. The advocate is sure and certain of the cause or policy being supported or recommended, because He does not take a stand by Himself, but he is also God. The verse above is also a testament to the truth of the Trinity, with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit mentioned in the same verse, working towards the same goal. The Father will send the Holy Spirit in the name of the Son. The reason why Jesus had to tell his disciples all these is because the world, as it is, cannot receive the Holy Spirit. The standards of the Holy Spirit are quite fundamentally different from those of the world. Does my life look like one the Holy Spirit of God can inhabit? 

The Conclusion:

The work of the Holy Spirit, as laid out in the verse above, also shows that only the right heart can receive Him. If the work of the Holy Spirit is to teach me all things, and to remind me of all that Jesus had said, it means that I have come to accept Jesus as the authority on truth. It means that I spend time seeking to know God's version of truth, not what men want me to know. It has to be emphasised over and over that the work of the Holy Spirit can only be done in a surrendered heart. Of what use can a heart steeped in sin be to the work of the Holy Spirit? What can a holy God do with a heart that is not under his total control and influence? The work that needs to be done in the world at these end times is not going to get done by human effort, labour or wisdom, but by the power, influence and direction of the Holy Spirit. What the world needs are not palliative measures, but the changing power of the Holy Spirit. Human schemes have failed, and will continue to do so. I need to surrender control to the One who is the Truth, and who can supply what the world really needs. Can God count on me? God's time of favour is here.

God's Day!

God's Day!

‭‭Joel‬ ‭2:1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand; 

The Context and Focus:

As you read the book of Joel, it is clear again that God's standards will not be lowered for anyone or anything. Sin is and will always be a reproach to anyone, and He will punish sin, no matter in whom it is found. The chapter before the one in which the verse above is taken shows how God punished the land for its sin. There was total destruction on a scale that had never been seen before. As one agent of destruction was finishing its work, another agent came to take over what was left. This is what happens when a man goes into sin; you expose yourself to destruction and disaster, because there is now no more cover from God. The people were still bent on making offerings and sacrifices, not knowing that God had departed the land. The enemy that could not even dare look at the land of Israel had become the enemy empowered to strip it of all its glory and possessions. There is no other way to make this clear: sin messes a man's life up and seeks to destroy him. It is something I have to pay close attention to, as I seek a life of impact and influence.

The Message:

God calls out to all of us to check our ways and make amends where necessary. God had made known His will, and He has also provided the grace and help I need to make the right decisions, but He will not force His will on me, or compel me to choose Him. He desires that I choose Him, but because He is a God of love and justice, He has to allow me come to Him out of a heart that knows and recognises His love. This decision has to be made at the right time, because I have not been promised endless time to make up my mind. There is a day that is coming; a day that nobody can actually predict precisely, but in keeping with everything that God has said, which have all come to pass, as well as the ones He has also said will happen in the future, you can be sure that nothing said by God will fail to come to pass. A day is coming when all the secrets of men's hearts will be revealed, and all men will be judged based on the standards laid out in God's word, and the contents of men's hearts.

The Conclusion:

It is utter foolishness to pick and choose only the promises that make you comfortable, and seek to reject the ones that speak of eternal doom. The day requires me to make some personal preparations. Today's verse says that there must be a public declaration for the people to prepare, and that tells me that it is my duty to warn people of that day. If I am to prepare well, I have to watch my life's choices, pursuits and priorities today. The alarm has to go out urgently to the whole world, that the Lord will return shortly. There is no earthly preparation that can make the day of the Lord pleasant for anyone, unless you have given your life to Jesus and accepted Him as your Lord and Saviour. This is the only decision that counts towards my eternal reality. For all who look forward to that day, make sure you are living right, and encouraging others to do the same. May sin not have control of my life. May the day of the Lord meet me in the will of the Lord. God's time of favour is here.

Go!

Go!

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭4:23‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

[23]  And He went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the good news (Gospel) of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every weakness and infirmity among the people.

The Context and Focus:

Before Jesus went out to teach and preach, there were a few things that has to be in place. First, we read of heaven's affirmation and confirmation of his identify, mission and impact, when the Holy Spirit descended on him like a dove, and the Father spoke from heaven confirming Jesus as His beloved Son. The entire world present at the baptism heard the voice and saw the sight, but God was not finished yet. That was the public affirmation, but there was a need for the private test and affirmation. Immediately after the baptism, Jesus was led into the wilderness where he fasted 40 days and 40 nights, and then was tempted by the devil. It is very clear from the accounts above that it will be hard to launch out into the unknown without proper and adequate preparation. The world may have its own idea of what is popular and accepted; as great as these may be, they are not enough, and are not even the proper way to measure God's will. Let the world applaud as much as it wants; I must seek God in that secret place before I can dare to attempt to impact the world. 

The Message:

With Jesus empowered by his Father after seeking His face and receiving strength for the journey ahead, impact was the next thing. With all He had received, He was ready to make impact. As I seek to change my world, what do I have to do this assignment? A man cannot give what he does not have. A man can make much noise, or get involved in a lot of activities; as long as the power, grace and enablement of God is not present, there will be no change. It is also important to consider all that Jesus covered: teaching, preaching and healing. Teaching is 'ideas or principles taught by an authority'. It means He had the authority to make the pronouncements He did. Preaching is to 'earnestly advocate a belief or course of action'. This means that Jesus believed in what He said, and he would stand by it, and of course he was backed up by the physical signs of healing, which is defined as 'the process of making or becoming sound or healthy again'. That is the combination that followed Jesus everywhere He went, and the promise of the Father to all who will do what Jesus did. 

The Conclusion:

Just as Jesus did in the days He walked on earth, so does He expect us to do. Just as Jesus was endued with the power He needed in order to carry out this work, so must we also seek the power before we dare to claim we want to work for God. In fact, the times recorded by Jesus as having spent time praying to His Father and seeking His help may not have been as popular as the accounts of his impact, but let it be known today that there will be no public impact without personal and private preparation and equipping. I must not labour for that which only man approves and applauds, but that which God backs up. After all, the work is defined by God, and if I will do it well, I need the supply that comes from God. What can man do, when he does not even know the scope of the assignment? The world is in need of that which God alone can supply. The world awaits the manifestation of the sons of God. Can God count on me to pay the price demanded for impact? Would I spend the right time in private, so I can impact the world the right way? God's time of favour is here.

God's Will!

God's Will!

