Thoughts for another day

February 29, 2012

Today's verse: Hab. 2:20. But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.  (KJV)

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

The shrill cry of holiness in all its hushed expression is evinced in the temple of the LORD, as His awesome Presence is manifest with sheer power to drown the cacophony of men and instill in them super awe and utmost reverence to the ONE God of the universe, Yahweh by Name, Who dwells in unapproachable brilliant light; whose footstool is the earth and heaven, His throne.  Across ages He is the same, the all radiant and magnificent God for whom there is no impossibility and whose arm stretches across the universe, usually to hold His creation in an embrace of love, but sometimes, even against His avowed will, to destroy, when His justice catches up with the creation of His hand, man, for his countless abominations against Him.

Yet, when I think, I wonder at the love of Him, Who holds the earth as a crucible in His palms, which led His Son, yea, His only begotten Son to die a miserable death on the most vehement instrument of the day, the Cross , a symbol of shame now transformed into 'The symbol of Glory.'  A love which through Him, assigned us the Holy Spirit, the power of the deity, who dwells within our hearts giving us the right to be called 'the temple of the Most High!'  My friend, ignore not this little yet awesome fact of your being that, you are the Temple of God and in you rests His Spirit, urging you to silence and utter worship so you can do the same in the life to come.  And with His power in you, be the catalyst in spreading the knowledge that Jesus is Lord and Savior of the earth so that in Him, they may find rest; as in the rest in the portals of heaven, accorded a place with the angels on high, to behold Him and worship and serve Him forever.

Thoughts for another day

February 28, 2012

Today's verse: Ps. 91:15. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. (KJV)

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Here's what God will do for the man who has set his heart upon Him: He will answer and be with him in trouble; He will deliver him and honor him!  This Psalm is the mighty and true promise of God for all who abide in the shadow of His wings; dwelling in the secret place of the Most High. How can a man dwell in the secret place of God?  Well, by being with Him as He moves around, day and night, feeding on his tears before the Lord; shunning the world as it were, and making God his refuge and His fortress, declaring, 'In God I trust!'  Not by pharisaic pretensions would a man make God his ally, but by striving in His vineyard, perhaps even trampled by His Majesty, yet not giving up, for his hope is vested in the goodness and loving kindness of Him who created the earth and whispered His love into the heart of each man, even before he came to earth.

God will be with the man who raises not his eyes when chosen as the object of His test but calmly accepts everything from Him; Who he knows!  This also the man knows that He is a beautiful God and all that flows out from Him are love and mercy; he knows that God controls all and in time, everything works out for good for people like him who love God and are called according to His purposes.  He understands the beat of God's heart and the pain in His divine face as He watches the children of men revel in the abominations of the world.  The man is able to see the ache etched in Yahweh's heart, yearning for the love of man which He must receive, yet is deprived of.  His heart burns with desire to bring God's kingdom here on earth, setting fire to the world in order to fulfill the living wish of the Messiah,  "I came to bring fire to the earth and how I wish it were already kindled!" Lk, 12:49.  To this man is God forever betrothed and engaged; and this man will God be with and protect forever.  I pray today that you will be, this man, this person.  Amen.

Thoughts for another day

February 27, 2012

Today's verse: Ezek. 20:41. I will accept you with your sweet savour, when I bring you out from the people, and gather you out of the countries wherein ye have been scattered; and I will be sanctified in you before the heathen.  (KJV)

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Israel, as a nation, abandoned God and went their way in committing abominable acts and worshipping idols, contrary to the statutes He had given them on Mount Sinai, which they promised to keep across generations.  So therefore, God after much patience and bearing with them for long, had to exile them from Israel as they blasphemed His holy Being in the sight of the nations who consequently considered Him as nothing!  Despite, His Awesomeness and the fact that He alone is God and the idols of the world mean zero before Him!

However, in time, because of His mercy and love; and His covenant with Abraham and David, God again considered their case.  Through the prophet Ezekiel He told that He would accept them as fragrant incense, a sweet savor to His nose and most delightful to Him - we can infer this from His mandate to Aaron that he should burn fragrant incense before Him, every morning, Ex. 30:7.  Look at the beauty and Grace of our Father who was readily willing to accept as 'fragrant incense', the very people who brought such distaste to Him and even after they desecrated His Holy Being.

So too, today the same message is to us.  We learn that God will bring us out from the world and make us a holy nation bearing His Name.  Though most of us Christians are unaware of the heritage we have in Him, He yet reminds us that we're a people most dear to Him and because we bear the blood of His Son on us, we shall also be lovingly reared up to Him and He will be held holy in us before the nations. Imagine the great privilege we have in our God, in Christ Jesus; and so in utter poverty in heart let us assemble in His court, and pay Him homage the God of our being.

