Month: May 2013

Morning Dew

 

Key Passage – 2 Samuel 9:1-13 (Please read this story and be blessed)

 

Key Text: Psalm 113: 7-8 – “He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people.”

 

Where one is born is not an indication as to where one would end up in life. The fact that one is born on the wrong side of the tracks is not an excuse to stay on the wrong side of the tracks. It’s a choice we make, but even more importantly are the connections we make that transforms and translates us from such lowly estates to the heights we could only really dream of. If you keep company with eagles, you will soon learn how to soar and mount up like eagles. I remember when I first went to England for further education. I arrived in Camberwell, just on the outskirts of Peckham. In those days it was really not as gentrified as it is today and really it had the look and feel of a rejected and forgotten part of the city of London. Then one day I took the bus 36 to the West End and walked down Oxford Street and came to Marble Arch, and then I met a friend and old classmate of mine who lived in Marble Arch. I went home with him that day and when I saw where they lived, I decided in my heart I would move out of Peckham. I realised there were parts of the city that were better and I raised my expectations. I saw clearly that we had a choice as to where we end up in life.

Today’s story is about a young man, though born a prince, due to family mishaps, ended up in a bad shape, in the wrong part of town and in the wrong company. He was going nowhere in life and was destined for failure. But thank God that he had a connection right at the top and that person remembered him and chose to pull him out of the dregs and set him up right at the top. This story is one of the most moving stories in the bible and we see here that David the king of Israel remembered his covenant with Jonathan, Mephibosheth’s father. He used his power as King to elevate the status of this young crippled man.

Today, we may not be born into royalty, or great ancestry or wealth, but we are connected to the King of kings and the Lord of lords and He has made a covenant with our Father Abraham, that He would look after us and elevate us in this life. As the seed of Abraham, we are covenanted to Jesus Christ and He has not allowed us to languish in “lo-debar’. He has sent for us, saved us and raised us up together with Him. He has seated us on a throne and made us co-heirs with Him. Once you belong to Jesus, you are already on top. You are already ahead. You are already in an exalted position. Think about what the bible says in 1 Peter 2; 9-10 – “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.”

 Or consider what Ephesians 1: 11-12 – In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory.”

Or even more amazing is what Ephesians 2: 5-10 has to say about us. “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

Really this is what we call in business a ‘no-brainer’. If you belong to Christ, you are no longer down. It is only a matter of time before Christ begins to elevate you and give you a dream life. The Christian is like a cork that you can’t keep under water for long. They always rise back to the top. So my brother and sister arise and shine!

 

Let’s pray: Father God, thank you that our lot is not to end up at the bottom of the pile. Thank you that you have a covenant to lift us up and help us to be on top. Thank you today for remembering you promises for our lives and thank you for sending help to us and raising us up. Thank you that promotion comes from your hands and today, I believe that you will exalt our horn and cause us to sit on the highest places in this earth. Thank you Father, in Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Morning Dew

 

Key Passage: Luke 17: 20-37

 

Key Text: Luke 17:32 – “Remember Lot’s wife”

 

Focus is a very important attribute for success in life. What we focus on also determines our actions and priorities. What our expectation is has a direct correlation to how we deploy our resources and energies. I have heard people ask me the question “what is the meaning of life?’ ‘Why all this rat race?’ This is a very profound question and many people have not even stopped to ponder or reflect on what their purpose is on earth.

Today’s scripture is a warning to us who are believers in Christ Jesus, not to forget our purpose and keep our focus on the eternal things. Lot and his wife with their daughters were living in Sodom and God had decided to destroy the city for its sins and abominations. Lot and his family were asked to leave and go to another city, and they were warned never to look back. As the fire and brimstone fell on Sodom, Lot’s wife looked back and she turned into a pillar of salt.

This sad story is a warning to all of us not to get too attached to worldly possessions and material things. We do not know precisely why Lot’s wife looked back, but we know for certain that she did something wrong. Some say she was looking back at her house, others her jewellery, clothes (Someone said her designer bags and shoes!!!(Laughter) etc. Whatever it was had a grip on her heart and as such she could not make it to the destination God was taking them to.

The love of worldly goods and materialism can dull one’s Christian life. I am not opposed to having worldly goods, but they must never gain control of our hearts to the extent that they are more important to us that the Kingdom of God. This is easier said than done. It is easier to focus on this present age and the things of this world, because they are things we see and relate with everyday. They appear so permanent and real, that if one is not careful, we would begin to believe the lie that the possession of these things is really the true mark of success and once we get into that mind frame, it is rather difficult to see the invincible and the eternal.

