Thoughts for another day

November 30, 2011

Today's verse: 1 Pet. 1:15.  But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; (NIV – copyright acknowledged)

(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

All these days, we've been reflecting on holiness: purity or righteousness, and you may wonder why?  Simple, God is holy and we need to be holy.  Holiness is so important to God that to indulge us in this fact, God sent His only begotten Son, not any representative nor an animal, to stand on our behalf, shed blood and pay the penalty for sin.  Sin is the cancer that eats at the substance of our relationship with God. 

Sadly, few preachers will declare that you need to repent and be changed for they fear the churches will be empty if they stress on it.  I may sympathize with them for the world is rife with sin (and I remember once I told a woman whose husband works away from home and she was entertaining another man, that it's wrong and from then she never spoke to me the way she did before) but then we need to ask ourselves, in whom is our trust, the Lord or the people?   Holiness is also a victim of the lack of faith in God for faith in a good and beautiful God will automatically lead us to holiness because when we realize who Jesus is, the burden that sin causes becomes too heavy on our hearts and we beg to God to take it away: consequently Grace flows in.

No matter if the message on holiness is dimmed and not there in our churches, we must practice it seriously for believe me, even if you do nothing else, you're home and dry if you keep yourself holy, for God will do everything else for you.  In this regard, didn't Jesus say, 'Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and its righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you?' (Mt. 6:33).  My friend if you truly and sincerely want to follow God and make Him the blood in your veins, you need to be holy.  Our Scripture today exhorts us to be holy in all that we do for He is holy.  It will be difficult but struggle, for He who sees you struggling will lift you up, hug you tight and wipe the tears from your eyes.  What more could you possibly seek?

Thoughts for another day

November 29, 2011

Today's verse: 2 Tim. 1:9 who has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, (NIV – copyright acknowledged)

(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

God has saved and called us to a holy life: a life where we worship Him continually and find all our needs fulfilled by Him according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.  God's intent to see us holy and blameless is so we can be with Him, in His place, and enjoy life with Him.   This gift of salvation He has given is because He loves us, not that we've done anything to merit it, for in our sinful states there's nothing we can do which can even remotely please Him but He has ignored the cry of penalty demanded by His justice because of the blood of His Son Jesus Christ.

Grace and mercy came from Jesus Christ and in them we've found the joy for our souls by which also, we're able to enter through the torn veil to go to the Holy of holies in which dwells our Father, the Awesome God of Abraham, God of Isaac and the God of Jacob, who intends that He be our God and our friend.  The joy of communion with God is really a beautiful feeling and we can get that feeling when we sit before Him covered with the blood of His Son Jesus Christ and meditate on His ways.

And this union with God which we must have is planned by Him even before the foundation of the world or the beginning of time. When God wanted to have an intimate relationship with us He created Adam and thus paved the way for this relationship.  Even though Adam sinned, God had the blue-print of redemption ready for us and He did save us according to that plan, when He sent Jesus Christ in the fullness of time to die for us.  Now that we're saved and precious in His sight, how can we be so immune to His love which He has shown so abundantly?  So on bended knee let us bow before Him, the Almighty God and show Him our love. 

Thoughts for another day

November 28, 2011

Today's verse: Heb. 3:12 See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. (NIV – copyright acknowledged)

(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Sin interferes in our relationship with God.  Of my 50 years of existence on earth with a decade or so close to Him, I've come to realize that the one thing that makes us weak is sin.  It's funny, for sin doesn't deserve a place in our lives; yet, it has more than enough place and we humans are willing to give it place and time too.  Call it a package deal if you will!!!

It's all because we don't know God.  It's because we don't know why we're on earth in the first place and what we're supposed to do.  It's because sin is so natural in our world, it has ceased to be sin.  In our unbelieving hearts, sin finds itself a place in a wily manner just as the one who fathered it is wily; and without realizing, I've become a sinner: not by murdering or stealing or doing one of those things, but by lying, envying, assassinating someone's character, lusting in my mind with the woman next door, yeah, and more.  And all the time, I think I don't sin. 