Thoughts for another day

February 24, 2012

Today's verse: 2 Cor. 7:1. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.  (KJV)

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

Today, more than ever, children of God, heirs of salvation, have to echo the cry of holiness upon the earth and live holy lives, for there's no other way they can have the promises of Christ, save they be pure and holy in His sight for He said, 'except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven' Mt. 5:20.  Needless to say, the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees was hypocritical and like white-washed tombs, Mt. 23:27; displaying outer piety while they were murderous and evil on the inside.  Check whether inadvertently, you profess 'pharisaical' righteousness.

The cry for holiness has been ringing loud and clear in my ears for a long time now and I dread to keep it to myself for truly the Day of Judgment is to come soon.  I have to let this cry out so those who hearken to the Word of the Lord and do his bidding, though he be snatched into death, he shall be saved, for he abided by God's Word despite the clamor of the world seeking him do otherwise.  So too are you warned my friend that unless you accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, are holy and your heart is found free of guilt, you shall not climb the mountain of the Lord nor stand in His holy place, Ps. 24:3.

Take this not as something vain nor see yourself holy as human beings deem holiness, lest you fall into the trap of the father of lies, who tells you that you're perfect or that you don't need perfection to be before God; rather stick to this one thing that you need to be holy…yes you need to be holy.  Today, plead to the Spirit of God, Jesus gave us as our Comforter and Advocate, and leave Him not until He give you the Grace to fight the contagion of man and be changed into a new being; to become a new creation and be draped in clean white garments, considered worthy as His bride.  Pray for the world that they too will realize it's time to repent and be transformed. 

Thoughts for another day

February 24, 2012

Today's verse: 2 Cor. 7:1. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.  (KJV)

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

Today, more than ever, children of God, heirs of salvation, have to echo the cry of holiness upon the earth and live holy lives, for there's no other way they can have the promises of Christ, save they be pure and holy in His sight for He said, “I tell you the truth, unless your righteousness is greater than the Pharisees and teachers of religious law, under no circumstances will you enter the Kingdom of Heaven" Mt. 5:20.  Needless to say, the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees was hypocritical and like white-washed tombs, Mt. 23:27; displaying outer piety while they were murderous and evil on the inside.  Check whether inadvertently, you profess 'pharisaical' righteousness.

The cry for holiness has been ringing loud and clear in my ears for a long time now and I dread to keep it to myself for truly the Day of Judgment is to come soon.  I have to let this cry out so those who hearken to the Word of the Lord and do his bidding, though he be snatched into death, he shall be saved, for he abided by God's Word despite the clamor of the world seeking him do otherwise.  So too are you warned my friend that unless you accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, are holy and your heart is found free of guilt, you shall not climb the mountain of the Lord nor stand in His holy place, Ps. 24:3.

Thoughts for another day

February 24, 2012

Today's verse: 2 Cor. 7:1. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.  (KJV)

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

Today, more than ever, children of God, heirs of salvation, have to echo the cry of holiness upon the earth and live holy lives, for there's no other way they can have the promises of Christ, save they be pure and holy in His sight for He said, “I tell you the truth, unless your righteousness is greater than the Pharisees and teachers of religious law, under no circumstances will you enter the Kingdom of Heaven" Mt. 5:20.  Needless to say, the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees was hypocritical and like white-washed tombs, Mt. 23:27; displaying outer piety while they were murderous and evil on the inside.  Check whether inadvertently, you profess 'pharisaical' righteousness.

The cry for holiness has been ringing loud and clear in my ears for a long time now and I dread to keep it to myself for truly the Day of Judgment is to come soon.  I have to let this cry out so those who hearken to the Word of the Lord and do his bidding, though he be snatched into death, he shall be saved, for he abided by God's Word despite the clamor of the world seeking him do otherwise.  So too are you warned my friend that unless you accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, are holy and your heart is found free of guilt, you shall not climb the mountain of the Lord nor stand in His holy place, Ps. 24:3.

Take this not as something vain nor see yourself holy as human beings deem holiness, lest you fall into the trap of the father of lies, who tells you that you're perfect or that you don't need perfection to be before God; rather stick to this one thing that you need to be holy…yes you need to be holy.  Today, plead to the Spirit of God, Jesus gave us as our Comforter and Advocate, and leave Him not until He give you the Grace to fight the contagion of man and be changed into a new being; to become a new creation and be draped in clean white garments, considered worthy as His bride.  Pray for the world that they too will realize it's time to repent and be transformed. 

