Day 20 – How do I restore Broken Relationships?

How do I restore Broken Relationships?

Today’s topic touched on an important area – dealing with broken relationships and how to restore them. Since we know that God is love, He wants us to value relationships and make the effort of maintaining them instead of discarding them because of a rift, hurt or a conflict – 2 Corinth. 5 vs. 18 – All this is from God who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.

We need to be reminded of the importance of getting along with each other, since our ability to get along with each other truly is a mark of respect [Philippians 2 vs. 1-2; Rom. 15 vs. 5]. More importantly, since the Lord Jesus wants us to be known for our love for one another, a broken fellowship will be a terrible testimony to unbelievers - John 13 vs. 35 – By this all men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another. We also need to settle matters quickly [1 Corinth. 6 vs. 5; 1 vs. 10], to be peacemakers even though it may be hard work [Matt. 5 vs. 9] as this is a very important skill to develop.

But before we try to resolve conflicts we need to speak to God first concerning it. Chances are God would have worked on the heart of the other person because you asked Him to. One of the main reasons for conflict with one another tends to be unmet needs. We need to realise and come to terms with the fact that No one but God can meet our needs – James 4 vs. 1 – 2 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? After speaking to God about the matter, we need to take the initiative regardless of if we are the offender or the offended as God expects us to make the first move. Jesus even reminded us of priority of mending rifts [Matt. 5 vs. 23 – 24]. So if our relationship is strained or broken to see to it that a peace conference is planned immediately, not to procrastinate or make excuses but to act quickly, as delay only deepens resentment, affects our walk with God, keeps our prayers from being answered [1 Pet. 3 vs. 7; Prov. 28 vs. 9] and a senseless thing to do - Job 5 vs. 2 – Resentment kills a fool and envy slays the simple.

To work towards trying to prevent conflicts, we need to sympathise and pay close attention on other people’s feelings [Philip. 2 vs. 4], to listen to what they have to say and be able to look past our indifferences [Rom. 15 vs. 2], and finally to do like Jesus who endure unfounded malicious accusations and anger in order to save just me [Rom. 15 vs. 3]. We also need to admit to our own mistakes [Matt. 7 vs. 5; 1 John 1 vs. 8] as confession of our mistakes is a very powerful tool in dealing with or prevention of broken relationships. We also have to bear in mind that we will never get our point across by being cross, and to choose our words wisely [Prov. 15 vs. 1; Prov. 16 vs. 21], to say words that lifts and not condemns [Eph. 4 vs. 29; Rom. 12 vs. 18]. It may cost us our pride or self centeredness, but we must try and resolve conflicts and live in peace with one another immediately [Rom. 12 vs. 10; Philip. 2 vs. 3]. God expects unity not uniformity and we can walk together without necessary agreeing on the same issue.

Lessons learnt on Day 20 – so you ask me, what have I learnt from today’s lesson, well I am happy to inform you that I have been reminded and made aware of the need to work hard at living in peace with one another – 1 Pet. 3 vs. 11 - He must turn from evil and do good, he must seek peace and pursue it. So at this juncture I would like to ask you the reader this question, who do you need to restore a broken relationship with? We really need to make haste – Pray to God concerning it for directions and immediately resolve it.

Day 19 – Cultivating a Community

Cultivating a Community

Today’s lesson is also a continuation from previous lessons, and it touched on creating and cultivating a good community. In order to cultivate a community, a great amount of commitment is required; but will only work with the Holy Spirit involved, as He is the only One that can create real fellowship between believers and He does this through our choices and commitment [Ephesians 4 vs. 3]. Cultivating a community takes both God’s power and our effort to produce one [1 Tim. 3 vs. 11 – 15]

We also need honesty in cultivating community. And to do this, we need to be honest with each other and be able to speak up when we feel there are things sabotaging our fellowship with others, and not to allow fear to prevent us from speaking up and speaking the truth [Ephesians. 4 vs. 15; Prov. 24 vs. 26; Gal. 6 vs. 1-2]. This is the reason why many groups remain superficial because they are afraid of conflict and this is how sick environments where gossip thrives ends up being created [Eph. 4 vs. 25]. And in being honest, being frank goes hand in hand. Be it in friendship, marriage or in the church [Prov. 28 vs. 23]. But speaking up and being frank does not give us a license to say whatever we want and we need to be careful not to be rude or use thoughtless words [1 Tim. 5 vs. 1 – 2]. To bear in mind that there is a right time and a right way for everything to be said [Ecc. 8 vs. 6] and it is our responsibility to speak out to our brothers and sisters in Lord [1 Corinth. 5 vs. 3 – 12].

Humility is also another requirement in cultivating a community as self importance, smugness and stubborn pride destroys fellowship [1 Pet. 5 vs. 5]. Being humble is also important because pride actually blocks God’s grace in our lives. And in order to develop humility we need to admit to our weakness, be patient with others and be open to correction, not trying to hug the spot light [Rom. 12 vs. 16; Phil. 2 vs. 3 – 4].

Important nugget - Humility is not thinking less of yourself – it all about thinking of yourself less and thinking more of others. Therefore we need to be a little more courteous, and be considerate to other people’s feelings [Rom. 15 vs. 2]. To bear in mind that difficult people are brought into our lives for a reason and should be seen as an opportunity for growth and test of friendship regardless of who they are or their tendencies. To understand that they are part of us and should be defended well [Rom. 12 vs. 12]. And in order to understand them, we can help them by trying to understand where they are coming from or their views by trying to discover their history to find out what they’ve been through. And instead of thinking how far they still have to go to think about how far they’ve come.

We also need to allow an atmosphere of confidentiality. To always try to create an environment where people can feel safe and open up. I.e. what is said in the group stays in the group. As we know that God hates gossip especially when it has been thinly disguised as a “prayer request” [Prov. 16 vs. 28]. To confront those who are fixed on breaking the fellowship [Titus 3 vs. 10], build genuine fellowship [Heb. 10 vs. 25] and invest time in the Fellowship.

Day 18 – Experiencing life together

Experiencing life together

What did I learn today? Well today’s lesson was more of a follow up from yesterday’s lesson and more of a reaffirmation that my life is meant to be shared. Even the Lord Jesus spoke of the importance of sharing and being in a group - Matt. 18 vs. 20 – for wherever two or three come together in my name, there am I with them. This is because in sharing I am able to reveal my feelings and confess my failures in an honest way. Yet this is hard. It is difficult to find groups and an atmosphere of honesty and humility as this tends to be replaced with pretending, role playing and superficial politeness. With people wearing masks and acting like all is well – but real fellowship requires openness with our lives – 1 John 1 vs. 7 – 8 – But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His son, purifies us from all sin.

