Submission!

Submission!

Philippians 2:7-8 KJV

[7] but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: [8] and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

One of the greatest examples of the benefits and blessings of salvation is laid out in the verses above. There is something to be said about someone born into wealth, who does not need to prove a point. Seeing the person already shows his pedigree; he does not have to remind people of who he is. What makes Jesus different is that He was not born into wealth; He is the fullness of the riches of God. He is God; all things were made through Him, and in Him we have life. He is the second person in the Trinity; the Omniscient, Omnipotent and Omnipresent God. He truly fills all things in all ways. When you meet a God like this, you are in awe of Him. His glory is such that the human eye cannot behold, unless God enables one so to do. You dare not go against His will. I do not know what version of God has been introduced to us, but we need to know the true God and what He has done for us. 

It was the message in the verses above that made it difficult for the people to recognise him. They must have been expecting a great man, who will shake the Roman taskmasters into submission. Prophets like Isaiah had spoken of him like a Mighty One, and even Moses had an opportunity to make reference to someone who would come as a prophet like him. They knew he was coming, but when He did, he came as one of us, no fanfare, no trumpets, no ceremony. In fact, the world at the time was going about its normal business, not knowing that prophesy was being fulfilled and destinies being changed. In His glorious form, no one could touch Him, not to talk of killing Him. He came like us, so He could feel like us. He experienced pain, rejection and death so that in and by Him, we would not need to experience these. To make matters even more interesting, He could have come as one of us, yet refuse to submit to the indignity and shame of dying on a cross, but He was seeing the big picture, and was willing to submit so I did not have to submit to them in eternity. 

He came like me, and allowed mortal man like me put him to death. There was a bigger purpose in play, and that was fulfilled when he became obedient to death, allowing the will of God to be brought to life and light through the experience on the cross. That was supposed to be me, paying the price for sin as laid down by God. Someone had to pay the price, but no one down here could do it, until Jesus stepped in. Thank God that He did. Thank God for the new lease of life that I have been given and the grace and enablement also supplied to help me walk right. I am nothing outside of this experience. I could not save or sustain myself in any way, shape or form without His help. I will also not be able to claim ignorance if I decide not to take advantage of the great blessings and abundant benefits that have been provided in Christ. God has done His own; eternity has been secured. How do you respond? God's time of favour is here..

Love the Lord!

Love the Lord!

Matthew 22:37-39 KJV

[37] Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. [38] This is the first and great commandment. [39] And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Jesus always had interesting conversations and discussions with the Pharisees, scribes, teachers of the law and the Sadducees of his time. It is amazing how Israel went from worshipping the true God, to now raising and empowering to become even more important than God was. These classes of men practically controlled the way of life of the Jews at the time, laying down what the law required and harshly punishing anyone who dated to go against their controlling influence. This was fine, and maybe the people did not have a choice as they did not have a viable alternative. Then in stepped Jesus, and the power and influence of these classes of people were at risk. Jesus always had a huge crowd following Him wherever He went, and anytime He taught/preached. As it was then, so is it now. Be careful of people who want to impose their own will on you, contrary to the express will of God, as laid down in His Word. 

The law of Moses, given by God, was there to regulate human conduct as well as interaction with God, until Jesus came. The law laid down the standard, but it had no help to render, in order to help its adherents with its demands. This was why it was impossible for anyone to gain justification from God simply by obeying the dictates of the law; the law reminded us of our inabilities, yet had no answer to the demands of the law. When Christ came, His life, death and resurrection added some things that the law did not have: grace and enablement. With all of the many laws that were given to Moses at the time, all have been distilled into two, as laid down in the verses above. We have now moved from acts that seek justification, to relationships and lifestyles that are enabled by love. We have now moved from labouring to earn God's approval solely by works under the law, to being helped by God and His grace to know, love, submit to and serve Him, as well as other people. 

That is the enablement that the law just could not provide. I now have the help I need to love God, not first out of fear, but a deep heart of appreciation for all He has done and given to enable me come to Him. The old testament had frightening accounts of God, yet there were people who still walked with God. He is still the same God, but He has now given me access to the throne of grace, which was not really available under the law. I could not minister in the Holy of Holies, but the curtain of restrictions has now been torn I am able to have an experience and encounter with God, and love Him for who He is. Of course, when I am able to love God, I also get the power and enablement to love other people. I know where I am coming from, and what I have been forgiven, so it is easy to also love other people the same way. God never said it would be easy, which is why He does not demand from me that which He has not first supplied sufficient grace for. He has done His bit; how would I respond? God's time of favour is here.

Harmony!

Harmony!

Now may the God Who gives the power of patient endurance (steadfastness) and Who supplies encouragement, grant you to live in such mutual harmony and such full sympathy with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, Romans 15:5 AMPC

As we read in the devotion for yesterday, it is important to note that power to live right and in line with God's standard has been made available for all who will surrender to Him. It has to start from an internal stability before you can speak of external impact. You can know the whole of the bible from cover to cover, but the proof of the value of what you know is seen from the depth and scope of the relationships that you form and sustain with this knowledge. It is very important, then, to take time to study the Word of God, so I can know the mind of God on all matters that concern me. I love the verse that comes just before the one above: "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope." The things we read in the bible are for our own edification, and to build and entrench patience in us.

These words are to comfort us on the journey of life, so we are sure that God is with us wherever we go, and whatever may be the experience. You are sure and certain of His supply of grace and strength. He is faithful to His promise, and He will not demand from me that which He has not first supplied sufficient grace for. Whenever I go through tough times, I recall men like Shadrack, Meshack and Abednego who walked through fire and were delivered, and I know that God is still very much the One who is with me, no matter what the physical reality is. I also recall the story of Stephen, who though he was stoned to death, he saw heaven open, and the glory awaiting him was far greater than any gain the world could offer him. That has to be the mentality I have: it is God and He alone. He is the focus of my heart and no one else can be who or what He is to me. Does this also apply to you too? 

It is this inner strength that drives outward impact. I take the power and strength available to me in and through Christ, and I touch lives around me with what I have received from Him. He helps me endure what comes my way, providing encouragement along the way, so that my story can be a joy and encouragement to others. As I relate this way with people around me, the touch of God upon my life is evident, and the spring of joy in me cannot but flow out to be a blessing to other people. I love the way the verse above puts it: "mutual harmony and full sympathy with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus". It means that we share a common bond in Christ. We are allowed to be different, but the love that binds us impacts the relationship. The connection to Christ is stronger than our differences. Would you allow God work in you to bring you to the place described above? God's time of favour is here. 

Above All!

Above All!

1 Peter 4:8 AMPC

[8] Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others].

As you read the verse above which seeks to point our attention to a particular standard, I note the requirement to do certain things, as proof of my new relationship with Christ. This is an interesting part of my walk of faith, and it has to do with the public manifestation of my private convictions. Usually, there would be no public witnesses to my conviction that I need Christ in my life, and I would usually go out as an altar call or in my private room, and declare my acceptance of Jesus as my Lord and personal Saviour. At that point, my life then becomes the template for the display of the benefits and lifestyle of that decision I made. I can no longer claim affinity or any close connection with the old standards, as I now have the person and enablement that gives grace to live right. Again, it has to be emphasized that God will not demand from me that which He has not first supplied grace for. 

When I read the words 'above all', I cast my eye on the verse just before, which says: "But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer". This verse here is like a condition precedent to the verse that is our devotion today. It is a call to a life of accountability, where I know what i am getting into, and I am willing to pay the price to make it work. It is only in soberness that a man can see clearly what God is saying to him, and what the right course of action is at every point in time. It is only in soberness that a man can clearly hear what God is saying per time. The world is too complex for anyone to try and navigate without divine help. The world seeks to eat me up but God seeks to establish and uphold me. I am safer in and with Him that with any other person or resource. When I am in Him, then my life can align with the rest of the verse above, as well as the condition precedent already laid out above. 

Try as much as you can, it is not given to mortal man to naturally align with God's commands. You need help, and that help can only be activated when a man is connected to the Help that cannot be defeated, and cannot also be exhausted. Love is one of those standards that God has laid down, and it is only by the help of the One called LOVE that I can also love other people. I cannot put love on top of the fruit of the flesh; God's version of love cannot live in and proceed out of a heart that God does not inhabit. In the first place, I received love, which dealt with the root of sin in me. It means that if I will love the right way, the journey starts with my responding the right way to the love that has been offered to me. My sin has been dealt with permanently; I have been set free from the limits of sin and self; I have a heart that God has touched and changed, and can now respond the right way to the world around me. Does this also describe you? God's time of favour is here. 

