Don't Wait Till I Die...

Hi there,
its me again,
that girl, that likes to say her mind.

Today I come with a new approach, a plea more or less
In case y'all haven't seen, most of the world is dying.
Young, old, classy, poor, pretty, ugly or whatever classification you give.

People are dying left, right, center.
Bombs, shootings, earthquakes and everything else
Souls perishing every single minute or should I rather say every second.

So I took my time to think, what if I am next? 

The Make Up Artist 2

I wrote this post a while ago, and realised I never posted it, or rather the Holy Spirit reminded me to check, so here we are. Be blessed as you read 

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a post on The make - up artist telling the story from the point of view of the model. If you haven't read it, you can check it out here to get some perspective. 

Today, I'll tell the story from the other perspective, the perspective of the artist. The Holy Spirit keeps laying the story from the other angle on my heart. So I believe it is extremely important and would touch someone's life. 

From the angle of the model, we (HS and I) questioned the behaviour and mindset of the model. How she decided to let someone decorate her face, and how she carried her face in ignorance and pride. 

It's time to flip the coin, and ask the make up artist some questions. What was he or she thinking? That they were doing a good job? Didn't they feel they were wasting time? or was it simply a thing of revenge?

 

In actuality, the "make up" artist might have thought they were doing a good job, and actually be proud of their work of art. He/she like the model, was totally ignorant of the bad work they had done. They were ignorant of the fact that they had wasted their time and energy, and to them their work was beautiful. 

Have you ever read the part of the bible that says: "Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend's eye." - Matthew 7:5   This verse is definitely applicable in this instance, because the make up artist definitely needs it. This is not the point I am trying to draw on, so let me move on.

The Holy Spirit made me understand how the devil often times or rather most times use people as his actors. He controls them and makes them do things he desires. He slowly creeps in, and takes advantage of the little sins, errors, or open spaces we provide and steps in to do his will. By not acknowledging the points where we are wrong, or weak to let God in, we give the devil a space. 

The devil often uses humans has his distraction for other humans.  By doing this, he doesn't just waste the time of the model, but also the time of the artist being used to create the art. Have you ever wondered why claimed children of God simply do things to hurt others, yet strongly claim they are working in God's word. 

In our growth as Christians, acknowledging our weaknesses and asking for strength, grace and guidance from God is necessary and required. There are so many claimed men and women of God going around breaking each others hearts, spoiling friendships and breaking families. This isn't because God is not their father. It is simply because by choosing to ignore the signs and call on God at their various points of need or falling points they let the devil use them as a distraction. 

In this case, as with all instances, model and artist both fell victim to the devil and his play. The bible says "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. "-1 Peter 5:8

This is true in all ways, the devil is looking for both people to devour, and people he will use to do the act. So dear friends, if you are at any of these junctures, where you feel the pull and tug to call on God for help, please do not hesitate. Call on Him and let Him help, and don't give the enemy a foothold to use you or let you get used. 

I hope this touched someone. Have a blessed day/night depending on whenever you read this, and share this with your friends, it might save someones from being used as an instrument of distraction by the enemy. 

Shalom

Ants On My Path...

I am pretty sure every Christian is familiar with the verse :

1Co 10:12
Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.(ESV)

But when you truly think about it, to what extent or regard do you understand the plain words in this verse. A couple of days ago I experienced something which taught me a lesson.

For anyone who has grown up in any country, and has passed through some kind of bush at some point or the other, I believe you should know solider ants. Those small black ants, that have sharp fangs that sting if you are bitten by them. They often walk in armies (after all they are soldiers), i.e over a 100 at a time.

From whatever experience of them you've had, you'll know that stepping on their path isn't necessarily bad news for them, but more for you. Simply because as many of them as possible will cling to you and attack you.

Anyway, as I was walking out on this particular day, I was constantly and consciously checking the ground for ants. This was because I knew it was their season, and you could unconciously fall into their trap. Low and behold I did find a batch, and with pride in my heart that I had found them before they did me, I gallantly walked over them with an "I am a conqueror" look.