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

[10] Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

The Context and Focus:

This is part of the sermon of Jesus on the mountain, and from the record of Matthew, there was no recorded breaks in the sermon from chapter 5 to 7. As is always the case, it is important to note who the audience of the message is, so I can determine just how much this relates to, or concerns me. The best way to define the audience is to go to the very beginning of the sermon, and you will find this piece: 'When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. This is what he said:'. The ministry of Jesus was always drawing huge crowds, but there is a message for the crowd, and a message for those who are apprenticed to Jesus, and committed to Him. There is a different expectation for those who want to make the decision to climb with Jesus up the mountain, to the place where they can listen to instructions and be fully equipped for the service ahead. Don't forget that the crowd remained at the foot of the mountain. This is why the crowd is never the right way to measure God's approval. The crowd will always be there as long as there is something that catches and holds its attention. It could be miracles, or it could be prophecies; these are not bad in themselves, but there is a step that must accompany the signs and wonders, and it is to climb up the mountain to where Jesus is, sit with and listen to Him for guidance, instruction, leading and direction. 

The Message:

Today's verse is for those who have climbed up the mountain, and have sat down with Jesus to listen to Him. Think about this: who else do we think that Jesus will be teaching about how to pray, if they are not already people who have a relationship with Him? The prayer of a sinner has already been established as an abomination in the sight of God, except that sinner is coming to Jesus in repentance from sin. John 9:31 says: 'Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth'. This prayer also starts with an acknowledgement of God as a Father whose heart of love shines out through all He does in and for us. Prayer is a fundamental fruit of a living, breathing and thriving relationship with God. It is a sign that I know and submit to the will of God, even if I do not always understand the WHY and the HOW behind the WHAT he wants me to do. This is why the verse above says: 'Thy kingdom come'. God's kingdom is one of authority and power, but as long as this earthly phase is in play, it is a kingdom that I have limited time to surrender to. I pray that his kingdom comes, but it only comes in the lives of those who know, love and follow Him. It is also a prayer that has both present and eternal ramifications, because a time is still coming when, either by freewill or compulsion, God's kingdom will be established without any room for resistance or opposition. 

The Conclusion:

What am I doing right now to promote or establish God's kingdom on earth? What steps am I taking to promote His will? I must keep at the back of my mind that this present earthly phase is but for just a season, and a time comes when Revelation 11:15 declares that: '.....there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever'. That time is close. God's Will is not subject to negotiation or appeal in heaven, because the angels have no doubt who is in charge. Lucifer was once in the presence of God, yet due to rebellion or a sense of superiority, he lost his place. Human beings have been given the power of freewill and choice, and that power is both our greatest asset and our greatest risk. Jesus wants me to come and submit to Him of my own freewill, so he can reign and rule in my life, and He can impact my world for Himself. If the will of God is upheld and promoted in my life, the world will see the difference. I will speak, relate, love and generally live by standards the world may not be able to explain, but which will bring glory to God. As I wait for the fulfilment of the promise of eternity, I ask for grace to live in line with the purpose and the counsel of God for me. May He find joy in my life's pursuits and priorities, and may His will be my sole focus, so that others too may be attracted to the saving knowledge of Jesus. Time is short; the kingdom is in place and will soon manifest in full measure. God's time of favour is here. 

You!

You!

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭39:7‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

[7]  And now, Lord, what do I wait for and expect? My hope and expectation are in You.

The Context and Focus:

Again, we read one of the songs of David, the man after God's heart. There were times when David would sing of the mercies and grace of God, and we could identify with his words, because we had also experienced the same dispensation of mercy. Today's song is another dimension to the life of David, and we would be careful to consider his words and the context on which they are based, so we can consider our own lives too, and take steps in line with the revelation of God's purpose for our lives. I take a good look at about 2 verses before the extract above, and I read there words: "LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; That I may know how frail I am. Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; And mine age is as nothing before thee: Verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity'. Even there was a pause for reflection, signified by the word 'Selah' at the end of the verses quoted above. It is very important that I give careful thought to my life, so I can apply it the right way to get the right results. 

The Message:

There are too many distractions going in around me for me to live carefree or carelessly. I must ask God to help me see myself the way He sees me, so I am free from the pressure of human comparison, or the need for applause or approval from men. The best of man is but just a breath away from eternal life with God or eternal separation from God. We make plans for the future, which is not a bad thing in itself, but we must make them in the daily consciousness that we may not get to see tomorrow, unless God wills it. Men make lofty and grand plans, yet leave out the God who owns and holds tomorrow in His hands. Another song by David makes it clear that all the days that have been appointed for me were written down in God's book, even before any of them came to pass. Why would I then spend any of those days, without seeking the guidance and direction of the One who determines how many days I get to live? What kind of life do you think you can get if you consistently insist on running it the way you want, with no regard for what God desires?

The Conclusion:

This is why the conclusion and decision in the verse above are important. What do I wait for or expect, if my life is not under the control and influence of the One who gives me breath and makes me live? What can I look forward to if I take God out of the equation? How can I define hope outside the One who can give and sustain eternal life? As I go out into the world to do business, I must do so in the daily and regular consciousness that the Lord and Master of the Universe is the owner and controller of all there is to see. There is no valid expectation except that which is based on the desire and will of this Lord. There can be no hope on anything or anyone else whose life expectancy does not rise above the limits of this present world. As no man can give you that which he does not have, so is it futile to look to man for any assurance beyond this present earthly phase. I seek God alone, because I know He is the One who can take me home. There is no close equivalent. Nothing down here can make up for the loss of eternity. God's time of favour is here.

Grace!

Grace!

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭138:8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

[8] The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: Thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: Forsake not the works of thine own hands.

The Context and Focus:

This is a psalm by David, and as is always the case, he starts by praising God. Even if David would moan and complain to God about anything, he would always ensure that there was praise in the mix. Is it then a wonder that David is called a man after God's heart? How can God reject a man who knows what God desires, and gives it to Him on a regular basis? The life of this man holds several lessons for me, and chief of these lessons is to praise God at all times, and in every situation I may find myself. This earthly phase of life is steeped in sin due to the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, and as long as this earthly phase remains, there will always be life challenges to sort out. However, I must learn to give God his due, so i can get from Him that which I need for life and Godliness. Like David, praise must be a natural outflow from a life that knows the person, personality and power of God. 

The Message

It is this deep knowledge that leads to the verse above. The more of Him I know, the more of my life I can entrust into His hands. God will not force Himself on anyone, as He wants me to come to Him of my own freewill, and not under compulsion. As I surrender my life to Him, he takes full control. The habits and traits I was once comfortable with are dealt with, and I pick up new habits as I progress. If I am asking God to perfect all that concerns me, He cannot do it with a vessel that is not totally surrendered to Him. How can He command obedience from a vessel that He does not inhabit or direct? How can He perfect a vessel that is not in total allegiance to His authority? As long as there are competing interests, or areas of my life that I am holding on, there is very little perfection that God can carry out on and in me. God will not strive with man forever, but He stands at the door of our hearts knocking, waiting to be let in.

