Crossing the Rubicon-there is no way back

When God redeems a life, it is for a purpose and His intention is that such a person will continue in fellowship with Him. Salvation from sin and acceptance of the Lordship of Christ is not the end of the journey, but a beginning of a journey that is hoped to end with God in eternity. God expects our continued walk and in this He takes delight. No intermittent or in and out is allowed in this journey (Galatians 2:18). And there is no need for fear, anxiety, speculations or reconsideration. Jesus gave a stern warning to His followers because He knew some of them are skeptical and they did not really know what they were putting themselves into, so He needed to tell them that "No one having put his hand on the plow, and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God." (Luke 9:62). Solomon, the wisest king also alarmed that we should beware of them that are giving to change. Though many things are changing, the world, its system, people, but God remains constant, He is unchanging and His standard uncompromising for all human race (1 Tim 2:19). It was a crucial matter and Jesus needed to ask His disciples if they too are going back because at a time many could not endure His sayings, but they unanimously answered that they have no where to go for He has the word of life (John 6:60, 66-67). Having crossed the Rubicon, there is no way back. God has decided a lasting journey for His followers which must not end abruptly (Psalm 85:8, 1 John 2:28, 2 Peter 2:20-21). A song writer succinctly puts:

At the cross you knelt and were converted 

Jesus saves your soul that happy day

Now that He has led you from the broad road

Never leave the straight and narrow way

Don't turn around to the things you've left behind

All those bridges you've burned don't try to find

Set your face like a flint and walk right unto the promise land

Don't turn around to the things you've left behind.

Though circumstances of life and situations at times may propel someone to think otherwise. There are personal life challenges, unfavourable economic conditions and the god of this world wants everyone to bow in order to get the crumbs that he offers. Each day presenting its own trouble, the road seem weary and the journey bleak, and the devil in particular is making the journey hard and difficult for the beloved children of God. He programmes various things along our path to dissuade and discourage  finest believers. He does not care about the number of years that you have put into your service and walk with God. His utmost aim is to make one unfit and end the journey to heaven abruptly. There are  many casualties already on the way to heaven. Satan keep placing things to entice, deform, seduce, manipulate and distorts believer's journey knowing fully well that without his trouble we will have a safe and easy passage to our eternal abode. The intensity of his battle against the saints is getting stronger and fiercer as the coming of the Lord approaches. With his threats, he wants us to succumb, be troubled, reconsider our way and turn back. Although the journey may be getting lonesome, wearisome and troubling, but God still comforts the weary and the fainting, and He has promised to give all the necessary support and the needed grace and help that will see us through. For He is the custodian of grace to scale through this evil and wicked world, and in Him we see and receive the light that will brighten our path as we journey day by day (Galatians 2:21, Matthew 28:20).

But we will never back out or turn back from our journey to eternity (Philippians 2:12b, 3:14). Jesus has already forewarned us that in this world, there will be tribulation (John 16:33) because we are opposed to the world and to Satan. But there is an assurance that we should cheer up for He has overcome for us. This is now the time to get closer to God than ever, longing and panting after Him. These are the days when our resolutions and affirmations to love, fear, serve, and follow Him to the end must be firm, strong and resounding than ever (Ephesians 5:15-17). It is our resolve that matters, because devil will continue to do his atrocities, and with his enticing baits will desire to lure vulnerable souls to follow his dictates and destined destructive and pernicious ways. But God wants to succor us and aid us in our hour of need though Satan desperately hates us, and does not want to see us make it to heaven. Henceforth, our prayer will be the wordings of a song-strengthen all the ties that binds me, closer, closer Lord to thee, every bridge is burned behind me, thine I ever more will be.

