Thoughts for another day

April 30, 2012

Today's verse: Eccl. 3:1. To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: (KJV)

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

God's world is an orderly world in which everything runs according to the infinite wisdom God has invested in it.  And within this world order we know there's the factor of time, an all-important factor that determines every act of God on the world; i.e. anything that has to happen, happens at that time.  Look at your life on a normal day: when it's morning you awake and then go to work.  In the night you sleep and wake up again in the morning.  This cycle continues unceasingly, unless of course something special happens on a particular day and you don't engage in it.  Again, every year, unless you're born in a leap year, you celebrate your birthday and other anniversaries. So we realize everything happens according to time and also that it's this time that determines our state in life.

Time is governed by the seasons God provides; for example, between two summers, is a year and so on.  God's work is established according to seasons and man's growth is also according to seasons like for e.g. 12 seasons in one's life and one moves into adolescence and 18 seasons means one is quite ready for marriage and shouldering responsibility.  Man, as you see, works according to the dictates of time being governed by it.  By far the best news for us is, God lives outside of time and is in complete control of it.  While He has allotted a time for every action and phase of man, He is in control and He brings about situations in a man's life according to the time he moves into.

Our Scripture says, everything happens according to the time God created and every purpose under heaven occurs according to His time.  Therefore, it's good to understand that we must be attuned to time for only then we fall in line with God's will and inherit His blessings.  But while that's so, we must remember that God is the LORD of time and He can change things to suit His fancy and help His servants, humans.  Therefore, we see that at the wedding at Cana, Jesus, although His time hadn't come, works that wonderful miracle and I know He does it for He is sympathetic to the cause of the couple getting married.  So too let's remember that although God has made time as the determinant of purpose in our lives, we're still not to be overly awed by it for in serving God, sometimes we can be above time as He is even as God extends His hands and makes things favorable, even though it wasn't time for it, yet; for after all, He is the Master of time, isn't He?

Thoughts for another day

April 27, 2012

Today's verse: Ps. 78:65,66. Then the Lord awaked as one out of sleep, and like a mighty man that shouteth by reason of wine. And he smote his enemies in the hinder parts: he put them to a perpetual reproach.  (KJV)

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

People of the Kingdom of God suffer needless pain at times because of being linked to God.  In the early days of Christianity, even when Christians were heaped with scorn and other taunts, they did not as much as lift their voice or even touch anyone although they very well could, for they too were endowed with strength and wisdom.  

Peter says, 'But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;' 1 Pet. 3:14. Through the years, this Christian trait has perhaps worn of; but it must remain at the heart of every Christian, for that is God's way.  Jesus established it when He pushed vengeance out of the lives of His people for He knew men had used it to extract revenge (and even more than they had to), when He postulated, 'If one were to hit you on the right cheek, turn to him the left too!'  He said this as it is a Kingdom value and all citizens of the Kingdom need to abide by it so they can be legitimate children.  But don't even think for a moment that what your enemy did is condoned by God.  Not at all, it's just that you left vengeance to Him as He asked you and this you did even when your eyes were suffused with tears and pain tore your heart.  He understood your condition and He loved you for that and He will extract vengeance for you.

Then, what do you think God will do?  Here our Scripture becomes real for our day:  Soon the Lord will 'wake-up as out of sleep…' and He will destroy the enemies of His children.   He will burn them to cinder and cast them into the fire as chaff to burn miserably and vanish.  And don't you think God can't do that. He will, for He said in His Word to leave vengeance to Him.  God's vengeance, though slow to come, is terrible, one that we could never extract.  So when we're to leave vengeance to Him, however strongly we feel we must do something to take revenge ourselves, learn this lesson that God can and will do it for you.  Just leave it to Him.

Thoughts for another day

April 26, 2012

Today's verse: Pro. 30:7,8. Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:  (KJV)

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

In Proverbs apart from the many wonderful  nuggets of wisdom we're fed with, we also have the above as words of Agur, the son of Jakeh (we don't know who he is except that one can infer he was a prominent man, or how else would, what he said, be in the Bible?).  Our above Scripture was flagged out to me when reading a book on Prayer by Alan Redpath who writes on the wonderful prayer the Lord taught His disciples and us, 'The Our Father.'

