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THERE IS A SHAKING going on all over the world. Wars and economic hardships, the collapse of governments, disease outbreaks and an increase in the number of natural disasters. People are migrating from unstable parts of the world to the stable areas. It is not surprising that these things are happening. Nevertheless, God has promised that he will shake all things so that the things that cannot be shaken will remain. (Hebrews 12:27) I believe that the church is in one of its finest hours - you are made for such a time like this. THE NARRATIVE GOD CAN USE ANYONE. When Nebuchadnezzar went against Judah, God gave him victory. (Daniel 1:2) He took the best men of Judah captive—the brains, brawn and beauty. Nebuchadnezzar commanded that the teens be taught the language and literature of Babylon, fed from the king’s table and trained for three years. Their names were changed to erase their identity. The plan was to systematically indoctrinate them. They were shaken to their foundations. The Reality GOD HAD WARNED THEM that they would lose their freedom if they continued in sin; so, captivity didn't come as a surprise. Also, adversity is part of the life of a believer. Jesus said, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) No matter the source of your problem, God can do what he wants. Always remember that God's thoughts towards you are of good and not evil to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11) God uses challenges to do different things. To inspect you. GOD EXAMINES HIS CHILDREN at all times. He wants you to see what you need to work on. Some say humans are like tea bags. The way hot water reveals what’s in a tea bag, problems reveal us. The why of a thing is always more important to God than what? God searches our hearts and motives. Everyone looks at the image, but God is interested in your integrity. (1 Samuel 16:7) God tested Israel in the wilderness for forty years that he might humble them and know what is in their hearts. (Deuteronomy 8:2) When life throws you a curve, God might just be examining you. Challenges are measuring tools. When your life is put under pressure, what does it reveal about you? To correct You. THE CAPTIVES WERE HAULED to a foreign land for seventy years. God corrects all his children. He intervenes because he wants us to be holy. Sometimes, the only way to train is through pain. People say, "There is no gain without pain." When the pain is severe enough, people change. Other times, people learn from their failures. What is this problem teaching you? What should you be learning? To direct You. A MAN MAY PLAN HIS WAY, but the Lord will lead his steps. (Proverbs 16:9) People change when they feel the heat. The prodigal son had his life on cruise control when everything was going well. But when he lost everything, he returned home. (Luke 15:11-32) After David went through some difficult times; he said, “When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies.” (Psalm 19:59) Adversity has a way of making people change course. Do you have a problem? Where is the problem leading you? To protect you GOD MAY ALLOW pain to prevent you from more significant harm—a blessing in disguise. For forty years, Joseph went through so much; that was where God wanted him. He said, "As for you, you meant evil against me, but God intended it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today." (Genesis 50:20) The pain you’re suffering is a symptom of a larger problem that God wants you to address. How will this problem protect you? Let your faith give you a reputation; align your expectation to His Will To perfect You GOD DOES THIS TO GROW YOU—be more like Jesus Christ. After you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. (1 Peter 5:10) The only thing that remains after the problems are gone is your character. (James 1:2-4) You must understand that the earth is a school in preparation for heaven. How can you grow? The only way to do this is to respond appropriately. If the response is right, you will be promoted. BRINGING IT TOGETHER DANIEL’S EXPERIENCE was daunting but rewarding. He knew the truth and lived it. His acts disrespected the attitudes of idolatry. Let your faith in Christ give you a reputation. Align your expectations with God’s Will, and you’ll not be disappointed.

