Fruit!

Fruit!

Hebrews 10:23-24 KJV

[23] Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) [24] and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

The writer of the book of Hebrews is not part of the record of the book, but we can deduce the audience from the first chapter of the book, where it states that God in these last days has spoken to us by His Son, Jesus, and has made his angels to be ministering spirits sent to minister to those who are heirs of salvation. This tells me that the promises and commitments that are made by God in this book can only be claimed by those who have given their lives to Jesus, and have taken hold of eternal life. If I will lay claim to any good thing in the Bible, I have ro align with the terms and conditions of that thing. God is a miracle worker, not a magician, and He does not waste resources. If He has made clear what the requirement for His intervention is, He will not lower the standard for anyone. That is why advancements in technology, medicine or science have not been able to change what sin is. 

If it was sin under Adam, it remains sin under this current dispensation. The message in the verses above are for those whose lives have been surrendered to Jesus. The admonition is that I hold fast the profession of my faith. The reason for this admonition is connected to the reality of the times we live in. It is easier to blend in than stand out. It is easier to keep quiet than to challenge the iniquity of the times we live in. However, the bigger source of encouragement is the statement made in the verses above, that the One who promised is faithful. This is a commitment that can be relied upon. God is unchanging; He can be trusted to keep His promises, and there is no one who has truly experienced God that can say He cannot be trusted. If I know the value of who God is, what He can do, and what I stand to gain if I hold on to the end, I will not let go. Do you know this God? Does He also know you as His own? It is that personal knowledge and experience that drives the second verse above. 

When I know this God, I am able to impact lives. If I have experienced God's kind of love, I am able to also express that to other people. The verse above charges us to provoke one another unto love and good works. It seems to be that showing love should be a 'healthy competition', almost as if we should try and outdo one another in love. It does not lead to envy or hatred, or anything negative. It is being sensitive to the needs around us, being careful to let the love of God permeate all that we do, and being intentional about the motives behind what we do. The good works become the output of the inner presence of God in us. Just note again that it is the audience that drives the demand. If you do not belong, you will struggle. May the fruits of my life show total dependence and reliance on the One who loved me enough to die for me. May my life be visible and audible proof of a life that is owned by God. God's time of favour is here.

Doers!

Doers!

James 1:22 AMP

[22] But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth].

James was not writing to any specific church in a particular location, but was writing to the twelve tribes who, due to persecution, were now scattered abroad among the Gentiles. In those days, it was almost a taboo to be seen among the Gentiles. The Jews took pride in their nationalistic outlook, and considered those who inter-married with Gentiles as less than Jewish. That was the scene where the Jews of those times found themselves. Just reflect on the fact that before Jesus left the earth, his instruction was that His disciples would be witnesses of Him in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and to the other parts of the world. If those who know Christ stay in their comfort zone, how would others hear the good news of Jesus? God orchestrated it that those who were now armed with the right knowledge of Jesus were forced to move into the community of those who were yet to hear about Jesus. 

When uncomfortable things happen around or to you, do you ask God to clarify what His plan and purpose are for those experiences? Do I see God at work, when nothing seems to work? For the Jews at the time, amongst other things, there was a need for the spread of the word of God to all nations. The first part was now done, and the Jews who knew Jesus were now living among the Gentiles. How would I live my life in a way that would be evident to those who are unbelievers that I am different? It is in the fruits that you are able to determine the nature and quality of the seed. The fruit is the outward expression of secret and uncelebrated investment. This is achieved by the instruction in the verse above: prove yourselves doers of the Word. It is not a passive movement; it is active engagement with the Word, and then deliberate obedience, and then walking and working out what I have heard, seen and experienced from the Word. 

What the verse above encourages us to do is to actively and continually obey God’s precepts. I do not get to pick and choose the instructions I will obey. God's Word is His name, and I cannot accept just the nice  instructions that make me comfortable, and then conveniently ignore the ones that hold a light to my weaknesses. I internalise the lessons, and ask God for grace to let His Word change me from the inside, so that I can have impact on the outside. The world is ignorant, or chooses to ignore the realities of the importance of Jesus, but I have to make Him known. Anything that seeks to take away from the Word, or reduce its efficacy, is to be taken as delusion and unsound reasoning. Do not let anyone tell you anything about God's Word that you cannot find for yourself. God has given all of us access to Him. Seek Him; make Him yours, and let His Word do a work that will secure you for all of eternity. God's time of favour is here. 

None!

None!

1 Samuel 2:2 AMP

[2] “There is no one holy like the Lord, There is no one besides You, There is no Rock like our God.

A quick context to the verse above. There was this woman named Hannah who the bible was careful to note these three facts, among many others: her husband loved her very much, she was barren and it was the Lord who had shut up her womb. We can debate whether God does the things we label as 'bad' by our own standards, or we can accept His Omnipotence and allow Him work as He pleases in our lives, so we can turn out as He desires, and not the way we want. God can do whatever He pleases with His creation, and I can engage Him in prayer to understand His purpose for me, but He chooses how and when He wants to respond. One thing that has been clear since the beginning of time is that there is no one or anything in all of creation that can defeat or thwart God's purpose. If He allows it, it is because it will work out that which is in line with where He wants me to do, and who He is building me up to be. 

Can I trust me with my life, even when it seems that God is not doing it the way I want? Can I tarry in the place of prayer until He gives direction on the next step? Hannah would come year after year, asking for a child, and it would seem that God was not listening. On this day, everything seemed to align. God, who knew what was ahead, was already planning for a replacement for the priest of the house, as it did not appear that any of the priests in place at the time could serve in that office. It is also not recorded whether Hannah knew God's mind at the time, but she said a prayer that seemed to line up with God's desire, and with the priest's blessing, she got a child that she was able to dedicate to the Lord, in line with her prayer request. Who says it does not pay to know, follow, serve, and submit to this God? Hannah's life shows the power and impact of persistence in the place of prayer.  

Hannah got what she wanted, and it is not a surprise that she is credited with the prayer or song in the verse above. It takes a personal encounter with this God to make declarations like the ones above. How do you celebrate and reverence a Holy God the right way, if you have not seen Him at work, or seen what His Holiness demands? If you have not taken time to reflect, how can you determine that there is no other God besides the One true God, and a Rock like no other. Being dependable at all times and in all situations is not an attribute that can be assigned to the natural man. Being a Rock means a place of safety and security, a place of rest and restoration, and a place of refuge from storms. Hannah had come to know this God, and we will do well to also come to know Him this way. He wants to show Himself strong, but it is by total and absolute surrender that He will be able to do all He has promised. Do you know this God? Does He know you? God's time of favour is here. 

Helped!

Helped!

Psalms 143:10 AMP

[10] ¶Teach me to do Your will [so that I may please You], For You are my God; Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.

This is one of the psalms credited to David, the man whom God referred to as a man after His own heart. Unlike some of the other psalms in the bible, which had situations and backgrounds to the songs provided, this one does not have any circumstance or story provided in support of the song. The first lesson that comes to mind is that I do not need a reason to find God, or to seek Him with all that I am and have. I do not need a flash in the sky to acknowledge the power of God at work in and around me. He is not God because I agree He is; in fact, let the world end today, and God will still be God. After all, He has spoken of the end of the present earth and heaven, so if all changes today, He already gave us ample warnings. He wants to have a relationship with His creation, because it was for His pleasure that we all are created, and it is in giving Him glory that our lives truly find meaning and relevance. 

