Month: May 2016

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Christ Is All That Matters

20th May

“In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave or free. Christ is all that matters, and He lives in all of us.”

Colossians 3:11

In today’s world there is so much trying to create disharmony. Be that political elections, a rise in racism and sexism, and a massive increase of disharmony and dis-unity; even in the church! Yet it is in the church that unity should be increasing. We so quickly forget that if Christ lives in us, then we are brothers and sisters of the same family. There is no separation. As Paul rightly says, ‘it doesn’t matter who or what you are….Christ is all that matters!’

Yes we may have different worship styles, we may speak different languages, we may have completely different characters and views about life, but we should be united because of Christ. Our prayer should be that we can love the bride of Christ, Jesus’ body, the church. Not the four walls that make a building, but the people that worship inside. Christ is all that matters. Our prayer should be that we can live in harmony with all types of people and be united in our worship to and of Jesus. Friends, brothers and sisters, let us put to death feelings of dis-unity and disharmony and allow Jesus to bond us and bind us together for His Kingdom. He is all that matters.

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A New Life In Christ

19th May

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of Heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honour at God’s right hand. Think about the things of Heaven, not of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God.”

Colossians 3:1-13

What does new life in Christ look like? Do we physically change.. Sometimes yes! But the biggest change is in our values and our priorities in life. We stop living for self and start living for Christ. In other words, Jesus becomes the captain and lead sailer of our ‘life boat’. He steers us through life’s storms, He comforts us during times of loss and mourning, He leads us when we don’t know what way to go and gives us a sure anchor in moments of peace.

As we grow in Christ, we realise that the things that truly matter are birthed from Heaven’s throne. That is not to belittle life on earth, as it is a gift, as is all that lives on earth. Yet instead of getting caught up in the day to day struggles of life, Paul advises the church, to focus on Christ and the things of Heaven. That is to say we should invite Jesus into every part of our lives, not wasting time worrying about our problems, but rather in complete submission, surrendering them to God and allow Him to steer us through them. After all, as Paul says, our real life in hidden with Christ. Let us not concern ourselves too much with building empires for ourselves here on this earth, but rather let us invest our resources and gifts in building the Eternal and Everlasting Kingdom of God.

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I Come To You In The Name Of The Lord

18th May

“.. “You come to me with sword, spear and javelin, but I come to you in the Name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies – The God of the armies of Israel, who you have defied. Today the Lord will conquer you….””

1 Samuel 17:45-46a

David knew that God was bigger than Goliath. He knew that Goliath was defeatable. He did not fear his enemy because he had full hope and trust in the victory of his God. Yet knowing and taking action are two completely different things. Although both take an incredible amount of faith, actions put faith to work. David could have easily just said, I know God will defeat you, so he will strike you down will a lightning bolt. But instead, David worked in partnership with God, using the strength and wisdom that had been given to Him by God to defeat Goliath with a sling and a stone. David’s victory came not because of his military know-how but because of his trust in God Almighty. He didn’t fight in his own strength but in the power of the Name of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.

We like David, have full access to the power of God’s greatness, maybe even more so than David because we live in Jesus’ resurrection power; the power that defeated sin and death. We no longer have to fight our ‘Goliaths’ with weapons fashioned by man, but call on the power of the Lord to slay anything that causes us to stumble or gets in the way of our intimacy with Jesus. However, just like David, we too can practically equip ourselves with the gifts and tools God has given us to stand against the enemies schemes. Whether that is memorising scripture, soaking in God’s presence, creating accountability groups, or practically safeguarding our intimacy with Christ. Things done in our own power and ability, outside of God’s leading and empowering will end in defeat for us, but when we are equipped with the power of the Lord God Almighty and the armies of Heaven, we can have victory. No ‘Goliath’ is too big for the Lord to defeat. He has already won the victory!

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Small Man With A Big Heart

17th May

““Don’t worry about this Philistine.” David told Saul. “I’ll go fight him!” …. “The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!””

1 Samuel 17:32,37

Goliath, a ridiculously tall and strong leader of the Philistine army, continued to taunt the God of Israel and His people with his threats and brute strength. No-one could defeat this giant. His words filled the people with fear. Even the newly appointed King Saul, didn’t dare to approach Goliath. Yet there was one courageous young man, a shepherd of his father’s flock, David. He chose not to look at the size or strength of his enemy, but rather chose to focus on the strength and size of his God who would help him defeat this almost un-defeatble enemy. Why? Because God had helped him time and time again. He had given him victory over lions and bears when they had tried to attack his father’s flock. David knew that if God had helped him in the past, then God would help him again.