Let me say quite clearly, that there is nothing we acquire materially on this earth that will follow us into eternity. Our deeds will follow us though. So if we spend our lives in pursuit of earthly goods, where is our investment in eternity? Let us remember the scripture that tells us in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 – “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 17 For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

Let us invest our time and energy on those things that are permanent. The love of God, the love of our fellow men, the preaching of the gospel, the discipling of the nations, the care for the poor and infirmed, the reconciliation and pursuit of peace etc etc.

Let’s hold lightly to worldly goods, so they don’t hinder us from reaching our destination in God. Let’s renew our focus on the heavenly things and gain a fresh perspective on this world and its goods and their temporariness.

Let us remember Lot’s wife!

 

Let’s pray: Father God thank you for reminding us today of the heavenly perspective. Thank you for the grace to hold the things of this world lightly and cling to the heavenly things. Thank you for the grace to invest in eternity and do the works that will last and remain. In Jesus name. Amen.

Morning Dew

 

Key Passage: Romans 1: 18-32

 

Key Text: Romans 1: 28 – “And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.”

 

I write today trembling in my heart. I tremble, because I am seeing the decline of a great nation; the once bastion of goodness and the shores from which the rest of the world was evangelised. The land of the Wesley brothers, William Booth, Smith Wigglesworth, John Knox, William Tyndale, CT Studd, Wilberforce etc etc. This once great land is fast sinking into great decline, because they simply forgot what made them great. It is a fearful thing to fall into disfavour with God. It is much worse if God starts to judge.

Where did England go wrong? What is the reason for the decline of this once great nation, of whom it was said the sun never sets on the British Empire, a statement testifying to then global influence of this blessed nation. God have mercy on Britain.

What went wrong? Where are the reformers or their sons? Where are the voices of truth? Where are the vanguards of the Christian faith?

I am going to say just two things Britain did wrong. There may be many others, but I feel that if these two issues are dealt with, Britain may once again become great!

1. Israel and the Balfour declaration. The Balfour Declaration was a November 2, 1917 letter from British Foreign Secretary Arthur James Balfour to Lord Rothschild that made public the British support of a Jewish homeland in Palestine. The Balfour Declaration led the League of Nations to entrust the United Kingdom with the Palestine Mandate in 1922. The British Empire grew even more powerful in significance and stature

In 1939, Great Britain reneged on the Balfour Declaration by issuing the White Paper, which stated that creating a Jewish state was no longer a British policy. It was also Great Britain’s change in policy toward Palestine, especially the White Paper, which prevented millions of European Jews to escape from Nazi-occupied Europe to Palestine. The British Empire began to loose its influence and the sun began to set on this once dominant empire.

The destiny and influence of nations is shaped by God and their relationship with Israel is the key determinant of God’s blessing on any nation. In abandoning Israel and reneging on the promise, Britain immediately came under the judgement of God and the Empire began to decline. Just read Jeremiah 51:19-23, Zechariah 2:8, 12:1-9, Genesis 12:1-3.

Britain should pick up the Israel mandate again and support Israel. 

2. Forsaking God’s Word – Jeremiah 2:12-13 – Be appalled, O heavens, at this be shocked, be utterly desolate, declares the Lord, 13 for my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water.

Jeremiah 59:13-15 – In transgressing and lying against the Lord and departing away from our God, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood. 14 And judgment is turned away backward, and justice standeth afar off: for truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. 15 Yea, truth faileth; and he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey: and the Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment.

Britain gradually and systematically began to de-emphasise God and the teachings of the bible from her education and society. She began to become so tolerant that she no longer held any biblical view sacrosanct. The nation lost her morality and in the same vein lost her power. Her sovereignty is threatened and other religions are seeking to turn Britain into another conquered territory for their religion. But this came about because Britain dropped the word of God and no longer upheld it. When you drop what made you great, you then really become a ‘wishy-washy’, everything goes, spineless nation.

With the recent approval of Gay marriages and the erosion of traditional biblical family values, Britain has taken another giant stride into apostasy and decline. The gavel of God’s judgement is fast coming down, who will stay His hand. Who will stand in the GAP?

