Thoughts for another day

Nov. 29, 2013.

Today's verse: Hab. 2:3. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. (KJV)

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

Many Christian brothers and sisters come to the Lord, becoming close to Him.  God draws them to Himself and gives them an assignment: The assignment is to ‘GO PROCLAIM’.  It’s incumbent upon every Christian who’s made eligible by God, to do this very important task, a commandment of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ which He gave before leaving earth, but the hearts of many aren’t in accord with this Divine mandate.  However, God knows those willing to be spent for the Kingdom and when He draws them, He gives them a sign that they’re to do His work of salvation.

The sign is usually a vision and after one gets such a vision, it’s better to wait upon the Lord to fulfill it.  It may take years, but we need to be patient for it is God’s work and must be done in God’s way and time.  I know of some brothers who, having scarcely received the vision, immediately jump into the field and in their haste, often make a mess of things.  Also, there’re others who don’t get any vision from the Lord, yet go try to do His work and the results are drastic.  I know of a brother who recently started the deliverance ministry.  Sadly, the directive was not from God but humans and today after just two or three months, he is a literal wreck, unable to move in a hospital bed.

You may ask, why should the results be drastic in both the above cases, well; when you do God’s work, you’re fighting what Paul says in Eph. 6:12, ‘against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.’  Know this well, the evil one will spare no effort to destroy you.  It’s only the power of God that can safeguard you and you also need to be in constant prayer to soak in the power of God.  Now if God has not set you in the Ministry, you’ll not be equipped with His power; besides, if you aren’t in prayer, you’re in grave danger for even a small dart of the enemy will fell you.  It’s better to heed our Scripture today wherein He tells us that the vision is for an appointed time and it will come at that time.  If we wait for it, it will come and then you’ll see the mighty power of God, unleashed in your mission and then will men be drawn to the Lord Jesus.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 28, 2013.

Today's verse: Ps. 46:1. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. (KJV)

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How rich in God are the psalms in the Bible touching the heart of the reader and quelling the storms of fear and doubt; bringing courage in its wake and new strength to face the day, no matter what it brings, for truly, God is our refuge and strength; He is a very present help in difficulty and distress.  Those of us who’ve lived adult lives will vouch for the fact that there’re trials galore in the Christian life and many challenges are thrust at us intending our fall and destruction.  How strong are the winds of the earth which only seek to fell the weak and destroy the helpless for in doing that, are the men of the world considered powerful! 

Thus the poor and hard-up man is subject to intense suffering and misery, for his destruction is the sole aim of the rich and powerful.  He’s subject to various miseries: E.g. the food he eats becomes scarcer and scarcer as the rich raise prices and he can’t afford it.  He’s often uprooted from his own house because the rich lent him money and he isn’t able to pay back the paltry sum and according to an oral agreement, he’s to be ousted.  He accepts it in meek surrender for he’s too weak to fight.  If he doesn’t have a house, he can never buy one for the rich ensure that housing is beyond his reach as they invest in real estate and falsely inflate prices so they can get more than what they invested.  Good education for his children is impossible for good schools charge the sky as fees; so his children must be satisfied with the mediocre schools they go to.  His clothing is a single pair of whatever he wears for he must decide between clothes and food and food is necessary so he relies on the torn and tired garment he has worn for as long as he remembers.

Does he get respect?  Well, what should he be respected for and in any case why should anyone even seek his opinion, seeing that in worldly terms, he’s useless.  His sole occupation is to ensure that enough food falls into the bellies of his family.  He may have a tremendous I.Q., but it’s wasted and never known; he could be very talented, but never discovered.  But each night, between His tears, he makes supplications to His Maker and tells Him of all his travails and the Maker silently nods and grants Him good sleep.  Somehow, the man manages to work and find food, even if not much, and despite all his struggle, he sleeps fitfully and is happy with his family.  In all this he knows, God is his Refuge and Strength and He has learnt that God is always present and helpful.  In that is he glad and life continues, for his Maker never lets him down.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 27, 2013.

Today's verse: 1 Cor. 15:49. And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. (KJV)

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In being born on earth we belong to the seed of Adam from whom came the whole human race for he was the first man created by God on earth.  We have inherited the image of Adam in our bodies which are temporary and programmed to decay.  That’s because, Adam sinned and his sin affected his body making it susceptible to the wear and tear of time; it actually wasn’t designed to be like that for had Adam not sinned, he would stay on with the same body even to eternity; for its only after his sin did it adopt it’s dirt principle of going back into the dirt from which it was created, a law dictated by God, Gen. 3:19.  The DNA of man changed irreversibly for he chose to go against the will of God. 

