Testify!!

Testify!

“[24] Publish his glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things he does.” 1 Chronicles 16:24 NLT

A bit of context wlll help here. Recall the carelessness of Israel when it placed the ark of the covenant on a cart, and then tried to drive it into town. We recall that a man named Uzzah had tried to steady the cart as it was being pulled by oxen that stumbled, and God struck him dead. Out of dread, and a bit of anger, Daivd directed the ark to the house of one Obed-Edom. No reason is given for this directive by the king, but the big lesson for me here is that what could have led to the death of Obed-Edom led to amazing blessings. He must have known the right way to handle the ark, and God blessed him so mich that even the king noticed. What do I do with the knowledge and experience of God I have?

David had learnt the hard way, and he  prepared a tent for the ark, consecrated the Levites for service in relation to the ark, and appointed men to record, and to thank and praise the LORD God of Israel. You may wonder what was to be recorded, but we learn that what does not get measured does not get appreciated. How do I track and appreciate God's dealings with me if there is no record? How do I even keep track of His merciful interventions in my life if I just coast through life with no accountability or appreciation of what I receive from and in Him? I must avoid such carelessness, because an ungrateful life cannot experience the fullness of God's grace and mercy. How is my heart? Does it know who this God is?

David was a man whose life's choices are worthy of emulation. He not only delivered a song to Asaph and his brethren, but we know he was also a man who praised God on a continuous basis. The verse above has to be ny default setting: I publish the glorious deeds of God among the nations. To publish is to declare and make available to an audience. Anywhere I go is an opportunity to declare God's mighty deeds. I am not ashaned of the One who owns me. I take stock of amazing things He does, and I make sure to tell all I come in contact with. What has He done for you? The fact that He has kept me sane and saved deserve praise. What are you going to tell people who ask you the basis of your faith and life? God's time of favour is here. 

Power 2!

Power 2!

“[12] For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 AMPC

We come to another encounter with the Word of God. As we have already pointed out in the last few devotions, the Word of God is also the person of Christ. Any encounter you seek with the Word of God is actually an encounter with the One the Bible refers to as the Word of God. He is the One who made heaven and the earth, and continues to sustain it by the power of His word. Mortal men wrote words as they were inspired by the Holy Spirit, and with the breath of God upon these words, we see how God can speak to one man in a certain way, and yet speak to another man in a different way, even from the same verse of the bible. That is the power of the word of God. We know that the letter kills, but it is the Spirit that gives life. 

The verse above refers to the Word that God speaks as alive and full of power. It is like a dynamo that is active and operative, always producing the continuous energy that fuels, convicts and sustains a believer's spiritual life. Reflect on this: like the human heart can keep pumping blood for decades, supplying all that the body needs, so is it the same with the Word of God: able to keep a believer nourished and sustained with all that is needed. As the verse above makes clear, the Word of God is also referred to as sharper than any two-edged sword. That must be sharp and precise. The word must be able to cut through all pretence and hypocrisy. The word must be able to show me who I am, and also show me what I need to do to get in line. 

The Word can penetrate to the dividing line of the breath of life, which is the soul, and the immortal spirit too. It can deal with every confusion or self-deceit. The Word exposes, sifts, amalyses, and judges the very thoughts and purposes of my heart. Even when I try and convince myself about my motives, the word of God is that standard that does not change to fit my position. I am the one who needs to know what God's mind is on that issue, and ensure that it aligns with the word of God. Reflect on the fact that the Creator of all things cannot be deceived. He has given us a mirror by which He shows us who we are and where we are at. What would you do with this information? Remember: we deal  with an Omniscient God. He wants me to come to Him on His terms, and He will do the amazing in me by the same power with which creation came to be. Would you also yield? God's time of favour is here.

Power!

Power!

“[37] For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment.” Luke 1:37 AMPC

Context matters here. How do you handle the news that some amazing incident that has never happened before in the history of all creation was about to happen to you? How do you tell people that you got pregnant without the help of a man? Even God had to come and speak to the man involved, that what was to happen was of His own making and in line with His will. We know how the story ended, but bear with the young virgin who had to deal with the noise and chatter that would have happened in her own time. This is a God that can fetch water with a basket simply in order to disgrace the bucket. He is the One who can suspend laws in order to lay down His law. 

He sent His Word to both Elizabeth and Mary at the time. I note that their different responses did not impact the operation of the Word sent. Nothing they did or said could have reduced the efficacy of what God had said. Too many times, man, filled with a false sense of his own importance, thinks God needs him to prove that He is God. God is God no matter what I do or do not do. Long before my grandparents came together, He is God, and long after this current version of earth and heaven will pass away and be replaced by new ones, He will still be God. That is the power that is at stake when God's Word is in play. If He says it, be sure He will do it. If He says it, there is nothing in all of creation that has yet to stop what He has planned. 

With God, nothing is ever impossible. That is a statement of fact. His Word is His person; a reflection of His nature and power. When He speaks, He is speaking of Himself. When His name is called, we are asking Him to step in and do what He alone can do. When the Creator spoke, there was no negotiation with the created; creation just had to respond. That is why the verse above makes it clear that no word from God shall be without power. The Word is God. How can there be anything created that become impossible for the Creator to manage and control? How can the Omnipotent God speak and mortal man will claim to resist Him? It is impossible for God to lie, and that is what gives me the assurance that if I hold on to Him, He will come through for me. Would you trust Him with all you are and have? God's time of favour is here. 

Right Thoughts!

Right Thoughts!

“[8] Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. ” Philippians 4:8 KJV

Paul and Timothy were writing to the saints in Christ Jesus which were at Philippi at the time, along with the bishops and deacons of the churches there. What this tells me from the start is that this walk of faith does not make a distinction between leaders and the led. We all have the same Spirit, and we are headed in the same direction. The privilege of leading does not make me superior to those being led, because we all have been given gifts by the same Spirit, and we all are working to ensure that the church of God grows to reflect the personality of the owner, who is Jesus Christ. Am I settled in my heart that I know who I am and whose I am? Do I know who I am working for? 

Let it also be clear that this walk of faith is a reflection of the state of my inner man. That which men see on the outside relfects who is in me. The Christian faith is one that cannot be faked for too long; it is a fruit-based life. I may be able to deceive some people for some time, but this same time is what will reveal the state of my heart. God cannot be deceived; not all men will be deceived also. The verse above counsels those who claim to know and follow Christ to be careful about the state and focus of their hearts. That which takes up my attention will definitely produce an output. The verse above starts with whatever is true. Indeed, truth must be the foundation of all that I seek. Truth, as we know, is a Person. 

The verse above goes on to address things that are honest, things that are just, things that are pure, things that are lovely, and things that are of good report. Reflect on how these things are described: they reflect the nature of Christ, or the things that draw men's attention to Him. Holiness is His nature, and purity is my response to His nature. He wants me to have a good reputation amongst men, so that the gospel is attractive to men. As long as there is virtue in it, and it leads to the praise of God, then that must be my focus. As I take time to think on these things, I am building a treasurehouse of riches I can draw on in the days of trouble. Guard your heart. Be mindful of what it focuses on. God's time of favour is here. 

Approved!

Approved!

“[15] Study and be eager and do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing and accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15 AMPC

Paul was writing to his protege Timothy about the value of preparation before impact. That is the proper order of things. Timothy was a young man that Paul left in Ephesus to ensure that the truths of God’s Word were being upheld. If the young man did not know the truth, what would he be upholding? This is why the foundation of a life of impact is in the laying up of the right information, as we read a few days ago. It is also trans-generational; it does not matter how complex life is - as long as the earth remains in place, the word of God will always be that agent of transformation it needs. How do I harness the rich resources in the Word of God? How do I take advantage of the counsel and wisdom He offers?

At the start of the verse is the counsel to study, be eager, and do my utmost to present myself to God as one approved. The private preparation cannot be comtracted out. It is a personal encounter. It takes time, effort, focus and dedication to following through on the lessons learnt. One who studies in order to know more of God does not do it shabbily, or only when it is convenient. For students seeking a valuable degree, you cannot afford to read only when it suits you. There is a regular and consistent search for knowledge that must be integral to my study. God has promised to be found by all who seek for Him diligently. Am I willing to pay the price for that which God is ready to release? 

