Forgive!

Forgive!

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:14‬ ‭AMP‬‬

For if you forgive others their trespasses [their reckless and willful sins], your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 

Human relationships are complex. I am not sure you can find any interaction between two human beings that would not have some friction, bitterness and quarrels at different times. We have inherited the sinful nature from the first man Adam, and it is in that fallen nature to seek after the things that appease that nature. It is also a bit foolish to pray that people will not offend you. It is like praying that human beings will not act as humans. Offence is such a fundamental part of our human cycle. Married couples will go through that phase, as well as siblings too, but what will prove critical to the final outcome will be who I am. Today's verse was part of that first sermon of Jesus on the mountain, where He sat and taught His disciples about the principles of His kingdom. This message is not for the crowd at the foot of the mountain, who only seek words that support their sinful nature. This message is for people who will lay their lives down at the foot of the cross, and take up the grace, help and mercy available to enable them live in line with the demands of this verse. 

Try as I might, I cannot conquer that human nature and its desires by sheer willpower and labour alone. Try as much as I want, I cannot defeat the devices and machinations of the devil by my own power or wisdom. I need the help of the One who has defeated the devil to overcome the devil. One way to defeat the wiles of the devil is to forgive. Forgiveness is 'an intentional decision to let go of anger and resentment' and to 'no longer feel angry about or wish to punish an offence, flaw, or mistake'. Can we see quite clearly that you cannot do this without help? You do not arrive at this destination by accident, but by a conscious desire to let go of hurt. It also becomes quite easy to do when you know what you have also been forgiven of. If the Lord could forgive me of my sin that could have led to eternal separation from Him, and giving the life of His own Son to pay the price I should have paid, what, then, could be so bad that I should not be able to let go? The verse above warns me of the danger of holding on to grudges. For the sake of my eternal journey, I ask God for grace that nothing will be so big that I cannot let go, and no hurt will be so deep that I cannot forgive. God's time of favour is here. 

Blessed!

Blessed!

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119:2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

[2] Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart.

This verse is taken from the longest chapter in the bible, where the 176 verses are divided into sections of 8 verses each. Each section bears reference to God and His person and Word, which makes it clear that a life that will make impact must be connected to the person and word of God. If I do not read it, or seek opportunities to hear or listen to it, how can I know the mind of God, what he desires or demands of me, and what He has supplied to help me meet these demands? The world will have me focus on the things that promote self and encourage selfishness; God will have me focus on the things that are of eternal value. The things of God do not come naturally to the natural man, because the desires and pursuits of the natural man are fundamentally different from those of the spiritual man. The one who has given His life to Jesus has desires, pursuits and priorities that line up with that new identity. This has to be the start of any discussion around impact, blessing and eternal life. 

We want to get the blessing, and we want to appropriate the benefits, but God is not a magician who seeks to distract by sleight of hand or misdirection. He makes it clear what the conditions for blessings are, and then He supplies the grace I need in order to align with the conditions. The key to the blessing in the verse above is to "keep His statutes". You have to know them if you are to keep them. You have to spend time reading, studying and meditating on them in order to commit them to long-term memory, and then also ask for grace to help you keep them. The statutes are not the subject of negotiations, where I get to pick and choose the ones I will keep. As long as God is the source, I must keep seeking His help. I cannot rely on education, expertise, experience or earnings alone; God wants me to seek Him as the only One. He will not compete for attention or allegiance with anyone or anything else. My whole heart must be committed to the search too. God hates hypocrisy and eye-service, and I will do well to note that with Him, all motives and intentions are laid bare before Him. Would you seek him with all your heart? He waits for us. God's time of favour is here. 

Consistent!

Consistent!

‭‭James‬ ‭1:17‬ ‭ASV‬‬

[17] Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast by turning.

There is a nature that is ascribed to God, and that is "He is good". We say it often, and it is a truth that has impacted our understanding of who God is and how He works. There are things that happen in our lives that we may never understand, yet it does not change the fact that God is good. There are times when 'bad' things will happen, yet it does not mean that God had stopped being good. There are times when God may permit 'evil' to happen, but it will never be due to the fact that God has lost control, He does not know what He is doing, or He has no idea how it will end. There is an understanding and a power so limitless that nothing man does down here can tamper with His will. He sits in heaven and does as He pleases, and no one can question Him..I also have this clear word from Him that ' in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose'. This means that in claiming the benefits here, I need to align my life with the conditions.

God has the nature and power to do good. His nature is such that you can trust him across generations and dispensations. He will not say one thing from his Word to one person and then contradict that same word to another person. There is no variation of His standards, because He does not live to please men, and does not need man to be God. He is not caught by the need for human applause or approval, and He remains the Lord of the universe, no matter the schemes, devises and machinations of man. He does not turn one way and the other due to inconsistency; if he changes his mind, it will be because of man's persistent rebellion and disobedience, as was the case of Eli, but the principles of His word on choice and election would not change. Eli was rejected, but Samuel remained a priest in God's house, and we know how that ended. His light casts no shadows, and all who live in Him lead lives that reflect His person, power, presence and peace. He is all I need, and He can supply all I need. Would you also trust Him? God's time of favour is here.

Give!

Give!

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭9:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 

My heart is the battlefield. There is a lot of earthly and eternal ramifications to the focus and contents of my heart. By it does a man decide and determine what his actions will be, and by the heart will be a man be justified or condemned. Even the creator of the heart gave this damning verdict about the heart; he called it corrupt and desperately wicked. The natural human heart is capable of anything; there is almost no limit to what the devil can sow in a man's heart, and what evil he can originate and perpetuate through the things he drops in a man's heart. However, one good thing is that the same heart, if it is totally surrendered to the One who made it, has a limitless capacity for good. It is the same God who made Saul who also made David, but by the act or lack of total surrender, one was called a man after God's heart, while the other was rejected by God due to rebellion and disobedience. It really matters what the level of surrender is; God can only use what has been given over to Him for mighty things. 

I can only give the right way when my heart is under the control and influence of God. How would I know the right way if I do not know God the right way? When I come before the Lord, I need to know the person I have come to meet. He is not a God who can be bribed or deceived by hypocrisy or eye-service. He is not a God who can be given something He does not already own. What do I hold now that has not been given to me by God? What can I lay hold of if God does not permit me to have? If God is the One who has given me all I own, what can He then ask for that I will struggle again to surrender to Him? I cannot afford to give grudgingly, as if He were forcing me to give. I cannot afford to give with a heart full of complaints. God looks at the heart first, not the size of the gift. That is why Abel was accepted, as well as his gift. As I come before the Lord on a regular basis, I come with all I am and have, knowing I stand where I am simply by the dispensation of the grace of God. There is no room for pride. I am, simply because God is. That is enough for me. God's time of favour is here.

Serve!

Serve!

