The complexity of the Sabbath Day

The Sabbath day has always been an issue of controversy with most Christian denomination. It is not the observance of the Sabbath that is an issue but the day of observance.

According to scripture “six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work. —-. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and hallowed it” Exodus 20: 8-11.

As can be seen the day is a gift to us from God in honor of His work of creation. The Sabbath is therefore a day that remind us of our dependence on God and is day that is meant to be spent in worship of God and on reflection. A time for refreshment and renewal because as human beings we need to be reminded to stop and rest.

The observance of the day should however not enslave us to rules and regulations as some do. For as Christ said, “ the Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath” Mark 2:27. In other word God created the Sabbath for our benefit and not for His. We are the beneficiary of the Sabbath because if we take time to rest and to focus on God we are restored both physically and spiritually.

In the Christian denomination Sunday is considered the day of rest by many but certain denominations like The Seventh Day Adventist church (SDA) take the rest on Saturday.

In the Western world it is hard to tell the difference between the Sabbath day and other working days because people work Monday to Sunday. It seems that there is no particular day for rest even amongst those who claim to be Christians.

Read more: http://relijournal.com/christianity/the-complexity-of-the-sabbath-day/#ixzz1KgZwM8rR

Remaining Steadfast and Focused while in the Wilderness

As one reads and studies scripture, it becomes more and more clearer that the old testament was a preparation of the things to be manifested in the new Testament. The children of Israel were a physical manifestation of the church which is the spiritual Israel.

The children of Israel were in bondage in Egypt for over four hundred and fifty years before God Sent Moses to physically deliver them from Egypt and lead them to the promised land (Exodus 3: 7-10).

Their deliverance was a physical manifestation of God’s eventual spiritual deliverance of His people from the bondage of sin through Christ. Paul writing to the Romans says “ now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the law and the prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”, Romans 3: 21-26).

In fact Paul shows that the promise of God to Abraham, whom Israel claim as their father, that he would be heir of the world “was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect----. Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all” Romans 4: 13-17.

When God delivered the children of Israel from bondage, He first put them in the wilderness where He fed them with manna from heaven before He ushered them into the promised land. In the wilderness the children of Israel sometimes expressed their rebellion and would complain of their hardship and wish they were back in Egypt. God sent a plague of serpents to punish them for their rebellious attitudes and many were bitten by the serpents and died, Numbers 21: 6.

After the children of Israel repented against their rebellion to Moses, God asked Moses to “ make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live” Numbers 21:7-8. What God was teaching the children of Israel was obedience. God’s ways might sometimes not make sense to us and that is why we must die to self in order to understand God.

God expects complete obedience to His instructions if we are to be saved from our enemy. In this scenario the children of Israel needed faith in God to do what was required of them. It thus followed that those bitten by the serpents and doomed to die, could be healed by obeying God’s commandment to look up at the elevated bronze serpent and believe that God could heal them if they did (Numbers 21:9).

Teaching on the concept of salvation, Christ used the wilderness experience to connect the Israelites event with his purpose. He said that “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” John 3:14-15. God has provided all human beings the means to be healed of sins deadly bite just like he did to the children of Israel in the wilderness.

When we look up to Jesus Christ and accept him as our savior by faith, then sin has no power over us because God deposits the Holy Spirit in us who helps us in our weaknesses. Apostle John writes that “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in Him; and he cannot sin because he has been born of God” 1 John 3: 7-9.

Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/470339_remaining-steadfast-and-focused-while-in-the-wilderness#ixzz1JNSU2mTm

Wait upon God for Vengeance and Justice

“ Repay no one evil for evil. ---Beloved do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord” Romans 12: 17, 19

The core of Christian living involves loving others as Christ has loved us. In this regard it is expected that we will be willing to forgive even when someone does not deserve it. This is in correspondence with what Christ did for us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.

Christ taught that we should treat our enemies and those who persecute us with love. If they hate us we ought to show them love. He said “ love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be the sons of your father in heaven” Mathew 5: 44-45.

Loving your enemy as Christ loves can only be possible when one has fully surrendered themselves to God. In the same way that Christ was willing to forgive his persecutors at the cross (Luke 23:34) , we too with the help of the Holy Spirit can forgive our enemies. Indeed Stephen, a mortal man, did this when he was stoned to death for his faith.

As Stephen died he said “ Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” There after he knelt down “and cried with a loud voice, Lord, do not charge them with this sin”, Acts 7: 59-60. Stephen did the same thing that Christ did on the cross. He forgave his enemies before his death.

King Saul was a man that God had called to be the first king of Israel. Saul leadership was however a failure because he was more focused on pleasing people than God. When God rejected Saul as King, “the Spirit of the Lord departed from King Saul, and a distressing spirit from the Lord troubled him” 1 Samuel 16: 14.

God then called David, who was still a young man to be king after rejecting Saul “and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward” 1 Samuel 16:13. This started a spiritual struggle between Saul and David. King Saul was still on the throne while David was God's anointed King in the waiting.

