Key!

Key!

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭3:7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.

In am age where there is competition for power, position and recognition, the verse above reminds us of what is true and eternal. As far back as Paul's days, there was this push for approval and applause, where men sought to serve and be noticed. It is still the same in our own days now. Men who claim to serve and follow God will still do all they can to appease men. You really cannot please both God and all men at the same time and to the same degree. I would have to sort out which takes priority. I note that the verse refers to the one who plants and the one who waters. This means that I still have to put in the work required for the assignment that God has defined. It cannot be planting or watering of something that God has no hand in, or what God has not himself defined. Let it not be that I will expend energy and effort on a project that has no backing from God. Before I begin the labour, I have to be sure of God's favour. 

When God backs me up, I know that whatever 'achievements' there are would not be due to my efforts but God's backing. God can do mighty things, and He is seeking to show Himself strong in the lives of all whose hearts are fully committed to Him. If I know that and submit myself to His process, I will not struggle for relevance or recognition. When it is time for God to take me to the next level, He will do it without my help. In fact, it is the depth of sin to ever assume that God needs me to do something by my wisdom or effort in order to get Him to do something for me in return. Yes, living holy will guarantee God's blessings, but that is even by His enablement and grace. Efforts are good, but it is God who defines the timing, spread and impact of the efforts. I do my part as He leads, confident that my life is in His hands and cannot be a waste. He is the ultimate, and I surrender totally to Him. Would you too? God's time of favour is here. 

Know!

Know!

‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭7:9‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.

In reading the verse above, it is important to consider the context. The people of Israel were about to enter into the land which had been promised to them by God to Abraham. The land was currently occupied by many nations, interestingly, with some of them with ties to Noah's descendants. However, one thing that is clear from this account is that God will punish sin, no matter in whom it is found. This statement has become the foundation of the lessons over the past few days. The Lord commanded Israel not to spare anyone in the land they were coming to occupy, because there was a need to cleanse the land from sin. The people had sinned and God was going to apply the punishment He had laid out since the creation of the earth on the people. There was also the warning to the people of Israel too: if you walk in the steps of these people and you go into sin, the same punishment will be meted out on you. That is a sobering message: the God who defined sin in the days of Abraham and Israel is still the same God today. He has not changed his mind or lowered His standard. 

We can claim familiarity with God but when it comes to sin, God has no favourites. The price that God paid to deal with sin should give me a good idea of the wrath of God that will be applied on all who dwell in sin. As Jesus hung on the cross, even God turned his face away from His Son, who had to cry out: "my father, my father, why have you forsaken me?". I do have a duty and a responsibility to avoid sin by depending on the grace of God that enables a man to live in victory over sin. No one and nothing else can supply such strength. In that understanding comes the application of the verse above. Knowledge comes from experience and constant interaction. You do not know God through occasional and periodic contacts. You do not get it right by only weekly, monthly or annual appointments. It has to be by daily and regular approaches, seeking to know His will and mind on all things relating to me. He is faithful to all His promises, because He stakes his name and reputation on anything He says. He cannot be found to be a liar or someone who cannot do as He has said. 

He is also a generational God, whose relevance and potency cut across several generations and dispensations. His love was made known to Abraham, and Israel waw still enjoying the fruits of this love centuries later. This is the basis of the confidence in knowing that God can be trusted to keep His Word. Time does not run out for God the way it does for us as human beings. The promise of eternal life through the death and resurrection of Jesus was made right in the Garden of Eden and till today, men are still taking advantage of the grace that has been released in Christ. I ask God for grace to enable me know and embrace all He has for me in this season. He can be trusted to be faithful to His promises, and nothing on earth can stop or limit Him, unless I decide to walk out of His purpose and plan for my life. He wants to show Himself strong and mighty on my behalf, but I must let Him work as and when He pleases. My life will be glad I did. God's time of favour is here. 

No Judgement!

No Judgement!

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:1‭-‬2‬ ‭AMP‬‬

[1] “ Do not judge and criticize and condemn [others unfairly with an attitude of self-righteous superiority as though assuming the office of a judge], so that you will not be judged [unfairly]. [2] For just as you [hypocritically] judge others [when you are sinful and unrepentant], so will you be judged; and in accordance with your standard of measure [used to pass out judgment], judgment will be measured to you.

The verses above help clarify the meaning of the word 'judge', as opposed to other words such as 'correct'. The Bible has clear advice and guidance on both situations, and it will be of great value to know what both mean, and how to ensure I relate with other people in line with God's will and Word. The word 'judge, means to 'form an opinion or conclusion about' something or someone. It could be as a result of an experience I had with the person or something I heard about the person, or it could even be something the person told me. Whatever it is, if that information leads me to a conclusion that is not in line with God's will, I need to seek the help of the Holy Spirit. Human relationships are always complex, and we may not always know everything about everyone, but whatever I come to know about another person must become an inspiration for intercession. 

Whatever path the person may be on, I must make up my mind to take that person to God in prayer, asking for help for that person to either remain on the right path, or for God to help the person know the right path. This understanding helps me know that I could also be the one in need of help  and encouragement, and I would want people to plead my case before God in prayer, and not point fingers at me. I am on a journey to heaven, and there will be habits to break and new ones to take up. I would want someone to be a shoulder to cry on, a hand to help me and a mouth to encourage me when I need it. Does the above describe me in any way? Do I light up a room when I come in, or does the light and life go out when I walk in? The flip side is also not to keep quiet if God has given me grace to identify an issue that needs to be addressed. How it is done also matters. Would I want to stand on the podium of pride or do I want to speak from the foundation of love? 

