But I will Sing

‘I am so troubled that I can not speak. I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times; I call to remembrance my song in the night’ (Psalm 77:4-6).

  

It is interesting to note in the passage above that even though the psalmist declares that he is so troubled that he cannot speak, he is able to sing unto the Lord. ‘But doesn’t singing require speaking?’ Someone may ask. A song has great power. Basically songs come from a different reservoir than speech. Psychologists sometimes speak of music as coming from “the right brain”. Not that there are two brains but while singing, brain wave activity goes on in the right hemisphere of the brain. Reasoned speech is more naturally located in the left hemisphere. Music has the mysterious power to strain out the sadness and leave us somehow feeling better. Putting our sorrows into song often enables us to sing them right out again’ (Jack Hayford –The heart of praise).

No wonder the Bible admonishes us to praise the Lord at all times regardless of our situation. Whenever God makes a command He knows that He has given us what it takes to obey that command. Sometimes the storms of life leave us at a place of speechlessness. But even there we can praise God. Are you too troubled to talk? Sing unto the Lord. Anyone can praise God when all is well, but it takes understanding to give God a sacrifice of praise or praise Him when you are troubled. The psalmist says, seven times a day I will praise him. Clearly it is our responsibility to praise God at all times. Praising God in troubled times brings great victories.

Someone may ask, ‘what should I praise God for when I am in pain?’ You praise Him for what He has done, what He is doing and for what He is going to do. Praising God in troubled times is an act of great faith that yields great results. It proves one’s understanding of God’s goodness, that He has allowed the troubles for a good purpose. Praising God in troubled times is a great act of faith and a great offensive weapon against the devil. Paul and Silas ended up in a maximum security prison for preaching the Gospel. But in the midnight instead of wining they praised and prayed; as they did, they experienced the wonders of praise. Their praise caused an earthquake, the foundations of the prison shook, their chains were broken and the prison gates broke open. Today as you count your blessings give God a praise bubbling from a heart of gratitude. May every bondage in your life give way to the power of God.

As a Christian, the joy of the Lord is your strength, when your joy is gone your strength is gone. The devil can never oppress you until he depresses you. The moment the devil steals your joy you cannot function normally, so don’t allow the devil to steal it. Those that trust in God are like mount Zion that can never be moved. Your joy is not dependant on your circumstance but it flows from the spirit of God within you. It is a fruit of the spirit of God within you.

Count your blessings, until you acknowledge and appreciate what you have in your hands; What God has done in your life you don’t qualify to ask for more. Don’t just be grateful; express your gratitude to God. Praise expresses gratitude. Let your praise be contagious and Glorious. As you praise God in the midst of your pain it will be a testimony onto the world, they will be affected by your faith and faithfulness and your God will be revealed to them. Is any troubled? Let him sing a song of praise bubbling from the heart, and be assured that help is on the way.

The Power of Love

‘Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others’ (Phil 2:3, 4).

What our world lacks is neither natural nor human resources but love. God has provided humanity with all that we need, to have peaceful lives without abject poverty. However in these days of great technological developments, massive capital flow and information overload, millions of children still die from curable diseases and poor nutrition, those that even survive are permanently affected by malnutrition. ‘In the United States at the end of 2001, 10% of the population owned 71% of the wealth and the top 1% owned 38%. On the other hand, the bottom 40% owned less than 1% of the nation's wealth’(Wikipedia). ‘It is indisputably believed that the greatest moral challenge this generation faces is that, one in four of the people we share this small and beautiful planet with, live in abject poverty. 2.8 billion People live on less than $2 a day and 1.2 billion live on less than $ 1 a day’ (Rt. Hon. Clare Short, Secretary of state for International development). Clearly, love and selflessness is the solution to a lot of the problems we have in the world today.

God is love and He created man in His image and likeness. Before the fall of man, love was man’s nature. The Spirit of God that He breathed into man was a spirit of love, but after the fall of man the nature of love was replaced by a nature of self-centeredness. As established in the previous lesson (Is Your Dream a Vision or a Selfish Ambition), self-centeredness was the origin of sin (Isaiah 14:12-14). So Christianity is a call to love, and its journey is a transformation from self-centeredness to love. No wonder Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to love God with your all and love your neighbor as yourself. The greatest mark of Christian maturity is selflessness that is born out of love. Paul confirmed that when he said, ‘If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing’ (1 Cor 13:1-3).

Paul also taught that we should, ‘do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves’ (Phil 2:3). Christ was a revelation and an embodiment of the love of God. Our daily attitude is supposed to be like Christ, who gave up His divine privileges as God and took the humble position of a slave, was born as a human being and selflessly died as a criminal on a cross for our salvation (Phil 2:5-8).

The good news is that after Jesus died for all men as a result of His love and selflessness, ‘God elevated Him to the place of highest honor and gave Him the name above all other names’ (Phil 2:9). God blesses us, so that we may be a blessing (Gen 12:1-3). Those who pursue love and selflessness are blessed beyond measure, and they make an impact that transcends generations. Today, seek God with all your heart, draw closer to Him and let His nature of love been seen through you. By loving Him you will know Him more and be able to love your neighbors as yourself. There cannot be love without giving, love is revealed through our giving that meet the needs of others (John 3:16).

Examine your priorities, motivation and focus in life today and let this be your song, ‘Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me, All His wondrous compassion and purity, Oh thou Spirit divine, all my nature refine. Till the beauty of Jesus be seen in me’.

The Brevity of Life

‘Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom’ (Psalm 90:12 - NLT).

