Watch!

Watch!

Matthew 24:42 AMPC

[42] Watch therefore [give strict attention, be cautious and active], for you do not know in what kind of a day [whether a near or remote one] your Lord is coming.

The entire chapter from where the verse above is taken gives us clear insight into the plans of God for the times we have found ourselves in now. In the KJV of the Bible, we find headers in different sections of the whole chapter, and just before the verse above, we see the header: ' The Coming of the Son of Man'. That is a loud and clear statement on what is ahead. Whether I like it or not, this earth will not endure forever. It has been set aside for destruction and replacement, and as we know about God, He has never been found to be a liar. If He says it will happen, you have to trust Him that He has the capacity to keep His promises. Jesus was also speaking to His disciples too at this time, and just as it was then, so is it now. He still speaks to us who have made a decision to follow Him, but the message is also for the whole world: I am coming back soon, get ready. It may take time, but He will definitely return. 

How am I getting ready for His return? One great value to the Word of God is that He does not leave us ignorant of what is ahead; He lays out clearly what we should expect in the times we are in, and how we should react and respond. This is the greatest ammunition we have been given for such times as these: the power of privileged and advance information. Which other authority or power can predict, with any form of accuracy, what the future holds for any of us? Even weather models are subject to change, which is why updates are regularly given. With Jesus, the plan is set, and we have been told what to expect as we get ready. If we then get it wrong, we will not be able to claim ignorance. The verse above clearly advises that we should WATCH. How do I do this right? For a child of God, it will involve many things, but a few of them would be to align myself with the Word of God, speak to Him constantly, and also listen for daily instructions and direction from Him. 

I will not survive on my own. I am not built to go on alone. I am to give attention to what God has said, and what He has revealed. Every day may look the same, but a day will soon come that will change the course of the world, and that day is called 'the day of the Lord'. You do not want to be unprepared for that day, but the only way to do this is to be fully aligned with the channel that guarantees redemption, and that is Jesus. It is only by the total surrender of my life that I can lay claim to eternal life as promised in and through Jesus Christ. To watch also means to be both physically and spiritually sensitive to what is going on around me. The events of these times have been foretold by God, and as they bring us close to the end, we stay tuned in to how God leads. He alone knows the day, and He alone can preserve to that day. Please give your life to Jesus for safe-keeping; your eternity will be glad you did. God's time of favour is here. 

The Battle

The Battle

Romans 8:6-8 NIV

The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

As we have always established, there is no sitting on the fence when it comes to light and darkness. Both light and darkness are governed by two different laws and lords, and they were not created to co-exist in the same space at the same time. It is not a wonder then, that at creation, the first thing God did was to speak light out of the darkness that covered the earth, separating light from darkness. There were lights created to rule the day, while other lights were created to rule the nights. This same picture is also applied to the spiritual phase. The Flesh and the Spirit are two very exclusive powers and realms, and each has its own laws and powers, and all of human fall under the control of one of them. Before you make a choice between two opposites, you have the power to choose; you can take your time to choose, but as soon as the choice is made, the consequences of your choice begin to follow you. That is the point made quite clearly in the extract above. 

The end of flesh's control is death, while that of the Spirit is life and peace. Fortunately, the choices we make whilst we have life here on earth are not permanent; we are free to switch allegiances as often as we like, as long as we are alive. Unfortunately, because the effect of our choices are not immediately visible and apparent, we keep thinking we have much time and we can switch allegiances anytime we like. By the time reality dawns, we would have crossed into immortality and those consequences of our choices on earth will then determine where we spend eternity. Make no mistake: the flesh can never please God. There is no sacrifice, moral living, alms giving or physical show of piety that can make up for the lack of substance that the Spirit gives. Just ask Cornelius of Acts 10. In the old testament, the people had to offer the blood of bulls and goats so many times, just to cover up their sins. The blood could not wash sins away; therefore the sacrifices were grossly inadequate for the remission of sins. 

Christ's sacrifice, however, was a once-for-all offering that dealt with sins permanently, and this is a free gift we all are invited to take advantage of. No other offering can please God, because the best and the greatest offering has already been made. If a man would therefore seek to please God, he must take advantage of this free gift on offer. The Spirit gives life and peace to all who accept this free gift, and at the end, eternity is secure. Let nobody deceive you into thinking that we were made to live forever on earth here. Yes, we will live forever, but the choice of residence is determined by the choice of masters we make while on earth here. The choices have been laid before us. Men like Joshua, Moses, Samson, Judas Iscariot, Demas and Alexander the metalworker all made their choices at different times. The results of their choices are seen in the stories we read in the bible. The world is reading us today. What are your choices? Who is in charge? God's time of favour is here.

This God 2!

This God 2!

Psalm 9:1 AMPC

[1] I WILL praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will show forth (recount and tell aloud) all Your marvelous works and wonderful deeds 

Again, we consider a song/psalm by David, the man God Himself referred to as a man after His own heart. It is always important to consider the life and times of a man like this: he was not perfect by the world's standard, but then, the standard has never been defined by the world. It is God who defines what the standard is. After all, at the time God was to replace Saul, He knew the choices that David would make, such as adulterous interactions with Bathsheba, or the devious murder of the husband of Bathsheba, who was one of David's mighty men. God knew all these, yet chose this 'flawed' man as the next king of Israel. Not only that, but He also gave David a permanent kingship dynasty, where all the future kings of Judah would come directly from his lineage. This even continued into the spiritual kingdom that God came to establish, as Jesus came through the line of David, and is even referred to as the Son of David. 

What an awesome responsibility, but the bigger joy is to consider what an awesome God He is. Reflect on this: how can God know so much about a man, and still choose him for this great assignment? When you consider the life of David and the choices he made early in life, you would have an idea. David had a secret life of interaction with God, long before he was thrown into the limelight. David had found his place in God long before the world knew who he was or prepared for him. Even now in the physical land of Israel today, the flag of the country is referred to as the 'Star of David'. That is the special outcome from a special relationship between God and a mortal man. David was a man of like passions as we are, just like Elijah too was, but the choices these men made were what set them apart. Still the same God, still the same standards that God seeks to promote. 

It is not a wonder, then, that we read of the songs of David quite so often these days. In the verse above, he makes the promise to praise God with His whole heart. That is deep; too many times, the cares of this world can distract, but it is important to know who this God is, and relate with Him the right way. This man would not only praise God in private or in public, but he would also make public statements about this God to people around him. That is the power of testimonies. That is the effect my public affirmation of God's private dealings with me can have. I cannot keep these to myself. If I know that I did not earn them by labour, intellect or connections, I would be quick to point men in the direction of the source of all I am and have. Pride has no place in this discussion. Like David, would I praise God with all I am and have? Can men see and hear Him in and through me? God's time of favour is here. 

This God!

This God!

Psalm 68:19 AMPC

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

Reflect on the life and times of the man who is credited with the words of the verse above. This is the man referred to by God as a man after His own heart. Pause for a moment and consider what it took for God to say this about am imperfect and flawed man. David was a man who was subject to many passions such as anger and lust, and he acted on this with Bathsheba and one of his mighty men. He could have wiped out Nabal's family if not for the intervention of Nabal's wife, Abigail, who David eventually married. There was just so much blood on his hands that this would disqualify him from being able to build a fitting temple for God at the time. He was by no means perfect by what you may call normal standards, but then, who on earth at the moment is? Do I excuse my faults and weaknesses, or do I go with them to the God who sees beyond them and can bring me to the place of purpose? 

