Lest we forget

“But we are citizens of the state (commonwealth, homeland) which is in heaven, and from it also we earnestly and patiently await [the coming of] the Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah) [as] Savior,”

Philippians 3:20 AMP 

The resurrection of Christ brings to the world a new way of living ; a brand new hope for the future , a secure present and a forgiven past. I always wonder about those who haven't put their faith in Christ, concerning their hope. These are blind to what really matters and here is how Apostle Paul puts it across; 

“For there are many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, who walk (live) as enemies of the cross of Christ (the Anointed One).” Philippians 3:18 

If man doesn't live for God , he will find something else to live for. Shameful things become the pinnacle of their focus. Their gaze is on temporal, earthly things that come with their perishing , nothing they represent has eternal value. They celebrate evil and invent ways of unrighteousness, there is no God in their minds. They oppose the way of grace. But you are not that way , you know the grace that is in our Lord Jesus Christ. 

The cross represents the grace of Christ, it is a bridge to a brand new life , the life of ultimate freedom. Understanding the meaning of the cross of Christ takes a willingness to have a renewed mind. It takes realizing that you are now different, your location might be the same but your citizenship has changed. 

You are now from another kingdom and the King of that place is Jesus and He has made you an ambassador!! He has given you His Spirit to live within you. He has given you His word to guide you. But He is not staying too long : He is coming back again. By the power of His Spirit , He will transform our earthly suits into a glorious body like His own!! 

“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." 1 Corinthians 15:51-52

I pray this stirs up in you the truth about the reality of our gospel. I remind you , lest we forget what we are all about. God bless you. 

Remember: You are dearly loved by God❤️

Applying yourself steadily to what matters.

“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12

Living a purpose driven life is the dream of every person who enters the earth. Questions like why am I here speaks to the call for significance and purpose. Where exactly do you and I fit in the puzzle of humanity that has to fit together in a specific period in human history called the 21st century. There is more noise in this Information Age than ever has been in human history but the real question is how we "make melody in the midst of so many confused voices."

The command of the Lord Jesus was a bold one : be in the world but not of the world. Apostle John proclaims : Love not the world , neither the things that are in the world. We all love and cling to what gives us more value and meaning to our everyday life. Let's read this scripture together ; 

“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.”1 John 2:15

It's the proclivity of humanity to seek value from what's around us if we don't find value from what's within us and who God says we are. People go on a quest to please everybody around them to be accepted and welcomed in certain environments , all in search for significance and value. "Doing it for them". 

The gospel offers an amazing alternative ; you are already loved and accepted before you do anything. When you understand this love the Father has for you , you don't chase after all the  glamour that outward significance offers. Your focus on life absolutely shifts when you have this understanding on a personal level of how much you're loved and valued by the creator of heaven and earth. 

Real purpose springs out of that understanding ; it's no longer to "seek value" but a result of "realized value". God values you!! He has made an investment in you and wants to fulfill His ultimate universal purpose using the personal purposes of each and everyone of us. Here is how God proved how valuable you are : 

“For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.”

John 3:16 AMP

When the chase for outward significance and approval fades away and the reach for the ultimate eternal value of our existence jumps into the picture, the impact we have is amazing. It's getting hold of what Christ has already achieved for us, becoming all that He has called us to be. 

So everyday you wake up with that attitude of purpose, full of motivation given by God's Spirit and hope from His Word. I call it finding the "God value and God purpose" in everything we do; whether work , sport , entertainment, studying and all the different things we are involved in. 

Choose to apply yourself steadily to what really matters this week and every week. God bless you. 

