The Message!

The Message!

Romans 1:16 AMPC

[16] For I am not ashamed of the Gospel (good news) of Christ, for it is God's power working unto salvation [for deliverance from eternal death] to everyone who believes with a personal trust and a confident surrender and firm reliance, to the Jew first and also to the Greek,

Paul was writing to the church in Rome, and he was referring to people who are loved by God, and called to be His Holy people. That distinction is very important, because it lays the groundwork for the rest of the letter that Paul wrote to the church in Rome. The focus of the letter started from the fundamental foundation of our faith, which is the death and resurrection of Jesus from the dead. Without that being a reality, our faith is in vain and our walk and work with and for God will be a waste of time. Paul refers to the Gospel of God, which is the good news about Jesus, the son of God. Think of the love of God that could make Him freely offer up Himself as an offering for sin, not because the people now deserved it, but because of the many that would come to accept the offering and put their total trust in Him. God considered the pain and hurt as worth it, even if it was one person who came to believe. That is the good news of Jesus. 

This Gospel is all about Christ. There will be many channels and vessels that God will use to pass on the good news of Jesus to other people, but I must never forget the focus and message behind the good news, who is Jesus Himself. By Him, I have life eternal to look forward to. By Him, my past is forgiven and forgotten, and a new path to life has been laid out and secured for me. By Him, I walk in His steps and I am in line to also inherit after Him. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power that is at work in all who have come to accept the sacrifice of the cross. Anyone who has tasted of the power of resurrection will not settle for anything else or anything less than the original. It is also very dangerous, after having partaken of the power and grace, to then turn back from following Jesus. This is apostasy, and we know from the bible that God will not be pleased with anyone involved with that. 

If you lose the essence of salvation, what else of eternal value have you got? This is the clear message in the verse above. Having tasted it, Paul knew the value of what he had now received. If someone has impacted your life and changed the trajectory of your journey to eternity, you will want to tell the world about it. The same Paul, writing to Titus, his son in the faith, that the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. God has made an offer to the world, so that His judgment can be right and fair. The power of resurrection has not lost its effect, impact or range. As it was then, so is it now. There is an end to all that we see or have now. A day will soon come that will mark the end of the earthly journey of salvation and the start of the heavenly reward of eternal redemption. It is a personal encounter with Jesus, and it does not matter what your origins are, or your tribal leanings; just make sure that your path leads you to Christ so that you are eternally secure. God's time of favour is here.

The Right Fear!

The Right Fear!

Proverbs 1:7 AMPC

[7] The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning and the principal and choice part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; but fools despise skillful and godly Wisdom, instruction, and discipline.

There are two definitions of fear that relate to the verse under review today. The first one is: "an unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm". This one is the usual and the normal that the world is familiar with. There are a lot of situations and experiences that man will go through that will raise the emotion of fear, and these could range from sickness, job losses, economic situations, and even the reality of death could trigger fear in anyone. This is the natural reaction for all men born of women, and there is no medicine or process that will rid the natural man of this fear, unless he has the right kind of help. It is also a waste of time to encourage the natural man not to fear, because you have to replace the contents of a man's heart with another viable alternative. Nature abhors a vacuum; a man's heart cannot be free of influence and control at any time. I am either being guided by my human nature, or being led by the Spirit of God. It cannot be neither. 

The story of the man Jesus spoke about in Matt. 12: 43-45 also applies here: [43] When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. [44] Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. [45] Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. What these verses make clear is that one's house can never be empty. As I spend time taking care of the contents of my heart, I am building up the right defence for the day of attack. And the day that a demand will be placed on the contents of my heart will definitely come. When the squeeze comes, what else would my heart produce, except that which I have spent time storing up. I have to pay attention to anyting that seeks to leave an impression, because it will have earthly and eternal consequences.

This is where the second definition of fear is very relevant here, which is: "a mixed feeling of dread and reverence". This is the definition that we all need to pay attention to, because it is a good version of fear. It reminds me of the One to whom the feeling is directed, and only One person deserves it. You cannot fear God and man the same way. The fear of man will  always lead to dread, but the fear of God will birth both dread and reverence. You get a good balance of the knowledge of God, the One called the Lion of Judah, but also the Lamb of God. He is called the Man of War, as well as the Good Shepherd. To fear this God is the right kind of fear, because it helps me to know the right way to relate with Him. He wants me make an approach, but in His terms and not mine. He also supplies all that i need for my walk with Him; He does not leave me to fend for myself. Anyone who will thrive in life must have the right kind of fear. To have any other kind is foolishness. Which one do you have? God's time of favour is here.

Only One!

Only One!

Matthew 18:12 KJV

[12] How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?

As we saw yesterday, Jesus used parables to teach His disciples about the principles and practices of His Kingdom. These parables give us insights into the heart of God, and His dealings with man, His creation. The first thing that comes to mind as I read the verse above is that God is described as a shepherd in charge of a specific number of sheep. He knows all the sheep by name, temperament, size or whatever classification you want to lay down, because that is the only way He would know when even one is missing. In another lesson for the disciples, He called Himself the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep. Just picture the attention to detail, the careful consideration of each sheep, the personal touch for each sheep that God has. It is this careful thought that makes it clear that nothing can happen to me without His permission. 

One sheep may walk away by choice or by distraction, but we see here that even when that happens, the love of the shepherd does not wane or expire. He would not let go; he will not give up. He will not let the sheep end up in the ditch somewhere or get eaten up by lions or other predators. He knows me by my name, and He knows where I am at all times. Even when I pursue my own selfish interests, and want to have my own way, He will not give up on me. He will not hand me over to the devil to be punished: that is not how His love works. Sometimes, the consequence of my action may be hard to swallow, but I must not mistake consequence for abandonment. Pain does not always mean the absence of God; it could just be God's dealings with me, as He prepares me for even greater exploits, or just to be able to provide support and succour to another person who may also walk the path I have walked. 

With God, no experience is wasted. He cannot and does not and will not abandon His own, unless the person decides to reject God's love to the end. There is no past so dirty that the love of God cannot redeem. There is no present so terrible that the love of God cannot resolve. In and by Him, the future is secure, because only IN Him is there a guarantee of eternal security. He makes sure the other sheep, all ninety nine of them, are safe, and goes in search of the one that is lost. He does not mind the effort, time and labour that are expended; searching through the mountains is itself dangerous, yet this good shepherd would not give up easily. I cannot be easily forgotten; I am engraved on the palm of His hand, and nothing can snatch me out of His hand. I must ensure I remain in place, IN Him, and not seek any excitement outside of Him. The world will devour, and the devil's mission is to steal, kill and destroy. He is looking for you; surrender your life to Him and watch Him do mighty things with your life. God's time of favour is here.

Hear! Hear!

Hear! Hear!

Mark 4:9 AMPC

[9] And He said, He who has ears to hear, let him be hearing [and let him consider, and comprehend].

The verse above comes up in the early part of the earthly ministry of Jesus. He had chosen His disciples, and by this time, a few miracles were already done. Jesis was both popular and hated by so many people, depending on who you were speaking to at that moment. He had a crowd following Him everywhere He went. However, one thing stood out in all His teachings and engagements: He would speak about the standards of the kingdom of which he was Lord, and which He had come to make known to the people. The message about the kingdom was quite central, and we see it in the chapter from which the verse above is taken. Jesus used pictoral representations in parables to teach both His disciples and the crowd that followed Him everywhere about what was required from all who would be a part of the kingdom. As it was then, so is it now. The expectations have not changed, and the standards have not been lowered. 

Same God, same kingdom, same message. The parable of the power and the mustard seed laid out in this same chapter teaches us about the right response to the infallible and indefatigable Word of God. There is no doubt about the impact and capacity of the Word of God to cause change, but there is a power given to man to define what he wants, how he wants it, and when he wants it. Man cannot control God's timing, but he has been given the power to choose how to respond to God's dealings. In every generation or dispensation, God has consistently sent reminders and pointers to His power and might, but He does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of your freewill. He wants man to come to Him of his freewill, because man has seen love like no other. If I am compelled, it is likely that when the choice comes to walk away when things get tough, I will definitely walk away. It has to come from my heart if it will last. 