Thoughts for another day

February 23, 2012

Today's verse: Ps. 14:2,3. The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one. (KJV)

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God looked down on the children of men to see if there were any that understood and sought Him. He found none, for they had all moved from His statutes and become noxious to Him.  Yea, David says in this psalm, He found none who did good!  Surprising isn't it?  God found none, nay not one?

Now, when God does the same, what will He see?  I'm sure the same thing and even more filth. I remember Paul saying, 'all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God' Rom. 3:23.  It's easy for me to write, adopting a 'holier than thou' attitude; but really, before Him, maybe I'm a bigger sinner.  And sadly there're others who profess to be workers in his vineyard, and without being judgmental I'll say, are as sinful as you and I are.  The sad part is very few are aware and acknowledge it and even fewer do something about it.  Perhaps, this reflection comes as an alarm to remind us that it's time we pulled up our socks before God and set about making things right for our souls. 

Remember, the time we have to repent and change and be in His circle of light is now.  It's the only time we have for we don't know when it will end and so I urge you my friends, turn back and return, even like the prodigal son, to our Father in heaven.  Let's place this, our weakness of sinning before Him and beg for His Grace to be holy, so that when it's time to stand before His Throne, we can be confident of His loving arm around us, saying…come my beloved to the Kingdom prepared for you.

Thoughts for another day

February 22, 2012

Today's verse: Ex. 33:14. And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. (KJV)

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God's Presence in our lives is a manifestation of His pleasure that we're living by His statutes and His Grace.  It's difficult to describe His Presence as, how can you describe the air you breathe.  But unlike air, God's Presence is beautiful and it envelopes us completely.  Experiencing His Presence is a Grace He gives us and when we become aware of it, everything is stilled.  There's an inner eruption of joy and a deep sense of inexplicable happiness running right into the marrow of the bones.

When God's Presence is with us, all human emotions vanish.  There's a total numbing of the senses and the being is percolated with confidence and strength.  Failure manifests as a path to success; fear just melts away; tiredness vanishes and any weakness in His Presence is given strength.  And if you're sick, the stricken cells are quickened and healed.  Now ask those who've felt His Presence and they'll tell you how precious it is.  They'll also tell you that only by staying in His code of conduct, will His Presence remain with us.  To have God's Presence, we need to empty ourselves of all 'I' in things and learn to lean on Him for everything.  At the beginning, after you've had your 'aha' experience in Him, His Presence may come to you even as you are, but you learn that His Presence moves away when you want to do your own thing. 

You can feel His Presence in you and also feel when He leaves; yet constantly communicating that you need to come back.  The Presence of God in the midst of His people is an awesome sight, though not visible, it is able to do a lot in the hearts of our enemies and can strike an unknown fear in them.  There's only victory in His Presence and heaven is jubilant when we strive to be in It, seeking His glory in our thoughts, words and deeds.

Thoughts for another day

February 21, 2012

Today's verse: 2 Kings 2:24. And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them. (KJV)

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When we make God our Refuge and Stronghold, we can rest assured He will be there in every situation of life.  He will be there when we walk in consonance with His plan and also when we err and make a detour.  He will be there when things go alright or when life jarrs us so as to stun and defeat us.  There's no time when the Lord will leave us; and He is there even when we don't sense His presence and are in extreme pain.  Jesus promised this when He said, 'I AM with you always, yea, even to the end of age' (Mt. 28:20).

Now God was with His people even before New Testament times, particularly during the prophetic era.  At the time of Elijah and Elisha, we see His awesome presence in both prophets who're zealous for Him and stand in utter loneliness before Him even as the whole of the kingdom has gone astray in worshipping false gods in their despicable ways, even to the extent of burning their children as sacrifice to their obnoxious gods.

Now God's Presence is a potent sign of His being with His people and He avenges the wrongs done to them.  That's why Scripture says we must leave vengeance to the Lord (Pro. 20:22, Ro. 12:19); for He will deliver us in every situation.  Our Word today is a simple, yet, powerful illustration of what God does for those who bear His Name and His prescription.  Elisha was jeered and teased at and it must have been beyond a point which is why he cursed and Scripture says that immediately, two bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of his tormentors.  If God did that for Elisha, He will also repay our enemies appropriately.  In the meantime, we must endure in Him and even pray for our enemies so that we're right in the sight of our Father in heaven. 

