The Coming Glory!

The Coming Glory!

Habakkuk 2:14 AMP

[14] “But [the time is coming when] the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord,As the waters cover the sea.

As I read the verse above, you just have to marvel at the power, authority and conviction that are evident in the verse. The verse above speaks to events that will occur in the future, and this verse was recorded by prophet  Habakkuk roughly 620 years before Christ. Actually, prophet Isaiah, who also lived about 690 years before Christ had recorded the same prophecy word for word. There is power in the Word of God. There is consistency and predictability about the certainty of God's Word, based on His track record. As you read the accounts of God's dealings with men, you get the clear impression that this God knows what He is doing, and His plan and purposes cannot be thwarted or defeated by anyone. 

It may not look like it now, but be sure that one day soon, the earth will know that there is indeed a God. The earth may fight, resist or be indifferent to the idea of the Coming Glory, but God never does anything solely to please the earth. He remains God, no matter what the earth thinks or how it feels. God does not need validation or acceptance by the world in order to be God, and it will do me a whole lot of good not to let the feelings, emotions, or impressions and applause of the world drive my pursuits and priorities. The earth was made by God; it was made for His glory, and to reflect His power. At the time the earth was made, the verdict was that: "It was very good". No matter what you see now, God has not left the earth to its own devices. 

God remains in charge, and when the time is right, according to His Word, new earth and heaven await. This present earth, even with the impact of sin, and its diverse galaxies and systems, is amazing to behold and study; now reflect on the amazing dimensions that will be evident on an earth without sin, in which the righteousness of God reigns supreme. That is the establishment of God's original template for the earth, where His glory reigns supreme, His authority is unquestioned, and His sovereignty is supreme. You do not want to miss this reality. I can choose to know and submit to God willingly now, or I can do so by compulsion, when it will be too late. As always, the choice is mine to make. Eternity rests on the decision I make today. God's time of favour is here. 

Recognition!

Recognition!

Luke 19:38 AMP

[38] shouting,“Blessed (celebrated, praised) is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory (majesty, splendor) in the highest [heaven]!”

The words of the verse above were first prophetically pronounced by the psalmist in Psalm 118. It is a psalm full of praise to God, as well as appreciation for the blessings sent by God and sincerely appreciated by the writer of the psalm. It takes a man with a deep sense of history, a sincere appreciation of the present, and a heart hopeful for the future, to fully appreciate who this God is. It is easy to get carried away by daily grind that we forget to take a moment and appreciate who we are now, where we have been, what we have gone through, and the One who has brought us through all the many experiences we have had. Like the psalmist, as well as the disciples who would later repeat the same words more than 1,000 years later, I have been given the awesome privilege to have an encounter with the amazing God. 

The disciples in the verse above had walked with Him for more than 3 years at the time. They had seen Him perform miracles that were deemed impossible; 3 of them had seen Him transfigured before them, and all of them had experienced the power of His presence as they went out two by two to preach the gospel. Experience is the most powerful weapon against doubt. When I have seen, touched, tasted or felt it personally, I become an eyewitness. The most powerful testimony is that of an eyewitness, and that is what fuelled the commitment of the disciples, even to death. They shouted the words of the verse above, to the annoyance of the Pharisees, but Jesus would have no time for their feelings. There was a message to be passed, and it was. 

The King comes in the name of the Lord. The people at the time acknowledged Him, and many were saved. People in our own time too accept Him as Lord and Saviour. He came to give eternal life then, and the offer remains in place till today, until the same King returns in glory. Heaven has seen the awesome power that is now made available to ALL who believe in and submit to this King. Heaven recognises the glory, majesty and splendor of this King. The question is whether I also recognise and submit to the authority of this King. God does not force Himself on anyone, or goes against the exercise of my freewill, but be sure that there is amazing benefits and blessings to my submission to and acceptance of His power and authority. He returns one day soon, in awesome glory. Would I be waiting for Him? Would my current pursuits and priorities guarantee me a place in His coming Kingdom? It is not too late to make amends, while there is still life. God's time of favour is here. 

Opportunity!

Opportunity!

1 Corinthians 3:7 AMP

[7] So neither is the one who plants nor the one who waters anything, but [only] God who causes the growth.

It is easy to think that you are a part of a big project, or something amazing. It is easy to rely on human applause or approval as a measure of your importance or relevance. It is easy to think that you are indispensable, when you are the financier or brains behind a worthy project. However, as you read the verse above, a few things become clear, and the first for me is that you can only be a part of anything, and not the only part. You may think that without you, nothing can be done, but the verse above makes it clear that the result you see is the output of different parts all working together for the common good. It was never going to be to God's glory if a man could just walk in and claim credit for whatever was achieved. 

Paul understood this clearly when he spoke to the church in Corinth here. Men had raised altars to the men who had impacted their lives, and without really blaming the men of Corinth, it was necessary for Paul to correct the wrong notion that men could now replace the One who actually brings change to the lives of men. I must be careful of anyone or anything that seeks to take the place of God in my heart. God is a jealous God who will not give His glory to another, or His praise to any graven image. He gives us a measure of His Spirit so we can thrive and carry out His assignment, but we must not presume to take His place in the lives of the people we have been sent to. The work is His; the platform to serve is His; the lives to be blessed and impacted belong to Him; the vessel to be used, who thinks s/he is indispensable, also belongs to Him. 

Where, then, is the place for self-sufficiency or pride? How does a man with limited time and resources ever think that he is equal to a limitless and powerful God? We will all walk this path, sow the seeds, hopefully the right ones, and others will come and water the seeds. Hopefully, the seeds all grow to full maturity and bear the right kind of fruit, but both the sower and the waterer will leave the scene when their work is done. The sower and the waterer are mortal and limited; the One who actually ensures that the seed grows and leads to fruit is eternal. Long after man has ceased to exist on this side of eternity, He will continue to be God. He can raise and equip a man from anywhere to achieve anything He wants. My availability is my greatest asset. If I will be a blessing to my generation, and even when I am gone, the secret is in connection to the God of miraculous progression. Would you surrender your life to Him today? God's time of favour is here.

The Light!

The Light!

Isaiah 9:2 AMPC

[2] The people who walked in darkness have seen a great Light; those who dwelt in the land of intense darkness and the shadow of death, upon them has the Light shined.

Long before the Light was physically made manifest, God had spoken about Him through various prophets in the old testament. Isaiah was one of those prophets, and we see a very clear reference to a specific Light, written in uppercase, indicating a living thing. Of this, there can be no doubt: there is only one Light, and this is Jesus. Many may lay claim to some form of enlightenment, education or emotional intelligence, but as long as they are not the Light, they cannot lay claim to anything the Light claims to be and do. It is also necessary that you do not just take His Word for it; He has proven Himself over and over again several times, bringing.life, hope, healing and salvation to all who come to Him in faith. 

