Right Words!

Right Words!

“ Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my [firm, impenetrable] Rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14 AMPC

The start of this psalm just simply says 'a psalm of David'. No drama. No extra words. No issues to grind with anyone. No need to explain anything to anyone. The writer was a man who God helped. From being the last of eight boys to Jesse his father, he became the only one to be left with the family sheep. He toiled day and night to keep the sheep safe. He was left alone to the inclement weather and wild beasts. The lion and the bear were familiar foes that he had to fight in order to keep the sheep safe. I am sure that he would have had to account for any sheep that got lost on his watch. How would such a man not find time to seek God's face and access His help?

There was also initially no room for him in the king's army, as records show that three of his brothers were already in Saul's service. He had no prior experience of war that he could count on, except what God had done through him to the lion and the bear. The testimony of protection and safety became the basis of his confidence that God could help him defeat the enemies of Israel. Even without any war knowledge, knowledge of the God of war was enough for him. He could speak of this God in a personal way. He could praise this God, not for what he could get from Him, but simply because he had seen this God at work in his life. That is the power of personal encounters.

It is this personal encounter that underpins the words of the verse above. No man knows God this way and remains careless in his dealings or interactions with God. No one tastes how good this God is and wants to give Him up for that which does not really satisfy. This is a God of absolute wonders, and not One to be trifled with. He is the One before whom there are no secrets or hidden things. He is Omniscient and Omnipotent; He is not man who changes in line with the weather. He is also a God who is invested in the wellbeing and welfare of His own. He hates sin, and He is able to provide the grace and strength we need to avoid sin. 

That is why the prayer in the verse above is timely and relevant to us today. We are in the world, and we have to relate with the people of the world. However, we musr not lose sight of who we are, whose we are, why we have been planted where we are, and where we are headed in eternity. David understood this when he asked God to help him so that the words of his mouth and the meditation of his heart would be acceptable in God's sight. This is critical, because it is my words that let people know the contents and focus of my heart. Can I ask God to work in and on me, so that all I offer pleases and glorifies Him? God’s time of favour is here.

Sow Right!

Sow Right!

“ [Remember] this: he who sows sparingly and grudgingly will also reap sparingly and grudgingly, and he who sows generously [that blessings may come to someone] will also reap generously and with blessings.”

2 Corinthians 9:6 AMPC

Paul was writing to the church in Corinth, and he was addressing an important point that has generated a lot of noise all through the ages. This is the topic of giving. It is critical to note that a large part of the status, focus and priority of my heart will be revealed by what I do with what I have. At the start of the chapter from where the verse above is taken, Paul commended the church here for its clear willingness and eagerness to give to those in need. For Paul to note this and to write about it, it must have been quite obvious. Without making a public show of my charitable acts, is my heart completely free of the love of possessions or position or power? 

Where my heart is, there will my treasure be also. Whatever it is that I hold dear will drive all that I do, how I do them, and how much I am willing to give up. Another thing that Paul raised in this letter was the encouragement this church's generosity had given to other churches too. You may not intend to, and it must not be your desire to impress anyone, but let it be clear that whatever you do has an impact on other people. God is not unjust; if I am obedient to His instructions, He will make my life an example to be emulated. What am I known for? Is there any life that is grateful to God that I am alive? Again, the desire must not be to impress

.

That is the foundation to the verse above. If my heart is right, I know that all I hold is in trust for the One who owns all things. I am careful not to waste resources, but to apply them in a way that will maximise potential. Like a wise farmer, you do not go around and scatter precious seed in a land not ploughed or prepared for sowing. There is a preparation that is required for a good harvest. It is also a divine law that whatever you put in the ground must produce in multiple folds that which has been sown. You do not plant two grains of corn and then harvest two grains of corn. In the process of time, and the application of patience and preparation, the blessing of sowing is in its multiplication effect. 

This is why I must sow right. This is why I am deliberate about my choices and decisions. If I am grudgingly doing anything, how can I expect a bountiful response? If I am just focused on doing my own thing, not bothered about the needs of people around me, why would anyone also be concerned about me when I need help? The divine law of increase is very apt: it takes that which you sow and multiplies it. God's 100% blessing on my 0% effort will always amount to nothing. It is not in the value of what I give, but with the heart with which I give it. If it is done generously, expect manifold increase. That is God's promise, and as we know, He is faithful to His Word. God's time of favour is here. 

Priorities!

Priorities!

“For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. ”

Galatians 1:10 KJV

A child of God is required to have the right priorities. The moment I decided to leave all and follow Jesus was the moment I knew my current direction was not taking me anywhere safe. For all of us naturally born of women, the moment of decision is non-negotiable. For Paul who wrote this letter to the churches in Galatia, there was a moment too when he had to make a choice: persist in his old ways, or choose to follow Christ. We now read of the impact and effect of that decision by Paul. At some point in his journey of faith, he came across these churches, and he introduced himself as an apostle, not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ, and God the Father.

That is clarity of purpose and direction. That was a man who knew who he was, what he had been called to do, where he had been planted to thrive and impact, and where he was headed. It was that clarity that made him sure of what he was saying to these churches in this letter. There must have been a clear departure from the truths Paul had worked hard to teach this church; now there were people who were pushing and pursuing a gospel different from the one that Paul had taught. That is the danger of the generation we are in: it is easier to blend in with that which is sinful than to hold on to the standards God has set in righteousness. 

It is clear that God will not lower His standard for anyone. It does not matter how long the unrighteousness has stood; it does not matter how far the lie has travelled; the truth of God’s word will always outlast the lie. That which God punished in the life of Adam and Eve will still be punished today, if the sinner remains in sin. That is the standard of a God who does not change like shifting shadows. Reflect on how serious Paul viewed a departure from the divine standard, when he said that even if one of the camp of the apostles, or even an angel from heaven came to preach any other gospel other than that which had been preached, such a person should be cursed. 

Strong words, but quite timely for such a time like this. There is grace that draws men to the salvation that Jesus offers, and it is also the same grace that keeps the same man in the path of salvation. Men are the tools that may be used by God to draw men to the light of the gospel, but we must not take our eyes off the Saviour and fix them on the vessels. I owe it to God to fix my gaze on Him as the One who matters. All other people or things are mere tools in the hands of this same God to work out His purpose. There is no pleasing man; I cannot play both sides and win. It is either God takes all or nothing at all. Who is in charge; who is the master? God's time of favour is here.

This God!

This God!

Know, recognize, and understand therefore that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God, Who keeps covenant and steadfast love and mercy with those who love Him and keep His commandments, to a thousand generations. Deuteronomy 7:9 AMPC

The image of God that we love to speak about is one of amazing love. Indeed He is, but that is not always the complete or total picture. We know Him as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, but we are also now introduced to the same God who commanded His people Israel to utterly destroy the people of the nations in the land they were going to possess. Israel was to make no covenant with them, or show mercy to them. They were not to make marriages with them too. Reflect on this: the same God who made these people was willing to let them go down this way because of Israel. God really deserves to be studied; He is not one to be trifled with. 

Two linked reasons are given for these instructions: the first is that the people in these nations will turn the hearts of Israel from following God to serve idols. The second is that God's holy people cannot afford such distractions. For a God who jealously defends His name, be sure that He will punish any act of rebellion. If God had moved in a mighy way to secure a land for you, and you turn around and give your heart to another god, then God is within His right to punish such rebellion. This is NOT a God who can be worshiped alongside any other authority. If He does not take the whole of my heart, then He really does not have any of my heart. How much of me does God hold?

Before we think that Israel must have bribed God, the same chapter from where the verse above is taken states clearly that God did not set His love on Israel because they were more in number, but sinply because of the covenant He made with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It was the walk of faith of other people that gsve Israel this special status with God. Who says that anything we do for and with God is a waste of time? Who says God does not see our hearts or examine our thoughts? He is not a God we can deceive with empty devotion; He cannot be mocked. One man's faithfulness led to a whole nation's favour. What steps do I need to take today to secure such favour too?

The above is the background to our focus today. In light of all you have read above, it is important to note that this God is faithful. He does not forget those who walk with Him in truth. He does not renege on a covenant. He stakes His name and reputation on whatever promise He makes. It is a personal encounter with Him that will help me is know, recognize and understand this God. What worked well yesterday may no longer be relevant today, but with God, you find consistency. Aa He did with Abraham, He is able to hold the same standard for a thousand generations. Still the same God seeking men who will give Him the whole heart. Can He count on me? God’s time of favour is here. 

Love!

Love!

Ephesians 4:2 AMPC

[2] Living as becomes you] with complete lowliness of mind (humility) and meekness (unselfishness, gentleness, mildness), with patience, bearing with one another and making allowances because you love one another.

