God loves You

Bible Text: John 3:16

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them,human beings that you care for them?
(Psalm 8:3-4)

The Psalmist pondered on this same fact, why does God care for us? He draws a comparison between the amazing things God created. The heavens, the moon and the stars. In comparison to these things, what is man that God cares for him.

God's love for us in inexplicable. The worldly kind of love is a give-take-affair. The love the Father has for us is unconditional. He loved us even before we knew Him, for even when we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

This love is what should be seen in his children. The God-kinda-Love. It is often said love can turn the world around, but the world lacks such love. God's love turned our whole lives around, from being condemned to being called the Sons of the Most High.

To be like Jesus, we must love like how he loved. He did not have to do it, he could have called angels to come to his defence, but it was LOVE that kept him on that cross. Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? (Matthew 26:53)

Let us exhibit such love, and draw people to God.

He left His Father’s throne above,

So free, so infinite His grace;

Emptied Himself of all but love,

And bled for Adam’s helpless race:

’Tis mercy all, immense and free;

For, O my God, it found out me.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life in your hands. Let your love be seen in me, help me to love like you do.

And unto Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we could ever ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.

Amen!

Only by His Spirit

Bible Text: Judges 7

In the ideal case more is always better than less. In battle the more abled and equipped men and women you have the higher the chance of winning. More ammunitions, more money and the list goes on and on. 

Gideon was however instructed by God to downsize his army. This must have sounded absurd. God did not want the case were Israel would boast that their strength had won them victory in the battle.

The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’ (Judges 1:2)

Gideon obeyed this instruction and followed the various criteria given by God on how he would reduce the number of men he had. Anyone who was afraid to go into battle was asked to go home. This reduced the size from 32,000 men to 10,000. The size was again reduced from 10,000 to 300, these 300 were those who lapped the water like dogs. God gave Israel the victory over the Midianites using these 300 men.

God is not limited by us. God's power is not dependent on anything we have or do not have. It is not our abilities, or level of intelligence that allows God to do what he has to do. With or Without our strength, beauty, intelligence, family background, how fair or dark we are, fat or slim, tall or short, God is still God and can and will do what He says he will do.

‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.

If it were by might we will not be where we are today. If it were by might Sarah would not give birth at the age of 90 (Genesis 18:12). If it were by might how would a virgin, Mary,  who had been with no man give birth to Jesus (Luke 1:26-38). If it were by might how would Paul a persecutor of Christians preach the Gospel of the Christ he was persecuting (Acts 9). If it were by might how would a man born blind receive his sight. If it were by might how would the daughter of Jairus be brought back to life (Matthew 9:18-26).

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;

    his greatness no one can fathom.

(Psalm 145:3)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life in your hands. You are Great and you do great things, show yourself mighty in our lives. 

And unto Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we could ever ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.

Amen!

God is for Me

Bible Text: Romans 8:31

The passage If God be for us, who can be against us? seems to imply a trouble-free and opposition-free life. This is not the case.

David was just a young boy, with expertise in tending sheep and guarding them against predators.

The lion and bear,that came to attack his sheep, David killed. Such a brave young man he was. God was with David. In spite of this, here was Goliath threatening the existence of David's people. A 9 and a half feet problem.

This however did not put fear in David. "Who is this uncircumcised Philistine that he should defy the armies of the living God?" (1 Samuel 17:26). David exercised God-confidence. This confidence was as a result of knowing who his God is. But God made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding. (Jeremiah 10:12). Our God is greater than any other. 

Goliath was nothing compared to the Lord of Hosts. Through a fellowship with God we will get to know him and exercise a similar  God-confidence to that of the young boy David. "For when you did awesome things that we did not expect, you came down, and the mountains trembled before you." (Isaiah 64:3)

 In the face of adversity we will pick up our 5 stones and our sling, march towards our Goliath, lock our target and fire. Yes! We are more than conquerors. Through our life here on earth, we will face opposition and adversities, but If God be for us, who can be against us?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life in your hands. I will not fear because you are with me always.

And unto Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we could ever ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.  

Amen!

Our God is More than Able

Bible Text: Isaiah 59:1

There are times when we experience a disconnection from God. We feel a sense of seperation.

When we lead a life that does not please God, we hand over the seat of our hearts to sin. God and sin cannot dwell in the same heart. This causes a seperation between us and God.

Mostly in these situations we think that God is the one not acting to deliver us in certain situations. According to Isaiah it is we who have allowed sin to seperate us from our God.
"Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to ear. But your iniquities have seperated you from God; your sins have hidden his face from you so that he will not hear." (Isaiah 59:1-2)

We can see in a clear example of when the presence of God leaves due to sin. Eli had not dealt properly with the way his sons misconducted themselves in the temple. God through Samuel had revealed what was to take place due to this sin. Israel would lose drastically in the battle they were to fight. Eventually when the war came Israel was defeated, The Ark of the covenant was captured and Eli's sons Hophni and Phinehas were killed. Upon hearing this news Eli fell backwards and died. and the wife of Phinehas died after giving birth to their son.(1 Samuel 4) She named him Ichabod for she said: "The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.” (1 Samuel 4:22)

It is indeed a dreadful thing when God's presence departs. There is a good news however. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all iniquities. (1 John 1:19)

God's hands are never too short to save us nor his ears too dull to hear us. Let us ask God daily to examine us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Search me, O God, and know my heart!