Going back and forth, Satan accused Job before God, and he troubled him to the extent that he began to curse the day that he was born. And this was simply because Satan wanted him to renounce God. He busy himself every moment hunting for people to throw down. To worsen the situation is the chaotic condition in which the world is right now, and no one truly seem to know the way out. Evil is becoming like a norm and the wicked ones are waxing stronger doing dubious things. And the believers are not exempted from troubles posed by the god of this world. As they desire to live godly and be different, they are tagged, and looked down upon as if they do not belong. And they are truly not of this world though they are in the world. Devil has been permanently defeated on the cross when Jesus declared "It is finished." Jesus paid for the redemption of the souls of all human race to bring us back to God. But Satan is daily seeking and wanting to get back to himself those who have chosen the way of the cross that leads to heaven. Although Peter denied his Lord and master but he repented and wept bitterly, but Judas who betrayed his Lord for 30 pieces of silver was only remorseful but not repentant, he ended up hanging himself (Mark 14:72, Matthew 26:75, 27:3-5). So, as the world beckons, and Satan throw his darts, our flesh weak and almost getting tired of the way, we need to ask for fresh grace and divine cord to tie and bind us closer to God. For our eternal salvation is much closer than when we first believe.

I choose Christ

God has graciously bless mankind with the ability to make choice. And as free moral agent, he can decide on what he wants and how he wants to live his life. God will never enforce His will on anyone though He has made plain the destination of any chosen path. There are those who choose to be children of God, with them God is well pleased. They enter into sonship through Christ Jesus for the bible says "As many that received Him to them he gave power to become the sons of God, even to them that believed on his name" (John1:12). Hence, they are grafted into the family of God and they enjoy every benefit that belongs to each member of the family. It is needless to say that the glory of God will be evident on them, as God becomes their father, and they His children will radiate His glory and aura. And the truth about their experience borders on their choice, that is the path they have decided to take. They choose and receive Jesus as their Lord, Saviour, Master and King and He in return impart unto them the nature of God, and lavish the blessings and glory that the kingdom of God affords unto them. Aside this, whenever anyone chooses Jesus Christ, he receives and has life, there is a lifting from death and all that produces death to life abundantly in Christ Jesus for He is the giver of life (1 John 5:12).

However, some choose to be slaves of God for so they call themselves. This according to them is a sign of humility, for it is not fit to be called children of God. How can they equate themselves to the level of being called children of God, they feel it is improper but really it is a display of ignorance for God wishes that all to be His children. A slave has limited access and right to the property of the father, only the son does. Blinded by religion, this choice has hindered them to receive from the father of all flesh-their creator and God. Buttressing this, the issue of Abraham who made a mistake by impregnating his Egyptian maid servant Hagar comes to mind. Abraham consented to the suggestion of his wife Sarah who thought she was too old to give him a child and felt that God cannot make good His promise to them (Genesis 16:1-2). But God eventually fulfilled His promise to Sarah (Genesis 18:9-15) and Isaac was born (Genesis 21:1-7). However, Ishmael, the son of the bond woman had grown and was a thorn in the flesh of Sarah together with his mother Hagar. And on two occasions God needed to intervene.  The first occasion was when Hagar despised her mistress and fled (Genesis 16:7-12), the angel of God met her and told her to return and be submissive to her mistress.

Also, in Genesis 21:9-10, on the day that Isaac was weaned, Abraham made a feast for him but Sarah saw Ishmael scoffing. So, Sarah insisted that Abraham should send away the bond woman and her son from Isaac, but this was displeasing to Abraham (Genesis 21:10-12, Galatians 4:7, 31). Abraham obeyed when God intervened and told him to listen to Sarah, so he sent them away. God kept His promise and took care of Ishmael who grew in the wilderness and later became a great nation because he was of the seed of Abraham. There cannot be peace but continuous rivalry which is based on the mentally that they posses. Though Ishmael was circumcised being a token of God's covenant with Abraham (Genesis 17:23), yet, he was sent away because he was a son of a slave and he cannot co-inherit with the true son-heir of the covenant (Genesis 21:10,Galatians 4:21-30). God's intervention and response was premised on His covenant with Abraham that only in Isaac his seeds shall be blessed.