Bad idea, I saw the first batch, but my overconfidence in thinking I found their path made me loose sight of the next few steps and I didn't realise there was another batch of soldier ants right ahead. So into them I walked and only merely escaped their fangs when my friend screamed "watch out ".

Now lesson time, if you observe my behaviour, you'll realise I was on the look out initially. On finding the first barrier, I lost my balance due to overconfidence and stopped checking. This singular act almost brought about my downfall, simply because I let down my guard. Luckily enough for me, I had a friend watching.

The Holy Spirit minstered into my spirit and said that's how we Christians so often do. We are on guard one minute, praying diligently, feeding on the word trying to overcome a particular challenge. However, the moment we overcome one challenge,  we feel that's all there is to it. We reduce our deligence to prayers, read the bible less, and in the time we are dozing off, the  enemy does a good job and attacks again. As expected, we lose our ground, shake abit, and if we are not senstive to the spirit enough ,we totally fall into the trap of the devil.

The truth of the matter is, as soliders in Christ it is our duty to always be on guard. Life for anyone is a battle field, with attacks , challenges and various situations always coming our way. Without us constantly training our spirit, when situations come our way, we simply cry, lament and complain.

Eph 6:13
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.(ESV)

It is our duty to do everything to stand firm for the day of adversity.  Don't take too much pride in overcoming one challenge and use it as a means to neglect the days ahead. As a solider in Christ it is our duty to always be on guard, make use of the Holy spirit, know the place of prayer, understand the place of the word and stay steadfast. 

Isa 62:6
6 On your walls, O Jerusalem,
I have set watchmen;
all the day and all the night
they shall never be silent.
You who put the Lord in remembrance,
take no rest,
(ESV)

Likewise , as Christians we all stand as watchmen of our lives. Taking a look at Isaiah, we see the watchmen being spoken about are on walls. To be on a wall, is to be at a risky edge that needs constant watch and stability. Which means with our lives, we can't attempt to fall asleep or take a break from watching. It is our duty to always be on guard, as seen in the verse above to be alert day and night.

I pray none of us by our behaviours limit ourself, restrict ourself, or bring about our own fall in Jesus name. If this blessed you, please feel free to check other posts on the blog, and also share to your friends as well. This word won't touch anyone if it doesn't reach out to them, play your path, I did mine.

Shalom

What is love ?

I had an interesting yet disturbing experience a few days ago. It is something that happens so often, I am sure you guys would say "what is the big deal?"

A few days, someone professed love to me. I know right, what is the big deal about that ? It's a normal thing in a world that claims it loves.

But then if you sit to think, what really is love ? To see someone with features, characters or attributes you like, and after a while, after observing and noticing them, claim you love them and would like to be with them ?

Is that really what love is all about ? What your eyes like and decide you love ?

I beg to defer. Over the last few months, I think I can say God has taught me love to a large extent.  What love really is, and  what love really should be.

Love is a decision you take, to consciously and continuously stay in love with a person. That is irrespective of what they do, or don't do.

I'll take a note from our very best teacher, God. He made a conscious effort to show His love to the world, irrespective of the sins it was surrounded in. He stayed in love with us, and even made provisions for His son, to die for us, even before we agreed to accept that sacrifice and love Him back. Now that is what I call love.

I know sometimes, understanding God, His ways and acts and then being like Him might seem difficult, but really what else could love be.

1 cor 13: 4- 8, lists various attributes of love. What it is, what it isn't, what it should be, should do, and shouldn't do. Those sentences taken one at a time, and put into practice is a simple guide of/to love.

I am human, and like you I know practicing love the God way might be difficult. But it is what He created us to be, for the best of us. Love is us consciously and constantly making a daily decision to be and stay in love. I.e irrespective of fights, distractions or any other thing that comes in between.

Christ consciously and continuously decided to love the world. When it hated him, rejected him, and even in crucifixion. He knew the end, yet he constantly prayed for the world. Christ showed love, Christ was love.