As we also know, God does not extensively use a vessel that He has not tested. He has to prepare me the right way for the place He is taking me to, so that I do not destroy myself. The one who has been tested becomes a workman who is now certified, trusted with the mysteries of the Word, and able to know and share God's mind on relevant issues. He has no need to be ashamed, because he is now backed up by the One who is Wisdom and Truth personified. He is able to correctly analyze, accurately divide, and skillfully teach the Word of Truth. The world needs this Truth; men who have encountered the Truth are the ones who can show and tell it to others. Do I truly know Him? God's time of favour is here. 

Protected!

Protected!

“[11] Your word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” Psalm 119:11 AMPC

We do not know who the author of this psalm is, but there is no mistaking the message in the entire chapter. This is the longest chapter in the Bible, and it is full of tributes to the power of the Word of God. We have always presented the view that the Word of God is a Person, as well as the Personality of God Himself. We know the Word was with God in the beginning, and by the Word were all things in heaven and on earth created. We also know that all things are still being sustained to this day by the power of that same Word. Heaven does not have any doubt or contention about who is in charge. The Lord's prayer says that "Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven". The Word of God has been established and proven through all the generations to be the instrument by which lives are impacted and changed. 

The start point for any inner change then, is to accept and embrace this truth about the Word of God. What you do not believe in will not work for you. Others will have personal and specific evidence of the dealings of God with them, whilst you may just have stories from the past. The writer of this psalm had a very personal encounter with the Word of God, which led to the words of the verse above. He knew the source, and so had no issue with submission to the Word. God has always ahown Himself to be trustworthy and it is His consistency that provides the comfort we need to hold on to Him. Another critical message is the word 'laid up'. You do not get there overnight or by mistake; it is the product of a careful and conscious decision to store it up. 

For this writer, the reason why he chose to lay it up was so that he may not sin against God. Reflect on the natural flow of the natural man: he is prone to sin, and in order to defeat sin, he needs help from the One who has already conquered sin. What is prescribed for victory over sin is the Word of God. As far as God is concerned, nothinhg else can give you that victory outside of His Word. If He defeated the devil using the Word, that is the template He has laid down for the victory we seek and need. Recall that the devil also said "It is written", though with ulterior motives. It is not enough to just cram it in and then pour out; you have to spend time with the Word so that its lessons and benefits can be personalised. It is not a magic wand to be waved only in emergencies. May the Lord help me to make a personal relationship with His Word. God's time of favour is here.

Wise Building!

Wise Building!

“[24] So everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts upon them [obeying them] will be like a sensible (prudent, practical, wise) man who built his house upon the rock.”

Matthew 7:24 AMPC

As Jesus sat on the mountain with His disciples, and the crowd all around Him, this did not distract Him from laying down the rules of engagement for His kingdom. Too many times, we want to make the gospel attractive to people, and indeed it is, because it is the person, personality and power of God at work, but we must be careful not to seek to dilute the potency because we need numbers or applause. We also know that there is always a message for everyone who comes in contact with the Word of God. The disciples were the target here, and those who claim to know and follow Christ will do well to listen to and heed the instructions that have been laid out in the verse above. 

The first emphasis is on hearing. It is always a choice: God does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill. All of us will have the opportunity to hear God's word. God is that fair; He knows that faith comes by hearing, and He will present opportunities for us to hear Him. He desires a relationship with all of His creation, and His Word is fundamental to a healthy relationship with Him. The second emphasis is the part about acting on what you have now heard. Both are quite important: Once God has spoken, and He does that often, the right response from all who claim to know and follow Him is obedience. Am I truly His child?

As the verse above makes clear, we are all building. The person who obeys is building something, just like the person who is also not obeying what s/he hears. The difference is the quality of the foundation. As we know, there is nothing wrong with the quality and depth of the message. As long as Christ is the focus, power is released. However, my response is what determines how deep the foundation will go. The person who obeys is described as a sensible, prudent, practical and wise man, who built his house upon the rock. Just reflect on what this means: the effort, time and resources required to ensure that the house stands. You do not pick up gold by the roadside; you do not harness the power of the Word by a lackadaisical search. Am I hearing right? Am I building right? God's time of favour is here. 

Right Heart!

Right Heart!

“Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves].” Philippians 2:3 AMPC

Just as Paul and Timothy were writing to all of God's consecrated people in Philippi, along with their bishops and deacons, so is God also speaking to us today as His church, wherever we may find ourselves. Whatever it was that led to the words of the verse above, we can agree that nothing much has changed. Just as we read of factions in the church in Corinth, where men followed Apollos or Peter or Paul, so do we find the same issue here at Philippi. I must be fully conscious of what the call of God upon my life entails; it is a noble calling that asks me to think of not just my own interests, but how Christ can be glorified in and through me. Too many times, we want to hold on to our 'dignity'; leading to the full manifestations of all that should have been dealt with when we gave our lives to Christ. 

For Paul and Timothy to counsel the people not to do anything through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, for unworthy ends, or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance, it means these issues were concerns for the church. Let us never get to the point where we become very confident in our superiority over the work of the flesh, that we lose our dependence on God. No mortal man, however powerful, can conquer flesh. That is man's natural flow state. I need the help of the One who has defeated the flesh permanently to be able to overcome the same flesh. No amount of education, earnings or elocution can provide that safety. Am I truly under the full control of the Spirit of God, or do I need to make a full surrender to Him today?

As the verse above makes clear, i must regard other people as better than and superior to myself. Let it be clear that this is not possible by reason of strength alone. It is only a man who has learnt true humility that can be comfortable in that position. Who ever lays down, or pushes another person over and above himself, unless s/he has been broken and is totally surrendered to God? This is the place where God wants all His children to be. This is the place where He is glorified in the lives of those who bear His name. I have to always remember that God does not force Himself on anyone. He will help, support and strengthen all who come to Him. Would you trust Him with your life? God's time of favour is here. 

Timeless!

Timeless!

“[1] IN THE beginning [before all time] was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God Himself.” John 1:1 AMPC

As we read yesterday, different perspectives exist on the source and inspiration behind the words laid out in the Bible. Of course, the same will also apply to the origin of creation and how all we see today came to be. We have heard of the big bang theory, or the theory of evolution. A lot of positions have  been shared on this account, but let us take a moment to appreciate the beauty and order of creation. Reflect on all that you see, and you should come to the realisation that only an authority of great power and wisdom could be behind such beauty and order. Even if a big bang occcured and such beauty came to be, pause for a moment and think of the brains behind the scenes, ensuring that all we see now came out the way they are today. Reflect also on the scale of the operation that ensures that all of creation continues to go on like clockwork. 

Seasons continue to come and go with precision; you can make a plan for the changes in seasons. Day and night, cold and heat continue to happen as laid out in the Bible; men are born and they die. There has not been any successful attempt to stop death altogether; you may enjoy life with good healthcare, but when the time is up, there is nothing mortal that can do to stop the work of the immortal. This finality is the loudest proof that there is a God of authority, power and might that governs all that we see today. If no man, no matter how powerful, is able to stop the day of his death, should that not make you pause and consider if there is a God to be met and worshipped? Another version presents the verse above in this way: "The Word was first, the Word present to God, God present to the Word. The Word was God, in readiness for God from day one." 

I have a choice to make here: contest or consciously accept. There is no other source that can counter this truth. A relationship with this God fills your heart with a peace that no other forcw on earth can tamper with. Right in the beginning, before all that we see today ever existed, God was setting the scene for all we see today. We also see that Jesus, being God, was with the Father at the beginning. We read that the Spirit of God was brooding over the waters at creation. That is the perfect proof of the Trinity. He has revealed Himself to us, and He has given us the power to choose Him. Whatever my decision is, I must remember that nothing I do changes who God is or what He can do. I can accept and submit to His power, or I can hold on to the lies and deceit of men. As always, man lives or dies by the decisions he makes. Is God truly Lord of my life? Is He God over all that concerns me? God's time of favour is here. 

Inspired!

Inspired!

“[16] Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, [and] for training in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose, and action).” 2 Timothy 3:16 AMPC

There are people who claim that there are contradictions in the accounts of events laid out in the Bible. There has to be some amazing power behind the bible that even with different versions that have been produced through the centuries, the truths of the Word of God have not been changed or successfully challenged. That is consistency. That is power of a kind that the world cannot explain. The verse above starts with this very incontrovertible fact: all Scripture, even the parts that make you uncomfortable, is God-breathed. It is God who ordered the total destruction of a nation, and He also is the One who showed mercy to another nation simply because it showed mercy to His people. 

