Conviction 2!

Conviction 2!

Acts 20:24 KJV

[24] But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

One of tha hardest things to do in life is to say goodbye to people you have walked, worked and lived with, and have made an impression on you. God has so done it that no man can by himself achieve all that God intends. He will place people and situations in your path in order to strengthen, challenge, encourage or push you to the limits. He will arrange some situations and circumstances that will make you seek help from Him, and He in turn will send help, sometimes from the most unexpected of places. There is really no limit to what God can do in a life that has been given to Him in total surrender. That is the confidence in a verse that says that 'all things work together for good to them that love God'. If I will claim the benefit, I must align with the condition. 

Paul found himself at the point of farewell. He had been on several missionary journeys, and he was certain, by the leading of the Holy Spirit, that he would not be seeing or passing through Ephesus anymore, so he sent for the elders of the church to encourage them. He had been an active and fervent servant of God, and lives had been touched by his life and ministry, but now, it was time to go. Like all things that are earthly, we have not been promised eternity on this side of earth or in this physical body. We are also not given unlimited time to carry out our assignment, but as God's word puts it, there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. How am I preparing for my eternal life? What am I doing to ensure that I fulfil God's purpose for my life?

Can I speak like Paul here, confident in the assurance of God's presence, no matter what the physical reality around me is? Can I focus on the One who gifts and equips for the work that He commissions? He does not leave a man alone, not even at the point of death. He does not let me fend for myself, but all through the course of life, He will protect, preserve, provide, promote and thereafter He will present me as perfect before His Father at the end of the assignment. That was the motivation for Paul, who would endure many painful moments, because he knew the glory that was ahead. God has not changed; still the same One who called Abraham, Moses,  Elijah, Peter and Paul, is also the same One who calls you and I. Focus on the assignment; God is faithful, and He will supply grace for the course He has prepared for me. God's time of favour is here. 

Victory!

Victory!

1 Corinthians 15:57 KJV

[57] But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

A good starting point for the devotion for today is to define victory. It is also amazing that online dictionaries recognise victory from the perspective of the Bible, and one of the definitions available online says victory 'generally refers to triumph over adversaries, obstacles, or challenges, often signifying God's deliverance and the fulfilment of His promises'. The definition goes on to include both phyiscal and spiritual conquests,  including overcoming sin and ultimately, experiencing God's redemption and eternal life through Jesus Christ'. Reflect on all the many parts that have been laid out in the many definitions above. First, there is a clear reference to a process that encompasses a battle, a fight, resistance, opposition or some form of challenge. Without the raw materials listed above, there can be no finished product.

Please ignore all messages about Christ that lays emphasis on an easy life, with no stress, pressure or challenge. That is not in line with the clear message of Christ, which says that in this world, we would have tribulation, but the counter message is that we have already been given victory through the same Christ. In the definition above, we also saw the direct reference to sin, and the fact that victory in Christ covers the scope, reach and impact of sin. That is the context of the verse above: sin has power, no doubt. It keeps its loyal and faithful subjects in bondage, and the devil will fight as long and as hard as he can to hold on to what he has. I have to know what Christ has done for me, so that I can live over and beyond the reach of sin or the devil. Knowing fuels application, and application means I can retain that which is mine by my new birth.

Whatever the devil can throw, Jesus is able to deal and defeat. No matter the depth or scope of present sin, the blood of Jesus is sufficient and capable to secure victory. I also note that the victory referenced here does not have a time limit or an area of specialisation. As long as I am IN Christ, I stand to enjoy all that He is and has. I could not even dare to secure anything of value by myself; flesh and blood can never secure the victory that only the blood of Jesus can provide. He is the One qualified to give that which He has secured by Himself. A man cannot give what he does not have. A man cannot give you what is not even sufficient for himself. It is the will of God that I live above sin and its influence and control. It is the will of God that I trust in His finished work and take hold of His life. Jesus is the only Way, the Truth and the Life. No one and nothing else will work. What is your decision? God's time of favour is here. 

Worthy!

Worthy!

Hebrews 5:7-8 KJV

[7] Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; [8] though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered;

Not much is known about the writer of the book of Hebrews, but there is no doubt as to the eternal dimensions of the messages in the book. The verses under consideration take a look at the life of Jesus, the Son of God. It has to be made clear from the start that whatever it is that Jesus did had to come of His own freewill. There is no force on earth that is strong enough to compel Him to do what He does not want to do. There is no power on earth, not now, not ever, that could have forced Him to the cross. This sacrifice had to come from His heart, and that is what we got. An amazing God, Omnipotent and Omniscient, capable of miracles, signs and wonders, yet subjecting His Son to some of the most cruel experiences anyone could ever have. Reflect on this: what was so serious that such a sacrifice was the only thing that could address it? 