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭4:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

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

The verse above is addressed to those who have identified with the death and resurrection of Jesus. This is critical, because you cannot demand allegiance from someone who has not accepted or submitted to your authority. Some will come and take advantage of the security that is offered, or even enjoy some benefits by virtue of the relationship they have with those who have surrendered, but this is not sustainable. You need to have your own personal connection with Jesus, so you can have direct access to all that He offers. It is to those who have totally and absolutely surrendered that the verse above is addressed. It is also important to note that there are talents given to everyone of us, irrespective of our station in life or residency status. God is too awesome to create anyone without a specific endowment or enablement. If God can give every single person on the face of the earth specific fingerprints, as well as connected DNA, it means that I am indeed special, and I need to find out what it is I have been created, born, endowed and planted to be and to do. I owe my generation that.

In addition, as the bible makes clear, these talents are to be used for profit. You could also refer to gifts which the Holy Spirit gives, and again, all are to be used for profit. The only profit that counts, from God's perspective, is that which serves others. If all that matters to me is the personal gain or recognition I can get out of using my gifts, then I have got it all wrong. God has placed me in a community, because He knows it is the best place for the dispensation of His grace to everyone. If I know and acknowledge the One who has given me the gifts, I will not struggle for applause or recognition. If these come, I know their limits, and give God the glory for all that has come. I also do so because I know that there is an account to be rendered for the use and application of the gifts. I am but a steward, not the actual owner of the gifts. God has also been gracious enough to ensure that I supply what someone else may lack, and others will also supply what I lack. That is how God's grace is made manifest, and the glory is given back to Him. I serve with this consciousness, so that God can be glorified in me, and I can get the reward for faithful service. What is your own decision? God's time of favour is here.

Love and Fear!

Love and Fear!

‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:18‬ ‭TPT‬‬

Love never brings fear, for fear is always related to punishment. But love’s perfection drives the fear of punishment far from our hearts. Whoever walks constantly afraid of punishment has not reached love’s perfection. 

It is odd to put the two words of love and fear in the same sentence, but both speak to the nature of God and the expected results when dealing with Him. He is the person, essence and identity of love, and whoever claims to know or live in Him must  express that identity. However, like all things divine, there is the other side of the love of God that must be talked about the right way, so we can have a healthy and balanced view of who God is and what He wants from us. Love and Fear both have good and bad examples and definitions, so it is important to know what is the real deal, so you can identity and reject the fake. Love that tells you that there is no consequence to evil is not the real deal. Love that encourages careless living, with no thought of how your actions affect others, is also not the real deal. On the flip side too, true love breeds respect and reverence, especially when you consider and realise what you have received for free. We deserved punishment, which indeed would have been the basis for fear, but love came and paid the full price for our sin. Only true love could do that. 

With this kind of love, it will be an anomaly to again live in fear, if you have received and responded to this love. How can I allow the devil to keep reminding me of my past and the consequences of my actions then, when I have received the love of God, love that passes all human understanding? Fear is the fuel for a lifestyle of sin, because you will never feel you deserve the love you have been shown, and that feeling will keep one in bondage. It becomes a daily struggle to try and please God by works and labour, and forgetting that there is really nothing I could add to the love I have already been shown. Labour is great, when it is founded on the understanding of who I am, what I am, what I have received and what is expected of me. I am not working hard by my own power to please God, but by my life, I am showing off the mercy and the grace of God by the love of God in my heart. I can add nothing to the love of God, but I can make it known and manifest to the world. How and where are you walking: in love or in fear? God's time of favour is here.

Dwell 2!

Dwell 2!

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

[16] Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 

The Word of God is the person of Jesus. By, for and through him, all things were made. The bible also says quite categorically that  Jesus is the Word of God. It is therefore quite  interesting that the verse above says that the Word of Christ can dwell in me richly. The Word is therefore not just a concept; it is equally a person and an all-encompassing identity who is able to do dwell in me. Picture what that means: imagine the person of God himself mighty as he is coming to live inside a mortal man like me. However one thing has to be made clear: God does not force himself on anyone, neither does he compel anyone to submit to Him. As powerful as this mighty God is, He waits for me to submit to him and to allow his Word do the work that he has the capacity, ability and capability to do. When God asks me to allow his Word dwell in me, it is actually for my own benefit. God knows the value I stand to get from His Word being able to dwell in, and change my life for the better. Would I allow Him work in me?

Some of the benefits include getting wisdom, and being taught, being admonished and being to express gratitude to God in song, based on the experiences and the encounters that God has given you. There are things the Word of God can give you that nobody else can give you. The work of the Word of God is unique, because you cannot fake it for very long. God cannot dwell in a heart or in a life and there will not be remarkable impact. There will be an inner witness as well as an outer confirmation. The presence of the Word of God in a man's life would definitely leave a mark that the world cannot ignore. It is also important to note that a man cannot give what he does not have. If my life will have public impact, the secret lies in the inner dwelling of the Word of God. God will use that which I have stored up to change my life and then to change the world around me. God wants to be made known. If I claim to be His child, I have to show him off. Does the Word of God have a place in my life? God's time of favour is here.

Give Thanks!

Give Thanks!

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭107:1‬ ‭AMP‬‬

O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; For His compassion and lovingkindness endure forever!

I am reminded again of the importance of the state of my heart. Whatever is the focus of my inner man will definitely define what flows out of my outer man. If I spend time focusing on the problems, the mountains, the hindrances and the limitations, how would my heart be able to focus on the divine solutions that God is able to introduce and sustain? If all I see is the Red Sea, how do I know the amazing things that lie just ahead of the Sea? Interestingly, the name of the writer of the psalm is not specified, but the message of the verse above is clear: giving thanks the right way is the reflection of understanding of who God is, acknowledging what He has done and grateful for the amazing things which still lie ahead. That understanding helps me know that no man deserves the same attention as God does. He raises and uses men as and when he pleases, but all the praise goes to God. Men will be used by God, and it is good to also appreciate the impact of men in your life, but never ascribe to any man that which belongs to God. Thanksgiving is the key to His gates. 

The verse above lays out a few reasons why I need to give thanks. God is a good God. That simple sentence has led to several issues, as men wonder if there is a good God in the midst of all the evil around us. However, as I consider who I am, where I am and what I have received, I know, without a doubt, that God is good. Whatever may have been my experiences up till this point, I stand by the grace of God. He has had compassion on me, not allowing the will of the enemy to prevail over me. His love for me is not subject to my being deserving; in fact, His greatest gift of love was given even before I was born, and the offer of love remains in place for the entire duration of my lifetime here on earth. Man is unable to sustain anything by himself, and whatever he starts has to die with him, or be continued by another person. God alone is the One called the Author and Finisher of our faith, and He alone can sustain that which He gives. The Lord has made known to me who He is, what He is, and what He can do. What is my response? God's time of favour is here..

Life!

Life!

‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭5:16‭-‬18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

[16] Rejoice evermore. 

[17] Pray without ceasing. 

