Inspired to inspire: The Sovereign God

Inspired to inspire: The Sovereign God: 1 Samuel 1:5b-6,"... Hannah had no children because the LORD had closed her womb. And because the LORD had closed her womb, her rival ...

The Sovereign God

1 Samuel 1:5b-6,"... Hannah had no children because the LORD had closed her womb. And because the LORD had closed her womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her.... Vs. 10-11, She prayed & made a vow to the LORD. Vs19-20 ....Elkanah lay with his wife & the LORD remembered her. So in the course of time, Hannah conceived & gave birth to a son. Vs.24, after the boy was weaned, she took the boy with her...& brought him to the house of the LORD."

Simply put, Yahweh (the Covenant Keeper) is sovereign. He closed Hannah's womb & in due time opened it enabling her to conceive. In Lam 3:38, the bible says, "Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come?"

Yes, Yahweh is sovereign! In your situation always remember He is still God! He is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

‪#‎GreatIsThyFaithfulnessLord‬

Kachel

Inspired to inspire: How do we prepare for worship and/or access to God...

Inspired to inspire: How do we prepare for worship and/or access to God...: In Moses’ days it was dangerous to encounter God’s holy presence without appropriate cleansing and preparation. The preparation was detaile...

How do we prepare for worship and/or access to God’s presence?

In Moses’ days it was dangerous to encounter God’s holy presence without appropriate cleansing and preparation. The preparation was detailed and meticulous. How about in the 21^st century? How do we prepare to access God’s presence?

First, I must mention that in Moses’ days, God’s presence was no always available for every person. The priests were the ones who had access to God’s presence, and their preparation to meet with God was literally a matter of life and death.

How was it? 1 Chronicles 15:

¹¹ Then David summoned Zadok and Abiathar the priests, and Uriel, Asaiah, Joel, Shemaiah, Eliel and Amminadab the Levites. ¹² He said to them, “You are the heads of the Levitical families; you and your fellow Levites are to consecrate yourselves and bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel, to the place I have prepared for it. ¹³ It was because you, the Levites, did not bring it up the first time that the Lord our God broke out in anger against us. We did not inquire of Him about how to do it in the prescribed way.” ¹⁴ So the priests and levites consecrated themselves in order to bring up the Ark of the Lord, the God of Israel. ¹⁵ And the Levites carried the ark of God with the poles on their shoulders, as Moses had commanded in accordance with the word of the Lord.

Here are some things to note from the above passage: a place was prepared for the Ark of Covenant/God’s presence, (vs. 1); they had to seek the Lord (Prayer, vs 13); the levites and the priests were to consecrate (make holy) themselves vs.14. Barry Hall, “A technical definition of consecration means that you are to set yourself apart from evil, turn to the Lord, and be prepared to be used by God.” The Bible says, "You shall consecrate yourselves therefore and be holy, for I am the Lord your God" (Leviticus 20:7).  2 Chron. 29:31, “Then Hezekiah said, ‘Now you have consecrated yourselves to the Lord; come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the house of the Lord....’”

To approach God’s presence the priests were required to be consecrated in a specific manner (Ex. 29:1-46; Lev 8:1-36); wear sacred garments (Ex. 30:7-8); burn fragrant incense on the altar every morning & evening (Ex. 30:7-8); wash their hands and feet with water from the sacred basin (Ex 30: 19-21); and make atonement annually with the blood of the sin offering for atonement (Ex. 30:10). There was stiff penalty for the priests if they did not comply with these regulations (eg. Aaron’s sons missed the mark, and God literally sent fire to consume them-Lev 10).

There are many times I have approached God’s presence with presumption. The holiness of God can be so familiar to us that we lose the respect of where we are and how we got there. There are times I have rushed into the throne room instead of waiting for His guidance.

In the 21^st century, every person has access to the throne room. God’s presence is available to every person. God expects us to approach His throne of grace with confidence (Heb 4:16) and at the same time in humility.

In his sermon no. 1024 delivered on November 19th, 1871, C. H. Spurgeon states that God is to be viewed in prayer as our Father; that is the aspect which is dearest to us; but still we are not to regard Him as though he were such as we are; He is infinitely greater than ourselves and is to be regarded as King, and in prayer we come, not only to our Father's feet, but we come also to the throne of the Great Monarch of the universe. The mercy-seat is a throne, and we must not forget this. He then suggests the following:  prayer should always be regarded by us as an entrance into the courts of the royalty of heaven; our spirit should, in the first place, be one of lowly reverence. It is expected that the subject in approaching to the king should pay him homage and honour. The king before whom we come is the highest of all monarchs, the King of kings, the Lord of lords. Emperors are but the shadows of His imperial power. “My soul be thou sure that when thou drawest nigh to the Omnipotent, who is as a consuming fire, thou put thy shoes from off thy feet, and worship Him with lowliest humility.” Secondly, the throne is to be approached with devout joyfulness. Whenever we approach the throne of grace, it should be with complete submission. We are called to the throne of grace, not to the throne of law. Rocky Sinai once was the throne of law, when God came to Paran with ten thousand of his holy ones. Who desired to draw near to that throne? Let us ask the Spirit of God to put us in a right frame, that every one of our prayers may be a reverential approach to the Infinite Majesty above.

