This God!

This God!

Ecclesiastes 11:5 AMPC

[5] As you know not what is the way of the wind, or how the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a pregnant woman, even so you know not the work of God, Who does all.

Man has always been known to have an inflated opinion about himself. Man makes grand plans and then demand that God approves them; we plan, plot and scheme our way around life, demanding that life gives to us what we demand, whilst forgetting quite conveniently that life was not built to be fair. We seem to have pushed God to the background, sometimes, cutting Him completely off the radar, as we seek to make something of our lives. Unfortunately, as long as God remains God, there are things that will never happen outside his direction, will and purpose. There are many things in life that man cannot control. The wind is given here as a good example of that. The wind blows where and how it pleases, and its effect is seen anywhere it blows. You cannot provide a rational scientific explanation for how the wind is generated or applied, yet you cannot deny its existence. 

Houses have been uprooted in thunderstorms, whirlwinds and hurricanes bear testimony to the power of the wind. Let us apply this same knowledge to the Spirit of God: remember the night chat Jesus had with Nicodemus, where it was emphasized again that the Spirit, just like the wind, cannot be explained by rational or scientific evidence, or intellectual thought. This tells me then that walking with God is like the wind: you cannot explain how God works at a distance; you have got to be in him to even scratch the surface of his will, desire and purpose. You do not discover God as an end in itself; you spend your entire lifetime discovering several aspects of God, and you never learn enough down here to even think you know him well enough or can predict him. Just as the example above, can you explain how the fusion of the male and female chromosomes lead to the forming of a child? 

Can you think of any medical research that can explain how each part is formed after the union, or how you find just one of some parts and two of some other parts, and how someone can still live well if one part is missing but cannot survive if one part is taken out? Indeed, God is awesome and his ways are very mysterious. He is not your regular guy: predictable, boring and usual. He is quite awesome in his creativity and his wisdom permeates all of life's experiences. You see his power, might and grace at work all around you. As always, he does not force you to acknowledge Him, but there is no doubt that the earth responds to Him now and will answer to Him eventually. It would be better to submit to His power and wisdom now, and enjoy the blessings and favour such submission brings, than to be compelled to submit when grace and mercy would have expired. God will wait, till the season of waiting is over, and judgment begins. You do not want to be on the wrong side of that judgment. God's time of favour is here

Finish Well!

Finish Well!

But I do not consider my life as something of value or dear to me, so that I may [with joy] finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify faithfully of the good news of God’s [precious, undeserved] grace [which makes us free of the guilt of sin and grants us eternal life]. ACTS 20:24 AMP

Before the verse above, we read of Paul's enviable achievements and reputation. He was a well-read man, having studied under some of the most learned and revered men of his time. He was steeped in Judaism, knew all the law and its requirements, was wealthy, connected, zealous and young: attributes that were perfect both for good and bad ends. If you consider the entirety of Paul's life, you find that to be true. Unfortunately, head knowledge is limited in its use when it comes to God. As much as man may place stock and value on head knowledge and zeal, man can only get close to discovering what God intends when the attitude aligns with Paul's attitude laid out in today's extract. Until I see my life as nothing outside of God, I will struggle to find relevance. Until I see my life as an outshoot of God's grace and power, I will struggle to make impact in my sphere of influence. 

I reflect on the fact that my life is a journey, with a definite start and a definite end, with definite milestones along the way. I get confused because I do not know all the parts of that journey, so sometimes, I strike out on my own, thinking I have it all figured out. At some other times, when I have been battered and bruised, I go back to God for restoration and renewal. What is key is that I understand who I am and who I am working for. That understanding keeps me grounded, keeps me focused and keeps me on the right path of purpose. The greatest blessing is the discovery, pursuit and fulfilment of divine purpose, not monetary acquisitions or popular appeal. For Paul, there was a clear conviction of what he was called by God to do. And for all who claim to know and follow Christ, we all have our assignments. None is irrelevant; all are parts of a unique whole; none is inspired or sustained by man, so the need to please or appeal to man does not arise. 

None can be determined or promoted by man, so the crave for applause and approval does not bear root. I exist simply at the pleasure of the owner of all life, and I work for and at the pleasure of the Master of the universe. That is the highest call to service, and a reminder that all I do now is a preparation for eternity. And I go on with joy, because I know the great things that are ahead. I keep at it, knowing that God is glorified by my service. I keep at it, sure and certain that the grace that washed away my own sin and guilt is still very much in place today, free to all who realise their need and take hold of it. I take note of this final bit: the end of grace is eternal life. If I do not take hold of the grace, how do I lay claim to the life on offer? If the path to life is through grace, how can I seek to enter through any other way? Nothing else will work, except what God has laid down, and I will do well to simply listen, heed and come to Him. God's time of favour is here.

Armed!

Armed!

Ephesians 6:11 AMPC

[11] Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.

There is a divine provision for every earthly challenge. There is a spiritual preparation that must precede every phyisal confrontation. It is a bit shortsighted to think that one can flow through life without any pressure. It will indeed be foolish to think that this fallen human nature can stand up to the devil and his schemes. It is for this earthly phase that the devil is adequately prepared for. He is fully armed for, and fully equipped to deal with the human race, outside of God. This is why the human race needs the help of the only One who has defeated the devil and continues to hold victory over him. That is why no other help can be adequate for the fight that is now non-negotiable for all who will make it into eternal life with God. What this makes quite clear to me is that my identity and placement are important. I have to be sure who and whose I am, and where I am. 

The answers to these questions will define what I can access. How can God provide protection for people who do not believe in His power to keep them safe? How does God compel anyone to take on what He has put in place for their safety, if they will not come to Him and take on that which He has supplied? Remember: God does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill. Whether I know it or not, this earthly phase is a fight. It is not a fight that anyone can avoid, and the fact that you are unaware of it does not mean it is not real. God has made that clear in many bible verses, but He also adequate provision and preparation of resources and weapons that will help me win. That is what is made clear in the verse above: there is an armour that is built specifically for the fight that I must fight. This is amazing. 

How glad my heart must be that even before the fight starts, I have a guarantee of victory already in place. It has to be made clear that there is a full armour. The verse above speaks of 'God's whole armor'. The armour is God's,  and His provision is sufficient for all that is ahead. I cannot pick and choose the parts that I am comfortable with, or the parts that are convenient. The armour of God is quite prophetic: long before any issue comes up, God knows about it, and has made provision for a solution by His armour. The devil will not give up, as long as there is breath in me, and I cannot afford to switch off, as long as there is breath in me too. The devil has been in this business of deceit long before I was born, so his experience in warfare is second to none other than the Man of War. I take on that which the Man of War provides, so that I can end up with the victory that the Man of War has won for me. Nothing else, not even the full resources of the world, will secure this for me. Do you have this God? God's time of favour is here. 

Seeing Clearly!

Seeing Clearly!

2 Corinthians 4:18 AMPC

[18] Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting.

We are human, and we have been placed in the midst of other human beings like us. As a result of sin, we are indeed weak, and we have not been able to manage the expectations of God for us by our own strength or wisdom. As you read the chapter from where the verse above is taken, this becomes very clear: it is easy to get discouraged if you do not keep reminding yourself why you are in it in the first place. There was a reason why you considered the past needed to be addressed, and you took the step of faith, surrendering your life to Jesus and accepting Him as Lord and Saviour. It was quite clear that by and of myself, I would not make it, and I am fully aware now that the best of anyone is actually the breath of God in that person. Take away the breath, and it is just dust. Take away the soul, and all that is left is an empty shell of dust, which has no eternal plan or purpose. 

The soul does not have phyiscal form, but it is real, and it is that which has to be encouraged to remain steadfast and strong, in the face of all that is going on. Reflect on one of the verses before the one above, which says that all the precious treasure, which comes from the light of the Gospel shining in our lives, are expressed in and through frail, human vessels of earth, so that the glory, grandeur and greatness of the power of God may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves. What is that thing that I am able to produce of and by myself, if God does not help me? What good can I do by myself, if God does not flow in and through me? Interestingly, being in God does not still keep you from the reality of pressure and persecution, but there is this amazing support and encouragement we can access: we may be hedged in on every side, but we are not crushed; embarrassments come our way, and we may struggle to find a way out, but we are not driven to despair. 