In the name of social justice, I go to great lengths to trouble them who I feel are trouble makers, cheating them of their proper due.  Because I'm reasonably educated, I scoff those who aren't or perhaps don't match my cerebral caliber.  Boy, do I forget that Jesus started His Empire with a bunch of illiterate fishermen!  But me, I've laid huge standards see, so I look down on anyone not measuring up.  And my pride; well, I reason its okay in me for I'm a man of stature, but not for that ignoramus, who thinks no end of herself.   And so I move in life, contrary to what's there in our Word above.  But one day, God's Word strikes me and I repent.  I go back to Him and gain His favor and start 'living' and fighting my sin all the way no matter how difficult for that's how Jesus wants me to live and when I fail He picks me up, encourages me and tells me about that lady who anointed Him with a jar of alabaster oil.  Oh, how sweet is His Name in my heart.

Thoughts for another day

November 25, 2011

Today's verse: Eph. 5:5. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Heaven is our destination, prepared for us by God even before the world was formed and that is the place of the abode of God.  God wants that we share His dwelling place with Him and in His dwelling place we are secure in our God whom we trust as the psalmist points in Ps. 91, "You who live in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty, will say to the LORD, "My refuge and my fortress; my God, in whom I trust."

However, the place of rest that is God, in heaven, is not accessible to all but only to those who are holy.  No immoral, or impure or greedy person has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God as Paul says above in his letter to the Ephesians.  Purity in a man enables that his case is favorably viewed by God who then enables him to see his God, his Maker face to face as I had mentioned a few days earlier.  Without purity it is impossible to see God for this carnal body is just not able to view Him who is so pure and holy and immensely awesome.

Therefore, it is given to us, in the great sacrifice of the Lamb of God, that we be pure in heart; that we be holy and right before Him.  Yes, with our human nature it's impossible to be holy for as the Father told Cain, sin is crouching at your door Gen. 4:7.  It's only by our accessing the power of the precious blood of the Lamb that we can attack sin and fulfill what our Father also told Cain further, 'And unto thee shall be his (sin's)desire, and thou shalt rule over him (sin).'  Without Grace it's impossible to be pure and so, let's bow before the throne of Grace and plead with Him to give us His Grace that we remain blameless before Him and in time to come, enjoy eternal bliss in His kingdom.

Thoughts for another day

November 24, 2011

Today's verse: Gal. 5:25. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

In our believing the Son of God, we've been gifted by Him with the Holy Spirit.  God established us in Christ and anointed us by putting His seal on us and giving His Holy Spirit in our hearts as a first installment (2 Cor. 1:21,22).  Now therefore, we live life in the Holy Spirit and are endowed with His power in our lives.  That's what is called living in the Spirit.  As 'born again' Christians, we've to always live in the Spirit, if we are to conquer the deep and damning nature of this life whose only direction is to rebel against God. 

But thanks be to God, the Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, for in giving us His Spirit so generously without rationing it, allows us the zeal towards Him so that whatever we do, we do by the directions of the Holy Spirit; in that we're able to both love Him and do His will, living a life pleasing to Him. 

Now that the Holy Spirit is the essence of our inner beings, we aren't without aid when we need help in our fight against the principalities and the dark rulers of the air.  We're stout-hearted before any power which dare go against the will of God and we're in a position to conquer every fear and battle that's ranged against us. The devil we learn, is a roaring lion, yet toothless and of little consequence.  So my child in Christ, look up to the hills from where your help comes and forge ahead in life with the beautiful and calm Holy Spirit in you.  Some day as the ramparts of heaven open, you'll fly in without any difficulty, for He, the Holy Spirit will assimilate you into the Divine atmosphere with absolutely no hindrance nor unfamiliarity. 

Thoughts for another day

November 23, 2011

Today's verse: 2 Cor. 2:11. in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

In 1 Cor. 2:16, Paul says, 'we have the mind of Christ.'  Consequently, we're aligned to Jesus in a manner that His nature, comes into us.  This is what I'd say is the state of 'sensitivity to God' and in this state of sensitivity, we can plainly see the one who's behind the sinful nature we possess. 

When we argue and fight with our close ones, we immediately understand we've been deceived by the evil one who blows up the small mistakes they make and amplify them so we hate them for it and are willing to say all kinds of things against them.  Only now, knowing that it's the devil that incites us, we overlook the small mistakes and pardon.  When we're in our offices wasting time to the detriment of the organization, a voice inside tells us, 'so what, you've worked so hard, you deserve some rest.'  We understand immediately the source of the voice and knowing we're doing wrong, we correct ourselves.