Paul was writing to the church in Ephesus, and as we always point out, the audience defines the demand and the direction. In this case, Paul was writing to people who had been divinely called by God to a life that was different from what they had always known. This is the first message: if the call of God does not challenge you to a higher and nobler walk, check it again. God does not meet any man and then leave him the same way He met him. There will be a change first on the inside of that man, that will definitely manifest on the outside. The question for me today, which I must find an answer to, is if I have had an encounter with this God.  

Am I still used to the same old measures, or is there an insatiable desire for God burning on the inside of me? The answer to that question will define the rest of this devotion. As the verse just before the one above makes clear, there is a calling we all have received by virtue of the death and resurrection of Jesus. He did not pick and choose those who would enjoy the benefits of what He offered; all of us have access to the grace of God available in Christ Jesus. At the time Jesus died and rose again, none of us was alive so none of us can claim superior advantage or higher access to the benefits over any other person. It has been freely given to us all. 

I note the words in that preceding verse: a summons to God's service. That is what the call of God upon a man's life is. Remember: God will not demand from me that which He has not first supplied sufficient grace for. If He says I should live or love in a particular way, it is because He knows I have been given the grace to so do. After all, God does not call a man and then leave him to figure out what to do or how to walk; He holds the man up and guides him on a constant basis. He will supply the information required to take good decisions, and to live in line with the dictates and demands of this new life. Remember also that it is the life of God in me; the One who owns the life is the One who will help me live it the right way. 

That is the thrust of the verse above: I must live as it reflects my ownership and allegiance as men must know whose I am. That which is inside of me cannot be hidden; that which is of God cannot be limited. If it is the life of God, it has to find expression in and through me. Humility is not normal for the natural man, and meekness is strange to the man who is not yet broken. The natural man will push himself forward, and wants to heard and seen at all times. The man who has had an encounter with God seeks to make God known at all times. Love by God's standard becomes the norm, because the One who lives on the inside is able to flow unhindered to bless lives. Do I have Him, or do I need to really get Him? You cannot fake His presence; if He is in, it will show. God's time of favour is here.

Right Mind!

Right Mind!

Romans 8:6 AMPC

[6] Now the mind of the flesh [which is sense and reason without the Holy Spirit] is death [death that comprises all the miseries arising from sin, both here and hereafter]. But the mind of the [Holy] Spirit is life and [soul] peace [both now and forever].

No matter how nice or firm a house is, once the owner decides that a new house is to be bullt, the owner has to draw up a new plan, factor in costs and then bring down the old house completely, before taking steps to build the new house. This is what the chapter from where the verse above is taken makes clear: it is not possible to build the new nature that Christ promotes on the ruins or foundations of the old nature. No matter how nice the old structure is, as long as the desire is a new one, the old has to be completely dismantled. If you do want to just patch up things and just go with the flow, a mix of the old and the new  at the same time may be permissible from your own perspective but not from God's view.

There is a natural flow that comes from the control centre. If I am under the control and influence of the old nature, it is expected that my life will produce in line with that nature. The bible makes clear what the produce of the flesh looks like. In the same way, if I am under the control and influence of the Spirit of God, my desires and pursuits will also reflect this control. Indeed, the same bible also lays out what the evidence of such control looks like. This is why you do not argue with anyone about who s/he is; the fruits of that life will eventually reveal who is in charge. This is not a comparison scheme; it is first and foremost a personal conviction, which then drives life's pursuits, priorities and purpose.

The warnings in the verse just before the one above, as well as the focus of the devotion today, are worthy of focus. For every choice I make, there are both earthly and eternal implications. If I am focused only on the things that are of the earth, of course I will get the rewards of such focus, but that may be all I get. When the earthly phase is done, what is next? When all of life is gone and I am standing in front of the throne, what plea can I make that will speak for me in eternity? This is the reason why I must get the balance right; God saves me from sin, but then leaves me on earth to represent Him. He wants men to be drawn to the light in me. He wants men to be convicted of sin based on the evidence of my life. 

If all I have is of this earth alone, then it is a miserable existence. The mind of the flesh, which is without the Holy Spirit, only leads to death, both physical and eternal. Flesh cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven, so all that belong to the earth must give way to that which is of the Holy Spirit. The power of sin has already been broken through the death and resurrection of Jesus, so I have no excuse for not depending on what has been settled to live a life free of sin. I have all I need in order to live in peace both down here and then inherit eternal life with God at the end of it all. There is no bigger or better package than this: earthly calm and eternal settlement. Do you have this God? God's time of favour is here. 

Wisdom!

Wisdom!

Proverbs 3:7 AMP

Be not wise in your own eyes; reverently fear and worship the Lord and turn [entirely] away from evil.

Proverbs 8:13 AMPC

The reverent fear and worshipful awe of thm8 Lord [includes] the hatred of evil; pride, arrogance, the evil way, and perverted and twisted speech I hate.

Indeed, Solomon is recorded in the bible as the wisest man who ever lived. When you consider the books that are generally attributed to him, you find the themes of enthusiasm and romance of youth in the book of Songs of Solomon; themes of the wisdom and responsibility of adulthood in the book of Proverbs from where the verses above are taken, and then the themes of the reflections and lessons of old age in the book of Ecclesiastes. That is essentially all of life's full coverage, from birth to death. God is invested in my entire life too, from birth to death, and He wants me to submit all to Him. That is an offering God will never turn down. 

God blessed Solomon with wisdom because he asked God for it, and we see the impact of a life that God blesses. Two of the great lessons that the life of Solomon teaches me are that God is ready, willing and able to give us all that we ask, as long as the purpose behind usage is to glorify the giver. The other lesson, as we have consistently pointed out, is that God will not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill. These two lessons run through the verses above. Just like Solomon, If a man seeks to glorify God, God is also interested in blessing such a man. Am I interested in an offering that God is pleased to accept?

That is what happened to David and Solomon. David laid the foundation; Solomon knew that the kingly assignment was beyond his current capacity, so he went to the One with limitless resources to help him. In the same way, if I will ever amount to anything of value, I cannot be self-sufficient. As the verse above makes clear, I cannot be wise in my own eyes and still depend on God to help me. I am unable to combine both extremes into a single heart. How can I juggle and satisfy the demands of two completely different authorities at the same time? How can I seek to please God one moment and then appease the flesh at the next moment? That is confusion.

As one of the verses above lays out, the reverent fear and worshipful awe of the Lord also includes the hatred of evil and arrogance or pride. The other charges us to reverently fear and worship the Lord and turn entirely away from evil. I cannot turn to God, and also have an eye on pleasing the human nature. This is what God calls lukewarmness, and the eventual impact is that God spews such people out of His mouth. I cannot love God and also love whatever He hates at the same time. He has not left us in doubt as to what He desires from us, and this is what makes His judgment right. Would you seek Him the right way? Would I? God's time of favour is here. 

God's Nature 2!

God's Nature 2!

Isaiah 41:13 AMP

[13] “For I the Lord your God keep hold of your right hand; [I am the Lord], Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’

Just as we read yesterday, God is not a God to be trifled with. He does not joke with sin, and when you consider the size, scope and scale of the price He paid in order to deal permanently with sin, you know that sin is not something to be trifled with either. God will also punish sin, no matter in whom it is found. He has made that clear with the way He had dealt with His own people Israel. This was a people loved by Him and chosen from among the many nations of the world at the time to be the source of His affection. This was His prerogative at the time. However, as we know, being chosen and loved by God places a duty on you not to forget the grace that chose and placed you where you are. 

When God would punish His people, He raised up nations that were not even as strong as the people of Israel. That is what sin does: it renders you powerless. Whatever you had as a defense and protection are gone; anything can push you over. Whatever it is you were able to do in the past quite well becomes a burdensome activity. This is why God paid such a high price to deal with sin. His choice does not absolve me of the responsibility to listen to, heed His instructions and follow Him closely. Interestingly, God who raised up kings like Nebuchadnezzar to deal with Israel for its sin is the same God who raised up another king Cyrus to implement His will for His people and to exact justice on those who had maltreated His people. 

I must never forget where I have been and who I was before God saved me. This must keep me entirely dependent on God for this walk of faith. I was not able to defeat sin on my own, and even after Christ has died and also resurrected, I am still not able to defeat sin on my own. I need the help of this God on a daily basis. This God is always willing to help. That is the message of the verse above. He lays out His credentials as a God who is ever-present; He does not let go, and He does not give up on me. Fear has no room in my heart anymore; His presence does not leave room for anything else. Remember: this is a willing sacrifice. God will not force Himself on anyone. Would I embrace His help? God's time of favour is here. 