We are persecuted, but the presence of God does not desert us, and even if we are struck down to the ground, we are never but struck out and destroyed. These are some pretty amazing things to say, but the confidence to say these things comes from a place of faith, not just sight. We keep our eyes on that which the physical eyes may not be able to perceive or fathom, but we are sure and certain of. We endure pain, because we are sure that the purpose of God will be established in and through us. We know very clearly that all we see today are temporal; nothing the earth makes or gives you is built to last forever; if it belongs to this earth, be sure it will pass away with this earth. Hold on to that which this earth cannot take away from you, and that is the hope of eternal life with God. Hold on to that which outlives all that you see now. Am I seeing right, or do I need help to focus on what will be of eternal gain? God's time of favour is here. 

Reactions!

Reactions!

James 5:13-14 AMPC

[13] Is anyone among you afflicted (ill-treated, suffering evil)? He should pray. Is anyone glad at heart? He should sing praise [to God]. [14] Is anyone among you sick? He should call in the church elders (the spiritual guides). And they should pray over him, anointing him with oil in the Lord's name.

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, was writing to God's people who at the time were scattered all over the whole world at the time. Persecution was mentioned as one of the reasons why these people were all over the world. Being a child of God does not insure you from some earthly realities. The fact that God backs me up does not mean that my back will not be against the wall sometimes. That is why James could charge his audience to count it as joy when various trials come their way, being quite assured that these tests will lead to spiritual maturity and inner peace. It is only in the hand of God that tough times can lead to outright testimonies. There will always be adequate provision tied to the place where God leads His own people to. As long as I am where God wants me to be, and doing what He wants me to do, I have the assurance that He is with me and I will end well. 

I note also that the verses above speak to God's people too, not unbelievers. These are people who know God, and as we know, there will be times when life happens to the best of us. As long as we are clothed in this human nature, there will be things we cannot control, as well as things that will happen to us for the glory of God. Recall the man who was blind from birth, yet the view of Jesus was that this man's experience was to bring glory to God, and that is what happened. As long as we are clothed in this human nature, things may go wrong, but we have a God to call upon. As laid out in the verses above, we have answers to whatever it is that may be a bother to us. Is there affliction? We are asked to pray. That is a response that does not always align with our reality, however, prayer makes it clear that I know there is a power that is greater and stronger than whatever it is that is bothering me. 

Even when things look great, and I am glad at heart, I must also sing praise to God. That response makes it clear that I appreciate my past and present, whilst also trusting God for my future. Even when things do go wrong, and there is sickness, right there in the assembly of God's people, God has placed the solution to that problem. It is by the combined faith of God's people that will lead to the healing of the sick person. What the verses above make clear is that for whatever life issue may come my way, God has placed the appropriate response within my reach. Praise or prayer are all responses that I can give to whatever comes my way. May there be no problem of life that will be so great that it will prevent me from reaching out to God, as well as through the people He has placed on my path. Am I also a blessing to the place where I have been planted? Can God count on me to also be a channel of blessing to those around me? God's time of favour is here. 

Staying Strong!

Staying Strong!

Psalm 31:24 AMPC

[24] Be strong and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for and hope for and expect the Lord!

Another song by David, the man referred to by God as a man after His own heart. The story behind the song here is not clearly stated, but knowing David and his lifestyle, there would have been something. I do not have the faintest idea what life was like in his own time but picture a young boy who was minding his father's sheep, and then havimg to deal with attacks from the lion and the bear. He had no previous experience dealing with such, but he managed anyway. There he was also, minding his own business, but suddenly called upon to be king. To add to the confusion, there was no physical vacancy for that role, as there was a king already in place at the time, but God went ahead anyway to ask the prophet to anoint him as king. David had to navigate many trenches, disasters and distractions so that he could remain focused on the assignment he had been given. What was it about this young man's life that attracted this much attention?

We also see the application of the lessons he had learnt in private being applied in his public exploits. He brought the lessons he had learnt from his experiences with the lion and the bear to his confrontation with Goliath the bully. This is where the private encounters with God become critical; there is nothing that can replace these encounters. You do not get to make such public affirmations without an effective backing. You do not get to confront giants and warriors unless you are sure of the One who is backing you up. Of course, we know that David did not get here overnight or by accident. This was a long journey of depending on God in the good or bad times. It did not make a difference what was going on with David and his personal life; he always made sure to keep the communication and feedback channels with God open and clear of any distractions or obstructions.

That has to my own default setting too. It cannot be the weekly, monthly or annual ritual where I try to catch up on what I had missed in between these infrequent appointments. It has to be regular; it is by constant exposure that I get to be used to God's voice, His leading and direction. That is why my heart is critical in this assignment. It is the place where God must sit and take charge, if my life is to have direction and impact. It is not a wonder that David charges us to be strong and let our hearts take courage. He provides the critical information: this is for those who wait for, hope for and expect the Lord. It is not for those who have found other self-help measures, and think they can make it on their own. As long as you are sure that God is your only source, you will be helped. God has never be known to disappoint. He is always there: reach out to Him and see Him work wonders in and through your life. God's time of favour is here. 

Faith!

Faith!

For we walk by faith [we regulate our lives and conduct ourselves by our conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, with trust and holy fervor; thus we walk] not by sight or appearance. 2 Corinthians 5:7 AMPC

There is a popular abridged version of today's extract, and it is: 'we walk by faith and not by sight'. Why is this verse so key? Let us look at the context in which the verse is placed: God makes it clear that our earthly body will surely be torn down. This body of dust is just an outer cover for our real self, the soul, the part that will stand before God for judgment to receive the eternal consequences of our earthy stay. We know that God is preparing a home for us in heaven, and it is a home that He is the architect of and will exist forever. These precise statements are enough to make me pause and wonder what is really ahead. How much of these can I trust to be true? If I know them to be true, how do I really prepare? All of life's experiences down here make me look forward to the new things God has promised. 

Nothing down here should hold any attraction, because there is nothing down here that can replace the body and home God is preparing for us. There is also a groaning, as no matter how hard I try, I cannot shortchange the process or speed it up; I can only wait for the fulfilment of God's promise, and the new body and home He has promised. How do I know any of these things are really true? What is the guarantee that there is really anything to look forward to? The answer is in one of the verses before today's extract, and it is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is called the 'guarantee' of all that God has promised. He is the assurance that God can and will keep his Word. It then means that if I will get all that has been promised, I need the presence of the Holy Spirit to keep me on the right path and consistently doing the right things. 

The Holy Spirit is not just a feeling or a sense of moralistic righteousness; He is a person; one promised by God to keep me focused on the eternal, even while I am living out the temporal. And it is not a wonder that I am challenged to walk by faith, not by sight. There is nothing in the physical realm that can explain the spiritual. There is nothing in the spiritual that a man who does NOT have the Spirit of God can understand. It is called faith because I have to take God at His Word that all He has said in it are true. I have not seen a scratch of what He has promised, but the Presence of the Holy Spirit keeps my heart focused on God. As I read His Word, I am reminded of where I am coming from, where I am now and where I am headed. God takes care of all that. 

No person or power is able to predict what lies ahead with any degree of certainty, but God lays it all out with clarity, inviting me to trust Him. What do I stand to lose if I do? If I have tried all other options, and I still do not have peace, what will it cost me to try God out and find out for myself?  Remember, nothing about God will make sense if you do not have His Spirit to remind you of what is truly important. You can't make it by yourself, and you will not succeed at it on your own terms. I walk by faith, because sight is deceptive. My senses are limited to what it can evidence, but there is a lot that none of my senses can evidence. God would have me believe Him and His Word, and He gives me His Spirit to remind me daily of what is truly important. Eternity is at stake here, and eternity is too long a time not to be sure of where you will spend it. God's time of favour is here. 

The Channel!

The Channel!

John 14:6 AMPC

[6] Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me.

At the time Jesus was speaking the words of the verse above, the crowd was gone. There was no strange face in the audience, and these were the men who had followed Him closely for more than three years. They had seen Him perform miracles beyond even their wildest dreams, but had also seen His heart of love for everyone, even those who hated Him, like the Pharisees and Sadducees. At this time, He was laying down the principles of His kingdom, and the expectations of God from those who would seek to enter into it. This is the amazing thing about God; He leaves no one in any doubt as to the full expectations of God from all who seek to know and follow Him, but He also supplies the grace, information and help that such people can access in order to succeed. That is one of the things that this verse represents.