‘Every time someone celebrates a birthday the fellow draws closer to the grave. The day you were born you began a trip to the grave; this is a journey you have to make willingly or unwillingly. Every passing second draws you closer to that destination’ (E. A. Adeboye). The briefness of man’s life on earth is indubitable and the Bible uses many illustrations in both the Old and New Testament to describe it.

Let’s consider a few examples of the Bible’s description of man and his life on earth; 

·                      ‘O Lord, what are human beings that you should notice them, mere mortals that you should think about them? For they are like a breath of air; their days are like a passing shadow (Psalm 144:3-4)

·                      ‘You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.” (Psalm 39:5).

·                     ^‘Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die’ ( Psalm 103:15)
 ‘We blossom like a flower and then wither. Like a passing shadow, we quickly disappear’ (Job 14:2). 

·                      ‘As the Scriptures say, “People are like grass, their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades’ (1 pet 1:24).

From the scriptures above the Bible uses the breadth of air, shadows, grass, flowers and the width of a hand to illustrate the brevity of a man’s life. Many people reading this devotional today can remember their days in kindergarten like it was yesterday. That is how fast life can be. Many fear the fleeting nature of time that they do not want to think of their age and even try to keep it as a secret. Others also try every means possible including cosmetic surgeries and make up to cheat age. However the truth is ageing and death are inevitable in life. There are two things everyone will posses in life, a birthday and a death date.

Considering the inevitability of death, what should one’s attitude towards life be? In Psalm 90:12 the psalmist prays ‘Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom’. The key to making use of our limited time on earth is wisdom and Jesus is the source of all wisdom (1 Cor 1:30). Today may the Lord grant you wisdom, the sound judgment you need to make the right choices and decisions in life. God our creator has a purpose and plan for everyone and it is only He who knows your purpose and life’s span on earth. The manufacturer of a product has the best knowledge of his product; therefore go back to your maker today. He knows you best, even more than you know yourself.  

You are not on earth by accident, you have a destiny and purpose to fulfill. Associated with your purpose on earth are two essential commodities of life; time and seasons. ‘For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven (Eccl 3:1). Today ask yourself, ‘another year has just gone by, drawing me closer to my appointment with death. How did I move closer to accomplishing my goals and purpose in life?’ Jesus is the source of all wisdom; He is the way to a fulfilled life on earth and an eternal life in heaven. Seek him as your personal savior and Lord today, He reveals himself to those who seek him with all their hearts.

Four Benefits of the Fear of the Lord

‘In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, and His children will have a place of refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, to turn one away from the snares of death’ (Prov 14:26-27).

The fear of the Lord is generally defined as reverence and awe of God. Hebrews 12:28-29 explains it best: ‘Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.’ However, it is important to note that the fear of the judgment of God and eternal death comes into play, when the fear of God is being discussed. More often than not, when the Bible talks about the fear of the Lord, it is in relation to the judgment of God. A classic example is Luke 12:4, 5 when Jesus was teaching about the fear of God. His words were, ‘and I say to you, My friends do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him’.

Clearly, Jesus was talking to His disciples, whom He referred to as friends. This debunks the school of thought that, it is only unbelievers who need to fear God in relation to His judgment and eternal death. Hebrews 10:31 also confirms this truth by saying that, ‘it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God’. The writer of Hebrews was addressing Christians and teaching them about the dangers of sinning willfully, after receiving knowledge of the truth. The focus of this lesson is the benefits or blessings in fearing the Lord, as outlined in Prov 14:26-27.

         ‘In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence’ (Prov 14:26): Confidence is one word that best explains faith. The Bible has countless examples of people that lived and walked with incredible and unwavering confidence in the midst of great challenges. The three Hebrew boys refused to worship the image of gold at the expense of their lives, due to their fear of God. In full confidence they declared, ‘our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up’ (Dan 3:17-18). Many are worshiping the image of gold today; the god of materialism is ruling their lives. They have chosen to serve Mammon (money) instead of God (Mat 6:24). Those who fear God have unwavering faith or confidence in Him and His word.

         Those who fear the Lord, He will be a refuge for their children (Prov 14:26): The blessings of the Lord reaches unto the descendants of those who fear Him. The Blessings that Israel enjoys today are clearly a result of God’s blessings on Abraham (Gen 12:1-3). By fearing God you leave a legacy of blessings for your descendants (Ex 20:5-6).

         The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life (Prov 14:27): It definitely leads to holiness of life and conduct. It is the beginning of wisdom and wisdom is the gateway to a fruitful life on earth (Psalm 111:10, Prov 9:10).

         Finally, ‘the fear of God turns one away from the snares of death’ (Prov 14:27): It leads to eternal life. One’s love for God makes Him know God and any one that knows God will definitely have reverent awe (fear) for Him. Also, as a result of the wisdom gained through the fear of the Lord, the Christian triumphs over Sin. God’s strength is wrapped up in His wisdom (Eph 3:10). 

In conclusion, remember the words of Prov 16:6, ‘unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin. By fearing the Lord, people avoid evil’.

The Power of Association

"God has given you each some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other". - 1 Peter 4:10 (TLB)

The power of association is irrefutable. It is said that a person’s friends paint a picture of his future, and an infant’s future is determined not only by his nature but also by his nurture. Even language is picked up unconsciously from ones environment or society from infancy. What you see and hear affects your thoughts, your thoughts affect your actions, your actions grow into your habits, your habits mould your character and your character carves out your future or destiny. Clearly the people in our immediate environment unconsciously affect us regardless of our age. The focus of this lesson is the impact that our associations have on us.

