The Cross!

The Cross!

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18 NIV

There is something deep about the cross: it is the symbol of hate and love at the same time. It is the connection between death and life at the same time. It is the bridge between God and man; the highway of reconciliation which makes it possible for man to approach God. Why, then, is the message of the cross so offensive to people?

Could it be it is because the cross does not respect intelligence, wealth, connections or abilities. You do not come to the cross peading anything you have achieved or done; you do not come to the cross claiming rights or entitlements; all I could ever need was settled by the cross and all I am asked to do is simply believe and receive the fullness of the blessings the cross has sealed. It does not ask for anything else and it will certainly not take anything else.

That's why it is foolishness to those who are perishing. They cannot understand why there is no price or value demanded and why they cannot pay a high price for it. The cross makes nonsense of all of man's pride and achievements, and simply asks for faith and trust in what the cross accomplishes. For those who have experienced the power of the cross, they know it is God's power at work, able to wipe the slate clean, give a fresh start, guarantee a life of peace down here and bliss in eternity.

Note that being saved isn't just an event; it is a journey. You don't get it and relax; there is some working out to do. You do it in the power of the cross, and you can be certain that victory is sure. His time of favour is here.

Right Call!

Right Call!

and My people, who are called by My Name, humble themselves, and pray and seek (crave, require as a necessity) My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear [them] from heaven, and forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 CHRONICLES 7:14 AMP

Solomon had just built an imposing edifice as a temple to the God of Israel. He had also offered many sacrifces on the altar to the same God and God was pleased with the offerings that He came down in His glory to sanctify the temple and promised to make the temple His chosen place of sacrifice. Please note that at no time did God intend to make the physical temple His permanent dwelling place. In fact, from today's extract, it is clear that all answers are given directly from God, not necessarily because prayers are offered in church.

And the multitude of sacrifices and prayers didn't stop God from warning Solomon of the dangers of rebellion and disobedience. No matter how many offerings or sacrifices you offer, once the heart is not totally surrendered to God, it will amount to a waste of resources. God is saying: "I place more importance on the state of heart of my people than on what they can offer me. After all, I own all of earth and heaven". If they would only humble themselves, seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, the promise by God is that He will hear from HEAVEN, not the amazing temple built, and will forgive and heal the land.

Isn't it surprising that it is God's own people who are called upon in today's extract? Sometimes, familiarity breeds contempt. Imagine that Solomon, with all he did here, still ended up serving and worshipping strange gods. It is a warning to all who depend on activities and the outward show of piety that God cannot be decieved. We can hoodwink man with false pretences but God is supremely intelligent, and as the creator of the human heart, knows all its hidden motives.

So, what's it going to be: honesty before God or pretence? Sincere worship or the usual Sunday Sunday application? He sits and watches and promises to reward ALL who sincerely seek Him. His time of favour is here.

Wait!

Wait!

Wait for and confidently expect the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for and confidently expect the Lord. PSALMS 27:14 AMP

In a world where men are rewarded for speed first and maybe accuracy, today's extract may seem a bit strange. There are proverbs and 'wise sayings' which further emphasize the importance of being quick, being proactive; being sharp. There's nothing wrong with these sayings; it is just that when God is added to the mix, most of the things you think the outcomes are sure suddenly become uncertain.

Yes, this is a God who says to one man: "Wait and watch me do amazing things" and it would seem that what others had pursued for years is given to you in a matter of hours. To another man God says: "Make haste" and when the person obeys, there is much gain to make, long before anyone else even thinks of the same thing. So the lesson is this: with God, there really is no template to copy; God deals with us on the basis of personal knowledge and relationship with Him.

So when others seem to be making it, even with God's direction, don't assume that is your own way also. When others seem to advocate action, be sure you are moving only at the command of the One who sees all. Be sure you are waiting for God; not the vain assurances of men or the inconsistent promises of fickle man. When God is your confidence; you won't lose sleep; when man is your confidence, you better not sleep. When God is your confidence, your heart is at rest and is secure in the knowledge that no matter what comes, God has got it all under control.

So, in who/what is your confidence? What fuels you to go on when nothing seems to work? Your answer will determine your peace of mind down here and your eternal destination. His time of favour is here.

Power!

Power!

But we have this precious treasure [the good news about salvation] in [unworthy] earthen vessels [of human frailty], so that the grandeur and surpassing greatness of the power will be [shown to be] from God [His sufficiency] and not from ourselves. We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair; hunted down and persecuted, but not deserted [to stand alone]; struck down, but never destroyed; 2 CORINTHIANS 4:7‭-‬9 AMP

The world focuses on the external without any understanding of how the internal works. The Word focuses on internal first,  because it knows that the internal alwaya affects the external. When I critically assess my life and its priorities, it will be clear to me which one is of utmost importance to me: the internal or the external. Every day, my life will provide insight into the one I consider more important.

