Thoughts for another day

Dec. 31, 2013.

Today's verse: Ps. 84:11. For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. (KJV)

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

To be in God’s favor, there’s only one thing a man must adhere to: live blamelessly before Him.  It’s difficult you may say, but from what I’ve read of so many saints of God, some dead, some living, I believe it’s possible.  If you ask me my experience of living a holy life, then I can only say that I try to…I fall, but then get up and try again; and that’s the Christian way of living for remember, we’re not all the same before God and each one of us must have our own Gethsemane, in which the fight against our will versus God’s will, happens.  It must remind us of Jesus’ answer to the Father: ‘Let not Mine, but Thy will be done.’  It is both an ideal and an example, because we know that Jesus though fully man, yet, stuck fast to what the Father willed in His life; and so can we for we too have Him as our God and Master.

When we walk uprightly before our God, we may not become rich or mighty or famous.  But, what we’ll have is the might of God behind us.  We’ll walk in the land of serenity and there’ll be no day when we aren’t able, to eat what we’ve prepared of our hands or to sleep.  Even our enemies will stay away from us and danger itself will find it dangerous to cling to us.  The chilly ways of the world will just be a laugh for us and each day’s doomsday announcement will mean nothing, for we know we’re in the hands of a Mighty God, our Father, Who controls everything.

Great blessings will be on us and our families and even our succeeding generations.  People will wonder how we’re so happy knowing we apparently, don’t have the means to live in comfort.  Our children will advance in stature and all will wonder how.  Every rough path will be made straight, for God will not withhold anything to make our life comfortable. His Grace - unmerited favor will be on us and each day’s rising will see us walk in His glory. This will be but a testimony of God’s goodness to us, who walk aright in the fear of the Lord and have subjected ourselves to His Sovereignty.

Thoughts for another day

Dec. 30, 2013.

Today's verse: Is. 28:16. So this is what the Sovereign LORD says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone,

a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed. (NIV – copy. ack.)

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

For God’s children, there’re few verses in Scripture that’re important and must form the heartbeat of their prayers which they make to God, day in and day out to receive what they’ve asked.  And I would dare say that if your heart is pure toward God, you may ask for anything and He will give it to you PERIOD.  It may take some time and this time we mustn’t equate with the time of men for if we ask of someone something and if that someone delays in giving, then we can assume that either it’s not possible for that someone to give or he/she doesn’t want to give.  Both don’t apply to the LORD for whom all things are possible and yes, if He gave His only begotten Son to die for us, then how much more will He give us other things that we ask; and remember when we delight the Lord, we can ask and He will give us anything.

In our Scripture, we see that God has laid a stone in Zion, a tested and precious Cornerstone, a Sure Foundation.  For us this Stone is Jesus Christ Himself.  Now I expand this verse to see how it goes: A tested Stone, Lord Jesus Christ for He died for us; The precious Cornerstone and a Sure Foundation and in Him all things work for our Good.  He never shied away from a horrible and shameful death and when we ask Him anything in faith, we can be assured He will never shy away. 

At times He may take time in giving what we’ve asked for, for that’s His way by which He also brings us close to Him which wouldn’t happen had He granted what we asked, immediately.  Trusting Him at this time is crucial for if we’re not trusting Him now then will we trust Him for eternal life?  Our trust is usually His test for us and our perseverance is the lever that will move His hand.  Remember God loves us and He will do whatever we ask of Him.  But, He is constantly checking whether we can trust Him enough and whenever we don’t trust Him, He will withhold the gift or afflict us mildly to let us know that we must trust Him.  My friend take not His delay as a no, but that you’re to pray even more and sure enough He will move His hand.  One thing you can be sure of is that if you trust Him, you’ll never be dismayed and soon you will testify to His goodness.

Thoughts for another day

Dec. 27, 2013.

Today's verse: Rev. 22:12. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.  (KJV)

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

From the time Christ ascended into heaven until now, everyone who knows Him is anxious to see His return when they’ll see Him coming on the clouds of heaven with great power. He will be seen from one end of the sky to the other and none will escape His scrutiny. No one will be there who’ll have not seen Him for such will His coming be as He said to the high priest Caiaphas.  There’ll be much tribulation among those who repeatedly refused to accord Him His rightful status as God: Alpha and Omega, the Beginning from the End, LORD God Almighty, Messiah, and Savior of the world.

John says, Rev. 1:7, ‘Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him.’  There’ll be much tumult and He will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the Trumpet of God (1 Thess. 4:16) and the Trumpet will create immense fear in the hearts of men, the fear that’s in them who defy and rebel against the Lord and the time for their retribution will dawn upon them.

