Faith that gets God's attention - Part 2

Continued from previous post..

Lesson #7  Faith is not shortsighted.

Gen 15: 6 God appears in a vision and tells Abram, 'I am your shield, your very great reward'. But all Abram can see is God has not given him an heir and that his servant is likely to inherit his wealth. So, God takes him outside and reiterates his promise. Abram believes and his faith makes him righteous before God. God reminds Abram that it was He who had orchestrated his move out from Ur. God also tells Abram that his descendants will suffer for 400 years in slavery but they will be saved at the right time. Abram will not witness their struggle as it will not happen in his lifetime. God seals His promise to Abram with a covenant.

God's faithfulness is forever. Abram was limiting God to the present. He forgot God had been working in his past and would continue to work in the future. 'For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day'- 2 Tim 1:12.

Lesson #8  Faith waits patiently.

Gen 16:3 Ten years have passed since Abram moved to Canaan. There is no sign of the promised heir. Sarai is growing impatient. She blames God for her barrenness. Later she takes Abram to task when her maid looks down on her for not being able to give him an heir. Sarai mistreats her badly, causing her to run away.

We can choose how to respond when God delays His answer. Perseverance and patience produce character but self-pity produces bitterness and anger. 'The testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.' - James 1:3-4.

Lesson #9  Faith doesn't take matters into its own hands.

Gen 16: 1-6 Sarai reasons that since she is unable to conceive, God must not want her to bear Abram a son. So she decides to build her family through another woman. She proposes Hagar, her Egyptian maid. Abram agrees and Hagar soon conceives and bears him a son, Ishmael.

We can rationalize and justify our actions but God's ways are not our ways. 'For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the Lord. 'As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts' - Isaiah 55:7-9.

Lesson #10  Faith is not presumptuous.

Gen 17 God appears to Abram after a long period of silence. Ishmael is now 13. Abram pleads with God to accept Ishmael and to perpetuate the promise through him. But God will not change His plan to accommodate Ishmael. Instead God changes Abram's name to Abraham and Sarai’s name to Sarah. He tells them Isaac, the true heir of promise, will be born the following year.

                          

Presumption is expecting God to bless our willful actions. The bible calls it sin. God will not conform to our will, rather we must conform to God's will. Don't try to change God but allow God to change you. 'Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgression' - Psalm 19:13; 'Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him' - I John5:14-15. 

   

Lesson #11  Faith knows God CANNOT fail.

Gen 20 Abraham repeats his mistake in Egypt this time with King Abimelech of Gerar. God warns the king in a dream and rescues Sarah. Abraham and Sarah slip up yet again even though though they are so close to seeing the fulfillment of God's promise. God is committed to keeping His word despite Abraham’s apparent weakness.

Man may fail but God never fails. What He starts, He finishes. It is God who pioneers, perfects and completes our faith in Him. 'The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands’ – Psalm 138:8; ‘Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ’ – Phil 1:6; 'Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith' - Heb 12:2.

Lesson #12  Faith proves itself in obedience.

Gen 22 In the final test, God asks Abraham to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac. Abraham does not hesitate. He takes supplies, loads them on a donkey and together with his son and two servants sets out to the sacrificial site. When Isaac innocently asks, "We have the fire and the wood but where is the lamb for the sacrifice?", Abraham simply replies that God will provide. He builds an altar, lays the wood and after binding Isaac places him on the altar. 

Often it seems that God is a sadist, demanding everything of you until you are left with nothing. Abraham gave up his home and native land to go where God was leading him. He and Sarah made the journey alone, leaving behind family and friends; even his closest family member, Lot, bailed out halfway. He wandered the land as a nomad making his home in tents in an occupied country. Not only that, he waited 25 years for Isaac to be born. Abraham suffered the pain and humiliation of one who had nothing to show for all the years spent waiting for his destiny. And now that he had finally attained the promise, the God he's given up everything for is demanding he offer his son as a sacrifice? No one would have blamed Abraham if he had thrown in the towel and cried, "Enough is enough!"  But Abraham knows who God is.   

'The Maker of Heaven and Earth is my God. My God keeps His promise. My God does not lie. My God judges rightly. My God protects me from harm and rescues me from danger. My God supplies all my needs. My God knows my weakness. My God understands my pain and all that I have suffered. My God is faithful even when I fail Him. Nothing is impossible with my God. If need be, my God is able to raise my son back to life after I have sacrificed him. I will not doubt. I will not fear. I will not question. I will simply trust and obey'

Just as he stretches out his hand to slay him with his knife, God calls Abraham, “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son. ” God is proud of Abraham's faith! And indeed not only does God give Isaac back to Abraham but He also seals the deal with a personal oath. 'I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me. - Genesis 22:16ff

The test of a man's faith is his obedience to God.

All this took place some 4,000 years before God sent His only Son, Jesus, to earth. At the appointed time, Jesus in obedience to His Father’s Will, willingly went to the cross. He paid the ultimate price for sin with His sinless blood which cleanses every sinner who comes to Him by faith. Faith not only reconciles us to God but makes it possible to know Him and experience His Presence in our lives in a real and tangible way.

Abraham’s story is an amazing story of how one man believed God and became a hero of faith, the founder of the Jewish nation, and most importantly a friend of God. Today you and I are bearers of Abraham’s promise; we receive it by faith just as Abraham inherited the promises of God by faith!

It is important to remember that faith is not a destination but it is a journey. Won't you put your hand in His and with all the trust and simplicity of a child begin your own journey with Him?

Faith that gets God's attention - Part 1

What is faith?

'Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see' - Heb 11:1

Why do we need faith?

'And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him' - Heb 11:6
'Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls' - I Peter 1: 8,9.

In the context of the verses above, faith is belief in the existence of God without actually seeing Him. Unless you have faith, you cannot please Him or expect to receive anything from Him. Faith connects you to God whom you cannot see. Even though he is invisible to you, yet you can have a real love for Him, experience unspeakable joy; these are tangible proofs of eternal salvation which is yours by faith.

In Hebrews 11, we read the account of a few ancients who impressed God with their life of faith and obedience to Him. You see, our works do not impress God the way faith does. The writer of Hebrews commends several individuals who impressed God with their life of faith and obedience (chapter 11) and it is them we turn to in order to understand the kind of faith that gets God's attention and earns His approval.

