God goes before Us

Bible Text: Deuteronomy 31:8

Had I known? If someone had informed me....
We almost always wish we knew the future. What is going to happen next. What will be the outcome of this or that action.

Our God is all knowing. He does not only know our past and present but He knows every intricate and infinitesimal bit of our future. God is everywhere even in our future putting things in the right order for our good.

He knew Pharoah and his men will chase after the Israelites, God then prepared a Red Sea to swallow them up. (Exodus 14)  God knew that Haman will hatch a plan to destroy the Jews, He prepared Esther to be in the position to petition the King on behalf of the Jews. (Esther 8)

How amazing is it to have an All-Knowing God who goes before us to prepare and put things in place. Our future is secure. Fear and Doubt have no room in our lives as we trust in this All-Knowing God.

These words spoken to Joshua by Moses, is for us too. The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." (Deuteronomy 31:8) 

I will go before you and will level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron.

(Isaiah 45:2)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life in your hands. All-knowing God take control of my life, go before me and make all my crooked ways straight. 

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 Kind

Bible Text: Luke 10:27

Jesus spoke in many parables and the one concerning showing kindness as a way of loving our neighbour was richly depicted with three people who were eligible to give help to someone who needed help.

It is however seen that those more qualified to help did nothing to help but rather fled from the sight of a beaten-and-left-to-die man. 

A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.  (Luke 10:31-33)

This is the usual problem when we do not know who our neighbour. Our kindness to people is often based on ethnic background, gender or depending if the person we are showing kindness to has the capacity to reciprocate this kindness. The Priest and the Levite were more than capable to help but did not. The Samaritan who was not even from that town, looked beyond ethnic backgrounds and offered to help the man who was at the point of death.
 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. (Luke 10:33-34)

This attitude should be in us as God's children. The spirit of kindness which a fruit of the Spirit is the mark of God's kingdom. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Jesus has also advised us at the Samaritan did and it was said of him as being Good, we too should show kindness to whoever, whenever and wherever as long as it is in our ability to do so.

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:37)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life in your hands. May I reflect you here on earth as I show kindness to those in need. 

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 snatched us from Death

Bible Text: Psalm 107:20

He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave (Psalm 107:20)

We were destined for eternal death through one man's sin, Adam. The wages of sin is death, therefore our end was an eternity in hell. But God who so loves us does not want us to die but have everlasting. He sent his only begotten son to rescue us, snatching us from the grave.                     
 This act of snatching was borne out of love. For he loved us even before we loved him. He snatched us right on time from the claws of death.                     

 The New Living Translates reads "snatching them from the door of death". And this Christ did just for you and me.                     

 How then do we respond to such love. We do so by living each day for him. Responding to his love with love. We are to love the Lord with all our heart, soul and mind. And we are then to love our neighbour as ourselves. (Matthew 22:37-39)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life in your hands. Thank You from snatching me from the door of death, Help me to live a life that pleases 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!

Our future is Safe and Secure

Bible Text: Jeremiah 29:11

 The story of Joseph right from the time he had the dreams of what was to happen, to him being sold into slavery by his brothers, to slavery in Egypt then to being accused of rape by Potiphar's wife, was what one would call a series of unfortunate events. Joseph just could not catch a break!

However hopeless the situation looked it was all God's Grand Plan for Joseph and nothing was going to wreck this plan.
Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails. (Proverbs 19:21)

Joseph's brother had planned a life of slavery for Joseph as they sold him into slavery but God had planned that Joseph's trip to Egypt was for the deliverance of his people when the time of famine came. (Genesis 47:27-28)

Potiphar's wife planned to ruin Joseph's life because he had not given in to her demand, but God planned that Joseph was to be in prison in order for him to interprete the dreams of Pharaoh's chief cup bearer and chief baker. (Genesis 40) This act eventually led him to interprete Pharaoh's dreams. (Genesis 41). The interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams catapulted him into greater things, Joseph was made ruler of Egypt.

Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has revealed the meaning of the dreams to you, clearly no one else is as intelligent or wise as you are. 40 You will be in charge of my court, and all my people will take orders from you. Only I, sitting on my throne, will have a rank higher than yours.” (Genesis 41:39-40)

God has everything under control. He knows the plans he has for you. These plans are to Prosper you and not for harm. The plans God has for you are to give you hope and a future.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

(Jeremiah 29:11)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life in your hands. You who made the stars and call them each by name, you are my God. I know that you have the whole world in your hands. Help me to trust you and let your will be done.

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!

Abraham's Blessings are mine

Bible Text: Galatians 3:13-14

We have heard on so many occasions that Abraham's blessings are ours, but what does this really mean and how do we tap into this anointing to experience these same blessings upon our lives.

First and foremost we have to know the relationship between God and Abraham. Abraham was commanded to move from his country to a place God will show him. The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. (Genesis 12:1)

Abraham heeded to this command and God blessed Him as he had promised. “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you. (Genesis 12:2-3)  He had a close relationship with God.

These blessings upon Abraham were so much that it could not be contained.   But the land could not support them while they stayed together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to stay together. (Genesis 13:6)

These same blessings are upon us through Jesus Christ. The redemption work of Christ on the cross has bought us sonship and we too have become candidates of Abraham's blessings promised to all his generation.  Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.”[a] 14 He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. (Galatians 3:13-14)

As Abraham lived a life blameless before God, heeding to the instructions of God, we too in Christ having been re-born as heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, through our obedience to God and faith in God will enjoy these blessings and many more.

 Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold.

(Genesis 13:2)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life in your hands. Abraham's blessings are mine, I am blessed in the morning, blessed in the evening,blessed in all I 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!

God is our Shield

Bible Text: Daniel 6

Those who have encountered any life threatening situation will better understand and explain what it means to have a shield at such crucial moments. When people narrate their narrow escape from death during a war it always includes a situation or a place that shielded them from direct contact with death.

Daniel needed a shield. His enemies set a trap for him knowing quite well that come what may, irrespective of the order of the King, Daniel will pray. Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.” (Daniel 6:5)

The plan was to get Daniel killed because he was exceptional and was going to be put in charge of  the whole kingdom. Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. (Daniel 6:3)

 Daniel was eventually thrown into the lions' den as he had defied the law that anyone who prays to any other god or human being except to the King within the next 30 days will be thrown into the lions' den. (Daniel 6:7)

Daniel took refuge in God. In the lion's den God shut the mouth of the lions. No harm came to Daniel even in the face of danger. God was a shield to Daniel.

He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

God's protection to those who take refuge in Him, those who put their trust in Him for complete provision and protection, is like that of a mother hen to her chicks. The mother hen wards off all prey from her chicks with the little strength she has, how much more our God who is all powerful. 

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life in your hands. I put my trust in you because You are my shield. Shut the mouths of any lions the enemy has assigned for my destruction.

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!

Beautiful in its Time

Bible Text: Ecclesiastes 3:11

We often reminisce on the times we were younger. Having no cares basically playing all day. Life was so much fun we would think.
We cannot get back these times unless we built some sort of time machine to transport us back to these times.

This clearly shows that there is time for everything under the sun. There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die a time to plant and a time to uproot, (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2)

These times do not however happen by chance. There is a God who controls these times. He has times and seasons in his hands. He is the creator of times and seasons: And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years, (Genesis 1:14)
He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. (Daniel 2:21)

There is no one better that can put your times and seasons into perfect harmony than the one who created you and these times and seasons. In Jeremiah 29:11 God says : For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

It is only God who can make all things in your life beautiful in its time. When we commit all things in his hands and seek to do His will in our lives only then do we allow him to make all things in our lives beautiful. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I commit my life in your hands. You have my times and seasons in your hands. Lord make all things in my life beautiful in its own time.

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!