Forgiveness – Key to True Freedom

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. – Colossians 3: 13

Making a decision to forgive others just as you know God forgave us requires courage. It is so much easier to hold a person in un-forgiveness - especially when you have the mindset that what they did to you justifies it. It is false thinking to believe that we gain something from doing this when all we are really doing is destroying our own peace of mind. Forgiveness is never for the offender; it is always for the offended.

I have since learnt to lower all my expectations from others – to simply be enough for me. When you have little or no expectations, you have little or no disappointments. The trouble of carrying extra baggage around in the name of un-forgiveness is just too expensive and too demanding.

If you are holding anyone in forgiveness today, it is time to let go of all justified resentments and simply move on. Focus on whatever it is you are supposed to be doing and do not waste an extra minute on the negative memories that facilitate un-forgiveness.

We are to make an effort to forgive everyone every time of everything.

The “How” Means More Than the “What”

“Everything is permissible for me” – but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me – but I will not be mastered by anything. – 1 Corinthians 6:12

“Everything is permissible” – but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible” – but not everything is constructive. – 1 Corinthians 10:23

It is more important how we arrive at the decisions we make more than what the decisions actually are. It is always crucial to consider the following when we have a decision to make:

A) How does this decision impact the future? Does it take you where you ought to be going or is it a decision based entirely on how you are feeling at the moment? I know we place a lot of emphasis on how we feel – while feelings cannot be totally discounted as we are human beings, it is imperative that we do not place a lot of trust on them as they are transient; feelings always change. Ask yourself how your decision will impact your future? Does it facilitate growth? Decisions you make today will impact your tomorrow.
B) Is the decision biblical? God has given us rules to follow so that we do not end of hurting ourselves and others. When we knowingly go against what God says in His Word, we are bound to get in a world of hurt. The only way we can learn what to do is to learn what not to do – the Bible tells us both.
C) Does it bring others pain? Even though a decision looks good to us and feels good, if it is not necessary, unwise and not in the best interest of those God has placed in our lives, we must reconsider our position.

No-one is perfect but we all most make decisions everyday – it’s a fact of life! Focusing on how we make decisions is extremely vital. When we pay attention to the “how” and use the Word of God as a guideline, the “what” will always be in line with God’s plan for our lives.

Just a Little Humor!!

My brother bought a T-shirt from the city today and there was one that caught my eye. Since I can’t lie I’ll tell you all what it said. It went like this:

“It’s better to have loved and lost than live with the psycho the rest of your life.”

And before you say anything – I know it’s not nice and that there is no spiritual value to the phrase but I thought it was kind of funny. The moral of the phrase really is that moving on is not all that bad. That behind every cloud is a silver lining. When one door shuts, the Lord always opens another. Sometimes there’s much more to gain than what you think you might have lost – especially when God is the center of your life. Some of the things we try so desperately to hold on to, God might actually be trying to tear away from you to allow you to elevate to the next level in your life.

Today I celebrate new beginnings and I am thankful for a new lease on life. God is graceful and He is kind. I can’t wait for all the new adventures and projects he has for me. Finally I am moving towards God’s purpose for my life. It’s a wonderful feeling!

The Decisions We Make in the Morning Dictates the Evening

I am swiftly approaching the fourth decade of my life and I am a little apprehensive – a little anxious that I might have wasted a good 15 years of my life traveling the wrong road. Don’t get me wrong, I have a lot of things to be thankful for especially my two wonderful daughters, Tami and Tobi. But like every other driven person on the planet, I am painfully aware that what we spend our time doing in the early years of our lives will ultimately dictate how our evening will turn out.

Ironically, I had some candid discussions with my eldest daughter today about the importance of learning how to be organized earlier on in life. Organization more often than not will result in success. When you see grown people all over the place like a cheap suit, it is very likely that their lack of organizational skills in the little things has spilled over into every other major area of their lives.

