The power within you

God is limitless and is not confined in time and space. He is a Spirit (John 4:24) and no one has ever seen Him (John 1:18). We are created by His own image (Genesis 1:27). His image is the Spirit and not what we look like physically. This then means even though we are confined in the space of our physical bodies, our "spirit" is limitless and its confinements are determined by our soul (mind). What we achieve is even more than we can think and imagine because of the power within us (Ephesians 3:20) because we are more than just our bodies can do, since our flesh is limited. He knows what we are capable of in Him when we abide and trust in Him, the impossibilities become possible as the spirit is not led nor driven by physical laws. 

David killed Goliath at the age of 17 years, yes the accuracy of his slingshot (with much practice protecting his sheep from wild animals) ended the physical life of the giant but the might of the sling was from the unseen power of God in David (1 Samuel 17). What was seen as an impossible situation for David (a small boy fighting a giant) was possible through God's power that was within him. This story is an example of how the spiritual and the physical converge.  Age is not a factor of what God can do through you, I believe it's through availability, will and total surrender to Him. Spiritual maturity through worship, prayer and studying from the scripture not only brings one closer to God but an individual is re-introduced to oneself and who one was created to be by the One who made him/her. A spirit is eternal and exists forever, and where we go after the earth is determined by our choices. 

I have heard people say that things are birthed first in the spiritual realm before the physical realm. Since the spiritual realm is unseen, to pray for things into being (according to God's will) takes Faith which is to hope for things not seen and believe that they are hence being thankful to God for receiving what one just prayed for before it is present. Just like the body needs food, feed your spiritual man by the meditating upon the word which will direct your path (Psalm 119:105) into your destiny that God had already planned. Limit not the power of God within you.

Real Love

I have often been told that you'll know one's character when there are challenges. Friends and families characters are tested in those stressful, confusing, grief-stricken, sorrowful and in need-of-help moments. Who will be there is the question even though not the focus at that moment in time.  Christ displayed love by action and words, He walked the talk. He proved then and now that LOVE is the root of a big tree that produces much fruit such as trust, kindness, loyalty, faithfulness, sacrifice, patience, forgiveness, no judgement, endurance, joy, peace, presence, perseverance, commitment, understanding, compassion, generosity and much more. In the book of Ruth chapter 1, Ruth displayed what real love is to her mother-in-law Naomi. During the time, Naomi felt that there was nothing else left to offer her daughters in law and rather wanted to let them go back home and have a better life than what she could offer. The other one left but Ruth stayed as said "Don't ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go: wherever you live, I will live. Your people will be my people and your God will be my God. Wherever you die, I will die and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us" (Ruth 1:16-18). Here she displayed her love by words and actions. Naomi has nothing to offer Ruth but she stayed. She was loyal, faithful and patiently endured the tough times with Naomi. She sacrificed the opportunity for a better life by not going back home. She remained faithful in the dark times not knowing what the future holds for her. She even was willing to give her all to identify more with Naomi saying her people will be my people and her God will be my God. She was committed to endure whatever path that may come her way as long as she was with Naomi, only death could separate them. For me, that is real love with no conditions and such love is tested, trialled and never fails (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).  It is the foundation that can and is capable of weathering storms of any kind I believe. Love is built with time and doesn't just happen and it is also a choice. I have learnt that real love has no expectations because if expectations are present there were conditions. If the conditions are not met, well there is no love. I believe that Naomi loved Ruth too and was willing to let her go for the betterment of her future. Love endures all things even when it hurts. Love is putting another's needs before yours even though it is not reciprocated as Jesus had shown to the point of dying on the cross for us so that we may have eternal life. Love is willing to do even what you don't want to do so that others may benefit. If we all loved like Christ loved, the world would be a much better place. But God's mercies and grace carry us in our imperfect state as we are all a working progress. And that's just the surface of God's love (agape love) and it is deeper and incomprehensive.

In terms of relationships that lead to marriage, I believe that this is the type of love (as deep as it can be) that should be displayed. But since I am not relationship expert neither do I have much experience in this area further research and testimonials are warranted (in other blogs or internet websites) for those seeking to understand more on this. If you are successfully married and know the ropes on this and have further insight on this subject feel free to comment and share.