At the age of twelve Jesus the greatest teacher of all time got lost and His parents found Him no where else but in the presence of the Jewish teachers of the law discussing doctrine (Luke 2:46). At that tender age, He was attracted to people that were connected to His destiny. It is therefore imperative that based on your dreams in life; you surround yourself with people that will push you into the fulfillment of your destiny. There are two things, your associations will either push you to your goals or pull you away from them. The choice is yours. The importance of relationships in fulfilling one's purpose can never be overemphasized. Even on the cross Jesus was mending relationships both physically and spiritually. Before He died on the cross His words to 'John the beloved' were, 'John behold your mother' (John 19:27). After His death He also reconciled all men to God.

One of the greatest mistakes one can ever make in life is to dishonor his seniors or people that are ahead of him in a vocation. ‘Everything you ever wanted is near to you, waiting for your recognition. God always hides something you need in someone you don’t recognize. You attract what you value and your future is determined by what you honor. The difference between your present season and your next season can be a seed of knowledge you receive through someone. Out of the Ten Commandments, four of them are about honoring God and the next six are about honoring men’ (Mike Murdock - The law of recognition). Don’t forget that one day of favor can be worth more than a life time of labor. Learn from those who have succeeded where you want to succeed, in order to know what to do and what not to do. Admiral Hyman Rickover said, 'Learn from the mistakes of others; you will never live long enough to make them all yourself.'

There are three kinds of people you can have relationships with; your ‘superiors’, ‘your peers’ and your ‘subordinates’. A superior can become your mentor, a peer can become a friend who will challenge you unto greater heights, and a subordinate can become a mentee that you bless and impart, with your rich experiences. The way you deal with these three groups of people should be unique. You can’t afford to be dealing with your superior as a subordinate or a peer. You need wisdom to identify the category anyone you meet falls into. Peter writes, "God has given you each some special abilities; be sure to use them to help each other” (1 Peter 4:10)

Finally be careful of dream stealers. Some people will steal or abort your dreams if you share it with them before the right time. Be careful and be led by God about who you share your dreams with. Do not expose your dreams before the appointed time. Remember, a baby lion can even be killed by a mature dog. Be careful who you take counsel from; you can listen to friends and wreck God’s purpose for your life. In conclusion, make sure that your most important relationship (your relationship with God) is right. God is the source of all wisdom and it is written that, ‘when a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him’(Prov 16:7)

The Brevity of Life

‘Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom’ (Psalm 90:12 - NLT).

  

‘Every time someone celebrates a birthday the fellow draws closer to the grave. The day you were born you began a trip to the grave; this is a journey you have to make willingly or unwillingly. Every passing second draws you closer to that destination’ (E. A. Adeboye). The briefness of man’s life on earth is indubitable and the Bible uses many illustrations in both the Old and New Testament to describe it.

Let’s consider a few examples of the Bible’s description of man and his life on earth;

         ‘O Lord, what are human beings that you should notice them, mere mortals that you should think about them? For they are like a breath of air; their days are like a passing shadow (Psalm 144:3-4).

         ‘You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.” (Psalm 39:5).

         ^‘Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die’ ( Psalm 103:15) 

         ‘We blossom like a flower and then wither. Like a passing shadow, we quickly disappear’ (Job 14:2).

         ‘As the Scriptures say, “People are like grass, their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades’ (1 pet 1:24).

From the scriptures above the Bible uses the breadth of air, shadows, grass, flowers and the width of a hand to illustrate the brevity of a man’s life. Many people reading this devotional today can remember their days in kindergarten like it was yesterday. That is how fast life can be. Many fear the fleeting nature of time that they do not want to think of their age and even try to keep it as a secret. Others also try every means possible including cosmetic surgeries and make up to cheat age. However the truth is ageing and death are inevitable in life. There are two things everyone will possess in life, a birthday and a death date.

Considering the inevitability of death, what should one’s attitude towards life be? In Psalm 90:12 the psalmist prays ‘Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom’. The key to making use of our limited time on earth is wisdom and Jesus is the source of all wisdom (1 Cor 1:30). Today may the Lord grant you wisdom, the sound judgment you need to make the right choices and decisions in life. God our creator has a purpose and plan for everyone and it is only He who knows your purpose and life’s span on earth. The manufacturer of a product has the best knowledge of his product; therefore go back to your maker today. He knows you best, even more than you know yourself. 

You are not on earth by accident, you have a destiny and purpose to fulfill. Associated with your purpose on earth are two essential commodities of life; time and seasons. ‘For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven (Eccl 3:1). Today ask yourself, ‘another year has just gone by, drawing me closer to my appointment with death. How did I move closer to accomplishing my goals and purpose in life?’ Jesus is the source of all wisdom; He is the way to a fulfilled life on earth and an eternal life in heaven. Seek him as your personal savior and Lord today, He reveals himself to those who seek him with all their hearts.

The Righteous Shall Grow and Flourish

‘The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing’ (Psalm 92:12-14). 

Righteousness is the key to the Christian’s dominion; it is the scepter or sword of state of God’s kingdom (Heb 1:8). Even though it is every Christian’s birth right to reign as a king in life, without righteousness no Christian can reign. Sin made man lose his dominion anyway. In psalm 92:12-14 the psalmist compares the life of the righteous to that of a palm tree and the cedar of Lebanon. "The palm grows slowly, but steadily, from century to century, uninfluenced by those alternations of the seasons which affect other trees’ (Barnes Notes on the Bible). Even in old age the palm tree bears fruit, so is the life of the righteous. 

