Surrender or Expectation or Both

"For thus says the Lord : After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place. For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord , thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord , and I will bring you back from your captivity; I will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I have driven you, says the Lord , and I will bring you to the place from which I cause you to be carried away captive." (Jeremiah 29:10-14, NKJV)

A vehicle does not run according to its preferences, it only functions according to the manufacturer's specifications. The vehicle is an inanimate object and it does not have a free will; it will run only in accordance with the manufacturer's design if properly catered for by means of regular servicing. Human beings have free wills and can therefore choose to do whatever they want to do, either in conformity with God's plans or in rebellion to them.

God created mankind according to His own specifications and as He told prophet Jeremiah, His plans for us are for good and not evil. They are designed to give us a future and a hope, to make us function commensurate with the talents, gifts and abilities God has given us. God expects us to grow spiritually by virtue of the utilisation of the foundational gifts He has given us. In fact, God in His wisdom, foreknew that the utilisation of the foundational gift of faith would give rise to growth, maturity and fruitfulness. We are expected to add to the measure of faith we have been given (Romans 12:3) as follows:

"But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 1:5-11)

Fruitfulness arises from the utilisation of the gift of faith that we have been blessed with by God (Romans 12:3). That foundational gift is to be enhanced by the addition of virtue, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness and love. Shortsightedness and even blindness are the outcomes of a disregard for God's perfect plan. What is the point? The point is that we cannot afford to operate contrary to what we were created for. We cannot function excellently and efficiently if we neglect God's plans for our lives. We come to God not to get His approval for our tiny, myopic plans - we come to God to be conformed to the image of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour (Romans 8:29). We draw near to Him so that He will draw near to us, enabling us to live in accordance with His will for our lives, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

So, the question that arises is: Are you doing God's will or are you trying to implement your imperfect plan? Are you letting go in order to let God have His way? What expectation do you have? That God will rubber stamp your self-centred plan or that His flawless plan would be implemented in your life? Compared to God's plans for our lives, our own plans fall short of the standard (God's standard) for fruitfulness and success. True success can only be found through the wholehearted application of God's Word. The Bible is the manual for abundant life.

There are good expectations and bad expectations. Expectations not founded upon or rooted in God's Word are a waste of time and space and therefore bad expectations. Expectations that are preceded by total surrender to God are good expectations because they are in alignment with God's infallible Word. Surrender and true expectations can be considered to be two sides of the same coin because they complement each other. Alternatively, having an expectation without total surrender to God can be likened to building a house upon the sand. Such an expectation is like a mirage. It gives an appearance of reality but is fantasy rooted in wishful thinking. It gives false hope, raises the excitement level, thrills the flesh, increases the sensationalism index but delivers nothing, nothing at all. A complete wasteful, useless and fruitless exercise!

The Bible says, "Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see....And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him." (Hebrews 11:1,6,  NLT). Seeking God must be accompanied by a degree of expectation, otherwise seeking is pointless, and time-wasting. We must believe that God is the Rewarder of those who diligently and sincerely seek Him. To seek God, therefore, means that the seeker is expectant (of God's perfect will), that the seeker is a believer, that the seeker expects a reward, that the seeker expects change personally and otherwise, that the seeker is not walking by sight, that the seeker is convinced beyond a shadow of doubt that God is his or her All in all. Hallelujah! 

Surrender to God's will, expectation of implementation of His will and fruitfulness stemming from it must be the true Christian's preference and commitment. Our expectations must be rooted in God's Word. Everything we do or say must be in alignment with God's unchanging Word, the truth that sets captives free (John 8:32). We must surrender to God and our expectation must be in accordance with His will not our will. Hence surrender and true expectation go hand in glove. May the good Lord enable you to say YES to God, unconditionally, unreservedly and joyfully. Have a blessed day.

Who Am I?

