Thoughts for another day

March 31, 2010

Today's verse: Hos. 11:4. I led them with cords of human kindness, with bands of love. I was to them like those who lift infants to their cheeks. I bent down to them and fed them. (NRSV – copyright acknowledged)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Here’s an imagery of God that’s so endearing that if one sees it, one would have tears in his eyes because of the wonder of Who our God is. I’ve always looked at Jesus’ face on the cross and seen the pain on His face and gauged the intensity of His sacrifice for us. He knew the pain of the ordeal He was to endure which is why He pleaded with His Father to take the cup away, yet He went ahead because He so loved you and me.

Our scripture today has a similar picture of God our Father who is so gracious and beautiful. You know, we’ve given enough reason for Him to destroy us. Yet He loves us. Our Scripture talks of a time when Israel was in exile. They, who considered themselves invincible because of their belief that God was with them were grievously wounded. They felt they could do anything and get away with it as they believed that God would not forsake them. Yet, He warned them time and again to change their ways, but they didn’t. They went from one stage of sin to the next, even more abominable in His sight; and God brought about all the calamity He had warned them of.

In our Scripture God speaks of His love for His people and what He did for them. He was so kind, so merciful, so gracious, so loving; much like a mother to them. He showered His love yet they didn’t listen. There obviously is anguish in His heart as He speaks out; and deep within God is suffering for our sakes because He had to wield the whip. In His Words, one can see His infinite love and realise that no matter how far we’ve gone, He will always be around, waiting for our call for help.

Thoughts for another day

March 30, 2010

Today's verse: Eph. 1:12. so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. (NRSV – copyright acknowledged)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Long before the world and all creation could be created, we were chosen and willed in Christ, in accord with the purpose of the One who accomplishes all things by the intent of His will. He knew sin would be rampant among men, the one creature, He had designed to perfection. In whom He delighted and expected unceasing praise from. He knew the devil could easily provide man an illusion whereby man wouldn’t be able to see His plan for eternal life but rather delight in short-term pleasures, which would hardly last a while that too, only on earth. This because God had given man free will, by which he could exercise his personal choices. And exercise man sure did; he ignored all the delicious trees in the Garden of Eden but looked at the one tree which God forbade him from!

The saga of sin began with Adam and has continued until now, only worsening with time; worsening, not with the addition of new types of sins but, in our outlook toward them. What I mean is, there’re many things today, which for us are not sin any more like lying, spreading rumors, robbing things particularly from offices, adultery, not having devotion to God, etc. And we don’t realise we’re sinning, blissfully aware of the harm we do to God. But God’s graciousness has provided a Savior for us who paid the price for our sin. Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, died in our stead, for God had decreed that the day Adam sinned, he would surely die, not the physical death, but the death of the soul. And though Adam sinned, he didn’t die but is saved by Christ.

Therefore then, what remains for us to do as men saved by God? Today’s scripture has the answer. If we’ve understood what Christ’s death means to us; a death so devastating and terrible, as to plunge His body into tremors of pain and lay every kind of shame on Him, then we realise that we are for the praise of His glory at all time. If we’re able to understand eternal life and our loss through sin and also our gain through the death of Christ, then we’ll be able to grasp the pricelessness of Jesus’ sacrifice and the wonderful future we have with Him in eternity. And hence we must realise that in this life, we are needed to praise Him always, unceasingly and let Him know how much we value what He has done for us.

Thoughts for another day

March 29, 2010

Today's verse: 2 Cor. 5:21. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Jesus Christ though Man, was holy. He was the only Man to be born without sin as He did was not born by the seed of man but birthed by the Holy Spirit’s seed. The Bible says He grew up in wisdom and age and favor before God and man. Jesus never gave in to temptation, although like any of us, He too was tempted. Jesus never succumbed to worldly pleasures and positions because He cared for only one thing and that is the fulfillment of the Kingdom of God. Because He was sinless, He had the courage to ask the people, ‘Who among you can charge Me with sin.’ None could. Unlike the Pharisees, scribes and other ‘wannabee Jews’ who yearned for human glory, He never bothered about it. When they came to make Him king, He escaped from there.

Yet, Jesus was crucified on the Cross. Deut. 21:23 says, ‘cursed of God is he who hangs on a tree!’ Now look at the paradox. Jesus was holy and pure yet He suffered the punishment reserved for the worst criminal, that of hanging. Why did this happen? Because upon Him was laid the sin of the entire human race says Is. 53:6. Yes, Jesus though innocent suffered the worst public humiliation among all men in all time.

