Author: kezha1

The occasion for the Book of Joel was about a multi-year locust plague that had descended upon Judah…one without parallel in the country’s history. Consequently, the basic economy was ruined due to the vast agricultural devastation. The prophet Joel believed the disaster was God’s judgment…and used a pointed metaphor of withered plants laid waste to symbolize the spiritual and moral decay of the people. He reminded them that they couldn’t take peace and prosperity for granted…for there was a day of judgment coming for the whole world, in which mankind would have to make an account before God. All the while warning them that there were consequences to their sin, unrepentance, and blatant rejection of God. Joel saw this judgment not only as a stern warning, but as the simple joy of the Lord being cruelly snatched away…with hopelessness thrust in its place.

Rarely does God anoint someone in front of a great assembly like Solomon was. (I Chronicles 29:22) Most times our Divine calling comes in the middle of our daily routine with no fanfare and certainly no large crowds. When Elijah anointed his successor, Elisha, the young man was out in the field plowing… minding his own business. (I Kings 19:16-21) But God had a much higher work for him to do, and so Elisha was separated, consecrated, and empowered right there in the middle of the field with no one else around except for him and Elijah. When God calls and sets apart someone, He doesn’t need an audience’s approval…and He certainly doesn’t need us getting all puffed up with self-pride for something we’ve had absolutely nothing to do with. That’s because our anointing is for service to others, as we joyfully bear witness to the saving grace of God…not for vanity purposes.

It’s a brand new year, but many things currently affecting our lives didn’t magically disappear at the stroke of midnight…they followed us into the here and now. That’s why this Scripture is so important…emphasizing that we need to renew the spirit of our mind, and in the process understand the transformational process we must undergo in our spiritual journey with the Lord. In the end, we need to align our thoughts and attitudes closer to the Will of God. So how can we do this? I’ve found many times throughout my life God did not change the desperate situations I found myself in…instead, He changed how I regarded them. It’s the glass half-full vs the glass half-empty mental position. There are so many things in our life we have absolutely no control over…consequently, it’s only our attitudes concerning these things we can actually change. This new year, God may not change the difficult situations and circumstances you find yourself in…but what He can do is help you gain His eternal perspective and bring you closer to Him.

As a Believer, the world is attempting to win you over everyday. It bombards you with seductive things to click on, coaxing you to just try it once. It tries to persuade you that your life is boring, and you deserve to have a little fun. And it continuingly cajoles you that your lifestyle needs spicing up. The world wants you to develop FOMO…fear of missing out. But what the world doesn’t realize is that all good things come from God…for great is His goodness. (Zachariah 9:17) And as we follow Him, goodness and mercy shall follow us. (Psalm 23:6) For Psalm 84:11 tells us that, “No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.” So don’t fall for the bait the world dangles in front of you…it will never measure up to the blessed protection and provision God supplies.

God is the source of all life and light, but we seem to have problems abiding in this when it comes to our natural virtues…our character traits, morals, merits, and noteworthy qualities. But when put side by side with the Divine characteristics of Jesus Christ, there’s no comparison. That’s because as mere mortal beings we sorely lack perception, insight, and wisdom into the eternal things of God and His desire for us to become more Christ-like. So what can we do? In Ephesians, Paul writes of putting off the old life and old way of living and the putting on or embracing of the new one. He speaks of God creating “one new man” in Christ, (Ephesians 2:15-16)…this process called sanctification. This is when God causes our confidence in our own natural virtues to wither away…until all we see is the example of Jesus to follow. In Galatians 3:27, Paul describes this conversion as “putting on Christ.” For if we think about it, none of our natural virtues will ever come close to Christ’s perfect life and ideal model for us to follow.

This passage highlights the dual nature of God, showing both His lovingkindness and severity… and serves as a warning to all Believers to remain steadfast in their faith. The grace of God is a gift we enjoy everyday, to the point we take it for granted. But God’s riches of kindness, tolerance, and patience are to lead us towards repentance not apathy. (Romans 2:4) For the kindness of God is intended to produce sorrow for our sin and a turning away from it. So this is a good reminder of God’s Divine generosity, giving us what we don’t deserve…all the while being cognizant of the consequences of rejecting His love. For God’s desire for His people has always been for transformation rather than judgment.

The difference between contentment and discontent in our life really has nothing to do with material worldly things. That’s because, we can have it all and still be dissatisfied and filled with bitterness. But Hebrews 13:5 reminds us to be content with what we have. So why is contentment so elusive? We only need to look to Philippians 4:11 and the Apostle Paul when he wrote, “I have learned in whatever the situation, I am to be content.” But what makes this statement so surprising is that Paul was not writing this in the loveliness of a quiet garden, but in the dark dankness of a Roman prison. So the key word here is “learn”. Paul grasped the understanding that God was his source, (Psalm 87:7) and that he could trust Him to meet all his needs. (II Timothy 6:6-8) Although Paul never denied the reality of his needs…he chose to testify that he could find gratitude and contentment, whether in plenty or in want.

In Luke 1:37, we read that nothing is impossible with God…that Greek phrase translated to express the idea of “no word or promise” is unattainable by God. But when we’re facing enormous difficulties, incurable disease, or unforeseen trauma it’s almost impossible for us to remain hopeful that God will intervene. In Matthew 17:20, Jesus chastised His disciples for their lack of faith and confidence that God could do the unexpected. But He’s still God of the suddenly…and proves it over and over again by showing up at just the perfect time providing solutions and hope. We just need to remember that God is ever present, and always working behind the scenes…guiding and directing in ways we have no idea about until suddenly He intercedes on our behalf.

God values inward transformation in us above any visible religious achievements. For those religious “works” are nothing if our conduct doesn’t line up with our vain and arrogant words. Acts 3:19 tells us that we are to turn from our sin and turn to God in faith…for He is always ready to redeem those who repent and turn back to Him. (Ezekiel 33:11) But if there’s no inward change in us, there will be no evidence of fruit, (Galatians 5: 22-24) That’s because our conduct as a Believer will always bear the fruit of the Spirit that glorifies God, never ourselves.

The gift God offers you today you will never find under the Christmas tree. It is the free gift of Salvation through His one and only son, Jesus Christ. It is so precious of a gift that Jesus died in order to give it to you. For it’s not the kind of gift that you can causally open and set aside…because it cost Jesus everything. So today, on Christmas Day, I urge you to accept this gift God wants you to have…for you’ll never be the same.