The Son of God, the second person in the Trinity, the Word of God by whom heaven and earth were made, was sent in the flesh, just as I am presently, so He could feel what I feel, walk in my shoes, and be able to offer the perfect sacrifice for me. If He came as God, it is not likely that anyone could even lay a hand on Him, not to talk of putting Him to death. He came like me, so He could save me. He also looked like me, so that after the sacrifice He made, I could now look like Him. Before anyone thinks it was easy, recall all that He did in the Garden of Gethsemane, as He waited for the cross. He prayed that the cup of suffering may pass over Him, but He also knew that the way to save mankind was to go to the cross. At some point, as He prayed, His sweat became like blood. Even angels came and strengthened Him, but nothing could stop Him from going to the cross. What love! What sacrifice!!. What pain!!!

Reflect on this: the Son of God had to undergo so much suffering and pain, because of me. By the things He suffered, the Son of God had to learn obedience. Reflect also on this: if God did not spare His own son, but gave Him up for our sake, is there any excuse that would be accepted by God if we reject the sacrifice of His son? If the Son could pay such a high price for sin, what do you think is a good reason for not accepting the offer of salvation that has been made to all men? If the cross of pain, suffering and death cannot save you, what else do you think can? God has declared that sin has been dealt a mortal blow, and all who come to the saving knowledge of the One who went to the cross enjoy the benefit of earthly freedom from the power and influence of sin, uttermost joy and eternal life with God. God has played His part. The decision of response is now mine to make. Eternity awaits my decision. God's time of favour is here. 

Comfort!

Comfort!

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 KJV

[3] Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; [4] who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

There is something mysterious about that which God is and does, that is difficult to explain in human terms. The messages of salvation, redemption, sanctification and eternal life fall into this category. How does a Holy and Righteous God, who cannot behold iniquity, allow mortal, sinful man to approach Him for mercy and grace? In the face of the evils that go on around us, why does He not completely destroy man, and then make for Himself loyal and faithful subjects, who will do His bidding at all times? These questions run through my head when I consider the lives of men and women in the Bible, and by indirect extension, to our present earthly generation too. I come to the realisation that God can never be man, and His ways can never be our ways. We are human, limited and weighed down by the burden of the flesh; God has no such hindrance or limit. 

He is called the Omniscient, Omnipotent and Omnipresent God. He can do the most mighty works with the most mundane of things. The man who wrote these words to the church in Corinth would know a thing or two about this God. Paul was the one giving encouragement to the men who stoned Stephen to death, and he was actively involved in the persecution of the church that arose soon after. Several years later, Paul found himself too also persecuted for the same faith he once fought against. There came a time for him when he said a messenger of Satan was sent as a thorn in his flesh. He asked God to take it away, but rather than take it away, God gave him sufficient grace to keep him focused and engaged on his assignment. At times like these, when you see a servant of God going through tough times, there are dealings and experiences that will not always make sense, but they will always align with the will of God for that man's life. 

This is where the message of the verse above makes sense. God can choose to take His child out of that unpleasant situation, but if He chooses to leave the child in it, be sure that something amazing will come out of it. . There is no demand on earth that can exhaust the resources of heaven. When God gives comfort, He knows that His supply can never be exhausted by anyone, not even if all over 8 billion of us on earth ask Gos for the same thing at the same time. That which he gives me will address my need, but it will also be enough to be a blessing to another person too. Tough times are built into the fabric of our growth and development as Christians, but God never leaves us alone. His Word of assurance at this time is He is there at all times: in the valley, in the storm, in the fire, on the mountain, anywhere we find ourselves. That which He gives is for me, as well as the world around me. Make sure that you are rightly connected to the supply of grace. Your life will always make impact. God's time of favour is here. 

Example!

Example!

1 Timothy 4:12 KJV

[12] Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Paul was writing to a young man, Timothy, who he had met on one of his missionary journeys. On first glance, there may not have been anything impressive about the young man. In those days, not being a Jew was like a death sentence. Non-Jews were ostracised, or treated as second class citizens, especially considering the importance of circumcision to the Jewish culture at the time. This made Paul's ministry even more crucial to the world then, as his assignment was to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to these 'outsiders'. As it was then, so is it now. There are people who are yet to come to the saving knowledge of Jesus. There are people groups who are still unreached, and who need to hear about the love of God, and His eternal plans for man. What role are you playing in this assignment? 

For the sake of the Jews of his time, Paul had to circumcise Timothy, so that his message could be well received by the Jews. One has to be careful about man-made schemes and devices that operate to limit access to the abundant grace of God. God has so done it in a way that everyone has an opportunity to come before the throne of His grace, so as to obtain mercy and find grace in time of need. One must be careful not to place man- made burdens on other people, based on our own human experiences. I note that Paul did not lower God's standard in order to fit Timothy into the scope of the mission, but the mission was expanded to ensure that even a man like Timothy could stand before the Jews and speak the mind of God. How am I holding on to and ensuring that the standard is always maintained? 