They who make merry causing anguish to the Lord will be brought down unto the dregs of the earth.  Them who caused much grief to His servants who went with the glorious WORD, will face such terror as to chill the marrow in their bones.  For that day will be a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness, Zeph. 1:15.  There’ll be tremendous cries on earth and heaven will be opened for its inhabitants to witness the panic and fear among them who made the servants of God suffer for their proclamation against the vain idols they worshipped.  There won’t be sufficient holes to hide on that day nor any place of refuge, for the might of the Lord will wallop them who defied the WORD of God and every argument against it will be smashed. 

He is coming soon; really soon.  I request you my friend to not doubt and put your house in order, He says, He is coming quickly and His reward is there with Him to give to each his due.  You would know what you deserve and if you deserve His call of mercy; good, but if you don’t, get down on your knee and appeal to Him in Whose hand lies your destiny.  Appeal hard and He will hold you and you will be saved for I tell you, the fires of hell are real and eternity in them is far too much for the soul to bear.  Watch and be ready, He is arriving any time.  MARANATHA…Come Lord Jesus.

Thoughts for another day

Dec. 26, 2013.

Today's verse: John 1:10. He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.  (KJV)

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

By now the last embers of the Christmas fires have died down and if Christians haven’t had a peg too much, they’ll be calculating the losses and gains they made this Christmas.  The losses would be the money they spent in various things: gifts for friends, food, clothing, cars, extravaganzas, etc.  And as they reflect on the day it was, many would also be thinking what a beautiful Christmas they had, particularly because so many people came for their party; the hilarious things that happened – that ‘uncle’ drunk to the ears and that lady who could barely manage to be on her feet after downing a few.  Oh, yeah, it was a wonderful time…worth every penny spent!

Then in a small hut, the man would be sitting while his family was joyfully asleep; and thinking how he was to repay the loan he took to buy clothes for his children.  Yet, the solemnity of the occasion was reverberating in his mind; the church service, the carols and hymns etched deeply in his heart and innately he felt a profound sense of gratitude, he felt rich for the glow of the Savior was on his countenance and the mere thought of God’s birth excited him bringing tears to his eyes.   He knew and he felt it was worth it to take a loan to make his children happy.

The man in the hut had truly recognized Christ.  He had taken full advantage of the solemn occasion and he had imbibed Christ in himself.  He knew that Christ had come into the world so that his sins would be cleansed and he accepted it fully.  His family though poor, was nonetheless rich in the Lord.  They were the poor in spirit to whom, Jesus said, the Kingdom of heaven belonged.  What a blessed situation.  On the other hand the former people were satisfied with the things of the earth.  Their happiness quotient depended on material things and their joy depended on how much of the liquor flowed in the veins of their guests.  Christmas was totally devoid of Christ for they didn’t even know the Son of Man.  They didn’t recognize Him and of them Jesus said, Mk. 8:36, ‘What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?’  The question you and I are impelled to ask is, ‘have I recognized my Savior and Lord this Christmas?’

Thoughts for another day

Dec. 25, 2013.

Today's verse: John 1:14. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (KJV)

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

Amazing and highly improbable though it seem, it did happen: the mighty God, King of the universe, the Omnipotent One, who is the Almighty, came to earth and dwelt among us.  He was born in the most humble of situations and He lived a life full of honor and grace.  His approach touched the hearts of men and we beheld His glory loud and clear.

For the first time, sin-laden man had a new sense of life.  He saw with his own eyes, the glory of the God he prayed to and laid his hope upon.  The goodness of God that brushes aside all strokes of dirt had come down to tie Himself with the destiny of mere mortals.  He left His glory behind and chose to come among the very people who were acquainted with Him and who had offended Him no end.  He had, in a way, come to make peace with them, but largely, He came to teach them that He meant love, even as most people hardly knew what to do with His approach, least of all in their minds being that they pay homage and worship to Him. 

God knew long before that man will ill treat His only Son and consider Him as a criminal, torturing and putting Him to a miserable death.  He knew His Son would be called upon to work with the utmost in the canopy of sin and deprivation. He also knew that His name would be tarnished and men would seek to see Him as a matter of right.    But God never gave up and that is why we have Christmas.  It’s time to repent of our sins and wipe out the shards of sin and soot from our souls; but only by His power and His power alone. 

Thoughts for another day

Dec. 24, 2013.