I am so afraid for Britain. I love this land and its people. They have been good to my forebears and me. They have brought the light of the gospel of Jesus Christ to our once dark continent and now they are fast embracing the darkness of idolatry, paganism and godlessness that we rejected. What is going on? Will Britain repent and be restored or will she continue to wave her fists in the face of God, saying what to Him, He does not count anymore?

Let’s all Pray: Father God, you are just and you are always right. You are also very merciful and kind. Please hear our cry today for Great Britain, and remember Her fathers who served you with their very lives. Remember the nations that saw the light because of Great Britain and like you did for David’s children and Abraham’s children, remember not the evil of their children, but remember the good of their fathers and have mercy. Father turn the nation back to yourself. Show that you are a merciful God. Please don’t give this nation up, don’t reject us, please have mercy and redeem us and revive your church and awaken your people again. Please Father, bless this great country once again with men and women with the passion and fire of the Holy Ghost in their bones and cause a great wave of your grace to fall on this lands all over again. GRANT US THE GRACE TO REPENT AND TURN FROM OUR EVIL AND WICKED WAYS. OPEN OUR EYES AGAIN TO THE TRUTH AND LET THERE BE A RE-AFFIRMATION OF THE WORD OF GOD IN OUR SOCIETY. We ask this in Jesus name. Amen.

 

 

Morning Dew

 

Key Passage: Genesis 2:1-3

 

Key Text: Mark 2: 27 – “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.”

 

 

Sometimes we buy appliances and start to run them without ever referring to the owner’s manual. We plug and play and expect it to run well. Then when something appears to be wrong we scramble for the owners manual and start to read what the manufacturer’s of the appliance said we should do to make the appliance perform optimally. It happens to a lot of us and I know you are nodding your head in agreement. Actually, men are guiltier of this than women. Women tend to want to read the owners manual, but because men are used to handling the ‘techy’ things around the house, they tend to think they have mastered everything, so they just plug and try to play.  Sorry guys!

God designed the human being and He has provided us with an owner’s manual. In this case it is His manual. How we are to function as human beings are all contained in His book, the bible. I think we would be wise to concede that we are not our own creators and consequently, we do not really understand how we operate and how to maximise our potential. We try, but often without referring to His manual, we fail abysmally.

Today’s scripture speaks of the Sabbath being made for man. The Sabbath in the Old Testament was the last day of the week, which would be our Saturday and in the New Testament, it was observed by Christians on the first day of the week, which will be our Sunday. Which day of the week Sabbath falls on is not my purpose today, and quite honestly I don’t think it is that important as I see it from the New Testament. What is important about the Sabbath is the observance of it and the understanding behind it according to God.

The Sabbath is a day of rest, where no customary work is done and where we are to spend time in the presence of God, reflecting on the beauty of His creation and being refreshed by God and empowered and envisioned for a new week ahead of us. It is also a sanctified day and a blessed day. “Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. 2 And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.” Genesis 2:1-3

Today we live in a 24/7-week world. The world really never sleeps and really nothing ever shuts down anymore. Shops are open 24 hours, 7 days a week. If the physical store is closed, the virtual online store remains open. We are in a continuous race, running here and there, trying to make ends meet. We are bombarded with zillions of information daily and we have to read almost all of them and respond immediately. It an amazing thing to think of what we all do now with our lives. We are so busy.

But God did not design human beings to be continuously on the go. He designed a day that man must rest and be refreshed and re-envisioned. But we throw that away and get on with life and then we are surprised, when thing start to fall apart and our lives just seem to be ‘one big chaos’.

I am not advocating the religious observance of the Sabbath, but an understanding, apprehension and application of the principle. It is a God created, God ordered principle that man should keep, so we can function optimally.

The Sabbath was created by God for man, so we can rest, remember His creation, remember His salvation, focus on His love and compassion, listen to Him for direction, be refreshed by Him and empowered by Him.

There is something about the Sabbath that we need to recover in our day. God seems to draw closer to us and His presence seems more tangible, and we certainly conclude the Sabbath feeling very refreshed and newly empowered to take on a new week.

God Himself observed the Sabbath. He took a break from creating the world on the seventh day. So if God rested from His work and He recommends that you do likewise, only those who are wiser than God will choose not to obey Him.

One more thing, do you know that John the Apostle received the book of Revelations of the Sabbath day? Read Revelations 1:10.