Thoughts for another day

February 20, 2012

Today's verse: Ps. 26:8. I love the house where you live, O LORD, the place where your glory dwells. (KJV)

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The abode of the Most Holy God is beautiful.  To men of good will and enmeshed in Him, there're peeks of His glory which simply stuns them into an awe-filled (or in current parlance, 'jaw-dropping' silence.  In this abode, we can enter only and only when our spirits are dulled to the cacophony of the world and soaked in His all encompassing mist, where we know not ourselves; only that He is there and He is right before us and we are yielded to Him.  We inhale His atmosphere into our beings and are filled with His wonder.  Our spirits are lifted up into dimensions we didn't know existed and the impact of this is but, a deep stillness which cries inside – Hallelujah to the Living God, the Only God, the Lord, the King, the Supreme Commander of the universe! The sensation and knowledge is so humungous that there is a total numbing of body and the self. 

Men and women of God who've experienced this, have fallen prostrate before Him and worshipped Him and have even cried out, 'Deep calls to deep…'  They've realized the meaning of 'Be still and know that I AM God!'  They've been transported into the supernal location of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and have, like Moses been filled with awe at the sight of His Being.  Like Peter, James and John, they're frightened and unable to utter sensibilities, for no sensibilities accrue that seem sensible before the abundant glory of the Rock of Ages. Like Mary, the sister of Lazarus, they've understood the worth of sitting at His feet and gazing into His eyes; and not even for a moment considered the cost of anointing Him, even if it did cost a fortune!

When I say, 'I love the house where you live O LORD', I subject myself to behold His awesome glory.  I may have many worries plaguing my mind and I may be inebriated with humanly woes, but like Elijah, I will not, but, cover my face for I cannot even for a moment, uncovered, behold His glory lest I be consumed in such chaste and magnificent light.  Then will I be made whole and I can proclaim, 'I know Him in whom I have put my trust.'  

Thoughts for another day

February 17, 2012

Today's verse: Pro. 3:5, 6. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (KJV)

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In our lives on earth, there're plenty of ups and downs.  Usually I find if you're a God fearing person, there're more downs than ups; it also applies to those who've been given a vision by God for their purpose in life as He has ordained.  Sometimes in this process, there's such trying we go through, that we're simply drained out; and just as you feel the trial is coming to an end, another begins and this could probably be more severe than that before.  At times we don't even know what to do and at other times, we just want to give up. Our Scripture today, aims to correct our thinking.

Initially, we're alright with the trial God sends us.  To each person, the trial is different; A trial that may be severe to me, may not be severe to you as it depends on the position God has put us in our existence here.  As the trial intensifies, we feel a little pain and then as it increases, it pains more and we may feel we're about to break.  So, thinking God will not help us, we do what we feel best in the situation to rid ourselves of the pain.  We give up on God and give in to vain treatments because our faith snaps or what we considered to be faith is really non-existent.

Our Scripture exhorts us to trust in the LORD with all our hearts, even to the end.  We may be at the breaking point in our trouble, really not knowing what to do, but somehow we keep His Word which simply says, 'Ask and you shall receive!'  We know we've asked and hence we will receive.  No matter how much the devil tries to accuse us before God and keep our blessing from us, the sheer doggedness we show in persisting in faith, gives God that lever which can raise us up from our trials and bless us abundantly.  In acknowledging Him, we know He will direct our paths, no matter how narrow they be and He will take us home, where we actually need to be, even if all circumstances at the moment seem to be arrayed against us and our destination.  For there's nothing impossible for God and He will do it for He loves to honor the faith and trust we keep in Him.

Thoughts for another day

February 16, 2012

Today's verse: Jer. 15:16. Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts. (KJV)

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The Word of God:  The mighty potent Word of God is the great delight of the human heart and rightly does Jeremiah say that when He found the Word of God, he did eat them, not really, but that He ingested or shall I say internalized them and he realized that God's Word was to him the joy and rejoicing of his heart.  For every person who is called by His Name, the Name of the LORD God of hosts, relishes the Word of God.

In our troubled and uncertain times today with so much insecurity and trouble, we have only His Word which can make us stand like a rock in the midst of the swirling waters, which the waters cannot shake nor budge.  Yea, my people, God's Word is the impregnable tower of refuge on which we can stand and be confident, for His Word never fails…yea, heaven and earth may collapse and wither but His Words will stand said the King of kings, the Lord of lords, the very God whom Moses and Elijah worshipped. 