The Conclusion:

As I respond to Him and open the door of my heart, I am telling God that I recognise and submit to his authority. His mercy becomes my daily experience, and I have access to all I need. It is not an indication that life will still not happen to me, but now, I have the undeniable power and presence of God to help me navigate all that is coming. For all of us made by God, there is too much of God in us for us to go to waste living and working for the enemy. God's breath in me is proof that there is no limit to what I can achieve if I trust in and depend on God, my maker. Being made in God's likeness is proof that when men see me, they should see God in me. When I speak, men should hear and feel the flow of the mercy that I have also received from God. May God not reject or forsake me due to persistent and wilful disobedience. May my heart be tuned to what God is doing, so I can remain relevant and useful for His purpose on earth. God's time of favour is here.

Fit for Purpose!

Fit for Purpose!

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭17:17‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

[17]  A friend loves at all times, and is born, as is a brother, for adversity.

The Context and Focus:

Again, welcome to the book of one-line messages, where every sentence is a message on its own. Today's verse is a lesson on human relationships and engagements, and a testament to God's power and wisdom in the way He has set up life itself. There is a reason why human life, in its natural form, does not start without the coming together of two different elements. As long as it is human life you want to form, there has to be an agreement between two different parts coming together. Throughout the entire human life too, there will be opportunities for even more interactions between different parts and people. From birth to death, it is a complex web of interpersonal relationships, some which will turn out well, and some which will end badly. Some will work for a season, and then fall apart for no obvious reasons, whilst others will remain strong through all the storms or winds that may rise up against them. 

The Message:

This is the stuff friends are made of and for. A definition of friend that works is: 'a person with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically one exclusive of sexual or family relations'. This tells me that friends go beyond this usual family set up, or even the temporary pleasure derived from sexual relations. Even family members quarrel and do not talk to each other for years. There is also no guarantee that people who have enjoyed sexual intercourse will ever become or remain good friends. Friends go beyond that which can be quantified in monetary terms. There is a bond that time can only make stronger, because what brings you together and keeps you as friends would always be stronger and greater than all the things that make you different from each other. In fact, it is those differences that make the bond even stronger, because you are able to view the same challenge from different perspectives. As nice as the above sounds, the big question is: 'am I this kind of friend?'

The Conclusion:

It is always easy to place a demand on other people to live up to the definition of friends, but am I willing to also play my own part? Can I be trusted to play my part in the definition, doing all I can to show I can be depended on when the need arises? The reason why this is important is because, as the verse above makes clear, the value of a friend, just like a brother, is seen and appreciated in the days of adversity. It is easy to make and remain as friends when all is fine and rosy, but how many people remain true when there is no 'monetary' value to give? When problems show up and things get tight, can I still be trusted to show up when others need me to? True friends, as God intends it to be, are able to love at all times, because love isn't so much about what I can get, but what I have to give. God's grace makes it possible for me to have even it is a word of encouragement at the right time, or a shoulder to lean or cry on, or just my mere presence when trouble comes, can make the difference between giving in or pressing on for a friend. What kind of a friend am I? Am I fit for the challenges of this present times? God's time of favour is here. 

Keep at it!

Keep at it!

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:7‬ ‭AMP‬‬

[7] “Ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you will find; knock and keep on knocking and the door will be opened to you. 

The Context and Focus:

The focus again is on the first sermon of Jesus on the mountain, as he sat with his disciples on the top, with a large crowd also listening to Him at the foot of the mountain. As always, defining the audience is critical to setting expectations and demanding any kind of commitment from anyone. What command can I give to someone who is not under my direct control and influence? How can I direct the behaviour of someone who bears no true allegiance to me? Would someone who is not even on the same wavelength with me listen to anything I have to say? That is the position as it relates to the verse above. Jesus was speaking to disciples; people He could command obedience and allegiance from. Before I go making false claims, trying to lay hold of things that do not concern me, or trying to take hold of things that I am not entitled to, I need to sort out my allegiance and my loyalty. Who am I serving? Who is the Lord of my life, directing my pursuits and my priorities? Have I submitted to Jesus as Lord and Saviour? Does He run my life, or am I the one still in full control? 

The Message:

The answers to these questions define my entitlements. When the verse above says I should 'ask, and keep on asking', it has to be based on the clear understanding that I know the person who I am asking from, I know what his will for my life is, and that I am ready and willing to surrender completely to His will. I will not waste my time coming to someone who I know quite clearly does not have what i want, unless I want to listen to deception and lies. I ask and keep at it, because I know that God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all I can ask or imagine. As long as my requests line up with God's will, he promises I will be given. The reason why I keep asking is because there is usually a time frame between the asking and the giving. Also, there is an expectation behind the instruction to 'seek, and keep on seeking'. You must have a clear idea of what you are looking for, so you can recognize it when you find it. Is there anyone who goes seeking for what is not lost, or what has not yet been obtained in the first place? I keep at it because I know that there is no demand on earth that can exhaust the resources of heaven.

The Conclusion:

I also 'knock, and keep on knocking' because there are doors that may not open without my taking action. When it comes to the things of God, access is a big deal. By faith in Jesus, I have to the riches of grace and salvation, but it is a door I must be careful to keep open, by living daily dependent on that grace. With this access comes other benefits, and there are some that may not come without a fight. The devil also knows the benefits that accrue to me through salvation, so he will place obstacles and hindrances on my path to distract or discourage me. However, confidence in the One I have come to know, trust in, and depend on will keep me focused. I do not look at the size of the storms, or the velocity of the winds, but simply depend on the One who has called me to Himself. He does not lie, so He would not claim he can do what He cannot. If He has said it, He has the power, capacity and capability to do all He has promised to do. I just need to know what he has promised. I can do that when I spend time to know him and what he wants from me. God's time of favour is here.

Unshaken!

Unshaken!

