The Way Forward - Today

Ask In My Name

Ask In My Name

Read & Meditate: "And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you." John 16:23 (NKJV)

The event in today's Bible verve changed the cause of action for the disciples on how their needs are to be met since Jesus would not be with them physically (in that day means after His Ascension), they would not be able to ask Him questions and receive their request from Jesus right away, but the Holy Spirit would help them (vv. 13-15). After He has risen and ascended to heaven and is seated and the right hand of The Father's throne, they would be His ambassadors and therefore had the right to ask the Father for whatever they needed to accomplish His will.

The words in My name are not a magical formula which enable the believer to get his will done; instead those words tied the requests to the work of the Son in doing the Father's will - I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you - "Ask In My name" in 14:13-14; 15:16). Up to this point the disciples had not prayed in the name of Jesus. Now they are to do this since Jesus' death and the Holy Spirit's coming would enable them to enter into God's new program of the Church Age with Jesus Christ as their ONLY Mediator. So now He now tells them that hence forth their requests were to be made to God in his name.

In similitude, as believers, we have a Mediator in Jesus Christ, He is waiting to make sure our prayers (according to His will) are received by The Father, but we must pray through Him ONLY. We pray to the Almighty God through the name of Jesus name only, not through the name of the Virgin Mary, or through the names of the dead saints of old as some do, but only through the name Jesus, if we want our prayers to be answered. Answered prayer brings complete joy; "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full." (John. 15:11) God will work all things out for our good according to His promises to His chosen servants - you and me! Hence, our prayers must be based upon His promises, for He is a faithful God, and His promises are always broader than our prayers! Amen!

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21)


Defeating Worry

Defeating Worry

Read & Meditate: "Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:34)

Worry can be defeated when we acquire the art of living one day at a time. Daily we seek His guidance to overcome various obstacles and He provides for daily our needs. God will also supply our wants if we trust Him fully, as sheep's trust their shepherd: "The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want…". Worry can be defeated by concentrating first on the kingdom of God: 'Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.'" Here are five truths that may help you and I in defeating worry:

  1. If God gave us the great gift of life, surely He will give us the things necessary to support that life: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?" (Matthew 6:25)
  2. Since there is no worry in the birds' lives, why should there be in yours? "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" (Matthew 6:26)
  3. Worry is useless and changes nothing: "Which of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" (Matthew 6:27)
  4. If God gives such beauty to a short-lived flower, how much more will He care for a person? "See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?" (Matthew 6:29, 30)
  5. Worry is characteristic of the unbeliever, and not of one who knows what God is like. Worry is essentially not trusting God: "For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them." (Matthew 6:32)

"For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:21)


Trees of Righteousness

Trees of Righteousness

Read & Meditate: "To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified." Isaiah 61:3 (NKJV)

In the above Bible verse, Isaiah made it clear by painting a picture of restoration and framed the picture with physical and spiritual ornamental design. He adorned mankind with garments of praise and according to Isaiah 61:10, it is written: "I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels" (Isaiah 61:10) This verse is a prophetic reference to God's administration of grace which culminates in the restoration of all things. This restoration includes the promises of forgiveness and full fellowship with God, and the removal of physical problems, obstacles, and mourning.

Jesus Christ is our Comforter, sent by our heavenly Father comfort His people who seek him diligently. God has done and is doing great things for His people that we will be abound in the fruits of righteousness, as the branches of Trees of Righteousness, planted by God Himself! Neither the mercy of God, the atonement of Christ, nor the gospels of grace, profit the self-sufficient and proud. We must be humbled, and must know the difference between our needs and wants; our strength and weakness by the Holy Spirit. This doctrine contains the good news to those who are humbled before God.

It is the year of Jubilee, the year of liberation (Lev. 25:10). Jesus applied this word to his healing of the blind, deaf, and lame as a token that God is concerned about our whole being, including our physical welfare. Finally, the acceptable year of the Lord proclaims comfort to all the people of God. The prophet calls the new people of God "Trees of Righteousness" and the "planting of the LORD" which means that you and I are not rejected instead, God has accepted us as His personal possession and we are been prepared for a great and glorious future in Jesus. Amen!


Are You Called or Driven?

Are You Called or Driven?

