Wednesday 21 December 2011

New Year Wishes

We have many wishes for xmas and the new year. But this song the favorite of my senior pastor at lifespring quite captures my desire for the coming year and indeed my entire life.

May you find it too an inspiration the life to come. God bless you all Merry Christmas and Happy New Year 2012.

Studying the Word, 5 Tips

From my reading Matthew 13, i realized i needed to take more time and  interest in reading, understanding and applying the word of God. It is then i recalled some tips i read some times ago, and today i decided to take some time and review them.
What follows are about five basic ways to approach bible study, i hope you and i will learn and keenly apply what is good.

  • Reading: Just going through the bible, getting familiar with its message, histories, personalities etc, noting things that stands out for you. Things that you would want to come back to for further understanding and clarification. This reminds me of set books in high school, the way i would just take the novel and read, underling here and there, writing notes on the book margin. At times i do this with my bible, though it have been quite random without systematic plan, but i intend to do it now  more deliberately and regularly. 
  • Interpreting: Getting to know what the bible means by what it says. Going back to the set book example, we used to seek to comprehend what the characters meant, or intended. It is like when you read a poem, you tend to draw a message out of the words and the phrases. I tend to think it is the same with the bible, when we read, it says something to us, a message, getting to know what the writers, or the voice in the text meant consist interpreting. There are various resources available for helping us interpret the bible.
  • Evaluating: When we have an interpretation, it does not necessarily means it is the correct one, hence we need to evaluate our interpretation / understanding of the Word to ensure it is consistent with the entire truth. Many have started cults based on erroneous interpretation of the word. Just the way we used to use study guides, teachers and fellow students to clarify and enhance our understanding of the set books, we need to discuss with fellow Christians, church leaders and cross referencing through the bible to make sure our understanding of the Word is the correct one.
  • Applying: Put into use all that we have learnt from the word, there is an article from which i go all this from, and will just quote what it says about this: If there is a command to be obeyed, obey it. If there is a promise to be embraced, claim it. If there is a warning to be followed, heed it. This is the ultimate step: submit to Scripture and let it transform your life.
  • Correlating: Add together all the bits of knowledge we have gathered to form a clear understanding of the truth and a basis of the doctrine that drives and defines our faith.


NB: There is an article that covers this in much more depth, i actually borrowed a lot from the article.

Monday 19 December 2011

Hearing the word

In Matthew 13 Jesus gave the parable of  the sower, who went to sow his seeds. The seeds fell in various types of grounds.

  1. Some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up
  2. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root
  3. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants
  4. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.
The explanation.
Before Jesus explained  the parables to the disciples, He talked about insight and understanding-  that is going beyond the physical senses of seeing and hearing, to the point where we involve our mind, our emotions and our souls.

  • When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. What would make my heart be like the path? The paths are usually dry, hard and without any cover hence when the seeds fell, they were exposed and the birds had it easy picking em up. when we do not take time to let our souls be softened by God's spirit, when we walk in sin, and not repentant, our hearts becomes dry and there is no place for God's word.
  • The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. This is when we receive the word with excitement but do not take time to meditate on it, and apply the word to our lives. It does not take enough depth, it is when we are unwilling to take the risk of been vulnerable with the God's word, it is when we fail to make the decisions the word we have heard compels us to make. Since we do not allow it to be part of us, anything can make us go away from the word.
  • The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. This is when we receive the word alright, we meditate on it and make decisions to follow it, but we get concerned about things like wealth, wealth here could be material, emotional or social, our need to fit in a group, to be accepted, not to look stupid etc make us compromise the word we received, we believed in. Thus the word gives no fruit. It also when we doubt God, his word and His love. 
  • But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” This is when we allow the word to work in us, producing the beautiful fruits of God's will in our lives, making us achieve what He intends for our lives. May God always help us to achieve this beauty.

Thursday 29 September 2011

Being a friend

We are required to treat others just a we would like to be treated, to honor and trust others just we want them to honor and trust us. Those who live under strict codes of conduct shd show some grace to others whose living is relaxed and full. Above all we should strive for the good of the others and treat them as beyond reproach. This test of love is the most difficult of all, to let go of selfish and self seeking interests and seek just the good of others.

