What an Awsome Redemption

 “The LORD hath heard my supplication; The LORD will receive my prayer.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭6‬:‭9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

This psalm is part of the daily ritual of religious Jews.  “Yes! Yahweh my Healer has heard all my pleading and has taken hold of my prayers and answered them all.”  In the new covenant, we don’t need to plead as the Messiah has dealt with it on the Cross where we received forgiveness of sins as well as healing as part of humanity’s redemption.  As written in Scripture, “Are there any sick among you? Then ask the elders of the Church to come and pray over the sick and anoint them with oil in the Name of our Lord. And the prayer of faith will heal the sick and the Lord will raise them up, and if they have committed sins they will be forgiven.”  What a mighty God we serve.  Amen!

God’s Light of Glory is On Us

 “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭KJV‬

For God, Who said, “Let brilliant light shine out of darkness,” is the One Who has cascaded His light into us—the brilliant dawning light of the glorious knowledge of God as we gaze into the face of Jesus Christ. We are like common clay jars that carry this glorious treasure within, so that this immeasurable power will be seen as God’s, not ours.  Paul helps us understand that the  “light” is the new birth in Christ so that we are now in the face-to-face Presence of Christ.  We are now the common clay jars created from dust yet possessing the brilliant light of God’s glory, Jesus Christ, and carry Him as Treasure in our being.  The outward vessel is not as important as the glorious Treasure within.  How grateful we are to almighty God for choosing us for this Treasure of Glory.  Amen!

Trusting God Brings Joy

 “But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: Let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; With favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭5‬:‭11‬-‭12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

David sang this song as he trusted God to bring the blessings of the righteous to him, “But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: Let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; With favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.”  Joy is the serious business of heaven, said a famous author!  Jesus Himself said, “Blessed, joyful, favored by God is he who does not take offense at Me, accepting Me as the Messiah and trusting confidently in My message of salvation.”  Our trust is in Christ alone, because He personally took all my sins on the Cross and in exchange gave me His joy.  Just as David sang his song with joy, today we do that because of the finished work of the Cross of Christ.  Amen!

The Law brings Death, the Spirit brings Life

 “who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

God alone makes us adequate ministers who are focused on an entirely new covenant. Our ministry is not based on the letter of the law but through the power of the Spirit. The letter of the law kills, but the Spirit pours out life.  On the day when the law was given by Moses, three thousand people were killed, but on the day the Spirit was poured out at Pentecost, three thousand people received new life. So we follow the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus which has made us free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.  What an almighty and awesome God we believe in Whose love through the new covenant binds us to Him forever.  Amen!

Peaceful Sleep in Christ

 “Thou hast put gladness in my heart, More than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: For thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬-‭8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

David sang, “The intense pleasure You give me surpasses the gladness of harvest time, even more than when the harvesters gaze upon their ripened grain and when their new wine overflows. Now, because of You, Lord, I will lie down in peace and sleep comes at once, for no matter what happens, I will live unafraid!”  This is the heart peace David experienced as he related to God.  Much greater intimacy God has granted us who believe in the magnificent victory of the Cross of Christ whereby we have been made righteous because He became sin.  Now the mighty power of the Holy Spirit is in us and we have become the temple of the Spirit of God.  So we have gladness and the rest that gives us peaceful sleep, come what may.  It is through intimate relationship with Almighty God that we can declare like David did that God makes us happy and by meditating on the Cross on our bed at night, we get peaceful sleep.  Amen!

Being Christ’s Fragrance Around Us

 “Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭2‬:‭14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

God always makes His grace visible in Christ, Who includes us as partners of His endless triumph. Through our yielded lives He spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of God everywhere we go.  We are overwhelmed with gratitude as Paul was, that wherever God takes us, we are aware that He leads us as trophies in His victory parade.  What He knows to be true about us, diffuses through us like perfume of sweet aroma everywhere we go, celebrating the success of the Cross where He disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.  Great is our God.  Amen!

