Doth This Offend You?

At some point in our walk with God, we must come to terms with the Word of God (hopefully sooner rather than later).

It is amazing sometimes how we as Christians can pick and choose what bits of the bible we want to accept and what bits we want to reject! We have no problem quoting John 3 v16 but we shudder to mention Genesis 3 v16 in the same breath…..you know…in case those scary feminists hear us right?.

Romans 1 v16 is a chest-thumping verse commonly heard, but I doubt I can say the same for Galatians 1 v8……

It does not even stop at verses though! There can be whole chapters and books of the bible we would rather glaze over, because of fear of isolation from our peers (who cares by the way). Where do we draw the line?.

In John chapter 6, Jesus Christ in his very direct and unapologetic way confounds the wisdom of the Jews’s perceptions of the Manna which rained from heaven to the children of Israel.

Jesus goes as far as saying that he himself is that bread which came down from heaven; as if to make his point even more poignant (if that was even possible) he proclaims that “Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you“.

Of course our Saviour was not teaching cannibalism as he proceeds to correct the murmuring disciples in verses 60-63.

The remark of the disciples though is what I want to focus on in v60.

“Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hardsaying; who can hear it?”

After listening to Jesus; the incarnate Word of God speak to the crowd, the disciples were challenged with Christs’ words, proclaiming that these were “hard sayings” to the ears of the listeners because it challenged them and took them out of their comfort zone.

Jesus made no apologies for speaking the truth and funnily enough responds with the memorable quote of “doth this offend you?” in v61 to his disciples. Jesus was not afraid to speak God’s Word, even in the face of opposition and the realization that he was about to lose many of his so called disciples because of his“hard sayings“. He still spoke the Word of God boldly. Is it any surprise then that John 6 v66 is the verse where he is deserted by many who had followed him up to that point?.

Having seen this exodus of his previous followers; he then turns to his original 12 and says to them “Will ye also go away” in v67.

The response of Peter for me is where I believe Christ wants to meet all his disciples. Peter replies with these words “Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life“.

As I mentioned earlier in this post, at some point we have to come to terms with the Word of God. Just as how Peter and the other disciples were backed up in a corner to show where their faith rests on. The same should be for us today. Do we believe God has the words of eternal life? If we do then, let us boldly stand for God and his Word. All of It! Amen!!

Some Will, Some Won't!

Have you ever wondered why some Christians won't attempt anything remotely substantial for God? After reading the parable of the two sons in Matthew 21 v28-32. The only conclusion I came to is that "some will, and some wont!"

Jesus tells the parable of two sons who were given clear instructions by their father to go work in his vineyard.

The first son was reluctant to work, but afterwards came to his senses and did as his father had asked him "I will not: but afterward he repented, and went"

The second son initially showed promise! But decided not to go work in the vineyard "And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not"

Jesus Christ finishes this parable by asking the listeners "Whether of them twain did the will of his father" - the answer clearly being the first son. The parable was spoken to contrast how the scribes and pharisees rejected the teachings of John Baptist un-repentantly, but the publicans and harlots gladly received the teachings are were saved

"For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him"

The parable itself can be interpreted though for Christians who have been given clear instructions to go "work" in the vineyard of our heavenly father. Let's say the command is the great commission "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature"

This command is clear, but the response by all Christians will be one of two things! Some will obey and do, and some won't obey. There could be a plethora of reasons behind their decision but it will always be that some will and some wont.

I have come to two conclusions from this simple truth; and they are these.

1) Thank God that we are not saved by our "works" but rather by the blood of Jesus Christ. Reason being if we were justified by our works, then we all would fall short, even if we were to obey every command of God, we will fall short of perfection every single time. Jesus Christ on the other hand did all that was required of him, and died as the perfect sacrifice for our sins. The works we do show our love for our father, but do not justify us in is sight and they never will. Only Jesus Christ can justify us through faith.