This is the power of the message of the verse above. Just after the verse above, Jesus goes further to charge His disciples to be careful of what they hear. He made it clear that the measure of thought and study that you give to the truth you hear will also be the measure of virtue and knowledge that comes back to you. This means that I have a duty to be careful of what I allow to make an impression upon my heart. My ears are one of the channels by which an impact can be made. Is it not quite interesting that Jesus also says: He who has an ear should hear, and also be subject to constant hearing so that he can understand what God's demands are. This is important for all who seek God's style of impact: God is always speaking. He makes His will clear, and one day soon, all of us will give an account of what we have done with His instructions. May I not end up in judgement. God's time of favour is here.

Consecrated!

Consecrated!!

1 Chronicles 29:5B NIV

[5] Now, who is willing to consecrate themselves to the Lord today?”

As you read the chapter from where the verse above is taken, we see David laying a legacy of praise for Solomon. We also see the power of generational impact and legacies. David knew his time as king would soon be up, and he needed to preserve the truths he had learned and applied to his own life, and pass them on to the next generation. It is important to also apply this to myself. What am I storing up for the ones coming after you? I must be very deliberate about making an impact in the world I have been placed in, and ensure that I do this in the light of eternity. This point is very relevant as we consider that this chapter ended the book of 1 Chronicles as well as the reign of king David. The very next chapter starts with the settled reign of king Solomon. I have to keep this truth right in front of me: no matter who I am today or what I have put together or acquired, one day, there will be a changing of the guard. 

Solomon was young and inexperienced, but it did not stop God from making him king. We read of Josiah, who was 8 years old when he became king. Let no one think that s/he has time to still serve God in the future. The best time to find and serve God is today. We count in days, months and years, but God deals in encounters. He is not limited by time, space or circumstances, yet He will use the familiar to give awesome encounters of His power, grace and mercy. As many as will seek Him will get diverse experiences and encounters that will entrench their faith in Him. That is why the verse above is critical to the message for us today: God is waiting to do amazing things in our lives, but He will not force Himself on anyone, or go against the exercise of my freewill. This is why the verse above asks a question; not laying it down as a law. Surrender cannot be forced on this side of eternity. It has to come from the heart. 

Consecration is the 'act or process of officially making something holy and able to be used for religious ceremonies'. Just as David made a call to the people in the verse above, using his own personal life as an example of accountability, sacrifice and total submission to God, so does the call again go out today. What would you do for God, but even more importantly, how would you do it for God. To offer what is holy is to holy. I cannot offer what is holy from an altar that is defiled. Am I willing to consecrate yourself to God and His work? It is my relationship with God first, and then all I do for Him and His house. Would I seek to beautify His house with my endowments and gifts? Is there anything I consider so precious that I think I cannot give up? May nothing on this earth be so precious to me that it will deny me eternity with God. I am not given forever on this side of eternity. We have a time limit to do our best for God, and then we depart for our eternal home. Before that call comes, pour yourself into the place where you have been planted. God's time of favour is here. 

On Guard!

 On Guard!

Mark 13:33 AMPC

[33] Be on your guard [constantly alert], and watch and pray; for you do not know when the time will come.

The disciples of Jesus had seen the amazing structures of the temple, and they were impressed. As it was then, so is it now. It is a teatament to man's intellect and ingenuity that we see the beautiful structures and discoveries that man has made through the years. We have moved from walking on foot to travelling by air. We have transited from the times of medieval darkness to almost uninterrupted power and Internet supply. Journeys that would have taken months are now completed in hours, and I can speak with anyone on the face of the earth at any time. These are amazing testimonials to the power of God revealed through the intellect and application of man, yet I am also reminded that no matter how good things are now, it would still change if the Lord tarries long enough. It is this understanding that underpins our reflection today, as we consider the verse above  and the answers that Jesus gave to the concerns raised by His disciples. 

The chapter from where the verse above is taken addressed the concerns of the disciples around the beauty and splendor of the temple and its surroundings. However, the response of Jesus, as laid out in the verse above teaches us a few lessons, and the first one is that whatever I see now is temporary. It does not matter how long it has been in place, or how effective it is. As long as it belongs to the earth, it will go the way of the earth, which, as Jesus said quite clearly, will be destroyed by fire. This tells me that I cannot hold on to anything down here without keeping an eye on what is permanent. I enjoy what the earth has to offer, but I also remind myself that I am on a journey to a permanent home. I buy things to use down here, but I take care not to become enslaved or defined by them. The things I own are tools for the furtherance of God's work, and not for the promotion of my own selfish interests. 

The verse above enjoins me to watch and pray because I cannot be too careful. I watch so that I can observe what is going on around me, and I also pray so that I can get the right understanding of what I have observed, and to know the right thing to do at every stage in life. The men of Issachar were few, but it was said of them that they understood the times and knew what Israel ought to do. The usual way of doing things will not work anymore, because the challenges of these times call for a different approach. One day soon, there will be an irreversible shaking, and the things you thought you knew and were familiar with, will change. I must be prepared for all that is coming, but I can be sure that the coming of the Son of God will happen. The only way to be ready the right way is to be with the Way, the Truth and the Life. In and by Him will I have all that I need for this life, as well as the one coming. God's time of favour is here.

Treasure!

Treasure!

Matthew 13:44 NIV

[44] “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.

The entire chapter from which the verse above is taken is full of parables of Jesus about the kingdom of God. These parables are pictoral representations of the principles and practices of the kingdom, and what the ruler of that kingdom demands from all its loyal subjects. Please note that this is a kingdom in which you cannot do as you please. You are free to come in and leave as many times as you want to, but the problem is that there is no standing guarantee that you will be able to make it back in at anytime you desire. It is an open door, yet with a clearly indeterminate closing time, which will happen either by physical death or at rapture. You want to be a part of that kingdom before either of these events occurs. Therefore, I have to learn and personalise what the desire and demand of this kingdom are, so that I can pattern my life accordingly. 

I also note that the kingdom has value. It is because it is governed by the One who owns the heavens and the earth, and all the riches therein. I note from the verse above that the treasure in the field had to be found, either by digging or searching for it. The verse above says the treasure was hidden in a field. The field would not have been small, which means the man who found it had to do some work. This is why he would appreciate the value of what he found, and would sell all he had in order to secure the field. Have I made an attempt to search out the treasures that are in God? Do I even know the value of what Christ has delivered into my hand? Am I just content to fold my arms and just coast on, safe in the assumption that I am fine, even if everyone one around me isn't? Or have I even come to surrender my life to Him, so that i can enjoy the riches that are IN Him? 

There is a reason why work is critical to the kingdom of God. God could have made us robots, incapable of emotions or feelings, and we would be subject to Him, whether we wanted to or not. He gave us the power to choose to love Him of our own accord. We would come to see Him for who He is, and then put our complete trust in Him. This is the summary of the treasure available in Christ, and I must do all I can to secure it. There is nothing else this world can give me that will be adequate compensation for the loss of this treasure. There is nothing down here that even comes close to reward for not getting the treasure of the kingdom of God. That is why there is a digging or searching, then a finding, a hiding, then a selling, and finally, a buying or a securing. All these steps are very important. Seek the treasure in God, and if you give up all you have now that are of no eternal value, in order to secure that which you can never lose, it would be great value indeed. God's time of favour is here. 

Plan; Submit!

Plan; Submit!

Proverbs 19:21 AMPC

[21] Many plans are in a man's mind, but it is the Lord's purpose for him that will stand.

