Why does God allow suffering?

People ask the questions; how can there be God when there is so much suffering in the world? If God is so powerful then why does He not eliminate suffering? Etc

These questions are asked for different reasons

Others ask because they genuinely seek answers

Others ask to discredit the existence of God

Others ask for other reasons which I may not know

In this post I will attempt to answer the question as briefly as I can and I pray this can edify someone.

There are many sufferings and to name a few; wars, poverty, hunger, corruption, abuse, sickness, death, sorrow, pain etc. So where is God in all these? What is the reason for all these?

Reason 1

Suppose I decide to steal from my neighbor. My neighbor languishes as a result.

Suppose also a man gets jealous of his relative because he has great wealth and poisons his relative so that he can seize his wealth after he dies. The man dies and the wife becomes a widow and the children orphans. They lose their wealth and from then life is never the same.

Or what if a General Manager withholds wages from his workers just because he has the power to do so and because they do not have the power or resources to defend themselves and refuses to listen to their plea. Will not those workers suffer? Who has caused the suffering?

When a man’s heart is evil it causes suffering to others. That’s right an evil heart will result in evil actions that will cause suffering on others.

Job 35:8 Your wickedness affects only a man like yourself, and your righteousness only the sons of men.

But why does God not do something?  

God helps those who trust in Him.

If your trust is in the help of man, the help of friends, the help of lawyers then you will soon realize that that help is worthless. Psalms 108:12 Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.

Not to say that we do not receive help from our friends or lawyers because God can work in our lives through people but that we cast our cares and burdens to God first and that our ultimate trust should be in God. Psalm 118:8 “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.”

 It is not true that God does not do something.

When Jesus was on earth He said the work He does He has seen the Father do. John 5:17 …..”My Father is always at His work to this very day, and I, too, am working.”

And we know that Jesus went about doing good, healing the sick, delivering the oppressed, forgiving sinners, performing miracles, raising the dead, welcoming children and blessing them, teaching in the temple, helping the poor and so much more. Acts 10:38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and He went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with Him.

And this shows the nature of God – Hardworking. God is not on His throne sleeping! Have you not heard that God does not sleep nor slumber.

God raises the poor from the dust and sits them with Kings.

God hears the cry of orphans and widows and helps them.

God opens the womb of the barren.

God remembers the righteous on their sickbed and even if they die it is to their gain for they will sleep until the blessed day when they will be raised in glorified bodies and there will be no more pain or death.

 God is long-suffering even to the wicked.  

2 Peter 3:9 ….He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

A man with an evil heart who goes about doing what is evil causing pain and suffering to others may boast that he is rich, healthy and living better than the holiest man on earth. The evil man does not realize that He is alive because it is God sustaining him so that perhaps the man will turn from his evil ways, follow God and begin to do good so that he may not die in his sins. God knows that if a man dies in his sins then that man has perished.

For it is the worst thing that a man should die in his sins when the sacrifice for the world’s sins was paid in full

Let it be known that the Kingdom of God is home of righteousness, how then can evil dwell with righteousness?

Can darkness dwell with light? No!

Evil and darkness dwell in hell where there is blackness, worms, gnashing of teeth and fire that is unquenchable. In hell people are not partying up a storm! In hell many people who died in their sins are in torment day and night, they wish they had lived in the fear of God but it’s too late.

They could have received eternal life but they thought themselves wise and rebelled against God. For God does not force anyone to worship Him.

We have freewill

Those who worship God follow Him willingly and surrender themselves to His will and His will is that all may believe in His Son Jesus, be baptized for the forgiveness of sins and begin to walk and learn from Him even as the heart is changed to begin to do good to others thereby walking in love for love is kind and heals those who are suffering.

1 Corinthians 13:4-6 Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Reason 2

Now that we have established that a man’s evil heart and actions causes suffering. It is also good to note that there are principalities and spirits at work to cause suffering. I don’t think a man is born with an evil heart so where do the evil thoughts come from?

There is an enemy of what is good. The devil and evil spirits. John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy…..

he is a thief

he is a liar

he is a destroyer

he uses crafty ways to deceive. He doesn't work in isolation, many have sold themselves to him and he works through them to bring about all manner of evils. They are antichrist. They promote evil. They serve money. They are shameless in doing evil. They use media and other means to promote immorality, orgies, adultery, false religions, homosexuality, idolatry, violence, abuse, vanity, greed, selfishness, pride, disobedience, sexy dressing, slander, lying, stealing, dirty language, porn, drugs, smoking etc

While others are sleeping at night, they are busy at work, for they love darkness most. They use magic, divination, incarnations and all manner of falsehood to pour out curses so that you will suffer and blame God for your sufferings.