FOR THREE MONTHS, we waited for the pandemic to run its course—and the silence was deafening. Being antisocial wasn’t the issue, but we were told not to socialize—so, we had to self-isolate. Then came the shooting. The moral history of racism has never been clear—and the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis white police officer reminded the whole world of racial injustice. The whole nation was transfixed, and many felt sick to their stomach—no one believed that such a thing could happen before their eyes. People stopped self-isolating. They took to the streets to show their disgust. Since then, it’s been nine long days of protests in different parts of the world—and people have continued to vent their anger on social media. But how do you respond to things like this? It’s about people GOVERNANCE shouldn’t be about politics; it should be about the people. It’s hugely affirming that you are part of people’s lives as they are part of your life. They live in your world and you live in their world. They live in your stories and you live in their stories. For the believer, you must understand that the kingdom of God is about souls. (Proverbs 11:30) You serve a God who delights in human dignity and has worth for all humanity. Irrespective of race and gender, He is building a church with people from all nations, tribes and languages. (Revelations 7:9) A chosen people to show forth the praises of Him, and He is the head of the church (1 Peter 2:9; Colossians 1:18) Dissent is the main ingredient of change Be fair GREAT MEN AND WOMEN are defined by the way they deal with fairness. They set out to treat everyone fairly. Do unto others as you will have them do to you. (Luke 6:31) Wherever you look, see people through the lens of God’s Word—they are fearfully and wonderfully made. (Psalm 139:14) Be grieved ALTHOUGH IT’S HARD to believe that racism still exists, you must understand that it is a sign of sin. And the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked, who can imagine it. (Jeremiah 17:9) If you are going to change anything, you must get to the point of doing something—joining the healing work by praying for a change till God establishes His redemptive work. However, it may be simple for us to identify racist behaviour in others and miss the subtle bigotry that exists in us. Having a fit of righteous anger when we see these things does not stop us from examining ourselves and making sure that we are not guilty. We must ensure that we do not contribute to stereotypes and divisions. In times like this, we can pray Psalm 139:23-24. Examine me, O God, and know my mind. Test me and know my thoughts. See whether I am on an evil path. Then lead me on the everlasting path. Be slow to speak WHEN YOU encounter a post, the conclusion you run on the spot is different from what you come up with after some thinking—so, give it some time. Be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to become angry. (James 1:19) To change things, you must understand that the ship of silence has sailed, and you can no longer be silent. Look for opportunities, have conversations that can lead to policy change—call racism for what it is and renounce it. The conversation isn’t only about where you are but where you should be. And if you have questions about life, the bible is the best place to look. BRINGING IT TOGETHER WE LIVE in unprecedented times when arson should not be condoned, and history cannot be ignored. We may all be footnotes in the annals of history, but providence will judge us for things we did and the ones we did not do. However, we cannot base love, acceptance and respect on race or notoriety but God. Go out this week, turn your despair to hope and your hate to a love story.

IF A MAN finds the one who killed his son and kills him—people will call it judgment. If he calls the police and the murderer is arrested, tried and imprisoned, it's called justice. If the Father to the dead pleads for the accused, it's called mercy. And if the Father asks that the murderer be released to him for adoption, it is called grace. Grace bridges the relationship chasm between the Father and us. The Narrative SINCE THEN, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. Let us then, with confidence, draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:14 and 16) Jesus has established for us a throne of grace. MANY PEOPLE feel that God goes around looking for people to punish, but that's far from the truth. The only ones that Jesus judged while on earth were the spiritual leaders. (Matthew 23:1-4) During his passage through Jericho, he saw Zacchaeus and did not judge him. (Luke 19:1-10) When they brought the woman caught in adultery to him—His words were for her to go and sin no more. (John 8:4-11). GOD IS FULL of grace, and in Him, there is no disgrace. TO REACH OUT to humanity, God chose a group of people, gave them his laws and taught them his ways to teach the rest of the world. But when the time fully came, he sent his Son, Jesus Christ. (Galatians 4:4-5) For God did not send his Son into the world to be its judge but to be its saviour. (John 3:17) While on the cross, the veil was ripped from top to bottom that all may approach Him. (Matthew 27:51) His death was the door to His grace. IF YOU do not understand who Jesus is and why he came, you'll try to measure up—but this will never help you know Him. God will not allow you to go on without pointing you to where you erred. God is not keeping scores; neither is he waiting to condemn you, but he wants to be gracious. Peter calls him the God of all grace. (1 Peter 5:10) Adversity will become a bridge to all you desire to become in life IF YOU are a believer, you can ask yourself how many times you've been to the throne of grace—and how many times were your needs met? Times that I was lonely, I went to the throne and found comfort. When I was afraid, I found courage. When I was sick, I found healing—and when I sinned, I found forgiveness. There is something about this throne that never stops giving. HOW IS your relationship with God? Are you satisfied with where you are? If your answer is no, then something is missing. God wants to show you Himself. He wants to surround you with His Presence. God is interested in giving you Himself, and once you reach that point, every other name will fade away. When you love him, you feel the way he feels. And when you are in a relationship with Him, you'll find nothing comparable to Him. (Psalm 40:5) When he knows that what you want is what he wants, he removes some things from your life and adds other things. (Matthew 6:33) Adversity will become a bridge to all you need to become in life, but the onus to draw near to Him is yours. (James 4:8) There's nothing in life that you do not need to have more of—when you spend some money, you need to replace it. And when you know Him, all you must do is go to the source. Whoever believes in me (Jesus Christ), as the Scripture has said, 'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.' (John 7:38) The best that life has to offer can only be found in Jesus. He is always available at the throne of grace. BRINGING IT TOGETHER IF WE CONFESS our sins, He is faithful and just to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9) Confess your sins to Him and ask Him to forgive you. Tell him to come into your heart. If you have done this, you are now a believer. I’ll be glad to hear your story. The great thing to remember is that though our feelings come and go, God's love for us does not – C.S. Lewis.

