Standing Firm: Making God's Word our Living Standards.

Have you ever faced challenges that tested your faith and convictions? I recently pondered God's standards for His children and was reminded of Daniel's inspiring story.

Daniel 1:8-16 recounts Daniel's resolve to refuse the king's food: "But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself in this way." Despite the pressure to conform—fearing that he, along with Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, would appear weaker than the others—he persisted. They stood firm, and God honored their commitment. In verse 1:15, it says, "At the end of the ten days, they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food."

After salvation, we do not return to living the way we once did. Old things have passed away, and we are now living a new life based on the standards of God's kingdom. As Romans 12:2 (GNT) says, "Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God—what is good and pleasing to him and is perfect."

Standards enhance excellence and should never be lowered to accommodate mediocrity. God has given His children standards that set them apart. Yet, we often forget our position in Christ during times of pressure and tend to compromise our standards in an attempt to fit in. The standards of this world may seem palatable and popular, but they are not God's way.

God’s standards will not frustrate you; they are living and powerful, and they give us the good things we desire. While we may not fully see the world we are creating in the meantime, using God’s Word as your living standard sets you apart—not in an awkward way, but in a way that honors God.

If someone doesn’t like you for upholding your standards, then they are not meant to be in your life. God is raising men and women of honor, but this life of honor cannot be achieved until you make His Word the standard you live by. Your journey is personal, and a life that pleases God is the goal. You cannot make God's Word your standard and end up in the sand.

God’s presence is unwavering. He wants us to know that He never leaves or forsakes us (Hebrews 13:5). He is always present to help and desires to teach us a more fulfilling and blessed way to live.

Making God's Word our standard equips us to face life’s challenges with courage and faith. As Psalm 119:105 says, "Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path." Let God’s Word illuminate your journey.

As you take each step on your journey today, Aways remember that God’s Word, like a lamp, is illuminating your every step and He won't stop until you look just like him.

Re-examine yourself therefore.

In my first year in undergraduate school, the day i was to start my first semester

 Suddenly Chaos, erupted

 Cars came to a halt 

Students can be seen with placards on the right- and left-hand side of the school gate. It all started as a peaceful protest for the revisitation of school polices. 

All of a sudden, a scream was heard "one Man down".

A student was down. Unknown to the rest a stray bullet had brought someone down.

Peter never knew that the call he made to his mom yesterday, would be the last.

He never knew the morning breakfast from his favorite restaurant would be the last.

Does this sound like someone you know, or maybe a familiar situation?

 It is a Saturday morning, and we are all attending to our different chores, and I got thinking about salvation, maybe the Holy Spirit impressed it on my heart just for you.

It is not His will that any should perish but that all may come to repentance. Re-examine yourself and ask if Jesus was to come now. will I be on the roll. Will I be numbered in his army.

One of the people I consider the greatest philosopher Socrates said, "Man know thyself, an unexamined life is not worth living".

Re-evaluate your motives, your actions and ascertain where you stand.

Is Jesus just your ticket to a daily good meal or self-preservation motive?

He wants more with you and never underestimating more for you too.

2 Corinth 13:5 

NIV: Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?

God is calling you today to examine your life, know if you are still in faith and set thing right, God desires more for you; He wants a deeper connection. He's willing to guide you through life's challenges, but He needs your willingness to surrender.

Will you let Jesus love you today?

Why was Jabez prayer so powerful? Relating Jabez to present day.

"I See You, Jabez"

Whenever I come across biblical stories, I try to create a modern-day experience. Here are my thoughts when I studied the story of Jabez:

(Phone Rings...)

Caller: Hello, Caleb? Are you there?
Caleb: Yes, I'm here.
Caller: You need to come into the head office for a brief meeting with the boss.
(Caleb is interrupted)
Caller: Wait, just hold on for a second... Okay, sir. Actually, you don't need to come in. Just hand over the keys to the security personnel unit. Someone will pick them up.
Caleb: What's going on?
Caller: It's nothing personal, Caleb. It's just business. We need to foreclose your contract. The company wishes you well in your future endeavors.

(Caller hangs up...)