In the church when someone insults me, I know that person chooses to act superior for he hates the gifts God has given me and puts me down at the smallest opportunity.  Yet, even here the mind of Christ that I have tells me it's not he, but the devil acting in him.  Yea, in having the mind of Christ, I learn what Christ knew about the people who hated Him and persecuted and killed Him.  Which is why, He only had these Words to His Father for them, 'Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.'  So shall we someday tell our Father in Heaven so that they who hated us and maligned and persecuted us, will have forgiveness on the day of judgment; because of the mind of Christ in us.

Thoughts for another day

November 22, 2011

Today's verse: Lev. 11:44. For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

In the Bible God asks us to be holy; for Holiness is His nature.  God is particularly concerned about His Holiness which is so sublime and beautiful that a man can never grasp it, even were it to be just the surface itself.  He asks us to be separate, as is the meaning of the term holy and He wants us to be righteous (pure) for without this, we can't see Him!

God is so holy that even the angels are found to be in fault before Him; what then of man, asks Eliphaz, the Temanite, of Job.  It is the Holiness of God that is His defining character.  His All, one might say!  And I'd like to re-iterate what I'd written on Oct. 31 this year that His other attributes flow from His Holy nature for it can't be, He is holy and not loving; it can't be, He is Holy and not merciful or He is Holy and not gracious and so on.  There's a precise thing about His Holiness that's very significant to our relationship with Him.  His Holiness makes it impossible for us to be in intimate communion in Him unless we too are holy and therefore, God who knows aforehand that we need to be with Him and in Him, urges us to be holy just as He is Holy.

Being holy isn't an option but a direction.  I say a 'direction' and not 'destination', because we can't be holy in a day.  It takes years to wash off the grime, sin leaves on our souls and even then there're stains that can't be washed off, but we need to begin.  We thank God for the blood of His Son Jesus that washes us clean and makes us white as snow and priests and kings before Him.  But it must be our endeavor to be blameless before Him for nothing would please God, other than that we're holy and pure before Him.  If we desire to be with Him eternally, it must be our URGENT STRUGGLE to be holy.  It's rather urgent for we don't know when the hour will come. Let us leave all our human pursuits, for they don't amount to much and aim to cling to this one thing:  that WE BE HOLY JUST AS HE IS HOLY.

Thoughts for another day

November 21, 2011

Today's verse: Rom. 6:23. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

God intended to create man (when He must have thought of creating him), to be pure and holy before Him.  Of course, He knew all along that man wouldn't fulfill this intention of His, yet, God went ahead and created Him; for He had a plan…

God created man in His image; He wanted man to seek pleasure in His Company and be in relationship with Him, a relationship far more intimate and passionate than between man and his wife.  There're hints in the Bible, particularly in the Song of Songs denoting this intention of God; about His passionate desire that we have a relationship and commune with Him just as a man who loves his wife would want to spend all his time with her.   However, from hidden books other than the Bible, we learn that the fallen angel (devil) had other plans.  For one, he wanted to equal himself to God and two; he was envious of man who he knew God loved a lot. 

God knew man would fall because of the devil who'd lure him to sin, yet God created man so He could show how much He loved him!  While the devil went and had his laugh when Adam sinned, God's plan for man unfolded to reach its peak at Calvary where His love gushed in that, Christ, battered, bruised and weakened, led His Cross up the mount to be crucified on it – a spectacle of shame and horrific disgust to them who saw Him die helplessly.  Again, the devil thought, he had defeated God, but when the earth shook at the dawn of the third day, and Jesus quickened by the power of the Holy Spirit, rose up and came out of the grave, it was over for satan.  For Jesus in His royal and holy body had suffered the wages of sin for all mankind.  And consequently, He had given man, His dearly beloved, the gift of eternal life. 

Consider this my friend, if today, you sleep at night without fear of hell and eternal damnation, it's because Jesus paid the price in full for you and me.  Isn't that reason enough to value ourselves highly as children of a benevolent God; as well as glorify the God of heaven and earth who loves us so much?