I note that God did not first consider race before He decided to use men like Timothy. Men like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob may have been recorded as having relationships with God, but we also find men like Rahab, Ruth and the Samaritan woman have encounters with this God, and their lives never remained the same. This is where my personal walk with God is critical: if I know who I am, whose I am, and who I work for, it will help keep me focused on what is critically important. Age is not a barrier to what God can do; wealth is but a state, and God can lift up one and bring down another, just to prove that He is God. My life has to be an example of God's touch. My life must reflect the grace of God in His beauty and fulness. Can men see me and see God at work? Do I represent Him well, or are there things that need to change? God's time of favour is here. 

Conviction!

Conviction!

Romans 8:28 KJV

[28] And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

There is a confidence, as well as conviction that  permeate the entire verse above. It is not that the end has come, and you are certain of how it ended, but that even before the end is made manifest, you know quite well how it will end. You do not yet know what life will throw at you, but you have the clear and quiet assurance that nothing life brings can be bigger or greater than the One who has called you to Himself, given you His Spirit and nature and set you on a path to eternal life with Him. The past may have been very shoddy, dirty and filled with terrible experiences, but as we know, the past has no bearing on what God can do in the present and in the future. God is not limited by the dirt or the weight of the past, as long as I hand it over to Him. This is the foundation of the verse above, and the lessons that God would have us take with us as we go through life. 

Paul, the writer of this letter to the beloved of God in Rome, who were called to be saints, would know something about the lessons laid out above. He had an interesting past, which would have led to eternal damnation if he had continued therein, but at some point in time, God reached out and he responded to God's call on his life. He became a minister of the gospel of Jesus to the Gentiles, who had been left out of the initial mission of the early apostles. At some point in his life, he would have looked back, and seen the definite hand of God at work in every facet of life. For a child of God, there are no accidents. Even that which is inconvenient or uncomfortable has a purpose in the hand of the Almighty God. In His hands, everything works out for His own purpose and plan. Reflect on the emphasis on the word ALL. 

That is unadulterated power. A God who can make all things work together for good is not a God to be toyed with or dismissed. We can call it evil; when it is given to God, there must be a change of direction, purpose and impact. However, it must be noted that there is the condition to be satisfied, for the results to also apply. The verse above says that the listed benefits are for those who love God; to them who are the called according to His will and purpose. This classification is critical: do not go around saying God is unfair, when He blesses those who have surrendered their lives to Him. If I am in control of my life, it means I am telling God to stay away until I call Him. How can I blame God for my choices if the consequences then apply? The impact is clear; the choice is mine to make. God's time of favour is here. 

Right Fear!

Right Fear!

Proverbs 29:25 KJV

[25] The fear of man bringeth a snare: But whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

Solomon, the man who wrote the words of the verse above would know a thing or two about the fear of God, and the fear of men. He was a man who was helped by God to become great and powerful; the witness of the Scripture is that there would be no other king like him in all of Israel's history. In fact, in terms of the display of wealth, as well as the international dimensions of his knowledge and wisdom, it is clear that there has not been any quite like him. That is the thing with a man that God helps; God can make a new path for a man who walks with Him. It does not matter what has gone before, or what is happening right now. What matters is that I submit to God and allow Him have His way in my life. There is no limit to the impact such a surrendered life can have. 

Unfortunately, like all things human, you must not take your eyes off the goal. The devil too is very smart; all he wants to do is to take a man's eyes off God and onto other 'nice' things such as position, power, possession and privilege. All of a sudden, the things that should not have mattered become so big that they cloud our eyes from seeing God for who He is. All of a sudden, we are more concerned with men's views and opinions, rather than the immortal and immutable principles of God's Word. We now want to please men, because we think we need them to get ahead. This is where the fear of man becomes a snare and a trap. You cannot start a viable project in God, and somehow expect that you will finish it by your own schemes and devices. Like Paul asked the Galatians, 'having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh'?

There is a good fear, and a bad one. There is a right kind, and a wrong one. Any fear that keeps your eye only on the mountains, and not on the Lord of all creation, is the wrong one. Any fear that keeps you from being able to hold on to God alone, to the total exclusion of all other options, is the wrong type. The fear of man will lead to further disgrace, as it is a slippery slope of which there is no way to define its end. There is the right kind of fear that keeps my heart focused on the awesome power of God, and His ability to change things, people and circumstances, only as He sees fit and when He sees fit. There is nothing in all of creation that can resist the authority of the One who made it. Why would I fear the created? Why would the created be so powerful that it can control my life or my emotions? The mandate is to trust in God alone; in Him, I am truly safe. Outside of Him is only trouble and distress. As always, the choice is mine. God's time of favour is here. 

Translated!

Translated!