The verse above also makes it clear that the words we read in the Bible are given by God's inspiration. Mortal men, with their limitations and weaknesses, were moved by an amazing and extraordinary God to put down the words we read today. These mortal men are like us, not spirits. They were not perfect all at once, but God used them as and when He pleased, to lay out His perfect plan for all mankind. The perfect God is the only One who can use the imperfect to bring perfection to all who put their trust in God. Reflect on the truth that right from the place of man's first sin was the place of God's redemption plan. The mind of God is revealed by what He has laid down. It will be very profitable for me to know God's mind and live by what He shows me.

That is the value of the latter part of the verse above. All that God says has an assignment to work out in my life. There will be times when what I need is instruction for daily living. There will be times when reproof and conviction of sin is what I need at a specific time, as correction of error and discipline in obedience. There will also be times when I need training in righteousness, to know how to live in holiness and in conformity to God's will in thought, purpose and action. What area of life does God not cover? What challenge does God not have a solution for? What life question can exist that the word of God does not have an answer for? The eternal God has made His will known; He waits for us. How do you respond? God's time of favour is here. 

Helped!

Helped!

“[23] Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!”

Psalm 139:23 AMPC

David, the man God testified to as a man after His own heart, is credited with writing this song. The first two verses tell you what you need to know about both David and God. The writer admitted to the truth that God indeed knows him the way no other person can. He knew that there was no surprises when it came to God. Even the thoughts of David were known to God even before David thought of them. That is power on a level that the mortal mind is unable to fully comprehend. As you read the entire chapter, you see the power of this God and the weakness of man in full display. The One who made man has already established his days in His book, even before any of these days come to pass. Reflect on the story of creation and see the wisdom and power of God in full display.

It is in this light that the verse above is to be reviewed. If David already admitted that God had already searched him thoroughly and had known him, why this prayer? How do you ask an already Omniscient God to search you thoroughly? Is there anything about the created that can be hidden from the view of the Creator? The message here is total allegiance. There is a difference between knowledge and action. There are men who know that God is powerful, but they will never bring themselves under His authority. Even the devil knowa that God is powerful, but his eternal damnation has already been sealed. To ask this God to search me is to accept His power and authority over me, and that I will accept His view. 

To ask God to try me and know my thoughts is to embrace His processing. I admit that sometimes I do not always get it; I may think I am the best at whatever I do, but I must leave room for God to deal with me the way He wants to, not the way I think He should. I must choose to be open with the God before whom I will stand for judgment anyway. I know that I may not always see my own faults, motives, or blind spots,  but I trust that God's dealings are not to hurt or harm me but to help me. If God could put His breath in me, it means that He is invested in my success. My best gift to God is total submission to His process. He is the One who can hold me to the end and bring me into safe harbour. He will not force Himself on anyone. Would you submit? God's time of favour is here. 

Delivered!

Delivered!

“[13] [The Father] has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and the dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,”

Colossians 1:13 AMPC

Paul and Timothy who wrote this letter to the saints of God in Colosse would know the value of what the verse above presents. Both men did not have what you would call a very attractive start in the faith. Paul was a man who was fresh from supporting murder, to being a willing traveller to go and do more. Timothy's birth circumstances would have made him quite unqualified for the roles he played, if not for the guided assistance of Paul. Both men had a past from which the death of Jesus played the fundamental role: changing the eventual outcome from eternal death and securing eternal life. It does not matter what the past or even the present looks like: all of us need to encounter the power that was made available at the death and resurrection of Jesus. 

Reflect on what the sacrifice of Jesus means: He who knew no sin became sin for us. He came in my place, stood in my place, paid the price I obviously could not pay, and offered me a way out from under the control and influence of sin. I could not save myself; in fact, at the time that Jesus died, I was not even born, so it was not like I even knew I needed His help. The Omniscient God knew what was ahead, and He provided a way of escape for me, even before I knew whatever trouble was ahead. That is a love that does not make human sense; that is a love that is not conditional upon my acceptance or rejection of Him. There is nothing I can do that will lessen the weight, height, depth or scope of the love Jesus has for me. This is the definition of love that the world needs to know and experience. 

I note that the impact of this love also means that He has not left me in a vacuum. He did not just save me from sin; He also brought me into a different kingdom. He did not leave me as an orphan to fend for myself; He secured earthy relevance and eternal security for me. Let it be clear that the best of us, without Christ, is under the control and dominion of darkness. Education, earnings, expensive jewelry and elocution do not save a man. None of these things can be of value at the judgement seat. What counts is the finished work of Christ. He has transferred us from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of His dear Son. That is new ownership; new vision, pursuits and priorities. That inner change must now drive outer focus. As someone who understands what has been given, it is now a daily submission and embrace of all that has been given. Do you know who and whose you are? God's time of favour is here.

Pray!

Pray!

“Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people).” 

Ephesians 6:18 AMPC

Paul was concluding this letter to the church in Ephesus and he was speaking to different classes of people: slaves, masters, children and parents. For each group, there was a right way to engage so that the message of Christ will be attractive to others. No matter my station in life, or what I have or lack now, the call of God upon my life requires me to be careful and intentional about how I conduct myself. The understanding of who and where I am will help me stay strong and focused on what God desires from and for me. Do you know who and whose you are? Are you clear on God's expectations from you? As we always say: God does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill. 

The introduction to the part where the verse above is taken from reads: “In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides].” It is only IN Him that I can draw the strength that is referred to here. It is only in union with Him that my output can reflect His inner presence. It is my association with Him that will drive my presentation. One way to get the strength that is in focus here is to pray the way the verse above lays it out: IN the Spirit. It is a focus on the One who knows the mind of God and can help me focus on what really matters. I do not know how to pray as I ought, but the Spirit of God is able to direct ny heart and thoughts appropriately. The Spirit of God is the enabler, strengthener and support. 

It is not a one-off; it is a stready engagement. You do not do it only when it feels good, but at all times. It is not a formular for always getting what you want; it is a process of submission whereby God is able to work on and in me to be what He wants me to be. 

There is also the need to balance prayer with watching in alertness. You pray, and then you observe. You keep at it. The heart is always in a state of alertness to what God is saying, so that the knees and lips can respomd the right way. There may be a change in direction as instructed when God has my heart and full attention. I must also pray for God's people too. The change that God wants to do in my world will be led by broken and yielded vessels. Am I one? Can God count on me to also raise one? God's time of favour is here.

Endure!

Endure!

“Blessed (happy, to be envied) is the man who is patient under trial and stands up under temptation, for when he has stood the test and been approved, he will receive [the victor's] crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him.” James 1:12 AMPC

The way God deals with His own differs from person to person, but one truth that we can all hold on to is the fact that there is an earthly and an eternal dimension to whatever God allows. James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, was writing to the twelve tribes scattered abroad among the Gentiles. How had this happened? How did God's people find themselves in strange lands, even though they were Christians? Who says God calls us to earthly comfort alone, with no view of eternity? He will make us relevant here on earth, but He will also preserve us for eternity. This is the full package of the call of God on a man's life. Am I His own? Is He my God?

For all who are called by God, know that trials and tough times are built into the fabric of our development and growth. It is by resistance that the skill of a captain is proven. It is by pressure that the skill of a sportsman is proven. How do I claim I can endure if there has never been anything that can test that statement? The natural man finds the path of least resistance; the spiritual man craves the pressure, because he knows that this is God's way of preparing His own for the heights ahead. God does not push us out to face the tough times on our own; like the pharmacist that He is, everything is calibrated to bring out the best in us, so that we can be whole at the end.

That is why the verse above calls all who submit to God's process 'blessed'. Only God speaks this way. Jesus went to the cross, and now He has obtained eternal life for all who come to Him. In the same way, for all who endure the tough times, there is an eternal reward in view. If the promise is a crown of life, this tells me that nothing escapes the attention of the One who will reward accordingly. He is not a God who can be deceived; He knows my heart, and He can determine its sincerity. Seek God's approval, not man's validation. He is the One who can help us stand. Submit to His process; earn His life. God's time of favour is here. 