In the book I saw, the sufficiency and economics of prayer excellently postulated by the author and this verse is an indicator of what one should pray for.  It struck me much so it became our Scripture for today.  Agur prays to the Lord saying he requires two things of Him.  The first is to remove all vanity and lies.  This, to ensure God isn't just a symbol of good feeling to whom I reach once in a while refusing to acknowledge Him as Someone Great and Awesome, for in my pride I see only myself as great; and so begin my lies and meaningless self exaltation.  So it's best to be without vanity and lies, for then God is real and becomes one's sufficiency.

The second thing Agur prays for is God give neither poverty nor riches and feed food that's convenient.  Why? Verse 9 explains it beautifully, 'Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.'  Don't you find this prayer wonderful?  I believe it should be ours too for it is fit and right before the Almighty. It expresses the desire to be dependent on Him in every situation, both good and bad.  It teaches that we needn't only seek good from God but also the not-so-good for then our feet will stay firmly planted on the ground, unyielding when the winds of sin blow around.  My friend suffice it to say but that the Word of God comes to our help in praying when we run out of words or thoughts to pray; and diligently seeking them will make us sweet to God and His love will flow to us, immeasurably.

Thoughts for another day

April 25, 2012

Today's verse: Ps. 34:19. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.  (KJV)

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

The Creator of all mankind has a big affinity for those who, having exercised their free will, take recourse to Him who is their Creator and lean toward Him.  He delights in them that love His laws and walk in them and they're the apple of His eye, whom He keeps under the shadow of His wings. 

The Lord's eyes roam all over the earth to seek and encourage those who're devoted to Him wholeheartedly.  His justice reaches out to them who're just, to keep them out of any trouble and free them from oppression and any other malady that the unjust may seek to bind them with.  The Presence of the Lord goes with men of goodwill when they seek to do His will on earth and live a life of harmony and peace with others.  God's love, though remaining with all mankind, is particularly the strength of those who commune with Him; His power is manifest in their lives.

Oh His awesome power is with those who trust Him and always are with Him.  His heart is filled with gladness when we say, 'Magnify the Lord with me and exalt His holy Name, for I sought the Lord and He answered me' and we do this even when we're almost bent over with the weight of our affliction.  It's as if, God were pointing us out to His host and even to the enemy saying, 'look there is My servant, bent with affliction, yet praising Me.'   How wonderful I think it is for the man of whom God says this and so today I look at my afflictions and my pain and say – Oh, Lord, You are so good and You have delivered me out of all my pain.  I shall praise Your Name in the assembly and I shall prostrate to You before the nations and I shall glorify You among the peoples.  For You alone are my Rest and I'll never find, never find, never find rest, until I find my rest in You. 

Thoughts for another day

April 24, 2012

Today's verse: James 2:22. Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?  (KJV)

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

There's a great deal of discord between certain denominations of Christians about faith and works.  Some believe faith is the only ingredient that leads to salvation, while the other maintains, without impinging on the importance of faith, that works are more important.  Of course both groups take support for their arguments from the Word of God, using certain Scripture to reinforce their beliefs.

While it's altogether another thing that Christians shouldn't disagree on doctrinal issues, they yet do and the sooner they're illumined and cleared, the better it is. To that end our Scripture today makes a great contribution when it says that Abraham's faith was wrought with works and thus was made perfect.   Now, without getting into anything that'll provide fodder for protagonists or antagonists of one or the other view, I'd like to state that it's important for a Christian to know the God he serves for in that process he'll meet face to face with many truths.  One great truth for me is, when you're close to God and believe He reigns in your life, you work and act in a manner pleasing to Him.

Further, I'll say that undoubtedly faith in God is prima facie required to dialog with Him and learn from Him.  Once you have this faith in Him, then your work and your words will always be congruent with His ways.  For me faith is very important; for if I don't have faith, I cannot even talk the smallest thing about Him as that would amount to hot air.  The Bible clearly says, 'he that comes to God must believe that He is…'  If I don't believe then whatever I do isn't for God and could be for other reasons even though I may mouth that it is for God.  When you believe in God you automatically think, your language becomes better and your mannerisms become more like Jesus.  The propensity to be kind will take root in you and your intent will be to please God rather than man and so on.  So therefore I firmly believe that faith in God has to be accompanied by works, or else one may need to check what kind of faith he has.  And similarly, you may do all works but if you lack faith in God, it is to no avail.