[18] In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 

1 verse with 2 words, the next verse with 3 words and the last with a lot of words, but the messages are all interwoven. 3 different verses with different perspectives, but all focused on the same source and the same impact. The verses focus on integral parts of my walk with God, and what I must do to keep the fire burning. The first is to rejoice evermore. Unless you have a spring of joy that never runs dry, this verse will not be possible. It means that for me to rejoice evermore, I have the source and sustainer of joy living inside me. I cannot exhibit or give out what I do not have. Joy isn't about having everything you ask for, but having the Presence of the Giver of joy Himself. A man's life does not consist of the abundance of the things he possesses. I am not defined by the quantity or price of my physical goods, but by the Person who defines what is really important in my life. Who is that to you? Remember, who controls your life defines your life's output. If what I exhibit regularly is not joy, I need to check again who is in charge. 

Of course, the internal controls the external. If I have joy, I do not need to be compelled to pray always or to give thanks in every situation. If I know this is the person who births and sustains the peace and security in my heart and life, I will do all I can to speak to Him and to obtain directions on a regular basis. Prayer must be done without ceasing, because I know it is the source of my strength and sustenance and growth. Prayer is also the asking of and the receiving of instruction and direction from God. I do not know anything about anything, but the help of the One who holds and knows tomorrow is critical to success. And when the help comes, in whatever shape or form, I must not forget to give thanks. Whatever He allows is for my good, and nothing happens to me without His express permission. God wants to be glorified in me, and when he does mighty things, the least I can do is to give him thanks. I note that these are express commands, not points of negotiation. Would I do them, so I can enjoy the fullness of God's grace? As always, the choice is mine. God's time of favour is here. 

Dwell!

Dwell!

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭23:6‬ ‭AMP‬‬

[6] Surely goodness and mercy and unfailing love shall follow me all the days of my life, And I shall dwell forever [throughout all my days] in the house and in the presence of the Lord.

One of the titles of this psalm is 'The Psalmist's Shepherd. There is something private and personal about the messages in this psalm, and it runs through the whole 6 verses. You cannot buy your way into a relationship with God with money, fame, prestige, connection, influence, affluence or anything else. It has to be based on the investment of time and love in seeking out this Shepherd. David understood this need, and he gave it his best. He sought for God with all his heart, and nothing else took the place of this desire. Solitude, as he took care of his father's sheep in the desert did not change or lessen his desire, fame, as he fought and defeated Goliath, did not change or lessen the desire, and even power, position and authority, as king, did not also change or lessen his desire to have a relationship with this Shepherd. For me in tbis present generation, I also need to sort out the priorities that are important to me. Can I call Him my own Shepherd too, or are there things I need to sort out first before I can dare to call Him my own?

Like David, the benefits of having Him as Shepherd are enormous. His goodness and mercy become my daily companions. There is no expiry date for God's goodness and mercy. He gives me brand new mercies each day He brings me to. That is awesome. No matter how 'bad'I think a day was, the fact that God brought me to its end, and then gave me grace to wake up the next day is proof of His mercy. As God does His bit, so does He expect me to also play my part. As I receive His mercy, I must extend the same mercy to other people. One of such ways is to dwell in the house of the Lord. It is not so much the physical house, but the place where God is. As I spend time in His presence, I receive what I need for life and Godliness. I take strength from His presence, in order to face all that will come my way. It is an eternal walk, but with daily demands. He can help me, if I surrender to Him. He will not force Himself on me. Would I submit totally to Him? God's time of favour is here.

Live and Walk!

Live and Walk!

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:25‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

[25]  If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]

Location always defines and determines impact and application. Residence may not always determine citizenship, but it is a window into the possibilities that are open to me. I must therefore critically assess where I am today, so I know exactly what lies ahead of me and what the realms of possibilities are. Where am I at the moment? Am I in God, or am I forging my own path for myself? The verse above says there is life in the Spirit. For every one who has given his or her life to Jesus, accepting Him as Lord and Saviour, you have received life. It is not the life that can be defined by human standards, but one that is birthed and sustained by the One who gives it. The Spirit is able to keep and preserve all who have surrendered to the authority and Lordship of Jesus. He supplies the strength, leading and guidance required on a daily basis. He provides the necessary help I need to navigate the tough issues of life. 

He is able to provide support, succour and comfort when life's issues seek to weigh me down. It is not just about surrendering to Him, but also trusting Him for my daily walk. Life, in the real sense, does not begin until a man is found in God. Once I give my life to Jesus, it is the new life of Jesus that must become evident in my life. This is the daily walk, the part where the life of God in me is evident by the pursuits and priorities that are evident in my daily choices. It is like the light that cannot be hidden, no matter how hard I try. I have become a beacon and an example that people want to cppy or emulate. My conduct, company, conversation and interaction are now controlled and determined by the Spirit of God. Like all things that God does, He does not force Himself on anyone. I do have the power to decide who I will submit to, but once the choice is made, the consequences kick in. My walk needs to be in line with the life of God, so that men can see and be attracted to the God I follow. God's time of favour is here.

Guided 2!

Guided 2!

‭‭Joshua‬ ‭1:8‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

[8]  This Book of the Law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe and do according to all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall deal wisely and have good success.

Key people may change, but God's purpose never changes. The resources used by God may change, bur His will cannot be thwarted. My actions may seem to delay or derail the fulfilment of God's plan for me, but actually, man cannot thwart God's ultimate purpose, because all things, even what we call 'bad' work together for the good of them that love God and are called according to His purpose. Moses, the man of God, was dead, and Joshua, a man who had ministered to him, was now tasked with leading Israel into the land of promise. The assignment had not changed, even if personnel had changed, and what I need for the assignment remains the same, no matter the dispensation or generation. That critical necessity is the Word of God. How do I carry out God's assignment without His guidance and leading? How does He guide me on a daily basis if I will not seek to know what He wants me to do on a daily basis? How can I work for God and my work will be acceptable to Him, if I do not have a close walk with Him? 

The book of the law cannot depart out of my mouth, if I spend time with it. I must seek Him out on a daily basis, meditating on it day and night, and being careful to obey all that is written in it. Meditation leads to commitment, and then to application. The mouth also is a reflection of the contents of the heart, which means that the things I say will definitely reveal the things in my heart. I have to then be careful of the things I allow to make or leave an impression upon my heart. If I create time to be deliberate about seeking God, there will not be room for anything evil. Before I claim to be on assignment for God, I must be sure I have the critical tool with me, which is His Sure presence, as confirmed by His Word. I must not dare launch out without the sure word of his presence. I dare not make claims of assignment, unless I am committed to doing the work the assignment will require. Then success, as defined by God, will come. Do not be distracted by the world's view; the man who knows and follows God, is the one who is truly prosperous and successful. He is the priority. Have Him, you have all that matters. Don't have Him, it won't matter what else you have. God's time of favour is here. 

Wait!

Wait!

‭‭Micah‬ ‭7:7‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

[7]  But as for me, I will look to the Lord and confident in Him I will keep watch; I will wait with hope and expectancy for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.

