The Shepherd 2!

The Shepherd 2!

‭Psalm 23:4 KJV‬

[4] Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

As we read yesterday, the shepherd knows what I need, even before I realise what I need. In and by Him, provision for all of life is made available. He determines the journey, and knows all that is needed to bring me home safely. What this means is that there is a guarantee that life will happen at different stages. There may be incidents that I would call "bad' because that is how I see it, but in the hands of the Shepherd, they take on a different outlook. That is the thrust of today's verse. How can I have a good Shepherd, and still have to walk through the valley of the shadow of death? How can I have a loving Father and still have to deal with suffering, pain and loss? These are some of the questions that life brings up, and the answers may not always be what our natural man wants to hear, but that is where a relationship with and knowledge of God makes the difference. 

We have the assurance of God's Presence and promises to help us through the difficult phases of life. It is part of the divine design that God's best work in me is done through the furnace of trials and tough times. It can be difficult to explain sometimes, but how would I know the value of what I hold if it is not tried or tested? How would I know how to make the right choice of who to follow or submit to, if the consequences of the alternatives are not made clear to me? If all of life was rosy, would I have a need to depend on God for anything? If, as soon as I asked for anything, it was given to me, how do the dimensions of the fruit of the Holy Spirit, such as patience and self-control become evident in my life? When Jesus says I should let my light so shine before men, so that they can see my good works and glorify the Father in heaven, it is by my actions that the proof of my light will become evident.

I do not fear, because God is with me. I do not fear because I have the One who has already conquered fear and death living in me. I do not fear because the One with me is greater than the sum of all the situations that may come against me. Do not dare face the world without the Presence of the Holy Spirit. Do not dare face the devil without the sure Word of the One who has already secured eternal life for all who will come to trust Him. The psalmist here was not in any doubt as to the presence of God with him. God's rod and staff are used for discipline, guidance, leading, direction and instruction. I must not fear the dealings of the Lord; if He is my shepherd, He is watching out and working for my eternal good. He cannot put His Spirit in me and then leave me to my own devices. I can face whatever comes, because He is my ever-present help. Do you have Him? God's time of favour is here.

The Shepherd 1!

The Shepherd 1!

‭Psalm 23:1-3 KJV‬

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

[3] He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

There is a personal touch that is made clear in the verses above. You cannot speak the right way about an experience you have not personally encountered. You may be greatly encouraged by another person's testimony, but when you have had your own, it stays with you for a lifetime. Thst is where the psalmist was as he wrote the words of the verses above. He was also a shepherd, so he knew what the demands and expectations were. Just as he would ensure that the sheep under his care were protected and nourished, so would the Great Shepherd also protect and nourish those who are under his care. One quick thing to note here: you have to belong to the sheepfold for the care of the Shepherd to extend to you. A shepherd is first concerned about the sheep under his watch, not the ones milling around. Am I one of his sheep, or just one of the many just walking around, claiming independence and self-sufficiency? 

By his leading and guidance, he brings me to a place of rest. He knows that daily living can bring pressure and stress, but he wants me to trust Him enough to leave everything in his care. When life has happened to me, and there is the temptation to just give in or give up, I remember that I have a Father-Shepherd whose love for me knows no limits, and who can bring me to a place of calm and rest. When everyone around seems to be cutting corners and seemingly getting away with it, I know that I cannot do what everyone does. If God does not do it, it will not get done. The verses above state quite clearly that I shall not want. Whatever it is that I need for life and Godliness will be supplied by the shepherd for all who belong to Him. Please do not make an assumption about who you are, or whose you are. Make sure you have resolved the critical question about your ownership and allegiance. 

God does not force Himself on anyone, or go against the exercise of our own freewill. I live or die by the choices that I make on a daily basis. There will also be times when the pressure or stress shows. I may get tired, and it will show in my daily life. I may make some mistakes or get it wrong, yet, if I will stay in the sheepfold, and not claim independence or self-sufficiency, God is able to restore me. No matter how bad things get, I know God is able to bring good out of the worst situations. The devil's work is to steal, kill and destroy but the shepherd wants to offer me true life, the type that never ends and is with him forever. I bear His name, so His name and reputation are on display. I bear His name, so wherever I find myself, I am His ears, eyes, lips, feet and heart. He knows that men will give glory to Him when my life reflects His grace, mercy and favour. Is my life such a platform on which God can be lifted up for the world to see? God's time of favour is here.

Balanced 2!

Balanced 2!

‭1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV‬

[8] Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. [9] Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

A few things come to mind as you read the verses above. I have to recognise the fact that this earthly phase is warfare. The world makes no pretence that it will just hand over all that you ask for without first making a demand from you. Even God, in His Word, has made it clear that in this world, you will have tribulation. This understanding helps my preparation and defines my expectations. I know now what is ahead, and I have been given sufficient information about how to prepare the right way. I cannot turn around and claim ignorance; today's verses are another reminder of what is coming, and how best to prepare. The verse admonishes me to both be alert and of sober mind. There is an awareness of both my environment and my inner state. I do not just focus on the signs of the end times, but I am also watching my life and its pursuits and priorities closely, so that at no time do I lose sight of what is eternally relevant. 

It is also unforgivable and deliberate ignorance to think that there is no enemy, or that the devil does not exist. Events around the world today make it clear that evil exists and is in place. The devil's assignment since his fall from heaven has been to steal, kill and destroy, and anyone under his control and influence is subject to this assignment. How can anyone fight the devil, who has been at his diabolical work since creation, and defeat him without the help of the One who is called the Omnipotent God? How can mortal man dare face up to the devil, unless God helps such a man? That is why resisting the devil can only be done by standing firm in the faith. There is no other provision made by God for the safety, security, protection and victory for His children, except they remain standing in the faith, which means being in Christ,  and totally dependent on His grace. How are you standing? Where are you standing? 

It is also noted that whatever may come my way is not peculiar to me alone, but I share a common experience with all who are of the same faith with me. This faith will be tried and tested in many ways, and the end may not always be as we want it be. However, I have a Father who tells me what to expect, and how to prepare the right This is important to know, so I do not feel abandoned, or think that God has left me to my devices. He will never leave not forsake me, which is His standing promise to all who have come to put their trust in Him. I belong to a family of believers, who know the blood of Jesus is sufficient for all their cares and worries, and whose sins have been forgiven. This is the clear experience I have to be sure about. I must boy be content with another person's story, but I have to get my own. This faith will be tested  but the assurance and confidence to face the tests comes from the sure Word of God that He is with me at all times. Do not dare face the world without His help. You will not survive. God's time of favour is here.

Delivered!

Delivered!

‭Psalms 107:13-14 AMP‬

[13] Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them from their distresses.[14] He brought them out of darkness and the deep (deathly) darknessAnd broke their bonds apart. [Ps 68:6; Acts 12:7; 16:26]

Sin ALWAYS leads to trouble. It does not matter how nice you are, or how much the world and its citizens love you; a life of sin will always provoke God to anger and as His Word has made clear, the wages of sin is death. There is, however, the grace of God at work in the lives of all men. This grace, by the Word of God, is what brings salvation, and it has been made available to ALL men, no matter what the past or present looks like. The verse above is a reflection of this truth, and it is proof that mercy is in play for all men. How do I know this? Just go to the 2 verses just before the above, and you will read the following: ‭"Because they had rebelled against the precepts of God, and spurned the counsel of the Most High. Therefore He humbled their heart with hard labor; they stumbled and there was no one to help". One cannot afford to toy with sin; the consequences are eternal, if there is no repentance or divine intervention. 