Whether we like it or not, we are laying today the foundation we will build on tomorrow. The decisions we make today will be magnified in the days and years to come so it is vital we develop the character is required to end well. Character and morality are not the same. Morality is things you will do or not do. For example you give to the needy but you lack a sense of responsibility when it comes to your immediate family. Character deals with deeper things – values and integrity. It deals with the kind of decisions we make when our back is against the wall. It is always developed in secret but displayed in public and exhibited during times of crisis.

So the next time you are going to make a choice, consider the following:

* How does your decision build you up spiritually?

“Everything is permissible” – but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible” – but not everything is constructive. – 1 Corinthians 10:23

* Does whatever you continue to do have you under its power? Can you do without it? Do you see a pattern of dysfunction?

“Everything is permissible for me” – but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me” – but I will not be mastered by anything. – 1 Corinthians 6:12

* Do you have peace with what you’re doing? Is your conscience clear?

A man who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin. Romans 14:23

* Does your decision hurt innocent people or does it cause other people to stumble and fall?

If your brother is distressed because of what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother for whom Christ died. – Romans 14:15

Facing Temptation

“Sow a thought, and you reap an act; Sow an act, and you reap a habit; Sow a habit, and you reap a character; Sow a character, and you reap a destiny” – Charles Reade

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. – James 1:12-15

We all get tempted – especially when we encounter tough times, we are persuaded to take short cuts, act irrationally and/or give in to negativity. Even when we truly love God, we still have struggles between the flesh and the spirit but if we hold on, temptation can be endured. There is always a way out. We do not need to give in to temptation. Luckily it is not a sin to be tempted but it is sinful to succumb.

Whatever we sow, we will ultimately reap. We cannot plant onions and come back to reap potatoes. Life doesn’t work that way. Whatever we ponder upon and give in to, we will become. Even Jesus was tempted in Luke 14:15 but he did not fall for the devil’s tricks. As humans, we think, act and then behave. This means we have to be careful about what we let occupy our thoughts. We need to guard our thoughts diligently; failure to do so can lead us down roads we don’t want to be caught dead on!

When does temptation usually come? Temptation comes to us especially after a time of great blessing from God and it comes to us all. No one is exempt from temptation and it starts with our imagination and feelings. But the Bible clearly states that the just shall live by faith not by associations or by feelings. When we are new to Christianity or we are doing something good for God, the enemy sneaks in and tries to bring us down. He starts putting thoughts in our head to get us off course and away from God’s will for our lives. In reality, he has no other plans for us but to steal, kill and destroy everything that we have going for us – our home, our jobs, our family and our children. That is why it is important to do our best to stay in the will of God. How do we stay in the will of God? By using the primary weapon God himself provided for us – His Word.

Beyond Conviction

We all do wrong sometimes – this is a fact but getting to a place where we are beyond conviction is nothing short of a travesty. What is conviction? It is simply a belief deeply founded upon the fact that you know God is speaking to you through His Word. Conviction allows one to see his or her role in life very clearly aligned with the will of God as dictated by scripture.

When we are consistently convicted, God has given us the grace to change. If we are smart we would run to his throne of grace and accept his mercy. But if we decide to be arrogant, we can live in the denial that every one else is wrong and we are right and refuse to change.

Being convicted is a privilege – I learnt very recently that repentance is a gift from God. Not every one has the ability to repent. It is not something we can do anytime we choose to. When God gives us the grace to change, we must embrace it whole heartedly because believe it or not some people are beyond conviction. They’ve gotten to a place where doing the wrong things just doesn’t bother them anymore. They go to church and say amen to everything that is taught. They’ve got all the colloquialism’s down and they learnt the language so they can blend in. But they come out week after week unchanged. This brings home the saying that going to church does not make one a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes one a Cadillac.

When one is beyond conviction it means that sin has caused a big separation between God and the heart. It means hearing from God has become a fallacy and no longer reality. The heart is hardened and the soul is dead. It reminds me of the movie “Dead Man Walking”; when one is alive and breathing but with no life at all.

My prayer for all today is that we receive the gift of repentance from God. I pray that we never ever get to a point where the Word of God ceases to effect change in our hearts. I pray that we never get to a point where we are beyond conviction by the Holy Spirit.