Remember how the devil caused Job a lot of suffering hoping Job would curse God and die but Job blessed the Name of God and God in turned blessed his latter more than his former.

Do not be a partaker or supporter of things that do not please God. Always be alert, watching and praying that you do not fall into temptation. More so now that the devil knows that his time is short and wants to cause as much suffering as he can.

Reason 3

God

Yes God can cause suffering. Isaiah 45:7 I form light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I the Lord, do all these things.

Can God do what is evil? No God cannot do what is evil!!!

Here is a scenario

A man commits a crime and is taken to court. The judge sentences the man to 2 weeks community service as fair punishment for his crime.

Is the judge wrong in pronouncing a judgement?

I don’t think so

So also God can cause suffering when He is punishing His children. After David had committed murder and adultery, God pronounced punishment on David through the prophet Nathan. And that was a time of suffering for David and yet later on when David repented God gave him comfort in the child Solomon.

Through the prophet Jeremiah, God pronounced captivity for His people for a number of sins they had committed.

I myself have suffered punishment from God. It is painful but it is also a cause for great rejoicing for me. It means God cares and loves me. My parents have punished me when I have done wrong and I love them for it, if they had not corrected me I would have been lost.

Hebrews 12:5-11 And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son.”

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have trained by it.

The conclusion

If your neighbor (Friend, relative, workmate, stranger etc) is the reason for your suffering, forgive them. You also at one time have caused suffering to others maybe through words or actions but God has forgiven you.

You may have a heavy heart and it may seem impossible to forgive but God cannot tell you to forgive if He thinks you can’t do it. God is your Helper and will help you to forgive them then you will know you serve a living God. Remember this is achieved by the help of God by His Spirit.

If the devil and evil spirits are the cause for your suffering; Resist him meaning don’t allow him to steal from you. Don’t allow him to destroy your health. Don’t allow him to kill you in your sins.

One day I had a dream, before me was a plate of food and I knew that it was my food then suddenly and quickly came this black dog and began eating from my plate. The dog was eating so fast, my food was finishing quickly. I tried to deter the dog then it turned fiercely and wanted to attack me but I didn’t back down. I woke up and wrestled in prayer. Soon after my prayer doors of breakthrough opened for me in many directions.

We fight against principalities in the heavenly realms

We may not understand all of it but as you take steps in trusting in God and in reading your Bible, meditating on it you gain the tools to resist the devil

There are things that are rightfully yours but satan and his agents want to get them forcibly from you.

The fact that it is rightfully yours doesn’t mean you have to relax. A thief doesn’t care that you hold titles and receipts for your property, all they care about is grabbing it from you.

After receiving blessings from God, the greatest being the gift of life we cannot afford to sleep and relax while the thief is roaming about seeking whom to devour.

Resist the devil and he will flee; Do not give satan chance

Fight the good fight of faith

Do not love the world or the things in the world

If God is causing you suffering in order to discipline you, you may feel tempted to justify yourself and to confront God with many questions like Job did. Whatever you do remember God knows better than you, take it as a sign that God loves you enough to discipline you. Instead of justifying yourself rather humble yourself and admit to your errors, renounce your sins and find grace to take you through those sufferings.

God bless

A Clean Cup

I've been disturbed in my spirit because of certain messages
One minister will preach and say NOT the fasting of food but the fasting of Isaiah 58 of taking care of the oppressed
Another preacher will say NOT outward holiness but inward holiness
Still another will say NOT revelations but doctrine/ scriptures

It is sad that divisions are occurring because of different opinions. I just want to share my knowledge on it all, my hope is that this might help someone who is confused to find clarity.

I'm going to use personal examples.

