Live Right 2!

Live Right 2!

Philippians 4:9 AMPC

[9] Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it, and the God of peace (of untroubled, undisturbed well-being) will be with you.

There is a lot of power in personal example. It is easy to talk and direct people to do certain things, but nothing can be compared with the power that comes from a life whose pursuits and priorities reflect discipline and simplicity, as well as alignment with God's Word. This is the point Paul was trying to make in the verse above, and we will do well to consider his journey, and apply what we observe to our own lives today. Here was a man whose past was as zealous as they come. He believed in the superiority of his race and would not let anyone or anything else take precedence over it. Following the mighty move of the Holy Spirit in the early church, many came to the saving knowledge of Jesus and they took the fruit of thsir faith everywhere they went. We saw Saul for the first time being a willing party to the stoning of Stephen. We also saw him taking permission from the authorities to arrest anyone who belonged to the Way of Christ. If that is not dedication to a cause, I do not know what else it is. 

Saul would believe in a cause and he would go all out for it. That was the personal example that he was now laying down as a lesson for his audience in Philippi, as well as those of us who are now following after God. It cannot be business as usual; we have been called to Holy living and righteousness; we have been called to represent God in the world we have been placed. We have been called to be God's eyes, ears, hands, feet and heart. When men come in contact with us, the aroma of His presence must be evident upon our lives. Reflect on this: how else will people be drawn to the saving grace of Jesus if there are no personal examples of the change He can bring into a life? How do I make the life of God attractive if His light does not shine out of me? God is still in the business of doing mighty things in the lives of those who are fully committed to Him, just as He did in the lives of the men and women we read about in the Bible. 

God has not changed. He remains the same yesterday, today and forever. His children too must make Him very proud by living lives of consistency. There has to be a match between my talk and my walk. There has to be harmony between my outer profession and my inner conviction. Think of the confidence that made Paul say this: 'Practice what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and model your way of living on it'. He was not one given to eye-service or hypocrisy. He was sure that His life was patterned after God's will. Whether it was his practice, or his words, or even what he did when he thought no one was looking at him, all became messages that would impact the lives of people around him. Can I dare say the same to those who surround me? That kind of consistency is what promotes God's kind of peace. You are not troubled by the drama all around you. That is peace that I must crave and live for. Wouldn't you? God's time of favour is here. 

Live Right!

Live Right!

Galatians 5:25 AMPC

[25] If we live by the [Holy] Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. [If by the Holy Spirit we have our life in God, let us go forward walking in line, our conduct controlled by the Spirit.]

There is a life that aligns with the natural order of things. There is also a life that aligns with the spiritual order of things as laid out by God. By the process of natural birth, the life according to the natural order of things comes into effect. This is the human nature we refer to as the one born into sin and has been destined for destruction. There is really  nothing you can do about the eternal end of the natural order of things. The human nature cannot be born again. The Bible makes it clear that the human nature has to die, so that the spiritual nature can then thrive. Both the human nature and the spiritual nature cannot co-exist side by side. One nature has to give way to the other; one has to increase while the other decreases. One has to be effectively and permanently dealt with, if the other one is to thrive. This is where the personal question comes up for each one of us: which nature am I nurturing and allowing to grow? 

The reason why this understanding must be clear is the repercussions of getting it wrong. As was laid down in the verse above, the desire of God is that I live according to the spiritual nature, the one that He births and is able to sustain. God will not demand from me that which He has not first supplied sufficient grace for. As long as He commands it, be sure that an account will be demanded for its use or abuse. The choice of nature that we feed and nurture will also define how and where we walk. That which controls the inner man is able to determine the outer impact and influence. Living by the Holy Spirit will not just happen by accident, but by intentional design. It does not leave room for eye-service or the hypocrisy that is common to the people of the world. It does not accommodate lukewarm commitment; you are either all in or all out. There is no fence for this one, because even indecision on who to follow is itself a decision and it will get the consequences that are linked. 