Transform Your Mind; Walk in His Will

Therefore I urge brothers in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:1-2

We have all heard the famous saying “As a man thinketh so is he”. Our philosophy controls our lives. Whatever we believe in is displayed in the choices we make and ultimately the direction in which our lives will take. Our words are indeed powerful but more powerful is our thoughts. The whole world today is after our thoughts – books, magazines, TV shows and the general media. Everyone is out to control our thoughts as whatever we think about we will ultimately invest in.

The Bible clearly says the following in John 1:1-2: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.” When God wanted to change the world and redeem us from our sins, he sent His Son –he sent Word. The only thing that can transform our lives and the world, the only thing that can bring the change we so desperately need is the Word of God. Nothing else will do! We should never be too stubborn or arrogant to change our minds such that it lines up with the will of God.

Mind transformation is not easy. We all have old habits and ideas that are contrary to how God will have us live but the Bible also says that “With God, nothing is impossible”. God can give all who desire it a new lease on life if we live in line with his Word. Renewing your mind simply means changing your belief and re-aligning your thinking.

God Will Forgive Me No Matter What

What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey – whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. Romans 6:15-18

Is really true that no matter what we do God will always forgive us? I’ve often heard people use the phrase “I have made my peace with God” to explain away the act of knowingly taking drastic actions and fleshy decisions about their own lives and even sometimes the lives of others. I have to believe that the merciful God that we serve will indeed forgive us no matter what we do as searching the scriptures clearly shows that under the new covenant, the only unforgivable sin is failure to believe in the Son of God and his work on the Cross of Calvary.

One thing is however clear from personal experience; one thing is for sure certain – the consequences of our error(s) will have to be endured. Even when we repent, there are dire repercussions sometimes for what we do that goes against the clear directions of God’s word. Satan has a way of keeping many technical Christians in ignorance. He gives false hope and dangles carrots in front of Christians who are very knowledgeable in the word but have no real knowledge of the God of the word. True Christian living is based on Christian learning and the life of a true believer is one of continuous repentance. We must know that it is not about imitation but impartation.

As we mature we definitely learn it is not about saying no to erroneous living but knowing the lasting effects that it can have on our lives and on the lives of generations to come. We must choose to obey instead of live in rebellion. Coming to the knowledge of God allows us to make better choices and decisions. It gives us the privilege to avoid the slippery slope of backsliding and coming to the Lord multiple times over. It stops us from remaining as a child, having a kindergarten experience with God.

Take An Active Part In Your Own Healing

Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”

Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed from that moment. – Matthew 9:20-22

God has given all free will to choose how we will live our lives. Choice is brilliant but it can bring devastation when we choose wrongly. So even though God wanted his people to come to him of their own will, the consequences to do different we have to face. If there is something that we want to see change in our lives, we have to ask God for help. He cannot help if you do not ask.

The woman in the passage above could have stood back watching everyone else get healed. She could have chosen to be prideful, feeling that she didn’t need help. After all, if she had lived with the illness for twelve years she could stand if for another twelve! Most importantly her image could have been more important to her than her reality but she wanted to be healed and she knew that to get healed, she would need to reach out to God Almighty.

We should never be too proud or blind to see that we are living in error and need deliverance. Arrogance is an anointing killer. When it takes a foothold in our lives, we believe all is well and we do not need to make changes. We think everyone is wrong and we are right. When we have succeeded in running our lives into the ditch, we must own up to the fact and seek God so that order can return. Every one around you cannot be wrong. Living in denial is a dangerous thing. It ruins our testimony and gives us false comfort even when we know we are operating outside the will of God for our lives. What we do in the beginning our lives ultimately determine how our lives will end but we can make radical changes in the middle. It is never too late to be healed but we must take an active part in our own healing.

God Uses All Circumstances For Your God

Everything that happens to us is for a purpose. Some things we bring upon ourselves through bad choices and woeful decisions but when we come to the knowledge of God, he turns all our wrong choices around for good. He still manages to use us despite our mistakes. I once heard a preacher say that one could never have a message until they’ve been through the mess – I couldn’t tell you how true that is!