I know I don’t want to take the risk of exposure and rejection (I mean who does), but this is the only way to grow spiritual – James 5 vs. 16b – therefore, confess your sin to each other so that you may be healed, and yet I am told that I can only grow by taking risks, with myself and with others. Sharing my life with others also helps in encouraging mine and the faith of others. In real fellowship we experience mutuality – Rom. 1 vs. 12 – that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith – Rom. 12 vs. 10 – be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honour one another above yourself – as I am more consistent in my faith when others walk with me and encourage me [Rom. 14 vs. 19]. I am an encouragement to others when I experience sympathy for them. By entering in and sharing the pain their pain and not some quick advice or cosmetic help; Col. 3 vs. 12 – Therefore as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility gentleness and patience . Therefore, when I understand and affirm the feeling of others, I build fellowship [Phil. 3 vs. 10; Heb. 10 vs. 33 – 34; Gal. 6 vs. 2]. And building fellowship helps in time of deep crisis, grief and doubt, because that is when I need others the most. Especially when circumstances crush to the point that my faith begins to falter, believing friends are what I need the most.

From previous experiences I could see the importance of friends in my life, and Job’s life is a typical example – Job 6 vs. 14 – A despairing man should have the devotion of his friends, even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty. This is because mercy is experienced in real fellowship. Mercy is very important in my walk with God, especially when I stumble and fall, and require help getting back on track – 2 Corinth. 2 vs. 7 – Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow

To summarise – sharing my life with others will require a great deal of forgiveness [Col. 3 s. 12], as bitterness and resentment destroy fellowship. And because I am imperfect I might inevitably hurt others sometimes intentionally, some times unintentionally and each and every one of us will always have that issue to deal with – Col. 3 vs. 13 – Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive, as the Lord forgave you. Therefore as I embark on sharing my life with others, I will always bear in mind that God’s mercy to me is more than enough motivation for me to show mercy to others.

Day 17 – Somewhere to belong

Somewhere to belong

Just this evening as I walked home to my apartment block, I was thinking to myself how I’ve never really belonged anywhere. How I felt moving around throughout my childhood, my teens and now my adulthood could be the reason for it. So imagine my shock when it was the topic of my study.

That God has called and created me to belong, not just to believe and be isolated, but to belong, as I cannot fulfil God’s purpose for myself by myself. So whilst my relationship with Christ is personal, God never intended it to be private, because He intended me to be connected to every believer, to belong to each other for eternity – Rom. 12 vs. 5 – so in Christ we who are many form one body and each member belongs to all the other.

So since I am created for a specific purpose, attaching myself to a living, local church is important because only through my relationship with others will I discover my role in life [Ephesians 4 vs. 16]. This explains why whenever we have a spiritual decline; the first thing that goes is our church attendance which causes us to be disconnected from the body. So for me to say that the church is not very important in my life is arrogant and ignorant. For God’s word says in Ephesians 5 vs. 25 – Christ loved His church to give His life for it. The church is called the bride and body of Christ for a reason [2 Corinth. 11 vs. 2; Eph. 5 vs. 27; Rev. 19 vs. 7], and I am commanded to love it [1 Pet. 2 vs. 17].

Therefore, I am no longer a foreigner or an alien but a fellow citizen with God’s people and household, and this knowledge encourages me especially when I feel like a misfit. Understanding the importance of church family is also of significance. As being part of a church family identifies me as a genuine believer [Obviously I can’t claim to be following Christ if I’m not committed to any specific group of disciples – John 13 vs. 35 – by this all men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another ] and serves as a powerful witness to the world. Being part of a church also moves me from my self centred isolation to living to practice my unselfish sympathetic life that God has given me, to care for others and share the experiences of others. In doing so, develops my spiritual strength, and encouraging, praying, greeting, serving, teaching, accepting, submitting, devoting, forgiving and submitting to others becomes my family responsibilities, which cannot happen in isolation, as isolation breeds deceitfulness.

So even though it is easy to fool myself into thinking I am mature when there are no challenges, real maturity only shows up when I deal with others in my relationships, which requires more than the bible, as the company of others will help me to grow by learning from them and being accountable to each of them. I also have to bear in mind that I have a unique role to play in my relationship with others, as God has gifted me for my unique assignment. And has designed my local fellowships to help me discover, develop and use my gifts. So even though I might have in addition to my service in the church a wider ministry, God has gifted me in the building of His church – 1 Corinth. 12 vs. 12 - 27.

Lessons Learnt on Day 17

That God has called me to belong and to share in Christ’s mission in the world. As He works through us in the world, for that reason I have been given my contribution to make - Eph. 2 vs. 10 – For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. That my church community is there to help me from backsliding as I’m not immune to temptation. 1 Corinth. 10 vs. 12; Jer. 17 vs. 9; 1 Tim. 1 vs. 19; Heb. 3 vs. 13; Therefore it is my / our duty and responsibility to go after one another that I / we feel is wavering; James 3 vs. 19 – 20 – because the devil loves detached believers as he knows that they are defenceless and powerless against his tactics. So I want to take this opportunity to thank my local church here, RCOGIC, my Home church Calvary International Ministry UK, my bible study group and now TERC for allowing me into their family. What a place to belong.

Day 16 – My love matters most to God

My love matters most to God

Because God is love, the most important lesson He wants me to learn on earth is how to love, because it is in loving that I am most like Him, since Love is the foundation of the command He has given to us [Galatians 5 vs. 14]. The entire law is summed up in a single command – “Love your neighbour as yourself” – but loving like this is not an easy task. That’s why God has asked us to give special attention in loving God’s people because He wants us to be known for our love more than anything – 1 Pet. 2 vs. 17 – show proper respect to everyone. Love the brotherhood of believers, Fear God, honour the king. Galatians 6 vs.1. John 13 vs. 35 – By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. To be in regular, close fellowship with other believers so that I can develop the skill of loving – as it cannot be learned in isolation. To do this, I need to be around people – irritating imperfect frustrating people.