Thought of Today

When it comes to prayer and/or ushering God's presence, the environment and atmosphere are two separate things. The church is an environment, you can be present there and still not experience God's presence even after much worship and this happens due to various reasons. However, when you are in a place within that really wants, hungers or yearns for God's presence and you put your focus and energy into that, that's when (for me) God's presence starts settling in filling me with serenity. This happens at home, church and even in a quiet bathroom because God's presence is not contained in a specific environment. One can be in church but focused on other things or the mind is deeply disturbed that even when the worshippers set the atmosphere for you, God's presence feels out of reach. Therefore, the environment is where you are in, the atmosphere is what you create. The environment is external and the atmosphere is internal/spiritual.

Partnership

We all have dreams and when you are born again, that makes God our partner in seeing our dreams realised. Afterall He appointed us for specific plans even before we were born (Jeremiah 1:5). In every successful progressive relationship, two qualities are required; communication and willingness. Communication is important so that both parties are on the same page. Understanding what role each one plays and what is required to progress. The willingness to do your part is important as this not only leads to progress but also strengthens the relationship because no one is burdened by the other. Moreover, as time goes trust, integrity, accountability amongst other things are built. One can communicate but without willingness, not much or nothing is achieved.

Understanding the part we play in God's promises or our dreams being realised is of the utmost crucial. Partnership from both sides stemming from communication and willingness is important. Think of a team of two people rowing in a double scull boat at a competition.  A double scull boat requires both competitors to use both hands to row. The technique is discussed and practised beforehand. When one individual decides that he/she is tired or don't do their best, not only will the team fail but also they both suffer the consequences.

Fortunately for us, God does His part and we have to do our part so that there is progress. At times we do our part without consulting our partner and then things don't work out. It is important to also submit to the timing of God, after all, He knows the path we have to take and what time we should take certain steps. Failure to do our part due to procrastination (thief of progress), disobedience, faithlessness, sin and amongst other things may delay your progress. Therefore, delaying oneself for whatever reason may also be delaying the work that the Lord wants to do in and through you. The good news is God gives us several chances because He is patient. When we repent and remain focused on the vision we have been given and get back to the path that He constructed for us, much can be accomplished more than we can ever think or imagine (Ephesians 3:20) for the benefit of others and ourselves.

Do good there's a reward

I  was taught to do good to those who needed help and those who could return the favour when I needed it. I called the latter the boomerang effect ones. When I was 14 years old I volunteered in at a soup kitchen in the East Coast. The organisers would go to the supermarket and get almost expired food for free. I was part of a team of three elderly ladies that worked there. Our job was to turn the food that was brought in into a meal. First, we would throw away any food items that smelt spoiled or rotten (in the case of vegetables). Whatever remained, we would use it to make soup. One thing I loved about the place is how everyone was so peaceful and happy there. The organisation which was Christian based would also provide the volunteers with food at lunchtime. The atmosphere was beautiful and serene. Anyway, out of the vegetables we made soup which would be eaten with bread. One day, I tagged along with the team that went to the city centre in Durban. There there were poor people, some slept on the streets, while others were unemployed as a result they couldn't afford to eat. My task for that day was to pour soup in the styrofoam cups and hand it to the people who had already foamed a line. Thereafter, they would receive two slices of bread from the next volunteer. Some were thankful, others said nothing but showed a face of gratitude while others would insult you in their mother tongue thinking that you don't understand what they were saying. What they said was enough to make me change my attitude towards them. Since I was limited in my speech (I mean I came with a Christian organisation), my only vengeance was to put less soup in their cups. I opted no to do that, rather I gave them a look of disapproval to let them know I understood all they said.  Afterwards, those who wanted would sit on the grass and listen to the preacher preach.

Doing good may not buy you your salvation (Ephesians 2:9) but it has its rewards. Jesus gave a parable of a man who invited his friends for a great feast (Luke 14:15-24) and all had excuses of why they couldn't come. Eventually, the man sent his servants to invite those on the street, who people looked upon or outcasts for lack of a better word. This man invited those who could not repay him. God rewards those who do good to those who cannot pay back (Luke 14:14). When you are good to those who can pay you back, your reward is that they paid you back (Luke 14:12) and probably you find favour with them. Moreover, the bible says in my own words that there’s nothing special about that since even sinners do that (Luke 6:33).  Doing good towards your enemies (besides heaping coals on their heads) will be like acting like Christ and He will give you your reward.  The reward may not be here on earth but in heaven where I believe it is multiplied than what you gave on earth. I call this laying treasures in heaven where neither moths can eat nor thieves can break in and steal (Matthew 6:19). However, when you do good, do it out of love as Jesus did all He did out of love. Do not be weary in doing good for in the proper time we will reap a harvest (Galatians 6:9). In this world, it’s a choice to plant seeds to harvest in the next life. Therefore, do good to all even those that do not deserve it, for you shall reap the rewards. 