This therefore means, that love which we first exhibit towards Christ, is the pathway to exhibiting love to others. We can do this by constantly choosing to be in love with God, His word, His decisions. I.e even when we are not getting what we want, or when the enemy brings distractions our way. Love is consciousness, not blindness.

This attitude of love, then reflects in our relationships with people. By us loving them, friends or spouses from the beginning, and preparing ourselves even before we find the love/ person to love. This is seen in the way God catered for us, even before we were born into a world of sin.

Love is a big thing, love is an amazing thing, and love takes understanding. This simply implies, love isn't confined to the worlds definition of : like a girl, tell her you love her, date her. Love is bigger. Love is preparing for the long term and for the best of all. Love like the bible says, is the greatest of all.

And just in case you don't know, don't believe it, or sometimes forget, God's love for you is mega. He loves you and I sooooo much. Don't miss out on God's love, simply embrace it, and bask in the glory of his love for you.

Shalom

#note this piece doesn't capture all of what love is, its simply a tip of the iceberg.

What Happened To My Love For Chocolate?

I remember when I was a little kid growing up, I had a very strong liking for chocolate, and sugary things generally. I always looked up to the days when my parents travelled so I could get a chocolate treat upon their return. 

My love for chocolate was so strong, I vowed in my heart when I grew up and had my own money, I will invest in as much chocolate as I could, and not simply wait for the days it was given to me as a treat.

Fast forward to over ten years after, I am now a young adult with some money and the freedom to get as much chocolate as I desired. Only problem is: my love for chocolate has diminished. Like that realisation isn't enough, I am surrounded by an overflow of chocolate and even on days I buy it, I stare at it for hours not wanting any part of it. This to me is a shocking and unexpected reality. If I ever considered things changing when I grew up, I definitely did not consider myself not loving chocolate. I dreamt of sleeping in a tube of chocolate for crying out loud (teary face), but I guess all things work together for good.

My unexpected lack of enthusiasm for chocolate has thus in itself taught me a great lesson.

If anyone honestly told me my taste buds will mature and that I will lose my desire for something I loved greatly, I would not have believed it. 10 years later, I am a believer. I stand openly and say: we do get tired of the things we think we once loved, we definitely end up counting certain things as irrelevant and unnecessary. Sad isn't it. This is a strange feeling for me, because there are certain things I knew I'll grow out of, but chocolate wasn't one.

This seriously got me thinking in another dimension and in turn made me appreciate and be grateful to God more. I, like most of us, was a pretty stubborn lady that didn't understand why we had to choose God's supreme will. Going in His permissive will worked out pretty fine for me, because like my chocolate love, I always felt I knew what I wanted, what was best for me and wanted to pull through with that.

Getting my chocolate experience has however taught me or rather made me to understand why God's says "Only I can tell you the future before it even happens..." Is 46:10 NLT

So many times in our lives, God gives us a "No" to certain things we ask him, or redirects us when we are doing certain things, and if you are like me sometime ago, you'll ask and argue even though in your head you say His ways are best.

Comprehending who God is and why He makes the decisions He makes, I agree is not the easiest thing to do. Especially when it is critical things, like "Father I "think" I am in love with this guy, and ohh Lord honestly he is simply perfect for me, is he the one for me Lord?"(or the reverse for the guys). If God says "No he is not the one for you", it is not because He does not like you, or He does not want you to have a boyfriend, or does not want you to indulge your fantasies or any of that. The reason for His response is primarily for you; because He is God, and He does know the end from the beginning. He does know that 2 years down the line the things you think are top priority will wear off and you'll gradually lose interest in them. He knows that the things that will give you the most happiness are not in what you currently think they are, and thus is simply preparing you for your own greater good.

I personally have learnt this lesson in more than one way, but losing interest in chocolate simply summed it up for me.

So note to you, if you are at a stage where God is giving you a NO or wait, please be patient and learn to see from His perspective. He is God and He does know the beginning from the end. Stay blessed, and I hope this ministered to someone.

When New Meets Old

Have you ever read the part of the bible in which Jesus used the parable of the wineskin...