Abraham (formerly Abram) was one such person who heard the call of God at age 75. Genesis records his experiences in detail. His life turned out to be most eventful eventually leading to the birth of a nation from which Jesus the Messiah would come. We can learn many important lessons, particularly about faith, simply by tracing the different milestones of Abram's journey.

Who is Abram?

Read Genesis 11: 27 – 32; Joshua 24:2, Acts 7: 2

Abram's father, Tehrah, was an idol worshiper who lived in the Ur of the Chaldeans. He had 3 sons: Abram, Nahor and Haran. When his son Haran died, Tehrah took Abram, his daughter in law Sarai and his grandson Lot (Haran's son) and set out for Canaan. But when he came to Harran, he settled there where he remained until his death. 

The Call of Abram

God calls Abram and promises him an amazing destiny. Read Gen 12: 1-3. God's promise can be summarized in the following way.

1. LAND - Go to the land I will show you
2. DESCENDANTS - I will make you into a great nation
3. BE BLESSED - I will bless you, make your name great
4. BE A BLESSING - You will be a blessing, I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse, and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.

                               

Lesson #1  Faith takes God at His Word.

Gen 12: 4 -5 Abram believes God and uproots his family, livestock, servants and everything he owns and sets out to Canaan. In obedience to God, Abram leaves the comforts of his father's home, his country and everything familiar to him even though he isn't really sure where he is heading - 'By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going' Heb. 11:8.

Lesson #2  Faith cooperates with God.

Gen 12: 6 – 8 Abram arrives at Canaan. God appears to him and says, "To your offspring I will give this land". Abram reciprocates by building an altar to God. It is not clear why he did this. Perhaps it was an act of worship or surrender. Or to ask God for guidance. Whatever his motive, it appears Abram wanted to commemorate the moment with an altar. Again along the way, he builds another one between Bethel and Ai where he calls upon the name of the Lord.

When we call upon God, we are saying we can't make it on our own. We realize our limitations and surrender to the One who is greater than us to lead us, guide us and keep us on the right path. ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths'  - Prov 3:5-6 NKJV

Lesson #3  Faith is NOT fearful.

Gen 12: 10 – 20. Abram flees to Egypt to escape famine. But he fears the Egyptians will kill him to have Sarai because she is very beautiful.  So he pretends that Sarai is his sister and urges her to do the same. His fears come true. Pharaoh is smitten and takes Sarai into his palace with the view to make her his wife. He rewards Abram with many gifts. But God plagues the royal family with serious diseases. Pharaoh discovers Abram's deceit and ejects him from Egypt in disgrace. Abram retraces his steps and finds the 1st altar he had built and once more calls on the name of the Lord.

When our decisions and actions are motivated by fear, they only lead us away from God's purpose. Just like Abram, we need to yield ourselves to Him again. 'Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe' - Prov 29:25 NIV; 'For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind' - 2 Tim 1:7 NKJV

                                               

Lesson #4  Faith doesn’t trust what it sees.

Gen 13: 8 – 17 As long as Abram and Lot stay together, there isn't enough space to contain their possessions and livestock for they are great. There are constant clashes and misunderstandings between their servants, so Abram and Lot agree to part ways. Abram allows Lot to choose his dwelling. Lot surveys the land and settles for the well watered plains of Jordan. Unknown to Lot, he has chosen a path that will eventually lead him to Sodom and Gomorrah, two accursed cities ripe for God's judgement. Lot leaves but God comes to Abram and tells him to take in the length and breadth of the vast land, for God was giving it to him and his descendants. Abram pitches his tent in Hebron and marks the moment with another altar.

Two men looked at the land before them, but only one saw with eyes of faith. It's tempting to trust our own judgement at times but keep in mind that as believers, 'We walk by faith, not by sight' - 2 Cor. 5:7 NKJV

                               

Lesson #5 Faith looks to God for provision. 

Gen 14 Lot is caught in the middle of  a revolt. Five kings including the King of Sodom refuse to pay tribute to Kedorlaomer king of Elam, so he assembles his allies and attacks the rebel kings, seizing their goods and food. Lot is taken captive along with the other men and women.  When Abram hears the news, he gathers a small army of trained men and sets out on a rescue operation. The mission is a success and he recovers the stolen goods as well as the captives. The King of Sodom is grateful and allows Abram to keep the goods. But Abram declines the king’s reward, refusing to accept even a shoelace lest the king takes credit for blessing Abram and making him rich.

Abram resolved within himself that he would not rely on man to provide for his needs. 'I have been young, and now am old; Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, Nor his descendants begging bread' Psalm 37: 25

Lesson #6  Faith grows with first hand revelation.

Gen 14: 22 – 24 Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of God most High, brings bread and wine, and blesses Abram in the name of God, Maker of Heaven and Earth. Abram pays him a tribute - a tenth of all his possessions. The writer of Hebrews says, Melchizedek's name means king of righteousness and peace; that he has no genealogy, resembles the Son of God and remains a priest eternally - Heb 7:1-3. Abram pays allegiance to the heavenly king and rejects the favours of the earthly kings. Abram's declaration comes with the revelation of Melchizedek who is a type of the Holy Spirit.

It is easy to trust someone once you get to know them. In the same way, faith increases when we know who God is. But the best kind of knowledge doesn't come from textbooks or pulpits but by  first hand revelation by the Holy Spirit! Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.- Matt 16: 16-17; 'All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He (Holy Spirit) will take of Mine and declare it to you' - John 16: 15 ; 'For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ' - Galatians 1:12.


To be continued..

Lord! I Believe; Help My Unbelief

I believe in the sun even if it isn't shining. 

I believe in love even when I am alone. 

I believe in God even when He is silent.

- found scrawled on a cellar wall where Jews had hidden in World War II in Cologne, Germany

A letter

- taken from Spiritually Single (Unequally Yoked) Facebook page

I'm Still Looking Up...

I Won't Give Up - Jason Mraz

Hmmmm ... Hmmmm ... Hmmmm ... Hmmm ...

When I look into your eyes
It's like watching the night sky
Or a beautiful sunrise
There's so much they hold
And just like them old stars
I see that you've come so far
To be right where you are
How old is your soul?

