OBEDIENCE BROUGHT CHRISTMAS!!!!

It is very hard to swim against the tide. Even though my swimming skill is poor, I know that it requires “something extra” character-wise to follow an instruction that is against your very own survival instinct.

Mary was told she will bear a child without being married and knowing the moral implication of that, she still accepted after just asking how this can be. That is obedience of the highest order.

(Luke 1:38) I am the Lord's servant,” said Mary; “may it happen to me as you have said.” And the angel left her.

From the acceptance of Mary to the dedication of Jesus, there were several confirmations of the word of the angel;

·         From Joseph after he had his dream

·         Elizabeth when Mary went to visit

·         The 3 wise men at the manger Jesus was born

·         Simeon at Jerusalem Temple who was promised he will not die until he sees the Messiah

·         Widow named Anna, daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher also spoke at the temple where Jesus dedication took place

Mary’s obedience brought the Messiah at the time he came. I believe if Mary did not allow herself to be used, God can still use another person but it will still require the woman’s obedience to be pregnant without the proper manner.

What benefit has your obedience brought? What havoc has your disobedience brought too? No matter how difficult the instruction is, if you have confirmed that the word is from the Most High God,  please obey now, and the confirmations (in plural) will follow.

Remember, when God was sending his messenger to deliver the Isrealites’ He confirmed to Moses twice that He is with him at the spot;

·         Walking stick turned to snake

·         Hand covered with white spots

When Moses tried to refuse due to his speech impairment, God pointed Aaron out as speaker for him (Exodus 4)

What is it the voice of God is asking you to do? Step out in faith. I am still struggling in some aspects of obedience, I pray God grants us the grace to follow whenever He calls. Amen!

 

Happy New Year !!!

MAMA, PAPA, PLEASE!!!!

1.       Domestic Violence
2.       Child Prostitution
3.       Abusive Relationship
4.       Armed Robbery

The first 3 evils listed above are mainly from men against women. Men have been the agents of domestic violence, armed robbery and abuse. They have been the ones who made child prostitution a lucrative business as eager patrons and I wonder why.

Mama, Papa, have we been raising our men to be this way? Or we are not even raising nor tending them at all!

•       “I will not let you continue with this behavior and shame me when you get to your husband’s house”

•       “You do not talk like this to people; you are a woman who will be taken to another household in marriage”

•       “You are a woman, you should have more patience”

•       “He is a man, he can get away with it”

Some or all the statements listed above have been heard at one point or the other by a girl child. Mama, Papa, have we been tending to our girls and left our boys to rot?

We have heard of shooters on rampage; either in the malls or in the schools but we have not heard of one female shooter. Have we raised our girls to deal with difficult situations and left our boys to feel good things in life should always be handed over to them on a platter? But when it does not, they feel the whole world is against them.

Mama, Papa, do you know that it is not just what you “tell” them that stick to them as they grow up? Do you know that it is what they see you do that sticks more?

Mama, Papa, have we been showing our boys that they can get whatever they want without consequences? Have we been treating their sisters as “step children” while they are treated as kings in the home? Have we shown them that their needs are to be met first and other people’s needs are secondary?

Mama, Papa, are we the cause of all the harm against our sisters, daughters, friends, nieces, etc. are we the cause of all the shootings, the maiming, etc. are we?

This is to our mothers and fathers. Please let us evaluate how we been handling our boys compared to our girls. Let us not give any of our kids “illusions of grandeur” which the world cannot sustain for us. We have been there, we know this world is not a bed of roses; let us not make things too smooth for them at home (except we can smoothen the world for them) so that when they leave home and have to face the world, they will not be so disappointed as to lash out violently.

Let us make both our boys and girls into children that God himself will be proud of. So help us God “Did you notice my servant Job?” the Lord asked. “There is no one on earth as faithful and good as he is. He worships me and is careful not to do anything evil.” Job 1:8

 

100% FAITH

The story was told about a man who got himself a voodoo bullet-proof vest from a powerful medicine man. Mr Brown (real name unknown) got the vest and started boasting all over town that he is now open for trouble-business.

Some days later, a concerned friend called Mr Brown to his house and asked that the vest be put to test. Brown eagerly stood with arms akimbo facing his armed friend with full confidence; but his friend refused shooting Brown. Rather, the friend asked that the test should be carried out on a goat.

