Matthew 15:16 “Are you still so dull?” Jesus asked them…"
He had just explained to His disciples what actually defiles and what doesn’t. It was about food and words. What appeared so obvious to Jesus wasn’t that obvious to the disciples. He expected them to have acquired some deeper understanding of things by now, but they hadn’t yet. They were still dull in the spirit.
Discernment requires sensitivity and ability to see and interpret things beyond what is obvious to the eye. But dullness of mind, especially in grasping insights into spiritual things, makes people miss out on what God is communicating or doing. This is why to some, Jesus was/is any other specially gifted man. They get offended in Him. While to those who have known Him, He is their life and everything.
People’s hearts and minds become dull to God through sin, deception of wealth and the cares of life, and a diminished devotional life. Sensitivity and discernment is cultivated, learnt and developed over time. God can’t release much to those too obsessed with other things and dull to understand and take in more. And yet there is unlimited treasure in the spirit for those yearning and hungry enough for more.
John 16:12 “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear."
Hebrews 5:11 "We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand…"
Shalom children of God
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WHILE THERE’S STILL TIME! (R)
WHILE THERE’S STILL TIME! (R) (18/6/2023)
Isaiah 55:6-7 "Seek the LORD while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near. Let the wicked change their ways and banish the thought of doing wrong. Let them turn to the LORD that he may have mercy on them. Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously." - NLT
Many people tend to trivialize, postpone, ignore or reject certain actions and decisions with a feeling that there is still time. In the end, many opportunities are lost, remorseful regrets experienced later in life, and destinies affected, some of them eternally!
This is true in every aspect of life, our relationship with God inclusive. Many along the way look back with much regret at lost chances. Worse still, will be the eternal regret for those who are now postponing, or ignoring their commitment to God!
God still pleads with us to seek Him while He can be found, to call on Him while He is near. This call will not be so forever. A time comes when it will not be possible to call or seek and find Him any more! Even those in God who keep disobeying or postponing what God tells them to do in His service, should rethink their ways. Hear what David said in Psalm 32:6 “… Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgement.” NLT
Apostle Paul wrote about the same; “As God’s partners, we beg you not to accept this marvelous gift of God’s kindness and then ignore it. For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 (ÑLT)
And Jesus, about the irresponsible unprepared virgins at His coming, had this to say; “… Then those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was locked.” (Matthew 25:10)
So, while there is still time and opportunity to give your life to Jesus, be reconciled, and start a relationship with God, and to serve Him, make use of it NOW. One day, it will not be there. It will be too late!
Hebrews 4:2 "For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard [it]." - KJV
The written word of God is the most universally available book in the world. But even with its availability, few take time to read it. They have all the time for other priorities, but not the word. And even with its reading, few more see the word coming alive and working in their lives, yet it is living and active, powerful beyond measure. Why is this so?
The scripture above gives some reasons. When those who hear don’t mix it with faith, the word will not profit or have effect. The word works by faith in those who believe. It is also by the Holy Spirit Who annoints it to make it sharp and powerful in effect. The apostles preached the word of God under the power of the Spirit and it cut into the hearts of the listeners, deeply convicting them. It is more than experience or head knowledge.
Whether a preacher or listener, the word affects both, being a double edged sword and searching people’s hearts and secrets. The Spirit makes the word come alive, touching real issues of life. This is how true transformation from the word comes. And a person will never be the same again. One reason the preaching becomes dull and the word appears lifeless, is that the preacher has left out the Holy Spirit Who empowers the word to convict and effect change.
Faith and the Holy Spirit make the word of God a powerful dynamite.
Acts 2:37 "When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart."
Romans 13.11- 13 “And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy.” – NIV
In the Bible, sleep stands for death or living in darkness. Darkness represents evil. It’s a position where the mind and actions have been overtaken by evil. Light represents being honest, holy, alert, and sober. The call to wake up, therefore, is a call to forsake the evil works of darkness, the kind Paul mentioned above, and to walk in holiness and righteousness as one bears fruit to the glory of God.