The focus is on me. I do not know what the other person beside me wants to do, as I do not know what is the basis of that person's pursuits and priorities. It is not profitable to fret over another person's lifestyle, if I have not sorted out my own. What do I stand to gain if I am not connected to the purpose of God for me, whilst I am busy worried over the events in another person's life? I have to first sort out my own life, its purpose and its focus, then I can make impact in line with the revelation of God's will that I have received. There is so much evil in the land, and it appears that as the end times contine, things will only get worse. If I do not have a firm foundation in God, how do I expect to survive the storms that are coming? For me, I look to the Lord alone. My confidence is in Him alone, because it is not given to man to be dependable the way God is. 

I keep watch over my life's focus. I do not take my eyes off the prize. Let evil prosper, and let men 'make it' by corruption; I will wait for God to bless me in His own way and in His own time. I will watch Him work, because I know that whatever He does abides forever. He is the One who can bless a man beyond the reach of any curse. I wait in expectation of the manifestation of the power, might, wisdom and revelation of God for the times I live in. There is a message for these times, and only those who key into what God is doing now will enjoy the blessings that God has released for these times. I am encouraged to speak often with God, because I am confident that He hears. His ears are not dull of hearing, as long as I do not allow sin rule in my life. Whilst men profit from iniquity, I seek to profit from investment in time spent with God. No man seeks God, waits for and obeys Him, and then has regrets. Would you leave the life of sin, so you can live a life of impact? God waits for us. God's time of favour is here.

Benefits!

Benefits!

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭2:9‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

[9]  But, on the contrary, as the Scripture says, What eye has not seen and ear has not heard and has not entered into the heart of man, [all that] God has prepared (made and keeps ready) for those who love Him [who hold Him in affectionate reverence, promptly obeying Him and gratefully recognizing the benefits He has bestowed].

The cross - that wooden contraption on which Christ was crucified, and on which he made those famous last words: "It is finished" is the secret to all the amazing things that are laid out in today's verse. The cross waw a symbol of sin and shame to the One who was hung up on it; in fact, the word of God says that anyone who is hung upon the tree is cursed. Jesus, the sinless and Holy One took on that challenge, walked in my shoes, took my place in the legal punishment I deserved, and paid the full price for my sin. It is the start point for anything I could ever claim from God. By the cross,,salvation from sin has been secured. By the cross, hope for the future has been secured. There is no other recommendation or channel by which I can lay claim to any of these benefits, except by the cross. If God could allow His own Son to die such a shameful and painful death, what else is there that God will not give? Guess the question then is: "Have I met, known and surrendered to this God"? Does he know me as His own?

For all who have come to the saving knowledge of Jesus, there is an amazing window opened for us. The best mind cannot fathom the depth of the riches of grace now made accessible to all who come to Jesus. No words or experience can match up to the scope of mercy that now makes it possible for me to live a righteous life, and to please God in every way. My limited human mind cannot fully comprehend the reason or the basis of all that God has prepared, both for the earthly present and the eternal future, but as I walk with Him daily, He reveals day by day what His will is. As I obey Him, I grow in my understanding of His will, and the revelation of His purpose. As I thank Him on a daily basis for all the benefits I receive, He makes even more available to me. No man can give me a tiny fraction of what God has already secured for me, so why would I seek man's applause or approval for anything? I have all of this present earthly phase to know as much as I can of God, and the whole of eternity to fully understand the amazing love of God. It is worth looking forward to. What of you? God's time of favour is here.

Surrendered!

Surrendered!

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:15‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always]. 

The word 'Let' or allow shows the power and impact of freewill. God will not go against the exercise of my freewill, but He has a way to use even my stubbornness or cooperation to achieve his own purpose. In order to properly exercise my freewill, God gives me all the information I need in order to make the right decision. This is why man cannot claim helplessness, or blame anyone else for the consequences of his/her decisions. If what I need is inner calm, there is only one source for it. I could listen to the lie of the devil, or I could heed the voice of the Spirit. Whichever way I flow, there are both earthly and eternal consequences. If I allow the peace of Christ be the controlling factor in my life, then I have access to all that Jesus secured for me by way of the cross. What kind of information am I exposing my eyes, ears and heart to? Whatever I allow will definitely make and leave a mark on my life. 

Of course, as I am not taken to heaven as soon as I am saved, I am left on earth to make the life of Christ in me attractive to other people. I am placed in a family, church, community and nation, so I can extend the same grace I have received to other people. How can a man give what he does not have? How can I promote the policies, principles, practices, procedures and processes of a kingdom I do not submit to or recognize? When the inner man is at peace, it impacts the outer. The key words to having this inner peace are 'one who walks daily with Him'. It cannot be a weekly, monthly or annual affair, but one that thrives on daily check in. The grace supplied yesterday is sufficient for that day, but I need fresh supply for the challenges of today. Of course, a surrendered heart is a thankful heart. It knows who is responsible for its peace, and will do all that is possible to retain and maintain that peace. Have you truly surrendered? God's time of favour is here.

Healed!

Healed!

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭147:3‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

[3]  He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds [curing their pains and their sorrows]

The chapter from which today's verse is taken starts with a simple charge: 'Praise the Lord'. That is a charge that is loaded with messages for these times we are in right now. In a world where there is a focus on what a man can get in order to move ahead, the charge is for those who know God to praise him like never before. In a world where impact is defined by possessions, power, privilege and position, the charge to praise God reminds me that life cannot be defined by the value of possessions but by the depth of relationship with God. Praising God requires me to look outside of my immediate needs and focus on all I have been given. Praising God requires me to lay all my burdens at the feet of the only One who can help me carry them, and lead me safely home. Praise is the key to the benefits of the verse above. How does God move on behalf of someone who does not even know or recognise His power, ability, capacity and capability? No matter the need, God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all I can ask or imagine. 

Life will indeed happen to the best of us, but there is a confidence that comes from knowing that God has got our backs, and nothing happens to us without his permission. When life happens, and there is pain or tears, it does not catch God by surprise. We do not always know what is ahead, but we are privileged to have a God who owns and holds tomorrow in His hands. His healing hand is able to touch and change any situation, and even if He does not immediately change the situation, He can provide the comfort and encouragement I need to be able to endure the pain. He can allow the pain, in order to teach me about grace, and He can also heal me completely from the pain, so I can learn about His power and authority. Whatever comes, I am in His hands, totally surrendered to His will. God, do with me what you please, so I can be all you want me to be. Can you also pray the same prayer? God's time of favour is here.

Heed!

Heed!

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭10:17‬ ‭AMP‬‬

[17] He who learns from instruction and correction is on the [right] path of life [and for others his example is a path toward wisdom and blessing], But he who ignores and refuses correction goes off course [and for others his example is a path toward sin and ruin].