Remember : You are dearly loved by God.❤️

Stepping up

And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing Genesis 12:2 

God's language is that of greatness, it is that of stepping up , leading the world in all areas of life. God does not think small in any sense, He is the architect of all that the best scientists have spent centuries trying to figure, His thought process and ways are beyond what the human mind can comprehend. Here is an announcement to you : HE MAKES HIS KIDS GREAT. No person can hang around God and His Word for some time and think small. The knowledge of God expands our vision, we think leadership and pioneering. That is what happened in my spirit in 2011 when I got hold of the Word of God at a place called Sirocco Village in Cape Town, South Africa. Look at this scripture with me: 

For His divine power has bestowed on us [absolutely] everything necessary for [a dynamic spiritual] life and godliness, through true and personal knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence 2 Peter 1:3 

Apostle Peter is letting us know by the Spirit that the quality of our lives is absolutely dependent on our knowledge of God. This is one truth that every man on planet has to know and embrace.  However, some have labored to know God apart from His Word which has brought not only confusion but failure in life. God is a Spirit and far removed from the human senses. The good news is that God is not making it difficult for us to know Him. This is what the Lord Jesus said;

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. 1 John 6:63 

The Lord is saying that His words are the unveiling on what is going on in the realm of the spirit. The Word of God is the window into the spirit. Our revelation of the Word of God is our knowledge of God because God is His Word. This is the experience of the word that Abraham had that made him the Father of faith. Speaking to the Father of faith; God introduces him to the 7 dimensions of greatness. 

The first one is ; I will make you a great nation!! This excites my spirit just to think about it. Here is your God and my God speaking of territorial influence and dominion. Abraham had no royal background and God announces that He will make him not just a nation but a "great nation". We are called not just to be a blessing to on a smaller scale but become the core and the light to the nations. That is how God thinks about you and me.  

The second one is ; I will bless you!! Blessing to me speaks of life , energy, supernatural empowerment to make the purpose of God in you come alive in your world. God is saying I will resource you for my purpose.There is more than enough supply available for you to become all that God wants you to do. Wisdom for the right strategy is already available , necessary support systems are already waiting for you, financial resources and the gifting is already wired in your spirit. You are a pack of success waiting to explode!!

The third one is ; I will make your name great!! Many people do not want to be popular and known. That is a form of pride because their focus is on themselves. When you become a vessel that is ready to be used by Almighty God, Jesus says you do not light up a lamp and put it under a table, no , you are a city on a hill seen by all men. God wants to give you a tag of greatness on your name. Known and distinguished for loving boldly and leading fearlessly!!

The fourth one is ; You will be a blessing!!This means being a source of good to others. You are called to be a well of righteousness, dispensing the goodness of God to others. It was at Antioch where they were called Christians(Christ like), not weird, religious or judgmental but opening their arms to all who came their way, hearts filled with grace and words filled with hope.You wipe the tears, you bring in joy everywhere you go because that is who you are, Christ lives in you.

I will continue with the final three of those words of greatness spoken to Abraham in the next article. I pray this speaks to your heart and cause you to step up, not allow religion to falsely humble you and cause you to miss the great plan God has for you. 

Remember: You are dearly loved by God. 

Your Heart , Your Words , Your Life

“And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.” Mark 11:14 KJV

The Lord Jesus lived in such a way that gave an example of how we should run our daily lives. He embraced the authority which was given to man over all the earth fully and that inspires me. It makes me realize that we are not supposed to be victims in circumstances but we can do something about it!! 

I can read this portion of the bible forever. JESUS SAID UNTO IT. We grew up being taught that we can only talk to people but here Jesus is revealing to us that we can talk to things. Why does that make spiritual sense ; all things have their origin and core in the spiritual realm. Look at the scripture below with me : 

“Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” Hebrews 11:3

Words are spiritual , they have spiritual significance. Life and death is in the power of words. All that you see around you has its origin in the spoken word , the word of God. If all was created by the word , everything is sustained and controlled by the word. Speaking about Jesus , this is what the scriptures say : 

“.......He is the perfect imprint and very image of [God's] nature, upholding and maintaining and guiding and propelling the universe by His mighty word of power.....,”Hebrews 1:3 AMP

Scientists have given names to the forces that hold the universe together over the ages but to summarize all those forces ; they are called the Word of God. 

Words can't be seen but they produce visible results. Words spoken in faith produce definite results. Jesus is teaching a principle to live by. Whether you are aware of it or not , your words are either building your life and destroying it and the same to the lives of those in your reach. Real faith has its finishing line at your tongue. 