Christ showed us this kind of love and is so difficult, we called to love and accept, at times you feel like complaining, been angry and all, but love calls us to complement and appreciate. I wonder what currency of buying friendship is, and i will stock pile love and friendliness in me. I would want to be without envy or selfishness, i would to purely rejoice in good of others even if it means i be down trodden, and you what that what Jesus Did He gave up all for those who would not and possibly will never love and accept Him.

I guess my prayer should change to a search for a loving heart, that this heart of mine will be loving, just as Christ's. seeking to spend and be spent for the good of others, regardless.

Tuesday 6 September 2011

Whats Friendship?

What does it means to have a friend? Who is a friend? I have tried to be as friendly as i can, sacrifice so much comfort that others may have comfort. Have gone out of my way to help, to ensure others have good life.

I have shed tears so that others wount, i have walked so that others may ride, gone without food so that others may be full.

I have prayed and agonized for others people’s need at expense of mine

How come one seems to do the same for me?

Monday 29 August 2011

Walking with Him

At times, it is so easy to walk with Him, to follow Him especially when all is easy. but at other times it is difficult to follow Him especially when you cannot understand Why?.

This thoughts just brought to my mind some phrase i used to follow everyday: "Whatever happens,happens coz He loves me so much". Try to tell that to one having issues in life, they may not understand.

But i draw lots of Comfort from that fact..especially when i am in trouble. that He loves me, and because of that what i am going through can only makes me strong. it has been said elsewhere, "what cannot kill you, will only makes you strong".

The bible says "..i am with you always..". I just need to be with Him, and all is well.

Tuesday 23 August 2011

Waiting ..

I just have recently quit my job so i could focus on my business. Well the thing is , my business does not seem to be doing so well, but i get a lot of comfort from the words of PS 5 3c, I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation............I am waiting expecting Him to do something!

Monday 15 August 2011

Levels of Prayers

Today i was watching a movie, an escape from boring afternoon, there was this girl in midst of destruction, war and hopelessness it brings, she was praying. Not for things, nor peace or such things we would pray for at such times, she was asking God to show her what she could for Him.

It reminds me of the prayers i used to make sometimes back, i hardly prayed for needs though i had a lot of needs, i prayed that He may help me be right with Him, at times i would pray for needs and His favour always followed me.

Today i mostly pray for needs, though i have lesser needs, my intimacy with Him is almost gone. I need to pray again for Him to fill me, i need to seek Him for Him.

The kinds of prayers we make could so clearly tell us where we are in relationship to Him.

Sunday 14 August 2011

New beginnings

Is my faith as sporadic, as my blogs posts? I tend to think so, coz it only when i seriously thinks of Him, that i comes here and write. Maybe one will ever reads this, but being a christian reacquires alot of work and commitment, it is not just a task you start, engage auto pilot and within no time you are in heaven.

setting a specific, regular time to be with Him is crucial, without which you will not have a real relationship with Him. lets then take time to meet Him and Meditate upon Him, Just the way Jesus Christ taught us 



Sunday 5 June 2011

Dark Days or silent years?

In the past, we are told of the many silent years between the old and the new testament. No word was received from God and many heretical texts were written from the knowledge of men. As men tried to fill the void of God voice with their own wisdom and understanding.

Quite often i have found myself in this void, times of dryness when fellowship with God and even with men is cut, while all lone in this desert many are the voices of deceptions that have led me astray from the main stream of His love and fellowship, Filling my heart and mind many a times with strange  ideas and persuasions.

But like in the history of the Jews, He came with even a great glory than was before the silent dark days, so i believe and know, my future with Him is even more full, more joyous and more complete than have ever been.

Am so grateful for His salvation, so freely given.