The Divine Exchange Christ Made for Us

 “But thou, O LORD, art a shield for me; My glory, and the lifter up of mine head.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭3‬:‭3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

This is what David declared when he fled from his own son Absalom who turned against him and tried to usurp his throne, “But in the depths of my heart I truly know that You, Yahweh, have become my Shield; You take me and surround me with Yourself. Your Glory covers me continually. You lift high my head.”  David, knowing God intimately, cried, “You, O Lord, are my taker”. The implication is that God shields us by taking us into Himself.  Jesus Christ is the taker of humanity, the One Who was made flesh.  He not only took our nature, He also took our sins that He might take us into His glory.  Such a glorious Gospel.  How can we not believe in the goodness and love of God for God is good and God is love forever!  Those who cannot accept this are damned, may God deliver them from damnation.  Amen!

Sealed Guaranteeing Our Full Inheritance

 “who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭22‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul explains how followers of Christ are sealed by the Spirit, “He knows we are His since He has also stamped His seal of love over our hearts and has given us the Holy Spirit like an engagement ring is given to a bride—a down payment of the blessings to come!”  The seven-fold seal of the Holy Spirit is: the seal of security in God’s love; the seal of authentication that marks us as God’s own; the seal to certify genuineness; the seal of ownership; the seal of approval; the seal of righteousness; the seal of promise to be fulfilled.  The mark of the beast is on the forehead and hand but the fiery seal of Christ’s love is over our hearts!  We are born of the Spirit, sealed with the Spirit, indwelt by the Spirit, baptised in the Spirit, filled with the Spirit, made one in the Spirit, given gifts of the Spirit, and given ministries by the Spirit.  He is a promise, a seal, and a guarantee of receiving our full inheritance.  The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are involved in bringing this to us.  Let’s believe it.  Hallelujah!

Nations Empty Plans Against Almighty God

 “Why do the heathen rage, And the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, Against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, And cast away their cords from us.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭KUV

How dare the nations plan a rebellion. Their foolish plots are futile! Look at how the power brokers of the world rise up to hold their summit as the rulers scheme and confer together against Yahweh and His Anointed King, saying: “Let’s come together and break away from the Creator. Once and for all let’s cast off these controlling chains of God and His Christ!”  We see the nations across the world devising empty plans against Almighty God, in our times right now.  They imagine they control great power to wield, it’s laughable!  Definitely it is against God and against His Anointed One, our Lord Jesus Christ.  The finished work of the Cross is foolishness to the perishing world who have no fear of God in them, but it is the power of God to us who believe.  Friendship with the world is enmity against God.  Let’s keep our eyes on Christ.  Amen!

Caring for the Least Ones is Caring for Christ

 “I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭16‬:‭15‬ ‭KJV‬

Paul told the Church, “Dear brothers and sisters, I have a request to make of you. Give special recognition to Stephanas and his family, for they were the first converts in Achaia, and they have fully devoted themselves to serve God’s holy people.” Whenever we minister to God’s people, we are ministering to the Lord.  Jesus made that clear when He said, “For when you saw Me hungry, you fed Me.  When you found Me thirsty, you gave Me drink. When I had no place to stay, you invited Me in, and when I was poorly clothed, you covered Me.  When I was sick, you tenderly cared for Me, and when I was in prison you visited Me’.  Then the godly will answer Him, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty and give You food and something to drink? When did we see You with no place to stay and invite You in? When did we see You poorly clothed and cover You? When did we see You sick and tenderly care for You, or in prison and visit You?’ The  King will answer them, ‘Don’t you know? When you cared for one of the least of these, My little ones, My true brothers and sisters, you demonstrated love for Me’.  May we obey our Lord.  Amen!