Thank God for mercy. If not for the mercy of God, where would anyone of us be? If not for the grace of forgiveness and redemption, what would be the state of all of us today? We stand where we are today, simply because of the availability of grace. It is grace that allows a sinner call on the Holy God and be heard. The Word of God makes it clear that the Lord will not hear the prayer of a sinner who chooses to remain in that state: Psalms 66:18 says: "If I regard sin and baseness in my heart [that is, if I know it is there and do nothing about it],The Lord will not hear me". But as soon as a man calls on God for help from sin, the Lord is ready to answer and intervene. He knows that there is no provision in the world to deal with the problem of sin. The only way to deal with sin is to address its foundation and power, and that can only be done by the blood of Jesus. He has won victory over sin, and it is only in Him that this victory can be sustained. 

It is grace that made the blood available to deal with the stain and blemish of sin, giving me a clean state to start from. It is grace that then supplies all that I need for life and Godliness, enabling me to live the life that pleases God and points men to the evidence of grace upon my life. It is the blood that brings a man out of the deepest darkness and sets Him up for the life that God intends for him to live. The chains of sin are broken; the bonds of the past do not have power over me anymore. I just have to note that I cannot afford to be comfortable around sin. I cannot afford to seek compromise or a middle ground with sin. The wages of sin have always been death, and no amount of earthly manipulative will change this fact. I have been given a way out, and I note that I will have to live with the consequences of my decision. Call on God for help today, while grace is available. A day comes when grace on earth expires. God's time of favour is here. 

Rest, Again 3!

Rest, Again 3!

‭Hebrews 4:11 KJV‬

[11] Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

God will not demand from me that which He has not first supplied grace for. If He asks me to do anything, it is because information and direction for obedience have been given, and strength for the demands of the assignment has also been supplied. As we have read in the past 2 days, God has instituted rest for all who are His creation as His perfect will, but it will be taken up by those who surrender their lives to Jesus. That surrender is the rest that activates all that God has promised. The other alternative is to trust in my abilities, influence and connections to get me what I want. It means I have to be ready to run faster, jump higher and work harder than every other person in the race with me. This becomes the survival of the fittest, or the strongest, or the most diabolical, where anything is possible and the most shameful compromise is acceptable. 

From the Word of God, we see clearly that it is not God's intention that we labour by our own power to get what He has promised. He wants me to trust Him enough with my life and all. When I have given my life to Him, my life's application then makes sense. All I do is done with the right attitude and mindset, because I know who I am working for, I know why I am working, and I know what I am working for. This is why I can face whatever comes with joy, because I know who I have believed, I know what He can do, and I know where He is taking me. If life was predictable and boring, what is the motivation to work hard? If there was no hope at the end of my labour, why would I put myself under enormous pressure? I do what I do because I know who I have come to surrender to. That understanding is the key to all the verse above offers. I labour to enter into His rest, not by my strength, but by His enablement. 

I do not see the full picture yet, but on a daily journey of faith, I see a glimpse of what He can do with a life that is totally yielded to Him. I may not see the full picture yet, but the examples that are laid out in the Bible make clear the dangers of unbelief. The children of Israel saw the mighty miracles of God, from the parting of the Red Sea, to the amazing provision of manna for 40 years. The bible records that throughout the journey, their clothes did not wear out.  They were preserved, not by physical means, but by the Mighty hand of God, yet at every point of pressure, they would rather return to Egypt, the land of slavery and limitation. It is not a wonder that God got angry with a whole generation and wiped out all who were 20 years old and above, who left Egypt, except Caleb and Joshua. Be careful of unbelief, even in the face of the abundance of evidence around you of what God can do, and has done in the lives of people around you. The same God is still at work, seeking to show Himself strong in the lives of all whose hearts are fully committed to Him. Would you surrender? God's time of favour is here.

Rest, Again 2!

Rest, Again 2!

‭Hebrews 4:9-10 NIV‬

[9] There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; [10] for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.

As laid out in the devotion for yesterday, it is God's laid down pattern and purpose that we do not strive to please Him by labour alone. He wants us to come into a relationship with Him, where we serve out of a heart of love, not compulsion. In fact, God would rather I come to Him of my own freewill, than for Him to compel me to love and serve Him. Service that comes out of compulsion will be deemed conscription or forced labour, and that will lead to hypocrisy, eye-service and deceit. That is why the verse above lays emphasis on 'anyone who enters'. This distinction is critical to the verses above, and shows that God does not discriminate against anyone. It does not matter what the depth or scope or width of the stain is; God is able to deal with the issue of sin for anyone who seeks to enter. God will not force Himself on me, or go against the exercise of my freewill, but He will surely change the story for me if I come to Him.

I also note that there is an 'entering' that must be done, which means that there is a door or some form of access, and there has to be a key or some form of entry specification or code for those who seek to enter. I cannot determine by myself what God accepts; I have to come in by the door that He has provided and also opened for me. That door is by the blood of Jesus. Trust God on this: for this present generation, nothing else will work. God has been very specific on how man can obtain forgiveness and redemption from sin, as well as eternal salvation, and it will only be wise for me to take God up on His offer. When you consider the fact that His Word has not yet been found to fail, you can be sure that if He says the blood is sufficient, then it is. If I have tried other options and have not yet found the peace that is promised, why not take up the offer made by God? What do I stand to lose, which I have not already lost? 

The promise by God is that if i come in by the door He has opened, I get the kind of rest that He also got when he rested from the work of creation. That is a deep statement, the depth and scope of which nothing on earth can compare with or fully explain away. God rested on the seventh day, and till today, nothing on earth has been able to shake God out of His authority and control over all that He has made. Yes, man may choose to go rouge, but it will not catch God by surprise. All of creation may decide to rebel, yet nothing down here can dethrone God or reduce His power and influence. In the same way, if I am to enjoy the same kind of rest, it means that I am at peace, no matter what the storm around me looks like. Let the winds blow or the fire burn; the rest on my inside defines how I respond. I am set upon the rock that is Christ; He is more than enough. What are you waiting for? The offer is in place, but can be withdrawn at any time. Don't wait till it is too late, so you do not wail for all of eternity. God's time of favour is here. 

Rest, Again!

Rest, Again!

‭Hebrews 4:9-10 NIV‬

[9] There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; [10] for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.

God's example of rest is the perfect template for us to emulate. God did His work of creation in six days, and then chose and sanctified the seventh day as a day of rest. Of the tireless and indefatigable God could set aside a day for rest, how much more should we as weak and mortal men also make proper plans for rest. However, the passage above speaks to yet a deeper rest, one that is the culmination of the version of rest that God has instituted for us. The physical rest is good and great for all human beings, but there is another level of rest that God has laid down for those who are His own treasured possession. A window into that was what God promised the people of Israel. They came into a land that had everything, yet they woild not remaim obedient to the instructions and commandments that God laid down for those who would enjoy the land. 

As it was then, so is it still now: God wants me to come into the place He has prepared for me. He has instituted rest since He finished the work of creation, and even though He has asked me to work, I do so with the freedom and confidence that He has my best interests at heart. He will not put on me more than I can bear, and when I need to, I can take a break without having to break down. There is the physical rest, with all the benefits that it gives, but there lies at the end of all things, the eternal rest that is the crown of this earthly phase. When God charges me to make every effort to enter into that rest, it has to be something deeper, better, longer and more beneficial than whatever this present phase can provide. I also note from the verse above that the Sabbath-rest is for the people of God. It may sound like a very common expression, but being a child of God is a step further after being created by God. 