Today's verse: Luke 2:14.  Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (KJV)

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

On the first Christmas, heaven would’ve opened its windows to bestow goodwill among citizens of the earth and while the birth of the Savior was the plan of God, it would’ve still evoked a great deal of awe among the angels for how could they or any other of the heavenly host imagine that their God, the Supreme Commander of the universe, shed His glory and be born as a little, frail child on earth.  Obviously, they all knew that earth was where the whole of God’s attention was riveted because it’s on earth that His key creation, man, was given permission to reside and God has always chosen to be with man.

On that cold night, years ago, the angels actually stood between heaven and earth and beckoned men to realise the implications of the magnificent event that had just happened, as earth rejoiced in great joy for on it was born its Creator and Master.  Imagine the state of the shepherds who had never seen nor heard something like this and who didn’t know what it meant, but in that sharp night, they did know that it was an important event and they rushed to see the Child, Jesus.

To us, the birth of Christ must hold special position in life and we must contemplate whether He has taken birth in our hearts or still knocking at the door.  Christmas for us means a time of reviewing our lives according to the order of God.  It’s a time to find the areas where we messed up and tell the Lord God about it and change therein.  In the areas we were with God, it’s time to build on them and become more pleasing to God. Christmas is the time to know all that is of God, wonderful and glorious and bring them in our hearts to His glory.  Can we do that?

Thoughts for another day

Dec. 23, 2013.

Today's verse: Luke 2:7. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. (KJV)

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

Every year as Christmas approaches and the din to celebrate it, in an even greater and grander way is heard in the churches as well as street corners; and most forget the essential reason for Christmas – Jesus Christ.   Rarely does one find someone having much gladness of heart about the birth of Christ and what they’ll do to honor Him.  The noise and revelry is usually far removed from the Christmas spirit and is only for self gratification, doing no obeisance to God.

In all this, at times I wonder as I look at the verse above, how it might have been that first Christmas night on that cold winter’s night.  You see, Mary might have been in great labor pain and Joseph might have been a worried man, seeking a place somewhere warm and comfortable for his wife to lie down and deliver her first born child.  Of course there would have been no fun or joy, but just that anxiety as to how to keep both mother and child comfortable and Mary might have wondered how she would deliver and keep the little baby warm.  In all this as she would have been writhing in pain, Joseph, having spotted a cow shed, moved toward it and there Mary gave birth to her Son, the Lord of the universe. 

It never ceases to surprise me that the Only One who could decide where He was to be born as a man, decided to take birth in a cow shed and then lie down in a manger!  And as I look at our inane celebrations, it seems to mock the awesome event of the birth of God, yea, God Himself in a most humble and simple way… far removed from all our visions of grandeur.   This prompts me to think, is there some way I can participate in Jesus’ humble birth; and then I think of all the hordes of babies born similarly, even today for lack of charity in man and the sheer coldness of human beings toward them.  Perhaps, we could all do something for these underprivileged children of God…maybe give them a new set of clothes or a warm meal.  Whatever that may touch the Lord and He grant us a smile from heaven, enough to gladden our hearts and bring spirit to our Christmas celebration.

Thoughts for another day

Dec. 20, 2013.

Today's verse: Rom. 12:1,2. I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (KJV)

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

As we live in this world, it’s easy to slip into its ways for we’re inundated with people following worldly ways. They may be our friends, relatives or associated with us, whom we love and care for.  Many of us are influenced into the worldly ways by those who’re close to us, not that I’m seeking an escape route for our own actions, but really that’s the way the world operates for they tell us, ‘Oh come on now, what’s the harm with a little this thing or a little that thing (the thing here refers to a crude thing like a cigarette, or a little brown sugar, etc.); it’s so cool you know!  And gradually this cool envelopes and enslaves us to the destruction of our souls.

Therefore, we have today’s Scripture wherein we know of the sin against our bodies by indulging in immoral actions.  Paul is pleading us to, by God’s mercies, present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God which is but a reasonable thing for God gave us our body, not that we mess around with it, but that we honor God in our body. 

In this day and age, it’s difficult to keep our bodies clean for immorality has seeped into the core of the human being and it’s only the Grace of God that keeps His children away from it.  Now, if you think you’re beyond the vicious arm of this sin, think again: have you never atleast once fantasized about an alluring person of the other sex?  It’s only in renewing our minds by the enabling Grace of God, that we can be transformed into people who know what’s good, acceptable and the perfect will of God.  Get into the circle of His Grace today, even if your system needs total change, so that you’re able to remain off sin. God will make it possible for He will keep you until the coming of His Son, Jesus Christ.  That is His promise – Philip. 1:6, ‘He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.’

Thoughts for another day

Dec. 19, 2013.