"Therefore David blessed the Lord in the presence of all the assembly. And David said: “Blessed are you, O Lord , the God of Israel our father, forever and ever. Yours, O Lord , is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O Lord , and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honour come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name. “But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able thus to offer willingly? For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you." (1 Chronicles 29:10-14)

If you happen to come across this article, you may read it, take it seriously, disregard it or dump it. That is your choice and you are entitled to it. However, have you bothered to ponder over your life?- the free gift of life, the air you breathe, the clothes you wear, the food you eat, the car you drive, the job you have or the prospects and possibilities of finding one or getting a new one, your spouse if you are married, your children (biological or adopted), the list can go on and on. What is the point?

Simply that each day is a privilege; each day is a gift; each day presents an eternal opportunity (once in the whole of eternity); each day presents opportunities to become a history-maker; each day offers a platform for good works; each day makes it possible for you to ride on the back of your ambassadorial responsibilities; each day gives you the privilege to say, JESUS IS LORD, Hallelujah! Each day presents the golden opportunity for you to demonstrate what it means to be a child of God in a fallen, dark, sinful world. Each day ......

Do you feel the urge to shout 'Glory be to God'? You see, King David was overwhelmed at the love and mercy God had shown him. Unknown to anyone, God propelled him to the limelight (so to speak) as a shepherd boy to kill Goliath. Oh yes, God can lift you up from the remotest village in the world and place you on the world stage for His purpose not yours. Although God prevented David from building the temple, he was grateful that God had chosen his son Solomon (the son of Bathsheba with whom David had committed adultery) to build the temple. Can you imagine the flood of emotions that rushed through David's mind and body? He praised God saying 'Who am I...'?

That question resounds in the 21st century. Who am I, Lord to be given the privilege to write? Who am I  to be redeemed from the bondage of sin and Satan? Who am I to be given the wonderful opportunity to serve God as a bi-vocational minister? Who am I to have been born to my parents on my birthday? It could have been someone else. Who am I to be endowed with the gifts and talents that I have? Who am I...?

My brethren, I have always prayed that God will always make me remember where He brought me from. I was lost, drowning in my recklessness, indiscipline and addictions but God ... but God... Hallelujah! The devil wanted to obliterate me; he wanted to annihilate me; he wanted to cast me into hell but God ... Hallelujah! What about you? Can you say with King David, 'Who am I? Can you praise God this day with every ounce of breath you have for His love, goodness and mercy? Oh yes, you may face challenges, you may be jobless, you may even be sick, but God is fully in control. He loves you unconditionally and the devil can do nothing about it. Hallelujah! You have a purpose but the devil has a horrible end - the lake of fire. Oh, glory to God. Listen to the Word of God

"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present 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 in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:37-39, ESV)

Nothing or nobody can separate you from the love of God. Somebody shout, Amen. 

"no weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord."  (Isaiah 54:17)

The devil may rant and rave but you are untouchable. Hallelujah!

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord , and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers." (Psalm 1:1-3)

Please pay attention. You are blessed in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening. Why? Because God is good and His angels encamp all around you. Even if you are jobless, you are blessed; if you are looking for a wife or husband, you are blessed; if you have pains in your body, you are blessed; Why?, you may ask. BECAUSE your blessings do not depend on circumstances. God will definitely provide your needs but while He is doing it, you are blessed because God is love - He is omnipotent, omniscient and omnipresent. His plans for your life will come to fruition if you trust Him. His plans, not your plans and His plans for you are good and perfect - "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord , plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11, ESV)

Finally, in praising God, King David said, "...For all things come from you, and of your own have we given you." Do you realise that? All that you have has been made possible by God. He has given you the life and strength to acquire all that you have. Job said, 

“Naked (without possessions) I came [into this world] from my mother’s womb,And naked I will return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21, AMP)

While theologians debate about what Job was really saying, it is abundantly clear that God requires total surrender and He has the right to ask you to lay all on the altar (Luke 14:33). Will you? Remember God's will for your life is perfect; it is the best. Don't settle for a mediocre plan (every other plan is mediocre compared to God's plan). 

May the Lord God Almighty enable you to understand that He really cares and that He will never lead you astray, no matter what. Have a blessed day.

 

What Is Sexual Immorality?

What is Sexual Immorality?