A woman who lost a child in the past can be a comforter to another who has just suffered the same loss. A man who has Cerebral Palsy can be an indication to skeptics about the ability of God to use anyone as he tries to speak to a gathered crowd despite his impaired speech and useless body. A woman who has gone through a divorce can minister to others that divorce is not the end of your life; it is simply an open door to a brand new beginning.

So many times when life deals us a blow we try to change the situation by taking humanistic actions. We do all we can to either reverse what is happening to us or worse still live in denial and pretend what is happening is not really happening to us. But it is important to know that God may not want us to change our situation. Rather he’s trying to use our situation to bring about necessary change in us. If we stop, listen and stay in obedience we will hear him say “Be still and know that I am God”. Obedience always brings revelation but rebellion on the other hand allows one to continue to live in perpetual dysfunction.

So if you are going through something right now, stop and listen. Listen to God and read his word – find out what he is trying to tell you. Regardless of the confusion and chaos that surrounds you, God is still speaking.

The Constant Struggle between the Spirit and the Flesh

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man but by my Father in heaven. - Matthew 16:13-17

From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”

Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” Matthew 16:21-23

No-one is perfect – only Christ was perfect. Even the most spiritual of folks will display their carnal side when you press just the right buttons. I have found that avoiding certain situations and people keeps me on the straight and narrow most of the time but I do still fall off the wagon once in a while. But as we grow more in the knowledge of God, we are convicted and as such we grow. Condemnation never brings freedom; all it breeds is guilt.

I came across this story in Matthew 16 and was comforted to know that even people of faith recorded in this glorious book are people just like us – with faults and flaws. Abraham was a man of faith. God called him a friend but he also had some flaws. He went from agreeing to Sarah’s scheme to give her maidservant a son after God had promised him and his wife Sarah that they will have a son to willing to (by faith) sacrifice his beloved son Isaac as a burnt offering.

In this passage, Peter knew who Christ was. The spirit of God had revealed to him that Jesus was indeed the Son of God. He didn’t read it in a book and Jesus did not tell him, most of all there was no Bible to read. But further on in the same passage, his flesh spoke up and wanted to protect Christ from his purpose – the Spirit definitely did not reveal to him to protect Christ but his feelings for the Savior made him speak. Our flesh and our spirit are constantly in conflict with one another but as we grow, the spirit wins most of the time. If our flesh is mainly in control of our decisions, we can be rest assured that there is no real growth. The key point here is even the best of us will do and say things sometimes that is not from God and based entirely on how we feel or on worldly principles. We will make decisions that are not of God and pay dearly for our choices. The only way to make right choices is to test the choice against the word of God. If it stands up to the word of God, we are good, if it does not, the idea must immediately be discarded.

The Danger of Meandering

Me-an-der [mee-AN-dar]: to flow windingly; wander aimlessly.

God is always at work in the life of every believer even when you see or feel nothing is happening. I remember the story in the bible about the folks that we’re commanded to walk around the walls of Jericho – for seven days! I can imagine how they must have felt on the second day but even though they saw no signs, God was working behind the scenes.

The truth is God will sometimes ask us to make circles – do the same thing over and over again or put us in a trying job or even a challenging marriage but the challenge is to stay and make circles as God wants us to but we turn and we flee. We make a decision to move on to something new – believing that new is better when most of the time it isn’t better just different.

Making circles as directed by God and meandering is not the same thing. We must understand that doing the same thing over and over again does not necessarily mean that we are stuck. It may mean that we are faithful and that we are diligent. Often times, there is something God is trying to teach us to improve us and take us to the next level in realizing our purpose in life. But we refuse to stick around long enough to learn the lessons we so desperately need. Having 5 jobs in 3 years by choice is not progressive; it’s meandering! Not every employer is prejudiced – the issue may really be with you. Being married over and over again is not reveling in your freedom to choose and move on; it simply proves a lack of loyalty and faithfulness. The Israelites wandered in the wilderness for decades due to simple disobedience and they never saw the promises that God had for them.