Thoughts for another day

April 23, 2012

Today's verse: Ex. 14:14. The Lord Himself will fight for you; you have to only keep still.  (KJV)

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

There's a profound connection between stillness and God.  I see that every time there's an issue of discord or disturbance, and one holds on to one's peace, then God works.  That is the assurance of our Scripture today which hits you in the eye when you understand its significance because it is so real and powerful.  It worked at the time of Moses in the awesome partition of the Red Sea and its bound to work in our lives when we are at sea, so to say.

Men of God who did mighty things never panicked as their confidence in God made them see something that others didn't and that something was the humungous power of God which is always there waiting to be used by a genuine man of God.  Take Elisha for instance: When the king of Aram sent a mighty contingent to destroy him, they surrounded the city and in panic did Elisha's attendant tell him about it. But Elisha was unmoved; for he saw the mountainside filled with horses and fiery chariots from God to defend him!  Elisha we might say, saw how God could preserve him in all situations and God honored that confidence and thereby the stillness Elisha showed. 

About Jesus, well what can be said; not forgetting that though God, He was completely man yet fully in God and seeing what God saw, particularly in that episode where there was a storm at sea and the disciples were filled with terror when they realized they could drown. What was intriguing was that Jesus was sleeping calmly!  Why and how could Jesus sleep with such calm? Because, He trusted God fully.  Check in your life if you're petrified about something and just unable to relax.  Check then your faith in God.  Better still learn to be calm; be still without fear for God's power is above every fear and can and will deliver you from every situation…always.  Just trust.

Thoughts for another day

April 20, 2012

Today's verse: Acts 24:16. And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men. (KJV)

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

These Words of Paul in our Scripture today tell us something we ought to be aware of at all times.  Right now as I am writing this and you're reading it, we must agree that this Word of our reflection is correct even if we're in any arrears concerning it, because it is God's way.  And that it's right is also deduced from what is written about Jesus in Lk. 2:52, 'And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and man.'  If this is how it was with Jesus, then we as His disciples must also be similar, as was Paul, who made the above bold statement before Felix the governor. 

Christian living must be embellished by being right before both, God and man: as some would say, adhere to the vertical and horizontal dimensions - the Cross has both arms, vertical and horizontal.  Jesus left us a wonderful example of this aspect of life as He Himself lived it.  Jesus asks us to live the life He lived and gives us the Grace to live that way.  We may have various problems that seek to make us move away from this kind of living, but we must entrust ourselves to our Divine Master and putting ourselves in His hands, look forward to right living before Him and man.

Today you and I may not be doing this but there's nothing to worry because He is there.  We must only submit to Him and express the desire that we want to live the way He did and slowly but surely His abundant Grace will help us to transform and people will learn that there's something different about us and they'll notice the character of Jesus in us and consequently praise Him.   To us it would be wonderful and to Him it will be the fruit of His love in us.

Thoughts for another day

April 19, 2012

Today's verse: Job 37:23.  The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress. (KJV)

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

The sins I commit, do they deserve a fitting punishment from God?  Consider this before answering; Adam sinned; his sin was disobedience to God; doing something He asked him not to.  Let's take an example of a child and his father; the father tells the child to not do something and that if he did it, he wouldn't be given dinner; yet the child does it.  Should the father punish the child?  Depends on the father you might say and that's exactly what we're on to here.  If the father is like God for whom a 'yes' means 'yes' and a 'no' means 'no' then although he loves the child, he would still punish, for he has to keep his word.

This brings us to the great subject of God's 'justice'.  Our God is a just God, He both rewards and punishes simply because He is just.  His nature or Who He is, demands that He provide justice, both for good and bad.  He has framed the rules and He abides by them; and all His creation except man, also abide by them.  This is because He is a God of order and within the framework of order, there can be no vacillation or confusion. 

Nevertheless, as our Scripture says, in His justice and righteousness, He does not oppress and this hints at how beautiful God is.  Consider this, justice demanded we die for our sins, but God met the needs of justice in His Son, who died for us, so we live; and what a death Jesus was subject to just so that we'll never have to go through such agony.   When we consider the depth of God's heart we see but love in it for us and we note that God subjects His justice to His mercy and His mercy comes flowing even before His gavel of justice falls on us.  Such is the extent of His love that even before we can smell the punishment for the sins we commit; He spreads His fragrance of mercy on us.  And it's so great a privilege for you and me to serve such a wonderful God.  Amen.