No Fear!

No Fear!

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”

Isaiah 41:10 KJV

The source of the information determines the potential for impact. Man can make promises but there is always the divine will of God that will determine whether that promise can be fulfilled. As we read the chapter from where the verse above is taken, we encounter the One who has authority to change destinies an impose His will on all He has created. He is the One who sets up a king to defeat and destroy other kings. He is the One who gives victory to a king over other territories that he ordinarily would not dare enter. When He calls, who can ignore Him? When He directs, who can resist Him? When He commands, the devil has no choice but to obey. 

The One we speak about here has introduced Himself to us in this manner: “Who has done such mighty deeds, summoning each new generation from the beginning of time? It is I, the Lord, the First and the Last. I alone am he."  Reflect on this: when you consider who this God is, all that He has made, and all the amazing things you see Him do, how do all these things prompt you to respond? Is it out of fear or a sense of awe? Would knowledge of God push me to hold Him in awe or avoid Him out of fear? He is the One who raised a king to destroy stronger kings. Other nations saw this, and rather than seek this God, they went after idols. Who do you seek? Why do you seek Him?

For the nations that sought after idols, we all know how they ended. Even when Israel as a nation forsook God and went after false gods, we know how God punished the nation. God has a message for all of us here: He does not take rebellion lightly, but be sure that He will support, sustain and strengthen the one who holds on to Him. Abraham was the man who walked with God by faith, and we see the results of that personal walk in the life of a whole nation till today. 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 up when a man's heart is fully committed to Him. Where is your heart focused on? 

The message in the verse above is for those who are fixed on God. There is no other fear for those who have made God their fear. The Lord is with them that fear Him. His presence is all I need. When He is with me, I need no one else. He will raise men that will help me. He will provide resources for the assignment He has given. He will help me go farther, run faster, walk closer and serve better than I could in my own strength or wisdom. We see this in the lives of the people of Israel. It is the same God still; His rules of engagement have not changed. Is He my sole strength, or am I seeking alternatives? Does He hold all? God's time of favour is here. 

Roll It!

Roll It!

“Roll your works upon the Lord [commit and trust them wholly to Him; He will cause your thoughts to become agreeable to His will, and] so shall your plans be established and succeed.” Proverbs 16:3 AMPC

At the heart of the verse above lies a very important truth: God wants to be involved in every area of my life. There is nothing like a 'no-go' area for God, if I want my life to have meaningful impact. He made me, formed me, gifted me, planted me, and also surrounded me with resources and people that will help me in the journey of impact and relevance, and also prepare me for eternal life with Him. It is also good to look at the life of the man who wrote these words: Solomon the son of David, the greatest king by Israel's records. David may not always have made the right choices when it came to women, but it is instructive to note the impact he had on this young man.

How does a young man seek God if there is no one to show Him the way? How does a young man know the right steps to take if there is no right example to emulate? David did his best to show Solomon what trust in God looks like, and the early years of Solomon indeed showed that he learnt a lot from his father. Picture David telling Solomon about the lion and the bear, as well as Goliath. For me, the lesson is obvious: what are the examples I am presenting for the children that God has given me? What Godly teaching am I modeling? Does my own personal life show that I trust God, even before I dare to tell another person to also trust God? 

From that background, and considering what Solomon asked God for, we now know the value of a life that trusts God completely. This was a man who was given a blank cheque to ask God for anything, even to the lives of his enemies, and all he asked for was wisdom. We know how his life panned out; we read of the many people who came from the ends of the earth to hear him speak. We know the wealth that he amassed, that till today, there is still no one who can match up to his daily spending. However, we also know how the end of his life went; we read of the many wives and concubines he had, who then turned his heart away from the God who had helped him thus far. 

His story makes the lessons in the verse above even clearer: there is nothing I can do outside of God. His breath is in me, so I am empowered to live like Him. I have His power and authority to plan and execute lofty ideas, but I must make sure to check on Him all the way from planning to execution. I do not have the slightest idea what the next minute brings; I need the help of the One who actually created the days and knows what each one has in store. It cannot be some; it has to be all. As we know, if He is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all. If He is in charge, my heart knows to seek Him before I set out. Roll it all on Him; let go of the controls. Let God lead every step of the way as we work and plan well. God's time of favour is here.

Committed!

Committed!

“And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: ” Ruth 1:16 KJV

This is the story of one of the most painful experiences of a Jew recorded in the bible. Here was a man and wife, with two sons, in a famine in their own land. As all men do when there is inconvenience, you seek alternative accommodation. This man took his family out of Bethlehem into the land of Moab. It must be said that Moabites at the time were under strict instructions not to be allowed to enter into the congregation of the Lord, even to their tenth generation. This was a land that had opposed Israel as it journeyed through the wilderness, and had hired Balaam to curse the people of Israel. This was the dilemma that this family had to navigate. It was easy going in, but then marriage occurred. How would these boys bring back these Moabite women without offending God's instructions?

Unfortunately, as the events lay out, the man who took the decision to leave Bethlehem never returned. He, along with his two sons, died in the land of Moab. We do not know what led to their deaths, but this is where the story gets personal: the wife had to return to Bethlehem empty. In her own words, she left full but was returning empty. She left as Naomi which meant pleasantness, and was returning as Mara, which meant bitterness. What was not clear to her was what God was working out in the background, starting with the people that would normally not be allowed to enter into the camp of God's people. Life will happen to the best of us; this mortal body is bound to decay, and must give way to the immortal body that God has prepared for us.

As we prepare for the eternal, what decisions and actions do we need to take today? Ruth may not have known about God’s instructions about her race, but she had seen something in the woman Naomi. She must have watched her lifestyle choices and seen her serve the God of Israel, even in a foreign land. Is my service to God situational or circumstantial? Am I waiting for good weather before I commit to a life of devotion to God? Am I a child of God only when eyes are on me? Am I only in it for what I can get out of it? Naomi was in Moab due to circumstances beyond her control, but she did not let the hostile environment define her commitment. Her life was the example that helped Ruth take a step that led to the eternal dynasty that she became a part of.

The time came for hard decisions. Orpah and Ruth were from Moab; they did not have children for Naomi's sons. There was nothing tying them down. Ruth had seen something that she wanted to be a part of, and she said the immortal words of today's extract. She was not going to be deterred. Her fellow Moabitess had left and gone back to her gods; Ruth had come to know the God of Israel and nothing was going to make her turn back. As I have come to know this God, is there anything in all of creation that is strong enough to distract me? This story reminds me of the power of God's covenant; it is by faith alone. Birth is nice, but knowing and following God is critical. Do you know this God? Does He know you as His own? Can He command total allegiance from me? God's time of favour is here. 

Owned!

Owned!

“THE EARTH is the Lord's, and the fullness of it, the world and they who dwell in it.” Psalm 24:1 AMPC

“If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and its fullness are Mine.” Psalm 50:12 AMPC

Which account of creation do you believe is true? Depending on which sources you do your research on, there are a number of theories in circulation. The Big Bang Theory explains that the universe expanded rapidly from an extremely hot, dense singularity about 13.8 billion years ago, eventually forming atoms, stars, and galaxies. There is also the Abiogenesis and Biological Evolution theory, which explains that life arose from non-living organic compounds roughly 3.8 billion years ago, and that all species diversified over time through natural selection and genetic change. You have to ask the main question: which one is it? Is it 13.8 billion or is it 3.8 billion years old?

And then, there is the Old Earth Creationism theory, which accepts deep geological time and the scientific consensus that the Earth is billions of years old, while still holding that a divine creator initiated or directed the process. In all of the above, did you note the thread that accepts that it is difficult to determine precisely how old the earth is? How do you use the recently created things to determine the age of something whose origin you do not even know? How can the created fully understand and explain the mind of the Creator, without the help, guidance and inspiration of the Creator? For me, how do I have a functional relationship with the Creator without following the rules of relationships that He has laid out?

This is the great dilemma of science: it needs to have an explanation for all it sees, but it needs to just accept that not all it sees can be understood in full on this side of eternity. The verses above are similar in their message: the earth is the Lord's. That is a statement of fact which has been backed up by evidence that science itself also supports. The Bible refers to God as the One who sits above the circle of the earth. Who told the men who wrote these words what shape the earth is? When you consider the predictable precision of seasons such as winter and summer, cold and heat, day and night, seedtime and harvest, you know that no man has the power over these things, except the One who made them, set them in place, and continues to sustain them to this day.