Read & Meditate: "The work of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness will be quietness and confident trust forever." (Isaiah 32:17)

The imagery of Christ making His way through the bustling, pawing, and demanding crowds was one of peace, bearing, and purpose. CALLED by the Father to complete His task, Jesus never appeared to be in a hurry… yet He kept pressing toward His goal. Because Jesus had a clear sense of His calling which He was able to fulfill at age 33 - the night before the cross, He said to His Father, "I have finished the work You gave me to do." (John 17:4)

So shall it with you and me. God has CALLED us to a work in His ministry or to fulfill a divine purpose, be it in the context of the market place ministry or behind a pulpit ministry, they are both one and the same. Hence, no one can compare or claim that one is greater than the other. Unfortunately, many of us conduct our lives in a manner more indicative of a DRIVEN person. And if you may ask, who is a DRIVEN person?

  • He's results-orientated.
  • He's in constant pursuit of expansion.
  • He's restless and very intense.
  • He's very competitive.
  • His people skills are underdeveloped.
  • He's "too busy for integrity."
  • He's preoccupied with symbols of achievement.

By contrast, Isaiah paints a picture of work accomplished God's way, whereby peace and tranquility shall be found in this way and work of righteousness. True satisfaction can be found only in a confident relationship with God. If your lifestyle and approach to His work reflect a DRIVEN person as opposed to the CALLED person of today's bible verse, in Isaiah 32:17, perhaps it is time to take inventory and see if you are "Called or Driven"?


Intimacy with Christ

Intimacy with Christ

Read & Meditate: "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." (John 15:4-5) KJV

God's singular objective at the cross was to make our fellowship with the Lord Jesus a continual, moment by moment a reality. Jesus Christ earnestly desires intimacy with you and I daily. Hours before His betrayal, Jesus knew full well that the twelve disciples would soon drift away from Him, disappear into the crowd and even succumb to the lowest point in their denial of Him. Yet He still loved them and said to them, "I have earnestly desired to eat… with you." (Luke 22:15)

And this is His desire with you and I today: Intimacy with Christ - Communion with Jesus Christ. As we progress through this day the most significant task before you and me will not be:

  • Closing a "deal" or Making money
  • Picking up another client
  • Resolving another personnel problem

As important as these challenges may be, they pale in comparison to our calling of Intimate With Christ: "God is faithful through whom you were called into the fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 1:9) Today, let us resolve that nothing in which we are engaged will rob us of that inner relationship with him. After all, nothing is more important in our calling than Intimacy with Christ. Amen!


Run with Endurance

Run with Endurance

Read & Meditate: "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us," Hebrews 12:1 (NKJV)

One of the first thoughts that comes to mind of a runner when planning to run any race is the prerequisite to do away with everything and anything that can hinder his or her optimal performance; food, clothing or whatever the case maybe. Intentionally, the runner puts aside everything, no matter how tempting; absolute discipline is necessary to his or her success. Sacrifice, self-denial, giving up, laying-aside, is the very first requisite on the course. In similitude, the race of our Christian life journey requires same discipline mindset. But in reality, as "Christian-life Practitioners", you and I sometimes fall short in this area, because we tend to justify or rationalize how to make the best of both worldliness and Christlikeness; how to enjoy as much as possible of the wealth and the pleasure that this world seems to offer and how to live a so-it-seems totally sold-out born again believer lifestyle….this grey area, seemingly, is getting blurred day-by-day in Christendom.

On contrary, Apostle Paul's statement in today's Bible verse above clearly states that we must Laying aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us. Yes, laying aside every sin-however little it seems, however weak we are in that area-it must not be spared. Sin must be laid aside, if we are to run the race, period! How could we dream of running the race for Jesus without laying aside the sin which so easily ensnares us? It means that for the time being you and I must let go every sinful self-absorbing desires in our heart in order for us gain the prize for the race. We must whole-hearted surrender ourselves to the Holy Spirit to empower us with the disciplined mind-set required to put aside everything in order for to be useful for the will of God for our lives, for we are here on the earthly journey for His purpose. The Holy Spirit is the only power that can keep our heart daily fresh and focused in the Christian life race.

In summary, we must learn to "Run with Patience" the race set before us with endurance, with perseverance by laying aside every weight, every sin, every distraction that is keeping you and me from focusing on Jesus mission. At the end of the day, it's all about doing His will and not our will that matters. - we must run with patience. Day by day, our separation from the world and sin, our giving up of every weight and every sin, must be renewed. Day by day our desire and our will to live wholly for God must be reaffirmed. Day by day we must wait on God afresh, to receive grace with all our heart and all our strength; with undivided purpose and in the boldness of faith, still to run in the race for God. Therefore let us also run the "Race with Patience" Amen!