 

Let’s pray: Father God, help us rediscover the sanctity and blessedness of the Sabbath and teach us to observe it in our lives. Lord, please help us to see that we are out of alignment with you when we carry on our lives without you. Help us also to see the need to set a day aside each week, where we focus on you and you alone. We ask this in Jesus name we pray. Amen.

 

Morning Dew

 

Key Passage – John 12

 

Key Text – John 12:27 – “But for this cause came I unto this hour.”

 

Light is extremely powerful. It is so powerful that darkness always flees when it shows up. We all know that and we sometimes even take it for granted, because it never fails to do its work. But light can also be used to cut through things. The scientists discovered something called LASER. LASER means (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.)  The power of laser is found in one word, focus. Light when it is focused and concentrated, becomes very powerful and can slice through steel as hot knife cuts through butter. Diffused light is not as powerful as concentrated and focused light. So also a focused life, directed and concentrated by a compelling cause is extremely powerful.

In today’s passage, we read of the Lord Jesus after His triumphant entry into Jerusalem, some Greeks came to try to see Him. Jesus declined their invitation and spoke of His impending trip to the cross and how this is really the purpose for which he came to the earth.

Most of us go through life, trying our hands at many things. We explore in the hope that we would find one that we really love and settle in that. Some others just pursue what brings them the best revenue or income and settle for that despite the fact that they are unfulfilled. But as I have observed and looked over many lives and studied them, I have discovered that truly great people, only always dedicate their lives to one cause or purpose. They are known just for one thing and that is what they dedicate their lives to doing.

Jesus knew that He was born to die for the sins of men and that was the cause for which He came. He did not allow Himself to be distracted, diverted or discouraged. He cut through the greatest opposition ever to reach His goal.

Man I suggest that we are all created by God to fulfill just one purpose. Can I state that that single cause of purpose is your God ordained destiny and one would never know real fulfillment until one fully discharges that mandate. I have seen people who have achieved great means, attained high positions and accomplished great feats, but remain completely unfulfilled. This is because they have not fulfilled their purpose. They simply have not discovered their cause.

A person driven by a God ordained cause is unstoppable, unflappable and indestructible until they have discharged their cause. They would cut through anything because they are so focused.

Are your energies diffused or are they concentrated. Are you living for a cause or are you living just for no cause? As human beings we are all created to solve someone else’s problem. What cause were you created for? Why are you on earth? We all must live and die for a cause greater that us. What’s yours?

Mine is the cause of Christ. I live that He may be known and glorified and that many may experience His salvation, love, mercy and compassion. In whatever I do that is where it all ends.

Try writing down in one simple sentence today what your cause is.

Let’s Pray: Father God, I thank you that you created me with a clear purpose in your heart for me. Please help me to recognize this and give my life unreservedly for this purpose. I ask for the grace to stand up and walk in it for the glory of your name. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

 

 

Morning Dew

 

Key Passage: Isaiah 12

 

Key Text: Isaiah 12:3 – “With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.”

 

A well is an incredible phenomenon. I am actually puzzled by wells. I recently dug a well at the back of our house to help with watering the plants and I have had this opportunity again to observe a well and how it works. First you must dig till you hit the water table, then you just start drawing from it. The more you are able to draw from it the more it refills and re-supplies. If you leave it alone for a while, it refills itself, but it never overflows. It just stays slightly below the surface of the ground. I always think, why does it never over flow, but once you take out of it, it immediately replenishes itself! What a phenomenon.

This is how the grace of God works. The more you can empty yourself, the more you can draw on the wells of salvation. Actually, before you can draw from this well, you have to get to rock bottom. You have to get to the place where you realise you cannot save yourself and you desperately need a saviour. Then you abandon yourself in the hands of Jesus Christ, and then His grace begins to flow into your life. This is how you dig a well and this how you get saved.

God cannot release His grace to those who are full of themselves. He resists the proud, but if you are empty and desperate, then you are a great candidate for the grace of God. Those of us that are saved need to constantly empty ourselves so the grace of God can fill us. People sometimes say, we should never minister from an empty vessel. I think I understand what they mean, but I have to say in my experience, it is at those times when I am so empty that God does His greatest work through me. When we are weak, then we are strong. Because His strength is made perfect in our weakness.

Like water grace always flows to the lowest places. So if your really want to see grace in action, go to the lowly of heart. Go to the humble. Go to those who are supposedly nothing and you will observe great grace in action.