I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up

And when you're needing your space
To do some navigating
I'll be here patiently waiting
To see what you find

'Cause even the stars they burn
Some even fall to the earth
We've got a lot to learn
God knows we're worth it
No, I won't give up

I don't wanna be someone who walks away so easily
I'm here to stay and make the difference that I can make
Our differences they do a lot to teach us how to use
The tools and gifts we got yeah, we got a lot at stake
And in the end, you're still my friend at least we did intend
For us to work we didn't break, we didn't burn
We had to learn how to bend without the world caving in
I had to learn what I've got, and what I'm not
And who I am

I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up
Still looking up.

I won't give up on us (no I'm not giving up)
God knows I'm tough enough (I am tough, I am loved)
We've got a lot to learn (we're alive, we are loved)
God knows we're worth it (and we're worth it)

I won't give up on us
Even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up

The Ugly Duckling

In a recent process of moving house, I found some interesting odds and ends. A small key strangely labelled ‘A’. A piece of brown plastic moulding with a magnetic strip. A tiny metal spring. A single ear stud.  None of which looked familiar to me.

My first instinct is to try and figure out where these came from. I think of all the possible likely places and start from there. But nothing works. I ask around but except for the strangely labelled key, the items are unclaimed. Having done what I can, I decide to throw them away - it is no real loss. But I hesitate and hold on to a couple of them...just in case.

And then suddenly, when you’re immersed in something totally unrelated, the very piece you thought had no value is the very piece you are in need of. Like in this case. I am rearranging my books when I discover the wooden door on my bookcase will not close properly because it is missing... a piece of plastic moulding with a magnetic strip!! I quickly retrieve it and what do you know! It fits snugly and perfectly! It’s the piece that keeps the door clicked firmly in place. How happy I am that I have solved the puzzle of the piece that didn’t fit anywhere! And how thankful I am that I didn’t throw it away!  I had held on to it because I believed that someday I would discover its purpose.  And now a seemingly useless object had become a useful one.But until that fateful moment, it lay in my hands; helpless and homeless.

At times I feel like this. I feel awkward and out of place. I try but I don’t seem to fit in. I move with the crowd but no one seems to understand me. They tolerate me for a while but move on when they realize we have nothing in common. My questions and concerns rub off on people the wrong way. Sometimes I am labelled ‘difficult ‘or ‘divisive’. Other times I am written off because I have ‘issues’. Well meaning people try to analyze me so that they can ‘fix’ my problem. But it appears I am not easy to ‘fix’. I defy all text book logic. Sooner or later, I fall into the category of the unnamed and unclaimed. But a couple of friends refuse to give up. They don’t try to fix me. They listen without judging. They don’t claim to know what my ‘problem’ is. They don’t try to stick me in a pigeon hole. They don’t attempt to modify my speech or behaviour. They are simply there – affirming me silently, faithfully. They know my true intrinsic worth will emerge once I discover my purpose. Until then they are content to let me be, and let God have His way.   

For it is the One who created me who knows the secret of my true identity. Where I come from and where I am meant to be. And He’s not telling just yet. Can I be content to know that it will happen at the appointed time and not a moment sooner? Can I be patiently trust in God’s wisdom and timing? As God puts my life in order, I can trust that the seemingly useless, crippling life experiences I have had to endure will start to make sense. Being the very training I need to be useful and effective for the destiny He has prepared for me. What makes me incongruous, irrelevant now is the very thing that makes me perfect for the task. When it comes – everything will fall in place, without human manipulation and effort. Like the fabled Ugly Duckling who became a Swan it will finally make sense – the confusion, the rejection, the alienation and betrayal. But all that will fade in the light of His revelation.

And in that moment - You will see....
- that I am not a freak of nature. I am the work of His Hands. 

Prisoner of God

What you are about to read is not for the faint of heart. Only a few will understand and even then struggle to accept it. But if you can recognize the slightest bit of yourself in it, remember that you were sought after, pursued, taken captive to be kept in remand for as long as He wishes for no clear reason apart from the fact that it pleases Him to do so.

You can spend your life trying to escape it, even endure it but as most of us have discovered that the best way to deal with it is to face it, make a total surrender to it; this peculiar call of all God's prisoners and embrace it as your eternal destiny - to bear the mark of one chosen by God.

Others May - But You Cannot

If God has called you to be really like Jesus in all your spirit, He will draw you into a life of crucifixion and humility, and put on you such demands of obedience that He will not allow you to follow other Christians, and in many ways He will seem to let other good people do things which He will not let you do.

Other Christians and ministers who seem very religious and useful may push themselves, pull wires, and work schemes to carry out their plans, but you cannot do it; and if you attempt it, you will meet with such failure and rebuke from the Lord as to make you sorely penitent.

Others can brag on themselves, on their work, on their success, on their writings, but the Holy Spirit will not allow you to do any such thing, and if you begin it He will lead you into some deep mortification that will make you despise yourself and all your good works.

Others will be allowed to succeed in making money, or having a legacy left to them, or in having luxuries, but it is likely that God will keep you poor, because He wants you to have something better than gold, and that is a helpless dependence on Him, that He may have the privilege of supplying your needs day by day out of an unseen treasury.

The Lord will let others be honored and put forward, and keep you hid away in obscurity, because He wants to produce some choice, fragrant fruit for His coming glory, which can only be produced in the shade.

He will let others be great, but keep you small. He will let others do a work for Him, and get the credit for it, but He will make you work and toil on without knowing how much you are doing; and then to make your work still more precious, He will let others get the credit for the work which you have done, and this will make your reward ten times greater when Jesus comes.

The Holy Spirit will put a strict watch over you, with a jealous love, and will rebuke you for little words and feeling or for wasting your time, which other Christians never seem distressed over. So make up your mind that God is an infinite Sovereign, and has a right to do as He pleases with His own, and He will not explain to you a thousand things which may puzzle your reason in His dealings with you.

He will take you at your word, and if you absolutely sell yourself to be His slave, He will wrap you up in a jealous love and let other people say and do many things that you cannot do or say. Settle it forever, that you are to deal directly with the Holy Spirit and that He is to have the privilege of tying your tongue, or chaining your hand, or closing your eyes in ways that He does not deal with others.