God also wants me to make love my life’s greatest aim [1 Corinth. 14 vs. 1]; to follow the way of love, as life without love really is worthless -1 Corinth. 13 vs. 3 – If I give all I posses to the poor and surrender my body to the flames that I may boast, but have not love, I gain nothing. To make relationship what my life is all about [even the 10 commandments deals with our relationship with God and with others Ex. 20 vs. 1 – 17 & Deut. 5 vs. 6 – 21; Matt. 22 vs. 37 – 40].

So after learning to love God (Worship), learning to love others is another purpose of my life - not allowing my job or how busy I am gets in the way. And though Love (including Faith and Hope) last forever [and the greatest of this is LOVE – 1 Corinth. 13 vs.13], knowing that I will be evaluated on my love to others and how I treated others, especially those in need Matt. 25 vs. 34 – 46, should be something for me to focus my attention on. Bearing in mind that when I get to eternity all I will have with me will be my character, not the wealth I’ve spent my time building – Gal. 5 vs. 6.

Prayer

Help me dear Lord this day you have given me to be spent on loving people. NOT TO WASTE IT. To remember that my time is the greatest gift I could possible give to someone – 1 John 3 vs. 18 – Let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. And to use it wisely. In Jesus Name I’ve prayed Amen.

Lessons learnt on day Day 16

I ask my self - How much do I give of myself or how much focused attention do I give? What message I’m I giving? Does it say I value you enough to give you my precious asset? Well I know that giving my time, sends out that I am making a sacrifice, and sacrifice is love – which Christ did for me – Eph. 5 vs. 2.

So even though I can give without loving, I realise that I can’t love without giving. Gal 6 vs. 10; Eph. 5 vs. 16; Prov. 3 vs. 27 - Therefore as you have this opportunity let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers; and find out what pleases God; Do not with hold good from those who deserve t, when it is in your power to act. Therefore from this day onward I declare - that my life is all about love, and to make relationships my first priority (especially in places or with people I have ignored). So this is to you all reading this, I love you all. Especially my new found TERC family. That obviously means if you want me to love u better come and join us. LOL.

Day 15 – I was formed for God’s family

I was formed for God’s family

So what have I learnt on Day 15 of this series? Well it was more of a confirmation that I was formed for God’s family. That the creator of the World wanted a family and He chose to create little old me to be part of it. The knowledge that this is God’s purpose for my life, and was planned before I was conceived fillls me with contentment - Ephesians 1 vs. 5. Even though God didn’t need a family, He simply desired it, all so that He could share all He has with me - as this give Him great pleasure – James 1 vs. 18 – He chose to give us birth through words of truth that we might be a kind of first fruits of all he created.

And all I need to do is simply place my faith in Christ and immediately God becomes my father, and I become His child. Even though everyone is created by God, not all are children of God, as the only way to get into God’s family is by being born again into it – 1 Pet. 1 vs. 3; Rom. 8 vs. 15. Yes the invitation is universal, but the condition is to have faith in Jesus Christ – Galatians 3 vs. 26. And trust the Lord, because there is a lot of privileges and benefits that involves being part of God’s family.

As everything belongs to God, being in Christ means I get to inherit it all.

Since, I’m in Christ, and created for eternity,

• I get to be with God for ever – 1 Thess. 5 vs. 10; 4 vs. 17.
• Be completely changed to be like Christ – 1 John 3 vs. 2; 2 Corinth. 3 vs. 18.
• Be freed from all pain, death and suffering – Rev. 21 vs. 4.
• Be rewarded and reassigned positions of service – Mark 9 vs. 41; Mark 10 vs. 30; 1 Corinth. 3 vs. 8; Heb. 10 vs. 35; Matt. 25 vs. 21 – 23.
• Share in Christ glory – Rom. 8 vs. 17; Col. 3 vs.4; 2 Thess. 2 vs.14; 2 Tim. 2 vs. 12; 1 Pet. 5 vs. 1.
• And His assurance that my inheritance is priceless, pure, permanent and protected. No matter what I face, no one can take it from me and something for me to look forward to.

But to be recognised as part of a family public identification of myself is necessary – this includes baptism, which is a participation in the fellowship of God’s family – 1 Corinth. 12 vs. 13.

To summarise – to be included in God’s family is the highest honour and the greatest privilege I will ever receive, as nothing comes close. And whenever I feel unimportant, unloved or insecure, to remember my family in Christ and recognise them.

Day 14 – When my God seems distant

When my God seems distant

It is easy for me to worship God when things are going great in my life, but circumstances are not always pleasant. So how do I worship God then, when I’m faced with unpleasant circumstances? I have learnt that the deepest level of worship is praising God in spite of my pain, thanking Him during my trial, trusting Him when tempted, surrendering while suffering and loving Him when He seems distant. This can be difficult, but because I’ve spent time getting to know Him, it’s a little less easy for me to trust Him.

I have found that to mature my friendship with God, God will test it with periods of seeming separation (even though He is there); with times when it feels as if He has abandoned or forgotten me. Even David a man called after “God’s own heart” frequently complained of God’s apparent absence – Psalm 10 vs. 1 – Why, O Lord do you stand far off, why do you hide yourself in times of trouble. Psalm 22 vs. 1 – My God, my God why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning? Psalm 43 vs. 2 – You are God my stronghold, why have you rejected me? Why must I go about mourning oppressed by the enemy – Psalm 74 vs. 11; Psalm 88 vs. 14; Psalm 89 vs. 49].

Yet Deut. 31 vs. 8 reminds me that my God will never leave me nor forsake me even when I’m faced with circumstances when He feels distant.

Even though God admits in Isaiah 45 vs. 15 and 8 vs. 17 that He hides His face from me and appears to be missing out of my life, especially when I’ve sought Him and haven’t been able to find Him, that though it’s painful and disconcerting, it is absolutely important for the development of my faith, bearing in mind that God is always present even when I was unaware of Him. Job understood this in chapter 23 vs. 8.

So even in my crisis I need to stay communicated with Him [Job 1 vs. 20 – 23 – Job still praised God even in His crisis]. Such communication involves me telling Him how I felt about my situation [Job 7 vs. 11], as God can handle my doubt, anger, fear, grief confusion and questions [Job 7 vs. 11; Psalm 116 vs. 10;]. To believe that God will still love me after I’ve been frank with Him.