The Trees Planted in God’s Kingdom

 “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, That bringeth forth his fruit in his season; His leaf also shall not wither; And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

He will be standing firm like a flourishing tree planted by God’s design, deeply rooted by the brooks of bliss, bearing fruit in every season of life. He is never dry, never fainting, ever blessed, ever prosperous.  God planted our lives from where we were, into a place of blessing.  We have been  transplanted into His heavenly courtyard, where we are thriving before Him, for in His Presence we will still overflow and be anointed. Even in our old age we will stay fresh, bearing luscious fruit and abiding faithfully.  The person who has trusted in Christ the resurrected and living God is like a tree planted on the riverbank, extending its roots into streams of water. It does not fear when scorching heat comes, for its leaves remain fresh and never fading even in a year of drought. It has no anxieties but continues to bear luscious fruit.  No matter what he sets out to do, he brings it to a successful conclusion.  Amen!

The Good News that Jesus is Alive

 “and that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: after that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭5‬-‭8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul includes the bodily appearance of Jesus to His followers as part  of the Gospel to be believed.  “Then He appeared to Peter and to the twelve apostles. He also appeared to more than five hundred of His followers at the same time, most of whom are still alive as I write this, though a few have passed away. Then He appeared to James and to all the apostles. Last of all He appeared in front of me, like one born prematurely, ripped from the womb.”  What Paul states as the heart of the Gospel is: Christ’s death; the fulfilment of prophecies; Christ’s burial; Christ’s resurrection; and Christ supernaturally appearing to His followers. James was Jesus’s half brother and didn’t believe that Jesus was the Messiah, until Jesus’s resurrection.  After James believed he wrote his epistle and became a leading elder of the church in Jerusalem.  Paul himself became an apostle in a sudden, unexpected way when the resurrected Lord Jesus chose him.  The Lord has chosen us who believe to fulfill His purposes.  Amen!

Repentance Toward God is the Key Issue

 “Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent In dust and ashes.”

‭‭Job‬ ‭42‬:‭6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Job answered God, “I’m sorry—forgive me. I’ll never do that again, I promise! I’ll never again live on crusts of hearsay, crumbs of rumor.”  This is what God says about repentance, ‘As I live,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back and change your way of thinking, turn back in repentance from your evil ways!’    This is what Jesus said at the start of His ministry, “Repent, change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance; seek God’s purpose for your life, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  When Job repented, God blessed him immensely and restored all his losses.  When we repent today in the new covenant, we acknowledge that Christ’s death on the Cross was for our personal sins and His Blood cleansed us from all sin, and in exchanged makes us not only children of God but joint heirs with Christ.  Therefore, let’s humble ourselves with an attitude of repentance and insignificance in the Presence of the Lord, and He will exalt us, He will lift us up, He will give us purpose. Amen!

Building Up the Body of Christ

 “Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine?”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭14‬:‭6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul explains about speaking in tongues, “My dear friends, what good is it if I come to you always speaking in tongues? But if I come with a clear revelation from God, or with insight, or with a prophecy, or with a clear teaching, I can enrich you.”  These four ministries that build up the Church are: clear revelation from God; insights of truth that come from intimate knowledge from God through experience; prophecy, the calming affirmation which is not predictive but influential to advance the spiritual welfare of the body; teaching which clarifies doctrine in practical ways.  These are all necessary for the Church today as it was then, without competition or comparisons and ego trips - and with that sweet humility that makes all things beautiful and in order.  Amen!

All Creatures Tremble before Almighty God

 “Upon earth there is not his like, Who is made without fear. He beholdeth all high things: He is a king over all the children of pride.”

‭‭Job‬ ‭41‬:‭33‬-‭34‬ ‭KJV

God is directing Job to the sea monster Leviathan, “There’s nothing on this earth quite like him, not an ounce of fear in that creature! He surveys all the high and mighty— king of the ocean, king of the deep!”  Leviathan is an embodiment of chaos and identified with the demon of the deadly sin of envy, also it eats up the damned  thrown into the deep.  Thankfully, its end is annihilation in the lake of fire.  Here, God is directing Job’s attention to the might of this creature, which before God is powerless.  When Jesus’s disciples woke Him up from sleep during the storm at sea to save their lives, He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” and the wind ceased and there was a great calm.”  In the storms we face, our response is to release faith in our Almighty God before Whom all creatures tremble!  There will always be peace.  Let’s learn to operate in faith and not in fear, for then we will always be victorious.  Amen!