We get to the place of living by the Holy Spirit through a total surrender of our lives to Jesus, and then daily trusting His supply for all that He demands. Life is not a one-off; it is a daily expression of that which you have been given. I was not saved to then sit down and wait for rapture or death; I was saved to also be a blessing to my generation. It is by my daily life that i show off God's grace upon my life in all its fullness. I am saved to be the example that others can learn from. There is no real life outside of God. You cannot define life outside of the One called the Way, the Truth and the Life. Let the walk match the talk and let the inner content be revealed by the outward manifestation. The control center is the place where God has to sit and direct the affairs of men. Can I go forward, confident that God goes with me? The life of God is possible with the help and presence of God. Don't dare live life without Him. God's time of favour is here. 

The Same!

The Same!

Hebrews 13:8 AMPC

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

As you read the verse above, you just have to pay attention to the context in which the verse is placed. You read of the examples of the men and women of faith in the past, who walked with and worked for God, and had a lot of encounters with God that changed not just their lives, but the lives of the people that surrounded them. It is this same book of the Bible that lists the heroes of faith, men and women who saw God at work in their lives and in their situations, and whose life choices and pursuits have become lessons and great examples for us to emulate. You read of these leaders and authorities, and I am charged to imitiate their faith and how they have leanedt their entire personality on God, in absolute trust and confidence in His power and wisdom. Reflect on this: as I consider the lives of these people, what examples am I also laying down for those who are coming after me? 

It may be convenient to point the finger at other people, and also highlight their faults and shortcomings, but what am I doing with the call of God upon my own life? Are there lives that God can entrust into my hands, sure that I will strictly lay down the principles and practices of God's Word: unadulterated, pure, without compromise or deceit, and free from contamination? The one thing that has remained constant all through generations and dispensations of the world is the sheer consistency and predictability of the power and impact of the Word and person of God. What He called sin in the days of Adam and Eve is still what He calls sin in our present day too. He cannot be bribed or coerced to change His mind or lower His standards for anyone. I must choose either to align with His standards or to ignore His instructions. I have the power to choose, but it must be noted that whatever choice is made will always lead to consequences.

I deal with a God who calls Himself the First and the Last; the Beginning and the End. He is the Omniscient, Omnipotent and Omnipresent God, the One who does not change like shifting shadows. His Word is forever settled in heaven, and no amount of enlightenment, education or earnings will change that which He has said. That gives a man like me hope, sure that if He has said it, He definitely will do it. He is the One Abraham called on in faith, and till today, men and women are walking by faith and laying claim to Abraham's blessings. We also have men who chose not to walk in the path of righteousness despite several warnings, and paid the price for their rebellion and disobedience. Note that whatever I do with God is a seed that will definitely bear fruit. It is a fruit that I will have to eat forever. If I do not like the fruit I am seeing now, it is not too late to change and begin to sow the right kind of seed. He is the same through all generations. Would you trust Him with your life? God's time of favour is here.

Access!

Access!

Matthew 7:13-14 KJV

[13] Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: [14] because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

There is always a message for the crowd, and a message for disciples. The message in the verses above was taken from the Sermon on the Mount, which was the first recorded public Sermon of Jesus. He went with his own disciples to the top of the mountain and sat down to teach them. The crowd stood at the foot of the mountain listening to Him. Do not be fooled by the size of the crowd or the sound of the applause. You need the crowd to listen to the message about Christ and the gift of salvation He offers, but you need to keep your heart free from the distractions that the responses of men can generate. Not all who hear the message will immediately react and accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Not all who hear now will respond now. All I can do is to focus on my own walk of faith and be sure I am on the right path of the purpose of God for me, and that I stand to inherit the place He has prepared for me. 