As mentioned above, reflect on the life of a man like this, and ask yourself what God could have seen in him to call such a flawed man someone after His heart. It would mean that there was something beneath the surface that other people could not see, but which God had seen and cherished. As you read the book of Psalms, you will know why. David had come to personal knowledge and experience of this God, and he could say with confidence that God bears burdens and carries him day by day. As we know, no two days are ever the same. You cannot rely on yesterday's supply for today's challenges. David understood this and sought God's help on a regular basis. If I will survive all that is coming, I cannot do less than what David did. It is important to note here that God did not approve the wrong things that David did; as we know, David was punished for the wrong he did, but the mercy of God did not depart from David. 

Even others who did not sin with David paid a price for his disobedience, and this is a warning too about the company I keep, the conversations I have and the cycle of decisions that I make. These all have consequences, and God makes clear what will happen if I choose a particular course of action. As much as He wants to help with my burdens, I have to give them to Him. He will not force Himself on me, or go against the exercise of my freewill. His offer to help has been in place since the creation of the earth, and He will not withdraw it until it is truly too late. Salvation is the key that opens the door for all other benefits. God wants to bless, but He also does not want to force Himself on anyone. He can bless beyond any curse, but I must surrender to Him if the blessing is to be permanent. He can carry my burdens, as He has everlasting arms that can never go weary or tired. The offer is open for all, and as the verse above ends, pause and calmly think of this, and then act. God's time of favour is here. 

Give!

Give!

Luke 6:38 KJV

[38] give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again.

At this time, Jesus had appointed the twelve disciples that He would mentor. From Luke's account, He had taken time to heal a man with a withered hand. He had also gone down with His disciples, and interacted with the crowd. He taught them about the principles and practices of His kingdom, and then He healed many who diseases or were vexed with unclean spirits. The passage from where this verse is taken records that the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went out of Him virtue, and healed them all. What a life of impact and blessing. What a life of purpose and value. At that time, it did not matter what tribe, nation, language or religion these people belonged to. There was a life to change, and Jesus did so. As it was then, so is it now. The standards have not changed or been lowered. Jesus still counts on all who come to Him to flow out with His power and presence to touch other lives. 

This is why it is instructive to note that the verse above is directed to the disciples, and not the crowd. The message to the crowd, as well as the expectations from the crowd, will always be different from that of the disciple. The crowd is permitted to get away with just about anything; not so the disciple. The crowd can get away with a lackadaisical approach to anything; not so the disciple. Jesus lifted up His eyes upon the disciples and blessed them, and of course, placed a demand on them, as proof of their standing with Him. It is the same with us today: if I have made up my mind to follow Jesus, there are expectations from the Master. One of them is laid out in the verse above. There has to be an outflow from a life that is given to Jesus. It cannot be the same as everyone else. The fundamental question to first answer with confidence and assurance is: am I a disciple, or just part of the crowd? 

If I am a disciple, then the verse above applies. I have been given a lot; in fact, I have the Jehovah Jireh as my Lord and Master, and from that which He has given me, He expects me to flow out to other people. From the spring of eternal life that has been birthed in me, there must be a point of contact that also touches other people. The more I flow out, the more God can fill up. The more of Him I reflect, the more of Him is made manifest to the world. The more of Him I show off, the more of Him is known and glorified. There is this amazing assurance that just as I give out, so will God raise men to give back to me in return. If I am all about selfish interests, be sure that there is a limit to what I will get. If I am able to flow out with God's grace, there is no limit to what God can achieve in and through me. Jesus promises refill way beyond my present capacity, but I must first flow out. With all that is going on in thw world, can I trust God to be faithful to His Word, and just obey? God's time of favour is here. 

Inspired!

Inspired!

Matthew 10:19-20 AMPC

[19] But when they deliver you up, do not be anxious about how or what you are to speak; for what you are to say will be given you in that very hour and moment, [20] For it is not you who are speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

At some point during the earthly ministry of Jesus, He had disciples He mentored and then sent out to represent Him. These men were chosen from among other men, not angels. They were mortal men who had their own weaknesses, but they had one important attribute: they were backed up by Jesus. At one point, Jesus called the twelve disciples to Him, and the Bible records that He gave them power and authority over unclean spirits, to drive them out, and cure all kinds of disease and infirmity. That is power that cannot be bought with earthly currency, or being the strength of influence, connections or sheer intellect. It is critical to note that the people who were given this power were disciples of Jesus, and this tells me that access to this kind of power is only available to those who are under the control and influence of the Holy Spirit, who empowers for assignments such as these. 

As much as mortal man may seek relevance and influence in the world, you cannot do it the right way outside of the One who has the empowerment that counts. At the time Jesus sent them out, He gave clear instructions on channels, tools, target audience and even words to speak. Reflect on this: the One who sends out does not just leave us to our own schemes; He gives clear directives every step of the way. I must sort out my ownership and allegiance, so I can face the work that has been committed into my hands. For all who claim to know and follow God, we have been given this assignment, and His heart is glad when we do it under His guidance. The verses above then give another dimension to the assignment: it may get difficult due to the resistance of man. It may happen that men who do not understand will resist, arrest and seek to persecute you for doing the work of the Master. How should I respond?

The verses above make it clear that it may get hard sometimes. Men will deliver you up to authorities, but at that time, I am not to worry about what to say or how to speak. The One who commissions is the One who empowers and speaks through you. After all, it is His field and His harvest, and He knows how best to bring them in. It is a lesson in total and daily dependence on the Holy Spirit for help in these situations. Let it be clear that by human strength shall no man prevail. By labour alone shall no man be saved. It is only under the guidance of the Holy Spirit that change can happen in the lives of men. As the verses above make clear, it is the Holy Spirit that will speak through you. I must depend on Him at all times. I cannot do anything outside of Him. I work for Him. I serve at His command, and must therefore do all at His command. What of you? Salvation and empowerment are available for all who will submit. God's time of favour is here. 

Kept!

Kept!

Psalms 23:4 AMP

[4] ¶Even though I walk through the [sunless] valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod [to protect] and Your staff [to guide], they comfort and console me.

As is the practice, we consider the life of the writer, and see the application of the lessons in the verse to that person's life. Did he or she just tell us what was ideal, but would not live by the same ideals? The man credited with the words of the verse above was the man that God Himself referred to as a man after His own heart. Consider this: a mortal man, who was not going to live forever on this side of eternity, was named by God Himself this way. What made the difference? A quick look at this man's life will tell us the answer. David started off as a shepherd boy, taking care of his father's sheep. Maybe it was the quiet, or just the solitude and 'aloneness' around him, but the boy put that time to good use. Many of the songs in the book of Psalms were written out of the personal experiences of the boy and man David. What are the things that motivate you to hold on when things are falling apart? 

For the boy David, he took several lessons from his time with the sheep. There was no physical protection, but there was the divine presence of God with him. The fact that God was with the boy did not stop the lion or the bear from confronting the boy, but the mighty hand of God was with the boy to preserve and keep him and the sheep safe. Let it be clear that the assurance of God's presence will not prevent you from persecution; the fact that God is with you is the reason why there will be trouble around you. The boy David had this same experience too. At a time, it seemed he was walking through the valley of the shadow of death, but there was a bigger presence in play, and that is the God who is Master over all, including death. God being there did not stop him from going down the valley, but God being there was the reason why he did not stay there in the valley. Make sure that wherever you go, God leads you there. He will keep you there if He allows you to go through there.

It then means that God will not lead me into a place where His presence is unable to keep me, particularly when it is as a result of my own desires or manipulations. In this instance, the boy David was certain of the presence of God, as he could see His rod of protection and His staff of guidance in place every step of the way. Consider the work of the rod and staff: to comfort and console. Why comfort and consolation if there are no uncomfortable situations? Comfort and consolation are fully appreciated when there is discomfort. No matter what comes my way, I can look ahead to the presence of God to preserve, protect and perfect all that concern me. The one and most important condition for this to be in place is that I am part of His sheep. Would I surrender to Him, or do I want to pursue my own selfish interests? God does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill, but be sure He will keep safe whatever has been committed into His hand. Are you one of His sheep? God's time of favour is here. 