Now when you are so possessed with the living God that you are, in your secret heart, pleased and delighted over this peculiar, personal, private, jealous guardianship and management of the Holy Spirit over your life, you will have found the vestibule of heaven.

–– GD Watson 1845 - 1924

IF

If you know what you are able to accomplish
Yet realize the things you cannot do
If you can find a goal that you believe in
And understand what God expects of you
If you can always use your talents wisely
Remaining calm when everything goes wrong
And seek your goal with persevering courage
Relying on your faith to make you strong

If you can see the beauty that surrounds you
And wonder at the wisdom of God's love
If you can be a child for just a moment
While gazing at the stars that shine above
If you can be aware of human weakness
Yet criticize the thoughtlessness you've shown
And when your heart is breaking keep believing
That other hearts are sadder than your own

If you can disregard the faults of others
And love them for the good that they have done
If you can overlook your needs and troubles
And always try to help the other one
If you can light the way by your example
And offer understanding sympathy
Then you will have the joy that comes from knowing
You're the person God intended you to be!

- by Carolyn A. Herrmann

Quiet Lives of Profound Consequence - Wayne Jacobsen

They are all over the world. I've met them everywhere--men and women who have been seasoned with the joy of living loved and are capable in the simplest of conversations to encourage others along that journey as well.

You can sit in their homes and be at rest, knowing you are cared for--not because of what they want out of you, but simply because you are one of God's kids. They live quiet lives, neither pressed by their responsibilities. nor engaged in self-promotion or the advancement of their personal agenda. They do not manipulate others to get what they want. You never have to guess what they are thinking. They are honest with others, but gently so, and patient with those who struggle.

Click here to read more.....

The arrow of the Lord - Christine Beadsworth

 Isaiah 49:2

‘In the shadow of His hand has He hid me, and made me a polished arrow; in His quiver has He kept me close and concealed me’

There is a time of being hidden and polished and refined as an arrow for the Lord’s purpose and then there is a time when He takes the arrow out of His quiver and puts it in the bow. The time has come for the sending forth to the target. This is the purpose for which the arrow was made and makes worthwhile all the time of rubbing and scraping and hammering, polishing and sharpening. The preparation was with a goal in mind. This sense of destiny is what has given the arrow strength and endurance to endure the refining.

What a sense of exhilaration as, at last the arrow is removed from the darkness of the quiver and into the sunlight, held firmly in the Master’s grip; and oh, the excitement at finally being fit into the bow! All the prophesies and whisperings of the Lord in the night season seem at last to make sense in the light and the target is clearly in view.

Then suddenly the arrow experiences something strange. Instead of being moved forward in the direction of the target, it is pulled back in the opposite direction to its destiny. It seems as if everything is reversing, although it is still facing in the same direction. Questions and doubts begin to assail this polished arrow and the tension of the bow string behind it becomes almost unbearable. The arrow feels almost backed against a wall. It can feel the tight grip of God’s strong right hand but the direction things are taking make no sense at all. The target is still in sight but growing further away by the second. What the arrow doesn’t realize is that the incredible tension in the string has stored up a large amount of potential or stored energy. The reversal is absolutely necessary to put into place behind the arrow, the power to propel it at lightening speed to the center of its target; and while it feels itself going backwards, the eye of the Archer is adjusting His focus on the target and making minute adjustments, which will make an enormous difference to the position and depth the arrow penetrates. God is taking aim because He doesn’t intend to just graze the enemy’s cheek. He is striking a death-blow and accuracy is very important.

During this process, the arrow is not required to do anything but lie at rest in the position the archer’s hand has placed it.  The pressure within and without seems to be rising to almost unbearable intensity and still the arrow lies still facing the target. Then suddenly, when the string of the bow is a full extension and the arrow has been equipped with maximum power and accuracy of flight path, the archer lets go! And that arrow flies at incredible speed and sinks right into the center of its target. And the mission is accomplished!

So, to every arrow out there who has been through a long and painful preparation process – rest and trust as you feel everything going in the opposite direction to what God has promised. This is a vital part of your journey. Going backwards does not mean you have failed the Lord somehow and are headed for yet another season of refining and purifying. If you can see the target, you are in the bow and the archer has deemed you fit for flight. You have been made ready internally, shaped and formed by the Master’s hand. The time of the refiner’s fire making a weapon fit for its purpose is indeed over. However, without this time of reversal, increasing pressure from behind and the seemingly increasing distance from your target, you would not be equipped with the supernatural power necessary to cause you to fly straight and true to your destiny. The time of release is about to come.  When you are at the point of maximum pressure and furthest distance from the target, do not misinterpret what God is doing! The moment of the fulfillment of His promise is at hand – you lie on the threshold of experiencing all that the Archer whispered to you during the days of painful polishing and sharpening. You have not misunderstood your purpose or God’s intention – once placed in that bow, you are on your way and the process has indeed begun, whichever direction everything seems to be going in!! The moment of release is known only to the archer. No-one watching has any clue exactly when it will occur – but occur it will - with devastating precision and effect! And know this too - from the point of release, everything will happen at lightening speed! God is about to do a quick work, a grand finale if you will, a masterful blow that displays the wisdom behind the length of time and minute detail applied to the preparation of a straight sharp arrow to accomplish His purposes.

Be greatly encouraged and be at peace with the external tension and pressure! God is about to triumph gloriously.

Bitter Waters Made Sweet

 Exodus 15 : 22 - 26 ( New King James Version)

²² So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea; then they went out into the Wilderness of Shur. And they went three days in the wilderness and found no water. ²³ Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah.^{[a] 24} And the people complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” ²⁵ So he cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet.

There He made a statute and an ordinance for them, and there He tested them, ²⁶ and said, “If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the LORD who heals you.” 

This past two months, God has taken me on a trip down memory lane. Together we have  revisited important milestones in my past, stopping at altars I had built along the way as I journeyed with Him, inspecting stones of  remembrance I had put up to commemorate His promises to me. Promises He gave me 10 years ago so vivid as if just spoken yesterday! I am amazed at how He has kept His Word from falling to the ground, guiding me, reassuring me, directing me so that today I am exactly where He wants me to be. 