There was a time when i was fasting (the fasting of food) and someone send me a video message of a pastor who was teaching and saying true fasting is found in Isaiah 58 and its not the fasting of food but the taking care of orphans and widows.
I knew the video was intended to discourage me from fasting food

There was another time after i made my choice to clean my wardrobe of short, tight & see through clothes and also fake hair, jewellery and makeup and by God's help i replaced those with long skirts and dresses and products to help me nature my natural hair, skin and nails.
Then a leader in the church spoke at a conference and said, "Who told you that to go to heaven you have dress in long skirts....?"
He was not speaking directly to me but i could sense a message meant to discourage women who dress in long skirts and dresses

Then in another instance as i began to share the revelations i have had from God. Revelations concerning the Coming back of Jesus, Baptism, Dressing & Prayer. Most of the revelations i have received through dreams. Then some messages shared by man of God via Whats App were discouraging the sharing of dreams saying just speak the Word.

All this made me wonder.
As much as the ministers are encouraging the fasting of Isaiah, inward holiness and the Word of God as recorded in the Bible; how come they are discouraging the fasting of food, outward holiness and revelations?

Is the one better than the other
Is not all of it from One God?
Then i searched more about it and came to the conclusion that all of it is important.

Here is why

Truly Isaiah 58 gives knowledge of the kind of fasting that God requires from us. The fasting of sharing with others, the fasting of doing good to others, the fasting of defending the cause of people in the margins and so forth. This is truly a fasting that pleases God.
Yet there is also a fasting of food, water, sleep etc
We know that Jesus Himself practiced fasting of food and water forty days and forty nights before He began His ministry. Luke 4:2 ......And in those days He did eat nothing......
We also know that Jesus disciples didn't fast when they were still with Jesus and a time came when they failed to deliver a boy in bondage and Jesus told them that that kind could only come out from prayer and fasting. Mark 9:29 And He said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing but by prayer and fasting.
There are more examples of fasting of a widow who served God in the temple with fastings and prayers night and day (Luke 2:37)
And of Cornelius who received a divine visitation when he was fasting (Acts 10:30)

So then let us embrace all types of fasting whether it is the fasting of Isaiah 58 or the fasting of food. Both fastings originate from God. If you love to fast food but do nothing to take care of marginalized people i encourage you to continue with the fasting of food but add also the fasting of helping those who are sick, abused, oppressed, hungry and disadvantaged in society.
Same applies if you love to help the marginalized and you are active in advocating for the empowerment of  the oppressed but you can go for months without a day or days that you fast food, now i want to encourage you to also embrace the fasting of food, embrace both and watch God do great things in your life and the lives of those around you.

Then to the issue of holiness. Some will say Inward holiness. Others will say Outward holiness. Still others will say Social holiness.
I say all of it!

Inward holiness is the phrase people use to mean a good heart. Sometimes people go further to say, God looks at the heart and this is absolutely true (1Samuel 16:7). I fully support Inward holiness. In fact the greatest command centers on a heart that loves God and neighbor. Therefore it is important to have a good heart. Notice that the command to the heart is that it may Love God and Neighbor this means a good heart is one that is fully devoted to God and the things of God, a heart of integrity, a heart of worship to God, a heart of absolute reverence to God, a clean and blameless heart. All of this is achieved by the help and leading of the Holy Spirit who instructs us in the things of God.

Outward holiness is usually shunned by those who embrace Inward or Social holiness. It is shunned because it is regarded as not important. People will say God looks at the heart and not the outward so there is no need for outward holiness.
Those who practice outward holiness are nicknamed, Holier than thou, Jesus freak, Pharisee etc
This is so because those who practice outward holiness profess the holiness of God on their outward person in the way they dress, the way they talk, their mannerisms etc.
With Inward holiness, a person cannot easily tell if a person is a believer or not unless they engage discussion with the person but with outward holiness even before a person talks to someone they already have a hint that, this person must be a believer because of what they have seen.
And this pleases God because we are His ambassadors.
People should see Christ in us in both our inward and outward.
Let that which is our heart reflect on the outside also. The cleanliness of the inside should help to the clean the outside.
Outward holiness when done with the right motive considers others in love, in order not to put a stumbling block on another person's life. Some people have become adulterers not because it was in their heart but after looking at a man or women dressed seductively their eyes lusted after them. Some people of other faiths like Judaism, Islam, Hindu, Bhuddist etc who have high value for modesty cannot join Christianity because they cannot see what is in your heart they look at the outward and they see Christians dress in tight, seductive, figure hugging, reveling clothes like the world and they think if that is what Christianity is all about then let me stick to my own.
Let us resolve not put a stumbling block on anyone through our outward appearance

Social holiness is more like the fasting of Isaiah 58. It is a demonstration of God's holiness in the lives of others through active actions that have transforming powers.
It is a demonstration of our faith in a Holy God through Holy lifestyles in our communities and nations. People who practice social holiness are social justice fighters. They have the heart of Christ to see those in the margins empowered.
People who practice social holiness are usually hated by those who hold power like government people, business people etc. This is because these people usually confront powerful people demanding for justice for the afflicted.
Social holiness pleases God because like the Prophet Micah said.... what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly..... Micah 6:8
Let us embrace social holiness even as we also embrace inward and outward holiness.