Falling Short

In different ways, we continuously prove that we fall short of the glory of God. This is revealed when we are challenged according to what we know and fail because within us is still the nature of evil, for example, imagine leaving your home in a cold day, you are on your way to work, you see a man in need of a jacket who is homeless, This man is cold and clearly shivering, by this time you've covered quite a distance plus you are wearing your favourite jacket. Would you give your very expensive, favourite jacket for this homeless man? Out of honesty, I really do not think so but maybe a few would, however, for the majority still unlikely. Such situations teach us about us, we still have it in us to be selfish, inconsiderate, greedy and other things given the right circumstances. We tend to put our needs first even when we have plenty at home ( given this scenario) and that is why Jesus said no one is good except God (Mark 10:18). Since we fall short of the glory of God we should count ourselves beyond blessed because of what Jesus did on the cross. We are saved through faith in Christ (Philippians 3:9). He is our righteous and even our good works cannot save us only by God's grace which is a gift (Ephesians 2: 8-9). This does not mean we shouldn't do good works, in fact, we should, it is a choice each day to imitate Christ and to die to oneself. To completely surrender and allow Him to live through you. Hopefully one day, years to come, we will look back and say we are better than we were before (speaking of being Christ-like) because at the end of the day we are working progress as the bible puts it, we are being moulded.

Trust Before Love

I have often wondered what true surrender is? Is love the reason why people respond to an altar call? I have discovered that the most intimate marriage there is is the one you have with Christ. But for those who have recently discovered Christ because of the familiarity of the spirit (I mean we are from him) but do not know him, what makes them respond, is it the love they have for Christ? When I read the old testament often the Israelites would sin then come back to God in times of distress and ask for his help and truly tap into the nature of God's mercy. Our loving God would respond to their tears that despite what they did (even worshipping other gods), His love would prevail above it all and they would be saved. Often this was the cycle and God would forgive and meet the Israelites needs.

In the new testament, people came to Jesus most of whom needed something from Him like healing and He would heal them. Others were fascinated in what sounded like a new gospel that satisfied their souls hence they would gather to hear him teach. And there were those who simply loved Him and followed Him. And yeah let's not forget those tried to catch him out because of jealousy (the subject of another day).

Practically speaking when one meets a person that looks like a potential partner, often one likes the person and necessarily love that individual. To love another takes time that is invested in knowing that individual. However, I have come to believe trust comes before love. These people trusted that they would be healed, faith-driven by the testimonies they have heard. He (Jesus) did not have a failure rate and had a success rate of 100% and this spoke volumes to those who needed healing in all aspect physical (numerous accounts), emotional (the Samaritan woman), spiritual (all who heard His teachings). 

So those who come to Christ, come to Him because they know He will satisfy their needs and I believe that is the altar call is done after the preaching/teaching. These individuals respond by faith and trust that He can be trusted. Just because one loves another does not mean that that individual can be trusted. However, when you trust one, one's dependability on that person is increased and surrendering to that individual is easy.  Consequently, with time one begins to love that individual because of the spent with Him.  To believe His promises becomes easy since He has never failed you. Therefore, trust comes before love and since It is  God who breaks no one's heart, this relationship is the most intimate marriage one will ever have better than marriage to Prince Charming in this earth (humans are limited and they make mistakes). So trusting and surrendering to the all Perfect one, who knows your beginning and end, who knows the plans He has for you, plans to prosper you to give hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11). The more you spend time with Him through prayer and the word, the more you love Him because you understand nature and the fact that He loved you first and through all our sinful ways. So take the first step and trust Him.