This scripture came to me in a prayer meeting one Friday in 2000. I remember clearly as God explained  to  me how that tree Moses cut down changed the destiny of a people who were weary and thirsty from their journey to the Land of Promise. Bitter waters that spelt death and curse transformed into life and blessing because of one solitary tree. It was the first time, I realized that God was calling me to leave the familiarity of a  beaten path to tread the unknown with Him. My life was not meant to be one where I would grow tall and strong  to provide shade to many travellers passing by but one where I had to be uprooted and tossed into an unfamiliar environment in which my identity ceased and became one with it. I didn't  fullly understand it then and I am not sure I fully understand it now. All I know is that God's Way is perfect and all I need to do is trust Him completely for the journey that lies ahead.        

Create in me a clean heart , O God

<sup>Psalm 52

10</sup> Create in me a pure heart, O God,
   and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
¹¹ Do not cast me from your presence
   or take your Holy Spirit from me.
¹² Restore to me the joy of your salvation
   and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

- David's prayer

Hunger

Sometimes, our hunger for human love and affection can be greater than our hunger for a slice of bread.

Feeling, Faith and Fact

This cute little postcard came to me when a relative passed down an old writing desk. She'd stuck it where she could see it and be reminded every day of the message it carries.  Since then, it has seen many coffee stains and creases, but it proved to be a lifesaver during the times when my faith was sorely tested. May it be a blessing to you too.

Feeling, Faith and Fact
Three friends went walking on a wall.
Feeling, Faith and Fact.

When Feeling had an awful fall
Which quite took Faith aback.

So close was Faith to Feeling,
Faith stumbled ere he knew.

But Fact remained and pulled Faith up
And Faith brought Feeling too.
                                                                                         - Author unknown

God wants to kill the leader in you (Part 2)

Would Jesus have made a good church leader today?

Many church leaders today are intelligent, gifted, persuasive and self-motivating individuals who believe they are doing a great service to the people in their charge. From the more menial tasks of preparing sermons, praying for the sick and the obligatory baptisms, marriages and funerals, leaders have now stepped into more challenging roles. Corporate savvy pastors are now applying key marketing strategies to influence the masses, infiltrate their community and introduce meaningful activities to engage and empower members. They supervise, strategize and sacrifice for the good of their institutions and members; doing whatever is necessary for the unity, health and effectiveness of their institutions, which often necessitates having members’ unquestioning loyalty, commitment and monetary support. They are perfectionists, striving to bring distinction and balance in all areas of their organization.

This may not seem like a bad thing but while church leaders are making themselves available to all and sundry, Jesus made Himself available only to His Father. Leaders focus on people’s needs but Jesus focused on His Father’s desire. Leaders are driven to enlarge their own churches but Jesus was zealous over His Father’s House. Leaders try to live up to people’s expectations, but Jesus lived for His Father’s pleasure alone. Leaders are driven to achieve many goals but Jesus was determined to fulfill His one purpose. Leaders lead but Jesus simply followed and obeyed His Father’s will.

There are no perfect leaders; only a Perfect Son.
Sad to say, many of today’s leaders think God has given them special license. They conduct their lives believing nothing can invalidate their status. God will close His eye to their sin because the mantle of leadership is upon them and it is their God-given destiny to lead the church. Immorality? No problem. Abuse of authority? No sweat. Integrity issues? No worries! God is there to restore and rebuild everything they destroy in the name of leadership! Besides, there is nothing a little time away and some counseling won’t cure!

It seems leaders are a necessary evil and if anyone dares to suggest otherwise, they are rebuked and told not to judge, not to have ‘unreasonable’ expectations. They rationalize that leaders are only human and therefore have (by default) a built in liability; that leaders are ultimately chosen by God and they are in charge whether we like it or not. And even if they sin, God knows what He is doing and everything will work out because it is God’s plan and purpose.

Heaven help us! If the church today could rewrite bible history, they would make Saul the hero of the Old Testament! Saul was Israel’s choice but God rejected Saul as King the very first time he disobeyed, and subsequently took the kingdom from him and gave it to David, a man after His own heart. David typifies Jesus, the Chosen One.

Who then can be a leader?
Firstly, it is a flawed theology that demands we appoint one to lead us. Second, there is no one more qualified to be our pastor (shepherd) than Jesus. Third, Jesus didn’t appoint any successors for his job.

Matthew 23: 8-10
Jesus told his listeners we are not to be called ‘master’ for we are all brothers under one Master.
Jesus said not to call anyone on earth, ‘father’ for we have one Father and He is in heaven. And we are not to be called ‘teacher’ for we have one Teacher who is the Christ.

Jesus’ words are still relevant to us today: One Father, One Flock, One Shepherd.
Your disappointment and disillusionment is real, not imagined. God does not appoint, approve or endorse ungodly leadership. God is grieved that many of His sheep are hurt and wounded from their irresponsible words and actions. He will not let this go more so because they have done this in His name. The good news is you don’t have to use the same useless arguments to justify submitting to them over and over again. There is a way out of this madness.

Stop blaming your leaders.
Listen, your pastor doesn’t need to be more organized or more equipped. He doesn’t need to be more pastoral or more prophetic. He doesn’t even need to be more like Jesus.

Stop depending on them.
You don’t need a pastor to tell you what to do, where to go or how to serve. You don’t need him to pray, prophesy or provide a solution for you. You don’t need his pastoral care or covering. Don’t be expecting any financial or ministerial support either.

Start looking to Jesus.
Jesus is the only pastor you will ever need. You have His Father’s Word for it! Read Psalm 23 and meditate on its timeless message (It’s not just for Sunday School kids, you know). It will give you a preview of what it’s like to have the Lord Jesus personally disciple you.

