Start Right!

Start Right!

Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 KJV

Context:

Once again, we look at the book of one-line messages, and the focus is on the family life as the bedrock of all that God wants to do in a society. When you look at the current status of any society, the background and history of the individuals who make up that society is a window into how that society has arrived at its current state. Wherever it is I am right now, and whatever it is I see around me, can I consider very critically and honestly too how we came to where we are? 

Message and Response:

We lament the loss of morals and respect for elders; we complain that children no longer know the value of hard and honest work; we look back at 'the good old days' and wonder where they all went, but we do not ever look at ourselves and wonder if we have anything to do with it. It is always about someone of something else: the environment, the school curriculum, the change in diet; never about ourselves. Until we realise and accept our role in the development of our children, we will never realise the importance of the assignment God has given us.

The best time to start to invest in the life of a child is right now. The second best time is also right now. The emphasis on a child is significant; how much value can you put on the training of an adult? How do you change am adult's preferences or prejudices? The choice of words: 'train up' is also significant; a child needs to be trained up to become that which will glorify God. It is a step up in the right direction, a clear message that investing in a child is your life's best investment. 

And of course, you can't train up a child in the way he should go if you do not know the right way yourself. What horrible hypocrisy would it be if I knew what to tell a child, yet my life is the complete opposite of that which I try to teach? We are masters at deception, able to say one thing and do the very opposite. That is not God's prescription for bringing up a child; I must show and tell a child what is right by God's standard. I owe it to God, if I am truly his child, to reflect his nature and show him off. 

That investment in a child's life has eternal consequences. Like a clean slate, whatever is written on the heart of a child stays there the longest. Long before the pressure of teenage romance, youthful exuberance or adult misbehaviour starts, the right investment in a child's life will be the constant reminder of what is right in God's sight. Pity the child with no right examples; pity the child with no memories of what it means to be taught the way of the Lord. Like it was pointed out at the beginning, we look at our society today and we do not like what we see, yet we are unable to process the fact that maybe we have contributed to the rot. 

It is not a bad thing to have a great work career or a thriving business, but must it be at the expense of a child's proper upbringing? We remember and claim all of Abraham's blessings by faith, but do we know the works he had to do to receive such blessings? Look at God's view of Abraham: For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment; that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him. Genesis 18:17‭-‬19 KJV. God was sure of Abraham's investment of time and resources in his children, and it is not a wonder that he became such a blessing. If I will claim by faith that which Abraham secured from God, I had better be ready to also put in the labour and work that he also put in.

I think about this right now: Can God place the life of any child in my hands right now? In fact, the one or ones he has already given me, how am I training them up in the way they should go? There seems to be an assurance from God that if I take time to invest in a child, he is able to keep that child in that right way up to old age. God will play his part because he is faithful; would I also be faithful to my own part? His time of favour is here. 

Eternal consequence of training and upbringing 

Safe!

Safe!

The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. Proverbs 18:10 KJV

Context:

We come again to the book where each sentence is a one-line message. You don't find too much related information in the verses before today's extract, but they generally speak to the importance of words, seeking God and the value of wisdom. That is the context in which today's extract must be understood: my life and its application matter. My choices matter. What I do, say and think as well as how I do what is required of me matter. If I claim allegiance to God, everything about my life must speak of him. When I act, I claim to represent him and it had better be done right. 

Message and Response:

It is God's name that is at stake here. God lays down the standard of who he is, what he has done in the past and can still do, and invites me to come to him for his help. I must know that I cannot do anything of or by myself; I need God's help. Of what use is the knowledge of God that does not lead me to seek him? Of what use is the knowledge of God that does not lead to a deeper walk with him? He has done all that is required for men to find him; the best I can do is to seek him. 