He is a mighty God and His Words reflect His might.  In them also we find a path to life where we will find victory if we keep them.  In it we shall be confident and stand steadfast depending on Him to effect every dictate of His Word, no matter how weak we are or how far gone from Him we may be;  for the moment we trust His Word, means we trust Him and we can come back to Him.  Take His Word today to be the Delight of your heart, the Manna for your souls and the Crown of your life.  You will be victorious in The Name by Whom you are called.

Thoughts for another day

February 15, 2012

Today's verse: Is. 64:4. For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him. (KJV)

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Who is as great as our God who does mighty and wonderful things as He does?  He turns the nations asunder and scatters the mountains and hills.  The mountains melt before Him and the seas roar at His approach.  He holds the thunder and lightning in His hands and all creation is in awe of Him, even as He treads the circle of the earth in His Royal Majesty, He, the Emperor of the universe.

He is from everlasting to everlasting the Awesome God on high for whom all things are possible.  You name it as impossible and He displays it possible.  You name it crooked and He straightens it with a whiff of His breath.  In His hallowed Palm is written your name who are His child; His love; His all. Since the beginning of the world none have heard nor perceived anyone else apart from Him who is so mighty and overwhelming.   And none has known what He has prepared for them who wait for Him; even the heavens, yea, even the splendid heavens are the heritage of them who are called His children and we await our time to be with Him, witnessing Him in all His glory, not to ask anything which we say so easily here on earth, 'let me go to heaven and I'll ask Him why…' but to just worship Him, soaking in His beauty and taking in His grand perfume.

Oh, none can mention the glory of Him who is our Father, for words falter and can never see Him in His fullness.  We must, as we sojourn here on earth, only comprehend His Majesty in His Son who died yet showed us in His rising, a glimpse of the splendor of heaven where we must spend eternity with Him; but we must also have our names written in the Book of life which is not ours to write but ours to believe in His Name and receive it as His gift; to be with Him, our God, our Savior and our Beloved.  Indeed, it's a privilege to be a friend of God and be named after His Name.

Thoughts for another day

February 14, 2012

Today's verse: Col. 3:2. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (KJV)

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Being children of God, what're the things playing on our minds?  Are they that pertain to our well being and our needs and our desires alone?  Or, are they also things pertaining to God, for example, our intense desire to serve Him and proclaim His Gospel to the world, or even pray regularly that His work be accomplished?  Do we have room for Him in our mindscape?  Do we desire to see His Kingdom come in its glory on earth?  Are our actions tuned to things of God or are they tuned to our things alone? 

I know many Christians whose only desire in life is to earn money and earn enough of it to live well.  Their lives are dictated by this desire and they work according to it.  They earn money, then they invest it in various things, even in property and such things that count for nothing before God.  The more they earn, the more they want to earn; and they strive harder to do it and in this process joy eludes them and although they put up a façade of happiness, inside their guts are wrenched with worry.  Barely do they remember the Words of Jesus, 'for a man's life consists not in the abundance of the things he possesses Lk. 12:15.  Then there're the others, pseudos I call them, who are smug with the pretense that they're always with God.  Oh, they always talk to people about God and are so re-assuring, but they barely give time to Him, leave alone do His work!

Our Scripture today reminds us that our affinities must belong to things that're above and not things of the earth for they don't gain much for us.  That we need to have money, for a home say, even a good home, food, clothing, etc. God knows, but they shouldn't form the crux of our lives so that our attention is fully on them and God is completely off our radar except for the stingy obligatory stuff we do now and then and on feast days.  Remember, when we do that which pleases God, He adds unto us things we couldn't even believe we could possess, for He to whom we owe our allegiance is also the One who provides exceedingly abundantly, beyond that we can think or imagine.

Thoughts for another day

February 13, 2012

Today's verse: Mt. 5:37. But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil. (KJV)

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Here, in the Word of Jesus, we have a great instruction on how our words should be: firm and unchangeable even in the midst of adversity or altered circumstances.  It leads to what I may say a mind, aware of what's being said!  Which, simply means that when you're aware of what you say, there're good chances you're right and whatever you say stands both for the present and the future.

Our Scripture says that our communication either has to be yes or no; and anything else is from the evil one who, being the father of lies, tells us that our words don’t mean anything unless we swear and so we can say anything and get out of it simply because we feel that it wasn't documented which indirectly means one can escape the actions and effects of one's words.  It causes a serious breach of one's character and repute but the evil one was never too concerned about them, for he isn't too worried about his own standing.

But Jesus knows the importance reputation has in a man; and He is concerned that our reputations do not falter simply because we couldn't keep our word.  Also, our reputations will be sullied when we say yes and mean no or vice versa.  But when we stand for our word then there's respect earned, for it shows how undaunted we're in standing on our word even as situations and circumstances change and it also displays exemplary courage and God is all about that.  Therefore, God tells us that when we say something, let us mean what we say and do fulfill whatever we said so in turn we can also take God's Word as unchangeable and reap the benefits from it even as it remains constant always.

