We Overcome!
Background Music – Overcome by Benita Jones
I Am Who I Am – God’s singular answer to your many questions
Background Music – I Am – Cece Winans
God answered Moses, “I Am Who I Am. This is what you must say to the people of Israel: ‘I Am has sent me to you.’” Exodus 3:14
One of the things I like about the opening phrases is the fact that God answered Moses. Life is full of paradoxes, puzzles, and problems that set us in quest for answers in different directions. I am grateful for the encouragement in this text that there is an answer! An answer to your physical, financial, professional, social, familial, marital, emotional, spiritual or legal problem! Your case is not unsolvable neither is it impossible.
Jesus looked straight at them and answered, “This is impossible for human beings but not for God; everything is possible for God.” Mark 10:27
There are 3 fundamental lessons from God’s response to Moses:
1. PERSONALITY [I]: God is personable and relatable – He is a person and not just a supernatural being beyond the galaxies. For we do not have a high priest who cannot be touched by the feelings of our infirmities. If you are hurt, He feels it too.
2. ORIGINALITY & IMMUTABILITY [I Am]: God is self-existing. Nothing made him and nobody can attempt to copy him. Every other god or being that tried has failed woefully – He is still top of the charts at being who he was, is, and will always be – Unchanging! Everlasting!! God!!!
3. INCOMPREHENSIBILITY [I Am Who I Am]: God is God all by himself – can’t be figured out or boxed-in. He is too much to be limited to time, space, places or things. Some know him as healer, provider or deliverer, etc. Truth is he is all that, and much more. The Psalmist said his greatness is unsearchable. At best, all we know now is incomplete, there’ll come a time when all obscurity and ambiguity will fade – when we see him face to face and will know even as we are fully known. What a day that will be!
Got questions? Great, God’s got the answers! He is the God of all flesh, nothing is too hard for him. Nothing (no thing) includes the stuff that you are currently losing sleep over. All you need to do is ask!
Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. Matthew 7:7
Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come.
Jeremiah 33:3
Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honour Me.
Psalm 50:15
I will answer their prayers before they finish praying.
Isaiah 65:24
Fulfilment Comes 2
How then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that it must be so? But all this has happened that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Matthew 26: 54, 56a
Have you ever been through hard times wherein you asked the classic ‘why me’ question? Well, I have and got the usual response – if not you, who then?
The events leading up to the scene above include the chief priests and the elders’ plotting against Jesus, his anointing at Bethany with the expensive perfume, Judas’ agreement to betray him, the last supper, his prediction that Peter would betray him, the Gethsemane saga which culminated in his arrest. I don’t know about you, but the mere thought that I had all this coming is enough to get me negotiating a ‘cross-xit’ with the Father and Holy Spirit. But Jesus didn’t, instead, he persevered so that scriptures and prophecies concerning him might be fulfilled.
When a zealous disciple tried to interfere with the process by drawing a sword, Jesus mentioned one of the many exit strategies he could have deployed- Legions, and then made the best purpose and impact statement I have ever heard. He said: “But if I did, how would the Scriptures be fulfilled that describe what must happen now?”
…and then followed with:
“But this is all happening to fulfill the words of the prophets as recorded in the Scriptures.”
At which point, all the disciples deserted him and fled. Look after yourself, Jesus! Sounds like the tribes who bellowed ‘to your tents oh Israel’ as they left Rehoboam.
Those who’ve left you are not as important as HE who’s with you always. You might be tempted to throw in the towel, look back or quit, please don’t. I strongly believe your salvation is nearer now than when you first believed. It won’t be long till you see or take hold of that which you were promised. The furnace might be heated seven times more than usual but that’s only because the fourth man’s about to show himself strong and mighty on your behalf. Be encouraged #dontgiveup #fulfilmentcomes #itshallcometopass #hollaapraise
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. Hebrews 10:36
Related journal:
Fulfillment Comes!
Every Knee Shall Bow
When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it onHis head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Matthew 27:29
Even in the midst of jest and mockery, the roman soldiers did not know they were fulfilling the prophecy – every knee shall bow.
I have no idea what or who may be taunting you right now but be assured it’s working together for your good. The twisted crown may have been for play and unintended but it’s shifted. Be it sickness, childlessness, unemployment, lack, – whatsoever may be challenging the promises of God to you, bows in the name of Jesus. I command all pseudo or mocking reverences to become authentic in Jesus’ name.