Saul’s servants suggested that he appoint a man who could play music for him which might help him in his depression occasioned by the departure of the Spirit of God. One of the servants suggested David and told King Saul that he had “seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the Lord is with him” 1 Samuel 16: 18.

At this time King Saul did not know that David had been appointed King and as such did not feel threatened by him. God must have been inolved in this because by David working for Saul, he would learn kingdom needs from the man he would replace. This teaches us not to despise the place we are at for it could be the place of preparation for our bigger calling.

Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/469745_wait-pon-god-for-vengeance#ixzz1JNRRh7OX

Being Content with What you have and Where you are

“--- I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need” Philippians 4: 11-12.

Do you find yourself miserable because of certain life circumstances that you find yourself in? Are you worried constantly at how you will manage things? We are living in difficult times and as such there are many people who are having to do with very little. Others are faced with health issues that limit what they can do. The question is how are you handling the situation that you find yourself in?

A few years ago I was meditating on the word of God in prayers concerning certain difficult situations in my life. I was miserable because I needed certain things to change as well as wanting more materially. Obviously I was looking at life from a worldly perspective as opposed to God’s perspective. Suddenly I received a revelation that all I needed I already had. I had been so focused on what I did not have and forgot to appreciate what I had, which in reality was all that I needed.

Many times we miss the daily joy of life because we are too focused on what is not or are engrossed with worries for tomorrow. We want more to fill the emptiness in our lives instead of filling the space with Christ. Christ warned us against worrying about life issues like food, clothing, shelter amongst such because life was much more than that, Mathew 6:25.

Worry has many ill effects, apart from robbing us the joy of living. Instead of living for the moment and accomplishing what we can with what we have, we tend to forfeit what we have in pursuit of what we do not have. The reality of the matter is that if one is not thankful of what they have now, they will still not be thankful when they have those others things that they desire.

Paul in his epistle to the Philippians, shows that he had overcome this problem by learning to focus on Christ and alludes to the fact that he “can do all things through Christ who strengthens me“ Philippians 4:13. Indeed scripture states that Jesus is “ the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12: 2) and in all things we should focus on Him and avoid being overwhelmed by circumstances surrounding us.

Paul was content because he saw things from God’s perspective. He focused on what he was supposed to do and not on what he felt he should have. He had detached himself from the nonessentials so that he could concentrate on the eternal.

Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/460463_being-content-with-what-you-have-and-where-you-are#ixzz1JNPWi6lW

The Commandment to Obedience and the Results of Obedience

“ He who has my commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father and I will love him and manifest myself to him” John 14: 21

In the old testament God constantly reminded his people of the need for obedience to His word as well as a warning against idol worship. Leviticus chapter 26 for example is a reminder to the people of God of what God would do for them if they obeyed His word and the consequences of disobedience.

Many today may wonder how it was possible for the people to deceive themselves by worshipping an idol in the form of wood or stones. However modern generation is just as guilty of idol worship just as it was in the days of the old testament and needs constant reminder of the consequences of such a lifestyle.

Idolatry is making anything more important than God. Our idols therefore may come in the form of money, looks, success, reputation, security among such. These are things that promise everything we want but nothing that we need.

God reminded the Israelites that, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that you should not be their slaves; I have broken the bands of your yoke and made you walk upright” Leviticus 26: 13. God gave the Israelites freedom and dignity by liberating them from bondage. It was necessary for God to remind the Israelites of their condition before He intervened to liberate them.

In the same way, through Christ, we are redeemed from the bondage of sin “for all have sinned and fall sort of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” Romans 2: 23-24. To be justified means to be declared not guilty. So like the Israelites were freed from enslavement, we have also been declared free from the bondage of sin.

We no longer need to be bogged down in shame over our past sins because God has forgiven us and forgotten them. However, just like the children of Israel needed to be reminded, we need reminding of the consequences of disobedience lest we return to our former sinful lifestyle.

God reminded the Israelites that, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that you should not be their slaves; I have broken the bands of your yoke and made you walk upright” Leviticus 26: 13. God gave the Israelites freedom and dignity by liberating them from bondage. It was necessary for God to remind the Israelites of their condition before He intervened to liberate them.

In the same way, through Christ, we are redeemed from the bondage of sin “for all have sinned and fall sort of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” Romans 2: 23-24. To be justified means to be declared not guilty. So like the Israelites were freed from enslavement, we have also been declared free from the bondage of sin.

We no longer need to be bogged down in shame over our past sins because God has forgiven us and forgotten them. However, just like the children of Israel needed to be reminded, we need reminding of the consequences of disobedience lest we return to our former sinful lifestyle.

Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/453498_the-commandment-to-obedience-and-the-consequences-of-obedience#ixzz1JNOBFifv

Wait Upon God and Do not fret

Jesus encouraged us to persist in calling on the Lord through prayers without quitting until the issue that troubles us is fulfilled, Luke 18: 1-7. Waiting on the Lord renews us as we rest and the Lord does the work for God “the creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary” Isaiah 40: 28.
Waiting upon the Lord requires faith. Faith that God is who He says He is and He is able to meet the need in question. Scripture says that “without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him”, Hebrews 11:6

We also need to commit the thing that we are praying about to God and trust that God is able to bring it to fruitation. David in Psalms 37 implores on the believer to “commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him and He shall bring it to Pass” Psalm 37: 5.

Our waiting must be in God alone. Many times we say that we are waiting on the Lord but in reality we are trying to do things our way. Isaiah writes that “---those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” Isaiah 40: 3.

When we do this God will come through for us “ For since the beginning of the world men have not heard nor perceived by the ear, nor has the eye seen any God besides You, who acts for the one who waits for Him” Isaiah 64:4.

Why God waits before acting:

1) Waiting on God makes us focus on Him than on our desires. God uses our waiting time to teach, refresh and to renew us. This is why the Psalmist calls on us to “delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart” Psalms 37:4. To delight in the Lord entails us knowing Him better and appreciating His great love for us.

2) God uses the waiting time to stretch our faith. This is the time we will know the condition of our heart. God is never late the way we understand lateness, for a thousand years in God’s sights is like “yesterday when it is past, and like a watch in the night” Psalm 90: 4. Many people confess their faith in God until that faith is tested. Our faith is meant to grow as we understand God even more.

3) Our motives may also be wrong when we approach God for something. The waiting period helps us adjust our motives to fit with God’s will for the situation.God is more interested in our character development than in making us happy therefore “wait on the Lord; Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!” Psalm 27: 14.

4) The circumstances of what we ask for may not be right. For example one maybe praying to get married when they are not ready. The words of the wise one say that “hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life” Proverbs 13: 12.

5) The waiting period reminds us of God’s sovereignty and the fact that without Him we are hopeless. Jesus said that He was the “Vine” and we are the “branches and “as the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. --- for without me you can do nothing”, John 15: 4, 5.

Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/442164_wait-upon-god-and-do-not-fret#ixzz1JNMsahs9

Recreating Your Life through Christ our Mediator

“ --- If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ” 2 Corinthians 5: 17,18.

The book of Genesis chapter one narrates to us the story of creation from the beginning. According to the book, “the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep” Genesis 1:2. God created everything on the earth by speaking into its being. Everything that God created He said it was good. On the 6th day God decided to make man in His “image” according to His “likeness”. So God created man “in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them”, Genesis 1:26, 27.

The story of creation is a reminder of God’s perfection and sovereignty. According to scripture, God did everything in His own wisdom, power and might. He started with the light and divided the light from the darkness. He then created the things that would occupy the earth and placed them where they were to exist and to function properly. It was after this that He decided to create man, male and female, and gave them dominion over every living thing that moves the earth, Genesis 1: 28.

From this story it is obvious man was to be a custodian of God's creation on earth. God commanded man, male and female to “fill the earth and subdue it” with his being. Man was the only one of God's creation that was created in His image. God did not repent of anything He created, in fact scripture says, “God saw everything that He had made and indeed it was very good,” Genesis 1: 31. In other word everything was perfect at creation and was the way it was supposed to be.

Man was in tuned with God in his perfect being and all God saw in him was good. Sin has however separated us from God because God is perfect and all who approach Him must be perfect. Isaiah writes, “ ---The Lord’s hand is not shortened that it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear, but your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you” Isaiah 59:1-2.

Sin entered the world through man’s rebellion over God’s command as a result of Satan’s deception, Genesis 3: 1-6. The consequence was a separation from God spiritually and physical death. Man lost his perfection as created by God and needed to be redeemed. This could only be done by His maker who only understood what was needed to perfect the imperfect. Christ was our way back to God and perfection because He is the perfect image of God.

Through Christ, man has the opportunity to recover what was lost and to have a relationship with God as Adam and Eve had in the garden of Eden. Jesus declared that He is “the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to Father except through Me”, John 14:6. In other words He is our redemption from the fall and has brought back the light and illuminated the darkness that blurred our way to God.

Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/435620_recreating-your-life-through-christ-our-mediator#ixzz1JNFhVgwB

The Challenges and Assurance of Serving the Lord

When the Lord calls one to His service, one can be sure that there will be challenges and obstacles that will test their faith. There are times that one will feel like quitting or even question the purpose of their mission.

Few, if any, though ever quit because they realize that they are living their destiny. Although they cannot always understand why the calling is laced with so much turmoil they know that they are not alone and understand that they have the Lord’s covering. Scriptures shows of so many of the Lord’s servants who reached a point in their ministry that they felt they could not bear it anymore.

Many even questioned the purpose or value of their mission. Isaiah writes of the dilemma of the servant of the Lord caught up in doubt, “ I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and in vain” Isaiah 49: 4. Yet this servant acknowledges that his worth and value lies with the Lord. He says, “Yet surely my just reward is with the Lord, and my work with my God” Isaiah 49: 4.