Who else has ever made and backed up such claims? The Light was promised by God, and in the fullness of time, the Light was revealed to us. We were all in darkness due to the power of sin, but the Light of salvation and redemption came and shone into our hearts, so we could see who we were, where we were, what we needed, and how to get to the place God had prepared for us. We had to admit our helplessness, so we could access the help now promised by God. How can you give Light to a man who does not admit he is in the dark? God, in His mercy, has made the Light available to ALL men, irrespective of the past. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God. All need the redemptive work of the Light in order to come into the fullness of the Life that the Light brings. 

This is what makes God fair, as well as His judgments. It is a level playing field for all men; He has done His bit and paid the price for my sin. The response is mine to make. I must note that the world has only darkness to offer. It is in its nature, and there is nothing anyone can do to change that. You will have to take a step out of the world, not physically, but spiritually, in order to be free of the hold and limits of the world. As long as a man is under the control and influence of the world, he has no access to Light or any hope of eternal life with God. The warning here is for all who seek true life after this earthly phase is over: the One who can give Life is the One who secured it in the first place. He waits for all who will come. Come as you are; He will not cast you away. God's time of favour is here.

Helped!

Helped!

Psalms 34:19 AMP

[19] Many hardships and perplexing circumstances confront the righteous, But the Lord rescues him from them all.

It would be appropriate to lay down the right standard, so that men can take note and vhalign their expectations accordingly. At no time and in no place did God ever promise a life free from pressure and hardship. In fact, just a few days ago, we considered the clear message of Jesus to the disciples, just before He went to the cross, that the world only has hardship and tribulation to offer. Due to the fall of man into sin, that should not be a surprise. You cannot rebel against God's express command and instruction, and expect that things will still work out well. It is also easy to be weighed down by all the pressure, and forget to consider the conclusion of all the bible references to hardships and troubles. 

Thank God that hardship and perplexing circumstances are not the final words, but the assurance of God's presence and help. Recall that when Jesus referred to the tribulation the world offers, He added the word of comfort, which is His eternal presence: 'be of good cheer; I have overcome the world'. In the verse above too, David could have been killed but he got helped and was saved from death. The fact that he had been anointed by God to be the next king did not stop him from going through some very difficult times. In fact, some of David's encounters would have killed other men, but he was a man who had the clear assurance of God's presence with him, and this impacted the way he praised God and related with men. 

The certainty of the anointing does not stop the certainty of tough times. Both are truths that will happen to a child of God, but the bigger, better and brighter truth is that the presence of God lasts longer than any other earthly experience a man can have. Hardships have expiry dates; perplexing circumstances do not last forever; they are in place until the mortal gives way to the immortal. God is eternal, and He delivers all who put their complete trust in Him. For both the righteous and the unrighteous, both will go through hardships. The man who will survive and thrive is the one with the Lord on his side. Keep an eye on the eternal; it will help you understand and endure the present. Do not let the temporary rob you of the joy of the eternal. God's time of favour is here. 

He Hears!

He Hears!

1 John 5:14 AMP

[14] This is the [remarkable degree of] confidence which we [as believers are entitled to] have before Him: that if we ask anything according to His will, [that is, consistent with His plan and purpose] He hears us.

As it has always been pointed out, the audience defines the expectation. Those who the verse is addressed to are clearly indicated and these are believers. In fact, the first verse of the chapter from where the verse above is taken states: 'Everyone who believes [with a deep, abiding trust in the fact] that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed) is born of God [that is, reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose], and everyone who loves the Father also loves the child born of Him. This is where I need to examine my current pursuits and priorities, and be sure that they line up with the expectations of God from those who claim to know Him. It is not enough to hear or read about Him; I must take the next step of personally experiencing Him. 

This is what counts. This is what gives me the confidence to approach God as my Father. God created everyone, but not everyone has accepted Him as Lord and Saviour. This is the place where the created has been given the power of freewill; to choose who to submit to and obey. God could have chosen to make us robots, with no choice in the matter, but this would not have served God's wisdom well. He wants it to be a choice to follow and worship Him. He wants me to approach His throne of grace with confidence, not because I always get what I want, but because His presence means more to me than whatever presents I get from Him. I do not raise His gifts more than His presence, because gifts have expiry dates. When this present earthly phase is over, whatever gifts He gave would no longer apply on this phase. All that will count will be the presence of God in me. 

That is what I need to focus on, and to pursue with every sense of purpose. I come to Him with a heart that seeks after His will, not just His consent to everything I ask for. I come with a heart of surrender, sure that whatever His response is to my request is not just what keeps me tied to Him, but that His presence gives joy, peace, hope and life that nothing or no one else can give. I note that the verse ends with the confidence that God HEARS me anytime I ask for anything according to His will. The timing of the answer, the nature of the response, and the quality and quantity of the response are all within His remit. Power and might belong to Him. Can I trust Him with my life? Can I rest on His promises, sure that if He says it, He can and will do it. Would you? God's time of favour is here. 

Peace, in All!

Peace,in All!

John 16:33 KJV

[33] These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. 

When you consider all that is happening in the world right now, you have to fully appreciate the Omniscience and Omnipotence of God. Long before the earth was created, God knew what was going to happen. In His wisdom, He laid out the timing and implementation of His plan, and when the time was right, things happened as He had planned. At the time the words of the verse above were spoken, the cross was in view. God had planned it, but the devil too was planning how to manipulate events to his advantage. Jesus took time out to really teach His disciples about the policies, principles, practices and priorities of His kingdom. None of us can claim ignorance of the standards. 

He has spent time on earth laying down these instructions, and His Spirit has inspired the words of the Bible to ensure we have constant help for the walk of faith. He has not left us helpless or directionless; guidance is provided in abundant measure. However, like all things that God says, does or gives, I have to step up or step into it, in order to enjoy what He offers for free. The world cannot give me what only God can give me. That is why He encourages me to come to Him. IN Him alone can I find all that I need for life and Godliness. IN Him is life that has no end. IN Him is the peace that the world cannot copy, imitate or pollute. Out of Him, there can only be trouble and distress.

I note that the place to be is IN Him. It is not enough to know or hear about Him, though it is the foundation of the personal experience that counts. Do not settle for mere head knowledge; make sure you have that personal experience of Him. The world has only its nature to promote, which is tribulation and chaos. The world cannot give you that which only God can give you. How can the world gives you victory over itself? The only One who can do that is the One who overcame the world by His life and light. His arms are wide enough to receive as many as would come to Him. The information and help that guarantees victory are found IN Him. Make sure you are IN Him. God's time of favour is here. 

The Difference-Maker 2!

The Difference- Maker 2!