AS THIS YEAR limps to an end, I want to thank you for being a part of Kingsmarch. The pandemic, the scourge of racism, the geopolitical tensions, and the EndSars protests made this year an unparalleled one. And many have found a battle with a surprising foe, optimism. I have tried to change the narrative whenever I can, and I have discovered that trusting in God has been very empowering—He keeps in perfect peace whose heart is stayed on Him. (Isaiah 26:3) It has helped me make sense of my days and pivoted me to a point where my focus is more on Him. I'll like you to do the same. I'll also like you to understand that only God can touch personal hardships and turn them into success stories. He will touch you and change your life. WHEN JESUS was born, heartbreak met with hope, and we stopped being alone. You may be a mother who gave birth with no one at your side or someone who has lost a loved one. The Lord will comfort you. He will cause His face to shine upon you and see you through. As you celebrate this Christmas, remember that you're loved, and you're not alone—Emmanuel, God is with you. (Matthew 1:23) Have a Merry Christmas and a grace-filled New Year!

DOORS COME IN DIFFERENT shapes and sizes— physical and spiritual. They shut out the unwelcomed and grant access to invited guests. When God warned Cain not to get upset, he wasn’t talking of a real door, but a spiritual one. “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it,” said God. (Genesis 4:6-7) God warned Cain not to open the door of his heart to sin—which means that doors have no ability of their own—they are closed or opened by someone. Doors are gateways—entry and exit points. And at times, they are used as symbols. The Narrative DURING THE MISSIONARY TRAVELS of Paul and his companions through Phrygia and Galatia, the Holy Spirit kept them from preaching the word in Asia. (Acts 16:6) When they wanted to go to Bithynia, the Spirit of Jesus did not permit them. (Acts 16:7) But when they got to Troas, Paul had a vision in the night. A man of Macedonia calling them to come and help them. (Acts 16:9) They heeded the call and went to Macedonia. Behind closed doors. THE FIRST EASTER was a disappointing one for the disciples of Jesus. They felt like the reality of his loss would swallow their faith. The fear made Peter deny Jesus. For the fear that the Jewish leaders will plan their arrests, they bolted the doors behind them. Disappointment filled the air. But Jesus appeared to them behind those closed doors—which means that a closed door cannot keep God out. (John 20:19-20) Can God close doors? Yes. But why does God close doors? To redirect you. GOD CLOSED THE DOOR on Paul and his friends to redirect them. The incentive in such a situation is to wait and see what God will do. They expected, and God told them where He wanted them to go. If you're going to do God's will, you need His instructions. For perfect timing. TIMING IS EVERYTHING TO GOD. He may use the waiting time to prepare you for what is ahead. For everything that happens in life—there is a season, a right time for everything under heaven. (Ecclesiastes 3:1) To protect you. GOD LOOKS at the bigger picture. He may close a door because he has a better plan. When Pharaoh let the people go, God didn’t lead them on the road through Philistine territory, although that was the shortest route. God said, “If they see that they have to fight a war, they may change their minds and go back to Egypt.” (Exodus 13:17) We’ve heard stories of people missing a bus or a flight and being saved from an accident. God closes doors on His children temporarily to keep them safe and inspire them. A closed door may be to move on. GOD MAY SHUT A DOOR so that you can move on. It may just be the time to change direction. Peter had fished all night and caught nothing. When Jesus got into his boat, he told Peter to launch into the deep and cast his net.  (Luke 5:4) And Peter caught so much fish. The great catch was an inclination that Peter's life would change. God planned to make him a fisher of men. He closed the door because he wanted Peter to change his direction. To get your attention. WHEN THE ANGEL stood in front of Balaam’s donkey, it was to get his attention. God opened his eyes, and the angel said, “Go with the men, but speak only what I tell you.” (Numbers 22:35) To glorify His Name GOD CLOSES DOORS to receive the glory. When Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick, He said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” (John 11:4) BRINGING IT TOGETHER DISAPPOINTMENT IN THE FORM of a closed door is a call to prayer. It's a time to find out what God is trying to say to you. When a door closes in your life, know that God has your best interest at heart. He has much more than you can ever ask or imagine. There is no door God cannot open except the one that He wants to be shut.