We live in a complex world, and it is only right and proper to try and understand where you fit in, and do your best in the place you have been planted. One way to give your best in any situation is to understand what that particular situation demands from you, and the appropriate reaction or response that is the right supply for that demand. Not all actions are appropriate for the times we are in. We have all heard the popular expression: "Doing the right thing at the right time and in the right way". I believe this is where the word 'plan' comes from, and two online definitions are: 'a detailed proposal for doing or achieving something', and 'an intention or decision about what one is going to do'. As you see from the definitions above, there is an end goal or a defined achievement in view, and then there are appropriate actions that are required in order to ensure that the goal is achieved. 

It is not something that stays in the region of assumptions and presumptions; you do not fold your arms and somehow expect things to magically work out. You put the work into it to ensure that the action fits the plan, and then you get to work. That is the way of the world, and I am now faced with the question of what is the right thing to do per time, because at all times, the mind is working, just as it was formed by God to do. Man was made in God's image and likeness, and it is only normal for him to want to be like God in strategic and long-term planning. A man can make reasonable short, medium or long-term plans, but the caveat has always been the plan of God for that man. This is where plan meets reality, and God's purpose trumps any other plan that I may have. It is great to map out ways and strategies of doing things, but it is also appropriate to note that there is a power at work that must be consulted, if the plan will actually lead to the expected outcome. 

That power is God. He is the Master of the Universe, and the controller of all things. All that has been made answers to Him, and they work to ensure His will is done at all times. This is a God who has been God long before the world as we see it today was formed, and who will still remain God long after this present world has ceased to exist. How can anyone dare make a sensible plan without His input or approval? I am also careful to note that the fact that a plan succeeds does not automatically mean that God approves it. The plan may succeed because there is a bigger plan by God in place, and my actions or inactions are fundamental to the achievement of God's purpose. This is where the latter part of the verse above is critical: God's purpose is His ultimate power. He cannot be thwarted or defeated, and He does not need my approval to be God. Thank God I serve a God whose power cannot be defeated. When He backs me up, success is assured. God's time of favour is here. 

Laid Up!

Laid Up!

Psalm 119:11 AMPC

[11] Your word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against You.

It appears that in the walk of faith, there is no accidental or sudden 'success'. You will not get to the place where you have 'arrived', as long as you know that you are on a journey toward the fulfilment of your destiny. There are things that have to be in place, and have to happen, for you to achieve all that God wants you to achieve. One of such things is laid out in the verse above. At the heart of the verse above is God's Word. It is nothing else except God's undiluted truth. It cannot be tied with anything else, or mixed up in anything that looks in close resemblance with God's Word. It has to be His truth only. It has long been said that there would always be people who do not like the truth, and will always gather to themselves people with itching ears, who only want to hear what is convenient and comfortable. I must be careful that I am not one of such people. Do I know the Truth? 

God's Word is the Truth. Both refer to the same person. Jesus is the full expression of God's Word, and He invites us to come into Him so He can live in and through us. When the verse above encourages me to 'lay up' God's word in my heart, there are different dimensions to that charge, and one of them is that it will demand the commitment of time from me. Laying up something requires time, as well as space. If there is no room, where will the laying up take place? If my heart is full of junk, how would the Word of God find a place to be laid up? It means then that I have to be very conscious of what I spend time on and with, so that I can have the right contents when the day of need comes. As the verse above also makes clear, whatever I lay up is a conscious decision, not something forced on me. I will have to decide what the right content will be, and then ensure that my daily pursuits and priorities line up with that decision. 

The reason why that decision is critical is because of the end of the verse above. Think about the impact, power and the eternal and permanent consequence of unconfessed sin, and you know that it is not worth considering. You do not want to end up on the wrong side of God's judgement, which is definitely coming on all who live on the face of the earth. The only way to avoid sin is to fill my heart at all times with the Word of God, which is the best insurance against sin. The old nature is quite powerful, and has been in place long before any of us alive today was born. You will not defeat it by sheer strength or by human intellect, because its power and inspiration are not human. Sin is nurtured and sustained by our fallen human nature, and only a higher spiritual power can help us overcome sin. That power is ONLY available in Jesus. He wants to help if you would let Him, and the power over sin is available to ALL who come to Him. What are you waiting for? Give the Word of God priority in your life, and see how He will change your life's trajectory and its eternal destination. God's time of favour is here. 

Love and Honour!

Love and Honour!

Romans 12:10 KJV

[10] Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

We continue to lay emphasis on the lifestyle choices expected from someone who has declared to be a follower of Christ. At the very start of the chapter from where the verse above is taken, we read the immortal words of Paul to the church in Rome, where the right e experience was to present their bodies as  living sacrifices, holy, acceptable unto God, as a reasonable service. He went on to charge them not to be conformed to this world: but to be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that they could establish what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. This audience definitely defines the expectation and the demand. Once I have come to know what God expects, it is right for me to seek it so that I can lay hold of that which God has promised to all who align with His command. If I do not do what He commands, how would I be bold to make a claim on his benefits? 

The requirement in the verse above is to be kindly affectioned one to another. For the people who are addressed here, as we have laid out above, it is mutual affection, and not a one-way street. It also means that there is no pretence or hypocrisy in the relationships being discussed; everyone is able to show affection without it being misinterpreted, and everyone in need of support or encouragement is able to get it without a price attached. I would also note that if we get it internally, there is no way we will not also get it externally. This is love as defined by God, not the tepid, transactional version of it that the world shows us in movies and in songs. It is true love that reaches out, not minding the other person's reaction, but still showing it all the same. It is love that watches out for the other person's interests as well as progress, with no desire to be 'ahead or better' than the other person. 

It is not a competition to see who is better, or who has more, but to see how God can be made known to all. As a child of God, I do not see myself as indispensable, but as someone who is privileged to be the reflection of God's grace and mercy. I do not have a point to prove to anyone; I just have a loving Father to show off to everyone. I do not have a need to point men to myself; I just need to point them in the direction of the God who has saved and placed me where I am to impact lives. I can honour men in my life, because what I am focused on is the power and presence of God in them. I can place men over and above me if need be, because the God I serve rewards men not on the basis of position but on the basis of submission to Him. That is the way the world will see the difference between its pursuits and the Life that is in God. That is the difference I have been gifted, planted and fitted to make in my present generation. What of you? God's time of favour is here. 

Declare!

Declare!

1 Chronicles 16:24 KJV

[24] Declare his glory among the heathen; His marvellous works among all nations.

As I read the entire chapter from which the verse above is taken, I again acknowledge the truth that God will always punish sin, no matter in whom it is found. God has laid down the standards for worship and service in His sanctuary, as well as the rules of engagement for coming into His presence to make or offer sacrifices. Right from the days of the priest Aaron and his sons, God would not take or accept anything less than the standards. We saw Him kill the two sons of Aaron who offered unholy fire before Him. We saw Him destroy Korah, Dathan, and Abiram and their families due to their rebellion. We even saw Him deny Moses entry into the promised land due to Moses' disobedience. Connected to the verse above is the killing of a young man who touched the ark of God as it was being transported by a cart and oxen. The man would have thought that he could help because the oxen stumbled, but God would not break the rule for anyone, not even with the best of intentions. 

With God, you cannot get away with anything less than His standard. It is in this light that the verse above wants us to know God. He is an amazing Father who loves and cares for us, but He also has rules of engagement and interaction with Him. If we want to enjoy the best of Him, we have to give our best to Him. The incident that led to the death of Obed-Edom eventually led to David doing the right thing by adhering to the standard of worship and sanctuary service as laid down by God. Those who had been set apart by God to offer service in relation to the ark of covenant were again brought in and  sanctified to offer acceptable sacrifice to God. Please do not ever think that any kind of service is acceptable to God. I cannot do it my way and expect it to turn out God's way. As we see from the story of Solomon, God can bless a man beyond any limits, but the man must never forget how he has been helped. It does no good if man becomes complacent and careless, to the point where the sacred or the Holy becomes desecrated. 