Moses also became weary of serving the Lord after constantly being chided by those he was leading. He asked the Lord, “ Why have you afflicted your servant? And why have I not found favor in your sight, that you have laid the burden of all these people on me? Did I conceive all these people? Did I beget them that you should say to me, ’carry them in your bosom, as a guardian carries a nursing child,’ to the land which you swore to their fathers? Numbers 11: 11-13. Clearly Moses was exhausted and was finding it hard to fulfill his mission. This can happen to any servant of the Lord when you start looking at yourself and your ability than on the Lord.

Jeremiah too cried out to the Lord due to the pain he suffered as a result of his ministry. He said “ O Lord, you induced me and I was persuaded ; You are stronger than I, and have prevailed. I am in derision daily; Everyone mocks me. For when I spoke , I cried out: I shouted , “violence and plunder !” Because the word of the Lords was made to me a reproach and a derision daily” Jeremiah 20: 7-8. In fact at one point Jeremiah wishes he was never born and says, “cursed be the day in which I was born!---why did I come forth from the womb to see labor and sorrow, that my day should be consumed with shame?” Jeremiah 20: 14,18.

None of these servants quit because the hand of God was on them and they had a conviction of their calling and knew they could not get away from it. In the case of Jeremiah he says, “ Then I said, I will not mention of Him, nor speak anymore in His name. But His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and I could not” Jeremiah 20: 9.

The Lord knows our limit and will not allow us to be tested beyond what we can endure. He always gives His servants a way out of the immediate suffering. In so doing He also assures them of His presence and defense. To the servant that Isaiah talks about he says, “ --- it is too small a thing that you should be My servant--- in an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you” Isaiah 49: 5,6,8.

Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/431147_the-challenges-and-assurance-of-serving-the-lord#ixzz1JNDeg2RN

Real and True Love Defined

Human beings are a product of creation. Evolutionist may argue against this, and that is their prerogative which nevertheless does not change the truth. Anyway, considering that humans are created beings, they must start with their creator to understand themselves. For this reason, God has given them a manual in the form of the Bible for all truths.

Love, as a word is uttered or confessed so easily and so loosely. Many will say “I love it”, I love him/her” in reference to their emotional feelings. But what really is love? Is it an emotion that changes with circumstances? How does one attain or experience love and how is it manifested?

The Bible teaches that “God is love” 1 John 4:8. Notice it says God is love not love is God. The world has turned the word around and in the process contaminated our understanding of love. When we turn the words around we define God based on our shallow understanding of love

People assume that love is what makes a person feel good regardless of what that means. For this reason it is okay to sacrifice moral principles and others rights in order to obtain such “love”. But real love is the exact opposite and is not selfish. Real love is like God who is holy, just and perfect.

If we truly love God we will try to emulate Him in love. When asked what the greatest commandment was, Christ answered, “ You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And for the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself ” Mathew 22: 37-39.

One will notice that the second greatest commandment hinges on the first. To really understand love, we must first experience the love of God. Before we can know how to love ourselves and others we must first experience God’s love which is giving, freeing and affirming.

Before being crucified, Jesus Christ told His disciples that “ As the Father loved me, I also have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in His love” John 15: 11. Christ was in effect passing on to his disciples what He had received from God the Father, which is love, and was asking his disciples to pass this love to others.

Christ also showed that the condition to enjoying this love required obedience to His commandments. After teaching about what was required to abide in the love of God, Christ then goes ahead and gives His commandment which is “that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. You are my friends if you do whatever I command you. ---- These things I command you, that you love one another” John 15:  12-13, 17.

Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/483337_real-and-true-love-defined#ixzz1JNBgSPFy

The Power of Knowing God by Name, Part 4

God wants His people to be set apart for His use. Before entering the promised land Joshua told his people “sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you to” Joshua 3:5. Sanctification was a process of purification before approaching the presence of God.
In this fourth part of knowing God by his name, we continue studying God's attributes as revealed in His word. He is the great "I AM" and His names are revealed through His encounter with us. It takes faith for us to accept God as He is and believe that He is the all sufficient and all knowing God who was, is and will always be. This faith “comes by hearing, and hearing of the word of God” Romans 10:17.

10) Jehovah-Mekoddishkem (The Lord who sanctifies)

Throughout scripture we see God rescuing His people and separating them (sanctifying) from the rest for His use. We cannot sanctify ourselves to be right with God because our standards are way be low His. God says that “My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways. --- For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” Isaiah 55: 8-9.

When Moses went to meet with the Lord in Mt Sinai, God told him, “ You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to me above all people; for all the earth is mine. And you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” Exodus 19: 4-6. From this scripture God explains His reason for rescuing Israel; that they may be “a special treasure, a kingdom of priests and a holy nation”.