He was God, Awesome and Powerful, yet He raised not a finger in retaliation because He had to undergo this for the sake of you and me. He knew the final note of His life would be dreadful and therefore He suffered much in the garden of Gethsemane when He prayed desperately to His Father, not so much to take away the cup, but that He be given strength to bear the Cross. It’s indeed a great thing to reckon Jesus hanging on the Cross and also pertinent for us to ponder and think, How a Man so holy and so great was crucified like any ordinary criminal amid shame and mockery. But He did it for us, so that we would come to share in His righteousness, given freely to us and enjoy eternal bliss with His Father in union with the Holy Spirit.

Thoughts for another day

March 26, 2010

Today's verse: Jer. 32:27. Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there anything too hard for me? (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

As we journey through life, we face pitfalls and difficult situations. Besides, there are diseases we can hardly do anything about. These bring us down hard and eventually destroy us. Every person born on earth is faced with a difficulty sometime or other and is at his wit’s end facing it. These sap the energy out of us, making us helpless. No human help or mechanism is to any avail and most of the time there’s nothing one can do and you think, ‘what am I to do; isn’t death better now?’

But we know what to do. When there’s an impossible situation, we need to leave everything and go to the God who speaks the Word of our Scripture today. With His own Words, God articulates and declares that He is the LORD, the God of all flesh. He questions, ‘Is there anything too hard for Me?’ Think about it, is there anything too hard for Him? We know the answer: His power is amazing and treads every cell, of whatever is on the earth. When sickness strikes, we know the body is made by Him, so He can make us well quickly. When we’re desperately looking for finance, He can send it and we need not know how, for it is His discretion. For us, the finance is necessary, not the way it comes and we know with God, all is legal. When the business isn’t picking up, He knows when to send a flurry of customers and suddenly the business which was looking so bleak just an hour ago now seems to be huge! When a student finds learning difficult, God makes it so the answers just seep into his mind and then surprise, the questions in the paper are the very questions he studied!!! Amazing, just amazing are His ways. He plans for us with His knowledge of the future and our past and they’re awesome. In everything God straddles the impossible and makes it possible for there’s nothing, yet nothing that’s beyond Him.

We just need to believe Him. In John’s Gospel, Jesus asks the people (and us too), to just believe. Believe, believe, believe… that’s what we need to do for God to work and work He will for He just waits for the opportunity to work for us. In 1 Kgs. 20:28ff there’s an example of what I say. Ahab is a wicked king, yet the Lord gives him victory, simply because the people of Aram attribute wrong character to God in saying He is God of the mountains only. Notice here God was merely looking for an excuse to help the Israelites despite the king being so evil and I know He is doing the same with you and me today knowing well how wicked we are. So let’s rise and call on Him when we are down and out for He will refresh us accordingly.

Thoughts for another day

March 25, 2010

Today's verse: Ps. 145:13. Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures through all generations. The LORD is faithful to all his promises and loving toward all he has made. (NIV – copyright acknowledged)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Here’s an exaltation to the Lord which is really solid; and then is the assurance to His people by David, one of God’s foremost generals and a man after His own heart and if God said that about Him, then we can safely assume David really knew God and walked in that knowledge.

It really pleases the heart of a man close to God to hear that God’s kingdom is everlasting. It brings with it, the persona of God rendering love and justice to all its citizens as well as a form of prosperity that sees neither destruction nor end. God’s kingdom is a place of tranquility where you can fathom peace in all its pristine glory and experience the unalloyed goodness of the Lord. Added to this is the fact that God’s dominion will endure forever and it’s a guarantee to all His people of His cover of safety. So at no point in time can we be afraid because we know He is upon the throne. He is Sovereign and there’s no power on earth which can surpass His. He is above all and beyond all and the most important thing for us, His people, is that He is with us and for us. So then of what or whom shall we be afraid? Who can cause tremors in the chambers of our heart or who can usurp our foundations?

My friend as you read this, understand that God is faithful in all His work. His promises guarantee He is going to act accordingly. There is no lie in Him nor is there any vacillation between yes and no or even a maybe. God is so vast, so great, so powerful, so tremendous, it’s just impossible not to be awed by Him. The best part is that He loves us beyond measure. You know when that tear is about to fall from your eye, He is not able to bear it, but He knows why it needs to fall. There are other times, when you praise Him, holding His hand and loving Him, and tears of joy fall from His eyes and He says, My child loves me so much; then He lifts up His hand and blesses and the treasures of the kingdom fall into our laps. Sometimes I’m so ashamed that knowing all this, I still treat Him so miserably. So God, my God, help me and my sinfulness and wash me clean. Amen.