There is a story in 2 Kings chapter 4, about a widow who was in debt and the creditors were going to come and take her children away. Elisha told her to get the jar of oil in her house and go and find empty jars and fill them. In this miracle as long as there were empty jars, the oil never stopped flowing. The oil stopped when there were no more empty jars. This was a great miracle of provision, but it is also a great illustration of grace through the Holy Spirit. As long as you can present yourself as an empty vessel, the Holy Spirit, who is the eternal God, who can never run dry will continue to fill you.

The text today says with joy, you will draw water from the wells of salvation. Why joy? My guess is that those who are humble and those who know their God, will always approach Him with eager anticipation and joyful excitement, knowing that He is the never-ending source of all good and perfect gifts. There fore, whenever we approach the King of grace, we know that His disposition towards us is that of Yes and Amen.

Let’s daily empty ourselves, so we can daily draw water from the wells of salvation.

 

Let’s Pray: Father God we thank you for your never-ending supply of Grace. We thank you for the understanding that as long as we are empty, you will fill us. Today, we declare that we need you and are hungry for you. We need you, every second, every minute and every hour of every day. We cannot live without you. Please fill us with Your grace, in Jesus name we pray. Amen. 

Morning Dew

 

Key Passage: 1 Corinthians 10:1-14

 

Key Text: 1 Corinthians 10: 13 – “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

 

If you find yourself in a fix, sometimes the pressure of that situation can so overwhelm us that we cannot see the way out of it, even if it is so obvious. That’s why sometimes It takes someone external to show you that there is a way of escape or a way out of the situation to break free. Its quite instructive to sometimes observe people who can’t swim in a swimming pool and are in a place where their heads are just below the water, they begin to struggle and splatter and thrash around the whole place, but the more they do this, the worse their situation becomes. Most times they can’t see the life buoy thrown next to them, they can’t see the life-guard next to them asking them to calm down and that they are not going to die. So most times you just have to grab them from the back and then swim on your back to bring them to safety, whilst they continue to kick and scream for help. I know this is not funny, but it illustrates perfectly what I want to share today.

The grace of God as I have often said is not just the forgiveness of our sin and the unmerited favour of God. It is also the provision of God to help us in the middle of a crisis, especially temptations. Most people feel they are powerless against sin and that because they are tempted they should go all the way and sin. This is an abuse of the grace of God. It is actually a lack of deep understanding of the provisions of God’s grace. This is one of the awesome wonders of God’s grace. The simple truth that, though you may be tempted, God will throw you a life line in the midst of the temptation and if you take hold of it, you would escape.

Today’s key text tells us “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”  God never told us we would not be tempted, but he promises to help us in the midst of the temptation, by showing us a way to escape. Sin, is like a trap. It comes with some promise of pleasure, relief etc that is often very difficult to resist. But right there is where God comes in. Whilst we are struggling and striving not to go and sin, we actually find ourselves drawn closer to the sin, but all we need to do is remember that God has promised to make a way of escape for us. So just look up to Him and yield to Him and he would show you exactly what to do, to get out of the sin. Just like the drowning man and the life-guard.

Titus 2: 11-15 – “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self- controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. 15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.”

Let me say this unequivocally, no one can resist sin in his or her natural strength, no amount of will power, personal discipline can do it. One may succeed for a while, but in the end, the flesh will give in and yield to sin. The only way to stay out of sin and keep out of sin is to recognise that we need the grace of God and that that grace is available, and lean fully on the provisions of God’s grace, then and only then can you escape sin.

Remember, because you are tempted does not mean you have sinned. It is following through with the temptation that is sin. So if you walk away from the temptation you have not sinned. No matter how difficult the temptation is, there is a way of escape, provided by the God of grace and bought and released by the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

Remember that there is grace not to sin or fall for the temptation.

 

Let’s pray: Father God, how we need you to live in this world of great temptations and peril. These are perilous times, but we are assured that your grace will help us to stand and escape the corruption in this world through lust. We thank you for the power to say no to sin and escape temptation. Thank you for your help, in Jesus name we pray. Amen.