When I am settled in my recognition of who God is and what He wants from me, there is no doubt or contention about what I need to do. David in the verse above also knew what God desired and deserved, as we know from his life story that David knew God personally and knew what God wanted. As far as David was concerned, he would make the name of the Lord known to all. He is a glorious God, and He deserves the praise and honour that is due to Him. The world may not know this God, and it is my duty to ensure that the world comes to know Him. My life is the template that displays the glory of this God. My life has to be the best expression of the amazing grace of God, and the awesome possibilities that a life has, if it is in the hands of God. Am I willing to let God work in me, so that His power and ability can be made manifest in and through me? Would I allow Him do what He alone can do, so that the world can see what a surrendered vessel can achieve in the hands of God? I stand and declare God's mighty works in my life. As far as God takes me, I pray that my life will be a loud testament to His glory and grace. God's time of favour is here. 

Guided!

Guided!

Psalm 139:9-10 AMPC

[9] If I take the wings of the morning or dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, [10] Even there shall Your hand lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.

In this day and age when safety and security have become quite important, men have found new and novel ways to keep themselves safe. We do have high walls, gadgets and other technologies to help with physical safety, but none of these physical measures can come through when spiritual safety is the issue. Men have also travelled to space, planting evidence of their presence on the moon and other planets, yet none of these achievements adequately fill the void that only God can fill. We have tried all sorts of schemes, such as wealth, influence, earnings and many others, yet man is still empty outside of God. As God breathed into man the breath of life, it means that until God takes His rightful place, man will not function in the place of his planting, calling and equipping. He will continue to run aimlessly, not sure what he is looking for, yet running all the same.

David the psalmist understood this position when he put down these words, and his life is a lesson on the benefits of total dependence on God, as well as the consequences as well as the earthly and eternal impact of turning or running away from God. David had seen from firsthand experience what it meant to walk with God, and to know that nothing can be hidden from Him. What David did when no one was watching became the basis of the rebuke he got from Nathan the prophet, and the punishment from God that impacted his entire household. How can the created hide anything from his creator? What secrets can the created keep away from his creator? What part of my constitution or make up is hidden away from the One who formed and gave me all the parts that I have been given? Where can I go that He has not been before? What can I do without His empowerment, enablement and permission? 

If I can admit that I am made by God, and that there is nothing about me that He does not know, it helps me in my engagement with all His creation, as well as other people who are also made in God's image, just as I am. If I decide to run away, like Jonah thought He could do, God's hand is there to lead me. If I try to hide my sin from Him, the One who is the Omniscient God knows all. Like the verse above says, even if I decide to go to the farthest end of the earth, or like a bird, I want to fly away to a place where nobody knows me, or if by virtue of bad experiences, I want to be left alone, God never lets go. It is not in His nature to walk away from anyone. He is that friend that sticks closer than a brother.  He stays for the long haul, no matter what the issues are. His hand is always there to lead and guide me, and to ensure that I end well. He holds me by His mighty hand, and there is nothing on this earth that can pluck me out of His hand. What else is there to fear? God's time of favour is here. 

Wisdom!

Wisdom!

Proverbs 3:7 AMPC

[7] Be not wise in your own eyes; reverently fear and worship the Lord and turn [entirely] away from evil.

Proverbs 8:13 AMPC

[13] The reverent fear and worshipful awe of the Lord [includes] the hatred of evil; pride, arrogance, the evil way, and perverted and twisted speech I hate.

We read the two verses above, both of them from the same book credited to Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, by God's own Word in 1 Kings 3:12. There was none like him before or after him, and he was given wisdom beyond the usual supply given to men. Men came from the ends of the earth to listen to him and none was disappointed. We would do well to consider some of his words and see how they apply to us. From the two verses above, we see the importance of wisdom. Let it be clear that whatever God does or gives also has a polluted version that the devil tries to replicate. He knows that whatever God is or gives is good; therefore, he will do all he can to provide distractions that will make it sound like God's standards are too high to attain, and there are other viable alternatives to the standards. Unfortunately, if it is not God's, it is not the same thing as God's. If it does not proceed from Him, it cannot be laundered or washed or presented in any way to look like it came from Him. 

That is the position from which our lesson and application today must proceed. If you are looking for God's version of anything, you go to Him. Man cannot give you that which only God can give you. Man cannot sustain that which only originates from God. How can a mortal man give you that which is eternal and immortal? Again, as it has been said here several times, you cannot give what you do not have. You cannot fake it until you make it here. It also means that there is a wisdom of the world, which is quite popular and maybe effective for those who live by it. It gives them things, and they assume that it works. It is only a matter of time before the chickens come home to roost and the truth according to God's standard is revealed. The extracts above make it clear that I cannot combine the wisdom of the world with that from God. God is a jealous God, and His glory He will not share. My heart was not built to share its allegiance with competing interests. This is why the fear of the Lord is the right start for anyone. 

The fear of the Lord does not leave room for anyone or anything else. If you fear God, there is nothing else to fear. If you do not fear God, believe me, you have all to fear. As the verses above also make clear, the fear of the Lord makes me hate evil. I am not allowed to sit on the fence; loving and fearing God but also maybe not so much hating evil  but also not addressing it. I am comfortable around it; I do not speak out against it when the opportunities arise. If I will be right, all that God hates must also be hated by me. All that God loves must also be loved by me. That is the standard that has been laid down and will be the basis of judgment. I am also asked to worship God with reverence and awe as a sign of total submission to Him. If God is treated with the right reverence, there is no other god or authority that can claim space in my heart. As we have also read several times, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of true wisdom. Like Solomon, please know that God rewards a good fear of Him, and there will be  consequences for the lack of reverence for all that God is. God's time of favour is here.

A New Way!

A New Way!

Matthew 5:43-44 AMPC

[43] You have heard that it was said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy;

[44] But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

We are used to the old. In fact, nobody has to be taught the old way of doing things. Our human nature is attuned to the old way of doing things. Nobody has to be taught how to lie, or how to steal; it is in line with our human nature to sin, because that is the nature that is conducive for sin to thrive. It is also not possible to conquer or resist that human nature by the sheer force of willpower alone, because that nature is older than all of man. It is a nature that is inherited at birth, long before I could even decide what is right or wrong. This means that if I will live above the dictates and limits of this human nature, I will need another power, one that is superior to and stronger than the human nature. It means that as long as I am subject to that human nature, I am in danger of missing out on all that God has made available for me. Who is in charge: the old man, born of sin, or the new man, born of God?

The nature that is in charge is a reflection of the submission of my heart, and it will reflect on my life's pursuits and priorities. That is what the verse above makes clear: there is a way the world handles opposition and human relationships. It is a mutually beneficial and symbiotic relationship, where we both have to get something tangible from the interaction;  otherwise, it is of no use. Why would I invest so much energy and time on something that does not give me anything in return? Why would I go all out for someone who seems not to care if I exist or not? While it is hard to make arguments against this position, we have a perfect example of what this life of sacrifice looks like, and the benefits that accrue from it. The One speaking here is the One who uses His own life as the template for how life should be. He does not just tell me what the standard is; He shows it to me by His own life of sacrifice and submission. 

He does not hold on to His position at the expense of others, but He holds on to Truth as well as impacting His world at the same time. What worked under the old order no longer works under the new dispensation. No matter how popular an idea or view is, it only stands when it aligns with the eternal truth of God's word. Let all men take a position; as long as it is against God's express command, just give it time. Do not let popular opinion or the vain applause of men be the driving factor behind your application. The call of God upon our lives demand a new way of working and living. It is not whether the target deserves your love; you give it because it is all you have received and all you can give in return. Love is not about you deserving it; it is about what you have first received and experienced, and now, you have the empowerment as well as the enablement to pass it on to other people. I have received love from God, in spite of my past and present. I must also show love so I can pay it forward the right way. God's time of favour is here. 

Helped!

Helped!

Isaiah 41:13 AMPC

[13] For I the Lord your God hold your right hand; I am the Lord, Who says to you, Fear not; I will help you!