This is why the verse above is quite critical. It is a sign of total surrender and acceptance of my weaknesses and need for dependence on God, that this prayer has to be mine too. The world has interests and desires that are in full opposition to those that God promotes. The world system and God will never agree on anything eternal, because both are from different sources, and have different eternal priorities. They will never agree, no matter how far or hard you draw them. The prayer in the verse above comes from a heart that has weighed available options and come to the best option available. This best option is to know and follow God's will. From a place of personal experience, I can say that this is a journey that one never graduates from, or grow out of. It is not an experience you can mature out of. Like David, I need to make up my mind what my life's pursuits and priorities will be, conscious of the truth that an account will be demanded by God of the life He formed to give Him glory. 

I note also that David was not just focused on knowing; he was committed to doing the will of God. It is not enough to seek knowledge for show-off; there is no value in that. The value of life is in pleasing God by doing what He asks. The bible says without faith, it is impossible to please God, but the value of faith is best seen in what I do. If I claim to know and follow God, the fruits of my life,  seen from what I do, how I do them, and why, will be the strongest evidence of my faith. It will be a grave mistake to let the system of the world dictate terms and conditions. There are many slippery slopes the world will disguise as attractive options, but when God is your focus and help, you have nothing to fear. If He does not know you, you have everything to fear. He is the One who can help me through the valley of the shadow of death. He is the One who can level the mountains. Do I truly know, have and follow Him? God's time of favour is here. 

WHO am I?

WHO am I?

Psalms 8:3-4 AMP

[3] When I see and consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have established, [4] What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of [earthborn] man that You care for him?

Depending on the version you read, at the top of the chapter from where the verses above is taken, there is this interesting entry: 'set to a Philistine lute, or perhaps to a particular Hittite tune'. There is no other definition given for the 'Philistine lute, except the fact that it is also mentioned at the top of Psalms 81 and 84, written by Asaph and the sons of Korah respectively. What could have been quite special about the lute, a musical instrument or a tune, that it warranted being mentioned in the Bible? Its origin most likely was not Jewish or Hebraic, yet it formed part of the records of some of the most amazing songs of the greatest earthly king Israel had. As the song in the verses under review today points out, as well as the supporting instruments that have been noted as part of the story, what is that situation that appears to be beyond the power and reach of God to change or correct? 

The verses above first look at the wonders of God's creation. Reflect on all you have read about creation, and how every part you see was supernaturally fitted into the fabric of creation. From the light of the first day to the land animals of the early part of the sixth day, we see God laying down the support system that man would need to be effective in his work on earth. The moon and the stars were part of the account of the fourth day, as God laid out times and seasons, days and years. We see the accounts of other days, as God laid down the beauty of the earth as each day showed off God's glory in all its fullness. All of the above point to the fact that man was not created until all the required provisions for the realisation and achievement of his divine purpose were all in place. Man was not one of those things you call 'unplanned for'; in fact, all that God was doing was laying down the foundation for the manifestation of man.

It is not a wonder, then, that the psalmist, after considering all that his eyes had seen and his ears had heard, had to ask the question: 'What is man?' As it was then, so is it now. No man has been able to answer that question, without resorting to the original template of how man was made. The created is not the best option to determine the value of itself; it is the Creator whose view must be sought, if I will know my true value. Check out the amazing care God lavishes on animals and plants, and how He ensures that the sun and moon rise and set unfailingly every day. If these created things with expiry dates can be cared for this way by God, how much more would God take care of His creation that has been made in His image, in His likeness, and made to live forever. I take the position of deep appreciation for all I have received from God, and ask for grace that my whole life will be an offering He will accept and use for His glory. Do you know who you are? God's time of favour is here. 

Right Mode!

Right Mode!

Lamentations 3:25 AMP

[25] The Lord is good to those who wait [confidently] for Him, To those who seek Him [on the authority of God’s word].

A first look at the title of the book of the bible from where the verse above is taken may make you think of depression. How do you expect any spiritual nugget or lesson from a book titled 'Lamentations'? This is not just a one-off tirade by the prophet Jeremiah, but a series of major outbursts about his bitter encounters with the sin of his people, the many warnings he was given to pass on to the people and leaders, God's severe punishment for the people of Judah and the prophet's own cry to God for mercy. The ministry of the prophet Jeremiah came during the reign of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, as well as Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, to the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah the son of Josiah, and continuing until the exile of the people of Jerusalem. Who says serving and following God will always be sweet, pleasant and calm all the time? 

In the midst of the depression of his time, the verse above presents us with insights on how to deal with the pressures of our modern day, and the slide of the world into apostasy and rebellion against God. It does not matter how deep or wide the changes to our long-held  traditions are; God is called the Ancient of Days for a reason, because He does not change like shifting shadows. What He called sin back in the days of Jeremiah is still sin in our day. That is consistency, predictability, and reliability. He does not align His divine standards to fit any human narrative, but He supplies grace for anyone who is willing to live up to the standard. He will not lower His standards for anyone, no matter who the person may be, or how connected the person appears to be. This is a lesson that we all would do well to heed; God is good, and those who wait for Him will enjoy this nature of His.

The Lord is good to those who wait for Him. This is a truth that is not subject to physical realities. The fact that things look tough on the outside does not in any way invalidate the truth that God is good. There is also a way to wait, and that is confidently. How do you wait in confidence unless you are certain of the end of your waiting? There is also additional conditions for those who want to receive anything of value from God; you have got to seek Him on the authority of His Word. Since the creation of the earth as we know it, the Word of God has always had power. It is the Word that created, and continues to sustain the earth until such time as the Word has declared that it will expire. If I will move God's hand, it has to be on the basis of His Word. That is His Name, His Nature and His person. God forbid that He will be found to be a lair. He is True, and the Truth. Have you met this God? Does He know you as His own? God's time of favour is here. 

Authority!

Authority!

Romans 8:6-7 KJV

[6] For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. [7] Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

As it has been established over the years, there is no sitting on the fence when it comes to light and darkness. Light and darkness are governed by two different authorities, and were not intended to co-exist in the same space at the same time. As we recall, at the time of creation, the first thing God did was to speak light out of the darkness that covered the earth, and separating light from darkness. There were lights created to rule the day, and other lesser lights were created to rule the night. We can apply the same picture to the spiritual phase. The Flesh and the Spirit are also two very exclusive powers and realms, with their own laws and powers, and we all must fall under the control of one of them. Before a choice is made between these two opposites, you have the power to choose. You can take your time to choose, but as soon as the choice is made, the consequences of your choice begin to follow you. That is what is  established in the extract above. The end of flesh's control is death, while that of the Spirit is life and peace. 

Fortunately, the choices we make are not permanent; we are free to switch allegiances as often as we like, as long as we are alive on this side of eternity. Unfortunately, because the effect of our choices are not immediately visible and apparent, we think we have plenty of time and that we can switch allegiances any time we like. By the time reality dawns, we have crossed into immortality and the consequences of our choices on earth will determine where we spend eternity. Let it be clear: the flesh can never please God. There is no sacrifice, moral living, alms giving or physical show of piety that can make up for the lack of substance that the Spirit gives. Ask Cornelius. In the old testament, people had to offer the blood of bulls and goats so many times, just to cover up their sins. The blood could not wash sins away, so the sacrifices were grossly inadequate for the remission of sins. Christ's sacrifice, however, is a once-and-for-all offering that takes away sins permanently, and is a free gift we all are invited to take advantage of. 