Today's verse: Matt. 24:36-39. No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. (KJV)

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

As I write and the reason I write is, I believe the coming of the Lord Jesus is near, very near…it could happen in a split second.  I usually never touch on the end times because it’s a subject on which God never sheds any light as to the day, but He has given us enough warning of what will happen on that day, a day of distress and great tribulation and the Bible is full of what is to be on the Day of the Lord.  Recently, I’ve been getting feelers of this and as is my task, I must warn the people; so I write. 

See, Jesus says that just before this day, it will be very normal times, as normal is, to the world and those who live its way.  People will be eating and drinking and making merry.  Don’t we see that all around these days?  There’s so much revelry and fun, it raises a stink in our nostrils.  There’s so much sin that beyond the cloud of sin, we can hardly see anything.  People aren’t bothered to mend their ways.  If you tell the young, they say, it’s time for us now to enjoy; when we become old, we’ll see.  But, will they get old?  If you tell the old, and this really happened with me, they may say, ‘well I’ll bother about my salvation, you bother about yours!’  Boy, are people so blind that they can’t perceive that all is not well?  Truly the god of this world has been very successful in blinding their minds and hearts to the things of God, even to their own destruction.

The whole idea is that you and I must prepare ourselves for His coming lest we be caught unawares, for the scenario of the days for those who aren’t saved is terrifying.  I landed upon a book recently where the writer spoke of the devastating scenarios in hell and the least I can say is that the images are terrifying.  They’re beyond anything we’ve seen in terms of terror and no one is to be subject to them.  Desist my friend from your evil ways and no matter what age you’re at, like Paul advised, I’ll do too, ‘devote yourself to prayer, being watchful and thankful,’ Col. 4:2, so that you’ll be able to stand up on Judgment Day and be found worthy of His Kingdom and say, ‘Surely this is our God; we trusted in Him, and He saved us. This is the LORD, we trusted in Him; let us rejoice and be glad in His salvation’ Isaiah 25:9.

Thoughts for another day

Dec. 18, 2013.

Today's verse: Lam. 3:26. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD. (KJV)

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

I’ve learnt one thing in my relationship with God: GOD IS IN CONTROL.  I quote this always when I’m down, or in doubt; when I feel things aren’t going to work out or I may even lose the game of life, for often circumstances arise which make me feel it’s all over now.  And these times seem so grey and dull.  You may not believe, but I’ve even told the Lord, were it not for the fact that I still had something to do for my family and also complete His work, it would be better to be with Him.    

Now, we ask things of God in these times and we demand He give them immediately for you see, in our wisdom, we need them quickly.  It’s like this schoolboy who had his new pair of shoes stolen.  He spoke to God and asked for shoes immediately so he needn’t go barefoot home, but God didn’t give him any and the school too didn’t have any spare shoes of his size.  So the boy was disappointed with God that he had to walk barefoot home, about ten minutes away.  He felt quite embarrassed to be walking without shoes, but soon he realised, but for him, none of his friends even noticed that he had no shoes on.  As he walked, he realised nobody even glanced at his feet.  But then he saw something…there were so many street children and even the elderly poor, who had no shoes on their feet.  His feet burnt and he started walking briskly, but he couldn’t help notice that the heat on the road didn’t bother the barefoot children and the others.  It opened his eyes and though just 14 years old, he decided that any pair of shoes he had which he didn’t use, he would give to the poor.  He learnt a good lesson and thanked God for it.

God at times, withholds our blessing too, not because we haven’t prayed sincerely for it or any other valid reason; but just so we understand the value of these things.  God will give us what we ask and do even more if we but hope in Him and wait quietly for His redemption.  And this much I can tell you, God is able and He will redeem you out of any of your difficult situations.  He Who, redeemed us from the clutches of death and sin will surely redeem us from any bad situation we’re put into.  Just wait upon Him and trust He will do it for you.  You will see His salvation.

Thoughts for another day

Dec. 17, 2013.

Today's verse: Job 9:10. Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number. (KJV)

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

In our lifetime, we’ve seen countless miracles of God and for the skeptics I’d say, if you haven’t encountered one, then touch your heart and you’ll hear it beating; and you know it’s a miracle for what can move without God’s intervention?  And the heart beats and beats until our last breath.  This and many more miracles are just part of the work God performs day in and day out in the lives of zillions of creatures and we don’t know even a dot of it, for what can you count when you don’t know the extent to which His hand is spread in working of a wonder, a miracle, here and there.

