Deeds and Wisdom!

Deeds and Wisdom!

‭James 3:13 NIV‬

[13] Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

Yesterday's devotion laid out the value of wisdom in my walk with God. The reverent and worshipful fear of God is presented as the beginning of wisdom. The inner conviction would definitely be made manifest by the outer profession. Whatever it is that I have spent time storing up in my heart must be revealed in my interactions, relationships and engagements with people. That is the thrust of the verse above, which starts with a question that I must answer, asking if indeed, I am wise and understanding. That identity must be sorted out first, before I can go on to review the demands that lie at the rest of the verse. 

It is a reflection of the choices I need to make. Have I submitted my heart to the control and influence of the Holy One, the One who gives wisdom? Can He direct my pursuits and priorities to line up with His will and purpose for my life? Do I understand His Word and will, as well as the direction He wants me to take in order to arrive at the destination He has planned for me? Well, the answers to the questions above would be revealed by the daily decisions and actions I take. The good life referred to above is one where God is able to direct and control affairs, so the end-product looks like God. How can I serve and follow a good God, and my life will produce evil?

The good life is reflected by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. See how my deeds and actions are again defined in the light of wisdom. I am saved, but kept on earth in order to make known the God who saves and helps. The people of the world need to know this God, and who else is best positioned to show off, than the one who God has helped? Is God the One guiding my daily actions? Do I act out of pride or a sense of self-sufficiency and independence? Pride can never produce acts of wisdom that line up with God's will. Let God work in me, so that His life can flow out of me. God's time of favour is here.

Fear God!

Fear God!

‭Proverbs 9:10 AMPC‬

[10] The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning (the chief and choice part) of Wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight and understanding.

Fear has both positive and negative connotations. There is a healthy fear and a crippling fear. There is one version of fear that leads you to deal with God and men the right way, and there is the other version that leads you down the path of destruction. The verse above lays emphasis on the good variant of fear, and it is important that I know what the expectations of God are, so that I can pattern my life to align with God's expectations. After all, it is what God demands that matters; not what men celebrate or applaud. I have to be careful of the things that drive my actions and reactions, so that I can end up with the right results that give glory to God. 

Check out the words used above: the reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord. That is deep, because it shows that the right fear is the kind that makes me worship God the right way. Reverence and worship come from a heart that recognizes the authority and superiority of a Supreme Being. Reverence and worship come from a heart that has personal and ongoing encounters with the Power of God. There is a place to acquire information about God, which helps me know who He is, and understand what He demands from me, but the fundamental application of all these is when all I have known or understood help me deal with God the right way. That is the bit about wisdom that is critical to this verse.

Wisdom begins with the knowledge and understanding of who God is. I can deal with Him the right way: hate what He hates, and love what He loves. Taking the time to search for and know God opens my eyes to even deeper levels of insight and understanding of who He is, and what He wants. The higher and deeper I go with Him, the less attractive the things of the world appear to me. It is also important to consider the nature of God that is on display in the verse above: Holiness. It is one thing about God that is the minimum basic requirement for all who will walk with Him. Am I willing to pay the price for where God wants to take me? God's time of favour is here.

Acknowledge God!

Acknowledge Him!

‭Proverbs 3: 6 AMPC‬

[6]  In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.

Yesterday's devotion is the verse just before the focus for today. It has been established that the Lord csn only keep that which has been committed into His hand. Trust in God has to be total if it will lead to the full supply of the grace that is available for all who trust Him. Today's verse then makes it clear that if I claim to trust God completely, the proof of my trust will be seen in my daily decisions. It is very easy to talk; talk is said to be cheap. The proof of my inner conviction is in my outward profession. The proof that I trust God is that I audit my life in light of His expectations. I do not lay claim to any sense of self-sufficiency or independence. 

Again, it has to be said that God will not take half-hearted devotion. It has to be my whole heart involved in the worship of and service to God. It is the lie of the devil to think that there are some areas of my life that God is not interested in, and has left me to deal in those areas as I see fit. If there was no plan, God would not have formed me, or given me all the amazing promises that I can look forward to, and which will give me inspiration to press on toward the mark, and to make eternity with God. At the heart of a life that is totally and completely surrendered to God is a desire to know who God is, who I am in God, what He has purposed and planted me for, and where I am headed. 

When all the above are clear and in place, the pursuits and the priorities will all align. I have to know, recognize and acknowledge God as the sole master of the universe. He knows the end from the beginning, as well as the beginning of the end. He calls out the stars by name, and none can be missing. In fact, He says that even the hair on my end are all numbered. That is the God who calls me to come to Him, as I am, and He will do a work on and in me, so that His life can then flow out of me to bless and impact others. He will direct my path, because I listen out for His voice. All that is crooked will hear God's voice and adjust. If I want this, I must submit. Would you? God's time of favour is here.

Trust God!

Trust God!

‭Proverbs 3:5 AMPC‬

[5] Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.

The verse above makes clear the opportunity cost of getting God on your side. You would have to leave one thing for the other, and in this instance, it would be confidence in your own abilities, insight or understanding. It is given that man was created and given the divine nature by God, which was disrupted when man fell into sin in the Garden of Eden. That fall of man led to a false sense of pride and self-sufficiency, with man relying on his wits, brain and brawn to get him out of situations.  Of course, it has been proven over and over again that relying on human strategy will not lead to the achievement of God's divine purpose for man. 

Right at the same location of man's first sin, the solution to the problem of sin was also provided. God provided the channel of restoration whereby man could be fully restored to his original position or status. By the death and resurrection of Jesus, I now have access to all the riches and resources of citizenship of heaven. I can call God Father and lay claim to all that Jesus secured for me by the cross. However, one point has to be fully emphasized here: God will not go against the exercise of my freewill. He will not force Himself on me, and He will not drag me kicking and screaming into His will. This is something I need to do in the full knowledge and acceptance of what I am doing, what is at stake and where it will end.

That is why I cannot start well in God and end badly by moving away from God. This is where the leaning on and trusting in God are important in this conversation. That which I lean on must be trusted to support my weight or exertions. The verse above also mentions the whole of my heart and mind, and this is interesting because the heart is capable of deception. It is possible to pay lip service to dedication and commitment to God, because no one can see the heart unless God reveals its state to you. I ask God for grace for the race He has set before me. He will sustain and uphold whatever He has commissioned, and supply all that the mission needs for success. All I need to do is to completely trust Him. Would you too? God's time of favour is here. 

God's Peace!

God's Peace!

‭Philippians 4:7 AMP‬

[7] And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours]. [John 14:27]

The world is in turmoil. In line with the word of God, these are perilous times, with wars and rumours of war, pestilence, famine and earthquakes as part of the events of these end times. The uncertainties around me could make my heart quake, but what makes the big difference is the presence of God in my heart. My heart is that battleground, where a lot of information comes in and must be processed quickly, before a decision is made. It is not a surprise, then, that God warns me to guard my heart with all diligence, because out of it flow the issues of life. I cannot afford to let just about anything or anyone make an impression on my heart. I must be careful about whatever impacts my heart. 

