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Advent Calendar day 10: Life that is truly life

Have you ever caught your self pondering life and feeling that it is seems like a meaningless rat race; a grasping at straws? The author of Ecclesiastes felt the same way. He was very wealthy and very wise and did not deny himself any good pleasure. His conclusion was that it was all meaningless.

As Paul brings his advice to Timothy to a close, he ends with these words:

Command them [the wealthy] to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

1 Timothy 6 18-19

Life as we know it can sometimes feel meaningless and is very fleeting. It is like shifting sand and so building a solid lasting foundation is very important. But even more important is where you build that foundation. Everything in this life as we know it is ephemeral and will fade away. So if your foundation is here in earth, does not matter how solid you think it is, it is inherently meaningless! Instead, we need to build on the foundation of Christ our Solid Rock so that we may take hold of life which is truly life!

Jesus describes this life that is truly life as the life that overcomes both physical and spiritual death… a life that has conquered life as we know it:

I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die. Do you believe this, Martha?”

John 11:25 NLT

Do you believe this [insert your name]? those that get to enjoy this life that is truly life, are those who live in and live for Jesus wholly in this present age and by so doing lay up treasures for themselves as a firm foundation in the age to come.

Do you believe this [insert your name]?

Yours Truly

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Advent Calendar day 9: The Genie in a Bottle

A few days ago my husband and I while on a long journey started to chat about our heart desires and one of mine is definitely to have lots of money; and like most “charismatic” Christians this desire has translated into many a fervent prayer over the past year. I have said things to God like “If I can have $XYZ, I will do this and that” and while these desires and prayers in and of themselves are not bad, sometimes I have used prayer to make requests like one would do a genie in a bottle.

Frankly, this is not just a ‘me’ problem- while many Christians will not openly admit this, many of us treat God like a genie in a bottle. In classic genie stories, no one wants to be friends with the genie (except in the latest Aladdin movie). The genie is only good for 3 wishes. Similarly, sometimes we go to God and rattle off all our requests with no interest in a relationship. We are “God give me this or God give me that” Christians. Most of these requests are usually things related to earthly comforts: more money, higher paying job, bigger car, bigger house, a shiny new husband or wife and the list goes on and on. Again, let me emphasize that none of these requests are wrong- in fact God invites us to make our requests known to him. Where we go amiss is when we desire the gifts more than the giver; when godliness is treated like a ticket/ passageway to having good gifts and advancing ourselves in life; after all whatever we need is just a prayer away. The scripture today warns against such ideology and describe it as false doctrine:

If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain.

1 Timothy 6:3-6 NIV

Instead, Paul encourages Timothy to practice godliness with contentment. So lets talk about that a little bit. Does that mean we do not desire God’s blessings that give us earthly comforts or seek advancement in life? By no means! How God speaks to me regarding practicing this is not to be so dissatisfied with the blessings He has already given me to the extent that I compromise my integrity to change my status. God assures me that when I outgrow the comforts and luxuries I currently possess, he will bring me to a larger place. He will continue to draw the boundary lines for me in goodly places and bring me into my own. This is his promise to me and the good news is that I do not have to help him to do this! All I have to do is continue to seek Him and He will keep adding to me. That is what it means to me to practice godliness with contentment.

I know most of you send me comments on these posts (thank you) so today I want to engage you as we reflect together on this topic. What does godliness with contentment mean to you? Drop me a line and continue to be intentional in all your endeavors.

Yours Truly

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Advent Calendar day 8: Walking the talk

I recently attended a seminar where an Indigenous Elder spoke about the 7 grandfather teachings (in the interest of not culturally appropriating or dishonoring ancestral teachings, I will not go into great details). One of the tenets of the teaching really resonated with me; the Elder talked about the importance of honesty- ensuring that your words match your feet. Many of us refer to this concept as “walking the talk”.

I started this blog in 2018 with my first post titled ‘the intentionality of gracious conversations‘. I remember thinking that I wanted to create an opportunity to model the way in being a Christ-follower. I believed then, as I do now, how important it was for me to be intentional in living my faith and to walk the talk. In writing this blog where I share my feelings, thoughts and experiences as I weigh them against the word of God, I surrounded myself with “a great cloud of witnesses” – all of you who follow my posts- before whom I run my earthly race.

In today’s readings Paul’s instructions to Timothy are one of an Elder to a young man:

Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

1 Timothy 4:16 NIV

Paul was saying, “Walk the talk, son! Practice what you preach! Do not just be a sign post that points others to heaven- be a doer of the word! Make sure your feet matches your words!” This encouragement rings true today as it did many years ago. We need to be intentional in living for God and to stand firm in the truth of God’s word, particularly in this day and age where the dominant discourse focuses on a plurality of truth. One way to do this is to watch your life and doctrine closely and to persevere in so doing!