Thoughts for another day 

November 18, 2011

Today's verse: 1 Jn. 2:27. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.  (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

A Christian, a person who has accepted Christ as Lord, God and Savior is anointed of Him to be a part of His body and bear the glorious commission of His Gospel.  The anointing entitles you the Holy Spirit, Who allows you to cry out 'Abba Father' for He kindles your soul to recognize the gloriousness of the Gift, the Son of God has given, by which you become a child of God, with all the rights as that of an heir. 

In receiving the great Gift of the Holy Spirit, you received the spirit of 'sonship', a spirit directly opposed to fear; the Holy Spirit makes you eligible to be in communion with God which is to your service and relevant to you.  Therefore, you've no need for any person to teach you.  Exhortation, yes, but not teaching that concern the high understanding of your faith, for it is the responsibility of the Holy Spirit to give you the right perception of the precious Word of God by which you are enlightened and know God better as is the prayer of Paul in Ephesians Ch. 1.  Paul also prays that the eyes of our hearts be opened so we may know the hope that belongs to our call and what are the riches of glory in God's inheritance among the holy ones.

My friend, God Most High has decided that with His anointing He will teach you the deep things of truth, so that knowing the will of the Father, you'll abide in Him to bear fruit.  Make no mistake, it's the will of God that He teach you all things and in matters concerning His Word it is more so, because humans dilute His Word, compromise with it and even negate it; but God will show you the real meaning of His love letter to you, the Bible, which He has given to every man, that man may understand what plans God has for him.  So therefore, receive the Word in truth and depend on Him for revelation. 

Thoughts for another day

November 17, 2011

Today's verse: Col. 2:8. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Since the years after Christ ascended into heaven and the church began on the day of Pentecost, there've been many erroneous ideas from so called followers of Christ on things concerning worship of God.  These ideas seem good to the human heart and are practiced by many people and we're made to think if we too don't embrace them, we'll be subject to God's judgment!  Unfortunately, many succumb to these false notions, fearing the worst that can happen to them and then begins an era of 'misplaced worship and empty spirituality' in their lives that harbor on the dangerous for Jesus on that day will surely say, 'Go away, for I don't know you!'

Paul saw these things and that's why he warns us in Scripture above that we shouldn't be taken in by vain and illusory philosophies, benefitting none except those who propagate them.  Jesus, on earth, among other things, contested the claims of religious leaders that the Sabbath meant 'no work' even when their apathy to God's children was glaring.  In the face of opposition, Jesus stood firm in His rebuttal of man's mistaken interpretation of God's law that mired it; for He knew it was for the good of man, not that he become a slave of it. 

Today too, there's much dilution in spirituality in the church of God.  There's less listening to the Holy Spirit, who speaks to all intent on listening, and more, to words of men.  This results in a lukewarm spirituality serving no purpose and I'm really aghast that the church is so cold today.  The man who raises a voice against this will be targeted and stamped a rebel but he has to look at Jesus who was steadfast in His stand and went to the cross and died, to find encouragement, for in Him alone will he find solace and protection.  In waiting he will find God moving His hand to destroy the diluters of His love and mercy and those negating the teachings of His Son.  Be careful you too, lest you be drawn into the deception and drown in it.  Look up to the Lord to give you a solid foundation and you will get it.

Thoughts for another day

November 16, 2011

Today's verse: Is. 26:13b. but by thee only will we make mention of thy name. (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

No one can come to God unless led by Him and no one can invoke His Name unless that person is allowed by God.  Many come to meet the Lord and the Lord in His mercy allows them to come and commune with Him.  He wants all to be in an intimate relationship with Him.  Yet, if you look around and see not many people have a great desire to be with God and spend time with Him.  Why?  Because as our Scripture tells us, only by Him can we make mention of His Name.

All are called says the Word of God, but few are chosen and that's the story behind millions of people languishing everywhere without any knowledge of God, though they don't know they're in bad shape and think they're the kings of the world and yes, they may be kings of the world, but what after death? 