God can only thrive in and also inspire a heart He has been given total control over. How does God keep safe anything that is not in His hands and subject to His influence and direction? How can I insist on my own way, want to do things my own way, and still wonder why things do not work out the way they should? Jesus, as the son of God, is called the Prince of Peace, and this means His Father is the King of Peace. The Holy Spirit is also promised to us as the Peace that Jesus said he would give us and leave with us as He went back to the Father. I cannot have God's version of peace outside the person and presence of the One called Peace. 

God's Peace is the presence of God, which is personified by the Holy Spirit. His presence gives me calmness in the midst of the storm. The world will never be able to understand or explain it, but if I have Him, He just settles my heart. His peace is like a guard, who keeps evil thoughts of defeat away from my heart. He keeps reminding me of God's precious promises, and supplies all that I need for life and Godliness. He is all I need, because in and by Him, a great life of impact becomes possible. He is only able to keep that which is committed to Him; like Paul, the confidence comes from total submission. The world may claim independence and self-sufficiency; I rely on God totally. What of you? God's time of favour is here. 

Believe!

Believe!

‭Mark 9:23 AMPC‬

[23] And Jesus said, [You say to Me], If You can do anything? [Why,] all things can be (are possible) to him who believes!

Jesus had just undergone the transfiguration experience. The glory of God had been revealed, and two of the mighty men of the old testament, representing the Law and the Prophets, had shown up, bearing witness to the Glory and Authority of Jesus the Son of God. The three inner-core disciples had seen this, and I am sure their confidence in the person and authority of Jesus had become strengthened. However, as nice as the mountain top experience was, there was a dose of reality waiting for them at the foot of the mountain. There was a young boy whose father had brought his son to the other disciples, but there was no power available to cast out demons. 

These men had spent time with Jesus, and had even been sent out to heal the sick and to proclaim the kingdom of God. Was it that the disciples had forgotten about the power that they had been given? Or was it that they stopped believing they had power because they were no longer on the physical assignment? Whatever it was, the disciples could not cast out the demon, and the father was desperate for help. His words showed his helplessness and desperation. Whatever it is that is a challenge today, ask God to help you. Things may be in the realm of despair, but there is a God who is able to change the story to a good end. What is required is simple faith.

That is the message of the verse above. The father was not sure if he would get any help. If Jesus could heal his son, he would be glad. Jesus laid out a principle of faith in his reply, and it is that faith is critical to receiving anything of value from God. God always wants to show Himself strong and mighty in the lives of people, but He can only move in line with the measure of faith the person has. There are times when His mercy may intervene, but faith is the currency that heaven always responds to. As the bible makes clear, without faith, it is impossible to please God. By faith, man has access to all the resources of heaven, no matter what the weight, height or depth of the problem is. Have faith in God. He will show up when you need Him. God's time of favour is here. 

Right Altitude!

Right Altitude!

‭Colossians 3:2 AMPC‬

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

There are at least two popular sayings that relate to the verse above: 'your location determines your allocation'; and 'your altitude defines your attitude'. As always, the very first step in the journey toward fulfilling God's purpose for my life is to know who I am, who I belong to, and what that understanding and reality demand from me. For all who bear allegiance to a specific country, there are rules of engagement and codes of conduct that govern that relationship. You demand some protection and provision from the authority in charge, which will then expect some specific responses from you. That is how it works both in the physical, and to a deeper extent, the spiritual. 

The verse above starts with a demand on those who bear allegiance to Christ. If you have indeed been raised with Christ, then the expectation is that your mind is in the same place where Christ is seated. I cannot be committed to Christ and also committed to iniquity at the same time and to the same degree. The deeper I go with Christ, the deeper my commitment to the things of Christ would be. If I choose to remain on the surface level, seeking to mix the spiritual with the sinful, I will not go far in my walk with God. To set is to fix firmly, where it would require huge effort to move, or to reset. To set is to find the right fit and to stay there. 

It is also quite important to note that the assignment to set my mind on what is above is mine to do, with the grace of God that has been abundantly supplied to me. God gives grace, but the work is mine to carry out. And I must keep my focus on the assignment, as there will always be distractions. I set my mind on what is above, and I keep it set. The devil too is smart, and he has been in this business of distraction for a long time. The things of the earth may look lovely, but let it be known that the best of the world will be destroyed by fire when the Lord returns. Do not let the temporary keep you away from the eternal. God's time of favour is here.

Saved!

Saved!

‭Acts 4:12 AMP‬

[12] And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among people by which we must be saved [for God has provided the world no alternative for salvation].”

By the power in the name of Jesus, Peter and John had just healed a lame man. A man who had never walked in his life was walking, leaping and praising God. When the hand of God touches your life, that which had been impossible now becomes possible. As always, the hand of God will also attract different reactions. In one instance, many who saw the lame man healed believed, and were added to the church, but there were other leaders, such as the high priest's family, whose relevance and hold on the people were being threatened. I have to be careful of the things that define my relevance; would I pursue the things that glorify God, or am I focused only on the things that promote my self-esteem? 

The family of the high priest put Peter and John in prison overnight, and then the next day, brought them out for questioning. The priests wanted to know by what authority the apostles were performing the miracles being witnessed by the people. Think of this: priests who should know, experience and exhibit the power of God had become so focused on power, position and influence that God had to bypass them to reach the people directly. Priests who should be pointing the attention of the people to the power and authority of Jesus knew nothing of Him, his ways or His name. Before I point the finger at other people, can I also take stock of my own life too? Have I become to used to the tokens that the name means nothing to me now? 

I love the way the verse above puts it: God has provided no other alternative for salvation. The name of Jesus has been laid out quite clearly as the only way to get to the life that God has provided through His Son. I can choose my own path, but there is no guarantee that my own path will lead to the path of eternal life with God. There is no name under heaven, given among men, by which men will be saved. Men can call themselves the same name, but without the nature and power of the name, it remains just a name. It is God's will that all men come to repentance, and that is why His life was the price for this prize. If this high price has been paid, God wil not be held responsible for the consequences of my choice. God waits for me to come to Him; I have a sure hope that He can save, and preserve me to the end. What are you waiting for? God's time of favour is here

Give Thanks!

Give Thanks!

‭1 Thessalonians 5:18 AMPC‬

[18] Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].

After being charged to rejoice at all times, and to pray continually, there is now the charge to give thanks in everything. There must be no half-measures when it comes to a walk with God. My entire life must be involved in a walk with God. I cannot afford to be warm today and cold tomorrow. Based on the principles of the Bible, that is being lukewarm. The end result of such a state is that God would spue such a person out of his mouth because He has no use for a person who cannot make up his mind what he will be committed to. Am I such a person whose heart is still split across different engagements, or have I learnt the secret of access into the throne of grace? 