All of us are made by God, but there is a personal submission and surrender that must happen for me to move into the realm of being called a child of God. When I become a child of God, I cease from fruitless labour or pointless running. I do not have to live to please anyone, or live up to anyone's unrealistic expectations. I now have a new Lord and Master, whose interests are for my good, both down here on earth, and in eternity with Him in heaven. I rest from striving and discord, because the Prince of Peace lives inside of me. Today is the day that God has set for that rest to become a reality in my life. I am not promised forever on this side of earth to make up my mind. Whilst I have now, the decision to take up the offer of rest stands. There are no guarantees about tomorrow. What decisions do you need to make today, so you can enter into the rest that God promises? Remember, God does not and cannot lie. If He has said it, be sure He can do it. God's time of favour is here.

Control!

Control!

‭Romans 8:6 AMP‬

[6] Now the mind of the flesh is death [both now and forever—because it pursues sin]; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace [the spiritual well-being that comes from walking with God—both now and forever];

‭Romans 8:6 GNBDK‬

[6] To be controlled by human nature results in death; to be controlled by the Spirit results in life and peace.

One definition of 'control' that stands out is 'the power to influence or direct people's behaviour or the course of events'.  Control is critical to determining resources, growth and impact, and ultimately eternity. This is an issue that is central to what both God and the devil want to do with the life of man. Whatever it is you are able to control is under your direct influence, and you can direct behaviour anyhow you want. Power is mentioned in that definition, which means that the one exercising control really has the means, opportunity and ability to direct another person to act in a certain way, sometimes against the person's freewill. This is what makes this verse quite instructive for us, as we seek to know, pursue and fulfil the purpose of God for our lives. 

You find two control centres in the verse above: the human nature and the Spirit. Both are powerful, because they can determine a man's eternal destination. Even before the eternal is sorted, they also have earthly implications. The human nature is our default setting, where all who are born into the world are subject to, as a result of man's first sin in the Garden of Eden.  No one had power over the nature s/he is born into, but you sure have power over the nature you remain in when you know the difference between the two. The control referred to in the verse above does not take away your power to choose; whatever your choice is has a determined earthly reality as well as an eternal end. God will not go against the exercise of my freewill, or force Himself on me. 

God wants me to choose to surrender to His control. Of course, every control centre will only offer you what it has. The life of the sinful nature cannot give or guarantee you the life which the Spirit offers, neither can control by the Spirit lead to death away from God. No one csn give what he does not have. I also note that the words 'both now and forever' are used for both control centres, and that should make us pause and reflect. Do my current life choices and actions reflect the control by the Spirit that leads to life, or the control of the human nature that leads to death? Who you spend time with will of course impact the course of your life, as well as its eternal destination. If the desired goal is eternal life with God, the way is through submission to the Spirit of God. He can lead through the paths of life and peace, until I get to reign with Christ in eternity. God's time of favour is here.

Helped, to Help!

Helped, to Help!

‭Galatians 6:2 AMP‬

[2] Carry one another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love].

Thr verse above lays down a principle of the kingdom of God, and it is that no man is able to go the whole distance by himself. It is not given to anyone, no matter how talented, gifted or enabled, to successfully navigate this complex life all by himself. As it is true in the physical, you can be sure that it is equally true in the spiritual. That is why it takes two separate contributors to initiate the human life, and why the bedrock of any society that works is the sum of its individual parts. The verse above is addressed by Paul to people he calls brothers, who shared a common faith with him, who also shared of the Spirit of God, and were also subject to the same limitations and weaknesses he was also subject to. Paul would not boast about his achievements, but he would remain dependent on the grace of God for all that life had to throw at him. 

That has to be my own default setting too. God has placed me in the midst of people like myself, who are also going through situations and challenges. God does not immediately take anyone who believes in Him to heaven immediately, because He has a message to the world that can only be best preached by people He has worked in and on. It is only a man that God has worked in and on that can best express the demands of the verse above. How can I carry another person's burdens if I am too focused on my own? How can I be of help to another if there is still selfishness in my heart? How can God flow out of me if I have not even given him control? We all have our burdens, yet God's work in me will lead me to see others as God sees them, so I can touch them with the same grace I have also received. 

I note that coming to Christ does not take away all burdens. There are some burdens that faith in Christ takes away, but there are some that my new-found faith will bring. What it does is that there is now divine help for the burdens Christ gives.  Helping others is a sign that I am obeying God as the verse above says. I also note that helping others aligns with the law of Christ, which is the law of Christian love. The word 'law' means 'a rule defining correct procedure or behaviour'. This means that obedience isn't really negotiable. God does not force Himself on me, but how else can I show that I am His child than by listening to and carrying out His instructions? As I obey Him and help others with their burdens, there is a guarantee that He will also raise other people to help me with mine. Would you obey? God's time of favour is here.

Key to Bliss!

Key to Bliss!

‭‭Deuteronomy 5:29 NIV‬‬

[29] Oh, that their hearts would be inclined to fear me and keep all my commands always, so that it might go well with them and their children forever!

We find the children of Israel on their way to the land of promise. God needed to let his people know what He expected of them in the land they were going in to possess. God is always about covenants with His children. He wants to bless us, giving us the wealth of nations and also relating with us as friends on a regular basis. If you read about all the fathers and mothers of faith in the Bible, you read about the immortal God reaching out to mortal man, seeking ways He can bring man into the realm of the abundant and the supernatural. He has standards and models of behaviour, and He also supplies the grace that we need to align with these standards. The Word of God contains the standards and models for us to align with, and we have been given the Holy Spirit to empower and enable us live according to these standards. If i then fail to pattern my life in line with the declared will of God, what excuse would I have?

God was willing to speak to the children of Israel, and in fact, He had spoken and men had heard him. However, either due to fear or ignorance about the nature of God, they would rather Moses went in to hear God, and then come back and deliver the message of God to them. They would rather have mortal man deliver the message of the immortal God to them, when the immortal God was ready and willing to speak to them directly. Do we not also do the same today, when we exalt the words of mortal man over and above those of the immortal God. We place premium on what man has to say, or we pattern our lives in line with the actions of man, forgetting that man is but temporary. Man has lost the fear of God or replaced it with an ungodly fear of man, his opinions and approval. I need to audit my life again today: does the immortal God hold the key, or are there other authorities in charge? Remember, God does not force Himself on anyone, or go against the exercise of a man's freewill. 

He wants to bless me beyond what my current state can fathom. He is the God who is able to bless a mam beyond his current generation. Abraham and his descendants were blessed, and till today, all who come by faith to Christ partake of the blessings of Abraham. That is God: his resources are too much for one generation to exhaust; that is why He is seeking men whose lives He can display His splendour in and through. The keys laid out in the verse above are fear and obedience. The reward is present and immediate blessings, as well as generational blessings. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. With fear comes a desire to please God at all times. I ask God for grace for this walk of faith. I cannot do it by my own power. He is able and willing to help, so I come, as I am, and take advantage of all that He has made available. This is for me and my children. God's time of favour is here.

Founded!

Founded!