Pray!

Pray!

Colossians 4:2 AMPC

[2] Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving

As always, the audience defines the message. You do not demand standards from people who are not subject to, or have not subscribed to the standards. Paul and Timothy who are credited with writing this letter to the church in Colosse, described as holy believes who have been united to Christ as His beloved followers. These people had become willing subscribers to the standards themselves. We have seen how Timothy himself was nurtured in the faith by his grandmother and mother, and then spiritually and physically mentored in the faith by Paul. We know of Paul too, and the journey hd took to get to this point. Living up to the laid down standard will not happen by accident; it will be the result of total and absolute submission to God, and a full embrace of His will. Does this describe me at the moment? Does it speak to my current situation? 

One of the practices of those who know and follow the standard is a lifestyle of prayer. As noted in the verse above, it is not the seldom or occasional catch up, where you come when the need arises, or because you need to get something from God. It has to be a consistent exposure to the practice of prayer. As the verse above says, it is earnest, unwearied and steadfast. It means that it has to be my default setting at all times, not a fallback option after I have tried all other things. I do not wait until I am stuck before I get to do it. I do it because I have proven that it works. I do it because I know the value of a relationship with the One I engage with. To 'engage with' God is to desire to be with Him at all times; to speak to, and also listen to Him for direction and instructions. You are not primarily focused on what you can get from Him, but because of what you have come to know of Him. 

The verse above speaks about being alert and intent in prayer. It gives a picture where your eyes are closed and open at the same time. You are focused on the God you seek to speak to, but you are also watching out for how or where God may choose to lead. Your ears are open and closed at the same time. You have made a decision on who you will listen to, whilst also deaf and oblivious to all other distractions. This can be pretty hard but it is the only way to go. It is hard to focus on two dissenting views at the same time. God also makes it clear that it is called being lukewarm, and He will spew such people out of His mouth. Thanksgiving is also laid out as a fundamental part of our prayer. It is a heart that knows who God is, and fully appreciates what he has been given. Can God count on me to be faithful and devoted to Him, no matter what comes? God's time of favour is here. 

Love, Still!

Love, Still!

You love him, although you have not seen him, and you believe in him, although you do not now see him. So you rejoice with a great and glorious joy which words cannot express, because you are receiving the salvation of your souls, which is the purpose of your faith in him. 1 Peter 1:8‭-‬9 GNT

Peter, the man credited with writing this letter, had a good idea what it meant to love Jesus. He was one of the disciples of Jesus,  but he did not always have it so good. At a point, when faced with death, he denied ever knowing Jesus. At some point too, when the uncertainties were too many, and it appears that their master was gone, Peter went back to what he was familiar with: fishing. Jesus had to come looking for him, to again remind him of the kingdom priorities, and then commission him for service. At no time did Jesus give up on Peter, even when he went off. That is love which does not let go. That is what Peter received, and that is what he is encouraging all who are called the elect and have been sanctified to hold on to. Do I love God because of who he is, what he gives or what I want? These distinctions are quite important in determining the basis of my faith in God and how far I will go in my journey of faith. 

The extract above is laid on the foundations of trials and tribulations as being important in my development and depth as a child of God. I really cannot claim to know and follow God until my decision and depth have been tried, tested, and i have been found faithful. The verses before this extract confirm that the worth of gold is only appreciated when it has passed through fire. If gold, temporal and earthly aa it is, can be proved this way, how much more would my faith in God, which is more precious than gold, be tested? How then do you stand in the day of trouble?: You just love God for who he is. Too many times, our needs and wants have become so important that we have laid God aside in our pursuits of needs. Whatever our eyes see becomes more pressing than what we hope for, and so we focus on our immediate needs and pick God later, when things have gotten out of hand. However, the lesson is this: God is my one and only worthy pursuit. 

When you love God, you do so out of a heart that recognises his power, his awesome nature and his eternal strength. Not everything is about what your physical eyes can see. Our walk is a walk of faith, our fight is a good fight of faith and our race is one of perseverance. I may not see too many things that make me happy down here, but I am also fully aware that my life is not tied to the physical, ephemeral things I see now. All will come to pass, and only that which God is and does will last forever. I do not base my faith on temporal, earthly things. My love and faith in God is not tied to my possessions or position, but to the Presence of God in my life. There is an end to my faith, and it is eternal life. I do not just exist; I live by faith in God, knowing fully well that he is all I need. My joy is not tied to what I see, but to who I have known and believed in. That is it for me. What will it be for you? God's time of favour is here.

No Impossibility 2!

No Impossibility 2!

Matthew 19:26 NKJV

[26] But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

In continuation of the focus from two days ago, where we had seen Jesus engage with children and bless them, we continue with the events in the same chapter. We note that as several times during His earthly ministry, Jesus was always in the midst of a crowd, but He did not let that get into His head, or even distract Him from the work that needed to be done. As much as the crowd loved to hear Him speak, and also see Him perform amazing miracles, He would not let Himself be fooled by applause or human approval. Like Jesus, I am warned not to let people's views determine my priorities. Jesus would minister Truth to the people, but give them the power to process and then respond as they thought fit. God does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill, but if I let Him, there is no end to the possibilities that are in store for me. That is my first lesson here. 

It was from His interaction with the crowd that a young man came to Him. This young man was described as both rich and young, so he had a lot of good things going for him. He had time to serve God with his strength, as well as resources to help the work. As I strive to make impact, I must strive to start early and start well. It is never too late for anyone to be saved, but effective ministry will take a lot from you. If you are able to start young, it really helps. This young man also was rich. He could afford most things his contemporaries may struggle to get. As we see in the story, being rich was not the problem; it was the fact that what he held in his hands had more value to him than what God could give him. How many times have I sacrificed the eternal for the temporal and the ephemeral? How many times have I given up because things were too hard, and taken the easy option? How can I find my way back to where God would have me be? 

In the view of Jesus, it is hard for a man who trusts in riches to enter into the kingdom of God. Riches are good, but like all good things, I must know its place, uses and limitations, so that it does not take the place of God in my heart. Like the rich, young ruler who could not imagine a life without the props of riches, i must be careful not to equate wealth with relevance from God's perspective. As far as the disciples were concerned, if it was hard for the rich to enter into the kingdom of heaven, then it would be hard for anyone to be saved. From God's perspective, knowing whose you are and what you command keeps you grounded. You never forget your source, and you do not outgrow your sustenance. With man, many things are impossible, but in the hands of God, nothing is impossible, as long as I can trust Him with everything. Would you? God's time of favour is here. 

Given!

Given!

2 Timothy 1:7 AMPC

[7] For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.

Paul was writing this letter to Timpthy, his son in the faith. Here was a young man who, through no fault of his own, found himself on the wrong side of the Jews at the time. His mum was a Jew, but his father was Greek, and that meant he did not understand the covenant of circumcision like the Jews did. He also was not welcome in the congregation of the Jews as he was not circumcised, even though there was no doubt that he was gifted by God for exploits. We must be careful about man-made schemes and philosophies that drive men away from God, rather than draw men to Him. We must be careful not to allow the ephemeral and the temporal deny us the benefits and blessings of the eternal. What are those schemes of men that have now become so important to me, at the expense of the lives of men? Thank God for the foundation of faith laid in this young man's life by his mother. 