Moving on to the last but not the least issue.
Its not a new thing for a person to receive a message from God in a dream, a vision or an audible voice. God spoke to Joseph in dreams so much that his brothers nicknamed him a dreamer.
God spoke to Prophet Samuel in an audible voice when he was still a young boy. Ezekiel saw vivid visions of God. Joseph was warned in a dream to flee with his family.

God does all these according to His pleasure.
Those who receive dreams are compelled to share for the encouraging or rebuking of others. The dream is admittedly not above the Word of God for we see in part.
Those who receive visions are also compelled to share them
Those with the Word of God are compelled to preach it, teach it and to put it into practice.
All of this is from God

So let no one silence you and keep you from sharing what God has given you whether it is a dream, vision or Word. It is all from God and to be able to use it to the Glory of God we need the help and the leading of the Holy Spirit.

A clean cup

You have probably wondered why i titled this post ‘A Clean Cup’
I believe when we embrace all the above then we are likened to a clean cup.
If a cup is clean inside and the outward is dirty then that cup is a dirty cup
Likewise if our hearts are blameless but our outward is profane and worldly then we are ultimately unclean vessels.
If a cup is clean on the outward but is dirty on the inside that cup is a dirty cup
Likewise also if our appearances to others are clean but our hearts are filled with all kinds of evils we are unclean vessels
If a cup is clean both on the inside and outward then that cup is truly clean, so also if we put effort to rid ourselves from all filthiness in our hearts or on our bodies we become clean vessels ready for every good work.

....Dearly beloved, let us CLEANSE ourselves from ALL filthiness of the FLESH AND SPIRIT, perfecting HOLINESS in THE FEAR OF GOD -  2 Corinthians 7:1

The reason I believe

 Jesus called me

He called me by Name

I left what I was doing, I went to Him

We became good friends, actually He was more good to me than I was to Him

I asked Him how He does it so He showed me how;

He taught me to Love

He taught me to Pray

He taught me to show & to receive Mercy

He knows me; yes poor, needy, undeserving me!!!

I know Him; yes Good, Kind, Humble & Loving Him!!!

He will not let go of me & by His Grace I will not let go of Him

Oh Friend, Saviour & Master remember me when you come in your Glory

Mine own eyes shall behold THE KING OF KINGS

JESUS

What a beautiful Name!!!

Can you hear Him calling you too?

1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defence to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.
God bless you

Jehovah Qanna

Jehovah Qanna is the Name of God which means He is a Jealous God.

Exodus 34:14 For thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a Jealous God

God reveals Himself to us as Jealous

Remember we worship God who sees what is done on the earth. Every act we do God sees it unless He intentionally turns His face away.

Other gods of wood, gold, silver, bronze etc are fashioned by man and they have eyes carved into them but they cannot see anything, other gods are dead they do not have life in them so they too cannot see anything.

But Ancient of Days, Living God is Mighty beyond understanding; He sees what is done in the heavens and on the earth even under the earth – 2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him....

God sees our deeds

God searches the motives of our hearts

God examines our minds

Jeremiah 17:10 I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, ……

So then when God looks and sees people worshipping false gods, people who worship animals, people who bow to wood and gold images, others who worship statues of saints and those who worship the sun, moon & stars, those who follow satan and demonic spirits and those who inquire of ancestors and false prophets who prophesy by baal and also worship of celebrities or of oneself.

Jehovah Qanna’s anger burns against such – Zephaniah 3: 8 …. The whole world will be consumed by the fire of my jealous anger.

God is not pleased when people called by His Name fear or revere other things more than Himself.