Involvement in things that don’t glorify God dulls our minds, reduces spiritual alertness and sends us to slumber. To wake up is a choice to realise and forsake what’s ungodly. The lifestyles of some Christians shows they are asleep and need to wake up. They have blended with worldly ways and so comfortable with what is clearly ungodly.
This requires self examination with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Have you lost sensitivity, passion and commitment to God? Do you love the ways of the world, freely participate in them and yet called by God’s name? Do godly devotional practices now bore you and skipping them is no big deal? To you the call to awake comes.
Revelation 16:15 “Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.”
Shalom children of God.
Awake from slumber! (R) (22/7/2023)
Romans 13.11- 13 "And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy." - NIV
In the Bible, sleep stands for death or living in darkness. Darkness represents evil. It’s a position where the mind and actions have been overtaken by evil. Light represents being honest, holy, alert, and sober. The call to wake up, therefore, is a call to forsake the evil works of darkness, the kind Paul mentioned above, and to walk in holiness and righteousness as one bears fruit to the glory of God.
Involvement in things that don’t glorify God dulls our minds, reduces spiritual alertness and sends us to slumber. To wake up is a choice to realise and forsake what’s ungodly. The lifestyles of some Christians shows they are asleep and need to wake up. They have blended with worldly ways and so comfortable with what is clearly ungodly.
This requires self examination with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Have you lost sensitivity, passion and commitment to God? Do you love the ways of the world, freely participate in them and yet called by God’s name? Do godly devotional practices now bore you and skipping them is no big deal? To you the call to awake comes.
Revelation 16:15 "Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed."
Matthew 7:12 "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." - NIV
Everyone wishes good to be done to them, including those who harm others. We want nice things and nice words of compliments and appreciation. We love to live in peace and harmony among family, friends, workmates and in community. Most times we expect others to do this for us. It appears like it’s their responsibility to do so, not us. When they don’t do it, they are on the wrong and we quickly blame them without thinking of what we have done on our part.
But Jesus teaches a very basic, simple principle to achieving what you desire: begin by giving it out. Set the pace by doing it. It may not be fully reciprocated, but certainly it will come back. Instead of hate, why not love. If you want peace, be peaceful. Jesus said we should do this in EVERYTHING. Apostle Paul reiterated the same principle when he said, “Do not be decieved:God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what He sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:7-8). This may not always be easy, but it’s God’s way.
Sow good seed even if the environment pushes you to do bad. Revenge, paying evil for evil, only promotes evil in the world. That is why most problems in the world continue. But individuals, communities and nations who apply this principle reap the benefits of healing, reconciliation and peace. This however doesn’t mean wrong doing shouldn’t be punished. The laws of the land take care of that. Do your part.
We reap what we sow. We get back what we give! Purposefully give what you wish to get back.
Isaiah 29.13 "The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men."
A hypocrite is a person who says one thing, but means another in their hearts. They claim to love, but in their hearts they actually hate. They appear genuine and yet dishonest. What their mouths speak is different from what is in their hearts. That’s how Israel was, singing and worshipping God with their mouths, and yet God saw totally detached hearts. They had settled for rules of men in worshipping God. That was a mismatch.
To God, what matters is what is in the heart, not what the mouth speaks, unless the two match. What is in one’s heart reflects the real character of the person and that’s what God prefers. So many profess and invoke God’s name in their lips, claim to fear Him but their hearts are far from it. No wonder the fruit of their lives shows a different person.
God prefers that we reflect who we really are, and not remain in between. The sharp rebuke to the church in Laodecea shows how distasteful a lukewarm state is to Him. We would rather be hot or cold. God, the searcher of men’s hearts, knows each one of us as we really are before Him. Not everyone who says to Him ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven. There are those who claim to love God and yet living their own ways. God calls us to be honest before Him. What would He say of you?
Revelation 3:15-16 "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm-- neither hot nor cold-- I am about to spit you out of my mouth…"
Matthew 24:37 - 38 "As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man."
Jesus was teaching about His coming back. He uses the example of Noah’s days. Noah preached repentance, asking people to turn to God. People despised him. They took him to be foolish, building an ark in preparation for a flood they thought was never going to be real. It took many years. People went on with life as usual and ignored Noah. But reality hit when the flood came and swept them away. It was too late!