Another category are those who choose to be outright enemies of God. They frankly and boldly declare that they hate God expounding their various reasons. These are those who have given themselves over to Satan, they are loyal to him, both in the open and in the private carrying out his orders. They prefer to serve him and wage war against the true children of God. They choose their path and assuredly know that their end can never be with God in heaven. They are opposed to God and His way, and this modern age has helped them to delve into more evil as they seek and search for vanity. Their lord and master (Satan) whom they are devoted to constantly grant their desires giving them wealth, power, positions, and what have you.  They have all the goodies of this world but at the expense of their soul. But despite their achievements, many of them died miserably due to frustration, confusion and depression. After gaining all, yet, they lack true peace and satisfaction. Some unfortunately commit suicide, taking their own lives because they cannot meet the terms of agreement with Satan which they feel is too demanding. Indeed, it is only the yoke of Jesus that is easy and His burden light. And since they are  bounded with oath and covenant under which they feel that they cannot be released, they suffered in silence all through their lives. And those who cannot bear it who are often overwhelmed by the assault and torment of demons and powers of darkness contemplate taking their own lives in order to be free from affliction. But the bible says in Proverbs 20:30 "the blow that hurts cleanse away evil as do stripes the inner depth of heart." Jesus receives the blow on our behalf, and He is the healer of all heart diseases including depression. There is no hope for those seek strange powers. In fact, there will be no solution for man until he turns away from Satan and earnestly seeks God (Isaiah 8:19).

The next category are those who serve idols and other gods that God forbids. God repeatedly warned the children of Israel not to serve the gods of the land of the heathen that cannot deliver them (1 Samuel 7:3-8, 10, Exodus 20:3-5, Psalm 81:9-10, Jeremiah 10:6-11). Some do not even believe that there is any God anywhere, they are their own god. They choose to satisfy and live for themselves. They do what they like as they believe that they cannot obey the commandment of God. But the bible says in 1 Timothy 5:6 that they that live in pleasure are dead while yet they live. And like the sons of Eli who will not yield but are hardened and hard-hearted, not even heeding the voice of the father, because the LORD desired to kill them (1 Samuel 2:25). And as Joshua, the successor of Moses brought the children to Israel to a serious decision making "choose you this day whom you will serve" Joshua 24:15. The offer is also before you today to make a choice, and I want to believe that you have the capacity to choose and do the right thing by the grace of God. 

Unfortunately, some choose this transient world that its creator says will soon pass away with fervent heat (2 Peter 3:9-11). They want everything that the world has to offer. They love to be in vogue, move with the latest trend and be at the centre of world's activities. They love the world's music, politics,  ungodly people and the god of this world-mammon that induce them to have unending desire and cravings for wealth, and God is never in their thought. They only need God when they have problem, and immediately they get solution to their problem, they bid farewell to Him. But the bible repeatedly warned against the love of this world (James 4:4, 1 John 2:15-17, Proverbs 11:28). God has decided to turn to hell nations that would not serve Him not just individuals (Psalms 9:17). So, anyone may decide to gratify himself with what the world offers, but there cannot be true satisfaction until each and everyone finds his bearing in God. The dainties of this world cannot produce the true joy and happiness that the heart yearns for. Truly, the world has more to lure and charm but I choose Christ according to the song composed by C. Harold Lowden.  Dear friend, if I may now ask, what choice are you making in life-to be a child, slave, an enemy, a god unto yourself, or have you decided to choose this horrible world. You must make a good choice today. 

Is the church ready for revival?