The Palm tree provides a great part of the diet of the East. Its leaves are made into baskets. The palm tree produces juices, the threads of the leaves makes ropes and its wood is used as building materials and for fire wood. Indeed the palm tree Signifies consistency and multi dimensional fruitfulness, so has God made the righteous. God’s blessing upon Adam and Eve was the primary key to their dominion and fruitfulness (Gen 1:28). They lost the blessings after they sinned. Glory to God, the last thing Jesus did before He ascended was that He blessed the disciples (Luke 24:51). Hallelujah!!! The blessings of God on the righteous have been restored. As a Christian, you are blessed and ordained to prosper in all your endeavors. The psalmist says you are like a tree planted by the streams of waters and everything you do shall prosper (Psalm 1:3).

Secondly the Psalmist says that the righteous shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. It is said that the best, tallest, largest, and strongest cedars grow in Lebanon. Because of the blessings of the Lord on the righteous he will be the best, tallest, largest, and strongest among his peers. In Heb 1:9 it was said of Jesus that, ‘You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;   therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions, by anointing you with the oil of joy’.  The benefits of living a righteous life are enumerable. ‘The Cedar of Lebanon can live up to 1000 years, it can also grow to become 100 feet tall and 40 feet around the trunk, it signifies stability, longevity and honor or majesty (Finis Dake). God promises the righteous long life, prosperity with good health (3 John 1:2).

Christians are justified and made righteous at their Spiritual birth; the righteousness of Christ is imputed to the believer. As long as a Christian remains in Christ he is clothed with the righteousness of Christ and God sees him through the righteousness of Christ. However, as God works in us, we are supposed to work out that which the Holy Spirit is accomplishing in our inward parts, by making a conscious effort not to sin. ‘For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins’ (Heb 10:26). We are not saved by our righteousness but our righteous deeds become a result of our salvation. It becomes a fruit of the Holy Spirit in the Christian. 1 John 3:9 says ‘No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God’.  

Are you going through difficult times, regardless of the righteous life you are leading? Be assured that the troubles you are going through are only for a period. Many are the afflictions of the righteous but the Lord delivers Him from them all. God will surely reward you for your faithfulness in this life and the life after. On the other hand if you are living in sin, this is the day of your deliverance, surrender your life to Christ by repenting of your sins and believing in Him.

Is there no Balm in Gilead

^‘Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered? (Jeremiah 8:22)

‘The balm was a resin from the Styrax tree produced especially in the Transjordan region and widely used for medicinal purposes’ (Oxford Annotated Bible). In times of sickness, many believers ask themselves ‘Lord why’? The disciples of Jesus once questioned Jesus about the cause of an individual’s sickness, whether it was his personal sins or the sins of his parents that had caused his blindness. The master’s answer was, ‘neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him’ (John 9:3).

God sometimes allows troubles including sicknesses into the lives of His children, in order that we may seek Him more and give Him an opportunity to reveal His glory through our lives (Judges 3:1,2). A careful study of the book of Job reveals that, it was God who initiated the conversation about job. His question to the devil was ‘have you considered my servant Job’ (Job 1:8)? After all his trials, Job came out knowing God better and growing in his faith, not forgetting a double restoration of all he lost. The truth is, God set Job up for a blessing. If you are serving God faithfully, then I have good news for you. Any challenges you are going through is a set up by God to embarrass you with blessings. At the end of the day, God will give you double for your trouble and your healing or deliverance will be like a dream.

Isn’t it fulfilling to know that His promise is I will never leave you nor forsake you (Heb 13:5)? As a father, God sees and feels your pain, He hears your cry and He knows all the details of your troubles. The word for you today is, stand still and know that He is God, the battle is not yours but the Lords. Hold onto your faithfulness. Healing is God’s children’s bread. He will surely heal you; it’s only a matter of time. But even if He chooses not to heal you in this life, keep on serving Him regardless of the storms. Be like the three Hebrew Children who said we know that the Lord will deliver us but even if he does not, we will not bow down to the ‘devil’ (Dan 3:18). Remember, everyone that is born of God overcomes the world and the key is faith (1 John 5:4, 5).

It is interesting to note that, Jesus always requested faith from all the people He healed. There were times when He also healed people based on the faith of other people that were connected to the sick (Mark 2:5). Without faith God can’t do anything on earth. Faith is man’s response to God’s word, and without God’s word He can do nothing. God is a God of principle who does not go against His word. Faith is that which connects man to the limitless power of God. What are you going through today; do your mountains seem unmovable? The God you serve is greater than the mountain you see. His word is, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed you can tell this mountain to move and it will. Today is someone’s day of deliverance.

The answer to the question ‘is there no Balm in Gilead’, is ‘Yes, the most excellent in the world. "Is there no physician there?" Yes, persons well skilled to apply it’ (Clarke). Jesus healed all manner of diseases, regardless of their source or location. Healing is definitely part of the package of salvation. You are next in line to receive your miracle.  Release your faith and claim your healing today.  With God all things are possible. Receive your healing in Jesus name, at the mention of the Name Jesus EVERY sickness bows.

Being your Best and not Just the Best

‘I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith’ (2 Tim 4:7).