There was no doubt that Timothy could have felt a bit out of place, maybe a bit fearful of interacting with people outside of his close circle, but he had a mentor who believed in and supported him. Can God entrust the lives of other people into my hands? Am I able to stand on the Truth, no matter who it is that is affected or impacted? Whatever was the human limitation that could be controlled was addressed, and Timothy was circumcised which led to the Jews being able to accept him. Paul makes it clear in the verse above that whilst it is okay to accept that fear may come, it is critical to note that which we are and whose we are should drive our response to fear. There will be many things we may not understand or be able to control, but knowing whose we are, where we are headed, and who backs us up, will help deal with fear and its many manifestations.

As the verse above says, fear can be crippling and limiting, and it is a spirit too, which means that the man of the flesh is not able to conquer or master it without the help of a more powerful spirit. You can make all the noise you want; you can only counter the spirit of timidity, cowardice, and fear, which is of the devil, with the Spirit of power, of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control, which is of, and comes from God. The spirit that leads to timidity and cowardice cannot be good, as it robs you of opportunities to be a blessing to other people. The Spirit of power and of love enables and empowers you to reach beyond your wildest dreams into places that only God could have opened up for you. God gives of His Spirit. He wants me to properly represent Him here on earth, and that is why He gives of Himself to as many as would ask Him. He will supply all that I need, as long as I trust only in Him. Do you? God's time of favour is here. 

Simple!

Simple!

Mark 10:14 NKJV

[14] But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.

As we read from the pages of scripture, Jesus was a busy man. He had a public ministry that impacted several lives, including both Jews and Gentiles. He performed miracles, signs and wonders in the lives of people that made some submit their lives to Him, whilst others got offended by Him, because they thought that they knew who He was, as they knew His father, mother and sisters. In some instances, this familiarity was the hindrance to the miracles He could have performed. One thing that His life on earth keeps teaching me is that God's greatest blessings can come in some very ordinary packaging.  There was no earthly fanfare at His birth, and there was no kingly appreciation of His person, but there was no doubting His earthly impact. I must be careful of judging men or circumstances by the standards of the world, such as public acceptance, visibility or applause.

At some point in the ministry of Jesus, we find this reference to children. We do not see this often, so this account is special. Jesus had just taught the public, and the disciples had also met Him privately, and they had also been impacted. I am sure that all parties were tired, and it was not in the plan to have to cater for children. I am also not sure why the disciples acted the way they did, but the calm response of Jesus speaks to us today. Do we treasure our public image more than our private impact? Are there priorities we have set for ourselves that we would not allow anyone or anything interfere with? Do we make room for divine interruptions that have divine impact and blessings on our lives? Do we seek the mind of God on every point of engagement that He brings our way? These are just a few of the questions that arise in my heart as I read this account. 

The disciples saw distractions; Jesus saw impact. The disciples were protecting their master; Jesus knew this was an opportunity to bless lives. The words of Jesus here are instructive: of such children is the kingdom of God.  What makes children special? They have not been polluted by the wrong ideas of their generation. They are clean slates on which we have the opportunity and privilege to write God's word on. They take whatever you tell them in good faith. They are simple creatures of God, and it is not a wonder that at no time in the ministry of Jesus do we see Jesus turn down a miracle where a child was involved. From the son of the widow of Nain, to the Syrophoenician woman, to the daughter of Jairus, there was a personal touch where a child was involved. If I truly have the heart of Jesus, I must have his hands too. There are these simple lives to impact and bless. Can God commit such into my hands? God's time of favour is here. 

Rest!

Rest!

Hebrews 4:10-11 KJV

[10] For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. [11] Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

The writer of the book of Hebrews is not made clear in the book, but the messages in the book are applicable to all Christians today no matter the challenge we face. The chapter from where the verses above are taken from speaks on God's rest. God had made the earth and the heavens in the first six days of creation, and He rested on the seventh day. As we are made in His likeness, He has also extended that same grace to us, so we could enter into the same rest. It was not a rest into laziness or a lack of accountability, but a rest from aimless or fruitless labour. As we see from bible accounts, God always wanted His people to know and experience His rest. As part of the package for His people Israel, He gave a foretaste of what that rest would look like when He gave them a land that they did not work for. We know how this turned out for the people of Israel. 

Israel got a land flowing with milk and honey, filled with great and goodly cities which they did not build, houses full of good things, wells which they did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees they did not plant. However, they did not fully understand the impact of what they had received, and they messed it up. As the chapter from where the verses above are taken makes clear, if Joshua had given them rest at that time, we would not need the rest that is being offered in the verses above. The people of Israel must have become a bit  complacent and entitled, as they did not appreciate the value of what they had been given by God. The chapter refers to unbelief, and the consequence was that they could not enter into God's rest. Thank God that this is not where the story ended. God still offers His version of rest to all who would seek Him, and the benefits are worth the sacrifices and labour to take hold of that which God offers. 

He who enters into the rest that God offers is the one who truly rests from fruitless labour or pointless work. I note that the verses above do not say you stop working altogether; you work, but you do it with a sense of purpose and divine guidance, which lead to impact. You are not working for applause, as you already please the Master who commissioned the work you are doing; who backs you up all the way, and has already made you a success even as you apply yourself to the assignment. It is not longer I who works; it is God working in and through me to fulfil His purpose and make impact. The word of caution is always about trying to achieve it by myself; in my own strength, or by my own wisdom. As made clear above, I will not succeed on my own. The only work permitted here is to labour to enter into God's rest, and even that is by faith. I believe in the finished work of Jesus on the cross; I confess Him as my Lord and Saviour, and His help is available to take me through life's journey to the end, where there is eternal rest and reward. Make every effort to enter into this rest. Your eternity will be glad you did. God's time of favour is here. 

No Impossibility!

No Impossibility!

Luke 1:37 AMPC

[37] For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment.

In order to appreciate the power behind this verse above, let us consider the context. This was not one of those instances where there was a precedent, or a previous experience that could provide some comfort. What was being discussed and promsied here was not an event that had ever happened before, and was never going to happen again. The human nature has always been perpetuated by the process of procreation, requiring the union of both the man and the woman's genes to form a child. In this case, God was promising to break that pattern this one time, and He was making this promise to people who had only faith, and not a single thread of evidence to trust in. This is the first lesson for me: walking with God will require a level of faith that the world will not accept, because its principles will not align with the world's system or expectations. 

Another critical lesson to point out is that I cannot afford to limit what God can do by what my mind can process or accept. Just imagine if God could do what I could believe Him for, and nothing else. As much as I get what I believe, God is more than just that. There is a reason why He is called the Omnipotent God. There is a reason why different people in different generations came to know this God in very different ways. No two people saw God the same way, as their needs were different, but each came to the full realisation that they had met with a God that could do things beyond their wildest imaginations or expectations. Through the passing of time, or the changing seasons, the one thing that has stayed the same is the power of God to impact life. Time has not been able to lessen His ability, capacity and capability. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. 

This is what Mary came to understand as the angel spoke with her. She was a virgin now betrothed to another man, but before they came together, she was to bear a son, not by natural conception, but by divine enablement. If we say God is all-powerful, would it make sense to then limit what He can do? If we can accept that He made all things for His good pleasure, why would it be hard to accept that He can make all things work together to bring Him that pleasure? If God could suspend natural laws by making a donkey speak to a man, or not allowing the sun go down for a whole day simply because one of His children asked for it, what else is there that God cannot do? The verse above is one of deep assurance and conviction in the person and ability of God. God cannot say a thing, and there will be a failure to perform. His Word is His person; His Truth. It is impossible for God to lie, so if you have a word from Him, be sure that He will bring it to pass. God's time of favour is here. 

Eternal Life!

Eternal Life!