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭54:10‬ ‭AMP‬‬

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

The Context and Focus:

Again, we read of the justice and mercy of God at the same time. This is what makes God stand out from any other authority or power. He makes clear what the rules of engagement are, the principles by which all who seek to come to Him must live by, He makes clear what the punishment for flouting the rules are, as well the eternal rewards for living in line with His commands. This is the proof of God's justice, as well as His mercy, so that no man can claim that God is unfair. For Zion, which represented Judah, the people of God, it had sinned. The land which was to promote righteousness had become a place of evil and sin. The land where God sought to dwell had become desolate, because God cannot behold iniquity. God abandoned his own possession, and handed over the land to the enemies of Zion. Of course, sin reduces a man to a piece of bread. That which you could easily do before becomes difficult, and that which would have gotten support from God becomes a mighty struggle. That is what sin does to anyone. God will punish sin, no matter in whom it is found. There is a warning for all of us today: avoid sin like the plague that it is. 

The Message:

Thank God that the story does not end there. There is justice, in line with the nature of God, but there is also mercy, according to the nature of God. Though Zion had sinned and had been punished, yet the heart of love of God would not abandon his own forever. He hid his face from Zion for a while, but his mercy would not let go. There had been loss, but God was asking Zion to take steps to increase its territory, because increase was coming. At the heart of this message of restoration is the call to be faithful to the commands of God. A man cannot continue in sin and expect that the grace of God will continue to abound. God forbid. It is not in God's nature so to do. God also knows that we are weak, and that without His help, we can never meet up with his standards, so He will always provide all we need for life and Godliness, but we must take hold of the supply made and ensure we live up to the expectations of God for us. The grace of God cannot be taken for granted. It is nit a license to excuse our human nature. 

The Conclusion:

I take comfort and assurance from the words of the verse above. There is a consistency to God that gives a man confidence. There is nothing on earrh that God cannot move in order to achieve his will. Mountains and hills are His creation, and they answer to Him. If He commands them to move, they do not argue or make excuses; they simply obey. There is nothing in nature that God cannot suspend in order to establish His counsel for a man after His heart. Joshua asked the sun to stand still, and it did. Elijah prayed that it will not rain, and it was so for 3 and a half years. The faithfulness and lovingkindness of God are the reasons why I can look ahead with hope to all that may come. I know that the heart of the Father is for me, and his covenant of peace will not be taken away from me. I know that there is the supply of grace for me to live a life above the pressure and snare of sin. Even if I go wrong, His Spirit is there to caution me, and to set me back on the right path. I have all of these available to me, without cost. All I have to do is repent and turn away from sin, believe in Jesus, receive Him as my Lord and Saviour, and enjoy all that has been made available. God waits for us. What is your response? God's time of favour is here. 

Seek the Lord!

Seek the Lord!

‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭16:11‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually [longing to be in His presence].

The Context and Focus:

In order to fully appreciate the message in the verse above, we take a look at about 3 chapters before this one. Due to the error of king Saul, God had allowed the ark of the covenant to be seized by the Philistines, and taken away. God showed up with tumours and the enemy knew it could not keep the ark, so they took steps to send it back. Many things happened on that journey, and Israel saw the ark and rejoiced, yet in transporting it, errors were made, and a man was put to death for wrong handling. David had to leave the ark in the home of a Gittite, a descendant of the same enemy the Philistines. The man must have been aware of the demands of God for the ark, because in the 3 months the ark spent in his house, the Lord blessed him. The same ark that brought death to Uzzah brought life and blessings to Obed-Edom, a foreigner. In all these, it is clear that God is no respecter of persons. It does not matter what my past looks like, or what the present holds; what is key is that a man seeks for God with all his heart. That is the foundation on which the verse above is based.

The Message:

God had given David victory over his enemies, and there was relative peace. This helped David spend time building a befitting palace for himself, and also a place for the ark of God to stay. Lessons had been learnt from the stories of Uzzah who died and Obed-Edom who lived. David assigned tasks for the Levites and the praise singers, and we see how the whole picture of praising and thanking God fit together. David wrote the words of this song for the Levites and praise singers, and it lays emphasis on seeking the Lord and His strength. What would this mean? To seek is to 'attempt or desire to obtain or achieve something' or as a Greek source would put it: 'to seek to find'. It is not a careless exercise, or one done just to please people, but to find God for oneself. A search for God is actually a search for life, peace and all that God is and offers. A search for God is the most important pursuit by anyone, and one with both earthly and eternal benefits. A search for God would have greater impact than having all the wealth of the world. Ask Solomon. 

The Conclusion:

Seeking God means I understand my weaknesses, as well as the place where I can go to for strength and supply. I note also that the verse says nothing about what I can do for God. It is first and foremost about being in God's presence, learning as much of Him as I can, so that when it pleases Him, he can ask me to do something specific, or be a blessing to a specific person or situation. Too many times, we define impact by publicity or public applause, forgetting that God does not actually need man's approval to bless you. If man's opinions do not count, then I do not have to worry about what men say. When Jesus called the disciples to himself, the first principle was to be with him. That was the main call. The other bits about teaching and preaching were secondary, not primary. I have to spend time in God's presence, seeking His face for guidance and leading. It is what is in me that will sustain the life of public impact. I must not dare face the world, until I have a clear leading that it is the next phase of my assignment. God wants to deposit himself in me, before he can trust me to be his eyes, ears, feet and heart. Can he trust me? Can he trust you? God's time of favour is here.

Furnished!

Furnished!

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9:8‬ ‭AMP‬‬

[8] And God is able to make all grace [every favor and earthly blessing] come in abundance to you, so that you may always [under all circumstances, regardless of the need] have complete sufficiency in everything [being completely self-sufficient in Him], and have an abundance for every good work and act of charity. 

The Context and Focus:

There are different dimensions to God, and a whole lifetime on earth is not enough to fully understand the various ways God is able to work. Reading through the pages of the Bible, you will find different dispensations and generations who had different expressions of this God. Abraham had a unique experience different from his son Isaac, his grandson Jacob, his great grandson Joseph, and on and on like that. This is why one encounter with God can change your life, but you do not rest on that one encounter. You keep yourself in line to experience more and more of God. For Paul and Timothy, the writers of this second letter to the church in Corinth, both had very different experiences of God, yet both of them were used by the same God to touch the lives of people around them, in some places as a pair working together, and in some other places, working separately to achieve God's purpose in the lives of their audiences. It is only a life that has been fully submitted to God that can look forward to such impact. Can I say, without any element of doubt, that my life is under the total control and influence of the Holy Spirit? 