For all who are disciples, I am certain you know that there is only one Way. No other way has been prescribed by God to provide access to the riches of His grace. God makes clear who this Way is, as well as the standards of behaviour that are expected from those who belong to the Way. Nowhere does God promise that the Way will always be smooth and free of trials and tough times, but the greatest blessing of being in this right Way is the assurance of its eternal destination. One definition of strait is 'close, strict, or rigorous'. Reflect on this: God calls us to walk in the path that is close, strict or rigorous. He knows that the world has a certain appeal, but He also knows the end of all that the world promises. There is nothing this world gives you that it will not eventually take away. You cannot rely on the ephemeral, temporal world to secure eternal life. That is not the kind of life that the world can secure for you. 

It is not a wonder that the verses above make clear that several people are on the wide and broad gate and way. This gate and way do not really demand anything special from those who are on it. They permit anything and can excuxe anything. They do not really address the heart and soul of those who are on thess paths. When your heart no longer pricks you about your life's choices and pursuits, please be sure that you are still on the right path. When that which used to shock you no longer has the same effect, please check again and be sure that you are on the right path. Many are comfortable on the path that leads to destruction, but few find and stay on the path that leads to life. In fact, the verses above say that there are few that find it. Finding means you need to search for it. It may come with a lot of discipline and sacrifice, but the eternal benefits are worth it. Please be sure that your current situation leads to eternal life with God. Nothing else matters. God's time of favour is here. 

Courage!

Courage!

Joshua 1:9 KJV

[9] Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

We see a young man named Joshua, who had seen God walk with a mortal man called Moses for several years years. Joshua had seen God speak with Moses, practically  face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. Joshua had also seen several miracles performed before Moses, such as the ground opening up to swallow Korah, Dathan and Abiram. Joshua had also seen both Aaron and Miriam, brother and sister to Moses, punished with leprosy-like features, because both of them had cause to murmur against Moses. To make matters even worse, Joshua had seen God punish the same Moses for his disobedience by not allowing Him get into the promised land. Think of this: the man used mightily by God, and even the people could testify was God's friend, was denied access into the promised land because of disobedience. Can anyone then still plead any excuse for sin? Can anyone claim that God's judgement is not fair?

As you read all of these things, can anyone blame the young man Joshua if he wanted nothing to do with leading these rebellious and anger- inducing people? However, like all things that God commands, He knows that, by myself, I can never measure up. He does not ask me to strive to obey Him by my strength or intellect, but by daily dependence on Him. Whatever He commands, He gives sufficient grace for obedience. That is why the start of the verse above is instructive: God comes to Joshua and reminds him of His nature, power and promise. The same promise God made to Moses was being made to Joshua, and for all who know, God is Omnipotent, Omnipresent and Omnipotent. He fills all things in all ways, and there is nothing impossible for Him. He is the One who enables a man to go farther and further than he could ever go by himself. We need to meet this God and submit to Him. Our lives will be better off for it. 

In the event that you think courage is easy, two online definitions are as follows: 'the ability to do something that frightens one' and 'strength of mind to carry on in spite of danger or difficulty'. God asking Joshua to have courage came from God's faithfulness and consistency. He asks me to have courage and to press on, as He is with me all the way. If it were easy, it would most likely not be God. If I could do it by my own strength, then it is most likely not God. That is why the message about courage is both timely and applicable to me today. Fear may threaten, because of the weight of expectation or the dimensions of the assignment, but as long as I am sure that God ordained it, He will surely sustain it. As long as I walking with God, He will surely grant me success. I am careful not to define success the way the world sees it, but to be sure that God is glorified in and through me. God commands; I obey. God's time of favour is here. 

Teach!

Teach!

Matthew 28:19 KJV

[19] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

As Jesus came to the end of his earthly  ministry, He gave us the instruction in the verse above. it is instructive to note that no other outsider was there at the time the clear instruction in the verse above was given. He was speaking solely to His disciples;  men who had stayed with Him and stood by Him as He went to the cross. These men also waited for him at His resurrection. Remember that Judas Iscariot somehow fell by the wayside, though he was one of the original 12 disciples. He missed God's purpose for his life and ended up in suicide. The instruction in the verse above is not for outsiders, but for men and women who have a clear idea of who they are and who they are following. It is the same for us today; a clear understanding of the Source of the instruction helps keep me focused on the assignment. When you do not know the inspiration behind an instruction, abuse and assumptions are inevitable. 