Israel was chosen and favoured by God to be his chosen treasure. Abraham was a man who was called by God to walk with Him, and by faith, Abraham received a lasting covenant of mercy, long before the dispensation of grace became known as it is now. Abraham enjoyed this dispensation, as well as all the offspring after him, either by physical birth, or the ones who come by faith to believe in God too. All of us have come by the same faith of Abraham to walk under the cover of God's grace, but we are also reminded that this grace does not condone or excuse sin. This dispensation will provide all that I need for life and Godliness, but it will not permit me to live as I please. As Israel will come to learn later, under extreme and painful circumstances, that God will punish sin, no matter in whom it is found. God has no favourites when it comes to sin. Israel was warned several times but comfort and convenience had made Israel complacent. 

Israel now found itself in exile. Nations that were not even as strong as Israel was would come in and subdue the people, and take some of them as captives into exile. The land they were given became the place of battles and constant conflicts, all because they would not submit to the Prince of Peace. However, as we see in the verse above, the One who calls men to Himself does not abandon His own. He will definitely punish sin, but His mercy just will not let go. Israel had been scattered all over the nations, yet the eye of God was watching over them for good. It is amazing to note that while I am on earth, sin does not have the final say over my life. The blood of Jesus that was shed on the cross is sufficient for the burden of sin, but it only works if I submit myself to its cleansing power. God does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill. 

He wants to hold my right hand, providing the support and encouragement I need for the journey that is ahead. He wants me to know He is with me every step of the way, even when things get tough and confusing. He holds my right hand as a sign of comfort and closeness, and then He also speaks to me, telling me clearly that I have no need to fear. The reason why this message is important for me is that the One who speaks is the only One who can make such a claim. Men may assure you of protection, but as long as what they offer is made of this world, it will always fail. This is a God who is an everlasting refuge, who says all who come to Him as safe from all evil. He introduces Himself to me as the Lord, who is in total control of all that I see and can't see. All that He has made answers to Him, and at His command, even the devil must obey. His help is available; He is never far away. Return to Him today. He will help you. God's time of favour is here. 

Pleasing God!

Pleasing God!

Galatians 1:10 AMPC

[10] Now am I trying to win the favor of men, or of God? Do I seek to please men? If I were still seeking popularity with men, I should not be a bond servant of Christ (the Messiah)

In a world that is filled with compromise and deceit, the verse above reminds us that the standards of God have not changed or been lowered, even with the passing of time and the changing of dispensations and priorities. What God rejected as sin in the days of Adam and Eve, as well as the days of Peter and John are still being rejected today as sin. Riches, influence, connections and the power of men have not been able to change that. The world today wants to normalise and legalise all that God called abomination, and men are slowly losing their awe and fear of God and the things he has expressly laid out as what He accepts. It is important that I carefully consider my current pursuits and priorities, and be sure that they line up with God's express will. The views of men are so fluid that they can take any position, as long as they align with their desires at the time. 

Paul, the man who wrote this letter to the church in Galatia, knew very clearly who had sent him on assignment, and his loyalty was to this God. At the start of the letter, he made it clear to his audience that he was sent, not from men nor by a man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father. The mandate was clear; the identity of the Master was clear; the one being sent with the message was clear; the message too was clear. Paul owed his new life to the One who gave him Life, and he was clear that no one could take that life without God's permission. He would rather fear this God than fear mortal man; he would rather seek to gain and retain God's approval, than seek to please man and end up displeasing God. Whatever came his way in the course of the assignment was not going to distract him from the fundamental understanding of who he was, who he was working for, why he was working and what he was working for. 

This has to be my own position too, as I take on all that God wants me to. Like Paul, it has to be very clear to me what is ahead, and how I will get there. Men will have their views, but God must have His way in my life. Men are the target of my ministry but they must never be able to dictate terms and conditions of engagement. Men must know the God I serve and they must be attracted to Him, not by compulsion or pretence, but by a life that reflects the grace of God. Like Paul, pleasing men at the expense of God must not be my focus, but pleasing God by obeying Him, and stepping out at His command to touch the lives of men must be the focus. As Paul said in the verse above, I cannot do both at the same time. It is either I please God, or I please men. If I choose to please men, it would be the path to eternal destruction. The One who saved me for Himself must be the One I obey. What of you? God's time of favour is here. 

About Jesus!

About Jesus!

Acts 8:35 AMPC

[35] Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this portion of Scripture he announced to him the glad tidings (Gospel) of Jesus and about Him.

One thing that is clear from the passage of time and the changing of the seasons is that we are closer home today than we were yesterday. Every day that God gives us is a reminder to use it wisely, to His glory, and for the extension and expansion of His Kingdom here on earth. No one on earth who has been promised forever on this side of earth; we do have limited time to do all that God has given us a mandate to do. There are problems to solve, lives to impact, and men to bless, but there is the right platform to get all these done the right way. I can try to do all these by strength, intellect or connections, or I can ask for strength, direction and inspiration from the Holy Spirit. As always, God provides all that is required for His work; it is left to me to decide to depend on Him and tap from the resources He has made available. There is no demand on earth that can exhaust the resources of heaven. 

The man Philip found himself in such a position, as seen in the verse above. Just before the verse above, Philip had been appointed as one of the seven deacons to help with serving food. One of the requirements for this role was to be of good and attested character and repute, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom. You may ask what the role of the Holy Spirit is in serving food, but it is good to remember that for a child of God, there is no role or assignment too small to seek God's help for. In fact, every great assignment starts with an insignificant role, and it is by faithful service in the place of the insignificant that God takes you into the realm of public affirmation and impact. Philip, along with other deacons, including Stephen who would later be stoned to death, did the work of serving food so well that the bible records that the message of God kept on spreading, the number of disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a large number of the priests were obedient to the faith.

This same Philip would become an evangelist, and would be used to take the gospel into Ethiopia at the time. A high-ranking officer from the court of the queen was exposed to the Word of God, but did not understand it at the time. Philip was asked to go close to the chariot of this officer and beginning with the verse the man had read, the good news of Jesus was preached to this man. I am not asked to make a simple process complex; I am only required to proclaim the good news of Jesus to all who would come in contact with me. I start from where I am, but I make sure I continue to seek to know more about Jesus. I speak of my personal encounter with Him, so that others too may be encouraged to seek their own personal experiences of Him too. Your efforts today, in the little corner where you have been planted, can have international impact tomorrow. I must start where I am, trusting that the One who calls and sends out will help and support to the end. That is all I can do. What of you? God's time of favour is here. 

In His Name!

In His Nane!

Matthew 18:20 AMPC

[20] For wherever two or three are gathered (drawn together as My followers) in (into) My name, there I AM in the midst of them.

As we have seen over the past few days, a daily walk with God is critical to the revelation of His mind. You will not get any idea of who God is, what He wants, what He is able to do or give, or His demands from you unless and until you walk with Him on a daily basis. He wants to show Himself strong in the lives of men, because that would be a witness that men can relate to. They can see the hand of God on a man's life; they know his past, and can see a change in the present. That is just a window into the awesome possibilities that are available for a man who walks with God. It is not a wonder, then, that Jesus took time to teach His disciples several parables about the kingdom of God. One interesting one in the same chapter from which the verse above is taken is the parable of the lost sheep. No matter how far away a sheep wanders, the shepherd's heart will always seek it out. It does not matter if the sheep 'deserves to get lost'; the shepherd will not let it go without a fight. 

That is the benefit and blessing we have access to, when God is the One who is on the lookout for us. He wants us to succeed, and that is why His presence is the most crucial factor in any endeavour. Do not dare start a project without His backing and blessing. Do not dare take on an assignment outside of His authority and leadership. God will not bless that which does not glorify Him, and He will not excuse or condone sin, no matter in whom it is found. He will not be present and His glory will not be made manifest in a place where His name is not given the recognition it duly deserves. This is the crux of the verse above. Numbers are not as important as the reasons why they gather, and quantity is not always more important than quality. We have been distracted by quantity, because we have been taught that the majority is always right. In spiritual matters, the view of the majority is not as weighty as the view of the God whose judgment is without fear or favour. Have you met this God? He wants to meet with you. God's time of favour is here.