He told them this parable: “No one tears a piece out of a new garment to patch an old one. Otherwise, they will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old. 37 And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. 38 No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. 39 And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for they say, ‘The old is better.’” Luke 5: 36- 39

What did you think about this? The same old example we know right? Giving our lives to Christ means letting go of the old... Yeah yeah, I was also thinking in that direction. I honestly never took the parable further than that. Getting that explanation was enough for me to move by, until now...

Do you know this parable is related to practically every act which occurred in the Bible? Well, there are many examples, fromJesus surrendering to die on the cross, Noah building the ark, Nehemiah rebuilding the wall, the widow and the prophet with the overflowing jar of oil. Are you wondering how these have got anything to do with new wine and old skin?? Give me a few minutes and let me explain... 

Really, it seems like these people in the example were simply acting on faith right? Doing what God or a man of God had told them to do at each point. It didn't seem like any of them at any point had to replace their old skin or garment with new ones right?? 

Well, it didn't seem that way, but like me if you understand what changing old for new involves, you would totally get it. In the reality and practicality of things, the process of changing old to new requires an action. It requires taking a step, or going through a process to get new wineskin. It also means the new wineskin, has to be prepared before the new wine is poured. 

This means that, God expects us to make a move, before He does any thing. God provides the content, we provide the container. Unless the container is ready, the content cannot be poured in. Hmmm, I don't know if you get the depth of this, but I'll try explaining further.  

In our daily, Christian lives, God often instructs us to do certain things. Or the other way round, we ask God for certain things. We  cry pray to God, to give us things (promote us, give us a spouse) and the likes, i.e we ask for content. But do we acknowledge the fact that, to receive what we ask for, is to receive something new, and that new thing, requires a new container?  You see where I am going? Yeah, deep things... 

Well, in each of the example I mentioned earlier, each individual had to give something, to receive. The widow had to give vessels, Noah his time and strength. Jesus His life. Nehemiah his job and time. Not only did they have to give things, but they had to give it empty. After-all God can't fill an already full jar, can He? 

Point I am driving at is, for everything we ask from God, we also have something to give; an empty container, and not just one, but as many as we can. In reality, this can be our mindset, maybe God says leave a job to get another. It could be prayer to get a new anointing. It could be us leaving a relationship, or it could be us asking for one. But for us to receive we need to give something, and the quantity we give, determines the quantity we receive. The oil didn't stop, until the containers the widow got were all filled.  The amount of blessings you receive from God will come in the measure you give to Him.

I'll also like to state, that giving to God can sometimes mean letting go of things. Letting go of pain and hurt, to let Him fill us with joy and gladness. i.e giving Him our pains and reproach (which is in reality emptying ourselves or the containers) and letting Him fill us up. We should also know that in giving or emptying, we must give according to the will and calling of God.

14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. 1 John 5:14

The widow, Noah and Jesus all provided vessels because God gave them the directive. We can't just sow seeds in greed because we feel we deserve and must help God so He helps us. In doing things, we need to do it with a Godly mindset, so the devil doesn't take advantage and fill us rather.

Three questions I'll like to leave with you, to give you perspective into the personal things God have told you...

1. What new thing is God asking of you, or are you asking from Him? 
2. What are the empty containers he is asking for or what containers do you need to empty before receiving from Him ? (Is he asking you to let go of your pride and surrender to him?) 
3. How many containers are you willing to provide for him to fill ? 

In honestly answering these questions, I think we will all be on a pathway to glory, being better people and Christians. I hope you were blessed by this post. Share with your friends and bless them with the word. Have a glorious weekend. 

The Make Up Artist

Let me start with this question, what do you think of the picture?? 

Scary? Horrific? Enlightening? 

A few days ago, I put this tremendously funny picture as my display picture. Within the few minutes  I did this, I had people sending me messages and asking me questions.

The makeup on the face of this model, was very badly done. When  I say badly, I mean extremely bad.

As I sat and minded my business, I got another alert on my phone, and a friend started asking these questions... What was she thinking?? Did she look at the mirror??  And she allowed a picture of hers to be taken? Why did she allow her face to be used as a canvas for painting? 