John 3:16 AMPC

[16] For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.

There are times you come across a unique and special message and you know that the right response to it will change your life. This verse is one of such messages. Hoe did we get here? A man named Nicodemus came to Jesus at night, away from the prying crowd or the noisy bunch, as he had matters in his mind he wanted to unburden. He began with some bit of shyness or uncertainty, but Jesus went straight to the root of the matter. The need for salvation is critical to all men, no matter the circumstances of your birth or the current realities you are in. That was the first statement Jesus made to him: "unless a person is born again (anew, from above), he cannot ever see (know, be acquainted with, and experience) the kingdom of God". That is a definite statement that has no ambiguous explanation. There is a natural birth, and there is a significant second birth. Have you had an experience of that significant second birth?

All of us alive today are partakers of the natural birth, and by extension, will be part of the natural death, unless the Lord returns before natural death comes. Even then, the natural body will give way to that which is imperishable. How does a man experience both? The answer to this question, as well as any other concern, is laid out in the verse above. There is a love that predates the existence of man, where God wanted to make creatures that will praise and worship Him. By that same love, He made man in His image, and gave Him His breath, so there is a part of God in me. However, sin came, seeking to mess with that template, and disconnect man from his divine purpose, but this same love would not let go. Jesus holds out His love for us; His love remains for all of us, as long as we are in this natural body, and He will not let go until that which is natural gives way to the immortal. 

In the verse above is the warning that we must all heed. Everything expires, even grace. The love of God has been there for all of man since the beginning of time, but as we have been told quite clearly, one day, all that we see today will be destroyed. Interestingly, as the verse above makes clear, all who reject the love of Jesus to the end of their natural lives will also perish. It may not be a comfortable message, but the Truth must not be made subject to convenience or comfort. We have been given the option to believe in Jesus as the way to avoid perishing. Jesus has not asked for value in currency or in possession; all He desires is the control of the heart from where all decisions and actions flow. If He is in charge there, He is in charge of the entire life. All who come to Jesus receive His kind of life. What are you waiting for? Time is of the essence. God's time of favour is here.

Faithful God!

Faithful God!

Isaiah 25:1 TPT

[1] Lord Yahweh, you are my glorious God! I will exalt you and praise your name forever, for you have done so many wonderful things. Well-thought-out plans you formed in ages past— you’ve been faithful and true to fulfill them all!

It is not usual that we read of a song of praise by the prophet Isaiah. We know him for the many prophecies of judgment because of sin, as well as the restoration of Judah because of God's faithfulness. Today's verse is one of such unusual insights into the life of the man Isaiah. He speaks about Yahweh, his glorious God. That which will make public impact has to first make personal impression. For anyone to call God MY God, he must have had a very personal encounter with this God. There is no one who has had a personal encounter with God that will be quiet about it, because it is not an experience that can be kept quiet. If you check out all the lives God used, they all had secret encounters that became visible in the way they engaged the world around them. What of me? Do I have any experience of God or am I reliant solely on what other people say about Him? 

Isaiah goes on to making a commitment to exalt and praise the name of the Lord forever. That is a big one; it means that I keep my eyes on the eternal, whilst navigating the earthly. As long as I am in this earthly body, I do not ever forget that I am here for a season, and one day, I will leave this earthly form and take on the immortal body. As I prepare for the eternal, I learn more and more about God daily, seeking to know what pleases Him, and being quick to do these. I must also know that it is an awesome privilege for me to praise and exalt the One called Yahweh. He does not need my approval or consent to be God; long after this earth as we see it ceases to exist, He continues to be God. My praise of Him comes from a heart that is fully convinced of the power of God, and His ability to change people, things and circumstances. Does this describe me? Have I truly met and submitted to this God? 

That is why no other person or authority, in all of creation, can legitimately be called God. He is God all by Himself, and the evidence of His power and authority abounds everywhere you turn. From the rising of the sun to its setting, and the impact of this across continents, we see the unmistakable hand of God at work. The earth has remained in place since it was formed, with no one sure or certain of where its foundation is laid. There are the amazing manifestations of beauty in the heavens also. It is clear that God's plan and purpose cannot be thwarted or defeated. No matter how hard or impossible it looks, remember that God is Omnipotent. His nature is what gives me hope that whatever promises He makes, He can definitely fulfill. He is not limited by time, situations or circumstances, and He does not need the approval of any committee to bless me. I praise Him for who He is, what He has done, and the amazing things that are ahead. How do you plead? God's time of favour is here. 

Rejoice!

Rejoice!

Philippians 4:4 AMPC

[4] Rejoice in the Lord always [delight, gladden yourselves in Him]; again I say, Rejoice!

Psalm 37:4 AMPC

[4] Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.

Two different verses, spoken by two different people in different generations, but with the same message. Two different verses inspired by the same Spirit, charging all who read them to react in a specific way to whatever it is that may be happening around them. Starting with the letter of Paul and Timothy written to the church in Philippi, this was addressed to those called saints, God's consecrated people who had surrendered their lives to His leading and direction. This foundation is important for the rest of this devotion, as there can be no other foundation for joy than to have the presence of God living in you. How do you show the attributes of a person possessed by the Spirit of God without the Spirit of God? I also note that Paul's letter did not ignore the realities of the experiences of the people reading this, but there a focus that was bigger and better than the sum of these experiences.

This is why joy is special. It does not need me to have everything I need before I have joy. It is not tied to anything that the world can define or limit. The presence or absence of physical things does not impact the reality of joy in me. I do not take pleasure in position, power, pleasure or possessions; these are temporary things that will always change with the passage of time. It could be as a result of physical growth or simply the expiry of a thing but with joy, you just cannot outgrow it, as it is not tied to anything this world can give or take away from you. Like David, I see the things that go on around me: the wicked seems to be doing well for themselves, and it appears that they live long, but the response of David is also a lesson for me. Focus on the God who calls me to Himself. Focus on the faithfulness of God, and trust Him, as a righteous judge, to do what brings Him glory. 

It is not a wonder, then, that both David and Paul could speak so eloquently and clearly about the value of joy. It also shows that it is only IN God that one can define what you hold as joy. Both David and Paul/Timothy made reference to 'Delight IN the Lord' and 'Rejoice IN the Lord'. Location determines allocation. Residency status defines entitlement and access to benefits. If nations can make it a crime to take benefits without being a citizen, it applies in the same way to spiritual benefits. God sends His rain on all men, good or bad, but He reserves the manifestation of His Spirit in various forms for those who have submitted to Him. When I delight in God, He gives me the desires and secret petitions of my heart, and because He is the delight of my heart, I will always seek in line with His will. Want joy, as defined by God? Find God, and get a lifetime supply. God's time of favour is here. 

Comfort!

Comfort!

I Thessalonians 5:11 NKJV

[11] Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

Paul, Silas and Timothy are credited with the words of this letter written to the church in Thessalonica. It is also interesting to note the words in the introduction to this first letter, where the writers pointed to the work of faith, the labor of love, and patience of hope in the Lord Jesus Christ that this chuch had, and which these men could bear withess to. At the time of this letter, the Christian experience was not as widespread as it is now, but men staked their lives on the tenets of the faith as they had been taught, and they would go on to endure pain, pressure and persecution for the sake of the faith that they had received. As we consider the lives of these people, what sort of encouragement can we derive from their lives? What lessons can we learn from them, and how do we provide guidance, leadership and eternity-focused plans for our present generation? 