The Walk!

The Walk!

2 Corinthians 5:18 AMPC

[18] But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself [received us into favor, brought us into harmony with Himself] and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation [that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him].

As we consider the topics of salvation, grace, justification, sanctification, redemption and enablement, it is very clear what the limits of mortal man are, and what all-encompassing grace and mercy of God have been able to achieve. As we consider these topics, you see quite clearly that there is nothing anyone could have done or given to earn or deserve any of the things received. It is this truth that makes all that God does even more poignant and relevant to our reflection today. If man could boast about anything, it would not be about salvation. If man could boast about anything he has, it will not be about what only God could have done or given him. Thank God man could not "buy' salvation; otherwise, many will kill to have and control it, and dispense it to the highest bidder. Thank God no man could control the gates to heaven or define those who have access to the throne of God's grace, otherwise, many will be locked out. 

Thank God that the stuff man celebrates are not the things God considers when He is dispensing grace. He did not do some, and then leave man to figure out the rest; He delivered a completed package to man, and just asked man to believe in that finished work and then work out the product and benefits of salvation on a daily basis, so that other people can be attracted to the same grace and seek to come in. This is the focus and summary of the verse above. ALL things are from God. I could not contribute anything to it, except to trust in that finished work. However, as it has been made clear in the verse above, there is something required from me as a result of that finished work, and it is called the ministry of reconciliation. One thing that is clear also from the verse above is that God will not demand from me that which He has not first supplied sufficient grace for. He does not ask me to do anything which He has not first shown a perfect example of. 

When he tells me to love my enemies, He had done a good job and laid the perfect example for me. When he tells me to tell others about the good news of Jesus Christ, it is because He has already planted the seed of joy in me, and the fountain of joy cannot be shut up. It has to flow out. The death and resurrection of Jesus has sealed salvation, redemption and eternal life for me; the great divide that sin brought has been removed by blood. I now have full access to life down here as well as eternal life with God. It is by my words and deeds that men will know I am different. The world knows its own, as well as those who are not like it. Am I claiming to be different, yet seeking to blend in and be accepted by the world? A work has been placed in my care, and there are terms and conditions attached. It will not get done by manual labour alone, but by the same enablement that called and saved me, and is able to save other people. Would you accept God's manifest grace, so that you can also be a blessing to others? God's time of favour is here.

Do Good!

Do Good!

See that none of you repays another with evil for evil, but always aim to show kindness and seek to do good to one another and to everybody. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 AMPC

The charge in the verse above was delivered by Paul, Silas and Timothy to the church in Thessalonica. Timothy was a man who God had helped by the ministry of Paul. By the natural order of the Jews, Timothy was not worthy to stand before men as one called by God, because his father was Greek. He was not circumcised at birth, as was the custom of the Jews, and which was a symbol of the covenant God had with Abraham. However, as we now know about God, the human limits and restrictions do not apply to those who God chooses to help and call to Himself. The Jews would have disliked and despised him, but by the help of God and the ministry of Paul, he was able to become a minister too, and he became a great blessing to the church of Christ at the time. Wd find him as co-writer of the letters to the churches in Philippi and Colosse, as well as Thessalonica, and a personal letter to Philemon. 

Imagine if Paul was like everyone else, who thought the boy Timothy was of no use. What could have happened if the boy was helped by someone else, and he became influential and powerful? What would have stopped him from paying people back the same way he was treated? We thank God for how He places people on our paths to be a blessing to us in some instances, and a lesson and caution to us in some instances. What is critical is that I know who God is, and I follow Him closely. I am not permitted to excuse my bad behaviour as treating eople the way I have been treated, because that is not the standard expected from those who claim to know and follow Christ. How I have been treated is the other person's choice, and my reaction or response to the person is also my personal choice. You cannot give what you do not have. I have to prove that talk is not cheap; my walk must match my talk.

It is almost as if the verse is charging me to ensure that paying back evil for evil does not happen under my watch. Every action must be met with grace, not a desire for revenge. Every experience for me must be an opportunity to reflect and respond with the love of God which has changed my life from the inside and now manifests on the outside. The aim is to show kindness and seek to do good to one another and to everybody. It impacts the people in the church, as well as those who are outside the church. We are not hypocritical people who say one thing and do the very opposite, but our talk and walk are aligned. We are also not people who are selective about who we are nice to, like the Jews at the time were, but we see the world as the place of assignment, and lives as those in need of God's touch. We will strive to do our best to touch lives, so that the message of Christ can be attractive and accepted. Would you do the same? God's time of favour is here. 

With Us!

With Us!

John 1:14 KJV

[14] And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

The verse above is part of the insights and revelations at the start of the book of John. It speaks about the mystery, manifestation, and personification of the Word of God. We start with these eternal words: "In the beginning was the Word". It speaks to the origin of the Word, and as we read the above, we know He has no beginning or end. Whenever time began is when He says it is, and time ceases when He says it does, even though there are no limits with Him. By the Word, creation was spoken into existence, and all we see today is the product of the power behind the person and the expression of the Word of God. Recall the constant expressions of "Let there be" and "It was so". Those are powerful words that are connected: the spoken word of authority to create, and the unfailing manifestation of that word. That is power that my mortal mind can never fully comprehend on this side of eternal life, but God has made a way for me to get an understanding of His person and power. 

This is made clear by the words of the verse above. If the Word remained at it was at the story of creation, it would probably be very difficult for sinful, mortal man to relate. An unholy person could not approach the Holy God without consequences, usually fatal. We read the stories of Korah, Dathan and Abiram, as well as the account of the sons of Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, who offered unholy fire before the Lord, and there was immediate punishment. But we also read the account of Isaiah, who saw the glory of God, surrendered to the cleansing power and was able to respond the right way to the Word of God. We read of men like Enoch who walked with God on earth and then walked with Him into eternity. These were mortal men like you and I, and we now have help that was not really available to the men of old. The help came in the form of the Word, who became like us, so we could have all the help we need to be like Him. That is deep. 

God knew that our sinful, mortal nature could not please Him, so He made a way for us to get all the help we needed. Jesus, the Word of God, was born in the flesh, so He could walk our walk, and provide a template of help that we could rely on. He dwelt among us, ate our food and drank our water. He was sometimes tired, as all men are, and needed to rest, like we all too. In that humanity was His divinity also made manifest, as we now had an idea of the power and grace available to us. He is God, yet He lived like us, so we could know it is possible to live like Him. His glory has been made manifest, and we can relate to Him, as a son can relate to a loving Father. He is full of grace and truth, because that is who He is. Anyone who would come to Him knows what s/he is getting; there is no deceit or falsehood with Him. The Word has been made known to us, and help is now available. There will be no excuse for not taking advantage of the help that has now been made available. What are you waiting for? God's time of favour is here.

Guided!

Guided!

Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee. Psalms 143:8 KJV

These must have been tough times for David. The words of the chapter where this verse is taken from contain some pretty strong words: "the enemy has persecuted my soul"; "he has smitten my life"; "he has made me dwell in darkness". Now, as harsh as this may sound, David's experience isn't so much different from what many are passing through now. It appears that the world is conspiring against its inhabitants; people are dying everywhere you turn. It is quite easy to become depressed and despondent, just as the Psalmist was initially, but there is a lesson in today's extract: I have to choose my reaction to the reality around me.

Between the despondency of the early verses and today's extract, we find these words: I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands. It matters what you feed: your fear of the reality or the faith in the God who can change your reality. David looked back over the past works of God, and had no doubt that the God who had brought him this far was able to bring him to the end safely. Do I take time to review all that God has done for me in the past? Do I even have any record of the mighty things God has done for me? How do I encourage myself in God when everything is going to pieces around me, if I cannot even recall anything He has done? It is a dangerous thing to only focus on mgy needs or what I can get out of God for the moment; God is the same yesterday, today and forever; as He did mighty things in the past, so is He able to do mighty things in the present. It is that link that makes today's extract really stand out. 