Colossians 1:13-14 KJV

[13] who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: [14] in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

As always, the audience defines the message. The letter of both Paul and Timothy to the church in Colosse clearly identified the audience for the message as the 'saints and faithful brethren in Christ'. That class remains important and relevant to the rest of the letter so that it places the burden of delivery on those who claim to know Christ. This is the time when it is impossible to fake a thriving relationship with God. You either have Him, with all that He is and has, or you have none of Him. There is also no fence to sit on, where one can get away with being non-committal to anything. Like these people in Colosse, they had chosen to believe in Jesus, even going against the norms and values of the Gentiles at the time. They had made a choice, and as it was then, so is it now. 

Those of us who are alive today also have to make a choice. You get to choose between two alternatives. Both are eternal options, not temporal. Both are also kingdoms, with authorities in place to oversee command and recruitment. Both have power and agendas, and even though one is superior to the other, we know that both can define the eternal legacy of man. Both have eternally pernanent consequences. The one thing that is now quite clear is that we do not really have forever in this side of eternity to make up our minds. Jesus has played his part, and has offered the best sacrifice for sin. There is no other sacrifice of blood that is requested from or demanded of us. Darkness reigned and ruled over us, as we were subject to the power and influence of sin. 

As we know, the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life, which is made freely available in and through Jesus Christ. He alone could deliver man from certain death and also offer life in full, the kind that cannot end or be tampered with by the devil. He is the only One who can change the terms and conditions of engagement for man and give him a brand new start. He is the One who can translate a man from certain death to certain life. In this context, translation means 'the process of moving something from one place to another'.  Only Jesus could do such a thing: by His blood, He has opened a door that was closed due to sin, and given us access to riches beyond our imagination. If I then fail to take advantage of this benefit, I cannot turn around and blame God for the consequences of my decision. As long as I have life, He waits for my decision. What would it be? God's time of favour is here. 

Experience God!

Experience God!

Psalm 30:5 KJV

[5] For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

David would know what he was talking about in the verse above. He was a man after God's own heart, as God so clearly put it, and we see how God favoured him and gave him an eternal kingship in Judah, following the split between the houses of Israel and Judah. We see how as a young shepherd boy, he took care of his father's sheep, and when lions or bears came after the sheep, he would kill them. He took the same mentality to Goliath, reminding the giant that the God he knew had no regard for height, skill or weapon size, but that all who feared God were certain of His help and support. The same David would be made king over his older brothers, and he would come to be known as the greatest king Israel had. Even the flag of the nation of Israel features the 'Star of David'. It would be nice to focus on this side of God, and His dealings with man, but as we know, the knowledge of God has to be balanced if it is to be right. 

People celebrate the love of God but find it hard to also embrace His judgement. We claim we are drawn by His love, which is the fundamental reason why we are His children in the first place, but we are also impacted by the reality of His judgement, which lies at the end of the grace that brings salvation to all men. That grace teaches us to say NO to ungodliness and worldly lusts, and live soberly, righteously and Godly in this present world. It cannot be one or the other. We have to embrace both realities of who God is. He is definitely a God of love, with an infinite capacity to give us room to return to Him, but we have to also know that the door of mercy does not remain open forever. We do not know how long we have been given to sort out our allegiance, which is why we must pay attention to the things that God loves or hates so that we can always remain in His will. 

This same David experienced both worlds. He saw God's love in its pure form, but he also experienced God's judgement in its refined form. Not sure anyone can survive the anger of God if it lasts for too long. When David did wrong, even his children were not spared, and they became willing instruments in the hand of God to punish David. However, God made it clear that even if David's sons rebel against God, He would indeed chasten them with the rod of men and the stripes of the children of men, but His mercy He will not take from David's house, as He took it from Saul, who died on the same day as his three sons, which included Jonathan, who was very close to David. Whatever the current experience is, remember that the love of God lasts longer than His wrath, but please do not take it for granted. Weeping may endure for a night, due to the pain of sin, but be reconciled to God before it is too late, so that in the morning, your joy can be full, and it may last forever. That is God's perfect will for us. Would we embrace and submit to Him? God's time of favour is here. 

War!

War!

2 Corinthians 10:5 AMP

[5] We are destroying sophisticated arguments and every exalted and proud thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought and purpose captive to the obedience of Christ,

As many has may claim to have come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ have to fully understand the message in the verse above. Too many times, we read of people who have the mentality that everything will be fime and rosy once they come to Christ. When the tough times start, they struggle to really understand what is going on, and why things are the way they are. For all who come to Him, please know that nowhere in the Bible does God promise that we will not go through trials and tough times. What He promises, and in so many places in the Bible, is His presence. You get His presence and His presents. You get all of Him and all He has, as well as all that the devil is able to throw at you. That is the complete package of life, for all who are in Christ. 