This is a candid question that needs to be asked now as there is no time in the history of the church and in any generation that we have the church so diverse and divided. Even the enemy preys on our division, and he further divides us so that we cannot stand to fulfill the end time purpose. So much is going on, so many denominations, yet, their impact cannot be felt on the nations of the world. There is so much laxity, works and acts of faith are gradually fading out, now it is seeing is believing, no patience in hope, and no free service for things done for the cause of Christ. Everyone seeks to be recognized and rewarded. Some  will even give their gift or render service so that they may be considered for better position in the church. A lot of anomaly and sincerely the tide is changing. It is so serious that in some assemblies everyone is a Christian, so there is no need to preach salvation or check out the basis of the faith claimed by the members of such congregation. Unfortunately, many churches are becoming domains of witches and powerful occultists where exchange and transfer of virtues and destinies of innocent, vulnerable, simple minded and lighthearted ones are steadily going on by both their leaders and other members. But sincere Christians are being discriminated against just like Joseph who was cruelly hated by his brethren for his bogus dreams. And his enemies (siblings) said that they would see what will become of his dreams (Genesis 37:19-20). And many also like Joseph right form inside the church have been stripped of their clothes of many colours (Genesis 37:23). Can Satan cast out Satan was the question Jesus asked the confused and blinded leaders of His days, the scribes who mistook Him for a magician using Beelzebub spirit to cast out evil spirit, and really it is logical as no one will expect Satan to tamper with his own kingdom except he does so in order to deceive people (Mark 3:23-26). And with this state of the church can we truly say that the church is fit for revival. 

Besides, there are evil enforcers everywhere with deceitful heart troubling people with demonic prophesies (Proverbs 17:20a, Exodus 23:6-7). Many also delight in falsehood (both leaders and followers) and this are the days when evil is thriving fast and hypocrites are increasing in the church (Isaiah 9:17-19). But God spoke through Prophet Jeremiah calling those who do the work of the Lord deceitfully cursed. There are those also who are bargaining and trading their souls for lies unlike Agur,the son of Jakeh,whose utmost desire before his death is removal of all falsehood. The high priest were unhappy with the exploits of the Apostles after the riddance of lies and falsehood in  Acts 5:17-19. Yet, the truth cannot be bound (verse 25), and that was why Gamaliel carefully advised his council mate to  leave the disciples (verse 38-39). Since it is God's prerogative to decide how judgement will be served. And if God is not pleased with Peter bringing judgement on sin, He would not have allowed his shadow to heal the sick afterwards (Acts 5:1-11, 14-15, Proverbs 1:17-19). Yet, there are those who do not want God's judgement but they persistently do things that will bring His wrath on them. 

Many are truly poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity like Simon, the sorcerer who instead of repenting of their evil and pernicious ways would not but will like to subtly manipulate the anointed of God to get what they are not qualified to carry (Acts 8:23-24). Intense and horrible manipulation is going on everywhere even in the church and this is a serous sign of witchcraft. Evil and dubious persons hiding under the canopy of the church, pretending to be holy and righteous but they can do anything just to get money and fame. They are so desperate for position and recognition,they are mainly in the church to use it as avenue to amass wealth. Truly, many are filled with the eastern ways (Isaiah 2:5-6). For some, they just want to be heard despite the fact that they have nothing meaningful to say while the bible says  A fools voice is known by many words (Ecclesiastes 5:3b, 9:17). The church is in a serious state of dilemma and can she win her battles this way? I want to believe your answer is No just as mine. Can she be ready for revival in this condition. The church is likened to God's disheartened vineyard in Isaiah 5:1-4, though planted, pruned, watered, yet, it brings forth wild grapes while God's expectation is for her to produce good fruit. And we know that bible affirms that the fruit of the Spirit is exhibited in goodness, righteousness and truth, and when these traits are not found there is problem (Ephesians 5:9, Romans 14:17)). And since there is a charge to reprove every activity of darkness and expose them, we cannot be partakers with evildoers bearing evil fruits (Ephesians 5:13).

 Many are taking God for granted saying we are in the time of grace and they can do anything that they like. But grace is not liberty for sin, rather it is the divine enablement to do what pleases God. We do often forget that this same God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah but spared only Lot and his family (Genesis 19:12, 17, 24). He had also destroyed the entire then world he created but spared only Noah and his family (Genesis 7:1-24). The same God is still in control of the whole universe and He can do as he pleases to this wicked world. It seems we are not conscious of the fact that if not for Jesus intercession for us before the father, the judgment of God on us could have been worse. We have permitted darkness long enough but with the emergence of the true light-Jesus beaming in our hearts, the church must realize that now she must put on the armour of light, walk circumspectly, and cast out all pollutions in order to fully put on Christ (Romans 13:12-14). Hezekiah's plea to the Levites resonates his desire for thorough purging and cleansing of the temple. He urged them to "carry out the rubbish from the holy place" (2 Chronicles 29:3-5, 11-15). Then, after repair, offering and observance of Passover, further reforms began in the land (2 Chronicles 31:1). It is the cleansing of the church that must precedes revival and God's outpouring. There is so much dross to purged form the church today before we can experience revival (Isaiah 1:15).