If I only concerned about what I can get, how does God relay his lovingkindness to me so I can hear it? The word 'hear' is used here, which could only mean that God's lovingkindness is something I can hear; not just feel. It becomes so tangible that men who come in contact with me can see, touch and also hear when God speaks in and through my life. The timing is also important: 'in the morning'; just to set the day on the right path. Before the hustle and bustle of the day starts, I get guidance on the things that matter to God the most, and then I pursue after these things. He is also willing to guide me on the right path for me. Not everything is permissible for a child of God; at all times, divine guidance is important. I do not know what lies ahead, but God is able to chart my course through the Red Sea, yet I will get to my Canaan. 

Before I go all confessing and claiming the benefits, read this from today's extract: In thee do I trust; I lift up my soul unto thee. That's what gives me grace to make a claim. I can't be trusting in man and then demand that God come through for me. I can't lift my soul to idols in private and expect God to validate me in public. And this is the clincher: God is not man that can be bought with external devotion or deceit which is empty of sincerity. I can fool man with external pious devotion; the creator of the heart cannot be deceived. If I will lay my hands on all that God has in store, I have to come to Him on His own terms, not mine. The Psalmist knew this God and his heart showed. What would God say about my heart today? God's time of favour is here. 

Love God!

Love God!

Deuteronomy 6:5 KJV

[5] and thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

Israel was at the point of entering into the land that had been promised to Abraham. The people had left Egypt years ago, and should have been in the land of Canaan within a few days but a mixture of unbelief, downright disobedience and rebellion and a dangerous desire for the good of the land of bondage led to the wanderings of the people in the wilderness for another 40 years, until the entire adult generation, including Moses and Aaron, had died in the wilderness. There is a huge price to pay for not following the clear instructions of the Lord. It does not matter how 'close' you are to God; He will not bend His will to suit anyone's personal interests, and He will not lower His standards for anyone. It is clear from His Word that He will also punish sin, no matter in whom it is found. Think of the fact that He looked away from His own son as He hung from the cross while bearing the sin of the world. If this is the standard to follow, it is expedient for me to seek to know and follow the standard. 

Just before Israel was to enter into the land of promise, Moses took time to remind the people about the standards of God. I note that rather than list out the many instructions that had been given, he went into the foundation of a relationship that God wants, and that is a heart of love. It is a love that cannot be commanded or compelled, but a love that comes from a heart that knows and loves God for who He is. Too many times, we see and relate with God on the basis of transactions: do this for me, and I will do this for you. We want to reduce God to just a benevolent God who dishes out blessings without equivalent responsibility from me. He is both benevolent and responsible at the same time. It is very important to note that whilst indeed God is able to do mighty things in my life, He also demands a life that is fully submitted to Him, and amenable to His instructions. Does this describe me in any way? Am I willing to give up all I have for the surpassing benefits of knowing and loving God? 

Loving God has to take ALL of me, not a part, or almost all of me. As we now know, God does not do part-time work, and he does not go on leave. He does not sleep or slumber, which means that He is fully invested in ALL that concern me. I cannot be all that God is the way He is, but I can love Him the right way which is to give Him ALL of me. I also note the emphasis on the inner parts, such as the heart and soul, before you get to the outer manifestation of might. Whatever will last and make impact must first impress the inner man before it can be fully expressed and appreciated by the outer man. Too many times, we have missed the right order, seeking that which man will applaud, rather than what God approves. Let it not be that I settle for anything less than all of God. He is my ALL, and my life will be all it can be when I allow ALL of God to work in and through me. Would you let Him? God's time of favour is here.

Honour!

Honour!

Ephesians 6:2-3 KJV

[2] Honour thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise; [3] that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

There is something amazing about God's word, and it is the fact that it transcends generations and dispensations. You can apply God's Word to any situation or circumstance, and you can be sure that the Word will have a word to say about the situation. Today's verse is addressing the relationship of parents and children. We may apply this to spiritual fathers and mothers, but for the purpose of this devotion, we will be focusing on biological parents. If God did not count parents as important, He would find another way for the human race to procreate. In His wisdom, He made it so that human life could only be propagated by the union of a man and a woman. Indeed, the world may teach its many doctrines and push its own agenda, but nothing the world offers can negate divine principles. It pleased God so to do, and if my life will make sense, it has to find its meaning in and through the One who ordained the family. Please do not settle for the lies of the devil or the agenda of the world; these will never end well for the adherents. 

It is also amazing that the earthly family life follows the template of the practices in God's kingdom. God calls us our heavenly Father, and He is one who is never tired, sleepy or unavailable. His relationship with us, mere mortals, and quite weak too, is the perfect example of how He wants me to relate with my earthly parents. There is nothing that my heavenly Father will keep from me, if He knows that I need it, and it is time for me to have it. An earthly father is the same, and would not deny an obedient child whatever he or she needs, as long as the timing is right and the application and usage will have the right impact. This is why a father does not give stones to a child who asks for bread. It is not a wonder that the most popular prayer in the bible starts with an acknowledgement of God as our Father, and everything else flows from that. I make bold to say that a relationship with the heavenly Father will really help me in my relationship with my earthly parents. Do I have the information and understanding of what God expects of me?

I honour my heavenly Father, and I am also required to honour my earthly father. I cannot pick and choose my reaction to my earthly father based on what he first gives or does for me. The verse above does not say that the parents must be worthy of the honour; it is human to find examples of terrible parents, but, just as God would not give up on me, so does God expect me to stay true to His Word by honouring parents. After all, if God did not love me unconditionally, where would I be? No matter how old we are now, we were once little children who needed help. If everyone had given up on us, we would not be alive. This understanding helps keep me focused on doing what is right, not because of what I will get in return, but the person who has asked me to do it. And He rewards obedience. Long life and prosperity are just a few dimensions of the blessings that I get from obedience. Claiming the promises without committing to the charge is committing fraud. God does not bless rebellion. Where do you stand? God's time of favour is here. 

Dawn of Light!

Dawn of Light!

Isaiah 9:2 KJV

[2] The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.

The verse above is taken from a chapter in Isaiah, which speaks expressly about the coming of the Messiah, who is to deal with the issue of sin and darkness, and usher in a perpetual season of God's mercy, forgiveness and the hope of eternal life. Like all things that God does, the present never really looks like the future. At the time the words of the verse above were spoken, there was really nothing that could provide any hope that things would be good. The people of Israel, including the separate kingdom of Judah, had rejected the Lord’s instructions about living in line with His instructions, and were now suffering the effects of their rebellion. Nations that were not even as strong as they were could come in, lay seige and if not for God's intervention, would have decimated the population. The early warning for us in this generation is that the God who dealt with Israel and Judah in this way has not changed, even with the passing of time. What He called sin under Adam is still sin in our own day. 

God will not lower the standard for anyone, but for as many as would come to Him, He will not turn away. God would intervene in some instances, just as He did during the reign of king Hezekiah, when he killed 185,000 of the Assyrian army that had laid siege to Judah. How long do you think God condones constant disobedience? As we now know, both Israel and Judah eventually went into captivity. It is clear from God's Word that He cannot and will not lie. All who come to Him in sincere repentance will experience His grace. Sin establishes darkness and causes separation from God. The wages of sin is death. Influence, wealth and connections have no say here. All He wants from me is to come to Him as I am. God is Light; He wants to be and give light, and He will play His part as the faithful God that He is. He will not demand from me that which He has not first supplied sufficient grace for, but be sure that an account will be demanded from me for the grace He has shown. 

As Light, He has revealed His plan for the salvation of the whole earth. All who dwell in the world are in darkness until they come to the saving knowledge of the One who has conquered sin. Until a man comes to Jesus, it does not matter how much impact he is making on earth; the end, outside of Christ, is eternal death. The Light has come to show the way back to God. The Light is not asking me to be perfect before I can come; He wants me to come as I am, and His Light will deal with the darkness in me, and replace it with Light and Life. As we read in the verse above, no matter what my reality is today, the Light is shining. I have the responsibility to respond to the Light. Those in darkness have seen it, and the light has shone on those who dwell in the land of the shadow of death, but God will not force Himself on anyone, or go against the exercise of my freewill. He is Light; He has come. He offers me Light and Life, free of charge. All He asks for is my total submission and surrender to Him, and He guarantees eternal life with Him. For this price, what is too much to give up? How do you respond? God's time of favour is here. 

Commanded!

Commanded!