People move with fear and urgency at the instruction of a president but the instructions of God they mock and ignore

People celebrate and give praise to celebrities. They will speak of a celebrity idol with much passion like a true fan but when it comes to God they feel ashamed to come out and speak about the goodness of God in their lives or share their faith with others

People fear hurricane Irma and yet they do not fear the one who is more times bigger and fearful than hurricane Irma

As a result, the anger of Jehovah Qanna burns and who can deliver anyone from the wrath of God for it is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of God.

Yet the Lord will save His remnant who have not gone whoring after idols but have kept themselves pure worshipping and glorifying God out of a willing heart.

Repent and stop worshipping idols but give God proper worship out of a willing and undivided heart, mind, soul and body

Pray and ask God that you be found amongst His remnant

Pain

Even true, faithful and blameless children of God experience excruciating pains (worries, sufferings, trials, afflictions & persecutions) of different forms.
When we are in pain we think all sorts of things and question most things and say all sorts of things.

I have been wondering what to share with you and I'm convinced God wants me to share on pain because sometimes when you go through pain it can be a very distressful time.

I hope this message encourages you and lifts  your spirit

Take heart

Have Peace in Jesus Christ

He who has given you victory before will give you victory now

Isaiah 63:9 In all their distress He too was distressed, and the angel of His presence saved them.

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you

John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

NOTE: Let me continue to emphasise the need for repentance at an individual level, family level, church level, national level etc because God says there is NO PEACE for the wicked but it is well with the righteous (Those who seek and do the will of God and not their own)
And even though the righteous of God may not see it but The Lord Knows how to save His righteous ones.

God loves you; Shalom

Oh Tree, Where are your fruits?

There is something that scriptures teaches us concerning being fruitful. By the Grace of God and His wisdom I want to unpack the message of being fruitful. To do so I will refer to scriptures on the subject.

Green leaves but no fruits

One day Jesus was hungry and went over to a fig tree so that He may find fruit to eat but there was none. Jesus then cursed the tree and by the next day the tree was already withered. Full story can be found in Mathew 21:18-22.

From afar Jesus could see green leaves on the fig tree. He went to the tree thinking He may find fruit to eat but there was no fruit not even one.

As I was researching about the fig tree I found out that a fig tree forms its first crop of figs before the leaves appear. And so the fruits can appear first before the leaves meaning when the leaves appear, the fruits would already be there so Jesus was not wrong in expecting fruit.

A Christian can likewise show signs of fruitfulness when in actual fact bearing no fruits. A Christian who is only a Christian by appearance is in danger of becoming cursed and withered. The Pharisees are an example, they dressed in priestly garments, memorised scriptures and followed religious acts of Sabbath, tithing and ceremonial duties.

Please hear me well, they were not wrong to do so. What was wrong is that IT WAS ALL FOR A SHOW. IT WAS ALL DONE TO BE SEEN BY OTHERS. They had green leaves which is very good but they lacked fruits which is very bad.

To see the Kingdom of heaven, our righteousness must surpass that of the Pharisees meaning we should have green leaves but we should excel and have fruits also. Whatever we do should be for the glory of God.

Of Age but no fruits

Jesus told a parable of how a man had planted a fig tree in his vineyard. For 3 years the man looked for fruit from his vineyard but found none. The man told the caretaker of the vineyard to cut down the tree because it was using up the soil for nothing but the caretaker asked that the tree be given 1year so that he might dig around it and fertilise it. If after it produces fruit then well and good and if not then it will be cut down. Full story can be found in Luke 13:6-9

When I was reading I found out that a fig tree usually takes 2 years and then it begins to bear fruit. So this fig tree was late in producing its fruits. Likewise most of us have known Christ for a long time. 

From the time we received Christ, we have been chosen that we may produce fruits. Some people can boast of 50 years in Christ which is noble except if it is just age without fruits. The question is as old as you & me are in Christ are we fruitful?

The saving grace for this tree is the caretaker who pleads on behalf of the tree. This is the Holy Spirit of God, Christ Himself and other believers who intercede on our behalf and as such God has extended mercy but it is time to produce fruits in keeping with repentance and righteousness and Holiness by the Holy Spirit.

A Fruitful Tree

A Christian bearing good fruits can be compared to a fruitful tree.

A Christian who walks in love for God and man, showing kindness without partiality, shunning all manner of evil, hardworking- never idle, disciplined, honest, honouring parents and elders, willing to share all good things with others, obedient to God’s commands, patient, speaking words of encouragement and correcting what is wrong, self-controlled and not addicted to anything, prayerful, fasting often, humble not proud and boastful, ethical, resourceful not wasteful, modest not extravagant, pure, innocent, merciful, bold to declare the power of God, peaceful and not violent, imitating God and not the ways of the world, seeking righteousness and holiness, compassionate, repentant, fearing God, hearing from God, seeking God’s will above one’s will, principled and following what is good.