When Love is Absent..

 “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13‬:‭1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul’s excellent treatise on God’s love, “If I were to speak with eloquence in earth’s many languages, and in the heavenly tongues of angels, yet I didn’t express myself with love, my words would be reduced to the hollow sound of nothing more than a clanging cymbal”.  This love is a burning, fiery love coming from the inner depths of the heart as an eternal energy, an active power of bonding hearts and lives in secure relationships.  It is the highest form of love, it is the love God has for His people.  It is such an intense affection that it has to be demonstrated - a loyal, endless, unconditional commitment of love.  Feelings are attached to this love.  It is not abstract but devoted to demonstrating the inward feelings of love toward another with acts of kindness and benevolence.  Speaking in tongues is not the point, love is.  It is neither celestial angelic eloquence, nor the mastery of human language that persuades and doesn’t matter how poetic, prophetic or profound it sounds, conversation is reduced to the hollow clanging cymbal noise when love is absent.  Jesus, mankind’s Saviour, rescued God’s image and likeness in human form revealing this love by His awesome grace.  Amen!

Being In Awe of God

 “Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? Wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?”

‭‭Job‬ ‭40‬:‭8‬ ‭KJV‬‬

God addresses Job, “Do you presume to tell Me what I’m doing wrong? Are you calling Me a sinner so you can be a saint?”  Job is utterly silenced as God questions him about being righteous before God.  The more so, when Job saw the might and power of God through the whirlwind when God spoke.  This same almighty God, emptied Himself of His outward glory by reducing Himself to the form of a lowly servant. He became human! He humbled Himself and became vulnerable, choosing to be revealed as a Man and was obedient. He was a perfect example, even in His death—a criminal’s death by crucifixion! Because of that obedience, God exalted Him and multiplied His greatness! He has now been given the greatest of all names! The authority of the Name of Jesus causes every knee to bow in reverence! Everything and everyone will one day submit to this name—in the heavenly realm, in the earthly realm, and in the demonic realm. And every tongue will proclaim in every language: “Jesus Christ is Lord Yahweh,” bringing glory and honor to God, His Father!  This same awesome God now dwells in us who believe.  The choice to believe is ours.  Hallelujah!

The Blessing of Spiritual Gifts

 “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭7‬ ‭KJV‬

Paul explains, “Each believer is given continuous revelation by the Holy Spirit to benefit not just himself but all.  God (the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit) delights to give spiritual gifts to His people, the Bride of Christ.  These gifts are imparted to every believer upon the change of heart, as the Holy Spirit chooses.  They will confirm the Word of God and expand the Kingdom of God.  Spiritual gifts can be neglected and misused, but they remain the divine power source for Christ’s Body on the earth.  Through teaching, evangelising, prophesying and demonstrating the miraculous, God uses His people to expand His Kingdom and to establish righteousness on the earth through the proper use of the gifts He has given.  Never, either in Scripture or in Church history, were these gifts taken away or removed from the Body of Christ.  The Church moves forward through these divine gifts.  Spiritual gifts do not replace the Word of God, but the Word of God will spread and flourish as the fully equipped Body of Christ operates in the wise use of God’s enabling power.  May we make ourselves available to use the spiritual gifts given to us to glorify our LORD and our God.  Amen!

Questioning God

 “Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks? Or wings and feathers unto the ostrich? Which leaveth her eggs in the earth, And warmeth them in dust, And forgetteth that the foot may crush them, Or that the wild beast may break them. She is hardened against her young ones, as though they were not her's: Her labour is in vain without fear; Because God hath deprived her of wisdom, Neither hath he imparted to her understanding.”