John 15:12 AMPC

[12] This is My commandment: that you love one another [just] as I have loved you.

As Jesus was coming to the end of his earthly and public ministry, He spent some private moments with His disciples, teaching them about the principles of His kingdom, and the expectations of God for those who were followers of Christ. There were quite a lot of lessons Jesus laid out, covering the whole of chapters 13 to 17 of John, but we will focus on 2 dimensions of the principles of God's kingdom, as laid out in the verse above. The first is this: we can have our different views of who God is, but the truth is He is like a dictator, but a benevolent and gracious one at that. He will not force Himself on anyone, or go against the exercise of your freewill, but be sure that whatever He asks you do is not the topic of negotiation or compromise. Yes, He will not compel you to do it, but I wonder what kind of child expects to get the father's approval and blessing by consistent and persistent disobedience. 

How do I make my father happy, that is, if indeed He is my father, if I do not regard His Word or instructions for my life? There is a reason why the word 'commandment' is used in the verse above, as it makes clear what the source or backing of the authority for the instruction is. I cannot claim the benefits or blessings of a kingdom to which I am not subject, or whose laws I do not obey. I cannot swear allegiance to a king, and then flout his rules, or choose the ones I will obey, whilst disregarding the others. In the same way, God is a King; in fact, the only King whose kingdom has no end, and who cannot be dethroned. His laws are not subject to custom or tradition, and no amount of enlightenment, education, earnings, energy or empowerment can change what God calls wrong into right. Are you a citizen of God's kingdom? Have you accepted His Lordship and authority over your life? 

The second dimension is the instruction to love. Tied to the first dimension, I also cannot choose who to love or when to love. It just asks me to love one another. He does not say the person I have to love must show himself to be worthy of the love, but I love just the same way that He has loved me. If He just gave the instruction, with no personal example or guidance to help me, I would have struggled, but in His mercy, He showed me the perfect example of what this love looks like. At a time when I did not even know I needed help, He came through for me. He loved me with all my baggage, took care of my past, brightened my present and secured my future. If God's love could do this, what lie of the devil should I believe? I note that you cannot force anyone to obey God's command. It has to come from a place of personal conviction. Remember: we do not have forever on this earthly plane to make up our mind. The time is NOW. Have you met this Jesus? His love is all you need. God's time of favour is here. 

Make Peace!

Make Peace!

Matthew 5:9 AMPC

[9] Blessed (enjoying enviable happiness, spiritually prosperous–with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they shall be called the sons of God!

As Jesus preached his first Sermon on the Mount, the crowd was there at the foot of the mountain, and His disciples seated with Him at the top. Both sets of people were listening to Him teach, but the demands are not for the crowd. You do not make demands from those who are not subject to your authority, or under the sphere of control and dominion that you have and that they recognise, accept and submit to. This was clear from the introduction to the Sermon, where Jesus laid down the principles of His kingdom, and the expectations of the ruler of that kingdom. The verse above speaks about those who make and maintain peace. This requirement is very important to the kingdom of God, as you have its ruler called the Prince of Peace. You cannot give what you do not have, and you cannot maintain something that you did not create. Before I start to talk about making peace, the important question would be: "Do I know the Prince of Peace?" 

Does He know me as His own? I note from the verse above that it refers to those who MAKE and MAINTAIN peace. It means that peace is not a wish or an automatic setting; it is the product of a conscious pursuit, where I have to go all out to seek, pursue and establish it in my own sphere of influence and control. In making peace, like we said above, you need to have the ingredients for peace. I need to have Him in control of my life, so that He can then live out the principles of peace in and through me. The reason why peace is also critical here is not because it means that there would not be conflicts or flash points, but for me, I vote for peace. Let the whole world seek war, in line with its nature, I will rather seek peace and pursue it, because it is all I have. You cannot give what you do not have. I cannot fake the contents of my heart; over time, its contents will be laid bare for all to see. What is in my heart at the moment, and can I bear to see them revealed to the world? 

To maintain peace is to ensure it is default setting for all I do. I note that the men of the world will not always understand this setting, but I just have to keep at it. There will be trouble because of this setting sometimes, but because I answer to a higher calling, I do not give up. The reward for this setting is to be called the sons of God. Of course, I look like the One I behave like. Even by human standards, we see a child act in a certain way, and we know s/he is like the father or mother; in the same way, by my actions, I show who my father is. The Lord calls me blessed, and the world sees me as His child. I have and make impact down here on earth, and I also have an eternal home waiting for me in heaven at the end of the earthly sojourn. There is no one else who can make such a promise and keep it. I owe it to my present generation as well as the legacy that God wants me to lay down for future generations to represent Him properly. Are you? Am I? God's time of favour is here.

Kept!

Kept!

Psalm 119:114 AMPC

[114] You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in Your word.

It is not known who wrote this psalm, but there is no doubt as to its source, which is the Holy Spirit. The entire chapter consists of 176 verses, divided into 22 sections of 8 verses each. Each section makes reference to God and His Word and Inspiration, and encourages the readers to know, understand and embrace the value and blessings that God and His Word can give. As you read the verses of the Bible too, you find many examples of men and women who heard God speak, took Him at His Word, and impacted the times and seasons they were placed. Nothing has changed even in our own times today; we still have a God who seeks to change lives by His Word, we have a dying world in need of a Saviour and we have vessels that continue to be available in every generation and dispensation, who want to be used by this God to change lives and impact their world. 

Do you know this God, and are you willing and ready to be a tool in His hands for such a time like this? There is, however, a note of caution in the verse above. As mighty as God is, and as powerful and undefeatable He is, there is wisdom in doing whatever He commands the way He commands it, and at the time He commands it. You read of men who fought and overcame lions and bears, and men who, in obedience to God, with just a shout and the sounds of trumpets, brought down the walls of Jericho, yet you read here where the same God is presented as a hiding place and a shield. It may not look like the image of the God that we want, but this is first and foremost for my benefit, not God's. God does not need protecting from anything or anyone; He is the One who does the protecting. It is only IN and BY Him that I can face whatever comes my way. 

Before I dare confront or face whatever may come, it is critical that that thing finds me IN this God. There is a time to move on ahead and challenge what is ahead, and there is a time to simply find refuge in God until the storm passes. God is no fool, and His power and omniscience make it possible for me to rest IN Him when it is time for it, and to be fully energised for the tasks ahead, when they are also due. This is where the Word of God also comes in; I move at His command, not on a whim or something coming from me. I do what He commands, not what I desire. I do not even have the faintest idea what will happen in the next second, but there is a God who has mapped out my life, and ordained its impact. No one else can do or give what He is, and I am safe IN Him. I do not settle for the lies of the devil; He is all I need. What is your own decision? God's time of favour is here.

Supported!

Supported!

Deuteronomy 31:8 AMPC

[8] It is the Lord Who goes before you; He will [march] with you; He will not fail you or let you go or forsake you; [let there be no cowardice or flinching, but] fear not, neither become broken [in spirit–depressed, dismayed, and unnerved with alarm].

It came a time in the life of Joshua that he had to take the mantle of leadership from the man Moses. Moses' shoes would be hard to fill; a man God spoke to face to face and called a friend of God. A man who God showed his 'back' because the man wanted to see the glory of God. Moses was just dealt with differently, because he sought a close relationship with God, yet when he did wrong, God did not hesitate to punish him, and denied him physical access into the promised land. Joshua too had seen God at work; he was there at the crossing of the Red Sea; he saw God deal with the rebellious such as Korah, Dathan and Abiram; he saw God deal with even Aaron and Miriam when they spoke against Moses. He was there at the rebellion of Israel on Mount Sinai, as well as at the point of entering into the promised land, and was the only one, apart from Caleb, above 20 years old, who left Egypt and also crossed into the promised land. 

The above were just a few of the acts and facts about Moses that Joshua had to follow.

It is not a wonder that Joshua was afraid; who would not be? God did not compromise His principles for his friend Moses, and did not allow him to enter into the land. He would also definitely not do so for Joshua. Moses had to encourage the man Joshua, and he made it clear that it is God who both goes before, as well as with ALL who will walk with Him. This is where personal responsibility comes in. God is faithful to His Word; he does not send a man out without His backing, but this means that I do not dare go out without His backing too. Be sure of who is leading the charge; too many people are laying claim to power, authority and vision, and there is so much noise around. I owe it to my earthly impact and eternal life to be sure that God is with me at every stage of my life's journey.

