Leaving It All Behind

Back in 2017, the statistics showed that the average home in the US contained about 300,000 things, while the average British 10 yr old had about 238 toys, but only played with 12 of them daily. As humans, we accumulate many things over the course of a lifetime and create attachments with them. Concepts like downsizing and a 'spending fast' (a forced break from spending) are seen as extreme exercises in our time, because as a whole, we just do not want to part with our stuff.

I do not know what the statistics were for a tax collector in Jesus’ time. However, I am sure that it would’ve been a great sacrifice for Levi (aka Matthew), to have dropped everything on the day that Jesus passed by and said, Follow Me.

Luke 5:27-28 After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow Me,” Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed Him.

Could you have immediately risked giving up all your hard work, accolades and possessions to ’pick up’ and follow the Man called Jesus? I’m not certain that my obedience would have been as immediate as Levi’s. I would've probably gone into an immediate audit and self counselling session, before I made the ultimate move to follow His calling. Of course, I am not proud of this confession. However, sharing my things is sometimes a bit of a struggle, so I could just imagine what it would be like to give them up, as I know too well the pain of losing the things I treasure.

However, wherever our brother Levi was in his life’s journey, he was either filled or emptied enough, to be ready to sacrifice it all for Jesus. In the following verses, we see that Levi went on to celebrate his decision to walk with Christ, by inviting those in his sphere of influence, (i.e. other tax collectors) to ’come meet a Man’.

Today, I’d like to pose some deep questions for our consideration:

What are the things that are weighing us down and hindering us from following Him?

• Whether to follow Him, is that first step towards salvation and a deeper relationship with God, or it’s towards following our PURPOSE and serving our gifts.

How can we use the things we’ve been blessed with in our lives to serve God?

• Levi used his position, influence and wealth to honour the Lord and bring others to Christ. What about us?

Who can we invite to meet Jesus and join in this divine feasting with us?

• There are people around us who are watching and some are even waiting for an invitation to come and feast on what we are enjoying.

Will we be bold enough to take the next step together and FOLLOW HIM?

• Luke 5:32 Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Imagine being a disciple of Christ, living life in service to Him, actively participating in Kingdom activities and then you die. You are in Paradise with our Lord and Saviour, or at the very least, you are no longer subject to suffering, sin or any of the maladies, mortal man must continuously contend with. You feel an eternal sense of freedom and then...boom! You're back here.

I do not claim to know exactly what the afterlife is like for a believer, but I know it is much better than this life.

The Apostle Paul says this is in Philippians 1:21 "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labour for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your boasting in Christ Jesus will abound on account of me."

The Apostle Paul was on to something here. His words give us some insight as to "Why Raise Dorcas?". Even though to be with Christ is "better by far", it was more necessary for Dorcas to remain and meet the needs of the community she served. As a result of her being with them again, many more came to believe and boast in Christ, on account of her ressurection. (Her ressurection also affirmed Peter as an Apostle)

As believers, both our life and death are unto the Lord. We are His and He does with us, as He pleases.

Psalm 135:6

The LORD does whatever pleases Him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths.

The comforting thing about this truth is that whatever He does is good. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

I encourage us to see ourselves as servants and slaves to Christ. Whether we live or die, it is in service to Him and His great plan. Let us ask the Lord, to help us willingly walk in His purpose for our lives, as we continue to grow in Him.

Have a Blessed and Beautiful WAR Wednesday!

When the speaker asked, "Have you ever felt disqualified?" I knew instantly this was going to be one of those ‘ouch’ messages, that left you limping out of the church meeting and into a week of deep thought and repentance.

The short answer is yes, I do. I feel disqualified all the time. Most days I really feel like an impostor, both in what I’m paid to do and what I’m called to do. I struggle to feel good enough and Lord forgive me, sometimes equipped enough too.

Imposter Syndrome is generally defined as consistently doubting your abilities and feeling like a fraud in the activities, which you are viewed to have some expertise in. This feeling mainly affects people, seen as high achieving or perfectionist, who experience difficulties accepting their accomplishments.

Well, I do not by any stretch of the imagination, consider myself to be a perfectionist, but I can identify with the rest of that definition. For about 5 years after I graduated from university, I had recurring nightmares. I dreamt that my alma mater would call to notify me that they were taking back ‘their’ degree, because a review of their records showed that, I either forgot to take a class or failed a class, that they previously missed. When those 5 years of bad dreams passed, I graduated to feeling consistently ill-equipped in my various jobs and ultimately, in my career. Now, as a writer and speaker in waiting, thoughts of being less than qualified taunts me often.

Imposter Syndrome is a constant thorn in my side, but praise the Lord that the Bible has an answer for everything, that distracts us from our PURPOSE.

