The Christian's Focus

The Christian's focus is based on the expectation of the future not the present. It's this focus in the early Christians that overcame the then powerful roman empire and obstacles to christianity's progression ever since.

Sacrifice of self - it's desires, ambitions and dispositions is a central teaching in the christian faith. Christianity accepted by the early/ first disciples is notably different from those preached now. The early disciples recognised that the wrath of God against all sin was eminent and in Christianity they saw a way of reconciling with God. The early Christians were willing to sacrifice themselves (including their live in some circumstances) to be saved from God's impending wrath knowing this was a much better option than to face the wrath of God.

Early Christians also recognised the importance of holiness in worship of God especially in thoughts, words and deeds. All this was because of their knowledge of an impending wrath against all sin.

Contemporary christians have a different perspective from this, christianity is now seen as the option to be saved from wrath after this life while attaining the best possible life in this one. This is very different from early christianity prespective.

Are both correct? Is one wrong? If one is wrong, then which one?

In 2 Peter 3, the bible clearly shows a notable day coming for the earth - the day of the Lord. A day of gloom, glory, death, destruction, ushering in of immortality to humaity, appearance of the resurrected Lord to all humanity, eternal damnation and eternal glory to humanity. It's this day the early Christians sought to be saved from and were willing to sacrifice their lives in obedience to God so that come that day they would have a good reward, for the day is a day of reward for everyone.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 & 1 Corinthians 15, the bible also explains the day of the Lord and the focus for the Christian. Are we ready for the day of the Lord? Do we know the requirements of being ready for the day of the Lord?? Is our focus the correct one??

The Christian's focus is to be ready for the Lord's coming everyday & night - to be spotless and untainted by this world (according to Christ's definition), to be blameless and doing what God wants us to do on earth (and would carry on doing in His Kingdom).

Heaven is the true Christian's reward - what we are on earth, determines what we would be in Heaven. A Word preacher/teacher on earth is entrusted with the growth of souls in Heaven through ministry of the Word/ eternal gospel. Similarly, a worship leader, a worshipper, a financier, etc.

Can our actions/ focus be found in Heaven?? Are we seeking after true treasures on earth?? The Christian focus is recognition that I can be held accountable today - are my thoughts/ actions/ ways/ words/ dispositions acceptable before the Lord??

May our focus be right and the Lord take delight in focus, amen.

The Kingdom

In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 3: 1-2

The Kingdom of God is an essential part of the gospel of Christ, particularly relevant for the current time. Christ teaching His disciples to pray said the following –

And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth. Luke 11: 2.

Notable from the passage above is that the kingdom of this world/earth is distinctly different from that of Christ (hence the need for the Father’s will to be done in earth as it is in heaven and also that the Father's Kingdom come). Consequently, it is explicit that our ways of doing things and achieving results in this world is vastly different from God’s way. Infact, it can also be deduced that the things we do or aim to achieve is vastly different from what things are done and how achievements are sought in God’s Kingdom.

John the Baptist illustrates the wide gap between what humanity knows on earth to God’s Kingdom in his message preaching repentance as illustrated in Matthew 3:1-2 above. John states that the kingdom of heaven (which being of God) is at hand but it required repentance from men. John stated his message over 2,000years ago and it is still relevant today for all who would translate from the kingdom of this world to God's.

Someone might say – am I in a kingdom in this world? The bible teaches that 2 major kingdoms exists – the kingdom of light (which is God’s) and the kingdom of darkness (which belongs to the fallen angel lucifer, also known as the devil). In reality, every creation either worships God or the devil while in this world. After departure from this world the obscurity is removed – those who worship God on earth, find themselves in His Kingdom and carry on worship Him there, those who worship the devil on earth similarly find themselves in the devil’s kingdom and are made to worship the devil there.

