The Right Model!

The Right Model!

1 Timothy 5:1-2 AMPC

[1] DO NOT sharply censure or rebuke an older man, but entreat and plead with him as [you would with] a father. Treat younger men like brothers; [2] [Treat] older women like mothers [and] younger women like sisters, in all purity.

Human relationships are complex. They become even more important when they are considered under the umbrella of a church or fellowship setting. The young man to whom this letter was written by Paul would know a thing or two about understanding the complex nature of the relationships he had to manage, and how he had to strive to maintain peace and order in an environment where competing needs and interests would occur. This is the peculiar thing about the church: we come to Christ at different times in our lives, and we are given different gifts to be made manifest at different times in our walk of faith. Due to the fact that the earthly church is not always filled with people who have a good understanding of what God demands or expects from His children per time, it is very likely you will find conflicts, and sometimes, irreconcilable differences. 

The full exercise of some of these gifts will place some people in the public eye, while some gifts are more suited for support and encouragement, and may not always be visible. However, it is critical to note that the exercise and usage of the gifts by a child of God must not be to promote discord, or to cause disregard to other people. The gifts of the Holy Spirit were given to be blessings to the body of Christ, so that every part may receive that which it needs for growth as well as further impact. Actions will be required; words will be spoken; hands will be extended and feet will have to move. As I am called to be a blessing to other people, I must depend on the One who owns and assigns the gifts to make sure they are used the right way. The person next to me is precious to God; I must be careful not to place my desire to always be right over and above the need to watch out for the eternal welfare of the other person. 

One way to do this is to ensure that I deal with every one with respect. No matter the knowledge or experience I may have acquired, it has to touch lives the right way for it to be appreciated. The body of Christ is just like the human family, with older fathers and mothers, as well as older or younger brothers and sisters. The same way I would treat those related to me by human genealogy and blood must be the same way I will treat those who have now become related to me by the blood of Jesus. Being rude is not an option; feeling superior is of no value; positions are platforms for the proper administration of the church, but must not become the basis of am argument for superiority. Purity is key, as this is the nature of God. All who claim to know and follow God must live by God's standards laid out in the verse above. No excuses will be accepted for failure to adhere; remember, without holiness, no man shall see the Lord. God's time of favour is here.

The Word 6!

The Word 6!

John 5:24 KJV

[24] Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

God indeed works in mysterious ways. There was a man at the pool of Bethesda for 38 years, unable to help himself into the water to get healing. He had an encounter with the Great Physician, and everything that had gone wrong for 38 years was corrected at the word of Jesus. Of course, like all things the Word of God does, there will be opposition from all walks of life. The crowd would have wondered who this man was that could heal such bad cases; the Pharisees, scribes and Jews of Jesus' day were angry that a man was carrying his bed, which was deemed to be work on a Sabbath day. The man himself who was healed was warned to stop sinning, or a worse ailment would happen to him. Jesus had a message for all the classes of people who were present at the time, just as He also has a message for all of us in the times that we are now. Am I listening? Are you? 

All of us will be given the opportunity to have access to the Word of God. As laid out in the Bible, the end will not happen until the gospel of Christ is preached to all the world. Every person would have the opportunity to decide on a response to the word of God, so that there will be no excuse for whatever decision is made. Even the earth, as it is presently sustained, makes a clear case for the power and wisdom of God to be made known to all men. That is what is laid out so clearly in Romans 1:20: 'For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse'. The Word of God is the dynamo that births and sustains the life of God in me, and it is not a wonder that the verse above reiterates this truth. A man cannot truly receive the word of God and remain the same. 

I note that both hearing the Word and believing in God are tied together. Just hearing is not enough; even the devil quoted the bible to Jesus during his temptation in the wilderness. Believing that there is one God is great, but also not enough, as demons also believe and tremble. I must take the Word of God as the ultimate truth and compass for my life, and believe in the person and power of God. The substance of the Word of God, the conviction in my heart about His person and the daily nurturing of my relationship with God through prayer, study, fellowship and others, become irresistible forces that can stand against the wiles of the devil. Only the One who has overcome the devil can provide help for man to also overcome. Do not rely on anything this world provides. The earthly can never be greater than the eternal. By the right response to the Word, eternal life is sealed and earthly impact is sorted. God's time of favour is here.

The Word 5!

The Word 5!

Matthew 4:4 AMPC

[4] But He replied, It has been written, Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God. [Deut. 8:3.]

The first time these words were said was as the children of Israel were about to enter into the promised land, as recorded in Deuteronomy. Moses took some time to lay down the law for the people, and he would know something about God's high standards, as he had disobeyed God and was told he would not be allowed to enter into the land of promise. With God, the standards do not bend for anyone. There is a covenant relationship that underpins the words above, as they are for people who understand the demands of God for the times that they are in. There are a lot of distractions and alternative options around us; there are many ways to get to a particular destination, but from God's own perspective, there is a right way to arrive. It does not matter how popular or widely-accepted am option is; as long as it is not the way God has approved, be sure it will end up in shame and disgrace. 