This is the same calling made to those who have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. Peter calls on the believer to “gird up the loins of your mind---, as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy’” 1 Peter 1: 13-16. It is God who sets up the standards of morality and He expects us to abide by them. We do this by imitating Him through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Our salvation is not something we have worked for or earned, “it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works” Ephesians 2: 8-9. It is God’s work of sanctification working in us and only He can start it and complete it. God’s purpose for setting us part, just like it was with the children of Israel, is that we may serve Him and make Him known to others through our acts of service.

In his first epistle, Peter reminds us that we are a “chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy, but have now obtained mercy” 1 Peter 2: 9- 10. Our worth as believers is wholly based on what God has done and does through us. He has called us "out of darkness" and when we are united with Christ as members of His body, we join in His priestly work of reconciling Others to God.

In His epistle to the Philippians, Paul calls on the believer to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” Philippians 2: 12-13. God works in us inwardly and we work outwardly what He does in our inner being. This He does through the Holy Spirit who is our teacher, counselor, intercessor and the one who gives us revelation into the hidden things of God.

Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/406314_the-power-of-knowing-god-by-name-part-4#ixzz1IDJj8KQx

Knowing God by Name, Part 3

God manifest Himself to us according to our needs and in the process demonstrates to us that He is the great “I AM”. It takes faith for us to accept God as He is and believe that He is the all sufficient God. This faith “comes by hearing, and hearing of the word of God” Romans 10:17.

Joshua was instructed by God to meditate on the word of God “day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it” Joshua 1: 7. God assured Joshua that if he was obedient to the word, success would follow him. In His word God reveals His attributes and character and in the process helps us understand Him. As we understand God we develop the confidence to approach Him in times of need by His name.

7) Jehovah-Jireh (The Lord will provide): Abraham discovered this name of God when he was tested beyond measure. Abraham had waited for years to have a son that had been promised to him as an heir by God. The son was eventually born when Abraham was one hundred years old (Genesis 21: 5) and was named Isaac.

God then tested Abraham’s faith by asking Abraham to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac to Him. This is a son that he had waited to have and now God was asking Him to sacrifice him. Just like fire refines ore to extract precious metals, God also refines His people by allowing difficult circumstances into their lives. Through these difficult situations we learn to trust God.

Abraham on his part did not question God when asked to sacrifice His son. He woke up in the morning and began one of the greatest acts of obedience by a human being recorded in History. He traveled for three days accompanied by two young men and his son to the place of worship. One can only imagine the struggle that Abraham may have had concerning this command. Perhaps God’s faithfulness before, including the birth of Isaac may have given Abraham the confidence to trust God even in this difficult command.

Isaac on seeing the fire, commented to his father, “look, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” and Abraham replied, “My son, God will provide for Himself the lamb for a burnt offering” Genesis 22: 7-8. This statement shows that Abraham was somehow trusting that God had a purpose through this, even though he did not understand everything.

He writer of the book of Hebrews says that “by faith Abraham, when tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, --- concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead” Hebrews 11:17,19. Faith entails trusting God even when we do not understand everything. It entails believing that God is the almighty and in Him there is every provision we need.

Just when Abraham was about to slay his son in obedience to God’s command, “the Angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, Abraham, Abraham, ---Do not lay your hand on the lad, or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your only son, from me” Genesis 22: 11-12. Abraham lifted his eyes and looked “and there behind him was a ram caught in a thicket by its horns. ---and offered it for a burnt offering instead of his son” Genesis 22: 13.

God again had come through for Abraham and proved his faithfulness. Abraham named the place where this happened “The lord will provide” because it was in this place that God had proved to Abraham that indeed He is the provider of all our needs. In this case God substituted the death of Abrahams son with that of a lamb which is very symbolic because He would later provide the “Lamb of God” who would substitute our death with his death.

Scripture says that “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” John 3:16. Unlike Isaac, Jesus knew and understood His calling and He willing went to the alter of sacrifice that we may through Him have eternal life. Yes, God provided the ultimate sacrifice for our salvation.

Can you doubt Him in anything after that? If He did not “spare His own son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” Romans 8:32. Do not withhold anything from Him when He asks, for He has good plans for you and His desire is that you may know Him. When you reach the end and you do not know how your needs will be met, you can trust that the Lord will provide, for that is His name.

Indeed Jesus warned us about worrying about our needs because “ your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you” Mathew 6: 31-34.

Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/402836_the-power-of-knowing-god-by-name-part-3#ixzz1IDIq6H9f

The Power of Knowing God by Name, Part 2

As discussed in Part I of this article, it is important to know God by His name for He manifest to us in various ways which reveals His attributes and nature.


As scripture teaches, “ In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” John 1:1. To know the word is to know God, for “He is”. In the first part we discussed God as EloHim, El Elyon and as El Roi. In this article we continue discussing God’s name according to His attributes, character and nature.

4) El Shaddai (The All-Sufficient one): God revealed Himself to Abraham as El Shaddai at Abrahams 90th birthday during which He also changed his name from Abrams to Abrahams. God said to Abram, “I am Almighty God; walk before me and be blameless. And I will make my covenant between Me and you, and you will multiply exceedingly” Genesis 17:1-2. On hearing this Abram “fell on his face” , Genesis 17:3.