Giving thanks in everything would require that my heart acknowledges that God is in charge of all things, and nothing happens without His permission or consent. 

For a child of God, this is critical. In the face of the complexities in our lives, such as economic turmoil, financial woes, political conflicts, even family tussles and breakups, God still says I should give thanks in everything. No matter what comes my way, if I am able to give thanks, I tell God that He is Lord and Master over all situations in and around me, even when they do not look like that. I am opening up the channels for God to do even greater things in my life. Is there any area of my life that is making it hard for me to give thanks for? I love one definition of giving, which is: 'freely transfer the possession of (something) to (someone)'. Of my own freewill, without any compulsion, I offer up thanks to God. If I don't give it, it does not change who God is, but giving thanks means I acknowledge that God wants it. 

God does not owe a man, so you are sure that when you give thanks, God is moved to give you something too. The verse says it is God's will that I give thanks, and when I do the will of God, God will also do amazing things in my life. God does not owe a man; if I obey, He will move mightily in my life. The opposite is also very true. There is the not-so-small matter of who the verse above speaks to, and that is for those who are in Christ Jesus. This is very important, because your location will always drive your motivation. If I know who I am, who I belong to, and what is expected of me, there will not be any struggle with obeying the demands of my identity, ownership and allegiance. Am I in Christ, or do I have other equally pressing allegiances, making it difficult to focus on God alone? I must remember that doing God's will is the only way to earn His approval, and to experience His power. Nothing else works. God's time of favour is here. 

Pray!

Pray!

‭1 Thessalonians 5:17 AMP‬

[17] be unceasing and persistent in prayer;

I love the definition of prayer found online: 'Prayer is communication with God. We do this by praising Him, confessing our sin before Him, thanking Him and asking Him for our needs and desires. Prayer is communion with our Creator. When we pray, we engage in loving fellowship with the Maker of heaven and earth'. Reflect on all the parts that make up the definition above, and tell me if there is anything of importance left out. It starts with the emphasis on 'with God', not at God. I do not hurl words at God and then quickly jump to my feet and go on my way. Communication is only effective when the words of one person have been correctly received, understood and rightly interpreted, and the feedback or response has also been correctly received. As long as there is confusion or any form of misunderstanding in the mix, there has not yet been good communication. 

Check out all the parts to prayer: praising Him, confession of sins, thanking Him, and asking Him for our needs and desires. Let no man ever tell you that you are not praying the right way, as long as God is the sole focus of the time you are investing in prayer. However you do it, or in whatever position or posture you take when doing it, make sure you do it right, if you want it to end up with the right result. Check out how many times God or Him is mentioned in the definition above. I count at least 5 times in a 27-word sentence. God has to be the focus, not my needs. If I focus on the need, I will end up losing sight of what is really important. I must focus on the One who can meet the need, and even give me a burden for that which is really His need. I can only know this when I spend time asking Him, and listening to His directives and instructions. 

Enough of the talk, and more of the actual practice of prayer. Books have been written, and it is good to read up on them, but I must move on from reading to doing. There is not much good in just thinking or planning for it; the value comes from actually doing it. The verse above lays it out quite clearly too that prayer has to be unceasing and persistent. It is not what I do only when it is convenient, but also when it is inconvenient. Being persistent comes from the knowledge of the power, ability and capacity of the One you are praying to to bring to pass all that you ask Him for. Being persistent comes from a personal knowledge and experience of God, confident that no matter how often I ask Him for anything, He will do it if it lines up with His will. Would you also pray? Remember, God moves in answer to prayer, not wishes. God's time of favour is here. 

Rejoice!

Rejoice!

‭1 Thessalonians 5:16 KJV‬

[16] Rejoice evermore.

One definition of 'rejoice' is to 'feel or show great joy or delight'. I note that the word joy is also used in the definition above. However, when it is time to define joy, you know the world will have a problem. An online version tries to make a distinction between happiness and joy using the narrative below: 'Happiness is typically a more fleeting emotion, often sparked by a particular moment or event that brings a sense of excitement or exhilaration. Joy, on the other hand, is a more long-lasting state of being, characterized by contentment and satisfaction with life overall'. Even the world knows that there is a deeper meaning to joy than what events, possession, postion or power can give you. 

It is therefore important for me to define which one applies to me. Am I content to stay on the level of just happiness, or would I also push for the joy that is deeper than fleeting emotions that last just for a while? One reason why joy is deeper than happiness is because of its source and purpose. What can make a man have joy in his heart even when events around me would not be palatable or enjoyable? What can make a man smile at the storms of life when they come, if he is not sure that his foundations are based on the presence of someone who gives joy in the midst of pain, comfort in the face of discomfort and peace in the midst of the storm? 

It means that you cannot have joy outside of the One who says the Kingdom of God is not about food and drink, which may make you happy, but about righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. The verse above then makes it clear that joy is the only version that can last, because it is not tied to events, but to the Presence of God. Joy is not based on things aligning, but on God bringing His peace to bear, no matter the circumstances. It is because of God's presence that I can rejoice continually. Do not rely on the created to give you what only the Creator can birth and sustain in you. Joy is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Nothing and no one else can guarantee you joy. God's time of favour is here.

Work!

Work!

‭Acts 20:35 NIV‬

[35] In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

There is an inner conviction that is made manifest by outward profession. That which I believe is evidenced by that which I do. This is the background to the verse above, where Paul addressed the elders of the church in Ephesus for the last time. There appears to be a generation of believers who feel entitled to resources simply by faith, but would not work at all to maintain or uphold the resources. We seem to think that having faith in God completely absolves us of having to work at all, and we can simply get by with just believing in the God of abundant provision. We ask God for increase, and then we sit and fold our arms, expecting the manna to fall somehow. While God is the One who sustains whatever He ordains, there is a responsibility I have to ensure that there is something in my hand that God can increase. 

My 0 effort multiplied by God's 100 will always amount to 0. It is also important to note that it is not the effort that comes first, because there is no way my effort can earn God's approval, without the foundation of faith being laid right. It is on faith and the great works of faith are best laid. My life's profession becomes the proof of my confession of faith. Paul was a living proof of this position, as he worked as a tent maker while also preaching the gospel. His life was an example that all of us today must emulate, so that the gospel of Christ can be backed up with the right templates to emulate. Can God count on me to be the right version that reflects who He is? 

The other part of the verse above also links working hard to helping the weak. It is an interesting connection, and it appears to me that my work is not so much about my benefit only, but so that I can be a blessing to another person. All around me are needs; I am not sent to the entire world at the same time, but there would always be the one person who needs help at a particular time. Part of my work is to impact lives by the things I have received. I know quite clearly that whatever is placed in my hands is not really mine to dispense as I please, but to use to the glory of God. From the perspective of Jesus, it is more blessed to give than to receive. By giving, I make room for more to come. By giving, I share the heart of Jesus to the world, and make Him known. After all, He already gave the greatest gift possible; I must strive to be like Him, and to be a blessing to the world. Would you do the same? God's time of favour is here.