You may bleed a wee bit longer but the enemy is on his knee. The reed in your hand is turning into a rod of power. #everykneeshallbow #fulfilmentcomes#turnaround #downsideup #hollaapraise
Love at the Upper Room – You Showed Me
Background Music – You Showed Me -Karen Clark-Sheard
So he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him. John 13:4-5
If you knew you had only one night with your partner before they’d be gone for a long while, what would you do? Selah! Jesus did something spectacular and memorable in deciding to feet – wash his disciples. It was a small intimate last supper event by invitation only, where he put his love on display by what may have seemed insignificant in an exclusive venue.
The upper room in Jerusalem also known as the Cenacle is an elevated and private area reserved for special use. Jesus would later return here to show himself after resurrection and descend by his spirit to touch each of the 120 congregants with cloven tongues of fire. Legendary!
I can almost liken this place to Isaac’s tent or Solomon’s chamber– no doubt each of the attendees had a testimony. The former‘s is unrecorded but the latter’s is journaled:
You led me to your banquet room and showered me with love. Song of Songs 2:4
Pondering on the phrase ‘you led me’ alone, has me speaking mysteries not to mention the encounter. Can you imagine being showered with or drenched in love? Church, at this point I’m down and out. Send some ushers, please 🙂
You led me…. and lead them he did. Jesus rendezvoused with the disciples in this unique, privy, and peaceful space – away from the norm, noise, & distractions. No boating, mountain-climbing, ‘wildernessing’, praying or fasting but feasting and TLC. Just he and they in this serene place which had an ambience of love. Brother knew how to spice things up, can I get a witness? Talk about A-game! Oh to be led. Pray with me, somebody! Have you noticed Jesus was intentional about the where – The place? A dear friend of mine would always say ‘location matters’ and I agree.
The second thing Jesus was deliberate about was the what – gesture or gift. He could have done a million and one things for them but then chose to shower them with love by washing their feet. Please note this was not done haphazardly because scripture details a process:
- He got up from the meal: He probably finished before them in readiness for his act of service. He did not recline as most leaders or brothers would. He got up and got on with the programme. He showed how it should be done.
- He took off his outer clothing and wrapped a towel around his waist: This is a picture of the future in that he would be stripped of his seamless garment signifying glory and favour. This also connotes openness and intimacy. He showed them!
- He poured water into a basin and began to wash and dry their feet: To an onlooker, it would probably mean nothing but for them to have the son of God wash their feet was an unmerited privilege. This was him showing mercy and compassion to those he chose (Romans 9:15). Because among the ‘washees’ was at least one sword-swinger, betrayer, denier, and recidivist. Jesus foreknew but still stripped, stooped, washed and dried.
Talk about sacrificial and unconditional love, He showed it!
As you go through the festivities and motions of the day with your significant or insignificant other, be deliberate and selective. Love selflessly and unreservedly. Make every moment spectacular and memorable.
Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. John 13:35
Other Valentine Editions
Beloved
Come and see the man!
Love conquers all…
Will you be mine?
His Love, My Salvation
Because He Loved Me
Endless Love
You qualify!
I Love You
The Right Time for Your Blessing
But when the right time came, the time God decided on, he sent his Son, born of a woman, born as a Jew, to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law so that he could adopt us as his very own sons. Gal 4:4-5
There are things that will not occur in life until the time is due. There are timetables, schedules, intervals, appointments and agendas that motion events which unfold. Take for instance conception, gestation, birth, puberty, graduation, wedding, anniversary, death, etc. Time is a regulator.
The above passage reveals:
- There is a right time for everything
- God is the ultimate decision-maker and strategist
- He is intentional – every gift serves a purpose (e.g redemption, adoption, etc)
There are no coincidences in the spirit or natural realm; time passes, sometimes rapidly and other times gradually.
To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.
Eccl 3:1
Although God is everlasting and exists out of time, the entirety of his creation is governed by time. It is through the concept of time we recognize moments, opportunities, rhythms, and metrics. The awareness of time drives activities, events, and life.
Not many would agree, however, Jesus is God’s greatest and best gift to humanity hence the reason a considerable amount of time is carved out to commemorate and celebrate his birth in the Christian community. The most amazing thing is that The Gift came in the process of time – the fullness of time – the right time. Not a second early or late –Just in time! Friend herein is your assurance that everything God has promised you will come to pass; it’s just a matter of time.
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. Eccl 3:11
I have no clue what you may be delinquent in but God is all-knowing and has made the necessary provision through his son. As we approach the end of the year, many people are disappointed, in despair and anxious but your hopes will not be deferred neither will your expectations be cut short.
My prayer is that in the in last few days of 2018, God will meet you at the point of your need. Whatever must be suspended or accelerated for your miracle to ensue, be it the sun standing still or you outrunning chariots, let it happen! I decree alignment in every area of your life. May heaven and earth collude in your favour. Let there be breakthroughs!
The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong,
Nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding,
Nor favour to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all.
Eccl 9:11