2) Don't be downcast when you see Christians around you not wanting to do anything for God, but you yourself are trying to live a righteous life or trying to preach the gospel to others. God know's and see's the everything and someday we all individually as believers will have to stand before God. This will not be for judgment of our sins, since we have been declared righteous already, but rather it will be to give an account of how we lived our lives here on earth. Whether we spent out time laying up treasures in heaven or spent our time building up wood hay and stubble here on earth.

Trusting God in Places of Cruelty

Psalm 74 is a Psalm written by Asaph; This Psalm is quite a dark dreary passage, as Asaph is describing the condition of the land in which he is living in. In Asaph’s time of need he asks God not to forget his promises to his people, as he sums up the state of the land in v20 “Have respect unto the covenant: for the dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of cruelty.”

When I read this passage 4 years ago as a 1 year old Christian. I could not imagine such a land, but over these four years I cannot fail but see it with my own eyes all around me. This is a cruel cruel world! I sympathize with Christians sometimes who….just can’t go on. They are trying to do what’s right, they are trying to do the will of God, but it seems the world is at constant odds with them.

The antagonism is overwhelming, we can be as Asaph was in asking God “where are you” v1 “O God, why hast thou cast us off for ever? why doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?”

Asaph continues on to say in v10 “O God, how long shall the adversary reproach? shall the enemy blaspheme thy name for ever?”

in v7 Asaph explains how the enemies of God have infiltrated the very house of God “They have cast fire into thy sanctuary, they have defiled by casting down the dwelling place of thy name to the ground.”

You can easily see why Asaph would think that God had forgotten them; in his desperation he asks God to “respect the covenant“, to respect the promises he made to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

Asaph was reacting according to what he was seeing around him! Had God forgotten them? Of course not! God has always been near, and as he was with Asaph during his darkest times, he will be with us today through our darkest times.

Asaph begins to encourage himself from verses 12 to 19 of Psalm 74.

He starts off by acknowledging who God is in v12 ”For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth.”

then proceeds to state the power of God

v14 “Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, and gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness.“

v15 “Thou didst cleave the fountain and the flood: thou driedst up mighty rivers.”

He then concludes by asking God to intervene against the ungodly.

v18 “Remember this, that the enemy hath reproached, O LORD, and that the foolish people have blasphemed thy name.”

again in v22 “Arise, O God, plead thine own cause: remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily“

Asaph begins to understand and see that God is in control even in such dark times. It does not matter how much our habitations around us be be inhabited by cruel people, God will show himself strong to his people. Asaph describes a situation that is not foreign to us today. In fact we are probably in a worse state than in Asaph’s day.

I hope this devotion might stir in us the need to know that even if we live in the darkest places of this world, with no light, and no knowledge of God amongst the people around us….we can have hope in God who is always near. Asaph might have felt God was far from him at the start of the Psalm 74, but towards the end he realises that God has always been close by and he has kept his promises, and always will respect the promises he has made. I pray that we may know this as well in our times of desperation and need. Our God is a covenant-keeping God.

He Was An Hairy Man

What can be said about Elijah? Mighty man of God! powerful prophet! This is the man who stood up against the double-minded prophets of Baal and said "How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him."

For Jesus to liken John Baptist to Elijah, shows you the importance he held as a mighty prophet of God. - Matthew 17 v12-13.

A man like that needed no introduction! In fact in his first appearing to king Ahab, he just came on the scene from nowhere with the Words of God! Prophesying how there will be no rain in the land for 3 1/2 years, before leaving for the brook Cherith.

Elijah has many attributes, and he is seen as the most romantic prophet of the Old Testament, but for my devotional though I would like focus on a sentence uttered by the enemy, and this is found in 2Kings 1 v7-9

After the events of 1Kings, Elijah swiftly pays a visit to king Ahaziah's messengers, in order to let them know that their king will not recover from his fall, and that because he has trusted in false gods instead of the LORD, his death is imminent. The messengers bring this news back to Ahaziah, who proceeds to ask them "what manner of man was he" to which they reply with this hilarious answer that "he was an hairy man......." Ahaziah knew immediately that this could only be Elijah the Tishbite.