I have to know who I seek. He is near to all men, yet he is far away from sin. He invites me to come to him, just as I am, but he doesn't condone sin. He takes me as I am, but does not leave me as I came. He invites me into his sheepfold, where I become a member of his family. My identity, status and direction change, and my priorities reflect my new reality. The name of the Lord is a strong tower; it is the place of total safety, protection and security. It is his name, but the building, or the physical Bible itself. We wash psalms into water and drink, thinking it protects. We put our bibles under the pillow as we sleep, thinking they protect us from harm. We don't read it, but we know where it is all night. That is not what the name of the Lord is all about. It is a personal thing; it is first about who he is to me before it becomes a public testimony. 

The name of the Lord is described as a strong tower. The picture is one of a place of safety, as well as the reality of war. There would be no need for a tower if there was no danger of warfare. The tower is usually the highest part of the city, from where all coming dangers can be easily seen and measures taken to neutralise them. It is folly to expect a life free of trials simply because you are in Christ. Nowhere does God ever promise that. His power, presence and protection are the things he guarantees, not the absence of pressure. 

It also matters the kind of person who can take advantage of the name of the Lord. Today's extract refers to the righteous: people who know that they need help, and have come to the right source for that help. They have put all their hope in this Lord, and have signed off their lives to him, come what may. Am I one of such people? Do I have a back up plan in the event that the first plan does not work? The name of the Lord is a strong tower, and he will work for all who come to him, but it is important to note that some come out of desperation and as an emergency response. They have heard the name works, so they come and take advantage of the benefits, but they do not intend to wait in there. They come in for the benefits, not the responsibilities. They are like tenants who only pay rent, but hold no allegiance to the place where they stay. 

Am I one who is only interested in temporary comfort, and not permanent residence? Am I only in it for what I can get out of it, what it gives me or how it makes me feel, or am I in it because I know who this God is, I have come to trust him totally and I am in it for the whole journey, no matter what he brings my way? This is the fact that I must sort out, if I will get all that is promised. If I will be safe, I must seek the Lord on his own terms, not mine. I don't have the answers; he does. I can't help myself; He is the Help of Israel. I can't keep myself safe but if I am in him, resting and residing in him, I am truly safe from all trouble. Where are you located: in Christ or in a contraption of your own making? The end will always prove that God is my best bet. His time of favour is here. 

Keep at it!

Keep at It! 

Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2 AMPC

Context:

The letter to the church in Colosse was written by both Paul and Timothy, one a mentor and the other one the protégé, a young boy brought up in the faith and knowledge of Jesus Christ, and taught the principles of God's Word. As I walk this walk and run this race of faith, who am I following up in the way of Christ? I have now come to know Christ, but am I all about what I can get, not minding who gets hurt? Is it all about just my own  interests alone and no one else's? 

The letter is addressed to the saints and faithful brethren in the church at Colosse; not to the crowd of onlookers, or people who just want to belong, but to those who have made the decision to accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour. This matters a lot: not everyone considers the Word of God as attractive or convenient; we love words and things that make us comfortable, but God's ultimate goal for us is not earthly comfort but a life that is prepared for eternity. All that he commands is to make us fit for service down here and also fit for service in his Kingdom. Today's extract addresses some of the things that will be required from those who seek this level of commitment. 

Message and Response:

As long as I think that the work of God in my hands can be done in my own wisdom, strength, vigour and foresight, I do not need God. As long as I can conjure up the many resources I think I need to be able to 'succeed' at the work of the ministry, I would not seek help. Unfortunately, God's work is such that the things I need to carry it out cannot be found in and by myself; I need the help of the One who commissions a man for the assignment ahead. He is the One who knows what the job entails, and he is the One who can make all the resources available. It is called PRO-VISION because what God provides is FOR (pro) the VISION He himself has birthed and will sustain, not what I have defined as my own terms of reference.

How do I then seek God's view if I do not pray? How do I seek current information for the dynamic nature of God's work if I am not in tune with today's demand? With God's work, what worked yesterday has no guarantee of success today because God will never let me get too comfortable that I will think I got him all figured out. I recall the war Israel had to fight. One day, God asked David to go by a particular route against the Philistines. He obeyed and defeated them. The Philistines came again and David had to go back to God. This time, God prepared another route. Imagine if yesterday's success was the template David used to engage the Philistines the second time.