Whatever is good, whatever is worthy, whatever is just and whatever was commended by God and man of our forefathers; that constitutes a number of the innumerable fruits that Jesus Christ is looking for in today’s believer.

Mathew 3:8  Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance

Philippians 1: 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God.

Galatians 5:22 -23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control...

Ephesians 5: 9 For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth

John 15:5 "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.

On a different note, please read this important message so that you may share with your loved ones, Click here

God bless & help us to be fruitful

Heavenward in Christ Jesus

Paul writes to the Philippians a good message. In chapter 3 he makes known that his confidence is not in his body or the law or any titles but that his confidence is in Christ. He also makes known his goal (the reason for his race) which is to get hold of his price for which God has called him heavenward.

Philippians 3:14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

He then urges readers to have the same view of things.

He urges that we should not put our confidence in our personal good works or acts of righteousness but that we should put confidence in Christ. Having also the righteousness that comes by faith in God.

Concerning righteousness some people have asked me why I teach that people especially women should dress modestly and embrace their natural beauty. Some have questioned this because according to them I’m teaching legalism (righteousness that comes from strict adherence to rules and laws). I want to address this and say that dressing modestly constitutes Holiness. And God requires us to be Holy just as He is Holy.

Peter said that Holy women of long ago did not dress themselves with braided hair, jewellery and expensive clothes but with gentleness and quietness. 1Peter 3:5 For this is the way Holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful….

For me personally it is about pleasing God and I have learnt that it pleases God that He should be glorified in my body as I follow the good example of Holy women in the past. The matter is even serious now that the Lord is calling for complete separation from the world. There must be a difference between Deborah and Delilah. A child of God should not look like those celebrities who do not have the fear of God.

Paul also urges that our focus should be the High Calling of God on our lives. He is saying in all we do we should be heaven focused and not earthly minded.

A child of God cannot afford to live as though the earth is their home. No!

Our citizenship is of heaven

Soon we will be home if we hold on to the truth and press toward the mark of the high calling. Do you know your calling?

Eternal Life is your calling

And as we live in this world waiting for our Saviour to call us home, we occupy until He comes.

This means we do not fold our hands and relax, No!

We continually activate the Grace given to us so that Christ is made manifest in our labour, conduct and speech.

And when He comes, we will receive gifts from Him for He is generous.

We should not copy or follow those who live as enemies of God. Enemies of God and the cross of Christ seek only to fill their stomachs, they glory in shameful things and their minds are on earthly things. Their destiny is destruction.

In these evil days people celebrate what is wrong and they trample on what is right. Many people seek riches without righteousness and holiness. Teachers teach only the blessings of God and make no mention of the wrath of God and His judgement.

But let only Christ be our confidence

Let only Christ be our boast

Let only our trust be in Christ

Till He comes may we run the race to get hold of the prize for which He is calling us heavenward. Amen!

A Faithful King/Priest/Leader/Servant

 In Christ we are a Chosen People, a Royal Priesthood and a  Holy Nation and as such every person can be categorized into one of the following:
King
Priest
Leader
Servant
Whichever category that a person may find themselves in there is a distinction that can & will be made between an Unfaithful King/Priest/Leader/Servant and a Faithful King/Priest/Leader/Servant
A distinction can & was made between  Saul & David
A distinction can & was made between Eli and sons & Samuel
A distinction can & was made between Korah & Moses
A distinction can & was made between Job's wife and friends & Job

The One who makes the distinction is God Almighty Himself. It is God who searches the intentions of a man's heart to see if he fears the Lord. A man who fears the Lord trembles at the Word of God. This means a man who fears the Lord is a doer of God's will.

Saul was a King. He fell short of his glory as King when he disobeyed the command of God to utterly destroy the Amalekites.
And then God chose a King after His own heart (David) to rule the people.

Acts 13:22..He raised up David to be their King, concerning whom He also testified and said, 'I HAVE FOUND DAVID the son of Jesse, A MAN AFTER MY HEART, who will do all My will.'