God's promises

I volunteer at kid's church and at times I also learn with the kids. I may have heard and read the stories countless time but in that same story, there is a new revelation. When God promised Abram to leave his country and people to go to a land that He promised (Genesis 12). Abraham did that, he believed God and left to go to an unknown land. I find this sense of faith, a faith bigger than a mustard seed. Leave all you know and have ever known to an unknown land, uncertain on what lies ahead because of a promise. Faith is to hope for things not seen, rendering them as if they are (my definition). I once heard that the currency of God's kingdom is FAITH, I now see it as seeds planted, patiently waiting for the abundant harvest. No wonder it was counted as righteousness when Abraham believed God. I sometimes wonder because we are from Him, the familiarity of His voice is known to us even though He has not spoken to one before. Now Abraham's harvest was more descendants more than the stars he can count. Abraham's need (lack of a child) was met in abundance not just in descendants but all areas of his life was blessed. And that blessing continued to his descendants. 

However, for God's promise to be fulfilled we have a part to play so that it comes to fruition. In the book of Joshua 21:43-45 (the Israelites have arrived in Canaan and settled), God fulfilled His promise to the Israelites. God's promises are not subject to time but they are subject to one's obedience.  The faithless generation died (40 years) so that the faithful ones can go and occupy the promised land. Abraham leaving his place was him obeying God. Faith precedes obedience. It seems like promises are like contacts between (in this case) God and man. Just like any contract, both parties have a part to play so that what is to be achieved (promise) can come to pass. The Israelites had to fight for the land to occupy it. God was always with them, He helped them conquer all their enemies. He fulfilled all His promises to the Israelites. God funds His plans. When God promises, we should not only have faith, we should obey (action) Him so that His promises are fulfilled.

Ask of God

Why do you ask God? God says whatever you ask in His name it shall be given to you (John 14:14). Is there a condition attached to this? Is asking for self desires answered? I think the answer to this question depends not only on our faith but also on God's will. He knows us more than we know ourselves. He knows the conditions of our hearts and why we ask. Is it out of need? Our selfish desires?  Or for those around us? Only God knows.

When  I ask, I want to ask in alignment with God's will so as not to ask amiss (James 4:3). At times it appears as if with constant persistence in prayer, we may receive what we asked "amiss" for only to find that it was not good for us even though at the time it seemed good. Fortunately, the all-knowing, full of grace and mercy God, in His love always brings us back to the path that He planned for us before we were born, only If we surrender to Him. It is amazing to know the relationship of God to each individual can be the most intimate description of marriage. Anyway, ask to know His will so that you can pray and ask according to the will that has been revealed to you.

Problems gives rise to creative solutions

All nations in the world have problems, even the ones that appear to be doing well have problems. When problems arise, it is an opportunity to find solutions, both temporary and permanent. It is sad to see that most people (depending on the country) depend on the government to come up with solutions. They are not wrong to think that, however, those who rule don't always have answers. And that is not necessarily a bad thing. I don't believe it is only a few people in this world that were meant to make a difference. It is for each and every one of us to take responsibility and purposefully be the change we want to see. To do the change and not just talk about it. We were created in this generation to be the problem solvers. We are skilled, talented and gifted in various ways. What we have is enough for us to build the nation and fix what is broken. It is not just governments responsibility to build the country, it is for each and every individual living in it. It doesn't have to be a big thing, the smallest act of kindness goes a long way. Donating a meal a day if you are able, leaves one less person to turn to crime due to hunger. Collectively we can make nations great if we are united for a common goal. To love each other, accept each other differences and reach a place of understanding. To focus on the greater good of all and not just yourself. To see peace and change in the world is an ideal that is bigger than all of us. Little acts of change within our communities accumulatively will be a big change when we are united. Division, on the other hand, has led to the problems we see now. We may have a solution to a problem, but the solution may not be implemented because of lack of unity, tolerance and understanding. Therefore, to see the change we want see, we have to actively do out part and pray that others will join.  Nothing is impossible with God.

Faith Driving

When you drive into a busy highway, coming from the ramp, you've got to wait until you get an opening on the road before you can drive into it. This takes patience, focus and timing. If you miss any of the aforementioned three, let's just say it could be disastrous. You can have faith and couple it with action but is the timing correct? This explains why God patiently delays us as a way to protect us because if we had it our own way and the timing was wrong that may be an impending disaster. To avoid this, you pray and trust God with His timing. After all, He is the Alpha and Omega, He knows everything that will happen and counteracts any plan the enemy has for you, not only for your protection and for His blessing to make rich and adds no sorrow with it (Proverbs 10:22). Faith with action is great and even better with His timing.