In correcting, I am conscious of my own walk with God and careful to note my previous failings. I do not take anything for granted, but rely on a daily basis for grace to help me walk right, and be the right examples for other people. I take careful thought to my own life too, so I do not become a hypocrite who can clearly see other people's faults but deliberately blind to my own weakness. God can give me victory over a matter, but it does not make me better than those who are struggling; it only places me in a unique position to be able to offer help and support to those who now need it. The fact that the measure I give will also come back to me must make me careful, conscious and deliberate about my actions and interactions today. It will all come back to me; whatever it is I desire must be what I give out. God's time of favour is here. 

Pray 4!

Pray 4!

‭‭Luke‬ ‭18:1‭-‬3‬ ‭MSG‬‬

Jesus told them a story showing that it was necessary for them to pray consistently and never quit. 

Jesus would use parables to pass on the message about the kingdom of heaven to His disciples. It is very important to note that the parables are told to everyone in the crowd, but the meaning of the messages were reserved for the disciples. Jesus would tell the crowd the story and then at some other private moments, He would explain the story to His disciples and the implications it had on their earthly and eternal lives. Today's verse is also another parable addressing the importance of prayer. It is not just prayer for the sake of it, but the type that is continous and pressing. It is the kind that does not quit if and when it gets inconvenient. It is not the kind that you do only when you feel like it, but you do it because you have tested and confirmed the power and blessings that is available when you pray. Do I really pray, or do I just talk about prayer a lot? 

Today's verse is a reminder of the things that are really dear to the heart of God. How does God make His mind known if I do not ask Him on His own terms? How does God reveal His mind if I don't seek His views? The verse above says it is 'necessary', not optional.  It is not subject to debate or open to negotiation; you need to get to it. When Jesus taught his disciples how to pray, He started with the relationship factor, before anything else. The effectual prayer is the one we pray in line with God's will; we pray often and consistently; we direct it the right way to God. Man cannot help me unless God directs; when God commands, even the devil obeys. This means I am better off asking God for help in prayer, and trusting Him to move whoever He needs to move in order to promote His will. Less talk; more prayer. No demand on earth can exhaust the resources of heaven. Ask; God can do whatever we ask in line with His will. God's time of favour is here. 

Pray 3!

Pray 3!

‭‭‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:26‬ ‭AMP‬‬

In the same way the Spirit [comes to us and] helps us in our weakness. We do not know what prayer to offer or how to offer it as we should, but the Spirit Himself [knows our need and at the right time] intercedes on our behalf with sighs and groanings too deep for words. 

As it has been established over the past 2 days, it is important to know the value of prayer, as well as the target of the exercise and practice of prayer. It is no use doing something you do not know the value of or the One to whom you are required to speak with often and frequently. Prayer is the regular communication with God, who also supplies all that we need in order to communicate with Him the right way. God is a a Holy God, and he has terms of access to His presence. I cannot come to Him with a heart and life steeped in iniquity, without a desire to repent. He has given me all that i need for life and Godliness  but the greatest help He has given me will be His own presence, represented by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is God; His person, presence and power in the life of the believer. As you read the words of the Bible, you find treasures about the work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of all who have surrendered their lives to Jesus. 

There is no way I can live this Christian life without the help of the Holy Spirit. I will not survive the storms and tough times that are a part of this human existence without the help of the Holy Spirit. If I have submitted my life to God, I have access to His help. The Holy Spirit comes to help me in times of weakness, which, if I am honest, is every time. What can I achieve by my own strength and wisdom? What can I start and finish by my own labour? If I cannot help God achieve His plan by my own schemes, how would I think I can pray in line with His will without His help? This is where the Holy Spirit is such an indispensable part of my life. When I kneel, bow or lie down to pray, I need His help to pray the mind of God for that particular season I am in. There are times when the pressures of life will weigh on us, and we may be tempted to focus on our condition, but God could be seeking to focus our eyes on something different. 

A door may close in unexpected ways, but it could be God getting me to focus on another open door that lines up with His will for me. How would I know if I do not ask in prayer, through the help of the One who knows the mind of God? I may even know the mind of God through revelation but it is still the Holy Spirit who can help me find the right way to carry and fulfil that burden in line with the will of the One who gave it. Sometimes, the words may not come; I must trust God who is the burden bearer to help discharge that burden the best way. My own contribution will be a lifestyle and lifetime of total dependence on His help. Remember, God will only sustain that which He ordains. Situations may persist and sometimes outlive you, but God is the One who defines times, seasons and events. He is in charge, and will supply all I need, if i will remain connected. God's time of favour is here.

Pray 2!

Pray 2!

‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4:6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

[6] Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

As we read yesterday, the importance of prayer to God cannot be overemphasised. It is a sign that I recognise the power of God to do whatever it is I ask of Him if it is within His will and aligns with His purpose for my life. It is an acknowledgement of the Lordship and authority of God over all things. Today's verse goes on to again show us the need for prayer and how it helps me line up with God's heart. How would I know what is priority to God's heart if I do not speak with Him often? How can He provide daily guidance if I do not seek daily help? The world has its concerns and burdens, and it will seek to lay the weight of these concerns on the hearts and minds of all who are under its control and influence. All who are under such control and influence will definitely worry and fret, because those under such conditions do not have access to the resources and benefits that are available to those who are under the control and influence of the King of kings. My allegiance and citizenship will definitely determine the benefits I can access. 