God does not fail; He does not let go, and He  will not forsake anyone who puts his trust in Him. These are just a few of the attributes of this God who calls us to Himself. When He commands an action, obedience unlocks the full potential and possibilities of all that God is and can do. He can be trusted to do what He has promised to do, but there is now an expectation from me. My part is to move forward without fear. It is not that things would not threaten your peace of mind, but the confidence you have in God's ability will keep your heart focused on what is ahead, not what is threatening. You have God in you, and that is the only thing that counts, because He is the only One that is eternal. Situations and circumstances have the nature of change; they are not built to be permanent. The amazing consistency of God is the reason why I have hope, and I can look forward to all that may come. Outside of God, there is no hope. Do you know and have Him? God's time of favour is here. 

Supply!

Supply!

Philippians 4:19 AMPC

[19] And my God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

In laying the foundation for the verse above, you consider the words of Paul in the earlier verses. Think of it this way: here was a man who used to persecute the church; now he claims to be a Christian and is on a missions assignment. He needs resources and help on this journey, and it is very important to note that Paul clearly mentioned this church as the only one that shared with him in the matter of giving and receiving, as soon as they came to the knowledge of Christ. And it was not a flash-in-the-pan kind of thing, where they did it once for the public acknowledgment, but because they had come to understand the power of giving. They did it again and again, and even when Paul went to a different town in Thessalonica, they kept sending aid to him there. You need an understanding of the foundation and principle of giving, if you act the way the church in Philippi acted, and want the kind of blessing that Paul pronounced in the verse above. 

First, I need to understand who it is that owns all I have and hold in the first place. Being asked to be a part of what God is doing around the world is a privilege. God once made it clear that He could raise stones to praise Him, so He can never lack resources to do whatever He needs to get done. However, He has given us the grace to be a part of what He wants to get done, and what better way is there to prove submission to Christ than to lay all I am and have at His feet? When I get this, I know God can ask me for anything at anytime, and I will not hesitate to give it up. Secondly, the law of economics follows a demand and supply law. Supply is usually tied to demand; one of these rules is that the higher the demand, supply would need to work hard to catch up. We have a God who is in charge of the supply chain, and you can be sure that He knows how to allocate resources to meet the demand that lines up with His will. Can you say, with confidence, that your current pursuit and priority will guarantee God's supply? 

The church in Philippi understood what was high on God's agenda at the time, and they acted according to that understanding. It is not a wonder that Paul prayed the prayer in the verse above. He knew this God of supply on a personal level, because he had also learnt the secret of being content in any and every situation, as long as He had this God of supply on his side. Paul took from his private and personal knowledge of God, and asked God to supply all the needs of this church that had stood by him on his journeys. Before I claim the same prayer of supply, can I say, of a truth, that I have laid all I have at the feet of the Lord who makes a demand of all I am and have? Until I lay all on the altar, it will be very difficult to take hold of that which God wants to give me. Until my hand is empty and able to receive, there is no room for God to put anything in my hand. When I let go, God takes over, and He owes no man. If I give all, I get His all. If I have Him, I lack nothing. The decision is mine to make. God's time of favour is here. 

Watered!

Watered!

Proverbs 11:25 AMP

[25] The generous man [is a source of blessing and] shall be prosperous and enriched, And he who waters will himself be watered [reaping the generosity he has sown]. 

In a world where selfishness and self-promotion are the order of the day, the clear message in the verse above goes against what we see around us. The world has elevated hoarding to an art, where we think the more we have means the more successful we are. We have allowed the world define and dictate what success truly means, and it is all about physical and financial metrics. This is where you find men who have fat bank accounts still not satisfied with they have at the moment, and keep seeking more. Whilst there is nothing wrong with wanting more, the motives and the means to that end have to be examined in the light of the Truth of the Word of God. Am I pursuing all that I need under the guidance of the One who owns and holds all things in the first place? Do I understand the position of things and people that have been placed on my life's path, so I can deal the right way with them? 

The man who has learnt to be generous is the one who knows and understands the place and limits of whatever he holds in his hands. He knows that whatever he has now is just temporary, given to him for a time, a season or a purpose. As long as it is physical or material, it will always pass with the process of time. The lesson for me is to make good use of whatever is in my hand to be a blessing to the lives that are around me. It is even more poignant to note that if I hold anything in my hand right now, and my hand is full, I have to give it all up if I want to get more. No one gives anything to anyone whose hand is already filled up, unless there is space for that extra. If I do not leave room for more, how can God give me more? It is only by spiritual principles that a man can become even more blessed when he gives. This message will not sell to the One whose heart and hands are not fully surrendered to God. Are you?

Again, it has to be emphasised that you can only give what you have. The one who wants to water would have water in himself. He who would water would have first been watered. In effect, what you have here is a never-ending cycle of watering. A man takes from the never-ending fountain of life that is in Christ and becomes a blessing to someone else. The person who has now been blessed then takes of what s/he now has and blesses yet another person. That is how the cycle of watering is maintained. God is faithful to His Word and when he makes a promise, you can be sure He will keep His end of the bargain. If He says he will bless those who are generous, what do I have to lose? The person who waters has opened a fountain; s/he may not drink from the same fountain, but God will definitely connect the person to another source where the need will be met. That is God. Would you trust Him with all that you have and hold now? God's time of favour is here. 

Peace!

Peace!

Mark 4:39 AMP

[39] And He got up and [sternly] rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still (muzzled)!” And the wind died down [as if it had grown weary] and there was [at once] a great calm [a perfect peacefulness].

Let us consider the context of the verse above so we can appreciate the work of Jesus, not just in the verse above, but also in our human lives too. Jesus had spent the whole day publicly teaching the crowd about the kingdom of God through parables, and also privately explaining these parables to His disciples. As far as Jesus was concerned, the kingdom of His father was paramount, and He would do anything to establish it in the hearts of the people. However, when evening came, it was time to depart and go over to the other side by sea. It was then that the storm arose, swamping the boat. I am not sure what the disciples were thinking as this was happening, but the passage was careful to note that Jesus was in the boat with them. How could He be there and this would be happening? How would He allow such to happen whilst He is in the boat? 

This is why a walk with God is not like any other walk. What is guaranteed is God's grace and presence being sure; what is not certain is the kind of storm that will come. Having Jesus in your boat secures your life from eternal loss, but be sure that the storms will come, the wind will beat and fear will threaten the calm that Jesus provides. To make matters even worse, the One whom they had seen perform miracles was not only seemingly oblivious to their plight; he was fast asleep, with his head on a cushion. He could sleep through a storm because He knew no storm could destroy the boat He was in. That is the confidence God would have me establish in my heart that come what may, no experience can destroy my life if He is in there in my heart. We want Him to act on our own terms and time, but if you have given Him the total control He asked for, trust Him to work out His perfect will in His own time and in His own way.

Jesus was sleeping, yet the storms could not capsize the boat. The disciples came in fear, but that day, they witnessed another dimension to the power and authority of Jesus as Creator over all aspects of His creation. That which is made is always subject to the One who makes. Jesus got up from sleep and in a few words, rebuked and silenced the storm. The storm that was all noise suddenly had no more power to rage. There are a lot of lessons here, but a few will be of help here. First, go with Jesus. There are no short journeys in life; I need His help to navigate this complex world. Secondly, I need to be in Him. It is one thing to go with Him; it is a different thing to be in Him. The crowd heard him speak, but they left. The disciples walked with Him and they saw His mighty miracles. Do not be content with following the crowd; commit to surrender. That is the only path to the peace that is described in the verse above as 'perfect peacefulness'. Only in and through Christ do you get this.The world cannot give you what it does not have, and it cannot sustain that which it did not originate. Need peace? Go to the Prince of Peace. God's time of favour is here. 

Daily!

Daily!

Psalm 68:19 AMPC

[19] Blessed be the Lord, Who bears our burdens and carries us day by day, even the God Who is our salvation! Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!