The kingdom of God and the devil are exact opposites – while God delights in goodness and a love relationship as supports for worship, the devil greatly desires cruelty as support for worship. Ultimately, the devil wants to be worshipped with his subjects absolutely loathing the circumstance in which this is done. It is the only way the devil can have a different kingdom from God's – to be distinctly different from God. If the devil yields even slightly and embraced goodness/ love then he loses his kingdom and becomes subjected to God’s kingdom in which these are found.

And what is the devil’s motive? To be free from worship & service to God and this is exactly why the devil recruits into his kingdom often insidiously through deceit. The devil knowing faced with the truth of consequence of service to him or God, he would not be able to lead much astray instead chooses to deceive humanity through enticements and lies. In the human world the devil's enticements are in lust (which vary from sexual lusts, alcoholic lust, substance lust to even lust after power/ control) , finances and pride broadly, by attempting to focus humanity on these the devil seeks to distract from God and ultimately to himself.

God’s kingdom is based on love. God knows that humanity live in a world where darkness is prevalent and though Christ God has ushered His kingdom into this world and revealed it’s working to men. The working of the Kingdom of God starts with salvation & devotion to God’s way and progresses to service to God & others through love.

Humanity has to make a choice - whether to serve God or the devil. Convention is inclined to skew the choice to the devil but God is now reversing convention. In love He is calling all humanity into His Kingdom and His way of doing things. His call is going to completely destroy the devil's kingdom also, as God is ready to show His Kingdom to the world. In His Word He calls this the glorious appearing of the Kingdom of His Son (Titus 2:13).

He is now bringing to fore, His Kingdom and the devil's - those whom through faith in Christ choose the kingdom of God qualify to enter into the goodness and love that His Kingdom is based on, while those that reject choose the devil's kingdom. The absolute goodness of God that surpasses human conception is also being revealed while the absolute cruelty that is more than what humanity can understand is also on offer for those who choose the devil's kingdom either knowingly or deceived. The devil is also to receive what his kingdom is about - destruction.

The choice is humanity's - some call it the harvest time and others kingdom fulfilment. May we all dwell forever in Christ's Kingdom - let the doubting/ unbelieving choose it now.

Anatomy of the Body: Head

1 Corinthians 12:12,27 shows the church bears strong similitude to a human body. Consequently, the church arrangement and function is just like the human physical body.

The Head is at the crest of the body and is the most adorned/ endowned of all body parts/members. By itself, the Head has limited function but it's adornments make it a vital member of the body. All the adornment of the Head serve a specific purpose of exaltation for the Head. Without the adornments of the Head, it is bereft of it's celebrated status and the specific purpose it's adornment help it achieve.

Adornments:

• Hair/ Moustashe/ Beard:

Hair is given as a covering and adornment to the Head. Predominantly at the top, hair covers the Head and adorns it. That it may not distract and prevail over the Head itself, it is granted that hair should grown mainly at the top and back of the Head. Top for prominence of endowment of adornment (more visible and esteemed positioning) and behind for reduced prominence even in giving adornment. If all the Head was covered with hair, it would be an adornment but it would be too conspicious and monotone an adornment for the Head, so as one of several adornments of the Head, hair is at the top and behind mainly.

The assignment of hair to the Head also varies slightly by gender. For the male man, it is granted that hair grow in the front that it also might be a visible endownment of adornment to the Head in addition to the norm. Beard and moustache are granted to male men for greater adornment and natural confirmation of their role as assigned "head" in relationship involving male and female man. This is correct not just for human but in cattle and beast alike where the male is endowned with more facial hair (eg Lions, goat, Fowls of the air) but this anatomy is limited to the human body.

The length of hair also indicates the greater adornment and it's for this reason that propriety is worship pertaining to the hair is preached. Women with longer hair and consequently more adornment should cover their hair in worship (and in so doing abase themself). Elders prostrate and worship before the Potentate casting down crowns and it is fitting that women cover their hair in worship. It is not encourage for male men to keep long hair and it is reproachful and a pursuit of more endownment when more has already been given as beard/ moustache. Propriety in worship for men pertains to maintaining short hair (and consequently less adornment)while women who keep long hair should cover it before their Maker in worship.