Thoughts for another day

February 10, 2012

Today's verse: 3 Jn. 1:11. Beloved, do not imitate evil, but imitate good. He who does good is of God; he who does evil has not seen (discerned or experienced) God [has enjoyed no vision of Him and does not know Him at all]. (Amplified Bible – copyright acknowledged)

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In God alone is all goodness. When we get to know Him, the first thing to strike us is His goodness.   It demands in us too, a goodness which hitherto we didn't have.  Therefore, then on we must imitate good and not evil for, if we've truly known Him, how can it be that we imitate what's evil for there's no streak of evil in Him, nor can He bear any notion of evil in His Presence.

When we come before God in sincerity and truth, He changes our character and makes us fresh and new.  This newness translates gradually into a notion of goodness and over a period of time, morphs into the nature we wear.  And when we wear this nature, people come to see us as those who're of God and expect this nature in us.  Although we were crude and dirty before we knew Christ, we become like Him after we know Him, for we become His disciples and His disciples cannot own a character opposite to His.

If we look at people who came in touch with the Master, we see the change that came into their lives.  Zacchaeus is a prime example of a changed man after he encountered Jesus.  His nature changed fast; he realized the values of heaven are superior to the wealth of earth which is why he spoke of distributing his wealth and also making up to them he had cheated.  So too must be our own experience of knowing Christ.  What we were in the past doesn't matter to Him; but what we are now, does.  And if we still don't mend our ways, then it's time to sit down and ask ourselves, who is the one we follow?

Thoughts for another day

February 9, 2012

Today's verse: Jer. 1:5a,b. Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, (KJV)

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

Sometimes in discussing things of God, His works and His plans, there're points of confusion.  It's more so when ordinary people discuss with let's say, pastors, priests, preachers and other Ministry gentry who, while living on the fringe of true spirituality, assume a 'know-all' status.  A subject of talk where there's plenty of conflict is, the destiny of man.  I was talking to a person from the above revered class and we spoke on the 'Book of Life'.  I'm clear an entry in the 'Book of Life' is the final destination of man and not his journey, whereas this gentleman opined that everybody's name is written in it, but in the course of life, exercising free-will, he either stays in or moves out of it!  Since this gentleman  is humanly accorded a status higher than me and I didn't want to unnecessarily debate the point with his closed mind, I let it go.  I can understand how difficult my Master found it to knock sense into the scribes, Pharisees and their ilk for they assumed they knew all.

Talking of our Scripture above, I'll say, our destiny was decided even before the foundation of the earth was laid.  You may ask then, what about free-will?  Well, the One who gave us free-will knows what it's going to be for He knows from the beginning to the end, even to every word I'll be writing here!  Yes, He knows the result of our freewill and He scripts our destiny according to our exercising it.  David says, Ps. 139:4, 'Even before a word was in my mouth, You know it all!'  He knows and that's what He tells Jeremiah when He says, 'even before I formed you in the womb, I knew you and before you came to be born, I separated you!'  Separating Jeremiah, for His work, in the office of the prophetic ministry.

The same is the case with us.  Those chosen to work for Him may not know what's happening in their lives at times, but through the events therein, He draws them to Him; to work for Him.  I know one thing:  I may be a far cry from what I should be, to be His worker, but He is able to make me what He wants me to be and through Him, my ministry shall be accomplished.  Amen.

Thoughts for another day

February 8, 2012

Today's verse: 1 Ch. 28:9. “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever. (KJV)

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

Our Scripture today has two important thoughts we must keep in mind about our God and our relationship and interaction with Him. 

One; the Lord searches our heart and understands the motives behind the thoughts that emerge from there.  There's nothing hid before God.  Everything is bare and clear and He can see all that transpires in the deepest recesses of our hearts.  As is the canvas of our hearts, so will be the things that emerge from it, basically, our thoughts.  If we harbor good in our hearts, only good will come out of it.  Good and bad are intrinsic to our being, the core of our existence, and over a period of time, our being is impinged with the disposition surrounding us and it puts on the cape of the nature and character it finds suitable.   This is then displayed in every fiber of our existence and forms our personality.  Our lives are led by it and gradually, people realize this as us and are able to form an opinion.  If deep within, we're good, our nature will be good and we will be known as good people and the opposite, if intrinsically we're bad.   All this is clear before God and we can't fool Him for even a moment for He sees us as we are and He understands if we're devoted to Him even if we don't display our devotion or vice-versa if we say we are devoted, but our hearts are far from Him.