  Try me and know my thoughts!

24 

And see if there be any grievous way in me,

    and lead me in the way everlasting!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life in your hands. Search my heart O Lord, and lead me in the path that leads to you.

And unto Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we could ever ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.

Amen!

He is Our Peace

Bible Text: Philippians 4:7

We often battle with situations that do not seem surmountable. The trauma from the loss of a loved one, failed relationships and marriages, the collapse of a business, damages in a natural disaster, the list goes on and on.

These and more steal our peace. Worry becomes the order of the day. Hope is lost and our situations to us seem bigger than anything ever.

In these situations, we need the peace that only God can provide. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7)


This peace is what we need to reassure us that God is in control. Without this peace we ourselves cannot comfort others who need comfort. We have to tell the storm how big our God is. We should always remember that with Jesus, we will always smile at the storm.

He is bigger than the storms we face. In all situations He is waiting for us to call out to him to calm the storms. Jesus completely calms the situations that steal our peace. Completely silents the raging seas to bring us total calm.
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. (Mark 4:39)

Release the Peace of God by believing and putting your trust in the God who can calm these storms. Total reliance on God in life brings us peace that no one can fathom.

   You rule over the surging sea;

    when its waves mount up, you still them.

(Psalm 89:9)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life in your hands. Master of the Universe, My eyes are fixed on you. Quiet down all storms that steal my peace.

And unto Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we could ever ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.

Amen!

Living the Victorious Life

Bible Text: 1 Corinthians 15:57

 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Through out scripture it is evident how the God factor changes everything.

When we isolate ourselves from the Bible stories and the many ways God brought victory to the Israelites, we will not fully understand who we are in God.

Jesus always makes a difference in all situations.

We mostly want to see a grand, majestic intervention to situations we face. But God works in even the little, unnoticeable ways to bring us the victory.

God worked out a plan to save us from the chains of sin. This plan was through a virgin birth in the most lowly way, a manger. No one believed that a saviour of the whole world could be born in a manger.

There is no way we can be on God's team and suffer defeat. We may not see anything working out now, but in due time as long as we are in Jesus we have the victory.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life in your hands. No matter how it may seem now, Lord I know in you I have the victory.

And unto Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we could ever ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.

Amen!

Be Courageous

Bible Text: Joshua 1:9


To be called to leadership is never an easy task. The success or failure of the followers is directly linked to how good or bad a leader is.

This pressure to be a good leader often leads to leaders opting for spiritual power from places that end them in their doom.

God's instructions to Joshua shows that it is God alone that gives power to the leader. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9)

Joshua was to lead the Children of Israel after the death of Moses. From the previous records of the children of Israel, they were not an easy people to lead. Serving under Moses, he was trained and equipped for the job ahead but God still saw the need for him to be strong, courageous and to get rid of fear. 

When we exhibit this courage we put our total trust in God. We are confident that He has everything under control. When we meet obstacles we will not be discouraged. 

God promises to be with us in everything. He has commanded us to be strong, courageous and not to be afraid. He who has promised to be with you is Greater than the greatest. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. (1 John 4:4)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life in your hands.Help me to be strong, and of good courage because you have promised to always be with me.

And unto Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we could ever ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.  

Amen!

Ask and It Shall Be Given

Bible Text: Matthew 7:7

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. (Matthew 7:7)

God is all-knowing, yet why doesnt he give us what he knows we will ask for?

This is a mind-boggling situation. God knows I need this, and this and that. But why must I ask before He gives it to me?

We ask for what we need, want, desire because it reaffirms our faith in God, our Father.

When we ask God for something, we are telling God : "I know you are Able because you are God"

Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? 

Our heavenly father is ready and waiting for us to ask him what we want, need and desire. When we put our trust in him, doing his will and being careful to obey his commands, he will not withhold any good thing from us. There is no need to worry, just ask and believe and you will receive it.

Ask him of what we need today. He is waiting!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life in your hands. I lay my request at your feet Lord, Do it all beautifully for me according to your will.

And unto Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we could ever ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.

Amen!

An Anchor for the Soul

Bible Text: Hebrews 6:19.

I once saw a young beautiful lady who was mad walking the streets. At first I did not want to believe that she was not of sound mental health, but it was a real as it was. What I saw was just one of many cases of young men and women losing their minds as their world comes crumbling down.

The unmarried cannot wait to get married, the married couple cannot wait to have a child, the couple with only girls cannot wait to have a son, and those with boys cannot wait to have a daughter, the unemployed is eager to find work to do and the worker is eager for a promotion. When these things do not happen it poses a lot of problems and we seem to think God does not care.

