I Am Strong

Bible Text: Joel 3:10

As Soldiers in God's army, our battle is not against flesh and blood but against the forces of darkness. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12)

In today's passage we see that everyone was called to battle. In verse 10 the farmers were asked to transform their farming tools into weapons of war: Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruninghooks into spears.

Likewise to fight in God's army against the powers of darkness, against sin, against sickness, against satan himself, we have to turn what we have into weapons of war. There should be no excuses. To fight in God's army we need to empower ourselves by proclaiming strength. I AM STRONG. When we do this we acknowledge that this strength is not from us or dependent on us but comes from God himself: He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. (Isaiah 40:29)

We must actively involve ourselves in working for God, winning souls for his Kingdom. (Matthew 28:16-20) We must be prayer warriors, praying without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17) .

Let us in our weakness proclaim that WE ARE STRONG.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life in your hands. I pray that today we will cease on the excuses and declare that we are strong, ready for battle. 

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!

Things Above

Bible Text: Colossians 3:2

We were all dead when living in sin. Christ's sacrificial death on the cross set us free and has given us a new identity. We are now Children of God, heirs with God and co-heirs with Christ. This new identity comes with a new attitude and way of life.

We are to live like those who have been made alive in Christ. This does not mean a holier than thou attitude just for onlookers but a life totally set apart for God. Colossians 3 verses 1-17 gives us a detailed manual of living as those made alive in Christ. 

When we set our minds on things above, on God and his kingdom we will exhibit unique traits.

We are to rid ourselves of sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry, anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. These acts are of the old self, the flesh but now we are in Christ and we must do things of the Spirit. We are to live a life that is holy and pleasing in His sight. Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. (Romans 8:5)

Compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, love, peace, and thankfulness should be our hallmark. We who have been made alive in Christ should set our minds on things above and do everything in the name of Jesus.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life in your hands. As I set my mind on you Lord help me to live a life as one who has been made alive in Christ. 

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!

His Love Endures Forever

Love. It is one of the most popular used word. When we hear of love the first thing that comes to mind is the Romantic Butterfly love. Another type of love also exist. The romantic love is just a subset of that greater love.

This love was demonstrated by Jesus' sacrifice on the cross of Calvary.  For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16)  His love was also demonstrated towards so many people in the biblical accounts.

His love was demonstrated towards the daughter of Jarius. He raised her up from the dead.(Matthew 9:18-26). His love was demonstrated towards Blind Bartimaeus. The Blind beggar called upon Jesus for his healing. After a touch from Jesus he regained his sight. (Mark 10:46-52) 

God’s love never ends. It is everlasting. That is not the only good news. Nothing can separate us from this love.  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[a]neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, (Romans 8:38)

This Psalm talks about what our attitude should be towards this love. We should cultivate a spirit of gratitude to God. Give thanks to Him because His love endures forever. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods. His love endures forever. (Psalm 136:1-2) 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life in your hands. I am forever grateful for the love you have shown for me. Help me to also demonstrate this love. 

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!

God is everywhere!

Bible Text: (Psalm 139:7-12)

On a bus ride one day I noticed that someone had painstakingly posted stickers of Jesus' pictures on on the interior of the bus.

The stickers were literally everywhere. The beautiful artistic design brought to my mind the depiction of the omnipresence of God. God is everywhere!

The Psalmist illustrates this with his rather unfruitful plan to go away from God's presence.
Up in the Heavens, In the Depths, On the wings of the Dawn, At the Far side of the sea, God is right there to hold us fast.

Where can I go from your Spirit?

    Where can I flee from your presence?

8 

If I go up to the heavens, you are there;

    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

9 

If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

    if I settle on the far side of the sea,

10 

even there your hand will guide me,

    your right hand will hold me fast.

11 

If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me

    and the light become night around me,”

12 

even the darkness will not be dark to you;

    the night will shine like the day,

    for darkness is as light to you  

(Psalm 139:7-12)

This omnipresence assures us that God is in control of every affair that concerns us. He is right there holding our hands through everything. Never should we feel that we are sailing through this life on our own.
We are fearfully and wonderfully made. For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well (Psalm 139:13-14)
This ever present God is the one who knit us together in our mothers womb.

We are the work of his hands. How then can we ever be away from his presence!

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life in your hands. 

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!

Jesus has Overcome the World

Bible Text: John 16:16-33

When we watch the news headlines, it is full of grief upon grief. Bombs, Stabbings, Kidnappings, Civil wars and many other terrifying happenings. 

This should not come as a surprise to us for Jesus spoke of such things. In this world you will have trouble. (John 16:33 b) 

The Good news however is that Jesus has overcome the world. The world would give us trouble but we should not be gloomy and hopeless. Jesus says we should be of good cheer, we should be happy irrespective of the many sorrows the world dishes out to us: I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world (John 16:33)

He overcame the world by his sacrifice on the cross and has secured eternity for us in Heaven with him. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:57)

Jesus' final words on the cross "It is Finished"  signifies the completion of his task to bring us full freedom from sin, the World, and an eternity in Heaven. With this in mind, we should heed to the words of Jesus, and be of good cheer, by putting our trust in him whilst patiently waiting for His Second Coming.

Be of good cheer for I have overcome the worl

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life in your hands. As I patiently wait for you, help me to lean on you in all things so that your hope will be keep me going.

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!