Even in my crisis I need to focus on His unchanging nature – regardless of how I feel to remember His unchanging character, never to doubt in the dark what God told me in daylight. To trust Him to keep His promises, and remember the things He has done for me before and how He has brought me this far. To remind myself that if God never did anything else or more for me from now on till the end of my days – He still deserves my praise for what His son Jesus did for me on the cross - 2 Corinth. 5 vs. 21 – God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

Lessons Learnt on Day 14

Regardless of how I feel, God is real and is worthy of my praise. To remind myself not to allow my situations to disconnect my communication with God. To be content with the knowledge that my God will never leave me nor forsake me [Heb. 13 vs. 5] even when He feels distant.

Day 13 – Worship that pleases God

God is not interested in half hearted commitment, partial obedience and left over of my time and money. He simply desires my full devotion. If the issue is that you don’t know how to worship Him, I am here to tell you that there is not a right way of worship – Hebrews 12 vs. 28 – Therefore since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. My worship of God must be based on the scripture, not on my opinion of Him, but on the truth.John 4 vs. 23 – yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. For they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.

My worship of God should be authentic, genuine and heartfelt. This is becasue heartless praise is no praise at all. It’s not a matter of saying the right words, It is worthless in the sight of God, and is an insult to Him. God looks past our words to see the attitude of our hearts – 1 Sam. 16vs.7b – The Lord does not look at the things man look at. Men looks at outward appearance but the Lord looks at the heart.

There are many forms of praise that are mentioned in the Bible, among which includes:

Confessing – Hebrews 13 vs. 13 – Let us continue to offer to God a sacrifice of praise – the fruit of lips that confess His name.

Singing – Psalm 7 vs. 17 – I will give thanks to the Lord because of His righteousness and will say praise to the name of the most high.

Shouting – Ezra 3 vs. 11 – with praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord. He is good, His love to Israel endures for ever.

Dancing – Psalm 149 vs. 3 – Let them praise His name with dancing and make music to Him with tambourine and harp.

Playing musical instrument – Psalm 150 vs. 3 – Praise Him with sounding of the trumpet, praise Him with harp and lyre.

Raising hands – Nehemiah 8 vs. 6 – Ezra praised the Lord, the great Lord, and all the people lifted their hands and responded Amen, Amen; then they bowed down and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground.

Others include shouting, standing in honour, kneeling, making a joyful noise.

My worship to God should be thoughtful as this pleases Him. As If my worship is mindless, it is meaningless and Jesus called such worship vain repetitions – Matt. 6 vs. 7 – And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans for they thank they will be heard because of their many words. It is so much easier to offer clichés in worship instead of making the effort to honour God with fresh words. I know I do this, but I ought to be specific – 1 Corinth. 14 vs. 40 – Paul reminds me that everything I do must be in an orderly way and my worship to be understandable to unbelievers who happens to be in my mist.

Lessons Learnt on Day 13

That my worship should be practical – Romans 12 vs. 1 – to offer my body as a living sacrifice holy and pleasing to God – and to cost me something. As Real worship costs - 2 Sam. 24 vs. 24 – I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing. He wants me to live for Him. One thing that worship does cost is selfcentredness for I cannot exalt God and myself at the same time. That I don’t worship to be seen by others or to please myself; worship is not always convenient or comfortable and some times worship really is a sheer act of the will, a willing sacrifice. That my worship of Him is truly important – to love the Lord with all I have.

Day 12 – Developing my friendship with God

Developing my friendship with God

Continuing from yesterday’s topic, developing my friendship with God will require a desire from my part, my time and energy. If I want a deeper more intimate relationship with God, I will need to start by being very honest with Him, to trust Him when he asks me to do something, to care about the things He cares for and to desire His friendship more than anything else in my life.

Choosing to be honest with God is very important. God doesn’t expect me to be perfect, but to He does expect me to be totally open to and with Him. I can see from the bible that none of God’s friend were perfect as they all had their faults, fortunately because of His grace, God is still a friend of sinners – Matt. 11 vs. 19; and knows me by my name – Ex. 33 vs. 12, 17. He also expects me to be Frank with Him, sometimes it may seem as audacity but God doesn’t see it that, but instead as authenticity. Being Frank requires me to remove bitterness which when harboured will eventually become the greatest barrier to my friendship with God. It is important I tell Him how I feel all the time which includes me pouring out my grievances and troubles before Him. Psalm 142 vs. 2-3 – I pour out my complaint before Him, before Him I tell my trouble when spirit grows faint within me. It is you who knows my way. It is very important for me to know that all God’s friends had doubts sometimes and expressed them to God openly, and instead of masking their misgivings they told them to God openly. And that was How God was able to direct them. He can’t direct you if you don’t tell Him what the problems are. Yes he knows what you need, but He wants to be able to tell you, How He is going to bring about a change in that circumstance.

Choosing to obey God by faith is also very significant in developing my friendship with God. To know that whenever I do what God tells me to do, even if I don’t understand it deepens my friendship with Him – John 15 vs. 14 – You are my friends if you do what I command. Choosing to obey and follow God for me is really out of love, and gratitude for all He has done for me. And knowing that the closer I follow Him, the deeper my friendship with Him becomes is a great bonus –1 Sam. 15 vs. 22 – To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. To follow the example of the life of Jesus and how he lived obediently for thirty years – and this pleased God in him doing this [Luke 2 vs. 51].

Valuing what God values, is also very crucial with the development of my friendship with Him. To care more about the things He cares about, grieve over what grieves Him and rejoice over things that brings pleasure to Him. To be zealous for Him and be passionate like David a man after His own heart – Psalm 69 vs. 9 – for zeal for your house consumes me and the insults of those who insult you fall on me. To passionately want to share the death and resurrection of His son for me to countless others for whom the message is for also. To desire friendship with God more than anything in life – [Psalm 27 vs. 4; Psalm 63 vs. 3] and to refuse to let Him Go until he has blessed my life like Jacob did – Gen. 32 vs. 23.

Lessons Learnt on Day 12

Friendship with God is a choice not an accident, that I am only as close to God as I choose to be, so to make sure that I work on that choice, I need to resolve to draw nearer to Him always. To come near to God and he will come near to me – James 4 vs. 8.

Day 11 – How can I become Best Friends with God?

How can I become Best Friends with God?

Even though the Lord who reigns from everlasting to everlasting is my maker [Psalm 95 vs. 6], Lord and master [Psalm 136 vs. 13], redeemer, Father, saviour and many more – God also really wants to be my friend, so that I can enjoy a relationship with Him free of guilt and fear and to live in God’s continual presence.