Inherit The Light

Inherit The Light

Read & Meditate: "To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (Romans 1:7) NKJ

In today's bible verse, we learn from Apostle Paul that every followers of Christ are called to be Saint. He did not say we are called to be Christians but rather we are saints. It was our enemies who labeled us with the term Christian. They were really trying to pick at us when they called us Christians. When they saw people following Christ they pointed their fingers and probably said something like this, "There go those Christians" or "there they go again". It was at Antioch we were first called Christians. It's a nickname for the saints of God, but our real name is saints. It is disturbing when a believer says, "I'm not a saint." Then what are you? You're either a Saint or you are not a follower of Christ. You're one or the other. Maybe our problem is with our understanding of our definition of the word 'Saint'.

The word saint comes from the word meaning holy. When you are a saint, your character is Christlke in nature; since we are in Christ; Christ is in us, hence since He who dwells in us is holy, we are qualified to become holy. I know we all have sinned and fallen short of His glory and we are working out our salvation but we are getting better and better, closer and closer to becoming like Christ. Since we all need some work done and our heart's desire is to be like Jesus, therefore, the state of our heart desires, by the grace of God qualifies you and I, hence we have "Grace to be Saints!

Grace is God's unmerited favor. In other words, I'm getting something I don't deserve. There is a difference between mercy and grace. Mercy is when you don't get what you do deserve, but grace is when you get what you don't deserve. If a person shot a man and his sentence is thirty years behind bars, the judge can give him mercy and let him walk free. He deserved to go to prison but the judge let him go back to his family. But grace has to do with getting what you don't deserve. I am a sinner and the wages of sin is death. But grace switches it on you and instead of giving you death, grace gives you life. And not only that, but grace enables us to live life more abundantly. It is only because of Christ Jesus that we blessed with the "Grace to be Saints" Amen!


Grace to Be Saints - Grace to Be Saints

Grace to Be Saints

Read & Meditate: "You will also thank the Father, who has made you able to share the light, which is what God's people inherit." (Colossians 1:12) GWV

The point which Apostle Paul is making in today's Bible verse is a wake-up call for Christians to be continually thankful to God, because Christians have been called from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light solely by the special mercy of God the Father, who had provided the plan of salvation, and had sent his Son Jesus Christ to redeem us. It is the "Father" who has translated us into the kingdom of the "Son."

God the Father has rescued us from the Kingdom of darkness and has brought us into the kingdom of His Son - the Kingdom of Light - whom He loves. His Son, Jesus Christ, paid the price to free us, which means that our sins are forgiven. Light, in the Scriptures, is the emblem of holiness, knowledge, happiness; and all these are found in the kingdom, over which God presides, and this is the inheritance of Christians, hence, Christians will "Inherit The Light".

Accordingly, the word light used to describe the kingdom of Jesus. Thus, Jesus "is the light, for in Him is no darkness at all," 1 John 1:5; of Christ, that He is "the light of man," John 1:4; that He is "the true light," John 1:9; that He is "the light of the world," John 8:12. The angels of His kingdom are "angels of light," 2 Corinthians 11:14. Therefore those whom He has redeemed here on earth (Christians) are "the children of light," Luke 16:8, 1 Thessalonians 5:5. And all these descriptions of God's kingdom in heaven is hereby represented as filled with light and glory,

Therefore having been rescued to "Inherit The Light" in the Kingdom of His dear Son, and having been transferred from one kingdom to another, we have become subjects of a new kingdom, under different laws, and belong to a different community. This change is made in regeneration, by which we pass from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light; from the empire of sin, ignorance, and misery, to one of holiness, knowledge, and happiness. No other transformation in the life of mankind on earth is as significant as this; and no words can suitably express the gratitude which we should feel having been transferred from the empire of darkness to that of light. Amen!


In The Potter's Hands

In The Potter's Hands

Read & Meditate:"Oh house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potters? says the Lord. "Look, as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand, Oh house of Israel." (Jeremiah 18:6)

In today's Bible verse, we learn from the book of Jeremiah chapter 18, God tells Jeremiah to go to a potter's home. There, Jeremiah watches how the potter works with the clay at his wheel. As the potter is forming a pot, he notices that the pot shape is not forming as he wants it to look. So he destroyed the one he is working on and creates a new pot just he intended. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, and with this imagery fresh in his mind, Jeremiah is able to understand what God means when He says, "….as the clay is in the potter's hand, so are you in my hand,…."

The word saint comes from the word meaning holy. When you are a saint, your character is Christlke in nature; since we are in Christ; Christ is in us, hence since He who dwells in us is holy, we are qualified to become holy. I know we all have sinned and fallen short of His glory and we are working out our salvation but we are getting better and better, closer and closer to becoming like Christ. Since we all need some work done and our heart's desire is to be like Jesus, therefore, the state of our heart desires, by the grace of God qualifies you and I, hence we have "Grace to be Saints!