No other offering can please God, because the best and the greatest offering has already been made. If a man therefore seeks to please God, he must take advantage of this free gift on offer. The Spirit gives life and peace to all who accept this free gift, and at the end, eternity is secure. Let nobody deceive you into thinking that we were made to live forever on this side of eternity. Yes, we were formed to live forever, but the choice of residence is determined by the choice of masters we submit to while on earth. As it has always been laid out, the choices are laid before me. Men like Joshua, Moses, Samson, Judas Iscariot, Demas and Alexander the metalworker all made their choices at different times. The results of their choices are seen in the stories we read in the bible. The world is reading me today. I ask God for His help in deciding for Him. I ask for grace to follow Him and depend on His Spirit every day of my life. May the world hold no attraction for me. God's time of favour is here. 

Evidence!

Evidence!

Philemon 1:6 AMP

[6] I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective and powerful because of your accurate knowledge of every good thing which is ours in Christ.

Evidence is 'the available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid'. This neans that for any position that one may take, this has to be backed up by relevsnt information that supports and strengthens that position. Let us lay the foundation for the verse above. Paul and his protegee Timothy were writing to Philemon, his wife and other fellow believers who meet in the house of Philemon. You know the sacrifice that comes with making your house a place of regular fellowship. This family was willing and available, and Paul could see the proof of faith in their lives. Paul's letter made reference to their love and faith which they had toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints. It is easy to deceive people for some time with outward piety, but you cannot sustain that deceit for a long time. At some point, the mask will fall away and the truth will be revealed. Do you have, know, follow and serve God the right way? 

Philemon was known as a believer; he also had slave(s) which was a permitted practice in those days. We do not have the details of what happened, but this slave ran away and met with Paul. As it is with divinely arranged encounters, this slave met with Christ and his life was turned around. What do you do with such information? Paul, a believer, had to send the slave, now a believer, to his master, also a believer. There was no entitlement, no desire to use influence the wrong way; it was important for the right thing to be done, so that the response of Philemon could come without any undue influence. Like all things today too, we all can claim to be anyone or anything; the proof of what or who we are will definitely be revealed when pressures come. When no one is looking, it is easy to claim anything, but the evidence of my daily life's pursuits and priorities will be the greatest evidence of who I truly am.

The Christian faith is one that is proven by evidence. It is first an inner conviction, but it is proven by external profession. People come in contact with the evidence of my life's work, and over time, they come to know whose I am. The company I keep, the conversations I have, the concepts I hold dear are just a few of the things that prove the quality and depth of my convictions. That is why Paul and Timothy could emphasise the importance of effective sharing of our faith. Our lives are evidence of the power of God. As we daily live and relate with people, we show off His power and grace in all fullness. It is by my daily and regular engagement with God that my knowledge of Him can become more accurate and impactful. The world is waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God, whose lives will be living testimonies and evidence of the grace and enablement that only God can give. Does this describe me? God's time of favour is here. 

 

Preserved!

Preserved!

Proverbs 18:10 AMP

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

The book of Proverbs is full of spiritual truths and nuggets of wisdom. Of course, the source defines the impact. Apart from a few words that are specifically captured as words of king Lemuel, most of the book of Proverbs is ascribed to king Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, in line with the words of God about him in the bible. Again, it is the source of that wisdom that makes Solomon such a unique individual. He went to God for help, and he received more than he bargained for. He needed help to govern God's people the right way, and he got all of that, plus enough provision to impact generations, and leave a worthy legacy. This is the result of a life that understands what is critical and important, and is willing to do what is needed to attain that thing. How would this apply to me in this present generation? I must know what aligns with God's perfect will, and do all I can to take hold of it. 

God is faithful to His Word. He does not speak carelessly or flippantly. He stakes His name and reputation when He speaks, so He can be trusted when He says anything. In this instance, the writer of the verse above must have had a personal encounter with God as a strong tower. Solomon may have been young when his father ruled, but I am sure he came to hear stories of the exploits of his father and his mighty men. It would have been clear to the son that his father enjoyed successes simply because of who was backing him up and shielding him. Let it be known that we are called to warfare; the devil's assignment is to steal, kill and destroy, but Jesus says He has come to give abundant life. Even though God has secured victory, He still wants me to put my complete trust in Him, so I can enjoy the fullness of what He offers. He is eternal; this human flesh is temporal. Only the one who finds God finds that which can never expire. 

As it has always been said, God does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill. He is a Strong Tower, and He is Mighty, but I note that those who run TO Him are the ones who are truly safe. He is Omnipresent, yet He is truly near to those who call upon Him in truth. Do not confuse God's silence to you on a matter as His approval. You cannot stand on your 'right' and still claim to be right with God at the same time. I cannot insist on my own way, and then moan and complain when things do not go the way I have envisioned them. There is a reference to the 'righteous', which means that what God offers is for specific people, and these are those who have found rest, comfort and salvation in Jesus. They know that they cannot help themselves, but are fully dependent on God for everything. They are safe, where nothing touches them without the express permission of the One who is capable and able to secure a life for all of eternity. Are you His? God's time of favour is here. 

Done Right!

Done Right!

1 Thessalonians 5:15 AMP

[15] See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek that which is good for one another and for all people.

Whether it was the reference to 'the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ' at the start of this letter written by Paul, Silas, and Timothy, or the reference to 'brothers and sisters' at the start of the chapter from where the verse above is taken, the audience truly defines the message and the impact it will have. This has been a recurring theme in our devotions over the past few days. Demanding a particular course of action from specific people would be a waste of time and effort, because a man can only give what s/he has. The world has an order, and practices and policies that align with the direction of the world. The world celebrates getting even, takes pleasure in taking revenge, and hating other people, paying back evil for evil, keeping malice, and the other vices that are laid out as the works of the flesh in Galatians 5. 

This should not be a surprise, as this present world system is under the direct control and influence of the one the Bible says has a  mission to steal, to kill and to destroy. The devil will do all he can to promote his agenda and priorities, but, as mentioned above, there is a class of people referred to as children of God, brothers and sisters who hold and bear true allegiance to a different Lord and Master. They were once subject to the operations of the old man and its desires, but by the grace and process of submission and surrender to the Lordship and Authority of Jesus, they now are now subject to a new life and a new hope. They now live by different standards and codes of behaviour. The things that made them tick in the past is no longer fashionable, because a new man has been born within, and is impacting the man without. The question that needs to be answered is: which man is in charge at the moment? 

The code of conduct for those who have had a personal encounter with Jesus is laid out in the verse above. It is from the abundance of what I have that I can share with other people. It is an assignment that those owned by God must discharge. How can I repay another with evil if the good God is the one in full control? If you are not sure who you are, and whose you are, ask the God of Truth to enable you see yourself the way He does, so you can be helped. That day is today. There is no guarantee that this earth will remain as it is tomorrow; we have been called out and set apart to showcase the grace and the power of God. As a child of God, I must seek that which is good for all people. It is not about whether these people have done me any good first; it is that I am a product of grace too, and it is all my life can produce. Does this describe me at the moment? God's time of favour is here  

Unity!

Unity!

