Divine Encounters

Day 234 Reading: Obadiah 1:1 - Jonah 4:11 The world is seeking for answers. It's in pain and many of those who are called to represent the Balm of Gilead have run away. Oh yes, many of God's messengers have run away from declaring the Word of God. You see we are called God's children because we have come to Zion where there is deliverance. God expects us to understand that we are called by a holy God and we cannot desecrate His presence.  The story of Jonah is told world over. Many always question whether a grown man could be swallowed by a fish. My purpose is not to provide scientific or empirical studies into the validity of the prophecy of Jonah. The question that was on my mind was why did Jonah run away. The more I meditated on this the more I realised the folly of many of us today is the same as that of Jonah. Jonah ran away because He knew that he would proclaim a word and the people would heed it causing God to change from the God of Judgement to th...

Day 42 Reading: Num. 9:1- Num. 11:35 Learn to walk in divine authority. Moses spoke to men who were troubled that they wouldn't be able to take part in the Passover. The men seemed agitated. Moses gave an instruction 'Stand Still', i.e. stop all you are doing and wait for an answer from God. Develop an intimacy with God that when you speak it is authoritatively the mind and heart of God regarding any matter. The response of God to Moses and by extension the children of Israel shows that God never wants us to miss on having the blessings He has ordained. Whatever the reason that may have hindered your not receiving at the appointed time would not mean that you cannot partake of the feast of the Lord the following month.  Twice we read that the entire camp only moved when the Pillar of Cloud of glory that rested above the Tabernacle moved. This is consistently mentioned from Exodus that they moved only when the Pillar of Cloud moved. Charles, learn to move only w...

Day 30 Reading: Lev. 5:1- Lev. 7:38 Keeping the Law was work. The law revealed more about the dispensation of law whereas the days of Abraham were the dispensation of promise. Some offerings required a bull; some a male goat or female goat; some a ram. Keeping all this was work. The law was about works but this does not mean I should dismiss it. One should read not just for knowledge but for a revelation of God. One thing I think we miss today in the church is the perspective of the Holiness of God. As I read about the different offerings I am amazed at how God breaks down every sin. Nothing is trivial to God. And the law was not one rule for all in terms of remediation. If one couldn't meet (afford) a certain requirement God had a solution.  Many things amazed me as I read this portion of scripture. The person who lied and was found as having stolen from another would restore to full value and add 20% to the person affected whilst also offering a trespass offering. To...

I lay in bed thanking God for the day whilst at the same time my heart was weighed down by some issues that I just was concerned about. As I thanked God for life, God began to speak to me to look ahead.  As I meditated on those words I was reminded of an account in the bible where God stood in front of Moses and allowed him to see all His goodness Exodus 33:19. This incident took place in a desert, where Moses was surrounded by  sand, was eating manna for sustenance and am sure life didn't look great as the children of Israel he was leading constantly complained. God painted a picture of a bright future and Moses embraced it not allowing his present circumstances to hinder his seeing his future. I want to challenge you to look ahead and not allow the trials, failings, circumstances of the past and present to become an obstacle to possessing your future. Let God paint your future while you embrace it by pursuing it passionately. As you embrace it walking towards the purpose a...

As the year is drawing to a close it's important that we end the year well. I don't mean by splashing out a party or some expensive function to mark the end of the year but one needs to take stock of the year and end it well. The best way and I believe the right way to end the season is to be grateful.  One of the biggest plagues devastating humanity is called "Complainotitis"-just coined that word to describe the attitude of a complainer. Today some people will complain about everything, everyone, anything and anyhow; no wonder we have many ungracious characters. Listening to some people describe their year will make you realise that many are downright ungrateful for everything.  I have made a choice and that is to be thankful for everything. As 2011 is slowly winding down I have decided that I will enter 2012 with a grateful heart enabling me to be gracious. I am grateful I am alive; am thankful I am healthy, living, working, walking, talking, and once again livin...

We are almost at the middle point of the year. Many will at this time be taking stock of their lives seeking to evaluate their goals and targets for this year and will re-evaluate to see the progress made. As I sat and meditated about the year so far, God reminded me that its important to give thanks. I may not be where I wanted to be at the beginning of the year but one thing I will do is be grateful to God for where I am as I am a living testimony that miracles still occur. The future may look bleak to some because of the economic forecasts, but still I choose to give thanks because I am alive. The mere fact that I am alive is proof that I still have a reason to hope against all odds that I will turn the corner of life and see my dream come to pass. The medical report may be speaking of doom, the business may be facing a winding up order, still I insist on giving thanks. However bad things look, there is still one thing that you and I can rejoice and give thanks over and that is the...

In the account of Jesus resurrection I encountered Thomas famous for his doubting that Jesus arose. This gentleman derided by many for his doubting is really a picture of many today. Think about it how many times do we doubt God. Doubt is not just an expression of thoughts ruminating through the mind but can also be displayed in actions. As I thought about Thomas I realised that many times we, including me,  have a similar attitude towards the fulfilment of the promises of God.  Here was  Thomas, who had not only seen Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead, he also had seen countless miracles, but had also listened and heard as Jesus had declared Himself to be the Resurrection and Life. He had also heard him say that He would rise within 3 days; yet even when the other disciples told him that Jesus had risen as He had said he doubted. His expression of doubt only revealed his state of mind and heart.  How many times do we in life doubt the reality of the promise of God i...

Welcome to a new year. I am a firm believer that the days can only get better. Your tomorrow will be better than yesterday. The Word of God is clear that the path of the just shines brighter and brighter( Prov 4:18 ) not gloomier and doomier as we age or as predicted by economists. You and I were born for a reason and that purpose will not be buried in the mire that life can be. You have a responsibility to God and mankind to be the best that you were created to be.You were not born a failure and not named a failure. When you were born there was joy irrespective of the circumstances surrounding your birth. That joy cannot be deflated because of the journey that life at times takes us through. Usually at the beginning of the year most people are setting goals or targets for the next 365 days. A goal on paper is worthless until you decide the how to accomplish that goal. To just say I will increase financially is worthless if I don't set my finances in order and start by gathering ...

Life is not only filled with fun but many at time it's filled pain. Over the last few days and weeks in my interactions with friends, acquaintances and also myself I have known pain like never before. We are born in pain in fact right from child birth a cry and not laughter is recorded as our first sign of life. I wonder if the child cries because of the new environment they suddenly find themselves in. Is it not interesting that pain introduces joy? The travail of child birth soon becomes a joyous occasion where the pain is soon forgotten as the new born is celebrated. Dealing with the pains of life is a life long lesson. Interesting that we are born in pain and at death we deal with the pain of the loss suffered. The two ends of life are marked by pain.  Pain is a door to a new level of life. The question then is how do we walk this journey and yet remain sane in the midst of all the joy and pain? I think the key to life is balance. Being balanced will enable you to have perspec...