‭‭Job‬ ‭39‬:‭13‬-‭17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“The ostrich flaps her wings futilely— all those beautiful feathers, but useless! She lays her eggs on the hard ground, leaves them there in the dirt, exposed to the weather, Not caring that they might get stepped on and cracked or trampled by some wild animal. She’s negligent with her young, as if they weren’t even hers. She cares nothing about anything. She wasn’t created very smart, that’s for sure, wasn’t given her share of good sense”, said God to Job, showing how each animal and bird is created differently.  Job is beginning to realise the awesomeness of God Who knows everything about everything!  When we question God, be prepared to get the answers!  God is worthy of all praise.  Amen!

Evaluating Ourselves

 “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭11‬:‭28‬-‭29‬ ‭KJV‬‬

So let each individual first evaluate his or her own attitude and only then eat the bread and drink the cup. For continually eating and drinking with a wrong spirit will bring judgment upon yourself by not recognizing the body.  Evaluating oneself is a part of every believer’s life, so we can surrender to the Holy Spirit our weaknesses and take His help to overcome.  Jesus took all our sins, sicknesses and curses on the Cross when He sacrificed Himself.  That’s why He made a new covenant with us so that as His Body on earth, His Church, we are enabled to partake of the bread and drink the cup and receive His resurrection power for the Kingdom of God.  May we discern the Lord’s Body with the right attitude as Christ directed us to do.  Amen!

Receive God’s Love like a Child

 “Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel By words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; For I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.”

‭‭Job‬ ‭38‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Finally, God answered Job from the eye of a violent storm. He said: “Why do you confuse the issue? Why do you talk without knowing what you’re talking about? Pull yourself together, Job! Up on your feet! Stand tall! I have some questions for you, and I want some straight answers”.  How many will question God - why did this happen to me, God, I don’t deserve this?  Are you real, God, can you even understand my pain?  There is so much evil in this world, do you really care, God?  We make God out of our imagination and ignore the wonder and awesomeness of God, even in nature and the universe! David saw it and wrote, “The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.”  When we are absorbed with the self, we will not see or know God, nor understand why He loves mankind.  For here is the way God loved the world—He gave His only, unique Son as a gift. So now everyone who believes in Him will never perish but experience everlasting life.  When God questioned Job, he couldn’t answer.  Mankind cannot understand why God loves us so much, we just believe and receive His love like a child.  Amen!

The Way of Escape & the Power to Endure

 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Paul explains about temptation and trust in God, “We all experience times of testing, which is normal for every human being. But God will be faithful to you. He will screen and filter the severity, nature, and timing of every test or trial you face so that you can bear it. And each test is an opportunity to trust him more, for along with every trial God has provided for you a way of escape that will bring you out of it victoriously.”  God’s faithfulness and grace will limit the severity of every test and prevent you from being tested beyond  your ability to cope.  Unlimited grace is available for every believer who faces hardship, temptation and seasons of difficulty.  Trust in God’s faithfulness is the way of escape that empowers us to overcome every difficulty we may experience.  We are not told that every difficulty will be removed from our lives, but that God’s grace provides an exit path.  God’s faithfulness gives us both the way to escape and the power to endure.  Amen!

What Grace, What Mercy, What Love!

 “Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: He is excellent in power, and in judgment, And in plenty of justice: he will not afflict. Men do therefore fear him: He respecteth not any that are wise of heart.”

‭‭Job‬ ‭37‬:‭23‬-‭24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Elihu directs Job to the greatness of Who God is, “Mighty God! Far beyond our reach! Unsurpassable in power and justice! It’s unthinkable that He’d treat anyone unfairly. So bow to Him in deep reverence, one and all! If you’re wise, you’ll most certainly worship Him.”  God is so great that mere mortal can never comprehend His awesomeness, but can only bow in reverence!  But the mercy of God is beyond anything, that He chose His Son Jesus to identify with us mortal beings.  Jesus Christ the Son of God left His glory and stooped down to become the Son of Man!  What a wonder this is!  So then, we must cling in faith to all we know to be true. For we have a magnificent King-Priest, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who rose into the heavenly realm for us, and now sympathizes with us in our frailty. He understands humanity, for as a Man, our magnificent King-Priest was tempted in every way just as we are, and conquered sin. So now we draw near freely and boldly to where grace is enthroned, to receive mercy’s kiss and discover the grace we urgently need to strengthen us in our time of weakness.  What grace, what mercy, what love!  Amen!