Thoughts for another day

March 24, 2010

Today's verse: Job 5:22. At destruction and famine thou shalt laugh: neither shalt thou be afraid of the beasts of the earth. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

When you’re with God and your being is aware, there’s a tremendous feeling inside which is difficult to describe. It’s both, one of awe, because He is so great and of tremendous happiness; yeah, even if you’re in a spot and worry is knocking at your door. I should know for right now, I’m experiencing this situation. Then there’s also a feeling of great power, a certain kind of invincibility which should not be given the situation one is in, yet it’s there and it pumps up the rushing adrenaline in you.

Those who’ve had this experience can empathise with what I’m saying. When God is close, very close to you, your spirit is so strengthened and confident that the above scripture becomes part of you, or a reality in you. There’re times when I laugh at dreaded diseases like cancer, AIDS, and what have you. Accidents are things of amusements too! Not, because I dare them by myself, but because I have the Rock with me. A mighty and awesome Rock Who can thwart all the efforts of the accuser from doing me any harm. Amen.

There’re people who’ve lived such experiences: having fallen from great heights, or in devastating accidents or suffering bullet wounds; but have yet lived to tell their story. I remember the Lord says in Isaiah 54: 17, ‘No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and their righteousness is of me, saith the LORD.’ These are Words by an Awesome and Mighty God, who formed the universe and created life and surely He can come to your rescue like none else can for He straddles power and might begins from the sinews of His hand and He it is who is your Rock, your Portion and salvation. Go to Him alone when you need help.

Thoughts for another day

March 23, 2010

Today's verse: Pro. 13:13. Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

God’s Word is solid and strong and endures forever. Jesus said: heaven and earth will pass away but, My Word will remain. That’s because the ‘Word’ is God Himself and He is eternal. All shall fold up and wither; only God will remain. God’s Word is fresh each day, just like the manna the Jews gathered each morning. It couldn’t be stale for God sent it every day, so too His Word comes to us daily, fresh as ever as we read the Bible, meditating on His Word for our edification and strength.

The Word of God invites us to partake of it and be filled. Yet there’re many who despise the Word. It’s not because the Word is flawed, but because It can cut asunder the soul and spirit, the joints and marrow. It discerns the thoughts and intents of the heart; and catches us in our follies while cutting us up when we don’t want to be cut and inconvenient too. As an example, which of us will not just take a pen home from office for personal use, or is there one who won’t be envious of another who’s more beautiful and successful? Mind you, these small insignificant things amount to sin. Hence, the Word is like a plumb line aligning us to the truth; helping us stay there. Despising the Word is tantamount to disliking God and not willing to partake of His life. And such a one will be punished, shunted out because He rejected God’s laws.

But to the one who loves God, His commandment is worthy to be kept and followed. This person honors God in keeping His Word and therefore bears fruit in abundance. He has reverential awe for Him and His commands and so puts himself in line for the reward which comes from God. Ps 1 says that He is like the tree that’s planted by the water; his leaf shall not wither and he will prosper in whatsoever he does. But more importantly in keeping God’s Word, we’re assured of a peaceful life here on earth and eternal life thereafter.

Thoughts for another day

March 22, 2010

Today's verse: 1 Cor. 6:1. Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints? (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

A Christian needs live by Christian principles and standards and today’s scripture in a clear manner suggests that even to the point that if there’s a dispute between one brother and another, then the arbitrator has to be a Christian and not someone who’s not a believer.

Over the years since the departure of the apostles and other Christian leaders from the earth, much has warped the Christian way. Tenets of belief, structures, dogmas, sects, etc. crept in and the simplicity with which Christianity began started to become complicated. What then was a simple belief in Christ and living His way, enshrined in His Gospel message morphed into man’s way of living which accommodated many things not essentially of Christ like systems of worship, liturgical rites, etc. I’m not saying they aren’t good, but they added to the burden of people living simple lives and created haloes around the ones who propagated these systems and they came to be revered too as were the Pharisees and priests of Jesus’ times. Ironically, Jesus many times called their bluff which is why they hated Him.