God's Nature!

God's Nature!

Lamentations 3:22 AMP

[22] It is because of the Lord’s lovingkindnesses that we are not consumed, Because His [tender] compassions never fail.

When you read the first few verses of the chapter from where the verse above is taken, you will struggle to align the messages. At the start of the chapter, we indeed read of the lamentations of the writer Jeremiah. Here was a man God had used to teach the children of Israel the dangers of rebellion against God and the dire consequences that follow. He spoke out against the political and 'spiritual' leaders  of his time, and he paid a huge price for his words. We read of times he was put in prison in the court of the  king, and at another time, he was beaten by a man who was supposed to be a priest, a chief officer in the house of God. 

These were just a few of the things Jeremiah had to face because he was speaking God's mind to a rebellious people. Who says being on God's side automatically keeps you away from trials and tough times? In fact, it is then that the world opposes you because it knows that it no longer has any hold over you. This was the reflection of Jeremiah at the start of the chapter when he introduced himself as the man who has seen affliction because of the rod of God's wrath. He was not the one who did wrong, and he was only sent to speak God's mind about the people's wrongs, yet he suffered affliction. Before I claim to be on God's side, am I ready for what that claim really entails? 

One great thing about God that is evident in all His dealings with those who He uses is that He backs them up. He does leave us to fend for ourselves or to struggle through pain on our own. Jeremiah was harassed, beaten and oppressed, yet God will not allow anyone to take his life, not even the king  with all his might and army. Jeremiah had some nasty experiences, to the point where he even went to God to complain about what he deemed to be God's heavy hand against him. Thank God that the answers to his dilemma came in the verse above. God never leaves us in doubt that He is on the side of all whose hearts are fully committed to Him.

He does not call and abandon. He does not send out without backing up. One theme that has run through the experiences of Jeremiah is that God's mercy and love is beyond compare. There is no way that man in his fallen nature can fully comprehend the loving kindness of this God. Even for Israel that had sinned, God would not leave them alone, how much more a man that was faithful to God's message. If Israel could experience God's mercy, despite its failings, it gives me hope that God will not give up on me. He will not let me go; He will not abandon me to my devices and He will do all He can to restore me. That is love from God's perspective. How do you respond? God's time of favour is here.

Emmanuel!

Emmanuel!

Deuteronomy 31:8 AMP

[8] It is the Lord who goes before you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or abandon you. Do not fear or be dismayed.

The name Emmanuel is a Hebrew name meaning 'God is with us'. That is the basis of the verse above and the devotion for today. It shows that the Omnipresence of God is not conditional on my acceptance of Him. There is nothing I can do or say to lessen His power and identity, but it will do me a lot of good to recognise and submit to His authority. It may also not happen suddenly, but as I relate with Him on a regular basis, I get to know more and more of Him. The more of Him I know, the more I realise that there is a lot more to know about Him. The more time I spend with Him, the more I look like Him and crave to hear Him. This is the beauty of a God who also seeks to have a relationship with mortal human beings. 

This is the amazing reality of a God beyond human understanding. Man is frail and temporal; God is eternal and beyond permanent. Nothing mortal lasts forever; God is the One who defines the beginning and the end of what we call time, yet He is not limited by time. Indeed, the Creator cannot be defined or dictated to by anything He has created. This was the reality of the man Moses. He had led Israel for 40 years through the barren wilderness, and he had seen God work some mighty miracles. God had brought out water from a rock, had provided a steady supply of food for all the years spent in the wilderness, and had kept them from war, as they had not had any experience fighting any. 

This was not a God to be trifled with, and Moses was careful to note this to the people of Israel, as he came to the end of his own journey with them. He had made a grevious error that cost him entry into the land of promise, but he was now charging Israel, as well as Joshua the new leader, not to forget the God who had brought them this far and was taking them into a land that was not theirs in the first place. Moses was careful to note that it was God who had done all these things for Israel, so that there was now no room for pride or self-sufficiency. God wants to show Himself strong, but He needs me to let Him work. He needs me to let go and let Him in, so He can display His power. 

God does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my own freewill. He wants to lead, and I have to be willing and ready to follow. I cannot be in front; I have no idea where I am going. God does not leave His own alone, even when it appears to be so. As He does not fail, those who He helps cannot also fail. As He cannot be defeated, those who He is with cannot also be defeated. His promise to Israel then, and, as a God who does not lie or change, to us too is that He will not fail or abandon us. That presence is the foundation of the confidence I have to face whatever is coming my way.  I do not fear, not because there is nothing to be afraid of, but because I have God on my side. He is all I have. He is all I need. God's time of favour is here. 

Rest!

Rest!

Matthew 11:28 AMP

[28] “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with salvation]. 

The world is indeed a burdensome place. In all the places you turn to, there are issues to resolve, or a problem to be addressed. Let us consider the context of the verse above. Jesus had finished speaking to His disciples and had entered the cities of Galilee to teach the people about the kingdom of God. These were the people He had been sent to presch to first, but as we know, familiarity with the messenger became the problem the people could not overcome. They thought that they knew his parents and siblings, and did not think that there was anything special about Him. This became the stumbling block to the reception of these people to the message of salvation that Jesus had brought. 

Before we point the finger at them, can we also consider our own lives today? Are we receptive to the message of salvation in its simple form, or are we trying to justify effort and labour in earning that which Jesus offers us freely? This was the message of Jesus to the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum. These were cities that had clear sight of the miracles that Jesus performed, yet they remained stubborn and resistant to the message of salvation. Even John the Baptist, one used mightily by God to lay the groundwork for the coming of Jesus, had to send men to ask Jesus if He was the coming Messiah or if they were to expect another. 

For all who seek clarity on the way forward, the message in the verse above is for us. The world does not have the answers we really need, because it is not set up to answer those kinds of questions. The temporal world does not have answers to the questions of eternity. If you need answers to the questions of eternity, you come to the eternal God, the One who was, who is and who is to come; the ageless, timeless and limitless God. The great thing about this God too is that He wants us to come. That is the first sentence in the verse above: 'Come to me'. He is not looking for people who are perfect from the start; He is looking for people He can work in and on, and make them into what He wants.

Of course, God does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill. This is why the verse above extends the invitation to all who are weary and heavily burdened. If you are fine, you do not nees help. If you know you need help, it is clear who has the help you need. If you are tired of religious rituals that provide no peace, come to the One who is able to give you the kind of rest that refreshes the soul, calms all fears, secures the present, and also guarantees the future. That is the greatest gift of God: an assurance that all will end well with Him. That is rest, even when I am walking with and working for God. What could be better? God's time of favour is here. 

Light!

Light!

Genesis 1:3 AMP

[3] And God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 

In order to understand the power of the verse above, there is a need to consider the nature, identity and purpose of the One who said these words and what was going on at the time He said them. Firstly, there was no earth in the form we know it now. The bible records that the earth was fornless and void; there was an emptiness to it, with darkness upon the face of the deep. This was the best way to describe the state of nothingness that the earth was in at the time. It is important to note, however, that in the midst of all these, the Spirit of God was moving over the face of the waters. None of us was alive at the time but when you consider the events that have occurred since then, and the structure that the earth now has, you know that the One who speaks the words in the verse above is indeed powerful, and not to be trifled with. 

If it was man, maybe the first thing we would seek to do is to bring order into the confusion by putting everything in its place. In all of this confusion, what God did first was to introduce His nature and power in physical, tangible form. The Spirit of God was already hovering over the waters, but this was God giving the earth something that everyone, even those who claim to be atheists or heathens, could identity with.  God spoke through Paul to the Romans, stating that ever since the creation of the world, His invisible attributes, eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through all His creation and the wonderful things that He has made so that anyone who then fails to believe and trust in Him are without excuse and without defense. 

That is what makes this verse special. God began by something of Himself, but which also speaks to us too. We know God as Light, and we know that once He is introduced into any dark situation, there must be a change. God began by speaking, and the power of His Word was immediately made manifest. The bible does not record any passage of time between when God spoke and when what He commanded came to pass. Who can stand against or resist such power? Who can contest the authority of the One who can impose His will in all of creation? The impact of what God has done is to introduce light into darkness, order into chaos, and life into emptiness. By one sentence; He has changed the direction of the earth into something else.

This is where we also come in. We were made in the image and likeness of God, and there is a platform for us to manifest the power of God in this form in the same earth. When God made man, He breathed into man the breath of life, and man became a living soul. His power and nature, aa well as authority, have been deposited in us. The divine law of power behind words and pronouncement is also at work in us. That is why the bible warns that death and life are in the power of the tongue. As one made in the image of this awesome God, I must not be careless about my words. I speak life into every situation around me. I command health into everything that is dying around me. That is who I have been made to be; am I living my true potential? God's time of favour is here. 