David is the writer of the song in the psalm above, and as we know, he is a man who knows how to praise God in any and every life situation. Records show that he had a song for the times when he was depressed, as well as when he was happy. In fact, even when he committed atrocities, such as killing one of his mighty men after committing adultery with his wife, he was able to pen down the words of Psalm 51. There were times he would ask God to deal with him according to His mercies but there also times when he would seem to plead his righteousness before God. In all, God considered David a man after His own heart. He kept his relationship with God intact, no matter what else was going on around him. He made sure that God was duly praised and adored every opportunity he got. Like the times of David in the past, so is it now in our own days. God has not changed, and His desires for us have also not changed. 

The passage of time has done nothing to change the mind of God about what he wants from His children. As many as claim affinity with God, or subjection to His authority, are required to learn how to nurture and sustain this relationship the right way. The nature of God is predictable, in the sense that He is faithful to His promises. He does not lie as man frequently does, and you can trust that He will do whatever He says He will do. The verse above makes this clear: He is a God who is able to relate with our human time schedules, yet is not bound by them. He is able to make adequate provisions for my need whilst at the same time securing my earthly and eternal legacies. He knows what life can throw at me, and He provides strength to bear up under the burden. He will not leave me to my own devices, but will help me bear them. What could be better than the Lord of the whole earth being available to me at all times, and in any situation? 

I note the words DAY BY DAY in the verse above. He will not do today and forget tomorrow. He will not abandon today, whilst promising to help me tomorrow. Like the Lord’s prayer, He is able to provide daily bread and also secure my eternal salvation. This is what makes God peculiar; no one else can make and back up the claims that God makes in His Word. He does not render me irrelevant on earth simply because I have also been promised eternal life with Him. Whilst I wait for reality of eternal life with Him, He makes my life the template for the display of His own power and grace. It is not a wonder that the expression SELAH is used at the end of the verse above; it reminds us to pause, and calmly think of the things that have been laid out in the same verse. A mighty God, awesome in power and deeds, wants to have a relationship with His creation, mortal and weak as we are. This should make me humble, and also lead me to fear God enough to want to give Him my all. He will take nothing less than my all. Would you give Him? God's time of favour is here. 

Joy in Pain!

Joy in Pain!

2 Corinthians 12:10 KJV

[10] Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

As I read and reflect on the words of the verse above, it is important to consider the context in which the words were written. Paul was a man with an ugly past; he had been complicit in the murder of Stephen, as well as the persecution of Christians at the time. In fact, he was on his way to commit further atrocities when he had an encounter with the Light, who is Jesus. His life would not remain the same after that experience, and he became a great tool in the hands of God to prick the hearts of his fellow Jews and to bring light to the Gentiles. Of course, the Jews in Paul's time, just like Jesus', were horrible people who could not stand the truth. They would resist Paul, just as they resisted Jesus, and indeed, Paul had some nasty experiences on his missionary journeys. Let it be clear: no man can truly follow and serve God without having some unpleasant moments. It is part of the package of God's dealings to build up. 

As you read the letters of Paul to the various churches he had the privilege of setting up or visiting, his joy in the midst of these nasty experiences was clear for all to see. You have to see differently if you can have all these unpleasant experiences and still be able to speak like the verse above. In fact, earlier in the chapter from where the verse above was taken, you read of Paul's revelation of heaven and the unspeakable words he was not permitted to write down or speak about. With all of the things he saw, the bible records that a thorn in his flesh was given to him, in order to keep him from pride. He asked God at least three times to take away the thorn, but rather than the thorn being taken away, God gave him grace, and plenty of it, so Paul could be able to bear with the thorn. This is where God and His ways can be mysterious; you need a healthy and regular walk with Him in order to see everything he allows the right way. 

It is the life of God in me that sustains me in the midst of all that I may experience. Unless I have the right content, I will struggle to fully understand the reason or rationale behind the things God allows. When the content is right, the outflow will also be right. When God fills the heart, I am able to rejoice in whatever comes my way. I can rejoice in infirmities, reproaches, necessities, persecutions and distresses, because I have in me the life of God. The external is not what defines me; it is the inner man that sustains me. That is what I need to sort out. When He is in, I can face whatever comes. In weakness, I am strong. In pain, I rejoice. In physical discomfort, I see lives I can impact with the comfort I have received from God. It is about who I allow to control and influence my life. Who is in charge in your life? Remember: your words will always reflect your control centre. God's time of favour is here. 

Right Way!

Right Way!

Proverbs 22:4 AMP

[4] The reward of humility [that is, having a realistic view of one’s importance] and the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the Lord Is riches, honor, and life.

The world has its process for getting whatever it is it desires. There is way that seems right to the man who is under the control and influence of the systems of the world. It is hard to preach humility and the fear of God to someone who has not fully surrendered his heart to the Holy Spirit. The person can be the most down-to-earth or nicest person you have ever met; when it comes to the things of the Spirit, expect nothing less than the reflection of the inner condition of that man. It is even more interesting when you consider the man who is credited with the words of this verse above, who is Solomon. He was blessed with great wisdom by God, so much so that kings and queens came from all over the world to hear him speak, and they were not disappointed, as the bible makes clear. However, as we now know, the story did not end there. 

For all that God is and gives, there is a role for me to play. God does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill. He is Sovereignity personified, and His kingdom brooks no opposition or resistance, yet He wants me to come to Him of my own accord and surrender my life to Him. He could compel me to, but where is the love in that? If He 'switches' me off and on as He pleases, He will not have any issue with total allegiance. However, as I have been made in His image and after His likeness, I get to consciously choose my reaction and response to His love. I love Him, not because I do not have a choice, but after reviewing all my options, I recognise His love for me, and I am willing to submit to His authority and discipline. It is by His process and preparation that I become all He wants me to be. Have you submitted your heart to the One who can make it tick the right way? 

Of course, the product of a life under God's control cannot be ignored. Riches, honour and life are promised and provided for all who walk in humility and the fear of God. The world also seeks riches and honour, but it does not want to submit to the process laid out in the verse above. Unfortunately, this is  one journey that you cannot defraud or skip, as all of us will have to give account of our journey at some point. I note that the end of the process, for those who submit to God, is life. This is key; with all that I get, it is not complete without the life that God gives. What does it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, but loses his soul? What is the use of the world's riches, if they cannot secure a spot in eternal dwellings with God? Is there anything else worth having? You give only that which you have; only in God do you get true riches, honor and life. Do you have Him? God's time of favour is here.

The Word!

The Word!

so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Isaiah 55:11 KJV

We read of God's direct words here, not as reported speech. He speaks of Himself and His Word, laying out the source, scope and efficacy of His Word and words. The focus seems to be on the words he speaks but as we know, the source determines the efficacy. If a known liar were to make promises, it is not likely that anyone will set too much expectation around the words of this liar. Here, we speak of the One who introduces Himself to us as the Way, the Truth and the Life. The Truth does not lie or exaggerate; He says it exactly as it is, and, different from how the world operates, He then supplies grace required to heed His instructions. Whatever it is I want to process my life around, I must make sure it is from a source that will outlive and outlast this earthly phase. 

It is the Source that defines the efficacy and impact. God stakes His name and reputation on the quality of His Word. It is impossible to divorce God from His Word, because His Word reflects His name, power and nature. God makes it clear that he is not bound by anything that does not line up with His Word. There is no point crying or shouting to God for anything contrary to His Word. If it is not his will, He will not do it. I can try and get it, but this will have to be done without His help or blessing, and I must then live with the consequences of my action. Check out the conclusion of God about His Word: it will not return to Him empty. It is like an ambassador with the full backing of the Head of state. Anywhere the ambassador stands, s/he represents the Head of state.

The Word cannot fail in the assignment it has been given; it is impossible for that which is of God not to look like God. Of course, if God sends His Word out, the Word must return to Him. The Word pleases the One it belongs to, not necessarily the one to whom it was sent. My life must receive the Word and allow it work; God does not compel me to accept His Word, but if I do, there is no limit to what the Word can do in my life. Of course, if I allow the Word to work, it will prosper in the assignment and my own life too will also prosper. The Word of God cannot come in contact with a life and that life will remain the same; I must have a personal encounter with this Word, so my life can then make sense and have impact. God's time of favour is here. 

Done Right!

Done Right!

Philippians 2:3 KJV

[3] Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

As always, the audience always defines the expectation. When you want to make a demand for something from someone, you have to be sure that the person has that which you desire, as well as the quality you desire. Paul, writing to the church in Philippi, was addressing people who were in Christ, whose hearts were being comforted by His love, who had close fellowship with the Holy Spirit, and has kindness and compassion for one another. That description of a church is relevant to our discussion here. People may claim that it is not possible to have such a church now, but the question is: WHY? Have we now become so focused on ourselves only that we do not care about other people's feelings? Are we all about what we can get, that we do not stop to think of the impact we can make in the lives of other people, when we allow the touch of God in us to also flow out and touch other people?

