The Greatest Threat

The Greatest Threat

The greatest threat to human race is not climatic change and global warming. Is not nuclear threat. Is not extinction of natural species. Is not the next world war. Is not risk of depletion of non renewable resources. Is not instability of markets. Is not fears of food insecurity. The greatest threat is not energy shortages. The greatest threat is moral erosion. When what is right has become an individual determination then nothing is still right and nothing can be wrong.

Righteousness exalts a people sin  is a reproach  to any people (Proverbs 13:34).  Righteousness is receiving by faith what Christ achieved by his obedience and filling yourself with Gods word. Such righteousness will lift you up and protect you.  Many use their wealth and education to destroy themselves and others. The key to being different is to focus on your strength in Christ not your weakness. Whatever you focus on you empower.

Uncommon Courage

Uncommon Courage

My wife and I were staying at Kruger Park Lodge with two sibling families.  One morning we were relaxed outside the lodges when the woman who was cleaning our rooms came out screaming. She had seen a green mamba outside the window to the bedroom we occupied. We trooped into the room. The woman had closed the window. The snake had stopped moving and lifted its head a little. It remained motionless unperturbed by our eyes watching from inside the window. The woman who first saw it, instructed us not to attack it while she went to report to wardens who would come and catch it.  The wardens took a while to show up. In the meantime, some left the window. I was among those who stayed to watch any movements by the snake.  Later the warden came and we all were keen to see how he would capture the snake. He told us the snake was not a green mamba but some harmless green snake. He did not even capture it. He scared it off and it slipped into nearby grass and disappeared. Now came time to share experiences of the snake visit. My elder sister was all out bragging about the boldness of her husband. Apparently, before the warden arrived her husband went outside and took photos of the snake from some distance. Therefore, he earned the praise of being the real man in the place for going outside. I automatically went into defensive mode frantically explaining that I stayed to make sure I did not frighten the snake away and that if it moved, we would know where to try to find it. Whatever the case, the popular expectation was very clear - men ought to show bravery

In today’s world men ought to take the lead in showing moral courage to stand for what is godly  on issues that affect society (Deuteronomy 31:6-8; Joshua 1:6-9; Isaiah 41:10; Jeremiah 29:11).

Breakages

Breakages

The church at Antioch prevailed in sharing their faith when scattered by persecution (Acts 11:19-23). In your life when resistance mounts, you can remember their example.  They adopted a new mindset. For your break through God may want you to do something differently.  They needed an encourager - Barnabas.  You also need someone who will inspire and encourage you along the right way.  They needed a capacity builder - Paul. Lots of encouragement without ability leads to frustration.

However, nothing would have worked without something breaking inside.  For your breakthrough, something will need to break. There is something called breaking for break through.  Something of yours has to break in order for something standing in the way to give way. Something has to break to give way to something greater from God. If you will not break, you will breakdown. If you break, you can no longer be broken. Breakages happen in several ways: 

>> Breaking of fallow ground. Breakage in your relationship with yourself.  How willing are you to learn and change? Soften your heart towards God’s word (Mathew 13:18-23).

>> Breaking of perfume jars. Breakage in your relationship with God. How much are you willing to part with out of love for God?  (Luke 7:37-48). Love him with all you have and all your heart, soul, and strength.

>> Breaking of earthen vessels. Breakage in your relationship with the world around you. Does your world see more  of you the earthen vessel or the glory inside (2 Corinthians  4:6-7). Let them see the glory.

>> Breaking of light pitchers. Breakage in your relationship with the enemy.  Gideon used a relatively very small army size and unusual weapons to achieve victory (Judges 7v18-22).   They broke their pitchers of light, blew their trumpets and celebrated victory in advance. Do not wait begin now to declare and celebrate Christ’s victory for you.

You Are Strong

You Are Strong

The postmodern 21st Century trends and traps are not easy and require a people of strength to overcome. Things are not easy for 21st Century young people. They suffer from information overload. Certain things previous generations were shielded from until much later in life but now postmodern young people with cell phones can access any information. To make it worse, things are changing at a fast rate and there is less predictability. There is need for guidance. Not long ago choices were simpler. These are days of equal but complex opportunity.

These are times of hybrid cultures. Cross-cultural skills have become vital for survival. Despite the increased population, social group integration and social networking, many are lonely. Many are disconnected. People are looking for authenticity in a cosmetic world where apparently everyone is acting out something. You are not sure of people’s intentions. Open your heart and its cut to shreds. These are times when many are not even sure if they are a boy or a girl. These are times when you can buy almost anything except life and peace. You can even buy a new face. You do not have to be stuck with anything including a spouse.

 Trends are against those who want to stand for righteousness. Despite all the challenges, you have overcome. I have written  unto you , young people, because ye are  strong , and  the word  of God  abideth  in you , and  ye have overcome the wicked one ... (1 John 2:14). Believe that with God’s word you are strong and are able anywhere anytime.

Beyond the Hype

Beyond the Hype

Many people are hopping from one event to another and from one public experience to another in search of solutions. When everything has ended, however the big question they are stuck with is 'so what?' Often excitement from events is for their duration. Afterward, the moment they are by themselves they feel lost.  Beyond the hype of the event or the public moment, they suddenly wake up to the personal realities of their lives.

In addition to enjoying passing public moments, you need also prepare for what you face on your own. You will have to deal with the sort of questions and issues the Shunammite woman faced (2 Kings 4:8-17; 8:1-6). Publicly she was prominent and self-sufficient. If anything, her problem would not be how to get sufficiency but how to keep it. Yet beneath the surface, she had to deal with life issues like everyone else and managed to overcome. The positive choices she made about God were crucial to her victory over unmet needs, and setbacks.

Unnoticed, you also may be facing mountains you cannot climb or move. Beyond the hype when you are by yourself, a healthy personal relationship with God through faith in the work of Jesus Christ will keep you going. What personal choices are you making daily about God?