Adam and Eve enjoyed an intimate relationship with God, He was a friend of theirs [John 13 vs. 13 – You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord’ and rightly so, for that is what I am – 1 John 3 vs. 1 – How great is the Love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God], and they basked in His presence. After their fall, very few people in the old testament were close friends with God, in fact, their relationship was out of fear, yet, Moses and Abraham were called “friends of God”, David was called a man after God’s own heart, and Job, Enoch and Noah had ultimate friendship with God [Ex. 33 vs. 11 , 17 – I will do the very thing you have asked because I am pleased with you and I know you by name; 2 Chronicles 20 vs. 7; Isaiah 41 vs. 8; James 2 vs. 23; Acts 13 vs. 22; Gen. 6 vs. 8; Gen. 5 vs. 22; Job 29 vs. 4].

But now, because Jesus has come and fixed my broken relationship with God, God wants me to come back to Him so we can be friends again – Rom. 5 vs. 11 – Not only is this so but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation; 2 Corinth. 5 vs. 18] and calls me His friend – [John 15 vs. 15 – I no longer call you servants because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead I have called you friends for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you].

The fact that God wants me for a close friend is hard for me to understand, a great privilege I would never fully comprehend [Jer. 9 vs. 24]. Yet all He wants is for me to be His friend through constant conversation, by sharing my day to day activities and experiences with Him through prayer without ceasing [I Thes. 5 vs. 7], changing my attitude towards what I do and doing it for the Lord – whatever daily chores I find myself doing, for God is always with me wherever I am [Ephesians 4 vs. 16 – Father of all who is over all and through all and in all]. To train my mind to remember Him throughout my day and to meditate on His word – 1 Joshua vs. 8 – Do not let this book of the law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written on it; then you will be prosperous and successful. Because I can never know Him without His word which will help me in loving God – 1 Sam. 3 vs. 21 – revealed himself through His word; Psalm 25 vs. 14 – the Lord confides in those who fear Him; He makes His covenant known to them.

Lessons Learnt on Day 11

That Friendship with God is a Privilege, not to be thrown away. To cultivate an attitude of continual conversation and meditation even if I don’t feel like it at times – To focus my thinking on God. To be a woman after God’s own heart, who has found favour in the eyes of God. To be a woman who pleases God, whom He can truly call a friend.

Day 10 – My Life to God; My Heart of worship

My Life to God; My Heart of worship

Relinquishing my life to God, total surrender is the heart of worship. This is a natural response to God’s amazing love and mercy. Giving myself over to God is not done out of fear or duty but IN LOVE. 1 John 4 vs. 9-10; 19 – This is Love; not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Romans 12 vs. 1 – Therefore I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy to offer your bodies as living sacrifices holy and pleasing to God – this your spiritual act of worship.

Therefore true worship – bringing God pleasure only happens when I give myself completely to God. This is my act of surrender, which is what God wants from me. But there are reasons why I don’t completely give myself to God, which includes naming a few, FEAR, PRIDE and CONFUSION, not understanding the reasons why I must give myself totally to Him. That it is for my benefit not His.

When FEAR keeps me from surrendering my total self to God, I’m telling God that I don’t trust Him. Yet God loves me all the same and still continues in show me love in every way possible trying to prove Himself to me to little old me. To show me I’m important - Psalm 145 vs. 9 – The Lord is good to all, He has compassion on all he has made; to show me I’m never out of His sight – Psalm 139 vs. 3 – You discern my going out and my lying down, you are familiar with all my ways.; that He cares for every detail of my life – Matt. 10 vs. 30 – Even the very hairs of your head are all numbered – that He has got good plans for my life [Jer. 29 vs. 11], and how He forgives me – Psalm 86 vs. 5 – you are forgiving and good, O Lord, abounding in Love to all who call. Greatest of all in proving His Love for me, He sent His son to die for me in my place Rom. 5 vs. 8 – But God demonstrates His own love for us in this; while we were still sinners Christ died for us.

Remembering what Jesus did for me on that cross should be enough proof of how much God loves me, yet my PRIDE still gets in the way. My unwillingness to admit to my limitations. My unwillingness to admit that I’m not in charge of everything. [Gen. 3 vs. 5] always trying to be like God. That the desire to have so much control over my life is the cause of so much stress and unhappiness in my life; struggling with God oblivious to the truth that God will always win. Trying always to interfere with what God is doing in my life, never satisfied, always wanting to be that bit taller, smarter, stronger, more beautiful, having bigger boobs – wanting to have it all and do it all – and then become very upset when it doesn’t work out how I plan it to. And then when I see God gave others characteristics I don’t have, Young 20yrs old getting married, I respond with envy, jealousy and self pity.

Submitting my life to God is not fatalism or an excuse for laziness, but may mean giving up some things in order to change what needs to be changed. Surrendering is not repressing my personality, more than that – it enhances it, and its best demonstrated by obedience. And Jesus cannot be my Lord if I refuse to obey him. To Obey God’s word regardless if it doesn’t make sense. Believing and trusting him totally. Psalm 37 vs. 7 – Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him. Instead of trying to make my own decisions I should try trusting God more, even with my finances. Matt. 6 vs. 24 – No one can serve two masters. Matt. 6 vs. 21 – For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. To see Jesus as my supreme example of surrendering – He surrendered His Will to God, and won.

My total surrender should be about fulfilling God’s purpose and glory. Yes surrender is hard work, and in my case intense warfare against my self-centred nature, but I need to remember that it really is for my benefit. That by surrendering my will to Him that created me:

I will experience peace – Job 22 vs. 21 – submit to God and be at peace with Him in this way prosperity will come to you.

I will experience freedom – Rom. 6 vs. 17 – But thanks be to God that though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. Bearing in mind that surrender doesn’t weaken me, it strengthens me, victory is won when I surrender my life’s decisions over to Jesus [Joshua 5 vs. 13], and must be given totally to God [James 4 vs. 7 – submit yourselves then].

Lessons learnt on Day 10

I was designed to worship God, and if I fail to, I tend to find a replacement. And even though I am free to choose what to surrender my life to, I am not free of the consequences. 2 Corinth. 5 vs. 9 – so we make it our goal to please Him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. To remember that the greatest hindrance to God’s blessing in my life is not others, but myself, my self will, my stubborn pride and personal ambitions. That I cannot fulfil God’s purpose for my life while focusing on my own plans that doesn’t involve Him. To hand over my past regrets, my present problems, my future ambitions, my fear, my dreams, my weakness, my habits, my hurts, my limitations over to God. For nothing under God’s control is ever out of control. Remembering that I am able to do it all and go through it because God is with me. Philippians 4 vs. 13 – I can do everything through Him who gives me strength. That surrendering is a daily thing 1 Corinth. 15 vs. 31 – I die everyday I mean that, brothers – just as surely as I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord. Luke 9 vs. 23 – If any one would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

Lord I ask you to help and strengthen me as I surrender, submit, relinquish, yield my life over to you. Have your way in my life so that I may get more out of the life you have given me. In Jesus Name. Amen.