‘One October evening in 1968, a group of die-hard spectators remained in the Olympic Stadium in Mexico City to watch the last finishers of a marathon. An hour before Mamo Wolde of Ethiopia had won the race. It was getting cold and dark and the remaining spectators began to leave, when suddenly they heard the sounds of sirens and police whistles coming into the stadium. As they watched in amazement, one last runner made his way unto the track for the last lap of the 26 mile race; it was Stephen Akhwari of Tanzania. As he ran the 400-meter circuit, people could see that his leg was bandaged & bleeding.

He had fallen & injured it during the race, but he refused to let it stop him. Suddenly the people in the stadium rose (some in tears) and applauded without stopping, until he finished or crossed the finish line. As he hobbled away, he was asked why he had not quit since he had no chance of winning a medal. He said ‘my country did not send me to Mexico City to start the race; they sent me here to finish it’. Stephen did not win the race but his heroic attitude got him into the Hall of fame. This inspiring story brings out many life lessons, but in the context of today’s study the main lesson is that, life is not about winning among a group of people but winning the race marked out for you. Even though Stephen Akhwari did not win the race he won his personal race. He wasn’t the best but he did his best. His attitude of not comparing himself with others earned him a place in the hall of fame. Your success in life depends 90% on how you react to events and 10 % on the events that occur in your life. It is all about attitude.

No two people are identical in life. Even identical twins that come from the same egg are different and have unique purposes in life. In as much as it is good to be the best among a group of people, that is not the most important thing. Rather, the most important thing is to do your best and maximize your potential. Even though one might be the best among a group it does not necessarily mean that he is doing his best or maximizing his potential. Sometimes people become complacent and refuse to add value to them selves and grow all because they are the best in their group. Also there are times when people get frustrated about not being the best and loose their joy and peace, even though they are doing their best and maximizing their potential. Are you been intimidated by the successes of others? The Bible says ‘rejoice with those who are rejoicing’ (Rom 12:15). Let the successes of others bring you happiness and have the encouragement that, if God can do it for them then your time will also come

There is nothing wrong with being inspired or challenged by the achievement of others but there is everything wrong with using the successes of others as your benchmark. Every individual has a unique purpose in life and is uniquely equipped with talents and capabilities for that purpose. In life the challenges that come our way are unique just as our finger prints and destinies are, but the key is finishing the race marked out for you. You will be judged according to your purpose and abilities but not the achievements of others.

Today, your prayer should be, LORD HELP ME WORK HARD, UNTILL I BECOME THE BEST THAT I COULD EVER BE IN MY CALLING.

The Pearl of Great Price

‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchantman, seeking beautiful pearls. Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it’ (Mat 13:45-46).

‘All the children of men are busy; one would be rich, another would be honorable, another would be learned; but most are deceived, and take up with counterfeits for pearls. Jesus Christ is a Pearl of great price; in having Him, we have enough to make us happy here and forever (Matthew Henry). In the ministry of Jesus He usually spoke in parables. In the tenth and eleventh verse of Mat 13 the disciples asked, ‘why do you speak to them in Parables and His reply was “it has been given you to know the Mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven but to them it has not been given”. In essence, Jesus was saying that there are some mysteries or hidden Keys in the Kingdom of God, that every believer needs to know, and it is one’s duty as a child of God to Search for understanding into those issues. ‘It is God’s privilege to conceal things and the king’s privilege to discover them’ (Proverbs 25:2, NLT). Life is full of mysteries which can only be unraveled through a diligent search. This lesson focuses on the importance of desiring for, and seeking godly knowledge through Christ, in whom the mysteries of God are revealed.

‘The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law’ (Deut 29:29). ‘Until it is revealed to you it does not belong to you’ (David Oyedepo). Myles Munroe once made a very remarkable statement that, your perception about life depends on what you know and what you know is not all that there is to know, so get more knowledge. Myles’ statement re-echoes what Jesus said in Mat 13:45-46, that you need to search for the treasures of the Kingdom. One’s success in life to a very large extent depends on his passion for knowledge, especially knowledge about the things of God. Your Passion determines your position and your position determines your possession.

In Mat 13:45 Jesus compares the kingdom of God to a man who is a dealer in search of fine and precious pearls, who, on finding a single pearl of great price, went and sold all he had and bought it. The interpretation of the parable is that the man had an insight into the mystery of Christ. That mystery which was never disclosed to human beings in past generations but is now available to the church and is now being revealed to the hungry sons in God’s kingdom by the Holy Spirit (Eph 3:4, 5). Christ is the express image of God, so to know Him is to have access to the infinite and manifold wisdom of God. Knowing Christ offers one access to a new world of the supernatural, where God reigns over all things and all things are possible. This mystery the world does not know. Those that grasp that mystery of Christ by grace through faith ought to sell everything they have and buy it. Meaning they should yield all their lives to God by denying themselves and seeking Him more and more with their all.  

Jesus did not say that the pearl of great price, was found by accident, instead it was found by one whose business it is to seek for treasures. Many have been robbed of the joy, peace and fulfillment that God created man to enjoy, all because they have not searched for and found Christ the pearl of great price. Others have found Him but have allowed the devil to deceive them into thinking that he has something better to offer. Consequently, they are in the kingdom of God but instead of ruling as sons of the Most High God, they are living as slaves, due to sin and ignorance. In God’s kingdom the son’s of the kingdom rule through wisdom and understanding, and both of them are hidden as treasures in the word of God ( Proverbs 3:19).