Like God!

Like God!

‭Luke 6:36 AMP‬

[36] Be merciful (responsive, compassionate, tender) just as your [heavenly] Father is merciful.

One of the best places to start is to define the key theme of the verse above, which is mercy. This is defined as 'compassion or forgiveness shown towards someone whom it is within one's power to punish or harm'. You find someone who has done something wrong, and the right thing to do is punish. There must have been a breach of clear rules by the overall authority, and the rules also lay out the clear consequences for not adhering to the rules. God does not punish because it gives Him pleasure to be a terror, but it is His nature to apply the rules He has set by Himself. Would God be God if He were fickle, timid and inconsistent in the application of His Word? 

Thank God for His faithfulness and truth; I know where I stand because I know who God is. It is His Word that says clearly that the soul that sins shall die. It is also His Word that lays out the way of salvation from the consequences of sin, which is death. God's Word does not limit the opportunity to those who are rich, connected or influential, but to all who will come, as they are, to the source of this mercy. I come, as I am, to the source of mercy. God does not lie, and if He says I am forgiven, indeed I am. When I have received this mercy, and I come into a new standing in Christ, it is expected that I extend the same grace to other people. 

This is where the practical meets the expected. Just as I have obtained mercy, I have to be quick to share it. God will not demand from me that which He has not given me grace for, but you can be sure that an account will be demanded of the resources He has made available to me. A heart that God has touched will produce that which looks like God. The perfect example is our heavenly Father, and those who He births look, speak, relate and love like He does. If I am struggling to show compassion or tenderness, I just might need to go back and check my connection. Mercy has been given in abundance; how do you respond? God's time of favour is here.

God's Mercy!

God's Mercy!

‭Lamentations 3:22-23 KJV‬

[22] It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, Because his compassions fail not. [23] They are new every morning: Great is thy faithfulness.

There is something about God's mercy that takes away man's sense of entitlement. There is a power in grace that renders all of man's efforts and labour a waste. If I were to be able to earn or pay for God's mercy, then it would no longer be called mercy. If I could pay for it, then allI need to focus on will be the work required to earn enough to pay my way through. Thank God for His wisdom and foresight, giving all men, irrespective of physical status, earnings or family background to make the approach, and have access to His mercy. And his mercies are many, as the verses above make clear. What is that need that is draining my joy? The mercy of God has an answer. 

Sin's punishment is death, and someone had to pay the price. Someone who was not subject to the chain of sin was the only One who could settle the debt of sin. Destruction would have been our lot if He did not die on our behalf. By His death and life, I cannot be consumed anymore by the power of sin, because someone more powerful than all the forces of the devil combined has paid the price for sin. By His resurrection, He has already secured eternal life for me. In this is also a warning: I must remain connected to the One who secured this life for me. I will not survive on my own, as the fallen nature has made it impossible for me to help or save myself. 

Every day God gives me is an opportunity to experience His many mercies. It is also quite refreshing to read about new compassions on a daily basis. God does not have to repeat a process, as He has over a billion ways He can solve a particular problem. Every day I get from God is an opportunity to see Him in a different light, and He does not need me to be God. He can do that all by Himself, yet it has pleased Him to make me the object of His affection and the target of His mercy. He is a faithful God, and the world is in its place because of this faithfulness. What a God who  calls us by name to come to Him. With all that I now know of God, what is my decision? God's time of favour is here. 

Take Heed!

Take Heed!

‭James 1:19 NIV‬

[19] My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.

There is the inner man and the outer man. The inner man defines the essence of the man, because whatever the outer man produces is a reflection of what is stored up in the inner man. We focus so much on the outer man, because it is the only one we think we can make up to look a certain way, or to speak in a certain way. We conveniently forger that what is not seen is even greater and bigger than what we cannot see. That is also the implied message of the verse above. We want to be seen in a particular light; we want men to relate with us in a particular way, so we lay down boundaries and define terms of engagement and codes of conduct. 

These are not bad in themselves, but what work have I done in myself first of all, before I can make a demand on someone else?  What standards am I holding myself to, in order to be qualified to encourage other people to also uphold the same standards? The call in the verse above is to first deal with myself, and whatever log may be in my own eye. There is a reason why God, in His wisdom, gave us two ears, but one mouth and one heart. The heart is single because from it flows the essence of life. The mouth is the reflection of the heart, because out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. Imagine the pressure and pain an unsubmitted heart can cause.

Before I get angry and speak carelessly, I am asked to process any issue in my heart at least twice the time it takes to speak. I must take the time to weigh words and be sure that they will benefit those who listen. Am I only focused on getting even, or am I seeking that the name of the Lord will be glorified in the things I do? Be quick to listen, because that is the one sure to get people to open up to you. If they know you will hear them, they will open up to you. Not everything I hear is for public consumption; otherwise, I will lose the trust of people. I cannot afford to get angry at every perceived slight. I cannot react to everything that happens around me. God wants to use me as His eyes, ears, lips and heart. Based on my current pursuits and priorities, am I representing Him well? God's time of favour is here.

In Me!

In Me!

‭1 John 4:4 NIV‬

You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.

Origin defines benefits. Sworn allegiance and citizenship define entitlements. Who I am, whose I am, and where I am determine what I have access to. The descendants to the throne do not get involved in petty squabbles; they know what is ahead, and they are prepared for it. Just as it is in the physical, so is it also relevant in the spiritual. I have to be clear about who I am and who I belong to, if I want to make demands on the benefits of the kingdom of God. Many people know about the benefits,, and there are those who will come at intervals to make claims on some benefits when it suits them, but they do not want to be subject to the dictates of that kingdom on a regular basis. 

When trouble comes suddenly, as it will do, how do you help someone whose allegiance you are not sure about? How do you make heaven's resources available for someone who is not subject to it? I have victory only because I am from God. That is the simple fact that has been true from eternity. I am not called into a physical war with physical weapons of war, but into a spiritual war, with weapons that are made mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. If I do not know what these weapons are, or how best to wield them in order to maintain and sustain victory, how can I walk in the victory that has been promised by God? 

His presence is the assurance I need for victory on a regular basis. It is not so much in the just the abundance of knowledge of the means of war, or battle strategies, good as these may be. I may know a lot about the devil's devices, but it is only the presence of God that can guarantee continuous victory. The One who lives in me, if I have totally and truly submitted to God is greater and bigger than the sum of all who rule over the kingdoms of the world. Even the devil knows God is greater, and that is why he sought to have Jesus bow down to him. It is the lesser that seeks the greater to bow down. Thank God Jesus knew who He is, and we who have come to trust in Him are better for it. 