Be a disciple of Jesus.
Follow in His footsteps. Carry the cross. Learn of Him. Listen to Him. Obey Him. Do this on a daily basis and persevere on that path,

Even if it leads you to Calvary, the place of execution.
Death to ‘Self’ is inevitable. You have heard that power corrupts, but the cross will crucify you. It will decrease you to nothing, until Christ alone has preeminence in your life. Self sufficiency will be your fiercest adversary. Say goodbye to your plans and ambitions. Forget name and fame. Bid adieu to close friends and family. Jesus said, "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”

Obedience - the great equalizer.
Churches often drive the message that some are called to lead while others are meant to serve. There is no such discrimination in God’s Kingdom. It doesn’t matter what kind of personality strengths and weaknesses you possess. God is not looking for leaders.; He's not impressed with our leadership skills. He is looking for disciples. Jesus said, "You are my disciples if you obey my commandments. " It is our obedience; choosing Him above everything the world offers that invites God's pleasure. In God's Kingdom, obedience to His Word is key. It’s what separates the sheep from the goats. It’s what separates the Sauls from the Davids.

Jesus’ obedience to God qualified Him to be the author of man’s salvation (Hebrews 5: 8). Your obedience may not seem like very much to other people but it will reap eternal rewards. Jesus said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain." To see God's Kingdom come, the flesh or 'Self' must give way to the Spirit. Until then, we cannot expect to see its power and potential come alive.

A good leader is a dead leader.
Perhaps, you are a leader or aspiring to be one. All you want to do is serve the Lord and take care of His sheep. Then let me say, humility and obedience is the path to choose in order to fulfill your destiny. Because the only effective leader is a 'dead' one. Do not fear the cross but embrace it wholeheartedly. Only when we say, "No" to our goals and aspirations, only when 'Self' gets out of the way, can the Spirit take over and do what He does best! It is in losing our life, we find our true purpose and destiny.

My personal thoughts
Perhaps, your pastor or leaders are nothing like how I described them. Good for you but understand this; they are the exception not the norm. Church leaders today are so different from the Jesus I have described. Church theology, traditions and practices have evolved to something so alien to what Jesus taught His disciples. But if you are like the majority of church goers today, this will not bother you very much. You are quite content with the status quo; lively and vibrant worship, warm welcoming fellowship, people-pleasing leaders and endless ministry opportunities. But beware because we will not be judged by how well we ‘played church’ but whether we followed Christ until the end.

On the other hand, if you are a Jesus freak then what is acceptable to the majority will grate on your nerves continually. You will hate the cowardice of compromise and the careless disregard for God’s truth. You will grieve over the ungodliness of celebrated leaders. Your heart will sicken when you hear the gospel you love so much, watered down until it is insipid and useless in its application. You will cringe when people are honored and applauded for imitating the world.

Or perhaps, you have already seen all you can take and are now praying for a change in leadership. You are holding out for a better leader – a man (or woman) who will reform and restore the church to its former glory.

Let me ask you - “How will God give us someone better when He has already given us His Best?” Do you expect God to send Jesus again because we didn’t get it the first time?

At some point in your life, you will have to ask yourself, "Is being obedient to God's Word alone enough?" "Is following Christ alone enough?". "Is the threat of obscurity, loneliness, persecution and ridicule going to keep me from following in the footsteps of my Lord?

Only you know the answer.

Beautiful

When my actions are misunderstood,
and my words are misconstrued.
When my love is unrequited,
and people accuse me of unkindness
When the past and present stand in judgment
and I feel unloved and unlovable all at the same time.
When I no longer like the person in the mirror,
but I don't know what to do with myself

God surprises me with His exquisite beauty,
captivates me again with his unchanging love
He is beautiful and that's all that matters.






Kari Jobe's 'Beautiful'

Here, before Your altar,
I am letting go of all I've held
of every motive, every burden,
everything that's of myself.
and I just wanna wait on You my God
I just wanna dwell on who You are.

beautiful, beautiful oh I am lost for more to say
beautiful, beautiful oh Lord, You're beautiful to me

oh beautiful

here in Your presence,
I am not afraid of brokenness
to wash Your feet with humble tears
oh I would be poured out till nothing's left.
and I just wanna wait on You my God
I just wanna dwell on who You are, who You are

Beautiful, beautiful oh I am lost for more to say
beautiful, beautiful oh Lord, You're beautiful to me

oh Lord You're beautiful, beautiful beautiful
holy holy holy You are You are
holy holy holy You are You are
holy holy holy You are You are
holy holy holy You are You are

beautiful, beautiful oh I am lost for more to say
beautiful, beautiful oh Lord, You're beautiful to me

and I just wanna wait on You my God
I just wanna dwell on who You are.

God wants to kill the leader in you (Part 1)

Leadership is a highly valued skill in the world today. It has also become the no. 1 ‘spiritual’ gift in churches and Christian organizations today. We use many arguments to justify leadership in churches. We even pad them with scripture so that no one would dare question the wisdom of having leaders without the risk of being called a modern day heretic. You can easily obtain any amount of literature on this topic from both secular and Christian bookstores. Add conferences, seminars, workshops and over a period of time, what you get is a strongly embedded mindset that staunchly believes leaders are a vital part of Christian faith and living.

By leaders, I mean senior pastors, associate pastors, ministry leaders, zone leaders, cell leaders, elders, deacons or by whatever name they are called; the people elected, voted, appointed, anointed, ordained or by whatever way they were chosen for the purpose of leading, overseeing, governing, mentoring, preaching, ministering, directing, counselling or advising you on the practicum of your Christian faith.

I am sure you’ve heard these comments at one time or another.
 If there's no leader, people will be left to their own devices.
 Without a chain of command, there won’t be transparency and accountability.
 The New Testament had leaders and elders, so it is biblical to appoint them.
 Jesus appointed leaders so we need to appoint leaders too.
 God is a god of order and leadership creates order.
 Someone has to be in charge so that we can be more effective as a church.
 A leader provides vision and the bible says without vision people perish.
 Church growth depends on effective and efficient leadership.
 Leaders have the God given mandate to lead and govern the church.

But none of the above can be substantiated by the Word of God.

Leadership junkies will argue that Jesus was the ultimate leader. However, I would like to invite you to take a look at Jesus' life, and perhaps you will begin to see what I saw.

By his own admission, Jesus said and did only what His Father told him to do. I am sure you know this already but do you really?

