The greatest gift

Image from: Flower violet

The greatest gift ever given to mankind came in the lowliest of forms; in the most unusual times. No pomp on earth for heavens' best; a manger was the kings' first home. The situation surrounding His birth was risky, yet wisemen came to pay homage on the strength of revelation. For an ordinary heart can not contain the reality that heaven's best was born in a manger. 

Who would have thought that this reality can be palpable that even men testified "That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life" 1 John 1:1. 

Sometimes I wish mankind saw his glory as he crept into Mary's womb. Maybe they might have understood whose son He was. Or maybe, I wish they had seen Him descend from heaven upon the temple on sabbath day with shinning lights surrounded by angels announcing His kingship. Maybe fragile hearts would have believe when he said he IS the son of God. 

In the euphoria of my wishes I remember HE said " For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isa 55:8-9.

When I remember this I keep quiet, because wisdom was in display. The Lord of the harvest who is the master-crafts man intelligently crafted this story to depict his wisdom as God. 

No greater friend than JESUS CHRIST, no greater companion than His SPIRIT.  Who's greatest strength is seen in my weakness. Oh how I love HIM. Oh how I want to love HIM more!

SHALOM!

Beautiful Feet

Photo by EVG Kowalievska from Pexels

                                                  

Whenever we see someone, the person's physique is usually the point of attraction. We pay attention to easily noticeable and endearing features like the face: the bluish or brownish pupil, maybe a pointed nose, pink lips, crystal white teeth, dimples and their broad-chest and thick muscles even to not so easily noticeable features like flat stomach and so on.

Rarely do we ever get attracted to the feet of another maybe because it is sometimes covered with shoes, which although can lead to smelly feet after awhile by creating a good breeding ground for bacteria, can be another point of attraction (I really don't think anyone gives second thoughts as to the feet not even the owner).

I, like many of us, didn't think much about my feet until I saw something quite interesting but maybe overlooked in Isaiah chapter 52:7 which reads thus:

‘’How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation…’’(OKJV).

It baffles me that for God, our feet seem to be quite important to the point of distinguishing between a beautiful, attractive and appealing feet and that which isn't.  

Do you know that when we preach the good news (i.e. the gospel) either by distributing tracts, personal engagements or via social media and as we extend generous hands to the needs of others for the cause of the gospel, God finds our feet beautiful. And I think whatever attracts God attention is worth pursuing, having, and doing.  

Can God see your feet and say it is beautiful? Have you not ceased from doing the work of an evangelist? Have you not left your pastor alone to share the good news of the Love of Christ? Are you not only concerned about being attractive to people? However, it is God’s utmost desire, especially in this moment, that everyone of us will not drawback in sharing the gospel with others and gain that which God beholds as beautiful.

God bless you!!!

Written by : Afolabi Precious

Absolute Surrender

 I was speaking with a friend the other day about some life issues. We spoke about different pertinent issues, one of which was about our struggles as young unmarried men hoping to one day walk down the aisle with our envisaged damsels. If you are a young single christian man you will agree with me that it can be quite a herculean task to pursue chastity especially with the unwavering trend of perversion these days. You do not go after it again but rather it comes to you even to your door steps. It takes tens of trailer loads of grace if I must say, to resist. Anyways, whilst he was speaking we delved into somewhat of an uncharted territory that led us into a doorway of spiritual insights. 

Apparently, I did not fully grasp the weight of this conversation initially, not until I began to feel burdened in my heart as he was yet speaking. He retold the creation story in such a way that sprouted flickering thoughts all over my mind, nevertheless I pondered on them hoping to find meaning from what he said.

The creation story poses as the framework by which all things were made. The reference to God as the creator of all things supersedes myths and superstition rather it is a reality that bewilders mankind even to this day. Such a deep mystery can not be fathomed by the limited ability of our human comprehension. But it becomes clearer when we see this through the lens of the Spirit. 

One of the greatest ordination that occurred in creation was the induction of Man ( for clarity the term "Man" as used throughout this piece represents both male and female) as the governing authority over all things that were made. Man's appointment was based on a system of semblance. Gen 1: 26 " Then God said let us make man in OUR IMAGE, according to our LIKENESS; let them have DOMINION over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth".  Man was made in the express image and likeness of God. Not only was there a physical resemblance, but Elohim also desired a complete semblance such that in all realms man was made to rule just as ELOHIM is the ruler and creator of all things. Man was made to be a complete replica of God. So therefore, it became imperative that the dominion mandate be handed over to that creature that was in the likeness of ELOHIM; which was Man kind.

Therefore, you have a mandate to have dominion. It is better understood like this, a king's son is automatically destined to be a ruler. He has the biological and hereditary rights to ascend the throne after the reign of his father is over. That is his birthright. The pilgrimage of Jesus upon the earth was aimed to restore man from the great fallout from dominance into kingship.

But, permit me to say that there was a condition upon which man's dominance was enacted. Because Man was made in God's likeness, he had his dwelling in God's presence so it was seamless for both Adam and Eve to have fellowship with God, they were in complete sync with the presence of God. The condition upon which they had dominance was absolute surrender. Man was absolutely surrendered to God. He knew nothing but the presence. He abode, ruled, named and had dominion in the sphere of God's presence. 

Absolute surrender entails complete yielding to God. Sin on the other hand hinders absolute surrender to God because it functions on the strength of flesh, such that man begins to think of himself as the compass of his life. That was the message the serpent passed across to Eve in Gen 3:1-4. 

We can only enjoy the full benefits of our dominance on earth when we fully surrender and yield to God. We have to come to the point where our hearts are completely yielded to God, where it is no longer you that live, but Christ that lives in and through you Gal 2: 20. 