The grain of God’s simply romantic purpose of creating man was violated by him in going against the very characteristic of God’s holiness, an intolerable violation because it goes against God’s character.  Even a stain isn’t allowed and man’s rebellion against God, is a blotch.  Hence we were to die, but thank God for the immense mercy He shows us, simply because He loves us, He sent down His Son upon earth, to be born like one of us, except without sin for He wasn’t born via Adam’s seed, but by the Holy Spirit, which kept Him immaculate and perfect.  Even Jesus’ nature, reflected the purpose of God, for it was unsullied, by the filthy nature of Adam’s children.

After being glorified, going through the dead, passing the gate of Hades and rising on the third day, Jesus’ body was transformed into the eternal body, the heavenly body, with flesh and blood, but no longer under any limitation and He could even move through walls and disappear, etc.  Because we die in Christ, we too, will be transformed.  We’ll inherit the image of the heavenly because we died in Christ.  We shall be birthed by Him into an eternal body like Him and we’ll be with Him, beholding Him as He truly is.  We shall be like Him, pure and holy to assemble with the congregation of the heavenly host and be His bride, the apple of His eye and live with Him, in eternal bliss.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 26, 2013.

Today's verse: Deut.  33:25b. and as thy days, so shall thy strength be. (KJV)

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

One great thing about the Word of God is the way in which it reveals itself, differently and mostly to strengthen in times of distress and trouble.  Here in a simple sentence of the verse in Deuteronomy, I found a truth that lives on in my being for each moment of difficulty I have and when my spirit is befuddled and downcast, then God rushes in His Grace into my bones and releases a spring in my legs that catapults me away from my somber appearance to one which is ready to praise God.

And praise Him I will for remember, it is for His praise we were created, Eph. 1:12, ‘That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.’  It is for His glory we exist that He be pleased in our ways and send forth His favor upon us by which also our spirits are lifted and our whole being nourished and enriched to burst forth into melodies of praise unto Him.  For then we know that He is sufficient for us in every way, no matter what it is, the evil one causes us, to stumble upon.   

When the enemy comes against us with tremendous ammunition, He sends us His Grace that can withstand all the fiery darts of the enemy.  We’re able to meet every attack by the power of His Grace and no matter what the trouble that comes our way, or how difficult the days be, His Grace stands firm, unshakeable and solid; refusing to budge and giving us refuge and courage.  Truly I know when He said to Paul, ‘My Grace is sufficient for you’ He meant it and He means it even today for as our woes increase by the day and our lives are burdened by the loads we carry, He intervenes and gives us rest.  His burden is light and joyfully we can raise our hands in praise for He carries our burdens.  How wonderful to know that even in the greatest troubles, He is with us and as tough as our days become, that much is the strength He gives to overcome the adversities.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 25, 2013.

Today's verse: Ps. 32:5. I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. (KJV)

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Committing sin is man’s favorite indulgence; don’t get me wrong for there’re many to whom sin is a horrible interlude with either the thought or action, but for most, it’s a pure form of pleasure.  It was there in the past and men tried to give dignity to it with exquisite names, but it didn’t diminish the fact that it was, sin.  For example, the term ‘gladiator’ was given to men who fought each other to death to satiate the carnal instincts of a marauding crowd, baying for blood – reveling in the murder of innocent men.  Kings had harems, which were but brothels where women were paraded and chosen.  There’re many other things like slavery, bought out judges that gave favorable judgments for some consideration, lenders who never learnt to return what was pawned to them, etc.

Today’s world has built up strongly on the foundation laid hundreds of years ago and if one were to believe what the world says, then perhaps nothing is sinful, is it?  Naked women on pornographic websites and covers of magazines are emblems of beauty say the protagonists of this foul trade.  Robbing in the form of aggressive corporate takeovers and such like things in which thousands lose their jobs; hiking up prices of commodities to satisfy the greed of a few, which greed seeks higher levels each day; disloyalty to wedded partners, fights between siblings (sibling rivalry) are all okay because you see, they’re just a part of life, yea, sin is sugar coated to even make it seem a virtue.

But remember, it’s not so with God for God is holy and He expects us to be holy.  Our sins are seen by Him in all their grimy and morbid form and He takes each sin as a personal assault on His holiness.  No matter what we say, there’ll be a day we when we would stand before Him for judgment and therefore, it’s pertinent to realise we have sinned and acknowledge our sins to Him and as always, He, the Most merciful and Gracious God, will forgive and lift us up.  Thank You, O God.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 22, 2013.