Jesus, the Obedient Son
Jesus was the epitome of obedience. He bowed his will to the One he called Father. Everything he did was in deference to God. He did not do things because they were moral and ethical. He was not drawn to pursue noble and charitable causes. His ‘meat’ was to accomplish His Father’s Will. He did nothing in his own strength or wisdom. He did not lean on any man because he knew what was in their hearts. He did not make use of charisma, charm or exert human influence on the multitudes that followed Him everywhere. In humility and obedience, he surrendered to the One above. Jesus refused to take the lead in his life events. He did not allow anyone to influence, guide or sway Him on His path. God the Father was in charge of Jesus’ life.

Jesus didn’t believe in plurality of leaders.
Take a moment to consider the wedding at Cana when Mary, His mother, told him that the wine had run out. He asked her, “Woman, why do you involve me? My time has not yet come.” He changed water into wine that day, but the conversation with His mother stands to safeguard his testimony that Jesus only ever did what His Father in heaven told him to do. Doing what His mother asked Him to do even for that one isolated incident would have jeopardised it.

Jesus wasn’t a team player.
Jesus spent a lot of time with his disciples but He did not take their advice or check with them for anything. He didn’t consult a committee or panel to discuss the next best plan of action. Nothing was done out of consensus, concession or careful corroboration.

Jesus didn't need to be authorized to do anything.
James and John’s mother asked Jesus to give her sons the privilege of sitting on his left and his right in eternity. Jesus’ reply was that it wasn’t up to Him but to His Father to decide who deserves what. When the disciples wanted to know when the signs He told them about would take place, He said he did not have full knowledge of future events, things that only His Father knew but had kept from Him.

That isn’t the same as saying He had no authority. On the contrary, Jesus had plenty of the supernatural kind. He had authority to forgive sin, heal the sick, cleanse the lepers and feed the hungry multitudes. Demons and Death could not refuse Him. He had authority over nature too - calming the raging seas and even walking on water. The common folk could see that Jesus had real authority as opposed to the scribes of His day. Jesus had authority over all things, and this authority came directly from God because Jesus was completely submitted to His Father in each and every aspect of His life. Jesus could boldly say, “If you’ve seen me, you’ve seen the Father.”

Authority is not a free license.
Jesus was never presumptuous – putting God to the test by doing what He presumed was right. Jesus’ authority was not a license to do as He pleased but a trust earned with every step of obedience He took. God the Father was pleased with Him and twice announced it from the heavens, “This is my Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” Jesus proved He was God’s son when He proved His obedience.

Jesus redefined the meaning of leadership.
Jesus said, “If you want to be great in God’s kingdom, learn to be the servant of all”. Just as the most influential and powerful leader in the world receives the greatest honour; in God’s kingdom, it is the meekest and lowliest servant that commands the greatest respect. God’s kingdom is the reverse of every earthly kingdom structure known to man. Jesus said, “I did not come to be served but to serve and to give my life as a ransom for many.” Chew on that for a minute.

Jesus knew this path of submission would ultimately lead Him to a bloody cross. In Gethsemane’s garden, He fervently prayed to be spared but left it to His Father to choose for Him. And you know how the story goes.

This is a great mystery to both the religious and intellectual minds.
The Pharisees could not understand why this self-proclaiming Messiah refused to conform to their time-honored religion. Why did He insist on healing on the Sabbath day? Why didn’t He observe their rites and ceremonies? They wanted His submission but He constantly disappointed them. To the learned Greeks (during Paul’s time) the cross was a foolish mistake. It spelt failure and disappointment. How could Jesus be the Saviour when He could not save Himself? But it wasn’t that Jesus could not save himself; it was because He would not. Muslims believe in submission to God. The word Muslim itself means one who submits. Yet, they cannot comprehend why God would allow Jesus to die an unjust death. Submission means different things to different people, but Jesus did not pander to human perceptions.

Jesus submitted to no one but His Father in Heaven and it pleased God very much.
Do you think God has entrusted his flock to hirelings? Never! He gave us into the safekeeping of the One who is completely worthy of His Trust – His Son, The Good Shepherd; the One who gave his own life for his sheep. I am sorry to say that the sheep in today’s churches are busy giving their time, their money and their energy to serve the ‘hirelings’ and their personal agenda. They have submitted too… unfortunately to a lesser cause and to lesser men.

For all the names given to Jesus in the Bible, you won’t find one that says Jesus the Great Leader. Isaiah devoted an entire chapter to the Suffering Servant. John the Baptist called Him the Lamb of God. Peter and the disciples confessed He was the Son of the Living God.

His Holiness

The religion of man is flawed, but the Way of God is perfect.

The doctrine of man is defective, but the Truth of God is perfect.

The speech of man is unreliable, but the Word of God is perfect.

The understanding of man is incomplete, but the Knowledge of God is perfect.

The intelligence of man is inadequate, but the Wisdom of God is perfect.

The ability of man is limited, but the Strength of God is perfect.

The compassion of man is lacking, but the Love of God is perfect.

Our earthly fathers are not without fault, but our Father in Heaven is perfect.

Men of God are fallible, but Jesus the Son of God is perfect.

No Bride of Frankestein

The Genesis account tells us that unlike all of God’s creations there was no suitable match for Adam, so God put him in a deep sleep, extracted a rib from his side and formed Eve. When God presented Eve to Adam, Adam declared her to be, “Flesh of my flesh, bone of my bone”. It would seem that Adam instantly recognised her to be his ideal mate. This enchanting phrase has found its way into many wedding ceremonies and love songs to demonstrate the ideal compatibility of a couple in love.

Jesus, who the bible calls the second Adam, is coming back for an ideal Bride. The bible says the church is his bride. However, when we look at the church today, we ask how that is possible. She is too fragmented and divided, not to mention the umpteen skeletons she has hidden away in her closet. There has been no lack of efforts to unify and solidify the different parts, more so in this century than before. Imagine if we fused all the various groups together into a single composite. What would it look like? The result could only be the ideal bride for Frankenstein. A monster haphazardly held together by bolts, nuts, wire and glue. But the Bride of Christ is not the design of a mad scientist. Our Father in heaven is perfect as His Son is perfect and so the Bride should be too.