On one hand, it is terrifying to realize how vulnerable we really are. Our Creator can build us up or destroy us or He can change on us at His will. But on the other hand, it is comforting to know that if we are at the mercy of someone's hands, it is best to be in the hands of Jehovah God, our creator. Sometimes the potter does have to destroy his pot, but he only does so in order to make it new again - and better. Through this object lesson, God is telling Jeremiah that although the Jewish people are about to go into a horrible exile, and even though many will be slaughtered and the Temple destroyed, it's all for the purpose of rebuilding His people!

There are times in our lives when we feel nothing less than shattered, like a broken piece of pottery. Where is our Maker? How will we become whole again? We must remember the image of the potter from the book of Jeremiah. Sometimes, the Almighty Jehovah God will bring us down. But never forget, that it is only in order to build us up once more - better, wiser, and definitely stronger. So today, no matter what shape we are at the moment, we must remember that we been perfected "In The Potter's Hands", Amen!


Power in His Word

Power in His Word

Read & Meditate:"For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 (NKJV)

Sally is a consistent worshiper at her church, on this particular Sunday morning church service and after hearing a dynamic sermon from the Pastor of her church on the importance of studying God's Word, Sally was determined to have a daily quiet time to study God Word from her Bible. So she sets her daily alarm at 6 am and reads for a half hour before getting dressed. So far, she's only missed two days in six weeks (she was sick). Gwen, her roommate, has really been impressed with Sally's discipline and "spirituality," and she has said so on several occasions. Sally wonders, however, if she's doing something wrong. The daily readings are beginning to feel like drudgery ... like work. She just doesn't seem to connect with Scripture reading. And she sure doesn't feel very spiritual the rest of the day.

Sounds familiar, some of us are dealing with similar challenges after reading the Bible, just like Sally, at times it may appear as if the word effects so little. The word is like seed: everything depends on the treatment it receives. Some receive the word with the understanding: sometimes we cannot hurry the effect of God's Word; it cannot be quickened. His Word is meant for the heart, the will, the effect are working in the spirit before it manifest in the physical real. His Word must be submitted to, His Word must be lived out in our lives daily, His Word must be acted out in our activities according to His will. When this it is done, His Word will be manifested, thereby leading us the path of our destiny with power - hence the "Power in His Word" comes alive in you and me! Therefore, we not worry when we are connecting to His Word; because it is not we who have to make the word alive, His Word is full of power and grace; we must have faith in His word. There is "Power in His Word" for His word is living and powerful. Amen!


Walk Like Jesus Walked

Walk Like Jesus Walked

Read & Meditate:"He who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk just as He walked" (1John 2:6) NKJV

In today's Bible verse, 'Abiding in Him' conveys the idea of resting in Jesus. It is evidenced by a life modeled after Jesus. The admonition to live by the lifestyle which Jesus lived is in similitude to "Walk Like Jesus Walked"; meaning, our lifestyle must be in conformity with His lifestyle. Why should Christians imitate Christ? We should do it for our own sake. If we desire to be in a healthy state of soul-if we desire to escape the sickness of sin, and enjoy the vigor of growing grace, let Jesus be our model.

For our own happiness' sake, if we desire to enjoy holy and happy communion with Jesus; if we desire to be lifted up above the worries, cares, trials and tribulations of this world, let us "Walk Like Jesus Walked". There is nothing more that can empower you and I to walk towards heaven purpose, within God's timing for our destiny, than putting on the image of Jesus on our heart and "Walk Like Jesus Walked"

You and I have are created for divine purpose, but if by chance if we are still seeking what that particular purpose is, I will like to reintegrate the similarity of our individual purpose as followers of Christ. Our earthly purpose is for God will to be done through us, so that God's Kingdom comes on earth, as in Heaven. That why God sent His Son to redeem our souls from the kingdom of darkness into His kingdom of Light.

Therefore as followers of Jesus Christ, we are mandated to abide in Him as He abides in us, so we can be victorious in achieving God's purpose. Our abiding must be in His Light for there will be no darkness in us if we abide in His Light; the Light of His abiding causes every spirit of darkness to flee form our lives, as darkness cannot stand the Light of Christ. Should not our mission on earth be to see the kingdom of this world become The Kingdom of God? Is it not our desire that Jesus must reign, rule and be glorified on earth as in Heaven? Is it not our mission that souls should be won to Him? If so follow Him today and "Walk Like Jesus Walked", Amen!