There are some life lessons that are best passed down by personal experience. At no time did Paul, Silas or Timothy go on to present a false narrative of what to expect. These men said it as it should be, using their lives as personal examples of encouragement and perseverance in the face of challenges. Do I have my own stories or accounts of God's dealings in faithfulness and mercy? Do I have any account that can encourage another to hold on to hope of a better tomorrow, even when nothing seems to work? It is instructive to also note that some of the issues that may have been worrying this church was what comes after death. This church must have experienced persecution, and some must have died, which was why this letter touched on issues of life after death, clearly noting that physical death is just the translation into the eternal life that God has promised and prepared for all who will trust Him to the end. 

It is this forward-looking hope that is the focus of the verse above. When I know how it ends, where it ends, and why I have to go through all that comes, temporary discomfort becomes bearable. I know quite clearly that one day, the Lord will return for His own, and execute judgment on the earth and reward for His saints. As part of His church, am I making this the focus and foundation of my service to Him? Am I nurturing that relationship, sure and confident that it is not in vain? Like it has been said earlier, you cannot give what you do not have. How can I provide comfort on a matter on which I am not personally and permanently convinced? This church had made it a habit to encourage one another, as they shared a common hope in the eternal life on offer by God. Let this be a guard for my own heart too, that the same God who kept this church is able to keep me in His will to the end. I take comfort from His nature that cannot lie, comforted by His consistency and Truth. What of you? God's time of favour is here. 

This Love!

This Love!

I Corinthians 13:6 NKJV

[6] does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;

Paul, writing to the church in Corinth, took out a whole chapter on the subject of love. He had been speaking to the church about the very important topic of spiritual gifts and their value to the church, and how these gifts were given to the church to enhance worship and help the church grow. This is the start of the devotion for today: that which you have been given, how are you making use of it? Do you even know what you have been equipped and gifted for? Do you have a clear understanding of your role and place in the family that you have been planted in? If you are looking for a perfect church on this side of eternity, that might seem to be an impossible assignment, as we all, on this side of eternity, are still working toward perfection in line with God's desire, and we use that which He supplies to achieve that which He desires. It is this solid foundation that takes us to the next level. 

Having now understood who we are, who we serve and what we are placed here to do, we must then act in a way that points men to the One who provided the platform for expression in the first place. There was no way I could save men, and there was no way I could sustain them in the faith by my own strength. All these come from God. What I need to do is to use all He has supplied in a way that will point to Him as my source, inspiration and encouragement. At no time can I be filled with pride in my presentation, logic, elocution, earnings or education. The things that men applaud do not move God. The things that men celebrate as important are despised in the eyes of God. What brings Him glory is when men point Him out to other people through examples of grace, mercy and love. Do I bring people to an awareness of divine enablement in my life, or do I seek self-glory in any way?

The way I go about my assignment matters. No matter how gifted I am, people will always remember how I presented the grace of God in my life to them. I could have all the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but as this same chapter says quite clearly, without love, I end up being a showman, or at worst, a clanging cymbal, full of noise and not much impact. That which is in me does not also allow me to be passive, content to just coast by and not be known for anything. How can a child of God be in a place and the light in him will not be evident? How can iniquity thrive unchallenged when a child of God is in a place? How can falsehood find expression in a place, when a child of the One called The Truth is there? It is a challenge to all who bear the name of the Lord to live up to the name we bear. Love does not excuse sin; it challenges it, but it also provides a better alternative, one paved with God's kind of love. Does my current life expression show that I know this God? God's time of favour is here. 

The Way of the Lord!

The Way of the Lord!

Isaiah 40:3 NKJV

[3] The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord; Make straight in the desert A highway for our God.

Isaiah was a prophet who was the main voice of caution in the days of King Hezekiah of Judah. The king himself was a man who at least knew God and tried to lead the people of Judah to God. This is one of the ways that leadership matters; as the one who leads from the front has to know the right direction to follow. As Jesus made clear in Matthew 15:14, if blind leaders lead the blind, both will fall into a ditch. For all who are parents in one form or the other, to biological or spiritual children, or even positional leadership, you are a leader, and are responsible for the lives of men. I must be careful how I discharge that responsibility, as we will see from the context of the verse above that responsibility always demands accountability. How do I see the work that has been placed in my hand? What value do I look forward to adding to the lives I interact with on a daily basis?

Is it just about figures, screens, data, beds and pans, or do I see an opportunity to propagate and promote the will and desire of God in the generation I have been placed? It has to be clear that I do not have forever on this side of eternity to make up my mind what I want to do. Isaiah warned Judah at the time that punishment for disobedience was coming, but due to some form of peace on the home front, and alliances with a few of its neighbours, Judah became complacent. Recall this was the time of deliverance from Sennacherib, king of Assyria. It was also the time that king Hezekiah was also sick, and by prayer and supplication, he got God to change his mind and extend his life by another 15 years. Why would anyone think that anything was wrong, or that anything could go wrong? What could be the reason for fear when God is showing up on all levels? 

Life has shown us that God is merciful; He sends rain on both the good and the wicked, and by principles, blesses the work of the hands of the diligent, agnostic, atheist or anything else. However, He also warns that He will punish sin, no matter in whom it is found. He wants us to return to Him, no matter how far away we have wandered. At the time of the words of this verse, things were not really bad, but the Lord who sees ahead also warns us ahead that judgment is coming. He is coming. He is a just God, and He will not punish the innocent or acquit the guilty, but He gives the same opportunity of repentance and return to all men. As the voice cried in the wilderness in those days, so does God raise men in these days to warn men of what is coming. The call in those days, as well as today, is a call to return to God. He will not reject any who comes to Him. Would you make the approach? God's time of favour is here. 

Known by God!

Known by God!

Psalm 139:23-24 AMPC

[23] Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! [24] And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

This psalm was written by David, and even though the circumstances under which he wrote this song was not given to us, the words of this song portray deep reflections on life and its impact and direction. We read of the wisdom of God in creating man, and the amazing things He has put in place to ensure that man enjoys all that He has created him for. We read of God's Omniscience, when you see things like: "Lord, even before I say a word, you already know it", or where, by his own personal experience, David was able to confidently conclude that God's knowledge was amazing to him, more than he could fully understand. What of the amazing wisdom that put the human body in its initial form, as an embryo develops into the foetus, and then to the baby that is born when the stages of  development are now completed. 

No one can fully understand or explain how fertilised eggs go on to become the human life that we see now, but there is a wisdom, power, grace and provision that make all these steps possible and viable. That is the God that David came to know and celebrate as often as possible. As the generations have come and gone, nothing has changed. God continues to create new life to populate and replenish the earth; He continues to show off His power, might and creative force all over the world as we see it today. There are parts of the universe that cannot sustain human life, yet God continues to sustain His creation as He sees fit. We see advances in medicine, science and technology, and the world continues to move at quite a fast pace. How do I view all that is happening around me? Do I see the hand or hear the voice of God in the midst of all the noise going on around me?

In all, we must not forget one immensely important detail which David asked: "Where can I go to get away from your Spirit? Where can I run from you? Part of the answer to the questions are in the verses above. There is a natural tendency for the fallen human nature to deceive itself. It can be tempted to see things the wrong way when it is convenient. It is only the One called The Truth who can help me see things the right way, so I can take the right steps. I have to ask the Truth to search me in the light of His Truth, so that whatever needs to be addressed in my life can be fully and properly addressed. This is a God who formed me, and He knows all about me, so I cannot pretend. Eternity is at stake. There is nothing this earth can give me that will be adequate compensation for missing eternity with God. Would you let Him do what He alone can do? God's time of favour is here. 

Personal God!

Personal God!

1 Peter 2:24 AMPC

[24] He personally bore our sins in His [own] body on the tree [as on an altar and offered Himself on it], that we might die (cease to exist) to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.