Today, the church is undergoing serious challenges and I’m appalled the body, doesn’t go to the Lord for clarification, but to the courts and judges of the world. And what will their judgment be: it will appeal to the moral consciousness of a depraved world which will allow freedom to people, the way the world wants it for e.g. marital rights to homosexuals, etc. Of a surety, the body of Christ faces grave danger particularly by inculcation of worldly rights and tenets that gnaw at the core of the Christian faith. Unfortunately, most of the so-called Christians accepting these things are blissfully unaware of the damage it does to the teachings of Christ. They’re comfortable with worldly definitions of moralities and practices. Therefore, we see, brother fighting against brother and sister fighting against sister and then they progress to the next level in their fight and go to court, where love, sympathy, etc. don’t exist, except what is called justice does much like the suggestion of the woman at Solomon’s time who agrees to cut the boy in half! It’s time we look at this and realise how far we have gone from Christ and then decide today to come back.

Thoughts for another day

March 19, 2010

Today's verse: Eph. 1:18. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, (NIV – copyright acknowledged)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Most people, often after they’ve arrived into God’s domain, discover that things are different here. They know it has to be for God thinks not the way man does. In fact the very coming into God’s domain requires us to do nothing except harbor faith in Him. To arrive in a man’s domain, one may have to pay a lot of money or part with riches etc. God wants nothing of that from us; only unstinted devotion to Him and when He finds it, He arrives to us rather than we going to Him.

Today’s scripture needs this background to understand what’s meant by riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints. We need eyes of faith to see the things of God which are far more precious and eternal. Even His Word is eternal but not heaven and earth! When the eyes of faith are open, we see the splendor of Him who traverses the entire universe and whose eyes are fixed upon the citizens of the earth who’re waiting upon Him. He is quick to answer and is not slow as we understand it but quick with the knowledge of what is good and what is not, although even the bad may seem good to us.

The riches of God are the portals of heaven and the splendor that’s for every citizen of heaven which can’t be described for no human word can even touch the fringes of God’s glory that’s the hallmark of heaven. Having understood the riches of the heavenly kingdom which are ours by the Lord Jesus Christ, are we to think that God will keep away any of earth’s riches from us? My friend God owns the earth and no matter what, He can give us the treasures of the earth in a twinkling, provided we believe Him for it. All we need are the eyes of our hearts opened or in other words awareness of the immensity of our Lord Jesus. In this state, nothing is impossible to us and riches and honor and other things that the world craves for are but a part of the package that Heaven provides, but in no way do they excite or titillate us the way they do the world.

Thoughts for another day

March 18, 2010

Today's verse: 2 Cor. 5:13. If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. (NIV – copyright acknowledged)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Disciples of Jesus Christ are for Him and work for His people, guided by Him. They display no worldly wisdom in most things; which is a problem for others who work or live with them and who’re inclined on the worldly plane. Explaining that God has His way of working, which in most cases, is contra the worldly way, usually fall on deaf ears because people simply can’t understand God’s ways most of the time. Therefore, God’s servants are usually lonely. I’m not saying that when you work for God you oppose all the ways of the world, but only express that where results of a particular action lie in the future, the way God’s servants operate and the way worldly men operate, in the present, are different and Paul explains it well when he says, ‘we walk by faith, not by sight’ (2 Cor. 5:7) which explains the difference in behavior.

Our scripture today, clarifies that if we don’t seem sensible, it’s because of God’s sake. This means that there’re times, we don’t adhere to worldly logic and do things differently, example, we rejoice when we lose our jobs, which seems ridiculous to the world, but when it comes to God, He is pleased because we rejoice believing in Him and His power. So our madness is because of our faith in Him. As to the people we interact with and who are His, we’re right because they know we trust God. Even if we’ve not said it out rightly, they still know us well and know that foolishness doesn’t emanate from us and so they hold us in higher esteem.

Practicing God’s ways can sometimes, seem like insanity to the world, yet it’s very good in the realm of God and to His people. Today, I find it difficult to explain that I must cling to God’s ways, though human ways seem better for profit. They advise that God is a sensible God, and wants us to live sensibly, thus driving as it were, a breach in our faith; and I could well agree, were my seeming insensibility not drawn from a relationship with Him. But since it is drawn from Him, I persist in such ‘insensibility’ and I know that eventually He will prove me right as He is true and faithful and lives to His Name; and the people of the Kingdom understand and know I’m right!

Thoughts for another day

March 15, 2010

Today's verse: 1 Samuel 3:19. And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Samuel was devoted to God. He was offered by his mother to the LORD God as she made a vow to give him to God as a perpetual nazirite, which meant he would neither clip his hair nor drink wine his entire life. Samuel carefully fulfilled his mother’s vow before the Lord in doing all His bidding.