Having said that ; your words are simply an expression of what's in your heart. Jesus says - out of the abundance of the heart , the mouth speaks(Luke 6:45). To control your words , you should be aware what you allow into your heart. I can't overemphasize this scripture enough : 

“Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23 AMP

In a world infested with sin filled words - words of fear , doubt , negativity and hatred: guard your heart by putting your eyes on God's words!! When your heart is full of faith and love , you can speak to any situation that comes your way , speak life where there is death and see it come to pass. Yes , you can speak to it!! Speak into your future , your family , your career , speak faith filled words!! 

Remember : You are dearly loved by God

Live and let love rule your world

“For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, 

Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39 AMP

Strength comes up in any situation when you realize the depth of God's love for you. People who are convinced that God loves them win in the battles of life. To know how much God loves you , look at Jesus.

Jesus coming to the earth is the greatest expression of love in all of time. It stirs my heart to think that there was time in human history when God Almighty walked on the planet wrapped up in human flesh. In all His glory and power , He chose to be covered in the same flesh you and I have. Not only that but God, who is omnipresent chose to be contained in human flesh just to be where you and I are. Paul calls it the mystery of godliness : 

“And great and important and weighty, we confess, is the hidden truth (the mystic secret) of godliness. He [God] was made visible in human flesh, justified and vindicated in the [Holy] Spirit, was seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, [and] taken up in glory.”1 Timothy 3:16 AMP

The plan of the enemy is to make you doubt the love that God has for you or make you think that you have to somehow do something to deserve it. Apostle Paul is going through this issue strongly in Romans 8 that condemnation of the heart is the hindrance of experiencing God's love. 

He that paid your bill would be unjust to say that you still owe. The one that was sent to pay your bill would not be in his right mind to say you're a debtor. (Maze translation of Romans 8:33-34)

“Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” Romans 8:33-34 KJV

No , there is no defeat for a man or woman who trust in the love of God. Even in the face of death , victory is guaranteed. The love of God expressed in Christ should be the anchor in life. Live and let love rule your world. 

Remember : You are dearly loved by God

Let love be your fixed practice❤️

“LET LOVE for your fellow believers continue and be a fixed practice with you [never let it fail].”Hebrews 13:1 

You can change your vocation , move to a different country , speak a new language , change your dress sense but God tells us to "never change practicing the love walk." We are instructed to never let love fail but let it win all the time. 

Love is your nature , it is not what you do but who you are. You are born of love!! However , you have a responsibility either to let that love inside you to shine or to dim it, it is in your power. 

I talk to a lot of people who say ,"I can't just help it , I don't feel like I love that so & so..." But you see , love is not a feeling, it's a decision without conditions. Love is concerned about destiny , it is not shortsighted. You know how crazy you are but God still loves that crazy you.

"I understand John but I am not God, I am only human....." That thinking is where the problem is. Whenever God tells you to do something , it means He has already given you the ability to do it otherwise it would be unjust. Look at that with me ; 

“.....for God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us.”

Romans 5:5

We have an enablement by God's Spirit to do all that He instructs us to do. This is the beauty of the gospel. The Lord Himself before He left the earth told us : 

“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” John 13:35

Everyone who knows the Lord "must" have this way of living. It's impossible to know Jesus and hate your brother or sister. Love is the sweet aroma that separates us from the world. Let love win. 

Remember : You are dearly loved by God

You have confidence, don't lose it!!

“Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:”

Hebrews 10:35-36

The Spirit of Grace revealed to us how God , because of His love for us , made available a once off sacrifice for sin for all of eternity and for every person born of a woman; that includes you. 

Jeremiah speaking by the same Spirit declares : “........, “Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.””

Hebrews 10:17 

This stirs up my spirit each time I think about it ; my errors are no more charged to my account!! He came to do away with sin and sin consciousness. He came to make us perfect and He was successful in doing it!!

Because of sin consciousness , I hear many people saying ,"I am just human , I am not perfect." But look at this scripture with me : 

“For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.”Hebrews 10:14

If words mean anything to you , this scripture should transform your thinking. He is talking about you and me. He has already done it. We are perfect , not only for today but forever. This is the good news ; put trust in His works , not in your own. Jesus is our perfection!! 