Sow Right!

Sow Right!

Hosea 10:12 AMP

[12] Sow with a view to righteousness [that righteousness, like seed, may germinate]; Reap in accordance with mercy and lovingkindness. Break up your uncultivated ground, For it is time to seek and search diligently for the Lord [and to long for His blessing] Until He comes to rain righteousness and His gift of salvation on you.

Context to the verse above will help. Israel was God's chosen people, and they had been given benefits that they did not labour for, or earn by good behaviour. In fact, they were people you would describe as being habitually ungrateful. They would stay loyal as long as there was food, water and the good things of life, but at the slightest pressure or lack, they would rebel and murmur against God. The great thing about God was that He did not immediately lash out against them in anger, but He sent several prophets to them, warning them about the danger in their ways and giving them opportunities to return to God in repentance. 

As we know, Israel would not heed or return to God, and in line with His clear and unambiguous warnings, He applied the punishment that was due to Israel for its ways. Israel that was a luxuriant and prolific vine became a land that bullt altars to Baal and other idols. The heart of the people became divided, and they followed after whatever caught their fancy. This is the clear warning I must heed: comfort must be well managed so it does not become the pathway to destruction. How did a land that God helped become so disconnected from the same God who brought them this far? How do I guard against making the same mistakes Israel made? 

As the verse above makes clear, if the end goal is that which glorifies God, I will be very careful about what I sow and how I sow. The best seeds in an unprepared ground wi yield no harvest. The bad seed in the most fertile ground will also end up the same way. There must be harmony between the seed and the ground in which it is to be sown. The verse above says that I must sow with a view to righteousness, if righteousness like seed must also germinate. You get back that which you put into the ground. I can look forward to reaping in accordance with mercy and lovingkindness once the seed is sown right. Is my life right? Is my heart and all it seeks to offer right? 

As the latter part of the verse above makes clear, it is time to break up the uncultivated ground, and prepare it to receive the good seed that promotes righteousness. God is always invested in doing amazing things for His people, but, as we have always said, God will not force Himself on anyone, or go against the exercise of my freewill. It is a willing sacrifice that sits well for Him to make Himself manifest. He wants to send His rain of righteousness on us all, but we must tune our lives to Him, seeking to obey Him at all times. He is limited by unyielded vessels; if we long for His move, and align with the conditions for His move, He will definitely show up. Would we let Him in and let Him work? God's time of favour is here. 

God's Nature!

God's Nature!

Psalm 30:5 AMPC

[5] For His anger is but for a moment, but His favor is for a lifetime or in His favor is life. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.

This is one of the psalms attributed to David, a man that God Himself referred to as a man after His own heart. That reference is not one to be taken for granted, because it reveals the truth that mortal man, even in his human cover, is able to know the mind of God, and can access the necessary grace that is needed to walk this walk the right way. What makes this even more interesting is the fact that this was not yet the dispensation of the Holy Spirit given after Jesus had come to the earth, died and was resurrected. In most instances, the Spirit of God would come upon men for a reason or for a season, and for a specific assignment. This is what makes the testimony of God about David all the more special. 

Like David then, so is it today. God has not changed the mode of communication, or the channel of access to Him. He is still the same God who spoke to Moses face to face; the same God who Enoch walked with and was just taken away, and the same God who seeks to show Himself strong in the lives of all who sincerely and truthfully seek Him. Like David,I must be aware that God wants to have a special relationship with me. This is not one where I am forcing myself on an unwilling or resistant God; His delight is in relating with His creation, because we are the only part of His creation made in His own image and likeness, and therefore naturally inclined to bring attention to His power deposited in us.

This is why the message in the verse above is timely for us today. There is a danger in taking extreme positions, where we completely deny or ignore God's power, or we are extremely fearful of what we hear of Him that we keep our distance. Both extremes are unpleasant. What God seeks from us is a reverential fear borne out of a deep knowledge and personal experience of Him. When you have truly met and interacted with this God, you do not want to do anything to displease Him. This is not first from a sense of fear, but of love. Let it be known that the same God is indeed both the Lion and the Lamb; He can tear apart and destroy completely, but He can also heal, restore and secure eternally. 

Truly, it is because His anger lasts for a moment that we are able to stay alive till today. If God were to mark iniquity, no one will be able to stand. There are many reasons why weeping may happen or persist; one could regret past actions, or simply be weighed down by life's challenges, but whatever the reason may be, God never leaves His own alone. Pain may come, but His presence never leaves. No matter how hard life gets, I must always remember that nothing down here was built to last forever. The night may look like it will never end, but as long as God is on the throne, be sure that joy will surely follow the night. Do you know this God? God's time of favour is here. 

Helping Others!

Helping Others!

John 13:34 AMP

[34] I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too are to love one another.

Galatians 6:2 AMP

[2] Carry one another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love].

The two verses above are connected; one is by the ultimate discipler, and the other is by one of the many disciples of the discipler. The discipler spent time on earth, laying down the principles and practices of His kingdom; He also spent time raising men that would live out these principles, and became visible and audible testimonies to the power and impact of these principles. Jesus is no longer in the flesh down here on earth  but those who He has raised as His own and breathed on, are still here on earth. How would Jesus be made known, and how would men be drawn to Him if there was no one to reveal what He looks, speaks, walks and works like? 

This is where the disciple comes in. For all who have come to the saving knowledge of Jesus, there is an expected lifestyle that reflects new ownership, new pursuits and new priorities. We now live by different standards. Whatever it was that was important in the old life no longer holds the same attraction in the new life. That change of direction is really non-negotiable. I cannot successfully play both sides: please God and please the world at the same time. My new ownership places a demand on me to look, speak and relate like the One I claim to know and follow. It must be clear that the world knows those which are its own, and that is why being a true follower of Christ cannot be hidden.

The discipler has laid down the standard. In the account of John, a new commandment was laid down, which is that those who know and follow Him must love others the same way He loves them. Truly, you can only show off that which you have, and you can only take out from that which you have in abundance to bless other people. If I am still under the yoke and influence of the old nature, it will be near impossible to love others the way Jesus has commanded here. Before Jesus, you could get away with the minimum, but in this new dispensation of grace, the demand is higher. I must look outside myself to be a blessing to other people. I must see others in the light of how Jesus sees them.

One thing that is clear is that Jesus will not demand from me that which He has not first supplied sufficient grace for. As the disciple lays out in Galatians, I am expected to help carry other people's burdens. It does not mean that I do not have my own burdens, but I have been set free from the burden of selfishness and given a burden of love for other people. It is only a Jesus-broken man that can see as Jesus sees. As I seek to be a blessing to other people, God will also raise men that will be blessings to me too. Not to forget that helping others is one of the laws of Christ; if I am His, I will live by His laws. Are you His? Am I? Can He command obedience from me? God's time of favour is here. 

Fear- Good and Bad!

Fear-Good and Bad!

Proverbs 1:7 AMP

[7] The [reverent] fear of the Lord [that is, worshiping Him and regarding Him as truly awesome] is the beginning and the preeminent part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; But arrogant fools despise [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction and self-discipline.

It is actually quite instructive to note that the book of proverbs lays out itz purpose very clearly in the first few verses. It speaks about the writer, as well as the usefulness of the words in the book. Solomon the king of Israel and the son of David is credited with most of the book, and this is a man that God blessed with wisdom beyond his years. Reflect on what he said about these proverbs: to know skillful and Godly wisdom and instruction; to discern and comprehend the words of understanding and insight; to receive clear instruction in wise behavior and the discipline of wise thoughtfulness, rghteousness, justice, and integrity.  

Tell me, if a man is skilled and knowledgeable in all the areas above, what else does he lack?  If I am able to understand the words of insight, and be able to comprehend Godly instruction, then I am set up for a life of impact and relevance. However, there is a key that defines access to all God is and has, and that is laid out in the introduction to the book, as well as the verse above: this is a personal encounter with the God who is wisdom personified Himself, and who freely gives of Himself to all who aak Him. This is the power as well as the danger of freewill; you get to make a choice of who to submit to or what to pursue, and live with the consequences of your choice. 

As the introduction to the book also makes clear, the wise make a choice to hear and increase their learning, whilst the foolish person takes the opposite direction. The wise also acquire the skill to lead others to the truth, but the foolish person will stick to the folly of his ways and lead other undecided people astray. This is why you cannot explain Godly wisdom without fear. Ordinarily, fear is a strong, unpleasant emotion caused by the threat of danger, pain, or harm, whether real or imagined, but when it comes to God, there is a good fear. This is a deep sense of awe, reverence, and respect for God's supreme power, holiness, and authority. 

