27 May 2020

The appreciation of the values of God’s kingdom and how different they are from those of the world should make His followers stand out. In Mark 9:17-18, a man with a problem sought the help of the disciples because he believed they could help heal his son. Are people seeking your help and guidance? How are you impacting your sphere of influence? Is there something in you that makes you stand out?

26 May 2020

Mark 9:1-13 talks about the transfiguration of Jesus. In verse 11 the 3 disciples ask a question in their quest to understand the context of what they had witnessed. Jesus answers the question and then poses a question. He mentions about His impending suffering, something that they struggled to come to terms with. If Jesus was the Messiah, why should He suffer? He ought to have come to deliver them from their problems and political oppression. But they didn’t realise at that moment that God had different priorities; deliverance from sin and eternal life. The values of God’s eternal kingdom are different from those of the world. Our understanding and appreciation of the kingdom values and our relationship with God should go beyond our immediate circumstances.

22 May 2020

The other thing John did out of love for his friends and others was to warn them against false teachings. He had walked with Christ and knew the truth. I can imagine what must have transpired after Jesus died; many people must have come up claiming to have known Him and this must have led to false teachings and the misleading of many who had no access to the scriptures or to the disciples and apostles to verify what was being taught. We are living in a time where there is an overload of information. I hope we shall take time to seek out the truth. God desires a relationship with us and it is in walking with Him that we can grow in truth 1 John 2:18-27, 4:1-6 and 2 John 1-11.

21 May 2020

John demonstrates love by checking on his friends. 1st, 2nd and 3rd John are written to churches and friends that were dear to him. He doesn’t mention names maybe apart from Gaius in 3 John verse 1 and Demetrius in verse 12. He blesses them and wishes them well – verse 2 and 2 John verse 1-3. He longs to visit them too – 2 John 12 and 3 John 13. May we exemplify some of these positive traits and build lasting relationships that bring is such joy.

20 May 2020

In 1 John 4:7-21, John teaches a little more about love. He portrays it as a choice and an action, something that proves that one is a believer. It should reveal the God we serve. A believer should love as God does: one should care, show respect, sacrifice and seek to help others, starting with those around us. The Holy Spirit will help us show love. We can bank on Him.

19 May 2020

John had spent time with Jesus and it shows in all he wrote: the gospel of John and the 3 short letters of 1st, 2nd and 3rd John. The reoccurring themes in his writing are truth and love, two things that Christ stood for. Having walked with Christ, he picked on things that resonated with him and that were key to the Saviour. The first of these is love 1 John 2:28-3:2 and 1 John 3:11-24.

18 May 2020

There is a command that keeps recurring in the bible that I have been reminded of. 2 John 1:5-6. May we ask the Lord to reveal to us what it means for us. What should it prompt us to do? How should we perceive it, understand it?

15 May 2020

So, if the Lord did not give up on Jacob, why should He give up on you? Perfection is not His highest priority, it is willingness. He is looking for those who are willing to trust Him and yield to Him, so He can work with them to impact others. He provides what is required. Acknowledge Him, accept His invitation and walk with Him. Allow Him to have His way and you will be amazed at what He accomplishes through you.

14 May 2020

Throughout Jacob’s life we see evidence of God’s hand at work, but we may not see where all this is leading to. After he was reconciled with Esau, Jacob bought a plot in Shechem. Schechem was later declared a city of refuge – 1Chronicles 6:67 and Joshua 21:21. It was an important place for the children of Israel – Joshua 24:1, 25. The remains of Joseph, Jacob’s son, were buried on that plot according to Joshua 23:32. Abraham had also bought land there – Acts 7:16. God sees the bigger picture. Let us trust Him and allow Him to do His will in our lives.

13 May 2020

Jacob’s encounter with God in Genesis 32:22ff was not the only time he experienced God. He didn’t have enough, he kept going. The healing of his relationship with Esau, his going back to Bethel in chapter 35, the loss of his children, the famine, the deliverance of his family through Joseph, all these were seasons where he must have experienced God. These experiences must have impacted those around him and still impact millions who hear these testimonies today. Jacob desired a relationship with God and God revealed Himself to him throughout his life.