The Missed Call & Faulty Phone Number!

Today I made two calls that went unanswered. I made another but the number was not in use. Later in the day, someone called me but I deliberately ignored his call because I new what he wanted and I didn't have a relevant answer at that moment; I said to myself, "I'll call him later" 

Now, how do u feel when you make a call or send a text message that goes unanswered for minutes,hours,days,weeks or months? Many times we feel ignored,frustrated,desperate or even we burn with anger & probably develop an attitude. I have been there...i felt ignored, bitter...etc. 

As I scribbled this experience on my journal God placed Jeremiah 33:3 in my heart "With God it's never a missed call or a faulty line." Jeremiah 33:3 says, "call to Me & I'll answer you & tell you great & unsearchable things you do not know." 

So friends keep calling... It's never a missed/ignored call or a faulty line with our God. Thank God for the answered prayer and even for theunanswered one. You don't have to be bitter with Him if He delayed returning your call.. Keep calling Him,He will hear and answer

Kachel

No Situation is Beyond God's Redemption

I just read Ezekiel 37:1-14-the Valley of Dry Bones.

As I picture the (very) dry bones, scattered all over the valley. I'm trying to get this... there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone.  I see the, tendons and flesh appearing on them and skin covering them and God's breath of life in them!

I cannot fathom this wonder. I am in awe! How could (very) dry bones live?

I hear the man of God Ezekiel prophesying God's word to the dry bones saying, "Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!" This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: 'I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life'." 

Looking at this situation there was no hope of life but imagining the sudden movement, the rattling sound, the restoration and reconstruction of bones to a skeleton and finally God breathing on them life.... That was Israel people! They were hopeless and felt cut off but thank the LORD (Covenant keeper), He had good plans for His people, Jeremiah 29:11.

Sometimes I feel like my life is there; on that valley of dryness but #AmHopeful.

When all hope is gone and God begins to reconstruct and restore your life, people will know He is LORD (Covenant Keeper). I'm a beneficiary of God's goodness. My life has taken shape courtesy of His unmerited grace. #GreaterThingsAreYetToCome.

Lot's o'luv,

Kachel

I’ve a confession to make, Please don’t judge or condemn me!

Dear Friend,

Several nights a week, I have invited strange and sometimes obscene people into my home. People I really don’t know and with whom I would normally not associate with. Mostly, they come around 5pm and leave late night. Oh, I can actually ask them to leave anytime but sometimes I don’t. I let them do whatever they want then they leave.

Now, this is a bit embarrassing but I have to tell you anyway. I have watched some of my guests kiss and have sex right there in my living room; some are those one night-stand instances. I have hosted heterosexuals, gay, lesbians name it all! I have listened to their explicit sexual conversations, songs and seen their sexual escapades which really make me uncomfortable but again, I do or say nothing to stop them.  I am actually ashamed to tell you this stufft, yet I sit there unmoved, passively taking it all in. I know you won’t like this but I must also confess that some of my guests have had the gut to ridicule my faith and my God right in front of me, in my own house; they mock but still I do nothing.

Now, the other day I went to church and while sitting there listening to the preacher, some of the images and conversations flooded my mind. I didn’t hear anything the preacher said because I was carried away by those images and conversations.  I am afraid I may never rid my mind of these negative, repugnant and damaging memories. Though it seems like a harmless entertainment, whenever my guests leave am left fantasizing and tempted to explore their world. 

Please don’t judge me! I wish I did something to keep these obscene things from happening under my roof.

The TV and some FM stations have impacted our lives big time. All of us have the control over what or who comes into our homes. Before watching that seemingly harmless entertainment, ask yourself, how is watching these kind of shows benefiting or harming me and my family? If Jesus came visiting your home, would you watch that entertainment show with Him?  

We have been blaming the media-esp. TV programmes, FM stations etc but...

You have your remote control, you know what to do!