Today's verse: Eph. 3:8, 9. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; (NRSV – copyright ack.)

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

Here’s Paul, humility personified, saying ‘I’m the very least of all the saints,’ and that Grace was given to him to bring to the gentiles, the news of the great and unlimited riches of Christ which He poured out on them who recognized Him as the ‘Anointed One’, the Messiah, the One of God, whom the prophets had foretold of and in whose coming was the Kingdom of heaven declared open to the lost children of God.  The abundance of the LORD God, was lavished upon the human race when Christ according to God’s plan, was born, died and rose again; and the only criterion for acceptance of these riches was to be in Christ, having believed in Him and accepted Him.

In the action of Jesus Christ coming unto earth, which was His footstool, God went further and revealed the mystery which was hidden for ages, which none knew except God.  And when Christ came to earth, the joy of God was such that the earth resounded in His good will and His favor descended upon all men of peace.  Nature was the silent witness of the humungous Grace of God that filled the earth, right from the bottom of the deepest ocean till the tip of the sky. 

The knowledge of God’s purpose became clear to those men and women who were desperately waiting for the Messiah.  And when He came, they believed, recognizing the time of their visitation.  Instantly the sentence of death handed out to Adam, ‘you are to die for you ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil’ was commuted and transformed into a peculiar decree; John describes it well in His Gospel, 1:12, ‘all who received Him, who believed in His Name, He gave power to become children of God.’  This was the mystery of the Gracious love of God.  This is what He had prepared for man and it finally was revealed.  You and I are now the recipients of this Grace and it is up to us to accept and joyfully make known the knowledge of this wonderful mystery of God to all who lie in the dark, giving them the Light, Jesus Christ, who will drive away their darkness.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 21, 2013.

Today's verse: Heb. 10:24. And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:  (KJV)

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

I’ve been taking Bible classes for a small group of Catholics of my parish who probably never handled the Bible, leave alone its teachings.  It’s indeed a new experience for me to teach such people for where do you begin?  Scripture for the newbie is nothing but a massive chest of words and phrases and goodness preached which cannot be done in real life and so on.  So when I teach them, I take the example of Christ and the apostles who showed us how to live this life.  Christ is the Architect and the apostles have built the building and in a sense, we’re the building; but to have our identity intact, aligning with the character of the Architect is absolutely necessary.

Now about these people, the last time I met them, something came up about the Christian way and one of them said, we didn’t know all these things; it’s only now we’re learning.  I was ashamed that people at the senior age they are, had to read Scripture now; but was also pleased that atleast now they are learning.  And some of the things they have learnt are encapsulated in our Scripture today which is ‘let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works’ for that’s the essence of Scripture and that’s what I tell them.

It defines the hallmark of a Christian for it’s only in the teachings of Christ, chiefly in the parable of the Good Samaritan that we learn our duty of love toward men even those we don’t know, that we serve people, whoever they are.  See the power of our Scripture today…it says we’re to provoke one another unto love and to good works.  No matter who it is and no matter how difficult to do, our prime method is in love.  Christ loved us and so we love, not because the other person is lovable; and we do good to others because God gave His life for us, not because they to whom we do good are worthy of our goodness.  Beloved in Christ, this knowledge is enough to turn our faith on its head for remember, faith without works is dead and it’s in what we do that we’ll be judged, not just in what we believed, for belief if not expressed in action is useless like the salt which has lost its saltiness, fit only to be trashed out.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 20, 2013.

Today's verse: Amos 3:3. Can two walk together, except they be agreed? (KJV)

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

As Christians, we walk the pilgrim journey and it’s a journey from the time we’re born till we die.  Each human must walk this journey and while there could be companions on the way, at some point they leave when their journey is over.  So who could we find as our companion to walk with us right through?  It is the Lord of course who has consented to be with us in saying, ‘I will never fail you nor forsake you,’ Heb. 13:5. To have the Lord walk with us, it’s necessary to know certain conditions and we need to know what they are so we’re never away from the Lord.  Before we talk of the conditions and even before we think of them, we must learn to believe in God.  Believe? You may say ‘oh, I believe.’  But do you really?  This belief must be such that each moment, we’re aware of His Presence and talk with Him.

One of the conditions is that we agree to His will, for even before we were born, the Lord has willed something for us and it’s pertinent we are subject to it for then we’ll be under His hand of favor, always.  His blessings will pour in our lives and we’ll be happy and never in need.  Is it too hard to accept God’s will?  Not at all, for remember, He knows what’s best for you and His will moves you to the best He has in store for you.  You must understand that sometimes, what happens may not seem good to us but we must believe its good for God knows what’s best. 