THE GREATEST TEST to the church isn't unredeemed outside the church, but the church's unreformed. The Narrative THE GALATIANS believed in the death and resurrection of Christ when Paul visited their towns. But when they listened to some Jewish leaders—they believed a lie. Paul called them foolish and asked, who had bewitched them? (Galatians 3:1) They had a responsibility to hold onto the truth, but they listened to the lies of the enemy. THERE WILL always be charlatans; so, we need to examine those we listen to. But what will be the basis of our evaluation? Will it be subjective? Will you listen to someone who speaks to your situation? It is easy for anyone to teach and abuse a scriptural text, and it's dangerous to listen only to someone who speaks to your situation. Your evaluation should be more than just handling your pain. IS YOUR evaluation God-centred or man-centred? A pharisee went to the temple to pray. He said, 'Oh, God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, crooks, adulterers, or, heaven forbid, like this tax man. I fast twice a week and tithe on all my income.' (Luke 18:11) He placed his deeds above the grace of God. He walked in pride. The bible teaching to trust is the one that puts Jesus in the centre of all things. WHEN YOU listen to a teaching, who is glorified in it? A preacher cannot become the object of adoration. Psalm 75:9 says, "As for me, I will declare this forever; I will sing praise to the God of Jacob." If it isn't about God, don't trust it. Anything that does not put Him first doesn't make Him a priority. A MOTHER will choose the words that her son understands. God did a similar thing when he chose words that we can relate to in the scriptures. But no matter how much we picture Him, it cannot be compared to seeing Him. 'For His thoughts are not our thoughts. His ways are not our ways. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are His ways higher than our ways. And his thoughts higher than our thoughts.' (Isaiah 55:8-9) The scriptures command that we delight ourselves in the Lord, and he will grant us our heart desires. (Psalm 37:4) GOD NEEDS nothing from you, and whatever you do to Him adds nothing to Him. When we think that we are helping Him out, we fall into legalism. And when we start to see God through the prism of His Son, prayer becomes a necessity. Isaiah saw Him and said, "Woe is me. I am a man with unclean lips." (Isaiah 6:5) Any teaching that does not stick to this truth is to pander to your liking. The glory of God must become a priority in all our lives. TO TRUST a bible teacher, you must study the scriptures yourself. You are required to master them. Fifteen minutes a day will take you through the bible in a year. Start with the urge to get a basic understanding and not a hidden meaning. Go into a chapter to understand what the scripture says—and not what is relevant to you. Read what the scripture says to you—and make your application. A true teacher is one who believes in the infallibility of the Word of God. BRINGING IT TOGETHER YOU CANNOT leave your criteria unchecked. The bible teaching to trust is the one that puts Jesus in the centre of all things. You live in a time when many know little about what dwells between the covers of the bible. And you need to get into the bible and allow it to get into you.