Day 9 - God loves to smile on me

God loves to smile on me

The smile of God on my life should be the goal of my life. Numbers 6 vs. 25 – tells me The Lord make His face shine upon me and be gracious to me. Psalm 119 vs. 135 – make your face shine upon your servant and teach me your decrees. Since pleasing God is the first purpose of my life, then I should make haste to discover how to please Him. Ephesians 5 vs. 10 – urges me to find out what pleases the Lord. Noah was a man who pleased God and so learning from his example will be very fitting. Gen. 6 vs. 8 – But Noah found favour in the eyes of the Lord. I want to be like Noah – a man who found favour in the sight of God.

Noah had a CLOSE RELATIONSHIP and fellowship with God and because he loved God, God smiled on him. Gen. 6 vs. 9 – Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time and he walked with God. I know I was created to love God – all God wants me to do is use that Love He has given me and Love Him back. Hosea 6 vs. 6 – For I desire mercy, not sacrifice and acknowledgement of God rather than burnt offering. Loving God should also be the greatest objective of my life. Matt. 22 vs. 37-38 – Jesus said – Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.

Noah pleased God because he TRUSTED God completely. Even when it didn’t make sense. Hebrews 11 vs. 7 – By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By Faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by Faith. I have found that the more I realise God truly loves me; the easier it is to surrender my all to him. Noah could have chosen not to believe or trust what God has told him about the flooding [Gen. 2 vs. 5-6] – because I know what I’ll do if placed in that position – but Noah didn’t complain or make excuses, he just got on with it. All because he trusted God completely. Trusting God means I have absolute Faith that God knows what’s best for me. Psalm 147 vs. 11 – The Lord delights in those who fear Him who put their hope in His unfailing Love. Regardless of the discouragement that would have come the 120 yrs it took for Noah to build his ark he still kept on trusting God. So why shouldn’t God smile on him when he pleased Him so. I have also learnt from the previous studies that trusting God is also an act of worship, and my faith and trust in Him will cause Him to smile on me. Hebrews 11 vs. 6 – And without Faith it is impossible to please God.

Noah pleased God and caused God to smile on him because he OBEYED Him wholeheartedly. Noah followed instructions completely. He followed God’s instruction and specification on building of the ark Gen. 6 vs. 22 – Noah did everything just as God commanded him. Noah obeyed God and acted without delay or procrastination. Knowing me I probably would have rebuked the enemy and pleaded the blood, thinking that the enemy is trying to lead me on a fruitless journey. Or better still pretended I misheard and suggest to wait for the 5^th confirmation. And we all know that delayed obedience is disobedience, and only obedience unlocks understanding. But Noah didn't. Psalm 100 vs. 2 – worship the Lord with gladness, come before Him with joyful songs; Psalm 119 vs. 33 – Teach me O Lord to follow your decrees, then I will keep them to the end. John 14 vs. 15 – If you love me you will obey what I command.

Noah pleased God because he PRAISED and THANKED Him continually. God wants me to express my adorations and gratitude to Him Gen. 8 vs. 20 – Noah built an alter to the Lord and taking some of all the clean animals and clean birds he sacrificed burnt offering on it. Because of the sacrifice of Jesus I no longer need to offer animal sacrifice, but I still need to give God sacrifice of Praise [Heb. 13 vs. 15 - ] and thanksgiving [Psalm 116 vs. 17; Psalm 69 vs. 30]. I’ve noticed that when I please God by giving Him an offering of Praise and thanksgiving my heart is filled with unexplainable joy. Psalm 68 vs. 3 – but may the righteous be glad and rejoice before God, may they be happy and joyful.

So like Noah, I can please God by using MY ABILITY. Psalm 37 vs. 23 – If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm. Every human activity [Except sin] can be done for God’s pleasure if I do it with an attitude of praise – all for the glory of God. Therefore my abilities that God gave me can be used to please God. Psalm 33 vs. 15 – He who forms the heart of all who considers everything they do. To know that I will bring enjoyment to God by using what He gave me to use. Even if I were to misuse it, to bear in mind that God loves me regardless. He just wants the best for me. Psalm 103 vs. 4 – He knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.

Lessons Learnt on Day 9

Therefore I have made up my mind, I am resolute, unwavering, determined to make pleasing God my life’s goal. 2 Corinth. 5 vs. 9 – My life’s goal to please God in any way I can. I have found that when I move my focus to pleasing God, making it my life’s ultimate goal, my focus changes. To completely loose myself to Him, trust and please Him implicitly MY ULTIMATE GOAL. Dear Lord Help me.

Day 8 – I was planned for God’s pleasure

I was planned for God’s pleasure

From the lessons learnt by the previous days, I now know that my life matters and I was planned for His purpose. However today, the Lord is teaching me that I was planned for His pleasure. God didn’t need to create me, but He chose to create me for His own enjoyment. I exist for His benefit, His glory, His purpose and His delight. Therefore bringing enjoyment to God, living for His pleasure is the first purpose of my life. Understanding this, means I will never feel insignificant. As this proves my worth to Him, for I was that important to Him to be created for eternity. Ephesians 1 vs. 5 – He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ in accordance with His pleasure and will.

By bringing pleasure to God this is a form of worship. Psalm 147 vs. 11 – the Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their Hope in His unfailing Love. Anything I do that brings pleasure to God is an act of worship not just music. I am made with the desire to worship God – John 4 vs. 23 – Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth – Worship is not for my benefit – this is why if I don’t render my worship to God, I tend to find something else to adore. And only God, the great I AM deserves the Glory.

I have found that when I worship, my goal is to bring pleasure to God, not myself. Isaiah 29 vs. 13 – These people come near to me with their mouth and honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men.

That I am not here to give Him half hearted and hypocritical worship – For God doesn’t like this kind of worship – such as stale prayers, insincere praise, empty words and man made rituals without even thinking about the meaning. For God’s heart is only touched by my passion and commitment.