Never A Waste!

Never A Waste!

1 Corinthians 15:58 AMPC

[58] Therefore, my beloved brethren, be firm (steadfast), immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord [always being superior, excelling, doing more than enough in the service of the Lord], knowing and being continually aware that your labor in the Lord is not futile [it is never wasted or to no purpose].

Whatever has a beginning definitely has an end. Whatever has an origin definitely has a destination too. These truths apply to all of life and we will do well to grasp and embrace these, so that we can apply our hearts to true wisdom. It is pointless to seek schemes that promise you 'endless life' on this side of eternity and in this fallen, human container. That position does not line up with God's very express position that this earthly phase is but temporary, and would one day give way to that which is eternal. The entire chapter from where the verse above is taken also makes that clear, as it looks at the resurrection of Jesus as the foundation of the hope that all who are in Jesus would also enjoy the benefits of resurrection. Because of Christ, we have hope. Because of his death and life, we know that, even if death comes down here, it is but a phase into the life of God that cannot end, because it does not owe its existence to any source. He is Life, and is the source and origin of life for all. 

It is this hope that underpins the position laid down in the verse above. What can give a man confidence to hold on in the face of very uncomfortable circumstances, unless this person knows that the circumstances are just temporary, and one day soon, things will change? How can a man keep holding on for an entire lifetime, sometimes not even getting hold of whatever it was he was expecting, but confident, by faith, that whatever was ahead was far greater and better than whatever he could have received on earth? It also helps that the verse above is addressed to people Paul refers to as brethren; people who share a common affinity with Christ and are headed in the same direction. There is nothing this world can give me that will provide sufficient comfort if one loses eternity with God. I keep an eye on making impact down here, and at the same time, not forgetting that this earthly phase is but preparation for eternity. 

The seed of eternity is sown in the faithful discharge and discipline of my earthly responsibilities. I focus on what I have been called, gifted and planted to do. That is all I can control, as I do not have power over your own reaction or response to what i do or how I do it. I understand fully who I am working for and the reward that I am working for, and that is sufficient motivation for me. There is a promise by God in the verse above, that my labour in the Lord is never wasted. Reflect on that: if I work for the Lord, it does not matter what the quality or quantity of the opposition or resistance to me is. He just tells me to focus on my assignment;  His assessment of me as well as the release of the allocation that is linked to my assignment would be all that matters. I know who I am and whose I am. It is critical that I am IN Christ at all times so that all I do is done with His blessing and approval. Why seek to impress someone who will also face judgment, like me? I keep my eye on the eternal prize. That is all that counts. God's time of favour is here. 

I Believe!

I Believe!

John 9:37-38 AMPC

[37] Jesus said to him, You have seen Him; [in fact] He is talking to you right now. [38] He called out, Lord, I believe! [I rely on, I trust, I cleave to You!] And he worshiped Him.

The account tied to the verses above is of a man who was born blind. Jesus confirmed that it was not the sin of the man or of his parents that made him blind from birth. In fact, Jesus said that this incident was so that the work of God may be revealed in the man. This just makes it clear that not all 'bad' events in my life can be attributed to sin. There are some things in my life that are waiting for the manifestation of the power and mercy of God. Like the man who was born blind, some things will not happen in my life until the season of the manifestation of God's grace is due. When the time comes, the gates of hell will not be able to prevent the course of God's grace upon my life. I need to place my life under the cover of God's grace so that i do not allow sin live or thrive in me. I must not give room for sin to dwell in my life, so that my life can attract grace. That is the foundation of all the amazing things that God has promised, and He has the capacity and ability to bring all those plans to pass. 

A full-grown man was healed of blindness, and all the Pharisees could speak of was the fact that the healing happened on the day of the Sabbath. Nothing about God's mighty power at work, or the joy of seeing another person receive healing; it was spite and hatred for Jesus, as well as opposition of the man who was healed. The leaders would try several questions from the man, as well as the parents, but the answers of the man was always about the fact that he was once blind, but now he could see. The man also had a clear understanding that what He had received could not have been given by a man who was a sinner. Such miracles are not birthed and sustained by sin, but by the power of a Holy and Righteous God. It is also never too late for the manifestation of God's power over all forms of sickness. He is the One who can turn what men call lifelong disability into a display of His power and ability. It really matters if you know Him and have submitted your life to Him. 

For every one of us, it is an encounter we all must have. The man received the healing but Jesus met him again so as to perfect the healing. The man was cast out of the temple by men, but he met the Lord of hosts who helped him recognise the Lordship and Authority of Jesus. His parents were afraid of the opinions of men, and would not rock the boat, but the man would not be silenced. His miracle was too obvious to be ignored. For all of us who are trusting God for His move in our lives, are we ready to totally submit to His authority? Are we willing to let go of all that we are and have, so that we can take hold of that which He is and offers us? As He made Himself known to the man once blind, so does He make Himself known to all of us today. As many as would heed are invited to fall down at Hia feet and worship Him. Like the man who was healed, I say: "Lord, I believe'. "I worship you". He is Lord. Would you also believe and accept Him as Lord and Saviour? God's time of favour is here. 

Result 2!

Result 2!

John 3:21 AMPC

[21] But he who practices truth [who does what is right] comes out into the Light; so that his works may be plainly shown to be what they are–wrought with God [divinely prompted, done with God's help, in dependence upon Him].

As we have seen over the past few days, the importance of the gift of salvation cannot be overemphasized. The journey to the fulfilment of God's purpose cannot effectively start until God is discovered and personalised. How can I truly fulfill God's purpose for my life if He is not in charge of my life's pursuits and priorities? What makes it even more complex is when I am right in the midst of the spiritual activities of fellowship, prayers and bible study. It is easy to get caught up in activities and events, and not really have a personal encounter with the person who matters most, and this is the person of Jesus Himself. He is the One who holds all things together, and it is His will that everyone comes to the saving knowledge of Him, so that He can really express Himself in and through that life. I must not settle for anything less than God's best for me. This is just a bit of the story of the man at the centre of the verse above. 

His name was Nicodemus. He was a teacher of the law and quite prominent in his day. He knew the letter of the law, and could probably recite them all by heart. However, as is the custom with the men of the world,  it is not enough to know the letter of the law; it is equally important to know the Source that has inspired the law and the eternal purpose behind the law. In Jesus' day, the teachers of the law, as well as the Pharisees and Sadducees had become the law themselves. They focused so much on the written laws of Moses, and completely forgot about the purpose behind those laws in the first place. No wonder they all missed the time of God's visitation, when He sent  His Son into the world to fulfil the law and to bring down the life of God into the lives of men. The same too was applicable to this man Nicodemus, until He had an encounter with the One called the Way, the Truth and the Life. We all need this personal experience too, because it is the only pathway to the fullness of the experience that God wants us to have. 

That is what the verse above makes clear: in order to do the Truth, I must know the Truth. It is not what can be forced on anyone. The person who knows the Truth is not afraid of the light, because there is no shame in the truth. The person who knows the truth is proud to speak about it, because that is one of the ways by which the scope and reach of the truth can be further expanded. The Truth is the person of Jesus Himself, so you cannot hold a position that is not in line with the person and principles of Jesus, and still claim to know the truth. Nicodemus would come to Jesus at night, maybe because he was afraid of the views of his contemporaries, but when he had come to a personal encounter with this same Jesus, he would be present at the crucifixion of Jesus, and helping with myrrh and aloes, to prepare the body for burial. The secret disciple had become a public witness to the power of Jesus to change any life. The empowerment to live by the truth comes from the Truth. Do you know Him? Has He met you? God's time of favour is here.

Result!

Result!

Luke 7:47 AMPC

[47] Therefore I tell you, her sins, many [as they are], are forgiven her–because she has loved much. But he who is forgiven little loves little.