The biggest question here, then, is the issue of identity. It is the greatest question that I must find an answer for, if I am to walk in the victory that God's presence and power have secured for all who are in Him. Who should I follow: the One who owns and controls, and will judge the entire earth, or the one who will be judged when this present earth comes to an end? This world comes to an end at some point in time, and you do not want to be caught unawares of the coming judgement. While there is still time, make sure of your allegiance to and citizenship in God's kingdom. That is key to earthly impact and eternal life with God. God's time of favour is here.

Separated!

Separates!

‭Leviticus 20:26 AMP‬

[26] You are to be holy to Me; for I the Lord am holy, and have set you apart from the peoples (nations) to be Mine.

As you read the book of Leviticus, you find a lot of instructions given to the people of Israel, who had been set apart by God as His own treasured possession. The tribe of Levi, which is also an offshoot of the book itself, was chosen by God to serve in the priestly office. The demands of the chosen are always different from those who belong to the crowd. The expectations from the multitude will always be different from those of the chosen. It is very important for me to sort out my place and identity, so I can define what is expected of me, and I can pursue that which I know is God's expectations for me. Do I know who I am, who I belong to, and whom I have been set apart to follow and serve?

The declaration in the verse above was made directly by God. I am holy to Him, if indeed I have accepted Him as Lord, Saviour and Master. It is also important that I do the total submission, because God cannot work with a vessel that He does not own or control, or a heart that He cannot direct or influence. I want God to do mighty things in me, or to start a great work through me, yet my heart is not subject to His instructions or directions. How do I promote God's position, when I am not yet in His camp? Does He own me? Does He own you? Can He demand my allegiance to Him alone, or are there other concerns that take priority over Him? 

I must remember that God will not demand from me that which He has not first supplied grace and strength for. If He demands holiness, it is because help to attain it has been made available. As He commands holiness, He is the perfect example to emulate and because He wants the world to know the difference, He supplies the help I need to also live up to His expectations. It will never be an excuse to claim my human nature as the reason why I could not live holy, because from the start, God never intended that I should rely on brute strength or human wisdom to attain the supernatural. Only the supernatural can sustain the supernatural. 

I am set apart from the principles and practices of the world around me. I live by different standards because I bear allegiance to a new Lord and King. Ownership always defines benefits. Whoever owns me defines my pursuits, priorities and purposes. God will only sustain that which He ordains. He cannot be found or caught in sin, and His grace will not continue to abound where sin is permitted to abound. I am set apart from the world, and I must dare to stand alone if need be. The world will not embrace the things of God; I also must not embrace the things of the world. I belong to God now; I am owned by Him. He takes care of His own. Do you belong to Him? God's time of favour is here.

All to the Glory of God!

All to the Glory of God!

‭1 Corinthians 10:31-32 NIV‬

[31] So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. [32] Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God—

God, in the exercise of His foresight, has laid it out that the entire human race will come from the union of male and female genes. However the process of birth occurs, there is a union between the male and the female parts, and the person is born into a family, however normal or dysfunctional it may be. No one stands alone, and so far, no one else has been born the way Jesus was. We inherit the nature of sin by our natural birth, and then we come to the saving knowledge of Jesus by our spiritual birth. We are born into a natural family by our first birth, and we are brought into a spiritual family by our second birth. 

We learn the customs and traditions of the human family as we grow up, and we will also be expected to learn the practices of our spiritual family as we grow in our knowledge and experience of this new family. This is the foundation of the verses above. As I grow in my human family, there are things that are w expected from me. I do not do anything that will hurt the members of my family. I watch out for their best interests. I ensure that I promote actions that will engender peace and harmony. I am there to support members who are struggling in one way or the other, so that they can be strengthened to stand on their own. 

When one member is in trouble, we all gather around to help. When one member rejoices, we all also rejoice with the member. This is the dynamic that makes the human family unique and special. If this is true for the human family, picture the greater impact the spiritual family will have. Food and drink are natural processes that all families will engage in, and these can cause friction. God is asking me to be ready and willing to do even the basic of activity with a heart that seeks the good of other people, and not just my own. You may ask "Why would what I est or drink be an issue for another person" but the verses above seek to change the focus from the narrow prism of self to the broad scope of the welfare and growth of other people. 

I do what I do because I care about the welfare of other people. I give up something I like because of the growth of someone else. I am not bound by dogma or the usual; I am not letting food and drink cause another person to stumble. I would not let the exercise of my freewill lead another person into bondage. I will not succeed in this by just simply following rules; I need to depend on the Holy Spirit. He is the One who knows what the other person needs, and He can guide my actions in the way they can be a blessing and encouragement to the other person. The glory of God must be my ultimate pursuit; when God is glorified, there is no limit to the usage and impact my life can have. God's time of favour is here. 

Reconciled!

Reconciled

‭Malachi 4:5-6 NIV‬

[5] “See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. [6] He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction.”

The great and dreadful day of the Lord is coming. This is not a statement to be doubted or feared if one is ready for it, but it will come as a surprise to everyone, because no one knows the day or the hour when the Lord will return. For some, it would be a sudden taking away in rapture, while for others, it would be physical death that will lead to eternity. Whichever happens, God warns ahead of time that there is a right preparation for His day.  As was laid out in yesterday's devotion, God does not judge without first warning, and as we see in the verses above, He sends his prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day comes. 

Who is the prophet Elijah? As at the time Malachi was written, Elijah was already dead, but there is one who comes in the Spirit and Power of God, and who, like Elijah, challenges the rot of our times and seeks to draw the hearts of men back to God. You get the identity of this person, as you read Luke 1:16-17 NIV‬: [16] He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. [17] And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”. This was the assignment of John at the time; do I know my own assignment?

As I live in this present generation, what is my role in drawing the hearts of men back to God? It also appears that the first step in drawing men to God is in reconciling sons to fathers and fathers to sons. How can anyone seek God the right way if there is the seed of bitterness or malice in the heart? How can God move mightily in a place where there is strife, envy or hatred? The ministry of reconciliation is best done by someone who has seen the benefits and rewards of reconciliation and knows that God moves best where there is peace. God is not the author of confusion, and He can best operate in an environment where He has been given the power to control and influence.

Is my heart and life such places where God is able to control and influence? Like Elijah of the old and John the Baptist of the new testaments, can God count on me to be His eyes, ears, lips, feet and heart in this present generation where He has placed me? There is no doubt that the Lord returns soon, and that is evident from the integrity of His Word which cannot be found to be false. God is going to judge the earth, but there is hope for all who respond the right way to the warnings of God. Before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes, I strive to be a blessing to the generation I am a part of. May lives be glad that I crossed their paths. What of you? God's time of favour is here. 

Grace for Life!

Grace for Life!