Then to have Him with us, we must obey; look, God places obedience the highest order for His blessings to pour on us and there’s nothing else that can be so good in His sight.  Next, we know that it is love for Him and for others that must be in our hearts for without love, how can He ever be with us?  Love is His nature and love is His way, and if we don’t have love in us, we can’t walk with Him and He will leave us.  Now, these are a few conditions we agree with God while we’re on our pilgrim journey and He will be with us, walking and talking to us and holding our hand.  Sometimes, we may fail in the conditions, but He will tell us that and help us course correct for He is a forgiving God and He is the best friend forever.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 19, 2013.

Today's verse: Heb. 4:12. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (KJV)

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

When you take the Bible in your hand, you realise you have a powerful weapon, for it is the Word of God; that which God spoke to men to write to us and that which has come down from the ages to men of all generations from the time, it was compiled.  Men, sadly have failed to see God backing the Words contained in this Book and therefore have not been able to get the full blessings that God has initiated to emanate from the realm of His Word. Now, because men have refused to give God’s Word the place, the praise, the glory and thanks, they haven’t been able to get into the power of the Word and there is power in God’s Word as our Scripture today says, ‘God’s Word is quick and powerful.’  So for many it has been neither quick nor powerful. 

But there’re some who have stood fast, grounded on the Word; and they have all the blessings the Word gives.  Today, if you look at Christians, you’ll see two kinds: One, which gives the due honor to God’s Word and the other, which, while considering His Word also considers other vain things that do not match up to His Word, rather confuse and cause disarray in man’s faith.  Yet, many consider God’s Word as the solid ground on which they can stand firmly and solidly, knowing that God is stoutly behind them when they rely on His Word.

Paul says, ‘faith comes by hearing the Word of God’, Rom. 10:17, this I am witness to and believe me it’s so true.  Moreover, even as our Word says today, God’s Word is sharper than any two-edged sword, dividing the very essence of an individual – his spirit and his soul; it goes into the very depth of the joints and the marrow and can discern the thoughts and intents of the human heart – hidden and obscure – as nothing else can and that’s why when a man by God’s Grace melds with His Word, he gets the faith to look into himself and repent for in the moment of truth that the Word offers, he sees himself as he really is – sinful and useless; and God’s Word also provides him the opportunity to cleanse himself and turn a new leaf.  It is only God’s Word which leads us to the Lord, acquaints us with Him and helps live in His Presence.  Nothing else can.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 18, 2013.

Today's verse: Eccl. 11:5. Just as you do not know how the breath comes to the bones in the mother's womb, so you do not know the work of God, who makes everything. (NRSV – copyright ack.)

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

As you move on in life, there come situations which perhaps you wouldn’t have desired; maybe a niece’s wedding and the problem is, you neither have the plush set of clothing for yourself and your family which you’ll be expected to wear; nor the money to give her the kind of gift you would normally give her for she is so dear to you.  What do you do?  Maybe you retreat for a little while and think, ‘God this ain’t right, why should she get married now and not a little later when my situation will get better?’

Then just when you’ve dressed up to go for that function, you get an urgent call that your daughter just fell down the stairs of her college and you’ve got to rush, pick her up to bring her home.  Darn you say, what kind of timing is this Lord?  I’ve been waiting all the time for this office function and just when I’m set to go and show the kind of stuff I’m made of, this…?  Then you think, sometimes God is just out of sync with my time and things happen at the most inopportune time; ah, you vilify God and His ways, right?  It’s happened with me and I think back on those times and realise, how right God was and how wrong I was.

For God knows everything.  As our Scripture implies today, He knows how the breath comes to the bones of the little fetus in the mother’s womb.  He knows the little quiver of the baby in the cradle; yes, He is aware of the sobs of the little infant whose parents are killed by a sniper’s firing.  God knows it all and if He has deigned something to happen to you, it happens, so be happy it happened for then you will be telling God, ‘Go ahead Lord, do as You may, I trust You.’  Oh wonderful this scene for heaven will be opened and God’s precious care will be spread over you that no harm nor evil approach you.  In God you will be at rest.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 15, 2013.

Today's verse: Ps. 16:8. I have set the LORD always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. (KJV)

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Oh you who’re confident in the Lord praise Him for what He has done for you and me; because what He has done is great.  My life is laid bare at His feet and He has been good to grant His blessings to me and all that I may say is mine in this world.  Everything I am and I will be, is by His Grace, unseen, yet immensely powerful, ripping apart the thick black clouds of despair and defeat, bringing hope and victory.