Even though the instruction was given in secret, its implication and application can definitely not be done in secret. The instruction is meant for the whole world. The entire world is the audience that Jesus is trying to reach and the assignment is very clear. It is not to tell the people what they want to hear, or what is convenient for their present condition. It is to tell the world the truth about who Jesus is, what He offers, and what lies at the end of this present life. The audience is ALL nations, irrespective of race, culture, gender, inclination or attitude. We are to teach all nations about Jesus. Reflect on this: how can you teach something that you do not know yourself? How can you teach about someone you do not know personally? What knowledge or information can you pass on to another person about someone you have no personal relationship or interaction with? This is why the instruction cannot be inherited by family lines, but by a relationship with Jesus. 

As you know, teaching takes time as well as a lot of investment. It is not a one-off thing, but a long-term commitment to see the value of what is being taught being exhibited in the life of the one being taught. The joy of the one who is teaching is to see fruit manifesting. The One who commissioned the assignment also needs to be mentioned here. You do not send anyone out on an assignment without the proper backup. Jesus will not send me out without the necessary support. If He says go, be sure He has gone ahead of you, and He is also with you all the way. The work is done in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. That is unity of support, as well as access to the greatest power in the world. You are sure of success because the One who is sending has already secured the victory. I am asked to walk in the victory already won. My life has to be the loudest testament to the grace of God. Can men find God in and through me? God's time of favour is here. 

Worthy 2!

Worthy 2!

Revelation 7:9-10 KJV

[9] After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; [10] and cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

Yesterday we read about heaven's accout of the worship of God. There is no contention or resistance in heaven, when it comes to the worship of God. Today, we read about the response of men who have now found themselves in the same place as the elders and beasts of yesterday's devotion. These formerly mortal men had now been clothed in immortality, and were now standing before the throne of the Most High. This is a place that all must come before for judgment and eternal consequences. The life on earth is the right preparation for eternity. The practices that have become part of my life down here will be the right preparation for the life God has promised me. I must do all I can, by the help of the One who is preparing a place for me, to be found worthy to stand before the throne of the Most High, to offer the worship that He is due and fully deserves.

One critical feature of those standing before the throne, as seen in the verse above, is that they were all clothed with white robes. Nothing is said about their race or culture, or the language they spoke; before the Lamb, the only thing that counted was purity, represented by the white robes. Reflect on this: the only thing that matters is purity. All other things fade in significance. Wealth, position, power or influence on their own will not bring you before the throne this way; by themselves, they are of no use. Aspire to be a blessing to your generation, but make sure you are also clothed in white. This is not just a physical thing, because, as you know, those standing here have put off mortality and have taken on immortality. Do not be distracted by the dictates and demands of mortal men like yourself; make sure you have all it takes to stand before the throne, and be able to life your voice in worship of the One who sits on the throne. 

It is also pertinent to note that the verses above do not place a limit on the number of people who are qualified to stand before the throne. It was a number no one could count, which tells me that there will be many who would be given the grace and enablement to stay pure, and qualify to stand before the throne in worship. Make every effort to be qualified to stand before this throne. It is by being pure in heart, and doing what pleases God on a daily basis. I also note that before the throne, there was no reservation or shyness, as the people could shout with a loud voice. There is also a message in the words that they shouted: "Salvation to our God which sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb". That is a recognition of the power, might and authority of God, and the One He sent to save the world from the power and effect of sin. He has done His part; He waits for us to come and take hold of the gift that is offered free. There is no excuse for missing this important appointment. Are you saved? God's time of favour is here.