The importance of learning can never be overemphasised. There is a blessing linked to having a teachable spirit, and a heart that is ready and willing to respond the right way to instruction and correction. As long as I am on this side of eternity, life will be a mixed bag of both instruction and correction. There will be seasons of learning and teaching, where I take in the lessons that will be of great benefit to me in the future, and then there will be times when I need to be corrected, due to wrong actions taken. From instruction comes knowledge and experience, and that could be the reason why God does not commit mighty things into the hands of people He has not tested and found to be dependable and reliable. Of what use can a life be if it is not one on which God can write His laws, sure and certain that there will be surrender and obedience? Both are required for my proper growth and development, and it will be a shame if I only take that which is good, and reject that which I am not comfortable with. I will not become anything close to what God has planned for me, if I do not fully embrace all the processes God needs to take me through in order to prepare and equip me for all that is ahead. 

There are choices, and of course, there are consequences. My benefits or detriments of my choices are not for me alone to enjoy or endure, but there are people who will be affected or impacted by my choices. If I learn, my life becomes an example of wisdom and blessing. The opposite is also quite equally true. If I ignore or refuse correction, not only will I go off course, but I will also lay down the wrong path toward sin and ruin. Do I want the blood of other people to be demanded from my hand? Do I want to be guilty of leading other people astray by the choices that I make? Adam disobeyed, and till today, the natural man has been under the bondage of sin ever since. Abraham walked by faith, and all who walk by faith today also enjoy the blessings of Abraham. Jesus shed his blood on the cross, and all who believe in His finished work enjoy the blessings of earthly relevant and eternal life with God. It never ends with only you. May my life be an example worthy of emulation. God's time of favour is here.

Guided!

Guided!

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭25:5‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

Guide me in Your truth and faithfulness and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You [You only and altogether] do I wait [expectantly] all the day long.

This is a psalm of David, a man after God's heart. He knew how to hold God's attention, because he understood that God needs a heart that seeks after him at all times. I may not always get it right, but let there be no doubt as to the confidence I have in God. That confidence must permeate everything I do. For David, his desire was to know more of God, and this was to be a daily pursuit. It must not be a weekly, monthly or annual affair, where I only go in when there is trouble, or I need help with something. I must seek God on a daily basis, knowing that yesterday's supply is not sufficient for today's challenges. Whatever worked well yesterday is not guaranteed to work today, so I must seek and find God for myself. Can I say that I know God? Can God also confirm that I am His own? 

The prayer is the verse above is instructive for our present generation. I need God's version of truth in order to survive the storms that are coming. I need God's guidance and leading for the uncertainties that surround me daily. I need to be taught the ways of God, so I can pattern my life's actions and decisions in line with the lessons learnt. No matter what the times today say, God is in control. No matter how many things are not working, God's plan and purpose cannot be thwarted. Therefore, I wait on the Lord. I cannot afford to hurry ahead of God. There is a standing promise by God that those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. I cannot combine God with anything or anyone else. I cannot serve both God and the devil. The decison on who to follow and submit to has to be made today. God's time of favour is here.

The Spirit!

The Spirit!

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty (emancipation from bondage, freedom). 

The Spirit is fundamental to all that we are now or can ever hope to become. One of the ways to appreciate the power, impact and effect of the Spirit is to compare the dispensations under the old covenant and that of the new covenant. The old covenant required man to adhere to strict rules, and man was judged by the things he did. There was an emphasis on works, not faith, and there were sacrifices to be made and laws to be complied with. It is amazing how much glory came with the old covenant, even though the old covenant was passing away, and could not promote righteousness according to God's standard. Moses saw a bit of that glory, and we know how Israel came to know more of God by the way He related with Moses. It is still the same God; he seeks a relationship with me. He wants me to know and follow Him, and He wants to display His splendor in and through me. Will I let Him?

Like Israel of old, they knew about God, but did little to stay faithful. They focused so much on following the rules, and did little to strengthen their relationship with God. They read and followed the law, but unfortunately, that could not earn them salvation from sin. Only in Christ could the problem of sin be dealt with on a permanent basis. There is a veil that covers the heart when there is a focus on the law. The law seeks to keep men in perpetual bondage, with the law unable to provide a way of escape from sin. Christ is the answer to that question, and His Spirit has been given to all who have submitted their lives to Him. If I will access all that Christ is and has given, the secret is in the liberty that only Christ can give. A man can only give what He has. It cannot be faked. 

Wherever Christ is allowed to work, there is impact. The law cannot give freedom of the Spirit, because it does not have it. It is as a man turns to the Lord that he gets access to the freedom of the Spirit. The natural man is under bondage, due to the power of inherited sin. He cannot deliver himself from sin, and he cannot save himself from the ordained consequences of sin. The natural man needs to have an encounter with the Spriit of God. The natural man must be delivered from the natural consequences of the natural birth. This is the spiritual birth, which happens when the earthly meets with the divine, and a work is done in the heart, which then is made manifest in the life. Nothing is more important. I will enjoy all that this life offers, but I do not have forever on this side of earth. Whilst I stil have time, I surrender my life to the Spirit and ask Him to do a work in me that will secure eternity with God. Have you surrendered? God's time of favour is here.

Love, by God 2!

Love, by God  2!

‭‭1 John‬ ‭3:18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

I need to determine if this verse applies to me or not. One sure way to do that is to know if I am a child, or I am part of the crowd. The verse above is addressed to those who John referred to as children. He must have a relationship with them, in order to refer to them as such. They also must have accepted his leadership and authority in order to respond the right way to his instructions and counsel. There is really no expectation from the crowd. You have no control over the choices, direction, energy or decisions of the crowd, because they hold no allegiance to you. You cannot limit the excesses of the crowd, or spell out terms and conditions for those who are not under your authority. You can only do that to children; people who are simple enough to be corrected, and also humble enough to keep striving to grow the right way.

The question then, is to define my identity. That will help me with the rest of the verse. Children love. That is the simplest way to put it. You cannot explain the way a child just trusts you, and counts on you to keep your word. The love a child has is simple, and is based on, and strengthened by the power of trust and relationships. As it is in the physical, of course, so is it in the spiritual. As a child of God, I am confident in the love of God for me, and I am therefore able to flow out with that same heart to other people. A child, in his/her pure form, has no pretence or hypocrisy, or even eye-service. Once a child trusts you, it is easy to get the child to depend on you. Can I say, of a truth, that I am a child of God? It is not about just knowing and speaking the language of the church. Anyone can do so. What matters is that the Father knows that I am His child. 

As His child, I reflect his name and character. Because He is love, I am also expected to love the same way. The crowd can pretend; the crowd can deceive, but the child must not. I cannot afford to pay lip-service to the practice and principle of love, in line with God's will. I cannot define love the way it suits me, and I must not settle for all the cheap versions that are becoming popular these days. The real version is found in the person of Love Himself, who is Jesus. I must come to, and stay in Him, if I am to experience and be able to exhibit the real deal. Love is not first an act, but a person. If I will have and know love, I must find myself in Jesus. That connection is critical to the product. You cannot give what you do not have. To show love, I must have love. No pretence, no hypocrisy, just simply depending on God the Father to enable me as His child show him off by my conversation, conduct and company. Am I His child? God's time of favour is here.