To those who’re tuned to God however, He grants not only to see the wonders He performs day in and day out, but He also grants their requests with a miracle to make it real.  To the sick He gives back health; to the homeless, He provides comfort and to those who have nothing to eat, He even sets food baskets at the doorstep with no one accompanying them!  To us who believe in His Precious Son, Jesus Christ, He even grants the purging of sin, cleaning up our souls snow white even though it was scarlet red and dirty.  Only God can clean thus and none can tar what God cleans.

As we look at our difficulties, we also look up and see our God; Almighty, powerful, Loving and above all, merciful.  His mercy is upon us by which He sentenced His Son Jesus Christ, to die in our place, granting us the greatest miracle of being called ‘His child,’ which we are and by which we also inherit all that is His.  So I rejoice and notice His beautiful hand working in my favor, doing things here, there and everywhere; amazing things that can’t be explained but by His hand’s work.  Everything I need is delivered by Him and He raises my status to that of His favored child and in that I’m blessed and I’ll also be a blessing to those who sit unloved, uncared and underprivileged, so they too experience His manifold miracles in their lives.  And soon, because we believed, we’ll see his great work in our lives; redemption of many souls, transformed into God’s children, and this if we but agree to His will and offer ourselves up to His work.

Thoughts for another day

Dec. 16, 2013.

Today's verse: Job 5:17, 18. Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole. (KJV)

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

God made us lovingly and He intends we dwell eternally with Him.  But there’s a hurdle in this plan of God and that is sin.  God has given us free will and though He can control our will, He doesn’t because He is holy and any shift in the blueprint of what He has ordained will prove Him otherwise and can never happen.  Therefore, we use our will the way we want to and in doing so, many times we stray away from God, knowingly or unknowingly; mostly knowingly.  This straying can make us lose our eternal life. But God in His mercy and love for us, has devised a method of bringing us back and that is called chastisement: a punishment in our bodies which aims to bring us back to Him.

When a person suffers from a sickness, the first thing that person needs to do is to repent of the sin he has committed and turn toward God.  That clears the path for God’s healing to come in and heal.  Let me clarify that all sickness may not be because of sin.  Now, when a Christian is given the ability to understand that the sickness is because of sin, he must move into repentance and ask for God’s Grace and God being our good Father, will always heal; that is the crux of our Scripture today.

You may think God is cruel in that He punishes with sickness, but when you have a reasonable understanding of God, you’ll know that His justice demands punishment, either here or in our next life and it’s better to be punished here rather than there, for that will be eternal; therefore, God as I said earlier, in His mercy chastises us but while He does it, He doesn’t leave us just like that, He also sends Grace in abundance, both to bear the chastisement and also come out of it, for you can be sure that God will not leave His people with the pain, after they have repented from their sin.

Thoughts for another day

Dec. 13, 2013.

Today's verse: 2 Cor. 4:6. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (KJV)

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

To many in the world and even some Christians, Jesus, though they hold Him in high regard isn’t, just yet, God and with a bit of an apologetic flourish they add, I mean, not almost God!  And they’re not alone for even in the early church such beliefs existed which tried to promote something/someone else too in addition to our Master, which is why Paul wrote the letter to the Colossians, saying, Col. 2:18, ‘Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind.’

The world is constantly creating space for a deity or deities, as it might suit them, to substitute the Omniscience of the One God.  The whole idea is to empty God of His fullness; but it will never happen.  It can’t for only God is Omniscient, and He alone is Omnipresent and Omnipotent.  Jesus Christ came as the Son of God, also the second Person of the Holy Trinity.  He needs no allies with Him nor is He concerned about the piddling power wielded by the unholy nexus of demons, dark powers and what have you, for He has dominion over them because He is God.  That the idolatrous religions of the world are untrue is seen in the fact that they’re accommodative of any and every person or that which creates some pseudo divine space for itself; but it can only infuriate the one real God for He knows that He alone is God and everything else is pretentious.  That is why we have in the first commandment, ‘Thou shall have no other gods before Me.’

Jesus Christ is the LORD God and there’s no doubt or error.  When His apostle Philip, tried to place Him lower than the Father in saying, Jn. 14:8, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us’ Jesus immediately corrected him saying, ‘Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip? he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father?’  Oh, I love Jesus who so mildly corrects us and He didn’t even come with the glory that belongs to Him forever, rather shedding it for our sake.  And God is so pleased in Him that He provides light in our hearts to perceive the glory of God in Jesus Christ; so we know and worship Him, Christ the Lord, in all the earth.

Thoughts for another day

Dec. 12, 2013.