This statement of fact then needs a response from me. What would I do with this? Man has tried to replicate man; we have robots that can mimic all of man, except his soul? We have inventions that can explore all of creation but it still cannot replace the Creator. As the second verse above lays out, what can I give to this Creator that He does not first own? What would I claim to be the creator of, if I still take of that which He has first made? The verse says that even if God were hungry, He will not tell anyone, because none of us can give Him what He already owns. What else can we give Him, except our all? He truly deserves our all.  How do you respond? God's time of favour is here.

God's Reward!

God's Reward!

“For God is not unrighteous to forget or overlook your labor and the love which you have shown for His name's sake in ministering to the needs of the saints (His own consecrated people), as you still do.”

Hebrews 6:10 AMPC

God in His mercy knows how to help us grow in our knowledge and experience of Him. He does not place a burden of immediate full development upon salvation on us; He knows that there must be room for a progressive relationship with God, by which we come into a deeper walk with Him. The other side of this argument is that I cannot then use this as an excuse not to grow. God will play His part, but I must take advantage of all the opportunities for experiencing Him that He brings my way. He does not seek to force Himself on anyone, or go against the exercise of my freewill, but be sure that an accounting will be demanded from all to whom these resources have been made available. 

We do not know who the writer of the book of Hebrews is, but the message in the first few verses of the chapter from where the verse above is taken from is clear: we need to move past the elementary stage in the teachings and doctrine of Christ, and advance steadily toward the completeness and perfection that belong to spiritual maturity. The foundation holds up the building. If the foundation is faulty, the house will eventually fall. If I am only interested in the outward display and not the inner witness, it is just a matter of time before it all falls apart. Where am I standing? On who/what am I standing? Who/What is holding me up? 

What the above tells me is that I cannot afford to switch off, or to ever think I can make it on my own. God provides the help I need to stand, but I need to take hold of the help. Do not be deceived by the false sense of safety that the 'once saved, forever saved' theory seeks to lay down. The ideal is that salvation is a one-off experience, with growth in God and a deepening knowledge of Him the results that follow, but do not think that just folding your hands or sitting on them will keep you away from sin. There is a working out in fear and trembling that must follow salvation; not labour by muscle, but labour in total and absolute dependence on the strength that only Christ provides. 

It is these people that rely solely on God that the verse above is speaking to. When I labour in the strength that Christ provides, I am not seeking recognition or the praise of men; I am serving the One who saved me and calls me His own. As the verse above makes clear, the audience were people who were showing God's kind of love to people, in ministering to the needs of the saints and working to promote the principles and practices of God's kingdom. God is not man, who can be fooled by outward show. He sees my heart, and knows the motives behind whatever I do. He is the One who will reward accordingly. Work like someone who knows who you are really working for, and what the end looks like. God's time of favour is here. 

God's Love!

God's Love!

“It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God's love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].” 1 Corinthians 13:5 AMPC

The entire chapter from where the verse above is taken lays out the case for what love is and what it is not. You find out quite early in the chapter that it is not in the volume of the noise you make, or how hard you try to draw the attention of people to your efforts. In fact, as the same chapter so eloquently lays out, the display of what looks like spiritual gifts can be an empty show. Reflect on what this al means: even if I can speak in the tongues of men and angels, have prophetic powers, and able to move mountains, if these all are not done in the right way, and with the right mind, it is all on vain. How do I know if I am on the right track? 

One thing that God does is that He does not leave us in doubt as to what His standard is. You may argue about what is right, and the devil may suggest to you what the alternative is, but God always make His expectations clear from all who claim to follow Him. This letter by Paul and Sosthenes was addressed to the church of God in Corinth, and the letter was careful to note that it was addressed to those consecrated and purified and made holy in Christ Jesus, selected and called to be called God's people, and to all those in all places in the world who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Do you know who you are? 

Do you know the kind of call that is placed on your life? It is good to have spiritual gifts, and the promise of God is that He will give freely to the body of Christ so that its members can profit and grow by the exercise of these gifts, but it is also equally important to ensure that what I have been graciously given by God is also used graciously to be a blessing to other people. The same way God has given me all of Himself is the same way I must also give of myself to other people. The same love that God has shown me, when He saved me from certain death is the same love that I am now required to show to others. The how is equally as important as the why. 

The how is what the verse above lays out: I do not do what I do out of a heart that is proud. I am not rude to others, simply because I think that I am special or better than the other person. I do not insist on my own way or my own rights; I can let go and allow God work in and through me, reaching and touching lives by my simple lifestyle. I do not keep records of wrongs done to me; there is no value in insisting on my own rights if God is able to defend me. If Jesus gave His life for me at a time when I did not even know I needed Him, there should be nothing too big to let go, if God will be glorified. Can what my life is currently producing be described as God's love? God's time of favour is here.

Nourished for Life!

Nourished for Life!

“ Jesus replied, I am the Bread of Life. He who comes to Me will never be hungry, and he who believes in and cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me will never thirst any more (at any time).” John 6:35 AMPC

As always, there was a great crowd following Jesus wherever He went. There were people hanging on every word He spoke, because they knew His Word had power. Indeed, a man with a message will always command an audience. It is now left to the audience to define the reason why it is seeking that message. At the start of the chapter from where the verse above is taken, we read part of the motive of the crowd: “a great crowd was following Him because they had seen the signs and miracles which He continually performed upon those who were sick.” . Why are you following Jesus? Is it only because of what you seek, or because you truly know who He is? 

Of course, as with a crowd, you cannot read motives. You can interpret actions. The crowd was fed with just five loaves of bread and two small fishes, and this was enough for the crowd to want to seize Him and make Him king, He withdrew by Himself from the crowd. Again, why do you seek Jesus? Is it all about the physical needs being met? The crowd was not deterred; they went all out to seek Jesus, even using boats to cross the sea to look for Jesus. The motive may not have been right at the start, but the effort must be appreciated. With Jesus, you cannot search for Him and still lose, as long as your heart is right. The crowd may have been seeking for food, but what they got was indeed food, the kind that does not spoil, expire or perish. 

Like regular human beings, who does not like endless supply of food? The people had seen a man who could 'multiply' food. It would have been great to have this man as king, but Jesus had a bigger view of what was at stake. The physical is temporal and temporary. The physical is limited. The physical can run out and be exhausted. The physical is subject to man's manipulation. That is why it is very dangerous to live only on that which is physical. The people wanted the bread that never runs out. Maybe they thought it was some physical thing, but Jesus made that eternal statement, which is the first sentence in the verse above: ' I am the Bread of Life'. 

He is not one of many options; He is the only One who could make such a statement. It was not something subject to acceptance by man. Whether I accept it as true or not does not in any way lessen the power of Jesus as that bread that fully satisfies. As it has been laid down, Jesus does not force Himself on anyone; He invites anyone who is willing to come to Him. If I come and take of Him, the promise is that I will never thirst anymore. He invites us to come and believe in Him. He is the One who truly satisfies, leaving no room for anything or anyone else. The invite still stands till today; tomorrow is not guaranteed. Take of Him today. God's time of favour is here. 

Daily!

Daily!

“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]!” Psalm 68:19 AMPC

“Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.” Psalm 68:19 KJV

The title to this psalm simply says: 'Of David'. 'A psalm'. 'A Song'. We are not given context or a situation leading to this song but as you read the chapter, you get the sense that David was either close to the kingship or already in it. There are words describing the authority and splendour of a king which could only come from personal experience. David had brothers who were serving in the army of the king at the time, and he had also been exposed to the war machine of Israel. The one thing that is clear from the entire chapter from where the verse above is taken is that it is only God that can guarantee victory. Man can prepare as best as he can, and it is all fine until Goliath steps out. 

It is God who gives victory. As you read the stories of war in the bible, it is clear that good preparation is ideal, but divine backing is even more important. You can have the best war strategy, but if God arises against you, be sure that your great plans will be scattered and come to nothing. As the first few verses of the chapter from where the verse above is taken makes clear, when God is on your side, foes flee and the wicked perish. The righteous on the other hand are glad and they rejoice before God. It really does matter on whose side I am on, and who is backing me up. I dare not try to go to war without the right support behind and around me.