I’ve placed the LORD always before me; each morning and evening, I look up to His face.  I even dare to sin despite His gentle voice crying to me to not sin; wanton and willing sin doesn’t leave my house and despite this, He is still with me.  He is so true to His promise – I will never leave thee nor forsake thee – so He is never away from me and I can feel Him in the marrow of my bones.  I know it hurts Him, to keep with me, because He is so holy and I’m so unholy and crude before Him.  I ask myself, ‘why do I offend Him so much;’ there’s no answer, nor thought, but the discomfort my heart causes to His suffusing goodness speaks into my inner being.  Still I don’t really care because I understand not the pain it causes Him.  His Words thunder in my ears: 'I treated them like those who lift infants to their cheeks; I bent down to them and fed them.' Hosea 11:4, CEB, yet they deflect off me for I've yet to learn what I mean to Him. 

But on another plane, I have set Him before me and that’s irrefutable for my life is fashioned upon the faith I have in Him.  Years have come and gone by and I realise, despite the muck I float in, despite the despair I cause others, He has been faithful to me.  Because of which I’m not moved, but am firm as a rock and will be like that for He will never let me down.  This confidence I have in Him that though I may sin, He will yet draw me to Him and as long as I live I will always be faithful to Him, come rain or shine.  This is an eternal bond between Him and me and none can break it and it shall remain.  This much I know, some day, the blood that flowed down on Calvary will wash me clean totally and prevent me from going against His Divine will forever.  I live to cherish that moment, for though the righteous men despise me, my God will yet, hold me.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 14, 2013.

Today's verse: 2 Tim. 1:7. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  (KJV)

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

This Word today is a rather powerful statement of Paul and talks of three attributes of the spirit God has put in us through His Son Jesus Christ; that of power, love and a sound mind.  Think of it and you’ll notice these three work to a man’s goodness and well bring throughout his life.  But first, we look at the spirit of fear which God hasn’t given us and I consider that as a tremendous gift because fear is destructive.  If anyone harbors fear, he or she will be eventually destroyed; this fear isn’t reverent fear or general fear that a human being must have, which keeps him or her in check.  Like, general fear of the boss because of which people don’t laze around or while away their time at their work places, but rather work; or the fear of God by which we shun sin.  Rather this is fear which squeezes us and frightens us like the fear of death, or the fear of failure or fear of being destroyed by natural calamities or the work of our enemies, etc. 

Instead, God has given us the spirit of love and John says in his first letter 1:18, ‘perfect love casteth out fear’ and we know it does for the person who loves never has fear in his heart.  Then God has given us the spirit of power.  It enables us to be individuals who are useful for us and the society in general as we possess power, the power to do things and change things for the better.  And we also work in tandem with the spirit of a sound mind by which we are able to conquer inhibitions and surmount difficulties and work the kind of things that benefit all human beings.

With the three attributes God gives us, we’re able to create a better environment for ourselves and also for our neighbors.  We can do wonderful things that please God and God then blesses us with even greater girth in the three attributes and we’re able to do even more good for others because of the love we have in our hearts.  By this is the world a better place, tranquil and progressive and a song of praise to God.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 13, 2013.

Today's verse: 2 Tim. 3:12. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. (KJV)

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

When you came into the Lord after being born again and you were sincere to follow the Lord whole-heartedly, then the first thing you would have noticed would be the behavior of people around you; particularly your family, friends, colleagues and others.  Their responses and reactions to things fairly normal would have been rather shrill leaving you wondering what wrong you did.  There would have been occasions when you were severely reprimanded for small errors and didn’t even know why.  Similarly, people you considered your own became inimical to you and even cast slurs upon you. 

All this would have brought many tears in your eyes for you thought: here I’ve given my life to the Lord fully and there, all things are going wrong.  In this, perhaps you weren’t innocent either: a short temper there or a wild word here and the chain reaction was much more than you could handle.  Going to the Lord, you may have asked Him, Lord I did the same things earlier but there never was such a reaction, what wrong am I doing now?  Our Scripture today is apt for you because be sure, if you dedicate your life to God and strive to live a godly life, you’ll face persecution.