Thoughts for another day

April 18, 2012

Today's verse: Jer. 23:24.  Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the LORD. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the LORD. (KJV)

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

Who do you think the Lord is?  If this question were asked of any person who is a nominal Christian, he would not be able to give that description of the LORD God which is so wonderful for how many Christians today really know the glory of the Lord or have even entered the space about Him?  We are all assuming things by mere extension of human knowledge for we have really not been communing with Him or abiding with Him to know the depth that is His.

But our verse gives just a small glimpse into the Wonder that is our God: An Omnipresent and Awesome God who fills heaven and earth and whose knowledge spans the entire creation so much so that right at this time, He is aware of the outing of a little butterfly, who's twisted its little wings and is in pain.  He is aware of you and knows what's ailing you and He is looking that you will turn to Him for succor and relief.

If anybody thinks he can hide himself from God, he is only kidding himself, for there's nothing that can escape the Almighty's radar.  Initially it used to bother me, because I thought to myself: God can see me even when I sin, which for me was bad; but today when I know that God's eyes are upon me, I'm glad He knows about me and if I need help, He's around to help; that is a very comforting thought knowing He is there and He will help.  Even if I sin, I know He will forgive and give me the strength to not sin further.  Thank God He fills heaven and earth for what could we do without Him?

Thoughts for another day

April 17, 2012

Today's verse: 1 Thess. 4:3.  For this is the will of God, that you should be consecrated (separated and set apart for pure and holy living): that you should abstain and shrink from all sexual vice, (Amplified Bible – copyright acknowledged)

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

The Bible reveals certain facets of God's will for us.  Today, in our Scripture we have one such and it speaks of 'holiness', which we must possess.   God desires we be holy viz. be separated and set apart for pure and righteous living.  But, if you choose to walk on the narrow path, you'll find the going tough for the moment you decide to walk blameless before God, you'll be inundated with temptations.   I know at these times to remain straight, is virtually impossible and even though God's Grace flows, it's tough to be pure, not that God's Grace lacks in anything from keeping us pure but our senses are still tuned to the world and therefore we're unable to use His Grace to gain perfection.

Both men and women are subjected to one sin that Paul says, affects us in the body whereas all other sins are outside of the body; and that sin is sexual immorality and it's severe because Paul says our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit.  In our ungainly manner, we breed and harbor the sin of immorality and are dunked by it realizing too late that it's literally impossible to come out of it. 

I've realized one thing and that is, sexual immorality is a vicious disease and it seems so pleasurable.  Indulgence is 'oh-so-good' but the moment the wily escapades we indulge in are brought before the world, we don't know where to hide. Besides, sexual immorality is not the exclusive domain of the ungodly, but also much prevalent among regular church goers and readers and doers of God's Word.  It's only by His Spirit that it doesn't affect us and I must particularly confess this in my own life and say that God's Spirit has been good to me in this context.  I pray that you dear reader will also be helped by His Spirit to shun this evil and be consecrated before God so that in due time, He will recognize and know you and be your God and this is far deeper than you may comprehend, but by His Grace you will understand what it means to be known by God.

Thoughts for another day

April 16, 2012

Today's verse: Gen. 15:12.  And when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and, lo, an horror of great darkness fell upon him. (KJV)

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

Many of us have read this Word and glossed over it because we might have hardly seen its depth and contextual applicability in our lives.  This verse is at the verge of God's major covenant with Abraham, a covenant with benefits to his descendents presupposing that he would become a father even at that ripe old age and that he would have numerous descendents, descended from him!

The thing to notice in the verse is 1. Abraham is caught in a deep sleep (which one would assume is not normal) and 2. A horror of great darkness fell upon him.  Here's where we can draw extensions for our lives in that when the darkness is great and fear takes hold of us, then if we trust the Lord and His Word, God sends forth His power to accomplish that impossible thing in us.  The sleep that's mentioned of is the atmosphere wherein the darkness becomes real, that is, when we're being tried, an atmosphere is present which we think is created by us, but actually by God whereby the terrifying darkness comes; for were Abraham not asleep, would he be frightened of any darkness?  Or if that atmosphere weren't present, e.g. loss of a job, would the situation have looked so grim? When we're under trail, let us keep in mind that God will never allow us a trial (or temptation if you like) which is too hard for us to bear and with every trial He gives us Grace so we can be uplifted and not be bent with it (1 Cor. 10:13). 