I heard something today that is most important when it comes to meandering. The very act of wandering means that the meanderer really has no concept of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Intellectually they may understand that there is a God and Jesus Christ died for their sins and all our sins past and future has been dealt with at the Cross but there is no personal encounter with the Lamb of God. A personal encounter with God brings faith and stability. It makes one grounded and responsible so that suffering for repercussions that will ultimately stem from living a meandering life is avoided.

In Romans 6 verse 1Paul clearly asks the question “What shall we say then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?” As believers we must not waste God’s grace nor take it for granted. We must stay focused and grounded in order to do the things that God requires of us to do. We need to stop wandering – going from option to option looking for lasting peace, satisfaction and fulfillment in places we could never find it.

Knowing God’s Voice

“Then God said, “Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about.” – Genesis 22: 2

Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went out together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, “Father?” “Yes, my son?” Abraham replied. “The fire and wood are here,” Isaac said, “but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?” Abraham answered, “God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” – Genesis 22: 6-8

When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, “Abraham! Abraham!” “Here I am,” he replied. “Do not lay on hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son. 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: 9-13

There are a few things about Abraham that are worth mentioning – he was a great man of faith. We see his faith grow as we go through the Old Testament. He wasn’t perfect but in the end God called him a friend. Most of all, Abraham believed God. How do you believe God if you don’t know him? How do you have faith in a God that you can’t recognize his voice?

I know a lot of us claim to know God because we know his word. But that is not enough. You can never tell what is from God until you know his voice. If we knew his voice as opposed to learning the whole bible by heart, we would know when and who to marry, we would know when to buy and when to wait, we would know when to relocate and when to stay right where we are. But I have since learnt that it is possible to know God’s word but not his voice. To learn what is God we must know what isn’t God.

We mostly learn God’s word in retrospect – as we go through self-inflicted pain. As we wade through the problems that arise from wrong choices – choices that we made thinking we heard from God. Abraham had got to know God’s voice; if he didn’t he would have killed his own son. How many people and opportunities are we killing because we fail to learn God’s voice?

So how do we like Abraham know God’s voice? We learn God’s by spending time in his presence and reading his word to know what is not of him. The only way to get to know anyone and know for sure what their opinion will be on any situation is to spend quality time his or her presence – there is no other way. Cramming all the scriptures won’t do it because the right word at the wrong time can ruin your testimony!

True Faith Demands Total Obedience

“Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.”

“How will this be, “Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.”

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her. – Luke 1: 30-38

I can’t imagine how Mary must have felt when she knew she was going to be pregnant – supernaturally. In this day and age no-one will believe you. You come home and tell your parents that as a young girl you are pregnant and the Holy Spirit did it. It’s hard to imagine. But Mary dealt with it. She dealt with God’s requirements in times that were probably tougher than ours today. She remained in total obedience to God’s command and surrendered herself completely to be used by God. What are some of the requirements of true faith?

-True faith will always demand total obedience and dependence.
-True faith means taking God at his word.
-True faith understands that he is God when he does and still God if he doesn’t.
-True faith knows that you don’t always get everything that you pray for.
-True faith is following his word regardless of the circumstances that surround you; believing even when things make no sense.
-True faith is walking with God even when you see no manifestation of his presence.

Mary was brave and lived by faith. We should all have the same surrendering spirit that she did. After all as believers we know for a fact that whatever we refuse to make available to God will eventually die.

Educate Yourself

“My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.” – Hosea 4: 6

Once we are educated in the ways of the world and we attend the best schools, we often believe that we have arrived. We buy the finest houses and the finest cars and by all outward appearances, nothing could be better. I have since learnt (the hard way) that it is possible to have the most beautiful looking coconut with rotten contents. The sad truth is that things are not often the way that they appear. Humanity is getting destroyed due to lack of knowledge.