However, it has to be noted that this is not the final word. In the face of such pressure, we are reminded of the empowerment that is available in Christ. We have to know that we are at war with the devil's schemes and system, which hates anything that has to do with God. We have to know that we will have to fight to retain all that Christ obtained and sealed for us by His death and resurrection. The amazing thing is that we also are not left to fight on our own or by our own strength. We have the support and backing of the One called the Man of War. The verse just before the one above makes it clear who is pulling the strings, when it says that the weapons of our warfare are not of this world, but are made mighty through God, able to pull down strongholds. 

God is the One pulling the strings and the One whose view matters. We are empowered in and by Him to succeed in warfare against the devil and his schemes. Whatever works against God and His purpose must be opposed by the power of God, not my own ability or wisdom. It is not a call to sit down and just go with the flow, but to maintain the victory already won by Christ. There will be pretenders to the throne; there will be obvious and insidious attempts by the devil to promote the lie that God does not really have it all under control. Be sure that God is in full control. Everything set up against the knowledge of God will be brought down, and every thought and purpose will be made captive to the obedience of Christ. It is not a negotiation, but an ultimatum. This is not about options, but about God's purpose being established in the earth. I do have a choice here: align with God and watch Him work, or go against God and suffer the consequences of eternal defeat. As always, the choice is all mine to make. God's time of favour is here.

New Order!

New Order!

Revelation 21:4 AMP

[4] and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be death; there will no longer be sorrow and anguish, or crying, or pain; for the former order of things has passed away.

A day is coming when the old order of things will change. A day is coming when all that you think you know and are familiar with will give way to that which is beyond your imagination, but which Jesus had spoken extensively about in His teachings to His disciples, and to the crowd too. A day is coming when that which is earthly and mortal will no longer be relevant, and all that matters will be what you have done with the One who makes all these eternal promises. It is very important that I take time to read and understand the purpose and plan of God for my earthly and eternal phases. It is of no use being known and widely celebrated down here on earth, while heaven has no record of any service that it can recognise or reward. 

Take time to study the Word of God, and see His hand and heart, as He seeks to draw men to Himself. He offers what no other person, theory or principle can - eternal life. Reflect on the verse above: God will wipe away every tear from our eyes. That is a fundamental shift in what we are used to: sometimes, life can be hard, and things can move you to tears of joy as well as pain, but picture a life where the tears will be wiped off because there will not be a need for them. In the realm of joy unspeakable and limitless peace, where is the place of death, sickness, sorrow, anguish, pain or disease? In the kingdom of the Most High God, the Omniscient, Omnipotent and Omnipresent God, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End, where is the place of the works of the devil or his cohorts? 

The above is the reason why I need to take my eternal reality very seriously. No matter how many good years I get on earth, or the value of the riches and wealth I amass here on earth, these are nothing compared with the depth and scope of the wealth that is at my disposal in heaven. The years ahead are not to be compared in any way with the endless time in heaven. The verse above says it quite well, when it declares that the former order of things has passed away. It is like the death of a nature that can never be reversed. For all who still belong to, or are under the control and influence of the old nature, please note that the old nature can NEVER inherit the kingdom of God. I need to get the new nature that is born of God, so that I can take hold of all that God is and offers. Do I have the new order in place? Do you? God's time of favour is here. 

Attitude!

Attitude!

Luke 18:14 KJV

[14] I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Jesus was speaking in parables to both the disciples and the crowd at different times in His earthly ministry. Today's extract is one of such parables too, but this time, He was addressing those who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others. The quick lesson for me here is the realisation that I cannot deceive God with outward piety that is empty of inner conviction. I can keep up appearances, and pretend that all is well, but I must know that I deal with a God of total and absolute knowledge, who cannot be deceived. He is the Creator of men and their hearts, and He is yet to make a person or thing that He cannot control. This is one of the fundamental questions that must be answered by me, as I seek to see God move in my life. 

We see two men go up into the temple to pray, which, at least, showed an understanding of the need for God in their lives. That is also quite important. No one is self-sufficient; we all need the help of the divine to successfully navigate the intricacies of the human experience. No matter how old you are, the devil is older. No matter how smart you think you are, the devil has long been at work even before the account of the creation of the earth was documented. He knows how to distract, deflect, discourage, disappoint and disturb a man's peace. He can raise a man's ego to the point where the man does not even realise he has lost connection with the One he is claiming to be praying to. This is the danger with practices, without the accompanying conviction. 

Both came to pray, but only one left fulfilled. Both followed the convention, but one was tied up with just keeping up appearances, but no true heart conviction. Both offered up words of prayer, and if you were watching, you would have thought the first one spent 'quality time' because he spoke longer, but with God, length is not more important than depth. The other man knew he was the product of mercy only, not merit. He knew he stood where he was, simply by grace, not personal grandeur. If only we knew and understood our limits, we will not struggle with pride or inflated egos. At the end of the day, no other person's opinion mattered, except the One to whom both men came to pray to. His view was that the other man, with less words but a humbler heart, was more justified than the one with more words but a heart of pride. Don't let the views or words of men keep you from seeking the true God. Don't let the distractions of the devil keep you from accessing the deep riches available in Christ. All He is and has are for us. Claim them. God's time of favour is here.