Through our Scripture today, I want to re-assure you that in the night of bitter trial when the whole of it is simply horrifying, don't worry but hold His Word in your heart and sure enough you'll see that God's hand is raised in your favor.  Remember, Jesus too had a harrowingly dark  time in the Garden of Gethsemane, but eventually, it meant an awesomely joyous future for mankind.  Just trust the Lord in your darkness and you will walk away unscathed.

Thoughts for another day

April 13, 2012

Today's verse: 2 Cor. 6:16. for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (KJV)

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

When you see what's going on in the world and the total degeneration of humans, you sometimes are gripped by the notion that the value of the human being is zero. That goes for some big names in the world, whether they be rulers or a famous names, etc.  We've seen what happened to Muammar Gadaffi , Whitney Houston and the like and we know they had lived great lives; but when they died, they died miserably.  So the thought jerks us from our stupor to think there's no value to life and everything is in vain.

But before we conclude and etch it on stone, let's look at our Word today and see the glorious exaltation God gives us:  We are the temple where He chooses to dwell – imagine that, the highest, dwelling in the lowest!  Then again, God re-affirms it saying, 'I will dwell in them and walk in them and I will be their God and they shall be my people!  What a statement of pride for every human being who is a creation of God that He Himself, the Mighty Wonder of the universe will come and dwell in us, who're mere vessels of clay. 

The life one leads in God is completely different and in it there's joy, happiness and contentment.  It's wholesome and cherish-able.  I'm not saying that you'll not have problems and the like, but they'll be surrendered to God who can handle any problem presented to Him and find a solution to even an unsolvable problem as He knows no impossibility!  Yes, Jesus came and demonstrated this, even through His Words and His actions, particularly the miracles He worked which astounded and confounded the best of brains in those days.  So too today, as we look ahead, I must exhort you to remember that the God of the universe is dwelling in us and walking in us and He is our God and we are His people and all is right in His Presence.

Thoughts for another day

April 12, 2012

Today's verse: Mk. 4:28. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. (KJV)

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

There's this lady who was suddenly presented with a host of problems, the worst being that she was left to fend for herself with a little daughter after her husband expired. She soon realized that the life she'd lived with her husband wasn't only bad when he was alive, as he beat her constantly, but in his death too he hadn't spared her misery.  There were so many loans; the house in which she lived had a mortgage with the monthly installments beyond her reach.  There was money owed to almost everyone and so on.  Then of course she had her little girl and the prospect of facing life seemed pretty frightening.  To compound matters, she had been off from work for a long time and lacked experience with the new developments in her field of work. What was she to do? 

Somehow she held on to God and relied on Him completely.  She went about matters doing this and that, sometimes not even knowing what she was doing.   It was like walking down a dark alley not knowing what would happen next.  As I look at our Scripture today, I'm reminded of the farmer who plants seed but looks up to the sky as he does.  You and I may not realize, but it's akin to walking up the dark alley not knowing how it will be.  Will it rain; will the crop be bountiful?  Will there be a good harvest?  So many questions but then if you see a farmer, you'll note he doesn't worry much about these things for at the back of his mind he knows God is there to look after all these things and he just has to do his bit in the best way possible.

Coming back to the lady, it has been a while since her dark situation.  Today, she has a small debt free house.  Her girl has grown up wonderfully and they live a life which many with all resources hardly live.  Her job is difficult and she still struggles with finances and her own emotions, but yet is confident; just like the farmer as he knows that by God's Grace, the earth brings forth the new plant from the seed and his land is filled with corn in no time.  He then goes and falls on his knees and thanks God.  My friend, you and I have our problems, but let us remember that God is above them.  Sometimes we don't see His hand at all but it doesn't mean He isn't there.  He is and He is watching and so if your heart is heavy with failure and there seems to be no light at the end of your tunnel, fret not for God is there and let me tell you, He will work things out for you.  Hold on.

Thoughts for another day

April 11, 2012

Today's verse: Ezek. 16:63. That thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame, when I am pacified toward thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord GOD. (KJV)

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

Now look at our Word above and be quelled in your hearts for the work the Lord God is doing for you and me my friend; for when we offend Him the most, He is in the business of prospering us!  He says, 'be confounded and utterly silenced in shame when I AM pacified toward you for all that you have done!'  Yea, meaning, no matter how much we've troubled Him and sullied His magnificent Name, He still is with you and me.