Then He says that we are 'being made holy'. Holiness simply means to be sanctified or separated for a unique purpose. We are not making ourselves holy but we are being 'made holy'. It's impossible to be made holy without the revelation that you are already perfect. Holiness is not to achieve perfection but it is a response to the gift of righteousness; it is what righteousness in you through the word of God produces in your everyday life.  The most popular place holiness is mentioned in scripture is Exodus 3:5 - "....Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground." Wow, this is an amazing scripture; the place did not do anything to become holy ground but the presence of God produced that characteristic. It's about Him at work! 

Many times it doesn't feel or look like we are perfect and that's the reason He is instructing us that not to cast away our confidence in His accomplished victory but we have need of endurance. How do we endure : always looking at the promise and all that He has done for us, reminding ourselves that it's about Jesus and Him alone. Be encouraged today in Jesus' name !! 

Remember : You are dearly loved by God

The power of love

“Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.”

1 John 2:9-10 NIV

I love technology. I am fascinated daily by how technology is completely changing my world and your world. It's the world of robots, data being the new oil and the internet of things. We are living in the most exciting times in human history. 

However , questions about privacy , security, trust and ethics increasingly come into play. The mystery of "protecting humans from humans". 

It's not really about ethics , trust , security or privacy ; it's about the absence of love. Look with me on these scripture that I love dearly : 

“........The law code—don’t sleep with another person’s spouse, don’t take someone’s life, don’t take what isn’t yours, don’t always be wanting what you don’t have, and any other “don’t” you can think of—finally adds up to this: Love other people as well as you do yourself. You can’t go wrong when you love others. When you add up everything in the law code, the sum total is love.”Romans 13:8-10 MSG

Love is the most powerful force in the world , love is God living inside us: this is the power of our gospel! The more you understand how much God loves you , the more you realize the power of loving others. 

Love is transforming; when a person like you realize that you're still accepted by God, it does nothing less than making you accept everyone around you regardless of who they are or what they have done. 

Love is contagious; when they realize that you love them , they can't help but love their world. The replicating effect goes on and on , we will only realize in eternity the impact of us choosing to live the lover's life. 

Love is timeless; with all the changes going on in the world and human lives , what remains common is the progress that comes as we choose to do it all in love. We don't need faith when we get to heaven(now we see Him face to face) , we hope for nothing for all that we hoped for is now here , all that remains is that liquid love of the Father flowing in us!! What a privilege we have that we can foretaste that coming world through the Holy Spirit and pass this supernatural way of love into our broken society. 

Choose the lover's life. Choose to love genuinely to the end. 

Remember : You are dearly loved by God

When you pray

“And when you pray, do not heap up phrases (multiply words, repeating the same ones over and over) as the Gentiles do, for they think they will be heard for their much speaking. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” Matthew 6:7-8 AMP

Last night I watched a very interesting show by Morgan Freeman called "the story of God". It's his study on the journey of religion in the world , a quest for mankind in the search for God. Almost all the religions of the world pray, it's a common thing. The real question is : do they really talk to God?  I could see the confusion in the show and I thought to myself , "they should read about Jesus".

Jesus brought a whole new aspect to the subject of prayer and fellowship with God , it's beyond the walls of religion!! He referred to God as "Father" This is a passionate, love relationship, it speaks of protection , provision , a ready listening ear , a source of strength and pride, a close friend, that person you're proud of and go around mentioning in almost every conversation. God , my Father!! 

This approach demystifies the whole subject of God, no one had ever said that about God in all of human history. Those in search of God think He is too far so in order to reach Him in prayer , they must shout louder. Some think for Him to hear them, they must repeat words as much as possible. Some think they must go to a mountain because then they will be closer to heaven. Some think He can hear them through the dead. No , you shouldn't think that way. 

Jesus advises us that we should not be like those looking for God because we have already found Him. He will not hear us because of our volume , vocabulary , repeats , location or even dressing(you can speak to Him in the shower completely undressed, what a cool God we have): He will hear you because He loves you , He is your Father, He knows what you need , you just have to acknowledge Him. He is connected to the most real part of you ; your spirit. When I understood this , it changed everything!! 

Surely , the Lord Jesus brought a new way of living, a real way , God has come near us, living in us by the Holy Spirit. This is refreshing and so much freedom.

So when you pray, do not be like them. 

Remember : You are loved by God

Have an amazingly beautiful week!!