1 Corinthians 11:13-15, 1 Peter 3:3-4

• Eyes/ Eye lashes:

Another member on the Head are eyes and it is also granted that eyes would have hair just above them and to cover them as eye lashes. The Head is endowned with 2 eyes for various reasons. The first is completeness - as eyes come in pair they are lacking nothing. Eyes provide sight to the body and it is completely sufficient in attaining this goal so that there is no need for recourse to another in providing vision to the body. The eyes of the body are complete as they come in pairs. Secondly, a pair of eyes also indicate the sufficiency of a relationship with each other, for all the eyes sees, it is never filled looking without but rather sufficiency comes but introspection and understanding true vision is found within and not without the body.

The eyes are an important adornment of the Head and have hair also as an adornment for them - making the eyes the only adornment with an adornment of its own. There is the brows at the top of the eyes and lashes on the lids covering the eyes to give the eyes adornment. The human eyes are perculiar with this adornment and it shows the prominence the human eyes have in influencing man. The human eye is his most prominent sense and influences humans the most just like scent is for dogs for example. The eyes are less adorned by hair when open and being used but more adorned by the lashes when shut. There's greater wisdom in relying less on sight perception.

• Ears:

There are two ears just like there are two eyes. Ears are an adornment and is the name given to extensions out of the side. Corn have ears (Matthew 12:1) - several but men are peculiar in that they have ears primarily for hearing. It sticks out the sides of the head for recognition partly and also as an aid for further adornment. It is possible to hear without ears if there isn't blockage further emphasizing that ears are for endorsement.

• Mouth/Tongue/ Teeth:

There's just one mouth and tongue, although both have two lips for covering. The mouth is given for feeding - it is incomplete by itself if not fed, hence it's solitude. The mouth finds completeness outside itself. The mouth is also for speech and it's solitude indicates to soliloquy or engage in monologue are not it's preferred option. Endless dialogue by the mouth is also not encouraged by the natural order. Like the eyes, the shut mouth is complete as it is covered by 2 lips (complete pair) but the natural ability to change this indicates the need for care with utterances and wisdom therein. Also, that the mouth can open and shut also show silence is the the preferred way for the mouth.

The mouth has a tongue - it aids taste and intimate activity such as kissing. The tongue is singular as it's completeness is found besides itself. The tongue is also inside the mouth/head so it may not be separated from the head. It is an essential part of the mouth/ head and it's defect state appears no different from it's functional state. If the tongue is not loosed then there is muteness/ dumbness (Luke 1:64). The tongue is sparsely ever completely defect though - it is one of the most functional members of the body. Even if tightened the tongue would still aid taste. Because it is so functional/ important the tongue has no adornment of it's own and appears base/ bland seemingly a lower member of the body but it is one of the most important. This is not only true for men but beast as well - horses as strong/ powerful as they are can be controlled by their tongues. The tongue is an extremely powerful member of the body.

The teeth in the mouth increase with age and this is not related to gender or height or weight or body specific attributes indicating teeth are for activity connected with age. Aiding feeding is one of the functions of the teeth and protection of the tongue is another. Teeth come in pairs indicating that they are complete by design. Teeth are also unique in adding adornment for their appearance. All the other adornments of the head are made of flesh but the eyes & teeth are different. The teeth is a strong guard for the tongue and serves it well. The tongue would accept palatable taste but is not subtle enough to separate such that may harm the body from those that wouldn't. The teeth breaks down all palatable (and sometimes unpalatable) tastes accepted by the tongue without recourse to it's own decisioning.

• Nose/Nostrils:

Men have 1 nose but 2 nostrils as the nose by itself is incomplete. God breathed the breath of life into man's nostrils (Genesis 2:7) indicating that those the nose by itself is incomplete and cannot give life to the body. With God's breath however, the nose find completeness and this is indicated in the nostrils - the main passage of the nose. So while the nose is incomplete by itself, the nostrils show completeness by being in pairs but this completeness not of it's own but by God.

