Staying Watchful

“Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.” (Revelation 16:15)

The term watch is interpreted in the Greek as “gregoreo “meaning keeping onself awake, to be spiritually alert or being vigilant. We who are committed to the standards of God are to remain guard against temptations the devil brings against us in order to take away our focus from the Lord. When we go through difficult valleys of life not knowing what will happen next, we are to deliberatly choose to call upon Jesus instead of running away from Him. Jesus our Lord conquered the works of the devil and He is only able to lead us out from the valley. The devil seeks to devour us in trouble to take away our faith in the word of God which brings about the manifestation. We are to resist the devil by speaking the word in faith. Let us be watchful by staying strong in the Lord knowing that we have victory all the time.

Being Thankful Everyday...

 

Day after day, we all go through life experiences which determines how we see things in life. Whatever we focus on life that is what we attract in life. If our focus is on giving thanks in the midst of painful life circumstances, we experience joy emotionally and spiritually. Remember being thankful is expressed attitude of thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is basically our hearts response to the goodness, favors and benefits of God to us. We are to be thankful to God for sending His Son Jesus to die for our sins and through Him we enjoy divine blessings. Mac Hammond, a leading preacher states “when you proactively take steps to focus on the good things in your life and give God glory for what He’s done, your attention will naturally swing away from worldly concerns. On the other hand, since your flesh is created to negotiate this world, if left unchecked, it will maintain a negative focus, and ultimately cause you to become an unthankful person.” Every burdens in life, we give to God along with giving thanks that there is deliverance out of this burden. We can develop a habit of thanksgiving by looking daily for reasons to be grateful from simple everyday conveniences to bigger blessings. Today, what are you grateful for?

We Are To Respect God

A son honors his father, And a servant his master. If then I am the Father, Where is My honor? And if I am a Master, Where is My reverence? Says the Lord of hosts. (Malachi 1:6)

The prophet Malachi deals with nation of Israel perplexed in sin whose faith in God seemed to be in danger of collapse. Those people were chosen by God out of all other nations, still they left their love for God. Their worship was also not heartfelt which God was not pleased. The moment we trusted Jesus who became divine sacrifice. We became chosen people of God, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession bought with the precious blood of Christ offering up our life as living sacrifice. We worship Him with awe because He brought us out of darkness into marvellous light. We can live such a life of devotion as we daily fellowship with Him through prayer and bible meditation relying not our strength.

Our Hope Is In Jesus!

In the Old Testament, covenant was made between God and man where Moses was the mediator. They made animal sacrifices to be made right with God but it never made them perfect. But in the New Testament, covenant was made between God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ. We enter into this covenant not by any of our good works but by trusting in the finished work of Jesus. He bore all our sin and its consequences such as curse, sickness and sorrow on the cross triumphing over it. As He was raised from the dead and ever lives to intercede for us. In the moments of difficulty, we in Christ remain hopeful by thinking and speaking hope. Our hope is in Jesus having confident expectation of good not like the hope in the world which may or may not happen. Hope is springboard of our faith to take off from and actually hold the promises of God. May you experience the promises of God in your life. 

Believe Or Not?

Then I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and it was as sweet as honey in my mouth. But when I had eaten it, my stomach became bitter. (Revelation 10:10)

When we read or listen to the word of God, we start to discover truth about God. We have choice to either believe the word of God or believe the lies of the enemy. The moment we start to believe the lies of the enemy will always brings us discomfort to us. Often times such discomfort is like sour taste to us because we find there is no way of deliverance. But if we can receive the truth of God by faith, it will taste like honey bringing comfort to us. As we daily refuse to listen to the words of our own hearts or circumstances and decide to rejoice in the comfort of God knowing there is deliverance in Christ.

Jesus Heals Our Broken Hearts

Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7)

Our days of life in this earth consists of both happy and sad moments. But when we decide to follow Jesus, we have another companion in this earth to help walk this life. We are to believe that every good present and every perfect gift comes from God whereas all evil comes from the devil. Once this truth is settled in our heart, this helps us to hold on God. The devil comes against us through circumstances or people not giving us things we rightly deserve such as rejecting appeal for our promotion at workplace. This creates deep wounds within us, makes us to cry within. Jesus who sees our sorrow is hurt also. We can overcome this hurt as we allow Him to take this sorrow completely away from us. We are to cast our care onto Him for He cares for us. He has a way of escape prepared out of this sorrow which will be revealed in His time. Let us keep trusting Him! 

Hold Fast Till The Very End!

I am coming soon. Hold fast to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. (Revelation 3:11)

The vision received by John on the island of Patmos about heaven’s throne room where God the Father, Jesus His Son, Holy Spirit, the angels and redeemed believers who was raptured from the earth gathered together. These redeemed believers were clothed in white robes and crowns of gold. The white robes represent the righteousness freely given to them by trusting in the crucifixion, burial, resurrection, ascension of Jesus and not based on their works. Whereas, the crowns of gold are given to them based on their works they did on the earth. The moment we placed our trust in Jesus we received eternal life thereby living with Him forever. We are to possess certain crowns which qualifies us to reign and rule with Him in the eternities. We who believed Jesus as our Lord and Savior, are set on a course to run a race till we reach the other side of eternity where we live with Him forever. If our conduct, thoughts or words set on the course of the world, we may not able to acquire crown God kept for us in Christ. Both sins and things we are deeply attached to are the weights which can hinder our progress to run the race well. We are to run according to the will of God to acquire the crown. We look to Jesus who is perfect example who obeyed God till the point of death who is reigning with Him forever. In our sad moments, we are to praise Him day and night for blessings and healing. He has stored up for us. Even when we are weary, we are to keep running the race letting heaven invade our daily life till we finish our course on earth thereby rewarded with crowns of gold.