1 Corinthians 1:10 KJV

[10] Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

At the top of this letter written by Paul and Sosthenes, the audience is defined: to the church of God at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. This was not a letter addressed to the general populace, or to an indeterminate audience. The audience always defines the impact of the message. It is also interesting to note that, after thanking God for their faith in Christ, the first thing Paul spoke on was the division in the church at Corinth. Here were people already saved, as confirned by the early part of this letter, yet they were struggling to work out a united front on what was critical and important. Before I point the finger at another person, how have I been performing? In the place where God has seen it fit to plant me, and considering the gifts He has endowed me with, how am I faring? Am I all about my views only, or is there room for other people's views, as long as they do not contradict the word of God, or His work? 

Paul charges his audience to all speak the same thing. It would appear that Paul was charging the people to be united. What is unity? This is 'harmony with and among the individuals in a group'. Picture an average musical keyboard, or even a computer keyboard, and you find different keys that do specific jobs, or perform specific tasks. If each key on that board stands alone, what you get is a unique sound, but nothing can be achieved. If what you need is for all the keys to work together to produce harmony,  the unique strength of each key is harnessed into one production or the achievement of one assignment. It does not mean that the keys must all do the same work to be united; it just means that each key has found purpose and value behind the shared goal or vision. There has to be something that is bigger than the individual parts that work together, to keep them focused. It is not biblical to expect everyone in a group to see things from the same perspective at all times. 

Even the early church, filled the Holy Spirit, had some major disagreements from time to time, but the leaders never forgot what the bigger purpose was. As the verse above makes clear, there can be no divisions among people who are on a journey of impact and eternity. The prayer and desire has to be that we all be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. I note it does not say that we would always agree on every fine point, but joined together in the same mind means our hearts are focused on what God wants. We come to the same conclusion that God is to be glorified in our lives. Even the devil knows the power of unity, and that is why he fights to emphasize our differences. We must not give the devil a chance to pollute that which God wants to do in our lives. May the Lord help His church to focus on the eternal, while it also impacts the earthly. God's time of favour is here. 

Rest!

Rest!

Hebrews 4:10 AMP

[10] For the one who has once entered His rest has also rested from [the weariness and pain of] his [human] labors, just as God rested from [those labors uniquely] His own. 

The writer of Hebrews writes of a rest that has been promised by God. What is this rest? 

There was a time a man called Abraham was asked to leave his father's house, and go to an unknown land that the Lord would show him. At the time, many promises were made to the man Abraham, and he did not see the fullness of the promise coming to pass. Descendants of Abraham had also lived in the land that had been promised as strangers, and at some point in time, due to famine, they left the land to go to Egypt. What happened to the promise of a settled land that was made centuries ago? With God, time is such a fluid concept. He does not measure time the way we do, and He is not limited by time the way we are. The promise of a land flowing with milk and honey still stood, and even though it took time, the people of Israel eventually took possession of the land. 

Who says God's promises can be broken? Which human being can say a thing and also guarantee it, unless God has said it? The bible makes it clear that nobody can speak and it comes to pass, unless the Lord has decreed it. The promise of rest for God's people was fulfilled on the physical level, but there is a bigger picture at stake here. The verse above refers to a person who has entered into the rest that has been promised by God. This is bigger than just the land flowing with milk and honey; it is a rest that cannot be stopped or changed or limited by anyone. It is a rest from labour and striving, trying to earn God's approval by mere works alone. It is deeper than a man seeking to be justified by the works of the law. The verse says a man has to enter into it, which means that many will miss the entry, because they seek it on the wrong premise. 

Reflect on this: the world only understands getting anything by force, intelligence or manual labour. God tells me to focus on my relationship with Him, and He will bring me into His rest. Furthermore, He does not just tell me what is nice to hear; records show that He also rested from all His labour, showing me that in Him, I get all that He is and has. You cannot give what you do not have; you cannot secure rest for someone when you have not experienced the rest yourself. I am able to work hard under His command, sure that I have His backing at all times. I do not need any hypocrisy or eye-service; I keep at it because I know where and how the story will end. God does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill, but be sure that He will secure any life that is entrusted into His care. Are you under His care? Am I? God's time of favour is here. 

Mighty God!

Mighty God!

Zephaniah 3:17 KJV

[17] The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.

Zephaniah was a prophet of God who did his ministry in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah. On record, it would appear that Josiah was the last king of Judah who was considered righteous by God's standard. As we know, every king in Judah and Israel had records of how they begun their reign, and how they ended. In the final analysis, it does not matter what the views of men are; what really counts is how God sees me. If God applauds what I am and do, it will not matter the quality and quantity of the opposition against me are. If God is not pleased with me, it will also not matter how many people are on my side. As we also know, God does not punish without warning. He sent many prophets to His people in both Israel and Judah, but the people would not heed or listen. They had found convenience in rebellion, and God had also found justification for punishment, in line with His standards. 

Be sure that God has no favourites when it comes to sin, and He will punish sin, no matter in whom it is found. Josiah is on record for his radical religious reforms, which included centralizing worship in Jerusalem,  as well as eradicating idol worship after he discovered the Book of the Law in the Temple during repairs. He initiated a national spiritual revival, but his efforts were ultimately undone by his sons who came after as successors, leading to Judah's downfall. Of course, God punished the nation of Judah, but when you read the verse above, you would think God was speaking to a different nation. This is the peculiar thing about God's mercy: you cannot earn in by right or entitlement, and you cannot predict its reach or scope. You will never be able to explain how it works, yet there will be no doubt as to the impact in your life. Where would any of us be without the work of God's mercy in our lives?

The verse above speaks about God's mercy in forgiveness and restoration. His mighty power is displayed in His salvation, as He brings His people back into the land He promised them. Yes, things were bad, and the strong and mighty men of the land had been taken away, but when did God ever need human strength to do what He wants to do? He is Mighty all by Himself, and if He decides to leave in the midst of the nation only the afflicted and poor people, who will trust in the name of the Lord, then so be it. Picture the scenes of God rejoicing over His people with joy, resting in His love, and joying over His people with singing. It is a picture you just have to see. He loves the sinner, but hates the sin. He will punish sin, but His joy is to heal, restore and revive. Heaven rejoices when a sinner repents and returns to God. Still the same God of love, whose arms are still open wide, and whose heart is large enough to take as many as would turn to Him for restoration. Would you? God's time of favour is here. 

Treasure!

Treasure!

Matthew 6:21 AMP

[21] for where your treasure is, there your heart [your wishes, your desires; that on which your life centers] will be also.

Jesus was speaking to the disciples as he sat on the mountain, during his first public sermon. He was covering different kingdom topics, ranging from how you give to the poor, how you relate with other people in your sphere of influence, and how you engage God in prayer. There was a lot of information that Jesus passed across to the audience, and in the verse above, He was speaking about the principles of God's kingdom, which, in this case, are my pursuits and priorities. It does not matter how young or old you are; we all have things that we consider important to us. We are defined by the things that we pursue, because our lives can be consumed by the pursuit. It has to be worth the sacrifice and pain for it to consume my whole life. Is there anything that I can categorically deifne as my life's pursuit and purpose? What is that thing that takes my heart?

Treasure is 'a quantity of precious metals, gems, or other valuable objects'. There is no definite object or substance that is applicable to everyone. What I consider fundamental may just be a nice-to-have for someone else. This tells me that there is no universally applicable measure to track what is treasure for every person on earth. This is why it is very dangerous to focus on that which the earth can give you. That which it gives can also be taken away at any time. How can a temporal earthly, with ever-changing and constantly moving principles, guarantee you anything that is eternal? A time-honoured life principle is that 'you cannot give what you do not have'. If you do not have eternal value, you cannot pass it down to any other person. That is the charge of the verse above: I must seek out, and focus on that which is worth the pain and sacrifice that will be demanded of me.

