THE BACKSLIDER

I found that He loved me.

I Remembered How He saved me and forgave me my sins when I first came to His throne asking for His mercy. He had compassion on me.

He accepted me.

Though He Knew years down the line I will like a dog go back to my vomit, go back to the life I was lived.

Though He Knew that, years down the line I will struggle to keep my feet from stumbling, to be totally free from sin.

But He will loved me and will never turn His back on anyone who seeks His face, So He took it all, my imperfections and my perfections, my strengths and my weakness, my battles(both those I would win and those I will lose) because He saw in me what He created from the beginning of creation, a perfect man in His Image, He saw how He was going to shape and mould me till I become just like that, He saw just like He saw in David How I will chase after His heart and long to please Him.

When I remembered this Joy filled my soul and I was at peace because I realised He Knew all along.

He wanted me to remember this so that it will spur me on to seek Him more, to continue in the grace that once was and now is, because I have come back to ask for His forgiveness, mercy and grace again.

He wanted me to thirst for Perfection, so that I can be perfect just like Christ was, Holy, Pure and Sanctified, perfectly in love with Him.

This is my story, My Song, Praising My Saviour all the day long.

PEACE IN WAR 3

‘These things I tell you so that you will have peace. In the world you will have tribulations but take courage because I have overcome the world’ – John 16:33 paraphrased

Why not Peace Here and Now in this world?

It’s because God never goes back on His word.

At creation He handed dominion over to man and man committed treason by handing that dominion over to the devil when He chose to obey the devil who had no dominion on earth; through this, man became a slave to the devil and the devil is now the prince of this world, the ruler of the world. That’s why the devil had the guts to tempt Jesus by saying He will give Him the Kingdoms of this world if only Jesus will bow to Him (Maybe now you see the reason for all the evil in the world).

That’s why the world is in the chaos it is in today, it is ruled by the devil. However, the one thing that the devil could not take was man Himself because we are God’s creation and He can’t own us but in order to free us from all the trouble the devil will cause us God worked a plan back there and then.

Because God will not leave us to be condemned and He would not go back on his word either and He loved man so much. So He had to send His Son Jesus (The best He could send) to become a man. He was man just like He is God now and before He came to earth. Jesus was a perfect man working under the influence of the Holy Spirit, He felt sad, He wept, He felt troubled, He thirst, He was hungry, all because He had to be man in other to save us from all the works of the devil (Because being God He could not take it all from the devil because that will amount to God going back on His word when He gave dominion to man).

So because Jesus was sinless, He was able to overcome the devil and He conquered death because the devil had nothing on Him (Now you see why Jesus is Lord); because at the mention of the name of Jesus every Knee will Bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus is Lord (even the devil).

Now in the fullness of time, He will come back to take all that the devil has taken from us through the deceit at the Garden of Eden and dominion will be His because He is man and the fulfilment of God’s word that Man should have dominion over all the earth just like God originally intended.

So you see why He could say just like I started ‘In the world you will have troubles but I have overcome the world’. This is the reason for my peace.

Is this the reason for your peace?

If it is not, make it the reason for your peace. Come and See Peace and all the other benefits which through Christ have been restored back to Man.

If it is then join me in saying ‘even so come Lord Jesus’

Amen.

PEACE IN WAR 2

There’s a peace in my heart

That the world never gave

A peace it cannot take away

Though life’s trials may surround like a cloud

I have a peace that has come to stay

Constantly Abiding………………………………………………………………………………

Anne S. Murphy, 1908

Such is the peace that we all seek.

The whole world is in a conundrum, every nation seeks peace but what it seems to be the only thing that eludes us. Why? Because even though the earth still rotates around its axis and the sun and the moon still have the same effect as they used to have, the missing link is that we have left what keeps it all together, The Prince of Peace.

The Bible says that ‘in Him all things consist and without Him was anything that was made whether they be thrones or dominions or principalities or powers’.

As long as the world remains the way it is with every nation focused on bringing itself glory and strength, I’m afraid there can be no peace.