YOUR LIFE may seem like a small footprint, but every inch of it is so well thought out and considered by God. He has a plan and a purpose for your life, and God intends to see everything come to pass. He wants you to switch sides and make gains in Him. The Narrative WHEN GOD CALLED ABRAHAM, he said that through him, all his descendants shall be blessed. And God made way for them—none of his promises failed. He still makes ways today, and he will make way for you. The driving narrative in their relationship was holiness. Israel thrived in all that they did, until they slipped into evil during the time of the judges. Israel forgot that their actions were spiritual markers, and God handed them over to their enemies. For forty years, they suffered in the hands of the Philistines. Then, God sent an angel to the wife of Manoah. “You will become pregnant and have a son whose head is never to be touched by a razor because the boy is to be a Nazirite, dedicated to God from the womb. He will take the lead in delivering Israel from the hands of the Philistines.” (Judges 13:5) The Mission GOD WANTED TO RESTORE ISRAEL. He was sending them a deliverer—an anointed man to the rescue. His birth will be unusual, and God had great things in store for his people. The wife of Manoah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. They called him Samson. Later in life, the Spirit of the Lord began to stir him. Samson had everything going for him. He was called to deliver his people from the hands of the Philistines. He was supernaturally strong—Samson defeated the enemies of his people. And whenever the Spirit came on him, he did great feats. Samson was the joy of many, and God gave him victory after victory. But over time, Samson was distracted. He began to rely on himself and became careless. What will become of you when people see what you do—when they notice your mighty deeds? Looking for love HE LOOKED FOR LOVE in the wrong places and fell in love with a bad woman. He was unaware that she was being paid by the Philistines to spend time with him. She tried to find out the source of his strength, but he refused to tell her. And Delilah nagged him till he couldn’t stand it any more. (Judges 16:16) Samson said to her that if his head were shaved, he would have no power. He told the enemy his secret. He had vowed to serve God. His power was in his hair that he promised not to cut. While he slept, Delilah got someone to cut the seven locks of hair, and Samson became weak. Then, she cried that the Philistines were upon him. Samson got up like he will normally do, but the anointing had left him. (Judges 16:20) Samson got up to a defeat. The Philistines caught him and gouged out his eyes. They shackled him, and Samson became their slave. He sank to his nadir, but his hair began to grow. (Judges 16:22) With God, you're never out of options One more Option FOR SAMSON, there seemed no way out. But he waited till the time was right and trusted God to make a change in his situation. One day, they brought him to entertain them in their pagan worship. They thought that Samson was finished, but he wasn’t—there was still one option. And Samson asked the man who brought him out to put his hands on the pillars that support the temple. He prayed that the Lord will remember and strengthen him once more. Samson realised that God gave him life, and he must use it well. When he switched sides, the question wasn’t who will let him, it’s who is going to stop him? He was stoked for maximum impact. He braced himself against the pillars and said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” (Judges 16:30) Samson pushed with all his strength and killed more Philistines than he ever did all his life. He lost the battle but did not lose the war. BRINGING IT TOGETHER SAMSON COULD HAVE GIVEN UP—but he rose from the ashes of defeat. No matter what you’re facing, do not give up. With God, you’re never out of options. Switch to his side, and you’ll make the gains! Enjoy your week.

WISDOM ARE VIRTUES that enable us make good choices. It’s the ability to acquire knowledge of what’s going on, the power to see critical moments, and the resolve to act as necessary. Wisdom will always combine general knowledge with intuition, and the necessary resolve to act. We are surrounded by so much knowledge, yet we lack it. We are all over the place trying to figure things out, but we need the wisdom to move forward. The highest human knowledge will likely accomplish our intended goals, but God’s wisdom will always achieve the righteous goal. The Narrative GOD HAD RIGHTEOUS GOALS for Jacob. He said to him, “The land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants.” (Genesis 28:13) With this promise, Jacob went to Haran and served his uncle, Laban. After twenty years of service, Jacob wanted to leave, but Laban begged him to stay. Laban had noticed that he prospered because of Jacob. Changing Lanes LABAN OFFERED HIM WAGES, but Jacob refused. He asked that the spotted and speckled sheep be his wages, and Laban agreed. Jacob put poplar and almond sticks before the stronger livestock. And when they conceived, they had spotted and speckled offsprings. He had his intended goal and became very rich. But, Laban and his sons were unhappy with the outcome. You must understand that some relationships are for a season, while some are for a lifetime. It was time for Jacob to move forward, and God told him to leave and return home. (Genesis 31:3) A Sense of Perspective ON HIS WAY, Jacob began to put things in proper perspective. He was concerned about meeting his brother, Esau who he stole his birthright. He sent messengers with gifts ahead of him, and they returned to tell him that Esau was coming and had four hundred men with him. (Genesis 32:6) Jacob had a story to tell—he went alone to Haran and was