‭Matthew 7:24 AMP‬

[24] “So everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, will be like a wise man [a far-sighted, practical, and sensible man]who built his house on the rock. [Luke 6:47-49]

There is a general statement, as well as a specific statement. For all who have physical ears, you are able to hear. The ears are fixed right at the place where God intends them to be, and they function as one of the physical senses that man is able to use to process the information that comes on a regular basis. It is what you get that then determines the next step, which is the specific statement about acting. What makes the verse above quite instructive is that it impacts both physical and spiritual hearing. The ears will receive a lot of information from films, movies, TV, radio, the internet and of course, books, such as the bible. In some instances, the information you get is healthy, but there are many times when, in search of genuine and critical information, you come across quite destructive and evil information. What do you do in that instance? 

My response to what I hear has long-term implications, as we can see in the verse above. All of us as human beings hear things, and of course, we all act on what we hear on one form or another. However, hearing and acting are not enough; it has to be the right action that matches the information received, so it can lead to the conclusion set out in the verse above. I must choose to hear the words of Christ, because they are the words that can guarantee wisdom. It is good to read books for knowledge, and to be able to impact the world you have been placed in, but the wisdom God teaches by His Word cannot be obtained from the best of literature. Only the true source can give it, and it is by surrender and obedience that I can constantly have access to all the riches of grace available in and through Christ. 

In fact, the man who hears and then also acts in accordance with the standards laid down by the Lord is presented as a wise man who built his house on the rock. Think about this: a house does not get built overnight. There is the planning, execution and finishing stages. The foundation is that hidden part of a house that holds the beautiful structure we see. The rock is that foundation on which anything that will stand the test of time must be built. I will not get the whole house built in one day, but by daily obedience and sanctification, I add brick by brick to that which God is helping me build. If it is His Word that holds all things in place, how can I hope to achieve anything that lasts outside of Him? I must just not hear; I must make sure my action matches God's expectation. He will not bless what He does not condone. God's time of favour is here.

Legacies 2!

Legacies 2!

‭2 John 1:6 AMP‬

[6] And this is love: that we walk in accordance with His commandments and are guided continually by His precepts. This is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, that you should [always] walk in love.

Most people's definition of love is all about the physical. They interpret love from the narrow lens of what they get, or how another person makes them feel. Whilst there is some truth to how love can be deduced from what you get, the foundation to the proper understanding and application of love is to know God, who is the definition and personification of love. You can deduce love from all He has done for us, such as sending His own son to die on the cross for our sin, but it is because of His love that He did not see anything as too big for Him to give up for us. He gave all He did because it is His nature so to do. For the one who belongs to the world, love has to be what I get from you, and how you make me feel. Whether it is pretence or hypocrisy, I just get carried away with the size, intensity or frequency of the gift that I do not bother auditing the motives. Why do I do the things that I do? 

We read from the verse above that John, the writer, is speaking to people who share the same faith as he. The book lays these people out as 'the elect, and all who know and understand the truth'. That distinction is very important. You cannot demand allegiance from someone who is not your citizen. You cannot command obedience from someone who is not subject to your territorial supremacy. That is why the verse above will emphasize God's instructions to those who are His children as commandments. We have willingly submitted to and embraced His authority over our lives. We take guidance from Him on a daily basis. We obey His leading and direction over our lives, so that we can enjoy all the benefits of citizenship that God offers. He wants to guide, because He knows the end from the beginning, and no one yet has come to fully trust God and then was disappointed. 

Again, it has to be noted that God will not force Himself on me, or go against the exercise of my freewill. The command of God for me has remained the same through all generations: LOVE. That is the expression of the person of God. That is who He is, before you even get access to what He is and gives. You find 2 words "commandment" and "walk" appear twice each in the verse above. I have to know that for my life to be acceptable to God, there is a walking out that must give proof to how and what I hear. If I hear right, it means I am able to walk right. If I don't hear right, it is likely I will make a mistake. God is also not like shifting shadows, saying one thing today and the opposite tomorrow. What He called sin under Adam is still sin under Judas. He does not hide his standard. Now that I know them, what decisions do I need to make to ensure my life is patterned after these standards? God will not demand from me that which He has not first supplied grace for. God's time of favour is here.

Legacies!

Legacies!

‭Proverbs 23:24 AMP‬

[24] ¶The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice,And he who sires a wise child will have joy in him.

In some versions of the bible, the verse above is one of the 30 sayings of the wise. All of the wise sayings have generational impact and many speak to power of legacies. Again, it has to be emphasized that God loves to do generational things. As I read the verse again, the importance of the right legacy is laid out clearly. How does a man become the father of a righteous man if he himself does not know the way of righteousness? It takes a man who knows where he is going to also lead others in the same path. A man cannot give what he does not have. Now, there are times when by God's mercy, a man who has not had the grace to be taught the way of the Lord may come in contact with the grace of salvation, but the responsibility of fatherhood requires that I ask God for the grace required for me to discharge the responsibility the right way. 

To father a child in the way of the Lord will take a lot of things from me, and that is why it seems that many are failing. It takes a lot of sacrifice to be able to model good behaviour for children to emulate. There will be things a father would have to deny himself, if he wants his child to learn the right way. One way to model good behaviour is to present and available in the lives of the children. It is hard to model good behaviour from a distance, or to just tell a child what is right and proper. An example is usually easier to emulate, than to speak of what good looks like. Of course, to model good behaviour is also a function of time, resources and prayers. You do your bit as a parent, and you also watch and pray, that the child will see and appreciate the examples you are laying down, and seek to follow them. Just as it works for you, so does it work for the children: you can only go so far as to show the right example: the child has a part to play in accepting the example and living by it. 

The end result of the right teaching and example is seen in the verse above: JOY. Thus is far more than just a feeling; it is an atmosphere that is charged, and that brings peace to the heart of a parent. You see your child walking in faith, trusting God for each step of life, and you know God has got that child. When the bible charges parents to train up a child in the way he should go, it is because the end of such training is peace and joy. You have passed on God's legacy of  righteousness to the next generation, which will also ensure that the generation after them also hears and responds to the Word of God. The fear of the Lord remains the beginning of wisdom. It is the start point of all the benefits that are laid out in the verse above. What is the state of your heart? Do you know Him? Can God trust you with the lives of the next generation, of the people He is seeking to entrust with the riches of heaven? God's time of favour is here. 

Rest 8!

Rest 8!

‭Lamentations 3:25-26 AMP‬

[25] The Lord is good to those who wait [confidently] for Him,To those who seek Him [on the authority of God’s word].[26] It is good that one waits quietly For the salvation of the Lord.

A relationship with God is the ship that takes you on a voyage of discovery. It is a ship in which all that you need for the journey is provided and available in abundant measure. I do not have to step out of the ship at any time to get anything, because the captain of that ship is able and capable to meet all my needs. It is called a journey because you do not arrive at the destination on the same day that you board the ship. There will be several turns and maybe even storms. The wind too will blow and may threaten the stability of the ship, but if I am sure I am in the right ship with the captain of my salvation, I can rest assured that He is able to preserve me to the end. That is the foundation of the benefits that are laid out in the verse above. There is no doubt that God is able to keep and preserve; the challenge would be why it seems that human beings find it difficult to trust God on a daily basis. 