If it is precious, be sure that there will be threats to deal with. If it is precious, it means that I will be required to take active steps to secure and sustain it. If it is precious, it means that it will take all of my heart to secure it at all times. It is not a wonder that the verse above makes clear that wherever my treasure is, that is where my heart will definitely follow after. The heart is the seat of decisions. It takes available information and processes it, then comes to a decision, and acts on it. Once it has made up its mind on what is important, it is hard to shift it without a superior counter argument. Before I take a decision with eternal consequences, I am reminded to seek as much information as I can on what God offers. He does not promise perpetually blue skies, but He promises me His ever-abiding presence. I must take care to ensure that my life's pursuits and priorities are those that will secure eternal life for me. Nothing else is worth it. God's time of favour is here. 

Reward!

Reward!

Proverbs 22:4 AMP

[4] The reward of humility [that is, having a realistic view of one’s importance] and the [reverent, worshipful] fear of the Lord Is riches, honor, and life. 

There is no reward for being lukewarm about the things that God considers important. The verse above mentions 'reward' and this means 'a thing given in recognition of service, effort, or achievement'. What this tells me is that you cannot be rewarded for just being there; you have to be seen to be doing something. It also matters what you do and how you do it, as the reward is also tied to terms and conditions. I do not get reward for mere activity; I get the reward for targeted activity in line with the One who commissioned the assignment in the first place. The life of the man who wrote most of the proverbs is a case in point. He was not born under the best of circumstances but God loved him and also named him. God also made im king after his father David, which was an unusual thing at the time, but, as we have seen above, what God wants to achieve is the driving factor behind what He allows, and who He sets up or brings down.

Solomon, at the start of his kingship, knew and recognised his limitations. He knew what he lacked, and when the opportunity came, he asked for that which he knew would sustain him for all of life. He asked for wisdom to lead God's people the right way, and he got a lot of that, and much more than he asked for. At the start of his kingship, Solomon extolled the virtues of humility and the fear of God. The standard has not been lowered, or changed in any way for anyone. Generations have come and gone, and there have been changes in dispensations, but these have also not lowered the standard. As many as would seek after humility, and live in reverence and awe of this God, the same would get the rewards that are laid out in the verse above. It appears to me that the pursuit of humility and the fear of God is the greatest assignment a man can have.

What could be more important than laying my hands on riches, honour and life, God's style? What are those things that I could have that can guarantee me eternal life with God, outside of the things that point men to the presence and power of God in me? The other interesting thing about humility and the fear of God is that these are not properties you can assign physical value to. They are first internal, before they are made manifest on the outside. Claiming vehemently that you have them does no good; letting people know you have them is not how these work. By the display of daily living, the company I keep, the conversations I am able to hold and sustain, the taste I leave in people's lives when I have left, are some of the best ways to define what my inner content is. Do I want riches, honour and life? Fear God, and there will be nothing else to fear. God's time of favour is here. 

Ready!

Ready!

Luke 12:40 KJV

[40] Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

The chapter from where the verse above is taken is partly Luke's account of the Sermon on the Mount, and the teachings of Jesus about the kingdom of heaven. This has also been the focus over the past few days, and this means that God would have us closely consider what His kingdom represents and demands from us. One of the amazing things about the kingdom of heaven is its reliability as well as its unpredictability (not in a bad way) at the same time. It is a kingdom that is real, tangible and true, but to get in, a lot of things would have to align. It is a kingdom with rules, principles and practices, and no man can force his way into it without adhering to these rules. It is also unpredictable because the things man considers important may not even qualify you for entry into the kingdom. It is also unpredictable because it may come for you at a time you are not ready or prepared. 

That is the message of the verse just before the one under consideration today. It says: 'And this know, that if the goodman of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched, and not have suffered his house to be broken through'. We live in times where nothing is certain, but we have a sure word from God that He will return some day. We have a sure promise, but no idea of the day it will happen. For people who love to plan, this may not be ideal, but for any person who wants to partake of the kingdom, you really cannot afford to live carelessly, or without a thought as to where you will spend eternity. For the good man of the house where treasures are stored, you have to be alert at all times. As the good man seeks to keep the earthly treasures safe, so must I also seek to keep the spiritual treasures of God in me safe. An account will surely be demanded.

What this tells me is that there are threats to all that God has deposited in me. We are not privileged to know the day the Lord returns, but He has left us several clues and clear language about the events to watch out for, and how best to prepare. The clear language of the verse above is a case in point. I am  charged to be ready. Being ready means 'in a suitable state for an action or situation; fully prepared'. It means that whatever is coming meets me in a place where nothing catches ms by surprise. I am ready for action at all times, and prepared for any situation that may come. Jesus is coming back soon. When He returns for me, either at rapture, or by physical death, I must be found in Him. It has to be permanent residence; not temporary or convenient accommodation.  Am I truly ready for His return? What will He find in and with me if He returns today? Be sure of your eternal destination. God's time of favour is here. 

Priority!

Priority!

Mark 8:35 AMP

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

Jesus had many interactions with the crowd. In the chapter from where the verse above is taken, we see Jesus feeding more than 4,000 people with just 7 loaves of bread and a few small fish. All through the chapter, we see Jesus alternate lessons between the crowd, including the Pharisees of His time, and the disciples. One thing is clear: God's standards are universal. He does not lower the bar for anyone, no matter how influential or committed you are to His work. In fact, the closer you are to Him, the more you have to avoid sin, so you do not get destroyed. The crowd ate their fill, and their stomachs were full of bread, but their hearts were still not fully connected to Jesus. The crowd had become transactional; all that was important to them was what they could get out of it. Does this describe me at the moment? What lesosns does the verse above teach me? 

Of course, Jesus had to constantly remind His audience of the reason why he came to the earth. In all his earthly engagements, Jesus never forgot to remind his audience that he had come to seek and to save that which was lost. He needed His disciples to know this on a very personal level, and that why He asked the very personal question to them: 'Who do you say I am?'. We know the answer of Peter, and the consequences that followed his reponse. For me today, the question has not changed, and my response will define how I view what happens to me on this journey of life. If I know who Jesus is, and what He expects from me, I will not struggle with His will. A lot of the people of Jesus' day were learned and influential, but they forgot that learning and connections can only take you so far. The things of God need more than a fat wallet or friends in high places in order to be successful. 

That is the message in the verse above. For as many as seek earthly relevance only, there will be a lot of opportunities to showcase your talents. However, if your view goes beyond just the earthly, there are things that you must do to secure the eternal. The verse charges me not to seek to secure my life by labour or common sense, but by a connection and total submission to Jesus. However He decides to lead my life, that is His perogative. After all, the life itself was not mine to deal with as I please, but to discover and fulfil its purpose in conjunction with the One who formed it in the first place. If I want to save my life the right way, my life must be settled in Jesus, not in any other person, place or thing. Reflect on the price Jesus paid to secure eternity for me, and you can then understand why not making it into eternity with God will be the greatest loss ever. What is my priority: the world and all its temporary attractions, or eternal life with God? The choice, as always, is mine to make. God's time of favour is here. 