It is these experiences that strengthen my faith in God, making me certain that He has my best interests at heart, as long as I hold on to Him. Daivd will know what this means. The fight wth Goliath was over before it actually started, because David came in the name and strength of the Lord. The encounter of Gideon with the Midianites was over before they met because God was involved in planning and execution. The confrontation of Judah with the Moabites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites was already over before the choir led the people out, because God was directing to affairs. Before you seek to launch out, be sure that God is on your side and He is the sole director of all you do.

That is how the verse above makes sense. God does not deny me the use of my brain to plan or prepare, but I must ensure that I plan with Him. He is the One who bears our burdens. I am careful to note that it does not say He takes away all the burdens. How do I learn to stay focused on God if there were no hard days? How do I learn to stay focused on God if there were no 'legitimate distractions'? It has to be a daily experience. It cannot be this occasional experience. The work of God in a man's life leads to a testimony by others. Do I have stories of grace, help and support that can be a blessing to other people? As the verse above ends, take time to reflect on this. God's time of favour is here. 

For Good!

For Good!

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

Romans 8:28 KJV

At the start of the chapter from where the verse above is taken lies this interesting fact: 

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death". This is a statement that is not subject to the consent or the manipulation of man. It is the truth of the work that Jesus has done in the lives of all who have totally surrendered their lives to Him. The devil is the master of accusations and condemnation; he can manipulate events to push the narrative that the guilt of sin remains, but we know, beyond any shadow of doubt, that the blood of Jesus is sufficient to wash away all confessed sin. 

It must also be noted that those who lay claim to this new status are those who are IN Christ Jesus. This position is critical to access; it is not enough to just be around or closely related to where it is happening; you have to be IN it to have it in full. It is great to be where God's word is taught; what do you do with it? It is great to hear the testimonies of God's dealings with other people; can you position yourself where you are able to ask God for your own? Am I IN Christ? Please note that it is this residency requirement that defines what God is able to release to you. Like all countries which offer residence permits, you have access to benefits you could not claim before you got the permit. 

God is merciful; His rain falls on both the good and the evil, but be sure that there is special access to those who fear Him: “The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; And he will shew them his covenant.” Psalm 25:14 KJV. It takes a personal walk with God to have access to personal information about Him. That is what also extends to the verse above. These are strange times; we are indeed in those last days. There is suffering all around, but we also know, by the clear words of God, that the glory ahead cannot be compared to the sufferings of this present time. We take comfort from the fact that God cannot be surprised by whatever it is that is happening today. 

His Holy Spirit in us is a deposit, guaranteeing all that is ahead. All the eternal promises of God find expression in and through us in this earthly phase, before we are raptured. The Omniscient God is in charge, ensuring that this present phase does not overwhelm us. In His wisdom, even what we call 'bad' has a purpose in His hands. It is not just a few, but ALL things. The end will always justify the means, when it comes to God's perspective. In His hands and under His permission, there are no evil means. As long as I love God, and I am keyed into His purpose for my life, the end wlll always be good. God's wisdom is eternal; my shortsightedness must not keep me from seeing what God can do. God's time of favour is here. 

Let Be!

Let Be!

Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!. Psalm 46:10 AMPC

To deeply appreciate the words of the verse above, it is good to consider the words of rhe verses just before the one above. The sons of Korah, who wrote this song, refer to God as their Refuge and Strength. That is first and foremost a personal relationship. God may mean many things to many people at different times, but there is a definite power behind an experience that is personal. If you have ever walked in the valley of the shadow of death, and seen God deliver you from certain death, that holds a special place in your heart. You can describe this God in a way that nobody else can. Like the sons of Korah here, do I know this God in any way? 

The song goes on to describe this God as a very present and well-proved help in trouble. How would the writers know this about God if they had never been in trouble? This personal knowledge was what girded their hearts when trouble came. Even when the earth changes and the mountains are shaken, the waters roar and foam, or the mountains tremble at the swelling and tumult of the waters, the hearts of the sons of Korah were set on God and His proven help and comfort. I note that they did not say that they would be kept from trouble; nowhere does God ever promise that His own will be free from trials and tough times. 

What God promises and which should make my heart glad, is His ever-abiding Presence. There is a lot of noise around. The economy of the world is in turmoil. Wars and rumours of wars have messed up budgets and defence plans of countries around the world, yet in the midst of all these, the writers know that God's hands control everything and He is in charge of everything. Nothing happens by accident or without His permission, and in furtherance of His will. He does not need my help to be God; He does not need me to agree that He is God before He can prove that He is. He is in total control, whether I agree or not. This makes me pause, so I can carefully consider what the right response to God should be. 

That right response is what the verse above makes clear. If I fret and make noise from today till next year, it will not change anything that God has planned and purposed to do. The verse above encourages us to LET BE and be still. Reflect on this: be still. It is in quiet reflection that the power of God is better appreciated. It is in quiet consideration of all that God is and does that I can know God deeply and better appreciate His person, plan, and power. He will br exalted among the nations and exalted in the earth. I can resist if I desire, or I can submit to Him and let Him have His way. Having known all this, what is your decision: submit or resist? God's time of favour is here. 

Train!

Train!

“Train up a child in the way he should go [teaching him to seek God’s wisdom and will for his abilities and talents], Even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 AMP

A definition of 'train' presents the following: 'to impart skills, knowledge, or specific behaviors to a person through practice and instruction'. Another one is 'to exercise, practice, or condition the body for a sport, competition, or strenuous activity'. Both are relevant for the verse that is our devotion for today. The definitions above speak of a desire and a destination. There is purpose, intention and direction. There is focus and pursuits. How do these relate? Behind a desire to train is the end goal. You know the value of that end-result; you know what it takes to achieve that end-result, and you put in the work and labour required to achieve that end-result. 

The verse above lays emphasis on 'training' a child. The focus of the training is at an age when you can still mold and influence. A child is still at a stage where s/he is teachable, and is generally open to ideas and discipline. I do believe it was not a mistake to focus on the child. Once habits are formed and character is set, it is hard to make changes. You aim for influence and impact early, so that pursuits and priorities reflect the right lessons. It must also be emphasised that the person seeking to train the child must also know what the right way is. As we always say, I cannot give what I do not have. I cannot force out of me what I have not spent time internalising in the first place. 

Pity a child with the wrong examples to emulate. Once the example is wrong, the end-product will also be wrong, and that is why one must equally be careful of who you allow to influence and train a child. Reflect on the words of the verse above: 'teaching him to seek God’s wisdom and will for his abilities and talents'. It means that I must also walk that walk and model what I teach. Personal examples strengthen teaching. Another benefit laid out in the verse above is that you help the child to form a personal encounter with God too. It ls good to hand-hold for a while, but the greatest blessing a child can have is to be taught how to seek and find God for him/herself. 

When the foundation is set, the journey is worth it. The child is equipped for all that life may throw at him. The early training prepares the child for whatever life may bring as s/he grows. The pain of growing is necessary for the delight of stabilty and consistency later in life. The lessons are set in stone, and the child is not easily swayed. Solomon, who wrote almost all these proverbs, was taught by his father, David, to seek God for himself, but we also see that, at a point, Solomon had to live or die by the choices he made. Am I striving to impact the lives of all that God has given me? Am I faithful to the assignment that He has given me over my children? God's time of favour is here.

True Trust

True Trust!

Most blessed is the man who believes in, trusts in, and relies on the Lord, and whose hope and confidence the Lord is. Jeremiah 17:7 AMPC

Let us consider the context of the verse above which are the words of God to Jeremiah the prophet. The Lord had secured a land flowing with milk and honey for His people, but the people had consistently and persistently rebelled against God's commandments. They had chosen to do wrong, abandoning the God who brought them out of the land of slavery into a land of abundance. It is hard to say with certainty why Israel rebelled against God, but there is a lot of distractions in comfort and convenience without careful boundaries. The people of Israel went as far as putting up poles and altars to strange gods, which could not do anything to help themselves, not to talk of doing the least of the things that God had done for His people. 