"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. ' .....Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s." (1 Corinthians 6:9,18-20, NKJV)

"Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted. And do not become idolaters as were some of them. As it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.” Nor let us commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand fell; nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents; nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer." (1 Corinthians 10:6-10)

The Oxford Dictionary defines sexual immorality as follows: 'behaviour that does not follow accepted standards of sexual behaviour'. Interesting, I would say. But who defines what is moral or immoral? Societal attitude towards sexual behavior has evolved over the decades. There was a time when sexual activity between unmarried couples was frowned upon. Then people became 'liberated' and premarital sex was accepted by society. It was reckoned that premarital sex was okay for those who are 'in love'. Of course, extramarital affairs have been on the horizon for as long as man has existed. Most people would decry adultery. However, man's standards change but God's standards never change. Today, some people have married their pets in the name of 'love' providing a precursor to acceptability of bestiality. Is that moral?

God is the Creator of mankind and therefore has the right to prescribe acceptable sexual behaviour. Sexual immorality according to God's Word includes fornication, adultery, homosexuality, and sodomy. In the Old Testament God commanded the children of Israel not to commit adultery (Exodus 20:14) because it is immoral. It is God who decides what is moral or immoral not man and because God is unchangeable we should expect His definition of morality to remain sacrosanct. 

According to the Word of God, fornicators, adulterers, sodomites and homosexuals will not inherit the Kingdom of God. Period. In the OT, a man lying with a man as with a woman was an abomination (Leviticus 20:13) and from a biological perspective, there are only two sexes, male and female. They are different from an anatomical perspective and people of the same sex do not have the capacity or ability to reproduce as a result of their sexual activity. The difference between sexes is an important reality in any discussion of them.

Apostle Paul in writing by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit stated, "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,...Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonour their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due." (Romans 1:18, 24-27, NKJV)

God considers sexual activity between men and men or women and women unnatural. This constitutes sexual immorality just as fornication and adultery are part of sexual immorality. In the wilderness, the children of Israel engaged in sexual immorality with the women of Moab. The New King James Version of the Bible states that "the people began to commit harlotry with the women of Moab." (Numbers 25:1) and God punished them for contravening His laws and commands.

Sexual immorality in any form or shape is an abomination. Heterosexuals who indulge in fornication and adultery are committing an abomination in the eyes of God. Same sex individuals who decide to engage in sexual activity are involved in what God considers to be an abomination. People who decide to indulge in bestiality are also committing an abomination in the sight of God. You see, it is all about what is right or wrong in the sight of God and I have decided to obey God 100%. Have you?

In the beginning, we are informed that "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." (Genesis 1:27). Today, some individuals have decided to reject binary sexuality (male and female) and want to be identified as "...genderfluid, agender (without gender), genderqueer, or something else entirely." (VeryWellMind) Basically the non-binary mindset is prevalent today.  

I suppose people have the right to call themselves whatever they want. It is their right and that right must be recognized. However, the rights of others to embrace and uphold the fundamental truth of God's Word must also be recognized. And these rights can all be recognized in an atmosphere of civility, courtesy, and mutual respect. You see, at the end of the day it boils down to personal choices and we are all accountable for the choices we make. Furthermore, we cannot absolve ourselves from the consequences of our actions which emanate from our choices. One day we shall all stand before God whether we like it or not and no behavior or belief contrary to His Word will be acceptable. 

Heterosexuals have no right whatsoever to abuse, insult or discriminate against gay men and lesbians. At the same time, the LGBTQ community has no right to impose their beliefs or lifestyle on others. Someone may decide to live straight and another may decide to live a gay/lesbian lifestyle; that is their choice which incidentally God recognizes. However, the beliefs of the Christian community who have decided to live in accordance with God's Word must be recognized and honored.

I would like to add that John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" applies to everyone, straight, gay or otherwise. God loves the sinner and hates the sin but He will not compromise on His standards. True Christians love gay/lesbian individuals and invite them to surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ who is the Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6). Today if you hear His voice, harden not your heart. JESUS LOVES YOU irrespective of your inclinations and He wants to make you whole. 