Example!

Example!

1 Timothy 4:12 KJV

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

One of the amazing things about the Word of God is its multi-generational applicability and universal appeal. There is no challenge that is so peculiar or unique that an answer is not found in the word of God. There is no issue or problem so high that the word of God does not provide a higher or better solution to. That is why a relationship with the Word, which is the person of Jesus, is critical to whatever impact or relevance I seek to make in the place where I have been planted. This is the message of the verse above. The young man Timothy, who was the recipient of the letter written by Paul, may not have been known by anyone if not for the intervention of God, and the obedience of Paul. Timothy was a young man who would have been a parish among the Jews of his time: his father was Greek, which was a reason for rejection at the time. However, Paul saw a gift in him, and took him under his wings to nurture him. 

Is there a life in need of God's mercy through my lips, hands, feet or life? Are there people struggling with identity crisis, unsure of who they are, or whose they are, and need the help of God to know what God expects from them, so that they can pursue the plan of God for them? Timothy would not have been totally accepted by the Jews of his time, but Paul was inspired to deal with those limitations, nurture him, and then set him up to succeed under the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Timothy was charged by Paul not to let his age or maturity level become an excuse for carelessness or complacency. Indeed, we may accept the fact that someone is young and needs guidance, but it can never be an excuse to permit ungodliness. Just as it was in Timothy's time, so would there be people who need to hear the message in today's ages verse: do not let your age be an excuse. 

Josiah was 8 years old when he became king and David was about 17 years old too. Being young is not an excuse for indiscipline, but a platform to show off God's grace. In the verse above, Paul was charging Timothy to set a good example to the believers in all aspects of human endeavour: in word, conversation, charity, spirit, faith and purity. What aspect of life is left out? Both the internal and external are taken care of. My walk must match my talk. It is hypocrisy to tell people to do a thing whilst I do the opposite. The way I approach people, the conversations I am able to hold and sustain, the acts of love I can carry out without seeking applause, the way I hold on to God, even when things are failing apart all around me, and the standards of holiness that I am required to hold on to, are platforms on which I set worthy examples that others can be encouraged by. God wants to be glorified in and through me; is my life such a platform? God's time of favour is here. 

Chosen!

Chosen!

1 Peter 2:9 KJV

[9] But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

In every generation, names are important. We have seen destinies shaped, defined or destroyed by the names given to individuals, as was evident in Bible times. We see men like Jacob, who despite his best intentions, had to be given a new name by God because he had a destiny to fulfil. We also see men like Jabez, whose name was going to destroy His life, who cried to God, and though the bible did not say that his name was changed, his destiny was redefined. We also read of men like Judas Iscariot, who though his name was not negative in any way, his actions have now defined the name, and it does not appear that anyone wants to bear his name. It then means that names are important, but it is even more important for God to define your life and chart a course for your life. If it happens this way, it will not mattwe whar the world calls you.

In the hands of God, you are always on a journey of discovery and impact. Let us consider the audience of this letter by Peter, who was writing to the elect—both Jewish and Gentile believers, who found themselves in exile, scattered throughout the Asian world at the time. These were the people being referred to in the verse above: 'a chosen race'. They were not the only race on earth at the time, but Israel was chosen by God. It was an individual who was called out of his father's house, yet his whole generation, several centuries later, would come to enjoy the benefits and blessings of that man's walk with God. What this tells me is that all I do now is a seed that children after me will reap from, good or bad. Ask Abraham, whose blessings we all are still claiming today. As mentioned earlier, you could ask Judas Iscariot, who may never have anyone bear his names for all of eternity.

God also calls us 'a royal priesthood'. Even in old testament times, there was no individual who was able to combine the offices of king, prophet, and priest at the same time and for all time, not even David. But in this generation, God himself assigns all these offices to those who are his own. These are great privileges with great responsibilities. I cannot afford to live as I please, or carelessly. I cannot afford to speak or act as I please, because the world is looking at me. I am a living, breathing testimony of God's power, and I have to live daily in that consciousness. God also calls me 'a holy nation'. Holiness is God's attribute, and all who claim his name and want His blessings must live in that reality. I cannot claim to know God and live in sin at the same time. I cannot continue in sin and expect God's grace to abound. 'A peculiar people' means that I cannot hide, unless I am good at compromise.

I cannot truly live for God and not be hated by some and loved by others. My life will prick some people's hearts, while others will mock my stand and principles. Whatever happens, I am confident in the knowledge that God backs me up. All the names above have a purpose- that my life should show forth God's praise. God did not call me those names so I can be puffed up or think I am the best around; but that I live in the consciousness of the One I represent. I do not have a life of my own; God owns all that I am and have. Am I therefore living like someone who bears the name? Can people call me by those names, confident that I can bear those names to God's glory? Or am I the one claiming the names, while God himself does not reckon with me? I must settle the question of my identity today. God must re-name me if need be, because it does not matter how the world sees me now or what it calls me; what God says is fundamental. I have an eternal question to answer. My name will be the answer to that eternal question. God's time of favour is here.

The Light!

The Light!

John 3:20-21 KJV

[20] For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. [21] But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

This current generation seems to have mastered the art of walking and working in darkness, while trying to convince itself that it is not too far away from the light. We have learnt to silence or ignore the voice of our conscience, while telling ourselves that 'It does not matter'. The more you live in darkness, the more light becomes strange. It can be categorically stated that the standard is not based on what we think it is, but on what God says it is. Majority can always choose a path and stick with it, and then label all those who choose the opposite path as 'weird', but I note that the majority is not always right. With God, numbers do not count for much. As long as I cannot hold my deeds, thoughts and lives before the Light, as defined by God, then it means that I am comfortable with darkness.

It is not about what I tell myself is right; the standard has been laid out by God and if anyone will make an impact, he can only do so according to the standard God has already set out. Sometimes, it is good to ask myself that: if I knew that Jesus was physically standing beside me, and I know that he is God, would I still do what I am about to do? The disciples in Antioch did not call themselves Christians; it was their neighbours and friends who looked at what they did, how thy talked and how they lived, and they knew that something was different about these disciples. If my present life is not bringing glory or pointing to God, then my life may still be in darkness. As it has been previously said several times: 'You cannot give what you do not have'. A man who is in darkness will keep running away from the light, while the man who is in the light will keep himself from all the works of darkness. 

The two cannot co-exist; you cannot have a hand in both. These two are parallel lines that can never meet, no matter how hard you try to draw them. You are either in the Light or in darkness. You cannot sit on the fence between both, because there is no middle ground. As I go out today, I need to sort out my allegiances pursuits, and priorities. Where do I stand? What are my interests? The answers to these questions will give me an idea of where I stand: either in Light with God or with the devil in darkness. A warning though: both positions have eternal consequences. No earthly life was created to live forever in this present human form; we were created for eternity, and our lives here and now are the preparations for our eternal home. Where will you spend yours? Where will I spend mine? The decision must be made today, before it is too late. I ask God for grace to decide for Him, and that He will keep me in the light of His Word, so that everything I do, say or think will bring glory to His name. God's time of favour is here.

Pleasing God!

Pleasing God!

Hebrews 13:16 AMP

[16] Do not neglect to do good, to contribute [to the needy of the church as an expression of fellowship], for such sacrifices are always pleasing to God. 