That Worship is not PART of my life, it IS my life, and should be done continually – Psalm 105 vs. 4 – Look to the Lord and His strength; seek His face always - and from Daybreak till sunset – Psalm 113 vs. 3 – From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised. Psalm 119 vs. 147 – I rise before dawn and cry for help; I have put my hope in your word. Psalm 5 vs. 3 – In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice, in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectations. Psalm 34 vs. 1 – I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.

That in everything I do, I must do it for the glory of God [1 Corinth. 10 vs. 31] and be in constant communication with Jesus. That the work that I do, when dedicated to God, should be performed with an awareness of His presence – Colossians 3 vs. 23 – Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord not for men.

Lessons Learnt on Day 8

Falling in Love with Jesus entails thinking about Him continuously continually every moment of my life. Therefore, I am now determined to make a conscious effort to praise and worship God in every area of my life continuously throughout my day.

Day 7 – I Live to show God’s glory

I Live to show God’s glory

Everything and everyone exists for the glory of the Lord – because without God’s glory there would be nothing. Romans 11 vs. 36 – For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things; To Him be the glory forever. Proverbs 16 vs. 4 – The Lord works out everything for His own ends. God’s glory is the expression of His goodness and all his other intrinsic, eternal qualities, because everything created by God reflects His glory in some way. Even Psalm 19 vs. 1 – The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.

Throughout History the Lord has revealed His glory to people in different ways – In the Garden of Eden [Gen. 3vs. 8]; to Moses [Ex. 33 vs. 18]; in the tabernacle and the temple [Ex. 40 vs. 33-38], through Jesus [John 1 vs. 14]; and now through the church [Ephesians 2 vs. 21-22; 2 Corinth. 4 vs. 6-7 – For God who said let light shine out of the darkness made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the Face of Christ. But we have this treasure in Jaws of clay to show that this all surpassing power is from God and not from us; in heavens God’s glory provides all the light needed. And Revelations 21 vs. 38 – tells us – the city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives us light and the lamb is its lamp. Jesus is the light of the world and because of Him we are no longer in darkness. Hebrews 1 vs. 3 – The son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being – sustaining all things by His powerful word.

Glory is possessed by God; because it is His nature, and I as His creation am commanded to recognize, honour, declare, praise, reflect His glory and also live for His glory. Because I owe it to Him and He deserves it. And as a creator and owner of all things it is therefore His. HE DESERVES IT – Revelation 4 vs. 11 – You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.

I fail to give God His glory in my sins – Loving things more than God. This is a form or rebellion and this is why the devil failed. For I have lived for my own glory and not the Lord’s; Romans 3 vs. 23 – For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God – All of us. And Yet I forget this is the biggest mistake of my life. Therefore giving God His glory should be the greatest achievement of my life and should be my ultimate goal. Isaiah 43 vs. 7 – Everyone who is called by my name who I created for my glory. Whom I formed and made.

So how do I give God His glory? Jesus told God – John 17 vs. 4 – I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do. – Jesus honoured God by fulfilling His purpose on earth; I ought to try and do the same – because anything that fulfils its purpose in creation brings God glory.

Therefore I should bring God His glory -

by WORSHIPping Him, this should be motivated by Love, thanksgiving, delight and duty. This should be my lifestyle, giving myself over to be used by His purpose. Romans 6 vs. 13 - …but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness.

by LOVING other believers, 1 John 3 vs. 14; Romans 15 vs. 7 – Accept one another, then just as Christ accepted you in order bring Praise to God – As Jesus Did – John 13 vs. 34 -35 – Love one another, as I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.

by BECOMING like CHRIST – 2 Corinth. 3 vs. 18; God gave me a new life and a new nature when I accepted Christ. Well now He wants to continue the process of making me more like Christ. Philippians 1 vs. 11 – Filled with the fruit of righteousness that come through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God. John 15 vs. 8 – This is to my Father’s glory, that you may bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

by SERVING others with my gift. For I was uniquely designed by God with talents, gifts, skills and abilities. And my gifts were not given to me for selfish purpose but to be of benefits to others. 1 Peter 4 vs. 10-11; 2 Corinth. 8 vs. 19.

by TELLING OTHERS about HIM. Because He doesn’t want His love and purpose be kept a secret, for I am expected to share it with others. 2 Corinth. 4 vs. 15 – All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.

Lessons Learnt on Day 7

Therefore living my life for the glory of God will require a change in my priorities, schedule, relationships and more. That it may require me to even choose a difficult path rather than an easier option. Even Jesus struggled with this [John 12 vs. 27 -28 – For my heart is troubled…Father glorify thy name].

So which will I choose? The self centred comfortable life for my own goals and pleasure or fulfil God’s purpose and bring glory to Him ; John 12 vs. 25 – The man who loves his life will loose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Therefore, I have chosen to LIVE for GOD – 1 Pet. 1 vs. 3 – His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who healed us by His own glory and godliness. John 1 vs. 12 – To those who received him He gave the right to be called children of God. It’s really all for Him.

Day 6 - My Life is an assignment

My Life is an assignment

My Life on earth is a temporary assignment – Job 8 vs. 9 – For we were born only yesterday and know nothing; and our days on earth are but a shadow. I am told that for me to make the best use of my life here on earth I must never forget compared to eternity that life here on earth is extremely brief. And is only a temporary residence. Therefore, I need to ask God to help me see life the way He sees it. Psalm 39 vs. 4 – show me O Lord my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. To show me that I’m only a foreigner; a stranger and my time here is only brief. Psalm 119 vs. 19 – I am a stranger on earth, do not hide your commands from me. Peter also spoke about it in 1 Peter 1 vs. 17 – since you call on the father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. Conditioning me to think differently to the way many do is a necessity. Philippians 3 vs. 20 – that our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly awaits a saviour from there, our Lord Jesus Christ.

In order to make sure my assignment here meets with a positive result, my priorities must be in check, for we are called Christ Ambassadors, as though God were making His appeals through us 2 Corinth. 5 vs. 20. Therefore we need to make a choice whose friend we want to become, as anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes and enemy of God James 4vs. 4. This is because this world is not our home - 1 Peter 2 vs. 11 – Dear Friends, I urge you as aliens, and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires which war against our soul ; and is a temporary set up - 1 Corinth. 7 vs. 31 – For this world in its present form is passing away.