I pray that the grace of God, His love and protection will be your portion in Jesus' Name. 

Who Do You Say Jesus Is?

 "And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him." (Mark 8:27-30 , ESV)

Do you think Jesus was just a great teacher, one of the prophets or man of great morals? Who really was Jesus?  Apostle Peter was convinced that Jesus was the Christ. The word Christ in Greek is Christos meaning 'Anointed One' equivalent to the Hebrew word, Messiah that means 'One who is Anointed'. Let us take some time to examine His claims and some facts about Him:

1. "Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me?" (John 8:46). A sinner could never ask such a question. Jesus basically told the Pharisees that He was without sin challenging them to refute what He was saying. Jesus was sinless. He never committed any sin. Only God is without sin. Earlier on, He had rebuked the Pharisees saying, "You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it." (John 8:44).
2. Jesus died for our sins. The Bible says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." (John 3:16-17); Jesus predicted His own death as prophesied by the prophets "And He strictly warned and commanded them to tell this to no one, saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.” (Luke 9:21-22). In the Old Testament, prophet Isaiah spoke by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, "Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:4-5). Jesus was crucified on the cross of Calvary so that mankind would be redeemed. He is the only Saviour.
3. On the cross of Calvary, Jesus told the condemned thief,  “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise." (Luke 23:43). He knew where He was going after His death on the cross and He reassured the thief that he would be with Him later that day in Paradise. The confidence exuded by that statement really makes one wonder about Jesus. He was no ordinary person.
4. On the cross of Calvary, after His death a centurion was convinced that Jesus was the Son of God. The Bible says, "So when the centurion and those with him, who were guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!"  (Matthew 27:54). The centurion was so amazed by what he saw and experienced that the only conclusion he could come to was that Jesus was the Son of God. Not a son but the only begotten Son. Incredible! Remember Roman soldiers were tough individuals.
5. Jesus rose from the dead. "For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He was seen by Cephas, then by the twelve. After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have fallen asleep. After that He was seen by James, then by all the apostles. Then last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.." (I Corinthians 15:3-8)
6. Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." Jesus made a bold statement about Himself. He basically stated that He is the only way to God. Jesus did not say that He was one of the ways to God, He said He is the Way. Without receiving Jesus, no one can go to God the Father.
7. Jesus accepted worship because He is God the Son.  In John 20, we read, "And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, “Peace to you!” Then He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” And Thomas answered and said to Him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:26-29)
   
8. Jesus' birth was prophesied centuries before He was born. "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel." (Isaiah 7:14). Immanuel means God with us.
9. Jesus is God. The Bible says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made." (John 1:1-3). All things were created by Him and for His pleasure as read in Colossians 1 - "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence." (Colossians 1:15-18)
10. Jesus is coming back again. "Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven." (Acts 1:9-11)

The above facts and Scriptural passages are snippets that point to the truth about Jesus. No one who ever had an encounter with Jesus remained the same. Even today, He is still changing lives. He called out to the weary and heavy laden saying, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30)

You must make up your mind about Jesus. He is Lord and Saviour. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. He is God the Son, the Creator of the whole universe. He is coming back again, this time not as Saviour but as righteous Judge. Will you be on the right side of Jesus or on the wrong side? He has all power and at the Name of Jesus, every knee shall bow.

"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:5-11)

There is power in the Name of Jesus; there is salvation and deliverance in the Name of Jesus; there is healing in the Name of Jesus. Come to Jesus today and He will set you free from addictions, besetting sin, bondages and self-destructive tendencies. He will give you peace and will guide by the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is not an ordinary person. He is more than a swear word. He is LORD of lords and KING of kings. 

Today Jesus will make an eternal difference in your life if you call upon Him. "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:..." (John 1:12) 

"that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:9-10)

I pray that you will be encouraged in your walk of faith today. If you are not a Christian and are still wondering who Jesus really is, may the Word of God saturate your mind so that you will bow before Him, surrendering your whole life to Him. JESUS IS LORD. Have a blessed day.