The writer of this letter, Peter the apostle, would know what he was talking about here. He was one of the early disciples, one with a unique experience of a call to follow Jesus. He went through several encounters, both bad and good, and eventually got the infilling of the Holy Spirit, and we know the exploits God used him for. He was writing to people who were also in the same shoes with him, the elected exiles who were now scattered all over the world at the time. In the midst of such depressing times, it may be easier to focus on the negatives, but Peter laid out the foundation for joy for these people by referring to the benefits and blessings they had from God: chosen and foreknown by God the Father; consecrated by the Holy Spirit to be obedient to Jesus Christ; and sprinkled with the blood. You have to be in Him to know these things. 

As part of his message to these exiles who were all over the world at the time, Peter made it clear that persecution was a part of the walk with God that we all must endure. If you swim against the tide, expect resistance. If you go against everything that is usual and expected by the world's system, expect a lot of opposition. The world system is not built to handle resistance, and it will fight to uphold that which is its own. However, for those who are in the Word, there is an assurance of help and support that will make the experience worth it. We have a hope that is based on someone that the world cannot understand. How do you explain the benefits of the blood of Jesus to someone who is comfortable in sin? How do you get a man to change a pattern of sin that seems to bring in some profits, unless you can show such a person a better outcome by personal experience? 

That is part of the message in the verse above: we know by personal experience the power of the blood. We stand where we are today by virtue of the work of the blood. We can look forward to all that is ahead because the blood has paved the way for us, and has  awakened hope for the future. What makes this even more special is the fact that Jesus did not contract this work out to someone else; He did it Himself. He knew no sin, yet He became sin for us, so that we could become the righteousness of God. One thing the verse above makes clear is that, in appreciation of what Jesus has done, we must die to sin and live to righteousness. The blood has also secured healing for us. What other life issue is left unattended to by the blood? If Jesus has taken them all, the best I can do is to live in daily appreciation of His grace upon my life. He has done His best; what would I give Him in return? God’s time of favour is here. 

God's Plan!

God's Plan!

Jeremiah 29:11 AMPC

[11] For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome.

It is important to give the verse above the right context, so that its message can be fully appreciated. At the time the verse above was penned down by Jeremiah, things had really gone bad for Judah. Here were a people loved and chosen by God to be His own people, but sin had changed the landscape for the whole land. These people had consistently rebelled against God, and reject His warnings about their bad conduct. Of course, God cannot be mocked and He applied the consequences of their actions, as He had made abundantly clear to them. Nations that had previously feared Judah were now coming for a piece of the action. People who could not face Judah before were now emboldened and you could say empowered by God to conquer His people and make them slaves. That is what sin does: reduces a subject to nothing. There is no height from which unconfessed sin will not drag you down from. 

Check out the categories of people who were taken captive: elders, priests, prophets, the king himself, the queen mother, the eunuchs, the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen and the smiths. If the king, his family and army had been taken captive, what kind of people would have been left in the land? Only the poorest of the land, the destitute and the helpless; people who could not put up a fight if another enemy was to show up. That is what rebellion against God does to you: it will take all the precious things that you think you have, and leave you with nothing of value. Whatever good you thought you had will be made redundant. This is where Judah was at the time this letter by Jeremiah was received by those in exile. Thank God the story did not end on that note, or Judah would have been completely forgotten. This is where the nature of God holds both a word of warning and caution to all of us. 

It is that nature of God that holds hope for all of us. Reflect on the verse above: God was still speaking to, and interested in the welfare of people who had rejected Him. He would not just let them go. How do you inspire hope in the hearts of people who have given up on hope? How do you encourage someone who has given up on life? One strong case to be made for how God works will be the volume of testimonies about God's acts in the past. Critically consider your life up to this point, and you will see several instances where God showed up, not because you were the best, but because His mercy spoke. No one is so far gone that s/he is beyond God's grace. He can restore; He can revive; He can replace; He can repair. What He seeks is a heart that is set on Him; a heart that knows s/he can do nothing without Him. What steps do you need to take to return to God? He waits for you and me, and He will definitely show Himself strong in the lives of all who surrender to Him. Would you? God's time of favour is here. 

Plan Right!

Plan Right!

Proverbs 16:9 AMPC

[9] A man's mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure.

Proverbs 20:24 AMPC

[24] Man's steps are ordered by the Lord. How then can a man understand his way?

Psalm 37:23 AMPC

[23] The steps of a [good] man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his way [and He busies Himself with his every step].

Jeremiah 10:23 AMPC

[23] O Lord [pleads Jeremiah in the name of the people], I know that [the determination of] the way of a man is not in himself; it is not in man [even in a strong man or in a man at his best] to direct his [own] steps.

In all of the verses above, there is a theme that runs through all, and that is the importance of planning. It is strange to ever consider that there is a human being who does not make plans for anything. The most basic assignment, such as waking up to have a bath and get ready for work takes a bit of planning, as you would have to get to work on time, to avoid disciplinary issues. It is also key to note that man, being made in the image of God, and being given the breath of life, has taken on the nature of God, and can also make effective plans. Reflect on the story of the days of creation, where we see God first create light, which is His nature, and the key to revelation of who He is, to then making man as the crowning glory of His creation, and the one to make use of all that He had made, for the benefit of the earth. 

Between both accounts, we see amazing plans and designs being considered, constructed and implemented. If the awesome and Omnipotent God could take time to create the designs we see today, and I have been made in His image, I carry His nature and can also do what He does. That is why the messages in the verses above are critical for my generation. I carry God's nature, which means I am always seeking ways to impact my world. As I am the product of a God who makes awesome plans, I cannot be less than the reflection and embodiment of the One who made me. In the ways, means and methods I seek to carry out my daily life assignments, it has to show that I know and recognise and represent the beauty of God. How else can the world know this God, if as a human being, I do not let His glory, power and beauty shine in and through me? 

There is a message of caution too in the verses above, and it is for man to realise the futility of trying to make plans outside of the God who gave him life and breath. It is good to plan, but it is best to make those plans in and with God. This shows that I recognise His power and authority, and admit that I will not succeed at anything without His help. Make the great plans; put in place measures to help you succeed at whatever you put your heart to, but always remember that there is a divine plan that will always be achieved, whether you subscribe to it or not. No one can thwart the purpose of God, so man's best application of his efforts will best be served by seeking to know what God's purpose is, and seeking it with all his strength. As seen in one of the verses above, when a man's ways please God, He directs his path, but this applies to a man who has surrendered all to God. Surrender frees you from anxiety. Would you do so? God's time of favour is here. 

Copy and Paste!

Copy and Paste!

1 John 2:6 AMPC

[6] Whoever says he abides in Him ought [as a personal debt] to walk and conduct himself in the same way in which He walked and conducted Himself.

So that there is no confusion, it is ideal to remind ourselves of the foundation of this letter by John. John was writing from the point of view of an eyewitness to the Word of Life, having seen Him with his own eyes, and touched with his own hands too. That is the basis of the confidence a man can have to endure temporary pain, because there is a hope ahead that cannot be defined by mere words. The confidence John had in who he knew, what he held and where he was headed, also filled him with excitement to tell others about Jesus. It was not something to be kept to oneself; John was sure to say that he was going to share what he had seen and heard, so that his hearers and readers could also have and enjoy fellowship as partners with God and His Son, Jesus. This is an amazing position to be in: to have confidence in who you know and what you have, sure that it is better than all the treasures of the earth. 

