::I.C.O.C EASTERN AFRICAN CHURCHES::

GOD'S GOVERNANCE, LIFE TO THE FULL
By Rayola Osanya

Madaraka Day marks the anniversary of Kenya being granted internal self governance. As disciples we have given total governance of our lives over to Jesus. For Jesus to govern our lives is for us to follow his lead, commit to his will, trust in his promises and obey his commands. Thank God we have such a Wonderful Lord!

"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."Luke 6:46-49

1. MADARAKA

Governance: Have you allowed Jesus to be Lord of all aspects of your life? Or are there areas where you still insist on doing things your way rather than God’s way? In all areas of our lives—singlehood, dating, marriage, parenting, personal conduct, financial priorities, attitude at work—we are to embrace God’s dream, direction and discipling.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”Proverbs 14:12

What are your standards—are you trying to be traditional or biblical, to impress men or to please God, to be wise in your own eyes or to sincerely ask yourself, “what would Jesus do?”

Are you building on the sand of self-serving decisions or on the rock of God-centred decisions?

“Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.”Psalm 127:1 Let God build your house—life, faith, evangelistic outreach, relationships, career, marriage, family, personal plans—by making him Lord.

Jesus came that we would have life to the full, and we gain that when we follow his word to the full.

2. HARAKA

“As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. For he says, ‘In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you.’ I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation. ”2 Corinthians 6:1,2 (emphasis added) Now is the time to make decisions to draw close to God out of gratitude for his favour. Let us be quick to make those decisions.

“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”James 1:19 (emphasis added)

Strong, well-meaning disciples are in your life as your mentors, not your masters. Therefore it would not be healthy to blindly do anything they say without first understanding them and having your own bible-based conviction. But it would not serve you well to ignore sound spiritual counsel either. So take the time to consider godly advice and direction.

Someone once said, “A lot of people have gone further than they thought they could because someone else thought they could.” Spiritual mentors are simply trying to help you to become your very best.

Are you building on the sand of being slow to listen and repent or on the rock of being quick to respond and do the good you know you ought to?

What decisions/changes do you know that you need to make but are holding back from—decisions about your purity, integrity, relationships, walk with God? Never rush blindly into a decision, but also, don’t delay unnecessarily in making needed changes in your life.

3. BARAKA

“But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.” James 1:25 It takes continued effort and energy to dig deep and lay the foundation of God’s word in your life, but the reward for this is great. We will all face temptation, trials, doubts and hardship, but if we trust, we’ll pass the test, and by God we will be blessed

You may have to wait for your blessing, but the wait will be completely worthwhile, e.g.:

Jacob: “So Jacob served seven years to get Rachel, but they seemed like only a few days to him because of his love for her.”Genesis 29:20 (emphasis added)
Caleb: “Now then, just as the LORD promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the desert. So here I am today, eighty-five years old I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then. Now give me this hill country that the LORD promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.”Joshua 14:10-12 (emphasis added)

“But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.”2 Peter 3:8,9

“No matter how many promises God has made, they are ‘ Yes’ in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 1:20

God is not slow, he is faithful.

Are you building on the sand of anxiety and doubt or on the rock of patience, perseverance and trust?

Sometimes we believe our doubts and doubt our faith when we should doubt our doubts and trust our faith.

Don’t allow your imagination to limit you or your situation to lower you--instead allow God’s power to lift you.

God is in the business of turning trial into triumph, tribulation into celebration, hard times into happiness and crosses into crowns. So if you are going through difficult times, trust the God who is greater than your challenges, and wait on your miracle—your blessing.

Believing His promise unleashes His power and unveils His purpose.