Therefore the Lord spoke to Him and revealed many things to him ignoring Eli the priest of that time and his two sons. The sons committed many wrongs before God incurring His wrath, but Samuel’s heart was completely with the Lord. Our scripture today tells us that the LORD was with him and wouldn’t allow any of his word to waste. God fulfilled every word that Samuel spoke and we know that he was well within the circle of God’s will and did His work whole-heartedly.

What do we draw from here? I trust God is telling us today, that we shun evil and come under the umbrella of His will and desire. Sometimes, the world and its things seem good and pleasant, but they could be harmful. God knows the evil effects of that thing in the future for He knows the future. We feel it is good because it seems to be good but we do not know how it will shape up in the time ahead. Therefore, we’re to trust God. I hold that those of us called by God must credit every action of ours as God driven. We may think it is us, but remember without His permission, nothing can happen. Scripture also tells us that all things works out for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose, Rom. 8:28. Trust His Word and walk firmly before Him just as Samuel did and even today, He will not let a word of yours go waste.

Thoughts for another day

March 12, 2010

Today's verse: Ruth 1:6b. …for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

When reading the Bible, sometimes, we come upon a Word which if we gloss through means nothing, yet when we’re focused it speaks much to us and talks of God clearly. This is enough for a life time, and there have been people who’re influenced by that one scripture that’s changed them completely.

Our scripture verse today is a similar type and when read with the goggles of faith God becomes real as if He were before us. Read it carefully and you’ll understand, ‘…the LORD had visited His people in giving them bread!’ As we move on in this reflection, the fact remains that God is everywhere so you might say, ‘What does this visiting mean?’ Yes God is everywhere and knows everything, but when the Word of God says visit, it means God’s graciousness is manifested. His Presence becomes known to the elements around…the atmosphere is filled with His fragrance and it’s time for us to recognize His visitation.

I draw much comfort from our scripture Because I know that God may be angry with us just as He would have been with the Israelites during the period of the judges at the time of Ruth, when each one did as they deemed right and many worshipped false Gods forgetting their true God who had been with them and helped them at every step. Therefore, God chose to leave them at their fates and with their ‘gods’. And then trouble came upon them. There was a famine in the country with no food to eat. Then comes our scripture which speaks of God’s visit and it is marvelous because we understand that God visited His people giving them bread.

My take from this is, if there’s a famine in your life, appeal to God. Write Him a note on your malady, no matter what it be and ask Him to visit you. Sometime later, He will visit and He will move your situation away. Yes, His presence will do it. Glorify Him then and forget not His mercy, rather proclaim His goodness to the world.

Thoughts for another day

March 11, 2010

Today's verse: Job 12:15. Behold, he withholdeth the waters, and they dry up: also he sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Doesn’t each work of the Lord make you marvel? Small things like the littlest leaf hanging out from a bush or a little pebble you pick up to play with, etc. everything the LORD God created is so unique and marvelous. Nothing compares with another. Each species is so different and even within a species, there’s so much difference e.g. if we consider dogs there’re many breeds yet they belong to the dog family and you’ll notice each breed so distinct from the other. The Master Creator’s infinite creative ability is on full display in the universe in its myriad forms and shapes.

There’re things which we humans are greatly concerned with and today we talk about one such thing which is the very elixir of life; and that is water. When you take a little bit of water in your hand, do you even realise how great a creation it is of God? How wonderful to behold a little drop? The amazing thing is we can never duplicate abundance of water; only God can. We can’t even do anything if there’s no water but be thirsty. I’m glad for the entire human race that a resource so precious as water is completely in the hand of God in terms of distribution. He decides how much water should be given, when to be given and how. On this, none can dictate any terms to Him. Our scripture says that He withholds the waters and they disappear and when He sends them, they flood the earth. Consider it my precious people, how great the Lord is who can control even the flow of water. You know, He knows the origins of it and the course it must take.

With all of man’s pompous creations that promise comfort, there’s not a thing he can create which is abundant in nature for everybody, not even one! Why then the boast? Why the harping against an awesome and powerful God? When there’s insufficient water, can anyone do anything? Man’s ways are so expensive and so futile; we can clearly see this when we go to ‘buy’ water – whether bottled or in tankers as we do when we get insufficient water from the administration. As for me, when they say there’s insufficient water in our lakes and dams, I firmly believe that God it is who holds water and if we pray and He desires, the water will never run out, for even without the rains, He knows how to increase it!