El as previously discussed in part one means power or might and is always attributed to God. The translation for Shaddai is not as clear in its meaning amongst scholars. One view leans towards a definition of God in His might and power as seen in His judgments. Another view sees it to mean “the pourer or shedder forth, that is of blessings, temporal and spiritual---”. Both views, in my opinion manifest God as Almighty.

On the one hand, God is experienced as mighty and powerful and able to and does exercise judgments. On the other hand God is experienced as a Father who pours forth to His creations; who has, “shed forth His Spirit” to His people . Abraham needed to experience God as El Shaddai, for at 90 years and Sarah 89 years, they had no children of their own despite God‘s promise to bless them with an heir.

God established a covenant with Abrams and called him Abraham, which means father of nations. God then promised to make Abraham and his descendants extremely fruitful as well as promising that nations and kings would come from him. God went further to allocate the land of Canaan to Abraham and his descendants “as an everlasting possession” Genesis 17: 5-8. All God expected of Abraham was for him and his descendants to keep his covenant with God, Genesis 17:9-14.

God wants us to know Him as El shaddai and to trust Him with our weaknesses and failures. He works through our weaknesses to reveal His power and establish Himself as the Almighty God. All He expects of us is obedience to His word as revealed in the scriptures and made clear by the Holy Spirit living in us. It is not possible in the natural for a man of 90years and a woman of 89 years to bear children, yet with El Shaddai nothing is impossible.

No matter what you may be going through or what you think is impossible either because of your physical limitation or financial burden, let El Shaddai be true to His name. If you need a place of refuge and cannot get it in the world, run to El Shaddai whose might will shield you against your adversity. If what you need is impossible in the eyes of men, run to El Shaddai for He pours out His being in our weaknesses and makes the impossible, possible.

Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/400163_the-power-of-knowing-god-by-name-part-2#ixzz1IDH34CIC

The Power of Knowing God by Name, Part 1

The writer of the book of Hebrews writes that “without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is” Hebrews 11: 6.

God manifest Himself to us according to our needs and in the process shows us that He is Lord over all our needs. This is why the writer of the book of Hebrews emphasises that “without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is” Hebrews 11: 6.

To believe that “He is” takes faith based on our understanding and experience of God. This is why God commanded Joshua to “meditate “ on the “Book of Law” “day and night that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success” Joshua 1:8. In other words to know God and "believe that He is" involves meditating on His word and being obedient to the word.

Scripture teaches that “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the word was God” John 1:1. It is therefore evident that to know the word is to know God, for “He is”. How then do you recognize God by name when He present Himself to You?

1) Elohim( the Creator) - The bible introduces God as the creator of the heavens and earth , Genesis 1:1. El means “mighty” or “strong” and is used in reference to God. The ending “him” is used in plural in Hebrew language acknowledging the trinity. Genesis 1: 2-3 reads, “ The Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters” while the writer of the book of Hebrew states that “by faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God” Hebrews 11:3. This two scriptures introduce the Holy Spirit and the God head who spoke creation into being.


The deity of the third member of the trinity, Jesus Christ, is clear in scripture for , “ He is the image of the invisible God, the first born over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible , whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him”, Colossians 1: 15,16 . It is thus obvious that the whole trinity was involved in creation. The God head spoke, the Holy spirit moved, and through Jesus all things were created.

In creating the man God said “let us make man in our image, according to our likeness” Genesis 1: 26. The “let us” refers to the trinity , the Father, the son and the Holy Spirit. We are all a product of our creator and not accidents of nature as some may believe. David celebrated his life and said “ you formed my inward parts; you covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise you for I am fearfully and wonderfully made” Psalms 139: 13-14.


Knowing God as Elohim helps you understand that God has a purpose for your life for He spoke into your being. God says this “ Everyone who is called by My name whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him” Isaiah 43: 7. It is God who “forms” and “makes” us for His glory. All we need to do is to trust Him as Elohim because He is all knowing.

When Moses tried to get out of his calling on the basis that he was not eloquent of Speech, God rebuked him saying, “ who has made man’s mouth? Or who makes the mute, the deaf, the seeing, or the blind? Have not I, the Lord?” Exodus 4: 11. Everything and everyone has a purpose and when we recognize this then we can celebrate our creation by accepting who we are. We must never lose sight of the fact that we are created to glorify God. In us and through us, others will have the true concept of God

Read more at http://www.bukisa.com/articles/398399_the-power-of-knowing-god-by-name-part-1

Trusting in the Name of God for sustenance

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe” Proverbs 18:10.

When God called Moses to go and deliver the children of Israel from their bondage in Egypt and lead them to the promised land, Moses asked Him whom he should tell them send Him. Moses in asking this question recognized that the name represented the character and attributes of God and would be the deciding factor on the success or failure of his mission.