(Caleb's phone rings again)

Caller (Soon-to-be wife): Caleb, where are you? I told my family you'd start the marital process soon. Have you changed your mind?
Caleb: No, I haven't. It's just... things aren't going well.
Caller: It seems you can't make it work. Let's just end it now.
(Caller hangs up)

Caleb thought: "Do you know I've toiled night and day, but the planting season has yielded nothing? Today, my bosses said I'm the epitome of failure. Was it always meant to be this way? Is there more to my story?"

"My mother was the first to notice this curse. Today, before I could even open the shop, the goods sent to me caught fire. 365 days of bad luck – that's my fate. Can it be changed? Is there more I can do?"

As Caleb walked down the road of no return, he saw someone approaching. The closer the person came, the more Caleb felt a chill, then fire. His knees felt heavy, and he fell.

The stranger's smile was reassuring, and warmth spread through Caleb's body. He wept, crying harder than ever before. For the first time, he felt safe.

The stranger whispered, "I see you, Jabez. The new beginning we prayed for has come."

Oh, how joyful Jabez would have been. 

Jabez is derived from the Hebrew word "yabetz," which means "pain" or "sorrow." He was named after the sorrow his mother went through, but that did not let him settle on this. The Bible says in 1 Chronicles 4:9-10:
"Jabez was more honorable than his brothers. His mother had named him Jabez, saying, 'I gave birth to him in pain.'" The Bible says, "And Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, 'Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.'" And God granted his request.

For everyone going through a pattern of troubles and chaos, just like Jabez, your set time for deliverance has come. Go ahead and talk to God about it.

God is saying to someone today that that negative pattern is destroyed; you are renamed "Favour," and nothing will stand in your way.

Embracing Personal Responsibility".

I once spoke to someone who was venting about how unfair their older siblings were. As the youngest child, they felt it was their siblings' duty to take care of them. They were quick to label their siblings as "irresponsible." But this got me thinking—what does irresponsibility really mean? 

When you hear the word "irresponsibility," what’s the first thing that comes to mind? 

For many people, it’s common to reduce responsibility to a few narrow definitions—like abstaining from certain actions or avoiding bad behavior. But responsibility is so much more than that. It’s not just about avoiding mistakes; it’s about accountability, dependability, and a commitment to taking charge of our own lives.

Let’s look into at a well-known parable while we discuss this: the story of the ten virgins from Matthew 25:1-11

(Matthew 25:1-4)

At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

Five of them were foolish and five were wise.

The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.

The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.

In this parable, there's a contradiction between 'foolish' and 'virgins.' To an average person, a virgin is expected to be wise, but that's not always the case. The parable describes ten virgins who set out with lamps to meet a bridegroom. Five of them are described as "wise" because they brought extra oil for their lamps, while the other five are called "foolish" because they didn’t bring any. The bridegroom is delayed, when this occurred their flaws was visible, it was obvious they were unprepared but ready for the party.

So this story has an interesting twist because Most people would assume that being a "virgin" symbolizes purity and wisdom. But in this case, the virgins aren’t necessarily wise simply because of their status, they were unprepared.

Being “ready” with the lamps but not having enough oil reflects a misunderstanding of true responsibility. The foolish virgins were more focused on the idea of attending the wedding than on preparing to see the bridegroom. They didn’t take the necessary steps to ensure they’d actually meet him.

What does this story teach us about responsibility? Responsibility is more than just showing up, it’s about actively preparing, planning, and making the right choices to be truly ready for what’s ahead. It’s taking charge of our personal growth, caring for ourselves and those around us, and not leaving things to chance.

Life is about taking responsibilities, we’re all accountable for how we choose to live. Romans 14:12 says, "Each of us will give an account of ourselves to God." This is a reminder that we’re each responsible for our choices and actions, and we shouldn’t wait for others to do the work for us.

God is always ready to help us, but He won’t force His way into our lives. We have to invite Him in and allow His guidance. As Jesus said, "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only" (Matthew 24:36). This speaks to the importance of being prepared, always ready for whatever may come.

Take responsibility for your life. Live in His light and let Him shine his light on the areas that need it most. 

Remember, God’s got you; but He’s waiting for you to be ready, too.