Thoughts for another day

March 10, 2010

Today's verse: Joshua 21:45. Not one of all the LORD's good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled. (NIV – copyright acknowledged)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

I was counseling a lady who was depressed. She wanted to believe in God, but couldn’t. She didn’t have confidence in Him. She just couldn’t believe Him and His Word. I asked her whether she read the Bible regularly to which she said yes. I knew her as one who was used to praying, in her own way perhaps, but spending time with God and I also knew she read the Bible. They why her situation?

I pointed out that God has made many promises in the Bible. Her response took me completely by surprise. She said she had noted a huge number of promises in the Word and she knew many of by rote mentioning a few. I wondered, what then was her problem. I quickly realised that she had the same problem many people have, that is of trying to remember the Word to show others how well they knew it! This kind of closeness to God is no closeness. God’s Word is first for you who read His Word. You start believing in Him very firmly and then you also feel His Presence in your life and suddenly, inspired by His Word and His Being in yours, you can’t but help share it with others. Don’t we know that those who were called apostles were they who walked, talked, dined and shared with the Lord in everything. The essential fact is, they knew Him.

Most of God’s promises are for them who are rooted in Him and dwell with Him. A lady once told me she read psalm 91 everyday and appropriated its promises for herself and her family. I asked her to just tell me the opening verse; and she faltered. When I said the Words, she was shocked: He who dwells… not he who visits! My friend, God’s Words are for each one of us, but we have to commune with Him, enjoy His companionship (I can tell you it is enjoyable) and feel His Spirit in our being. When you do this, you are suddenly transported from being completely unaware to being completely aware of His Presence and you will feel His power. Then His promises become real and true. Then you can just reach out and grab them and you’ll know that all His promises, yes each one of them are fulfilled; not even one fails.

Thoughts for another day

March 9, 2010

Today's verse: Ps. 4:3. Know that the LORD works wonders for the faithful; the LORD hears when I call out. (NAB – copyright acknowledged)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

The Lord loves those who are His own. His pleasure is in them and even as they delight in Him, He works to fulfill their hearts’ desires. They are set apart for God and they revel in every command of His. They may face stumbling blocks in their work for Him, but they are unfazed and plod on because their gaze is on the Lord. They do not mind the difficulties because they know that they have their God who will rescue them from any difficult situation they may face. They live in completeness because they are aware that God is by their side and He will help them when they need His help.

God has made many promises in His Word the Holy Bible. He delights in keeping these promises because He loves to see us happy. The only thing we need to do is believe in His promises. First of all it is essential that we believe in Him. For, we are unable to please Him if we don’t believe in Him. God always looks at the faith quotient in us and He knows what it is in each person very well because He sees the heart and no lip service is good for Him. No amount of saying ‘Lord’, ‘Lord’ will help if we don’t have belief in God.

Ultimate victory for us lies in the faith aspect that we display vis-à-vis God. Our confidence in God primarily lies in being absolutely certain that we know Him and that He is always striving to please us because we are His finest creation and He loves us tremendously. To us who completely surrender to His ways keeping firm in the faith, He works wonders as our scripture for today says and our confidence mounts more and more as we say ‘My God will listen to me when I pray.’

Thoughts for another day

March 8, 2010

Today's verse: Deut. 31:6. Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

This is what the Lord is telling you and me today through the above Scripture. I don’t know what your situation is nor do I or any human being have a solution, for you see, we grapple with different kinds of difficult situations or problems as we call them. Sometimes even the simplest situations have the capability of putting us under a lot of stress and can be very hurtful. Then there are people who are a problem. I have known of families who dread the turn of the clock to 8pm, for then the father of the house comes, dead drunk and in a foul mood, ready to thrash anyone, wife or children at the least excuse and there is no way he can be controlled. Life is endured, hell-like here.

I met a lady, who told me how she found it difficult to go home each day in the evening, a home her parents had purchased for the children, but her brother, his wife and children were making life miserable for her, taunting her about not marrying; this even though she never interfered in their affairs and remained in her room most of the time. Oh yes, my friend, there are situations aplenty which trouble us and I am sure each one of us, no matter what our facades are, are undergoing some situation which we would not like to have.

Comfort, comfort says the LORD God whose eyes are roaming the earth every moment and right now, He is telling you: Be strong and brave and not afraid of your adversaries. You know what God says is amazing, He says that He goes with us, no matter into the deepest dungeons we’re forced to retreat to. And it’s so beautiful when we read that He will not fail us nor forsake us. You know, our sins are an abomination in His sight and His nose reels with the stink of them, yet His Word stands, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ Yes, our God is dear and precious and lovely to behold, don’t you know?