Jesus makes some claims in this verse that no one else has made or can make. He had just told the disciples that He was going to prepare a place for them in His Father's house and then return one day to take them with Him. Of course, that was not a message or promise that any authority in their day and age had ever made, so the disciples needed to know what this was, and how to access it. Like the disciples, it is critical to note that the question of eternity is man's greatest need to resolve. This earth, as it is presently set up, is not built to last, as God has promised. Whatever it is that is in the power of the earth to give you, it will take away. As long as it is not eternal, it is not worth the distraction. Jesus makes a claim as being the Way; where this way leads to is fundamental. This is not just about a destination, but the channel though which we can get to that destination. 

Jesus also says He is the Truth and the Life. No one else makes such claims. What is this Truth? What is Life? Among many other facts, He is the Son of God, who came in the form of those who needed help to live right. He stood in the gap, in the place of helpless man, and paid the price that helpless man could not pay, so that man could step into the finished work of salvation and redemption. The way Jesus presents these statements leave no room for alternatives or arguments. If we were given choices, we would seek them, but it has been made clear that no one else will give us that which only Christ can. He has made it clear that the only One who can show us the way to the Father is the One who has been in and with Him. How can you get to a destination without help or the guidance of One who has been there? The offer is still in place. Let us take advantage of the offer before it is too late. God's time of favour is here.

God Sees 3!

God Sees 3!

Matthew 9:37 KJV

[37] Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;

As you read the entire chapter from where the verse above is taken, you find a number of interactions and engagements Jesus had with various people. You start with the man who was sick of the palsy, and Jesus' first words to him were 'Your sins are forgiven thee'. That would have been a blasphemous statement if not for the identity and power of the person who said it, and that was the reaction of the crowd as they heard Jesus say this. He moved on to call Matthew, a tax collector at the time, which was a 'cardinal sin' at the time, and asked him to follow Him. Of course, other 'sinners' came to sit and eat with Him, incurring the wrath of the Pharisees. Just as he was dealing with these men, Jairus came with a request that He come and raise up his daughter, who was now dead. As He went with Jairus, the woman with the issue of blood tuned in and got her miracle. So many issues to deal with. 

Not once did we see or read of any complaint by Jesus that He was tired of the press of the crowd, or their demands. In fact, in several places, we see where He rebuked, or even corrected the disciples when their intention was just to look out for Him. Recall the incident with the children, as well as when James and John wanted to call down fire from heaven when the people of Samaria would not even make room for Him. This was the heart of a loving Father, who, even in the face of steadfast rejection and rebellion, would still not give up on the object of love. He raised Jairus' daughter from the dead, healed the dumb man who was possessed with a devil, and went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. Race, creed, religion did not matter; only love and mercy did. 

The accounts above lay the foundation for the verse above. Picture how many lives would have seen the miracles and wanted to see Jesus. He saw the multitudes, and was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. That was His heart of love at work. That was what led to the comment in the verse above. The harvest is indeed plenteous but very few have the heart to labour the right way to bring in the harvest. Lives are in need of the touch of God but how would they encounter God if those who know God would not take steps to make Him known? God is looking for labourers, who will take instruction from Him and implement His action plan exactly as commanded. I must be content just with securing eternity for myself; I must seek to draw others too. Can God count on me? Can He entrust lives into my hands? God's time of favour is here. 

God Sees 2!

God Sees 2!

Psalm 34:18 AMPC

[18] The Lord is close to those who are of a broken heart and saves such as are crushed with sorrow for sin and are humbly and thoroughly penitent.

We read of another song by David, reflecting some of his experiences as he journeyed to the fulfilment of His destiny. Here was a boy who started as a simple shepherd, helping to take care of his father's sheep. He was not even considered for service in the kings army, as his brothers were, maybe due to his age, but what he lacked in physical exertion that men could see, God made it up for him in deep spiritual preparation away from the eyes of men. Too many times, we rely on the word 'experience' to place responsibilities on people but whilst that is not bad in itself, we must be careful not to limit what God can do with a life that may be inexperienced, but full of the grace of God for exploits. This was who David was: young, inexperienced, unskilled in war, but being prepared by God for the life of impact he was born for. Where I am right now will not look anything like where God is taking me.

That was where David was at this time. He had been taken from the wilderness where he was tending sheep, and had been anointed as king of Israel. However, there was a king in place, and David could do nothing to hurry up the process, no matter how hard he tried. In fact, the current king was trying hard to kill David, who had to keep moving from place to place, seeking safety and protection amongst both friends and foes alike. At some point, he found himself in Gath, a city of the Philistines, which were enemies of king Saul and Israel. This was a dangerous place for David to be, as he was quite popular for killing the former strongman of the Philistines. May trouble not drive us into the hands of those who will see us dead. Thank God for the wisdom that was given to David, who pretended to be insane to escape the attention of the king Achish, also referred to as "Abimelech". 

As is customary with David, praise was his default setting, and he found a song of praise from this terrible experience which could have cost him his life. What is that experience that is threatening my peace? Like David, know this God on a personal level. It does not really pay much to rely on what other people say; what you know is your strongest possession. David knew God to be close to those whose hearts are truly repentant, who hate what God hates, and seek His face continually. There is nothing that can adequately prepare me for this earthly life, except if God helps me. Like David, I must find comfort in approaching the throne of grace, where there is sufficient and adequate help for whatever may come my way. As always, know that God does not turn away anyone who comes to Him with a sincere heart. He waits for you; would you come? God's time of favour is here. 

God Sees!

God Sees!

Judges 6:12 AMPC

[12] And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him and said to him, The Lord is with you, you mighty man of [fearless] courage.

Reflect on the background to this story: Israel had become complacent. This was a nation helped by God to take over a land that was not theirs in the first place. By divine design and the immutability of God's promises to the father of faith, Abraham, the people of Israel got into Canaan. They received instructions and guidance on how to live right, and as God is a fair God, He also warned them about the consequences of disobedience. They were not left without direction, but they chose to go their own way. Again and again, we see that God does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill, but be sure that choices have their consequences. Israel forsook God, and God applied the punishment that was deserving. God has no favourites when it comes to sin, and He will punish it, no matter in whom it is found. 

Thank God the story did not end on this note. God sent a prophet to remind Israel of their sin, but almost at the same time, He was preparing a man to be His instrument of deliverance from the hand of Israel's enemy, the Midianites. This is also one of the many consequences of sin: things that you had overcome or conquered in the past will surely come looking for you again. The victories that God already guaranteed in the past will begin to look like mirages or dreams. Midian was one of the sons of Abraham through Keturah, the wife he married after the death of Sarah, so we see that this was a battle with familiar foes. Do not let sin expose you to those that will destroy you. If God places limitations on your path, it is for your good. If He comes to you, there is a treasure in you that He wants to use for His glory. Most times, the person may not know the value of what s/he has, but in the hands of God, the biggest mess can become the greatest message. 

The man God turned to could not have been the best available, by human standards. He was very afraid too, using a winepress to thresh wheat. Picture the discomfort. Picture the fear. However, the God who sees farther than any man can, knew what this man had, and was ready to use him for the deliverance of Israel from the Midianites. I may not see myself in any positive light, but thank God that my view is not the final word. Men may look at me and see a timid, weak man, but it only matters what God sees. Gideon was a man who knew his limits and acted under that impression, but God, who truly knew him, came and stirred up his confidence, asking him to lead Israel against Midian. Whatever is in your hands presently can be used mightily by God to achieve His purpose. Only God can call a man, who is hiding out of fear, a mighty man of fearless courage. His view is all that matters. See as God sees you, and do exploits in His name. God's time of favour is here. 

Saved!

Saved!

Ephesians 2:8 AMPC

[8] For it is by free grace (God's unmerited favor) that you are saved (delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ's salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God.

God has been reminding us of the place of grace in our walk with Him. I note it is WALK with, and not WORK for God at this time. The bit around working for God comes later. The start that really matters, and which I must sort out, is my walk with God. At a time, I was not even conscious of the fact that I needed God. I was born in sin, and continued in sin as part of my human nature. I did not know a different life; at the early stages of life, I did not know anyone who offered anything different from what I was used to. Thank God for the message of hope that I heard one day, that the life of sin was not the final position, but that there is a God who could offer full and free salvation from the power of sin, and also translate me into the kingdom of His dear Son Jesus. It was this message of free salvation that changed the course of my own history, and that of the whole world too. 