The words used: earnest, unwearied, steadfast show that it will not always be easy. If it were, these words will not be used. How do I remain earnest if the first time I ask for something, I get it? If I do not learn patience and perseverance, how do I stand in the day of delay and trouble? Being steadfast means keeping at it even when nothing around me makes sense or looks like it is working. I don't get to just do it haphazardly; it has to be done the right way, with the right attitude and to the right person. I don't do it for show; I do it because i know who I am talking to. I don't do it to exert pressure on God; I do it with a heart of fear and reverence. 

I am to remain alert, because when God answers, whatever it may be, I must know that God is at work. I must strive to see him in all that he allows, good or 'bad'. Like Habakkuk, I must embrace all of God, not just the part that makes me smile. Even if I cry, I know that God is too big for anything on earth to confuse or confound Him. He runs the entire universe, so a single human life cannot be too much for him to sort out. I keep at it; I do it often and regularly; I may schedule a time for it, or I could do it as I walk and work, but do I must. It is proof that I accept my weakness, and a clear acknowledgement that God is all that I need to succeed. 

 And I must not forget thanksgiving. My heart is the seat of that expression. I cannot overflow with thanksgiving if I am given to complaints and murmuring. I cannot flow out with thanksgiving if I have not spent time to know God, seek his will for my life and accept all that he is and gives. I cannot take the good and leave the bad; I cannot take the convenient and reject the uncomfortable. God is good; he does good but sometimes the devil, the prince of the world system will strive to beat us down. When he does this, I remind myself of the One who called me to Himself, gave his life for me and calls me his own. That is enough for me. That knowledge and personal experience are l that I need for the journey ahead. Sometimes, it is not the situation that needs a change, but me. How would I know the difference if I do not keep at it, faithful to the end? A heart that gives thanks always will never have room for regrets. A heart that is focused on God does not have room for despair. His time of favour is here. 

Saved!

Saved!

For everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord [invoking Him as Lord] will be saved. Romans 10:13 AMPC

Context:

Paul writes to the church in Rome, emphasising the importance of faith in the finished work of Jesus on the cross, and the need for man to take a step and respond to this finished work. He speaks about redemption, faith, salvation, righteousness, grace and man's part in the scheme of all these. What has God done? What things has he settled and what things has he left for me to decide how I will handle? Are there consequences to whatever decision I take? Today's extract will strive to provide answers to those questions. 

Message and Response:

Everyone: it does not matter who you were, or who you are now. The invitation is for everyone. It does not matter what the past looks like, or what the uncertainties around today are; what matters is that whatever help is available is also for me. Race, colour, creed or tribe has nothing to do with what God offers. He gives it free of charge to all who come to him. It is everyone, not just a select few, or some Jews, or some Gentiles. It is for everyone. The verse before today's extract is quite instructive: for there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 

Calls: I realise my need for help and I take steps to seek the help. It is totally pointless to admit helplessness and then do nothing at all, folding my arms and waiting for the manna to fall from the sky and straight into my mouth. Between the manna falling free from heaven and me being able to put it in my mouth, there is a daily going out to pack it up, prepare and process it for eating, and then being able to eat it. All of God's grace will be in vain if there was no one capable of responding to it or accepting it. 

It matters that the word 'call' is used here, not silent treatment or assumptions. A good definition of call is: a cry made as a summons or to attract someone's attention. Relate that to today's context. Would I know I really need help and then be afraid or too ashamed to call out for help? Would I keep quiet, hoping and praying that God knows I need help and would come to help me, even when I refuse to open my mouth? The calling out is important: it means that I acknowledge my state, recognise the only one who can save me, and I consciously seek him out. Until I realise that this is indeed a matter of life and death, I may not take it seriously. 