The Message:

Paul and Timothy had experienced this God in special ways, and they could testify about it. In the midst of great lack, they had seen God meet their needs in the most amazing ways. They had seen God raise men and women who, even in the midst of extreme poverty, were willing to give themselves to the needs of these apostles. The church may not have had much, but God gave it grace to make a financial contribution to the needs of the gospel. As it was then, so is it now. God is in need of men and women whose lives would first be surrendered to Him, so that their provisions will also be available for His use. For all who understand what is at stake, you know that whatever you hold is not really your own, but was given to you to hold in trust for the One who owns all things. If He demands for it, I had better give it, so He can give me even more. If I do not let go of the good I have now, how can God give me something better? If I hold tightly to what I have now, even when God asks me to let go, I limit His operation in my life. He has more than enough supply to give to everyone who asks, and this clear understanding must be the foundation on which my life of sacrifice and surrender must be built.

The Conclusion:

God is called the God of ALL grace, because there is nothing He cannot do. There is no demand on earth that can exhaust the resources of heaven. This is a God who could place coins in the mouth of a fish, or even feed over 5,000 people with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes. There is no point in God keeping all these resources. He wants to give them out, because he does not need them. He wants to give them to someone who will make the best use of them. Who else can, but the one who knows the right place for all that is held? If I am given anything at all, it is because there is a need that this provision is required to meet. God is the only One who can make me have enough for every season, so that I can in turn be a blessing in every season. The work of God demands resources, and the world awaits the manifestation of the sons of God. Can I be trusted with the riches of the kingdom? Are all I own and hold right now available for the master's use at anytime? God's time of favour is here.

Access!

Access!

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:13‭-‬14‬ ‭AMP‬‬

[13]  “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad and easy to travel is the path that leads the way to destruction and eternal loss, and there are many who enter through it. 

[14] But small is the gate and narrow and difficult to travel is the path that leads the way to [everlasting] life, and there are few who find it.

The Context and Focus:

If I know the destination, I know what I have to do, what I have to take with me, what mode of transport is best suited for the journey, how long it will take me, the experiences and expectations around that journey, and a few other relevant things to consider as I travel. Just as it is for physical journeys, so is it for the journey that is laid out in today's verses. Whether I know it or not, I am on a journey to eternity. Nobody has been promised eternity on this side and version of earth, or in tnis present body. A new heaven and a new earth, as well as an incorruptible body, have been promised by God at the turn of eternity. I must therefore make every effort to ensure I end up where God has planned and prepared for me. It does me no good to seek to make it by my own strength, vision or options, because they would not work. Like a qualified pharmacist that God is, He has prescribed the full measure of all I need for life and Godliness, and if I can only align with His purpose and plan for me, I will be a blessing down here, and also get to live with him for all of eternity. I am not sure that there is anything that can beat that.

The Message:

The path to the full measure of God is narrow. It is not a path that allows you to take anything you want, but only that which is of use on the journey you have been asked to take. The journey is also a long one, so you have to travel light. In many parts of the bible, you find that the supply is more spiritual than physical. I cannot afford to hold on the weight and baggage of the past, and still be able to travel well. That which belongs to the past must be left in the past. The weight of sin must be dropped at the foot of the cross, and a new burden for souls picked up. That is the critical luggage I must travel with. There are gifts of the Holy Spirit, as well as the other talents God has been given me, which I must make use of as I travel. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the way and the gate, not too many people want to travel on these. Few can pay the price required to travel here. It will cost you a lot to stay on this path. It has to be said that God will not excuse sin, no matter in whom it is found. He wil forgive all sin that is confessed and forsaken, but in line with His Word, anyone who chooses to remain in sin, even after being aware of the free salvation on offer, cannot turn around and blame God for the consequences of his choices. 

The Conclusion:

This is why the opposite of the narrow gate is quite popular. The verses above say that 'wide is the gate and broad and easy to travel is the path that leads to destruction and eternal loss'. This path does not require you to drop anything or to make any changes or sacrifice anything in order to please God. It accepts you the way you are, and does not in any way seek to hold you to a higher standard, or a different way of living that pleases God. Our human nature will also be comfortable on tnid path, because many of the friends who love that nature are on it. You can make jokes or hold conversations that are fine with the people on that path. One of the greatest misfortunes in life is to define acceptance by the level of popularity or population. For all the things that God commands, it is pointless to subject it to general acceptance. The things of God are never about what I like, but what makes God happy. If I seek God's will, there is joy for me down here, and eternal life for me with Him. What else can the world give me that can match that? What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul? May I journey well, so I can arrive safely. God's time of favour is here.

My Word!

My Word!

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭55:11‬ ‭AMP‬‬

[11] So will My word be which goes out of My mouth; It will not return to Me void (useless, without result), Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

The Context and Focus:

The verse above is set against a number of declarations made by the God who has power and authority to make them. When one wants to know the ability and capacity of a person to achieve his objectives, you look at previous experiences and antecedents. Has this person ever said anything that came to pass in the past? Does anything in the present look like what he has accurately predicted? Is there anything in the present that looks like the future can be predicted with some form of accuracy? That is the person you can truly call powerful. Men can look at recent events in the past, and with some scientific and technical information or knowledge, predict what may happen in the future. However, from experience, it is clear that these science-based predictions do fall apart in the face of the Omniscient God. This is why the personal knowledge of this God has to be my biggest and most important pursuit. 

The Message:

This is a God with power, authority, wisdom, might, strength, vision, ability, capacity and capability beyond anything my feeble mind can grasp, fathom or imagine. Since the account of creation as we read it in Genesis, God has been keeping and preserving his own creation, raising up and bringing down kingdoms and dispensations in line with His perfect will. No matter how hard man tries, the clock has not stopped working. Day and night have not ceased to work, and the seasons have not stopped running like clockwork. When a man sows in the ground, as long as the supporting conditions are right, the seed will always lead to the fruit that looks like the seed that was planted. Have you ever considered that if God is able to sustain the complex set up of this present world, what else can't He do? If, in line with the Word as written down in the Bible, that the earth will yield its increase, and living things will produce after their kind, and nothing has been able to slow it down or stop it, what else is there that God cannot do? 

The Conclusion:

This is why the verse above is a conclusion from the mouth of God Himself. He is in effect saying to us all: "Go, check and verify all I have said in the past". There is nothing I have said in the past that has failed to come to pass. If the past is like that, you can also be sure that the future is safe, if I have spoken about it. God is saying that His Word represents Him. How can you trust the word of a king who is used to lying? Even his position will not save him from disgrace if his subjects cannot trust him to speak the truth. God stakes his name and reputation on His Word, sure that He has the power to carry out whatever He says. This is why men of old trusted God, even when the physical reality around them didn't make sense at the time. It is impossible for God to lie, because he is not hindered by the human nature as we all are. What is critical is to hear and receive a clear word from God, and you can bet heaven and earth will not pass away until that word is fulfilled. That is trust. That is power. That is confidence. What else can replace these? God's time of favour is here.