We call both fear, but both have different origins, targets and eternal destinations. One cripples; the other sets you free to worship God. One limits; the other constantly reminds you that you have a Father who loves to see you come before Him regularly. That good fear is healthy for anyone who wants a life of purpose and fulfillment. To have no fear of God is to be in danger of eternal destruction. It is arrogant fools who despise skillful and Godly wisdom. As always, God does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill. If I fear Him, I have nothing else to fear. God's time of favour is here. 

Right Help!

Right Help!

Psalms 121:1-2 AMP

[1] I will lift up my eyes to the hills [of Jerusalem]— From where shall my help come? [2] My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.

The writer of this psalm is not indicated, but the message in the psalm is clear. The title of the psalm reads as: 'a song of ascents or degrees' which is generally interpreted to reflect pilgrimage or spiritual progression. It presents a picture of someone fully aware of who he is, where he is headed, and how best to get there.  That is the first impression that jumps at you in the first line of the extract above. Jerusalem was surrounded by hills, and the writer must have been in or around theae hills. The hills offered physical protection, but I am sure tha writer knew that the hills alone could not do the job of safety and security well. 

The Judean hills provided a natural fortress, and for a nation quite used to wars, there was an advantage to being able to see the enemy advancing. Like the writer, we could also be tempted to trust in physical measures we have put in place to secure what we have or know, but we must also realise that the life we have now cannot be truly secured by that which is also created. How can that which is temporal and ephemeral provide eternal and error-proof safety and security? How can the created itself secure just another thing that is created? Only that which is eternal can guarantee results that are also eternal. What fuels your hope? 

It is easy to be impressed by the size, range and reach of these hills. The world knows how to sell that which it wants you to focus on. It will create the problem, and also sell you the solution at a higher cost. This is why there is a need to shift focus from that which the world is making noise about, to what God is saying to us today: size and reach alone do not answer the question about true help. Help generally means to give assistance, support, or make a task easier for someone, which could tempt one into thinking that this help is only intended to make things easier for me, as I could do it by myself. That is the world view of help. 

There is the kind of help that comes from God which is detailed in the latter part of the extract above. This is the One who has authority over all that has been made, and is in control of the affairs of men. It does not matter how high or deep the problem is; the One called the Ancient of Days has been in charge of all long before the problems arose. 

My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. His own help does not wait for me to earn or deserve it before He gives it; after all, what could I have done to earn His gifts of salvation and eternal life? He gives grace in fullness,; He shows mercy in abundance, and He saves from danger even when I am not aware that there is a problem. That is the kind of help that I have access to: timely, complete, unbreakable. Do you know this God? God's time of favour is here  

God's Way!

God's Way!

1 Peter 5:6 AMPC

[6] Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you,

As is the custom, we consider the identity of the writer of this letter, and the audience to whom it is written. Peter introduced himself as an apostle, a special messenger of Jesus Christ. We know how he started: a simple fisherman who became the spokesman of the apostles and a bold witness to the saving and healing power of Jesus. He was a timid man whose name was Simon, and the early part of his life shows that he was a timid man, easily blown about by the wind, but following a proper encounter with Jesus, he was renamed as Peter, which means 'a rock'. The events that followed his life gave him the confidence to introduce himself this way. 

A personal encounter with Jesus is the basic and non-negotiable minimum requirement to be able to speak confidently about the principles of the kingdom you claim to be a part of. How can I encourage other people in the path I have not walked, unless God gives me the right words? How does my life provide comfort to others, if I have not first submitted to the dealings of God. The audience of the letter by Peter were described as elect exiles of the dispersion who were scattered abroad in different regions. They were going through difficult times, but there was a comfort in knowing that they had been chosen and foreknown by God the Father and consecrated by the Spirit. 

It is these dealings of God that empower a man to stand in the face of tough times and to keep himself under God's mighty hand. I must always remember that no one is able to come to Jesus unless the Father draws such a person. Where then is the place of pride or a sense of self-sufficiency? How does a man ever think that he has all he needs for life and Godliness all by himself? As we are human beings first and foremost, we learn to be daily dependent on the grace of God that helps a man keep himself humble under God's mighty hand. What does a man have that was not first given to him by God? Which of us can by manipulation or sheer force of will add a cubit to our height? 

The verse above also reminds me that there are things that God will not do for me. He has given sufficient grace for me to know Him and His standards. He will not force His will on me but I must be sure that if I surrender to Him, there is no limit to what He can do in and through me. It is my job to humble myself; it is in God's time to decide to exalt me. In fact, God will not extensively use a man who is unable to humble himself. Mine is to see myself in God's light, and it is left to God to decide what He will do with me. After all, if I am His, then I must live for His glory. Anything else is a waste of time. God's time of favour is here. 

Truth!

Truth!

John 8:32 AMPC

[32] And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free.

How do you know the Truth? One way to look at this is to first consider how it is defined, which will help us to know what it looks or sounds like, and what it does not look or sound like. One definition of truth' is 'the quality of being true'. A definition of 'true' itself is: something 'matching facts and reality instead of being false'. It would appear that you cannot really understand truth without knowing what is true and what is false. Truth from the definitions above will be something that is absolute, and not capable of multiple meanings or diverse interpretations. If something is only true in certain contexts or situations, then it will be hard to argue that that thing is true at all times. 

This is why it is also important to consider the foundation to the verse above. This was at the time of the Feast of Tabernacles, a season of thanksgiving for the harvest, as well as the remembrance of God's protection during the Israelites' journey through the wilderness. Jesus had spent time teaching the crowd about the principles of the kingdom He had come to establish, and had laid down some truths that were absolute and beyond argument or contention. One of these truths is the clarity of God's instructions when it comes to sin. He does not leave us in any doubt as to what He calls sin. Covetousness or adultery are a few of the actions of man that are clearly laid out as sin by God. 

Another truth from the background to the verse above is the truth of man's fallen nature. The best of us at one time were sinners who were headed to eternal damnation, but the truth of God's mercy, revealed in His plan of redemption for all of mankind, shows us a path back to God. Another truth that is made clear in the background to this verse is the truth of eternal judgment for all who still reject all the other truths that have been laid out above. If Jesus has done all He can to save, redeem, restore and secure eternal life for us, how can we turn around and blame Him for the eternal consequences of the decision we made to reject His free gift of salvation? 

The truths above are all absolute. You cannot argue against any of them. There is now this final truth that binds them all together, and that is the Truth introduced to us in the verse above. There is a Person that makes all these truths real, and it is only in and by Him that we receive grace to accept all the other truths, and align our lives with His demands. This is where the truth of personal choice comes in; having heard all these truths, how do I respond? Like the Jews who believed in Him in those days, so do we need to make a decision today. Only by a personal encounter with this Truth can I receive grace to live daily in line with these other truths. He is all we need for the times we are in. Do you know Him? God's time of favour is here. 

Fruit!

Fruit!

Galatians 5:22 - 23 AMPC

[22] But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge].

In simple terms, you can define 'fruit' as the seed-bearing structure of a plant, often sweet and edible. It means that the fruit would always reflect the plant from which it is taken, or what you may call the seed. The fruit does not exist in isolation of the seed or plant and cannot be celebrated outside of the influence of the seed. Think of it this way: the one who plants the seed knows what s/he wants to get at the end of the process. The best seed is then cultivated and planted in the ground; it is carefully nurtured and kept from the influence of weeds or adverse weather, so that it can have the best environment to bloom and thrive. 

At the end of the process, the seed matures and bears visible and edible fruit, which many will partake of and enjoy. Even the person who planted the seed may not be able to consume all the fruit. People who pass by and had no idea how or when the seed was planted and nurtured will also partake in the fruit. This is just a reflection of the message in the verse above. The verse above presents all the qualities listed as the fruit of the Spirit. It does not refer to them in plural, but in singular form, which tells me that this is not an auction where I get to choose the ones that are convenient, and reject the others that may be hard to attain. 

This is a package deal, where I get all for the price of total surrender to the One who is able to plant the seed in me, nurture it, so that it produces the fruiit listed above. As the verse above makes clear, this fruit is the work His presence within me is able to accomplish. It has nothing to do with circle of influence or my bank account balance, or any networth value. It is all God from start to finish, and it is done in a life that allows Him work. It is not what I can get by labour, striving or pushing hard; if it were by effort alone, then grace is of no effect. It is also not enough to hear or read about Him; He has to live inside me. Too many times, we are content with hearsay or other people's opinions. It is time we sought for, found God, and then followed Him for ourselves. 

