Divine Encounters

Day 294 Reading: Hebrews 7: 1 - Hebrews 13:25 Faith is a position. Faith is a state of being. Faith in God is confidence in His Word. Faith is to believe in God. The Bible is filled with examples of faith. Jesus while walking on earth mentioned faith a number of times. Each time Jesus spoke of faith in the gospels we see a miracle.  The disciples were with Jesus in a boat when a storm arose yet Jesus was asleep. They woke Him up crying and asking whether He cared that they were perishing. Jesus not only spoke to the storm he however also made a stunning statement of His disciples questioning why they were fearful and had no faith! Mark 4:40 . Every time I read this portion of scripture I always ask whether I am walking in faith. The disciples were riding in a boat with the Master of the Universe and they panicked when trouble arose. How many times do you and I panic when trouble hits? Silence in Heaven doesn't mean God has abandoned you? God cares for you and the storm...

Day 293 Reading: Hebrews 1:1 - Hebrews 6:20 In constructing a building they will tell you that the foundation is key to how the structure will stand. We constantly find that the writers of the letters in the New Testament had to grapple with the folk who believed in the superiority of the Law of Moses to the finished work of Jesus Christ. This was an issue that the author of the letter of Hebrews had to contend with. The Book of Hebrews lays foundations of the faith. The author makes us understand that God is the builder of all things and that Jesus is the sure foundation. Why do we need to understand the foundation of our faith and its basic tenets? So that we may not be drawn away from the place of knowing our faith. For many believers today we only have a fuzzy knowledge of Christianity? You may respond and tell me I am not a pastor or you didn't study theology. However, this is the misconception of today that has blinded many. Imagine living life without knowing th...

Day 292 Reading: Philemon 1:1 - Philemon 1:23 God is interested in every aspect of our lives. He is not just a God who answers our big prayer needs but also interested in our small day to day details. God sees everything and thus when Paul writes the letter to Philemon we learn about God's heart to employers. Firstly, God is the biggest employer in the universe. Look at creation and you will realise that God has many employees. God's employees range from the angelic to human. In God's system, God has many tools to use that all work for Him. He is the Master and in control of everything. However, God has given mankind a free will. That free will gives you the ability to either recognise your employer or disregard His intentions for you. Many today go about their business without consideration of who God is. When as a believer you don't view your vocation as part of your worship to God then mediocrity is the result. I am at a place in my life where the im...

Day 292 Reading: Titus 1:1 - Titus 3:15 One of the words we find used by the Apostle Paul is grace. Grace is unmerited favour. Paul told the Corinthian church that he was made by grace. Regularly we see Paul saying that grace gave him the strength to press on. He consistently began his letters by praying for grace, peace and mercy upon the listener and reader. Is the grace of God for special people? As I read the Book of Titus, I was amazed by one statement: that grace has appeared to all mankind. Many think that grace is not available for all. Many even question if God's grace is available? Others say that grace is only available when you religiously follow God. Paul when writing he said that when the love and kindness of God appeared because of His mercy God saved and justified us by His grace. Grace is what made sure that the charge against you in God's court was ruled out. When Jesus shed His blood and rose again He laid an offering in Heaven that paid the ...

Day 291 Reading: 2 Timothy 1:1 - 2 Timothy 4:22 We live in a day and age where people admire giftings. When we think of Serena Williams we think of the gift she is in tennis, when we think of Mozart we think of classical music and I could list many giftings that society admires. One day while thinking about my place here on earth God reminded me that I am gifted. Please say it to yourself, " I am gifted".  Life has a way of dividing people into haves and have nots and many times we believers seem to think we are in the realm of have nots. Paul whilst writing to Timothy reminds him to stir up the gift within him. Paul was telling Timothy there is potential inside of you and it cannot become something unless you awaken it. God placed gifting in you. It's your responsibility to stir up the gift within to be able to shine like a star in God's eyes.  Why must we stir up every gift within us? God has not given us a spirit of fear. Fear is one reason many hav...

Day 289 Reading: 2 Thessalonians 1:1 - 3:18 One of the worst things that can happen is to meet a bad teacher. You see teachers help develop the mind. A good teacher will cause a student to question and seek knowledge that benefits their development. A bad teacher, on the other hand, brings knowledge that doesn't grow a person. Instead, it derails the mind of the learner from the truth and sets them on a course of falsehood. Paul in writing the second letter to the Thessalonicans is having to address the issue of false teachers. False teachers cause people to walk in error. May I ask you what teachings or thoughts have you imbibed that are false doctrine? What have you read, heard or thought that has hindered your walk with God? Ever heard something agreed with it because it sounded right but something was not right?  We live in a day and age where our ears need to have sieves to be careful about what we allow into our minds and hearts as teachings. We need to ...

Day 288 Reading: 1 Thessalonians 1:1 - 1 Thessalonians 5:28 Life has so many distractions. Too many I should add. Many times I have left home with a plan of action but then one phone call derails the entire day. Social media doesn't help. We now have to detox ourselves of Whatsapp, FaceBook, Instagram and many others we use. Paul in writing to the church at Thessalonica gives brief instructions. This was a church that was started and before Paul could stick around to ensure that the new believers were grounded Paul accompanied by Silas had to flee to Berea at night Acts 17: 1-10 . The accusation against Paul was that he was turning the world upside down. We need more people like him today more than ever. Paul encourages the believers to not forget that Jesus is coming again and the date or day is unknown. He encourages the believers to stay ready for the return of the Messiah. The believer is encouraged to put on light and do away with every form of evil deeds. Fle...