Declaration!

Declaration!

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭19:1‬ ‭AMP‬‬

[1] The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And the expanse [of heaven] is declaring the work of His hands.

The Context and Focus:

It bears repeating again to emphasize the story of David. This is a man who knew how to hold God's attention through praise. Why is praise so important?  The closest definition a available, which speaks to God, is 'the expression of respect and gratitude as an act of worship'. It would mean that praise is an expression, which is shown, seen and heard. I cannot keep quiet and claim to be praising God. Even if it is in my heart, there has to be an outward flow of gratitude and appreciation to God. It is an act of worship, which is defined as 'reverence offered a divine being or supernatural power'. I cannot claim to worship God without first a healthy and reverential fear of God. How would I even know how to worship a God I do not know, recognize or respect? How can I truly worship a God whose authority I have not accepted or submitted to? This is the first step. 

The Message:

If I have accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour, then I have the foundation for a life of impact. I am made in the likeness of God, so I am to show off my ownership and allegiance. For me, I do have a choice: praise God or submit to man. This power of freewill is what sets me apart from other parts of God's creation. All other parts of creation do not have a problem with praising God. They owe their creation and sustenance to God, and do not have any alternative to praising God. It is man who thinks he has a choice, and can even go through life thinking he is really in control of his life. Heaven is where God is, and I am sure that there can be no resistance to or opposition to His authority and power. The last person who did that, Lucifer, was thrown out of heaven, and has been destined for eternal destruction. Heaven brooks no opposition, and for all who seek to end there must make a lifetime practice of praising the owner of heaven and earth. 

The Conclusion:

All over creation, the evidence of God's power, might and wisdom is clear. See how the bible in Message version states the verse above: 'God’s glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon. Madame Day holds classes every morning, Professor Night lectures each evening'. Just take a look at the sky, either in heavy rain or bright sunshine, and you will see the evidence of God's power on display. Take a look at the trees of the field and the birds of the air, and you will see flair and variety. The day has its own glory, and the night also has its own glory, all attesting to tje works of God's hands. If creation can praise God, even without human voices, then what is my excuse? If creation can show off God's power, then I also must use all I have been given to praise and worship God. That is the assignment, and like David, I can never go wrong if I praise God with all that I am. He looks forward to it, and he rewards all who do it. Let us praise God today and always. God's time of favour is here.

Discipline!

Discipline!

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:11‬ ‭AMP‬‬

[11] For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems sad and painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness [right standing with God and a lifestyle and attitude that seeks conformity to God’s will and purpose].

The Context and Focus:

What is discipline? There are quite a number of definitions available online, but a few of them will suffice for our devotion. It means to 'train (someone) to obey rules or a code of behaviour, using punishment to correct disobedience'. This would mean that discipline is not a destination in itself, but a process that leads to a conclusion. The word 'train' is mentioned here, which is not an overnight sensation but a process that leads to a desired conclusion. If I will learn a trade, or become skilled in a particular field, I cannot avoid the process of training. Closely tied to this is the bit about punishment to correct disobedience. The human nature is such that sin has messed up the part of us that seeks God willingly. We are attracted to the wrong, and we can justify it sometimes, but discipline requires that I submit to the process instituted by God to place me on the right path. 

The Message:

That is why discipline from God's perspective is critical to my growth, development and eternal life. As the verse above says, it is not Initially pleasant, but there is the one way God uses to equip His own children for effective service in His kingdom. Another definition of discipline is 'the quality of being able to behave and work in a controlled way which involves obeying particular rules or standards'. At this time, the lessons have been internalised and have become part of me, and I am able to predictably behave and act in a controlled way. Again, this process takes time. Let no man think there is a magic bullet that will bring all unruly behaviour to an end automatically. I will only get there if I surrender my life to the process God wants me to pass through. If I want to control and my own life for my own benefit, it is not likely that I will end where God intends. 

The Conclusion:

It is also important to note that God is the only One who knows the usage and impact he has designed my life for. From all the points made, we can see that discipline can be preventative, where it preempts misbehavior by keeping me engaged in positive activity. It can also be supportive, where it helps with self-control. There is also corrective discipline too, which is taken when there is confirmed wrong behaviour. No wonder the verse above makes it clear that when taken in, discipline produces the peaceful fruit of righteousness. If my actions are guided by God, I do not need to fear for my eternity. The laws of men may claim I am wrong, but at the end of the day, what matters is what God says, not what men pursue. I will get to eat of the fruit of all my actions today, so I had better be sure that I can look forward to the results of whatever it is I am doing now. Would I submit to God's dealings with me, so I can be all He has formed and placed me to be? God's time of favour is here.

Shine!

Shine!

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭60:1‬ ‭AMP‬‬

[1] “Arise [from spiritual depression to a new life], shine [be radiant with the glory and brilliance of the Lord]; for your light has come, And the glory and brilliance of the Lord has risen upon you.

The Context and Focus:

The verses above reflect the conditions of Zion at the time. Zion was the hill of Jerusalem on which the city of David was built. It represented atrategic strength, power and grace, but lately, sin had done a number on that city. The land where God had promised to put His presence had become a breeding ground for iniquity and wickedness. The people of God had forsaken Him and gone their own way, wilfully sinning and ignoring God's express commands on how to live. As always, there are earthly and eternal consequences for sin. It bears repeating again that God will punish sin, no matter in whom it is found. He has no favourites when it comes to sin; as we know, even His Son Jesus bore the brunt of God's displeasure of sin when it seems God forsook him on the cross. I need to take careful stock of my life right now, and without wasting time, go to God with ant burden of sin, and ask God for mercy and forgiveness. It is impossible for a man to continue and persist in sin and demand that the grace of God abound. 

The Message:

It is clear that nobody can get away with sin, yet we try and push our luck, trying to see how far we can get before we get punished, or also thinking we can get away with it. The experience of Zion is instructive: God sees all I do, and his nature of mercy and justice means that I get the reward for right living, as well as due punishment for unconfessed sin. God will not be God if He was not a fair, merciful, righteous, true, faithful, loving, and just Father. It is on this basis that the verses above make sense. God had punished Zion for its sin, but He was now going to show mercy. He had applied his justice for the wrong Zion had done, but now, He is applying His love for the place He had chosen as His own. God is the One who breaks, but He is also the One who heals. When he shows up, years of pain and regret become cycles and seasons of joy and peace. As He showed up for Zion, it was time for Zion to arise and take its rightful place. As He showed up for Zion, it was time for Zion to shine out with the light of God. 