As long as there are some people in the world who look to satisfy themselves and their own bellies, there won’t be peace.

But there is a peace that we all can find, it is peace with God, it is the peace of God, it is peace of mind.

You first must have peace with God in other to have the peace of God and peace of mind.

To make peace with God, there’s only one way and that is through Jesus ‘ There is none other name given among men whereby we can be saved’. He is the Prince of Peace.

God always looked to give us peace and that is why He sent Jesus, so that we can have the peace of God. Peace that passes all understanding.

Come to Jesus and you will Find Peace in Him.

All the world seemed to sing

Of a Saviour and King

When Peace swiftly came to my heart

Troubles all fled away and my night turned to day

Blessed Jesus how glorious thou art.

Constantly abiding………………………………………………………..

Anne S. Murphy, 1908

PEACE IN WAR.

Peace which passes all understanding

We live in a time and age with war or some of conflict ravaging every nation. Every nation has some kind of war going, some more tolerable than others. And the question asked is that where the peace is that God promised us when Christ said ‘Peace I leave with you not as the world gives’.

This is the answer.

Peace is not the absence of conflict nor is war; the truth is that the peace that Christ gave to us flourishes in the midst of the trouble.

Remember where that peace came from in the first place, it didn’t come from the outside circumstances, when we give our lives over to Christ, that peace seats on the inside of us despite all  the problems we might be facing at the time.

I find it interesting that at one time Christ did not feel at peace, because He was man like us He felt troubled, He said in John 12:27 –Now is my soul troubled…….. So you are not alone in feeling troubled at all the problems that surround us or are in our world.

However remain at peace on the inside of you because:

We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed,

Persecuted but not forsaken

Cast down but never destroyed

Because

I know whom I have believed and I’m persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day

Because

When Peace like a River attendeth my way, when sorrows like seas bellows roll, whatever my lot thou hast thought me to know and say it is well with my soul.

Because

There are so many things about tomorrow I don’t seem to understand but I know who owns tomorrow and I know He holds my hand.

So my friend, the next time you are troubled remember you’re not alone and Christ was just as troubled as you are, but above all don’t let anything take the peace you have on your inside. Speak peace be still to your soul. Remember God said ‘Be Still and Know that I am God’

May God grant you peace, not as the world gives but peace that passes all understanding.

FAITH AS GOD IN OUR DOUBTS.

I read from olaolubee.wordpress.com recently and his words on disbelief struck a cord with me.

Hebrew 11:1 says ‘Faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen’

And the Bible says without faith it is impossible to please God.

I began to think and certain things came to me.

Moses at the beginning of the greatest ministry of his life expressed doubt like no other. First He places doubt in himself and then passes the doubt to God by asking who I would say sent me. So much so God had to send Him along with Aaron (Exodus 3 and 4).

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego did the same when they said to Nebuchadnezzar even if God does not save us we will not bow down to the image which you have created (Daniel 3).

Jeremiah at the beginning of his ministry expressed doubt when He said he was only a child (Jeremiah 1)

And above all Jesus came and said God please let this cup pass over me but nevertheless let your will be done (Matt 26:36-42).

So even Jesus can be said to have expressed doubt but we find that the difference is Faith in God’s will.

So how does this apply to us today? We are men and so long as we are present in this body, there will always be doubts because our natural man always sees the circumstances surrounding us. The question is where is our heart?

The heart is the heart of the matter.

Moses expressed his faith as soon as he began to see himself go and do the assignment and began to ask about the various problems he might encounter, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego expressed faith when they said God is able to deliver them, Jeremiah’s faith was expressed as soon as he told God I am a child, Jesus did when He said let Your will be done. They all had their heart set on obeying God.

At the centre of faith is obedience to God, Faith is not the absence of doubts, it is as Peter puts ‘it casting all your cares upon Him for He cares for you’.

Faith says I know this is impossible but I know my God is able so I’ll do it anyway because it is what God wants me to do. Note that Faith focuses on the ability of God to do all things so it helps us rise above the doubts that we have.