Rebirth and Renewal!

Rebirth and Renewal!

‭‭Titus‬ ‭3:4‭-‬5‬ ‭NIV‬‬

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 

There has to be a basis for comparison, if I am indeed saved. From the chapter from where the verses above is taken, we see this truth laid out quite clearly. There was a time when we all had been foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. No matter how nice we looked, or how well we behaved,  or how impressed people were with our lives, we were under the bondage of sin. Sin made sure we could not meet God's approval in our natural state, and God also provided a way for us to become acceptable to Him. Whatever burden or weight lay in my past had to be laid down at the foot of the cross, which is God's provision of help for my sinful nature. It is at the cross that the process of rebirth and renewal starts. How can a righteous and Holy God, who has declared hatred for sin, look at unrighteous and sinful man if there is no proper cover for man; one that could take away the wrath of God and enable man make the approach to God? 

The love that drew this plan of salvation is one that cannot be explained by mere words; you have got to experience it in order to fully understand it. If man could buy salvation, not many people will be saved. If man could pay the penalty for sin from his own pocket, why would he need God? Man's helplessness has made clear the benefits of God's provision, and now, I can look forward to all that God is, and has given me, only if I align with the conditions laid out for access. Cornelius was a man of whom it was said that he and all his family were devout and God-fearing. The man gave generously to those in need and prayed to God, yet we read that Peter had to be sent to him to show him a higher calling. Like all of us today, let us not be distracted by all the applause and approval of men. What counts is what God has laid out as his terms and conditions. I can choose to abide by them, and get all He had promised, or I can take the chance that God is wrong. Do you really want to take that kind of dangerous step, in light of all that is going on around? 

I could not make it by labour alone, but by labour backed up by the help of the One who loved me, saved me, and then placed me where I am right now. I could not earn it by inheritance or entitlement, but by mercy. If it is indeed by mercy, there is no room for pride, self - promotion or envy. It has to be a daily dependence on the One who has qualified me to stand in the first place. I cannot also start by depending solely on Him, and then, as I 'grow older', try and complete the race on my own terms or by my own strength. If I try it, it will not work, and it will not end well. Rebirth and renewal are the works of God in the hearts of men. The new birth is God's way of breaking the hold of sin. Renewal is a fresh start; a new way of living. I need the help of the Holy Spirit for this new phase of life. God has done all I need; the response is left to me. God's time of favour is here.

Approach!

Approach!

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Life must have been pretty difficult under the old testament. Atonement for sin became a regular ritual, yet could not deal with the root cause of sin. Even the channels that used for this atonement were not perfect; a man, called the high priest, would take the blood of bulls or goats, and first offer this for his own sin, then offer another for the sin of the people. He had to do this every year for the lifetime of his priesthood. The place of the Holy of Holies, where the ark of God rested, signifying His presence, could not be entered into at will, but only on specific days, and by specific people for specific reasons. This was the place that represented Holiness, and men died if they treated that privilege of access with contempt. I wonder what it is about this present generation that thinks a new covenant negates the need for holiness when dealing with God. 

With the new covenant, a new path has been laid out for us, to enable us gain access to the presence of the Holy God. It is still the same God, but now with the dispensation of grace, and the free gift of mercy leading to salvation, we have new terms and conditions. Please note that nothing has changed, reduced or eliminated the nature and expectations of God for us; He has only provided us with new ways to access Him directly, without having to depend on mortal men who made mistakes themselves and needed help. This help is represented by the person of Jesus Christ Himself, who offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for sin. He went into the Holy of Holies himself, and brought us into the presence of God, so we could see the image of the glory that is at stake, and we can make up our minds on the appropriate response. What would your response be? What would mine be? 

He has done all He can, and He continues to do all He can to secure the benefits that come from God's presence for me. He has given me access to the throne of grace. It is a place of power, authority, influence and integrity. It is a place where that which is on offer is secured by the greatest power in the world. God will not promise that which He cannot give, and he will also not sustain that which he did not originate. If He makes the promise, He stakes his name, reputation and integrity on the promise being fulfilled. God has done all He can, preparing a table for me, and He invites me to come, sit down, rest and enjoy all He has provided. Oh yes, there will be work and labour involved, but it comes with a heart that is settled, at rest, and looking forward to all that God has sealed. Whatever the need may be, no matter how complex or multifaceted, the grace of God is sufficient. What are you waiting for? I simply come, as asked, and I take of all that Jesus has secured for me. God's time of favour is here. 

Love, by God!

Love, by God!

‭‭1 John‬ ‭4:7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 

For every genuine article, there will always be a cheap imitation. For everything that God originates, be sure that the devil will strive to make and promote a close version, but with his devilish imprint. This position is the same as it relates to the topic of love. The world has its many definitions and concepts of love, and by social media and the Internet, these world versions are quite popular. They are easy to find and easy to follow, because they do not demand much from you. It tells you to take what you want, when you want it, and however you want it. The world has no standards, limits or measuring indices when it comes to the things of God, so I have to be careful of the things that I pursue. Do I know what the right versions of my pursuits and priorities are? Do I know God for myself, and able to discern what His will and purpose and version for life are? 

The charge is for us to love one another. It is easy to claim to love God, because God will not come down immediately and confirm or deny your claim, but the proof of my love for the invisible God will be established by the fruit of my love for all of God's visible people.

I really need to know the right version, so I can pursue the right version. If love is indeed from God, only by walking with Him, seeking to know more of Him, and being willing to obey Him at all times, will I get to know true love, the kind that is of and from God. Love, from God's perspective, sees people as the image of God, to be nurtured, not as objects to be used, abused or vilified. Love, from God's perspective, seeks to use every advantage to promote peace, instill hope, msd offer help wherever and whenever it is needed. The alternative is the version of 'love' that seeks to take advantage of the vulnerable and the needy. 

I can make whatever claims I want, but the fruit of my life will be determined by the focus and commitment of my daily activities. Love is of God, not the cheap imitations the world wants to promote as the real deal. If all I get is what I want, not caring if the other person survives, that is not love, from God's perspective. If I submit to God, and allow Him work in and through me that which is His perfect will, then I can flow out with the love that reflects His person, identity, mission and impact. Outside of Him, there is no help. Apart from Him, I cannot please God. I cannot take from the resources He has NOT provided in order to live by the standards He HAS laid down. Don't be deceived by the schemes of the devil, and do not settle for his lies. God has provided all that I need for life and Godliness, and He will continue to hold my hand, lead and guide me daily, until I appear with Him in glory. Until then, I rely on His grace to help me love, in line with His will. God's time of favour is here.

Peace!

Peace!