Hence, God's intervention for thorough cleansing must be sought as He promised. God was personally involved in the process because of the horrible state of the people of Israel (Isaiah 1:21-27). He will undertake the issue of cleansing and purging of the church because the reproach of the church must be taken away, and it is indeed the reproach of the nations. The church cannot help the world and be a blessing to the  nations if she is unclean. However, there is an obligation for the church during this process of cleansing to be submissive under the pruning hands of God, and like a wife who she is (bride of Christ) to her husband in all things. Because Jesus, the husband is to present the church-His bride chaste, spotless, and holy without any wrinkle (Ephesians 5:27). The church must be truly devoted to Him. Total submission to the Lordship of Christ is a basic necessity after cleansing before the outpouring and revival that the church so much desire (Isaiah 32:15-20, 33:14-16).

The anointing and the anointed

When God anointed David as the king over Israel, immediately battle started. No one knew him when he was in the wilderness fighting lion and bear that wanted to kill his father's flock. God groomed him in the secret and made him well prepared to lead His flock, the children of Israel, and to be army who will later fight the battles of the LORD. His preparation was uniquely based on his experiences and all that he encountered from childhood. He was not cared for by his father and this showed when his father could not remember to mention his name among his sons when Samuel asked for his children. David was completely out of his mind, and this evidently showed that David was on his own, if not for the LORD of Host that was with him. Though he was secretly anointed, but the battle he needed to fight for God to give him prominence was an open one. Nothing was hidden again to him, his anointing and victory over the enemy who despised the army of the Lord, Goliath of Gath, brought him more trouble and trauma  than he expected. From one enemy to another, battle to battle, but the LORD of Host was with him and his victory was sure. Then Saul, the king of Israel, rose up  against him and became his arch enemy because of his victory over Goliath.

And when Saul died, one would think that an end has come to his battle but not at all. Though the bible says in Ecclesiastes 3:8 that there is a time of war and a time of peace, but for David, the anointed, it seems to be an unending time of battle. Also, the bible affirms in Psalm 46 verse 8.....that the Lord makes the war cease to an to an end, but little did David know that God's anointing on him attracted more enemies, he on the contrary was inviting more seemingly unconquerable enemies, but his God eventually defeated them all and gave  him victory and rest (1 King 5:4). Still new in his office as the king of Israel, gathering himself together to oversee the people of God, with enormous task to undertake for himself and the people of God he was leading. Yet, the Philistines were all out after him. The wicked lying in wait at the dwelling of the righteous (Proverbs 24:15). The wicked plot against the righteous, seek accomplices to perfect their evil work (Proverbs 1:10-19) not knowing that they are paving way for their own destruction. 

There was an evil mobilization, an unusual alliance and demonic rage against the anointed of the Lord. And it seemed as if they were all idle and not engaged with any meaningful thing. They encouraged themselves against just one man. The bible records it that when the Philistines-a whole nation heard that David was anointed as king over Israel, all the Philistines went out to search for David. An unholy arousal began amidst the enemy of God, propelling them to fight against the anointed and chosen servant of God. But it was not unusual that such should be expected. It was simply because they were intimidated by his new office though he had not yet gone out against them in any battle (1 Chronicles 14:8-9, 15). But it was obvious that they were mindful of their pitiable condition- that David being king over Israel will curtail their dominance over Israel. So, before he would venture to attack him, they decided to quickly combat him. But on his side was God. David trusted in God and received clear instructions from Him, and this was  the secret of his success in all the battles of his life. David would always ask for guidance from God so that he would not waste his energy on battles that God could easily fight for him. No need for him to struggle as he was greatly helped by God. 