The second time the verse above was quoted was when Jesus was tempted by the devil in the wilderness. Just like the first time, there was a promised land that Jesus was trying to secure for us. The devil knew the value of the gift that had been promised and provided, and he would do anything to distract Jesus from the assignment. Thank God that Jesus knew what was at stake, as well as the dangers of the distractions that had been provided. The devil wrapped a true statement around the deception of pride, and wanted to take the eyes of Jesus away from that which is eternal, even for a moment. If the devil had succeeded, we would have no hope to look forward to. The response of Jesus shows that there is a time for everything and a season for every activity. It is critical that I know what is appropriate for every season that God brings me to. 

There is a time to eat bread to get energy for the tasks that are assigned, but there is a level that physical bread will do no good. In the sample of prayer that Jesus taught His disciples, we ask God for daily bread, because the physical body needs it to keep all the organs working properly, but the same prayer also lays emphasis on the need to do the will of God on earth, just as it is done in heaven. Bread sustains physical life, but there is a bread that I must seek that will sustain both the physical and spiritual lives. That bread is the Word of God. As the world was made by the Word of God, there is no situation on earth that the word of God cannot address. Do not settle for the lies of the devil; make sure you receive a word from God for every situation or experience that may come your way. What is holding you up? What is holding your focus? The world or the Word? Whatever it is has eternal implications. God's time of favour is here.

The Word 4!

The Word 4!

Psalm 94:19 AMPC

[19] In the multitude of my [anxious] thoughts within me, Your comforts cheer and delight my soul!

As I read the entire chapter from where the verse above is taken, you sense the writer as someone who disliked wickedness. He had seen the effect and impact of wickedness in the land, and he wanted God to step in. It seemed that the wicked were thriving and doing well, while the righteous were being hounded to death. However, it takes a man who has had a personal experience of God to know who He is, what He stands for and what He is capable of. Let the entire world burn; it does not change who God is, neither will He lower the standard for anyone. Let the entire world turn its back on God; it still would not diminish His power, authority and reach in any way. It is just a human thing for us to fret over the things that we cannot control. When things do not go according to plan, or even when it seems that people are deliberately frustrating you, there is a place for me to approach the God to whom all of creation answers. 

In the multitude of my anxious thoughts, I need to know that I have a God who is very interested in my good, whether present or future. Even Jesus's first Sermon on the Mount featured a portion on anxiety, and why it does no good. I cannot change one hair of my head, or accurately predict what will happen in the next 60 seconds, so it is totally pointless to have anxiety over things you cannot control. The prescription for anxiety, as Jesus laid it out clearly, is to let God have it all. If I know I cannot change anything, it is utter foolishness to keep holding on to anything. Why not let the One who made, formed, placed and equipped me for His own purpose work it out in the best way He can? The anxious thoughts may be many, and indeed there could be many issues that weigh upon the heart, but do not let them linger; they will deprive you of joy, and keep you focused on the size of the problem, rather than the size, scope, power and personality of the solution, who is Jesus Himself. 

The comfort of the Lord is offered to all who will take advantage of it. There is a comfort that God gives that can deal with any kind of burden. The world's comfort is usually tied to possessions, position, power or privilege, but God's comfort is a reflection of His person, power and personality. He does not give the way the world does, which is that you have to give something precious in order to get what the world offers, and unfortunately, what you get from the world is nothing compared with what you get from God. God is interested in the welfare of both my body and my soul, and that is why His own comforts will cheer and delight my soul. The world can never make or meet such an offer, even though it will make false claims that it can. The one place by which God declares and sustains His offer of comfort is by His Word. Familiarise yourself with the Word; the mind and counsel of God is made plain in His Word. Nobody and nothing else can give you or sustain rhat which the Word can give you. God's time of favour is here.

The Word 3!

The Word 3!

Hebrews 4:12 AMPC

[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.

It is important to again note the place of the right word from the right source. There is power in the spoken word, as seen from the reality of creation, put in place by the power and person of the word of God, who is Jesus Himself. By Him, all things were made, for Him, all things exist, and all things were made to give Him glory. If indeed, all things were made by and for Him, it means that at His command, creation must respond to whatever He says. Until God speaks, it is fine for men to pretend to have authority to say whatever they want. As soon as God has spoken it does not matter what else any other person has to say.  This is why my most important possession must be a word from God for every situation or challenge I may be going through. The ultimate power to change lives, situations and circumstances is not given directly to the created, but to the Creator. 

As the created, I take my cue from the Creator. I am made in His image, and therefore, able to take on His nature, and also exercise the same power as the Creator. When I speak, I have to be careful, because if indeed I am made in the image and likeness of God, my words have effect. Check out the verse above: the word of God is alive and full of power. How can you describe the word as alive, unless you are referring to a person, or anything with the characteristics of a person? The Word of God is sharp enough to cut through the pretence and the hypocrisy of the human heart; it is even to cut deep enough into the soul of man, helping him connect with the Spirit of God, and able to receive all that God has prepared for him. The Word of God is precise enough to cut like a surgeon, taking out the parts that do not line up with His will, taking out the heart of stone, and then also transplanting a heart of flesh, on which He is able to write His law. 