Pursuit of Peace & Holiness

Pursuit of Peace & Holiness

Read & Meditate:"Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:" Hebrews 12:14 (NKJV)

In today's Bible verse, we learn from Apostle Paul that our relation to our each other is most intimately related to our ability to seeing God. In the Beatitudes we have mercy and purity following each other: Blessed are the merciful-Blessed are the pure in heart. The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable. Where there is no peace with men, peace with God cannot be enjoyed. Paul writes in Romans 12:18 "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.", also we called to live peaceable in close relationship with one another and in love Let us pursue peace one another, in love and in good works.

As followers of Jesus Christ, our lifestyle must line-up with His lifestyle in pursuing peace and holiness by His grace. It is the living Christ who is has sanctified you and me through the power of His shed blood; the more deeply we enter into His abiding life on earth; by obedience; by doing God's will; by giving our lives to God alone, the more we have His life abiding in us. Thus, Holiness is the losing of self and being covered with Grace and Mercy in the spirit and likeness of Christ Jesus.

Our life in Jesus is to live in oneness according to the will of God; living daily as one body in Christ and in the world. God perfected His relationship with Jesus, His Son, by allowing His Son to carry His cross of suffering for mankind; hence. God allows us to carry our daily crosses to free us of our self-will and to draw us away from the world as Christ did. By Follow Him, everything in heaven and on earth, through power of the Holy Spirit, we are aided in the pursuit of the divine will -the same words as in Phil. 3:12, 14: I press on, if that I may apprehend; I press on toward the goal. It is the thought of the race-pressing on after holiness, fellowship with God, with Jesus, with God's will.

At times our life may seem unbearably difficult, but so it was Jesus life here on earth. Through it all, we are assured of our Heavenly Father's unchanging love, will rescue us, for God will not allow you and me to go through more than we can bear. The fire that sears the universe merely warms you and me as God's sons and daughters. With this confidence, we can endure hardships and move on towards the "Pursuit of Peace and Holiness" with all mankind. Amen!


Cynicism of the Mind

Cynicism of the Mind

Read & Meditate:"But my righteous one shall live by faith; and if he shrink back, my soul hath no pleasure in him." (Hebrews 10:38)

Secretly, many of us live in two worlds. Intellectually we believe the Word of God to be true. However, when Jesus calls us to steps of faith demanding vulnerability, we often respond with, "I can't," or "I won't." And by our refusal, we demonstrate our spiritual doubt or cynicism that God really cannot be trusted. Apostle Paul is admonishing us that we should live our lives, not in doubt, and fear, and apprehension, but in the exercise of a calm trust in God and as God's righteous, we should live by continued confidence in God

Paul is exhorting the Christians to perseverance, even in the midst of many persecutions. To encourage this he says, that it is a great principle that the just - that is, God's righteous, should live in the constant exercise of faith in God. We should not confide in our own merits, works, or strength. We should exercise constant reliance on our Maker, and God would keep us even unto eternal life. The sense is, that a persevering confidence or belief in God will preserve us amidst all the trials and calamities which we are exposed to.

The only cure for all the coldness and backsliding in the Church is "the preaching of faith." Holiness by faith, standing by faith, being kept by the power of God through faith, having Christ dwell in our heart by faith,-this must be the daily food of every follower of Christ. The fullness of faith is indispensable to living a full Christian life.

Shrinking back or backsliding - is disbelieving, which exposes a Christian to the dangers of attack by the evil one: there is no other alternative. Look back over the warning of which these words form the conclusion, and let us fear at the terrible possibility for ourselves and others. And look forward in expectation living daily with the one prayer that our whole life may be in the fullness of faith, in the very presence and power of God. Amen!


Perseverance in Expectation

Perseverance in Expectation

Read & Meditate:"And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance" Romans 5:3 (NKJV)

As Christians, we are required to persevere by living according to Biblical standard, regardless of the challenges we are dealing with. Hence, 'Perseverance' is the proof of the genuineness of our faith in God that leads to spiritual maturity. When Jesus called us to believe in Him and follow Him, He made it clear that our calling is to have a continuous personal relationship with Him, in good times and bad times. Following Christ is more than just a momentary decision when things are good; it involves a life of following Him with "Perseverance in Expectation" of answered prayers in accordance to His will for our lives as His today's disciple, just as the early disciples followed Him to the end (Mark 8:34-38).

In addition to giving His people the promise of His power, God demands that we exercise self-discipline and make sincere effort follow His command. We must be on our guard at all times and be persistent in prayer, if we intend to endure fully to the end (Luke 21:36; Col 4:2). If God's people truly live by faith and trust in Him, God will prove His power and fulfill His promises. Our perseverance is not something God rewards by giving only as salvation, but something that will demonstrate as proof of our salvation, displaying genuine faith in Him.