I could not and did not earn it. This is the part where you realise that the wealth of the world and all that it may offer cannot secure for you that which only Jesus can. It is called 'free grace' in the verse above, but that is from my own perspective. The One who secured it paid for it with His own life, taking on a nature that was not His, a burden that was not His, and enduring a rejection that was alien to Him, just to secure for me that which is eternal. In His Omnipotence and Omniscience, He could have found another way to save humanity but the mold had already been set. Blood was the means of atonement laid down by God under the old covenant, and He had to align with the same standard under the new covenant. His Father turned away from Him as He hung on the cross; men who He had made spat on Him, mocked Him and later struck a spear in His side. 

How can I escape if I neglect such a great salvation? What will be my excuse for not taking advantage of what has been offered? I have been given access to the riches of the grace of God that guarantees salvation. I have been delivered from judgment and made partakers of the benefits of salvation by faith alone. The good works come later, as the external evidence of my gratitude for what I have been given by Christ. The currency of grace is not what the world can duplicate; it is a free gift from the One who saves men and calls them to Himself. It is after this gift has been personalised that the matter of works can be considered. I live out the benefits of the gift on a daily basis. My outer life then becomes a reflection of the inner work of grace that God has perfected. This leaves no room for pride or self-sufficiency; it does not breed confidence in status, position, privilege or possession. It is all about the person of Jesus. Do you have Him? Do I? God's time of favour is here. 

Clean!

Clean!

Psalm 51:10 AMPC

[10] Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right, persevering, and steadfast spirit within me.

What was the background to this verse? It was David who abused his position as king to commit adultery with another man's wife, and then take the irreversible step of killing the husband, to cover up what he had done. All that David did would have been done in the secret, with the stamp of the king's approval too, but as far as God was concerned, this was grevious evil that warranted punishment, and God applied the punishment in line with His command, but He also made room for the sinner here to return. This is the default position of God: all have sinned, and all who do not come to Him for help will continue to sin, but if I take the step and come to Him for help with sin, He will cleanse me from all my sin and give me a brand-new life. There is one who can claim any other position: we were all born into sin, and are all the objects of God's mercy. 

David sinned, but he was also given grace to recognise his sin and to ask God for mercy. Like David, the options are also open for us today. God wants me to come to Him, no matter how bad I may think I am. The reason why the blood is powerful is because there is no stain so deep that it cannot cleanse. The blood of Jesus cleanses from ALL sin, and what God does is to impute to us His Son's righteousness. When we come to God and take up His offer, we take on a new identity, and become new creatures. This is the expectation of God for all His creation, but as we know, God does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill. Be sure that He will display His might and power in the lives of all who come to Him. That is what David did, and that is what He expects me to do. How would you respond? 

The verse above is David's request, and must be ours too. The work of cleansing under the old covenant had to be done daily, but we now have the permanent work of salvation and redemption that Jesus has sealed for us. All who come to Jesus receive a new heart, on which God is able to write His laws, and one in which He can do His work. A heart that is not under His control cannot pray this prayer. He wants to work in and through my heart, but I must let Him. The devil wants to remind me of my past regularly, but if my heart is in God's hands, those reminders will not stick. Reflect also on the eternal dimensions of what Jesus has done: by His work in me, He has sealed eternal life for me. My new and clean heart is the platform for the new life that He promises, both here on earth, and in eternity. Please do not let the work of God be wasted in your life. He waits for you. God's time of favour is here.

Power!

Power!

Romans 1:16 AMP

[16] I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation [from His wrath and punishment] to everyone who believes [in Christ as Savior], to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Meet the One who is the focus of the verse above, and the One who holds all things together: Jesus Christ. He is described by Paul as the Son of God, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. He came to the earth in the form of the ones who needed help, and having tasted death on their behalf, He is now called the Captain of our Salvation. We have a Saviour who has walked in our shoes, in our humanity, and knows how and what we feel. Many of those who knew Him when He was here on earth did not recognise Him as anything else other than human. However, there were those few initially, and then the many who later came to believe in Him, who recognised the power at work, and put their trust in Him. Which group do you belong to? 

The reason why I must sort out my identity is because of the impact and relevance of that identity. Who I am defines what I can access, as well as what I can look up to. If I do not know what has been secured for me, and also released to me, I would be in perpetual bondage and slavery to the one who wants to keep me from accessing these resources. That is why a personal encounter with Jesus is critical to this mission. No matter what else is going on, please be sure of your walk with Jesus. The early apostles, including Paul who wrote this letter, had their own personal experiences of Jesus, and these became the inspiration and motivation for their conviction and persistence. When you know Him as Lord and Saviour, you do not need to know anyone else. Once He is in as Saviour, your heart is comforted by the knowledge that your eternity is secure. 

That is why Paul's letter here is an inspired view of the power of God. The gospel is the message of Jesus, His mission, and the offer He makes to all who will come to Him. The gospel points out that no other person can offer eternal solutions to the problem of sin. The gospel is the power of God, because in and by it, the truth of my helplessness, and the clean slate that the blood of Jesus gives me, are laid out so clearly. I am not required to do anything special; no blood sacrifices or rituals required. Just plain and simple faith in the  finished work of Jesus on the cross. The verse just after the one above says it so well:

the righteousness of God is a righteousness that is by faith from first to last. We come by faith, and remain in Him by faith. We lay claim to the eternal by faith. The offer is for every one who comes; Jew, Gentile, anyone. The offer is only redeemable in this present earthly phase, and it is open now. Take it before it is too late. God's time of favour is here. 

Safe!

Safe!

Proverbs 18:10 AMP

[10] The name of the Lord is a strong tower; The righteous runs to it and is safe and set on high [far above evil].

The book of proverbs has several one-line messages, loaded with nuggets of wisdom for as many people as would listen. As it has been said several times over the past few weeks, God does not force Himself on anyone and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill. Following God is a personal choice; obeying Him is a personal decision; fully surrendering to Him is the ideal thing to do, but only if you are willing to do so, after having weighed the options available to you. That is the message of the verse above. Reflect on the life and times of the man who is credited with most of these proverbs and wise sayings: Solomon. He was a man blessed by God with riches not known by anyone before him. He was also blessed by God with wisdom beyond his natural years, but we also see how his life turned out. 

A good start does not always guarantee a good end. The fact that God has helped you to a good place does not mean that you now have the ability, capacity and capability to make it on your own. This is not one of those situations where both God and you contribute equally to the success of your endeavours. It is all about God or nothing at all. This is not one of those situations too that you can leave God by the side when things get rough, as they are bound to do. You have to go with God all the way. In fact, the reality of the presence of God only makes the reality of the devil's schemes even more pronounced. The devil will not fight his own, as these are already in his camp, but for all who seek to follow God, be ready for the opposition that your position will naturally attract. You cannot leave the camp of the devil and expect him to just fold. 

For all who know and follow God, He provides a path to safety, security and soundness. The name of the Lord is presented as a strong tower here, which, among many things, signify a place of strength, vision, advantage, storage and good preparation. It is a fortified place for all who are under its watch, as men are able to stand guard there and be prepared for any danger. If God is that strong tower, what can come near me without His permission? If God is that strong tower, what 'accident' can come to anyone He is protecting? That is why the counsel in the verse above is fundamental: run into Him. There are dangers all around, and a leisurely walk may cost you. If you know what He offers, do not delay. Run into Him today, and be safe. You are in Him, and you are placed in Him, far above principalities and powers. Where else would you rather be? God's time of favour is here. 

Bread!

Bread!

John 6:35 AMP

[35] Jesus replied to them, “I am the Bread of Life. The one who comes to Me will never be hungry, and the one who believes in Me [as Savior] will never be thirsty [for that one will be sustained spiritually].

Jesus had just done a miracle, where He fed more than 5,000 people with just 5 loaves of bread and 2 fishes. He had done this in the full view of all who were present, so it was not one of those secret mysteries that happened when no one was watching. The crowd saw what had happened, and there were some interesting reactions to this miracle. Some people wanted to make Him king by force, maybe to guarantee a constant supply of food this way, and some actually believed He was the promised prophet that was to come into the world. You find these interesting reactions everywhere Jesus is mentioned today. Some will sneer out of ignorance of who He is and what He can do, and some are only in it for what they can get out of it. Today's verse is a reminder of who Jesus is, and as we know of all reminders, the response is always mine to determine and apply. 