‭Titus 2:11-12 KJV‬

[11] For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, [12] teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

God cannot be seen to be unfair. No matter the dispensation or generation, we find God giving men the opportunity to know and submit to Him of their own freewill. God does not compel anyone to love Him, otherwise He will have only subjects, and not love and loyalty. That is the premise of the first part of the verses above. There is grace available for all men, no matter the dispensation or generation. We refer to the Old testament as a time of the law, but if not for grace, would men like Moses be forgiven after such a blatant action of disobedience as he did? Would a man like David enjoy so much of favour if not for grace? It is still the same God through all generations, and as He dealt with the people of old, so does He continue to deal with us today. There is grace available for all. 

This grace is what offers salvation to all men. It is grace that considers my past, yet offers me a new, fresh start. It is grace that overlooks my previous errors, and as I come to the source of grace, I am forgiven, cleaned up and set up to show off the effects of the grace that I have received. It is grace that makes forgiveness and restoration even more potent, because the recipient knows that there could not have been any other reason why grace would be given. And ALL men have  been given access to this grace, otherwise, God would be seen as unfair. He does not judge without first warning, and His warnings are laid out clearly in His Word. It pays to know what God's mind is, so I can be careful of the things I do, and how I do them.

This grace does not leave me ignorant of God's will. It teaches me to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and replaces those desires with the heart to live soberly, righteously and Godly in this present world. Nature abhors a vacuum; something must fill a man's heart, because His life must produce in line with his response to grace. Grace does not condone sin; in fact, it is forbidden to expect that a man will continue in sin and expect the grace of God to continue to abound. My heart will not be able to cope with such confusion and contradiction. And God is patient to teach, if I am humble enough to listen and be taught. The impact and effect of God's teaching will have both earthly and eternal consequences. This present world is getting steeped in sin, yet God never leaves His own without help. He is there for us, if only we will trust Him with our lives. God's time of favour is here.

Replacement!

Replacement!

‭Ezekiel 36:26 NIV‬

[26] I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.

There is one statement that has been true for all ages, and will be true until the Lord returns and this earthly phase ends, and it is "God loves the sinner but hates sin". It does not matter how much you try to spin it; God's love for us is undeniable, yet His hatred of sin is also quite clear, both in the severity of the punishment that was prescribed for sin, and the high price He paid to secure deliverance from the power of sin. When you consider all these, you just have to hate what God hates and love what He loves. If He says He hates sin, and you want to enjoy His favour, you cannot afford to toy with sin. Men who have walked with God, like Joseph, will flee from any appearance of sin. 

The children of Israel were God's chosen people, kept by Him and given a beautiful land to inhabit, yet due to sin and familiarity, they rebelled against God. He punished them in line with His Word, and nations which had not been able to face them conquered the land and took them into exile. However, even in punishment, the mercy of God would not let go. He had punished, yet, He was seeking the restoration of the land. I must also be careful of taking the mercy of God for granted. What is the guarantee that there will be a second opportunity to repent and return? While I have time, I must check my ways, and deal with the root of sin, before it roots me away from eternal life with God. 

From the verse above, God acknowledges the issue with man's heart, and He promises a new heart and a new spirit. God knows that he cannot use the unbroken, unregenerated heart of man. In its natural state, the bible says the heart of mam is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. The heart of stone is not malleable; it cannot be written on easily. The heart of flesh is one that can be written on with ease, and the work of God upon such a heart will be visible. It is only by total surrender that God can do such a work in me. He will not force Himself on me or go against the exercise of my freewill, but know this: there are eternal consequences for every choice made. Before it is too late, make sure your heart has been worked on by God. God's time of favour is here. 

Exalted!

Exalted!

‭1 Chronicles 29:11 KJV‬

[11] Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all. 

David would speak from personal experience here. He was one who had experienced God in many ways; he had seen the mercy as well as the judgment of God in different ways, and at different times in his life, as well as the lives of men around him. Saul, the king before him, was a good example of God's mercy and judgment. The experience of Uriah and Bathsheba and Solomon was also another example of God's mercy and judgment. Of the many lessons that David would have learnt, a few of them would have to be in relation to the context of the verse above. David loved the Lord so much, and this was reflected in his desire to build a befitting place for the ark of the covenant to rest. 

God acknowledged the plan, but due to David's past, God would not allow him build, but the son that came from the result of his marriage to Bathsheba, was the one God chose to build the temple. Speak about mercy and forgiveness. God is able to make an eternal message out of the greatest mess. God is able to turn around the most filthy of hearts into his most treasured possession. What is critical in this discussion would be the surrender of my heart to God. There are times when my heart may seek after selfish desires and interests, but God waits for me to return to Him. His arms are always open wide, but I must also take cognizance of the fact that the invitation is not one that is endless. 

There is a time and season for repentance and return, and it will be in my own best interest to seek God out while He is near. David understood this, and the words of the verse above make that clear. To God belong greatness, power, glory, victory, and majesty. The whole earth and heaven belong to Him, and He is exalted above all things. You do not get to see anyone or anything that can lay claim to the things God is or can do. He is King; the type whose kingdom has no end, and whose authority cannot be questioned, limited or denied. I can choose to submit to and acknowledge Him, or I can choose self over everything else. The choice, as always, is mine to make, but the eternal consequences always follow my choice. May God be glorified in me. May my life be a reflection of a lifetime of gratitude and appreciation for all that God is and has done. God's time of favour is here. 

Fully Armed 7!

Fully Armed 7!

‭Ephesians 6:18 AMP‬

[18] With all prayer and petition pray [with specific requests] at all times [on every occasion and in every season] in the Spirit, and with this in view, stay alert with all perseverance and petition [interceding in prayer] for all God’s people.

We come to the final bit of the armour. Some may point out that this does not address any part of the body, but as we know from past devotions on this armour, the armour is more spiritual than physical, with the parts laid out the way they are for ease of understanding.  There is no part that can be dispensed with, and it is also important to engage the help of the Holy Spirit in taking on these parts and applying them for impact and effect. This is where praying in the Spirit comes into good effect. The simple definition of prayer is "to commune with God". As the verse above lays out quite clearly, you go to God with specific requests, at all times and in all seasons. 

There is no way I can keep at this without the help of the Spirit. There is no way I can be motivated to sustain this practice if there is no benefit for me. Prayer makes it clear that I need the help of One who is stronger, wiser and greater than me, and I am not ashamed to ask for His help. Prayer also means surrender to and embrace of the will of the One whom I am praying to. Prayer should not be the time to lay out my complaints, without seeking out God's will for the situations I face. What will be the point of going to God with my cares and burdens, if I will still pick up the same burdens after I pray, and log them around? I pray because I know God is capable of help that I cannot get anywhere else. Why pray, if I will not submit to His will, or do what He commands? 