‭‭John‬ ‭16:33‬ ‭KJV‬‬

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

How do you define peace? It has different meanings and applications, but a few ideas will suffice here. It could mean the absence of war or chaos, or it could also be the fruit of a good relationship with God, as well as other people, and it could also mean the individual state of tranquillity or serenity. It means that peace could be evidenced both internally as well as externally. There can be peace with God, and of course, when that is in place, there will also be peace with men. From the verse above, it is clear that the peace with men is based on having peace with God. How can I have peace with God, if I do not know Him, his word or his plan and purpose for me at any point in time? How do I relate the right way with the people I can see, if there is no peace in my heart? How do I rightly interpret people's actions and reactions, if God is not guiding my thoughts and intentions? It is clear that the foundation to the peace that the verse above speaks about is a surrender to the Lordship, control and influence of the Holy Spirit, and a daily relationship with God. The verse above is also addressed to disciples, not the crowd. This demand is not placed on visitors, but on citizens. Am I one? 

If I want the peace that is on offer here, the right foundation is required. The words of Jesus are determined here to be the basis for the peace that is of God. Pray, what else can empower a man to face these uncertain times, if He does not know the One who owns and holds tomorrow in His hands? How can a man enjoy the peace that is found only in God if he chooses to live outside of God? How can I place a demand on resources and benefits that are only available for citizens? The words of Jesus can settle the heart, because they come from a place of assurance and certainty. When God referred to His Word, he us referring to Himself, because by and for Him were all things created. When he speaks, creation listens and responds to His Word. If I have his word in me, it does not matter what else is trying to come in. If there is no space, there can be no entry. I have to keep guard over my heart and ensure that whatever does not align with God's will is not permitted to make an impression upon my heart. 

The world cannot give you that which only God can give you. You cannot give what you do not have. The world can only guarantee trouble and tribulation, because it is under the control and influence of the devil. The world would also hate all who strive to live by different standards too, so if you seek to please both God and the world at the same time, you will fail miserably. God has declared victory over the world and its attributes, because He is the One who rules and reigns over all that has been created. Everything in life and on earth answers to the authority and power of God, and if I am in Him, I also enjoy all that He is. I can shout Amen to all of God's promises that I hear, but it is not enough to just speak the language; I must also live the life. This understanding fills my heart with joy, because I know that as long as God is on my side, I will always win. That knowledge is all I need to face whatever comes my way. In God, all is well, no matter how rough the journey seems to get. God's time of favour is here.

Seasoned!

Seasoned!

‭‭Colossians‬ ‭4:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

As we know, salt is that 'compound in the form of crystals that consists of sodium chloride and is used especially for seasoning or preserving food and in industry'. Salt has domestic and industrial use, and it is a basic requirement for tasty food. That requirement of seasoning is quite relevant to our reflection today, as that is the focus of the verse above. How would you define seasoning? It is the 'substance, especially salt or pepper, that is added to food to improve its flavor'. Again, it appears that you cannot leave out salt when speaking of seasoning. It is even more important to consider that whatever food is to be seasoned right does not need the equivalent amount of salt. You do not add a 500g bowl of salt to 500g of rice, otherwise, no one will get able to eat the rice. There is the right mix of food and salt that is appropriate, and you will only get the mix right by consistent usage and experience. You apply salt and then taste, and then proceed based on your perception and taste. How does this help understand the verse above?

Life needs conversations, or the use of the tongue. It is almost impossible to go a whole day without speaking or communicating with another person, either by word, action, reactions or even inaction. By the words we speak, and even the ones we don't speak, we reveal the contents and state of our hearts. This is where the verse above is important: there is a need for me to work on the quality of my impressions, so that the output can align with God's will. I must ensure that I take care of what leaves a mark on my heart, because whether I know it or not, these marks will be revealed in the process of time. I must be careful to be consistent, because lives are at stake. I cannot afford to be hot today, and then cold the next day. I cannot afford to be undecided on matters of earthly and eternal consequences. I cannot sit on the fence when it comes to the matters that impact the lives of men, because an account will be demanded of me for the decisions and actions I took. 

It is a surrendered heart that can produce seasoned words. These are words that match the occasion, whether it is stormy or windy weather, and even when the skies are blue and clear. This life requires words that heal and build up, not words that tear down. No matter the situation i find myself, I have the grace needed for that phase, and for the person who needs it at the time. I am not sent to everyone at the same time and in the same place, but for all who need to be corrected, encouraged or challenged, there is the right word at the right time for every situation. There are also times when total silence is the right word for that situation. As I depend on the source of grace, I get all I need for life and Godliness. Men are seeking answers to the knotty and complex issues of life, and only by listening to the Wisdom and Power of God can I have the right resources for every situation. Yesterday's supply is not enough for today; I must keep the connection fresh at all times, so that my words, mixed with God's grace, can be blessings to this generation. God's time of favour is here. 

Light!

Light!

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:14‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

What is light? One source defines it as 'the natural agent that stimulates sight and makes things visible'. It is hard to define what the natural agent referred to above is, but light is also referred to as 'a form of electromagnetic radiation, a form of invisble energy'. It is very important to pay attention to this, as even the natural and human process of life cannot fully explain how light came to be. We see its impact all around us, but it is hard to define its origin outside of the One who formed it. How can you define light outside the One who has enabled the eyes to see and perceive things? How can I define the power and effect of light without going back to the One who declared so many centuries ago, at the creation of the earth, that 'Let there be light', and because of His power, light had no choice but to be formed, and to come to existence? This has to be the start of any discussion about light. 

The One who called light into existence is the One whose opinion about impact and influence must be sought. He formed light, and then called Himself the Light of the world. He can do so because all of creation owes its form and existence to Him. It did not end there; this same God then formed man from the dust of the earth, and breathed into man the breath of life, and this formed man became a living soul. God took from the dust, and elevated the product from ordinary to extraordinary, simply by putting in that vessel his power, nature and identity. By itself, dust would remain dust, but in the hands, and under the influence of the Light Himself, dust has now become a reflection of the Light. How can the product of dust then think he can survive outside the One whose input and influence is the reason why he is even alive? How can there be pride in that which you had no input into or control over? 

This is the understanding that underpins the verse above. I am the light of the world, only as I reflect the identity of the One I represent. I am placed here on earth as an ambassador to the Light. I am to reflect my citizenship and identity everywhere I go. By my actions, words, interactions, relationships and reactions, I must understand that I am revealing my identity, and making it clear where my allegiances lie. By my own words and conduct, I am telling the world that I live by different standards, and you can bet that the tests of allegiance will come. Let no man be deceived that allegiance to the Light will be smooth-sailling every day; the devil will raise up storms and floods, as well as winds, just to threaten and capsize my boat, but as long as my gaze is fixed on the light, and I allow Him work in and walk through me, the world will know that I am a representative of the light. May I not be a disgrace to the light I claim to represent. May God be pleased to shine in and through me. God's time of favour is here. 

He Comes!

He Comes!