I can't but sit up and take notice that many times in the past when I've done some evil by which I've really hurt Him, He goes and blesses me more that day.  Once I remember, when in remorse I sat before Him on an occasion when I had really offended Him, He granted me such anointing that I was gripped in its wake and I cried and cried and begged Him to please forgive me…and you know what; I knew He had not only forgiven but lifted me up in His joyous glory.

How gracious and beautiful is our God who understands us so much and is always ready to pardon our every offense.  Jesus is forever poised to wash our sins clean with His precious blood and make us as white as snow and to think, we destroyed Him who came to save us!  If you're ever privileged to enter in His realm and commune with Him, you'll realize how great and glorious and fantastic He is.  I can feel the joy of that woman who anointed His feet and live her every emotion as His love flowed into her making her eyes gush forth tears of cleansing!  I know today that He will defend me too when my accuser accuses me and He will hold me in the hollow of His hand safeguarding me from all evil and disaster till I reach where He is to rejoice and glory in Him.  Isn't it the same for you?

Thoughts for another day

April 10, 2012

Today's verse: Ps. 121:1, 2. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the LORD, which made heaven and earth.  (KJV)

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

There're hints in the Bible as to what to do, when in difficulty.  Our Scripture verse today suggests one such thing and that is to look up, for which the psalmist draws the picture of hills.  Looking up and of course beyond, with eyes of faith, enables one to see the Lord God of hosts Who created heaven and earth and His grandeur and might before which our difficulty is trivial.

This psalm is not for the psalmist as much as God has designed it for us today; telling us to look to Him for anything that ails or vexes us.  God always has a solution for those who look up to Him for He can't go against His nature of helping His children when they're in pain or at the crossroads and unable to decide where to go.  God who made the heaven and the earth certainly knows that we're going to have some kind of trouble or other as we live on earth because of the tug of war between the evil and the good in us.  The evil is not easily subdued by our good and is bound to create trouble in our lives. But when we hand this situation into God's hand, we can rest assured that though there may be trouble, we will conquer when we're unafraid after surrendering to Him, because Jesus has overcome the world.

To you and me this must be as real for Jesus is real and to appropriate His promises we must see Him as real and His Word as living and true.  And then even if we have many turmoils in our lives, if everything seems to be against us and all over we see darkness, yet we will stand victorious for when we look up to the hills, we shall see our help coming and we shall live to praise Him, even as He comes on the clouds of heaven.

Thoughts for another day

April 9, 2012

Today's verse: 1 Pet. 1:3. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (KJV)

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

We know that in His resurrection, Jesus has lead us to hope and this from God, the Father of lights, so we can cherish it in our hearts unto eternal life. This is because of His abundant mercy that's like a swollen river reaching out and filling us, so at no point in time in our lives need we be ever downcast thinking our God has deserted us or given up on us; for He will never do it rather, to everyone who diligently seeks Him, He shall be found even as they seek Him with their heart.

Through the sufferings of Jesus, God gave us a clear example on the need to be subject to His will for it doesn't lead us to condemnation, but life.  In obeying His will, we see the evergreen fruit of His awesome desire for us which never withers or wanes for He is a God of eternal love and He holds us saying, 'I have loved you with an everlasting love'. This isn't because of what we did but because of Who He is.  And truly if we're able to understand His nature, we'll only find love in it.  His entire work of creating us is but a display of His love and in redeeming us He showed the proof of that love and this, even when we were seeped in sin and totally unworthy.

Today, we can look up to heaven and expect His Grace to flow, despite us not being eligible to look up.  It's because our God is such a wonderful God and we who've observed the Lenten period of repentance, have probably on the way, discovered our awesome Savior and seen that He cares so much for us that He didn't reckon the glory of heaven not to be left behind, but came to us, shorn of that glory and died a shocking and shameful death at the hands of the most vile and heinous persons of that time on earth.  When we need to see God's love, suffice it for us to look at the Cross and see on it our Savior who died to bridge the chasm between us mere vessels of clay, and His Father – the Awesome and glorious Emperor of the universe.

Thoughts for another day

April 6, 2012

Today's verse: Lk. 23:46. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. (KJV)

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

What does it mean to know that God came down, becoming frail man to redeem His creature - man, who's always rebelling against Him.  What does it signify that He lived among men, enduring their ways of life, their suffering, labor and tiredness.  What does it tell us when we see a God so beautiful that He came to share His divinity with a fallen human race and tell them that they need no longer have to worry to go into heaven for the road has been repaired and the path has been mended!