Everything that goes on in and around me must be the subject of prayer. The verse above asks me to stay alert with all perseverance and petition. That is also the hallmark of a soldier on guard. You watch out for the enemy, but you are also ready to engage the weapons provided. You are alert and ready at all times. Again, this is only possible when the help of the Spirit is fully engaged. Human effort is a waste and a drain because the war is a long one; one that must be fought for as long as this human phase exists. There is no demilitarised zone; at no time can you say the battle is over until you are either called home, or the Lord returns at rapture. Depend on God totally; He is the Man of War, and He will sustain us to the end, as we seek His help with the help of His Spirit. God's time of favour is here.

Fully Armed 6!

Fully Armed 6!

‭Ephesians 6:17 AMPC‬

[17] And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit wields, which is the Word of God.

Other parts also come into play. We move to the head, which is the control centre for the body. It is not about it being the most important, but it is the critical to control and coordination. It is not a surprise that the helmet is tied to salvation. The head is the point where the decision to advance or retreat is made. The heart will receive stimuli from outside, but the head has to process everything it receives so it can make a decision that gives comfort to the heart. Salvation is the critical ingredient for my decisions to be right and based on the truth of God's Word. How can I press on to victory in the battle if the Man of War is not on my side? How can I claim victory if the One who saves has not first saved me from the power of sin and death?

Being saved from sin and death means I am on the right path to victory. I still have to fight to maintain the victory that has been secured for me, but I do not need to fight like the helpless or the hopeless. The helmet protects even from unseen dangers, such as flying debris or even misdirected missiles. That is why you do not take off the helmet, as long as you are in the battle. You do not take on the helmet when it is convenient, and then drop it when the occasion demands it. I do not get to choose the times when I act as a Christian, and when I have to be anything else. This is not a part I put on when the occasion demands and then take off; it has to be my permanent appearance, because the devil does not warn before he strikes.

There is also the sword, which, from the verse above, is the Word of God and is wielded by the Spirit. This is interesting because the Word of God is actually inspired by the Spirit of God. I can hold the sword, thinking it is by my strength that I am able to use it well, but it is only by the help of the Spirit that I can apply it to optimum effect. I can hold the sword, but the power of impact and effect is not determined by my skill, but by the power of the One who is the personification of the Word Himself. The Word of God is a weapon in the hands of those who have made it the sole personal guide for their lives. Does the above describe me in any way? Can I say, of a truth, that I am properly dressed and armed with the right tools for the battle that is ahead? God has made his provisions clear; I must depend on Him for all that I need for life and Godliness. God's time of favour is here.

Fully Armed 5!

Fully Armed 5!

‭Ephesians 6:15-16 AMP‬

[15] and having strapped on your feet the gospel of peace in preparation [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news]. [16] Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

We come to other parts of the armour provided by God for my use, protection and advancement against the schemes of the devil. There are the feet which carry me to the place of the battle; to the lives who need to be delivered from the power of sin and the devil. How can they hear the good news of the death and resurrection of Jesus, and all that He has secured for them, if nobody tells them? My feet have become the channel of propagation and dissemination, and I walk, speak and work from a place of personal conviction and experience. I do not speak theories and principles promoted by men, but  I speak of what I have seen, heard, tasted and personally encountered. 

That is the strength and power of a personal or private witness, as well as public proclamation. I cannot have received good news, and then fail to tell others about it. When I know the earthly and eternal benefits that come from the good news, I just have to tell others. Of course, with the knowledge of the gospel about Jesus also comes the understanding of how to rightly apply what I know. The shield of faith is a protective weapon which guards me from the flaming arrows of the evil one. He knows the power of the gospel, and he will try his utmost best to sow seeds of doubt around the seed of the gospel that is planted in the hearts of men. 

The evil one knows the power and motivation that come from personal conviction, and if he is able to insert fear or doubt in a man's heart, the work of faith may struggle. The devil is skilled in warfare, and he can play the long game, waiting for moments of vulnerability. Faith holds on to God's provisions, even when things do not look convincing yet. Faith holds on to God's Word, even when everything else around seem to be falling to pieces. As we have also read somewhere else in the bible, without faith, it is impossible to please God, because anyone who will come to Him must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of all who diligently seek Him. Hold on to God; He is able to preserve all who hold on to Him. God's time of favour is here. 

Fully Armed 4!

Fully Armed 4!

‭Ephesians 6:14 AMP‬

So stand firm and hold your ground, having tightened the wide band of truth (personal integrity, moral courage) around your waist and having put on the breastplate of righteousness (an upright heart),

And we come to the details of the armour that has been provided by God for my protection, sustenance and stability. To enable me to stand and hold my ground, I must know the enemy, his tactics and schemes, and also know how to counter whatever he throws at me. It is quite interesting to note that the first part of the armour mentioned is that which is first internal, before its effect and impact are seen on the external. It is easy to focus on that which is seen or felt, but it is important to sort out my personal convictions and principles first, before I can successfully counter the wiles of the enemy. What kind of fight can I really engage in, if I do not have adequate knowledge of the terms of engagement and the dictates of the battle? 

Again, it is not to say that one part is more important than the other, but God would have me first set up the inner guard, before I strive to set up the outer guard. In other versions, the wide band of truth is referred to as the belt of truth. See how it is explained in the verse above: personal integrity and moral courage. These are the seeds of a life that makes impact. It is inner strength that drives public impact. Many lives have been wasted or cut short because of the disconnect between their personal and public lives. The devil is smart; he knows how easy it is to keep a public profile, which is nothing like the private reality. It takes time for the private reality to become known to people, and by the time it is known, it is likely that damage would have been done. 

Can I truthfully say that my private conviction matches my public profession? Again, the breastplate of righteousness is the next part mentioned, and that is first the result of a private WALK, which then manifests in public WORKS of righteousness. I am made righteous by the work of Jesus, and when I come to the saving knowledge of Jesus, I take on His nature. My goods works now make sense in the light of the work of salvation and redemption that was done for me. My heart will always be critical to how the fight goes, and where it ends. I cannot trust my heart outside of the influence and control of the One who can help me win. I must give it to Him, so He can cover it with His nature, and He can nurture it to perfection. That is the pathway to victory, the type that lasts. Do not first focus on the outer fight; sort out the inner and God will definitely work out the outer. God's time of favour is here. 

Fully Armed 3!

Fully Armed 3!

‭Ephesians 6:13 NIV‬

[13] Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

Over the past few days, we have been looking at the demands of these times we are in, and what God expects from those who belong to Him. You cannot speak about armour if there is no war to fight. You cannot be focused on proper kitting for a soldier if there was not the spectre of battle. The fact that I am on this side of earth means that I have been called into a battle, and the One who calls will not leave me to my own devises. He has made adequate provision for my protection, as well as for my application to life. He has told me the terms that govern my earthly stay, as well as the proper requirements for my eternal reality. What He demands from me is the right reaction, which is to take on all that He has provided. Of what use is the provision of the full armor if I will not take it on? 