Some interesting synonyms for 'strife' found online are: conflict, antagonism, quarrel, struggle, clash, competition, disagreement, opposition, fight. The same goes for vainglory, which is also defined as: excessive pride in oneself or one's achievements, excessive vanity. I note the above points out both internal and external manifestations. As we know, everything that ever was physical once had a spiritual foundation. Before you see the physical manifestation of clashes and fights, you would have some uncomfortable experiences. It must also be noted that strife is also a human reality, and a manifestation of the old nature. Strife is mentioned as one of the manifestations of the works of the flesh, so as long as a man is under the control and influence of the sinful nature, strife will always be a part of the person's life. There is no way such a person can align with the demands of the spiritual nature. 

It is not a wonder, then, that Paul warns about doing anything out of strife or vainglory. Both will pollute whatever it is you do, because the foundations of strife and vainglory are in the devil. Of course, we can disagree on issues and have different opinions on how things should be done, but at no time am I allowed to get into contentions and pride, thinking I have to be right at all times. I put myself in the shoes of other people; I see things from their own eyes too. In humility, I am able to relate with anyone, irrespective of station, status, standing, stature or social position. I consider others better than myself, because I do have a lot to learn from others. No one is ever given total knowledge of all things on the face of the earth. When the love of God guides our interactions with others, we make the message of Christ attractive to the people who are around us. What decisions do I need to make today? What of you? God's time of favour is here.

No Condemnation!

No Condemnation!

Romans 8:1 AMPC

[1] THEREFORE, [there is] now no condemnation (no adjudging guilty of wrong) for those who are in Christ Jesus, who live [and] walk not after the dictates of the flesh, but after the dictates of the Spirit.

'Therefore' is used to clarify or compare and contrast two ideas. When a sentence then starts with 'therefore', as is the case above, it is good to look at what has gone before. Paul took his time in the chapter before the one above to lay out the power, scope, effect and impact of the law and the old nature. All men born of women are subject to the power of the law and the old nature. It is what we were born into, and it is older and stronger than any of us. This is why it is a waste of time to seek to fight the old nature by tips or tricks that are supplied by the same old nature. No kingdom divided against itself will be able to stand. It is also a waste of time to pray that the old nature be allowed to function and co-exist at the same time and in the same place with the new nature that God wants to establish. Paul knew the futility of such a desire, as he had personally experienced the power and effect of both natures. Which nature is in charge of your life?

Having laid out the power of the old nature, Paul was also careful to lay out the awesome possibilities that were available in union with Christ. The old nature placed a demand on its subjects, but did not have the means or the enablement to encourage obedience. The old nature laid down the rules and regulations for those under it, and also applied prescribed punishment for disobedience, without fear or favour. As laid out in the law, the wages of sin is death, and that has been the case since the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. However, that which the law could not do in me has been offered by Jesus Christ under a new arrangement, which is the law of grace, laid down by God, implemented in Christ, and now been sustained by the Holy Spirit. The law wanted me to fear and then obey God, but it could not compel me to love God, because of the limitation of the old nature. It is not a wonder that Jesus had to lay down a new way to God. 

The secret to access all the benefits of this new life is to be IN Christ Jesus. Position makes room for possibilities. It is Presence that guarantees possession. I cannot be IN Christ and still be comfortable with the ways of the world. I cannot claim to be IN Christ and still be subject to the limits and guilt made possible under the law. Living IN Christ is not an abstract concept; there is an internal condition as well as an external expression. The One who lives IN me is able to help me live and walk in line with the dictates of the Spirit of God. There is no other help available, outside of the Spirit of God, by which a man is still able to please God. In Christ, the power and reach of sin is defeated, and all the condemnation that sin could bring is dead on arrival for all who are in Christ. If the price of sin has been fully paid for, what hold does sin have over me again? Please NOTE: do not just claim the benefits; make sure that you are IN Christ, where the benefits are yours for all of eternity. Are you IN Him? God's time of favour is here..

Right Peace!

Right Peace!

John 14:27 AMP

[27] Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]

There is a provision that comes from God that the world can neither explain or understand. There is a peace that is possible, called perfect peace, that only the perfect God can give. A man can only give you something, and also sustain that which he has or can control. That is the reason why the verse above refers to it as "my perfect peace". It is only in and by God that this version of peace is available or possible. The context in which the words above was also pronounced also matters to us today. The disciples of Jesus had seen Him perform mighty miracles; the dead had been raised to life, the blind and lame healed and the possessed by demons also delivered from oppression. This same Jesus who seemed untouchable, was now saying that he would be arrested like a common criminal and put to death in a shameful way. It was a bit too much for the disciples to handle. 

Jesus had to encourage them to trust him even in the dark and uncertain moments of their lives. He made a clear distinction between the way the world works and the way He works. The world will give you something that looks good, but it will also include some problems that will make it impossible to enjoy that which it had given you. The peace the world promises is elusive; you will have to pay a high price, or give up something precious, in order to enjoy a semblance of normalcy by the world's standards. Men have built high walls and fences in order to guarantee safety and security; men had thought up all sorts of schemes in order to secure a semblance of peace, but it has to be noted that the world cannot secure for you what it does not own or control. There is a reason why Jesus is called the Prince of Peace. He is the source, as well as the sustainer of the right kind of peace, the version that reveals who God is. Do you know or have this God?

It is important to also note that the peace that Jesus promises here is not the absence of pressure or tough times, but the assurance that all is well, simply because of the Presenc of God. The same chapter from which the verse above is taken makes it clear that in this world, we will surely have tribulations, but it goes on to assure us that if we have Him, we should be of good cheer, as He has already overcome the world, and all who are in Him also enjoy the same victory. That is why the verse above can charge us not to allow our hearts be troubled, nor be afraid. In the midst of the storm, God speaks. In the face of contrary winds, God provides the strength and courage needed to face whatever comes. I have a duty to allow the peace of God do His work in me. He has given it to me free of charge, if I will accept it by giving my life to Him willingly. Would you allow Him work? God's time of favour is here.

Unity!

Unity!

Psalms 133:1 AMP

[1] Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity!

There is an interesting definition of unity available online, and it reads thus: "Unity is being together or at one with someone or something. It's the opposite of being divided. This is a word for togetherness or oneness". I reflect on this definition, and realise it does not deny the individual nature of the parts that are coming together. It is a recognition of the power and potential of the individual and separate parts. It is a connection between people or things which are not the same, but by virtue of the person or substance that seeks to bring them together, these people or things are able to function as one. This is one of the deep mysteries of who God is, and what He can do in the lives of all who submit to Him. He is not looking for mindless individuals, or persons who cannot think for themselves and are willing to follow the crowd even into destruction. He did not create robots.

God is looking for people who recognise and celebrate the power behind their individuality, but also know that they are stronger together than in units. Consider the impact of the above in one of the wise sayings by the son of the writer of the psalm above: "Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour. Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone? And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken". This extract makes clear that you are powerful as an individual, but there is a geometric increase in the impact you make when you harness the sum of the individual parts to make a whole. One man may lift a heavy object after several attempts but imagine when 5 people work together to do the same job. There is power in the right number.

It is in this context that the verse above makes further sense. When we come together as one, because we know the power that is available to us, we are able to achieve more than we would have separately. One place this is also relevant is in the house of God. David speaks here of brothers, and this would mean people who are connected by blood. We know the blood of Jesus has brought different people under the same cover, and we can harness that relationship and change the world we have been placed in. The world is in turmoil and trouble because it does not know or acknowledge God. We have to show the world what it is missing, and our lives have to reflect the value of unity. How else will the world be attracted to God if we are not different from it? Don't lose your individuality; bring it under the control of the Holy Spirit, and with other people who have submitted to God, impact your world. God's time of favour is here.

Think Right!

Think Right!