Possessing Christ - the pearl of great price will definitely distinguish you amongst men. The truth is, Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and none can have a fulfilled life on earth and an eternal life in heaven without Him. God’s word is sweeter than honey comb, more precious than rubies and nothing you desire should compare with her. Seek Christ daily, with all your heart, through His word and prayer, and you will experience heaven on earth as it were in the beginning.

Being Planted in His House

‘Those who are planted in the house of the LORD…Shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing, (Psalm 92:13, 14).

The Bible in Basic English translates Psalm 92:13 as ‘Those who are planted in the house of the Lord will come up tall and strong in his gardens,’ and this translation paints a magnificent picture about Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. ‘The word Eden in the Hebrew language and in scriptures refers to the place of God’s presence’ (Isaiah 51:3, Eze 28:13 - Dr Myles Munroe). God planted Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden - His very presence, and because they were in His presence, they were continually empowered to reign in life. In His presence the only option they had, was to be fruitful, multiply, replenish the earth and exercise dominion over all of God’s creation.

Moses understood the power of being planted in the presence of God. So he said to God, if Your presence does not go with us, do not send us out of here’ (Exodus 33:15). In the presence of God there is peace, joy, liberty, rest and all that one needs for life and godliness. Like a planted tree gets its nourishment from the nutrients in the soil, so does man get his strength from his relationship with God. The woes of Adam and Eve began immediately after they sinned. Now when God was drawing close to them, they were running from His presence. Finally they had to be banished from the Garden of Eden (the presence of God) because of their sins (Gen 3:8, 23, 24).  

Now, through Christ all men have been reconciled to God, but each one has an individual responsibility. You can either choose to be planted in the house of the Lord or not. You can be restored by believing in Christ, repenting of your sins and beginning a relationship with Him, or keep running away from Him to your own detriment. Today, many are still running away from God, even though God is running to them.  They have magnified the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh and pride of life above God. They are chasing after the wind and seeking for some joy and fulfillment they never find. The truth is only Christ can fill the emptiness in man.

Others have also become frequent visitors to the house of the Lord. But ‘God is interested in those who are planted in His house, not just visitors who only come to His house or presence when they are in need’ (E. A. Adeboye). The truth is, no one can fool God. God cannot be mocked; a man reaps what he sows. God’s promise to you is, ‘I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!’ (John 15:5-7)

Regardless of your sex, age or race; fruitfulness in life is a must, as long as you remain in God by seeking Him with all your heart and obeying Him. Do you think that it is too late to be used of God?  ‘The last days of the saints are sometimes their best days, and their last work their best work’ (Matthew Henry). All you need to do is to be planted in His house and your fruitfulness will be a surety.

Quit the Blaming Game

‘Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.” And the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?”  The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” (Gen 3:12, 13). 

Maturity does not come with age but with acceptance of responsibility, and you can blame others for your past and present but not your future. Instead of acknowledging their sin, taking the shame and repenting, Adam and Eve chose to take the path of blaming others.  ‘Adam’s wickedness and lack of true repentance appears in this that he blamed God because he had given him a wife’ (Matthew Henry). Like Adam, we sometimes go to the extent of blaming even God for our predicaments. ‘The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make A HELPER SUITABLE FOR HIM.” (Genesis 2:18). God’s statement above clearly proves that Eve was the most suitable woman for Adam. The question is ‘where was Adam when the devil was deceiving Eve and what was he supposed to do after Eve ate the forbidden fruit? Definitely, Adam going on to also eat the forbidden fruit wasn’t an act of spiritual leadership in his family, or the solution to the problem. Adam failed to protect and guide his wife, not forgetting his personal involvement in eating the fruit.

‘Instead of acknowledging the sin in its full extent, and taking shame to themselves, Adam and Eve excuse the sin, and lay the shame and blame on others’ (Geneva study Bible). The critical question is what would have happened if Adam and Eve had accepted responsibility for their actions and repented, asking God for forgiveness. Probably the consequences of their sin would have been different.  Until you stop blaming others and acknowledge your personal weakness you can never learn from your mistakes, grow and be more productive. The best way to solve a problem in any relationship is to begin with yourself. Playing the “Blame Game” is poisonous to any relationship, be it in marriage, the church or any circular institution.

Are there some challenges in any group you find yourself in? The best way to solve the problem is by examining yourself. Ask yourself, ‘what can I do different to help the situation?’ There is a common maxim that when you point one finger at someone, three fingers are pointed at you. Jesus said ‘how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye’ (Luke 6:42). Blaming others may be the easiest way to escape shame, but it is certainly not the way to solve problems. Today, quit the blaming game, accept responsibility for your actions, make the necessary personal changes, and will you grow to be a blessing.

Imparting Truth in Love

‘Teach me your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. For great is your mercy toward me, And You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol’ (Psalm 86:11, 13).

A survey was done in the U.S. among youth who claimed to be Born again in Evangelical churches. They were asked if there is truth or an absolute moral standard by which they lead their lives. The question they were posed with was, ‘is the Bible the infallible word of God and true in every situation?’

In 1991 – 52 percent of those interviewed said there is no truth.

In 1994 - 62 percent of those interviewed said there is no truth.

In 1999 - 78 percent of those interviewed said there is no truth.

Now over 91 percent of them say there is no truth or absolute moral standard.

These amazing facts should cause every Christian to feel uneasy and wake up to these challenges of our time. In Josh McDowell’s book ‘The Last Christian generation’, he emphasizes the fact that if the church in U.S.A does not do something different, it may become the last Christian generation. If over 90 percent of born again youth in U.S. churches today, do not see the Bible as the absolute moral standard, by which they should lead their lives, then what is the future of the Church?