Winning Souls for Christ

 “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭9‬:‭16‬ ‭KJV‬

Paul was so consumed with Christ that he could say, “For you see, even though I proclaim the good news, I can’t take the credit for my labors, for I am compelled to fulfill my duty by completing this work. It would be agony to me if I did not constantly preach the gospel!”  Those who have tasted the goodness of God through the Gospel of grace are compelled to bring Christ to others.   There is such an itchiness in society today to be first with some bad news that they generate fake news even!  But here was Paul who had tasted Christ and was willing to become all things to all people so that he might win some for Christ.  “To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some”.  May we be so consumed with our Lord Jesus Christ that we may only boast about Him, to win people into the Kingdom of God.  As Jesus Himself said, “But seek and aim at, strive after, first of all His Kingdom and His righteousness, His way of doing and being right, and then all these things taken together will be given you besides.”  May we win souls for Christ.  Amen!

God’s Goodness Endures Forever

 “Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: He is mighty in strength and wisdom. He preserveth not the life of the wicked: But giveth right to the poor.”

‭‭Job‬ ‭36‬:‭5‬-‭6‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Elihu continues speaking to Job, “It’s true that God is all-powerful, but He doesn’t bully innocent people. For the wicked, though, it’s a different story— He doesn’t give them the time of day, but champions the rights of their victims”.  It is not God’s nature to despise because He is good.  So Elihu is telling Job what the psalmist said, “Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.”  We will hear God when we come to Him with thanksgiving.  God is good and He does not despise anyone, what He does despise is sin.  That’s why God made His Son Jesus Who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.  The punishment for sin came on the Sinless One so that all could become righteous.  So God does not despise any but He will never recognise the proud who are stuck in sin and self righteousness.  God’s righteousness is a gift given to all who humbly receive it.  Those who are self righteousness and proud will miss it.  It is the gift of perfect righteousness from the One and Only Jesus, the Messiah, that gives us the abundance of grace.  Amen!

Love Builds Us Up

 “Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭8‬:‭1‬ ‭KJV‬

Paul explains, “Now let me address the issue of food offered in sacrifice to idols. It seems that everyone believes his own opinion is right on this matter. How easily we get puffed up over our opinions! But love builds up the structure of our new life”.  We all have knowledge and it may make a person look important, but it is only through love that we reach our full maturity.  It is love that builds up our lives, our churches, our families, and others.  Love is the most powerful substance for building what will last forever.  As regards food offered to idols, we are free to hold to our own convictions about what to eat and what not to eat.  Ultimately, it is not about who wins the diet debate, but about sincerely loving people.  Let love define our convictions and not mere head knowledge.  Loving God is so easy when we understand that He knows us!  Let God’s knowledge of us, inspire our love for Him and our fellow humans.  Amen!

Indifference has Consequences

 “Surely God will not hear vanity, Neither will the Almighty regard it. Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him, Yet judgment is before him; therefore trust thou in him.”

‭‭Job‬ ‭35‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Elihu continues speaking to Job, “People are arrogantly indifferent to God— until, of course, they’re in trouble, and then God is indifferent to them. There’s nothing behind such prayers except panic; the Almighty pays them no mind”.   Indifference to God always leads to disaster and death.  Jesus, when He talked about the end of this age, said, “the people were eating, they were drinking…they were indifferent to God until the day that Noah went into the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.”  God has created boundaries out of which mankind is hell-bent on overstepping in our times today - for instance, marriage between a man and a woman; gender transition; treating our neighbours and communities with hate; artificial wombs for delivery of future generations..  How urgent it is for the Church to preach the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, to bring souls into the Kingdom of God, for it is the only power of God to salvation. Jesus has taken the judgment of all mankind on Himself through the finished work of the Cross.  Rejecting Jesus means eternal damnation.  Let’s not be ashamed of the Gospel but preach it.  Amen!