Of course, any Christian who sets out for the field to sow into the Kingdom by proclaiming the Good News will face massive persecution; it’s guaranteed. But even when we’re turning over a new leaf for the cause of Christ, we’ll not be spared.  It’s because the devil is so incensed by our action of giving over our lives to God, he spares no effort to see that we give up our desire to follow God.  He will create ripples in relationships and tarnish reputations; encourage slurs and filthy language and in every way try upset the rhythm of our lives so we get disturbed with both our opponents and God and give up our noble desires.  Be cautious and understand it’s only for a while he can do it before God sends Him packing.  Trudge on and be adamant in your faith in God; He will bring you out of it.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 12, 2013.

Today's verse: Hosea 6:3. Yes, let us know (recognize, be acquainted with, and understand) Him; let us be zealous to know the Lord [to appreciate, give heed to, and cherish Him]. His going forth is prepared and certain as the dawn, and He will come to us as the [heavy] rain, as the latter rain that waters the earth.  (Amplified Bible – copyright ack.)

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

If you’re running a sort of losing battle and up to your ears in difficulties; if you’re at your wits end and probably not in favor of another rising day out there for the uncertainties are so many, or if you are in the midst of intense tribulation where the only way out seems to be death, here’s the kind of news you would like to hear:  GOD IS IN CONTROL.  

So therefore, even if you don’t feel like, get yourself acquainted with Him.  Learn to recognize that it is His world you live in; it is His spirit in you that gives you life.  Understand that He is the boss of everything and all things are subject to Him.  Not a leaf of a tree can fall without His consent or His awareness.  Not even a grain of sand can move without His concurrence.  So awesome is our God that you may spend many life-times, yet, will never know Him fully for how can a little tumbler, size up the water in the ocean?  Be zealous to know Him, even in the midst of the hurricane of difficulties you face; for remember, if you’re sincere in your approach toward Him, He can and will halt the hurricane for what’s a waft of wind before Him?  His one glance at it, can melt the heart of any hurricane or tsunami and make them pipe down.

Be assured my friend that He will come as surely as the dawn into your life when you raise up your hands in surrender before Him and He will come as the winter and spring rains to lift up your life which may be intensely dry right now.  He will raise your chin to look at His world anew and crush your problems so they appear as little dry twigs which can be easily broken.  No one will dare mess with you for you have acknowledged and accepted Him as your Refuge.  And though it may still be dark now, know that, as quickly as the sun hastens to come up the morning sky with its burnished rays, so too will your good come up.  Be still and know your God.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 11, 2013.

Today's verse: 1 Tim. 1:5. But the aim of such instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and sincere faith. (NRSV – copyright ack.)

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

There’re many in the world who move about being engaged in the business of the Kingdom of God.  The question is how to detect whether they’re truly those that love the Lord and do exactly what He wants them to do or in their arrogance and pride, try to give a doctrine which lacks the basic dictum of Christ centeredness.  There’re men and women out there who profess to take the Gospel of our precious Savior Jesus Christ to the whole world but their Gospel is an amalgamation of human thoughts and mixed with the Name of the Lord, only to make it sound authentic.  The purpose of their preaching is for their own gain and eschews the glory of God.

Therefore, Paul in our Scripture today cautions Timothy, whom he considers as his child in Christ and exhorts him to instruct the preachers of that time to know that the instruction he has comes from a pure heart; a heart suffused with Christ; and His mission must overflow with His unyielding love for those who’re called and chosen by Him to do the work they need to do on earth. 

Paul further says that the instruction must be from a good conscience, not sullied by things of the world nor the contagion that these things can pull from the dirt traps in the world.   Besides, he also says that all exhortation and instruction must arise from a sincere faith.  I completely agree because if you have no faith in God, then how can you boost the faith of others in Him.  Whatever our Scripture notes above is the essence of the Christian’s belief and ethos in God.  Any instruction we, if we’re called to give, must arise from these basic building blocks of God’s Kingdom, for only then will we have ‘God’ in His kingdom, else it will just be empty rhetoric where one may be able to draw people but there will be nothing of God in it.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 8, 2013.

Today's verse: 1 Pet. 1:9. for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (NIV – copyright ack.)

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

In our Scripture today, we get one of the clearest goals for our faith, a gift God has put into our hearts, for, the salvation of souls is the greatest concern we must have and it’s the greatest thing God gives us because as I have said earlier, all things material and all types of happiness and contentment, God could give us without the need to come down and die for us.   It is for the purpose of seeking and saving the lost that Jesus came down from heaven to earth and died and rose again, breaking the strangle-hold of death over us.

Faith is a powerful attribute to possess, but I personally feel it must also be exercised for the right purpose and that’s chiefly first, our own salvation and then, the salvation of others.  It’s possible that in our world-crowded minds, we’re unable to sink in the fact that salvation must be the prime concern of man here on earth and this salvation has been handed over to us on a platter by none other than the Son of God and all we need to do is accept it by faith in Him.  Those who do it are blessed unto eternal life and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, says Peter in verse 8.