But those who're children of the Most High, who hold Him in high regard and are in awe of Him, to them He reaches out.  I read how in the late 1950s, 60s, 70s, Christians in communist countries suffered much.  They couldn't worship openly and had no Bibles too! It may shock you, the Bible which most of us don't even bother to look at, yes, that very Word, they didn't even get to look at, although they craved to.  Yet, God in His mercy gave them tremendous knowledge of Himself through secret missionaries who went to them at great risk to their lives and spoke to them of the Gospel of Jesus and His love for man.  Yea, God revealed to those children, His great plan for them and many were fearless in their witness to Him, suffering beatings, insults, imprisonment and even death.  But, God gave them the ability to call upon His Name and I'm sure their names are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Thoughts for another day

November 15, 2011

Today's verse: Ps. 127:1. Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Our Word above is a frontal assault on those who think they're the ones responsible for their success and the wealth they've amassed, etc.  People staying in fabulous houses think it's by their own intellect and work that they've been able to build their property and also are able to safeguard it. 

We who believe in the Lord and His Word know that were the Lord not to build our house, we would, but labor in vain and were His watchful eyes not on our possessions, we would have lost it to a thief arriving on a moonlight-less night.  I know that no matter how much we labor and strive, we cannot make even a single thing, leave alone a house.  We must remember that whatever we have is His gift and He makes it possible for us to enjoy that gift.

As to the watching for the safety of our things, we also know that no matter how much security we provide, if it has to be robbed, it will be robbed and no amount of sophisticated gadgetry will make things safe.  But if we invoke the Name of the Lord on our properties and things, we can rest assured that no matter if everyone has their things burgled, we'll not be and His angry glance on the burglars is enough to make them wince and leave us alone.  I believe in this and I know that God has safeguarded my home today and always will.  What about you?

Thoughts for another day

November 14, 2011

Today's verse: Is. 45:3. I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name. (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Yesterday, late evening as I finished praying, I met a man who also prays regularly.  In the discussion we had, he told me about the evils that preaching on prosperity would have on those who practiced it.  He also told me, one should rather use the approach of love which he pointed out to be the essence of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  While I didn't say much on the prosperity thing because of the extreme reactions it evokes, I did think of one thing that the propagators of prosperity did.  They always asked you to sow a seed and by default sow it to them. I couldn't help but laugh when this man said: we continue sowing seed and they, the preachers, heaped riches over riches and we remain wondering when our prosperity would come!

Although I dismissed this thought as soon as I left, I couldn't help but think of the truth of what he said on preachers becoming richer and richer…  Now of course I don't envy their riches but I know that seed sowing has to be done in a field where you get an abundant harvest, the real feast of God, which leads to our happiness, not in a field of a person who propagates the theory that it's essential and that 'my field is open for you to sow!'  All this while, the targeted sower, doesn't even know God or why seed sowing has to be done, even to the last dollar, if I may say!   Here, I'll leave the issue to your enlightenment by the Spirit of God.

But our Word today says that God gives us treasures stored in secret places: yes, so we may do His work.  He has called us by our names and He has a task for us.  As long as we listen to His call, believing we'll get the treasures stored in secret places, showing willingness to use that treasure to the good of God's people, we can rest assured by His Word, we'll have the treasure transferred to us by the Lord God Almighty.  It's a great responsibility for He will demand that we also look after the people He sends our way, so together we will make His love known to all and glorify His Name on earth for what He has done for us.

Thoughts for another day

November 11, 2011

Today's verse: Luke 6:311. Do to others as you would have them do to you. (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

There're many instructions the Lord gives us both in Scripture and in our day to day lives in the gentle whispers in our ears through His Spirit.  What He says is to our own good and it's best we hear His Word and keeping it in our hearts follow it, for in it is life, even eternal life.

Among these instructions, I found the above to touch a chord in my heart for it is so simple but it can do a world of good to those who simply without questioning, keep it.  Look, if I want respect from others, how long can I demand it from them?  Eventually, people question, why they should be respecting me and they stop doing it if I've not given them any reason.  On the other hand, if I respect them, they will respect me too for it flows as natural consequence. 

The wisdom in Jesus' Word is there for you to see.  And its examples can be many.  If you want your children to obey and respect you when you grow old and have no strength, then how did you treat your parents?  Also, how do you treat them?  Remember, merely because they're your children, they won't be subject to you forever and the moment they're at an age to rebel, they will.  Keep this maxim closely in your mind and you'll realize that only when you do to others what you want them to do to you, then they will do what you want them to.