Eli was a full time priest in the house of God. He served God to his old age. In Eli's service as priest, he did not serve alone. He served together with his sons since they had been chosen as a tribe for the work of the Lord (Burning incense, receiving & preparing offerings and other ceremonial duties). Eli's sons Hophni & Phinehas did not fear God. They treated sacred and holy sacrifices and offerings of the Lord with contempt.
And so God desired to put them to death. God also raised for Himself a Priest after His own heart (Samuel) to take over from Eli.

1Samuel 2:34-35 This will be a sign to you which will come concerning your two sons, Hophni and Phinehas: on the same day both of them will die. But I will raise up for Myself a Faithful Priest who will do according to what is in My heart and in my soul; and I will build him an enduring house and he will walk before My Anointed always.

God called Moses and gave him the task to lead the Israelites from Egypt to Canaan. 
By virtue of God's call Moses became a leader together with Aaron and Miriam. 
God had chosen the tribe of Levi to be ministers in the tabernacle of the Lord. 
Among those ministering were Korah and Dathan. They were also leaders of Israel chosen by God. They however took action against Moses saying it was not Moses only who was holy but that they too were holy and could therefore perform duties of the Priest and so Korah, Dathan and other community leaders who had been appointed members of the council gathered against Moses.
Moses told them that in the morning God was going to choose who was His Chosen and Holy Leader. The next day God chose Moses and Aaron but Korah and his followers were all swallowed up to the grave alive.

Psalm 106:16-17 In the camp they grew envious of Moses and of Aaron, who was consecrated to the Lord. The earth opened up and swallowed Dathan; it buried the company of Abiram

When God was boasting about Job He called Job His servant. Job 1:8 Then the Lord said to satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”

Job’s wife however talked like a fool asking Job to lay down his integrity. Three of Job’s friends despite being wise men did not speak of God rightly.
So Job remained a Faithful Servant of God who spoke right about God and remained faithful to his God despite losing everything.

Job 42:8...You have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.

The conclusion of the matter is even in the house of God, God makes distinction between the Faithful and the Unfaithful. Being a King is good but being a Faithful King is excellent and brings glory to God. In the same manner God is glorified and pleased by Faithful Priest/ Leader/ Servant.
Obedience to God is important for every person who wishes to please God and receive a good report and inheritance from God.

God bless

Imitators of God

Oh how wide, how deep and incomprehensible is the love of God.

God is Love – not the love of mere feelings and emotions or mere words but great love to die for the whole world.

Ephesians 3:14-19 For this reason I kneel before the Father,from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

So sad how selfish and totally ignorant we are of the Love of God. 

We have not come to fully comprehend the love of God because if we had we would not do the things we do, we would not speak some of the things we speak or dress some of the ungodly ways we dress.

We fail to love God back. 

We fail to imitate God in showing love.

The price has already been paid by the Lamb of God and so no one needs to die again but all we need to do is to live our lives for Jesus and yet what do we do; we live our lives for ourselves.

2 Corinthians 5:15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

We do not even spare a second to find out what is pleasing to God so that we may do it. All our time is spent on pleasing ourselves. Most of the things we do, do not even please God at all and so we grieve the Holy Spirit whom we have received from God.

Ephesians 5:10 and find out what pleases the Lord.

What wretched people we are if we trample on the love that God has shown to us. It is a bad thing to repay good with evil. Should we repay the good that God has done for us with evil?

Proverbs 17:30 If you repay good with evil, evil will never leave your house.

Here is what we should do; we should be imitators of God.

Ephesians 5:1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.

There are many qualities of God to imitate. As I have already shared before in my previous posts; Holiness – God says, ‘Be Holy for I AM Holy.’ For without holiness no man will see the Lord

True Holiness comes from keeping oneself pure. A pure heart that thinks no evil towards anyone. A pure heart that does not habor resentment. A pure mind that thinks pure thoughts not violent thoughts or sexual fantasies or other evil thoughts. Pure eyes that do not allow darkness in. A pure body that is not exposed for everyone to see and lust at. A body that glorifies God, when people see they pass good comments. 

1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honourable, not in passionate lust like the pagans, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong or take advantage of a brother or sister. The Lord will punish all those who commit such sins, as we told you and warned you before. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.

For more reading on outward holiness click here

 Justice; God is Just and requires us to deal justly. For more reading on Justice click here

Righteousness for the nature of God is righteousness. To imitate God’s righteousness one needs to walk with God. Righteousness is a right walk with God whereby you do things that please God. 