Saturday 28 May 2011

Hope

May 28

Simeon and Anna
And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him .... And there was one Anna. a prophetess .... which departed not from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day— Luk_2:25, Luk_2:36, Luk_2:37
Age and Infancy Meet
No more beautiful scene could be imagined than this meeting of age and infancy in the Temple. As we read the story of the life of Jesus, we find Him surrounded on all hands by hypocrisy, until we begin to wonder if there was any religion left in those who haunted these sacred courts. But here, for a moment, the curtain is drawn aside. We get a glimpse of a Jewish man and woman. And we find them living holy and separated lives, and longing for the advent of Messiah. On a gravestone erected over certain soldiers in Virginia there are these words, "Who they were, no one knows; what they were, everyone knows," and we might use these words of Simeon and Anna. Who Simeon was we shall never learn; Luke is at no pains to tell us that; but what he was in his daily life and walk, in his inmost desire, and in the sight of God, everyone knows who has read this Gospel chapter. Simeon and Anna, then, entered the Temple when the infant Savior was there, and to them the glory of the child was shown.

Never Give Up Hoping
First, then, we learn that we should never give up hoping. When Alexander the Great crossed into Asia he gave away almost all his belongings to his friends. One of his captains asked him, "Sir, what do you keep for yourself?" And the answer of the king was, "I keep hope." Now we do not read that Simeon was an old man, though it has been universally believed that he was (see Luk 2:29). But through all his years Simeon was like Alexander: he had parted with much, but he had held fast to hope. The days were very dark days for Israel; no John the Baptist had sounded his trumpet note; everything seemed hopeless for the Jews, and some of the noblest of them had taken refuge in despair. But this brave soul "waited for the consolation of Israel," and we know now that his waiting was not vain. Do you see the roots of that heart-hopefulness of his? It ran down to justice and devotion (Luk 2:25). it would have withered long since if it had not been rooted in an upright life and in fellowship with God. Dishonest conduct and forgetfulness of God are always visited with the withering of hope, for hope hangs like a fruit on the first two great commandments. Let us all keep hoping, then, as Simeon did; let us be expectant and on the outlook to the end; and let us remember that a glad and helpful temper is only possible when we are just and devout.

God's Performance Greater Than His Promise
Next we see that God's performance is greater than His promise. There is an old legend that Simeon had stumbled over the words in Isa 7:14. And as he prayed and wrestled with his doubts, it was revealed to him that with his own eyes he would see the virgin's Son. All that he dared to hope for was a glimpse—"a brief glimpse" and "a passing word" would have sufficed him. He lived in expectation of the hour when someone would say to him, "Behold Messiah!" Now the expected moment has arrived—and is it merely a glimpse of Messiah that he wins?—he takes the child of all his hopes up in his arms (Luk 2:28). No wonder that he broke forth into such glorious praise; he had got more than he could ask or think. God's promise had buoyed him through many a weary day; but the performance was greater than the promise. We should all remember that in entering a New Year, and when we speak about the promise of the year. God has a royal way of doing things, and His cups have a happy art of running over. The devil is a most lavish and tireless Promiser, but how the promise is performed let our own past days tell us. God's promises are very many and very great; but to a living and prayerful faith as Simeon's was, the performance is greater than the promise.

Simeon and Anna Saw Jesus in the Temple
Again we remark that Simeon and Anna saw Jesus in the Temple. The shepherds had seen Him lying in the manger; there, too, the wise men from the East had seen Him. But it was not in the manger that He was seen by these two devout souls; it was in the House of God. Now there is a sense in which we all must find Christ in the manger, we must discover Him under life's lowly roofs. In places which were never consecrated, but where the daily drudgery is done, there must we waken to the presence of Jesus. But on the other hand it is equally true, that we shall miss Him if we do not go to church; and we must never enter a place of worship without the prayer, "Sir, we would see Jesus." Columba got his Gaelic name, "Colum of the churches," says an old Irishman, because as a boy he was so devoted to church-worship; like Simeon, he saw Jesus in the Temple.