Romans 3:25 NIV

[25] God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—

This season is a reminder of what is really important. It is actually a one-season wonder, which is an offer that was made just once and it is good for all time. Changes in seasons or generations or dispensations have not in any way affected the value of the gift that has been given. God presented Christ as the perfect sacrifice providing the required atonement that was needed to bring us back to Christ. This at-one-ment was God's prescription for the sickness of sin, with the blood of Jesus being that channel by which the sickness was permanently dealt with. It is the only path by which a man can return to God and be made one with God. Nothing and no one else can give you or do what Christ alone can. 

You receive all that Christ gives by faith. There is no room for fear, entitlement, wealth or influence. None of the things that matter to the world are important here. None of the things that the world uses to get its way will work here; otherwise the rich and influential men of this world will appropriate all these benefits to themselves and shut the poor of the earth out. We walk by faith into the fullness of the riches that are in Christ Jesus. We walk by faith to receive and personalise the gift of salvation. You cannot earn it any other way; it cannot be inherited by will; you have to consciously and deliberately accept it, and live by the dictates and directions that this new life demands. 

This is God's solution to man's helplessness. He has not held my past against me, but He gives me a fresh, clean start. He wipes the slate clean, forgiving all the past, no matter how dirty it was, and given me an opportunity to share in His righteousness going forward. Where is the place for self-sufficiency or pride? Where is the place for a sense of fulfillment in accolades, achievements or acquisitions? None of these things matter when the quesiton of eternity has to be answered. God now has his eyes on the present and the future; He wants me to take His gift, and make the best use of it. His righteousness can be mine; His nature can be mine. All I have to do is to accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour, and trust Him on a daily basis with all that I am and have. My eternity will be glad that I did. God's time of favour is here.

The Difference-Maker!

The Difference-,Maker!

John 16:20 KJV

[20] Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.

Just before Jeuss went to the cross, there was this conversation that He had with His disciples. It was a time of sorrow; Jesus had told them about his impending suffering, and as usual, they were uncomfortable with the news. We know now how it ended, but for them, it was hard to process. The One they had called Teacher was going to be treated like a common criminal, and there was not a single thing that any of them could do to stop it. In fact, stopping it was attempting to derail God's perfect plan of salvation for all mankind and that was not acceptable. The disciples were really sad, but the verse above held out some hope for them at the time, as it also holds out some hope for us today: the cross is God's path to eternal joy for all who come through it to Jesus. 

At the time of the cross, it was sorrow. The disciples were even so affected that a few of them went back to what they were familiar with, which was fishing. One of them even denied ever knowing Jesus when he was confronted and another one betrayed him, taking his life in the process when he realised that the cross was irreversible. While they were sad, the world around them was excited and rejoicing that they had seen the back of their arch-enemy. The leaders of the people had seen the back of the man who constantly challenged their authority and made them look bad in front of the people. His miracles changed the landscape and the previous arguments in favour of them. What the leaders did not know was that a new lease of life was now in place, and the only way to be relevant was to be connected to the cross. 

The cross is the channel for the change that is coming. Then, the world rejoiced as it put the Son of God to death, but now, the world is in pain for rejecting the Son of God. As long as the world turns its back on Jesus, it can never experience the joy that is possible only in Jesus. All who have come to experience the salvation that Jesus gives may have some inconvenience today, but there is an inner reality that gives joy in the face of all that is going on around them. The world will fight you but do not let it take that which you have from you. The state of my inner man is very critical here; who sits at the control center defines the end result. Sorrow may last for a night for the one who has walked the path of the cross, but end result will be eternal life with God. Nothing in tbis world will last forever; let it all go, and lay hold of that which Jesus offers. Your eternity will be glad you did. God's time of favour is here. 

The Return!

The Return!

Hebrews 9:28 AMP

[28] so Christ, having been offered once and once for all to bear [as a burden] the sins of many, will appear a second time [when he returns to earth], not to deal with sin, but to bring salvation to those who are eagerly an

d confidently waiting for Him.

We celebrate the greatest gift given, which is the life of God Himself. He gave His life as the perfect sacrifice for sin, and now, the power of sin has been permanently broken. It is a good idea to keep in mind why God did what He did. In His wisdom, nothing else was good enough to pay for sin, and no one else was good enough to stand in for us, except Him. He has done His own bit, and the response is now mine to make.  This is where the verse above is a warning, a word of encouragement and advice or counsel, all rolled into one. The gift given is a once-in-a-lifetime offer, and it will NOT be repeated. There is no other sacrifice for sin, because the perfect offering has already been made. 

That gift will be in place until the set time, and then judgment will be passed on everyone  based on what they did with that gift. I do not have forever on this side of eternity; even the earthly phase has an expiry date, as well as everything connected to the earthly phase. As long as the contents are from the earth, be sure it will not last forever. That is why mortal body must give way to the immortal. Dust must return to dust, and the spirit back to the One who owns it. This return has been talked about for a long time, and mortal man may think that it may not happen. Please be sure that God is trustworthy and dependable. He does not lie; in fact, as His Word is forever settled in heaven, be sure that the earth cannot deny or delay the manifestation of His promise. 

This is where the word of caution comes in. Jesus has come to the earth once; humbly and simply, like a lamb to the slaughter. He is coming back again, not as a lamb without a choice, but as a lion who will give to each man his due. Sin will not be atoned for at that time, but will be the basis for punishment. When He returns, all that will count is that I am eagerly and confidently waiting for Him. That is the end of the sacrifices and denials I have subjected myself to. I could have taken the easy way out of things, but that is not the path to immortality and life that God has called me to. He is bringing salvation; have I accepted His offer? Remember, this life is a phase. I must get it right, so that I can end up right. God's time of favour is here.

The Week - Settled!

The Week - Settled!

Mark 16:6 TPT

[6] But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid. I know that you’re here looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here—he has risen victoriously! Look! See the place where they laid him.

The week has now come to an end. Jesus has gone to the cross, and fully paid the price that we should have paid but could not pay. He gave His life as a ransom for all of the world, and anyone in the world can make a claim on the benefits and blessings of the cross. Even as He hung on the cross, dying from the loss of blood, salvation and redemption were on offer, and a man who was condemned to death and destined for destruction got his reprieve, and got admitted to paradise. What is that issue that seems to be persistent, not wanting to give way? Remind it that the cross is final, and it has brought an end to all that is of my past. 

It is also interesting that the disciples forgot that Jesus had told them He would rise up from the dead. They came to look for Him at the grave, but met the angel who told them the news that they must have forgotten, but which was true anyway: Jesus had risen. In the event that they were still unsure, the angel offered them an opportunity to come in and see where He was laid. There is an awesome power in eyewitness testimony; it is not what I heard from someone else or was told, but what I saw with my own eyes and heard with my own ears. Ignore the noise from those who seek to deny the truth of resurrection, and point them to the empty tomb. There is no other person or authority in history whose grave is not known, or whose story is not now in the past. 