In today's verse, we see the practical and actual application of the lessons from the devotion of yesterday. We saw Peter preach a sermon, calling men to repentance and return to God, who could forgive sin and grant all who come eternal life with Him. As we saw yesterday, the invitation extends to all men, no matter the depth of the stain or the reach of the mess. There is no sin excluded from this initial invitation, and His blood is sufficient to cleanse from all sin. As we saw yesterday, the invitation requires me to confess Jesus as Lord and Saviour, and to believe in my heart that He can save me from my past sin. That is all that He requires, and we see a good example of His acceptance and healing of someone who dared to reach out and take Him up at His Word. He is still the same God  waiting for as many as would come. Time has not changed the story. If you need Him, what are you waiting for? 

We find a woman who was known to be a sinner in the town, who came to Jesus while He ate at the home of a  Pharisee. The whole town knew who she was, but she knew that she would find acceptance in Jesus. The world was free to condemn her, but she would not give up until she had received the final word from the One who could forgive sin. She came to Jesus with a box of alabaster box of perfume, which was very expensive. This woman poured the entire content of the box on the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair. Think of the sacrifices she made to do all these: spend a lot of money to buy an expensive box of perfume, and in one sitting, pour out the entire content on the feet of a man you just had a conviction could help you, and then take the glory of your hair and wipe a man's feet with it. This was about the pain of the past and the burden of the present meeting up with the assurance of a better tomorrow. She was not disappointed. 

Of course, the crowd always has an opinion, but thank God the final decision does not stop with man. The host had his view, thinking one sin made someone worse than the other. With the One this woman came to meet, all sin had the same ending and had been effectively taken care of by His death and resurrection. The hold of sin is broken and ALL who come to Jesus enjoy that freedom. Let men have their views; let them think that your sacrifices are worthless or the pursuit is pointless; as long as you come to the One with eternal life to offer free of charge, do not let the views of men stop you from enjoying the amazing restoration made available in Christ. By her sacrifice, her sins, as many as they were, were all forgiven, and there was a recognition by Jesus of her heart of surrender. This is quite fundamental: my love for God will be driven by my understanding of what I have been given. If I know what I have been saved from and called into, loving God will not be forced. Do you know Him? God's time of favour is here.

Receive!

Receive!

Acts 2:38 KJV

[38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

As was laid out in the devotion for yesterday, there is a race for everyone on the face of the earth. Whether you know it or not, God has called you into a race; not a competitive one where there is only one winner, but one where we all can be winners. It really does matter then that I get on the race to which God has called me. However, as nice as it all sounds, there is a start point for everything that God calls us to. The race does not start for me unless and until I get to the start point, which is the focus of the verse above. Men have elevated strong morals as a good place to start. Some see strong financial management as a good place to start. Unfortunately, none of these are viewed by God as a good place to start. It is important for me to know God's mind about what He has called me to do and be, and that is the only time that my race can be said to fully start. 

The verse above was Peter's first sermon after the Holy Spirit came down at Pentecost, in line with the promise of Jesus before He ascended into heaven. As soon as the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles at Pentecost, the power required to birth and sustain change was released. This power is what enables me to start my race the right way and at the right place. Influence and connections have no value here; riches and wealth do not count here. The place to start is the confession of Jesus as Lord and Saviour, and accepting Him into my heart. That is the message of the verse above. I note that the message of Peter, though directed at the crowd, was addressed to them as single individuals. I cannot hide behind corporate annointing to avoid personal confession of Jesus as Lord and Saviour. It is a decision that I must make, and one that must be made before it is too late. 

The race is timed; you do not have forever on this side of eternity to sort out your pursuits and priorities. I am not in competition with anyone to finish first; that is not the focus here. It is a race of earthly impact and eternal life with God. There is first an internal change and then external impact. I must first repent from my past sin, and look to God to cause the internal change that will sustain the outward impact. It is when these are in place that the Holy Spirit can come. He will not live in a heart that has not been surrendered to Him. He has no use for a life that He cannot direct. The Holy Spirit is a non-negotiable part of my walk of walk with God. I need Him for all of life and its realities and challenges. I will not survive without Him. Do you have Him? Does He know you as His own? It cannot be assumed; it must be certain. God's time of favour is here. 

The One 5!

The One 5!

Matthew 1:21 AMPC

[21] She will bear a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus [the Greek form of the Hebrew Joshua, which means Savior], for He will save His people from their sins [that is, prevent them from failing and missing the true end and scope of life, which is God].

The devotions over the past few days, as well as yesterday's focus, has been on the virgin who was to be the channel through which the gift of God was to be born. She was willing and ready to submit to God's plan for her and the world, and today, we continue to enjoy the fruits of that submission and surrender. We have not yet considered the role of the man who was already engaged to be married to the virgin. In those days, it was a taboo for a girl to be pregnant outside of wedlock. You can argue about changes in attitude, focus or generations, but you cannot argue with God's standards. Fornication or adultery was a sin before God, and no amount of education, enlightenment or earnings would change that fact. Joseph found himself at a crossroad: "here is my betrothed, already pregnant. I have not touched her. How do I explain a pregnancy I know nothing about?". I can imagine the many troubles in the heart of this man as he considered what to do. 

We serve a God who is the same yesterday, today and forever. The problems of today will not change the plans God already has in place and there is no situation so bad that it can tamper with whatever God has planned. What He needs from me is total surrender to Him at all times. Joseph was a quiet man, and he cared about Mary so much that he did not want to subject her to public ridicule. He was planning to let her go quietly and secretly, but the God who sees the end from the beginning would not let go. He came to Joseph at night and explained the plan to him. The plan was to involve a working cooperation between God and man. God would always play His part and He will also supply sufficient grace for man to also play his part. I note that God will not force Himself on anyone, or go against the exercise of my freewill, but if I can cooperate with God, working step by step with Him on the journey of life, there is a guarantee that all will end well

Like all things that God does too, there is an eternal dimension to whatever earthly reality God puts in place. The virgin will bear a Son, whose name had been determined since the days of Isaiah and Jeremiah. The mission of the Son is to save people from their sins, and His name reflects His mission. The start of life that will please God must start with an identification with the cross. You cannot claim to please God without first getting the forgiveness and redemption made possible by the death of Jesus on the cross. That is the plan of restoration of man to God, and it is by my total embrace of that package that I get all of God. The verse above also makes an interesting conclusion: the person who does not identify with the Son's experiences will end up failing and missing the true end and scope of life, which is God. Reflect: it will not matter what else you have at the end of your life on earth, if you do not have God. The price paid by Jesus is to secure eternal life with God. No one and nothing else will secure it for you. God waits for us; may His life and death and resurrection not be wasted over my life. God's time of favour is here. 

Finishing Well!

Finishing Well!

2 Timothy 4:7-8 AMPC

[7] I have fought the good (worthy, honorable, and noble) fight, I have finished the race, I have kept (firmly held) the faith. [8] [As to what remains] henceforth there is laid up for me the [victor's] crown of righteousness [for being right with God and doing right], which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me and recompense me on that [great] day–and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved and yearned for and welcomed His appearing (His return).

Paul was writing to his protege Timothy, a young man he had found during one of his missionary journeys. He mentored him, teaching him the way of the Lord until the young man could stand on his feet. It was always clear from Paul's interactions with people that he valued the blessings of close relationships, but he also understood that these interactions had eternal consequences too. Like Paul, it is an understanding I must also have in all my interactions with people. I am not promised forever on this side and version of earth, because this current heaven and earth have been promised to a fire that cannot be quenched by anything this earth can provide. I am on this version of earth for a limited season, to serve a purpose down here on earth, and, when the right time comes, whenever God determines that to be, to make my way to eternal dwellings. 