Philippians 4:8 KJV

[8] Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 

The bible is filled with counsel and advice on the power of our thoughts. A few will suffice: 

Proverbs 23:7a says "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he..." Another says in Matthew 12:34b: "for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh". It is clear that there is power and effect in the things that a man thinks about. It has to also be emphasized that thoughts are not abstract things; they come from the things we have spent time on: the people we have spent time listening to and speaking with; the things we have spent time watching or listening to; the things we have processed with our human senses of sight, hearing, taste, touch or smell, and we have allowed them to settle on our minds. We will come across several things in the course of our lives, but it is not everything that comes to us that is good for us. It is by my life of discipline and diligence that I am able to decipher what stays and what goes. 

It is in this light that the verse above is to be understood and applied to our lives. I have to subject everything that comes my way to the tests that have been laid out in the verse above. It is not a surprise that the first test, or the foundation of all that must remain, is if it is true. As we know, Jesus is the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE. Whatever must stay must align with his nature. Closely linked to this is that it must be honest. Just check out all the other bits, such as just, pure, lovely and of good report. Tell me, what part of the things listed above does not reflect God's nature, which then drives his expectations of and from us? God is pure, and all who will follow and serve Him must be pure. He is holy and He will not lower His standards for anyone. For the first and only time, God looked away from His son as he hung on the cross, in order to pay the price for my sin. 

If God could do this, then, there is no one that can plead closeness to God as an excuse for unholy living. I have a duty to subject whatever comes my way to the tests laid out in the verse above. Life may claim to be in a hurry, and may want to push you to make a quick decision, but think of the eternal impact of whatever decision you make. Let the One who lives in you guide you to make the right decision, but this means that you have to be sure that it is the Truth who lives in you. You cannot get to the Truth by believing and following the lie of the devil. You cannot make the right decision by following the wrong path. God wants to help, lead and guide us, but we have to submit willingly to His authority and control. He does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill. When you know the Truth, follow Him. He will lead you on earth, and bring you into eternal rest with Him. Nothing else works. God's time of favour is here.

Relate Right!

Relate Right!

1 Thessalonians 5:15 AMP

[15] See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek that which is good for one another and for all people.

As we have learnt over the past few days, there is an expectation from those who claim to know and follow Christ. There are many  practices and principles that align with the call of God upon any life. Whatever was the case before the encounter with Christ, as soon as there is contact with Christ, the past becomes history, as the old life gives way to the new life. It cannot be business as usual, where people are not able to find any difference between what I once was, and what I am expected to be now. This is the theme of our recent reflections, and it is now very important that I consider my own life and be sure that it is in agreement with the expectations of Christ for a life that He controls. Remember: God will not live in a heart that has not been totally surrendered to Him. He does not force Himself on anyone, and He does not go against the exercise of a man's freewill. 

If I will live right, it starts with total submission to His authority and control. Have you submitted? This verse above will make no sense to you until you have. The demand of the verse above is difficult for the person who has not given his life over to God. It is the way of the world to give fire for fire, and to get even for any perceived wrong. Revenge is part of the human experience, and that is why the prince of this world is the devil himself, one without mercy. His assignment on earth, as laid out in the Bible, is to steal, kill and destroy and that is all he can offer. Do not look to him for anything less. You only give what you have and all who follow him must produce in line with their mentor or leader. As I take stock of my daily pursuits and priorities, who defines my life's goals? What underpins the things that I hold dear? 

The fruits of my life cannot be ignored; I cannot also fake the fruit that follow the seed that has been sown. No matter how hard I try, this is one reality that I cannot fake. Life will flow in the direction of its focus and constant exposure. I have to make sure that I seek the good of ALL people. It is not about what they do but who you are. Each person gives what he has. I am not bothered by your reaction or response, but I just have to live up to who I am. As a child of God, I live by different standards and I am focused on higher and nobler ideals, because of who I answer to now. Like God, who sent his one and only Son to die on the cross for me, I have a good example to emulate. It is not a seasonal wonder, where I get to do it only when it is convenient, it is a call to a holy lifestyle, with eternity with God as the end of the journey. Are you on that journey now? God's time of favour is here.

Oneness!

Oneness!

1 Corinthians 1:10 AMP

[10] But I urge you, believers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in full agreement in what you say, and that there be no divisions or factions among you, but that you be perfectly united in your way of thinking and in your judgment [about matters of the faith].

As was laid out in our devotion for yesterday, there is power in singing from the same hymnsheet. The words are the same, but the parts are not the same. The harmony is in the different parts coming together to form a melodious whole. That is the picture that has been presented again to us today. It has to be noted that nowhere does it say that we do not have opinions or ideas, or that whatever we think or what we have to say is not important, but there is an underlying foundation and a critical conclusion that underpin all that we do. The underlying foundation is our connection with the Lord of the church, of which we are part, if indeed we have come to the saving knowledge of Jesus. We come from different backgrounds, cultures and races but the blood of Jesus has given all of us access to the riches of God's grace in all its fullness. 

It is this blood connection that brings us into the family of God, and gives us the motivation to seek the unity and progress of the family we belong to. We can have different ideas, and we can see things from different points of view or perspectives, but the destination for all of us must be the same: to see our Father glorified, and His kingdom established in the lives and hearts of all who come in contact with us. That is the critical conclusion that we must all arrive at. We were made as unique individuals, in the image and likeness of God, with a mind of our own, and it is only fitting that we are able to critically assess the information we receive, and come to the right conclusions that will glorify God. This is why Paul would charge his audience - people who were connected to the same family by the  blood of Jesus to be in full agreement in what they say. 

What you say is the output of your heart, and once your heart is under the control and influence of Jesus, the output of your words will always reflect his presence. I love the words placed in parentheses [] at the end of the verse above. You can have opinions about anything, but when it comes to the matters of the faith, there can be no alternative facts or opinions. What God called sin must not be called anything else other than sin. What God hates must not be condoned by anyone in His kingdom. As family members, we promote the good of our family; even when we do not agree on something, what binds us together is deeper and greater than anything that seeks to separate us. Being in Christ does not make you mindless or unthinking, but you now have a bigger platform to showcase the impact and power of a mind controlled by Christ. Is yours under His control? God's time of favour is here.

Walk Right!

Walk Right!

1 John 1:7 GNBUK

[7] But if we live in the light — just as he is in the light — then we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from every sin.

John writes as an eyewitness of the amazing life that Jesus lived out while he was on earth, and also promised to all who will surrender their lives to Him. There is power in the testimony of an eyewitness; courts of law have consistently relied on the testimony of the person who heard, saw, tasted or felt whatever is the subject of the testimony being given. If this is the reality in the physical, imagine the power and effect of it in the spiritual. Do not just rely on that which anyone tells you; make every effort to get your own personal experience. In the days of trials and tough times, it is what you have known or personally experienced that will sustain you through those tough times. Hearsay evidence is NOT admissible in court; I cannot go to hell or heaven on behalf of another person. We will all have to sort out our eternal destination by our current earthly pursuits and priorities. What are those things that are important to me now? 

Part of the personal experience of John was his walk with Jesus as the Light. You cannot experience light without personal interaction with the Light. I cannot claim to be IN the light or to know the light if my daily actions align with darkness. My walk must match my talk. My outer manifestation is the reflection of my inner contents. I can make claims or pretend to be anything, just to let people think well of me, but if it lasts long enough, people will know that I am a pretender. I have the right example to follow; I have the information I need to make the right decision. I will not have an excuse rejecting the light and choosing to remain in darkness. It has to be emphasised that darkness is the natural affiliation for the natural man. This is why the natural man has to die, so that its attractions and attachments can also die along with it. The natural man cannot be bent to the will of the Holy Spirit, so it has to give way if the Holy Spirit is to His work in the life of a man.

When the natural man has given way to the spiritual man, there is a connection with the Spirit of God. There is access to power, as well as fellowship with God and fellow men whose lives have been taken over by God. True fellowship is only possible when we are all singing from the same hymnsheet. It does not mean we must think or act the same way, but the power that binds us together is deeper and greater and stronger that whatever are the human differences between us. The blood of Jesus was shed on the cross for all mankind, and anyone who comes in contact with the blood is brought into fellowship with the One who died. If I am forgiven my past, and given a new life, why would I want to go back to the past? Why would I focus so much on the past that I cannot appreciate what is available in Jesus today? I am cleansed and forgiven; the past is dealt with permanently, and new life is sealed and secured, with eternal life with God the end of all things. Who or what else can secure these for me? Are you IN the light? God's time of favour is here