After all, it is first and foremost a personal encounter. There is no group or teams call for this one. Check out all the dimensions to this fruit, and you will find that all of them are first internal convictions before they become external manifestations. There is no market for joy, but you cannot deny its presence in the life of a man who has it. You cannot buy peace in the market but when you meet a man who is ruled by the Prince of Peace, you cannot doubt his encounter. It is also instructive to note that no government can make a law to make any of these dimensions unlawful. What a wonderful and wise God, who calls us into this unique and special relationship, by which He can make Himself known to the world. He has given us His all; would we also give Him our all? God's time of favour is here. 

My Rock!

My Rock!

Psalm 18:2 AMPC

[2] The Lord is my Rock, my Fortress, and my Deliverer; my God, my keen and firm Strength in Whom I will trust and take refuge, my Shield, and the Horn of my salvation, my High Tower.

Pause for a moment and reflect on the clear message at the top of the chapter from where the verse above is taken. It reads: 'A psalm of David the servant of the Lord, who spoke the words of this song to the Lord on the day when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul'. This is the man who had been taken from total obscurity as a shepherd boy, and made the king over Israel. He had been anointed in secret, but before long, the whole nation had known about it. He is referred to as the servant of the Lord, and of course, we know that God called this same servant a man after His own heart. 

Who says being backed up by God will keep you away from trials or tough times? Who says that being a child of God insures you from rough waves and strong winds? God too does not promise such anywhere in His Word; what is guaranteed is a life filled with His power and presence. What is guaranteed is that whatever He allows to come our way is carefully calculated and calibrated to bring out His best in us. Like the pharmacist that He is, amongst many other things, He will not bring on us more than we can bear, and He will also make a way of escape for us, so we can be standing at the end of it all. That is what we have access to. 

As the verse above makes clear, you do not make claims without having a personal encounter with the One who can supply that which you need. You cannot speak quite confidently about an encounter you do not have. When David refers to God as his rock, fortress, deliverer, his God, his strength, these are things that are best understood from personal experience. You do not use such personal words for someone you only have a passing acquaintance with. These words are also from a place of struggle and victory, a place of warring and overcoming, and a place of pain turned into strength. Do you know or have anything to do with this God?

How else would I appreciate the value of a rock or fortress if I never had to run from trouble into a safe place? The value of who I know and what I have will best be appreciated when trouble comes. It is not a matter of IF but WHEN. Being a child of God is the best relationship I could ever have. He is the One who can preserve from all evil. He is the One who gives me a safe place to rest, before I have to face the world again. He is the One who saves me, and even when I am weary and broken, He picks me, cleans me up, and still sets me on the path to relevance and impact. Who else can do what God does? Again I ask: do you know and have Him? God's time of favour is here. 

No Worries!

No Worries!

Matthew 6:34 AMPC

[34] So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble.

It is the natural human reaction to fret and worry about things you cannot influence or control. Man usually loves to have a sense of control, as he is able to direct the narrative, but when you are already limited by time, resources and nature, you just cannot win the battle of control. As was mentioned above, it is a natural human reaction to worry, even for those who know God, and that is why the message in the verse above is instructive for us. The verse above is taken from the first Sermon of Jesus on the mountain, as He sat down with His disciples. We have always maintained that though the crowd was there, the crowd was not Jesus' main audience. 

You do not place a demand for commitment on an uncommitted majority. You do not make a demand for faith from a generation that has been brought up on fear and rumours, unless you have first changed the inner point of control and influence. This is what Jesus was trying to do here. I note that He did not rebuke His disciples for worrying; He gave them a reason to stop worrying, but also provided an alternative focus. This is also important: too many times, we tell people what to stop doing but we do not provide a viable alternative focus or activity. The natural mind is prone to activity - mental, psychological, emotional. He just cannot sit still; he needs an answer to all of life's questions.

He is unable to see beyond this immediate second, yet he wants to have in place a ten-year plan. Whilst there is absolutely nothing wrong with planning, it has to be done with the right mentality, attitude and focus. As the same chapter from where the verse above is taken makes clear, no one can add a single cubit to his height or a single day to his span of life by worrying? The birds of the air do not hunt, and they have no savings account, yet it is hard to find any of them falling to the ground dead due to hunger. The lilies of the field have no tailors yet they are always beautifully adorned. Not even Solomon with His riches had such beauty. 

If God can take care of these creatures which are not promised eternal life with God, how much more will God take care of us in whom He has deposited a part of Himself? As it has been pointed out, rather than worry, put all your trust in God alone. Why worry about a tomorrow you have not seen, when you have a God who holds tomorrow in His hands? Each day has its own troubles, but this God also promises mercies on a daily basis. His mercies have not failed yet and He will not start today. He does not sleep or slumber, and He does not get tired. The One who made us in His own image is also invested in our success and advancement. Trust Him with your life. God's time of favour is here. 

All I Need!

All I Need!

2 Peter 1:3 AMPC

[3] For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue).

There is power in personal encounters. The man who wrote this letter would know this. We know how and where he started: he was an ordinary fisherman, busy at his place of work when Jesus borrowed his ship to teach and preach, and then blessed him with a boat full of fish. That encounter was enough to change the direction of Peter's life. We also know he was not always the best version of himself at the start; he was given to fear and emotional responses. In fact, his name was Simon the reed. It was his encounter with Jesus, as well as the inspiration he got from the Spirit, that led to the name Peter being added to his name. 

It is even more special to consider that this was the same man who walked with Jesus for more than three years, yet at the first sight of arrest, he denied ever knowing Jesus. Before we blame Simon, remember that another disciple named Judas Iscariot actually took money to betray the same Jesus. It is clear that the grace of God is not something we earn by any good thing we could have done, but it is simply a function of God's goodness and mercy. By human standards, men like Simon, Judas Iscariot and even Thomas  may not have been qualified to be called disciples, but this is where grace does not always follow logic. Who says it must always make sense? 

This same Peter now writes to those who have obtained the same precious faith that he, along with other apostles, also obtained. This is the work of faith, not just works. This is the righteousness of God that all who come in faith to the Saviour Jesus Christ receive. If men like Peter could speak of grace this way, it means that there is nobody who is beyond the grace of God. It does not matter how dirty my past is; it does not matter what the weight of the past is. All that really matters is that I respond to the offer of God that has been made available. His power, presence and presents are available for all men, particularly for those who submit their lives to Him. 

He does not only sort out the eternal; He is also invested in the earthly. He wants me to be a blessing down here, and in preparation for eternity. God wants me to be His eyes, ears, hands, feet and heart, so that men are attracted to His light in me. The best way I can do these is to reflect His glory and power by the things I do, the way I look, the words I speak. I am His ambassador; the earthly and visible representative of an invisible God. As the verse above makes clear, He has given us all that we need for life and Godliness. The One who calls is the One who also equips. He does not do half-measures. Do you know this God? God's time of favour is here.

New Life!

New Life!

Colossians 3:1 AMPC

[1] IF THEN you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Paul was writing this letter to the church in Colosse, and it is instructive that this letter was co-written by Timothy, someone who had been mentored in the faith by Paul. Timothy was not one you would have reckoned with by Jewish standards, because his father was Greek, but we now know that the past does not always determine the present or the future. That Timothy became the vessel he became is a testament to the power of God to save and to use. There is no one who is so far gone that s/he is beyond the grace of God. He is the One who takes the ordinary and makes it extraordinary. It really matters in whose hands that life is. 

It is also instructive to note the audience to which this letter is addressed: the saints (the consecrated people of God) and believing and faithful brethren in Christ. This also matters. As we have always maintained, the audience defines the demand. You do not place a demand for commitment from a majority which has no idea of what is required by God. How can you commit to a God who you do not know or whose authority you do not submit to? The other danger is that this majority is of course in large numbers, and can be quite loud and visible. The crowd can make noise, but it does not always mean that God is backing up that noise. 

For those who have made that commitment, the message in the verse above is clear: we have been raised with Christ into a new life. When Christ died on the cross, He took away the power of sin and death, giving us access into the new life that only Christ can give. We now share the same life; we share the power of resurrection, because this new life does not end. This is both humbling and instructive; it is a life that is only available in Christ, and it places a demand for new pursuits and priorities from all who seek it. What worked in the old life no longer applies in this new life. What was permitted under the old order no longer works in this new order. 