KachelNashipae

Proverbs 3, Don't be fooled, prosperity or healing is not in "Sowing Seed"

Proverbs 3 can be divided into five sets as follows:

1. Actions and Consequences 3:1-12

2. The delights of wisdom 3:13-20.

3. The practical benefits of Wisdom 3:21-26.

4. Generosity and good neighbourliness 3:27-31
5. Concluding Summary

Today, I'll focus on #SetOne Proverbs 3:1-12
This part presents six pairs of specific actions and the corresponding consequences or outcome. Your healing or prosperity is in the following:
Being obedient to God's commands; Love and Faithfulnes; Trusting and relying on God; Reverence for God; Honoring God with what He's blessed you with; Gladly accepting the Lord's discipline.

Come with me, let's explore.

#1. Do not forget My teaching, keep My commands in your heart (obey and follow) vs.1.
Outcome: Prolonged life and prosperity vs. 2.

#2. Let love and faithfulness never leave youvs. 3.
Outcome: You will win favor and good name with God and man vs.4.

#3. Trust God and rely not on you own understanding vs.5
Outcome: Experience God's guidance-He'll make your paths straight vs. 6.

#4. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil vs.7
Outcome: It will bring health into your body and nourishment to your bones vs.8.

#5. honor the Lord with your wealth, with firstfruits of ALL your crops vs.9.
Outcome: Your bans will be filled to overflowing and your vats will brim over with new wine vs.10.

#6. Do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent His rebuke vs.11.
Reason: The Lord disciplines those He loves. what a privilege to disciplined by the one who loves me?


Read the scriptures for yourselves, Hear and know God's voice, obey and follow; then you will enjoy life to the fullest. 

Long time ago I was a Shepherd Girl!

Inspired to inspire: Long time ago I was a Shepherd Girl!: Every life experience has a lesson to learn. In Exodus Chapter 3, we meet Moses and the Burning Bush.   Verse 1 says, "Now Moses was ...

Long time ago I was a Shepherd Girl!

Every life experience has a lesson to learn.
In Exodus Chapter 3, we meet Moses and the Burning Bush. 
Verse 1 says, "Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, ... and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God .There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush...."

For forty years Moses was in the wilderness tending/shepherding the flock of his father in law. Clearly, mere education in Pharaoh's court was inadequate to EQUIP  Moses for God's work. The 40yrs of shepherding flock prepared him for his future task of Shepherding Israelites in the wilderness.

Somehow, I can imagine the experience Moses was going through. As I read through this chapter I remembered the days I was a shepherd girl tending my grandparents' livestock and I must say that was the most difficult season of my life. As a young girl below the age of 13years there were times I felt lonely, abandoned and forgotten in the fields; some seasons were tough and trying-dry, wet and muddy. During dry seasons I'd walk many kilometers away from home to find pasture and water for the cattle under the scorching sun. Sometime I'd cry and other times sing my heart out. Sometimes I'd get overwhelmed as the cattle strayed in neighbors' shamba. There were days I got home and was scolded apparently because the cattle strayed in other people's lands or because the cattle didn't get enough water/pasture. I felt unappreciated! There were other times my grandpa complimented me and bought me bananas or gave me honey. There were other times I got rained on while in the fields and only had a sack to put on my head. I shivered! There were some days I stayed in the fields from morning till evening with no food or water to drink! Interestingly, the cows were familiar with me and my voice (I believe so), I'd go closer to the cattle and touch them-I was confident the bulls couldn't kick me. There were days I loved being out there in the fields alone but other times I hated it. There were times I had to defend and carefully guide  the livestock using a rod. Sometimes I burned with anger and hit them badly, sometimes I'd even shout and insult the goats as if they'd understood the insults hehe! 

Well I believe it was not in vain! Love for my grandparents, patience, sense of responsibility and stewardship, humility and a sense of servanthood were tried and tested but God was and still is gracious to me!

My life's purpose and vision is to shepherd and disciple God's people-boys and girls, men and women that they mature in Christ. Thus I believe every experience I have to go through it is to prepare me for the above task. Just like Moses, I rest in the confidence that the "I Am" is with me (Ex. 3:12,14). 

In addition to the training, In Ex. 3:5 God revealed Himself to Moses as a Holy God (Holiness means separation from sin and commitment to righteousness). We've all had various experiences that have revealed God to us. There are times I've been rebellious and sometimes I've tried running away from God but I must say, God has dealt with me Graciously and Patiently! 
 
Do you know and understand your life's purpose? How is God preparing you for it?
It is not in vain! Stay strong,  the "I Am" is with you. Get to know Him and you will effectively be able to make Him known to others. 

With Love,
Kachel Nzaku