Before I point the finger at Israel, I must be careful to examine my own current pursuits and priorities. Does God hold absolute sway over all I am and do? Does He command total allegiance from me, or is there room for other alternatives? Is He Lord of all? As we know from God's Word, there is no middle ground, or half-measures; it is either He is Lord of all, or not Lord at all. He will not contest Lordship and authority with anyone or anything, not because of an identity crisis, or being unsure of who He is, but because He wants me to choose to submit to Him of my freewill. He wil not force Himself on anyone, or go against the exercise of my freewill. 

It is the exercise of that freewill that lies at the heart of the message in the verse above. As we know, God always lays out what you stand to gain in union with Him, and what you stand to lose away from Him. He leaves us in no doubt. Check out the opposite of the verse above: “This is what the Lord says: “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord". These are words directly from the mouth of God, not reported speech. How can the created sustain that which was also created? What help can that which is mortal and vulnerable render to that which is equally also mortal? 

That is why only the eternal and immortal can help and sustain the mortal. Only the Creator can help the created. If your trust is in the created, be sure that, like all created things without God, there is no hope for the future. For the man who believes in, trusts in, and relies on the Lord, the verse above calls such a man most blessed. This is a man whose heart is fixed on God, no matter what happens around him. His mind is msde up, and events around him are not strong enough to upset the stability inside him. Who is the source of my hope and confidence? Remember: God can only sustain that which He has ordained or originated. Is He your hope? God's time of favour is here. 

Do Good!

Do Good!

So then, as occasion and opportunity open up to us, let us do good [morally] to all people [not only being useful or profitable to them, but also doing what is for their spiritual good and advantage]. Be mindful to be a blessing, especially to those of the household of faith [those who belong to God's family with you, the believers].” Galatians 6:10 AMPC

Paul introduced himself as an apostle, a special messenger, appointed; commissioned and sent out by and through Jesus Christ the Messiah and God the Father, and not from any special interest group. This distinction is very important, as your allegiance would usually define your pursuits and priorities. Paul was also writing a letter to the churches in Galatia, and he was seeking to entrench and embed the principles of faith over just labour or hard work in his audience. These were people who had been told all their lives that one had to earn whatever he got, and there were men who sought to enforce the principles of the law over and above those of faith in Christ. 

This message of salvation that only required faith from me is not always an easy one to accept, but the lesson from the life of Paul was that if God could save a man with such a past, then no one is beyond God's mercy. If God could pay such a high price for sin, it means that He hates sin. Anyone who will seek to walk with God must therefore have the same attitude to sin. His mercy does not tolerate iniquity; that is what His blood was shed on the cross to deal with. The blood is now the channel by which mortal man lives right and acceptably before the immortal God. It is by the blood that strength to live right and do good is provided. 

It is by the blood that people from all walks of life, irrespective of race, colour or gender are made acceptable to God. I have now become a family of believers, saved by grace, preserved by mercy, and headed in the same direction as other believers. We have become people sowing into an eternal future with God; with the clear understanding that whatever we sow is what we will reap. We are careful about our daily actions, reactions and decisions. If I sow in the field of my natural desires, I must expect to gather the harvest of death. In the same way, if I sow in the field of the Spirit, then I can expect to gather the harvest of eternal life.

It is this understanding that defines the verse above. I know who I am, whose I am, where I am headed, and what I have been planted to do. I take advantage of every occasion and opportunity to do good to all people. I am very careful to be a blessing to everyone who comes in contact with me, not from a place of compromise or complicity, but from a place of clarity of who I am in God and what He has asked me to do. The good I do must first be felt by those who are my family members: the same people I have been linked to by the blood of Jesus. Charity has to begin at home; home is where Jesus dwells. Are you part of the family of Jesus? God's time of favour is here. 

True Life!

True Life!

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. John 10:10 KJV

Jesus had running battles with the Jewish leaders of His time. He constantly challenged them on the principles and practices that they sought to enforce, whilst also teaching about the principles and practices of God's kingdom and rules. Jesus used parables to teach the crowd about these principles, and the verse above is one of such parables, teaching about the good shepherd and the alternative, who is referred to as the thief. The first thing I note about the identity of both the good shepherd and the thief is that both are known. The one cannot pretend to be the other; both of them have their pursuits and priorities clearly stated in the parable.

The parable refers to the one who enters into the sheepfold by any other way except by the door is the thief. Why is this important? To enter by the door is to be known to the owner of the house and the owner of the sheep. The One who owns the sheep loves them, and has provided safety and security for the sheep, and appointed a shepherd over them. It is to this shepherd, known to the porter, that the door is opened. This shepherd has spent time with the sheep, to the point where the sheep have come to recognise his voice. This shepherd is able to call each sheep by name, lead them out, find pasture for them, and also keep them safe from both natural weather elements and natural predators. 

Of course, the thief does not even care to know anything about any sheep. The thief just needs quick satisfaction, so he does not mind killing the sheep to get something to eat. He does not care about the safety or well-being of the sheep because he has no investment in their welfare. He does not know the story behind any of the sheep, so he is not concerned if they perish or survive. The sheep know that the thief is a stranger, and they do not know the stranger, so they will not follow him. It has to be noted that the sheep is at the heart of the shepherd. The sheep is the one for whom the shepherd is willing to lay down his life. 

Tell me - what could be the motivation for a man to face a lion or a bear, for the sake of protecting sheep? That is what Jesus did for us too: like sheep, we could not keep out of trouble, so Jesus came and took on the weight of sin, so we could be free to follow and serve Him with all our hearts. His love for us knows no boundaries; He still paid the full price, with no guarantees that we would accept His gift. That is what makes Him worth it; even in His Omniscience, knowing that some will reject Him to the end, He still offers us all access to life that does not end. He gives abundant life; the thief only seeks to take and destroy life. Now that you know the options, who would you choose to follow? God's time of favour is here.

Right Example!

Right Example!

Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you. Philippians 4:9 AMPC

This is a letter written by both Paul and his protege Timothy. The message in the verse above is first and foremost personal. Paul was the one who found the young man Timothy and mentored him, until the boy was able to stand and defend the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This boy was left in Ephesus to carry out the work of ministry, and he performed creditably well. The question for me is whether there are lives that are being mentored by my examples of consistency, faithfulness to service, and commitment to the standards of God's kingdom. It is never about well I speak, or the standard of outward performance; it is about inner conviction that drives outward impact.

Paul and his protege Timothy described themselves as bond servants of Christ Jesus. They knew that their physical conditions or limitations were not limits to what God could do through them. They understood that as long as they were submitted to the authority of the One who called and set them apart for His use, they would be fine. They did not allow phyiscal limitations impact the power and spread of the gospel of Christ. Like them, I am also called to be a witness to the truths of Jesus Christ, the power of His resurrection, and the grace and help that His Spirit now inspires and sustains in all who surrender totally to Him. He never leaves His own alone to fend for themselves. 

It is in that spirit that the verse above should be viewed. Paul and Timothy were writing to God's consecrated people Philippi, with the leaders also. As we saw in the example of Timothy who Paul mentored to spiritual authority, so did Paul encourage the entire church to hold on to the teachings of Jesus that Paul had taken time to lay out in that church. Paul could say quite authoritatively that his life was an example that could be emulated. He could say with confidence that his life was patterned after the standards of Jesus. Those ars high words coming from a mortal man too. We recall the example of Elijah, also a mortal man, who prayed, and God shut the heavens for three and a half years. 

Different generations and dispensations, but still the same God. He is still seeking men through whom He can shine forth and attract men to His kingdom. Paul charged his audience to practice what they had learned and received and heard and seen in him. Check out the consistency in His life: there was no difference in what he taught in public and what he practiced in private. There were no inconsistencies. That is the power of a consistent life. He could say with confidence that if his audience could model their way of living on his examples, they would be fine. That is deep; can God recommend me to His church as an example to emulate? God's time of favour is here.

Right Relationships!

Right Relationships!

“Confess to one another therefore your faults (your slips, your false steps, your offenses, your sins) and pray [also] for one another, that you may be healed and restored [to a spiritual tone of mind and heart]. The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].” James 5:16 AMPC

We recall that this letter written by James, who described himself as a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, was addressed to the twelve tribes of Israel which were now scattered abroad among the Gentiles in the dispersion. Through trials and tough times due to their faith in Christ, these people were being persecuted. Rather than stay and maybe die, some chose to leave, but everywhere they went, they made sure to spread the good news of Jesus. That is the foundation of the verse above: men and women who chose ministry over convenience. Does this in any way describe me? Do I focus on the pain? 