The In Christ Freedom

 “For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant. Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭7‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ ‭KJV‬‬

For truly, if you are called to a life-union with the Lord, you are already a free man! And those who were called to follow Jesus when they were free are now the Messiah’s slaves. Since a great price was paid for your redemption, stop having the mind-set of a slave.  Society might label you as low caste or in bondage to karma, but Christ reveals how free you really are.  Then again, you might be a so called high caste person in society, but in Christ you are a bond servant!  You are not for sale, neither are you boxed into a caste, nor are you in bondage to past sins as in karma!  The ransom God paid for your freedom now binds you to the lordship of His love.  The sign over your life says, Sold!  You are not for sale to the religious system of the law of works and performance based approval.  Let’s enjoy every benefit of freedom that comes from being in Christ which God has purchased for us.  Amen!

What is Repentance?

 “Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more:”

‭‭Job‬ ‭34‬:‭31‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Elihu continues talking to Job, “So why don’t you simply confess to God? Say, ‘I sinned, but I’ll sin no more. Teach me to see what I still don’t see. Whatever evil I’ve done, I’ll do it no more’..  True repentance from the heart is always acceptable to God and opens the way for forgiveness, course correction and the better things to come.  The Word of God teaches us that fools mock at sin and repentance, but among the upright there is favor.  Jesus started His ministry on earth by saying, “Repent, change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance; seek God’s purpose for your life, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand.”  We are not to despise the riches of God’s goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, because through the goodness of God we are led to repentance.  For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.  Course correction is necessary for all of us. So let’s humble  ourselves with an attitude of repentance and insignificance in the Presence of the Lord, and He will exalt and lift us up, He will give us purpose.  Amen!

The Glory of God

 “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭6‬:‭19‬ ‭KJV‬

Paul reveals an awesome mystery to the Ekklesia, “Have you forgotten that your body is now the sacred temple of the Spirit of Holiness, who lives in you? You don’t belong to yourself any longer, for the gift of God, the Holy Spirit, lives inside your sanctuary”.  Do we not realise that Pentecost changed the whole scenario for us, who believe and have identified with Christ’s death, burial and resurrection!  Now our body is the sacred sanctuary of the Spirit of God Who has come to dwell in us permanently.  The Spirit of God was in the Holy of holies in the tabernacle in the wilderness and the glory of the LORD would come upon it.  The Spirit of God was in Solomon’s temple and the Spirit of God came bringing the glory of the LORD on it.  In the second temple, the Presence of God came when Jesus went to the temple.  After His Resurrection, Christ went as High Priest into the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands, with His own Blood and He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. Now the Blood of Christ, through the eternal Spirit has been offered without spot to God, and sent the Spirit of God to all believers to let the glory of the LORD dwell in our body.  Hallelujah!

Choice to Believe

 “The Spirit of God hath made me, And the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.”

‭‭Job‬ ‭33‬:‭4‬ ‭KJV

Elihu continues speaking to Job, “The Spirit of God made me what I am, the breath of God Almighty gave me life!”  All mankind is alive because of the Breath of God. The LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.  In the culture we live in today, the belief is that man evolved.  Human evolution is the process by which humans, or  homosapiens, developed from apelike ancestors over millions of years.  The prophet Isaiah said that God the Lord is He Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, Who gives breath to the people on it, And Spirit to those who walk on it”.  This same Spirit of God raised Jesus to life! Since God’s Spirit of Resurrection lives in those of us who believe, He will also raise our dying body to life by the same Spirit that breathes life into us!  It is the free will choice, given to mankind by God, to believe that either mankind evolved from apes or the Breath of God gave you life.  God will never force you to believe.  It is your free will choice to believe.  It is better to believe in the loving God Who breathed life into us.  Amen!