Yours Truly

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Advent Calendar day 7: Without Reproach

When I was younger, my dream goal was to be the youngest specialist in my field. As I got older, that dream seemed to vaporize one birthday at a time. In pursuit of my dream though, I have been the youngest XXX in many areas of my life- One of the most daunting “youngest” so far was being the youngest “boss”. Not only was that intimidating, sometimes, I would second guess my own authority and expertise. Sometimes I felt looked down on and was disrespected by older subordinates. In today’s readings Paul is sending forth his protégé Timothy who is considerably younger than him to be a minister of the gospel and this is his advice:

Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

1 Timothy 4: 12 NIV

As we journey through life, people will despise you or look down on you for different reasons- your intelligence, your level of education, the colour of your skin, your family name, your ideas, your personality, your faith, or like in Timothy’s case, your age. The list is endless but Paul teaches us how to rise above all of that- live an exemplary life in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity. That is how you come to be without reproach regardless of what makes you different.

Yours Truly

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Advent Calendar day 6: Being Godly

A few years ago, I used to live for the now. My life was so busy and I was so preoccupied with making it through each day that I did not have the space or time to think about eternity. And whenever, I did, thinking about death or dying filled me with so much dread because I always felt unprepared for the thereafter.

One day, I had a switch in my thinking. I cannot recall if it was a sermon I heard, or something on the radio, or God’s gentle admonishing to me but something changed. I started to think about living life with heaven in view each day. I determined within myself to do whatever I needed to do to feel prepared for the thereafter each day. Today’s reading is an encouragement for how we can live life with eternity in view:

For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

1 Timothy 4: 8 NIV

Every thing we do on earth has eternal ramifications. Day in and day out, we are setting ourselves up for what comes next. Paul presents us with a tool to help us prepare for the afterlife: godliness. Many things that we strive for on earth are ephemeral- short-lived- and have no eternal value. Godliness on the other hand is eternal currency and is valuable in the afterlife. Jesus said it best in one of his teachings:

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6: 19-21 NIV

As you reflect and take stock of 2021, ask yourself, “Am I godly?” and be intentional in practicing godliness- it is of great gain.

Yours Truly

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Advent Calendar day 5: A season of giving

I am going to start with a disclaimer: This post is going to be weird for some audiences but for some of you, this would be right up your alley.

Have you ever received a gift from someone and not felt right about it? It is Christmas season and as usual, it is season for gift exchanges. Earlier in the year, I had a conversation with some members of my family about whether or not a Christian could accept gifts from someone who is a known worshipper of “foreign gods” and I was first introduced to this scripture:

For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

1 Timothy 4:4-5 NIV

We know that some people are desperately wicked and have ill-intentions and take advantage of the season to carry out evil through gift giving and sharing food. However, this scripture assures us that nothing is to be rejected if received with thanksgiving- the gift is consecrated by the Word of God and prayer. However, it is not only important to sanctify gifts received always and bless the giver, but it is also important to listen for God’s direction regarding the use of gifts received. Sometimes when we are blessed with things- they are for the benefit of others and God’s direction may be to send that blessing the way of someone else. And when we obey, there is even greater blessing in that.

And so in this season, it is imperative that we receive all of God’s bountiful blessings with thanksgiving (which sanctifies and consecrates the gifts) and with a heart of obedience. Let us be intentional in our posture in receiving gifts.

Yours Truly.

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Advent Calendar day 4: Intentional worship

So yesterday I talked a little bit how Paul was opinionated and in today’s readings we see Paul providing some instructions for worship and for the church that on the surface seem rather chauvinistic and outdated. Paul admonishes that women ought to be modestly dressed, to be quiet and not to teach or assume authority over a man. This scripture certainly causes the blood of feminists to boil and frankly I have never heard churches speak about this. Preachers are like “Paul we agree with many things you say but as for this one- we ain’t even going there”. Frankly, I too wanted to gloss over this scripture and all but one thing kept coming to mind all day and convicting me. I kept hearing the word of God saying “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,  so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (1 Timothy 3: 16-17 NIV)- so read with an open mind”. So I meditated on this scripture a bit more and here’s what I have learned.

Paul was addressing his disciple Timothy and passing on God-inspired instructions that he operated by as he preached to Gentile pagan nations who did not know God (1 Tim 2: 7). These people who had come to know God under Paul’s teachings were coming from a cultural context very removed from what the Jews would have known and it was Paul’s ministry to help them make sense of how to become Christ-followers and truly let go of “worldliness” in pursuit of holiness. One may argue that the worldview in Paul’s day was a lot more primitive than they are today but that does not negate the word of God which is forever settled in heaven. Paul’s instructions to women remain relevant to the “more advanced-more-refined-feminist male or female” today as it did in those days. Here is the scripture in its entirety but I encourage you to read the passage from chapter 1:

I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man;  she must be quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.