At times we may be tempted to give up our faith in God, but sometimes the source of our troubles maybe ourselves or maybe the enemy attack; through trials and tribulations of life, persecution; desires for personal prosperity; worry over financial or physical wellbeing, etc. But as Christians, we can fight against these temptations by living-out faith by speaking life according the word of God; training ourselves in godliness, resisting the pressures of the world, continuing steadfastly in the truth of God's word, learning to live by faith; applying God's word as written in the Scriptures, and giving ourselves wholeheartedly to whatever task God has assign us on this temporary earthly journey.

Finally, the outcome of our endurance will be the experience of salvation in its fullest, revealed in the triumphant and glorious return of Jesus Christ. According to Luke 19:13, Jesus has given you and me instructions on what to do until He returns: "And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come". The expectation of Christ's return is therefore a constant incentive for every Christian to live life of "an occupier" to the fullest with "Perseverance in Expectation" of His divine blessing of fulfilled promises on earth and eternity with Christ Jesus Heaven, Amen!


Our Advocate by Grace

Our Advocate by Grace

Read & Meditate:"I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have One who speaks to the Father in our defense-Jesus Christ, the Righteous One." (1 John 2:1)

We all are liable to sin due to our Adam nature, with hearts as corrupt as ours, and amidst the temptations of the world like this, where we are bombarded with all kinds of temptations. This, of course, does not justify or grant us the excuse, nor does it imply that it is proper to sin. Apostle John in the above bible verse is encouraging Christians not give-up on life when we sin, meaning that when we are conscious of any sin we have committed, we should not yield to despondency and despair. We should take our plea to our Lord Jesus Christ, our advocate, by grace, confess our sin and ask for forgiveness.

The advocacy of the Lord Jesus on our behalf, however, is wholly different from the advocacy of the earthly court of law, where one is presumed innocent until proven guilty. In contrast, the advocacy of Christ is by Grace, not earned; we come guilty of our sin seeking His interceding on our behalf for forgiveness. The nature of His advocacy may be stated in the following particular way; As our advocate, He becomes a surety for our good behavior; gives a pledge to justice that we will obey the laws of God, and that He will keep us in the paths of obedience and truth; that, if pardoned, we will not continue to rebel.

In our walk with Christ, our goal is to learn how to live in His presence on a moment-by-moment basis. But until we have mastered the art, let's keep in mind the fact that we have The Only One who pleads our cause before our Abba Father is Jesus Christ, Our Advocate by Grace!

Paul admonished Timothy to "be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus," knowing that without a profound awareness of His grace he, like the rest of us, would despair of the Christian life. Without a profound awareness of His grace, both you and I would despair of the Christian life! Certainly His grace gives us no license to sin nor an excuse for our vile behavior; "What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no mean! But we do need to find hope in the fact that "there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus," or we will, in our wretchedness despair of the Christian life. And that is the advocacy by grace of God, through Christ Jesus. Amen!


What Is Success?

What Is Success?

Read & Meditate:"Do not wear yourself out to get rich; have the wisdom to show restraint. (Proverbs 23:4)"

We all are liable to sin due to our Adam nature, with hearts as corrupt as ours, and amidst the temptations of the world like this, where we are bombarded with all kinds of temptations. This, of course, does not justify or grant us the excuse, nor does it imply that it is proper to sin. Apostle John in the above bible verse is encouraging Christians not give-up on life when we sin, meaning that when we are conscious of any sin we have committed, we should not yield to despondency and despair. We should take our plea to our Lord Jesus Christ, our advocate, by grace, confess our sin and ask for forgiveness.

In the Olympic Games, to win the track and field event known as the "Pentathlon," is not by winning in any one of the five events that guarantees the prize, but rather, it is adequately excelling in each event well enough to garner the highest aggregate score. So it is in the game of life: Success may be defined as placing God at the center of our lives, and then balancing the remaining competing demands: Family - Ministry - Career - Personal goals.

Men driven by ambition often succeed outwardly and fail inwardly. Their outer resources multiply at the cost of their spiritual energy. They go blindly forward with small consideration that happy leisure is worth more than drive; for nothing belongs to us except time. Precious existence is squandered in stupid drudgery. "Overwork is the mother of greed and the substitute for boredom. Be not crushed under success, and be not crushed under envy! To be so is to trample upon life and suffocate the spirit. Enjoy a little more, strive a little less. The wise man extends his life's work to prolong his life."

Can you imagine anyone at the age of 70, lamenting: "If only I had spent more time at the office and less time at home with my wife and kids!" Hardly! Like a teenager surfing the waves of Waikiki, maintaining balance in life is the continual act of adroitly adjusting to life's changing demands and circumstances. The ability to understand the balance and then respond by making the necessary adjustments is only possible by maintaining a clear orientation to Biblical values and priorities.