Till We Have Seen Jesus We Are Not Ready to Die
Lastly, we learn that till we have seen Jesus we are not ready to die (Luk_2:29-32). Children do not dwell much upon death; God did not intend that they should do so. But sometimes, even to children, comes the thought, "When is a person ready to die?" Well, length of years has little to do with it, although all young people think that it has. We are not ready to die when we are seventy; we are ready when we have seen Christ as our Savior. Have the children of the family seen Him so? Are the fathers and mothers praying for that end? A little girl dearly loves to hold the baby. Get it from Simeon's arms, and give it her.

From : Devotional Sermons by George H. Morrision

Friday 27 May 2011

May 27

Momentary Light Afflictions, Eternal Weight of Glory
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.  (2Co 4:17)
Believers in Jesus Christ are "ministers [servants] of the new covenant" (2Co_3:6). We serve God by His grace, experiencing it and passing it on to others. "For all things are for your sakes, that grace, having spread through the many, may cause thanksgiving to abound to the glory of God" (2Co_4:15). One astounding privilege of living and serving by grace is that our momentary light afflictions can be producing for us an eternal weight of glory!

Having our temporal difficulties "working for us" is a new, heavenly perspective on afflictions. People generally consider their afflictions as something that is working against them, not for them. Yet, afflictions can work for good, and the good is even eternal! What a gracious plan is revealed in this contrast: "light affliction . . . for a moment" and "eternal weight of glory."

First, consider that heavenly enjoyment of God's "glory" can result from our earthly experiences of "affliction." The difficulties that we endure here on earth can prepare us for opportunities to enter into more glorious fellowship, worship, and service of the Lord in heaven. (Our next meditation will examine when this occurs.)
Then, consider that our afflictions are "light" compared to the "weight" of the glories that lie ahead. This does not mean that our trials on earth are trivial. Note the "light afflictions" that Paul encountered. "In journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness — besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches" (2Co_11:26-28). Yet, Paul counted these as light when compared to the "substantial magnitude" of the glory awaiting him in heaven.

Lastly, consider that the difficulties of life are "but for a moment." Whereas, the resulting heavenly blessings are "eternal." Trials often seem like they will never end. Yet, they eventually pass away. Actually, it is the heavenly glory that results from the trials that will never end.

What an amazing plan God has! He wants to use the trials of our lives to enlarge our spiritual capacity to enter more fully into the glory of knowing Him, worshiping Him, and serving Him forever and forever!
 
Eternal Father, give me more and more of this perspective on afflictions. Help me to see them as potentially productive in an eternal sense. Remind me that my trials are momentary and light, considering the eternal weight of glory they can produce, Amen.


From: Day by Day by Grace, Bob Hoekstra

Wednesday 25 May 2011

May 25

DAYS OF GLADNESS
"All the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them. And there was very great gladness. Also day by day, from the first day unto the last day, he read in the book of the law of God. And they kept the feast seven days."-- Neh 8:12, Neh 8:17, Neh 8:18.

GLADNESS IS health. If you can get a patient to look on the bright side of things, you have done a great deal to bring back the tides of life.
Whenever we are optimistic and glad we are looking at things from the divine side, and imbibing some of God's eternal gladness. And cherishing this temperament, we shall know what Nehemiah and Ezra meant when they said: "The joy of the Lord is your strength" (Neh_8:10).

If you have some secret sorrow, tell it to God, but do not impose it needlessly upon men. Anoint your head and wash your face, that you appear not to men to fast, and He who sees the secret tears will comfort you openly (Mat_6:17-18). The pain and sorrow of the world is undeniable, even worse than many of us realise, but this is largely due to the intrusion of sin and selfishness which can only be expelled by Love. But even this gives opportunity for that unselfish ministry and devotion which are the keys of the blessed life. In so far as we dedicate our lives to help Christ in His redeeming work of delivering souls out of the power of darkness and translating them into the Kingdom of Life and Light, we share in His perennial blessedness.