Thoughts for another day

November 10, 2011

Today's verse: James 4:17. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Many times, we make excuses for the wrongs we do even as we say we're worshipping the Lord and communing with Him.  At prayer meeting, under the same roof, am I and a person who I'm in strife with and we're both intensely worshipping!  What kind of worship could this be where, two members of the same body are at loggerheads with each other?

When faced with a situation where I've got to dig into my pockets to come up with money to alleviate the intense and urgent need of a fellow brother in the Lord, I make excuses and tell myself, 'it's ok if I don't give, as the people in this congregation will give anyway?'  But what if everyone thinks alike?  In these situations we know what we need to do, but we shy away from doing it because we don't want to do the good we're called to do.  That's why our Scripture tells us, "To us who know to do good, if we don't do that good, then it's a sin."  There's no exception to the rule and all are under it whether you're a priest, a pastor or a bishop or whatever in the church of God.  This gives birth to the sin of omission as termed by the Catholic Church and it still is a sin.

You may remember the story of Lazarus and the rich man Lk. 16:19ff, where we find the rich man in hell.  What sin, are we told was committed by the rich man?  Except that the rich man didn't bother about Lazarus who sat at his gate expecting some crumbs from him, but didn't get any.  That's why, as Jesus mentions, the rich man goes to hell.  Therefore, today if we see a situation where we're needed to do good, let us hearken to it and do the good we're called to do.  It will be a blessing for our souls.

Thoughts for another day

November 8, 2011

Today's verse: 2 Cor. 5:17. Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Jesus said, 'Behold, I make all things new.'  This newness begins the moment He walks into our lives.  There's a dramatic shift in the way we see and perceive things when He is present.  In fact everything, about which Jesus has spoken in His sermon on the mount, seems a possibility when you see it in the light of the Presence of the Lord in you.  He said love and pray for your enemies and truly, it's so much possible to do that, even though you know that your enemy may not have had a change of heart and is still hostile to you.

The newness that Jesus provides is an all pervading newness.  I've had a little experience of this in which I also know that no person is bad: he or she is but a victim of his or her circumstances and experiences and this comes to the fore when he or she is faced with someone of a particular type or some situation.  When Jesus prayed, 'Father forgive them for they know not what they do', the people would have laughed at Him for they of course knew what they were doing!  But did they really? The blindness given by the evil one had engulfed their minds so they couldn't understand what they were doing, but sadly they didn't know it. 

So also when Jesus is with us, we see people the way He does and what do we see?  Miserable creatures with no hope and then forgetting our own situations, we're able to reach out to these people and give them the wonderful news that no matter what others think of them, there is a God who loves them and has given Himself up for them; and thus we're able to win them over.   The newness that comes from Christ makes us a new creation, willing to bend and be humble; and all the old things are wiped away in the flow of the tide of His love in us.

Thoughts for another day

November 8, 2011

Today's verse: 3 Jn. 1:11. Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.  (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

In the whirl of things happening around us and the kind of people and their successes we witness, it's easy to fall to the lure of the world and worship its ways.  For they seem so right, isn't it?  Take for example an unmarried couple discover that their secret togetherness has made the lady pregnant and they go to a counselor who simply says, 'abort it'.  They agree because they don't want the embarrassment or the burden of an 'unwanted' child.  On the other hand if they follow the way of God, you can imagine the trouble they would have to go through, which otherwise they would have dispensed with a small expenditure!

But wait a minute; Scripture says we shouldn't follow evil.  So if we abide by it, we'll never get into a situation that would cause any guilt or pain.  In the life of the above couple, a stage where an abortion is be needed would never arrive, for God would guide their relationship.  Yes, my friend, Scripture is always right and the Holy Spirit, if you're a Scripture abiding person, will always prompt you to what is right before you commit a mistake. 

Goodness has a strange power in itself.  Look around and see the people whom you consider to be good:  they'll never get into uncomfortable situations, whether in the use of the tongue, or an action.  Goodness is the flower of God that must bloom in the heart of every person God created; and He demands it.  For those who allow good to rule their lives, God becomes their rampart; their strong tower and no force of the evil one can attack them for their hearts are not tuned to evil.  It's only when we subject ourselves to evil that it comes to reside in us along with all its demons and our condition can then become pitiable; a state  in which we're not aware of God, or know Him or see Him.  But those who do good, they can rest assured God is with them and will move them out of danger, making their lives a sweet fragrance in His nostrils.