It is nice to start the search for Jesus based on His past, which is the cross, but that is not the full story. The cross is the start point, but it is bigger than just that. His death paid the price for me, and His resurrection is the seal of hope, and the future that lines up with God's purpose and plan. It means that I do not have to die again, and just as He rose from the dead, death has no power over me, as long as I am IN Him. That location is critical to this discussion; nowhere else can a man be truly safe and secure than IN Him. The victory has been secured, and all I need to do is to trust and believe in that finished work. I cannot add anything to, or take anything away from it. How would you respond? God's time of favour is here. 

The Week - No Decay!

The Week  - No Decay!

Psalm 16:10 KJV

[10] For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; Neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

There are a number of verses in the Bible that are attributed to David but are prophecies about Jesus. The verse above is one of them. This is yet another proof that what Jesus did for us on the cross was not an afterthought or a mistake; it is the product of thoughtful and eternal planning, where God staked His name and reputation to save someone like me. In fact, at the time He did it, none of us alive today was born, and there were no guarantees that we would accept His gift or submit our lives to Him, yet He did it all the same. If it was just me alone left in the world, He would still have laid down His life for me. That is the special relationship I now have with God, and one that must be cherished and nourished going forward. 

Jesus paid it forward, backward as well as in the present. The bible records that the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom; revealing all that the old testament kept hidden were only good up to the point that Jesus died on the cross. The past was now dealt with. The thief on the cross also benefitted in the present, being there at the time Jesus was crucified, and sealing his own redemption too. The blood also worked salvation at the time it was shed. Today, we all look to the cross as our seal of redemption and the start of a new relationship with Jesus, the captain of our salvation. Which generation or dispensation is not affected or impacted by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross? 

What excuse does anyone have not to give all or surrender control to the One who gave His all? The one who died descended first into the lower parts of the earth, secured victory over the devil and all that he offers, and was then raised from the dead. Thank God the story did not end in the descent but there was also an ascent. Thank God He did not just die but He also was not permitted to see or experience corruption. Like Him, we also look forward to the same experience. We have been saved from the power of sin and death, and hell has no power over us. We have a hope that this mortal, destructible body will give way to an immortal and indestructible body. That hope keeps us focused; hope keeps us grounded. We do not lose sight of the price paid for this new stand. Where do you stand? God's time of favour is here.

The Week - The Price!

The Week - The Price!

1 Peter 2:24 KJV

[24] who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

It's Good Friday. We remember this day as one where Jesus paid the price that sealed our hope and redemption. It did not start out like that though; the man who wrote the words of this verse was there at the time Jesus was put to death. He tried to fight it, because he did not understand how a man that powerful could subject Himself to such discomfort and pain. However, it was all in God's plan that man would have all sin permanently dealt with, and the way He chose to do this was by the shedding of blood. Blood had always been the instrument of remission of sin, and God established sacrifice as the means to have sin atoned for in the old testament. It was the same protocol for the new testament; just that we now do not have to keep repeating the sacrifice several times. The only offer is valid for all time.

God chose to pay the price for sin by bearing our sin in His own body. The One who knew no sin became sin for us. He walked in our shoes, so we too could walk in His. He took on the pain that we should have been subject to, so that we could in turn take on the pleasure that He has on offer. He left all that He is and has, so that by His free gift, we could take hold of all that He has. It is very difficult to put into words what Jesus did here for us; the only way to fully understand it is to personally experience it. He could have sent anything or anyone else to do this for us; after all, He is Omnipotent, and whatever He does or how He chooses to do it cannot be queried or questioned by anyone. That is the power and the glory behind the sacrifice, and why it cannot be taken for granted. 

The price has been fully paid; there is no other price to pay, except the price to avoid sin at all cost. Now, I am dead to sins and alive to righteousness. I cannot be both at the same time, and there is no middle ground between those two options. God cannot have done all these for me, and I would not daily live in deep appreciation of what He has done for me. That would be ingratitude of the worst type, and which might not have a remedy if one dies in sin. As part of the package I got, there is also total, comprehensive and irreversible healing for me. What else would I want that God has not included? He has done His part; the response is mine to make. God's time of favour is here.

The Week - Opportunities!

The Week - Opportunities!

Matthew 21:43 KJV

[43] Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.

Just as Jesus warned His audience in the devotion for yesterday, so does He have both a warning and an encouragement for us in our present world today. There is always a danger of assumption or presumption, where I get to think that I am entitled to some benefits, either due to the circumstances of birth, the potentials that riches or wealth bring, or simply by the circle of influence I walk in. The children of Israel, or the Jews at the time, had such an entitlement mentality, and maybe it was justified. They had the Law as well as the prophets; they were chosen by God to be His treasured possession, out of the many nations of the world, and they were given land and blessings that they had not worked hard to get. Why would they not become proud and entitled?

That is the danger of an unbridled heart, one that does not appreciate what it has until it is taken away. There is nothing a man has today that was not either first owned by someone else, and given to him by God's enablement. There are no accidents with God; even when I lay hold of anything by fraud or deceit, I get it because God allowed it, and the lessons and purpose behind why God did so will become evident in the process of time. The Jews were promised an eternal connection with God by virtue of the faith of their father Abraham, but time and change had happened, and they had become complacent and entitled. It was through the child of promise that the eternal covenant of God was sealed, both biologically and spiritually, but those who had the promise did not live up to God's expectations.

By now, it is clear to all of us that God cannot be caught unawares. He is Omniscient, and He knows the end from the beginning. He had a plan to save us all, and if He had to go over and above the entitled, He would do so. Those who did not stand a chance initially, have now become the focus of God's salvation drive. The kingdom of God is being taken away from those who thought it was their birthright, and being given to those who would show off the fruits of salvation and redemption. We saw the first glimpse of this at the cross where many believed, and was further entrenched when the Holy Spirit came down at Pentecost. Out with the old; in with the new. We all now have access to the grace of God that brings salvation to all men. I have no excuse; the message of salvation has been brought to us all, and a decision/response is awaited. How do you plead? God's time of favour is here. 

The Week - Back to Basics!

The Week - Back to Basics!

Matthew 21:13 KJV

[13] and said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

As Jesus came to the final week before His death on the cross, a few things needed to be in place. Jesus had witnessed the scribes, the Pharisees and Sadducees take the people for a ride, teaching them the law but failing to show any example worthy of emulation. Talk, as always, is cheap. The challenge, as always is how to match your words with the right kind of action, and this is where the teachers of the law at the time failed woefully. Reflect on this: was this the same temple that God came down in a pillar of cloud and His glory was so great in the first tabernacle that Moses could not stand to minister? Was it the same temple where Isaiah saw the glory of God, and his life never remained the same? What had gone wrong? 