As the writer of the book of Hebrews came to its conclusion, emphasis was laid on a few issues bordering on brotherly love, sanctity of marriage, the importance of hospitality and kindness to other people, the love of money, praying for leaders, and the importance of sound teaching. As we know, all the issues listed above have caused problems for people at different times in their lives. The Word of God is a mirror to hold our lives to, so He can show us who we are and where our current trajectory will take us to, so we can take the right steps to get to the place where God wants us to be. That is the context in which the verse above is placed. As I take stock of where I am right now, I need to be clear of what God expects of and from me. It is daily actions that define a man's pursuits and priorities. It may be convenient to pretend to be committed to something, but pretence and hypocrisy are not sustainable. 

The verse above makes clear that I must not neglect to do good. Reflect on this: how can a person neglect good, unless it is the natural inclination of a man is to be selfish? The nature of sin man inherits make it the default setting to do evil; it takes total submission to God for a man's natural affinity for sin to be dealt with, and replaced with a desire to please God. God knows that to please Him will take something that the natural man cannot produce, so He goes all out to help man with what he needs. As we have said several times, God does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill. This has to be a willing surrender; not a forceful takeover. It is also clear from the verse above that there is no room for inaction or sitting on the fence. I can even say that there is no fence to sit on. Not doing anything is itself a decision to be made.

Lives have been brought my way so I can make an impact. I was placed where I am, gifted with what I have, and surrounded with the people around me, so that God can be made manifest in and through me. God cannot be seen by human eyes, but I am the visible representation of the invisible God. I am His eyes, hands, feet and heart, and men must see His presence and glory in me at all times. There will always be needs around me that I am best equipped to deal with. There are lives that I may be the only person who can reach them with the love of God. It will not always be convenient, but when has a life of sacrifice ever been convenient? It is the end result and the reward of sacrifice that make the journey worth it. God is pleased when I point men to Him, and reflect His nature. Can this be said of me at the moment? God's time of favour is here.

All!

All!

1 Corinthians 10:31 AMP

[31] So then, whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of [our great] God.

Again, Paul is the focus of today's extract, as he writes to the church in Corinth. He was writing to believers who had come to the saving knowledge of Jesus, and were trying to navigate the demands of this new faith. Paul made reference to Israel and its past dealings with God, the many times they rebelled against God, and how He punished them for their rebellion. Dispensations and generations have come and gone, but the standards of God have not been changed or lowered. What God calls sin under Ezekiel and Daniel is still sin under Peter and Paul. God has always made it clear that He would punish sin, no matter in whom it is found. The expectation of God from all who follow Him is that we would take advantage of the grace and help that are available for all men. God does not leave me to my devices; He wants me to succeed, and He will move heaven and earth before He breaks His promises. 

That is what the same chapter from where the verse above is taken makes clear: there is nothing that comes to me that is strange. The promise of God is that I will not be stretched beyond my capacity to bear, but He will also provide a way of escape for me, even in the tough times. He is the One who was tempted in every way, yet did not sin; therefore, His life has become an example and the template for me to also conquer sin. What do I need to do? How am I to respond to God's grace? First, there is the power of actions. As God has played His part, I am not permitted to sit on the fence of indecision. In fact, there is no fence. I am not permitted to just do nothing. The verse above charges me to make sure that whatever I do is done as a measure of appreciation of what God has first done for me. That is also the power and impact of choices. I get to choose how to respond to what I have received from God. 

The power of personal experience is also as basic as what I eat and drink. You may wonder how a simple decision on what to eat or drink could become a decision with eternal ramifications, but that is what it means for a child of God. There are no simple decisions; there are no selfish actions. Paul used his life as this personal example of sacrifice. There were things he denied himself of, not because they were wrong in themselves, but for the sake of other people. He could speak of his own life, because his talk matched his walk. It has to be the same for me too. Seeking the glory of God in all areas of my life must be a daily pursuit for me. Lives are depending on my walk with God. Lives are seeking for the right examples to emulate. My public life must match my private life. Do my present actions point me to the glory of God? Are men encouraged to submit to God based on my current priorities? May God help us. God's time of favour is here.

Fit!

Fit!

Romans 12:2 KJV

[2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Paul was writing to the church in Rome, with an emphasis on the right standards for living for those who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour. There has to be a remarkable difference between the old and the new. It may not be a dramatic conversion experience like Saul himself, but there will be a conviction of an inner work done, which will then be made manifest on the outside. This is the focus of the verse above. There are two key words in the verse above, and these are: 'conform' and 'transform'. As we can see, both are different kinds of forms, and we all must fit into one of the forms, either by nature or by deliberate decision. There is no form that sits on the fence of indecision; you do not get away with being none at all. Being born into sin means that I will naturally be conformed to the nature of sin. All of us born of women have this nature, and unless the other form is adopted, the end of this conformity is eternal death. 

Just to be sure, 'conform' means to 'be similar in form or type; agree' or 'the process whereby people change their beliefs, attitudes, actions, or perceptions to more closely match those held by groups to which they belong or want to belong or by groups whose approval they desire'. Do we see the pattern or actions that drive conformity? When you seek the approval of a group or a system that you want to belong to, there is nothing you will not sacrifice in that quest. If you asked to do the abominable sometimes, you may do it. That is the price of seeking to conform. To be 'transformed' is to 'make a marked change in the form, nature, or appearance of' or 'to undergo a marked change'. Transformation is to change the form of something; you go to the root of desires, vision, pursuits and priorities, and change the foundation. This goes beyond changing the external; you just change the inner contents; the external will definitely be impacted. 

That is the work that God wants to do in me. He cannot use the old nature I was born with, because that nature can never be brought under the control and influence of the Holy Spirit. That is why a new nature is what is formed in me, when I surrender my life to Jesus. The counsel in the verse above has been true since it was made, and it continues to be true till today: I must allow God work in me that which He can use for His glory. What is the use of a nature that will deny me eternal life with God? What is the use of a nature that is only good for this earthly phase, and cannot be raptured? As the verse above makes clear, I need to know the good, acceptable, perfect will of God, and I have a role to play: it is only by total surrender and submission to God that this will happen. God is the only One who can do a work in me that will lead to His perfect will. Remember: God does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill. Would you surrender to Him? God's time of favour is here  

One Thing!

One Thing!

Psalm 27:4 KJV

[4] One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

We come to another song by David, the man after God's own heart. As we know, he was a man of many parts: youngest son of a family of eight boys, shepherd boy, who was used to being alone with the sheep, and then later as  king over Israel, serving in the office of the priest and a prophet when the occasion called for it. He was a man who was driven so many things, but as you read the chapter from where the verse above is taken, you know that there was a reason why this verse is critical to us today. Everywhere David turned at the time, there was danger. As he kept his father's sheep, lions and bears would come, but God gave him victory. Who knew that these stories of victories would one day become a source of encouragement as he faced Goliath years later.  David could call God his light and his salvation, and the strength of his life, so he did not need to fear anyone. 

Can I speak with this same confidence and assurance about God? Do I even know God this way? Life will happen to the best of us. We will go through experiences that will shake our faith or threaten to derail us. We may not always have reasons to laugh out loud, but there is a Presence in us that would keep our hearts joyful, even in the midst of distress and pain. David had enemies, and some of them were very close to him. Imagine being anointed as king, but having to wait twenty years to ascend the throne. Even whilst waiting, he was constantly dodging assasins and government-backed agents who were constantly seeking to kill him. In all these situations, David knew he was preserved by God, and he could sing of the faithfulness of God in all these situations. As I go through this year too, I must come to the realisation that I will only survive when God is on my side. 