Thoughts for another day

November 7, 2011

Today's verse: Ro. 8:31. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?  (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

When I read this verse, I can't help but think of how blessed is the man who has made God his Stronghold and with whom is God the Father.  Think about it and if you're really able to grasp its significance, you'll learn how not to fear even in the gravest circumstances; and God will help and you'll be safe, even if a tsunami hits. You'll realize you're alive and everyone else is dead.

When God is for you, there can be nothing against you.  Has it occurred that when you spend time with God communing with Him and enjoying His company, even time is on your side for no matter how much time you spend with Him, you still have enough time for yourself.  And then you realize all your problems just vanish, for are they strong enough to stand up to the might of God, Who is more powerful than millions of atom bombs put together?

When your enemies dare strike you, they're filled with such dread they steer clear every time they see you not knowing why.  I've experienced this myself and can truly say that things that affrighted me, melted when God was by my side.  Initially I used to fear many things, but as I communed with God and spent time with Him, I realized the promise of our Word and trusted Him and offered Him every situation of discomfort.  And I'm sure God in turn discomfited the one who made me uncomfortable; how, I don't know and needn't know.  Surely, the One who watches from heaven, if He is on your side will demolish anyone who's against you.  And know this; there is no protection better than God.

Thoughts for another day

November 4, 2011

Today's verse: Ps. 86:12. I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever. (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Praise has to be given to God, unceasing and uninterrupted.  No matter what situation of life we're in, we have to praise God.  It's not matter of choice; it's a matter of our life.  God made us to praise Him and invoke His Name all the time, in any and every situation, so that our lives will be a song of His marvelous ways and a wonderful fragrance of His presence.

Praise to God is something so wonderful that only the heart that praises God, knows it and it's a superb feeling to be engulfed in.  It's both a cleansing and healing process and above all, it makes us aware how big God is, yea, even bigger than our biggest problems, our severest sicknesses, or our biggest enemies.  When the human soul praises God, it tells Him that He is bigger than the insurmountable burden before it and that He can manage that insurmountable situation.  Praise to God reveals knowledge of Him for doesn't He say, 'Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you things great beyond reach of your knowledge?  In praising we sense His bigness and His immense capabilities that can be ours; the same capability by which Moses destroyed the Egyptians; by which David fought Goliath and by which Peter raised Tabitha to life.

Like David, let's lift our hearts today in praise to Him, so tomorrow in heaven's terrain, we will not be out of place when the saints of God and the heavenly host, sing to His honor and praise Him always.

Thoughts for another day

November 3, 2011

Today's verse: Eph. 2:10. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (KJV)

(Pls. read the above before you read further. Thanks)

Look at our above Word carefully.  As I write, powered by the Holy Spirit, I ask myself, do I really do the good works to which I'm His workmanship in Jesus my Lord?  The answer is no; so I again ask myself, am I qualified to write a reflection on this precious Word?  Here it's a 'yes'; surprising but true, because the qualifier of us, sinful and insincere men, is God the Father who created us before the beginning of the world, both you and me, to be in His service and promote His kingdom to the lost and perishing.

Today's Scripture tells us we're His creation, begotten in Christ Jesus to do good work which God wants us to and we should walk in them.  Yea, that's why we're created and that's the principal motive of our lives.  We're here for a purpose and no matter how 'un-purposeful' life may seem because of the rut we've gotten ourselves into, it yet remains that we need to do His work.

Many men don't know the purpose of life and many philosophize that in the whirl of time, we transcend from immaterialism into materialism with a form and a psyche; to live and then meld into the cosmos after their time is over.  This is utter nonsense; philosophy can't explain the working of the mind, no matter how hard it tries.  The key question is, 'Who decides what time you become 'material' and when do you depart?' But by the above philosophy, many are under a delusionary belief that they need only live a good life thus they shut out the exhortation that comes from the pure Word of God, contaminating and separating themselves from the 'Word', they get sullied and wither into oblivion. But God's Word remains, unsullied, pure and bold even today.  So let's hearken to it and do the good that we as His creation in Christ ought to do.