Now of course they were referring literally to his body hair lol, but I would like to put a spiritual spin on this passage. Elijah was not someone who you would call smooth. Elijah came across as a person who was rough, i.e. in the sense that he did not say what people wanted to hear to please people, but rather the message the LORD God had given to him to say! which many times was not pleasing.

Today we live in a day where the majority want to hear "smooth words", in 2Timothy 4 v2-4 Paul  exhorted Timothy to 


"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." 

This is the day we live in unfortunately, a day which is not so different to Isaiah's day who wrote these words describing people who do not want to hear the Word of the Law 


"......this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD: Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:" - Isaiah 30 v9-10. 


Notice how smoothness is akin to prophesying deceits to the hearers.


How refreshing would it be to have dozens of Elijah's who could just come on the scene without apology and preach God's Word boldly.

The truth is not always what people want to hear, quite the contrary actually, it can be rough and hard to swallow; you just have to read through the bible and see this truth. Brothers and sisters we must "be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:"

We don't need to be arrogant in doing so, or prideful! But giving an answer in meekness and fear does not mean answers devoid of purpose and directness.

Now this devotional is probably aimed more at guys, but it's a principle that Christian girls can use....the hairiness is a spiritual application instead of literal. We are all called to be witnesses for our Saviour, so let's not be side-tracked in trying to please people by diluting the truth, let us speak the truth in love.

How To Have Meaningful Friendships!

I don't claim to be an expert in "friendships" since I myself am prone to taking the FB route of friendships and just speaking to people online, but never approaching them in real life and actually getting to know the person! I am getting better at it though by the grace of God. 


In this post, I wanted to share from a biblical point of view what are the right and wrong ways to establish friendships. I might not be an expert but God is an expert and he has given us his Word :)

How to have meaningful friendships 

• A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. - Proverbs 18 v2

To have a meaningful friendship - first YOU must take the initiative and show yourself friendly to others. It is no good saying to yourself that others must come to you first. A person that has friends is usually the one who is open to initiate and cultivate friendships without waiting for others to initiate.

At times we are drawn to Christians who are in our own social class and we shy away from other Christians who we see as "different" to us. This kind of mentality will give you the friends you want, but not necessarily the friends you need.

Jesus was known as the friend of sinners! He identified with those who were socially unaccepted or unpopular i.e. the publicans. In Mark 15 it is said of Jesus that he was numbered with the transgressors. Jesus knew about being friendly...in fact he is the friend who sticketh closer than a brother.

If you want meaningful friendships, then FIRST be friendly to others; the more you do so the more God will bring the right Christian friends to you who will stick with you through good times and bad times.

How to keep meaningful friendships

• My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away; Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid: What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place. - Job 6 v15-17

Alright! So to have friends you must be friendly to others. In order to keep friends though....you must NOT do what Job's friends.

It is out of the scope of this devotional to go into the story of Job's friends, but Job himself summarized them in chapter 6 v15-17 as "fair-weather friends"

If you want to keep good friends then you have to be a friend to others not only when things are going well for them, but when things are going bad as well.

When the heat is turned up on your friend, still love that person and stand by them and be a friend through hardships.

Proverbs 17 v17 says "A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."

True biblical friendships are hard to come by. A friend who is there for you through hardships and who loves you is real blessing indeed. In order though to have these kind of friends you must first be that kind of friend to others.

May we follow the LORD's example found in scripture about having and keeping friends.


Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. - John 15 v13

Quick Exhortation To Be As Dogs!!!

WHY DO DOGS PANT!? I diligently searched for an explanation for this instantly recognizable facet of our canine friends...and the best explanation I could find is this:


Dogs pant to keep themselves cool, they don't sweat through their skins like us humans. Their tongues have pores which help to cool down their bodies and so the excessive panting serves the primary purpose of cooling down their bodies.