Faith sees all weaknesses and the impossibilities and transfers all that doubt to God because Faith knows and understands the sovereignty of God in all situations.

So, the next time you go before God, go with your doubts and even tell God those doubts and watch Him turn your every doubt into Faith.

THE CHRISTIAN’S RACE

1 CORINTHIANS 9:24-27; GALATIANS 5:22-23;

Christians are two things; disciples and pilgrims, disciples because we are followers of Christ and pilgrims because we are on a journey towards our home.

Our race or journey is not a sprint; it’s an endurance trek with a destination in mind. So how do we make ourselves fit for this trek? This is my thought today because the problem with ‘today’s Christian’ is that He is either too spiritual or too dependent on the physical abilities he/she has.

Paul best explains our journey in the passage above, the message version puts it like this:

 “You've all been to the stadium and seen athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You are after one that’s gold eternally. I don’t know about you but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else about it and then missing out myself”.

*(I find that the message version of the bible gives a very physical interpretation to the scriptures while the King James is more spiritual, combining the two helps)

There are two sides to every commandment God gives; the faith side and the work side. The faith side is the spiritual and the work side is the physical. But it seems that today’s Christian has forsaken that balance and tips the scales in favour of which side is most convenient.

We now run this race in a way that when one part becomes too hard we leave it all to faith and forget the work and when it’s very easy we forget faith and leave it all to work.

To run our race, we have got exercises that we need to do to stay; the conditioning of our mind, body and spirit to win. Even athletes talk about not only being in the right physical condition but also being in the right frame of mind. The same applies to our Christian journey. We cannot stop the exercises of praying, fasting, reading of God’s word and expect that we will grow as Christians. Even the physical exercises of attending church, being good to people, getting an education, practising the things we read and learn; all this things remain necessary for our growth as Christians. Ignoring any side leaves us stuck.

Ever wonder why the greatest apostle is one which had physical opportunities that no other apostle had and one who prayed and spoke in tongues more than all the others, this is to teach us that we cannot ignore the importance of the physical things we do and cannot ignore the importance of spiritual things as well.

The fruit of the Spirit is Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control.

The gifts the Spirit are prophecies, healing, discernment, utterance and many more super powers.

See the difference? The fruit which all Christians have are all things that can only be manifest with faith (spiritual) and work (physical) but the gifts which are add-ons are things largely spiritual.

As we go through the year, Let's remember this balance in every aspect of our lives especially in our Christian race.

Let us formulate plans that will help us run the race remembering that both the physical and spiritual are important.

Faithful is He who has called you who also will do it.

HOLINESS: THE CHRISTIAN’S WAY.

Who are Christians? What are we? What do we represent?

In a world with so many sects and a lot of misinformation, this questions need to be answered again.

The first place where people were called Christians was in Antioch and this was so because they were Christ-like in nature. What is it to be Christ-Like?

Every history book ever written about Christ even by antagonist all share one sentiment that Christ was a good man. He was meek, with compassion and was a lover of men. He was a man with no offence so much so that Pilate had to wash his hands before his crucifixion. He is what we call holy and perfect, without blame, this is what the people at Antioch saw to call these people Christians.

Among Christian circles it is often debated whether or not perfection is possible, whether holiness is possible. Here’s my take on this which I believe is the scripture’s take.

Christians are called to be Holy. The Bible refers to our calling as a Holy calling. Even the Bible says be ye perfect even as your Heavenly Father is perfect. Elsewhere God Himself says be ye Holy for I am Holy.

Our Gospel, the gospel of our salvation is a holy one because Christ came because the former (old) covenant was not perfect to give us a total and complete salvation. So Jesus had to come as the final sacrifice for all our sins, so that no other sacrifice needs to be made for the redemption of man.

And if the blood of the Son of God is not able to make us Holy/Perfect, I don’t know what else can. If the Holy Spirit is not able to make us pure I don’t know who else can. If the plan of a mighty perfect God is unable to make us perfect, holy and pure, I don’t know what other plan can make us perfect.