Psalms 8: 1 - 9

Christ Himself is the body and the members of the Body are also Him. Christians simply are ingrafted into Him by His Spirit, some to the Head,others to other parts of the Body. Christ is the Head and rightly endowned and adorned. A worthy King to be worshipped...

Colossians 1: 17-20
And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. And He is the Head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

2 Houses.... One Lord

1 Kings 12, Ezekiel 37

Faced with the prospect of two opposing counsels, Rehoboam chose to follow his comtemporaries's. It proved a catasphoric decision and the kingdom he inherited from his father, Solomon, was subsequently greatly reduced from his reign.

Israel with 10 tribes was ruled over by Jeroboam while Rehoboam reigned over 2 tribes - Judah. An attempt to redress the situation and subjugate Israel back under Rehoboam was rejected by the Lord. Both nations grew apart subsequently.

Israel's history ensued and in Jeroboam's reign he created idols specifically to retain his rule. These idols were a snare to Israel during and after Jeroboam's reign. While Judah later grew to know the Lord's judgement, Israel grew in growing disparity from Him.

Eventually, Israel/ Ephraim became joined to it's idols and was let go (Hosea 4:17). Judah knew His discipline over time and eventually the Saviour of all mankind came from Judah.

Christ came to save... He also came to unite. Believers with unbelievers, faithful believers with unfaithful ones etc. He came that none may perish and He truimphed in this mission.

There are two houses/nations but now one Lord. The house of Israel not embracing judgment, Judah embracing judgement. There's one Lord over both - David. An antetype of Christ - a King who serves and embraces judgment.

Even so the Lord is in the midst and has achieved the unity of His church. He's the reigning King over those who judge (Judah), He is also Lord over those who would not (Israel). The Lord loves judgement and it's His preferred way (Isaiah 61:8, Psalms 33:5), together with Righteousness they form the foundation of His throne (Psalms 97:2). However, He also reserves mercy for those who would not embrace His judgement none judge.

There should now be no animosity or division in the Body - let everyone take their stand. Those to live by Mercy, to. Those by Mercy and Disciple also. His command has gone forth and there shall be unity between both houses - Israel and Judah. They are 2 houses but now there is but just one Lord over both. They shall never be divided again.

1 Kings 12:24 "Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel: return every man to his house; for this thing is from me. They hearkened therefore to the word of the LORD, and returned to depart, according to the word of the LORD."

Ezekiel 37:22 "And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all. "

A Great Love Story...

She was young when she met him and they got married.

She served his God, forsaking her's and cleaved to his family... they were one.

It wasn't long before her husband died and all that was left of his family was his ageing mother.

Her life was disrupted... she had embraced change but yet the settings for change were not maintained long enough. Faced with the decision whether to return and restart her life again, she chose to carry on with the changes she had learnt. She chose to do things God's way and demonstrate commitment to her husband's family. She stayed with her ageing mother in law and decided to even leave her country to her mother in law's regardless of the lure of a better life.

There she met with favour.... a man willing to marry her though she was a foreigner. He was a man of integrity and means. He persevered and married her even though the consequences for him was probable loss of his fortune to inheritance laws/customs.

Finally she had a husband - a honourable man. It was a long way from when her first husband died. She had embraced change, a lowly life and finally she had good fortune.

Her situation got even better - she soon became pregnant. She delivered and her baby lived with the mother in law becoming a nurse to it. The child became the mother in law's and a hope for the mother in law's future.

Ruth had given her all to her mother in law and God gave her a child also. She demonstrated great love and her actions were honourable. So honourable God has perpetuated her name through time - never to be forgotten and remembered in every generation.

Not sufficient to do this, He has also included her child in the lineage of his blessed son. She would never be forgotten and her great love has opened the door for many. The book of Ruth is testament to her love and sacrifice.... she's the undoubted star of it.

The message of Easter is a message of Ruth - great love pertains great sacrifice and in it is redemption and restoration.