This is what happens when the purpose of a thing is either ignored, abused or simply forgotten. The popular saying is to the effect that when the purpose of a thing is not defined, abuse is inevitable. God wanted a place where He could meet with His people, and as always, God is faithful to His Word. He would come, but the people, over time, had wandered away and gone their own way. The practices of the world had become the norm right inside the temple. How would that not have happened when even the title of the high priest, a role chosen by God and set apart by Him, had become a political tool and a means of power and authority over the people? How did things get so wrong? How do things get back to what they should be? 

It is a reminder to myself to know and understand the purpose behind God's desire for fellowship. God decided to make man and to create the avenue for constant fellowship. His house is a place where men come to meet and speak with Him, and get refreshed and strengthened for the journey ahead. I must know and apply this to my life, so I can enjoy all that God is and has. It is called God's house and it is not anyone else's. God defines what is acceptable, and it is not subject to debate or contention. It is not a wonder that Jesus used whips to bring order and decorum back to His house. Before the whip comes, I must take heed and retrace my steps. Before judgment comes, I must watch my life and its pursuits and priorities. Are they aligned with that which God can bless? God's time of favour is here. 

The Week - Warning!

The Week - Warning!

Matthew 23:37 KJV

[37] O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

Following the rapturous reception that Jesus received from the Jerusalem crowd, you would not be wrong to think that all was well and truly forgotten and forgiven. The people had thrown down their clothes for the ass and Jesus to ride on, and declarations that lined up with prophecies from long ago were also made by the crowd. Be careful of things that look good on the surface, but have no depth in the Word of God. Be very wary of letting the reception or applause of men determine the actions that you take in response. That is the start point of the verse above. How did a crowd that has declared: 'Hossana' get to be addressed in this way, in the same week? Truly, words are cheap; it matters what you do and why you do it. 

Jerusalem had been warned several times by God about its reaction to instructions and directives from God. This was a city loved by God, but God would not love it so much as to perpetually excuse its sin and rebellion. He would warn, sending men and prophets to tell them to change and return to Him, but you would find a range of responses, such as the killing of the prophets or stoning them. God's love was such that would not easily give up, but you found Jerusalem consistently turning its back on God and insisting on its own way. Before one would point the finger at the city or people of Jerusalem, it will be good to look inwards too, and be sure we are not doing the same thing today. How many times have I despised the warnings from the Word, due to my own selfish desires? How many times have I ignored convictions in the name of self-sufficiency and independence? 

As Jesus makes clear in the verse above, He will not give up until it is indeed too late, and then at that time, it is indeed too late. He wants to gather his children together, and keep them safe, but there are conditions that need to be met for this to happen and be sustained. God will not force Himself on me, or go against the exercise of my freewill. His love does not depend on my response, but His love will not wait forever for my response. His arms are open wide, waiting for me to come to Him and receive all that He is and has for me. As always, the power of the choice is mine but the consequences of the choice is for God to determine, and He has made those quite clear. How do you respond? God's time of favour is here. 

The Week - Entry!

The Week -  Entry

Matthew 21:5 KJV

[5] Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, Meek, and sitting upon an ass, And a colt the foal of an ass.

There was gloom and hopelessness all around. There was not much to be happy about, particularly in the context of the things that Jesus had foretold would happen to Him. The disciples were in a state of flux, unsure how to process what they had heard, but also sure and certain that whatever their Master and Teacher had told them would definitely come to pass. How would they move forward here? The perspective of the world and that of the Word become relevant here again. In the face of gloom, the world retreats into its shell, seeking for solutions it can recognise and adapt to. However, in the face of gloom, the Word reminds those who are under its control and influence that nothing happens by accident, and everything permitted has a purpose to fulfill. 

The perspective of the Word is the focus of the verse above. Jesus was entering into Jerusalem for the week that would lead to the greatest events in Christianity, and though the disciples' hearts were heavy, Jesus reminded them of the Word that had been spoken by both prophets Isaiah and Zechariah. The Word of God does not lie, and its reliability and veracity are not subject to either my likes or dislikes. It is not my view that makes God's Word true; He is true, even when the whole world is falling apart. The fact that the message is bitter and hard at the time does not make it less truthful. What I need to ask and convince myself about is: 'Is the source of the Word credible?' That is critical. If Jesus is credible, all He says can be trusted.

That is what the verse above emphasizes. The King is coming. For Jerusalem at the time, He came but they did not recognise Him at the time. He is coming back again, and this time, He will not be missed. At the time, He came meek and sitting on an ass, the foal of an ass, but when He returns again, He comes in glory. A few people witnessed his entry into the city, but the Word promises that when next He comes, every eye shall see Him. He came very meekly and humbly the first time; the next time He comes, He will show up with power and authority that no one can match, defeat or deflect. The message then was for the daughter of Zion; the message today is for all who intend to be the bride of the groom for the marriage supper of the Lamb. He returns soon; are you ready for Him? God's time of favour is here.

Liberty!

Liberty!

Galatians 5:13 KJV

[13] For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

As always, the audience will define the expectation. You cannot expect or demand the divine lifestyle from a life that has not yet experienced the true source of that divine life. Who I am fully connected to will always show up in my daily pursuits and priorities. This is why it matters that Paul was addressing the brethren here: people who had been made free by Christ. It is important to consider the impact and import of this liberty, so it can be properly applied to life. An online definition says liberty is reedom is 'the power or scope to act as one pleases.' That is how the world puts it, but we know now, from experience, that this is not the full picture. 

Is anyone really at liberty to do as one pleases without consequences? Even within a country and its borders, there are rules and limitations on the scope of people's behaviour, and it is only when one lives within the boundaries of these rules that one can truly claim to be at liberty. It is not a license to do as one pleases, regardless of what the rules say, but a license to live right, within the rules, and in consideration of other people's views. You are not limited by what other people say, but you are mindful to let your liberty guide your daily engagement with people who may not see eye-to-eye with you. You are not dismissive of contrary views, but you are able to use your life of liberty to impress the mind of Christ on those who you engage with and are ready to listen. 

The picture here is one of liberty with utmost responsibility. Love is the compelling reason why you see people the way God also sees them, knowing full well that the grace of God is the reason why you are who you are, where you are, and how you are. The reason why I need to be careful is because the devil can seek to fill a man's heart with pride, so that the focus becomes a sense of superiority, and not one of appreciation. The flesh will continue to fight for relevance, but it is by my daily submission to the help of the Holy Spirit that I will remain connected to the source of that divine life. Until the day the Lord returns for me, it has to be a daily dependence on Him. That is true liberty, with great eternal consequences. What say you? God's time of favour is here.

Sorted!

Sorted!

Philippians 4:13 AMP

[13] I can do all things [which He has called me to do] through Him who strengthens and empowers me [to fulfill His purpose—I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency; I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him who infuses me with inner strength and confident peace.]