When we buy anything new we must study the manufacturer’s instructions in order to understand how to use what we have acquired. Without the instructions, errors will be imminent. A builder cannot proceed with constructing a building without following the architectural design that was created specifically for the project. If he does so, he will build something alright but it will never be according to plan. The same applies with everything that God created. God has a design and a plan for our lives; we must study the instruction manual to be able to function according to plan.

What is the instruction manual that I’m talking about? I am referring to the Bible. The Word of God is the only source of true knowledge. It is the best book every written. It is a book that changes lives – for the better. All knowledge that is required for “successful” living is in the Bible. Study the Bible and encourage your children to do the same. Generational curses become real when ignorance is transferred but we have been giving the opportunity to make generational choices instead. Let’s take steps to accept the hand and knowledge of God into our lives. It’s never too late to change.

Jeremiah 1 – God Has Called You

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” – Verse 5

Understand that God knows who you are and what he has given you to provide to the world. Before your Grandmother met your Grandfather, he knew you. He had a unique intention and purpose for your life identified even before you were formed. God’s goal for us all is not to simply take us to heaven but to change us in between. Just because we know that we are saved does not mean the task we were created for is done. We have been set apart as a prophet to the nations. Our lives must show that we are prophets and our choices must indicate our lineage and God’s calling upon our lives.

“Ah, Sovereign Lord, “I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.” But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, I am only a child.” You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord. – Verses 6 - 8

God is never looking for perfection; all he is looking for is a willing heart. Lately God has been talking to me about investing more of my talents and gifts in his kingdom so that I can fulfill his call upon my life. I never thought I could write anything, lets face it – I hated literature, English Composition and all writing related subjects in school and here I am, happiest when I put pen to paper. My writing is not perfect but I am willing to develop it to further the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I acknowledge everyday with great humility that I am a nobody but my God is a somebody. I have made a decision to do whatever he tells me to do and go wherever he tells me to go simply because I am confident that he will not only go before me and prepare a place for me, he will tell me what I need to say.

“Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “Now I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.” – Verses 9 - 10

Allow God to touch you afresh and give you a fresh sense of forgiveness. He has given us a task to do and we must all, as parts of the same body, accomplished his goal. Search your mind today – what are you doing to further his kingdom? What part of the body are you? What exactly is your function?

The God of Many Chances

The act of giving our lives over to Jesus Christ only needs to happen once. Once we make a decision to follow him and accept him into our hearts, we accept the gift of salvation only possible through his death, burial and resurrection. It is impossible to lose one’s salvation. There’s nothing you can do that can make that happen. It is however possible to be saved and not realize the full peace and joy that can come from being a part of God’s family for many reasons. God’s goal when we are saved is not just to take us to heaven but to change our lives for better in between.

So when we make mistakes (as we all often do), it is impossible to acknowledge the mistake and move on. The Christian life is not a life of perfection; it’s a life of continuous repentance. We are not perfect but we are to aim and desire perfection as we grow deeper in our faith. It is vital not to wallow in self pity or self loath when we fall – God is a God of many chances. Just as he encourages us to continually forgive one another, he sent his Only Son to die for our sins past, present and future. God patience and love is long suffering but at the same time it does not entitle us to brazenly and boldly do things that we know are contrary to his word.

So if you are feeling guilty about something you have done or are currently doing, the first step is to acknowledge the error and make things right if you have the chance to do so. Accept God’s forgiveness through faith and stop doing the wrong that you keep doing. If there are people in your life that make the error prevalent, you may need to let them go. It’s important to leave certain folks alone in order to get where you need to get to. The key is not to make them enemies but simply change the dynamics of the relationship where they have no impact on your life.

Finding Your Spot

Each and every thing ever created has a purpose. No inventor ever created anything without a function in mind for that thing to fulfill. So if we mere men have a purpose for all the things that we create, how much more the Great God we serve. God has a specific purpose for your life; a specific spot that you were created to fit. And when you eventually find your spot, everything else falls into place.