And so will it be towards Jesus’ second coming. Many will think it is not real. They will move on with life normally, celebrating, marrying, making money and wealth, and all other life matters. And Jesus will suddenly come and for many, it will be too late to mend ways with God. The business of life makes them forget about the coming of the Lord and the end of the age. It is life as usual!
Jesus’ conclusion to this teaching is, “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” (Matt 24:42). It is a call to constant awareness, alertness and soberness of mind. Don’t allow the usual businesses of life make you spiritually sleep and dull your sensitivity to what is about to happen as it did to people in Noah’s days! Those who never responded were shut out and perished!
Matthew 24:44 "So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."
Matthew 14:28-31 "Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water." "Come," he said. Then Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Immediately Jesus reached his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" - NIV
Jesus had sent the disciples ahead of Him while He remained on the mountain side to pray into the night. The wind had disturbed them and they didn’t make much progress. And by the fourth watch in the night (between 3-6am) Jesus comes walking on the water. They were too afraid, thinking He was a ghost. When they learnt it was Jesus, Peter asked to join him walking on the water, to which Jesus readily agreed and called him. Briefly though, Peter walked on the water because he believed Jesus’ word.
So much has God given us in His word. Peter says they are “… very great and precious promises…”(2Peter 1:4). These are His commitments to us covering every aspect of our human needs. Nothing was left out of what we will ever need to live the kind of life God meant for us. We only need to believe and claim them. God takes His own word seriously. He is true and faithful to it. Whatever He promised He will fulfill. Whatever He said, He will do. He doesn’t lie.
One day, after Jesus had preached to the people from the seashore using Peter’s boat, He told Peter to launch the net into the water to fish. It was day, and Peter, knowing it was not normal to fish during day, told Him they had fished the whole night and caught nothing. “Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.“( Luke 5:5). Believing Jesus’ word, they caught so much fish that they were shocked.
Dear child of God, dare to believe His word even if it appears ilogical. Therein awaits your victory and miracle. If we can trust people who may fail, why not a God Whose word is absolutely reliable?
Luke 12:1-3 "…“Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs." - NIV
Jesus had just severely rebuked the Pharisees for their religious hypocrisy. What they did was for a physical show of piety but inside their hearts was a different story. They did under the cover of the law, their religious beliefs and traditions. But Jesus saw their true motives. They even plotted to kill Him contrary to the law they claimed to uphold. All of it would be revealed for what it really was; pretense and lies!
Hypocrisy is pretense, hiding true motives and presenting something else. People pretend to be honest and committed to what is true, right and just, but deep within carry different and evil intentions. The talk in secret is different from what is shown publicly. Jesus said all these will be revealed.
Hypocrisy is not sustainable. Its danger is that it brings much shame at the end when its coverings give way. It is deceptive, hollow and leaves those who love it hanging. And they will be cast away. Remember Gehazi!
We may cover up things, lie and succeed with people. But God Who sees all that people think, plan, say and do, in secret and in the open knows the truth even if we use His name to make it appear ‘sacred’. He calls us to walk in truth, love, honesty and in the light with each other. We are warned to be aware and to avoid the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. It defiles our true relationship with God. That’s double dealing with God and Satan. Over to you!
Hebrews 4:13 "Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account."
Matthew 25:10 “But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut."
One of Jesus’ teachings on preparation for His return used the example of the ten virgins waiting for the bridegroom. The exact date and time wasn’t certain. But they had to be ready all the time so that they would be found ready. Some who didn’t stock enough oil for their lamps went out to buy. The bridegroom came, and the door was shut. They were late!
Such is the scenario today as we look forward to the coming of the Lord. The date and hour no one knows. But we are to be ready at all times as we watch the signs. The foolish virgins who didn’t store enough oil to keep their lamps burning, represents the careless believer. They are not giving due diligence to the state of their relationship with God.
The wise virgins are those who keep constantly ready as they wait for the Lord. Once the bridegroom comes, those who are ready will go with Him. And the door will be shut. Whoever wasn’t found ready will be left out. Their pleading to be allowed in will not be honoured. The Lord will deny them. And it will be too late!
Matthew 25:11-13 “Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’ “But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour."