There is a reason why the advice is to take on the full armor of God. It is dangerous to take on less than God's full amour, as we can see from the parts that are provided, and the parts that they protect. Check out a fully kitted soldier and it is difficult to find a vulnerable area to penetrative, unless the soldier himself takes off a part or unduly exposes himself. As it is in the physical, so is it in the spiritual. God who sees ahead knows what is required as adequate protection, and He has done His part. What is required is for me to put it on, not to admire it from afar, or to speak about its beauty and features. It only works the right way when I put it on the right way. Ahead of the days of trouble, which will surely come, I am enjoined to put on that which will keep me safe from trouble, and ensure that I am able to stand at the end of the battle. 

It is not IF, but WHEN the day of evil comes. Do not believe the lies of the devil that being a Christian makes you immune to trials and tough times. Evil will come, but there is a provision against its impact. I am given grace to stand up under the pressure, and to live in victory over the schemes of the devil. I will not be able to resist the devil by my own effort or schemes, because he has been fighting dirty since he lost his place in heaven. Even from the Garden of Eden where man lost his security, God made a fresh provision for his restoration. God wants me to stand, and to remain standing in Him to the end. All that is needed to help me stand, and remain standing, is in Him. I will not succeed outside of Him, or without His help. He has done His part; how do you respond? God's time of favour is here. 

Fully Armed 2!

Fully Armed 2!

‭Ephesians 6:12 AMP‬

[12] For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places.

It was laid out quite clearly in yesterday's devotion that we have been called into a fight or a battle. God in his mercy has also made adequate provision of all that is required for that battle. The critical application of wisdom, knowledge and knowledge about God is, among many other things, to know who this God is, what His call upon my life is, what He demands of and from me, where He wants me to thrive, what has been programmed by Him as part of His plan for me, and the nature of the enemy that I have been called to fight. It will be unfortunate not to know what the face of the enemy looks like; otherwise, I would be fighting aimlessly, with no direction or impact. This is what today's verse lays out so clearly. 

In fighting, knowing the enemy and his end game is important, but it will be impossible to achieve without the help of the One called the Man of War. Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, because flesh and blood cannot fight this battle. It is pointless directing my strength and focus on flesh and blood, as these are helpless against the devil and his schemes. The verse lays it all out, and as you would read quite clearly,  these are spiritual authorities in different places and on different levels. I note also that one of the powers of these forces is their ability to operate in darkness, away from the light of God that is able to make them known. 

No one can remain in darkness, and expect to live in victory over darkness. How can you fght against that which is your nature, unless you first step out of it? It is nice to picture a world that has been created by God, but the same God also lays out quite clearly that there are spiritual forces at work, and only in conjunction with Him can anyone have victory. I cannot remain in sin, and expect that the grace of God which gives victory, will continue to abound. God's provisions for war, laid out in the devotion of yesterday, are the materials required to successfully confront and defeat the devil at all levels. Fighting against a man like myself is the scheme of the devil. Know the enemy, so you can fight the right way. God's time of favour is here. 

Fully Armed!

Fully Armed!

‭Ephesians 6:11 AMP‬

[11] Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil.

In the times and seasons we are in, we need the right kind of dressing and fittings in order to meet the demands of these moments. There is something called being at the right place at the right time, and doing the right thing in the right way. The only way to do this is to be sure and certain of what the grace of God is demanding per time, and being sure that my life is attracting that grace. We have been called into a fight, and the earlier we all realise that, the better we can fight and win. The verse above makes it clear that God has made some provisions for the fight He has called us to; he will not demand from me that which He has not made provision for. If He says I have to fight, then I trust Him that He will provide the weapons, the techniques and the application in order to fight in line with His will, and to win. 

The armour is referred to as 'full', because it is dangerous to put on less than all that God has provided. His Word contains all the right information I need for this fight. There is no proper soldier who goes to war without his weapons, both offensive and defensive. You have to be properly kitted for the war. The weapons and kitting are also not man-made, because this war is not a creation of man. All of man's wisdom, power, intellect, standards or organisation will be of no benefit in this war. The weapons of man are useless here. Do not dare face the devil without God's full provision. Do not dare confront the devil by the wisdom of men, as anything that lacks God's grace will end up in disgrace. Can I say that I am completely dependent on God alone, to the exclusion of all other options? 

The day is coming that will reveal all the secret leanings of men's hearts. If I am truly on God's side, my life will manifest that reality. Victory is only assured and secure in and through Christ, and all who are in Christ are the ones who can lay claim to this victory. The devil has his assignment, and that is to steal, kill and destroy, and anyone outside of God's protection is at risk of the devil's attacks. As you know, the devil has no free gift. He will lie, scheme and deceive, so he can take hold of a life. Do not give him an inch, lest he take a life and destroy it. The only way to remain standing at the end of the battle is to be kept up by God's provisions for the battle. If I depend on Him, I will end up with Him. If I rely on myself, I cannot turn around and blame him for the consequences of my own decisions. He has provided all I need for life and Godliness; how do I respond? God's time of favour is here.

United!

United!

‭Romans 6:5 NIV‬

[5] For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.

Romans 6:5 AMPC‬

[5] For if we have become one with Him by sharing a death like His, we shall also be [one with Him in sharing] His resurrection [by a new life lived for God].

One definition for 'united' is 'joined together.... for a common purpose, or by common feelings'. Another one says 'made one;  combined. relating to or produced by joint action'. As can be seen from these definitions, you cannot fully understand unity until you consider the parts that make up the whole. Right from creation, God was in one account with man. Sin came in and caused a separation between man and God. The unity was broken, and the only way to repair and restore it was for God to provide a fitting connection by which man could return to the initial status. In came Jesus, the One whose death and resurrection have now restored the unity that was lost due to sin. That sacrifice on the cross was not easy for Jesus to do, but the benefits and blessings at the end of it kept Jesus going. 

The big IF at the start of the verse again lays emphasis on my part; the bit where my freewill has to align with God's plan and purpose. If I will enjoy the blessing, I must be willing and ready to pay the price. His horrible death on the cross is the common denominator that all men must be subject to, if they would enjoy the grace of resurrection. I cannot choose any other start point; if it is not in Christ, it will not end up in Christ. As Jesus had to go down to the grave to rescue all who were subject to the power of the grave, so do I need to identify with his death so I can now live in victory over the grave. I cannot settle for anything less than the total package. I cannot start the journey and then drop off in the middle. 

I cannot trust in the finished work of Jesus on the cross, and then depend on my own strength and wisdom the rest of the way. Sin already made it clear that I cannot do anything to please God by my own effort or labour. The cross is the pathway to the crown. Death is the pathway to resurrection and eternal life with God. Being united with Christ in His death is the key to being united with Him in eternity. It is a death that makes a permanent separation and deliverance from the power of sin. It is a death that opens my life to the work that God can do in a life that is fully submitted to Him. The offer has been made, and it only lasts as long as grace is in place. The time comes when grace ends, and only those who have died as He did will rise with Him. Are you one of them? Am I? God's time of favour is here.