Today's verse: Ps. 44:5. Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us. (KJV)

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

Is there an enemy so strong that day and night you dread him and will not even go out or come in because you fear him so much?  Is there something so terrible that you fear going near it and it tears into your heart with chills, waking you up at night in the midst of your sleep, sweating all over, for in your sleep you came face to face with it?  Is there someone who causes you so much anxiety that he is on your mind all the time, causing you loss of your peace and much distress in your spirit?

You may wonder what I’m talking about because as Christians we’re supposed to be immune to fears, anxiety and trepidation; but from what I know, as we Christians journey through life, there’re circumstances most undesirable and even people who cause us much terror.  They rob us of our balance in life, setting us up for diseases and other things that destroy us; this is the reality out there but there’s a solution we have – the NAME OF THE LORD.  It’s enough for us to hold on to His NAME and cause terror in the heart of any fright that wants to attack us or run us over.

We believe in such an awesome God, that no enemy can cause any harm when He is on our side.  Remember David?  Well, how the Israelites ran away from Goliath, but David stood before Him, confident and bold saying, 1 Sam. 17:45, ‘Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel.’ And we know what happened.  Today, stand up to any of your tormentors and say to him or it, you may torment me all you can, but right now I stand in the Name of the God of Israel, the LORD of hosts and the God of splendor and might.  Then see how your enemy will flee, for no enemy of yours can stand before you, when God is behind you.  Believe and you will push down all your enemies and destroy all strongholds of the devil, simply by believing in the NAME OF THE LORD.

Thoughts for another day

Dec. 11, 2013.

Today's verse: Is. 26:4. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal. (NIV – copyright acknowledged)

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

Jesus once said that the one who listened to Him and did what He said, is like the man who builds his house on the rock and nothing can destroy it.  Similarly, we who’ve heard Him and know Him must build our lives on Him, Who is the Rock, the solid Foundation on which our lives can never totter.  There’s neither wind nor earthquake that can shake us; no fatal situation that can harm us; nor will there be an enemy who can destroy us when we’re built on the LORD God, the holy One of Israel.

Walking the way God wants us to walk simply means we trust Him.  It’s a daunting as well as difficult journey for no journey with God is easy; for as you walk, you’ll notice the road becoming difficult, the terrain, hard and you may suffer fatigue; but just remember Whose hand you’ve put your hand in and trade the fears that plague you with the confidence you have in the smile on His face.  It may seem difficult and foolish to be laughing when things are crashing all around, but even then trudge on laughing, for the LORD God, El Shaddai, is with you and I ask, what can shake you! Nothing…No rock can fell you, no breeze can sweep you, nor can your enemy maul you; for they have to first contend with the One beside you, who is bigger than the biggest you’ve ever known.

Move forward, trusting Him, and you’ll see that He never let’s go of your hand.  You may not see nor hear Him, but take note of His whispers – a word on a billboard, a little flower on the wayside, or a thought crossing your mind; and thank Him for it.  It’ll encourage you at the difficult moment and with eyes of faith you may even behold His countenance.  And the difficulty will pass with great gain to you; because the LORD, yes the LORD God, the Rock of Israel is your Father and it is He who will deliver you.

Thoughts for another day

Dec. 10, 2013.

Today's verse: 1 Cor. 1:23. But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; (KJV)

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

A long time ago, a non Christian friend and I discussed religion and he told me the wonderful things about his gods; there were many, since he was a hindu and his gods had various incarnations, avatars, etc.  Then I told him about our Trinitarian God…one God in three forms, the Holy Trinity.  As I spoke, he focused on Jesus Christ and Him hanging on the Cross as seen on the crucifix.  He said, ‘I can’t understand what kind of God you’re following, a helpless God who needs help Himself; what can He help you?  You display such foolishness, on the other hand, see our gods, they’re incarnated in might and splendor and they show themselves powerful; such is the god we should believe in, who can destroy evil and give us salvation!’ 

I believe this sums up the situation every Christian who joins in a discussion about Christ will have to answer at some point in time.  When Paul preached to the Corinthians, he realised that Christ crucified is really a stumbling block to the Jews who couldn’t accept that the Anointed Messiah, would be such a ‘weak’ King!  Therefore, at the time of Jesus, many moved away from Him as He didn’t typify the earthly king who would do all in his power to usurp, kill and destroy.  And the Greeks only thought it was foolishness, for who can understand such a weak and helpless God?

