Monthly Archives: January 2024

From Lazy to Diligent

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As we gather in the presence of the Almighty, I want to draw your attention to a profound lesson from the scriptures, reflecting on the encounter between Moses and Pharaoh as recorded in Exodus 5:17.
In this passage, Pharaoh, when faced with the demand to release God’s people, cunningly accused them of laziness as a distraction strategy.
Accusing someone of laziness is, indeed, a potent tool to divert attention.

However, as we delve into this narrative, we find a powerful truth that transcends the historical context.
Just like Pharaoh and the Egyptians, sometimes people resort to accusations of laziness as a smokescreen for their own shortcomings.
They may project their laziness onto others, whether it be in the workplace, at home, or even in matters of faith.

In our modern times, it is not uncommon for non-Christian bosses to accuse Christian employees of laziness, especially when they choose to honour the Sabbath by not working on Sundays.
This accusation, though hurtful, may not always reflect the truth.
Just like Pharaoh, these accusers may be the ones lacking in diligence, perhaps too lazy to provide fair wages or create a safe and happy workplace.

Yet, my dear brothers and sisters, our focus today is not on workplace dynamics or personal attitudes.
The core of our discussion revolves around a bold statement – that non-Christians are spiritually lazy.
It is crucial to clarify that this isn’t an attack but an observation on the tendency to neglect the spiritual truths presented to them.

As Christians, we have demonstrated diligence in our response to the gospel. When the message was preached, we did not remain passive.
We got up, walked to the front of the church, and declared our commitment to Jesus Christ.
Our decisions were not swayed by the opinions of those who did not believe or societal norms.
We thought about eternity and the forgiveness of sins, actively pursuing a relationship with God.

When accusations of laziness come your way, whether in matters of faith or other aspects of life, remember this:
don’t worry about proving them wrong.
Take your case to a higher authority.
Appeal to God Himself, for He knows the intentions of the heart.
What matters most to Him is our attitude toward the Gospel message.

For our non-Christian friends, this is not an attempt to condemn but an invitation to reconsider your spiritual posture.
It’s not too late to change your attitude from lazy to diligent.
Begin by reading the Bible, seeking the truth rather than letting others form your opinions.
Visit a Christian friend; they will happily share the profound message of Jesus with you.
You have the opportunity to transform your spiritual laziness into a diligent pursuit of God.

In closing, congratulations to all the Christians among us.
Your diligence in responding to the message of salvation is commendable.
God appreciates and values your choice.
As Isaiah 54:17 assures us, any accuser will be dismissed as a liar, and God will ensure that everything works out for the best.

May we continue to walk in the path of diligence and commitment to the Gospel, for in accepting Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, we find fulfilment and grace.

http://www.tonyegar.com

A gathering place for eagles!

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Love, Fire, and Eagles

We are under the watchful gaze of the Lord, our hearts ignited by the words of John: “True and genuine Love for one another that is void of hypocrisy and backbiting will begin to spring forth as his beloved has been matured and purified in the fire.”

This is a season of refinement, a furnace of grace where our love is tempered, not to break, but to become stronger.
Like gold in the crucible, the dross falls away, leaving behind a love as pure and radiant as sunlight.
This is the love that conquers death, the love that binds us together in a fiery embrace.

But this fire is not one of destruction.
It is a baptism of holiness, a purging flame that clears the path for the Lord’s work.
Remember the words of the encourager: “I am raising up a group of leaders among you, who are prepared for the call.”
We, the Church, are the crucible from which this leader will emerge, forged in the fires of our shared devotion.

And what will follow?
A refuge, a gathering place for the eagles!
Those majestic birds, soaring on wings of righteousness, will find their home among us.
We are to be more than just a birthing place; we are to be a sanctuary, a haven where the Spirit can rest and renew His mighty host.

For too long, the spirit of religion has held sway, its chalices brimming with empty promises and its idols casting long shadows.
But this season declares: “I will overturn her tables and evict what has sought to spin My glory into mammon.”
The wind of change is blowing, a fresh baptism of holiness sweeping through the land.

And in the midst of this whirlwind, we see a mighty eagle hovering above us.
With every beat of His wings, a wave of intercession rises, a chorus of prayers that echo the rhythm of His heart.
Let us join our voices to His, let our travails of prayer become a symphony of faith.

