Worthy!

Worthy!

‭‭Revelation 4:11 KJV‬‬

[11] Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

The verse above is taken from a scene in heaven, to which John is given the privilege to be a part of, and to speak of to all who aspire to be part of the heavenly choir eventually. The Lord sits on the throne, high and exalted, with undeniable glory and power. Those who are in heaven have no doubt about who is in charge, and they do not stop speaking about the glory and power of the One who sits on the throne. Heaven has no competition for authority, and even those with thrones have a higher throne before which they all bow. There is recognition, acceptance and submission to that Authority, and regular adoration and worship are offered to the One who sits on the throne. It is interesting to note that even the devil, called Lucifer, was once one of the host of heaven,, but pride would not let him stay. He was banished from heaven, and now has limited time before he is also cast into the lake of burning sulphur. 

It is an awesome privilege to be given a glimpse into how heaven operates and what it permits, so we on earth can also prepare the right way. There is only one God who is worthy to receive glory, honour and power. One of the many reasons why God is worthy is given in the verse above, and it is because He is the Creator of all things. As Creator, you have a purpose for your creation, and there is feedback you would want to receive in terms of optimum performance. When that which you have made functions the right way, it gives you pleasure. From God's perspective, when my life points to His power and might, it means that other people will seek to know more about my God, leading to praise and glory. Is my life's current application leading to praise and glory to God? Am I preparing the right way for the eternal life that has been guaranteed by God to all who submit to Him? God's time of favour is here.

The Source!

The Source!

‭‭James 1:17 NIV‬‬

[17] Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

As always, the audience always drives the quality and depth of the message. James was writing to the twelve tribes that were now scattered among the nations due to trials, tough times and persecution. These people were experiencing difficulties, but the word of the Lord through James was that they had reason to rejoice, because God would only work that which is good for all who come to trust Him. The preesent may look bleak but there is the hope that in the hands of God,  every mess becomes a message. Only in God's hands can pain lead to promotion, taking a man like Joseph from the prison to the palace. The physical change may have happened in one day, but the process took about twenty years, from dreams to destiny. What is the current situation that may be causing me pain today? I must surrender my life to God so He can make the best use of broken pottery to make the finest product.

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There is a God who reigns and rules in the affairs of men. He is the possessor and owner of all things that have been made, and His love is higher, deeper, wider and greater than any other relationship or engagement known to man. He made all things for His own pleasure, and He gives life and breath to all things. He introduces Himself in many ways to different people at different times, showing His might and mercy in different ways, so that men may fear and honour Him. It is in this light that today's verse is presented. If you have not yet known it, know today that there is a God in charge of the affairs of this world. If you have never seen Him at work, surrender your life to Him and allow Him work in you that which is His perfect will. If you do need anything from Him, know that His resources are mainly for citizens first of all. Those who He owns and controls have first call on that which He provides. 

Foreigners and aliens may also enjoy what His kingdom provides, but if you want to enjoy it the right way, you must keep an eye on eternity. Rain falls on all, giving harvest to both the rich and the poor, as well as the saint and the sinner. Wealth does not recognize race or culture, but there is a deeper dynamic for true blessing, which can only be from God. It is the blessing of the Lord that truly makes rich, and adds no sorrow. He is the Father of the heavenly lights, so darkness has no place in Him. He sees and can operate in darkness, but His nature is light. He cannot cast shadows like man would, because He is consistent and predictable in His faithfulness. He may choose the channel and the vessel, but His nature cannot be changed. He will not lie because He is looking for favour; that which He said to Abraham centuries ago still rings true today. That is consistency; that is trust. Seek Him today; your eternity will be glad you did. God's time of favour is here.

Fixed!

Fixed!

‭‭Hebrews 12:2 AMP‬‬

[2] [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work].