But we who know, Christ on the Cross is the highest example of God’s love for us and His holiness, displayed in clear terms.  Jesus came to save us from sin and death.  God is a holy God, so His justice must prevail and His justice meant our death.  So Christ took our place and our Father in heaven thumped our sins on Him and He died on our behalf.  In His death, He met with the justice of a holy God and paid fully for our sins.  For those who see Christ as being helpless, I must say, He could have immediately asked and His Father could have given more than twelve legions of angels to protect Him, Matt. 26:53.  But, then how could He save us?  How could His mission be fulfilled.   Now we know this so we explain to others and then we shall see the Cross, not as an object of shame, but a symbol of power and forgiveness.  And we’ll also remember that in our own lives as we struggle with our crosses, we shall if we surrender them to the Lord, also have our victorious resurrection.

Thoughts for another day

Dec. 9, 2013.

Today's verse: Is. 24:23. Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously. (KJV)

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

One day every knee shall bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is LORD, to the glory of the Father.  One day, every dominion, authority and power will belong to the LORD God alone, for it was His and it will remain His.  Heaven and earth will pass away, but God will ever remain, LORD, the Maker, Creator and Sustainer of all that is created and He alone will stand aloft towering over the universe and all that’s beyond; and His eye will watch all things and on that day, everything with breath and even that without, will lift their eyes to Him, and acknowledge that He is God.

His splendor will be known among all nations and His glory will pervade every corner of the cosmos.  His power will be recognized by everything that’s there in the vast space and every idol, every filth and everything that exalts itself to be god, will be shattered.  The eyes of all men will be opened and those who revere Him will have tears of joy in their eyes for their faith in Him will be vindicated and those who don’t will only have shame and terror in them for they stubbornly refused to believe in Him and scorned those who talked of Him.  The dread in their eyes will be right, for God at that time, will judge with a rod of iron and there will be great distress, for the sins of men will come to flog them before a Holy and righteous God.

At that time, the moon will grow pale and the sun will blush for the glory of the LORD will outshine them when He comes to reign in Zion, His holy city, Jerusalem.  Yea, then all His enemies will cringe before Him, even they who had ridiculed Him and laughed Him to scorn when His people proclaimed Him.  My friend, if you trust in Him then keep your trust in Him even more for then the principalities and powers that torment you today will be leashed and beaten.  You’ll see Him in all His glory and He will hold you close.  Blessed are those who wait for that day, for surely He will come with His angels upon the clouds of heaven and the time will be terrible; yet for us, who believe in Him, there will be much joy and celebration…yea, Maranatha, Come Lord Jesus.

Thoughts for another day

Dec. 6, 2013.

Today's verse: Rom. 6:5. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: (KJV)

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

A Christian, a person baptized in Christ Jesus always has hope, for in baptism, he has been planted into the likeness of the death of Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world and Paul further says in the same chapter that we who were baptized into Christ were baptized into His death; it means we’re buried with Him by baptism into death, by which we died to self and now live for Him.  In rising after our baptism, we’re promised His Grace and His Spirit’s power to a new life.  It’s to this new life that we’re born again to be raised unto the likeness of His resurrection.

We need to be born again because we were not born perfect.  We were injected with sin because of the sin of Adam, which remains in our core and every person born of father and mother on this earth has the sin of Adam transmitted through the ages, even as his dna is transmitted by which we’re born like Adam, human in nature; and death and misery were our inheritance.  Now thanks to God’s love and mercy, He removed this load of death and misery from us when we were baptized in the Name of His Son, Jesus Christ and He gave us new life, which beckons us to live abundantly here on earth and life eternal thereafter.  We must through baptism be born again as Jesus clearly said, Jn. 3:3, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’  Through baptism we’re translated into new beings where we gradually turn into the likeness of the Son of God, who is our eternal example and after Whom we must desire so that we move from one step of glory to the other, a life driven and controlled by the Holy Spirit. 

The Blood of Christ makes us perfect before God and I may say, every person who has the Blood of Christ on Him is pleasing to God for we’re reflected as His Son, in whom He is well pleased.  We must not be proud of this for it’s not our work but Christ’s, Who went to the Cross, seeking and keeping His Father’s will.  And living this Christian life in all seriousness will ensure that we have the likeness of Christ’s resurrection, by which we will rise and be with His Father; our Father, in heaven ever more. Amen.

Thoughts for another day

Dec. 5, 2013.

Today's verse: Jer. 6:16a. Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. (KJV)

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

There’s a way which the LORD God has revealed to us. It’s the way, on which if we walk, there’s no harm that can befall us.  It’s a way designed by the Lord and paved with safety.  It’s a trite difficult to walk therein, for there’re rules or norms on it and one has to abide by them; yet, walking on it is a pleasure as it leads us to our eternal destination; and it’s also called the narrow way.  It is centered on the Lord and helps us not to lose our focus from Him; and I could say, it is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself because He said, ‘I AM the Way.’ 