There was and is no secret to David’s boldness. He simply trusted in God because God had helped him so many times before. There was no place for fear in his heart, because he didn’t look at the situation with fear. Rather he knew that God was bigger than his enemy and bigger than his problems. He knew that Goliath could be as easily defeated as the lions and bears he had fought before.

Today, whatever problems or ‘Goliaths’ you are facing, take courage in knowing that God is bigger than them. He has helped us before and will do it again if we just completely and fully trust in Him. God is our Deliverer, Redeemer, Strength and Hope. Through God’s divine help, David defeated the giant. The same God is at hand to help us defeats ours too.

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Take Away Our Pride

16th May

“Lord, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty. I don’t concern myself with matters too great or too awesome for me to grasp. Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child who no longer cries for it’s mother’s milk. Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, put your hope in the Lord – now and always.”

Psalm 131

Pride is a destroyer of ambition, a destroyer of hope and a destroyer of God-like character. So what does it mean to be proud? Is it just arrogance or is it more than that. According to John Piper’s commentary on Psalm 131, there are “two kinds of pride – the pride of having and the pride of wanting”1. The pride of having is a boastful, ‘superiority’ attitude where everyone is less than you because you have more. The pride of wanting, is continually craving other’ attention and approval because of your lack. Both are against Godly living. Yet what is our example of humble living? Psalm 131.

David, from the outset in this wonderful psalm, quashes any trace of pride that can manifest itself in one’s life. In his heart, in his eyes (not considering himself higher than he ought to) and in his actions. David’s heart knew that although he was King of Israel, he was still a servant of God. David never let his position cause him to become proud or think he was superior in any way because he knew his position in God. He didn’t think that he was better than anyone else. In addition his actions time and time again proved that he was a servant of God and didn’t expend energy trying to build a reputation for himself.

Yet how could David find victory over pride. The answer is found in verse 2, “I am like a weaned child who longer cries for his mother’s milk”. In other words, David’s fill was from God. David’s contentment and purpose was from God. He contentment came from resting in who he was in God, and not what others thought of him. He was content to just abide in God’s presence, rather than seeking fame or glory. If we read David’s other psalms and the stories about him, we can see frpm his life that his contentment was in the Father….

Let us find our hope and contentment in Him. As we grow in who we are him, pride is shout out. Pride leads to destruction, but contentment in God leads to peace.

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God’s Faithfulness

14th –15th May

Weekend Edition

“How great You are, O Sovereign Lord! There is no one like You. We have never heard of another God like You!”

2 Samuel 7:22

David was just a mere shepherd when he was commissioned to lead the Nation of Israel. He was the youngest of his brothers and the least in terms of stature. Yet God looked straight passed his exterior attributes and into his heart. God knew that in David’s heart was a man after His own. Yes David made mistakes and was far from being perfect, but because of David’s real and refreshing relationship with God, and because of God’s promise to him, he will be remembered forever. Furthermore, his legend won’t be that he was just a good king, or even a just great leader, it will be his genuine relationship with God, that will stand as both an encouragement and example for all people, forever.

David in his prayer, after hearing from the prophet Nathan that his legacy would continue forever because of his faithfulness to God, was completely humbled and confessed that he didn’t deserve all the goodness God was pouring out over his life. “Who am I, O Sovereign Lord, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?..” Again, God saw fit to bless David, not because of his external acts but because of his heart for God.

If God could take a lowly shepherd from “tending sheep in the pasture and”, choose him to “be the leader of My (God’s) people” (verse 8), then he can also use our weakness’, frailties, and insecurities and make us leaders in changing the world for Jesus. We should not be so quick to put ourselves down, but rather rejoice in humility, that in God’s hands, we are moulded and shaped to make a difference in this world. Why does God use us? Because He is great, kind and loving and the sovereign Lord of all the Earth. There truly is no-one like Him.

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God Is Always With Us

13th May

“….and be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:20b

God truly never leaves us. It is His promise. Sometimes we may not always be able to feel He is there, but if our faith is based on just feelings, we will always feel let down. Jesus promised to always be with us. That is our confirmation and our strong foundation. When tough times come, we can be sure God is with us because He said He would be. God word’s are true, reliable and never fail. A famous poem written in the 1960’s alluded to what it feels like to walk through tough times, sometimes seemingly on your own, yet the sure presence of God never left!