God answered Moses by emphasizing that “I AM WHO I AM” and told him to tell the children of Israel that “I AM has sent me to you” Exodus 3: 14. In other words He was all they needed. He was their father, their deliverer, their healer, their peace, their comfort, you name it and He was. As the Psalmist says, the name of the Lord is a strong tower in which we find sustenance in all our needs.

David preparing for battle acknowledges that his success is based on his dependence on the Lord. He writes that “some may trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God” Psalm 20:7. David recognized that trusting in human capabilities would lead to failure for we are limited but God is all knowing and all powerful. Only God can preserve a nation or an individual because His victory is eternal.

Scriptures implores on us to work towards knowing God and call on His name at the time of need and He will deliver us. Jesus praying just before his crucifixion says, “this is eternal life, they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” John 17:3. Jesus in this prayer was saying that the only way to eternal life is by knowing God the Father through His son, Jesus Christ.

Apostle Paul affirms Christ prayer and shows that his greatest desire and goal in life was that he “may gain Christ and be found in Him---; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death” Philippians 3:8,10. Paul understood that knowing God is the difference between success and failure for a believer.

When we know God and are united in Him through Christ, we experience the power that raised Christ from the dead. That same power helps us to live renewed and regenerated lives. When we know God as He is, we develop a confidence that He will see us through in every situation for His glory. Indeed God gives this assurance to those who truly know Him to “call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me” Psalm 50:15.

Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/396550_trusting-in-the-name-of-god-for-sustenance#ixzz1IDENZsPc

Honoring Nine Soul Artist of Yesteryears whose Music still inspires and each

It seems there was a period when musician used to sing songs with meaning and had depth to them that is rare today. In the 1970’s and 1980’s the songs seemed more reflective and had deep messages that started movements.

The artist were soul singers and were able to tell a story in a soulful away that would touch even the hardened heart. Most of these singers had learnt to sing in church before they went into the secular world and their music reflected this background.

Music is God’s gift to human beings and it is food for the soul. Used properly music can change people and give them hope as they experience its inspiration. Modern artist seem to live on the now and their music seem to be noise than anything else.

The lyrics seem to glorify the dark world and use a lot of dirty language. Rarely are the songs deep enough to last a season and few can inspire change.

In celebration of the artists contribution to the betterment of the human condition through music the writer honors them in this article. Most of these artist have since departed the world, some at very tender ages

1) Marvin Gaye: Marvin was one talented singer who never found peace with himself. He is reported to have suffered from depression and perhaps self medicated with drugs as he struggled with drug addiction. Marvin was born on the 2nd of April 1939 and died on the 1st of April 1984 due to a fatal shot by his father after a heated argument. Marvin had many hit songs like “Mercy, Mercy me“, “I heard it through the grapevine”, “sexual healing” among others. The most endearing for this writer is “What’s going on” because the question is still very relevant.


2) Curtis Mayfield: Curtis Mayfield was another of this writer’s favorite artists. He was born on the 3rd of June 1942 and died on the 26th of December 1999. He had been paralyzed from the neck in 1990 after a freak accident on the stage before a performance. Curtis was a self taught guitarist and used his talent well. His songs were humanistic in nature and included hit songs like “its alright”, “People get ready”, “choice colors” and the soundtrack “superfly”. The most endearing song for this writer is “move on up” and “people get ready“.


Read more: http://musicouch.com/genres/honoring-nine-soul-artist-of-yester-years-whose-music-still-inspires-and-teach/#ixzz1FTeV7KGc

7 Ways to handle difficult challenges in our lives

Many times trouble comes to our lives when we are un prepared. This may create panic in us while we look for ways to resolve the problem. Some people may become paralyzed with fear while others look for a scapegoat to blame for their misfortune.

David’s reaction when attacked by the Amalekites as reported in 1 Samuel chapter 30 reveals the best way to handle difficult challenges. David and his men in this particular incidence were not home when the unprecedented attack happened. They had gone to fight with the Philistines who turned them back because they did not trust David who had previously fought with Israel against them.

David was in exile at this time and lived with his men in the city of Ziklag, a Philistine territory, which the Philistine king Achish had bestowed on David and his men because David had found favor with him (1 Samuel 27: 5-7). David’s exile had been forced by King Saul’s threat on his life because of Saul’s insecurities.

They arrived back in Ziklag on the third day after being rejected by the Philistines to a scary scenario. The Amalekites had raided Ziglag, burnt it down and taken captive the women and anyone else they found there. “David and his men came to the city, and there it was, burned with fire; and their wives, their sons, and their daughters had been taken captive” 1 Samuel 30: 3. So what do you do caught up in such a situation?

1) Express your emotions
It was a distressing moment and seemingly a hopeless situation. David and his men wept together “until they had no more power to weep” but the situation turned to be more distressing for David because “ the people spoke of stoning him” 1 Samuel 30: 5- 6. The men caught up in grief looked for a scapegoat for their misery instead of working together for a solution. Avoid looking for someone to blame or criticize for your predicament. It is useless to do so.