Sin has birthed and has sustained a fatal sense of independence and selfishness in man, and only by total and absolute surrender can I get into this ship that gives life. We love to claim the promises, and indeed, there is nothing wrong with that. However, the bigger message is that I must audit my life and be sure I am in the position where the benefits can accrue to me for all of eternity. God does not just want to make me comfortable on earth; He also wants to make me fit for eternity with Him. That is why I wait for Him, even when everyone else around me is running seemingly ahead of me. As I wait, I depend on the integrity of the Word of God as the basis of my confidence and confession. God is not bound to do anything that is not based on His Word, which is why part of my waiting must be based on seeking to know more of Him through His Word, by constant prayer, fellowship with other believers, and staying connected to the supply that will keep me safe. 

I do not run ahead of God; I wait for Him. I do not seek self-help measures; I stay focused on what God has said, and trust Him to work out His perfect purpose for my life. The man who wrote the words of the verse above must have had a personal experience of what waiting for God means. I may not get what I want, when I want it, and no matter how hard I desire it, but my relationship with God is more important to me than whatever the world may offer. God offers salvation to all men, but He will not force Himself on me, or go against the exercise of my freewill. If I then surrender to Him of my own freewill, His promise is that He can keep safe all who come to Him. His salvation is not only good for this earthly phase, as well as for all of eternity. Who else can guarantee you this? God's time of favour is here.

Rest 7!

Rest 7!

‭Mark 6:31 AMPC‬

[31] And He said to them, [As for you] come away by yourselves to a deserted place, and rest a while–for many were [continually] coming and going, and they had not even leisure enough to eat.

We read about Jesus and his disciples here, after another season of hard work. The disciples had been sent out on a misson, and they had returned to give an account of all that they had taught and done. As it has been pointed out in previous devotions on this issue, rest is important after labour. God has laid down the perfect example for me to follow, as He had taken a day to rest after His work of creation was ended. If the Almighty God, who does not grow weary or tired, and does not need to sleep, could sanctify a day for rest, how much more should I as His child, also build in the capacity for rest into my life's schedule. We go on and on about work, maybe thinking that our success is tied to endless work and little rest. True success is not tied to mere human endeavour; there is a divine imprint my human aspirations must receive, for me to enjoy the success that God can take glory in. 

The disciples were sent out on a mission, and they came back to give a report to the One who sent them out. As Jesus did not rebuke them, it is safe to say that they discharged their responsibilities in line with the mandate that they had been given. Can the same be said of me too? Do I even know what I have been called to do? Am I at my duty post, or am I so focused on what God is doing in the life of another person that I have completely ignored His demands and expectations of my own life? The disciples knew who they were working for, and why they were working, so it was easy for them to return and give account of the mission. For Jesus to recommend rest, they must have deserved it. I take my cue from this, and ask God for grace to focus on the race that has been set before me. There are distractions all around, with many things seeking attention at the same time. 

I just must learn how to prioritise, focusing on what God takes as critical and important, and also trusting in His faithful provision for all He is demanding from me. God will not demand from me that which He has not first supplied grace for. After work must come rest. There is a need to find a quiet place, somewhere I can be renewed for yet the next phase in the assignment I have been given. Jesus knew the importance of this, and as you read the bible, you find several instances where Jesus himself went to a quiet place to pray, and to rest. I am not sent to the whole world at the same time, and I cannot meet the needs of the whole world at the same time too. I must stay true to the work that has been committed into my hand, in the time that has been mandated for the work, and to the standard that leads to the glory of God. Rest will indeed be sweet and rewarding for such labour. Can God depend on me to work this standard? Work well; rest well. God's time of favour is here.

Rest 6!

Rest 6!

‭Isaiah 26:4 AMP‬

[4] “Trust [confidently] in the Lord forever [He is your fortress, your shield, your banner],For the Lord God is an everlasting Rock [the Rock of Ages].

The Oxford dictionary defines 'trust' as the 'firm belief in the reliability, truth, or ability of someone or something'. That has to be a message for all of us in the times and seasons we have found ourselves. It appears that nothing is working as it should, and the guardrails that should provide some caution for human beings are being eroded on a daily basis. The standards our parents taught us no longer hold the same level of shock or awe anymore. The things we considered as abominations a few decades ago have now become the norm. In fact, anyone who seems to hold on to those standards is abused, mocked and sometimes ostracised. We have made mockery of God's standards, and we wonder why things are the way they are. How can God prove Himself when men have not allowed Him do what He alone can do? 

This firm belief in the reliability, truth, or ability of someone or something does not happen overnight or suddenly. It is the product of testing and proving over a long period of time. In fact, with God, there are parts of my walk with Him that I have to take by faith, just sure that He can do exactly as He has promised. I may not always see the immediate fruit of my dependence on God, but a relationship with God is the lifetime key to access to all that is possible in and by God. I cannot start and then get to a point where I turn back from following Him. The verse says I should trust in the Lord forever. No matter what comes, I just hold on to God. The alternative is to find another person or thing to anchor my faith on. The problem with other options is that they are not as powerful and dependable as the One who created all of them. Why depend on the feeble creation when I can hold on to the powerful Creator? 

He gives me a lot of reasons why I can trust Him. He is a fortress, which means if I am in Him, nothing can get to me without first getting through Him. He is my shield from all the possible angles of attack the enemy can think of. He is my banner, giving me a single point of focus, even as I fight the good fight of faith. I walk, talk, run and live under the flag of His presence, and all who see know that I am a man who is helped by God. He is called the everlasting Rock, because He has been there long before the earth, as we see it now, even came into being, and He will continue to be the dependable Rock, long after this old, present earth and heaven give way to the new that has been promised by God. He has made Himself known to all men, and the decision on how to respond is now mine to make. How do you plead? God's time of favour is here.

Rest 5!

Rest 5!

‭Matthew 11:29 AMP‬

[29] Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls. [Jer 6:16]

There is a rest that comes when a man gives his life to Jesus for safe-keeping. That is the rest that is emphasized in the verse we looked at yesterday. That first rest is the key to the other rest that is the focus of the verse above. It is a waste of time to ask God for the rest that is promised in this verse, unless and until you have obtained and are living the reality of the first rest that is promised to all who willingly surrender their lives to Jesus. If you are not sure of that first rest, please leave all you are doing, and make sure you have secured that first rest. Nothing in this present earthly life will give you that rest; if money, fame, influence or earnings could do it, I am sure that the wealthy would have patented it and made it their own. Thank God it is a free gift available to ALL who come, no matter the baggage of the past. 

For those who have surrendered, there are yokes to pick up and carry on a daily basis. I do not know of any place in the bible where Jesus promised a life free of burdens, simply because a person surrendered his life to Him. What He promises is His presence and power to help through whatever may happen, whether we call it good or bad. The taking on of the yoke is a personal decision, but one that is required to enable me partake in the fullness of all that God has promised. Let it not be that I am focused on just the benefits and nothing on the responsibilities of this new walk. Both are important and relevant to my new relationship. The verse prescribes a lifetime of learning of Jesus. I do not start the journey in and with Him, and then try to take the rest of the journey on my own terms. I will fail miserably. Following Jesus as His disciple is not a one-off exercise; it is a lifetime commitment to all that Jesus represents. You do not also get to pick and choose what you are comfortable with, and then reject the rest. You take the whole offer, or you just stay off the lane of commitment. God will not take a lukewarm attitude to the things He considers of eternal importance. 