returning as two companies, but his clan could not be compared to Esau’s in number. Jacob knew what was happening, he understood that things were critical, and he was willing to act. But he didn’t know what to do. He tried to figure things out but wasn’t sure it will work. He had sent gifts to Esau, but Esau seemed uninterested; so, he was scared. Jacob divided his animals into two and sent them ahead with servants. The human perspective is like being in a submarine underwater. When you look through the window, all you see is darkness, but God’s perspective sees beyond all things. We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God—those whom he has called according to his plan. (Romans 8:28) Cry for Help JACOB PRAYED and reminded God of his promises. “Deliver me, I pray, from the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau; for I fear him, lest he comes and attacks the mother with the children and me.” (Genesis 32:11) Jacob divided his family and animals into two. He hoped that if Esau attacked one, the other would escape. At Jabbok River, he sent the two groups across and was left alone. God’s wisdom is unsearchable A MAN wrestled with Jacob all night, and at dawn, Jacob wouldn’t let go. So, he dislocated Jacob’s hip joint. (Genesis 32:26) Jacob knew of his father’s faith. He had heard so much of his grandpa’s belief, but he needed an encounter with God. The man blessed him and changed his name to Israel. Jacob was never the same. God limited His power to interact with Jacob. He came in the form of a man and wrestled him. Jacob understood this principle of God. He said, “I have met God face-to-face, and he has spared my life.” (Genesis 32:30) Job had a similar experience; having lost everything, he had a revelation of God. He said, “Before I knew only what I had heard of You, but now I have seen You.” (Job 42:5) God cares about everything—the big and the small; the mountains and the valleys. Jacob walked in this framework, and God guaranteed his success. BRINGING IT TOGETHER JACOB’S WRESTLE with God was a watershed moment. With a humble surrender and an answered prayer, he entered the next phase of his life. The challenges you face are intended to change your life, and through them, you'll gain wisdom to move forward. Have a great week.

TO LOVE AT ALL is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken, says C.S. Lewis. Brennan Manning’s publisher was driving on the New Jersey Turnpike when he saw the backseat door of a moving Lincoln Town car flung open. A collie was thrown out of the car. It hit the concrete pavement and rolled into a ditch. Despite the owner’s disregard for life, the bloodied and bruised dog got up and ran after the owner’s car—it must have been very confusing for the dog. The determined love of Christ responds to us the same way—despite being thrown out from the backseats of our lives, it does not leave us to our demise. God made his heart vulnerable to us when he sent His Son to the cross. The Narrative THE TIME OF JESUS was coming to an end, and he sent two of his disciples into the village to get his ride. When they brought a donkey and colt to him, they put their cloaks on them for him to sit on. (Matthew 21) As Jesus rode into the city, people put their cloaks on the road—others cut tree branches and spread them on his path. Some knew him, some didn’t. The shouts of hosanna filled the air. If he rode on a horse, many would call him a conquering king, but he chose a donkey. It was the ultimate expression of humility. Be Humble THE PEOPLE WERE ECSTATIC, many were shocked—some saw his humility as weakness. But he didn't deny his strength, he established it. Philippians 2:5-8 say, “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.” When Jesus came to die, he did not think less of Himself, he felt more of me. Be open AT THE TABLE, Jesus reminded his disciples of his death and revealed the one to betray him. (Matthew 26:25) Jesus did not hold things back from them. He shared the problematic parts of his story with those who deserved to hear it. A Christian Gathering should be a place where we are vulnerable and feel safe. But when someone is met with flippant attitudes, as well as silence, it prevents openness and creates superficial relationships. He did not think less of Himself, he felt more of me Do not run from your emotions AFTER THE LAST SUPPER, Jesus took his disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane. “Sit here while I go over there and pray,” he said. (Matthew 26:36) But he took Peter, James and John with him. Jesus was overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. His expression of sadness resonated with them. “We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15) Be courageous THERE CAN’T BE WISHES without hope—there can’t be bravery without vulnerability. “Courageously facing life’s challenges does not mean being fearless; it means bearing vulnerability rather than fleeing from it,” says Stolorow. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was troubled. “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done,” he prayed. And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. (Luke 22:42-43) People are looking for those who are bold. Value relationships JESUS CAME TO FULFILL PROPHECY because his relationship with humanity meant so much to him. He walked a difficult path—he knew the possibility will define our existence. “For our sake he made him sin who knew no sin so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) Today, humanity is reconciled to him. BRINGING IT TOGETHER THE HUMILITY OF JESUS did not appeal to some people, but it pleased the Father. To achieve, he leaned into the discomfort of uncertainty. To love, he became vulnerable. And when he died, he thought more of you. What have you done for Him lately? Happy Easter.