Ruth 4: 14 - 15. And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. And he shall be unto thee a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him.

Abortion

Psalm 127: 1 - 5
Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep.

For men, planning is essential - we plan families, businesses, careers and alot of material things in the world. As ruler on the earth, we are used to taking the lead in most situations and determining outcomes. This is no different for pregnancy - often pregnancy is desired in the stability of conjugal union/ marriage and when this is not the case a termination/ abortion is often the sought solution.

Our efforts and endeavours in this life only succeed as they fit into the overall scheme of God. He is the only One who can both systematically and specifically manage all creation, so that He maintains general detailed control but yet with particular attention to all. God is the builder and nothing in all of creation (the whole expanse of the universe and also the unseen world) happens without His foreknowledge and at least permission.

And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; ....Acts 17:26.

Before any birth on earth, He knows. He determines before any human is born on earth exactly where we would be born, what our nationalities would be, what influences we would grow under etc. All these details are determined by Him first and established through human action in procreation.

Though it may seem like accidents to men - God already had a plan and these include unwanted pregnancy. He (God) is the Giver and Sustainer of Life.

Psalms 127 show that men's plans are furtile without God but purposely in conjuction with His. Next, in the last 2 verses it establishes a very important truth that is connected with the first declaration.

Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

Children are an endowment of God to men no matter when they come or if planned/ convienent. Procreation is also His reward - for married couples, a reward to their union and continued destiny while for unmarried couples, a reward and acceptance of them inspite of their situation. It is also correct that for unmarried couples with a pregnant partner that the child has been given that the may no longer be self focused and self gratifying but rather become selfless and considerate of another life. So in their reward (conception) is correction for a deficit state and an excellent opportunity for escape from it and progression.

Though undesired, children are a weapon to fight evil against - the more men have, the less time to think on sexual desires and the more time can be devoted to raising such kids. As men think less of themselves and more on others they walk more in God's preferred way that is Charity.

Abortion is a prevalent evil but God has a plan for the child's life still and also a good plan for the parent. If we would trust Him and allow Him show us His purpose in situations rather than rushing into abortion, He would certainly not fail men.

Some have committed abortion but God is merciful. It is better to obey but best to do so with an understanding of why obedience is important. He has commanded not to kill and He meant it.

Seasons & Prayer

2 Kings 13: 14 - 20

Joash did evil during his reign and like his predecessor confined Israel to a difficult time through his choice. Joash was fortunate though – a mighty prophet lived during his time.

Perplexed at the military situation, Joash consulted the prophet and wept at the predicament. Elisha, though sick entertained Joash’s request and sought to make redress. Elisha’s solution was to redress the situation using the grace on his ministry. He called for mundane weapons of war and rather than have the king use them, he insisted they did it together - Joash on the war front but with Elisha’s grace on him.

Once this was done, Elisha proclaimed victory – a certainty!! He then went even further and offered the king an opportunity for complete victory by instructing the king to strike the ground with the same arrows. Joash was undiscerning though – the arrow shot through the window together with Elisha was at the specified “enemy” and victory in battle was assured. The arrows striking the ground were not just at the enemy in battle but the land of the enemy as well.

If Elisha was holding the king’s hand when the arrows struck the ground, 3 times could have been enough, for Elisha had much grace upon his ministry to achieve much with minimal effort. Joash didn’t carry the same portion of grace and would have needed more effort to achieve the same.

Infact, Elisha could have done this if Joash’s initial request included total victory over the Syrians but Joash only requested victory in battle. The second offer was a bonus and a unique opportunity – it depended on how much Joash truly wanted complete victory and an understanding of God’s position in giving such. Joash’s attempt revealed he didn’t and he subsequently missed the opportunity!!

Elisha died afterwards and the opportunity was gone for it was connected to Elisha…. Season changed. There was another way though and it wasn’t depended on anyone outside of self (not even Elisha) ….
1 Chronicles 7: 14
1 Thessalonians 5:17
James 5:16b
Luke 18:1,7