When we see our Scripture above, we remember Jesus Christ who came down not because God wanted to know what it was like to be man, but that He may save us who had fallen from His Grace and were surely doomed to die.  He came so we may be restored and able to live the lives He has always wanted us to live. The best part is, He never grasped the highest attention or glory, that He richly deserved, to assert that He was God rather I believe Jesus was humility personified and He carried with Him a persona that belied His glorious stature which is why the lowest of the low could imagine to converse with Him or for that matter, even touch Him.

I can envision Jesus on the Cross, signifying the terrible crime He had committed that He could be hanged on a tree – the crime of becoming man to restore fallen humanity.  I can feel the pain and anguish not only from the scourging, the nailing or other pain ridden affliction, but also from the way He was treated, like an ordinary criminal, someone to do away with.  Yet, Jesus bore the shame and being very tired and gasping for breath, he cried: Father into Your hands I commend My Spirit.  He knew His Father would never fail and He could hope in Him.  So today as you go through your own potholes of life where people insult and scorn you, there's hope for before you, went your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and He has shown that you can hope in Him.  Let us too, cry to our Father, commending our spirits to Him and leave Him be the guide and leader of our lives.

Thoughts for another day

April 5, 2012

Today's verse: Mk. 14:22-24. And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. (KJV)

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

Millions of Christians around the globe observe today as Maundy/Holy/Great/Covenant Thursday by recalling the wonderful sacrifice of the Lord and the Last Supper on the night before He was offered as the Lamb of God.  Looking at our Scripture, let's go back to that moment when Christ sat with His disciples in the upper room, His heart heavy with grief for He knew the immense suffering He would go through shortly.  In that moment of sorrow, He looked at them; He knew that though they were with Him now, in a few hours they would run away, deserting Him.  It filled His heart with sorrow, but it didn't come in the way of His love for them for He understood their nature as He Himself was 100% human and He took bread and gave thanks; committing to them His eternal Word, 'Take eat, this My body!'  Then He passed it around and they ate.

They hardly understand the significance of that offering as their minds had erased the memory of His Word, 'I AM the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this Bread, he will live forever. This Bread is My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.' Jn. 6:51. They were dulled by the rigors of the world; and though He had explained Scripture and its fulfillment in Him, they did not understand that Scripture was coming alive right in front of them.   He then took the cup, giving thanks, gave it to them saying, 'This is My blood of the new covenant which is shed for many!'  Thus Jesus established the New Covenant, obliterating death as our due on account of sin, liberating us from its clutches that the devil held as 'legal' bind over man, asserting dominion over him.  Christ, in that significant moment, destroyed the rules which were against us and further submitting Himself to death, nailed them on the Cross and we were free, saved and redeemed.  Take a moment now to think of the greatness of Christ's sacrifice for us and every time you participate in this observance, think how much He loved you and return to Him.

Thoughts for another day

April 4, 2012

Today's verse: Eph. 4:30. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God. (KJV)

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

We saw how the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, is a such an amazing Gift given us by Jesus Christ for He knew we needed someone who could always be with us, without being forceful and give us power and strength to live for Him. Who better than the Holy Spirit for see, He is so gentle and kind, yet who can compare to His power; and I tell you my friend, the very mention of the Spirit of God can put fear in the marrow of the bones of the enemies of God for they know they can't mess with Him for just a little swipe and they'll be blown to smithereens.

But we who have the Holy Spirit often don't realize His importance and comprehend not His power.  His silence, because of His gentleness, seems to be a sign of weakness; but isn't it because He knows what He can do that He is silent?  Take Jesus for example, knowing the Father had put all things in His hands, tied a towel around His waist and taking a pail of water, washed the feet of His disciples!  Ah, perfect power produces the perfect response of humility; and humility is what we see in the Holy Spirit.  So we feel He is just a myth, a story…but I know the power of the Holy Spirit, not only the kind we conceive as power to break huge rocks, etc. which of course He can do, but also convict and convert hugely hardened hearts to move from the path of sin to the path of perfection.