 

Morning Dew

 

Key Passage: Matthew 16: 16-19

 

Key Text: Matthew 16:18 – 18 “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

 

 

Misunderstanding something or someone can often lead to abuse. The word abuse means to put something to wrong use, or misapply the thing for the wrong purpose. There are many things that have been abused in this world, that were meant for something totally different by God. Let’s look at an extreme case of abuse. Some people looked at black people and thought them to be inferior and only good for manual tasks, they concluded that black people were sub-human and as such they took many Africans into slavery. Thank God that slavery was abolished and black people are now seen as full human beings and as such we have a black man in the white house. Slavery though abolished still continues in many forms, and we pray that all efforts to stop this dastardly act, will succeed in Jesus name.

My subject today is on the Church. It has become apparent, that the church is misunderstood and many abuse the church because they don’t understand what God planned for the church.

One is so surprised when people think that the church is a physical building they go to. This thinking is quite prevalent among the religious people. So lots of emphasis is placed on the way the building looks, the size of the building, the décor and great time, effort and expense is put into this venture called the ‘church’. They build huge cathedrals all in the excuse that they are building God a house. (Don’t misunderstand me; I have nothing against excellent facilities to aid the church’s expression). How wrong? God does not dwell in buildings built by the hands of men. The church is actually a building, just not one made with bricks and mortar. The church is a spiritual building, made up of living stones, otherwise called believers in Jesus Christ. The church is not a location; it is an expression! The Church is a living entity. You don’t go to church on Sundays; you are the church when you gather together with other believers to worship God, whether it is in a building or on an open field, or in a house. The church is not something you go to.

Our Pastor in the UK (Pastor Colin Dye of Kensington Temple) taught us really well on this subject and he has written a small booklet called ‘The Church”, I have culled most of the following statements from this book.

The Church is derived from the Greek word, Ekklesia. Which means ‘the called out ones’. So what this means is that, the church are the called out ones from the world, to be gathered together, in relationship with Christ.

The New Testament is the authoritative source of knowledge when it comes to understanding the role and functions of the church.

1. The Church exists to bring glory to God by Christ Jesus. Ephesians 3:20-21(Its not about the glory of man).
2. The Church belongs to Jesus Christ; it is His church. There is no such thing as my, our or your church. The church belongs to Jesus alone. Matthew 16:18.
3. THE CHURCH IS GOD PLANNED AND GOD MADE; It is not a human invention or social institution. Ephesians 1:4,5,11.
4. Christ is the head of the church – Ephesians 1:22. No man or woman is the ultimate church leader, the church belongs to Jesus Christ and only he is in full and absolute control.
5. The church consists of members of Christ’s body. Only genuine believers are part of the church – it does not include people who are nominally Christian. 1 Corinthians 12;27
6. The church has a supernatural nature. By the cross and the Spirit, it is a supernatural entity – one body- which transcends time, race, status and gender. 1 Corinthians 12:13, Ephesians 2:16.
7. The church is called to make, mobilise and mature disciples of Jesus Christ. Matthew 28:18-20. (Let’s repent of the great omission and go back to the great commission)
8. The church reaches out to the whole world. The church is not limited to one generation, social group or race. It is for all people of every age and status in all nations. Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:15
9. There is only one true church. Ephesians 4:3-6

10. The Church is growing into maturity. The church is not static; it is being moulded by the Holy Spirit into spiritual maturity. Ephesians 4;12-13.

The bible clearly tells us that the church is also the bride of Christ. So I would like to ask you to be cautious how you deal with another man’s bride. This is no ordinary bride of any ordinary man. This is the bride of the King of kings and the Lord of lords. The sovereign King of the entire creation of God. Jesus Christ.

Let’s become aware, so we don’t abuse His bride.

 

Let’s pray: Father God, we ask you to forgive us for not understanding and appreciating your church. Please give us a deep understanding that will enable us to be fully functioning members of your church and to relate to the church accordingly, in Jesus name we pray. Amen

 

 

Morning Dew

 

In view of the recent controversies and debate on tithing, I dug up a piece I first wrote and published in 2013. It still rings true and even more so with this latest debate.

Key Passage: Malachi 3: 8-12

Key Text: Malachi 3: 10 – “Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house.”

