Jesus’s life on earth was extremely unconventional and he upset the religious order of the day. He regularly spent time with sinners, prostitutes, tax collectors and some of the outcasts of society. On one occasion in Luke 5, he was spending some time with a group of tax collectors. The Pharisees and Scribes were extremely annoyed. They questioned Jesus’s disciples about their choice of associates. “And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick” (Luke 5:31). I imagine that the religious leaders would have considered it more acceptable, if Jesus spent more time with them.

Why wouldn’t a true prophet, not want to spend time around other men of God, praying and sharing scriptures? Jesus addressed this same criticism with a parable in Luke 15. “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it” (Luke 15:4)? Jesus stated that the shepherd would leave the ninety-nine sheep that are safe and go in search of the lost sheep. When he finds the lost sheep, he takes him home and celebrates with his friends, having found the sheep. Jesus compared this to finding lost souls.

“Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance” (Luke 15:7). Jesus spoke several times in scripture about his assignment being to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matthew 15:24). His commission to the disciples was also to minister to the lost sheep of Israel (Matthew 10:6). Jesus knew that the gospel would eventually spread to the Greeks and Gentiles. He was sent to his own people in order to lead them back to God.

The highlight for me in the passages, was that Jesus went beyond convention. He demonstrated for us that our mission goes beyond the church. I appreciate that we need the relationship of other believers to strengthen our faith. We also have an obligation to those who are lost and dying. Who will be a light in the darkness and who will go to bring the message of salvation? Turning our nose up at sinners and ostracising people who aren’t saved isn’t pleasing to God. I am not saying that we should conform to the world. However, we win people out of relationships and genuine love and acceptance.

A.P.-Y.

In Isaiah 7, Ahaz was King of Judah and the Kings of Syria and Jerusalem came up to wage war against him. When the people learnt about the possible attacks against their country, they were terribly afraid. The bible says that their hearts shook like leaves in a forest. The Lord spoke to Isaiah and gave him a comforting word for King Ahaz. The word from the Lord was, ‘be careful, be quiet, do not fear and do not let to your heart faint.’ God revealed to Ahaz what the plot was against Judah and the plans that the Kings had. “thus says the Lord God: “‘It shall not stand, and it shall not come to pass” (Isaiah 7:7). During King Ahaz’s reign, Judah was never invaded by the Assyrians.

God also spoke through Isaiah to Ahaz, about what would come of the cities within sixty five years. Ahaz was also told that if he was not firm in faith, then he would not be firm at all. It was also during this time, when the Lord revealed to Isaiah, about the coming Messiah. God wanted his people to know, what would eventually happen in the future. Isaiah also prophesied about the coming Assyrian invasion of Isreal. Despite Isaiah’s many prophecies, about the exile and captivity of the Jews, he had the most accurate accounts of the life of Jesus Christ.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). Perhaps the connection between Isaiah’s prophecies, regarding the Jewish captivity and the eventual life of Jesus, was to assure the people of God’s plans for redemption. Many times God’s people had fallen out of favour with him, due to their sin and rebellion. The yearly sacrifices of animals for the redemption of sin, was not sustainable for mankind.

God had a plan for ultimate redemption and restoration. Despite the disappointment which the children of Israel caused throughout the years, God had a plan to redeem his people back to himself. As such, the promise was that they would not see total destruction. There is a lot happening in our world currently that can cause us to lose heart. Our word of encouragement is, ‘be careful, be quiet, don’t fear and don’t faint.’ Christ himself is our redemption and one day soon he will come again to redeem us unto himself.

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Jeremiah knew what it felt like to be called by God to be a prophet to the nations. What if I told you that every single person that is born on this planet has a calling on their lives. Within the context of Christianity, a calling refers to a divine purpose and destiny. It outlines the different gifts, talents and abilities that a person possess. When these gifts are surrendered to God and used for his service, then we are walking in our calling. Most people consider Pastors, Prophets, Bishops and Evangelists to be called of God. The concept of being called for most people signals a call to the pulpit to preach sermons.

My friends, contrary to our conventional views of calling, many people are called to the market place. Some people are called to stewardship and traditional jobs like a Nurse, Doctor or a Teacher demonstrates a calling. Have you considered that God wants you to use your gift of teaching to advance his kingdom? Your Monday to Friday job can be used to demonstrate the love to Jesus Christ to those whom you come in contact with. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).