The Conclusion:

That is a timely message of hope for the times we are in now. I take comfort from the verses above, sure in the knowledge that if I confess my sin, and turn over my life to Jesus, the Life and the Light of God will shine in and through my life, and it will be a witness that the world cannot ignore. That which lies ahead becomes bigger and better and greater than whatever may have gone before. And as I shine, of course, other people in darkness are attracted to the light. Light is so powerful that even the smallest sliver or trace will attract all sorts, even including evil too. Light has that nature of attraction and repulsion at other times. Light will draw close attention to all you do, good or bad. Light is expected to shine, and remain in place, no matter what goes on around it. God is faithful, and He will do His part by providing all that I need for life and Godliness, but I must then play my own part by showing off my identity and ownership. The world is waiting for that manifestation. God's time of favour is here.

This Life!

This Life!

‭‭Mark‬ ‭8:35‬ ‭AMP‬‬

For whoever wishes to save his life [in this world] will [eventually] lose it [through death], but whoever loses his life [in this world] for My sake and the gospel’s will save it [from the consequences of sin and separation from God].

The Context and Focus:

The chapter from where today's verse is taken addresses a few of the many dimensions of the ministry of Jesus while he was on earth. There was the miraculous feeding of four thousand people with just seven loaves of bread, and there was the healing of a blind man who Jesus had to take out of the town before he could heal him. In the midst of all these amazing things were the Pharisees who constantly opposed Jesus. This time, they were seeking a sign from heaven as a test, but again, Jesus would not rise to the bait. He had lives to touch, people to heal and bless, and lives to save and seal for eternal life. As always, the gift of the life of Jesus is available for every one who seeks to take hold of it. We even find Peter, born and named Simon, even making that eternal confession that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God. With all the noise and distraction going on around me, am I focused on the right person? 

The Message:

This is where the walk with and work for God is first and foremost personal. For all the people that had an encounter with Jesus in this chapter, there were different results, based on their acceptance and perception of Him. In the same chapter, you find the disciples, walking with Jesus, and getting taught the principles of the kingdom of heaven. You find the Pharisees, stubborn as always, leading Jesus to simply ignore them and going on his way out of town. You find the crowd too, some seeking just food for their bodies and ignoring the deeper need of the soul, and you also find the friends of a blind man bringing the blind man to Jesus, knowing He had power to heal and deliver. Different people; different experiences; different conclusions. It is a personal walk that nobody can undertake for you; you cannot hide behind the crowd, because every one in that crowd also has to account for his or her own life.

The Conclusion:

That is why the words of the verse above are quite instructive for our times now. Just as Jesus spoke to the crowd then, so does He speak to all of us today: You need to make up your mind about what is truly and eternally important. This world also offers men many 'good' things, but as we now know, not all good things of this world have eternal value. There may be some benefits to the things the world gives you, but you must not let them distract you from the things that lead to eternal life. The world and all its provisions are temporal; the things God gives you lead to eternal life. It is God's desire to provide for me all that I need for life and Godliness, which means that both are important. The best use of my life will be the pursuit of the things that God approves. If I take steps just to secure the earthly, without taking care of the eternal, there will be loss at the end of the day, but if I take steps to secure the eternal, God will sort out the earthly also. I ask God for grace so my life can be the expression of the pursuit of His purpose. Nothing else counts. God's time of favour is here.

Above All!

Above All!

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:8‭ AMP‬‬

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

The Context and Focus:

Peter wrote the words of today's verse, and as is indicated in the introduction to the book, he writes to both Jews and Gentiles who live as exiles, scattered all over the then Asia, who had been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, sprinkled by the blood, as well as the sanctification done by the Holy Spirit, and who have been called into obedience to Jesus Christ. Every bit of the description of the audience here is very important, as these reflect who we are, what we are, what we have, who lives and controls us, where we are headed, what we have been gifted and placed to achieve, and our eternal reality. It is important to define the audience clearly, so that we know just how much the demands of the verse above relates to us. The journey does not start until there is a personal experience of Jesus. How does God work in and through a life He does not own, hold or control? Of what use can a vessel be, if it is not filled with the person and power of Jesus? These are the questions I need to answer on a personal level, before I can strive to align with the demands of the verse above. 

The Message:

If I know who I am, I will not have a challenge with aligning with the commands of God in the verse above. There are attributes that must be found in the lives of people who are described as the audience. Before the verse above, you read words like: 'living in the will of God'; 'being alert and of sober mind'; 'pray'. These are a few of the attributes I need to have. However, I also note that what has been mentioned are mainly internal attributes, not what you would link to external behaviours. It is the inner that defines the outer. Doing the will of God is founded on knowing and following God closely. Being alert and of sober mind means doing all you can to keep the knowledge and experience of Jesus as front and centre of your heart, recognizing who Jesus is, what He wants, and continually filling oneself with that knowledge. I cannot be so focused on the outer, that I neglect to take care of the inner. The inner has to be more important. 

The Conclusion:

It is when the inner is sorted out that the outer can make impact. The verse above makes a reference to 'above all', not necessarily that it is more important, but that it is the physical manifestation of the spiritual experience of Jesus. How can I truly love anyone if I do not personally know the Love of God, manifest in Jesus? How can I show the real version, if what I have is the world's version? Love is the language the world sees and can relate to, because the world is in need of the genuine thing. There are many versions of the original, but there can only be one original. God is love, and I can only truly love like God when the love of God lives in me. It is love that helps me overlook faults and not take them to heart. It is love that helps me forgive, seeking the best in and for other people. In a world steeped in greed and selfishness, it is unusual but quite refreshing to find people who live by different standards. It will always cost me something to live by God's standards, but the benefits are actually worth it. Men must see the light and love of God in me, so that they can glorify the Father. Am I loving the way God demands? God's time of favour is here.

Measured!

Measured!

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:13b‭-‬14‬ ‭AMP‬‬

[13b] Live in peace with one another. 

[14] We [earnestly] urge you, believers, admonish those who are out of line [the undisciplined, the unruly, the disorderly], encourage the timid [who lack spiritual courage], help the [spiritually] weak, be very patient with everyone [always controlling your temper]. 

The Context and Focus:

As I read the verses above, consider the verses that come just before these. You find Paul, Silas and Timothy writing to the church in Thessalonica, charging them to remember that the day of the Lord is coming. This is the day that had been spoken about several times, and at the risk of sounding like a broken record, some may have been thinking it was not going to happen. However, as God has been found to be faithful to His Word, you can also be certain that He will also keep to His Word here. I cannot pick and choose the one that makes me comfortable, and then reject the one that reminds me of the coming judgment. I need to get a balanced view of the expectations of God for me. How am I making the right preparations for that day? If the Lord were to return today, would I go with Him, or would there be weights or easily besetting sin that would hold me back? The times we live in right now require that I am sure of my eternal reality.