IN A BROKEN WORLD, you can never know how strong you are, until you're all you’ve got. Nebuchadnezzar had besieged Jerusalem, and there were many uncertainties in the land. God delivered Jehoiakim, king of Judah into his hands. Nebuchadnezzar took his captives to Babylon—young men from the royal family who were wealthy and handsome, intelligent and well educated chosen for leadership roles in government. They were to learn the Babylonian language and be indoctrinated with magic and fortune-telling. They were also to feed on the king’s menu—the best food, and the finest wine. And after three years, they’ll receive positions in the king’s court. Four young men chosen from Judah—Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were among the selected. Their world was broken, but there was a fix. Life had touched them, and they knew there was more to it. The four understood that they could rise from the ashes of defeat. It’s time to Rise DANIEL COULD HAVE WOOFED down the food sacrificed to idols, but he chose not to defile himself. And God gave him favour with the head of the eunuchs. To talk himself out of trouble, he asked for time. He said, “Please test your servants for ten days: Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink. Then compare our appearance with that of the young men who eat the royal food and treat your servants in accordance with what you see.” (Daniel 1:12-13) After ten days, Daniel and his friends looked better than those fed from the king’s table. There were many attitudes around them, but they chose obedience to God. Although their sense of oneness had a place, their identity in God was vital. They found their proper bearing and followed the ideals of the kingdom. To rise to the occasion, you must know your identity, and the place you belong; then, you can rule. It’s Time to Rule CONSIDERING BEING CHOSEN to serve the king, you would think it will be easy going forward, but it wasn’t. They encountered situations that made them ask God for assistance. In Nebuchadnezzar’s second year on the throne, he had a dream. When he called the astrologers, he told them he was worried but did not tell them the dream. Nebuchadnezzar requested that they tell him the dream and the interpretation. And when they told him that no human can do that, he passed a decree that all the wise men be executed. When the commander had gone to execute the decree, he explained the situation to Daniel. He went to see the king and ask for time and returned home to explain the situation to his friends. Significant milestones are only possible when small wins matter Daniel asked them to pray for mercy that they’ll not be executed. In the valley, they lifted their eyes to the One who saw them there. When he asked God for help, he was saying, “God make me.” You cannot trust God without praying to Him, neither can you faint when you believe in Him. When you’re faced with daunting situations, your faith in God will keep your hope alive. During that night, God revealed the mystery to him, and he praised God. Significant milestones are only possible when small wins matter. For a man to bring home the great wins, he will be willing to carry the small victories in all his travels—this is called gratitude. “I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king.” (Daniel 2:23) When Daniel told Nebuchadnezzar the dream and the interpretation, the king prostrated before him. He said, “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.” (Daniel 2:47) The king promoted Daniel and made him ruler over the province of Babylon. For many of them, there was a turn back in their righteous clock but not for Daniel and his friends. To fix the broken world, he became the light to the king’s darkness. Likewise, we are the light of the world, a city on a hill that cannot be hidden. (Matthew 5:14) BRINGING IT TOGETHER DANIEL HAD DISCARDED the things that will make him think in a disparaged manner. He was intentional in his approach—he understood that their world was broken, but it could be fixed. To fix a broken world, you must be thoughtful and deliberate, not impulsive and reactionary.