I have been given the gift of access through prayer. I can access it anytime and anywhere, and in any experience. It is communing with God, seeking His view on all things that weigh on my heart, and trusting Him to take care of all things however He wants. Prayer and supplication are God's prescription for any attempt by my heart to claim independence or self-sufficiency. It is a sign that I recognise and admit my helplessness. I am speaking to a higher authority; one with the power, ability, capacity and capability to do all He has promised to do. I go to Him, laying out all my concerns, and leaving them with Him. I cannot take them to God in prayer, and then pick them up again as I go. I go to God in prayer with the right heart of thanksgiving, grateful for the gift of access, as well as the blessing of Fatherhood. Nothing is too big or small to take to Him in prayer; my entire life becomes an offering to God, as I lay it all down at His feet. Do you have a relationship with God like this? Can I call God my Father? He waits for all of us to come to Him; no demand on earth can exhaust the resources of heaven. Make the approach; God's time of favour is here. 

Pray!

Pray!

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭6:9‭-‬13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

[9] After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

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

[11] Give us this day our daily bread. 

[12] And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 

[13] And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

We read here the account of the teaching of Jesus on prayer. This is part of the first sermon of Jesus on the mountain, and in another account, it was the disciples of Jesus who came to Him, asking that He teach them how to pray. Whichever account you read, it is clear that Jesus was speaking to disciples, not the crowd. Prayer is required for disciples, because it is the secret of the power that God releases for exploits and miracles. The life of Jesus is the perfect example of the power of prayer. Jesus spent quite some time in the secret place, praying. We read different accounts of being in a private place and praying all night. These happened in secret, away from the public eye, but there was no denying the power that was made manifest in the public place. If I will walk in the same path, I must alao pay attention to the private investment of prayer. That is the secret to public impact. 

As I read the sample of prayer laid out in the verses above, it is clear that the foundation of effective prayer is knowing God. It is not head knowledge, but heart conviction. Knowing  God helps me make it clear who He is, what He wants from me, and how He wants me to approach. How else can anyone call God Father, if there is no healthy relationship between God and the person praying? How would I be certain of an answer, no matter what it is, if there has not been previous instances where I prayed and God answered? The prayer above asks that the will of the Lord be done on the earth, as it is done in heaven. This God is also King, and his kingdom has no limits. Heaven has no doubt who is in charge and no matter what the earth says, one day, it will also acknowledge and submit to God as the sole authority over all. Would I submit of my own freewill today? If I wait till it is too late, it will indeed be too late. 

All that I need for life and Godliness are made available by the Father. It is critical to note that some provisions are general for all human beings, but some are only for children. That is why I bear my father's name to distinguish me from any other person, and I take priority with my Father before any other person. Do I bear the name of my Father, or am I trying to please as many authorities as I can? Can I trust with all my needs? Can He protect me from harm and temptations, delivering me on a daily basis from anything that may seek to hurt or destroy me? God does not force Himself on anyone, or go against the exercise of my freewill, but you can be sure that whatever is handed over to Him is kept safe for all of eternity. One day soon, the end of this present earthly phase will come, and all that will matter is the authority I have submitted to. Is God my Father? God's time of favour is here. 

Harvest!

Harvest!

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭9:37‭-‬38‬ ‭KJV‬‬

[37] Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; 

[38] Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

Following on from yesterday's devotion, it is clear that we have been called to serve in a specific location, on a specific assignment and for a specific season. God calls me to be a part of his end-time ministry to the world as He prepares to return to the earth to take home all who are eagerly awaiting His return. The picture presented in today's extract is that of the owner of a field that needs work to be done to bring in the harvest. As we know, there is danger in leaving ripe fruit on the tree beyond a particular point. If ripe fruit is not promptly harvested as soon as it is due, it may lead to rot, litter or a big smelly mess. It would also mean that in order to ensure that the harvest is brought in, there has to be willing workers and labourers who know what the work of harvest requires and are willing to put in the work. 

Can God count on me in these end times to be a part of the workforce required to bring in the due harvest? It appears from the verses above that the harvest is already due to be brought in. If in Jesus' time here, the harvest was already plenteous, imagine how plenteous and overflowing the harvest will be in our own time today. It is of no use asking men and women who do not want to get their hands dirty to help with the work of harvest. Harvest is hard work; the quantity of seed and the labour required for sowing the seed cannot be compared with the quantity of fruit and space ecpected and required for the harvest that will follow. It appears that the devil is trying to convince men that what is more important is how to be relevant in the world by power, position and possessions. The devil seems able to occupy the hearts of many people, convincing them to focus on the things of the world rather than on the things dear to the heart of God. 

That which is dear to God's heart is laid out in the verses above; the labour to bring in the due harvest. God has already gone ahead of us to prepare the hearts of men to hear the Word. He has promised us His presence and power as we work with Him to bring in the harvest. I must pray to the owner of the field to find and send labourers - men who will put in the work required. Labourers also work for a determined season and they get due wages at the end of their service. What wages could be greater than eternal life with God? What else can I get that will match or surpass the joy that my service brings to God's heart? He is the Lord of the harvest, and He can raise men from anywhere to carry out the work required in the harvest. Can He count on you? Can He count on me? God's time of favour is here.

Patience!

Patience!

‭‭James‬ ‭5:7‭-‬8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

[7] Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. [8] Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

The verses before the one above address the rich and how their actions could show a lack of understanding of how God works and what He expects from all of us. No matter what it is that I have been given, I hold them, not as the owner but as the steward, because I cannot determine what happens to the possessions when I have left the earth. I hold and apply all of God's provisions as someone who knows what lies at the end of my journey on earth. The verses above make it clear that nothing down here was built to last. As long as the earth gives it to you, it will take it away, either by death, rapture or even the process of change and growth will make some things unnecessary. This understanding helps me focus on what is really important, which is the right preparation for the coming of the Lord, which will be the crown of all my experiences on this side of eternity. How am I preparing? Am I in a hurry to 'make it' in life, not minding the process I take to get there? Am I willing to pay the price for impact that will last and also lead to eternity with God?