Thoughts for another day

March 5, 2010

Today's verse: 1 Kings 17:14. For thus saith the LORD God of Israel, The barrel of meal shall not waste, neither shall the cruse of oil fail, until the day that the LORD sendeth rain upon the earth. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

God gives us assurances, through His Word - the Bible. Reading the Bible is the best way to listen to Him and understand what He wants to say to us; this because we’ve failed to listen to Him as He speaks softly and gently. Once you meditate on His Word in the Bible, you’ll quickly realise that His promises therein are applicable to you too as you too are His creation and, in place as much as any other, to receive His promises for we know God isn’t partial and has no favorites.

Many servants of God read His Word and are encouraged to go about their tasks in full assurance of His being there with them. However, there’re times like I wrote a few days earlier, when under trial they’re a little apprehensive of the applicability and truth of God’s Word in their own lives, whether that Word will come to pass. We have Jesus’ assurance: ‘Heaven and earth will pass away, but My Word will remain!’ And in our above scripture, we notice God said something to Elijah which He kept. Oh, you might say, I know God always keeps His Word in scripture but in real life He doesn’t. Well then, I’d say this, your trust in Him needs to be re-vitalized. Check whether God has kept His Word in your life or not and I am saying this to those who love Him and have made Him your goal. He may not have answered in the way you thought it should be but hasn’t He taken care of the problem? I’d also say ‘His way is the best way’.

Our communion with Him can give us our hearts’ desires and He ensures our life isn’t jeopardized because of what we ask Him. Some are a little skeptical about His granting our desires; they could be harmful and not in His will they say; but God knows better for His Word says, ‘Delight in the Lord and He will grant your hearts’ desires’ Ps. 37:4. I’m talking of that relationship with God which brings so much power in our lives that what we ask we receive. In this relationship our end is always to serve Him, no matter where we’re at in life. I’m not saying we go against His will or against Him; just that He can control what happens in our lives to bring about good, provided we’re sincere, don’t forget God knows our hearts too. I’m comforted in this thought as I read 1 Th. 5:24, He is faithful who calls you and He will accomplish it.

Thoughts for another day

March 4, 2010

Today's verse: Deut. 4:4. But ye that did cleave unto the LORD your God are alive every one of you this day. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Times are when you hear people complaining about God. Listen to them and learn how much they know God and how much they trust Him. You’ll realise eventually that they hardly know Him and as for trust, what they believe to be trust is the kind of trust they put in man itself which at times comes to nothing and therefore, these people are rattled when they perceive God as not answering their prayer and they get frustrated and disillusioned, although they have no real basis to.

Tell me of a man who has put his trust in the Lord and the Lord letting Him down. Never. At times, God does allow a person to suffer. That is His way of testing them. God can test our adherence to Him in so many ways. And you know, He tests only those He loves because there is a point in testing them and moreover, after the test, they go and spread the word of His goodness as He removes them from the test and blesses them abundantly after they pass it, shall I say.

Our Scripture today talks of the same thing. The Book of Deuteronomy is filled with God’s Words about His being with them and also about His testing them. He warns them not to fail the test clearly mentioning that after they have gone into the Promised Land, they would tend to forget Him and all the deeds He performed among them. Therefore He says that He would test them when they are full to the brim in goodness to see whether they’re faithful to Him or not. Similarly, God will test us too when all things are good with us. When we are at the point where we feel we do not need God any longer. The test is God’s Gracious way of bringing us back to Him in case we stray, so that we remain and enjoy eternal bliss with Him.

Thoughts for another day

March 3, 2010

Today's verse: Dan. 9:18. O my God, incline thine ear, and hear; open thine eyes, and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name: for we do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousnesses, but for thy great mercies. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

People around the world intercede; God will be getting billions of requests each day from those that swarm the face of the earth and because He is God, He can decipher those asked with faith and those without; those with humility and those without; as well as those asked sincerely and those without. Our scripture today can easily go into the books of prayers one can make, with assurance that God will answer. It’s a type most sincere, according to God all glory, supremacy and authority. It has a pleading through eyes filled with tears, longing and hope: a hope in God so strong, it ceases to look upon self as a worthy beneficiary rather depending solely on His goodness and mercy to grant the petition. It’s indeed a sincere and most striking presentation of need before God and I’d like to stress the underlined portion where the prophet assumes no righteousness of his own.