Do you want to live out God's plan for your life, the dominion mandate? Then completely surrender your will to Him. We have struggled for a long time to give Him all of us. Maybe He has control of part or even a lot but He needs full control of our lives, that is the only way we can find relevance upon the earth and fulfil purpose.

Have you surrendered all of yourself to the Lord? If you haven't , I encourage you to do so today. It's a life long decision. It is something to be done every moment.

God bless you.

The Magnificent House

One evening, as I walked down a very quiet street, I saw a magnificent mansion - so big and beautiful. "A wealthy man must own it", I said to myself. The edges of its windows were decorated with beautiful roses, its wall painting were as though they were laid with well refined gold. Its windows and doors glittered brightly.

At the front of the house stood a very attractive waterfall. While admiring its beauty, a man walked up to me asking if I would like a tour of the building. "Yes sir!”, I said excitedly and followed him in.

Overwhelmed by the beauty of the building's exterior, I longed to see the interior of the building, I just could not completely imagine the finesse and elegance of the interior. I admired this building so much, I wished it were mine.

When we got to the front door, I pulled off my shoes, not wanting to 'corrupt' this earthly paradise as I entered. ‘What!!!” I made a sharp exclamation. It was far from paradise. For a moment, I was confused. I tried to reconcile the ineffable beauty on the outside and this unwholesome sight on the inside.

"How can a building so wonderfully decorated on the outside be filled with heaps of rotten refuse, maggots and reptiles running around?", I asked myself. The sight was so disgusting, I almost puked. So, I shut the door and ran out.

Infuriated, I said to the man, "Sir, why is this house such a mess?", but the man gave no response. "Why did he ask me to come in? Did he not know?", I thought.

Now, his silence was more annoying than the putrefying interior I just saw. So, I inquired further, "Why did the owner of this house spend so much in beautifying the outside and leave the inside to rot and stink?". Again, there was no response. I knew I had to stop talking at this point, so, I kept quiet.

I was dumbfounded when he looked at me; called me by name: SANDRA! SANDRA!!

Then, he said; "this magnificent house represents your life: you have so much charisma, gifts and eloquence that impress men but your heart is full of anger, bitterness, envy, jealousy and unforgiveness. Sandra, your dispositions attracts men but your heart and character drives them far from you. You need to pay attention to your inner man because it is where God resides and he won’t stay in a dirty place."

Then I awoke! "It was a dream", I said "but could it just be a dream? It is so real", I said to myself. Indeed, it was a revelation of my life. God had come to show me my true self. As I thought on the dream, I wept sore that morning asking God to clean and purge my heart.

Dear reader, is your life like that magnificent house? Is your heart not rotten due to offences, bitterness, unforgiveness, pride and divers lust? Yet, you're going about your daily activities as though all is well? Are you not praised even among brethren yet your heart is so pungent to God? God is calling you today. He wants to purge you and give you a new heart so that you can offer acceptable sacrifices unto Him? Call on God today! Let Him purge you and make your life habitable for His presence.

God bless you!

Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.

If a man therefore purges himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

2 Timothy 2:19-21

Thank you for reading. Don't forget to ask your questions and leave your comments below. We would give a quick reply.

God bless you!

FRESH START 2

 ...continued from Part 1

After thinking about the possible implications of any choice I make, I turned to my roommate and said to her that I could not do it. She rebuked me vehemently and reminded me of my predicament, but I was not moved by her words; my mind was made up.  I left for the hostel without turning back… with the sense of peace that I had done the right thing.

A few days later, I called my discipler to inform him. He then spoke with my father and pleaded with him. My father, now born again, was heartbroken because he never expected this from me but to my greatest surprise, he did not throw me out. Then I shared my situation with my friends expecting a cold shoulder from them but alas, they extended to me their right hands of fellowship.

I was able to push through my first year with my protruded tummy even though I ate and slept more. It was not a smooth sail though. There were times guilt overwhelmed me and I was worried about the future but somehow, I was able to find solace in God and He sustained me beyond my strength, helping me stay in faith.

Honestly, I was ashamed of myself. During the break, I could not go out. Then I was quite heavy and became the talk of the neighborhood. On several occasions, I looked at the mirror and hated myself because I was pregnant and not married. At certain times, my blood pressure increased.

It was indeed a difficult time and I realized that sin had cost me more than I was ready to pay for. But I made up my mind to move on with God.

Eventually, I was delivered of a male child and had to defer my studies for one year which meant that I could not resume the second year. I deferred because i wanted to nurse my son and take good care of him, at least, for his first year. Thank God for my parents that never gave up on me - they are a major reason I can tell this story today.

After the first year of nursing my son, I returned to school burning for God and living beautifully; not allowing my past to hinder my future. People wondered where I got such confidence from but the best answer I could give them was JESUS.

I really don’t know how far you have turned from God but going farther is not the answer. I may not know how ugly your scar is or was, or how badly the devil damaged you. The good news I have for you today is that you can start afresh with Jesus. He is loving and always ready to accept us if we will only come back to him in genuine repentance. The consequences of your past misdeeds might not disappear, there might be scars and challenges, but you will completely be forgiven by God.

Start afresh with God.

And if you have never had this beautiful walk with God, you can start now. God is also calling you saying:

‘’Therefore if any person is (ingrafted) in Christ (the messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old (previous moral and spiritual condition) has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come’’. 2Cor 5:17 Amplified version

Thank you for reading. Don't forget to ask your questions and leave your comments below. We would give a quick reply.

God bless you!