For people who share this new life, the verse above lays out this requirement: aim at and seek the rich, eternal treasures that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. It does not mean that I forget how to be a blessing down here on earth, but the values of the earth must not hold my heart. I cannot afford to focus only on what I can get here, but the desire for eternal life with God must be of utmost priority.  The treasures in Christ beat whatever the earth can give you; the earth can even give you, but it cannot guarantee that you will enjoy it. Focus on God, even as you make impact for Him down here. Eternity will be glad you did. God's time of favour is here. 

Be Wise!

Be Wise!

Daniel 12:3 AMPC

[3] And the teachers and those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness (to uprightness and right standing with God) [shall give forth light] like the stars forever and ever.

Let us put the verse above in the right context. These were the final words of the book of Daniel, and as we know, this latter part of the book was about prophecies of the end. Daniel himself was a Jew who found himself in captivity along with other Jews, but what distinguished him was his commitment to purity, both internal and external. Even though he was in a foreign land where he could have blended in without feeling guilty, he knew what God's standards were, and he would not compromise. For all of us who seek impact, relevance and eternal reward, we cannot afford to do what others do, live as others live, and even eat as others eat, as Daniel found out to his advantage. 

Daniel was also a man given to prayer. As we read from the book of Daniel, there were deep mysteries revealed to him simply because he was a man given to prayer. It was so special that even a dream and its interpretation were both revealed to him, which shows the heart of God in dealing with people who make time for Him, as well as God's readiness to share deep things with those who can handle them. Can God say the same about me? Can I find time in the midst of the most pressing schedule, to commune with God and seek His face for all that is both present and ahead? As we have said several times, God will not force Himself on anyone. 

He will also not go against the exercise of my freewill but be sure that He will show Himself strong and mighty in the lives of all who seek Him sincerely and with their whole hearts. This is the foundation of the verse above. God has needs too, and He seeks men who will listen to His heart and seek to do His will. He does not promise a life free of tribulations or tough times, but He sure promises us His ever-abiding Presence and Power. As the first verse of the chapter from where the verse above is taken makes clear, there will be a time of trouble and distress for the world, but God promises deliverance for all whose names are written in the Book. 

That has to be the right motivation for all that I am asked to do: whatever it is I want to do: teach the undiluted word of God and turn many to righteousness. It is by personal example that the life of Christ can be made attractive to the world around me. The verse above refers to teachers and those who are wise. To be able to teach the right way is to be humble and open about your struggles, and totally depending on the One who cab help you stand. To be wise is to also lead others to the saving knowledge of Jesus, saving them from eternal damnation. This is the best use of the life that God has given me. That is true wisdom. Do I truly have Him? God's time of favour is here. 

Refuge!

Refuge!

Psalm 46:1 AMPC

[1] GOD IS our Refuge and Strength [mighty and impenetrable to temptation], a very present and well-proved help in trouble.

This is a psalm written by the sons of Korah. We do not know the context, but there is no doubt about the depth of the message. You do not speak like this without some deeply personal experience of the God referred to in the verse above. Mature men are confident to speak about someone or something they know quite well, and this also applies here. Can I say with utmost confidence that I know this God that the sons of Korah spoke of in the verse above? I also note that it went far beyond just hearsay; as much as it is nice to hear others speak about God, it is even more important to know Him for yourself. 

When trials and tough times come, you really cannot depend on just what someone else has said. It has to be something you have personally found to be true, proven by personal experience. Another thing that is clear from the verse above is that you do not come to such a conclusion without some rough and tough times. How do you call God a refuge if you have never had to run to Him for safety from danger or trouble? How do you find God to be a place of strength if there had not been times of weakness, discomfort, pain or failure? Again, this is the power of personal experience. Men can speal of what they know, but they cannot experience God on your behalf. 

He has walked in my own shoes, so His experiences have become sources of help and inspiration for me. He was tempted by the devil, and whatever it is that we go through today has already been answered and provided for by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Just like a definition of 'refuge' lays out, it means protection, shelter, or a safe place that keeps you away from danger, trouble, or hardship. Of course, there must be danger for a refuge to make sense. The human experience is unpredictable; God does nor promise a life free of trouble, but that in spite of what comes, there is a presence that stays true. 

The verse above also refers to the same God as a very present and well-proved help in trouble. Again, how do you prove this to be true if life was all a bed of roses? How do you test the veracity of this claim if you never had pressure? I must value the blessings of this life which enable me learn the value of God’s presence and power.  It does not matter how bad things get or how deep problems go; God is ever-present. He stays in when everyone else steps out. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. He has not changed or moved; if He seems far, I must check where I am and where I have been. He is that faithful. God’s time of favour is here. 

Plan; Pray; Prepare!

Plan; Pray; Prepare

Proverbs 16:9 AMPC

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

The story of creation helps to put the verse above in the right perspective. God made man in His own image and likeness; when God breathed into man, He deposited a part of His divine nature into man, so man could be His representation on earth. One of the ways by which man shows off Gods nature in him is by planning, organising and implementing ideas that change or improve the world. Consider some of the awesome discoveries that man already has in place, and you will deeply appreciate the kind of mind that has gone into putting everything in its rightful place, and making sure everything just clicks. That is the proof that God exists. 

When this God then breathes into you, you cannot really be ordinary. It is impossible for such a God to put a part of Himself in you, and you will not be capable of awesome discoveries and impact. What makes this even more humbling is the fact that this breath is given to all men, irrespective of the decisions they then take with what they have been given. You noe find men using their God-given knowledge to develop things that destroy fellow men. The world is becoming more and more insensitive to human suffering as long as it can make money off the human experience. We seem not to understand the eternal impact of what we have been given.

It is part of the normal human experience to plan. Whatever it is you want to do, you sit down and make a plan. To plan is to lay out a detailed proposal, set of decisions, or an organized sequence of steps created to achieve a specific goal or future objective. It means that you have an end in view, and you lay out concrete steps or decisions that will help toward the achievement of that goal. This has nothing to do with Christianity; it is human nature. However, place this awesome power in the hands of a man who has come to understand earthly and eternal implications and you will find a man who knows that plans are only great when the divine is in charge of the mundane. 

You make the plans, but you know clearly that God is the final arbiter of what works. You place all the plans in His hands, and trust that He is able to guide into His perfect will. I am limited by time, information and resources; there are things that I am not able to foresee and plan adequately for. The weather alone can force a change of long-term plans. You cannot afford to face life without the help of the One who knows and holds tomorrow. The Lord has to direct my steps so I can arrive in the place He has prepared for me. Remember: this is a voluntary submission. God will not force Himself on anyone. Would I willingly yield? God's time of favour is here. 

The Same!

The Same!

Hebrews 13:8 AMPC

[8] Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is [always] the same, yesterday, today, [yes] and forever (to the ages).

It is very important to consider the context of the message in the verse above, considering the messages in the verses just before the one above. The writer of this book starts off with an encouragement to be hospitable to people, no matter their state in life at the moment. These could be poor people, those who are in prison, or strangers you do not know. It then goes on to address the importance of purity in marriage, and the judgement of God that is certain to come on all who do not honour the marriage covenant. We then read about the danger of greed, and why total dependence on God is the best decision a man can make. 

There is this very special message too about the power of spiritual mentorship, where we are enjoined to remember all who lived out the truths of the word of God, and became examples whose lives are worthy of respect and emulation. Why does this matter? This is where God's power and wisdom are beyond searching out or understanding. This is a God who has limitless resources and can decide how He wants to make impact in the earth that He formed, but He chose yet another part of His creation to be the instruments of the display of His power and glory. He has made men to be carriers of His power: through them, the aroma of His presence can be made manifest around the world. 

This is the context in which the verse above is to be understood. An immortal God places His premium on mortal, limited man. He shows off His unlimited power using limited vessels, so that all the glory is given to Him. The vessel knows that he is only empowered to do anything special because of the One who lives in him. This is why leaning my entire being on God is the best decision I could ever make. Trusting in His power, wisdom and goodness opens doors of impact that would otherwise be closed. There is no room for pride or self-sufficiency; how can I be filled with pride over an endowment I did not create? It is all God. That is what makes the verse above powerful. 

It is a message of hope, as well as a warning. No matter the changing times and seasons, God remains the same. No matter how many dispensations and generations have come and gone, God remains the same. Check out the stories of the men and women in the Bible and you will see amazing ways God has shown Himself in the lives of people. What He called sin under Adam and Jacob is still a sin under our current generation. What He also celebrated in the life of Abraham is still deeply appreciated in our own generation today. He does not change like shifting shadows. You can trust Him with your life, and He will surely bring you safe into eternal harbour. Would you trust Him with all you are and have? God's time of favour is here. 

This God!

This God!