Before God we’re nothing. The Bible says we’re like a wisp of smoke, here a moment and then brushed by the wind, or a blade of grass that’s there but a moment, then trampled underfoot. When we remind God of this our condition and plead before Him recalling His Own grandeur and exalting His lofty status even more, God answers and we see in v 23, of the same chapter, that Daniel’s petition was answered. Beloved of God, how can a just and merciful God refuse a prayer seeking to make the petitioner nothing and Him everything? God can’t help but answer such prayer. Do you remember the Canaanite woman pleading with Jesus to cure her daughter? Jesus in a way is forced to say, ‘Oh, woman, great is your faith; be it done as you wilt.’ Mt. 15:22-28.

When you pray, let me use a cliché, pray as if everything depended on it. Thump your heart, beat your chest, cry, let your body writhe in pain and anguish; remember Samuel’s mother Hannah? She appeared to be drunk to Eli the priest, but did she move the heart of God!!! My friend there’s no such think like a powerful prayer which someone gives printed on a piece of paper, but your prayer can be powerful when you exercise your whole body, your whole being in humiliation and cry unto God; making it so effective that God cannot escape not granting it, but dare I mutter, is obliged, to say, ‘Go, let it be done to you as you wilt!’

Thoughts for another day

March 2, 2010

Today's verse: Job 23:14. For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him. (KJV)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

We know the account of Job in the Bible and the travails he goes through. It’s a little out of place to imagine that a just and true God can use him as an object of His Sovereign exercise to demonstrate to satan that He knows Job well. But God does it; He does because He is Sovereign and has the authority to do as He wills. None can say ought to Him as none can compare with Him. So Job while undergoing his trial comes face to face with many realities, both as a result of his friends trying to impinge on him that he must have sinned grievously and also from his own thoughts about God. If we notice we discover that God is the centre of their discussion because in those days, the clarity and certainty of God was integral to life.

Our scripture is part of Job’s reply to one of his friends who tells him that God is omnipresent and must have seen him commit some fault in secret and hence his predicament. While Job is bodily and mentally in utter despair, he still, from within the labyrinth of his mind ekes out clearly that God knows his thoughts and deeds. He declares that he hasn’t strayed from God’s commands and has always kept His Words in his heart. He admits God must be trying him and emphasizes that God’s desires are met with, no matter how paradoxical they be. Job insists that what God has appointed He does, surmising that there could be other things that God may have in store for him and whatever they be, he realizes he has to face them.

So too with us, when God plans something, no matter we like it or not, it happens and we can do nothing but accept His will. We must realise that if we have endeavored to know Him and love Him then all things will work out for our good. There could be times of heavy trial and moments of pain, but don’t even for a moment take your eyes off Him and don’t think that He doesn’t understand. See, in and through Job’s pain, God etched that He is Sovereign; a message clearly sent to satan. Job was just an instrument and it’s possible, we may also become instruments in His hand. It’s both a privilege and a trite fearful. Yet, be confident in God for He will get you out of any situation you don’t like as long as you prevail in your relationship with Him, this because God understands.

Thoughts for another day

March 1, 2010

Today's verse: Ps. 33:15. The One who fashioned the hearts of them all, knows all their works. (NAB – copyright acknowledged)
(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

This psalm beautifully embodies God’s sustenance, magnificence and awesomeness. It sings of God’s handiwork in our lives even as it urges all to praise Him and rejoice in Him. In the verses before our scripture today, we learn God in heaven looks down and sees the entire humankind, measuring them up (v. 13,14). We then understand it is He who fashioned even the deepest parts of man and knows all our works, even to the thoughts that develop in our minds. Yes, He knows them all, whether they be evil or in accordance to His lovely will.

You know, we may do some awful things in our lives in absolute secrecy; so much so that no man is aware of them. But do you think it’s hid from God? The most secret place in any man is open to the Lord’s scrutiny. He sees it as clearly as He does any other place. His glance can fall even in the darkest sphere and know all there’s in it, because darkness itself is light to the Lord (Ps. 139:12) and night, the time, where man chooses to commit the most foul deeds, is but as day to Him.

God knows the deepest secrets we hold and also the good we do. He knows our intentions though we try to hide and camouflage them through opposite facades. Yet, God sees through all the masks we use. But it is not that God sees our dirty thoughts and deeds alone, He also clearly knows the good we are trying to do or thinking of doing. Some of our thoughts and actions please God, but we must please Him in all our thoughts and actions for only then will we find favor in His sight. We needn’t be scared that God knows all but offer our all to Him, good and bad, and talk of our weaknesses with Him and then we will see Him giving us His strength to conquer our weaknesses and slowly but surely, though we may not perceive it, our dark spots vanish and a new ‘man’ emerges, which is interested in giving glory to God alone.