The verses above lay out a picture of the right preparation. The husbandman is one whose business is to cultivate the land. He envisions the large harvest that is coming, and then He prepares the land for the fulfilment of that vision. If the land is not ploughed and prepared for sowing, prayer alone will not lead to the right end. If good seed is not sown in the ground that has been ploughed and prepared, the early and latter rain will not do much good. Before the rains will come, there must be ready ground and ready seed as well as ready conditions that will make good use of the rains. God will definitely send the rain, because He is also a fruitful God. He will play His part in bringing me to the place where He has purposed and prepared and planted me for, but there is work that must be done to entrench and establish God's purpose. The husbandman can wait the right way when he has done the right things. In the same way, for all who wait for the coming of the Lord, there is a right way to wait. I give God my heart so it is under His control and influence. The Lord returns soon; how are you preparing? God's time of favour is here.

Seek the Lord!

Seek the Lord!

‭‭Hosea‬ ‭10:12‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Sow with a view to righteousness [that righteousness, like seed, may germinate]; reap in accordance with mercy and lovingkindness. Break up your uncultivated ground, for it is time to seek and search diligently for the Lord [and to long for His blessing] until He comes to rain righteousness and His gift of salvation on you.

This verse is placed in the middle of God's pronouncements of judgment for the people's sin. As I read the verse above in the context of the whole chapter, a number of lessons come to attention. The first is that it does not matter how terrible the past or the present is; God can turn it around if I surrender all to Him and allow Him work. In the midst of the biggest mess can be one of God's special messages. It is by placing the mess in the hands of the Mighty God that this is made possible. Am I ready to hand it all over to Him so He can do with me what He has promised and what He alone can do? The second is that God has no favourites when it comes to sin, but He will punish sin in whomever it is found. I mat hide for a while, but the promise of God is that my sin, if left unconfessed, will be found out and will lead to judgment. It bears repeating here again that sin is not to be toyed with. The price that God paid for my sin shows the depth of God's hatred of sin and the quality of the access that He has provided for man to return and be reconciled to Him. If God has now done all these, how would I be able to blame Him for the consequences of my actions if I reject Him? 

The third lesson for me, which is closely connected to the second, is that there is always a season of harvest for whatever I sow. One of God's unbreakable laws on this side of eternity is that as long as the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, among other things, will not cease. What this means is that I have to carefully plan and prepare for the quality and quantity of the harvest I seek. How can I seek good for myself if I am constantly engaged in evil? How do I think that the God who made the eyes to see would not know the motives and intentions of my heart? The seed is never seen once it goes into the ground, but the evidence of the seed cannot be ignored once it is made manifest. The quantity of the seed also looks nothing like the quantity of the fruit that is revealed. What kind of seed am I putting into the ground? I must note that all seeds, whether good or bad, will lead to fruit. If I know the kind of fruit I love to eat, I will take time to select the right kind of seed. If I seek unfailing love, I must plant the seed of righteousness. 

The fourth lesson is that there is this time lag between the sowing and the harvest; it will not happen overnight or suddenly. I have to put in time and effort to preserve the seed by providing a conducive environment in which it will thrive. The ground must be ploughed and prepared, otherwise whatever seed is thrown on it will be wasted. The seed is then nurtured by watering and weeding, as well as protected from predators and consumers. Can you imagine a farmer who just wishes for good fruit but does nothing to make it happen? It is time to seek the Lord, as we trust Him for the rain that will cause the ground to be conducive for the seed to bear fruit. We can ask Him for rain because we have done our part in line with the expectation of the increase that is coming. The rain that God promises helps me live right; it is called the rain of righteousness, which again looks like the right seed for the times we are in. I cannot stop seeking God at any time; this is a lifelong journey, leading to eternal life with God. What decisions do I need to make today, to enable me live the life God has called me to? He wants to show Himself strong and mighty if I let Him. Would you? God's time of favour is here.

Seek Him!

Seek Him!

‭‭Jeremiah‬ ‭29:13‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. 

No matter the condition you are currently in, or the benefits or blessings you currently enjoy, the message in the verse above is timely and relevant for all seasons. The people of Israel were in captivity at this time due to their sin and rebellion against God. God had warned them severally but they would not listen, so He applied the justice due for sin. This is the first lesson for me here: God will punish sin, no matter in whom it is found. He has no favourites when it comes to sin; in fact, the more you know Him, the more you need to avoid sin. Even in punishing His people, mercy still spoke. There was a very specific timeline for the punishment and a promise that the people will be restored to their original dwelling at the end of the period. God is a faithful God; even in anger, He remembers to be merciful, but we must not take His mercy for granted. There would have been people in exile at the time who would never see their own land again but would die in captivity. 

The second lesson for me is to know that God's Word can never be broken, or fail to come to pass. The Word comes from a place of power and authority, backed up by the One whose power is immutable. You can do nothing to change or limit His power. You can either surrender to His authority and enjoy the blessings and benefits that accrue from obedience, or you can rebel and suffer the punishment and consequences that follow, some of which can be eternal and irreversible. As always, the choice is mine to make. God will not go against the exercise of my freewill, but He will definitely supply the grace I need in order to make the right decision. For all who will enjoy all that God supplies in abundant measure, the verse above provides a sure way to access. It is by seeking God with all my heart. Look at the words used in the verse: "with a deep longing". "seek me and require Me as a vital necessity". "search for me with all your heart". These are words that show a deep longing and desire for God beyond the surface. It goes deep into the soul of man and demands his full attention. 

