In case you have not heard, Joseph Kabuleta, a greatly gifted man of God, is getting married. Glory be to God. I was humbled when he personally invited me for the launch of his wedding preparation meetings. I promised him that I would be there, but I almost changed my mind.
Before I made up my mind to send Joseph my apologies, I received a lesson from God entitled I Keep My Word, So should You. This is how it happened. I was supposed to read twelve chapters of the Bible that day. Psalms 15 was going to be the last chapter. While reading, my mind wrestled with the idea of attending Kabuleta's launch. My first excuse was the possible bad traffic on that Martyrs' Day. The second excuse was, since hundreds of people were going to attend (so I thought), my absence would not be felt, and, most importantly, I am not a fan of crowds. "Lord, do I really have to go for that meeting? If I send my apologies, Kabuleta will understand. Please speak to me," I requested God. And He did, through the last chapter reading of the day, Psalms 15.
David began that psalm with the question, "Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill?" Among those who qualify to experience the presence of God in His tabernacle and holy hill, David included the person, "Who swears to his own hurt and does not change," (Psalms 15:4b NKJV). The Message Bible, which considers it as verse 5, puts it more clearly: Keep your word even when it costs you. A few hours after that sweet rebuke from heaven, I was with Kabuleta enjoying his fellowship at the same table with great Prophet Elvis Mbonye, amazing Prophet Michael Kiganda, my dear friend Dr. Richard Mwesigwa, Pastor Jack Barlow and Mahmood Onyi.
God is saying to you and I, "Learn to keep your word even when it hurts." Of course there will be times when even God would expect us to change our minds, but He does not want it to be due to lame excuses, especially when comfort is substituted in the place of integrity and faithfulness.
You see my brother and sister, if we never start taking our words seriously, it will affect our faith in God's Word and promises. Christian liars - believers who neither mean what they say nor say what they mean - will struggle in the walk of faith. Because they do not fulfill their promises, consciously or unconsciously they also believe that God does not keep His Word. Therefore, Christians liars rarely please God, and almost always never inherit promises. They are estranged from the world of Hebrews 6:12 and 11:6 because they think that God is a liar like them.
Someone needs to preach to us that a man's word is his bond. When our character is as such, as explained above, many prophecies and dreams shall come to pass. Because we take our words seriously, we shall see God in that light, one who watches over His Word to perform it (Jeremiah 1:12).
An important key to seeing God's promises fulfilled in our lives is keeping our words even when it hurts. Unfortunately for me and the person reading this, we are still Christians liars. But the time is now to become "Christians Liars No More."
God willing, next week I will tell you the wonderful news Kabuleta gave me when we met. Even Christian liars are loved by God; therefore He plans good things for them. In order for the Christian liar that I am not to miss the good news God had planned for me that day, He advised me, "Keep your word even when it costs you." I am glad that I obeyed.
Until next week, plan to bless Joseph Kabuleta financially as he prepares for his wedding. If you make a financial pledge, do so not as a Christian Liar.
God bless you.