The Name of the Lord: it matters who or what you call out to or on. The fallen man has made gods out of anything: power, position, privilege, possession, personality. We have sought to replace the unseen God with what our senses can process, but as long as the eternal question remains unanswered, man will continue to struggle for relevance and impact. Throughout history, men like myself have made themselves out as something, but death has always proved to be the ultimate leveller. For Jesus, indeed he died, but death could not hold him down, and had to give him up, and that same power is what is at work, together with that name, to work wonders in the lives of all who call on that name.

No other name works quite like the name of the Lord. The Word of God calls the name of the Lord a strong tower, where the righteous run into and are safe. We also agree that names are powerful and prophetic; we speak here of the Lord whose name is eternal. If he is eternal, imagine then all that he is able to give all who come to him.

Why you call his name also matters; am I calling him simply because of what I can get out of him, or the things that apply only to the earth here? He is called the Lord because he has power, authority and dominion over all my eyes can see. When I call him, I had better know why. He is Lord, Master and Ruler. He brooks no opposition, even though he gives me freewill. He is not your usual buddy buddy that I can disrespect; he is the Lord, who seeks men to make the approach and to worship him in spirit and in truth. If I will get all of him, I must worship him as who he is, not what I wish him to be.

Saved: that is the ultimate benefit of the name. No matter what else you get from the name, don't let go until you have received salvation. That is what qualifies a man for eternity with God. Everything you get from this earth belongs to the earth. Everything you get from the earth will stay with the earth when you have to go: power, position, possession, privilege and pleasure. The one thing that salvation gives you, which is the presence of God, is the one thing you will get to take with you when this earthly phase ends. 

Don't settle for the world's best and ignore God's best. The world's best works for those who belong to it. God's best is for all men everywhere, but only those who embrace it to the end will enjoy what he offers. And the end of salvation is eternal life. It will not end down here; real life starts when the earthly phase is over. I must make sure I am preparing for the real thing. Nothing must stand in my way; nothing must hold my heart so much that it distracts me from that which is truly important. God made it clear what his priority was when he paid such a high price to establish the prize of salvation for the world. It would amount to a colossal mistake if I were to ignore or reject that prize. My reaction to that prize is a personal decision; one I will have to live with for the whole of eternity. His time of favour is here. 

Confess!

Confess!

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 KJV

Context:

John the Beloved apostle writes these words, and he speaks from the place of personal experience. Check out the words he used in this chapter: that which we have heard, seen with our eyes, looked upon, our hands have handled, of the Word of life; we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was manifested unto us, that which we have seen and heard... And the personal experience was the very foundation of the things that John wrote. In all my speaking or writing, is there any personal experience of God in it? Can I say of a truth that my eyes have seen, hands have touched and ears heard of the great power and majesty of the God I have been called to follow and serve? 

It is that personal experience that sustains a man in the face of daunting challenges and uncertainties. Times will come when you are not sure about what to do or how to proceed. In those times, you draw on the grace and strength that your connection with God has sealed. He is a God who is never far away from those who have put their trust in Him. When I call, he promises to answer, and this is because of the work Jesus did on the cross. That is the start point for all who seek that personal experience. 

Message and Response:

Until a man has experienced the cross, he cannot experience Jesus. It was at the cross that the eternal problem of sin was dealt with decisively. It was not a stop-gap measure, good only for a season, like the sacrifices of bulls and goats were, but it was a once-and-for-time offer, but good for l eternity. By the cross, all men, irrespective of race, creed or colour can come into the saving grace of Jesus. 

Sin does not care who you were, into what family you were born, or the nature of the spoon in your mouth when you were born. Sin does not care what your circle of influence is or the value of your bank account balance. Sin wants to cause eternal separation between you and God so that both the devil and you can end up in the same place. That is why the devil will do all he can to keep you from the truth. He makes a man so unworthy that the man feels that there are some sins that God cannot forgive. Yes indeed, the sin against the Holy Spirit cannot be forgiven but is that not for people who already know him and know what he hates but they blaspheme his name anyway? For those who are yet to know him, the offer of salvation is free.