You cannot combine a search for God with a desire to please man at the same time. Both cannot be done with equal attention. My heart is critical to this process because it is the seat of decision. That is where pursuits and priorities are defined and refined and set in place. That is why God's Word tells me to guard my heart with all diligence. Whatever I allow to make an impression will definitely lead to either eternity with God or eternity away from God. God promises that all who truly seek Him will find Him, but the catch is to seek Him like He is all that matters. If I think I have other options, I will not be fully committed to the search. ALL my heart has to be involved and engaged. I cannot afford to let my heart be divided among many options or distractions. You search diligently for anything you consider precious and valuable, and you do not rest until you have it in your hand. It has to be the same with God. When you have him, it does not matter what you do not yet have. He will sort it out if He wants you to have it. If you do not have Him, it will not matter what else you have. Make sure you have God; with Him, the present and the future are secure. God's time of favour is here.

Turn!

Turn!

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭34:14‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

David, the man after God's heart, writes the words of today's verse. The context was when David had to run from Abimelek, the king of Gath at the time. He was recognised as the David that had become more popular than the king of Israel at the time. When God is with a man, he cannot be ignored or forgotten. Even if you are in the far side of the desert, like John the Baptist, or banished to an island like John the Beloved, the call and assignment of God upon your life will place you in high demand. It may also place you in the path of danger, as was the case with David here. The fact that I am on assignment for God does not preclude you from the pressures of life and its tests and trials; however, I have the clear assurance and comfort of the presence of God that things will turn out well.

What this means is that I must be careful of the things that I focus on, or the things that are important to me. I cannot pursue two different masters or priorities at the same time; I will not be able to devote the same time and attention to both. David would know from personal experience the power of focus and commitment to the things of God. David laid it out when he said in the verse just before the verse above: "Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the Lord". It takes a man who has the fear of God to teach other people the fear of God. You cannot give what you do not have. There has to be a turning away from evil and then doing good. I must seek peace and pursue it. I note that there is no room for inactivity or inaction. I cannot fold my hands and just take things for granted. Whatever I consider important will take time and effort. Am I willing to pay the price for what has eternal value? God's time of favour is here.

Help 2!

Help 2!

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭12:2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.”

Let it again be emphasised that sin will at all times lead to disgrace. It does not matter how high you have gone up; sin will bring you down. Sin brings the anger of God; the price God paid to fully settle the price for past, present and future sin shows how serious God takes sin. His anger is and will always be kindled against sin, but when a man turns away from sin and to God, there is the release of mercy and grace that cannot be quantified. The anger of God does not remain when a man turns away from sin, and that is the first point of encouragement and comfort from the verse above. When I depend on God for grace and strength to live above sin, He gives to me in the measure that I need to enable me live as He desires. 

His Holy Spirit is the person who lives in and enables me to trust in the finished work on the cross. That finished work on the cross is the guard upon my heart so I no longer live under the fear of sin. I can face all that life throws at me because I have the One who owns life living inside me. That is the basis of the confidence in the verse above. God is my confidence and trust. There may be many gods, lords or masters, but there is only one Lord. Many will make claims to being great, but they only boast as long as the breath of God is in their nostrils. This Lord, the One and Only, is called my strength and defence. He takes care both of offence and defence, as well as standing on the successes and victories already secured. 

Life will happen to all of us on this journey that we are on. There will be times when it would seem the storms want to overwhelm us, but we have the sure Word of God that nothing happens to us by accident. As I am in Him, life needs permission from Him to come at me. I note the first and last sentence of the verse above: God is my salvation, and the writer testified that as He trusts in this God, God has now become his salvation. All that God is become real when I surrender my life to Him. He does not force Himself on anyone, or go against the exercise of my freewill. He wants to be all that I need. Would I let Him? Would you allow Him be God? God's time of favour is here. 

Help!

Help!

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭46:1‬ ‭TPT‬‬

God, you’re such a safe and powerful place to find refuge! You’re a proven help in time of trouble— more than enough and always available whenever I need you.

This version lays out a direct address to God as the safe and powerful place to find refuge. In a world that is increasingly looking like a war front, with several flash points, trouble spots and potential for violence, the need for a refuge and a safe place is critical. The world also offers this false sense of security, and it will create the problem and then try to also offer the solution on its own terms and at its own price. The cost of 'world peace' looks like nuclear capability, while other poorer nations are exploited. The verse makes it clear that you cannot give what you do not have. If you are looking for peace in the world, know that it will be a fruitless pursuit. The world does not and cannot guarantee you true peace, the type that God promises and will last. You can only find true peace and security in God, because He is the One Eternal God, who will remain long after this present heaven and earth have passed away and would have been replaced by new ones, in line with God's Word.

This is why God can be trusted, in these odd times we live in now. The testimonies of men provide encouragement to me that, just as God did it in the past for them, He can still do it for me today. He has been proven to be the right help for me at the time I need it. He will come through for me at the time His help is really needed. There will be times when it will appear that God is late, or it could appear that He is far away, but God's nature is such that He is closer to you than even a brother or a close friend. He is more than enough, which means that with Him, I need no other help, and if I am without Him, it does not matter what the quality, quantity or volume of the help and support for me is. I need Him more than anything or anyone else; as long as you are not God, you are not that important or irreplaceable. Life will happen to all of us at some point in time in our lives but if God is on my side, I can face whatever comes. Would I seek Him out today? Remember, that which is given by God lasts forever. Make sure you know and have Him. God's time of favour is here. 

One Thing!

One Thing!

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭27:4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.

David would know what the right priorities were. He was called a man after God's heart because God knew David would choose Him over and above anything and anyone else. It matters what my pursuits and priorities are. I have the power to choose who or what to focus on, but there are earthly and eternal consequences attached to every choice that I make. This is why it really matters what my heart is focused on. What are the things that can hold my heart and attention? Are they things of God or things of the world? Whatever the answer is, know this: you cannot deceive God with the outward show of piety or eye-service. God sees the secret motives and intentions of my heart, because He made it. With all that is pressing for time and urgent attention, only one thing is needful and very important, and that is a relationship with God that is personal and intimate, and its evidence seen in my daily pursuits and priorities. That is what David sought in the verse above; that one critical thing that will define the rest of his life. 