Two, if we seek the Lord, He will be found by us.  The seeking must be internal and sincere and then we'll see and know Him and we can commune with Him and enjoy His Company.  He will keep us under the shadow of His wings and safe in the world, no matter what turbulences occur.  He is too much of a gentleman to put pressure on us to accept Him, yet when we do, He surrounds us with His fragrance and clothes us with His possibility so that we do not find anything impossible in our lives.  He strengthens us in His own way and we find ourselves ready to face any storm, the evil one might send us.  He becomes our rearguard and our stronghold and we need fear nothing.  On the other hand, if we forsake Him, he will reject us forever and mind you, it is extremely dangerous to fall into the hands of the living God.  So decipher the signs you face and seek the Lord.  In the midst of chaos you will find Him and He will stir you to do great things for Him.

Thoughts for another day

February 7, 2012

Today's verse: Is. 12:2. Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. (KJV)

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

Have you ever come to a point when life itself is very distressing?  When you are really hit by the things that happen like a disease or a job loss or dollops of trouble given by either friends, neighbors or even siblings!  Are you just holding on to life by the skin of your teeth, hoping desperately that things will change and you wake up next morning in even more anguish? The things we experience sometimes can really put us at the edge of existence and we struggle to find a way out knowing well there isn't any perceivable way and the only One who could help us is God Almighty.

At this realization, do the Words of our Scripture above, come to mind? And if they do, would you hold on to them and knowingly expect that God will deliver you out of your situation, no matter what it is?  That's the key to victorious living, for in it you find confidence to live full lives no matter what's going wrong.  Holding on to this Scripture is even more laudable when you are at your wits' end wondering how to get through the next day; yet, you stand with your head held high and trust God, against all odds, to pull you through.

Surely mere Words can't give hope to the heart, the skeptics might say, but remember they're not Words spoken by mere men, who can speak but do nothing. They are of God, who says, "heaven and earth will pass away but My Words will never pass away."  They have the solidity you can hold on to when all else is shaky and floundering.  God is in His Word and He will do according to His Word which you are holding on to.  Believe me, it's tough to hold on to God's Word when the ground under you is slipping, but yet, if we try we can, and then His light will shine on us for we have overcome the doubts of the world and trusted Him. So He will be our salvation and we shall not be afraid as He, LORD YAHWEH, is our strength and also our song of joy even in the darkness of the night and He will save us.  

Thoughts for another day

February 6, 2012

Today's verse: Sirach: 37:17, 18. The root of all conduct is the mind; four branches it shoots forth: Good and evil, death and life, their absolute mistress is the tongue. (NAB – copyright acknowledged)

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

The human mind is the fount of all thought and through it, action. Therefore the mind of a man determines the things that make him what he is.  A mind, rooted in the Spirit is bothered about the things of the Spirit, whereas a mind, rooted in the sinful things of the world is headed toward death as it is hostile to God and does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so, hence it doesn't adhere to God who is life!

The mind is the seat of the deepest things of a man and the repository of all he is.  For example if a man is good intrinsically, his mind manifests this clearly and establishes him as being good even as it directs all good things: out of his mind come good thoughts triggering good actions.  On the contrary an evil mind brings forth vile things and so vile actions by the man who possesses it.

Our Word today says that the root of all conduct is the mind and a mind fortified with God's Word is equipped to handle things of God, which are prayer, proclamation and healing among many other things God asks us to handle as His children.  Good and evil both proceed from the mind and thus, death and life.  The mind is able through its stimulus, to encourage a man to be good or evil and so on.  The clearest sign of what is in the mind is what it does with the tongue which is the mistress of all the four traits in a man viz. death and life, good and evil.  Just as a ship's rudder though tiny, controls the huge ship; so the tongue, though small, controls the man.  Now the tongue is fed with stimuli from the mind and therefore the tongue is an indirect reflection of the state of the mind.  If this be so, let us then steer the mind toward God and pile it with His Word, so that in time the mind will be for God, ruled by God and worked by God to direct all things pleasing to Him.

Thoughts for another day

February 3, 2012

Today's verse: Job 19:25. For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: (KJV)

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

There is one thing you can be absolutely sure of; whether the world remains or not or whether the sun rises tomorrow or doesn't, God will always be there.  Just as at the beginning He stood upon the heavens, His place of abode, so He shall be forever and ever; and our Scripture says that He shall stand upon the earth; for He reigns forever and ever and His dominion is everlasting.