Can I see God at work even in the pain? New lands, new neighbours, new church people too but the message was still the same old one: the blood of Jesus is the connecting thread that links us all together. The blood was shed for all of mankind, with no regard for race, colour or gender. We all come to the saving knowledge of Jesus, and we have all become one family under God. Whatever it is that was a distinguishing or special feature for anyone is now no longer as important as the single most important person who matters the most; that is Jesus - who is taking us into the land of promise. We are al one under the cover of the blood and headed for heaven. 

As people wtih such a connection, the verse above is quite relevant. If indeed I know that I am one with other people who are linked by blood, there must be no secrets. If I am under stress or struggling with an issue, I must be able to speak to a fellow traveller without the fear of shame or rumour mongering. If all of us are pulling in the same direction, it sure makes the load lighter and the burden easier to bear. The verse above gives you a window into the early church and what God's standard is for the people who are called by His name. We speak to each other freely; we pray for each other wholeheartedly; we encourage each other without pretence. That is what God desires. 

It is also instructive to note that the verse above ties this show of love to healing and restoration. You may wonder how. When there is bitterness or envy, picture the toll that will take on the spiritual health of the people. Then picture a people who relate in love, and see how quickly God moves in their midst. It does not mean that there will not be minor disagreements, but they know that God is not the author of confusion, and He will not move where He is not given room to show His power. Picture the power of the prayers of these united people. That is what draws men's attention to this God. Do I have the right relationship with other people? Does God know me as His own? God's time of favour is here. 

Good Plans!

Good Plans!

For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 AMP

As you read the verse above, remember the context. Jeremiah had sent a letter to the rest of the elders in exile and to the priests, the prophets and all the people whom the king of Babaylon, Nebuchadnezzar had taken into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon. Judah was God's own people, yet when the nation rebelled against God's express commands, He punished them in line with His Word, and after several warnings. God in His mercy does not just destroy; He will plead and warn, and then punishment will come. As I consider all these, are there warnings from God I need to heed today? Are there decisions I need to take today to avert trouble?

Consider also that both the king and queen mother, as well as the eunuchs, the princes, the court officials of Judah and Jerusalem, the craftsmen and the smiths, were not spared from the trouble that rebellion against God's instructions had brought upon Judah. I recall that Daniel, a man who knew His God and was ready to defend his faith, was not spared from exile. The three Hebrew boys were also not spared, and they had to defend their faith in a land of bondage. Before you think that you are smart about sin, please remember that the patience of God does not mean acquiescence or acceptance of sin. Be careful of what you consider acceptable. 

God will not lower His standards for anyone, no matter who it is. If He did not spare His own people from the consequences of their rebellion, be sure that He will punish every unrepented sin. What makes this even more poignant is that God does not leave us without guidance on who He is and what He expects. Even creation testifies to the power of God. Now that I have been made aware of His standards, I have no excuse for sin. To make matters even more interesting, in the midst of the pain, we read the verse above. How could a God who dealt harshly with His people's sin still be this nice? How does this message of hope sit within the context of punishment? 

This is why God is not man. His Omniscience makes it impossible for man to deceive God, and He is able to foresee all that is coming and plan appropriately for it. The place of man's first sin was also the place where God's plan of salvation for all mankind was made manifest. His mercy transcends generations and dispensations. Even though many generations were going into exile, God did not forget or abandon them. He sent this word of encouragement and hope to the exiles: I have plans of peace and well-being for you. Your future is secure. It is still the same God; as long as I do not toy with sin, and I am His, my present reality does not look in any way like my eternal reality. Even when I do wrong, His mercy is there to restore me, if I truly repent. What an awesome God. Do you know Him? Have you met Him? God's time of favour is here. 

Sustained!

Sustained!

Cast your burden on the Lord [releasing the weight of it] and He will sustain you; He will never allow the [consistently] righteous to be moved (made to slip, fall, or fail) Psalm 55:22 AMPC

We read from another psalm of David, a man God testified to as a man after His own heart. We do not immediately know what was going on with David at this time, but as you read the entire chapter from where the verse above is taken, you find him struggling with the noise of the enemy, the oppression and threats of the wicked, and their persecution. You may ask why a man after God's heart should have such nasty experiences, but I am yet to find a place in the bible where God promises His own a life free of trials and tough times. As we read in the verse above, these were words of a man loved by God, yet there were burdens that needed to be dealt with. How does God want me to deal with these burdens?

The verse above charges me to CAST my burden upon the Lord. There is this brief addition to the verse, where it says I should release the weight of it to God. It is like telling me to let go of the weight and allow God deal with the heavy parts. I note quite carefully that it does not say that the burden is totally removed from me; I now have the Most High God helping me with the weight of it. How do you explain the bit about God sustaining me, if the burden is already taken away? Why does God promise me comfort in all my tribulations if there were no hard times to deal with? He does not say He will immediately remove the burden, but that He will hold my hand whilst I carry the burden. 

Could it be that God is more interested in building my capacity and character, rather than my earthly comfort? Could it be that this is His own way of preparing me the right way for the prize that is ahead? His Omniscience makes it clear that He holds and knows the future, and He also knows the right steps that will bring me to the place He has prepared for me. If there was no pressure, how would I value the pleasure at the end? If there was no cross for Jesus, there would have been no crown of life for us who hold on to the end. I must also keep at the back of my mind that some burdens may be temporary; every experience is a lesson God seeks to use to teach me dependence on Him.

Paul had a thorn in His flesh, but the grace of God sustained him through it all. The thorn remained in place, but grace sustained Paul. As the verse above also makes clear, God is able to hold the righteous up in His hand, so that they are not moved. Life's experiences have a way they can lead to compromise or giving up. Picture Job at the depths of despair and depression, losing all he had. However, he knew that God was with him, even in the pits, and we see how his life ended. Even when you do not see physical signs, let the joy of having God on your side keep your heart stable. God is able to preserve to the end all who hold on to Him to the end. Would you? God's time of favour is here. 

Live Right!

Live Right!

“Rescue any who need to be saved, as you would rescue someone from a fire. Then with fear in your own hearts, have mercy on everyone who needs it. But hate even the clothes of those who have been made dirty by their filthy deeds.” Jude 1:23 CEVUK

Depending on which source you read, Jude or Judas here was one of the earthly half-brothers of Jesus, but he understood the message. He introduces himself as a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James too. It did not matter what had happened in the past or what had brought them to this point; the critical bit was the assignment of missions that God had committed into the hands of Jude. Do I know who I am, who has called me and what I have been called to, or am I still stuck of family genealogies and history? Am I distracted by a desire for phyiscal influence at the expense of spiritual impact? Am I content to be seen as a servant, or am I invested in recognition and respect?

Jude knew his call, and he wrote this letter to those who are called and chosen, dearly loved by God the Father, and separated and kept for Jesus Christ. Reflect on this: the love of God brought salvation to all mankind, but it is only those who commit their lives to Jesus who are truly kept safe. God offers Himself to all, but He will not force Himself on all. As the bible also says: “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God”. As many as would come to the saving knowledge of Jesus, they have access to help and resources that will keep them on the right path. Before I start to claim, do I belong to the category of people covered by the insurance that Jesus' death and resurrection provide?

For those who have come to Jesus, there is a call to be different; to stand out; to fight for the standards of the faith; to enforce the rules and practices of the kingdom to which we belong. When Jude was writing to this letter, he referenced this when he said: "contend for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints". We have been given a precious and free gift: salvation. It comes with its own demands, and it will ask for commitment and discipline. When it comes to this contention, there is no fence to sit on. You are either all in or all out. In the times we live in today, there are mockers and those who walk after their own ungodly lusts, yet God is counting on me to uphold the principles and practices of His kingdom here on earth. 

How do I do these things without help? How do I discern without His guidance? There are people to help from afar; there are people you need to get down and help up. As the verse above makes clear, we are to rescue any who needs to be saved, as one would rescue someone from a fire. That is how pressing the need for salvation is. We are to also have and show mercy to all who need it, but keeping fear in our own hearts, as we deal with the world we have been placed in. As the verse above also makes clear, helping others nust not come at the expense of eternal security. Avoid anything that polutes; God will not lower His standards for anyone, no matter how good the intentions were. May God help us to live right. God's time of favour is here.