Therefore bearing in mind that my life here on earth is a test, a truth, and a temporary assignment I have therefore decided to fix my eyes on Jesus; 2 Corinth. 4 vs. 18 – so we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. I am then reminded that’s as followers of Jesus, I will experience difficulty, sorrow [John 16 vs. 33, 20] and rejection [John 15 vs. 18, 19] whilst I am in the world, and so explains why I feel some of God’s promises have yet to be fulfilled, or some prayers have yet to be answered. This am told is not the end of my story. Consequently, to preclude me from being attached to this world, discontents and dissatisfactions are allowed to come my way by God, so that my longings is never satisfied even till the end. And it would be a fatal mistake to assume that God’s ultimate goal for my life is material success in this world – And for this reason never to focus on temporary success.

Lessons Learnt on Day 6

My life here on earth is not the complete story of my life. That it takes Faith to live on earth as a foreigner. Hence whenever I’m overwhelmed with doubt for living for Christ, I must remember that I’m not yet home. That this world is not my home, and therefore must live as someone who is but a stranger on a temporary assignment.

Day 5 - What is my view of life?

What is my view of life?

How do I define my life? What is my life? James 1 vs. 14 – says “why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes”. The Way I see my Life shapes my Life – one of the best ways to understand others is to find out how they view their life. What is MY View on life – whatever it is? Let God transform it. Romans 12 vs. 2 – Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, His good, pleasing and perfect will.

If you asked me what my view on my life was I would have said to suffer, to have trouble and sorrow, to end my life in disgrace. For my Life is a great huge TEST. I realise that in order for God to develop and reveal my character, He continually watches my response to people, problems, success, conflict, illness and disappointments by testing my Faith, obedience, Love, integrity and Loyalty. And they come by the way of major changes, delayed promises, impossible problems, unanswered prayers, undeserved criticism and even senseless tragedies. More importantly, is also how I act when I can’t feel God’s presence in my life. For me, I tend to loose my sense of hope, and be overwhelmed by my sense of hopelessness. This I know is wrong, which subsequently causes me to be overwhelmed with the guilt of not standing firm. I find that God intentionally draws back and I don’t sense his presence [though He is still there] – 2 Chronicles 32 vs. 31 – Like He did to King Hezekiah – But when envoys was sent by rulers of Babylon to ask him, about his miraculous sign that had occurred in the Land; God left him to test him and know everything that was in his heart. Hezekiah had enjoyed a close relationship with God and like me, at a crucial point in His life God allowed him to be alone to test his character. I realise that God does this for me in order to reveal weakness and to prepare me for more responsibility. The realization that my life is a test forces me to understand that nothing that happens to me is insignificant, but compulsory for my development. However I must bear in mind that God intends for me to pass the tests – 1 Corinth. 10 vs. 13 – No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Each time we overcome a test we are rewarded – James 1 vs. 12 – Blessed if the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised those who love him. My Life is also a TRUST thing. Everything we posses on this earth, all our resources are all gifts entrusted to us by God to manage well. For the bible tells us – Psalm 24 vs. 1 – The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world and all who live in it. It is God’s property which has been entrusted in our care. 1 Corinth. 4 vs. 7 – For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? – And so with the knowledge that God owns all, I must learn to appreciate the benefits, but also take the best care of it that I can – I Corinth. 4 vs. 2 – Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. And we are reminded the importance of trust and its rewards in Matt. 25 vs. 21 – Well done good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things – I will put you in charge of many things – come and share in your master’s happiness. A reminder that at the end of my time on this earth, my life will be evaluated and rewarded according to what I did with what God entrusted to me.

Now if I then treat all things the Lord has given me in trust well, not only will He give me His affirmation, but I will also receive a promotion – and will have greater responsibility in eternity. Luke 16 vs. 11 – so if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with riches – riches here meaning heavenly eternal riches. Luke 12 vs. 48 - says From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded, and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

Lessons Learnt on Day 5

That my life is a test and a trust. That unless I can be trusted with the little, I can also be trusted with much – however if I’m dishonest with the little I’m entrusted with, I will also be dishonest in much – Luke 16 vs. 10. After spending this day with Him I realise that I haven’t been handling my tests very well – Have failed woefully – I pray therefore that I will be more like Joseph, Ester, Ruth, Daniel and countless others that passed their tests when they were faced with them.

Ask me again what my view on life is – my response – My test is still ongoing, but my view on it has changed.

Day 4 - The reason for my being

The reason for my being

Ecclesiastes 3 vs. 11 – says “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; Yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end”

The word of God has reminded me that my life on earth is actually a warm up lap, a practice workout, a rehearsal before the main event – LIFE IN ETERNITY; I was made to last forever, For Eternity. That my earthly body is just a temporary residence for my spirit – a tent – 2 Corinth. 5 vs. 1 – Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven. That when I fully comprehend that there is more to life than just the here and now – and that my life is just a preparation for eternity, I will start living in the light of eternity – which will affect how I handle every relationship, task and circumstance that comes my way. With all this in mind many activities, goals, and problems that have seemed so very important become trivial and unworthy of my attention. Philippians 3 vs. 7 – But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.

So to make the most of my life, I must keep the vision of eternity continually in my mind and the value of it in my life. 1 Corinth. 2 vs. 9 – No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him. Matt. 2 vs. 9 – Then the King will say to those on his right, come, you who are blessed by m father, take your inheritance, my kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world - The words of “before I was conceived I was chosen and an inheritance already prepared for me” has been on replay on my mind –

The purpose God has for my life doesn’t end on earth; His plan involves more than the minuscule time I will spend on this earth. For the word of God says in Psalm 33 vs. 11 – But the plans of the Lord stands Firm for ever. I need to be prepared for eternity. Just as the nine months I spent in my mother’s womb was a preparation for my life on earth, so also is my life on earth a preparation for my life in eternity. Because His words reminds me in Hebrews 13 vs. 14 – For here we do not have an enduring city; but we are looking for the city that is to come. Compared to eternity, my time on earth is but a fleeting moment, but the consequences of it will last forever. The deeds of my life on earth will determine the destiny of my life in the next. 2 Corinth. 5 vs. 6 – therefore we are always confident knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.

Lessons Learnt on Day 4

The reason for my being is to prepare me for eternity. 1 John 2 vs. 17 – The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God Lives Forever.

So now since I was made to last forever, I have decided to stop worrying about my today; because His word tells me that “whatever is has already been, and whatever will be concerning my life has been before, and God will call the past to account” Ecc. 3 vs. 15 – As in, everything about my life has already been processed by God and Done. Now all I need do is worry about preparing my life for eternity.