I note that learning of is a bit deeper than learning from Jesus. Jesus lays down his own life as the perfect example of what is acceptable to God. He describes himself as  one who is gentle and humble in heart. If at any time I find myself being proud of human achievements, with no regard for God's mercy and help, I had better watch it before I wreck my life. If at any time I begin to think I can fight for God, I should remind myself that He is called the Man of War. Long before I was born, and long after this present earthly phase will come to an end, God remains the Mighty, undefeatable Warrior. He wants me to trust Him to sort out my life, and I can only do that if I take Him up on His offer of rest, the version that He promises, not the falsehood the world sells at a ridiculous price. What would you do with the information you have now received? God's time of favour is here. 

Rest 4!

Rest 4!

‭Matthew 11:28 AMP‬

[28] “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation].

God never leaves us in doubt as the the contents of the package we have access to if we come to Him. He tells us upfront, by the contents of His Word, what His life package entails. Just as God also makes an offer, so does the devil also make an offer. At no time is there a middle ground, because, by virtue of our natural birth, we have been born into sin. That is the natural order of things, and the start point of any discussion about what God offers, and what I can get. Until a man knows and admits he needs help, nothing in the verse above can help him. Until a man knows and admits that only God can help him, he will continue to run, chasing something he is not sure about, yet unable to attain it because it is not given by reason of bravery, strength, brain, influence or earnings. Nothing this world offers can secure for you that which only God offers. 

To this day, man still runs, pursuing an image of success that has not been expressly defined, and he cannot stop because the natural man is never satisfied until he has been consumed or put to death. That is why the verse above is quite instructive for our focus today. The natural man needs to give way to the spiritual man. The natural man has to die, and the way there is through the offer that God makes in the verse above. God says 'Come to me'. It does not mention a man, a place or an idea. It is to God that I must come, and He will secure and guarantee for me that which only He can give. The other part of the invitation is that I can only come if I know I need help. God does not force Himself on me, or go against the exercise of my freewill. It has to be a choice made with the full realisation of what I am getting into, so I do not turn around and blame God for my choice.

The class of people in focus are those who are weary and heavily burdened. This could come from just being religious, following the practices and conventions of men, without a personal encounter with the power and presence of God. When such a man comes to God, there is a working inside of you that will then make the same practices now powerful and effective. The difference is the presence of God. I note that with rest, you do not get to stop serving, but service now flows out of a heart that is in tune with the presence of God. When God has secured the heart by salvation, He has secured that life's focus, application and presentation, and He can get it to do things in line with His commands. Please do not settle down, until you have settled your life account with God. His offer stands until it is withdrawn, either by death or His second return. Before it is too late, take up the offer. Your eternity will be glad you did. God's time of favour is here. 

Rest 3!

Rest 3!

‭Exodus 33:14 AMP‬

[14] And the Lord said, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest [by bringing you and the people into the promised land].” [Deut 3:20]

At the heart of the verse above lie two very important stories. First, the rebellion and disobedience of Israel had reached fever point with God, and He made it clear He would not go with them anymore, lest He destroys them on the way to the land He had promised to give them. That holds a lesson for me, as I seek the rest that God promises. I cannot access it in the midst of disobedience or rebellion against God's express commands. How does God lead and direct a man into His rest, if such a man would not heed instructions? How can God bring a man into rest if that man has not first been brought into submission? Am I in any way like Israel, fixed on doing things my own way, or going down my own path, even when it is clear that it is wrong? 

The second story had to do with the man leading Israel, under God's command, and that was Moses. He had met with God; knew who God is, and what God could do. He also knew what God's expectations were, and he would strive to do anything to stay in God's purpose for his life. That was why Moses asked God, in the verses just before the response of in the verse above, if God could teach him His ways, so he would know Him and continue to find favour with Him. That is a very important prayer point, because it shows the heart of a man who wants to walk into the fulfilment of God's purpose for him. What do you consider important? Is it just daily food and drink, or are there other pressing things that you need God to show and teach you, so you can be the person He can find as a useful vessel for such times like these? 

The response of God as captured in the verse above is quite illuminating. God never turns a man down when the desire is to know more about God. God's response to Moses is that He would go with Him, and also give him rest. It is instructive to note that God said He would send an angel to go ahead of Israel and drive out the enemy, but He, as God, would not go with them. For Moses, God was ready to go with him, and also give him rest. Who says my life's choices do not matter? Who says I can get away with living as I please?  Whatever else I have, if God is not with me, it will not last. If God is with me, it does not matter what I do not have yet; if it is God's will that I get it, He will make it happen. Do not dare face the world without God's help. The promise of the promised land still stands. If I want it, I must be in Him. Are you? God's time of favour is here. 

Rest 2!

Rest 2!

‭Psalms 4:8 AMP‬

[8] In peace [and with a tranquil heart] I will both lie down and sleep,For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety and confident trust.

As we saw from yesterday's devotion, God has already laid down the standard as to what is on offer. I can strive by my own labour and strength, but I am limited by my humanity. I can do all the work, applying myself diligently to whatever it is that I have been assigned, yet, there cannot be a standing guarantee that I will get what I want, when I want it, and how I want it. God did an amazing work of creation, yet, as God, He blessed a day, calling it a day of rest, and also sanctified it. That is the same foundation that drives today's devotion. If God knew and established a day of rest, it means it is His will and plan that we find time to rest. It is not given to man to work for the whole 24 hours of a day nonstop. It is quite inhumane not to build rest into your work schedule.

However, I note from the verse above that even when you have done all you need to do, there is the bit about God that you cannot ignore. How does a man lie down in peace if he does not have peace first in him? The inner man is actually the critical focus here, because you may not have power over the forces at work on the outside, but you can define what you will allow to settle on the inside of you. I can lay down structures that will help with outside calm, but if God is not involved, these structures will not help in any way. Men have state-of-the-art security systems yet they are afirad of the slightest noise. Men have huge account balances, yet seem never to be at rest, because there is a vacuum in their lives that money, wealth and riches cannot satisfy. Who pulls the strings of your heart at the moment? Whoever is in charge will determine how and if you rest well. 

I also note that lying down and sleep are joined together in one sentence and as one package. Never underestimate the power of worry and anxiety, and their impact on a man's heart. There is no guarantee that a very  expensive bed will give you good sleep. The grace to even lie down in peace shows the absence of any danger. It means that God has taken care of whatever wants to keep me up, and He has enabled me to switch off and take a break. It is also very healthy to the body to find and take rest as much as it can, because it is also God's way of maintaining our mental, physical and even spiritual well-being. Do all the work that God needs you to get done. Do it well, and in line with His will, and then also find the time to rest, which is also in line with His will and word. When God keeps you, nothing can keep you from the full expression of His grace. Would you seek Him out today? God's time of favour is here.

Rest 1!

Rest 1!

‭Genesis 2:2-3 AMP‬

[2] And by the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested (ceased) on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 

[3] So God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it [as His own, that is, set it apart as holy from other days], because in it He rested from all His work which He had created and done.

As you read the story of creation, you get an idea of what the standard is. The bible starts with the account of 'the work of creation', which means that even as God commanded and all that He had planned came into physical manifestation, there was still a great deal of creativity and intelligence to make one bird different from another, or one variant of fish different from the other. Every day for the first six days, there was an account of something that God did. He kept up the 'work' of creation for those 6 days, and the bible records that on the 7th day, God rested. It is a strange thing to read about a God who neither sleeps nor slumbers, yet it is written quite clearly in all the versions that God rested. What does this hold for me today?