If our hope and calling is not perfect we might as well be miserable because of what Good is it to us. We go through the same vicious circle that has brought man to where He is now because we fall again and again and subject our world to condemnation and destruction.

You are a Christian and look to live with the Holy God in Heaven, How do you think it possible without a Holy Mind and Spirit?

God has called you and me to Holiness (Yes You!) and has made this possible through Jesus’s blood and the Holy Spirit in us. If any man or preacher tells otherwise, He makes the sacrifice of Christ imperfect and of non-effect. The time we pass on earth is for us to take advantage of this, Humanity’s days are for us to take advantage of this perfect work of Christ.

So as we go through the year my prayer is that the Power in the Blood and the Power of the Holy Spirit work in me to make me Holy, Perfect, Blameless (Not the Christian that keeps falling and rising). This is the Christian God wanted when He sent His Son to die for you and me and when He sent the Holy Spirit to abide with us. A Perfect, Holy and Righteous Man, just like Christ was.

Join me in this Prayer and I am sure before the year’s end we all will have a testimony to share.

Being Holy is an expression of the fullness of His Power in our lives.

THERE’S MORE

There’s more at the throne.

I often ask the question, what’s the essence of being saved? And in one of my writings I said it is to worship God.

So a lot of people get saved and are free from sin and they begin to wonder along line, is this all there is?

There’s more.

The cliché, there’s nothing new under the sun does not apply to a Christian because the Bible says “ eyes have not seen ears have not had, neither  hath it entered into the heart of man, the thing that God hath prepared for His people”

Our walk with God is a marathon with highs and lows. Sometimes we’ll be at the peak of our powers and some days we will just want to get by. The key is to see what lays ahead, the finishing line before His throne.

I’ve Known God for few years but within me there’s a hunger that is never quenched that says “okay, now you have this but I’ve got more for you, dig deeper”.

In Christ, there is well of Salvation from which we draw inexhaustible riches, riches that last beyond lifetimes.

At every point in our lives we need something from that well, Salvation, sanctification, baptism in the Holy Ghost, Healing, The Fruit of the Spirit, the gifts of the spirit, deliverance, comfort and many more.

Because the earnest expectation of the creature waits for the manifestation of the sons of God, we need to draw from that well in our daily lives to manifest to every creature, the power of God in us.

As you go out today, ask God for more, ask Him what He needs you to manifest today.

Every morning, new mercies I see. All I have needed thine hand hath provided.

Faithful is He who calls you, Who also will do it.

Saved to What End.

You’re saved. Hurray!!! So what? To what end?

So you can escape hell?

So you can live in ‘liberty’?

So you can live in ‘dominion’?

So you can continue in sin?

So you live a holy life?

So you can………………………………………………..?

You are saved. But to what end?

A lot of times a lot of people go to the church and they hear the pastors say to them in direct speech ‘you need to get saved’ and the following questions come to mind for many.

From what?

By who or what?

How?

Why do I need to be saved?

But the question that is never asked is to what end?

This is why there are lots of saved people who have no clue what the answer to this question is and there are lots of unsaved ones who have no clue what their paths lead them to.

We are saved for one reason alone, and it’s the reason we were created in the first place, TO WORSHIP GOD? After it is all pieced together and your answer to all your questions doesn't WORSHIP GOD. Your Salvation is for nought.

A lot of saved people get saved and somewhere along the line realise that the reason they got saved in the first place isn't happening for them any more and unfortunately some miss it and go back into backsliding. it's because they never realised this one truth.

TO WORSHIP GOD.

That’s why you are saved, the next time someone asks you why are you saved or why they themselves need to be saved that is your answer.

This brings me to my next question. WHAT REALLY IS WORSHIP?

Some of us have that figured out already, some of us are still working that out, Worship really is endless, and it’s never past finding out. That’s why Jesus said:

The hour is come and now is when the true worshippers of God must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth

These Two Persons I happen to know are are past finding out.