1 Thessalonians 2:12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.

For more reading on righteousness click here

God is Merciful and if we want to imitate God we must also be merciful. Mercy pardons, it gives second chances even third or fourth. Those who show mercy will themselves be shown mercy.

God is Love. We must walk in Love, not as the world defines it but as God defines it. There is no love that leads people to sin against God, that is called deception. And loving God means loving my neighbour for anyone who says they love God and yet do not love their brother or sister is a liar.

Many people do not know this but God is a Hard Worker. Jesus imitated Our Father in demonstrating hard work in His mission. Jesus would wake up early to pray. He would even skip food so as to continue ministering because fulfilling His work was His mission.

John 5:17 In his defense Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working."

We should also imitate the Wisdom of God. We do this by reading the scriptures to find out more about God and Jesus. We should also ask for wisdom in prayer.

Ecclesiastics 7:12 For wisdom is protection just as money is protection, But the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the lives of its possessors.

God is Sovereign and no one can take His place. We should not desire the Sovereign position of God but we should celebrate it and also take our positions as heirs of God. We are God’s offspring, Royal Generation. Chosen people, ordained by God to produce good fruits. We have Dominion over the earth and dominion over our bodies.

1Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

We imitate God and glorify Him with our lives. We do all of it by living our lives by the Spirit of God who is our Helper and by living by faith. The world is groaning for this.

Romans 8:19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.

Do you trust in God?

God knows you by your name.

He knows even the number of the hairs in your head.

He also knows you need food and clothes and other things.

But that’s not the best part, the best part is God cares. I know this because God is Love and Love is Kind and Caring.

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.

No God cannot forget you!

Isaiah 49:15 "Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!

Has God not blessed you before?

Has God not provided for you before?

Has God not led you before?

What then can stop Him from doing even more?

But you have to trust in God.

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding

This is the biggest lesson of life; learning to trust God. And it is not an easy thing to do. Sarah laughed when she heard that she would be pregnant. The Israelites even though they had seen the wonders of God; the parting of the red sea they did not trust God but complained and grumbled against God in the wilderness.

Psalm 78:22 for they did not believe in God or trust in his deliverance.

You cannot Trust in God and at the same time speak or act contrarily. I have actually found that when I find it hard to trust in God and I’m tempted to complain all I have to do is to look back at the string of testimonies of God’s Love in my life then I find that I’m able to trust in God. 

Sometimes just hearing someone else’s testimony is enough to help me to keep trusting in God. God cannot just say Trust me from nowhere. He wants us to consider the works He has done in the heavens, on the earth, in our families, in our lives and in other people’s lives.

Psalm 78:7 Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.

God simply wants us to finally realise that He is not like other Gods who though they have eyes cannot see and though they have ears cannot hear. Other gods who cannot give life because they themselves do not have it.

Psalm 96:5 For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the LORD made the heavens.

God wants you to know without doubt that He is very real and very alive. A Real Father, A Real Friend, A Real Saviour, A Real Healer, A Real Helper……

John 15:14 You are My friends if you do what I command you.

But you cannot experience any of this if do not approach God. The cares of this life are many, we have many needs and wants. 

If you carry all of your burdens on your shoulders you get weary, you get sick, you get depressed and stressed. If you share your burdens with other people, they also get wearied and depressed or they gossip and laugh.

Psalm 108:12 Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.

But if you take it to Jesus; He will give you rest. This does not mean that you won’t cry or suffer. It means that even though you may cry and suffer you will always have a reliable and faithful companion leading you to victory for life.

Mathew 11:28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

But if you continue carrying your burdens, satan will find opportunity to take the Word of God from you and Jesus will come back at a time you are carrying your own burdens because you failed to trust in God and just as the Israelites who did not trust God did not see the promised land so those who fail to trust in God will not see the Kingdom of heaven.

Luke 21:34 But watch yourselves, or your hearts will be weighed down by dissipation, drunkenness, and the worries of life--and that day will spring upon you suddenly like a snare.

Remember even to Trust in God, we need God's help for we can do nothing by ourselves. So then let us ask the Holy Spirit of God to help with our unbelief. When Peter was sinking when he was trying to walk on water, he called out and Jesus helped him. Another man also believed and still he asked Jesus to help him.

Mark 9:24 Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"

God bless!