Don't let the devil keep you from that which can seal eternal life for you. Don't let the devil's lies about your state fool you into either complacency or worthlessness. Both extremes are dangerous. The God who offers salvation for free also asks me to come to him just as I am, so that I can get all that he promises. His promises are forgiveness from sin and a cleansing from all unrighteousness. The blood of Jesus is the channel by which these things are obtained. None of the things we mentioned earlier can secure these things for you. 

I have my role to play: to confess my sins; that God will not do for me. As an exercise of my freewill, I must realise my state and seek out God. God did not create robots, otherwise there would be no sin. He created people who would have the power to choose him, so they could serve and worship him willingly, not out of a sense of compulsion or duty. 

And when I have chosen God of my own freewill, he also has a role to play: his nature is to be just and faithful, because his name and reputation are at stake. If I play my part, God will definitely play his part. He cannot and does not lie, as it is his nature to be truthful. What he called sin when Adam lived is still what he called sin in our own times now. The standard has not changed, and if I will get all of him, I must seek all of him. I cannot pick and choose that which makes me comfortable; I must seek for and take hold of all of God, so that I can be all that He wants me to be. 

Of course, if I am cleansed from sin, I have eternal life: the life of God made available to me in Christ Jesus. And when I have life, nothing of earth is more important and nothing of earth can take that eternal life from me. So, have you been to Jesus for the cleansing power? Have you laid your life bare before him, so he can do the work of redemption and sanctification only he can do? Your eternity will be glad you did. His time of favour is here. 

Reconciled!

Reconciled!

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 1 Timothy 2:5 KJV

Context:

Paul writes to a young man he met in one of his many travels. He taught him the way of the Lord, even laid hands on him and commissioned him, asking him to stay in Ephesus in order to counter the false teaching that was gaining ground there. Paul had taken time and effort to teach the truth, and would not want any false teacher to come in and destroy all the work done. As I take stock of my own life too, what am I doing: am I striving to establish truth or am I seeking convenient falsehood? Is the truth of God's Word safe in my hands or am I all about what people want to hear? God desires that ALL men come to the knowledge of the truth. He is the Truth, so he is the focus of all that matters. 

Message and Response:

I note that today's extract refers to the one God. From God's Perspective, there is only one genuine God and it matters if I have found that one true God. This God tells me all that he desires from me, and I will only be blessed by him when I do what he commands. I cannot do my own thing and then demand that he approves it; I am not his master. He is, and whatever he commands must be my ultimate pursuit. 

Now that same one God demands a response and reaction from man. He has done all he can to bridge the gap that sin caused when man fell in the Garden of Eden. The truth of God is that man could not find his way back to God by himself; he needed help that only the true God could provide. That was why He sent one called a mediator: a person who attempts to make people involved in a conflict come to an agreement; a go-between. Jesus was made the mediator between the true God and man. It means to me that only in and by Christ the mediator can there be peace between God and man. No other mediator can do the things that Jesus did to bring us to this new standing with God. He gave his life as a ransom so that all men could approach God's throne of grace. He continues to intercede on our behalf before this God, so that whenever we make the approach, he is able to listen to us. 

I note the word: 'attempts to make.' That is quite important: Jesus has done all that is required to broker that agreement between God and man, but there is a place for my freewill, where I choose to embrace what has been given me, and take hold of it. Jesus does not go against the exercise of my freewill, just as he cannot do anything about the consequences of my freewill. With all that Jesus has done, would it not amount to foolishness not to at least take him up on the offer and try him out? Is it not better to take Jesus up on his offer and then find out if he is true or not, and if you find out that he has lied, you can try something or someone else? Wherever it is right now that you are, can you say with all certainty that you have found peace with the true God? If you have not, as long as you are able to read this, it is not too late for you. 