God does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill. He lays down the law, and waits for me to respond. In that is a warning: I have a lifetime to sort out my allegiance, but I do not know how long that lifetime is. Jesus calls Himself the Bread of Life. Bread represents that which sustains life. It was what He used to feed over 5,000 people, and it is what He continues to use to spiritually sustain those who have surrendered their lives to Him. It is almost like a double investment: bread also sustains human life, then you get the version that also sustains and guarantees eternal life with God. You get all that you need for this physical space, and you also get all that is required for the spiritual space of life. What other area of life is left out? What challenge can come that will surprise the One who has already taken care of all phases of life? 

Having done His bit, He invites me to respond the right way. He invites me to come. I note that He does not ask me to bring money or presents; He just says COME TO ME; and BELIEVE IN ME. The results of adhering to His instructions are also laid out in the verse above. He says all who come to Him will not be hungry again, and all who believe in Him will never be thirsty again. How do these work out? Coming to Jesus means accepting that you cannot survive on your own, and need His help. Believing in Him means that you have considered all available options and are sure that He alone has the answers that you seek. 

Know the pedigree of the One who speaks, what He is asking you to do, and what is promised to all who obey and make the approach. He does not make empty promises or lie; if He has said it, not even the powers of this present world can cause His Word to fail. Trust Him; you have nothing to lose. God's time of favour is here. 

The Word!

The Word!

John 1:14 AMP

[14] And the Word (Christ) became flesh, and lived among us; and we [actually] saw His glory, glory as belongs to the [One and] only begotten Son of the Father, [the Son who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, who is] full of grace and truth (absolutely free of deception).

The inspiration behind the introduction to the book of John has to be divine. No earthly source could have imagined the identity and power of the person of Jesus, who is also called the Word of God. His origin cannot be determined, because He existed long before earthly records were even initiated. His power cannot be fully comprehended by human intelligence, because He made the earth and all that is in it, and then formed man in His own image. How can the created become wiser or stronger that its Creator? By the Word were all things on the earth made, and given their distinct identity. The Word is also called the Life, and in and by Him do all flesh have life in itself. Of course, the Word is also called the Light, which gives men direction and guidance. Is there a part of my human existence that the Word has not covered? 

For that which I need for life and Godliness, I get adequate supply from the One who is and has all that I need. He could have stayed in heaven and found a way to reconcile me to Himself after man sinned, but He did what no flesh could do: He sent Himself to the earth, in the form of those He wanted to save, so that He could offer the perfect sacrifice for sin and restore them to their rightful place. The Word was the source, inspiration and tool for creation, but He subjected Himself to the human nature, but without the usual, natural, and inherited nature of sin, so He could pay the full price for sin, in line with His own laid down process for redemption. He took off His divine nature, and took on the human nature, and He lived, walked, talked and related with  His creation. How do you explain this? What kind of love is this? 

Even the circumstances of His birth did not indicate anything special; he was born in a manger, given the basic minimum of care, but there were people who knew that a special child was born, and they came from far to give Him gifts. Some saw an ordinary child, and even as He grew in the community, the familiarity with His origin became a hindrance to knowing Him. But for as many as were given grace, they could see His glory. The writer here was one of them; he saw the glory of the one and only begotten Son of God, full of grace and truth. Like John, we are called upon to know the Word intimately. Surface knowledge will not do; mere hearing about Him is not sufficient. A personal relationship with Him is the key to accessing all He is and has. Like John, I must take time out to develop a relationship with the Word, the Person of Jesus Himself. Do you know Him? Do I? God's time of favour is here.

Faith!

Faith!

Romans 1:17 AMP

[17] For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed, both springing from faith and leading to faith [disclosed in a way that awakens more faith]. As it is written and forever remains written, “The just and upright shall live by faith.”

As we read the pages of scripture and learn of the lives of men and women, there is a thread that becomes obvious the more we read: God always had a plan to bring men to the place of faith, with less dependence on works, labour and striving. When man fell in the Garden of Eden, that was the start of labour. Man lost his place, and the only way to have a semblance of a relationship with God was by the many laws and stipulations God laid down. However, in those pages of the bible, before you read of the laws and commands of God, you find a few men and women who were said to please God. It was not that they sat on their hands and waited for the heavens to open, but by their life choices, they made it clear that they were not depending on just the 'good works' men could see. They went the extra mile to develop and deepen a daily walk with God. 

Even though at the time, the Holy Spirit had not being made manifest, you read 'Enoch walked with God'; 'And Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness'; 'Noah found favour in the eyes of God'. What did these men know at the time that made them different in that generation? What this tells me is that in every generation or dispensation, no matter the level of sin or iniquity, God is able to find men and women who seek to know, follow and serve Him. The level of sin in the days of Sodom and Gomorrah did not stop Abraham from following God. The level or rebellion in the days of Noah was so much that it was recorded that God repented from making man, yet Noah found favour in the sight of God. What would be my excuse for not walking with God or not trusting Him with the life that was not mine in the first place? 

One of the clear themes in the verse above is that God has revealed His standard, and it is one of righteousness that comes from faith. Even from the things that have been made, and which we see daily, the power of God is made manifest. The more of God I think I know, the more of Him I realise I do not know, and the more of Him I know, the more of Him that this earthly phase can never fully explain to me. The righteousness of God has been revealed, springing from faith and even awakening more faith, because that is the currency of access. By faith, men have laid hold of deep mysteries and handled the resources of heaven that was not common in their days. How do you explain a man walking with God and then being taken away? How do you explain a man locking up heaven for more than 3 years, and heaven backed him up? The Just do not rely on their 'goodness'; they know who God is, and they can endure anything and everything, because they know, by faith, the amazing things that lie ahead. God is looking for people who would trust Him this way. Would you? Would I? God's time of favour is here.

Linked!

Linked!

Ephesians 1:7 AMP

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

The audience defines the message and its impact. At the start of this letter, Paul notes those to whom these words are addressed, and these are God’s holy people in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus. Irrespective of location, economic realities, spiritual decadence in a place, or however a place may be popular for unrighteousness, the standard of God for those who are His own have never changed, and will not be lowered for anyone. If God says His acceptable standard is holiness, it does not matter how many people in the world are doing the wrong thing. In this case, the majority is only right if it is aligned with God's standard, otherwise, God has no problem with standing alone, because He knows that all men are still coming to Him for judgment. Who are you? What are your pursuits and priorities? Who holds the reins of your heart and defines what you do? 

As the verse above makes clear, victory only comes from the place of linkage with the One who gives redemption. On my own, I was headed for total destruction, but He stepped in with an offer of salvation. He took my place of death, dealt with death and its shameful end, and obtained full redemption for me. It is clear from the word of God that the price of sin is non-negotiable; it just had to be paid. I could not; Jesus did. Now, I am able to walk into the finished work of Jesus on the cross, and enjoy the benefits that come from that finished work. By the same standard of God that life is in the blood, He secured life for all who come to Him. It has to be emphasized that there are no automatic changes; it is a conscious and deliberate decision that must be made by me, if I am to access what has been secured for me, It is not just enough to know about Him, or read about Him. 

I have to be IN Him. That location is key to all other things that follow. The blood has done a great work, and the power behind the blood continues to be at work long after the cross. Centuries later, people are still coming into salvation, and obtaining full pardon from sin and its eternal consequences simply by the blood. There is no need for blood sacrifices anymore; there is no need for annual check in into the Holy of Holies; there is no need for the frequent festivals of atonement. All of these have been taken care of; there is full, complete and absolute pardon from sin, and it is all in accordance with the riches of His grace. No room for self-promotion or pride in any human accomplishments. No room for dependence on wealth, riches, bank account balances, influence or connections; all of them fail and fall flat in the presence of grace and mercy. Have I truly accessed that grace? Have you? God's time of favour is here.

No End!

No End!

He who believes in Me [who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me] as the Scripture has said, From his innermost being shall flow [continuously] springs and rivers of living water. John 7:38 AMPC

The Feast of Tabernacles was one of the feasts that God commanded Israel to observe and the Jews were to observe these feasts  each year by going to appear before the Lord their God in the place He had chosen. The Jews had kept to the feasts religiously, but that was how far they went. It became more of a routine than relationship. They had seen Jesus, the author of the new covenant, but they were still stuck in the practices and processes of the old covenant. It was not a surprise that after three days of observing the Jews, He had to cry out, seeking to draw their attention to what He had come to establish. For all of God's promises, there are conditions that I have to comply with, in order to access the benefits of these promises. We seem to be listening to the wrong messages these days, and it appears we have settled for blessings without accountability. 