When a goat was found (poor unsuspecting "potential asun" goat), the vest was tied to it and one shot was fired at the goat.....There was flesh, blood and smoke everywhere.... The vest has failed the test!!!

Alas, instead of Brown to thank his friend for saving him from untimely death, he said "the vest is not supposed to work on someone else apart from me. You have to refund the cost of the vest to me my friend if you don't want us to fight"

The lesson being that Brown has 100% faith/trust in the medicine man whom the gods have given the power to produce the vest.

Now, you said that you are a born again Christian; do you have faith/trust in the Good News sent by the Father through the Son Jesus Christ? Or you have a Plan B in your wardrobe, backyard or village?

Don't forget Matthew 7:21-23 "Not everyone who calls me ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the Kingdom of heaven, but only those who do what my Father in heaven wants them to do. When the Judgment Day comes, many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord! In your name we spoke God's message, by your name we drove out many demons and performed many miracles!’Then I will say to them, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you wicked people!’"

Do you have 100% faith in the Most High God? Or it is 40% for God (all for appearance sake) and 60% for others? God does not even want 99% from us, only 100%. He who is not for Christ is against Him. There is no room to "sit on the fence". You are either for Christ or for satan.

Decide now!!!

1 PERSON, 4 SHADOWS

 

Walking around a lit-up, almost empty auditorium, the sight of a man approaching and walking past me made me look back (with caution). In looking back, i glanced down if there is another shadow close to me apart from mine and then i saw them......

 

4 shadows, side by side belonging to me. Created by the lights strategically placed around the auditorium and I smiled.

 

I smiled because the shadows reminded me that "i am not alone, Jesus is with me". my anxiety melted away because i can see with my physical eyes, what has always been there in the spirit.

 

Me, God the Father, God the Son and the Holy Spirit walking together either in a lonley place, a crowded place, among people or in my closet!

 

The knowledge of being with "spiritual beings" is what agents of darkness have always and that gives them confidence in all things; but we, children of light know this and still do not always have full confidence in our Omnipotent, Omnipresent and All in all God.

 

Don't forget those words.. in Isaiah 41:10 "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness"

 

Also, when we talk, let us know the trinity is there. When we look at that man/woman and have bad thoughts, let us know that the trinity is listening, in the way we treat those who are around us, let us remember the trinity is witnessing it. In our corners, clubs, work, schools and every day activities, let us be mindful of the presence of the 3 in 1 God.       

PEACE OF THE LORD BE WITH YOU!

THE RESOLUTION

For Men (and Women) from the movie "COURAGEOUS"

I DO solemnly resolve before God to take full responsibility for myself,
my wife, and my children.

I WILL love them, protect them, serve them, and teach them the
Word of God as the spiritual leader of my home.

I WILL be faithful to my wife, to love and honor her, and be willing to
lay down my life for her as Jesus Christ did for me.

I WILL bless my children and teach them to love God with all of their
hearts, all of their minds, and all of their strength.

I WILL train them to honor authority and live responsibly.

I WILL confront evil, pursue justice, and love mercy.

I WILL pray for others and treat them with kindness, respect, and
compassion.

I WILL work diligently to provide for the needs of my family.

I WILL forgive those who have wronged me and reconcile with those I
have wronged.

I WILL learn from my mistakes, repent of my sins, and walk with
integrity as a man answerable to God.

I WILL seek to honor God, be faithful to His church, obey His Word,
and do His will.

I WILL courageously work with the strength God provides to fulfill
this resolution for the rest of my life and for His glory.


As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. ---Joshua 24:15
DO YOU? WILL YOU?

BEAUTIFUL TURN AROUND

When we began 2012, I was believing God for some beautiful things(I am not totally selfish, it’s for myself, family and others) and looking at how many days we have left, my un-met expectations are staring me in the face, mocking me and saying “it is too late for this year”. I want to tell that voice that

 

THERE IS NOTHING IMPOSSIBLE FOR MY GOD, THE TIME IS NOT TOO SHORT FOR HIM TO MEET MY EXPECTATIONS, HIS ARMS ARE NOT TOO SHORT TO SAVE NEIGHTER IS HE TOO FAR TO REACH ME BEFORE THIS YEAR RUNS OUT!!!! HIS ABILITIES ARE AS (BUT NOT LIMITED TO) BELOW, HE IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER.