The sad reality is that a lot of us will spend our entire lifetime in the wrong spot. We will struggle, fuss and fight in the wrong place while trying desperately to fit into a position that was never designed for us. I have since learnt that what you have the aptitude to do is not necessarily what one was created to do. It is only when you find that task you were created to do that the ultimate fulfillment in life comes. It is only when you activate your true gift that life makes real sense. It is only your true calling that will make room for you in the world.

My prayer everyday is that God will show me what it is he has called me to do. I have the potential to do many things but that one main thing is what I always pray will be revealed to me. And as each day goes by, various pieces of the puzzle are falling into place and I’m seeing his mission for my existence come into full view. I think that should be a prayer for us all – young and old. It’s never too early to help our children figure out God’s calling upon their lives. The earlier they figure it out, the better off they’ll be. It will reduce the possibility of them spending valuable years of their lives going down the wrong road.

I once heard someone say that if you have no idea where you are headed all roads will lead you there and worst of all when you get there, you’ll have no idea that you’ve arrived!Each and every thing ever created has a purpose. No inventor ever created anything without a function in mind for that thing to fulfill. So if we mere men have a purpose for all the things that we create, how much more the Great God we serve. God has a specific purpose for your life; a specific spot that you were created to fit. And when you eventually find your spot, everything else falls into place.

The sad reality is that a lot of us will spend our entire lifetime in the wrong spot. We will struggle, fuss and fight in the wrong place while trying desperately to fit into a position that was never designed for us. I have since learnt that what you have the aptitude to do is not necessarily what one was created to do. It is only when you find that task you were created to do that the ultimate fulfillment in life comes. It is only when you activate your true gift that life makes real sense. It is only your true calling that will make room for you in the world.

My prayer everyday is that God will show me what it is he has called me to do. I have the potential to do many things but that one main thing is what I always pray will be revealed to me. And as each day goes by, various pieces of the puzzle are falling into place and I’m seeing his mission for my existence come into full view. I think that should be a prayer for us all – young and old. It’s never too early to help our children figure out God’s calling upon their lives. The earlier they figure it out, the better off they’ll be. It will reduce the possibility of them spending valuable years of their lives going down the wrong road.

I once heard someone say that if you have no idea where you are headed all roads will lead you there and worst of all when you get there, you’ll have no idea that you’ve arrived!

Only By His Grace We Stand

“This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ.” – Romans 3: 22-24

None of us are perfect but we often find it hard to give one another a break. We spend a lifetime searching for perfection that we ourselves do not possess in our spouses, our children, relatives and friends. We are often quick to judge and lay blame the minute people around us make mistakes or make decisions that we clearly view as stupid. Sometimes it is beneficial to take a step back and show some empathy towards the plight of others even when there is no doubt that they are to blame for their predicament.

I regard myself as being relatively disciplined and have very little patience for those that are not. But there is a scripture that never fails to check me and take me right off my high horse - “As it is written: There is no one righteous, not even one.” – Romans 2:10 Not a single one of us is perfect and truth be told, God is not up in the heavenly realms weighing sins on a scale. There is only one unforgivable sin in the sight of God and that is failure to accept His Only Son – Jesus Christ.

When we all come to understand that it is only by the grace of God that we stand, we ultimately become more tolerant and less judgmental of others. We learn that it is not by openly and insensitively showing contempt and disdain for their actions that we draw them close to Our Heavenly Father but it is by gently pointing out the errors in their ways yet showing understanding that we demonstrate the love of God.

Look Inwards

“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” – Colossians 2:6-7

The moment we turn our lives over to Christ, the Holy Spirit comes and dwells inside of us. God orders our steps and directs us as we walk with him on a daily basis. As we listen to and study his word we are inwardly strengthened. Trials and tribulations also serve to make us aware that there is more to life than just us and that God is greater than any problems or issues that we can ever face.

I once spoke to a friend who was having a hard time and she mentioned that she just wasn’t strong enough to break through the issues that had held her bound for years. I was quick to let her know that we are indeed all strong enough – in Jesus Christ. Strength and its adequacy are greatly dependent on where we decide to look for it. Inevitably with time and circumstance, we will all learn that looking everywhere else for strength rather than inwards serves no purpose. The strength we often search for externally to no avail is buried right there – deep within us in the form of the Holy Spirit.