The question that arises is, how best can the Church pass on truth to the next generation? The Christian faith is based on truth. Jesus Christ is the embodiment of truth. In John 14:6 He clearly says ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me’. In John 8:32 he also says, ‘And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free’. In Psalm 86:11, David cried out unto God, ‘Teach me your way, O LORD; I will walk in your truth; Unite my heart to fear your name’. The next two verses explain why David was ready to walk in the truth and was so passionate about knowing the ways of God through His word. In verse thirteen he says, ‘For great is your mercy (Love) toward me, and You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol’.

The lesson here is that, truth taught is best received when the student is assured of the love of the teacher. For Parents to be able to pass on Christ or truth to their children, they should have a healthy relationship with their kids. Their kids should be confident of the love of their parents. It is a generally accepted fact that the first 5 years of a child’s life are considered the most important for child development and the bonding with parents. This bond that parents create with their children should be maintained and developed through the other stages of their children’s growth through healthy relationships. Without this bond and a healthy relationship based on love and trust, children will always walk away from the truth that their parents attempt to teach them. The sad reality is that most parents today especially fathers, spend most of their time outside their homes so that healthy relationship and bond with their children is missing.

As a parent you are supposed to be your children’s primary mentor. Mentorship depends on love, respect, trust and admiration. The lives and future of your kids are being molded by your character. Their character will be formed more after your deeds than your words. As a man you are teaching your sons how to marry a wife by the way you treat your wife, as a woman you are also teaching your daughters how to marry a husband by the way you treat your husband. Paul the Apostle admonishes that we teach ‘the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children (Titus 2:2-4). (Quotes are made from ‘The vital role of Fathering’ - Josh McDowell).

The Vital Role of Fathering

‘And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people’ (Gen 49:33)

As a father, you don’t have a right to die or leave the shores of this earth and go on to rest until you have finished instructing your children. ‘And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people’ (Gen 49:33). Gordon Dalbey tells a story about a Catholic nun who worked in a men’s prison. One day, she said, a prisoner asked her to buy him a Mother’s Day card for his mother. She did, and the word got out to other prisoners, and pretty soon this nun was deluged with requests, so she put in a call to Hallmark Cards, who donated to the prison several large boxes of Mother’s Day cards. The warden arranged for each inmate to draw a number, and they lined up through the cellblocks to get their cards.

Weeks later, the nun was looking ahead on her calendar, and decided to call Hallmark again and ask for Father’s Day cards, in order to avoid another rush. As Father’s Day approached, the warden announced free cards were again available at the chapel. To the nun’s surprise, not a single prisoner ever asked her for a Father’s Day card. It is said that Mother’s Day is the biggest calling day of the year for the phone company. However, in terms of call volume, Father’s Day is like any other day of the week. Before his passing, Irving Kristol quoted the startling fact that "almost two-thirds of rapists, three-fourths of adolescent murderers, and three-fourths of long-term prison inmates were abandoned by their fathers. Another study revealed that 92% of prison inmates hated their fathers. There is definitely a fatherhood crisis in our time.

The Greek word for father is Pater. "Pater" is the root meaning "father" as in "paternity" and "patriarchy." Fatherhood does not end at giving birth to a child. A father’s role is to:

(1) PROTECT – Guard his children

Another word for a parent is a guardian, keeper, custodian or steward. A father is supposed to guard his family through prayer and wise counsel. Mat 12:29 teaches that an enemy cannot enter into a home until he binds the strong man. God blessed Ishmael based on Abraham’s Prayer (Gen 17:20). A father is supposed to Pray with his family but not only for his family. The family that prays together stays together. Another way to protect your children is to discipline them. Proverbs teaches that discipline does not kill children (Prov 23:13).

(2) GUIDE – Prune His children.

In 1 Sam 4 Eli the priest and both of his sons, Hophni and Phinehas died and the ark of covenant was also captured, all because Eli failed to guide his children and prevent them from partaking in the offering meant for the Lord (1 Sam 2:11-19). God’s word to him was "Why do you honor your sons more than me by fattening yourself on the choice part of every offering made by my people Israel" (1 Sam 2:29). Also it is a father’s responsibility to discover his children’s uniqueness and guide them into the fulfillment of their destinies. Jesse as a father to David did not even have an idea of David’s uniqueness and potential. There is a tendency today to speak of ‘carers’ rather than mothers or fathers. Many fathers and mothers have left their responsibilities in the hands of ‘carers’ so they don’t know their children themselves (Psalm 127:3,4).

(3) PROVIDE – Give good things.

‘Today, most families rely upon the incomes of both mothers and fathers. However, fathers still provide the lion's share of income. Fathers are either the sole earners or the main earners in two-thirds of two-parent households’ (Burghes, L., Clarke, L. & Cronin, N). In Mat 7:11 Jesus confirms the responsibility of fathers to provide, when He says ‘If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him’. A good man lives an inheritance for his children’s children (Prov 13: 22).

The Father’s Love

‘If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!’ (Matt 7:11). 

God’s name Elshaddai reveals Him as ALL-POWERFUL and ALL-SUFFICIENT. This meaning is generally accepted, but there are differences as to the exact meaning of the term Shaddai. Some scholars have begun with shad as the first concept to be considered. Shad is “breast, pap, or teat,” and it is considered a “precious metaphor” of the God who nourishes, supplies, and satisfies.’ (Tyndale Bible Dictionary). Remember, Abraham did not receive the promise of a seed until he received the revelation of God as Elshaddai (Gen 17:1). May you see God as your supplier. Remember, how you know God will determine what you get from Him. ‘They that know their God shall be strong and do exploits’ (Daniel 11:32).