There are two perspectives that are in operation at any point in time, and these are the Word perspective and the world perspective. No matter the inclination or belief system you hold on to, you will fall in one of the two perspectives. The perspective of the world teaches self-help and the pursuit of selfish interests, while the perspective of the Word lays emphasis on the enablement and empowerment that come from the person of Christ Himself. The perspective of the world promotes an internal, unhealthy focus on what I can do for and by myself, while the perspective of the Word encourages an upward focus on the One who is able to enliven, encourage and embolden a man to do what he knows he could never achieve by his own power. 

That is the message of the verse above: a focus on the empowerment that is in Jesus. Paul had experienced both perspectives too. He had been zealous about the Jewish culture and religion, and records are available on his efforts and labour in that regard. However, when the focus shifted to that of the Word, and he had an encounter with Jesus, the same strength he had used to promote the Jewish culture was now directed to the promotion and expansion of the Jesus culture. This is where the story top makes sense: if not for the inner focus that had changed, you would not know the difference in the application of zeal. You will see Paul labouring, and if you are not careful, you would think he was burning with zeal for the things of God. 

This is where the inner motivation must be sorted out. I am reliant on His sufficiency, and I take my sufficiency and adequacy from His own empowerment. I apply myself to His own purpose, not mine. I am able to face whatever comes my way, because, like the expert pharmacist that God is, whatever He allows to come my way has been carefully calibrated to ensure that I end well. I am ready for anything and equal to anything because His power is revealed in me. It is foolishness to rely on that which is of the world to sort out the demands of that which is of the Word. These are two parallel lines that will never meet, no matter how hard or far you try to draw them together. God wants to show Himself strong in my life, if I will let Him. After all, it is His work, His platform and His audience. All I can do is to allow Him flow in and through me. God's time of favour is here. 

The Harvest!

The Harvest!

Matthew 9:37-38 KJV

[37] Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; [38] Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

A harvest is mentioned at least thrice in the two verses above, which signifies its strategic importance to Jesus, as He speaks to His disciples. What is the place of the harvest here? A harvest is 'the process or period of gathering in crops' and in this context, would mean the process or period of gathering in the souls that need to be won to the kingdom of God. I note that the verse states clearly who the audience is: the disciples, not the crowd or just anyone, but those who have a clear picture of what is at stake. Do you know what is at stake? Have I heard and heeded the call of God upon my life, so that the message in the verses above speak directly to me? 

The picture here is one of resources, time, dedication, commitment consistency, and fervency to the things needed to be done to bring in the harvest. Furthermore, like the usual harvest, you need to get in the crops before the weather destroys the crops, or even human elements step in and walk through the harvest, destroying the crop. Even Jesus understood this, recognising that the labourers are indeed few. It appears that we have lost sight of what is truly important, and are focused on building empires and making money. Whilst there is nothing wrong with all that, Jesus reminds us to focus on that which truly has both earthly and eternal value. In all my pursuits, only that which God approves will be blessed by Him.

Jesus is asking me to pray that the Lord of the harvest will send labourers into His harvest. He knows what is at stake, and anyone who has the heart of God will also have the same focus. As I pray, I must also seek ways to be a part of what God is doing. Where are my skills and gifts needed in the work that needs to be done? The fields are ripe; the world is in trouble, even when it feels everything is fine. It is His harvest, so the work must be done in line with His dictates and direction. It cannot be on my own terms; I have to move at his command, if His kingdom will be established in the lives of men, and my eternal reward secured. No scheme of man will work; am I connected to the Lord of the harvest? Am I available for service? God's time of favour is here..

None Other!

None Other!

Acts 4:12 AMP

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

The verse above is taken from the story of the healing of that lame man at the Beautiful gate, and the harassment and victimisation of Peter and John that followed. How did these so-called political and spiritual leaders of the people at the time miss such a critical opportunity to experience the grace of God that was now made manifest in Jesus? How did their desire to control the narrative, and to remain relevant become more important to them than to see the glory of God made manifest to the people? Be careful of men who seek to draw attention to themselves, at the expense of encouraging men to focus on God and His might. None of the leaders was speaking to the man who was healed, but Peter and John would constantly draw the attention of the people, including the leaders, to the One who made it all possible. Who or what is your focus? 

There are a number of messages in the verse above, and a few bear emphasis here. The first one is God's plan for salvation was His to design and implement the way He wanted to. His wisdom is such that the world cannot fathom or understand, and if He says that this is the way of restoration for man, who else can have a better plan? In His wisdom and timing, Jesus the Son was made manifest in the form of man to walk in our shoes so He could feel what we felt and He could offer the right kind of sacrifice for sin that God would accept as the full and final blow to the power of sin. This position is final, and there is no one or nothing else that can add to or take anything away from what God has done. That leads to another message, which is that if I reject this position laid out by God, what other option do I have for salvation? What else works the same way the blood of Jesus has been set up to work? 

If I reject this free gift of God to the end, there will be a huge price to pay, and the whole of eternity will not be long enough to reverse that decision. There are names, and there are names. In fact, people also give their children the name spelt the same way but pronounced differently, but it may spell the same or look the same, but if it is not Jesus the Son of God, it will not have the same power, effect and impact. God has laid down the standard, and for all of this phase of eternity, the standard remains the same: Jesus is the only way; in fact, He is called the Way, the Truth and the Life. As long as the destination is heaven where Jesus is, I must come through the Way He has laid down. Nothing else works; no one born of woman can offer the same life that Jesus has sealed for me. As always, the decision and response to what has been offered is mine to make. What would it be? God's time of favour is here..

Safe!

Safe!

Isaiah 54:17 AMP

[17] “No weapon that is formed against you will succeed; And every tongue that risesc against you in judgment you will condemn. This [peace, righteousness, security, and triumph over opposition] is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, And this is their vindication from Me,” says the Lord.

Keep an eye on the latter part of the verse above, and you will see the qualifications and requirements which need to be in place before anyone can lay claim to the benefits in the former part of the verse above. We can read the verse over and over to ourselves many times, but the blessings and promises of God do not work solely by claiming alone but also by inner convictions, lifestyle choices and daily direction. God is not an author of confusion, where He is not sure what He wants or what He desires from those who claim to know and follow Him. He has made His will and desire very clear in His Word, and it is to my advantage and benefit that I find what these are, and adhere strictly to them. What are these conditions? The verse above refers to the servants of the Lord. These are not people who are their own masters, but who know and submit to a definite master. 

They are not self-sufficient or independent contractors, but people who know what the job description is and are willing to pay the price required to get to where God wants them to be. The verse above also talks about the heritage of these people. A few definitions of 'heritage' will help pass the message, and these are: 'property that is/may be inherited'; 

'a traditional brand or product regarded as emblematic of fine craftsmanship'; 'not hybridized with another; old-fashioned'. Do you see the peculiar nature of heritage here? It is not something that is common to everybody, but only to specific people and situations. Am I in line to inherit anything of value, based on my current pursuits and priorities? Can I say, of a truth, that my present focus will lead me to the eternal hope and life that God has promised and provided for all those who are IN Him? 