Just like we physically exercise to keep our bodies strong, we must exercise spiritually to strengthen our spirit. We must spend adequate time in the presence of God – listening to his word, studying and praising. That is the only way to become a person with a strong spirit. So when tough times come (which they will), we are able to draw from our deposits of strength on the inside to carry us safely through.

Blessings and Geography: Are They Really Linked?

“I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” – Genesis 28:15

I recently returned from a much needed vacation away with my two daughters and had a great time with family. I attended church while I was away and found the Pentecostal way of worship that I had been accustomed to in the past needed a little getting used to once again. In the states, I attend a wonderful Baptist church where worship is quite low-key. I did enjoy the worship – it was wonderful to see the way people praised without any self consciousness.

During one of the sermons, I heard a visiting preacher talk about blessings being tied to a geographical location. I have heard that opinion before but she was adamant that we could potentially leave our place of blessing and go somewhere else and thereby miss it. I couldn’t help but voice my disagreement at that idea (at some level) after all God is not the kind of god that you can place in a box. He is a God greater than any location; a God without boundaries. I believe that is exactly why he placed our gifts in a place we could never miss it – inside of us. So if our gifts, talents and abilities are within us, how can we be tied down by geography? I understand that we may have the need to move once we start to discover what we have been called to do and when we realize that some gifts are better expressed in certain locations but we must realize that we are blessed regardless of where we are located.

I am certain that God can bless anyone anywhere and at anytime. God is just great like that. He has promised us over and over again that he would never leave us nor forsake us. Wherever we find ourselves on this planet earth, God is with us and in us. And because he is with us, we are always blessed.

Accepting The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

As we move through life, we will be presented with different circumstances. We will have high times, low times and deplorable times. All in all, all these different times are a fact of life and we must accept them as a package deal. One important fact to remember is that the Lord is with us through every situation – good or bad.

As humans, we don’t really like to go through anything. We love the smooth sailing method of living where the house is paid for, bank accounts are loaded and family life is wonderful. Trials and tribulations are not welcomed nor prepared for and we sometimes secretly rejoice when bad things happen to others instead of to us. Bad things may look bad on the outside but it could do wonders for a person on the inside. The ugly situations of life are what push most of us to search for meaning to life outside of ourselves. Even though the head may be bowed down on the outside, we can still stand tall on the inside.

If we can keep our minds focused on God during the good, bad and sometimes ugly times of our lives, we stand tall on the inside and outside regardless.

Planning For The Unexpected

Life is full of surprises. We never really know what’s coming around the corner. I have been on vacation for the last four weeks and I have missed three postings during this time largely due to lack of preparation. I am accustomed to the ease of the internet back in my home so changing locations suddenly took me out of my comfort zone. I pray I will be better prepared next time I go away from home because this time I was definitely not ready. A good sign of great leadership is always been prepared. Preparation plus opportunity equals success. Having a jack and a spare tire in the trunk of your car is a sign of good leadership. Planning for the unexpected is a must. Only one person has the world in his hands – God. Everyone else and everything else cannot predict tomorrow we can only plan for it.

With regards to not knowing what will happen tomorrow, we need to make sure that our heart is right with God. We must ensure we are standing on the right foundation. The only secure foundation is God. No-one knows for sure when Jesus Christ will be returning but there has been a lot of talks lately of this important return mainly due to all the disasters that are occurring in the world today. Floods and tsunami’s; wars and plane crashes – stabbings and shootings are all on the rise. The summer in London was bizarre. One minute the sun is shinning and the next it’s raining cats and dogs. Its summer and we have to wear our jumpers so we don’t freeze to death. The world to me seems to be upside down.

Let’s spend time preparing ourselves and our hearts. As Christians, we should not be caught unprepared, living in denial of the power of the Holy Spirit or with our heads buried in the sand. We must begin to prepare ourselves for the unexpected. When we are ready, we will be victorious.