1 Timothy 2: 9-15 NIV

Paul encourages the proselyte women of his time to eschew disorderliness and vainglory but instead to pursue lasting virtues of faith, love and holiness. Paul encouraged women to work on having an identity that was not superficial but rather, deeply rooted in action- good deeds. This was the appropriate way for newly converted pagan women to present themselves in worship and it still rings true for children of God today. This is why after much thought, I titled today’s post ” intentional worship”. Women and men alike must be intentional in giving God worship that pours out from the inside out. Our actions must come from a place of love, faith and holiness that it adorns us before God and all that are beholden to us. Jesus said it best when He taught:

In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.

Matthew 5:16 NLT

This is God’s expectation of his children, women and men alike and whether Paul said it in a way that rubs many of 21st century Christians the wrong way or not, the truth of God’s word remains the same. Holiness should be our watch word and song.

Yours Truly

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Advent Devotions day 3: But Grace!

This year I shared with you some of my worst days ever. Circumstances brought out the worst in me- I was angry a lot, frustrated a lot, complained a lot, secretly cussed people off in my heart a lot, and called people “idiots” more times than I would like to admit. Yes I know, those were not some of my finest moments and yet, God never decreased his grace and mercy upon my life. All year round, through my best days and my worst, God’s love remained constant and He did not deal with me like I deserved. Instead he saw me through His eyes of mercy and His grace covered me.

In today’s readings Paul eloquently shares this same sentiment:

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

1Timothy 1: 12-14 NIV

Yes, we know Paul who was once Saul of Tarsus, was not a great guy. He was very strongly opinionated as many of us are and did terrible things to the Church of Christ because of the things he once believed to be true. Frankly we have all been there… I have been judgmental, I have acted holier-than-thou and sometimes I have been a downright know-it-all. But the great news is that even Paul to whom at some point Jesus had to say to, “you have persecuted me enough.. haba!” (paraphrasing Acts 9:5)- even that Paul found grace and mercy.

God poured out his grace upon Paul abundantly; how much more you and I? There is nothing, absolutely nothing that you or I can do to deserve this grace and yet it is poured out for us so freely each and every day. Think back over the year… Can you identify specific areas where God’s grace was abundantly poured on you? Let’s give God praise for his unmerited grace and mercy.

Yours Truly

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Advent Devotions day 2: Praise the Lord

Wow! Can you believe it is the 2nd of December, 2021? What a year it has been! For some this year has been about new adventures: starting a new job, getting married, having a baby, buying a new house, or getting better acquainted with technology. For others this year has brought losses: loss of a loved one, a job, relationships etc. Toilet paper made a come back after the global shortage and the covid vaccine debate remains heated as ever. At the end of the day one thing remains: we still have life! We have the breath of God in our lungs and our response is to pour out our praise.

Todays reading from Psalms 148- 150 admonish us to do just that and culminates in one powerful Psalm:

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.

Psalm 150: 6 NIV

‘Nuff said. So what are you waiting for? Praise the Lord!

Yours Truly.

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Advent Devotions day 1: You are not alone.

It is advent season and I love the idea of advent calendars- everyday for 24 days until Christmas you can reward yourself with something from an advent calendar! And while I am yet to get a calendar, I thought I would end the year with 24 days of reflections on my year from my bible readings over the next 2-3 weeks. I have themed this exercise “advent devotions” and my commitment to you is to meditate on the scriptures I read, reflect on it and share with you. So without further ado, lets begin with Day 1.

Last week I was listening to the radio and I heard something that deeply moved me in a way nothing has for a long time. The radio host said- God is not against us- and that spoke so many volumes to my heart. You see, this year there have been times when even though cerebrally I know God is not against me, everything else felt like the opposite, leaving me feeling all alone. Many times, I took on a me-versus-the-world persona in the face of adversity; forgetting this fundamental truth- God is not against me. Even better is that not only is God not against me, He is for me and if God is for me, nothing can be against me. He is fighting for me and will never stop. He is my sufficiency.

Today’s readings from the book of Psalms 145 only adds to this encouragement:

You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does. The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. The Lord watches over all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy.

Psalm 145: 18- 20 NIV

So dear friend, let this wash over you: Even when circumstances are dire and it feels like the whole world is against you, God is for you! He surrounds you like the mountains surround Jerusalem and he stands beside you as the Man of War and Jehovah Sabaoth- The Lord of Hosts- you are never alone!

Yours Truly.