2009 was full of gloom and doom. Market crashes, foreclosures, political alignments, political re-alignments and the end of epic eras (the passing of Dr Oral Roberts for instance).

It is easy to get caught up in all this drama this season and focus on doing something for yourself. Put extra effort in giving yourself the treat you deserve…probably at the expense of others too. Let’s keep the reason for the season at the forefront of our minds this holiday. It’s all about Jesus and the gift of life He represents. What gift do you represent to your workmates, family and friends?

2010 will be the year of double grace and favor. For all the trouble you have had in 2009, God is setting you up for double restitution. It won’t fall on your lap though, you will need to be attentive to what He is doing and what He is saying to you. You will need to do a lot of work. In the first quarter of the year you will encounter your Jericho. If you don’t step out and do what God is asking you to do because you think it will look foolish, those walls will stare you down to the end of your days. Your rest shall come from obedience to God and what He asks of you. Step out in obedience, be willing to pay the price and see what Jehovah will do for you.

Have a very blessed Christmas and be a blessing to someone this season. May your 2010 be your best year yet.

From the House of Muchiri, to yours.

The Harvest School of Prayer is now running at the Kileleshwa Covenant Community Church on Saturday morning from 8am for the next 9 weeks.  It promises to be an awesome experience for all of us who signed up but I am convinced the effect of the journey will be felt by the entire church too.

The Bible does say that the church is a ‘house of prayer‘ so it should be disturbing that prayer meetings are usually the least attended.

I would love to hear about exceptions in your area.

The concept of total surrender to God is not foreign to me. There are even books about it.  The practice is another thing.  I am constantly struggling with surrender.  Ceding complete control to Jesus would be exciting and radical for me, despite the fact that I live a more surrendered life today than ever.  Radical because there exist those scenarios where a little embellishment (translated lie) would do no apparent harm and save face.  I would have to say to people, ‘I am sorry, forgive me.  I did not do what you asked because I forgot the moment I left the room.’

Easy to say to your friend.  Easy to say to your boss?

I sense following Jesus radically would be a true adventure.  I have caught glimpses of this in some areas of my life and a life completely devoted to following Christ would surely be nothing less.  It would certainly be expensive for me as an individual.  My peers may label me and probably shun me from their networks (networks which are invaluable in business).

It is true.  God is not so concerned about my reputation as He is concerned about my character. If my desire is to be real deal I have to be willing to surrender my reputation and gain great character instead.

December 7th 1991 is an important date in my life. I keep forgetting it though. I remember my birthday, my wedding anniversary, my wife’s birthday (thank God) and a host of birthdays and anniversaries of people that are not even related to me. But I forget December 7th 1991 although it is the day I prayed that so important prayer that changed my life forever.

I got born-again in my room one morning a couple of days after a production called ‘Heaven’s Gate & Hell’s flames’ ran at the Nairobi Pentecostal Church and yes, fear of death and hell had a lot to do with it. I would have done it earlier too but didn’t.

Why?

The illusion that becoming a Christian would conscript me to a life of utter boredom, hymns and bible study groups.

The illusion that I had a lot to lose. Although I couldn’t exactly list what those ‘things’ were that I stood to loose.

These are what kept me from accepting Jesus as my Lord.

There are still areas in my life where illusions keep me from accepting Jesus’ lordship over my life. I still have a background fear that I’ll hear a voice that will ask me to move to Moyale as a missionary! Unreasonable maybe, but its there. And that’s only one.

I think sometimes we sugar coat too much. In asking myself the question, ‘What are some of the ways that I have rebelled against God in the past?’ I find myself wondering why we don’t just say ‘How have you SINNED in the past?’. Sin is basically anything I say, think or do that doesn’t please God (Sunday school definition). I still sin.  I’m not perfect…yet.   I can’t fix myself up, that’s what God does for me.

If it is true (and it is) that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and it is true that the wages of sin is death but the Gift of God eternal life through Christ Jesus, then my past is summarized this way.

I did stuff that didn’t please God everyday. It was sin. The bill for my sin was certain death (spiritual and physical) and condemnation to hell where there is eternal torment (forever and ever and ever….) I tried to fix it by hanging out with my pals and seeking their acceptance and by being good. I was up Hell River without a paddle. But God had already paid the price for my sins. I had racked up quite a bill but there is no sin too small or too great for God. All I did was accept the Gift and walk into freedom and eternal life. Escapism at its best. Escaped Hell and I’m heading into Heaven. I can be sure of that one thing. Had I not done what Romans 10:9&10 says, I’d be doomed.

Like I said, I’m not perfect.  I still sin I’m just not in the business of practicing sin.  But I’m at the right place.  I’m on the path which leads to eternal life.  The right path. The path on which the price for my sin is already paid.

If you’ve never believed in your heart and said with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, you’re on the wrong path my friend. Today is the day for you, make this prayer and send me an email about it, I’d be thrilled to hear from you.

Lord Jesus, I confess that I am a sinner. I can do nothing to save myself from my sin. Thank you for dying on the cross and shedding Your precious blood to pay the price for me. Now I turn from my wicked ways and ask you to forgive me. Please come into my heart and life and become my personal Lord and Saviour. I thank and praise you for hearing my prayer and making me a child of God. I will worship and serve you for the rest of my days. Amen.