Light!

Light!

“[105] Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105 AMPC

“[23] For the commandment is a lamp, and the whole teaching [of the law] is light, and reproofs of discipline are the way of life.

Proverbs 6:23 AMPC

We consider again another characteristic and benefit of the Word of God. The verses above refer to God's Word as a lamp. At the time that these verses were put down, these lamps were small clay oil lanterns with single wicks that cast light just one or two steps ahead. It rarely gave you sight of the entire horizon, but provided just enough clarity for the immediate next step. That is a lesson for us today: we do not have sight of the whole plan of God for our lives all at once, and that is why we go to the Word often. We do not take it with us once in a while, but it is a fundamental part of our lives if we want to make sense of the world we have been placed in. Do you have anything that guides you?

Why do I need a lamp to provide guidance for my next steps? I do not know what the next minute holds. I have no idea what life will throw at me in the next minute. God does not always give me all the information I need for life all at once. His Word is the compass; the guide; the guard; the protection; the banner and the authority I need to process, possess and protect all that God wants to give me. In the event that you are tempted to think that you have a choice, the second verse above refers to God's Word as His commandment. You do not have a choice when it comes to commands, but you get to choose if and when you submit to His authority. That is what makes this journey interesting.

God will not force Himself on anyone, or go against the exercise of my freewill. He lets me know what I need, and gives me the power to choose to submit. I do not get to take only the parts that support what I want to do; it is the whole word of God that I need if my life will be all that God has planned it to be. There will be times when instructions are what I need. There will also be times when reproofs of discipline will be what I need at a particular time. Whatever God brings, I must know that His love for me will not let me go to waste. He does not seek to destroy me; He is invested in my eternal security. I must seek His help on a regular basis, not just when trouble looms. Would you seek Him from today? God's time of favour is here. 

Testify!!

Testify!

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

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

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

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

Power 2!

Power 2!

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

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

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

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

Power!

Power!

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

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

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

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

Right Thoughts!

Right Thoughts!

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

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

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

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

Approved!

Approved!

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

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

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

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

Protected!

Protected!

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

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

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

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

Wise Building!

Wise Building!

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

Matthew 7:24 AMPC

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

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

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

Right Heart!

Right Heart!

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

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

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

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

Timeless!

Timeless!

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

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

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

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

Inspired!

Inspired!

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

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

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

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

Helped!

Helped!

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

Psalm 139:23 AMPC

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

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

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

Delivered!

Delivered!

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

Colossians 1:13 AMPC

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

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

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

Pray!

Pray!

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

Ephesians 6:18 AMPC

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

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

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

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

Endure!

Endure!

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

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

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

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

No Fear!

No Fear!

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

Isaiah 41:10 KJV

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

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

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

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

Roll It!

Roll It!

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

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

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

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

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

Committed!

Committed!

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

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

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

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

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

Owned!

Owned!

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

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

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

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

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

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

God's Reward!

God's Reward!

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

Hebrews 6:10 AMPC

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

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

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

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