We are called to shine the light of Jesus Christ in whatever sphere of influence we find ourselves. Do not allow anyone to undermine your gifts and abilities or cause you to feel like you cannot use them for God. Our worship goes beyond the walls of the church. When we use our gifts and abilities with a spirit of excellence, to be a blessing to others, this gives glory to God. The customer service agent who is pleasant and treats people with respect is a testament of God’s grace. You are a person of value and your presence should affect the atmosphere where you live and work.

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

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There is a story in Matthew 17, where a man brought his son to Jesus’s disciples for healing. Jesus had travelled with Peter, James and John to a mountain for his transfiguration. Upon his return, the man met him at the foot of the mountain. “Lord, have mercy on my son. He has seizures and suffers terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water” (Matthew 17:15). The man’s complaint was that he took his son to the disciples, but they could not heal him. Jesus was annoyed and called them faithless and corrupt. His question was; How long must I be with you and put up with you?

Jesus rebuked the demon and the boy was well from then onward. The disciples were perplexed about what happened. “Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out”” (Matthew 17:19)? Jesus’s response was that they had unbelief. He said that they needed faith, as small as a mustard seed and this could remove even a mountain. His further response was that the situation that they encountered, required fasting and prayer to see results.

I learnt a few things from the story above. Disciples are expected to model their leader and should be able to do similar works. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father” (John 14:12). This scripture states clearly that we have been equipped to do the things that Jesus did and even greater things. These works include; praying for the sick to be healed, restoration of sight to the blind and commanding evil spirits to depart from them who are bound.

Many false teachings have crept into the church, which suggests that it is our spiritual bodies that will receive healing. God is not the author of confusion and the bible does not contradict itself. We can have whatever we say, if we have the faith to believe. Jesus was angry with his disciples because they lacked the faith for healing. He demonstrated miracles for them to follow his example. Jesus’s entire life on this earth, was to set an example for us to follow. We need to desire the gifts of the spirit, stay in faith and manifest the works of God. Fasting and prayer are powerful tools to sharpen and strengthen our spiritual muscles.

“Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke” (Isaiah 58:6)?

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Paul expounded on the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the resurrection of the dead in Christ. Paul referred to Jesus being raised from the dead and appearing to the disciples. He made reference to the dead in Christ as having fallen asleep. He explained that death came through Adam and life through Jesus Christ. “For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead” (1 Corinthians 15:21). Jesus destroyed all rule, authority and power and the last enemy to be destroyed was death.

Paul made reference to death and burial like that of seed time and harvest. “What you sow does not come to life unless it dies” (1 Corinthians 15:36). As such a physical death gives way to a spiritual resurrection from the dead. When we die our physical man perish, but our spiritual body is imperishable. Our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. When the trumpet of God sounds, the dead in Christ will arise first. The dead will be raised in an immortal body and those who are alive will also be changed.

Death will be swallowed up in victory through our Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. Paul has also said that, “we are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8). Paul also spoke of his dilemma between being alive to advance the gospel or to die to be with Christ. Paul’s mortality was an ever present reality as he spent his time in prison. What was certain was that Paul did not fear death. “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain”(Philippians 1:21).

Paul’s conversations about death was with the conviction that he had a choice in the matter. Like Jesus who said, he had the power to lay down his life and to take it up again (John 10:18). Moreover, there were many times when the Jews wanted to kill Jesus, but his hour had not come. As such, you cannot die until your purpose is accomplished on this earth. When we do die, we sleep in eternal rest until we arise and are transformed into his image. We don’t lose anything when we die, but we gain access to eternal life.

We do not fear death, because the devil does not have the authority to kill us before our appointed time. We pray against the untimely death of our loved ones and declare that we will live to fulfil our God given purpose. Like Paul, when our time on this earth is accomplished we will say; “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).

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God’s promise to Israel before their entry into the promised land, included health and healing. God promised to bless their bread and water. Water supplies were not as sophisticated during those times and there were no modern methods of purifying water for consumption. Nevertheless, God promised to bless their water and the food that they would eat. This was so that they would not become ill from polluted water or contaminated food.