Stand!

Stand!

1 Corinthians 16:13 AMP

[13] Be on guard; stand firm in your faith [in God, respecting His precepts and keeping your doctrine sound]. Act like [mature] men and be courageous; be strong. [Ps 31:24]

We read of Paul, the man who was inspired to write this letter to the church in Corinth, and we see the grace of God upon his life. He was not always the man used mightily of God in the early part of his life, but by the grace of God, he became an instrument the Lord could use to bring the gospel of Jesus to the Gentiles at the time. The past does not always have to be a burden or a curse; in the hands of the Most High God, the past is just the foundation for the amazing things that God is able to do in a life that is totally submitted to Him. The fundamental question then is: "Am I totally surrendered to God? Does He own and hold all of me?". Until you are sure, there is no guarantee of an eternity with God. There is no way a man can stand the right way, if there is no help from God. 

The verse above lays emphasis on the help that only God can give, to enable a man take hold of that which he cannot get by himself. It is critical to be on your guard, but you can only plan and prepare for that which you know is coming. If a man is prepared for a thief, the thief will not succeed in his evil plan. Asking me to be on guard is a clear indication that there is danger all around me. Asking me to stand firm in the faith is a clear indication that there will be threats to my confidence in God. The devil is smart, and knows how to make alternative options look attractive. When I am firmly rooted in Christ, it is not possible for the wind and waves stirred up by the devil to uproot me. Like the wise man who built his house on the rock, the winds and the waves will definitely come. How I survive will be determined by the quality of my roots. 

I must spend time on the things that matter, and help to deepen my knowledge and experience of God. How would I respect His precepts or keep His doctrines if I do not take time to read, study and personalise them? It is what you have that you can draw on when the demand is made. You cannot give what you do not have, and you cannot fake it till you make it here. When the verse above charges us to 'act like mature men and be courageous; be strong, it shows that this is a process that takes time, effort and commitment. Fear is the usual, normal process for the natural man; only those who have taken on the God's offer of the supernatural nature can aspire to the ideals of eternal impact. None belonging to, or under the control and influence of the natural man, can ever attain or claim such. Do you know who you are? God's time of favour is here. 

Priorities!

Priorities!

Mark 8:35 AMP

[35] For whoever wishes to save his life [in this world] will [eventually] lose it [through death], but whoever loses his life [in this world] for My sake and the gospel’s will save it [from the consequences of sin and separation from God].

The owner of the kingdom is the One laying down the principles and practices of that kingdom. As always, the choice of responnse is left to every man. No one can make up your mind for you; no one can act on your behalf when it comes to the acceptance and strict followership of the kingdom. That is the message in the verse above. This time, we find Jesus speaking to both the crowd and His disciples. There were times when the message was for those who had chosen to follow Him, and there were times when He had to speak to the crowd to inform them of the available choices. This time, the message was for all: know who you want to follow,  know the eternal life of your decision, and know quite clearly that it is personal. 

There will be times that it is easier to blend in than to stand out. There will be times when it is convenient to just stay quiet and not say anything, so as not to offend anyone. Actually, it does not really matter how I defend my actions or reactions; the God of all Truth knows what my motives and intentions are, and He is able to judge righteously. As long as the earth remains, it is subject to the control and authority of the One who formed it. He is able to make all things work out for our good, if we can but trust Him. Trying smart moves outside of His will only ends up in disgrace. Thinking that you are smart and can outwit the devil, who is skilled in warfare and has been doing this for long before any of us alive now were born, is not an intelligent move. 

The message of Jesus here is direct: what you do with the life you have been given has eternal dimensions. How can I secure a life that was not mine in the first place? How can I secure a life that I know nothing of its beginning or its end? It is quite critical that I find the purpose of God for my life, and not waste the time I have been given in unhealthy comparisons or competitive envy. I am an individual; God sees me as a unique person, and I will do well to focus on why behind the who I am, and what God has gifted me for. That is the basis of reward. No effort by myself can secure that which God alone can provide. Don't think you can outsmart God; if my heart is not right with Him, even the applause of the whole world will not save you. Entrust your life to the One who can save to the uttermost. God's time of favour is here. 

Seek God!

Seek God!

1 Chronicles 16:11 AMP

[11] Seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually [longing to be in His presence].