I love what Paul says in Philippians 3:3-4 when he warns us about putting our confidence in our flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by His Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: Then he discredits all of his earthly accomplishments and goes on by saying, v9 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

Counting it all as loss is not what an ‘imposter en route to recovery’ wants to hear; but they are the words of freedom, for a qualified follower of Jesus Christ. This got me thinking deeper about where my focus laid and what my definition of success was. It also convicted me of holding onto something, that God has called me to release, so that I can receive more than that just the accomplishments of this world.

1 Corinthians 1:27-31 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before Him. It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

Today I encourage you to put your focus securely on and your trust firmly in, the One who Called & Qualified you!

"Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Phillipians 3:13b-14

We love to quote the Apostle Paul, don't we? His words are some of the most repeated, emphasized, controversial, debated and often misused passages of scripture. For example... "I can do all this through Him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13 isn't referring to your ability to complete the last set at the gym, your exam or the final 1km in the marathon you chose to run. Rather, Paul is speaking about his ability to be content regardless of, if he has a lot or a little. He can do all things through Christ.

As with all scripture, we need to look at the words of the Apostle Paul within their proper and intended context.

So when the Apostle speaks about, "pressing towards the goal" in Phillipians 3:14, we need to examine the preceding verses, to establish context and determine exactly what goal, Paul is pressing towards.

Verse 10 through 14 reads, "I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead."

"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

So what goal is Paul pressing towards?

1. Paul wants to know God (more intimately).
2. Paul desires to suffer with/in/for Christ.
3. Paul wants to become like Christ in death and be resurrected.

Of course this is just a brief synopsis of a few short verses of scripture. However, in these few verses, we see the life of a true believer outlined. A life of relationship with God, suffering for God and a life that ultimately leads to resurrection and eternity with God.

I encourage you to not only search and examine the Word, but allow the Word to search and examine you, as we press on to a closer relationship, more suffering, and glorious resurrection in Christ Jesus.

Stay Motivated, Encouraged and Inspired

Oftentimes, when we hear the story of the woman at the well, we make it a story about the woman at the well. While the story does give us some insight into this woman and her response to an encounter with Jesus, we should never lose focus of whom the story is really about and what it is communicating to us, about the character of God.

Jesus had a knack for finding and engaging with people, despite their sinful condition. In fact, in Luke 5:32, Jesus said, "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."

Jesus was not afraid or ashamed to engage those, who are often marginalized or looked down on by society.

In the story of the woman at the well, Jesus had a conversation with this Samaritan woman, knowing that Jews did not associate with Samaritans. Furthermore, as a Jewish man, it would have been more frowned upon, to be seen speaking with a Samaritan woman, especially one with a questionable reputation, concerning her affiliation with men.

However, regardless of how He may have been perceived, Jesus was there on purpose and for purpose. He was not concerned about the opinions of men, but rather, He was concerned about the eternal condition, of the person whom He came to save.

Can you think of someone who needs to hear about Jesus, but you are too ashamed to be seen with them? Are you worried that your reputation may be tainted, if you are seen having a conversation with people of contentious character?

Jesus wasn't ashamed, when He called the woman at the well and He wasn't ashamed when He called you. He wasn't ashamed when He called me, even though we all have extremely controversial characters, in comparison with Chirst.

The story of the woman at the well, isn't about the woman at the well. The story of the woman at the well is about the character Jesus Christ, the character of God. It is about how even in His perfection, He is still willing to reach deep down into the depths of sin and pull us out because of LOVE.

Have a Blessed and Beautiful WAR Wednesday!

If you were ever an athlete, or at any point engaged in any rigorous exercise for an extended period, then you know what it is to be really thirsty. I’m speaking about that inner parchedness which cannot be quenched by any popular sports drink, soft drink or juice. That thirst which can only be satisfied by water.

Now, to be honest, I’m not a regular juice or soda drinker. I prefer to drink either tea, (black, with no sugar and soy milk to be specific) or ambient water to satisfy my liquid cravings. However, there is another type of thirst I experienced which no earthly beverage has ever satisfied. That is the deep thirst in my spirit for the Living Water, which is Jesus Christ.

John 7:37b-38 “Let anyone who is thirsty come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

The testimony of the woman at the well in John 4, is a perfect example of getting what you needed and not what you thought you wanted. What could make you drop your water pot on a hot day at a well? Well, only something that could truly satisfy the reason you were there in the first place.

John 4:13-14 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

In our lives, we too are trying to fill our thirsts and desires with temporal satiation, which leaves us momentarily satisfied, but always longing for more. I believe that we were created with a God sized hole, that can only be filled by and with God. I have definitely seen this truth repeatedly proven in my own life over the years.

Could it be so simple? Is the answer to all our worries/concerns, aspirations and failures simply to drink more Living Water?

Matthew 6:31-33 

So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Proverbs 16:3 “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans.”

Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

The next time you are feeling drained, in one of life’s situations and in need of refreshment that truly quenches, run (don’t walk) to the well that never runs dry and drink from the fountain of Living Water, which is Jesus Christ.

Albert Einstein defines crazy as, "Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." I’m inclined to believe him and confess that I’m guilty of being cuckoo in my life, more times than I care to reveal.

For some reason, this quote came to me, when I again heard the story of Simon Peter’s fishless, fishing trip in John 21. Imagine, fishing for a whole night and not even catching a sprat. Then, being told to keep fishing in the same water, from the same boat, with the same nets, for a different result. The major lesson from this testimony of Simon Peter and miracle of Jesus, was that the outcome of our situation can never be the same, once we take our direction from Jesus.

John 21:4-6 Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realise that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered. He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

Well, that was an extremely timely message in a period of my life, where the oceans in which I was labouring, were seemingly barren. So, I got up this morning and in my same situation, I heeded His guidance in prayer for direction in my failed ‘fishing escapades’.

We may not be fishermen, but this miracle isn’t just about catching fish and having a filling breakfast. Peter’s fishing experience was not just about maritime affairs, but rather about coming up continually empty, in the field in which he was supposed to be an expert. I’m sure Peter was about to throw in the towel (nets) and call it what it was, a hopeless situation. But, hallelujah, praise the Lord for God’s guidance in verse 6.

I’m currently right there in a similar situation. I am currently in that season of empty hands, with no solution in my own expertise. However, after hearing this message, with a defeated spirit and trembling knees, I stood up and sought His renewed guidance for direction. I confessed, "Lord I’m all out, I’ve got nothing left in my earthly resources. I’m ready to ‘cast my net on the other side’ in this situation." I asked Him to forgive me for my delay in really seeking His direction in my life.

If this is where you are now, i.e. feeling empty handed and stuck in the Same Situation needing a Different Outcome, then please pray with me today.

Prayer: Father God forgive me, for I have sinned. I have hoarded my anxieties and burdens, instead of casting them on You, as Your Word has directed me to do. I admit that I am nothing in any of life’s situation without You. Lead me Lord. I know that though my situation may seemingly remain the same, my outcome will be different, now that I have truly let You in. Strengthen my faith Lord, embolden me to try once more, with my full trust in You. Thank You Jesus that Your Word is as true today, as it was when these testimonies were recorded thousands of years ago. Thank You Lord that these same words are just as relevant to my situation today. I’m ready to cast my net on the other side. Amen!

Psalm 55:22 Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all Your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.

I love a good message about being created for a PURPOSE. I could listen to, or talk about, a PURPOSE driven life from now until the cows come home. It’s such a beautiful thing to finally realise and accept the reason why you were created.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Unfortunately, the world would like us to believe the lie, that we were created as part of a big bang, eventually evolving into hardworking money driven beings, who inevitably grow old and die. While the latter is true, we will eventually die; the space in between our first cry and our last breath should be filled with things such as joy and fulfilment. However, this can only be truly attained when we surrender to God in relationship and accept our created PURPOSE.

I’ve tried to be a few things in my life, which I have failed epically at. Though they weren’t successful, these experiences gifted me with more confidence, direction and of course, some funny stories for these weekly devotions.

One of my cherished childhood memories, was singing the popular ballads of the day with my godmother. Oh, I loved it, and she pretended to love it too. The reality though, was that I could neither hold nor carry a note anywhere. This was made very clear, when my primary school music teacher not so politely asked me to leave the choir auditions for a show called 'Time To Sing'.

Later, I tried to be an athlete, this yielded moderate success only. I proudly wore the national colours and sat on college benches, pretending that I could be the next Lisa Leslie or pro-basketball player. However, when it was time to put up or shut up, there was mainly silence and not much game. So as I previously said, I’ve sat on many benches.

Most recently, I dabbled a little with modelling. Well, I mean it should’ve been a ‘no brainer’ right? With this height and my father’s high cheekbones, I could command the catwalk and drop the jaws of all who paid their good money to stare at me. Although the clothes hung right and the camera’s focus was on point, my peace was in pieces. A fashion model was not what I was created to be.

What I feel most comfortable with, is using that same voice to encourage, my height to command your attention and my poise to deliver an impactful word from Christ that is sure to change at least one life. That is my PURPOSE in life and I have finally accepted it.

What is your PURPOSE?

It’s ok if your answer at this moment is I don’t know. However, it’s a pity if your desire is not to take the next steps to find out. Search the scriptures and petition the Father in prayer. He will reveal it to you, if you take the time to be still and listen.

Disclaimer: Your PURPOSE may be a talent that you knew about all along, or it maybe an entirely new gift you are now learning to embrace. However, whichever it is, you will be aptly equipped by God to fulfill it.

Trust me, you want to live a life pursuing and fulfilling what you were created and designed for. That’s what living is about, otherwise, you’re just existing in between that first cry at birth and that last breath before death.