Jesus prayed that we would be one even as He and the Father are One. That oneness speaks of more than holding hands in agreement and begging to differ on dodgy subjects. Jesus could boldly say, if you’ve seen me, you’ve seen the Father. Can we honestly say to the world, if you’ve seen the church, you’ve seen Jesus? Some may say, we are not there yet, still a work in progress. Some may say, we will never be, so just focus on the positive aspect of church. In truth, many books and messages have shifted from showing us how to be holy to how we can be united in purpose and principles. We imply that Jesus’ prayer in John’s gospel is a possibility if we can come together in harmony. In doing so, we hope to come closer to attaining God’s dream church. But each time we try to take a step closer to that dream, it remains elusive and always just beyond our reach.

How then can we achieve perfection given the jarring incompatibilities of Bride and Bridegroom?

I have serious doubts about the institutions we are building and growing in Christ’ name. But there is a church that Jesus Himself is building. One that we are not readily aware of. God is grafting into the person of His Son, individuals who have consecrated their lives to Him. Surrendered their mind and will, died to their dreams and aspirations and awoken to a holy and divine purpose. They have chosen to identify with Jesus, to follow Him all the way in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer, for better or for worse. God took Eve out of Adam and in the same way, God is using those who are in His Son to fashion a worthy Bride, a mate who is compatible to Him in every way.

Who is this Bride? What is she like? I believe this is an apt description of the Bride of Christ.

The Bride has eyes only for her bridegroom. She is consumed with knowing him and being known of Him. Nothing and nobody can stand in the way of her devotion to Him. She revels in His presence and waits patiently for Him. She knows His voice and longs to hear Him speak. She meditates on each revelation of His person. She is unafraid of persecution; embracing suffering because it helps her identify with Him more. She doesn’t question His way for she trusts the wisdom and insight of her Lover. She does nothing apart from Him. Wherever He goes, she follows. She loves what He loves. She approves what He approves. She abhors what He abhors. She desires what He desires. There is no middle ground, no give and take, no need for compromise. There is no place for struggle or strive. She simply submits and surrenders to His love till the tiniest blemish dissipates, until she becomes the crystal clear reflection of His holiness. Her wretchedness, poverty, ignorance and weakness melting away as His Spirit infuses her with his beauty, riches, wisdom and strength from the secret place of their intimacy. 

Do you recognise the scriptural truth in what I’ve written?

And the two shall become one.

Jesus will look at His perfect Bride and with the same awe that filled Adam, He will say, “She is flesh of my flesh and bone of my bones!”

Revelation tells us the letters to the churches in Asia were written to admonish a bride estranged from her true bridegroom. Today she is in the same poor state. She has lost her first love. She is self-reliant. She is deprived. She is wretched. She is deceived. She is indifferent. She is blind. She is lost. And until she wakes up to the truth, how can she know what she’s missing?

You cannot be his bride unless you are truly one with Him. You cannot substitute intimacy with good deeds, charity or hard work. You cannot try to produce that transformation by modifying your behaviour, by tithing your money, by faithful service or by committing to a time, place and programme. That’s like having an outward makeover without an inward change. It’s unnatural and it won’t last. The fruit that Jesus is looking for is birthed out of an open and honest relationship with Him. Remain in Him and He will remain in you. Love Him and obey Him. Nothing else will produce fruit that endures.

Anorexic Christians

Yesterday, I had a two hour conversation that went nowhere. Interesting because the man I was speaking to had left ‘church’ some 15 years ago. I’d assumed that since both of us were on a similar journey that we would have much to share. I realised I had been mistaken.

A question as simple as, “What do you do in your free time?” invited an effusive explanation of how unconventional and controversial he was in his understanding of God and His ways. In the course of our conversation, he said he didn’t need to read the Bible because he could hear directly from God. (He admitted he’d read it about 3 times in the entire 50 some years of his life.) When I shared that I felt I needed to read the gospels again, he became uncomfortable. He then told me to respect him because he had left religion and church much earlier than I did and therefore was wiser. When I explained that I saw him as my equal, he was clearly uncomfortable and said so. At the end, he left saying I should ask God for confirmation that what he’d said was valid and true.

Many great men of God have given their lives to defend the written word we call the Bible. William Tyndale stands out in my mind. He was strangled and burnt at the stake because he would not bow to the religious order of his day. He wanted to give us a translation that was true and paid with his life. Martin Luther gave the people the Bible in their common language. When people began to read and understand the Word of God, there was a major revival.

John’s gospel calls Jesus the Word who existed with God from the very beginning. Jesus Himself often quoted from the writings of Moses and the prophets and explained them to his disciples. He overcame temptation with Scripture. The early apostles preached to the crowds using the Scriptures. The early believers stayed true to the teachings of the early apostles. The book of Revelation ends with a warning not to add or subtract from the testimony of John as given by God.

God speaks to us through His Son. His Son speaks to us through His Word. The late John McKay wrote that God’s Word is the expression of God’s Thought, revealed in His Son. Jesus rebuked the Jewish leaders for reading the scriptures but rejecting Him whom the scriptures spoke about. This then brings me to this conclusion.

Reading the scriptures without a relationship with Jesus yields very little.
Having a relationship with Jesus without reading the scripture also yields very little.

To say that God speaks to us through the bible only when we are infants but discards it to speak to us directly is unthinkable. To say we have read it before and therefore don’t need to read it again is pure arrogance and ingratitude.

Psalm 1
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, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither, whatever he does prospers.

Many churches will teach you a formula. But you can follow it and still remain as ignorant as ever. So I won’t tell you to do that.

I will tell you to read the scriptures, bind it to your mind and to your heart. Read it, chew on it, digest it and ask the Holy Spirit to make it clear to you. He is the best tutor! If you have no time to read, then listen to it. The moment we think we can dispense with it, we are in danger of starving to death spiritually. Don’t believe everything from the pulpit just because it is coming out of the pastor’s mouth. A speaker once said that Christians are the only people who will believe something they have never read for themselves. How pathetic is that?

Build on the foundation of Christ’ words. Anything else is flimsy and weak. If you think you don’t need to read the Word of God, try not eating for a day. See how long you last. What kind of Christians will we be if we can go for months and years without spiritual nourishment?

Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.

Every word means all of His words. Ancient authors penned words that are still relevant to us today. They can never be redundant. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away but my words will never pass away.”

In many bibles, the words of Jesus are highlighted in red for easy reference. Do you know them? Can you quote them? Do you understand them? More importantly, do you obey them?

Or are you an anorexic Christian?