01 April 2019

Checking into God’s Presence... Have we ever considered this concept, that being beautiful comes more from the inside of a man than from the outside? What makes any man very beautiful is not the costumes he puts on or the makeup artists he employs. Rather; it is the ability to wear a heart that Jesus Christ commanded in Matthew 22:37-40 in their dispositions. Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Now think about this, the grace of God abounds not by your look, make ups, costumes, titles and donations in the church and or the numbers of religious visits to any holy temples. Know ye that God determines those who are entitled to His unmerited favour and this can only be received according to the works of our hands. Do remember as well that when God decides to give, no one has any power to overrule, suspend and or reapportion to other fellow(s). Have you not heard about the greatness of God and how He apportion riches? He looks deeper into the hearts of men. Most certainly, God doesn’t get attracted to the type of looks, titles or the self-acclaimed religious worship that fools the eyes of all humans. Psalm 113:4-9 describes how the mind of God works. “The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens. Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high, Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth! He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people. He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the Lord.” Let us take a moment to examine the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10. He was not only rich but also very popular and his popularity made many to worship him! Zacchaeus left his popularity and treasures on hearing that Jesus was passing by and rushed to catch a glimpse of the famous teacher. Being short of stature, Zacchaeus couldn’t see above the heads of the other followers and his zeal became so undaunted. Zacchaeus spotted a sycamore-fig tree along the path in the direction Jesus was heading. With no time to spare and nothing but his pride to lose, Zacchaeus scrambled up the tree with the intent upon catching a glimpse of Jesus, the friend of all sinners. Jesus spotted his zeal, humility and his labour of love and Christ adequately rewarded him as He decided to dine with him. What are you holding on to that is bigger than your Christ in your strides? Titles are not enough to guarantee the grace of God upon you, not even your facial beauty. Attending constant revival programs with multiple visits to different churches and the state of your emotions cannot justify your means to your salvation. Neither can those attributes change the position of God towards you. By contrast, the grace of God comes unto those who wears Christ heart on the inside and also allows such to shine through in their worship, conducts, zeal and in the works of their hands. According to Your promise, raise us up like the poor out of the dust and the needy out of the dunghill. Set our path on high and make us seat with princes, even with the princesses of his people. By Your power, make the barren woman to keep the house and to be a joyful mother of children so that we can continue to praise You as our Lord in Jesus name. Amen Just Checking into His Presence...