‭‭Job‬ ‭19:25‬ ‭AMPC 

For I know that my Redeemer and Vindicator lives, and at last He [the Last One] will stand upon the earth.

This was the man Job, who God Himself testified about to the devil as a man who was upright, who feared God and avoided evil. Can God actually say the same about me? It is easy to fool men into applauding my earthly efforts, because men do not see my heart. However, with a God you cannot deceive, the standards are different. It has to be from a place of faithful and consistent uprightness for God to stake his name and reputation on Job. The devil did all he could, but God would not let the devil touch Job's life. All Job's children died on the same day, as well as all his possessions. It was a day of continuous cycles of disastrous news. Even his wife thought it was pointless to keep holding to God, and she advised her husband to curse God and die. However, a relationship with God is the secret to staying strong, in the face of the most bitter experiences. Can God count on me to hold on, even when everything else is falling to pieces around me?

Job's friends all had opinions, but the general consensus was that Job was suffering because of sin. He had to have done something wrong for him to be suffering this much. Be careful of making assumptions about people or situations you do not fully understand. Be careful of promoting views on issues that you do not know the foundations. These friends were angry that Job kept protesting his innocence, instead of owning up to wrongdoing, and that God was justified to punish him. As I walk on this earth, the only view that counts is God's. All other men are entitled to their opinions, but all I must concern myself with must be the will of God alone. Jon knew God, and knew what God could do. He also knew that whatever God allowed was temporary, but there was an eternity to look forward to. Am I preparing for the eternal, or am I still distracted by the earthly and the temporal ? 

No matter what goes wrong down here on earth, I must never forget that this is just a temporal phase. Job knew that, and it is also important that I know that, and pattern my life after that fact. A time comes when all I see or experience today will be gone forever, because the One who holds it all together will come back for me. He is my Redeemer, only if I have surrendered my life to Him. That which he cannot control or influence, He cannot save. He is the First as well as the Last; he made the earth, and this present heaven and earth will give way to a new heaven and earth, in which righteousness will reign. I must keep an eye on the earthly, ensuring that my life's pursuits and priorities line up with God's will, as I prepare for the eternal. May there be no earthly experience so strong that it will be able to distract me from that which is really important. Jesus returns soon; may no one or anything be able to keep me from going with Him. God's time of favour is here.

Faith!

Faith!

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:6‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

But without faith it is impossible to please and be satisfactory to Him. For whoever would come near to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He is the rewarder of those who earnestly and diligently seek Him [out].

A simple definition of faith is 'belief and trust in and loyalty to God' or, as another lays it out, it is 'firm belief even in the absence of proof'. These definitions make clear that with faith, there is not always the full picture that tells you everything you know about a matter, but you have to take a decision. You do not have all the information, yet you have to take steps in the confidence that things will fall into place in the right way. That has got to be a tough way to live. Faith is the firm belief in someone or something, and then action is taken based on that firm belief. I cannot claim to have faith in God, and still refuse to take steps in line with that firm belief. What makes it hard is that faith requires that I take action, even in the face of the absence of proof supporting my action. This is where faith cannot be explained by worldly terms, as the human brain is wired to respond to reason, logic and common sense. 

How can you expect me to jump, if there is no safety net in place that I am sure will catch me? The father of faith, Abraham, is spoken about a lot these days, and it is easy to appreciate his faith, but at the time, there were no precedents to follow. How could the man explain that a God who was not well known at the time, told him to get out of his father's house, and then go to a land that was not even told or shown to him. He left and began to walk, trusting that God would lead him to the right place. There was faith in the God who asks him to leave his father's house, and he trusted in this God by taking action to leave. It is not a wonder then, that God was pleased with Abraham, and he was blessed, not just in the physical, but he became a model of faith even for us in our own times today. He did not know the WHERE, or the HOW, but He knew the WHO. I am not given any assurance that I will always understand where God leads, but what is critical is to take the right steps in obedience to the command and instruction of God. I can never go wrong with obedience to God. 

It is therefore not a surprise to read the words of today's verse. Without faith, it is impossible to please God. If God asks me to do something, and I have to wait for proof before I do it, how is that faith? If I have to be sure of everything before I step out, how is that faith? He who will come to God must believe that He exists, which is the faith bit, and then also seek Him diligently, which is the trust and action part. When both are in place, then there is the expectation of reward and blessing. If my heart seeks after God the right way, I am sure and certain of the rewards that are promised. The same chapter from where the verse is taken makes it clear that faith is the assurance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen. Those are deep words, and it is only by a daily walk with God that this kind of faith is established and built up. God wants to do mighty things in our lives, but He needs us to walk in line with His expectations. Am I willing to take the right steps in order to get all He has promised? God's time of favour is here. 

Cast!

Cast!

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭55:22‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you; He will never allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail).

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5:7‬ ‭AMPC‬‬

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

In the Amplified Classic (AMPC) version, one verse is referenced by the other. One is in the old testament, while the other is in the new testament. One is from one of the songs of David, while the other is from the personal encounters of Peter. No matter the generation or the dispensation, the nature, power and grace of God do not change at any time. We find God the same, from Adam to Abrahan, David to Daniel, and from Joseph of Egypt to John the Beloved. The same God who took care of Abraham's concerns is the same one who took care of Joseph's concerns in a strange land. The same God who came to the defence of the three Hebrew men in the fiery furnace is the same God who came to the rescue of Peter in prison. Situations do not change God; He is the One who changes situations to align with His will. What are you going through right now? His admonition to us today is to cast our burdens on Him.

To 'cast' is 'to throw upon and thus to deposit with'. Think about that for a moment. God asks me to throw all my cares in him, or to deposit them with Him. If I take my precious documents to a bank for safekeeping, do I then keep worrying if the documents are safe? Did I not bring the documents there based on the confidence that my documents were safe? How would I deposit something with a bank, and then keep coming on a daily basis to check if the documents are still there? Just as this looks ridiculous on the physical level, so would it look odd from a spiritual perspective. If I have given God all of my concerns, I cannot keep checking up on these concerns regularly. I have to release the weight of the cares, so my heart can be free to worship and serve God as I should. What am I still holding on to? Can I solve them on my own, without His help? 

If I cannot, then I need his help. He is more than willing to provide that which I need for life and Godliness, but He does not force His views or opinions on me. Like the verses above make clear, I have to make up my mind to cast, trusting that the Lord who asks me to come can take care of me. That is what the other parts of the verses make clear. I also come to the understanding that the timing and the model for how He will work are within His purview and under His control. No matter what comes my way on this journey, I know that He has my back. What if it ends the way I do not like? Does it change who God is? NO!. His plans are nothing like mine, and He keeps an eye on eternity, whilst sorting out the earthly. As long as I keep trusting Him, He will not allow me to be moved, or put to shame. In a world that is headed in the wrong direction, I have the sure word of God that in Him, I am safe and secure from all harm. Who else can offer such confidence? He waits for me to leave it all with Him. God's time of favour is here.