FINISHING WELL isn't always about where you finish but how you finish. Derek Redmond—a British sprinter, had undergone eight surgical operations in four years. At the 1992 Summer Olympics, he qualified for the 400m semi-final with the fastest time. Derek looked strong until he suddenly tore his hamstring. Rather than fall to the ground, he continued to hobble toward the finish line but did not finish the race alone. Jim—Derek's father, ran from the stands to join him on the tracks. With tears in their eyes, they finished the race together as they received a standing ovation from a crowd of 65000 people. The image of father and son not quitting is one of finishing well. The Narrative THE BIBLE describes the Christian walk as the race of life. (Hebrews 12:1) 2 Peter 1:5-6 advises that you make every effort to add to your faith, goodness and goodness, knowledge and knowledge, self-control and self-control, perseverance, and to perseverance, godliness. If you have these qualities, you will be useful and productive in the knowledge of Christ. Endurance the mainstay WHEN LIFE causes you to take a painful tumble, perseverance keeps you from quitting. The account of Jesus Christ describes this well. Hebrews 12:2 says, "Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Jesus pushed through the pain points to finish well, and when it looked like a stunning defeat, his endurance brought a standing ovation in the bleaches of heaven. And now, you have all you need to finish well. Faith is the start PETER SAYS, add to your faith, goodness—finishing well begins with faith. After all, without faith, it's impossible to please God. (Hebrews 11:6) It's the starting point and the finishing line; it matures in adversity. Faith makes you look at challenges in the face and turn trials into triumphs. It pushes you to know things beyond the material world—it contains the idea of mystery. It results in faithfulness and makes you persevere in chaos. Therein, you find wisdom. But where do you place your faith? In God or men? God warns you not to put your faith in man. (Jeremiah 17:5-9) But it isn't enough to know what faith is except you have a place to practice it. And the place to exercise your faith is in trials. Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. (James 1:3-4) God will allow things into your life to test you, and a fully developed faith will exhibit patience. Faith is the testing ground where patience perseveres; when it matures, wisdom comes with it. The great thing about wisdom is that it helps you embrace the things that God has for you and makes you move victoriously toward the finish line. BRINGING IT TOGETHER PERSEVERANCE is a virtue everyone admires. It makes the cause you're pursuing worthwhile and gives you hope. Hope is a faithful leg to stand on—a guarantee that you'll surely win. And now that you're running in the race of life, it's in your best interest to finish well. Happy New Year.

THERE COMES A TIME in our lives when we must choose to bless and not curse; choose to love and not hate. Jesus wants us to bless those who curse us and love those who hate us. (Luke 6:28; Matthew 5:44) People told the story of some East Berliners who filled a truck with garbage and dumped it on the west side. The people of West Berlin thought they would fill a truck with the garbage and return it to the east side, but they changed their minds. They filled a dump truck with canned and non-perishable food items and sent them to the east side; this was in the communist days, when a wall divided the East and West Berlin. They stacked them neatly and put a sign next to it. The sign reads, "Each gives what they have to give." God wants you to love the unlovable. He wants you to give what he gave to you—forgiveness. The Narrative A PHARISEE invited Jesus to eat with him, and Jesus went to his house. He sat at the table. When a woman in the city knew that Jesus was there, she brought an alabaster flask of fragrant oil and sat at his feet. She washed his feet with her tears, wiped them with her hair and anointed his feet with oil. The Woman braved people's rejection. She came to Jesus for forgiveness. A Thousand Words AS A SINNER, she had no place in the house of a Pharisee who adheres strictly to the law. But she acted out her request. The Woman's repentance was genuine—her actions were worth a thousand words. Real repentance is not only confessing one's sins but also turning from one's wicked ways. Public Opinion SIMON'S INVITATION must have been out of curiosity because Pharisees did not extend such common courtesies to Jesus. And when the host saw what the Woman did, he said to himself, "This Man, if He were a prophet, he would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner." (Luke 7:39) He did not know that in the place of repentance, public opinions do not matter. When we genuinely repent, we do not worry about what people think. God knows HE KNOWS OUR THOUGHTS—the hopeful and angry ones. (Psalm 139:1-4) Jesus knew what the host was thinking. He said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." (Luke 7:40) He told Simon the story of two people who owed some money—five hundred denarii, and the other fifty denarii. When they couldn't pay their debts, the lender forgave them. And Jesus asked him, "Which of them will love him the more?" (Luke 7:42) The one who he forgave the most, Simon replied. Filter your life with the love of God Lavish Devotion THE WOMAN realized the depth of her sin and the greatness of the mercy of God. She knew that good news is where lousy stories go to die. She went to the author of the good news. Simon saw her too far gone, but Christ saw her one step away from home. He gave her an audience and forgave her sins. Jesus said, "I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little loves little." (Luke 7:47) BRINGING IT TOGETHER YOU MUST BE MISTAKEN to think that someone has wronged you to a point where you cannot forgive. To know the greatness of the mercy of God will require you to filter your life with the love of God. Jesus came to love and not to hate. He wants you to embrace the soft unforced rhythm of grace. If you can change anything this week, turn your worry into a prayer list, and your hate into a love story.