Tag Archives: the christian life

Living It Out From Here To There: 1

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Picture courtesy of Billy Sketchmaster Mugambi https://www.facebook.com/SketchmasterB?fref=ts

Picture courtesy of Billy Sketchmaster Mugambi

In the last few months I have had a refresher course to really understand how God is at work in me. God has always been at work in me but I have rarely kept as close tabs on it as I have done off late. A door has been flung open and I have been allowed to understand things I never really realised were there.

This morning as I walked back home after taking my son to school, I was reminded of a message I heard a while back. The crux of it was this: “Each one of us must be able to track our lives from the day we really met God. There is a story to each life that has to be told and lived out. There is also a scripture that undergirds each of our lives. Do you know yours? Each of us lives out a covenant with God that operates in a certain way, do you know yours?”  When I say really met God, I mean that day when even though you may have been a believer for a long time, there was a day when many things suddenly made greater sense and you had a deeper connection to and with God.

This message because was reinforced in a conversation about a post I shared on FB last Saturday. This is what I posted:

Life has been challenged on so many fronts this year but the greatest one has and continues to be the value of my life…Over the last few weeks I’ve talked a lot about Judy Niemeyer and the Impact she had on me especially her last days.

Picture courtesy of Billy Sketchmaster Mugambi https://www.facebook.com/SketchmasterB?fref=ts

Picture courtesy of Billy Sketchmaster Mugambi

Today was another of those moments. We were at a memorial for someone else today and a couple of things stood out…

  1. The value of my connection to people may or may not be missed based on how deeply my life touched them.
  2. People understand love in different ways based on who they are. For some its finances, others time, and others physical contact and still others conversations…the question is do I know the languages of those around and do I connect with them as such?
  3. There is a gem in me that needs to be let out that all who need what I have get it on time. This pouring out also helps me because as I pour out I leave space for others to pour into me and their destiny is tied to pouring out into me.

The teary part for me is the realisation the extent to which the destiny of others is tied to the unfolding of mine. At the memorial I heard story after story of a life well lived, hearts and lives changed, and I wondered how to live my life better every day.‪#‎IntentionalLiving…

Remember the #2015Tears are happy tears because they celebrate how far we have come…

A life well lived out is one that is so many things. It is productive, full of impact, an expression of God, a connection to love, compassion, grace and understanding. It is alive, vibrant, free, connected, colourful and graceful. It is full of faith, grace, wisdom, truth, honesty, understanding, giving and contentment. A life lived out well is one that is based on the script God the Creator wrote for this particular vessel.

It has been said over and over that there’s no standard script for all our lives. There are however, individual scripts for each of us based on who God created us to be, who He know we are and what He knows we have to pass through to become all He has desired or us to be. That said, each of us must find a way to connect to their path and walk it out fully.

A life well lived is the pouring out of the gem that is in me into the appointed people and following my instruction from God.

Picture courtesy of Billy Sketchmaster Mugambi https://www.facebook.com/SketchmasterB?fref=ts

Picture courtesy of Billy Sketchmaster Mugambi

It is about rising to the peak of who I am in Christ whatever that may be. If I am set to be influential in the corporate world, business world, local food market, in a public vehicle, on the street, I must rise to be all I need to be, where I need to be and when I need to be. It means that I must find my place in Christ and be content with it even when it leads me down a road I wouldn’t have gone by my own choice because that road will open doors I would never have reached. It is finding joy, peace and grace along the path I am destined to walk, with those I am destined to walk with. It is saying only what I really need to say and no more. It is doing only what I need to do to the very best of my abilities regardless of the cost. It is to showcase God in all His fullness through my life.

Are you truly living it out from here to there? Are you on the way to becoming a #LivingEpistle? Are you confident of the call on your life and the road you are travelling? Remember, a life lived out is of great joy to our Father in Heaven.

Let’s live out our lives every day.

Wisdom

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2 Chronicles 1:7-12

7 That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”

8 Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. 9 Now, LORD God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. 10 Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

11 God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, possessions or honour, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, 12 therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honour, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.”

 

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Imagine with me that God would visit you one night and say to you the very same thing he said to Solomon….what would your true answer be? For many of us we would think of all the things we have desired and that are important to making us feel good. However, look at Solomon, he asked for what would help him take care of the task set before him…to lead the children of God. He was less concerned about his personal matter because I guess he understood that when he stepped into his role and did what was expected of him the rest would come. I hear the words of Matt 6:33…seek first the kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be added to you.”

 

Did he know that? Owing to the fact that he was the son of david I believe he knew keenly the place of God and how he would take care of the other things. I know that from sitting with his father and hearing the things God had done in his father’s lifetime there was hope and certainty in walking with God. It was a daunting task to lead the children of Israel. So he acknowledged that he did not have what it took to run this nation right so he sought divine intervention. We are told that he established himself firmly over the kingdom for the Lord his God was with him and made him exceedingly great.

 

So here is Solomon, freshly anointed, installed and established as the king and he does several very profound things:

  1. He assessed his situation – he took careful stock of what he had to handle on a day to day basis: a people numerous as the sand on the sea and they were the great people of God close to his heart with a great many matters to be resolved.
  2. He accepted his reality – he could not do it on his own even if he tried or wanted to. There would be cases to judge and justice to dispense and in his own strength he would not be impartial. He needed someone bigger than him to provide balance
  3. He respected the people – called them a great people of God. He knew without a doubt that these people where different from the other nations around and had to be handled differently. This was higher than him and intervention was needed to be able to be the kind of leader they needed.
  4. He asked for wisdom and knowledge –he tapped into the one person who knew these people and could provide the perfect solution. He was unashamed to seek assistance and support from someone higher than himself

This is such a profound request… 10 Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

 

Where are you? What have you been called to do? Have you counted the cost and found it higher than you could do on your own? Remember that God is the one who establishes us and provides what we need to be the kind of people we need to be. God has called us to be of service to him and to be change makers in the nations. He provides all we need in the right proportions. Remember Daniel? Daniel 1:17 As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.” God provided all that they needed. He protected Daniel when he was thrown into the lion’s den and when others reported him and wanted him dead. He was his shield and protector.