It must have been a time of unusual joy when the returned exiles reviewed the finished wall which now engirded the city. There was the consciousness of a finished work. It is always delightful when we have done to the very best of our ability a piece of work that needed doing. One of the elements of a thoroughly enjoyable holiday is to be able to look back on a bit of good construction, a piece of brick or stone work which will endure in the edifice of our own lives or of other people's.

In addition, there was the Book of the Law of God, in which they read from day to day. Let us take the Bible with us on our holidays! We shall find that it will yield new meaning as we study it by lake or mountain; as we ponder it in country lanes, or by the seashore, One like the Son of Man will walk beside us, and apply its teaching till our hearts burn within us, and we are no more sad.

PRAYER
We thank Thee for eyes that see, and hearts that love, and natures that can enjoy Thy good and perfect gifts. O Father, in Whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. AMEN.

From: 

Our Daily Walk by F B Meyer

Tuesday 29 March 2011

About Love

I read this verses from Romans 12 from verse 9 to 21, i know you might have heard about it, it is all about love. i suddenly realised how unloving i am, from the way i treat people on the road, my colleagues at work and those so close to me. My selfishness became so clear and i realised that from my unloving conduct i do not deserve to be loved.

But what is so amazing is that am so loved by God and fellow men, and my prayer is just one, help me oh God to love, just the way you want me to.

(Rom 12:9)  Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.

(Rom 12:10)  Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;

(Rom 12:11)  Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

(Rom 12:12)  Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

(Rom 12:13)  Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

(Rom 12:14)  Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.

(Rom 12:15)  Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.

(Rom 12:16)  Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.

(Rom 12:17)  Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.

(Rom 12:18)  If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

(Rom 12:19)  Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

(Rom 12:20)  Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.

(Rom 12:21)  Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Sunday 20 March 2011

This Journey

Some times my spiritual life feels like this:

Thursday 10 March 2011

God who loves and forgives:I know you loves me

I am an object of His love,His mercy and forgiveness. From a cloudy month to this bright day, He is amazing, He does not count our sins against us, he is ever willing to forgive us, the bible is quite clear about that. The psalm 103 is just the psalm i should sing.


(Psa 103:8 KJV)  The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

(Psa 103:9 KJV)  He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.

(Psa 103:10 KJV)  He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

(Psa 103:11 KJV)  For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

(Psa 103:12 KJV)  As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

(Psa 103:13 KJV)  Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

(Psa 103:14 KJV)  For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

(Psa 103:15 KJV)  As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

(Psa 103:16 KJV)  For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.

(Psa 103:17 KJV)  But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;

(Psa 103:18 KJV)  To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

(Psa 103:19 KJV)  The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all.

(Psa 103:20 KJV)  Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

(Psa 103:21 KJV)  Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.

(Psa 103:22 KJV)  Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: bless the LORD, O my soul.



Friday 25 February 2011

Who is this God?

when i was young, very young that is, i had my view of God, He was to always watching me, and if i made a mistake He would make sure i was punished.

Apart from this i remember i used to love Him, that kind of love that makes Him part of my every day business. I remember at play times, i thought of what He want me to do, i was so much in the desire to go to heaven. If there is anything i miss of my Child hood, it is this innocent love for Him, Just him and the heaven we were promised in sunday school.

Some where along the way, i discovered that when you are obedient, He rewards you, and a new relationship evolved, that of i love and obey Him for what He can do.

I obeyed to avoid bad things happening, not because i loved Him, not that i stopped loving Him, Love stopped being the motivation of my service, i was driven now for desire to become and motivated by his being able to take me there.

So my relating to Him have developed along this lines, i have done alot for God, at times coz i love Him and so many times because of many other factors. this has definately affected the way i relate to Him, and how much i can enjoy Him.

This not having a clear picture of who God is, makes our worship incomplete, we can not enjoy Him wholly, neither please Him completely. I will take time and discover the attributes of our amazing God and father and in the process hope to know him, love him and obey Him.

Will u join me?

Wednesday 23 February 2011

First Things

I always wanted to have a blog, just a place to express my thoughts and hopes in God and the many struggles that daily color our Christian walk.

I just want to use this to journal my daily walk with God, the daily strains, the triumphs and His love.