Faith also has other blessings associated with it because our God is the God of wholeness and abundance.  Therefore, faith in Him will result in our getting all other things which He has planned for us.  But never appropriate faith for only the material things that last this life; rather every Christian must necessarily see whether he or she has that faith in Christ that will entail them to eternal dwellings with Him.  

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 7, 2013.

Today's verse: 1 Jn. 5:10. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: (KJV)

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

Amazing this word ‘believe’, you see, men harbor various shades of it: a little belief, semi-belief, almost believe, etc.  In God’s realm there’s only one, either you believe or you don’t.  If you believe, then you do, always and if you don’t, well you don’t, always.  As we can understand there’s no half-baked idea of God and His ways; remember Jesus said, let your ‘yes’ be yes and your ‘no’ be no. 

Looking at our Scripture we know, if you believe on the Son of God, then you have the witness in you.  What then is the witness I have in me if I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ: Let’s look at it.  First, I have joy, however so deep in my heart, that no matter what happens with me on earth, I shall always have an eternal future, because my belief in Jesus’ coming, dying, rising and ascending to heaven, will also cause me to believe further that Jesus has prepared a place for me in His Father’s mansions.  So I have no worry about what should happen to my soul after I die.  And this gives so much strength to me that even the idea of death causes no worry, as otherwise it would do; the way it does to almost 99 percent or more of people on earth.  The great prospect of meeting the Lord at my death, banishes every fear of dying for the thought of meeting Jesus is so gorgeous.

Then as further witness, I’ve great strength in me because of my belief in Christ.  I’m never shaken or perturbed at what happens in the world.  You may say, ‘you’re a part of the world, so what happens will affect you,’ so it may, but then He is there to take care of me isn’t it?  I look at every opportunity as a chance to further His cause and every disaster to expect a miracle from Him.  So strong is the witness of my heart when I believe in the Son of God, that people look at me and remark, ‘Amazing, you’re completely unfazed and unworried…how can it be?’   It’s simply because I’ve chosen to believe in the Awesome and only God of the universe and He is fully-sufficient for me.  Now whether I swim or sink in this great tempest of life, who cares, for in every way; He will take care.  I leave all my worries to Him.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 6, 2013.

Today's verse: Is. 66:2b.  but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word. (KJV)

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

As you munch the tasty bread of the Word of God, laced with His simply scrumptious and delectable wafers and move on, you discover day by day, another delicacy to fill your spirit wholly.  Each little wafer as you move progressively has much more contained in it to fill you with gorgeous delight, than what it did earlier and I’ve found it very interesting and intriguing too.  One such is today’s Scripture which is God’s Own spoken Word about the kind of man who He will look unto. 

It’s simply a person who’s dependent on Him for everything and of a repenting heart; he is awe-struck by God’s Word and trembles at His voice.  But it isn’t the shivering of a man who has done wrong, but of one who is so struck by the awesomeness of God, that he is fearful of offending Him, doing something silly and thus forfeit His good hand of friendship.  He is bent in His demeanor toward God and is on bended knees before Him morning and evening.  His mind is on God’s ways and his thoughts suffuse with God’s goodness to his soul.

I ponder on this and I know how good He has been to me, even when I was immersed in sin, with nowhere to go, He came down to earth and re-wrote the script of my life.  I was sentenced to die, but He took my death and died Himself, giving me His life.  But His life needed righteousness in my soul, so He arranged that if I merely believed in Him, He will give me His righteousness, something He had done to Abraham who resolutely believed Him; and while men accorded that to him as daydreaming, God accorded to Him as righteousness.  This is because; God loves a man who believes in Him steadfastly, joy on his face, even when he is neck deep in water.  God knows everything and He rescues in time, for were He to rescue even moments before that time, it would not allow you the sweetness of the fruit of utter faith you reposed in Him.  Go on today my friend and be the man that God wants you to be and you will partake of the wondrous gifts of His Kingdom.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 5, 2013.

Today's verse: Wisdom 15:3. For to know Thee is perfect righteousness: yea, to know thy power is the root of immortality. (KJV)

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

I’m reading a book by A W Tozer which dwells on the subject of worship. In it I found that worship is when the human spirit is so immersed in the Spirit of God, that it ceases to exist and only God’s Spirit exists.  The man who worships is so lost that he is but nothing and God is everything.  Now I wonder to myself and ask, how can I worship God thus, because I also know that God seeks worship from us and not the rituals, nor the music nor the sacrifices, nor the fellowship, etc. that we offer, which though good, are nowhere near what’s ideal before God for there’s nothing ideal before Him but worship, worship in spirit and truth.