As I also strive to impact my world and to take care of my family, what are the things that are holding my heart at the moment? Can they lead and keep me in the presence of God, and able to access all that God has made available to those who seek and submit to Him? There is just this one thing that is quite important to my eternal destination, and it is to know God. Fellowship with Him and with others is a sure way to know more of God and His will for my life. How would I know more of God if I do not seek the knowledge of Him from His own Word? How do I know more of God if there is nowhere to identify, develop and sharpen the gifts that He has placed in me? It is the enablement of the secret place that helps a man to meet and exceed the demands of the public place. I note from the verse above that nothing is said about other people's views. Just focus on God and let Him sort out other people's actions and reactions to you. If He is on your side, it does not matter what the quality or quantity of the opposition against you is. Have you found that one thing? God's time of favour is here.

Renewed 2!

Renewed 2!

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

Life will happen to the best of us. Every day God gives us is one day less than He has appointed for us to live on this side of eternity. We have been given this life to make impact, even as we prepare for eternal life with God. Unfortunately, sin had changed the balance, and made man open to other evil suggestions. Man has moved from total and absolute dependence on God to trying to share allegiance with other false gods. Man wants to please his sinful nature and at the same time also please God. Unfortunately, it is impossible to play both sides quite well; one would have to take precedence over the other. As I live each day, I have to be very conscious of the fact that I have not been promised forever on this version of the earth that I see now. It is a phase; a temporary arrangement, but for as long as I have been put on it, I must do the work I have been given while I still have the strength and vigour so to do. 

On the outside, men may see grey hairs, but there is an empowerment that the naked eyes cannot see. On the outside, Moses was 120 years old, but bible records show that his eyes were not dim, or his natural strength abated in any way. That is the empowerment God is able to provide if I can trust Him for the work He has commissioned. After all, it is His work first and foremost, and He will never lack resources to do His work. My total surrender and availability are critical to the work that God wants to do, because He will not force Himself on anyone, or go against the exercise of my freewill. I ask God for grace for the journey ahead. No matter what the drama going on outside of me is, I keep my eye on the prize, as I labour physically with the inner invisible renewal that comes from God, and also in expectation of eternal life with Him at the end of my journey. May my life be worthy of heaven. God's time of favour is here.

Identity!

Identity!

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭17:17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.

How do you define a 'friend'? One option says it is 'a person with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically one exclusive of sexual or family relations'. Another definition says it is 'a relationship of mutual affection between people. It is a stronger form of interpersonal bond than an "acquaintance" or an "association", such as a classmate, neighbor, coworker, or colleague. What this means is that a friend is not the occasional good person you can go to sometimes, but one you can always depend on to give you a helping hand, a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on, or even physical resources, depending on the need of the moment. The verse says a friend loves at all times. It is even more important to consider the fact that nothing is said of the person the friend needs to love. You give what you have; even if all you get is hatred and bitterness, you do not give the same in return. This love is what I have received from God. Can God give me this kind of love, and I will then struggle to show the same love to other people? 

If indeed I am a friend as defined above, can I love other people the way God has loved me?  The same argument also applies to being a brother. God has so ordained it that we all come from families. We do not fall from the sky. The reason why God has placed us in families and communities is so we can provide support and succour to one another. Being a brother or a friend isn't first about natural birth or blood but by that invisible thread of humanity. Life will happen to the best of us; we may not always have what we want when we want it, but we have the comfort of God's provision in the lives He has placed around us. Lives have been gifted with what we need, and we have also been gifted with what will be blessings to other people. If I hoard the blessings, it does me no good. I must play my part well; I must be the friend, brother or sister that God can entrust lives into my hands. Would I be a good steward of God's great treasures in this new year? Can God count on me? God's time of favour is here. 

The New!

The New!

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭43:19‬ ‭NIV‬‬

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

It is the season of the new. Whatever may have gone on before now is in the past. God is asking me to focus on that which lie ahead and not what belongs to the past. The past may weigh heavily on me, because of the consequences of mistakes or errors that I may have made. The past could also be a distraction if I think there are a lot of good things and achievements to talk about. Whichever one it is, It is important that I know what God is saying about the season I am in now. He is bringing me into a new season, one with the unusual and the miraculous. He is the One who can do what the world does not expect to be possible, or that which the world has never seen before. I need to key into the plan of God for this new season, so that I do not exert energy on what is not necessary or profitable. I ask God to open my eyes to see that new thing that God is doing in my personal life, family and ministry, so that my labour can be appropriately directed. 

If God is promising this new thing, it is because He has the ability, capacity and capability to do as He has promised. He has gone ahead to prepare the way for the earnest manifestation of all He has laid out in the verse above. My contribution to this process is to know the right place, time, person and method to apply, so that I can enjoy the benefits and blessings of the new, and that the new thing God is doing can be fully established. God does not do occasional good, but as a good God, it is His desire to bless abundantly and permanently. He wants the world to know Him, and how best this can be done is God making my life the platform for the display of His power. The wilderness and the wasteland must experience the power of this God. That which is forgotten and forsaken must once again bud and flourish. Only in and through God is this change possible. Hsve I truly submitted my life to God so He can do His work in me? God's time of favour is here.

Right Direction!

Right Direction!