This is the God before whom the deepest secrets of our hearts are laid bare. There is nothing hidden or can be hidden from His eyes. Can the One who made the eyes not be able to see farther and deeper than human eyes can? Can the One who made all the chambers of the heart then be deceived by eye-service and deceit? Let it be clear to us all that we deal with a God of total and absolute knowledge and power, whose wisdom is beyond searching out. What makes this special as well as remarkable is that this awesome God wants to deal with a mortal, limited creature like me. I must seek His purpose for my life as revealed in His Word, and make that a fundamental part of my life. If I will become all that God intends, the guide and compass is His revealed truth, laid out in the written word and expressed in the person and gift of Jesus. I have all I need. Would you also take advantage of what has been given? God's time of favour is here.

The Word 2!

The Word 2!

Luke 1:37 AMPC

[37] For with God nothing is ever impossible and no word from God shall be without power or impossible of fulfillment.

From yesterday's devotion, we had a view from the foundation of the world, and how it was formed, established and presently sustained and preserved. The same power that formed it is also the power that continues to sustain it. It was also pointed out that the Word of God is His person too, and it is by the Word that the world was created, and that Word is God the Son too. It is not a wonder, then, that we have to contend with the verse above. Now, there have been several pretenders to the throne, and people who lay claim to authority and power that are not really theirs, but over time, they have been proven to be liars and thieves. You cannot give what you do not have, and you cannot lay claim to anything whose origin you cannot define or control. That is the exclusive preserve of the Most High God, and He will not give his glory to anyone else, or share His praise with idols. 

The context from which today's extract is taken even makes the point more important. The human cycle of reproduction was about to be broken one time only, and would never be repeated again. The cycle of sin had to be dealt with so that the price for sin could be fully repaid. The normal would not do; the usual would not work. God had to suspend the natural law of conception so that He could bring forth the seed that could deal an eternal blow to sin and its power. Mary, being human, did not know how it would work, but she believed in the power, ability and capacity for God to do what He had promised. As it was then, so is it now. God has not changed His nature, address or destination, but I have a duty to hold on to Him, no matter how rough or tough the road gets. He knows what is ahead, and He alone can bring me safely into His eternal harbour. 

God's Word can never lack the power to fulfil the purpose for which God sends it out. Think of it this way: God is staking His reputation on His Word; He is saying to me that I should bank on His Word. He cannot fail, because what He has created has to answer to Him. If the devil, as 'powerful' as he claims to be, could not keep His place in heaven after rebellion, how can any of us think we can do the same? If I reject God and His Word, how else can my life make sense? If the whole world gathers to help me, and God is not involved, it will end up like the project of the Tower of Babel. Let the entire world also gang up against me, as long as God is on my side, that project will also end up like the walls of Jericho, falling down flat even without a single arrow being shot. Make sure you have and hold on to a Word from God; it will sustain you through the rough times. God's time of favour is here. 

The Word 1!

The Word 1!

John 1:1 AMPC

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

The verse above presents a specific point in time when all that we see today came into existence. Whatever we know today and accept as a reality ties to the beginning of all creation. However, there is one important reality that the verse above lays out, and that is the authority and power of the One who made the beginning possible. This is the reality that underpins all other realities. If I am not able to prove the reality of the One who brought the beginning into existence, then I can as well doubt the reality of all that my eyes can see or my hands can touch. Thank God for the grace to apply both faith and logic to the realities of the things that surround me. One place to start is to trace my human roots as far back as I can. All of us came from the union of a man and a woman, and they too came from the union of another man and woman before them, and the chain goes as far back as you can draw it. Reflect on the power and wisdom behind such consistency.

It also means that the very first man and woman who started this chain had to be produced one way or the other. God has his own version of creation, and science has tried to provide its own, but the more you consider the Steady State theory, Eternal Inflation theory, and the Big Bang theory of evolution or the origin of the universe, the more you want to know the power or force behind the theory. Even if a big bang occurred, there had to be a power that ensured that the big bang led to the order, placement, direction and discoveries that we see today. God's version of creation lays it out, with each part given its role and place, and man sitting as the crown of God's creation, made in His likeness, and having His breath. The wisdom behind such thinking cannot be defined in human terms, where only one human being has a version of fingerprints that cannot be reproduced or replicated in anyone else, not even a twin. 

Think of the above, and ask yourself if there is still any doubt about the existence of God. How can anyone see the evidence around him and stll think that a faceless, careless and planless force put all of these together? There is a power in place, long before the earth came into being, whose identity has been laid out as God Himself, by whose word, in person, power, personality and effect, made the world as we see it today. Whatever time He said is the beginning is indeed the beginning, and I would wonder why the version of a limited, mortal creation like me should carry more weight than the version of a limitless, awesome and powerful God. He spoke then, and the universe came to be. He continues to speak, and the universe continues to deliver in line with His mandate. He speaks into the future too, sealing my hope and eternity. What else is left that He has not taken care? Who else can take care of me the way God can? I am better off with and in Him. What of you? God's time of favour is here.