The way forward today is "To Know God and His purpose is the essence of success in a man's life in his earthly journey"


Sonship is Heirship

Sonship is Heirship

Read & Meditate:"The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. We all-male and female, slave and free-have received the "full rights of sons. Romans 8:16-17 (NKJV) "

In the above Bible verse, the phrase, "full rights of sons," reflects Roman law where the father had authority over every member of his family. He was also considered to own his children's property, and had the right to control their behavior, including the right to discipline. But the father was also committed to help his child, and as an heir, what the father possessed was considered to belong to the child as well. In similitude, all the resources of God become ours as heirs of God, and we are able to draw directly on them to live our new lives in Christ Jesus.

Apostle Paul declared that the believers were no longer slaves, but were sons and heirs, thus making our position as "Heirship" direct and personal. In God's family, "Sonship" carries with it "Heirship", that is, God treats us as His sons and daughters. The meaning here is, that if we sustain the relation of sons and daughters of God that we shall be treated as such, and admitted to share His favors. We shall be partakers of that inheritance which God confers on his people. That inheritance is His favor and eternal life hereafter.

Christ is THE Son of God. As such, he is heir to the full honors and glory of heaven. As Christians, we are united to Him; we are His friends; and we are thus represented as destined to partake with Him of his glory. But, the caveat is that we shall not be treated as co-heirs with him, unless we here give evidence that we are united to him and that we suffer with him. In other words, "If we suffer together, that we may also be glorified together." If we suffer in His cause; bear afflictions as He did; are persecuted and endured trials and tribulations, which indicate that we are united to him. It does not mean that we suffer to the same extent that He did, but we may imitate him in the kind of our sufferings so that we may be also glorified together with Him. "For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him; if we suffer, we shall also reign with him." Revelation 3:21, "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne," etc. John 17:22-24. Amen!


To Serve & To Commune

To Serve & To Commune

Read & Meditate:"And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus' feet and heard His word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me. (Luke 10:39-40)"

Happy Martha! She was so delighted to have an opportunity of entertaining 'The Most Blessed Guest'; and was so happy to throw her whole mind body and soul into serving the Master. Her fault was that she became "distracted with much serving," so that she forgot to commune with Him, and only focused on the service. She allowed service to override communion, and so fulfilled one duty and neglected the other. We should be Martha and Mary in one: we should learn when "To Serve and To Commune" at the same time, neither one should be neglected.

Her fault was not that she served, for even our Lord Jesus said according to Matthew 20:28; "the Son of Man did not came to be served but to serve", hence the duty of every follower of Christ is serve Master Jesus and others; by serving others we are serving Our Master, therefore, "I serve" should be the motto of every follower of Christ; but we cannot do it all, we should do all that we possibly can; let head, heart and hands, be engaged in the Master's service by others. It was no fault of hers that she was busy preparing a feast for the Master. We ought to be Martha and Mary in one: we should serve Jesus as well as communion or fellowship with Jesus at the same time.

It is easier to serve than to commune. Joshua never grew weary in fighting (service) with the Amalekites; but Moses, on the top of the mountain in prayer (commune), needed two helpers (service) to sustain his hands. The more spiritual battle we confront, the sooner we tire in it, but God's word come to play here; "when I'm weak, I'm strong" . The best fruit trees are the hardest to grow, just as the most spiritual graces are the most difficult to cultivate. While we should not neglect external things, which are good enough in themselves, we should also see to it that we enjoy living life to the fullest according to Godly standard; above all, we must cultivate a daily devotional lifestyle to have personal relationship and fellowship with Jesus, for "To Serve and To Commune with Him is to Love Him." Amen!


Called Out of Darkness

Called Out of Darkness

Read & Meditate:"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; 1 Peter 2:9 (NKJV)"

In the above Bible verse, Apostle Peter used the word "Darkness" to symbolize the period in the lives of believers when we lived our lives in ignorance, sin, and misery; the condition before our conversion. In contrast, he used the word "Light" as the emblem of the opposite of "Darkness", and he describe "Light" as a beautiful representation of the state of those who are brought to the knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ. The word "Marvelous" means wonderful; and the idea is, that the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ was unusual, cannot to be found elsewhere in other religious doctrines, in that it illuminates, excites, give hope to the hopeless, hence, giving new life to the living dead.