Israel had done something wrong. They had the ark of the covenant of God upon carts, which was contrary to God's express directive on how the ark of covenant was to be carried. It is not a surprise that Uzzah, who was not a priest, touched the ark of covenant, and he was killed by God. The oxen carrying the ark actually stumbled, yet God did not spare the man who touched the ark. God's standards are sacrosanct; He will not lower them for anyone, no matter who you are or what you have achieved for Him. Ask Moses or even the man who wrote the words of the verse above, who is David. When David did wrong, even though God Himself testified that he was a man after His heart, God still punished him for the wrong he did. We learn today not to take God for granted. We strive to know Him as well as what He loves and hates, so that we can please Him. 

David also learnt this the hard way. It took the death of Uzzah for David to do the right thing. He knew the ark of the covenant of God was not to be treated carelessly, and that specific people were mandated by God to offer service in relation to the ark. David then took firm steps to ensure that those who should be there were appointed to serve and minister. He even built a tent for the ark, as it was the case in the wilderness. I reflect on this, and note that I cannot treat the work of God with levity, neither can I afford to be complacent with His standards. Men were put in place to offer service, with David leading by personal example. What corrective steps do I need to take today, in order to align with God's clear instruction? What changes do I need to make in order to make my life, and all I offer, acceptable to God? 

The counsel in the verse above is to 'seek God'. This counsel will not work unless the benefits make the effort worth it. David knew the value of the presence of God, just as Moses, Elijah and many others did. There is strength, grace, help, provision, protection, and sustenance, amongst many other things, that are made available to me, when I am connected to God. In God's presence, there is fullness of joy, and at His right hand are pleasures forevermore. He is never late or too tired to attend to our requests, as He is not man who is bound by human limitations, and there is no searching of His understanding. Before eternity began and long after this earthly phase will cease to exist, God will continue to be God, and no one can unseat or dethrone Him. This is the God that men like David knew and followed, and we still talk about them today. Do not let the weight of the worries and cares of this world keep you away from the benefits and blessings that come from this God. He waits for us. God's time of favour is here. 

Kept; Secure!

Kept; Secure!

Psalm 23:5-6 KJV

[5] Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. [6] Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

David wrote the words of this psalm, and whilst we do not know the context of the song, we know the direct application of the message in the song to our everyday life. I read the verses above, and I cannot but cast an eye on the verses that come before the ones above. The psalm starts with this very direct message: 'the Lord is my Shepherd'. It has to be the start of any conversation about safety, security, provision, protection and guidance. How would I place a demand on resources that I am not entitled to? How can I claim benefits of a country of which I am not a citizen of?  Any attempt to claim anything from such a country will amount to fraud, and the consequences could be imprisonment or even deportation. 

As it is in the physical, so is it in the spiritual. God also has a Kingdom, of which there are loyal subjects who can lay claim to all the benefits and blessings of that Kingdom. In this Kingdom, there can be no fraud, where someone uses deception and lies to claim what s/he is not entitled to. The Lord has to be my Shepherd, if I am to take hold of what sheep are entitled to get. Am I part of His sheepfold, or am I still my independent contractor, subject to no one and under the direct control and influence of the old man? It is quite clear that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, so coming to God has to be on God's own terms, not mine. He has made clear what terms and conditions for engagement apply, and also supplied the grace of access, so I can come in. Why not walk in? 

A few of the benefits of walking in are listed in the verses above. It does not matter what the quality and quantity of the opposition against me are; as long as God is on my side, I know victory is sure. In fact, right in front of the opposition, He prepares a table before me so that all men may see. He anoints my head with oil to show that I am His own, equipped with all I need to make impact and change lives. He not only secures my present; He also has a guarantee in place for my future. His Goodness and mercy follow me down here on earth, all the way until I get into eternity with God. With all that I am entitled to get, what excuse do I have not to come to Him for salvation? He is able to save to the uttermost all who come to Him. Come as you are, and take hold of that which He is and has. Your eternity will be glad you did. God's time of favour is here. 

Give Him All!

Give Him All!

1 Peter 5:7 AMP

[7] casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].

Peter, a disciple of Jesus and the leading spokesman for the apostles, was writing generally to both Jewish and Gentile believers, who were living in exile, scattered across several cities outside Jerusalem. Just reflect on what this meant for these people: in distress due to their faith in Christ, and unsure if they would ever be able to return to their familiar environment. This gives a picture of the discomfort and inconvenience that may sometimes arise as a result of faith in Jesus. At no time does God promise that we will have perpetual blue skies; He warns us to prepare for tough times, but He adds the ever amazing comfort: He does not leave us alone at any time. We have the abiding presence of God as a bulwark and anchor for our souls, when things are really going bad. Does Jesus know you as His own? 

Peter was now addressing elders of the church in the chapter from where the verse above is taken. The mandate was the same as it was to him. All who will identify with Jesus must be ready to suffer for Him, in order to also reign with Him. Peter was there as Jesus was treated as a common criminal. As Jesus hung on that tree, there was a prayer He prayed: "Father,  unto thy hand I commit my spirit". He understood clearly that only in God was He truly safe and secure. This has to be my default setting too: i have the perfect example to emulate; I now have the foundation on which I can build my present and my future. I have a Father whose love and concern for me comes from a place of firsthand experience. He bore all my sin, so I could bear His nature. 