It is important I know this for a fact, so it can influence all I do, and how I do them. The one who is focused on heaven is not distracted by anything this earth has to offer. The person who knows what heaven promises ignores the false and deceptive allure of the earth's treasures. This person focuses solely on the race he has been called to. This is what Paul understood quite clearly, as laid out in the verses above. In the first verse, the word I is mentioned thrice. It was not a focus on self, but an evaluation of where God had brought him to. He was not pomoting self; but asking us to evaluate ourselves too in the light of God's expectations. He understood purpose, timing and eternity. He knew he was in a fight for something great; he knew he was in a race where focus and consistency are critical, and he also knew that there was great value in the faith he had received and was mandated to promote. 

Like Paul, I have the same mandate: focus on the fight, race and faith, and make sure to hold on to the end. Like Paul, there will be the things that may look important, but I must know what is really critical to my eternal destination. Paul knew who he was working for and what he was labouring for; he could face tough times with joy, because the One living in him was greater, bigger, stronger and better than the combination of all the forces against him. There is a personal reward for all of us; it does not matter how many of us qualify for the prize. God has enough crowns to go round for all who make it to the end. No demand on earth can exhaust the resources of heaven. We deal with a God of limitless and endless resources, who wants us to reign with Him at the end of our lives on earth. The conditions to adhere to; the consequences of my actions and decisions are laid out clearly by God. I just need to make up my mind on what I will do. Eternity beckons; God waits for us to surrender to Him. What is your decision? God's time of favour is here. 

Satisfied!

Satisfied!

John 6:35 AMPC

[35] Jesus replied, I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never be hungry, and he who believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me will never thirst any more (at any time).

Just before the verse above, Jesus had fed more than 5,000 men, beside women and the children, with just 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes. The crowd had seen something that they had never seen before, and the chapter records that Jesus perceived that the crowd wanted to make him king by force. At least, as king, they thought that they would have an endless supply of food. When that did not work, they went everywhere looking for Him, but when they saw Him, He again reminded them of the importance of getting their priorities right. Physical bread has its uses and limits, which is why this bread that Jesus speaks about is the one that we all must labour to get. The reason why this bread is very important is because the One who introduces it speaks about Himself. He does not refer me to any other person, but He tells me to trust Him, and that He is capable to meet all my needs. 

He introduces Himself as the Bread of Life, and I note that both bread and life are spelt out as nouns, referring to a person. He is Jesus. He nourishes the physical and the spiritual natures of man. He is sufficient for the needs of man, no matter how complex and varied they are. He makes it clear what man will get if he comes to Him, but He does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill. The invitation has been in place since man fell into sin in the Garden of Eden, and nothing has changed. I note that He promises me all that i need for life and Godliness, which means that He is interested in both my earthly impact and my eternal salvation. He says that IF I come to Him, I will never be hungry again. He is able to satisfy even the deepest longings of man, but again, I have to take the step toward Him. Have you met the one called the Bread of Life? Does He know you as His own? 

I note also that He says that anyone who believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Him will never thirst any more. This is the crucial part of the conversation of eternal life. A gift remains a gift until it is appropriated and personalised. You can know about a gift, or be standing right in front of the gift, and the gift may not become yours until you reach out your hand and take hold of it. You believe in the sonship of Jesus, and that His life was given for your sake. You accept Him as Lord and Saviour. You remain in Him, and allow Him work in you constantly and continously, until you begin to look, talk, walk and relate like Him. The benefits of this relationship include a never- ending supply of nourishment and sustenance that nothing and nobody else can adequately satisfy. Of course, the benefits are not only good for this earthly phase, but also for the eternal. Do not settle only for what looks great down here; be sure that whatever you hold on to now is also good for eternity. God's time of favour is here.

Stand Out!

Stand Out!

Romans 12:2 AMPC

[2] Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].

We have come to a new year. It is a call to a new way of life and a new way of doing and approaching things. Of course, the new will not exist in a vacuum; it has to be founded upon a clear understanding of who calls you to the new life, provides the enablement and empowerment to live in line with that new life, and stands with you every step of the way down here on earth until we walk into glory. It also means that there will be pressure to walk in line with the old nature; it is easier to do what comes easy to you; it is easier to blend in with the world and not stick out, but the call of God upon a person's life will demand a new way of life and walk, and will lead to strong opposition and resistance from the world. You cannot be in the world and seek to live against the principles and practices of the world, and expect it to keep quiet and let you be. The world will fight all who are not under its control and influence, and this is why I need to know what I am getting into before I get into it. 

The verse above challenges me not to be conformed to the world. You will not be able to do this without help, and that is why God provides all that I need for life and Godliness. He does not leave me to fend for myself. He will not demand from me that which He has not first supplied sufficient grace for. If He says that He wants something from me, I can be sure that He will stand by me and help me succeed, as His glory is revealed by my own lifestyle that lines up with His will. The world has its fashions and superficial customs, and there is no eternal value to the things it pushes forward. Be careful not to live your life on the basis of what the world celebrates. Be sure that God approves of your life's choices and decisions, because it is His approval that matters at the end of the day. Let the whole world stand by you; if God is not involved, it will end up in everlasting shame. If God is involved, even if the whole world is against you, be sure that God can lead you safely home. 

That is the idea behind the latter part of the verse above. I need to be transformed by the renewing of my mind, which can only be done by constant exposure to the transformative power of the written, spoken and expressed Word of God and the help of the Holy Spirit. The inner work of God in me is what I need for external impact. It is by this constant exposure that I learn what God's will is. It will not happen by accident; it will not happen by mistake; it will not happen by scientific schemes or calculations. It will only happen by total submission to the Holy Spirit. There is a good, acceptable and perfect will of God for me, and He wants to show and tell me. If I am not where His Spirit can reach me, how can He help me? As a new year starts, I have to be intentional and deliberate about my choices. He will not force Himself on me, but He will show Himself strong in my life if I let Him. Would you open your heart to Him and let Him do what He alone can do? God's time of favour is here. 

The New 2

The New 2!

Isaiah 43:18-19 KJV

[18] Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. [19] Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

We are still in the season of the new. It is easy to focus on the good and great things that happened in the old year, but it is also proper to look ahead to the amazing things that God has in store for the future. If we put the verses above in context, the people of Israel had sinned and had been scattered abroad in exile to nations that were not even as strong as they were. God had repeatedly warned His people about their sins, but they would not listen, and since God is a Righteous God who cannot lie, He applied the principles of His Word and punished Israel for its sin. It is still the same God; the same principles and the same application of judgment for unconfessed sin. It does not matter who you have been in the past, or the mess you have become today; God wants to take off the yoke and burden of past sins from me, and give me a fresh start. The devil may seek to remind me constantly about that past, but like Israel in the verses above, God is set to do a new thing with any life that is given over to Him. 

As amazing as the promises of God are, He does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill. He wants me to consider all His promises, weigh the character and consistency of the God who makes the promise, and then take the right decision to surrender to Him. It has to be very clear to me that I do not have the wisdom or the power to predict what tomorrow holds, with any measure of certainty, and this is why I need the help and support of the God who owns and holds the present and the future in His hands. He charges me to forget the past because the past can have such a hold over me that it can prevent me from seeing the amazing things God has laid out for me. He charges me to open my eyes with His help and see the great things that are presently working out His purpose and plan. The old, no matter how attractive or nice, is history. The future is the untapped goldmine of God's power, and there is no end to the possibilities that are available in and through God. 

A few of them are laid out in the verses above. God is able to make a way in the wilderness, as well as rivers in the desert. To 'make' something is to create what was not in existence before; to make a thing that has not been seen before is a strong testament to the creative power and ability of the One making it. What makes this even more interesting is the fact the evidence of His creative power is seen in unusual places and environments. Who makes a way in the wilderness, if not a God who can fetch water with a basket because He wants to render the bucket ineffective. He made an iron axe-head float in water, and then made a donkey speak, all to prove that He can change any situation to align with His will. Who makes rivers in the desert, if not a God who can change a man's destiny, even in the face of his negative name. He is still very much in the business of changing lives, as well as situations. Let us trust Him with our today and tomorrow, and allow Him work that which is His perfect will. God's time of favour is here.