Half knowledge can be dangerous. Those who profess to know must understand that they have a great responsibility towards those they are leading. Recently an article was published that said ‘every Pastor that receives tithes is a thief’.  The arguments the writer espoused were quite compelling and in most of the parts rang quite true. Also, he was in a sense ‘playing to the gallery’, because he like many others are totally fed-up with the ostentatious lifestyles of some of the Pastors and church leaders in that particular country. Some Pastors have either bought private Jets or have been ‘blessed’ with one. This appears too much for a country where most of the citizens are living under the breadline. Worse still, is the simple fact that most of the church members are poor and perhaps the arguments that these resources could be used more judiciously to alleviate some of the poverty issues in the church, are justified. I am not going to call this one or judge, as I personally know that these church leaders are accountable and know that they would give account. I also believe that they have acted in their best judgements, based on the demands of their ministry.

But the issue of tithes is a contentious one, and most people believe that pastors are fleecing the sheep, by demanding the tithe. This is the issue. The tithe is 10 percent of your produce. It was widely practiced in the Old Testament and Jesus spoke about it once, in a sense affirming the practice, but also instructing the religious leaders to pay closer attention to the weightier matters of the law.

I would clearly say here, that Pastors should not demand the tithe quoting Malachi 3, and scaring the believers with the curse. This is a stretch of the truth and as such should be stopped. No one is cursed because they are not tithing. People in the old testament were under the law and as such, they were compelled to tithe. But Romans 10:4, tells us “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” Those who profess Christ as Lord are no longer under the law nor are they bound by the law. But does that make the law wrong?

Here is my view; the bible is the whole counsel of God. Whatever is in it is for our admonition and direction. 2 Timothy 3:16 tells us “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,” So if you chose to obey a command of God, not as trying to fulfil the law, which is actually a sin, but as a principle and an evidence of your changed life and heart, then you cannot be wrong. Let’s look at something quite extreme. The Law commands us not to murder. But because we are not under the law does not make it right to murder, but because we are saved and redeemed, the law of God works naturally in us, so we do not murder or steal or commit adultery etc.

Again in 1 Corinthians 10:11 – the bible tells us “Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.” Referring to the Old Testament as it relates to the New Testament believer. Abraham was a ‘tither’, I am sure Isaac tithed and clearly we see that Jacob understood the principle and pledged his tithe.

Let me say this unequivocally; Tithing is a biblical principle and practice that is steeped deeply in the honour of God and the worship of God. It’s origins are based on men who clearly placed a premium on their worship of God and were moved by the awesomeness of God to decide that the first tenth of their income belongs to God. So is this practice wrong .

Also in Leviticus 27:30-32 -we read the following:

“Every tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is the Lord’s; it is holy to the Lord. 31 If a man wishes to redeem some of his tithe, he shall add a fifth to it. 32 And every tithe of herds and flocks, every tenth animal of all that pass under the herdsman’s staff, shall be holy to the Lord.”

The tithe belongs to the Lord. It is His own and though we are no longer under the law, we nevertheless, respect God enough to honour His word and honour His name. So we tithe, not as a way of fulfilling the law, but as an evidence that God is our God and what He says we do.

I totally disagree with the Pastors that teach tithing as a law to be fulfilled. Who bludgeon the people of God with the word of God scaring them into feeling they have committed a grave sin if they chose not to tithe. Some even go as far as ostracizing the non-tithers in the church. This is shameful and deplorable and I abhor this. Tithing would not make you a child of God. It will not take you to heaven. And most certainly does not make you a member of the church of Jesus Christ.

However, I totally affirm the principle of tithing, as a voluntary act of worship and honour to God. I believe that it truly has spiritual dimensions beyond just giving. It shows where one’s heart is. Jesus said clearly where your treasure is there your heart will be. So as a ‘tither,’ you have elected to practice the principle of ‘God First’ and you give this tithe as an act of worship and honour to God.

So it is a matter of choice. Albeit and informed choice, that some of us tithe. We also recognise that the ministry is not cheap and needs to be funded, so we willingly pleadge and give our tithes to the local church as part of our personal act of worship and honour to God, whilst we understand that what we have given will help sustain and resource the ministry and work of God. We are not bound to tithe, but we bind ourselves to the principle of tithing. Period.

So please continue to worship God with your tithes and offerings and remain blessed!

Let’s pray: Father God, We thank you for your word and the liberty we find in the understanding of your word. Father, please help us to throw out that which is not good and hold on to eternal truths. Help us not just to be hearers of the word, but doers also. Thank you for the grace to be a tithing member of the body of Christ. Keep my heart pure and undefiled, in Jesus name I pray. Amen.

 

Morning Dew

 

Key Passage: Psalm 33: 6-22

 

Key Text: Psalm 33:12 – “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.”