One night, I dreamed a dream. I was walking along the beach with my Lord. Across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life. For each scene, I noticed two sets of footprints in the sand, one belonging to me and one to my Lord. When the last scene of my life shot before me I looked back at the footprints in the sand and to my surprise, I noticed that many times along the path of my life there was only one set of footprints. I realised that this was at the lowest and saddest times of my life. This always bothered me and I questioned the Lord about my dilemma. “Lord, you told me when I decided to follow You, You would walk and talk with me all the way. But I’m aware that during the most troublesome times of my life there is only one set of footprints. I just don’t understand why, when I needed You most, You leave me.” He whispered, “My precious child I love you and will never leave you, never, ever, during your trials and testings. When you saw only one set of footprints it was then that I carried you.”

Friends, may we remember that even our darkest times, God is still there. May we know His presence clearly and intimately. God is surrounding us with His wings as He shelter us from the storms.

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The Joy Of A Forgiven Heart

12th May

“Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty!”

Psalm 32:1-2

Every human has a desire and longing to be loved. Many try to satisfy that longing with drugs, drinking, womanising, and the like. Yet there is no greater joy than knowing you have been forgiven and accepted by your Creator; knowing that you have a purpose, a destiny and that God has a plan for your personally.

In 1678, John Bunyan released one of the most famous pieces of English Christian literature, the Pilgrim Progress. In his book, we follow the story of a man name Christian, who makes his perilous journey to Celestial city (Heaven). However, he carries on his back a huge bag like burden, which represent his sins. His is finally relieved of his burdens when he reaches the ‘place of deliverance’, a representation of calvary’s cross. Although this story may be mostly allegorical, the truth remains that we are all on a journey. In life’s journey we may face dangers and temptations, yet the most liberating and life giving stage of our journey is when Jesus Christ sets us free from our sins. It truly is like a burden being lifted from our backs.

In today’s psalm, David also speaks of this joy, freedom and liberty that await a forgiven soul. Sin can so easily hold us down and feel like a huge weight on our lives. Yet when we are set free by the power of Jesus’ love, those chains are broken and we can walk upright in the power of His might and in the purpose and plan He has ordained for our life.

What joy awaits a forgiven soul, and those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt!!

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The Lord’s Prayer

11th May

“Father, may Your name be kept holy. May Your Kingdom come soon. Give us each day the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield into temptation.”

Luke 11:2b-4

In Matthew’s version of the Lord’s prayer, Jesus purposefully expands on the necessity of forgiving others before you come to the Lord in prayer. Although the Lord’s prayer is a model prayer, it is still a good basis for how we should structure our own personal prayers. If Jesus saw it fit to repeat the message about forgiveness, then surely we should be paying attention too! In the Lukan version of the Lord’s prayer teaching, the emphasis is on God being our Heavenly Father, our protector, sustainer and provider.

Jesus in Luke’s account of the Lord’s prayer, alludes our relationship with God to that of a good father and son relationship or a good neighbour/friend relationship. Luke’s version is personal. It shows the personal relationship between God and man. It shows that God is not some far away supreme being that doesn’t take notice of our cares and needs. Jesus highlights that God does care. God wants to provide our needs. However, above all, God wants a relationship with us. He wants us to pour out our needs before Him. He wants us to live pure and undefiled lives because He knows that is best for us. He sent His Son Jesus Christ to forgive our sins and make us right before Him…

All praise to God our Father. All praise to Jesus His Son. And all praise to the Holy Spirit. All work in harmony for us to have a personal and intimate prayer life with the creator of this world, just as a son would talk to his father. God always has ears to listen!

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Victory Over Temptation

10th May

“..and don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one….For Yours is the Kingdom, the power and authority. Forever and ever. Amen (some manuscripts do not include the last part)”

Matthew 6:13

When we come to our Lord in prayer, we come to Him in the victory that He has won for us. We come as inheritors of that victory. Yet victory doesn’t mean you are immune to temptation. After all, we are living in a fallen world, surrounded by fallen people and things. The thing that separates us from the world, is the fact that because Christ lives in us, we can have the victory to swim against the ‘norm’ of sinful living and walk in victory over temptation. Jesus did exactly that when He lived on this earth. He was tempted but did not sin.

It is because Jesus conquered the enemy that we can pray these things. Temptation will come, but in Jesus, we have the victory to not yield to it. Jesus’ ‘model’ prayer helps us to realise that praying for strength over temptation is essential in our spiritual growth and our walk with Christ. In Christ we have the power to walk away from temptation, to not yield to its lies and to live in the opposite spirit of our sinful nature’s cravings. Let us rejoice in Him. Let us run away from anything that causes us to stumble and walk in complete victory in Jesus.