You do not get here by accident; you get there by personal experience. Men who speak the words of the verse above have tasted both sides of life, and know which one has eternal value. John had seen, heard, tasted, touched and encountered the Word of Life, and no earthly experience could distract him from focusing on both earthly impact and eternal stability. As it was in the days of John, so is it now. God has not changed, and His standards have not been lowered. He still seeks men who first touch, taste, see, hear, encounter and experience Him, before they seek to do the same to the world around them. He is not moved or deceived by outward piety, pretence or eye-service; He made the human heart so He understands its different dimensions and complexities. Let no man think he can get away with deceptive zeal, empty of sincere surrender. God is Omniscient; nothing is hidden from His Spirit. 

If I claim to know Him, it will definitely show in my conduct, conversations, the company I keep, the convictions I hold on to, and the commitment with which I address issues. As always, God does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill, but be sure that He will show Himself strong in the lives of men who are fully committed to Him. If I claim to abide in Him, my residence status will be obvious from the choices I make. Citizens have a different experience from aliens. Citizens are invested in the growth of the place they call their own. As a personal debt, I must show off my status as a carrier of the nature of God. Jesus has laid down examples for us, so we are without excuses. He not only commands, but He also supplies the grace and strength I need to succeed. Would you also depend on Him for this walk of faith? God's time of favour is here. 

Store Up!

Store Up!

Matthew 6:19 AMP

[19] “Do not store up for yourselves [material] treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

As part of the first Sermon of Jesus on the mountain, He spoke of various issues such as adultery, murder, anger, provision, prayer and anxiety. He was speaking to the few He had chosen as disciples, and who had followed Him to the top of the mountain to hear Him speak. Of course, the crowd too was there listening to Him, but as you know, the standards of God are not for the uncommitted or the undecided. You do not get to sit on the fence and be content with half-hearted devotion; you have to be all in or all out. You do not get away with being lukewarm; as we now know, the consequence of lukewarmness is to be eternally rejected by God. Am I content being part of the crowd and the many undecided majority, or would I strive to go with Jesus to the top of the mountain, sit with Him and get instructions for life, and then move out at His command to impact the world around me? 

As I seek to know more of this God and what He wants from me, I have to be intentional about doing what He commands, when He commands it, and how He commands me. I have tried it my own way several times and it did not work out well. I have to listen to and truthfully try out what Jesus recommends here. He advises me NOT to store up for myself material treasures here on earth. I note that this places strategic importance on saving for the future; but it has to be the right way, with the right materials, and for the right end. It is biblical to plan for the future; in fact, one will be a fool if you are only focused on the now, and not making any plans about what the future holds. The world teaches us to save and plan for the unknown tomorrow, and that is not a bad thing in itself. To fail to prepare is to prepare to fail. That is a popular saying by motivational speakers, and it has relevance in the spiritual too. 

Jesus also emphasizes saving and planning, but this time, it is for a certain tomorrow, at least for those who have made up their minds to seek after the will of God for their lives and pursue Him. The treasures of the earth are indeed valuable, and they open doors of impact and opportunities for those who have them and can make good use of them. However, the story is not complete without the spiritual dimension. As I plan for impact down here, I must also plan for eternity with God. Thieves also know the value of the treasures of the earth, and some will do anything, even kill, to take hold of these treasures. If things that are temporal can make men take such steps, how much more should we who know the eternal value of life with God, also take steps to secure our future. We cannot afford to fold our arms, do nothing and expect that eternity with God is secure; it is by conscious and deliberate actions that we will secure that which no force on earth can take away. Do I have Him? Have I secured life? God's time of favour is here. 

No Fear!

No Fear!

Psalms 56:3 NKJV

[3] Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You.

What do you do when things go wrong? What do you do when things still do not work out the way you planned it, after you have made the right decisions, even in the face of the pressure to compromise? What happens when there is persecution because you are doing what pleases the heart of God? These were the questions agitating the mind of the man David. This was a young man who did not ask to be king, but was anointed as king whilst there was still a sitting king in place. This sitting king made it his daily duty to find ways to kill David, who was a threat to his kingship, as well as his dynasty. David found himself in Nob, where he met with Ahimelech the priest, and was given food and a sword. Of course, even the priest was afraid when he saw David, because this was a man that the army, inspired by the king, was looking to kill. Being anointed will not keep you from being annoyed. 

That simple encounter David had with the priest at Nob led to the death of the priest Ahimelech and more than 80 other men who wore the linen uphold as priests. Doeg the Edomite was there when David visited the priest and he was the one who reported to Saul. Saul summoned the entire family of priests, and it was Doeg who did not hesitate but killed all the priests. Reflect on this: a man anointed by God to be king did not value what he had, but was willing to kill other anointed men like himself, just to preserve a position that was not his in the first place. David had the same opportunity to harm Saul as he lay sleeping in a tent, but he could not dare lift his hand against the anointed of the Lord. Be careful of what zeal makes you do. It is not a wonder that David was afraid, and he ran for his life, and ended up in Gaza, the land of the Philistines. 

Fear will happen sometimes, when things get out of hand, but like David, what I do with that fear is critical. Daivd did not deny the fact that he was afraid; life will happen to the best of us but how do we move in faith, in the face of that fear? What David did was to acknowledge the fear, but to keep his trust in God. May sound difficult, but trust comes from practice and sustained assurance. As I trust God for the seemingly small things, it becomes easier to trust Him for the big things. I note that David did not say IF, but WHEN I am afraid. Like a small child will hold on the hands of a parent, that is how God wants us to trust His leading and guidance. No sane parent leads a child into danger, but you guide the child through life's experiences so the child can develop confidence. That is how God wants to lead me. He is invested in my success, as He is glorified when my life points out His power and splendour in and through me. Would you trust God the same way? God's time of favour is here. 

Seek God!

Seek God!

Jeremiah 29:13 AMPC

[13] Then you will seek Me, inquire for, and require Me [as a vital necessity] and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

Reflect on the background to the verse above: Judah had sinned and rebelled against God's express commands. They had consistently kicked against God's standards, and despite all the warnings that God sent through many prophets, including Jeremiah, the people would not listen, heed, repent and return to God. As you know, God is a just God. He has made quite clear what the punishment for sin is, and He is too faithful to fail, or be termed a liar. As we trust Him to keep His promises, so can we trust Him to uphold His standard, even when it comes to sin. Nations that had been afraid of the land of Israel were now bold to come against Israel in warfare. The people were taken captive, and not just the poor of the land alone; there were elders, priests, the prophets, and many others that the king of Babylon, Nebuchadnezzar had carried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon.

The elite also included the king Jeconiah, the queen mother, the eunuchs, the princes of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen and the smiths. Who says sin does not have a high price? Who says power, position, possession or privilege can keep you away from the effecf and consequence of sin? Sin can and will reduce anyone, no matter how high, to the lowest point of depression. It cuts one off from our greatest ally, whose help is available to give continuous victory over the power of sin. In this instance, from the palace to the principal officers of the kingdom, the effect of rebellion against God was felt by all. Note that God has no favourites when it comes to sin, and He will punish sin, no matter in whom it is found. However, it is a thing of gratitude that sin did not have the final say on matters here. The verse above makes it clear that even in the face of sin, God provides a way of return to Him. 

That is what the verse above lays out quite clearly. No matter how far away I have gone, or how bad things get, God keeps the door of mercy open for me. God sent Jeremiah, the prophet, with a message of hope to the people in exile. The message was clear: I am here if you want to return. No matter how far away you are from the land of promise, I am just a calll away. It is unfortunate it took exile for the people's heart to return to God, but we take comfort from the mercy of God that keeps reminding us that we have a Father whose heart will not let go. As we seek Him with all our hearts, He promises that we will find Him. Key is to seek Him with all our heart, not out of hypocrisy or eye-service, but from a place of sincerity. I need God; I will not be able to successfully navigate this complex world without His help. The blood has given me access; eternity hangs on what I do with that access. God waits for us all; God's time of favour is here.