 

To understand anything, one must first understand that one does not understand. This calls for humility and submission. The word ‘understand’ if flipped over means stand under. So to understand something, you must recognise it is on a higher plane and only then can one be granted access to apprehend that knowledge. Growing up I had challenges with Mathematics. I just could not wrap my mind around it. It befuddled me and I thought I would never understand maths. But when I was faced with imminent failure in my O’Levels examinations, I began to desperately search for help. There was a young man from the eastern part of our nation, though from a very humble family comparatively, yet God really blessed him with his knowledge of maths. Though we were not supposed to mingle with ‘them’ as it were, I decided one day to approach him and ask for his help. I humbled myself and spoke to him. I said I knew he was very good at maths and I really need help. He looked at me and asked me for something in return. I gave in and then he began to teach me. It was as though someone opened up my mind. I started understanding and I can say without a doubt, this man helped me to understand maths.

Many Christians are confused over the nation of Israel. They listen to what the secular media has to say about Israel and believe that, over what God’s word says about them. There are those, actually quite a high proportion of believers, who believe that the Church has taken the place of Israel and God has rejected Israel. They go on to say that all the promises in the bible for Israel are now for the church. This is a great error and is what is popularly called “replacement theology”. If God will break His covenant with Israel, then we Christians have nothing to stand upon. But I will explain this further later.

For many years I was in replacement theology. I claimed the promises of Israel and truly believed that God had no more use or plans for Israel. That we the body of Christ or as it were new testament believers, are now the focus of God’s attention and Israel’s time has passed. But as I prayed and got closer to the Lord, I began to sense that God had a plan for Israel and that Israel is still very much on God’s heart and agenda. I had no real knowledge to back up what I sensed, but I became curious enough to start asking questions and pray even harder for God to open my eyes. This was the genesis of my relationship with Israel. It a long story and I will reserve that for another day.

Allow me to take you on a journey with the word of God, so by His grace God may chose to open your understanding.

Exodus 4:22 says “Then you shall say to Pharaoh, Thus says the Lord, Israel is my firstborn son,”. Israel is God’s first born son or first born nation. All other nations are younger sons of God. What does this mean? Israel owns the first right of inheritance when it comes to God’s things. So in Romans 9:4-5 we read that “They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.” So everything that God brought into this earth to bless humanity spiritually came through Israel.

Secondly, Deuteronomy 32:8-9 tells us “When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel. 9 For the Lord ‘s portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance.”

Whatever blessings are on any nation, God gave them according to the tribes of Israel. God’s dealings with nations is directly connected with His plans and purposes for Israel.

Today’s passage tells us “The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. 12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.” God’s plan for Israel is an eternal plan. Just look at the book of Revelations and you will see the twelve tribes restored in full there. Israel is God’s inheritance. He chose these people and this land as His own. He chose Jerusalem as His city and there is nothing or no one that can tell Him He can’t have Jerusalem and Israel. Isaiah 19:25, God affirms once again that Israel is His Inheritance.

If God will break His covenant with Israel, then where is our eternal security? Let me give you one more scripture to seal this today;

Jeremiah 31:35-37 – Thus saith the Lord, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The Lord of hosts is his name: 36 If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the Lord, then the seed of Israel also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever. 37 Thus saith the Lord; If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, saith the Lord.

For thousands of years, Israel disappeared from the face of the earth and seemed to be a lost nation, but by a miracle Israel was reborn and today is a thriving nation. Many nations have tried to obliterate Israel, only to discover it a too heavy a stone to be lifted. God fights for Israel and deals with its enemies severely. God has not abandoned Israel. He will never abandon Israel. And Jerusalem will be the chief city in the earth, not Rome, not Mecca, Not Beijing, Not New York and not Lagos. Jerusalem. The city of the great King.

I leave you today with the words of Psalm 2

Why do the nations rage,
And the people plot a vain thing?
² The kings of the earth set themselves,
And the rulers take counsel together,
Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying,
³ “Let us break Their bonds in pieces
And cast away Their cords from us.”

⁴ He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;
The Lord shall hold them in derision.
⁵ Then He shall speak to them in His wrath,
And distress them in His deep displeasure:
⁶ “Yet I have set My King
On My holy hill of Zion.”

 

Let’s pray: Father God, please open my eyes to see and understand your plans and purposes for Israel and the Jews and let me know what my part I in this great purpose. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.