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭10:24‭-‬25‬ ‭NIV‬‬

[24] And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 

[25] not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

The times we are living in now calls for some strategic and critical actions. We cannot afford to press on without careful thought to our actions and decisions, because there are specific requirements for the times we are in. The Word of God calls these days the perilous times, when the love of many will wax cold. There are actions to stop and others to begin and yet others to keep doing, and the only way to know what precise actions precise moments need is to keep depending on the One who fully understands what this season is all about. The love of many will wax cold but they that know God must press on with His love. Many may wander off the path to life but those who know their God must keep at it until He returns. The big question then would be: "Do I know this God"? Does He own my life and can He dictate terms? Whoever sits at the control centre of my heart will determine the output of my heart. 

I must be motivated to keep doing good, not because the target deserves it, but because it is what I have to give. If I show true love, and you also do the same, just imagine how the world look like. This is the power of pooled resources in fellowship, where like minds and surrendered hearts gather together to hear God's direction for life and we then sharpen each other's lives in commitment and devotion to the things that matter to God's heart. This was really made clear in the early church, where thousands were being added to the church as the apostles met frequently, with God performing signs and wonders. The Day is approaching, and it will definitely come. If God's Word is true, and we have many instances of God's Word being true, then I know I have to prepare the right way for that day. Every day I am given draws me closer to that day. Am I preparing the right way? Are my heart and life aligned with the expectations of God for these times? God's time of favour is here. 

Arise!

Arise!

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭60:1‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.

The Lord speaks through Isaiah to all who are willing and obedient today. When a call comes to a man to arise, it means the man was not on his feet or in a position to respond to the call of God. God does not direct a man who is on his feet and ready for action to again arise. I have to ask God to deal with whatever may have distracted me in the past or whatever is going on in or around me that is causing me to look away from God. A man cannot arise if there is a weight or a burden that his natural strength cannot deal with. The other side of the argument is ignorance. How do I arise if I know nothing of the provisions God has made available for me to access? How do I survive and thrive in the place I have been planted if I do not even know the God who calls me in the first place? If I will arise and shine, as the verse above directs, the first step is the personal knowledge and encounter of the One who so commands. 

God's enablement, provision and supervision will be the only way I can arise and shine the right way. Of course, God would not ask me to do a work that His grace has not provided enablement for. If He commands it, He will bring it to pass. The light has come. The time of blissful ignorance is past. It is time to arise and lay hold of all that is ours by inheritance, through our sonship with Jesus. No matter what the past year dealt me, I have been given grace to see a brand new year. It is a year of divine visitation and amazing breakthroughs. The glory of the Lord is already manifest, and seeking lives that will allow Him work in them that which is His perfect will. Again, I note that God does not force Himself on anyone or go against the exercise of my freewill. I can choose to wallow in pity, or I can choose to arise and make known the power, grace and glory of God. The choice is mine to make; eternity lies at the end of whatever choice I make. God's time of favour is here. 

Renewed!

Renewed!

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

In this new season we are in, there is the temptation to hold on to the familiar, the usual and the normal. There is nothing wrong with that, as long as what you hold on to aligns with the will of God. Today's verse lays out what the will of God is, and what I need to do to live in it on a daily basis. At the top of the list will be the personal knowledge of God. If I do not know God, how would I be motivated to seek His view on anything? With the popular attraction of the world, and how the world promotes its views, there may be the temptation to be distracted by the pressure to conform. However, it has to be laid out quite clearly that friendship with the world will never lead to friendship with God. Both are parallel lines that can never meet, no matter how long you draw them or how hard you try to align them. Both proceed from two distinctly different sources and have two distinctly different eternal destinations. I cannot combine both, and I cannot pay equal allegiance to both. 

That is laid out clearly in the verse above. The pattern of this world is opposed to the transformation of my mind. The devil knows that the heart is the battlefield, so he will do all he can to take hold of my heart. God also will provide all I need to know Him. I have a choice to make, and I give control to whoever I spend time with. Relationships are built on the investment of time. That is why the 'renewing' of my mind is a continous process, not a one-off event. By constant practice, I learn what God's will is. By constant practice, I fill my heart with the knowledge of God's Word, and I know His expectations from and for me. That relationship also helps me embrace His will, even when it may initially appear 'inconvenient'. I know that there are no accidents with God; I embrace whatever He allows because I know His will is always for my good. Remember: who controls your heart defines your eternal reality. Make sure it is God. God's time of favour is here. 

Teach Me!

Teach Me!

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭143:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

Again, we read a psalm by David, the man after God's heart. One truth that runs through all of David's songs in Psalms is the fact that he sought God on a daily basis. He did not just keep weekly, monthly or annual appointments with God, but made sure that there was a daily check in with God. This had to be the reason why sin did not linger in his life before he confessed and repented of it. Even in the days when he committed adultery with Bathsheba and murder of Uriah the husband, as soon as his error was pointed out, he did not argue or make excuses. He sinply went before God in contrition and repentance. Even when there would be punishment for the wrong he had done, he would take it and commit his life to the mercy of God. You do not walk with God this way without having His Word as your daily guide and guard. No one can please God outside the clear terms of engagement that He has laid out in His Word. Can God's Word direct you on a daily basis, or do I hsve my own agenda to pursue? 

If God will reach and teach me, I have to be teachable. If I am to do the will of God, it means that I seek Him on a regular basis. It means I am totally submitted to Him and I have accepted his authority and power over my life. I cannot serve two masters, because it is impossible to successfully hold my heart to submit to two or more separate authorities at the same time. If God is God, seek and serve Him. If you consider him not to be God, it is foolish to seek to pretend to submit to Him. He cannot be mocked. He cannot be fooled. Men see the actions and cannot read intentions. God knows and sees the state of the heart, and He judges accordingly. He knows what is ahead, and He wants to lead me the right way. Bumps are ahead; pits are hidden; on my own, I will struggle, but by the help of the Spirit of God, I am guided and directed. Troubles and trials are parts of life's package, but so is God's help for times such as these. Make the approach; seek His face; ask for His help. His promise is He will hear and He will help. God's time of favour is here.