From the time, man has had recourse to God, God gave him directions about this way.  He set out the rules and they lead to life.  God’s will moves along this way and anyone walking on it, is abiding by His will.  There’re many saints of God and heroes of faith who have walked this way and crossed the river to go to that other river filled with the water of life, that place of great tranquility and joy, where resides the Lamb of God our Bridegroom, waiting along with the Father and the hosts of heavenly beings; wherein if we walk, will His Holy Spirit, escort us into that magnificent terrain, of untold peace and joy where neither sorrow not tears can find home.

As to walking the way when living this life, it’s a choice we need to make.  It is a defining moment for every Christian when He makes the choice for this choice has eternal ramifications and clearly spells our choice of God over the devil, just the way Joshua decided to serve the Lord when he said, Josh. 24:15, ‘but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.’  My friend, make today this choice and tell Him that you will walk on the narrow way because as Jesus said, Matt. 7:13, ‘broad is the way which leads to destruction.’  Choose today to walk in the narrow way and don’t fear because though the way is tough, God gives His Grace to be with us and His legions of angels stand guard over us; so we come to no harm.  Just trust God and He will lead you on this way and as certain as the day that dawns every morning, you’ll find abundant joy and bliss in this walk.

Thoughts for another day

Dec. 4, 2013.

Today's verse: Rom. 12:2. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (KJV)

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

Deep as we might be embedded into this world and its ways, it’s best not to be conformed to it.  We may not be able to avoid the norms of this world because we live in it and we depend upon others to sustain us in some way or other but we should never forget that we don’t belong to this world for it is the domain of the evil one.  When Pilate asked Jesus ‘are You a king?’ Jesus replied, ‘My kingdom is not of this world.’  Similarly, our Kingdom too isn’t of this world; and this is the first premise that should be in our minds as we live the Christian life. 

We’re but pilgrims on earth and our only purpose, despite what others may have us think, isn’t to become the greatest star ever, or the greatest musician or scientist or what have you, but to live our lives in God’s Presence doing His will and bringing others to the knowledge of His Son Jesus Christ, for which He enables us by His power and Grace.  In this process, we may at times be enchanted by things the world has to offer and may succumb to its pleasures for we’re made to think that the pleasures of the world were created for man since it is God who makes all things possible and why would He make us invent pleasures, were He to not think of them for our use? 

So, when we’re inclined to think this way, it’s time to retreat into our inner recesses and reach out to God, unfolding before Him, the dirt that has caused us to think in a way, that opposes all that is His and brings us in confrontation to His holy will.  It’s time to pray to God for His Holy Spirit, Who will help us renovate our minds and work to prove that which is good and acceptable and the will of God for us.  And in the process of submitting to His Holy Spirit, we’re able to delve deep into God and find His will for us.  Then, living a life according to His will, we will always be lead to great rewards by Him, both in this world and in the next.

Thoughts for another day

Dec. 3, 2013.

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

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

Over time as we grow in the Lord, there’s a dryness that enters our lives causing anxiety – at times, a little, at times, more.  God’s Word says, we shouldn’t be anxious, but in prayer and thanksgiving, ask God for what we want and He will grant it to us but at times God makes us wait.  It’s rather inexplicable why God makes us wait but we must know that unless He does, we’ll only treat Him like an ATM machine, that is, we pray and, He gives.  A sort of formula to get God’s blessings, no?

God isn’t that way; neither can I say ‘what way’ God is, for there’s so much to know of God that if I learn today a new aspect, even before the week is past, I may discover another which may differ in the form in which I saw God earlier.  My personal view about the only constant of God is His mercy, His love and that He answers prayer; and having said that, I must stress the point that we must wait for His answer. Today’s reflection is probably more for me than for the one I’m directed to send this to as an encouragement; to say that the answer’s taking so long to come, doesn’t mean it’s not coming.  It simply means God is testing the pulse of our faith…can it hold on?

See, in the Bible there’re many men of faith who had to wait…so what’s the great deal if we too have to wait.  Waiting on Him is an opportunity for us to exercise our prayer and faith muscles.  And make no mistake; there’ll be no lack in the period of waiting.  The devil will foment worry and tension in all that we think, but difficult as it may seem, flush those thoughts out.  At times, leave alone being blessed with a humungous blessing, even mere restoration may seem impossible, but firmly remember, God answers prayer and He never forgets and for Him nothing is impossible.  He will answer in time and the time is now even for you.  And like our Word above says, we haven’t perceived with the ear or seen with the eye what God has prepared for those that wait for Him.  Truly, the fruit of our patience will be immensely rewarded by God our Father.