God dictated when and where he went throughout all the battle he fought in his lifetime. At a time, God told him...."when you hear a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry trees.... (1 Chronicles 14:15). The sound of the host of Lord that went before him into the battle, then, you go and attack the Philistines. God's host goes before his anointed, and the anointing over him always give him unique victory over any kind of foe. He did not just act presumptuously in warfare. How could David have defeated many people mightier and stronger than him if not for the anointing of God upon his head. He took 20, 000 of his enemies' soldiers and hamstrung their chariot horses (1 Chronicles 18:3-5). And when Hanum and the people of Ammon hired chariots and horsemen against him from Mesopotamia, Syria, Macaah and Zobah, they were all disconfitted before the anointed of the Lord both the helper and the helped because the anointing will always make the difference (1 Chronicles 19:6-9, 17-19).  Unlike the children of Israel who presumptuously went to dislodge the inhabitants of the land God promised them after they initially hesitated to go though forewarned by God through Moses that they should not go. But they went and the occupants of the land pursued them out and they fled.

There is perplexity and grim on many faces because of increased pollution both physical and spiritual everywhere and the world is becoming tougher and unsafe to live in. Issues around the world and the nations are unpleasant. Rifts, war, destructions, confusion, cheating, suppression, apparent disregard and disrepute for anything attached to God. The wicked and evil ones wanting to forcefully suppress and hold back the godly, they want to conform them to their own dictates and design. Truly the world is going insane after evil and who will tame this uncultured world and bring it back to its senses before it is too late. Horrible and weird things are going on among the youth even the children and adults are not exempted. The wicked are becoming more wicked experimenting with lives and properties of the vulnerable, wasting and destroying precious things. They do not seem to care and fear God and desist from evil. Rather success in one evil is leading them to adventure into more evil and wickedness, and the land is polluted with blood. The evils of our days are terrible and unimaginable as many are filled with the eastern ways just as the scripture says. Yet, the mandate of God is to defend the fatherless and rebuke the oppressors as David did. David was used by God to put an end to the oppression of the Philistines against the children of Israel which had been going for long time unchecked. God never intend that any of His children should be mesmerized by the evil ones but to be delivered from their grips through the instrumentality of His anointed ( 1saiah 9:4-7, 1 John 3:8, Jeremiah 1:10, Ezekiel 7:13).

It took Moses, God's anointed servant to disgrace the gods of Egypt, he disarmed the charmers of Pharaoh and discomfited his magicians. They came out boldly and told Pharaoh "this is the finger of God."  For who can contend with Him in battle or who has hardened himself against God and prospered. God is still God and no power can take His position or have its hold on the lives of His children. He proves His supremacy as He rendered the gods of Egypt impotent when He led His people out with an outstretched arm (Deuteronomy 26: 8,11:4,  Exodus 7:3). Shortly after they left Egypt, the children of Israel on their way to the promised land, pitched their tents and camped in the plains of Moab on the side of Jordan across from Jericho when Balak, the king of Moab sighted them. So, he engaged the services of Balaam to curse them for him. The evil one monitoring and plotting against the people of the Lord. Balaam instructed Balak to erect altars which he did three times, but on these three occasions, they could not carry out their evil schemes against them (Numbers 23:1-4, 8-11, 23:13-15, 19-26, 24:3-9). Evil coalition, reinforcement, confederacy, conspiracy, association, alliance, bond, agreement, networking, regrouping, fortification, cunning craftiness and alignment notwithstanding cannot sustain the enemies of God's anointed  for long against His anointed people because their God is with them to defend them (Psalm 114, 118, Isaiah 27:4, Proverbs 11:21, 31, Numbers 25:16-18). And now, Jesus Christ, the anointed one has come and has won for us total victory when he disarmed principalities and powers (Colossians 2:15). Haleluyah !!!