In Mat 6:9 Jesus uses ‘The Lord’s prayer’ as a model to teach about how we should pray. It is interesting to note that, its opening words are, ‘Our father’. Clearly, Jesus is teaching that our attitude towards God should be that of a child who goes confidently before his loving father. It is particularly important to also note that “Our Father” comes before “hallowed be thy name.” Jesus never taught us to approach God with terror. An average earthly father will provide any good thing within his means for his child, and God does more. The difference is that, there are some things an earthly father may not be able to afford, even though he would have loved to provide them for his children. However, God our heavenly father can provide all the needs of His Children because His name is El-shaddai.

Jesus taught that, God was the Creator caring for His creation and watching over such small creatures as the sparrow, He also assured that God knows and cares so much that, the very hairs of your head are all numbered (Matthew 10:29, 30). There is no support in the teachings of Jesus for the view that, God is uninterested in the world he made. Jesus reminds us that he is a God of details, intimately concerned with our lives.

Today, be reminded of God’s love, and confidently present your needs to Him. The only thing that can affect your prayer is sin and unbelief. However, the good news is, God is full of grace and mercy (Psalm 145:8). Grace means receiving something you don’t deserve and mercy is being forgiven when you don’t deserve to be forgiven. When we repent and confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all sin. With a repentant heart and faith in the atonement of Christ, may you tap into the abundance of your heavenly father today. Is there anything too hard for the Lord? NO.

You can make it

‘At that time there was a Jewish man in the fortress of Susa whose name was Mordecai son of Jair. He was from the tribe of Benjamin and was a descendant of Kish and Shimei. His family had been among those who, with King Jehoiachin of Judah, had been exiled from Jerusalem to Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar. This man had a very beautiful and lovely young cousin, Hadassah, who was also called Esther. When her father and mother died, Mordecai adopted her into his family and raised her as his own daughter’ (Esther 2:5-7).

Esther’s story will inspire anyone to prominence.  As an orphan who had lost both parents she was adopted, taken in and raised by Mordecai her cousin. Unknown to Mordecai, his little poor cousin that he was raising as his own daughter, was the future queen of the Medo-Persian empire, and it was through her that the entire nation of Israel will be delivered (Esther 2:15). Esther’s rise to prominence is a reminder of the fact that, with God all things are possible. By the grace of God Esther rose from a place of insignificance to a place of honor, and rewrote the genealogy of her family. With the blessings and grace of God, there are no heights you can’t climb in life. This study focuses on Esther’s Journey to prominence and the lessons it offers.

Unlike Daniel and Ezekiel who remained in Babylon after being taken there by Nebuchadnezzar, Mordecai was taken to the palace of Shushan and he was made an official there. Mordecai’s role in Esther’s life was noteworthy. His compassion, foresight, mentorship, counseling and guidance were that which molded Esther into her destiny. Esther 2:11 reveals that, ‘every day Mordecai would take a walk near the courtyard of the harem to find out about Esther and what was happening to her’. The Harem was the place where the young beautiful women that were been prepared to be chosen to replace Vashti (the previous queen) were being kept (Esther 2:8). Clearly, everybody needs somebody and no one can survive as an island. Isaac Newton said, ‘If I have seen further it is only by standing on the shoulders of giants’.

Based on Mordecai’s advice, Esther kept her mouth shut about her Jewish identity until after many years when her position was secured as the queen (Esther 2:20). Sometimes learning to be quite saves us from unnecessary battles. She also accepted the advice of Hegai, the eunuch in charge of the harem, which led Ahasuerus the king into choosing her as his wife (Esther 2:15). The lesson here is, God always brings our ‘Mordecais’ and ‘Hegais’ our way to guide us to our promised land, but it is our responsibility as individuals to recognize them and allow them to play their role as mentors in our lives. Everyone needs a mentor. Proverbs 1:5 says ‘let the wise listen and add to their learning’. Most people bring untold hardships on themselves and make their journeys to their promised lands longer all because, instead of humbling themselves and learning from others, they only learn from their personal mistakes. Remember, lessons of a life time can be learnt in a day if you can humble yourself and learn from others.

Finally, Esther’s preparation before being chosen as the queen offers another significant lesson. Before being taken to see king Ahasuerus, the young women that were vying for his heart were taken through a whole year of beauty treatment - ‘six months with oil of myrrh, followed by six months with special perfumes and ointments’ (Esther 2:12). This definitely called for focus and discipline. To make it to where God has ordained you to be, you surely need some preparation. God calls us as we are, but he doesn’t use us just as we are. He moulds and prepares us through His word, prayer, people and places or circumstances. When preparation meets opportunity there is success. Without preparation you will only see your future but not possess it.

A lot of people have come to a point in life where they have stopped dreaming. Life’s storms like illness, the loss of loved ones, loss of jobs etc, have knocked them down and they have stopped dreaming and have given up all hope. No!! It is time to get back up, don’t give up. It is not over until God says so. Dream again. Today, may God remind you of any forgotten dreams and may you receive the grace and strength to pursue your dreams again.

Finally, Esther beat all the odds and was chosen as the one to replace Queen Vashti. If Esther made it, you can make it.  Dream big, think big and take the limits off God. His word for you today is, open your eyes and ‘see, I am doing a new thing’ (Isaiah 43:19).