 

1, Israel & Moab War

and he said, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Dig ditches all over this dry stream bed. Even though you will not see any rain or wind, this stream bed will be filled with water, and you, your livestock, and your pack animals will have plenty to drink.’” And Elisha continued, “But this is an easy thing for the Lord to do; he will also give you victory over the Moabites. You will conquer all their beautiful fortified cities; you will cut down all their fruit trees, stop all their springs, and ruin all their fertile fields by covering them with stones.”

The next morning, at the time of the regular morning sacrifice, water came flowing from the direction of Edom and covered the ground. 2Kings 3: 16-20

 

2, Prophet’s widow, her sons and a jar of oil

What shall I do for you?” he asked. “Tell me, what do you have at home?”

“Nothing at all, except a small jar of olive oil,” she answered.

“Go to your neighbors and borrow as many empty jars as you can,” Elisha told her. ⁴ “Then you and your sons go into the house, close the door, and start pouring oil into the jars. Set each one aside as soon as it is full.” 2Kings 4: 2-3

 

3, Rich Woman from Shunem gets a son

PART 1:
Tell her to come here,” Elisha ordered. She came and stood in the doorway, and Elisha said to her, “By this time next year you will be holding a son in your arms.”

“Oh!” she exclaimed. “Please, sir, don't lie to me. You are a man of God!”

But, as Elisha had said, at about that time the following year she gave birth to a son. 2Kings 4: 15-17

 
PART 2:
Elisha called Gehazi and told him to call the boy's mother. When she came in, he said to her, “Here's your son.” She fell at Elisha's feet, with her face touching the ground; then she took her son and left.
2Kings 4: 36-37

 

4, Naaman Is Cured
So Naaman went down to the Jordan, dipped himself in it seven times, as Elisha had instructed, and he was completely cured. His flesh became firm and healthy like that of a child. 2Kings 5: 14

 

5, Ten pounds of the best wheat for one piece of silver

Elisha answered, “Listen to what the Lord says! By this time tomorrow you will be able to buy in Samaria ten pounds of the best wheat or twenty pounds of barley for one piece of silver.” 2Kings 7: 2

 

Wonderful people, have you been hearing those same voices? Mine are already silent after prayerfully reading the passages above. I hope the passages above have been able to give you renewed hope that He is able to do much more than we ever thought or imagined and irrespective of how this year ends, He is always on time.

 

BE HAPPY!

 

BUILDING

The economic recession came and we see people committing suicide because they see no way out of their seemingly hopeless debt situation. This could be as a result of their failure to BUILD others when they had the chance or their failure to BUILD themselves emotionally, socially, psychologically, spiritually etc. (work/life balance) The storm of the recession came and carried them all away (both rich and poor) and even sometimes, the poor man seeking for help would have gotten help elsewhere or found peace in God and be safe while the rich man perish in the storm of life.

We are all “Work in Progress”. Until we die, we need someone to add value to our life in one way or the other, no matter how small. Even the richest man in the world needs people to help him; apart from his workers, he needs someone/ something that will bring joy to him. It could be family outings, volunteering, giving to charity, and so on. The most important thing being they are still building people and they are also being built at the same time. I have heard it being said and I know it for a fact that “the best things in life are free”.

When Noah was being righteous, he never thought humanity’s continuous existence could depend on it.  He was building himself even before God asked him to build an ark.

Most of us are yet to build ourselves, not to talk of building for God or building our neighbor. Please note, that it is not the building fund we drop in the Church or Mosque that I am talking about. That sister/brother of yours going through hard times who needs a kind word from you; have you given it to BUILD him/her up? That friend who needs a helping hand financially, morally and most especially, spiritually; have you helped? Let us lend a helping hand to everyone around us. We need to start caring about our neighbor; not as busy bodies, but as “a friend in need”.

Sometimes, what our neighbor needs is for us to off our generator on time so that they get a sound sleep, weed our compounds so that rats and mosquitoes will not breed, train your kids with proper morals so that they will not be a nuisance to the community, or even make your spouse happy so that they will not run after the neighbor’s spouse.