The change in the new believers conversion is often so great and so rapid, the views and feelings of the new believers are so different before and after their conversion, that it seems like a sudden transition from midnight to noon. In all cases also, of true conversion, though the change may not be so striking, or apparently so sudden, there is a change of which this may be regarded as substantially an accurate description. In all cases of genuine conversion it is true that each one can say that he has been called from a state in which his/her mind was in "Darkness" to comparatively now in the "Light". Peter qualifies believers who have been called "Out of Darkness into Marvelous Light" as follows:

A Chosen Generation - The people of God are often represented as His chosen people, elected people or called people. According to Romans 8:29-30; "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. This eternal choice and foreknowledge involves more than establishing a relationship between God and believers. It also involves the goal or end of that relationship: Those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son (1 John 3:2)

A Royal Priesthood - According to Revelation 1:6: "And hath made us kings and priests unto God." And according to Isaiah 61:6: "But ye shall be named priests of the Lord; men shall call you ministers of our God." The Church of God is holy nation consecrated unto God; God had chosen you and I to reign and rule or to dominate the earth for His glory.

A Peculiar People - The word peculiar people, means that we are distinguished from other people. We have been purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ, meaning that we have been redeemed, which means, "a people for a possession;" that is, as belonging to God. They are a people which God has secured as a possession, or as His own; a people, therefore, which belong to Him, and to no other. In this sense they are peculiar as being his; and, being such, it may be inferred that they should be peculiar in the sense of being unlike others in their manner of life.


Press Forward by Faith

Press Forward by Faith

Read & Meditate:"I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14 (NKJV)"

In today's Bible verse, we learn from Apostle Paul's pursuit of Christlikeness with the enthusiasm and persistence of a runner in the Greek games. Against all odds, he was still pressing forward, pursuing that for which Christ Jesus assigned to him as his earthly mission. He was determined that his past lifestyle as a Pharisee of Pharisees would not deter his mission on earth; he was demined that he would forget what was behind and "Press Forward by Faith" like a well-trained athletic runner towards the goal in front of him. Evidently, the Greek games must have been on his mind as he wrote of the epistle to the Philippians. The winner in those games was called to the place where the judge sat in order to receive their prizes. Vigorously and with concentration Paul sought to complete the race which Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior had entrusted on him.

In similitude, the invitation to receive Christ as our Lord and Savior comes with a commitment to enter into a deepening personal relationship with Jesus. We must cultivate this relationship that will make us grow in Christlikeness. This dynamic transformation enables you and me to live a life towards the upward call of our divine purpose on this earthly journey with firsthand experience of the transformational power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. What a goal for you and me and our fellow members of the body of to desire. What examples we have, first in Christ Jesus, and now in Apostle Paul, who happened to be the greatest evangelist that ever lived on earth in my opinion.

In summary, after meditating on today's verse, surely, we are becoming more aware that life on earth does have meaning beyond what our physical eyes sees. Sometimes we get distracted in worldly stuff instead of realizing these distractions are obstacles on our path, to keep us off track towards the goal for the prize of the upward call. The enemy knows our God ordained purpose, so he creates these obstacles there to keep us from focusing on our God in Christ purpose. But thank God for the life of Apostle Paul as an example for you and I to emulate, for we must "Press Forward by Faith" in Christ. Therefore, today let us Press Forward towards the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Amen!


His Sole Possession

His Sole Possession

Read & Meditate:"He gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (Titus 2:14) "

In the above Bible verse, we learn from the book of Titus, that Jesus Christ "gave himself for us" with the express purpose "to redeem us from all wickedness" in this world and to purify you and me for Himself as "His Sole Possession"; meaning we are now sanctified and eager follow Him by doing good to mankind, just He went about ding good to all. Because of Jesus' death, believers have been and continue to be delivered from all kinds of sins and have been and continue to be transformed into the purity and likeness of Christ as a special people of the holy God.

Such radical transformation is done so that you and I will be zealous for good deeds. This teaching is so important that Paul urges Timothy to communicate it or teach, to encourage it, to "rebuke" any who resist or oppose it, to do all this authoritatively ("with all authority"), and finally to not allow any undermining of his ministry at this point (v. 15). The purpose why Jesus Christ "gave Himself for us" was to sanctify as "His Sole Possession" as a holy people, called out this wicked world, to go into the world and save others by spreading the good news of salvation, so that God's kingdom will come to dominate the earth; that was His purpose in paying such a fearful price.

Therefore, knowing all Jesus has done and why He has done it, a Christian who truly loves Christ and looks forward to His return will pay any price to bring his or her life into conformity with the Lord's will, lest we disappoint Him at His return. This was the Apostle John's thought when he wrote about the hope of Christ's appearing: "Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as He is pure" (1 John 3:3). A full understanding of these things should lead us inexorably to godly living. Amen!