We claim God's promises by just speaking them out, not necessarily because our lives agree with our confession. Reflect on the conditions for walking in God's blessings- believe, cleave to, trust in and rely on God. There is no other way that will guarantee you the enjoyment of God's favour. Until you walk in the right paths, you do not enjoy the right connections and you do not get the right benefits. Where are you walking? Are you fully involved in God's business, or are you a passerby, coming in at intervals to take what you need and going out again to do things your way? Full Residence is the key, not temporary squatting: that is the way to fully enjoy what God has on offer. When you are rightly connected, your innermost being will testify to the touch of God. 

My life will showcase the glory of God. It will be a continuous flow, not a temporary or intermittent drip. It will be rivers and streams, showing abundance, not a small, unnoticeable flow. It will be a never-failing supply. It will not produce stale, smelly or brackish water, but it will be a spring, constantly refreshed and replenished and renewed, always giving out newness. Is my life producing living water or producing deadness? Am I showing off God's amazing favour or am I busy trying to keep my head above water? My survival is tied to God, not my family background or bank account balance. My eternity is determined by the One to whom I am connected to and drawing strength from now. Who is He? God's time of favour is here.

Love is.....

Love is.....

1 Corinthians 13:4 AMP

[4] Love endures with patience and serenity, love is kind and thoughtful, and is not jealous or envious; love does not brag and is not proud or arrogant.

The message in the entire chapter from where the verse above is taken focuses on the idea and concept of love. The chapter lays out what love is, and what it is not; what it looks like, as well as what it does not look like. In fact, at the very start of the chapter, it quickly debunks the usual and human nature of hypocrisy and eye-service, where men are able to deceive others with outward show and no iota of heart connection. We are masters in the art of deceit and deception, able to present a face to the public, while able to hold on to the opposite in private. This chapter seeks to remind us about the dangers of such falsehood, and lays out God's expectations for all who know and follow Him. As always, God does not leave us in doubt as to what He desires from us; we need to make up our minds how we intend to respond. 

If you expect a free pass when it comes to love, think again. If I am praying to God for patience, would He just drop it in my life with no strings attached, or would He bring me through situations that will teach me patience? One quick way to learn patience is by the relationships we must have with other people. No man is an island; either by work or by family interactions, there are relationships to be initiated, nurtured and sometimes, as hard as it may sound, ended. Some people can push me to be the worst version of myself by pricking me to anger at every turn, yet God seeks to remind me that who lives in me must be made manifest at all times. It must not be that the external is so powerful that it can regulate the inside. It is my inner man, taken over by the Prince of Peace, and the author of salvation, that should regulate my thinking, action and reaction to people and events around me. 

Check out the attributes of love in the verse above: patient, serene, kind, thoughtful, not jealous or envious, does not brag and is not proud or arrogant. This is an audit of my life to determine where I stand on the attributes listed here. As God will have it, it is a personal race, not a cooperative union. It must start with my own personal commitment to allow God live in and express Himself through me. If I have Him, and allow Him to live in and through me, it becomes easier to live up to the attributes listed here. If I am truthful, and can still see signs of pride, arrogance or envy in my life, it is time to really seek God's face for help to deal with them before it is too late. Remember: it is God's view that counts, not man's. Both love and pride cannot peacefully co-exist in the same vessel, because both of them flow from different sources, and are headed in different eternal destinations. If I want to end up with Christ, I have to look, talk, act and relate like Him. His help is available at all times. God's time of favour is here. 

The Assignment!

The Assignment!

John 10:10 KJV

[10] The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

We had made reference to several places where Jesus addressed just His disciples, with the lessons solely for those who he had chosen to mentor, but there were times too that the message was directed at the crowd and the undecided many. Today's verse is one of those messages directed to all those who were present there, disciples and others. The main idea behind the message here was to make a distinction between the shepherd and a hireling. This distinction has both earthly and eternal consequences, and must not be taken lightly. The shepherd has a close and cordial relationship with the sheep, and that is why you will read things like: 'my sheep knows my voice'. That is a very deep thing to say. It comes from a place of consistent exposure and regular attention. Such conviction comes from a place where the sheep has spent time with the shepherd, and they know Him quite well. 

Does the above describe what I have now with Jesus as the Good Shepherd? I must also note there is a contrary power, who wants to counter that which the shepherd offers, and the passage from where the verse above is taken refers to him as a hireling, and in some instances, a thief. A thief does not care about the value you place on your possession or your person; as long as you treat it without caution or carelessly, be sure that the thief will pick it up. The mission of the thief is laid out clearly in the verse above: to steal, to kill and to destroy. I note that the word AND is used, and not OR. It is not as if the devil is given only one option; he has the power to do all, but he does not announce himself with any noise. He starts by trying to take what he cannot produce: God's peace, the assurance of God's love, your hope for tomorrow. Once he is able to make you doubt what you have, he is already on the way to taking over your life. 

Thank God that the story does not end with the perspective of the thief. There is someone greater and more powerful than the thief. This is Jesus, the Life Himself. No matter how much the devil lies about his spread or reach, he cannot defeat the One who tasted and conquered death for all of us. This is the One who makes the categorical statement that He has come to give Life. The same people that the devil the thief tries to deceive are the same ones Jesus is speaking to here. He will not only give Life; He has the abundant version. He came to give Life to all who are interested, and who will take Him up on His offer. He does not force Himself on anyone or go against the exercise of a man's freewill, but be sure that He will display His power and splendor in the life of anyone who dares come to Him. If you want true Life, come to the One who lives forever. That is His assignment, and you can be sure He can see it to the end. God's time of favour is here. 

Clean!

Clean!

1 John 1:9 AMP

[9] If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose].

As always, eyewitness testimony, or personal experience, is the best form of evidence of any position. That has been the position of the law for quite some time. How can anyone speak quite passionately about something of which there is no personal experience? John who wrote this letter presented his credentials using the words below:  I am writing about what existed from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the Word of Life, the One who existed even before the beginning of the world, Christ, and the Life was manifested, and we have seen it as eyewitnesses, and testify and declare to you the eternal Life who was with the Father and was made visible to us. Reflect on the confidence and assurance that this personal encounter with the Word of Life gave to John. 

John went on to then boldly declare that: 'what we have seen and heard we also proclaim to you, so that you too may have fellowship [as partners] with us'. There is undeniable power in personal experience. It is very important that any discussion about impact and direction starts from this premise which is that I can only give that which I have, or I can only pour from that which has been filled. How do I boldy declare a truth that is not yet real to me? When the pressure to blend in or compromise comes, strength to stand can only come from a conviction and assurance that I know the One who is called the Word of God. The Word of God lays down so many truths that only constant exposure will help me understand and apply to my daily life. One of these truths is the fact that I am human and born into sin, and it is only by the blood of Jesus that sin is completely atoned for. 

When dealing with God, there is no room for pretence. He wants me to come as I am for His help, but He will definitely not leave me as I am. As I come to Him, I seek His help for that which I cannot do by myself, which is to live above sin. Sin is my human nature, and no power of this human nature can help me overcome sin, because that will be one nature fighting itself. I need the help of the One who overcame sin. I must not pretend to be anything else other than helpless, so that I can access His power. I admit I need help, and ask Him to help me. He gives me the forgiveness I need, and takes away the guilt that sin thrives on. He cleans me up, taking away the stain of sin, and giving me the will and desire to pursue His will. Indeed, He takes me as I am, but He will never leave me as I am. He definitely can, and wants to change lives; would you surrender yours to Him? God's time of favour is here. 

The Mold!

TheMold!

John 15:12 AMP

[12] “This is My commandment, that you love and unselfishly seek the best for one another, just as I have loved you.