All that I list here requires no heavy funding. To build a better Nigeria let us not turn a blind eye when we see another person behaving irresponsibly. That child you say “is not your own” could influence your child into doing the same thing or even worse! With brotherly love let us correct one another so that everyone has a friend and a shoulder to lean on at all times.

 Leaving you with Bill Withers’ song:

 LEAN ON ME

Sometimes in our lives we all have pain
We all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there's always tomorrow

Chorus:

Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
'Til I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on

Please swallow your pride
If I have things you need to borrow
For no one can fill those of your needs
That you don't let show

Chorus:

 

DON'T FORGET, LOVE GOD, LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOUR. MAKE NIGERIA A BETTER PLACE.

 

Have a beautiful weekend!

Noah (A summary).

His father ( Lamech ) had him at the age of 182 and named him Noah meaning “..bring comfort from hard work…”. After having more sons and daughters, Lamech lived for 595 more years and died at the age of 777 years old.

Noah had his first child (Shem) at the age of 500. This means that Lamech was 682 years old when Noah had his first child!!! (Noah was still righteous) For those who look on as others have kids and are crying to God…. He will make everything good IN HIS OWN TIME. Keep holding on to God alone.

Noah was the only righteous man on earth. Meaning neither Lamech nor Noah’s children were righteous. Only Noah. This is to show that the behavior we adopt does not rest on the actions of our parents. We chart our own course.

The Lord said to Noah, “Go into the ship with your whole family because I have seen that you alone are righteous among the people of today. Genesis 7:1 (Good News Bible)

Noah’s righteousness brought about his family’s safety from the flood. His wife, his sons and their wives were saved due to Noah’s righteousness; even mankind! That “black sheep” of the family can be saved through you.

Noah was 600 years, 2months and 7days old when the flood came. The rains fell for 40 days and 40 nights. The flood covered the earth for 150 days.

Noah came out of the ark and lived 350 more years since the rains to 950 years before he died.

Think about it… If Noah had his children earlier in life, they might have refused their father’s instruction to enter the ark (probably laughed at him like others did). To prevent Noah having to give birth to another set of kids after the flood, God gave him children at the age of 500! No matter how “late”, God will bring things to pass at HIS OWN TIME.

IN GOD’S OWN TIME, HE WILL PERFECT THAT WHICH CONCERNS YOU.

YES, YOU!

From the beginning…..

Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
Genesis 1: 26-27

 

I wonder what the story is behind this story. These verses happened after the waters have been divided, fishes, birds and land animals were created; in short, every means of sustenance available for human “enjoyment”.
 

I think that God looked at all he has created and since he cannot eat it, he created the ULTIMATE CONSUMER…MAN (I like that adjective!). I can also say that he had us in mind when he was making the earth habitable. After preparing the environment, he then said what has been on his mind “let us make mankind in our image…”

I have an artist friend (HI AARINOLA!) and I know that before she paints, the image is already on her mind. Among other things, she stretches/hooks her canvas on the frame, gets the appropriate colours and brushes. She arranges the frame where there will be sufficient light, then places her brush and paints near the palette for easy access. After painting, she looooves her paintings. “Don’t scratch, don’t spill on, don’t nick” and so on.. are the instructions she gives those getting close to it.
 

Now, relate this to God creating the brighter and lesser light, arranging the earth (land and water), creating the fishes, birds, trees, e.t.c. all in preparation of you and I; and you still wonder if God loves you?

He instructed our food to be fruitful and multiply just to ensure we do not starve and you think your survival depends exclusively on your strength? He loves us so much he anticipates and meets our needs even before we know it. As a mother prepares for the birth of her child, so he prepared for our creation. Even after creating Adam, he saw Adam’s need and said that It is not good that man should be alone, which brought about the creation of Eve.
 

I know, that in one way or the other, circumstances have caused us to wonder about God’s love, we look around and see no end to our despair (both real and imagined). I want us to know, that no matter where you are, God is not far from you, but… are you far from God?
 

Get back to your creator and enjoy all he has kept in store for you. Apart from blessings and sustenance, but also peace in the storms of life.

Shallom!

God.. the beginning and the end.

This (20th October,2012. 00:30a.m) is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it. It has been a long time coming; my very fertile imagination needs to have a mode of escape. What you read here is either fact or fiction. You decide *chuckles.

I will appreciate your prayers to use this blog to the glory of the Almighty God, feed backs and comments.

CHEERS!!!