2) Find strength in the Lord
In the midst of all these David “strengthened himself in the Lord, his God” 1 Samuel 30: 6. David recognized that the Lord is our shepherd and a very pleasant help in times of need. Instead of focusing on who to blame or express his anger towards, David found his strength in the Lord. So instead of blaming others, recognize that nothing gets the Lord by surprise. Reach out to him in your weakness and He will strengthen you.

3) Enquire of the Lord
Consult the Lord on what to do before acting. The next thing that David did was to enquire of the Lord whether to pursue his enemies and the consequences of doing so (1 Samuel 30:7). The Lord answered David and said, “pursue for you shall surely overtake them and without fail recover all”1 Samuel 30:8. Do not be in rush to revenge but wait on the Lord and He will direct your path. Once you receive your answer, act as instructed.

Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/373610_6-ways-to-handle-unprepared-attacks#ixzz15CHE6cpO

Have you entered the sabbath rest?

“There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His” Hebrews 4: 9-10.

Have you ever felt like the Lord was calling you for a conversation and when you obeyed you knew He was warning you or reminding you of something? Well that happened to me not long ago when I was feeling disturbed in my spirit but did not know why. I tend to be like apostle Peter sometimes, where I do mighty things in the name of the Lord but get overwhelmed when I take my eyes from the Lord and view my circumstances from a carnal mind and start drowning.

Let’s face it, the ways of the Lord are hard to fathom and only our faith in Him can sustain us. Sometimes one feels like the Lord does not take cognizant of time or has forsaken them and in the process worry unnecessarily. Jesus reminds us that “which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?” Mathew 6: 27. This is where I was when the Lord called me for a conversation.

Sometimes the Lord closes certain doors in our lives that we perhaps previously found our self worth in. He makes us to be totally depended on Him living on a day to day basis. In the process God teaches us to trust in Him and to receive from Him. The Lord may do this by removing you from a place of comfort and move you to a foreign place away from your security. The challenges may be many but it is in this place that you learn to depend on the Lord for your sanity.

As believers we always claim to be depended on the Lord and it is easy to say that when we are financially alright, we are healthy, our relationships are working well, our children are doing what we expect of them among such issues. But what happens when such securities are taken away from us? Will our actions be compatible with what we say we believe? The only way we can know is when we are tested by having such confidence taken away from us.

According to scripture “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him’ Hebrews 11: 6. In the midst of our trials our faith conditions us to know that God is able to see us through and that He holds the key to our deliverance. It will be in the midst of these challenges that the Lord proves to us that He is all we need in the long run, for "He is".

James writes “ Show me your faith without your works and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe -and tremble!” James 2: 18-19. James is saying that our faith will show in our works. It is not enough to have an intellectual assent about God, for even demons do that, but the truth of what we believe in will be manifest through our thoughts and conduct. And sometimes it is in our trials that our faith is proved.

Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/367661_have-you-entered-the-sabbath-rest#ixzz15CG0w5O4

Understanding the Peace of God

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” John14:27.

What is peace? When we call on peace what do we really mean? Can we have peace in the midst of injustice? Can we have peace without resolving our conflicts? Can we have peace without rights?

According to Dictionary .com, peace includes the lack of war, a state of mutual harmony between people or groups, freedom from civil commotion and violence in a community, freedom from strife, freedom of mind from annoyance, distraction, anxiety, and a state of tranquility or serenity. As observed from this defination, peace is dependant on something happening or in the change of circumstances

The peace of God on the other hand is not conditional to circumstances outside our being. The peace of God is a state of being regardless of the circumstances. When we accept Christ in our lives we receive the Holy Spirit whose work in us produces a deep and lasting peace. This peace ensures us a sound mind when we would be anxious and distressed under normal circumstances.

Sin, fear, uncertainty, doubt and numerous other forces are at war within us. The peace of God moves into our hearts and lives to restrain these hostile forces and offer comfort in place of conflict. Paul in his epistle to the Philippians says “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God , which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:6-7.

Peace in this regard is a condition of mind that releases you from fear, anger, anxiety and pain even when the circumstances in the natural would warrant a different response. The peace of God is a gift as Jesus said “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” John14:27.

The peace of God is manifested in those who understand the sovereignty of God. They understand that God is in control of every situation and that there are times that He will allow things that we do not like to happen if it serves the bigger picture. The perfect example is that of Him allowing Jesus to suffer death in a most shameful manner as a way of reconciling human beings to Him.

Jesus who understood the domain of God manifested peace even at His death. This is why it was possible for Him to pray that God would forgive His killers “because they did not know what they do” Luke 23:34. A normal human being would have been angry and exasperated at being so humiliated and beaten for something he was no guilty of.

Read more: http://www.bukisa.com/articles/357975_understanding-the-peace-of-god#ixzz15CEYKt3x

All Are Sinners, But Some Have Been Saved by Grace

All Are Sinners, But Some Have Been Saved by Grace

The Ten Commandments of Making Winning Decisions.

The Ten Commandments of Making Winning Decisions.