How are we Christians supposed to deal with such situations like the loss of a loved one, disappointments, death, miscarriages, hardship, and failure.
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” (Lamentations 3:22-24)

We are not to lose hope but rather put our hope on the one who can deliver us. "the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love." (Psalm 147:11). God loves us and wants us to put our hope in Him. His mercies towards us are new every morning. His thoughts and plans for us are for our own good. Anchoring our hoping Him shows that we trust Him and this helps us not to grow weary. We face every storm with a smile because Jesus is in our boat. 

When we place our anchor in things that cannot save us and the storms come, we are found wanting. We tend to do things we would never do in normal circumstances. Consulting Spiritual doctors and other questionable places which often aggravates the problem rather than solving it. The Psalmist likens this to trusting in Chariots and Horses. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. (Psalm 20:7)

 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure (Hebrews 6:19). The words of this popular hymn say it all. 

Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,

When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?

When the storm tides lift and the cables strain,

Will your anchor drift or firm remain?

Chorus

We have an anchor that keeps the soul

Steadfast and sure while the billows roll;

Fastened to the rock which cannot move,

Grounded firm and deep in the Saviour's love.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life in your hands. Help me to place my anchor in you, that through the storms you will deliver me and show me your salvation. 

And unto Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we could ever ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.  

Amen!

Faithful God

Bible Text: Deuteronomy 7:9

Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. (Deuteronomy 7:19)

God’s faithfulness is his very nature. This faithfulness means he is dependable. You can lean on him with full assurance that he will not let you down.

His faithfulness is seen in the life of many people in the Bible. In Abraham he is seen as the provider. Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. (Genesis 22:13)

If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. (2 Timothy 2:13)

No matter what, God still remains faithful. What He says He does.

It is left for us to have faith in Him, that he will not fail us.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life in your hands. Faithful God you are, You remain faithful in all circumstances. 

And unto Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we could ever ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.

Amen!

Sing Praise to the Lord!

Bible Text: Psalm 30:4

Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people; praise his holy name.

We are tempted to grumble and complain when we do not receive what we earnestly pray for. When things take a wrong turn and nothing seems to be going right. The confessions of our mouth are mostly negative, because to us we see no reason why we should praise God.

Our praises to God should however not be dependent on circumstances. There is time for crying out to God, laying our request at his feet and there is time for Praising him despite whatever we face. As Hannah's countenance changed after praying at the temple she then wiped away her tears and was no longer downcast. She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast. (1 Samuel 1:18)

Praise God through songs. Praising God from our hearts. When we do this we confuse the enemy who expects us to always expects to be down. Praise God. Declare his wonders to all the earth.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life in your hands. I will praise you Lord as long as I live.

And unto Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we could ever ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.

Amen!

Be Ye Holy

Bible Text: 1 Peter 1:15-16

When the subject of holiness is brought up, many shun it because it is preconceived that it is impossible to be holy in the world we live in. Some even go to the extent of quoting things like "God knows am human"

God knew you were human when the command was given. "Be ye holy as I am holy."
We have been called to be part of God's kingdom. He has separated us from the world and all its profanity.

A call to holiness simply means you have been set aside from the world therefore do not be like those in the world but live your lives to please your heavenly father who is also holy.
Holiness is required in all we do. In all our endeavours. What we say, hear and do. Holiness that draws others to God.

In being holy we actively live as strangers in this world. Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. (1 Peter 1:17)  Our aim is not to fit in to the world is to stay fit for heaven. To be holy we have to get rid of all things that draw us away from God for we cannot serve two masters. It's either we are for God or we are for the devil. There is no in between or balancing between Holiness and Unholiness. No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (Matthew 6:24)
                 
As the switch is either on or off.  We are either on for God or off for God. Let us remember to be holy as our heavenly father who has called us is holy.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life in your hands. Help me Lord to be holy, even as you are holy. Let me live my life as a living sacrifice, pleasant unto You.

And unto Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we could ever ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.

Amen!

God Protects Us!

Bible Text: Psalm 91

Security details are often assigned to individuals who hold high positions in society. Their lives are of great value and their death or capture may cause irreparable damage. It is the same with we believers. We are God's chosen people, precious in His sight. The apple of his eyes.

This Psalm is full of God's promises of protection for His children . "Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High". (v1)

In verse 3 God promises to save us from the trap set for us even as the fowl (bird) escapes from the trap set for it. We see in Psalm 35 the vivid explanation of traps set to destroy God's people and God's saving power in play to rescue us.  "For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged for my soul. 8 Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall." (Psalm 34:7-8)

The believer's life is never trouble-free. We often think as Christ saved us all will be rosy. All will not be rosy and trouble-free but the good news is that God is in control, working it all for our good. Verse 3-11 outlines the ways in which God will come through for us, A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.(VS 7) 

For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.( VS 11-12)

God promises to rescue us from our troubles because we love Him. We who have made the Most High our refuge are assured of 24/7 Divine Security detail. How Awesome! God Himself is watching to rescue us. 

We are special people and should not let live's ups and downs cause us to forget how precious we are to our God. He knows us by name before we were in our mother's womb. "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you" (Jeremiah 1:5)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life in your hands. Thank you for the love you have towards me that you came and died for my sins, and you continue to keep me and protect me under your wings. 

And unto Him who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we could ever ask or think, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever.  

Amen!