And of course, the one sent as a mediator had to understand the position and perspective of both parties. God, who wanted man to be reconciled to him, had to send one like himself, his son, God the son, to come to earth like the man he was trying to save, so that the son could walk in our shoes, know how best to make the will of God the Father known to us, and then reconcile us back to God. No other way would have worked, because one party would have claimed that the other party did not understand or appreciate the position of the other. We have God coming down to earth as man, revealing God to man, and bringing man back to God. The work is already complete, and all who come to this God find peace with God. The channel is the man Jesus Christ, one who walked the earth like us. He knows us, understands our weaknesses, and provides the help we need to the end of our days. He will never leave us alone, and he will ensure we get to the place where he is when our journey is complete. Don't forget: there is only one true God, and only one true mediator. While you have life, try God out. Your eternity will be glad you did. His time of favour is here. 

New Birth!

New Birth!

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

1 Peter 1:3 NIV

Context:

Peter, one of the disciples of Jesus, writes this letter to people he refers to as God's elect, but who had been scattered all over the then Asia minor, due to persecution. This was the new wave sweeping across the entire world at the time, and people were buying into it. Unfortunately, opposition against it was also on the rise, and just as it was in the days when Jesus walked the earth, so also were authorities persecuting those who belonged to the way of Jesus. I note that following Jesus does not keep you from tough times; in fact, if you are a true follower of Jesus, expect tough times. 

There is a note of joy in the midst of the stress of the new life we have been called into, and it is in the verse just before today's extract: chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood. See the harmony among the Trinity when it comes to my walk with God. I am not left alone to fend for or defend myself; I have the whole of heaven backing me up. I did not stumble into salvation by accident; it had always been God's plan that I will come to know and follow Him. I am washed by the blood of Jesus and called to obedience to Him, and the Holy Spirit helps me to live right everyday. I cannot skip any of these steps; nothing I hold on to will be of much value if it has not been subjected to the test of truth, which is only found in connection with the Trinity. As I examine my life now, can I say of a truth that what I have is of God? 

Message and Response:

In the light of the above, what other response is expected of me, except to praise God for what he has done and given me? I did not earn it; I could not earn it, because the currency of grace, mercy, redemption and sanctification is not that which man can print. I did not come into this new standing by virtue of my circle of influence, the value of my bank account balance or my networth or goodwill, but simply by the great mercy of God. That is quite clear from today's extract. If this makes me proud of what I have received and does not make me humble, grateful to God for his mercy and quick to live to please the Lord who loved me enough to pay such a huge price for me, then I do not fully understand what I have been given. 

And I see the harmony of the past, present and future all tied up in the person of Jesus. For all who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour, we have been saved from the natural consequences of our sin. We deserved death, but we got life because Jesus died in our place. We have now been born again, with new life in Jesus our new reality. The past is forgotten and forgiven, never to hold us down anymore. We were not saved to flit in and out of sin, but to make a clean and complete break with sin. That is how the past life of sin is dealt with, and how we move into the daily new life that Jesus has made possible. 

And the joy is this: it does not end down here or simply with me having Jesus living inside me. I see a 'living hope', and of course, you can't get a living hope if the one who births and sustains it is not also living. The reason why the hope I have is living is simply because Jesus lives forever, and his promise is that he is with me always, even to the end of the age, wherever that time is. As long as I am on earth, I am conscious of who I have in me, and where I am headed. I must not live carelessly or recklessly, but must take careful thought of what I was saved from, who I have now become, who lives in me, what he demands of me, and where I am headed. That is the summary of the most important things that must hold my heart now.

The power that could raise a man from death is not ordinary; the power that can reverse the ordinarily irreversible is not a power to be toyed with. If that power demands a certain lifestyle from me, the only way I can enjoy the benefits that power provides is to align with its demands. Why would I think that God is bound to do all I ask, if I choose not to submit to him? Why would God be bound to listen to me if I ignore his word and strike out on my own? I must not waste the grace of God that took Jesus to the cross for my sake. All that belongs to the old life must be let go, so that I can take hold of the new life that is available in Christ, and so that I can end up where he is, when all of this present earthly life is over. I check again that which I hold: is it living or do I need to drop what is in my hands right away? Have I taken hold of that new life? His time of favour is here.