The biggest lesson must be that if it is good for God, it must be ideal and suitable for me. God will not command me to do anything that He has not first supplied sufficient grace for. He worked for 6 days, and then He rested. The bible did not say that he was slothful at His work, waiting for the days to just pass by so He could rest. He actually completed the work He set out to do, and as we know, the bible also records that when he saw all that He had done, all was very good. He got satisfaction from the effort, and then took the time to rest. That must be the standard we all strive to attain and maintain. Let it not be that I am a slacker at work, seeking to put in minimum effort yet seeking maximum benefits. What new values should I seek to attain, going forward?

God also blessed and sanctified the 7th day, not because it was more important than any other day, but because it was the day in which He rested. The days of work were blessed, but also was the day of rest. Rest is one of the blessings of God for his children, as we will see in subsequent devotions on this topic. You cannot take it for granted, or think you are entitled to it by virtue of your efforts only. It I'd first and foremost God's gift to us as His creation, but also maximally enjoyed when I do it in the context of a healthy relationship with God. God has laid down the perfect example, and I will do well so to do too. Work hard, but rest well. Take God up on His Word, in obedience to His command, and see Him do mighty things in your life. God's time of favour is here. 

Show; Tell; Lead!

Show; Tell; Lead!

‭Micah 6:8 NIV‬

[8] He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.

The verse above broadly covers three main actions. First, it tells me quite clearly that God will not demand from me that which He has not given grace for. Too many times, we use the weak flesh as an excuse for sin, but we also forget that there is an abundance of mercy and grace available for us, to enable us live in line with the instructions of God. As the verse above makes clear, we are mortals, in need of the help of an immortal God, who knows our weaknesses and limitations, yet gives all the help, encouragement, support and information I need for life. All through the pages of His Word, we see examples of both good and bad, and how each case ended. What more could I ask for? 

What does the Lord require of you?

God has not left us without clear guidance on what His perfect will is. His Word is full of instructions and requirements, but these instructions are also for those who are in a relationship with God. I have a choice of response or reaction to what His Word says, but if indeed I am His child, I will not struggle with obedience to the word of my Father. He is called the LORD, because He is the Authority over all He has created. He is the LORD to whom all other authorities in heaven, on earth and under the earth will all one day acknowledge and bow to, either by choice or compulsion. The question in this section is therefore quite relevant to all of us today. Do I know what God requires or demands of me? 

To Act Justly and to Love Mercy and to Walk humbly with your God

I have at least three lifelong and lifestyle pursuits that have been laid out in the verse above. Both my inner and outer man must be involved in this assignment. Hypocrisy and eye-service can only take a man so far, and there will always be trouble when you are found out. Love is first about an inner conviction and presence, and then its seed and impact are seen on the outward. When the heart is settled on the right pursuits, the actions and walk will also align. There will be agreement between the heart and other parts of the body. My conversations, the company I keep, my daily priorities and pursuits will be a reflect of the One I follow. Do I truly look like God? Can men find his imprint on my life?

Have I taken time to seek the right information from God's word, as well as the Spirit who inspires the Word, asking the right questions and seeking the right help I need to align? God will not force Himself on me or go against the exercise of my freewill. His grace is always available, but only on this side of eternity. Take advantage today; tomorrow is not guaranteed. God's time of favour is here.

Proof of Life!

Proof of Life!

‭3 John 1:11 AMP‬

[11] Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but [imitate] what is good. The one who practices good [exhibiting godly character, moral courage and personal integrity] is of God; the one who practices [or permits or tolerates] evil has not seen God [he has no personal experience with Him and does not know Him at all].

A man can only give that which he has. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth will speaks. Bad company corrupts good manners. These are just a few of the lessons that the bible teaches about the power behind the time spent with either good or evil. On a daily basis, we are faced with a choice to either do good or pursue evil. There is really no middle ground, or a fence where I can get away with indifference. Both good and evil have power of control and influence, but one thing neither will do is to force itself on you. Both will offer options, as well as define the decisions you have to make to align. None can compel you to submit, but once you do, you are now under the earthly and eternal ramifications of your decision. 

The verse above is a good example of the word of God warning me about the power and impact of good and evil. Both have examples and can attract people. Sin in man makes evil attractive, but good offers a way of escape from the power and influence of sin. Good will also supply the grace I need to make the right decision, but as it has been pointed out above, the decision to submit is mine to make. The word of God also provides great examples of the power and impact of good and evil, so I have an abundance of information to learn from. What also makes this verse interesting is that the proof of my life's pursuits cannot be hidden. Time will reveal the substance that I have spent time storing up.

From the words that come out of my mouth, the kind of people I am comfortable around, the personal principles that underpin my public life, the things I do in my private life, all will show who is in control of my life. I may deceive a lot of people with hypocrisy and eye-service, but it will not last long. I also note that permitting or tolerating evil is the same as doing it. The excuse that I am not the one directly doing it does not hold with God. As long as it is within my sphere of influence, and God has given me a voice or a platform to speak or impact lives, I have a duty to advance the cause of the kingdom of God. If I am indeed a child of God, that relationship must be evident in my life's pursuits and priorities. Are you one? Am I? God's time of favour is here. 

Still!

Still!

‭Psalm 46:10 KJV‬

[10] Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.

'Still' is defined as 'deep silence and calm'. One of the implications of this definition is that there has to be an opposite situation for the definition above to have impact. If there were no storms, how do you appreciate deep silence and calm? If there were no realities of raging winds and threats of danger, how can a heart fully appreciate the possibilities that God can make happen in the face of these realities? The definition also speaks to the state of the inner man, not the things that are happening on the outside. We love to keep up appearances, and give the image of calm even when things are not going according to plan. There is nothing wrong with that, but it is important to ensure that the calm is first the state of my inner man, before I strive to fit it into my outer expressions. 

I may pretend before men like myself, but God cannot be fooled by the outward. It is in deep silence and calm that God is able to speak and address the issues of my life. If I can take care of issues by myself, then I do not really need God. If human power or might was sufficient, God would not encourage me to trust Him. He knows what life will throw at me, and He knows that by myself, I will not survive. He introduces Himself as God, who is the embodiment and personification of total authority, sufficient grace and amazing help, the kind that no man on earth can give you. If I am labouring by my power to solve issues, how would I know when God steps in, and how would I recognise His kind intervention in my affairs? He wants to help, but I must let Him be God in my life. 

This is the power of surrender: it tells God that I am willing for him to take over and show Himself as God. The other part of the verse above lays it out clearly: God will be exalted among the heathen, and he will be exalted in all the earth. With or without my help and cooperation, God is able to show Himself strong. The earth is His creation, and creation always answers to the authority of its creator. The trees of the field or the birds of the air are not given an option. The one part of God's creation that has been given the power to choose a response is man. Man is the one who needs to learn to allow God have His way. Fretting, worrying or self-help have never worked; being still, and then moving according to His instructions are the choices that will take me to the fulfilment of God's purpose for me. Would you let go and let God? God's time of favour is here.

Kept for Life 2!

Kept for Life 2!

‭Ephesians 1:7 AMP‬

[7] In Him we have redemption [that is, our deliverance and salvation] through His blood, [which paid the penalty for our sin and resulted in] the forgiveness and complete pardon of our sin, in accordance with the riches of His grace.

True life does not start until the issue of sin has been dealt with. The best of natural man is a sinner in need of help, and until sin is dealt with permanently, there cannot be the hope of taking hold of eternal life. That is why a huge price was paid for sin, and why there can not be an alternative to redemption by the blood of Jesus. Sin has made it clear that all of us have been brought to the same level, where we need the help of God to attain His standard of holiness. Until we come to Him, we cannot take advantage of the resources He has made available by His death and resurrection. Being just morally upright is not sufficient; if man could attain righteousness by the things he did, we would not need Jesus at all. 