Psalm 100:5 AMPC

[5] For the Lord is good; His mercy and loving-kindness are everlasting, His faithfulness and truth endure to all generations.

We take our devotion today from a chapter of the bible titled 'A psalm of thanksgiving and for the thank offering'.  It is one of the few pslams that is not directly attributed to David. The title helps to clarify what the focus of the entire chapter is: a recognition of the nature and identity of this God, the amazing and wonderful things He has done, and a public declaration of the right response to all He has done. The fact that David is not mentioned at all means that it is someone who we may not know, but has been able to document his own personal encounter with this God. Do I truly know this God? Do you? Is all I know about Him just what someome else has written?

There is nothing wrong in starting with, or relying on someone else's testimony at the start, but I have to make my own. It helps to listen to someone else's encounters with God and hear the wonders of His power, but there is a place for my own encounters with God. It is what I know that will carry me through the many experiences that will definitely come my way. Reflect on the life of David: he did not always make the right decisions, and the journey of his life was not always pleasant and enjoyable, but he definitely had God on his side, with God declaring that He had found a man after His own heart. That is wonderful coming from God Himself. 

Can God say the same about me? Can He trust my heart that it will sing of His praise even when everything around me seems to be falling to pieces? Can He trust that my heart will rejoice more in Him than for all that I have or hold? Would my focus shift to the size of my problems, rather than fixing on the size, power, wisdom and capability of the God who made the universe, and holds all things under His control? He does not promise perpetually blue skies, or a life free of trials, tribulations and tough times, but He sure promises us His ever-abiding Presence and Power. When you do not have Him, it does not matter what other material thing you have acquired. 

When you do have Him, you have all you will ever need for all of life. When you have Him, He empowers you to be able to see Him at work in your life at all times. When you have Him, you personally experience His goodness. You can speak of His loving-kindness and tender mercies. That is the power of a personal encounter; I do not have to convince you just by word of mouth; my life will be the loudest evidence of my encounter with this God. He is not just good for now; He is good for all time here on earth, as well as for all of eternity. He is faithful and true; that is His nature. He has told you who He is; would you trust Him with your whole life? God's time of favour is here.

Right Treasure 2!

Right Treasure 2!

Matthew 6:20-21 AMPC

[20] But gather and heap up and store for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust nor worm consume and destroy, and where thieves do not break through and steal; [21] For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

As we saw yesterday, there is a need to keep an eye on the future, even as you strive to make impact here on earth. A good steward of resources does not eat everything he sees. Like a good farmer, there is a right balance between seed for sowing and seed for eating. You have immediate needs to be met, but you also have future needs that may arise. If you eat all you make or earn all at once, how do you plan for the uncertain future? Just think of the land of Egypt in the days of Joseph, and consider what would have become of the nations of the world at that time if Joseph had not overseen the storage of food in the years of plenty.

One major point noted in the devotion for yesterday was that as long as what you have and hold can be stolen or tampered with on earth, it has no eternal value. That is the start point for our reflection for today. Jesus also makes sure that He does not leave us without guidance on what is important and eternal. I note that in order to gather, heap up and store for myself treasures in heaven, the right way to prepare is from down here on earth. Pray, what do I look forward to in eternity if there has been no investment of time, resources and faith in the right direction and on the right things?  What will speak for me in eternity if there is no earthly preparation?

As I work down here, I must know that all my actions, decisions and interactions are all going towards my eternal destination. With God, nothing is ever wasted. I note that I am not expected to fold my arms and just watch the world pass me by, but I must use all of God that I know and have to change the world around me to look like the place I am headed. When we pray the Lord’s prayer, asking that the will of God be done on earth as it is done in heaven, this is a part of it. My actions and reactions must bring heaven down to earth and make the gospel of Jesus attractive to the people around me. It is by His light in me that the world is drawn to His light.

It really matters who the focus is. I am not distracted by the provisions and privileges the world gives me, because I know they are temporary. My heart is fixed on Jesus and all He has for me. He also knows the power and impact of a focused life, so He gives me all that I need for life and Godliness. He takes over my heart so that there is room for no one or anything else. If He is the treasure of my heart, He knows that He has control, and He can direct as He pleases. Let that be the first thing I sort out today: the control centre of my heart. If He is in charge, earthly and eternal impact are sorted. If He is not, nothing else will work. God's time of favour is here.

Right Treasure 1

Right Treasure 1!

Matthew 6:19 AMPC

[19] Do not gather and heap up and store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust and worm consume and destroy, and where thieves break through and steal.

We all have things that we treasure. We all spend time and resources on things that we consider as important and strategic to our overall wellbeing. What makes this even more interesting from the perspective of the world's system is that what I consider important does not have to make sense to you and vice versa. As a result of our different backgrounds and experiences, we have come to have peculiar priorities. We will do anything tp pursue and entrench these priorities, and also quarrel with anyone who tries to tamper or hinder these priorities. That is the way human nature is wired, and it will take grace for a man to set his heart on the right priorities. 

This is the foundation of the verse above. Let us consider the context and audience. As it has been pointed out several times over the past few weeks, you do not demand specific allegiance from someone who you do not have a measure of control or influence over. I cannot demand allegiance and submission from someone over whom I hold no power or sovereignty. The verse above is taken from the first Sermon of Jesus on the mountain, as He sat down with His disciples. Yes, the crowd was there listening to Him, but the bible passage was careful to note that having sat down, His disciples came to Him and He began to teach them. That was His audience. 

As it was then, so is it today. You may love the words and message in the verse above, but to be honest, if you belong to the uncommitted majority, this message is not for you. How do you encourage a man whose heart is set on the world's goods that there is a treasure bigger and better than the one he currently holds and owns? How do you encourage a mortal man to give up the known and visible for the invisible? The natural man is wired to live for the present; there must be an inner change for that man to understand the weight of the message in the verse above. Who am I? Who are you? Who is in charge of my heart: the Word, or the world's systems?

If Jesus could be advising His disciples this way, just picture the helplessness of those who do not even know Christ. If a disciple can struggle with possessions, picture the scenes for someone who has no allegiance to Christ. The counsel is simple: focus on the eternal, even whilst seeking a life of relevance and preparation down here. To store up treasure is to understand the long-term benefits; if all I care about is the here and now, I will have no interest in what tomorrow holds. I make sure not to gather or heap up treasures here on earth, where security is not guaranteed. As long as it can be stolen or tampered with on earth, it has no eternal value. What am I focused on? God's time of favour is here. 

Love, God's Version 3!

Love, God's Version 3!

Galatians 5:14 AMPC

[14] For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is complied with in the one precept, You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself.

As it has been pointed out in the devotion for yesterday, there is a version of love that can only be explained by the One who laid out the original version. If I am only interested in the social media version of anything, I sholud know that I will end up being distracted, as everyone is seeking validation or attention. This is the default setting for the fallen man, who seeks to drive attention to his or her own needs and wants first. It is when the natural man is satiated that it can begin to look outside itself. Unfortunately, the fallen human nature is never satisfied, which means that it will continue to be selfish and greedy. Who is in control: the flesh or the Spirit? 

It is hard to demand the right kind of love from a life that ijas yet to experience the right kind of life. This is why.Romans 8:8 says quite clearly that: 'So then those who are living the life of the flesh [catering to the appetites and impulses of their carnal nature] cannot please or satisfy God, or be acceptable to Him'. If I am still feeding or promoting the desires of the carnal nature, it is quite impossible for the Spirit to work in and through me. God cannot produce fruit in a life in which He has not been allowed to take root. As we say: 'what you sow is what you reap'. If the Spirit of God is given full control, He is able to produce the kind of fruit that shows off His presence and power. 

Love is one of the manifestations of the presence of God in a man's life. God is also invested in teaching His own people what living in, walking with and working for Him looks like. That is why the commandments given to Israel by God through Moses are the foundations on which today's extract is laid. He wanted a people to Himself, who would show off His glory. He wanted a people who would be carriers and reflections of His presence and personality.  When people come in contact with me, what are the impressions they first see? What are the impressions I also leave with them, so that they are inspired to seek the God I have come to represent? 

People are not likely to wait to hear what I have to say, but they will definitely see what I do and how I carry myself. God has laid out the commandments for Israel, but He then provides one sentence that encapsulates the whole of human interactions this way: 'love your neighbor as you do yourself '. If I will not hurt myself, I must seek not to hurt other people. If I am invested in seeking good for myself, I must do the same for other people. It is critical to consider that love is a divine instruction from a divine God for mortal human beings, but He also provides divine help so that mortal man can attain to the standard. His help is available; would you seek Him? God's time of favour is here.