IN MY LITTLE CUBICLE: ALL SAID AND DONE

IN MY LITTLE CUBICLE: ALL SAID AND DONE: If we succeed in making the church what it is supposed to be, a house of saints, washed by Jesus blood, holy and righteous but at the same t...

ALL SAID AND DONE

If we succeed in making the church what it is supposed to be, a house of saints, washed by Jesus blood, holy and righteous but at the same time a place of refuge for sinners that are repentant. A place for those who want to get closer to God, if the church became the window through which the world could see God and His Plan.

If we succeed as Nigerians, if we are able to confront it all, stop corruption, provide 24 hours electricity, have better roads, build a great rail network, get it all to work again, be the wealthiest nation in the world by virtue of the wealth of resources that we have, and for the same reason become the land of opportunity, the land where trees flourish. If we are able to fight the oil spills, stop the gas flaring, have leaders who are content. If we are able to eradicate malaria, cure HIV/AIDS; stop the cancer of corruption that destroys us from within. If we are able to bring an end to the reign of terror by our brothers in the south-south and those in the north. if we all get it right and not turn even the simplest thing upside down like calling a 40 year old man a youth minister.

If we succeed together as a world, if we are able to end the battles that rage, and Syria and Egypt and all of the Arab nations find peace within themselves and with every other nation. if North Korea becomes a tourism destination and Russia and USA have the highest trade figure between themselves. If we are able to find an alternative energy sources other than oil or somehow are able to curb the pollution that stems from the use of oil and gas. If America learns that it can’t always be the world power and cannot forever police the world, if every nation or community will be its own police. If we all learn to live together as one and realise that we would not always agree on everything but can live together just a man does with his wife because He loves her.

If Hollywood and Nollywood learn that they are there to teach us lessons and not to promote the very vices that have led to the deterioration of our world, if they begin to teach us contentment and not an insatiable test for more in the wrong areas. If musicians and artist became the eyes and hears with which we listen to and see the world, if they produces music and art that were divine. if from their music and art we see God's message to man. if their music and art honoured God.

If we become successful entrepreneurs, Ceos, managers, and built organisation that met the needs of people, organisations with proper structures not looking at the slightest opportunity to defraud and make money, organisations that place the need of its client at the forefront, organisations that we could and would pass on to the next generation.

If we are able to marry good wives and have lovely children and leave goodly legacies for them and not a chunk of stolen properties accumulated over the years. If we are able to have great family values and every house sees how it is responsible in no small way to the deterioration of our world when those values are neglected.

If we are all able to love and hope and have faith and we live by these three things.

Oh, if, if,if,if……………………………………………………………………………………………

So if all is said and we done and we by some huge miracle are able to achieve all that we set out to do for our generation. Solve all problems, confront our challenges, and defeat everything that seems to bind us now. What’s next?

We all die and our children become us.

We go back to the same place we came from. Remember that man is a spirit, has a soul and lives in a body; the body returns back to the soil and decays. The spirit and soul go back to its source, its creator – God. We will stand before his son to be judged because he has committed all that to His Son as the Bible says the father judgeth no one.  In front of Him, it’s not a question of whether we have been able to achieve all this; it’s a question of the heart. Are our hearts pure enough to enter into heaven and be in the next heaven and earth He is preparing?

Don’t mistake it there are immense rewards if we are able to achieve these things but what matters most to Him is not whether or not we can achieve these things(someday I’ll write on this). It is the state of our hearts.

The heart of man is wicked the Bible says, it’s all over the news, Boko Haram, Al-Qaeda, The government of Syria and many other nations. Even the smallest things show it, a child wanting to have his or her way, a man or woman wanting to have pleasure at the cost of another’s. It’s a screwed up world.

So today, He wants to come into our lives, take away that heart of stone and put in us a heart of flesh that looks to please Him. A heart that is Holy. We know how hard this is that is why we all have to turn to God to save us, as we kneel before him every day our prayer should be:

FATHER, after all is said and done today and I am able to achieve all that I should, search me and keep me Holy, Righteous and True. At peace with you.