The crowd had been actively involved in the events of the life of Jesus, as He drew near the cross. The triumphant entry into the city of Jerusalem had happened, and many of the people were both amazed and appalled at the events of the week. We also find some people who had come to kill Him, even as some were celebrating the miracles of Lazarus, and also witnessing Mary anointing the feet of Jesus with expensive perfume, and wiping His feet with her hair. Hindsight is wonderful, but at the time, it would have been defined as 'mob mentalilty' or the 'foolishness of the crowd'. Indeed, not too many people understood what was going on right in front of them, and many missed the time of their visitation, mostly due to ignorance and familiarity with the human version of Jesus. Many are still in that place today, unable to see beyond His 'humanity and 'weakness', but this verse is a reminder of who Jesus is, and what is at stake.

The crowd had made all the noise and had now disappeared. At different times in His earthly ministry, He spoke to the crowd,  asking that anyone who would dare stand out should come to Him. As we know, there is no identity in the crowd. It is easy to hide behind the vast multitude, taking no position on anything. At the end of the day, the crowd will always go back to the usual, the expected and the comfortable. However, Jesus calls all who would be His to dare to stand out. God calls all who will come to Him to a life of total submission, surrender and service. Jesus was left with only His disciples, and bible records show that He taught His disciples over the next 5 chapters in John, He taught them, poured out His heart to them, and prayed for them. One of the life issues He covered was love, and even though they must have heard about it several times, this was a new day and a call to a new life. 

Jesus took the opportunity to lay down the new standard as a commandment. As it has always been said, God does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill. You can call God a benevolent dictator who lays down the law as non-negotiable standards, and also supplies the grace I need to align with the standards. Another dimension to the commands is that, unlike the world, He provides us with a mold, a template we can copy. He does not just tell us what He demands; He shows us what it looks like, so we can be very sure if we are on the right path. Just a few chapters away from the one above, the Teacher and Lord had washed the feet of the disciples, and mandated them to do the same for one another. You cannot have a heart like Jesus and not love the way He does. Do I really have Him? God's time of favour is here. 

Owned!

Owned!

Galatians 5:24 AMP

[24] And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature together with its passions and appetites.

The issue of identity has been central to our discussions over the past few days. Who I am underlines what I do. Who I am defines daily pursuits and priorities. The reason why there is so much confusion in the world today is because the people of the world listen to divergent and sometimes opposing views on what is acceptable. The world has its own standards, but the biggest challenge with the world is that you can never fully decode the standards, as they are constantly changing to fit whatever narrative is popular at the time. Men will do 'anything' to make money, and when they get hold of some riches, they never seem to have enough and will keep moving the goal posts on limits, until sometimes, the ultimate price is paid. It is clear that the world is not the right place to look for inspiration or direction on what God accepts, but its huge attraction is also a distraction. 

How do I know what is right and acceptable before God, if I do not have a relationship with Him? How does He guide a heart that its reins are not in His possession or under His control? How does He lead and direct a life that has not been submitted to Him? As we have said several times, God does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill. He gives me all opportunities to approach Him; He makes very clear what I stand to gain by surrender, but He also tells me what I stand to lose if I do not. That is complete information. His love is not partial to truth; His desire for me is to come to Him, and take on all that His life has made available, but on His own terms, not my own. After all, the One who asked me to come to Him secured this access by means of total surrender to God's will, which was death like a criminal on a cross. 

If I will then take hold of that which He has promised, I have to come through the cross. I am NOT going to be crucified; He has done that for me, but going forward, I must live in the daily consciousness of what I have received, and ensure that my life is a reflection of the sacrifice that has given me this new life. One key word in the verse above is BELONG. It shows ownership, not rental. Does God fully own me? If I am truly His, there is an acceptable code of behaviour. Whatever belonged to the old nature must now give way to the dictates of the new nature. Whatever  belongs to the old nature stays on the cross, because Jesus dealt a final blow on that nature. If it is still threatening, then I need to ask God for help to really live the life that His death and resurrection have secured for me. There is no middle ground for a little bit of compromise; it is an absolute truth that the old must give way to the new. Has that happened to you? God's time of favour is here.

Life!

Life!

Romans 8:11 AMP

[11] And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you.

The introduction to the verse above is tied to the identity of the audience. Paul starts off the chapter by penning these immortal words as inspired by the Holy Spirit: Therefore there is now no condemnation [no guilty verdict, no punishment] for those who are in Christ Jesus [who believe in Him as personal Lord and Savior. This is deep: those who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour stand in a different light from all others. It is a life of submission and surrender. It is a new life different from whatever is popular with the system of the world and headed in a different direction and with eternal ramifications different from that which the world teaches. There is also a fact that is laid out in the introduction to the verse above, and it is that the law of the Spirit of life [which is] in Christ Jesus [the law of our new being] has set us free from the law of sin and of death. This is our new reality. 

Who is this Spirit of Life? This is the Spirit of Him who is God. He is the One who gave up His Son to die for our sin, and by His death and resurrection, has opened up access to the fullness of life available in Christ. All who are born under the law of conception are also under the law of sin and death. That is why the birth of Jesus had to break that mold. One who is subject to the law of sin and death could not offer any sacrifice that could save from death. It had to be One who was free of such limitations that could offer up anything acceptable to God. Jesus went into the grave bearing our sin, and by His blood, paid the full price that sin demanded. Thank God that this is not where the story ended: if the grave was the final destination, we would not be here. The One who went into the grave was raised to life by the power of the One who is Life Himself. The One who gave up His life to save us was saved from death, so He could offer us that which He is: Life.

Death that was to be the final word became a part of the story, which has now guaranteed us eternal life with God. Anyone who would access what is available has to do so in and by the help of the One who has tasted both sides. Who else can testify to the futility of death than the One who has gone through it and come out on the other side? Who else can help you through the pain and pressure of this earthly phase than the One who has walked in your shoe and knows where and how it pinches. Who else can offer the full package of life and all its benefits than the One who is the firstborn from the dead. Please note the condition for access: the Spirit of Life lives IN you. It is not about head knowledge alone; it has to be a residential matter. Don't be content with just hearing about Him; make sure He is IN you. That is the guarantee of eternal life. No one can give you what His life has secured. God's time of favour is here. 

By Him!

By Him!

Psalms 4:8 AMP

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

David is credited with the words of this psalm, and as we now know, David was a man who knew how to articulate his challenges as well as his struggles and victories. He would sing about the times he was in trouble and God delivered him, and he would also sing about the times he was not at his best, but God came through for him. He also had songs about asking for God's mercy after he had done wrong to one of his fighting officers. In all of these, the heart of David was drawn to God at all times. It is not a wonder, then, that God could say that David was a man after His own heart. Can God say this about me, in this current clime? Does God hold my heart so much that all my life produces makes men see Him in and through me? Can I say, of a truth, and without any hypocrisy, pretence or eye-service, that God is all I have or look up to? 

Like David, God is still in the business of  blessing lives that are fully committed to Him. He is not looking for people who are perfect from the outset, but for those who can trust Him to perfect them, as they trust Him. His blessings, like rain, come on both the wicked and the good, but there is a deeper layer for those who have given their lives to Him for safe-keeping. Many wicked people will sleep at night and still wake up hale and hearty the next day, because God is not invested in the death of a sinner, but that they come to full repentance from sin, and restoration of all that had been lost. David's life shows this truth, and if God could show mercy to a man who killed a soldier and then took over his wife, you know that there is no one so far gone that s/he is beyond God's grace. David got his punishment, but God's mercy was not taken away from him.

The blood of Jesus cannot fail to deal with the stain of sin, no matter how deep it goes, how far it has spread or to how many people it has impacted. The blood of Jesus brings peace and reconciliation, and the effect of these is the inner calm that follows. There was a raging storm outside, but Jesus was asleep on the boat. Confident, calm and absolute assurance in the ability of God to keep and preserve from evil. Many will lie down and struggle to find sleep, but for the one God has helped, s/he will both lie down and sleep in peace. It is God who has the power and capacity to do both; He is the only One who can make such promises of safety and protection, and also keep them. You cannot give to another that which you are not, or that which you do not have. God is all I need. I trust Him with my life. Would you do the same? God's time of favour is here. 

Keep at it!

Keep at it!

Matthew 7:8 AMPC

[8] For everyone who keeps on asking receives; and he who keeps on seeking finds; and to him who keeps on knocking, [the door] will be opened.