The verse above makes it clear that it is IN Him that we have redemption. Do not be satisfied with just being around church, being busy with activities that have the cover of spirituality, or being applauded by men for good acts. As nice as they all are, and they have a part to play at different stages of our lives, but they do not come before the need to have my sins forgiven. It is the redemptive work of Jesus that makes the other parts of my life acceptable to God. It is a redeemed life that can offer acceptable service to God. Men can applaud the presentation, but God must first accept the vessel before that which is offered can then be accepted. Redemption is deliverance and salvation from the effect and power of sin, and the endowment of power to live above sin. 

No one and nothing else can give you these, outside of the One who conquered sin. Grace designed the project of redemption, making it a personal project with God directly involved. It is God's mercy that made it possible for mortal man to approach an immortal God to receive the benefits that have now been made available and accessible by faith in the finished work of grace. The work is complete; man can add nothing to or take anything away from it. He is rich in grace, and there is no stain of sin that His blood cannot wash clean. All He asks me to do is come to Him, as I am, and He will do what He has promised. He is rich in grace, but I must also note that the grace is timed. It is available as long as I am on this side of eternity. Before grace is withdrawn, surrender to Jesus. He is able to keep safe all that has been committed into His hand. God's time of favour is here. 

Kept for Life 1!

Kept for Life 1!

‭‭Jude 1:20-21 NIV‬‬

[20] But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, [21] keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

The words of Jude in the words above are quite instructive for us in this generation. There is a working that is required to maintain the faith that has been handed over to us. I am not sure how and where the message of complacency and compromise became acceptable, but it is not the desire of God that His children take with levity the demands of the faith. It is a faith that cost quite a lot to lay down, as seen in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. God came down in human form, took on our humanity and died in our place, so that by the blood, we could lay hold of all that God intends for us on this journey. God has done His bit, and now He counts on me to also do my own bit, which is to depend on His grace and mercy for growth in my knowledge and experience of Him. 

This faith is also referred to as 'holy' because it must look like the One who is its source and inspiration. Its capacity to grow is dependent on my total submission to the One who births and sustains it, and obedience to all His commands. One of such commands is prayer, depending on the Holy Spirit for effective and effectual results, along with other demands of the faith. Prayer is communication with God, where God gives instructions, and I accept directions on how I will align. It means that there would be regular and daily check-in, and constant verification of instructions before I act. I keep the channel of communication open at all times, so that I can hear whenever He wants to say something to me. I also note that to 'build' is not an overnight achievement, but one that would take time, effort and sacrifice. Am I willing to pay the price to build according to God's pattern? 

All of these point to an end-goal, which is the eternal salvation of our souls. God will not do all He has done if there were no lasting benefits and blessings to be enjoyed. We were made for eternity, and God has given us all we need for life and Godliness. Even when sin wanted to derail the plan, God made a way for man to be fully restored to Him. He has given us an anchor and safe place in Him, and I must keep myself in that place. Nothing else, no matter how strong or predictable, can keep me. Position, power, possession, privilege and personal principles outside of Him will not work. They are good when they are founded on God alone. I must audit my life's focus on a regular basis, so that I do not ever lose sight of what is eternally relevant. I wait for the mercy of God that will bring me into eternal life. Are you also waiting the right way? God's time of favour is here. 

Guided 3!

Guided 3!

‭Isaiah 26:3 AMP‬

[3] “You will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character],Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation].

For all of God's promises, there are conditions to be fulfilled. One of such conditions is about location. Where you are located will always define your allocation. The Word of God says that it is impossible for God's grace to abound if I continue in sin. I cannot lay claim to the grace of righteousness unless I am ready and willing to confess my sin, forsake the life of iniquity and depend on God for support and help to live holy. Another condition relates to the contents and focus of my heart. Whatever is able to take hold of and dictate terms to my heart will define what happens to me and how God is able to reach my heart. If I store up junk from my environment, or allow the lies and deception of the devil to take hold of and take root in me, how would God be able to reach me when he wants to speak to my heart or encourage me to hold on to Him? 

I note also that God does not promise that there would be no pressure; what He offers is perfect and constant peace, the type that the world cannot offer you. How can a world in constant turmoil and trouble offer you peace? How can a world that cannot guarantee food, clothing and shelter for its inhabitants then secure the peace that God speaks about here? A man cannot give what he does not have, and a system cannot offer or secure anything it does not own or generate. If I am seeking the right version of peace, the only place that is possible is in the One called the Prince of Peace. He is the personification of Peace, and He alone can secure a man's life for all of eternity. He is able to keep that which has been committed unto Him. If I hold on to it, I cannot turn around and blame Him for however it turns out. 

God is committed to His part of the covenant; how would I respond? The requirement is for me to keep my mind committed and focused on God. Does it mean that distractions would not come? No. Does it mean that pressure to compromise or resort to self-help will not happen? No. The human nature does not easily give up, and it will continue to demand satisfaction, but I must constantly renew mind, with the help of the Holy Spirit, so that it constantly seeks after that which God can bless and sustain. I fix my gaze on Jesus, in expectation of His help for my walk of faith and my interactions with fellow human beings like myself. Life will happen to all of us at different times, but it is bearable because of the One who comes with us on the journey. Do not dare face the world without His help and Presence. He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all I can ask or imagine. Would you also trust Him? God's time of favour is here.

Guided 2!

Guided 2!

‭John 16:13 KJV‬

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

Jesus had reached the end of his earthly ministry and was about to go the way of the cross. He was about to fulfil the purpose for which he had taken on human form, in order to provide us a way back to God. Sin had become a hindrance to the full realisation of God's will for man, but here was Jesus offering his life as the full payment for sin, so that man could be reconciled to God. Of course, the disciples were sad when they heard all that Jesus said, but the greater news was coming. Jesus had to leave, but He was going to send yet an Advocate, one who speaks on behalf of another person. The Advocate knows the law, is able to present his case clearly for the defence, and because His testimony is based on truth, He will always overcome. That is the promise in the verse above. 

He is called the Spirit of truth,  because there is no lie or falsehood in Him. He is a guide as well as the mouthpiece for God in the lives of those who have decided to follow Jesus. The picture of a 'guide' is one who knows the way and is ready and willing to lead all who are also ready and willing to follow. A guide does not compel you to listen and follow; that is a personal decision the one being guided must make. I cannot turn around and blame the guide for how my life turns out, if I have decided to ignore the guide and do my own thing. He is not the author of confusion; He is the guide into ALL the truth that is of God, not just the  convenient ones that make me very comfortable, but even the hard truths that will propel me to discover God's perfect will for my life.

He is also the One whose hearing is perfect, because He is not limited by selfish ambitions or personal grievances. He takes of the Truth, makes Him known to as many as would seek Him, and promotes Truth at all times. He is not seeking compromise, and He cannot be fooled by eye-service or hypocrisy. He is also the one who knows what lies ahead, so He can guide the right way. Man is not given the power to predict the future with much sense of accuracy; a few things can line up when certain things happen, but overall, God still shows Himself to be in charge of the affairs of the world. Nothing happens without His permission, and even the greatest tragedies can work out His perfect will. He is available for all who desire Him, whose lives He can take over and direct. Would you allow Him work? God's time of favour is here.