You may be surprised but delighted that right now the Holy Spirit is working out great things through you that will make Jesus proud of you and it isn't because of anything you do, but because He loves you and loves that you've accepted Him wholeheartedly in your life.  Then there're moments when we turn against the Holy Spirit and eject Him from His temple in our hearts.  We grieve Him and He sadly departs from us.  He hates to do it, but He doesn't like to be where He is uninvited, particularly among unbelieving persons and those who mock His gifts and work.  Paul warns us in our Scripture today to not grieve Him for then how can we live in the Path Jesus has shown?  Brother, today, seek to be united with the Holy Spirit; you don't have to do much, just pray, 'Holy Spirit, I need You, come stay with me.'  You'll see Him come into your life and your feet will become that much lighter and focused on the path to life and victory.  Amen.

Thoughts for another day

April 3, 2012

Today's verse: Ps. 51:11. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. (KJV)

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

Yesterday we saw as Christians we're given the Holy Spirit as a Gift by our precious Lord Jesus, so we don't need to live miserably, rather be victorious.  No matter what anyone says, I must confess; not deny but confess that He is necessary for us.  Imagine David, a king, pleading to God that He take not His Holy Spirit from him!  Why, because David knew the importance of the Spirit in his life. He knew that when Saul disobeyed God, God's Spirit departed from him and he was vexed by an evil spirit, 1 Sm. 16:14.  David knew Saul was destroyed because of that; therefore in a tearful plea, David asked God to not take His Spirit from him.  Even Paul urges us to 'not quench the Spirit' 1 Th. 5:19 for Paul also knew how important He was to him and, to us.

The Holy Spirit is gentle and beautiful and never an uninvited guest and He waits to come to us.  So, I exhort you to invite Him and you'll see power in your lives for though He is gentle, He is also very powerful and mighty.  Every command and decree of God is accomplished by Him and so God says, 'Not by might, nor by power but by My Spirit', Zech 4:6. John says, 'He Who is in you, is greater than the one that is in the world' 1 Jn.4:4, referring to the Holy Spirit. He has been poured into our hearts by God 2 Cor. 1:22 and it means, everything in us that leads to defeat, is thwarted by the power of the Holy Spirit.  He loves when we welcome Him and leads us to Jesus Christ.  He teaches us the truth and keeps us from the path of wrong.

My friend, it's by Him that our journey is easy in life even to the next for God hasn't given us a Spirit of fear; but of power, and love, and a sound mind, 2 Tim. 1:7. Hence we face the future confidently for we're not in the flesh, but in the Spirit for He, the Spirit of God dwells in us Ro. 8:9.  That's why, we lean on the promise of God which says, 'no weapon formed against us will prosper and every tongue that rises against us, we shall condemn', Is. 54:17.  It's to righteousness and eternal light that He will lead us which is why He and we, the bride, say to the Bridegroom, 'Come.'

Thoughts for another day

April 2, 2012

Today's verse: Jn. 14:26. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (KJV)

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

As a Christian, a follower of our Precious Savior Jesus Christ, am I alone in the world to fend for myself against the wile ways of the enemy of souls?  Do I find myself with no counsel when needed most?  Am I in agony and there's no comfort?  I ask these questions because there're times in our lives when it's like, you're in the middle of a dark tunnel and the dark is eating you and honestly you don't know where to turn and what to do.  The rigors of living itself can weigh too heavy on us when the tempests of life smash our comfort centers and fling our worlds into disarray.

As Christians however, our Scripture comes as hope, or shall I say renewed hope, given us by our own Bridegroom, the King whom we follow and love, Jesus Christ.  He has given the Gift of His Holy Spirit which is far above any other gift we may need and yet how little we know about Him, the most delightful and wonderful third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit.  He teaches us all things about God! When the storms of life seem to be pulling us down, we may never think of what God can do if we but yell out to Him, as Peter did, 'save me Lord' and was instantly saved by Jesus.  And when we think all is lost, it is the Beloved Holy Spirit who gently whispers and tells us to call upon the Lord.  We do; and the storm passes by with not even a scratch having gained hold of us.

My friend, forget about your trouble for a moment and think:  The mighty Holy Spirit, the Supreme Power of the universe, God most Sovereign and Awesome is there for us, given by the One who loves us so much that He gave Himself for us.  Yes, if you could tell your problem, that you have the Holy Spirit with you, how little that problem will seem before Him?  Indeed, the Holy Spirit brings to our minds all that God is capable of doing which means, ALL, and He fills us with confidence telling us that, since we're led by Him, we're sons of God (Ro. 8:14) and our safety and peace of mind is not God's concern alone, but also His responsibility.  And God will redeem and deliver.