Having established the identity of those who qualify to make claims, what are the options available? We see that weapons can be designed with a name attached, and unless there is a stronger name fighting for that person, that person is in trouble. We also see that tongues, being powerful, can speak into a man's life and seek to change the course of his life for evil, but if that man has the Word of God operating over His life, He has a bigger and better cover than anything the tongues of the world may seek to speak into His life. Like insurance cover, who you know and submit to defines the nature of your cover. If it has to be comprehensive, it must be the One who has total control over all of life. If I am in Him, I can counter whatever the world can throw at me. If I do not have Him, that is trouble just waiting to destroy me. As always, God lays all His cards on the table, and the choice is mine to make. God's time of favour is here. 

Know Him!

Know Him!

Philippians 3:10-11 KJV

[10] that I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; [11] if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

There comes a time in the life of every man and woman, when you have to make up your mind what your priority will be. It really has to be one overaching commitment to something, to the exclusion of every other thing. The present world is great at trying to convince you about what should be important to you, and it will also give you great reasons why that thing is important, but if the desire is to know and follow God wholeheartedly, you just have to find that one thing that is eternally critical, and make it your lifelong pursuit. Like Paul in the verses above, he also had choices to make. He was a man who had been active in the Jewish community; he was an avid promoter of the Jewish culture and tradition, and he let everyone know his stand. His CV was rich: circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; a Pharisee; zealous  persecutor of the church; and blameless as per touching the righteousness which is in the law. 

Do you know anyone you know who could match up to that? However, the same Paul had an encounter with the God who calls men to repentance, salvation and eternal life, and his life never remained the same. The things he thought were important no longer held the same appeal. That is what happens when a man has an encounter with someone that changes your pursuits and priorities. A man who has seen, touched, tasted and felt the presence of God knows that there is no substitute. To know God is an amazing journey of discovery, an experience that will demand time, as well as attention and resources. It will not come easy, because the devil also knows the value in a man experiencing God, and he will do all he can to distract, discomfort, dishearten and discourage. Do not let the devil deny you a lifetime of peace, hope and joy that only God can give. 

Check out all the things that Paul listed in the verses above: know him, the power of his resurrection, the fellowship of his sufferings. I note the word 'and' joining them all together. That tells me the scope of Paul's prayer was beyond mere head knowledge; he wanted to have this undeniable experience of the totality of God. Do not settle for other people's stories about God; find your own. Do not let people's expectations limit your desire for more of God; seek Him like it is a matter of life and death. In fact, it is. No man seeks God this way and regrets it. No man seeks God this way and God will not make that man's life a testimony for others. It will involve suffering sometimes, but God makes it worth it in the end. Ultimately, eternity with God is the end of all things. Let nothing, and no one deny you that. God's time of favour is here. 

Go with God!

Go with God!

Exodus 33:13-14 KJV

[13] Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people. [14] And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.

Moses started like most men born in slavery in Egypt. He had been taught about the God of Israel; a God of love whose heart was full of affection for His people, and even when He punished His people for their sin, His love did not wane or vanish. He would warn, he would send prophets to remind them of His standards, and when the time came, He would apply due punishment. A few judges and rulers later, He will restore them to Himself, and then the cycle will start again. If it was a mortal man, I am sure that he would have given up a long time ago, and abandoned the people to their own fate. How can anyone keep telling the same people the same thing over and over again, and there would be no change? Thank God that He is not man; if He was, man would have ceased to exist. It is His grace that makes it possible for me to still be in place till now, as well as keeping an eye on eternity. 

It is in this light that the request of Moses in the verses above can be best understood. He was a man who was once a murderer and persona non-grata in Egypt. He ran for his life and ended up a shepherd, before he was called by God to bring his townspeople out from the land of slavery to the land of promise. How could a man with such a very complicated past be trusted with a critical assignment like this one? This is where the God introduced to us in the verses above now becomes real. He is a God who is invested in my success and progress, and He wants to have a healthy relationship with me. He is not the type to do seasonal or occasional favours but He wants me to be there for the whole ride, from physical birth to the reality of eternity. My past is just a phase, and will be a part of my story, but it does not have to determine the future. How did a man like Moses experience a God like this? 

This is a God who answers prayers like the one Moses prayed here. He wants me to know Him; not just the mighty things He can do, but a progressive discovery of who He is. Like Moses, God is interested in showing Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is fully committed to Him. Men want miracles, signs and wonders, but will not seek to invest time to know this God. It is not a wonder that at the first sign of trouble, such men fall apart and walk away. I have to go deeper than just the optics and the benefits; God wants to do more than just give me what will make me happy. He wants to secure my earthly peace and my eternal redemption, and one of the best ways He will do this is by teaching me His way. I will never get the full dimensions on this side of eternity, but God is willing to show and teach me, if I am willing amd ready to learn. My eternity will be glad I did. God's time of favour is here. 

Abide!

Abide!

John 15:4 AMP

[4] Remain in Me, and I [will remain] in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself without remaining in the vine, neither can you [bear fruit, producing evidence of your faith] unless you remain in Me.

John is the one writer whose records focus on the teachings of Jesus a bit more than the records of Matthew, Mark and Luke. From when Jesus came into Bethany in chapter 12 to before he was betrayed in chapter 18, we see words upon words of Jesus, teaching His disciples about the present and future realities and demands of the kingdom of God. One of his teachings to His disciples then and to us today is the importance of abiding and remaining IN Him. As we have noted in a few devotions over the past few days, there is a big need for me to sort out my identity and the priorities that hold my heart. The place I live in and contribute to will in turn hold benefits or disadvantages to me. If I settle in a place where there is constant bitterness, rage and malice, I had better be sure that before long, that which is happening around me will find its way into me. This is one of the most important security measures I must take to guard my life. 

I cannot afford to be constantly in and around the things that limit the manifestation of the presence of God. I cannot afford to be fine and comfortable in a place where God is not able to show up. He is Omnipresent, but He cannot show Himself strong in the lives of those who are comfortable in sin. He loves the sinner; of that, there is no doubt, when you consider the price He paid to secure the life of the sinner, but He will not condone the sin. One way to constantly secure the presence and help of God is to abide IN Him, or as the version above says, remain IN Him. It is not the seasonal wonder, where I come in and go out as and when I please, but the constant engagement with God, seeking His help and support on a regular basis. If I have truly seen the value of being IN God, there can no offer or argument that is strong enough to pull me away from Him. What can this insecure and temporary world offer me that is permanent? 