This is a call to arms; we are not to be bystanders in this great drama.
We are the actors, the instruments through which the Lord’s will unfolds.
It is time to rise above the whispers of doubt and the sting of disappointment, to cast off the shackles of complacency and embrace the fire that refines.

Remember the words of the encourager: “Be prepared because this posture will ruin their plans and you will choose to sit at my feet.”
This is not about idleness; it is about trust.
It is about surrendering our plans to the divine orchestration, about resting in the knowledge that He will lead the way.

The honeymoon phase may fade, but our love for God remains a constant ember, waiting to be fanned into a roaring flame.
Let us not be discouraged by the storms that may come, for they are but a prelude to the glorious dawn that awaits.

This is the year of the ox, a year of relentless pursuit and unwavering determination.
The ox tears down the altars of religion and the idols of man, paving the way for a new era of righteousness.
We are the oxen, yoked together in a common purpose, a generation called to turn nations back to God.

The eagles are restless, their wings beating against the bars of their cage.
But soon, they will be released, soaring on currents of divine grace, their cry a clarion call to the world.
Let us be ready, to join their flight, to carry the message of love and redemption to the ends of the earth.

For this is our calling, this is our destiny:
the Church of fire,
the Church of eagles,
the Church of love that conquers all.
Let us go forth, with hearts ablaze and wings outstretched, ready to meet the dawn of a new era.

www.tonyegar.com

 

Embracing Faith and Action

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Knowing God’s Will:

We gather today in the shadow of the question that has hung heavy on human hearts for millennia: “What is God’s will for me?”

We have, in our hands, a precious testament – the written Word – a fragment of an infinite tapestry woven by the hand of God.
But how do we navigate this vast ocean of stories, pronouncements, and prophecies to discern His will for our lives?

Some claim faith is enough. “Just believe,” they say, “and God will reveal His plan.”
But is that all there is?
Can we simply sit back, passively waiting for a lightning bolt of destiny to strike?
Faith, true faith, is not a passive acceptance, but a fiery embrace.
It’s the leap of the Leper who, covered in disease and ostracized, fell at Jesus’ feet, crying, “If you will, Lord, you can make me clean!” (Mark 1:40)

Their faith wasn’t a mere belief; it was an action, a desperate reach for the hand of the Divine.

This is the key to unlocking the mystery of God’s will.
It’s not some hidden treasure map tucked away in the depths of Scripture, but a beacon lit by our own actions.
When we act in faith, when we step out of the boat onto the storm-tossed waves, trusting in His promise, “Go,” we open ourselves to His will.

Remember the woman with the bleeding issue?
Twelve long years she suffered, ostracized by the law, silenced by shame.
But she didn’t sit idly, lamenting her fate.
She pushed through the crowd, faith burning in her heart, and touched the hem of His garment.
“Daughter,” Jesus said, “your faith has made you well.”

Faith is not a magic word, a whispered incantation.
It’s the fuel that propels us into action, the compass that guides us through uncertainties.
We seek His will, not by passively waiting for signs and wonders, but by actively walking in His steps.

The Bible, the Word of God, is not a dusty tome of pronouncements, but a living guide.
It reveals patterns, principles, and promises – the north star on our journey.

But remember, the map is not the journey.
We study the Word, not to find formulas for success or guarantees of prosperity, but to understand His character, His heart, His will for the world.

And what is His will?
Is it some divine lottery, where some win the jackpot of healing and others are condemned to suffer?
His will is love, manifest in the sacrifice of His Son.
His will is salvation, freely given to all who repent and believe.
His will is restoration, a tapestry woven not by chance, but by the deliberate acts of compassion that bind us together as brothers and sisters in Christ.

So, when the storms of doubt rage, when the path seems unclear, remember: God’s will is not a puzzle to be solved, but a river to be navigated.
Step into the waters of faith, embrace the Word as your guide, and let your actions be a prayer, a living testament to the belief that burns within you.

For it is in the doing, in the reaching out, in the unwavering trust that we truly discover the will of God, not as a passive spectator, but as an active participant in the unfolding tapestry of His love.

Let us go forth, then, with hearts ablaze and hands outstretched, ready to write our own chapters in the grand narrative of His will.
Let our actions be our prayer, our faith our song, and our love the living witness to the God who whispers, “Fear not, for I am with you.”

http://www.tonyegar.com