As I delve into this, I realise that to worship God I must know Him and I get to know Him from only one source on earth and that is His Word, the Bible and the Bible gives us God’s knowledge as we can understand it, to take us through this life.  Then I read the Word of our Scripture above and I find: to know Him is perfect righteousness!  I’m amazed now because I see that it’s falling into place; knowledge of God is essential and I have also said before that when I come to know God, God knows us as His and He welcomes us into His lovely abode. 

I also realise that when I know God, I learn about His magnificent power and His greatness.   In this I also understand that as soon as I know God, I worship Him and I’m joined by legions of heavenly hosts in worshipping Him and music floats into me that takes me into His Presence and settles me with Him, even at His feet, to fill myself with Him.  And when the day comes for me to leave the vessel of clay, my soul ascends in a magnificent orbit straight to the portals of heaven which by now are familiar to me and which also have provided a place for me, even as I was on earth and then the eternal flutes play with the tambourines and the drums in a great celestial melody to the LORD God, the Maker of heaven and earth to proclaim His glory in great power and bow before Him in worship and adoration; the same as I did when on earth.  I say, let His righteousness be in me so I worship Him in Him and my soul is immersed in Him.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 4, 2013.

Today's verse: 1 Pet. 3:12. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: (KJV)

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

While God is greatly about the affairs of the universe, working out the myriad ways of trillions and trillions of life forms and giving breath and life to them all, His eyes are always focused on the ways of man.  As our Scripture says today, the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous.  Among the choice of all creation for God, is man, who He created with much love and has engaged with Him in many ways, even to His coming to earth and pitching His tent among them as John writes in His Gospel. 

The very same God, even today is actively involved in all the affairs of men on earth, even as time goes by and the water covers the sea.  His eyes are on them that are right before Him: who have accepted His offer of His only begotten Son as their Redeemer and live under the Name of His Son, Jesus Christ, waiting for the day of His triumphant return on the clouds of heaven to reward them and to take them with Him.

Yes, His eyes are on these people who strive to live right lives before Him, in the light of the knowledge given by Him and with the Grace provided by Him so that they don’t fall to wiles of the evil one but are closed to his ways and shun his world.  When they hearken unto the voice of the Lord God, He is attentive to them and He listens to their prayers because their prayers rise up to Him as fragrant incense and a pleasing aroma to His nostrils.  And He answers their prayers according to the will of His mercy; He revives and strengthens them helping them live abundant and full lives in Him.

Thoughts for another day

Nov. 1, 2013.

Today's verse: Ps. 105:4. Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore. (KJV)

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

O, seek the LORD says the Psalmist; yeah, seek Yahweh God, the Alpha and the Omega, who knows no difficulty nor impossibility.  When the rumble and tumble of your existence on earth turns extremely rough and there’s no strength to even move, seek the Lord.  Seek Him when the strength in your bones fails; when you’re wasted with disease and on the last dregs of life, unable to even  lift yourself up or be audible in your voice; and are like the dried tree that will no longer stand up to the whistling wind.  Seek Him, when your children go hungry or have nothing to wear to keep them warm in the winter.  Seek Him, when all hope seems to have fled from you and the road ahead is too foggy to even look at.

Seek the face of the Lord, when the joy in you bubbles up, for seasons of plenty have caused your barns to swell and your festivities and celebrations increase multi-fold.  Seek His face when your enemies have been vanquished and peace prevails in your home and in the homes of your friends and relatives.  Seek His face when the stumbling blocks your enemies laid have been shattered by the favor of your Creator upon you.  Yes, seek His face when all is well with you and there’s no concern floating in your mind and all is at rest.

My friend, seek the face of the Lord and His strength at all times for in that is your future secure and your hope, guaranteed.  No one who seeks the Lord is ever, ever forsaken by Him.  His cover of Grace never leaves them and His eyes of mercy seek to wipe their tears.  In the really weary times and troubled ways, He is your shield of safety and goodness.  Never sink to your knees with remorse that you sought Him for only in seeking Him, your desire becomes a reality by His might which sooner or later, He will send to fend for you.  Your God is the ultimate warrior and your unlimited source of strength.  He is an ever present help and your Shining Star.  Look up to Him and be safe, O you child of God…for He watches to encourage you even when you are so feeble, you can hardly call out His Name.