I'm only too glad that the God of my life is also the God of my future.  Besides, He is the One who purchased me from the clutches of the evil one for I was a slave to sin.  He has redeemed and kept me for His own sake so that I can be His body, His bride in the age to come so together we spend time in ardent communion.  As finite human beings, we can't understand this but the communion we have with God is an absolute union where we're completely miscible in Him so much so that we aren't; and only He is!  He gives us His identity and His form and we cannot be separated at all, no, neither depth nor height, nor death nor life, nor angels or principalities, neither the present nor the things to come can separate us from Him!

Such is the union between God and us, and it will be forever.  The best part is, He is our Advocate who is for us, both as Redeemer and Lover and He will stand on our behalf, though the winds of strife blow through our hearts making us even a little cold toward Him.  My confidence is that, once betrothed to Him, He will always be ours and will accept us at that critical hour as His and the blocks to heaven will come crashing down even as we go to sojourn in the Mansion of our Lord and God.

Thoughts for another day

February 2, 2012

Today's verse: Rev. 4:11. Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. (KJV)

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

Even before the heavens and earth were created, God WAS and that's why as an attestation of His eternal being, He tells Moses that His Name is, "I AM THAT I AM."   And His glory has no bounds for He is of immense glory for what can you say about the glory of the One who created the sun and stars in all their brilliance and magnificence?  What can you say about the awesome wisdom of Him who set the earth on its foundations and things in order so that day alternates night and the seasons follow one another with top precision?  Even human language falls short in proper exaltation of the God of heaven and earth.

God's creation is simply beautiful and mind blowing in every little aspect, whether it be the grass of the field or the majestic flight of the eagle, high in the sky.  From one end of the earth to the other is seen and felt the glory of the One God, the Creator and Emperor of the universe, Who is so great that greatness itself attains its stature because of God.  His holiness is such that everything else, whether on earth or heaven, whether of spirit or flesh or whatever else there is, is simply dirt before Him and cannot approach Him for the sheer brilliance of His Holiness will consume it; you may recall the event when God gave the Israelites the ten commandments and just before that He tells Moses, "Go down and warn the people so they don't force their way through to see the LORD and many of them perish." Ex. 19:21. Perish?  Yes, for even the unseen Presence of God is a consuming fire and can destroy in split seconds like what's possible with the jolt of a million volts of electricity (assuming of course that electricity of a million volts were possible!)

Who else but our God is worthy of all glory and honor and power for isn't He, the Creator of all things, simply unimaginable in power and wisdom and didn't He create all things for the sake of His pleasure.  As His faithful children, we must remember that all things are of Him, by Him and for Him.  We must leave our own little pursuits of vanity and meld into His being so that everything that is ours will find its fulfillment in His will, such that all things we do will be for eternal life with Him.

Thoughts for another day

February 1, 2012

Today's verse: Rom. 2:1. Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. (KJV)

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

There're some sins which seem so innocuous when we commit them, that we hardly realize we're sinning.  Among these are the sins of omission for example like let's say we're in a position to help but turn the other way round when asked for it; as we suppose the rich man did in the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, Lk. 16:19ff.  And today, we have in our Scripture, the warning of a great sin which is dangerous for our souls, which is, the sin of judgment. 

We hardly realize we're committing this sin when we do, and even if we do, we don't bother for we feel, how can we hurt the person we're judging?  But by judging others we're destroying their character which is perhaps more dangerous than physically hurting them.  Judging others brings upon us the same measure of judgment from God and let me tell you, even Jesus Christ to whom has been given the authority for all judgment (Jn. 5:22) doesn't judge( Jn. 8:15).  So if God Himself doesn't judge us, who're we to judge anyone.  But aren't we all guilty of this sin, me first, that too? 

At some time or other we pass judgment on others thinking we're too righteous and fit to do that.  It reminds me of that episode where they bring a woman 'caught in the very act of adultery' (Jn. 8:3ff) and present her before the Lord, asking for His opinion, in a way seeking to trap Him at something they could accuse Him of, later.  But Jesus turns the tables on them and puts them a poser that indeed they're forced to look internally at their own dirty souls before condemning the woman.  After they leave one by one, beginning with the oldest, Jesus tells the woman that He too doesn't condemn her, mind you, He was the only One who could do that for He had no sin in Him.  Today the poser that Jesus gave them is also for us: Go judge anyone only if you have no sin in you!  I tell you, I must look seriously at this very stringent punishment reserved for the 'judges' of men and strive to avoid judging completely, lest I too be judged, by the same gauge, that I did, others.