Even if war rises against me, there has to be the one thing that matters the most to me, and that is the presence of God. David is called a man after God's own heart because he was always seeking God out. Nothing, not even the sins of adultery and murder, would keep David away from God. Even when his own son rebelled and almost killed him, God was his default setting. Like David, this has to be my default setting too. I cannot make God one of many available options, and at the same time, wonder why things are not going the way they should. I must seek to dwell in the house of God all the days of my life, so I can keep beholding His beauty. This focus helps keep me in check; what and how you see become the inspiration for what you do. It does not have to be many things; it just has to be that one important and eternally critical thing. Who or what is that one thing that your heart yearns for? Make sure it is God. God's time of favour is here. 

Power!

Power!

John 1:12 AMPC

[12] But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority (power, privilege, right) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name.

John introduces us to the One called the Word of God. It is quite enlightening to see how Jesus is presented in this way. All that we see today in creation when made by and for Him, and we know the power that was made manifest as God spoke creation into existence. God said: "Let there be....", and it was so. In all instances, there was nothing: no power, authority or foundation that could resist the power behind the spoken Word of God, or prevent His command from coming to pass. The Word is presented as being with God in the beginning, and also being God too. That is the introduction that all of us must make personal, if we are to fulfil the purpose of God for our lives. God does not need my permission to be God; He is God, regardless of what people say or do. This power is the focus of today's extract, and we will do well to consider how God wants me to respond to Him.

Reflect on all that God has done for you on a personal level. Consider His mighty works in your family, work, business and life generally. Even for those who have not submitted their lives to Jesus and accepted Him as Lord and Saviour, they still enjoy God's mercy and love on some levels. God who made all men loves us all, and He wants us to come to Him, but as we know, He does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill. He wants me to love Him with all my heart and seek Him out based on an understanding of who He is, and what He can do for me. There are some people that will resist Him to the end of their natural human lives, yet, for the sake of the one or two people who would submit to Him, the death of Jesus on the cross is not in vain. Even if only one person was left on earth who needed salvation, Jesus would still have died. That is love, but a love that also comes with responsibility. 

His arms are stretched out to receive all who come, and the promise is power to become what we could never become on our own, no matter how much we could pay for it. What is on offer is a change of nature, a change of inner content, a change of direction, and a change of eternal destination. If men could pay for it, not many could afford it. If men had to earn it, several people would be cut off the supply. It is an amazing thing that all God requires from me is to receive and welcome Him. No money to spend, no vaults to empty; just a simple opening up of my heart to Him, to come in and be Lord and Master of all I am. I receive power to become a child of God, to be known as His own, sealed by the blood, inhabited by His Spirit, and destined for eternity with Him. What can the world give that can match or surpass this? What can a temporal world give me in exchange for an eternity without end? The offer is still on; God waits for my response. What is it going to be? God's time of favour is here. 

Keep At It!

Keep At It!

2 Corinthians 4:16 AMP

[16] Therefore we do not become discouraged [spiritless, disappointed, or afraid]. Though our outer self is [progressively] wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day by day.

Paul was writing to the church in Corinth, and reminding them of the standards that God has established for all who seek to follow Him. It is clear from the words of this letter that Paul was not going to compromise on standards in order to draw men to the fold. The schemes of men to pull crowds into church today are really mind-blowing; we do not seem to care what we do, as long as the pews are filled and the money keeps rolling in. We keep making it obvious that what we get is more important than who makes it to heaven, and the souls of men continue to perish due to wrong doctrine and selfish interests. Paul makes it clear at the start of this chapter that he renounces all disgraceful and shameful things, and would not walk in trickery, or adulterate the word of God. All he would do is to state the truth of God’s word openly and plainly. Does this even begin to describe me, or my current priorities?

Life will happen to the best of us. Every day we are given brings us closer to the end of our earthly phase. When we declare our ages, even for babies, it is always a reflection of how old we are, not how young we are. As we labour for God, we must keep at the back of our minds that we do not have forever on this side of eternity. In fact, for all who choose to submit to the Lordship and Authority of Jesus, be ready for opposition and resistance. The devil will not give up easily; he will keep at it until the end. If the devil will not give up, all who know and follow God must also not give up. We are in a fight; we are on a race; we are pilgrims on a journey to a definite and precise location, and we are soldiers fighting for a just cause. There are pressures, but we are not crushed; we get perplexed sometimes, but we are not driven to depression. We are persecuted at every turn, but we are not left on our own or deserted. 

Sometimes, we are struck down, but we are never destroyed. We have this hope that keeps us focused on God, knowing that the end indeed justifies the means. No matter what the present looks like, the future is more glorious. No matter the level of pain now, the glory ahead is even more definite. That is the basis of the hope in the verse above. There is an inner presence and power that keeps my heart hopeful, even in the face of challenges. I can face whatever today or tomorrow brings, because I have the God who owns and holds tomorrow in His hands on my side. Yes, life happens. Yes, the unexpected happens. Yes, things get uncomfortable, but when God is involved, there is an inner renewal that He is able to sustain all through my life. He is the Omnipotent God, who can do all things. He is the Author and Finisher of my faith, and in His hands, I will end well. Would you also trust Him with your life? God's time of favour is here. 

The New 2!

The New 2!

Isaiah 43:18-19 KJV

[18] Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. [19] Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

The context of the verses above was not at the initial stage a pleasant one. Jacob and Israel had sinned and had been punished by God. It had been quite an unpleasant experience for the people who had been chosen by God as His treasured possession, as they had rebelled against His clear instructions and gone their own ways. Of course, God is faithful to His Word. If He says He will punish sin, be sure that He will. He is too faithful to lie, and His nature and integrity are such that He has said that heaven and earth will both pass away before His Word can fail. That is consistency and faithfulness. As we start a new year, we are reminded that with God, nothing has really changed. What He hated in 2025, He still hates in 2026. What He loved and cherished in 2025, He still loves in 2026. He does not change like shifting shadows, and that is why He can be trusted. 

In the light of the above, reflect on the message in the verses above. Israel had been punished for their sin, but God was charting a new course for His people. Israel did not deserve what God was bringing, but then, who ever does? Can anyone really earn the mercy of God by just doing good? Can anyone even do the good that pleases God by his/her own willpower alone? That is the power behind the words of the verses above: whatever has gone before belongs to the old. Whatever has happened in the past becomes the platform for God to show off His mercy and grace. It may not be easy to forget the past, but one day of God's gracious dealings can make you forget years of pain. One day of God's mighty intervention can make you forget years of lack. That is why it is critical to get on God's side as we look to this new year and all it will present. 

This is a God that can do what has never been done before. Have you ever seen a donkey talk since the dsys of Balaam and Balak? Have you seen the sun stay up for a whole day simple because a man of God requested for it? Have you ever seen the laws of natural conception suspended, simply because a chilf that would break the chain of sin had to be born? These are just a few of the ways God continues to prove that He is God. As the verses above make clear, God is able to make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert. You do not get these naturally; even man has tried several times to make deserts produce streams of water, but these have proven difficult to achieve. In the hands of God and at His command, anything is possible. May God open my heart to receive Him, and my eyes to see where He is at work, so that I can join Him in that which He is doing. God's time of favour is here.