Earlier in the same chapter, God made them a promise saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer” (Exodus 15:26). The Jews would have observed many illnesses overcome the Egyptians during the plagues. God used these signs to force Pharaoh to release his people from bondage.

It can be hard for people to be around sickness and diseases and not become fearful. What God was reminding his people was that, the state of sickness and infirmity was not their portion. God’s people were covered through the blood covenant and the angels of death passed over their doors. The Passover covenant was established when the death angel moved through Egypt. God’s people put the blood of an animal on their doorpost and this acted as a seal of protection.

Jesus Christ became the ultimate sacrifice for mankind, so that we no longer have to use the blood of animals to protect us. The blood of Jesus Christ speaks life and is a better sacrifice than animals. As his children, our salvation brings us into this blood covenant which acts as a seal of protection. The blood covers you at work; covers your home and your family; covers your finances and covers your health. Sickness and disease is not our portion and we do not have to be sick a day in our lives.

We are healed through the blood of Jesus Christ and his blood covers us. “And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony” (Revelation 12:11). Jesus took our sins and every infirmity and disease and he nailed it to the cross. “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

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Jacob ran away from home after he cheated his brother Esau out of his birthright. Esau had determined to kill Jacob so his mother sent him to Paddan-aram. While Jacob travelled, he rested one night, in a certain place after he used stones to rest his head. Jacob had a vision that there were angels, ascending and descending on a ladder between heaven and earth. He saw the Lord standing above the ladder and God confirmed his covenant to Abraham, Isaac and now to Jacob also. “Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you” (Genesis 28:15).

When Jacob awoke from his sleep, he was afraid and amazed at how awesome the place was. He declared it the house of God and the gate of heaven. Jacob used the stones that were under his head to set up a pillar and poured oil over it. He called the name of the place Bethel, which means the house of God. The amazing thing for me was that until that time, there was no physical building in that place. I believe that Jacob was predestined to carry on the seed of Abraham and the promise of the inheritance. God’s presence came and rested in that place to demonstrate to Jacob that he was chosen.

We see a similar occurrence when Solomon built and consecrated the temple unto God in Jerusalem. “For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that my name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time.” (2 Chronicles 7:16). When Solomon completed the building and dedication of the temple, the fire of the Lord came down and consumed the sacrifices. The Priests could not enter because the presence of the Lord filled the temple. The people knew that within the ark of the covenant, the presence of the Lord would dwell among them.

God is not limited to physical spaces of buildings and the Holy Spirit dwells in the people of God. God has his resting place with us and our prayers, worship and praise create a place for God to dwell. Our prayers create an opening to heaven as we connect with Christ who is seated making intercession for us. Our affections are set on the things above as we are seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. We have access to the throne of God as we come before him in boldness to find grace and mercy in times of need.

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name” (Psalm 100:4)!

“Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; And the King of glory shall come in” (Psalm‬ ‭24:9‬).

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Malachi prophesied about the great day of the Lord, when all the arrogant and evildoers will be stubble. The day of the Lord will be hot like an oven, and the wicked will be set ablaze and uprooted. For those of us who fear the name of the Lord, the son of righteousness will arise with healing in his wings. The righteous will leap forward and tread down the wicked. Malachi spoke of the body of Christ overcoming the persecution of the world. The wicked are people of the world who are children of darkness.

“You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). People who belong to the world, have the sin nature of darkness and the characteristics of the devil. His characteristics include lying, stealing, murder and destruction. The character traits of people around us points to who their father is. The children of the darkness will not overcome the children of the light.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). Our light exposes the darkness as we have nothing to do with unfruitful works. We live so that our light can shine before men, so that they can see our good works and come to glorify God. God will place the children of light among the children of darkness, to bring light to the world. Some will see our light and seek to follow after righteousness. Others will try to extinguish our light because it exposes their deeds which are evil.

Nevertheless, we have overcome the world, by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony. Jesus has disarmed principalities and powers and made a public spectacle of the devil, by triumphing over him at the cross (Colossians 2:15). Based on the work at the cross, we have the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord. Through Jesus Christ we always triumph over darkness and evil. “Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you” (Luke 10:19).

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