God's great treasures are placed in vessels of clay, so that it is clear to the clay that what makes it special isn't its own material but what it carries inside of it. The world projects an image of success and it is all on the outward; God's Word works on the inside first, because once the inner man is secure, the outer man will always make impact. The outer man knows that what makes it tick isn't about how fine it is, but how connected its inner man is.

Pressure, perplexity and persecution all occur on the outside but their effect is actually made on the inside. God wants to build spiritual muscle, where no matter what goes on outside of me, it does not affect my inner stability. God knows that comfort is risky, and I can become complacent when there is no challenge to face. And because God is interested in my eternal impact, He won't let me go to waste and He won't allow me waste His resources or treasures.

And none of those experiences will ever be bigger than the God who lives in me. Physical death is the highest risk to the outer man, but is just a passage to eternal life for the inner man. Nothing down here is so powerful that it can tamper with God's plan and purpose, so I face anything life brings me with the confidence that if God allows it, it is for my benefit and it will only bring out His best in me. Do you hold on to the same confidence? His time of favour is here.

Secret!

Secret!

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:6 KJV

Prayer is the secret key that gives you access to God's great treasures. We talk a lot about it but do so little about it. Books have been written ans seminars organised about it, but nobody can force you to tap into the benefits and blessings that come from actually engaging in it the proper way.

Prayer is that secret part of an open relationship with God. Men may assume you are a child of God from the way you relate with other people, but it could all be a lie. You could pretend for so long that it becomes a part of you, but the one thing you cannot fake is that secret part: prayer; because you deal with a God of absolute knowledge and power, one who cannot be deceived by appearances. You can keep up a show in public for the benefit and praise of people, but when you come before God, you will do well to check all pretence at the door.

The secret is to approach God in secret. God is presented as the One in secret, no because He is hidden, but because He will not draw attention to Himself. His mighty works are evidence of His might and power and anyone who will come to Him should already know who s/he is dealing with. You go to Him in secret, where His power and might is made manifest to you, and when you emerge from the secret place, your life carries the mark of that encounter. Ask Jacob who became Israel or Jabez whose destiny was changed, even though men still called him by his old name.

Did you note that answers that I want is not assured; God never said He will do all I want when I want it, but He only promises that my life will be a visible reflection of his touch, which comes from my secret prayer life. A man who has had an encounter with God isn't difficult to identify. Ask the apostles after Pentecost. How's my secret life? Can God count on me to do what is required, so He can also make me all that He requires? His time of favour is here.

Right!

Right!

It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail. 1 Corinthians 13:6 AMPC

The Word's standards are indeed different from the world's standards. For every idea or concept spoken of in God's Word, the devil has an alternative or a second option. His own options are coated to look like the real deal, but anyone who has experienced the original can easily identify the fake and deal accordingly.

The world keeps records of all things, both good and bad. The Word of God also keeps records, but the big difference between the two positions is what the records are used for. The world will always remind you of the bad you have done and conveniently forget the good; the Word is always seeking out the good in you whilst warning about the consequences of evil. Whilst the world will rejoice in your downfall or celebrate evil, the Word will rejoice when good triumphs. And because the world's position is popular, it appears it is always right.

Fortunately, the Word's standards have always stood the test of time. It doesn't matter how long falsehood and evil have existed; God's Truth is able to catch up in an instant. If I check my heart today in the light of God's Truth, not my emotions, what would be said about my heart's contents? Am I secretly happy at the gains of evil and falsehood or am I always seeking out good in and for other people?

Remember, the consequences of all decisions will be made manifest in the course of time. What side are you on: Truth or evil? If God's love lives inside you, you can only produce fruit in line with the seed planted in you. If what you produce isn't looking like the real deal, check the seed. His time of favour is here.

Empowered!

Empowered!

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 2 Corinthians 10:5 KJV

Paul warns against a focus on physical abilities and prowess. The only language the world understands is power. Men of the world seek it; crave it and also kill for it. The men of the world do it for something ephemeral and temporary; something that cannot be sustained beyond the life of the person holding it. The Word of God also speaks about power, but of a different kind.

For you to cast down imaginations and every high thing seeking to exalt itself against God, you have got to be safe and secure in your own knowledge of God and in His power. You must have experienced His power, if you are to fully manifest His power. Do I know God that well? Am I living in a daily reality of His nature? Does He live in and through me? Does my life reflect the proper ownership? Am I a true refection of the power of God?

And the power of God is even made more manifest in the fact that it has power over the unseen realm; the imaginations and thoughts of man's heart. No power on earth can determine exactly what you are thinking per time; it can suggest or manipulate; but it is limited to that influence. On the other hand, God is so powerful that even before the thoughts come, He knows them completely. That is the God whose power is spoken about in today's extract.

If I will live out this reality of victory, I must be living daily in the reality of daily surrender. If I have not surrendered control to God, how do I draw others to God? If my heart is not totally committed, how do I get other people's hearts to seek after the victory God alone can guarantee? You cannot give what you don't have; you cannot command what you have not yet mastered. So, what's your status? His time of favour is here.