 

Remember that in the walk we are set on there will be things that will appear too big to overcome and to challenge. These are the moments that God desires for us to look back into His eyes and understand that He will make a path for us achieve His purpose. We must be like Daniel and Solomon who regularly and diligently sought God and His will and obeyed Him no matter what. And even when they had instances of failure like Solomon when he married so many women, God remembered His covenant with David and spared Solomon loss.

 

His covenant to us and will come through for us when we keep close to him and follow in His ways. We must live in obedience and commitment to Him and His word. He will provide the wisdom on how to tackle the situation and make ways where there seem to be no way. However, for all this to happen we must have connected with His plan and purpose for our lives and be committed to it regardless of how it looks to those around us. We must know His will for us and ensure we are steadfast to it.

 

He will provide the strength, wisdom and ability to achieve so just connect with Him in obedience and be consistent and He will do the rest. Seek first the kingdom and His righteousness and all these things shall be added to you.

 

PURPOSE

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The last time I wrote I was talking about obedience and the impact it has. The more interesting one was the realisation that there is so much more that enhances obedience. Think of it this way, there has to be something that makes the demand for obedience worth the pursuit and allows you the time to keep everything on track. This is PURPOSE.

I am not talking about purpose in the usual sense it is used meaning the reason we are alive and the work we are called to do on this side of heaven. I am talking about purpose in the sense of taking a pre-determined position and sticking with it. This is even more interesting when we look at the place is stands out more in scripture.

We all know the story of Daniel and often we overlook the profound truths that lie in plain sight but we never truly see them. We all know the story…Nebuchadnezzar captured the nation of Israel and took them into captivity. He gave orders to have the young men of good looks and royal bearing be brought to him to be trained and fed well in preparation for his service. In the group was four Jewish young men namely Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. With Daniel in the lead they requested to be spared the goodies of the king’s table and given vegetables and water. This was because they had PURPOSED not to defile themselves with wine and food offered to other gods. They were tested and found to be superior in all ways to those who partook of the goodies. AMAZING……

There are many things to learn but I will only highlight the ones I found most profound.

They PURPOSED not to defile themselves. This was not a half-hearted easy decision to make. In the event they did not look better than the other young men the move could cost them and the head of the eunuch’s their lives. Yet despite all this they decided to do something different and nothing could dissuade them from the same. I said NOTHING could change their minds from the decision. They settled it in their hearts that this was a risk worth taking regardless of the consequences.

They REQUESTED to be excused. Even after deciding in their hearts they informed someone outside the circle who was unlikely to understand their stand. The head of the eunuch’s did not know better than to obey the orders of his mater. This coupled with the fact that there were such delicacies he could not wrap his mind around the fact that these young men did not want the goodies. The four men politely made their stand abundantly clear and were ready to stand up for what they believed.

The FOUND FAVOUR in the eyes of man. The head eunuch listened to them and considered his options. There was no natural reason for him to listen to the strange request from these four kids but he did and contemplated it and discussed scenarios with them…UNBELIEVABLE.

They were TESTED. The eunuch agreed to try this mad diet and see if they would actually survive and be what they believed they could be. Ten days…shorter than a diet to begin to take concrete effect and they had it all down and ready. They were more handsome, brighter, fatter and generally in better shape. They passed with distinctions and were then allowed to stay on their preferred diet.

They found FAVOUR with God. God honoured their faithfulness with knowledge, skill, wisdom, understanding and the gift of interpretation. He raised them to a place of prominence that would have been impossible to attain if they did not defer and focus on God and his will.

This got me thinking…if it was me in that scenario what would I do? I am wondering because God is working on me and pushing me to do things for him that I at times find ridiculous and not the way I want it to go. Then I am reminded of different things like:

It is no longer I that live but Christ that lives in me. The life I live in the body I live by faith

Without faith it is impossible to please God

I cannot achieve great things for God if I am not willing to do radical things and hold onto His word over me and my life. Purpose in this sense then is brought to pass when we have a clear vision on what we are called to be and achieve in this life and make the rest of our days meaningful. What is it that I must purpose to do that I may never be cast out of the presence of Jehovah? The task or act we are called to will vary from person to person depending on our destiny. Each of us has a task to accomplish and so we must buckle down and figure out the best way forward.

In this season of my life…I have purposed to follow Jehovah with all that is in me despite the surrounding situation and the slow pace that things may unfold. I have learned that disobedience is born of an over-active self that will eventually lead me down the wrong path. I wonder what your need to purpose in your to do that your destiny may be released upon you. I have purposed to:

Have a consistent time with my father and king on a daily basis regardless on the circumstance.

Die to self daily moment by moment that I may hear the voice of the Lord clearly

What do you need to do to make the changes in your life… Seek first the kingdom and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. Stand firm and do not waiver even when everyone is changing course. I am reminded of the words of a song by Cece Winans…alabaster box. She says “…you weren’t there the night that Jesus found me; you did not feel what I felt when he wrapped his arm around me…you don’t know the cost of the oil in my alabaster box.”

I believe that when we focus totally on God and his will for us, the world will stop and take notice and make room for us.

What do you need to purpose to do with his call on your life?