One benefit of remaining IN Him is fruit bearing. A man cannot be connected to the never-failing spring of life and not have results that will prove that connection. You are not able to find a branch bearing fruit by itself without it being attached to a source that provides the right nourishment and nurture for it to thrive. You are not able to find a person who is able to thrive by being on his own. God in His wisdom has not made a self-sufficient creation like Himself, but He has placed all of His resources at our disposal, so we can make good use of them for His glory and for the benefit of the world we have been placed in. It will be a disaster for anyone to think s/he will survive outside of God's limits and provision. I cannot bear fruit except I am connected to the enabler of fruit bearing. Do not go seeking help where there is none. No one can give you what s/he does not have in abundance. In God is the fullness of all of life and Godliness. Stay connected; your eternity will be glad you did. God's time of favour is here. 

Do Right!

Do Right!

1 Corinthians 10:31 AMP

[31] So then, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of [our great] God. 

The letter of Paul to the church in Corinth was addressed to the church of God, to those classed as them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, along with every other person on the face of the earth who call upon the name of Jesus Christ. Knowing who you are is critical to the pursuit of the vision and mission that have been laid out above. Reflect on this: If I do not know who I am, how can I know what has been made available for me? If I cannot sort out my ownership, how can I bear true allegiance to something of earthly and eternal value? Reflect also on the fact that the inner always defines the outward. Until the inner man is in place, there is really no standard that can be demanded from someone who is still under the control and influence of the old nature. Who are you? Whose are you? What is the state of your inner man? Sanctified, or still under the yoke and bondage of sin? 

When the spiritual man is in place, there are some arguments you do not need to make. A man who is sanctified is purified from within, and the power on the inside will definitely be seen and felt on the outside. If I find myself still arguing about anything and everything related to the demands of the spiritual life, it means that I am not yet fully submitted to the Spirit of God. One major area that I need to be careful about is the area of food and drink, which is something we all need to do at intervals in our lives, in order to remain alive and healthy. Even the devil understood the power of food and drink when he came to tempt Jesus in the wilderness after Jesus had just finished fasting for 40 days and nights. I have to learn the place and power of the things I permit to get into me, and I must watch my life closely, so that the things that are temporary will not deprive me of that which is permanent.

Food and drink are good, but they cannot be the ultimate decider of what is truly important in my life. Food and drink will be processed by my body, helping to keep parts functioning well, while some will pass out of my body as waste. I must keep my heart and eyes on that which is bigger, deeper and higher than the temporary satisfaction a full stomach gives. Physical food and drink must continually be taken to preserve human life; spiritual food must also continually be taken to preserve the spiritual life. That is what the verse above enjoins us to do: do all to the glory of God. If you have ever experienced the power and glory of God, you know there are no close substitutes. Isaiah saw it; Moses lived it; Daniel experienced it, and till today, their lives are examples of men who did all they did in light of eternity. I have to live the same way; my eternity depends on it. God's time of favour is here. 

Loved to Love!

Loved to Love!

1 John 4:11 TPT

[11] Delightfully loved ones, if he loved us with such tremendous love, then “loving one another” should be our way of life!

As it has always been said, the audience defines the expectation. A man cannot give that which he does not have, and no matter how hard you squeeze, a man will not produce that s/he has not spent time storing up. As we consider the life of John, who is credited with writing this letter, we read at the start these words: "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life". That is the power of what the law calls eyewitness testimony, and it is the most powerful evidence that can be given in a court of law. No matter how many times I am asked to recount what I have seen, heard, touched or tasted, the story will always be the same because it is my lived experience. Do I have such strong convictions that nothing of this world can shake? We all need such strong anchors for the times we live in. 

If you don't have something to live for, or to aspire to, that may not be a life worth living. If there is no big picture that keeps you inspired to keep pursuing and living right, you may want to check your current pursuits and priorities. John speaks of what he heard, saw and touched. It is not a wonder that these men shook the world at the time, because there was no denying the power, impact and influence of the person called the Word of Life. They had seen and could bear witness to the eternal life, who was with the Father, was manifested to us, and they could now declare it to the world. When you know or hold a thing of value, your life changes, unless you do not know this God. Jesus has been revealed to the world, so that He can also reveal the mind and life of God to the world. I need to have that personal experience of Him so that I can also reach out with what I know and have to other people. 

It is that personal experience that helps me know that I am loved beyond any definition the world can give. Long before the dictionary was ever written up, God had defined love from His own perspective. It will not matter what other definitions are available; God's view is what i need for inspiration and daily direction. God loves me, and He has shown and proven this love to me in several ways, with the most important being the life He gave freely, in order to save me from the power and effect of sin. He has given me a new lease of life, changed the direction of my life, and set me on the path of eternity. The template has been set, and I have the perfect example to emulate. What I have received is not that which man can fake. You either have it or you do not. If you have it, it will show up in your interactions and engagements with other people. Loving others becomes the way of life, the norm and the accepted. Do you have Him? If yes, then you can love like Him. God's time of favour is here. 

Bless the Lord!

Bless the Lord!

Psalm 103:1-2 KJV

[1] Bless the LORD, O my soul: And all that is within me, bless his holy name. [2] Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all his benefits:

Tbis is a psalm of David, the one called the man after God's heart. There is a practice that was common to David, and that was his ability and capacity to find God in the midst of any experience he had. There were times when he would do wrong, and he knew he had done wrong, but he would seek God out and strive to amend his ways. He would also find God when times were tough and he was being pursued by enemies. In the days before his kingship, it was the bear and the lion. In the days after his anointing as king, it was Goliath the bully, and even Saul the king, using the instrument of state to oppress David. Even when his son carried out a palace coup, and did very terrible things to David's concubines, David would still hold on to God in his distress and troubles. That is the model that has now been laid out for us to follow, and we will do well to learn from this model and apply it to our lives. 

David makes his personal example the lesson for us to be guided by. He tells his soul to just focus on God. It is hard to do sometimes, when you consider all the things going on in the world today. The world's systems and processes keep seeking for ways to exclude God completely, and is headed in the direction of destruction, as it had been prophesied of it. Men are seeking new and novel ways to rebel against God's express commands, but in the midst of all of these, the reminder still goes out to all who will hear: God is still on the throne, and His purpose and plan can never be thwarted or defeated. This is the message of the verse above: when you consider this God, who He is and what He can do, it is not a wonder that we are asked to bless Him with all that we are and have. To bless someone is to cause that person to increase in that whixh you are giving.

You may wonder how a God who does not lack anything can be increased by that which I give. It is not so much about what I can give, but about the understanding of who this God is, who calls me to a special relationship with Him. There is nothing I can do that will reduce who God is or what He can do. To be able to bless God is a privilege that must not be taken for granted. To bless God is an acknowledgement that alll I need for Life and Godliness are IN Him, and outside of Him, there is no life. To bless God is an opportunity to increase in all that God is and gives. As I bless Him, I am acknowledging His goodness and grace upon my life. As I bless Him, I am making it clear that I cannot function at my optimum outside of Him. He is the reason why I can access the throne of grace, and receive all the help that I need for such times as these. Same God; different generations, but the need has not changed. God wants to show Himself strong in our lives. Would you let Him? God's time of favour is here.