This is a fairly long version of the verse under consideration today, but the message is clear and unmistakable. There are distractions everywhere you turn; there is always a matter that will present itself as pressing or urgent, but it is critical to my earthly impact and eternal reality that I know what really matters, so I can focus my strength and labour on that which can guarantee eternal rest. There is no use being known as a man of many parts, but with no record in heaven of the things God considers to be key to reigning with Him at the end of my life. The example of Jesus is the perfect sacrifice laid before us, and I will do well to consider his life's lessons and apply myself accordingly. First, there is the big picture. Jesus knew what lay ahead and He was determined to see it to the end. I must keep the end in view, so that my labour can be properly interpreted. I am not labouring in vain or fighting aimlessly; there is an end that has been determined by God, and it is by focus that I will achieve that end. 

Secondly, His life's choices give me an idea of how I can please God. Jesus got to a point where the cross looked too heavy to bear, and He prayed, asking that if it were possible, the cross should pass over Him, but he left it all in God's mighty hands. As long as it was the perfect will of God,  He would submit to it. That must be my default setting too; life will happen to all of us, but it is important to prepare for life with the help of the One who owns life and has experienced all that life may throw at me. I cannot afford to take my eyes off the One who can help me, because the devil knows how to provide an alternative to the right option. There can be no vacuum, so if God is not filling up my heart, be sure that the devil is on-site, and he will do anything to keep my focus off Jesus and on the size and depth of my present experiences. Like Jesus, I must remember that it is not a permanent situation, but one that leads to eternal glory. The pain of the present is God's way of sorting out the glorious future that is ahead. How's your focus? What you see defines what you get. God's time of favour is here. 

Declare!

Declare!

‭‭1 Chronicles 16:23-24 NIV‬‬

[23] Sing to the Lord, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day. [24] Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

The ark of God had been taken by the Philistines during the battle that took the lives of Saul and his three sons. The ark was returned to Kiriath Jearim by the Philistines after the ark had wrought some terror in the land of the Philistines. However, there appeared to be no use for the ark, because it was abandoned in Kiriath Jearim for 20 years before David came for it. Just think of this: the symbol of God's presence with His people had been forgotten. In fact, in the verses before today's extract, David said there was no inquiry of the ark throughout the reign of Saul. How did a king who was anointed by God to be king wander so far away from God that he was consulting mediums? This is what happens when a man develops a sense of self-sufficiency. At no time is a man able and capable of pleasing God all by himself; we do this by a daily dependence on God. David understood the importance of the presence of God, and that is why he did all he could to build a place for the ark of the covenant to be kept. What steps am I taking to ensure that the Presence of God can find a home in me? 

As David laid the right foundation for the return of the ark, the song in the verses above is the focus. When my relationship with God is right, everything else falls into place. When my heart and life are right with God, it would appear that even the earth and all its attachments will respond. Actually, the earth and its attachments do not have a problem acknowledging the power, might and strength of God, because the earth recognizes and knows its Creator. It is man who struggles with his identity, seeking validation and acceptance from the wrong sources. David's song here is a call to all who know God to make Him known on the earth. Let the people of the earth be reminded again of the power of God. Let his mighty acts be known all over the world. If I do not speak about these, how would the earth know? I must not keep God's mighty acts to myself, so nations can know Him and give Him praise. Like David, can God count on me to be an effective witness of His power, presence and perfection? God's time of favour is here. 

Justified!

‭‭Romans 5:1 TPT‬‬

[1] Our faith in Jesus transfers God’s righteousness to us and he now declares us flawless in his eyes. This means we can now enjoy true and lasting peace with God, all because of what our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One, has done for us.

‭‭Romans 5:1 AMP‬‬

[1] Therefore, since we have been justified [that is, acquitted of sin, declared blameless before God] by faith, [let us grasp the fact that] we have peace with God [and the joy of reconciliation with Him] through our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed).