Hid!

Hid!

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭119:11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

The heart is the place for the battle. Whether I realise it or not, there is a battle for control and influence going on in every heart. Many things are fighting to leave an impression on the heart, because whatever is allowed to settle on the heart will eventually drive the pursuits and priorities of that heart. It is not a wonder, then, that Proverbs warn us to guard our hearts with all diligence, because out of these hearts flow the issues of life. When I watch lewd content, or listen to racy music which promote degenerate content, I am opening my heart to the wrong influence. What is quite unfortunate is that everything that impresses my heart will one day find expression in and through my life, unless I take active steps to correct the wrong impressions by substituting them with the right impressions. At no time is my heart free from the power of impressions; I just need to make sure that only that which is of eternal value is allowed to rest on my heart. 

The Word of God is the only thing that can leave the right impressions on my heart. The Word of God is health and life. By the Word of God, instruction, correction and inspiration to do right are available. Again, it is not enough to read the Word just for the sake of repetition but to commit it to memory and to commit to obeying what it commands. What is the use of instruction if I will not obey? Why spend time reading and studying if I will not commit to obeying it? The word used in the verse above is 'hidden'. You hide what you consider valuable, and you keep it in the safest place possible, which is your heart. If God indeed controls the heart, His Word is safe there. He will supply the grace, strength and wisdom to know what to do in every situation. He will provide guidance that will keep me from sin, because I have given His Word the power to direct my actions and decisions. It is a personal walk; nobody can take it on my behalf. Who is in charge of your heart? Know that eternity lies at the end of all the decisions that you make today. God's time of favour is here. 

Read; Do 2!

Read; Do 2!

‭‭James‬ ‭1:25‬ ‭NIV‬‬

But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

Yesterday's devotion was the other side of the verse above. Yesterday looked at the danger of just reading and listening, without the corresponding desire to do. Today's verse lays out the benefits of being a reader and a doer. I note that both reading and doing go together. It is very difficult to obey what you do not know about, and it is also very difficult not to obey a God who you have had a definite encounter with. That is the key secret to a life of obedience. Just like earthly parents would love a child who is quick to obey, so would our heavenly Father also love a child who is quick to obey Him. The start point will be a personal encounter with the author and inspiration of the Word. When you have had it once, you will always want to have it always. 

That encounter requires an intent look into the law that gives freedom. Looks like a contradiction that a law that demands definite action will also give freedom, but that is what God offers when I come to know Him. There is a need to look intently, which takes time and attention. Nothing of value stays at the surface; if you seek gold, you have to dig deep for it. The verse above also supports this, and as I look intently, see what is required and demanded of me, and continuing in it, that is when I have access to the riches of God's grace in all its fullness. The place of my heart is also critical. That is the place where the processing of all that I hear and read are sorted out and where the relevant response or reaction is sorted out. 

How is my heart at the moment? Is it a place where the Word of God can even find space right now, or is it full of clutter and junk? I must note that the Word of God cannot compete for attention with other things through violence; it has to be a conscious effort on my own part to give it time and attention. If I will not forget what I have read or heard, it means that I must give it a good and fertile ground in which the Word can grow and germinate in. The parable of the sower and the different grounds in which the seed is sown is a good reflection of how the Word can be a blessing to me. Do I need to clear out my heart so that the Word of God can have unhindered control? Remember, who controls the heart determines its earthly and eternal reality. God's time of favour is here.

Read; Do!

Read; Do!

‭‭James‬ ‭1:22‭-‬24‬ ‭NIV‬‬

[22] Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

[23] Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 

[24] and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 

There will always be opportunities to hear the Word of God. The Internet has made access to the bible as well as related help mostly available in most countries. For as many as would be interested, several mission outlets also have social media presence, and put out daily, weekly and periodic broadcasts that can help with knowing about God. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing the Word of God is the foundation for faith. Without faith, it has been established that it is impossible to please God. In light of all the above, if I am in a location where there is access to the Internet and study materials, I do not have an excuse not to make time to read or listen to the Word. However, the additional note of caution is that mere listening or reading is not enough; there is the additional step of doing that is critical to accessing the fullness of all that God intends for us through His Word. 

How can I do the Word if I do not first read and understand its demands of and from me? How can I adequately obey the Word if i do not first have a relationship with the author and inspiration of the Word? The person who just listens and reads but does not do is like a man who is interested in knowing what s/he looks like but has no intention of changing anything. S/He has spent time seeking clarity and has seen the areas that need adjustment. The Word of God will always tell you the truth, but I have the choice of response or reaction. When the Word of God shows me who I am, I am expected to take steps to make changes where required. How can I have spent time in front of a mirror and then have nothing to show the investment of time and effort? How can I have a true encounter with the Word of God and there will be no change in my pursuits and priorities? 

In this new year, there are grounds to conquer, lives to impact and destinies to fulfil. The devil is also at work, seeking to distract men from the things that are important and critical to the heart of God. God has given me all that I need for life and Godliness, and I must make full use of His provisions to impact His earth. The only material of change and impact is the Word of God. The only way to sow eternity in the hearts of men is to sow the Word of God in their hearts. Lay emphasis on obedience as much as we lay emphasis on reading the Word of God. Let it not be that I invest time and resources only on earthly impact, which is good, but also on eternal impact. There is nothing the world gives you that you can take with you into eternity. Only that which you do with the Word of God will last forever. I must make it count. I must give the Word time and space in my heart so He can lead me to eternal life. That is the end game. God's time of favour is here.