Jesus' first Sermon recorded by Matthew had different areas of focus, ranging from murder, anger and malice, to fundamental issues such as trusting in God and in the verse above, the joy of seeking God in prayer. It has to first be established that Jesus was speaking to His disciples. Now, the crowd was there, listening to His every word, but the standards He was laying down was not for the uncommitted majority but the few decided ones who knew what they were after. It is quite comfortable to blend in with the crowd; you can hide behind the many to not be known for anything. It is easier to blend in than to stand out. However, for disciples, there is no option to blend in. You get no points for being lackadaisical about the things that matter to God, or being lukewarm about commitment to Him. The crowd is permitted to come in and go out as it pleases; not so for disciples. 

Which one am I: part of the many in the crowd, or brave enough to commit to a walk with God, no matter the personal price demanded? One message for disciples in the verse above is consistency and persistence. You do not get to give up at the first sign of resistance or refusal; you do not get to give up when the going gets tough. Another lesson for disciples in the verse above is that silence or inaction on the matters that concern me is criminal. I can decide to moan or complain about the issues I have, or I can decide to take them to the Master and Lord of my life.  There is no middle ground here; there is no room for inaction. How can I have the Master of the Universe as my Father, and not take advantage of the access I have been given? How can I complain that I lack anything, if I have not even taken the first step to approach my Father and ask Him for help? 

No matter how complex the need, the help of God is meet for every problem. There is an appropriate provision for every vision that God births and gives to His own. Doors can have been in place for centuries, but when the King of glory wants to come in, those doors must be lifted up. Mountains may have stood for generations, but when Jesus speaks, they give way. Valleys may have existed for years, but when Jesus gives the command, they are levelled. There is no situation so far gone that it is beyond the grace of God to address. What is that thing that you are confused about? What is that problem that defies answers? What is that long-standing issue that has proven stubborn? Take them all to God in prayer, trust in His power to deal with them, and keep reminding Him. That is a sign that you trust His ability, capacity and capability. God is not like man who gets tired of repetition; He wants me to come as often as possible. Would you? God's time of favour is here. 

We Know!

We know!

1 John 3:16 AMPC

[16] By this we come to know (progressively to recognize, to perceive, to understand) the [essential] love: that He laid down His [own] life for us; and we ought to lay [our] lives down for [those who are our] brothers [in Him].

Read the loaded introduction of the letter from where the verse above is taken: WE ARE writing about the Word of Life [in] Him Who existed from the beginning, Whom we have heard, Whom we have seen with our [own] eyes, Whom we have gazed upon [for ourselves] and have touched with our [own] hands. Please note the highlighted words. John was not speaking from a place of hearsay or rumours; he had come to a place of personal experience and encounter with the One called the Word of Life, and he could speak boldly about the One who had changed his life. This is where we start: the place of personal conviction is the launching pad for exploits. Men and women in the Bible faced certain death and loss, but did not mind what they lost, because they knew that they had something better waiting for them at the end of those experiences. 

What could make three Hebrew boys, in a strange land, stand up for their convictions, if they did not know who they believed? How could the apostles, and the early church, of which John was one, dare stand up to rulers and authorities of their days, if they did not know someone or something that was bigger and more powerful than the men they could see? For us today, we are encouraged to seek to know God intimately, the way John and his contemporaries knew Him. From the example of the life of Jesus, we find the template for how to live life to the fullest. We find amazing examples of love that the world cannot fully understand or explain. We read these stories, and can only ask God for grace to internalise the lessons, so that we can really know how to show it other people. This is where my personal conviction must match up with my public profession. 

What is the value of a precious gift given to me to also pass on to other people, if I then sit on it, and refuse to share or extend it to other people? What is the use of knowledge, if it does not lead to good for other people? That is also the message in the verse above: if I know the value of what I have and who I know, I will be quick to share with others. Love is not so much in the words, but in the a actions that prove it. Words are cheap; it is by my actions and interactions that I prove that the love of God is in me. Constant exposure gives me a deeper knowledge of who Christ is and what He has done. It will not happen overnight, but God makes the journey worth it. My prayer is that the love of God for me will help me see other people through His eyes. As I live the life He has given me, may His love draw others to Him. He has done His bit; how do you respond? God's time of favour is here. 

The Right Way!

The Right Way

1 Chronicles 16:34 AMPC

[34] O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever!

Context is important here. It is convenient to consider the wording of the verse above, and not consider the path that brought David and his people to this point. Not to go too far, but here was a nation that appeared to forget who it was, and whose it was. This nation had been chosen by God as His treasured possession, and He had given them a good land flowing with milk and honey. Of course, like all things human, you forget. You become a bit complacent and entitled, and then things go wrong. At a time, the ark of covenant, which was a representation of the presence of God, had rightly left the nation. It stayed in a foreign land for a long while, and then it had to be brought home. I must be careful about a sense of satisfaction that makes me careless about the things that matter to God. Time does not in any way dull or reduce the laid out standards of God for His people, as they would later find out. 

The people could argue that it was just a box, but God had laid down clear instructions on how it was to be handled. No other tribe in Israel was allowed to touch or handle the holy things, and there was a mode and manner of carriage and handling. Maybe it was sheer excitement, or maybe it was just a forgetful memory; the ark was placed on a cart, and then a man, trying to prevent the ark from falling off the stumbling cart, put out his hand to steady it, and he was struck dead. So many questions, one of them would be: 'what did he do wrong'? This is the thing about God too: He does not tie His standards to the failings or weaknesses of man. He will give grace, but He will not condone disobedience. He will supply that which I need to align with His instructions, but He will not suspend His laws to accommodate my rebellion. Not even David was allowed to get away with sin, even though he was called a man after God's own heart. 

David then did the right thing, as laid out in God's law. Levites were sanctified and then appointed to handle the ark, and they were also appointed to lead the praise of God, as the ark was placed where David had prepared for it. The words of the verse above now make sense: God deserves praise for consistency.  Imagine if He had allowed this error to go unnoticed. Imagine if men made reference to this incident to lose sight of the standards of God when it came to worship. Giving thanks to God is my duty, but it must come from a heart that is prepared the right way to see God for who He is. The verse says it: His mercy and loving-kindness endure forever. He does not change like shifting shadows; He does not lower His standards for anyone, and you can count on His faithfulness in the face of all that is going on in the world today. God is good, no matter what the world tells me. I give thanks. May the Lord accept me and all that I offer. God's time of favour is here. 

Nurtured!

Nurtured!

Isaiah 40:11 AMPC

[11] He will feed His flock like a shepherd: He will gather the lambs in His arm, He will carry them in His bosom and will gently lead those that have their young.

As we considered yesterday, sin brings shame and reproach. We see this in the lives of the people of Judah, and the years of punishment that followed their rebellion against God. It has to be continually emphasized that God has no favourites when it comes to sin, and He will punish sin, no matter in whom it is found. His standards are high; his expectation from those who claim to know Him are high. The fact that He is using you does not mean that He does not have alternatives, if you think that you are indispensable, and can do whatever it is you want. However, you also get a clear picture of the mercy and love of God for His creation. If God were to mark iniquity, and punish to the full extent of His law, none of us would be alive today. We all stand here today because of God's mercy, but it is also a reminder that we must strive not to take the mercy we have received for granted. 

As the verse above makes clear, God wants to step in and do His part, but we must work with Him to bring His plan to pass. What does God want to do? The verse above lists a few things: he wants to feed us with that which we need. He made and formed us, and knows where the shoe pinches. His knowledge of us makes Him uniquely qualified to supply what is required for life and Godliness. He is also the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our afflictions. I note that nowhere in the Bible does He promise us a life free from pressure, but He does promise His presence and power, which are more important than all the supply that the world can promise you. When all has failed, and it appears all strength is gone, you realise that He has been carrying you all along and it has not been about ability, capacity or capability. Which would you rather have in a crisis: the world on your side, or the Word of God on your side? 

Even when life happens, and I am at my weakest, needy or dependent due to issues of life, God promises to lead gently. I note that this means that there is no room for stagnation. I am not allowed to engage in any pity party; God's presence as my Shepherd fills me with the desire to push through the hurt, the pain, the disappointment and the disasters, to the place God has prepared for me. There is no challenge that God does not have an answer for. There is no situation so far gone that the grace of God cannot change or correct. It is important to note that one of the key words in the verse above is: shepherd. That gives the picture of the conditions for accessing all that God provides. God does not force Himself on anyone, or go against the exercise of my freewill, but He will do mighty things and absolute wonders in any life that has been given to Him. Have you given Him your life? God's time of favour is here.