The Message:

When I am sure, then I can come back to the verses above. It is a waste of time to demand peace from someone who does not know who Peace is. I note that Jesus is the prince of peace, and as I look at the world, it is clear that he is the missing piece. Nations have stockpiled weapons of mass destruction, yet are no closer to peace. Nations rise against nations and lives are lost in needless wars and fightings, yet men seem to find new and novel ways to kill. Until a man meets with and surrenders to the Prince of peace, it will be very difficult for that man to live at peace with anyone else. It is the One who controls my heart that will define its pursuits, priorities and purpose. When the inner man is at peace, then the outer man will also follow suit. When Jesus is in charge, He directs the orchestra to make music that is appealing. Then, my life can minister to different people at different times. When I am rightly connected, then I can make the right impact. 

The Conclusion:

Then I can reach out to different groups. I will have a word of admonition and correction for the undisciplined and the unruly. I will also have a word of encouragement for the timid, and a word of hope and strength for the one who is spiritually weak. I will also be patient with everyone who comes my way. All the above flow from a heart that is totally surrendered to the control and influence of the Holy Spirit. It is impossible for a man who does not have the Word to be able to speak the word of life to anyone in need of it. You cannot give what you don't have, and you also cannot fake that which is of God.  My life becomes the visible expression of the invisible God. Men see the light of God in me and they are attracted. Men come in contact with salt in me, and their lives are challenged and transformed by the power of God at work in and through me. That critical factor is the work of God in me. My life can have a measure of impact, because it has the measure of the presence of God. Can this be said of me? God's time of favour is here.

Taste!

Taste!

‭‭‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34:8‬ ‭AMP‬‬

O taste and see that the Lord [our God] is good; How blessed [fortunate, prosperous, and favored by God] is the man who takes refuge in Him.

The Context and Focus:

We read the words of the man David, who God testified to as a man after His heart. It has to be noted that it was not as if David was perfect by man's standards, but he was a man helped by God every step of the way. His sins, faults, mistakes, efforts, lifestyle and actions all defined who he was. God knew that the heart of David always sought after Him, so He was willing and ready to do all He could for David. Right from a young man in obscurity at the far end of the desert where he was keeping sheep, to dealing with bears and lions who came after the sheep, and to facing the giant Goliath and other enemies, you would find that David enjoyed a seemingly endless supply of grace for the journey of life that God was leading him through. Even when he made mistakes, God did not withdraw His grace. He punished David for the wrong things he did, but as the bible records, His steadfast love was not taken away, as God did with Saul. 

The Message:

This same David asks us to come and taste what he has already experienced. He speaks from a place of personal encounter with God, having seen the value and benefits knowing and following God can give to a person. I wonder why the word 'taste' is used. Taste is a function tied to the mouth, which means that whatever is tasted has to be processed and confirmed as genuine by taking it in, feeling all the condiments used to make the food, the balance between all the ingredients, and the fact that it fully satisfies the pangs of hunger that was felt before the food was eaten. There is also the medicinal value that the good food gives you. All of the above go on to prove that indeed, God can be felt so personally like the food that is tasty. He asks me to take of him, eat of him, process all that makes Him who he is, enjoy the benefits He gives, and then show Him off to other people as the One who can truly satisfy. 

The Conclusion:

The verse above concludes by saying that the man who takes refuge in God is truly blessed. As always, this is where the consequences and the power of freewill come to the fore. God makes an offer to every one of us, making it clear what we stand to gain if we come to Him, and also making it clear what we stand to lose if we don't. God does not hide anything that will help us make the right decision from us, but that choice belongs to us. I can decide to run into God as my refuge, or I can take refuge in other alternatives such as finances, power, position, privilege or possessions. Those who run into God are truly safe, and even when they do wrong like David, as long as they run back to Him, He shows mercy and restores fully. The world is a complex place; I need the One who is Lord and Master over all to help me. He waits for you. What is your decision? God's time of favour is here. 

Example!

Example!

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:5‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility]

The Context and Focus:

If you are able to define the audience, you are able to set and define expectations. If the use or limits of a thing is not defined, abuse is inevitable. The chapter from where the verse above is taken defines the audience and the expectations. It refers to people who have any encouragement and comfort in Christ, any consolation of love or any fellowship in the Spirit. Of course, this would be referring to people who have identified with the death and resurrection of Jesus. This has nothing to do with just church membership or moral excellence on its own, but a living, breathing relationship with Jesus as Lord and Saviour. There is no middle ground here, where one can get away with not committing to one position or the other. There is no fence to sit on here; because there are only two paths to eternal reality: you are either on the narrow path that leads to eternal life,  or on the broad way that leads to eternal separation from God. As always, the power of choice has been given to me. I get to decide where I end up based on the decisions I make today. 

The Message:

When the identity has been settled, impact is non-negotiable. When I know who I am, who I belong, what I have been gifted and planted on earth to do, I do not have any other person to please other than the One who owns my life and all it represents. The challenge with not knowing my identity is the propensity to seek to please as many people as possible. You end up being twisted in many different directions, because you can never reach a common ground with every one. If the focus is on God and pleasing Him, you find, to your heart's contentment, that man's applause is not really important. You find that there is no room or place for an inflated opinion of oneself. If Jesus lives inside of me, He sets the agenda, pursuits and priorities, and because I love Him, I submit to Him and follow His leading and direction. Can it be said of me that my heart and life are totally sold out to Jesus?

The Conclusion:

Jesus is the perfect example of the life that God demands of me. Here is the Son of God,  the One called the Word of God, the Wisdom and the Power of God, whose glory knows no limits, simply surrendering his life as the perfect sacrifice for sin. He knew no sin, yet because He needed to offer me life, He laid down his life willingly. He could not be compelled, but love placed the burden of forgiveness, redemption and eternity on Him, and he gave it all. He died, so I could live. He gave His all, so I could lay hold of His all. He did not consider his nature, power or ability, but he laid all down, because of the souls and eternity of men. That is such a noble cause, and an example worthy of emulation. As I pursue a life of impact, I learn from the life of Jesus that humility is the pathway to honour. With humility, God is put front and centre of all I do, and I seek to point men to the mighty and amazing things God is able to do in and through me. I have the life, lessons, teachings and testimonies of Jesus to look up to. What is my decision? God's time of favour is here.