If He could do this much for me, what else can He not do? If He could leave all His glory in heaven so He could walk in my shoes, what else can He not give up? Why do I have to bear burdens that He has taken on my behalf? Why should I hold on to things He has fully taken care of? Why should earthly, ephemeral things be able to take root in my heart and distract me from seeing God at work? This is the message of the verse above: I have a Father who invites me to lean on Him for everything I need. His shoulders are broad enough to take anything I can throw on Him. His heart is large enough to handle anything that all the inhabitants of the world throw at Him at the same time. He says I should cast ALL on Him, excepting nothing. He watches over me with tender mercies and love. I cannot help myself; He is sufficient for every need. God's time of favour is here. 

Like A Child!

Like A Child!

Matthew 18:3-4 KJV

[3] and said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. [4] Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Heaven's recommended solutions to earthly problems will not always align with logic or common sense. The earthly problem here was that the disciples had heard a lot about the glory and grandeur of the kingdom of heaven, and wanted to know who is the greatest in that  kingdom. They may have argued amongst themselves, wondering what to do to ensure that they were counted among the greatest. As with all things connected to heaven, the solution is never in line with man's schemes or expectations. Man seeks glory and honour by position or possession, and can sometimes kill in order to attain to the level of recognition and applause that is at best temporal and ephemeral. The natural man thrives on all things earthly, and there will be a need for a change of foundation and focus, if man will lay hold of that which God is able to do in his life. 

No matter my age, current networth, network and circle of influence, the foundation of all that God counts as important is in conversion into a little child. This image is powerful: it is a little child in focus here: dependent on adults for help, always trusting no matter how incredulous the promise is. This is why little children believe in fairy tales, as well as Santa Claus. When they have established a new relationship with you, they never outgrow it, unless and until they reach adulthood and understand the reasons behind the actions of adults in their lives. They can hardly hold a grudge, as one moment, you may chastise them for a wrong, and within seconds, all is forgotten and forgiven. The image of a little child presented to adults like Peter, or the 2 brothers who wanted positions of glory in the kingdom of Jesus, is indeed powerful. 

This is the message of the verses above. Take all that the world teaches you about how to make it in life with a pinch of salt. Some schemes may make you wealthy, but if the foundation is not built on the principles of the verses above, this would not last. Entering into the kingdom of heaven requires a change of heart, a lowering of demands for earthly excellence and a need for recognition or human applause. The things of the world do not count where heavenly relevance is at stake. Before now, I may have thought myself irreplaceable; the verses above enjoin me to have a rethink and reorder my priorities. I have to humble myself if I am to access the amazing benefits available to all who come by simple faith to Jesus. Like a child, there can be no pretence, hypocrisy or eye-service. It is simple faith and acceptance of all that Jesus has done and given as sufficient. God's time of favour is here. 

Healed!

Healed!

Isaiah 53:5 KJV

[5] But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

The account of the verse makes for a very interesting read. The events described here are presented as having happened, yet the prophet who was given the prophecy lived about 600 years before Jesus was even physically manifested. How could the prophet Isaiah be so sure? This tells me that the death of Jesus on the cross was not a mistake or an afterthought; it was the plan that God would provide a worthy sacrifice to deal with the eternal problem of sin. God knows the problem as well as the fitting solution. No one subject to the same law of sin could provide that solid solution; it had to be one born under the law but not subject to it. Thank God for His power and wisdom. 

The prophecy is presented as concluded even before the vessel of change was born into the world. The sacrifice on the cross was part of God's plan for redemption that was laid out in the Garden of Eden, where the first sin occurred. Reflect on this: the place of the first sin of man also became the place of the first pronouncement of mercy for man. The seed of the woman would bruise the head of the serpent. All that sin brought would be dealt a mortal blow by the death and resurrection of Jesus. As He hung on the cross, remember all that happened to Him; a crown of thorns was placed on His head; he was whipped with scourges; He was nailed to the cross, and even after He had died, a soldier pierced His side with a sword, drawing blood and water.

Men thought they were powerful; God used the actions of men laid out above to achieve His earthly and eternal purpose for man. The wounds He got dealt with our transgressions. We were the natural objects of wrath, but He took our place. The lashes He got dealt with our iniquities. We were the ones who really deserved the beatings, but He went in our place and took the beatings. Now, not only did He take our place, but He also secured something precious and amazing for us: peace with God. Nothing else could have done this: no amount of animal sacrifices or labour under the law could get us what Jesus got for us: healing. We now can claim a blessing reserved for those who come by faith into a new relationship with Jesus. Are you one? God's time of favour is here.