A secondary definition for why they pant though is what I want to focus on! It is said that dogs also pant when they get excited about something. This is the illustration we are most familiar with in cartoons and in movies.


Maybe this is the reason why the Psalmist uses the analogy of "panting" to show his great desire to be with God's Word. 

I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments. - Psalm 119 v131


Are we this excited to read God's Word? To the point where we long for God's commandments as we would long to be with a loved one? Maybe the challenge for us as Christians is to be as dogs in this area of our walk :) 


We have heard 1Peter 2 v2's exhortations to be as babies "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:" but why don't we also as panting dogs desire for God's commandments?


Let us metaphorically salivate over God's Word in excitement; as how a dog would giddily wait in excitement for whatever treat he/she is about to receive. It may sound crazy...but in a crazy world, we as believers need to be consumed with Christ to counteract the excessive godlessness we see around us.


God bless

Women & The Great Commission

It’s rather easy to get the impression that soul-winning is a male endeavor! A casual reader of the Bible or a nominal Christian today might think that going out there and winning the lost is a task placed solely upon the shoulders of men.

The task of reaching the lost with the gospel though is a God given role to every single born again believer! Male and female without exception. Allow me to expand!


The original great commission given by Jesus Christ was to his disciples which were his church when he was on Earth! Christ was the head of that church, he taught them the Word, they prayed together, sang psalms, he sent them out two by two soul-winning, he reproved rebuked and exhorted with all long-suffering and doctrine. 


All the hallmarks of what a great new testament church should be, was present in Jesus Christ’s ministry to the disciples. Some of his last parting words to his disciples, before he ascended up to the Father is what we commonly know today as the great commission.


“Go ye into all the world, and preach the Gospel to every creature.” ~ Mark 16 v15


Now we know that Christ is the head of every single scriptural church today. This truth is made crystal clear in the beautiful picture of marriage.


“……..Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church; and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject into Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing………..” ~ Ephesians 5 v22-24


Much like how every good marriage is a picture of Christ and the church, the same with every scriptural church....Christ is the head of that church and the pastor is known as the under-shepherd to the one Great Shepherd Jesus Christ.


So the command to preach the Gospel to every creature is to every single scriptural church standing today and ever will stand.


Churches are made up of mixed multitudes of people both male and female, if ever a church hopes to reach as many people as they can with the Gospel then it’s going to take the combined efforts of all believers not just men.


We read in the book of Acts 1 how there were gathered about 120 believers! Many who were women and it states so within the context.


These are the same believers who were filled with the Holy Spirit in Acts 2 who went out and got about 3000 people saved.


This was a fulfilment of the prophet Joel’s words when he said “And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out my of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants hand handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy” explained by Peter in the Acts 2 narrative


3000 people could only be saved with the combined efforts of all the believers working together being filled with the Holy Spirit. God is no respecter of persons he will use both men or women to save the lost, all he needs is a willing vessel.


Remember the Samaritan woman in John 4? When she was saved by Christ, she went out with the good news and got other people saved.


I believe in women preachers (not behind the pulpit preaching! God forbid) but out there in the harvest where the labourers are so few! In the highways and hedges and door to door with the news of glad tidings.


We read many times in Paul’s writings how he wanted the women that laboured with him in the Gospel to be looked after, he praised the efforts of god fearing women like Phebe, Priscilla, Mary, Julia, Chloe, Euodias, Syntyche, Eunice and Lois etc who helped him and who were bold enough to open their mouths and give people the Gospel.


God is not restricted by numbers or whether your male or female, he is though restricted when believers make excuses and are not willing to put in the work or the time for the Gospel.

 The magnitude of winning the lost is a lifetimes work, a work that is so important, that it should be impressed on every believers heart.