The dictionary defines 'justification' as 'the action of declaring or making righteous in the sight of God.' Actually, God did both: He not only declared it, He also did it. He not only pronounced us faultless before His Father; He also did the work required to ensure that we would remain so justified. How did He do it? By walking in our shoes, feeling our human pain and dying the death of a sinner on the cross of sin and shame, so we could receive the power we need to also live above sin. It is not something to be earned by labour, wages or intellect; it is given by the death and resurrection of Jesus, and when I come by faith to trust in that finished work. It may sound simple for those of us who have come to believe in Jesus,  but for those who have always known how to fight for everything, it is hard to imagine a benefit you do not have to work for. There is no other way; it is only by faith in Jesus that I can access the benefits of earthly impact and eternal life with God. 

Jesus has played His part; He has paid the full price for sin, and He gives me the grace to enjoy true and lasting peace with God. It was the price I should have paid. Someone had to do it, because it was God's judgment as the price for sin. I could not have offered a perfect sacrifice for sin, because I was already blemished. A lamb without defect was the solution, and this is what Christ became for my sake. It is very important to note that peace with God does not mean that there will be no storms, or that the wind will not blow and threaten to cause damage. It is the confidence the peace of God gives that makes me able to face whatever comes, sure that the Presence of God can keep me through any problem I may face. That which Christ has done has ssved me from my past, sorted out the present and secured my future. What else is there to cause fear? God's time of favour is here.

Being Kind!

Being Kind!

‭‭Ephesians 4:32 NIV‬‬

[32] Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

In a world that is becoming increasingly hostile to the truth of God's Word, today's verse is the right message for the right time. As you read the entire chapter, you discover that the message is for a specific audience, and that is 'those who have been sealed with the Holy Spirit for the day of redemption'. This classification is important,  because it is my identity and ownership that will define my pursuits and priorities. It is a different message for those who belong to the world, as they are known, identified and directed by someone else. At all times, we are under the control and influence of a spiritual authority, and it will do me well to know what the options are, so I can pattern my life and its focus accordingly. Do I know who I am, as well as whose I am? Can God dictate terms and conditions for my life, or do I have to get into a fix before I realise thst God is trying to catch my attention? 

If I have sorted out my identity, then the message in the verse above applies to me. I am charged by the verse above to be kind and compassionate, which is only possible for those who know and understand the source of the help needed to align with the instruction. Let it be known today that mere strength will not take you to the desired destination; no amount of inner core stability will drive me to the place God wants me to be without His presence helping me. God will not demand from me what He has not given me grace for. The additional beauty of the verse above is that God has placed other people's lives in my path, so I could show them what a life that is surrendered to God looks like. And I have the perfect example to emulate. He would not demand from me without first showing me what it looks like. His own life is the perfect example of forgiveness and mercy and I now have no excuse. He has shown me what He wants; would I follow in His steps? God's time of favour is here. 

Searched!

Searched!

‭‭Psalms 139:23-24 AMP‬‬

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

The prayer above is critical to my growth in faith and the continuing experience of who God is. The entire chapter from where this verse is taken celebrates the power of God as made manifest in the creation of man. Man sits at the head of all of God's creation; the only part where it was recorded that God called a conference in heaven, and breathed into man the breath of life, and man became a living soul. The chapter goes on to lay out a number of dimensions in which man is very special. A few will suffice here: long before I was physically born, God already had plans for my life, and because I am His child and creation, nothing happens to me by accident. All the days that have been written for me had already been written down in His book even before any of them came to pass. Do I even know who I am, whose I am, and do I have the faintest idea of the amazing things that God has laid out for me?

The above reflect the many dimensions of impact, power and purpose. God is too great a God to make something or someone for whom He has no plan or usage. Therefore, I will never be able to scratch the surface of all the amazing things God has in store for me without the help of the One who laid out all the plans in the first place. That is why I must give Him access to my heart at all times. My heart can sometimes be distracted or deceived by the things it sees or perceives, and it is only when God owns and controls it that it will produce in line with the will of God. Sin leads to death and eternal separation from God and it is something to be avoided at all costs. Let nothing down here stop me from reigning with Christ up there. I give God the control over my heart; only by total surrender can I be helped. Only by a focus on the eternal can my earthly labour make sense. God, I depend on you; help me. God's time of favour is here.