As I  started to speak, the first thing that came out of my mouth was, "it was her free will". She definitely saw a mirror, and heard people's comments. But seemed entirely comfortable with it, and didn't mind. 

The Holy Spirit immediately ministered into my spirit, as I started to speak. He explained to me, the same way the model put her face down to be decorated, and seemed ignorant of how horrific she looked, is the same way we Christian act sometimes. She, like us, have people/the Holy Spirit  giving us warning as to the things we are doing, yet choose to ignore. In what way you may ask. We give the devil the opportunity to step into our lives and do to us has he pleases. Often, we get advice from various people in our lives, get signs, warnings (which we ignore) because we believe our way, which is not God's way is the best.

When I personally took time to think, and wonder why she allowed that to be done to her, I felt she might have had some valid reasons. She didn't have enough money for a good make up artist, she thought her make up design was the best and suited her "perfectly"(for lack of knowledge my people perish). She thought her friend or whoever did the make up was actually doing her a favour more than a disfavour. 

While those answers suit her case adequately, for we Christians, it goes in another direction. We tend to think or say things like," I am too young to commit myself to God and become one of those people they call pastor", "I want to have my way over God's" ( I did this a lot), "It is my mind talking and not God", even your  mind can be right. 

We often rally around various excuses to the things we do, and end up letting the devil make a fool of us. Christ came for our redemption, He paid the price for us, so why sit back and let the devil shame us. I personally won't want to go out looking like that, and thus I'm willing to let God lead all the way. 

For the lady, she wasn't thinking of what the world thought, she was only thinking of what she wanted. Sometimes it is the same for us, other times it's the other way round.  But truth of the matter is, the things we do, reflect on us, inside out. When we let the devil (the make up artist) mess with us, it is at our own detriment. 

We sit down as these models did, and allow the devil to decorate our lives as he pleases, and make ourselves look like fools to the world. In which case, we grow/tend/begin to believe the lie of the devil and accept it as our reality and  accept we look good in the state we are in.  

I believe its time for us to let  a change come in, for us to let go of our pride, our own opinions, and simply let God lead us and guide us. This will prevent us from not only looking bad to the world, but also save us for eternity. In truth, without the counsel and wisdom of God, any foolish thing will appeal to us. Wicked desires and harmful intents that will hurt others and ourselves seem like the best or prefect things that should happen to us and we pride ourselves in those when we ignore God's wisdom. So dear friend, please check yourself, and let God lead you.

I hope you were blessed by this, feel free to share with someone you think needs this or simply everyone you know :). Also, I am glad to read your comments and stories too, so don't hesitate to share. Stay blessed and have a lovely week ahead.

A Fresh Perspective

I remember this statement too vividly, and it has followed me everywhere I go after I heard and understood it. It was one of those words preached in a sermon, that stuck certain chords. Chords which implied: I needed more insights, I had some questions and uncertainties and most importantly I needed God to personally make me understand. I may not explicitly remember the title of the sermon at church that day, but I do clearly recall the theme we were speaking about. Our focus was on building our relationship with God, and like is the intended preaching style of each person, our preacher used her life and relationship with God as the example for the sermon. As she went on explaining what a relationship with God entailed, she spoke a lot on a statement God told her once. She said God told her: "I don't care about your comfort, I care about my purpose. " She went on with her explanation, on how the ultimate purpose we had was to fulfil God's purpose. You know that point in a sermon, when the preacher is preaching and you are screaming and agreeing? Yep, that's exactly how I felt at that point. I was screaming the "yes Lord", "its all about your purpose" and every other statement or jargons you can think of in that direction.

But certain things I tell you, don't sink in until later.

I got into my room, and  reread the statement and questions started popping out from all corners. "You don't care about my comfort ke?" "Haba God na, why?" "What do you mean?" "Is this a joke?" I went back and forth, wondering what that was all about. Yes, God created us, yes we should do His will, but how will I do His will and not be comfortable? I felt it was going to be a cheat. At least let's have a give and take. If I choose to do your will over mine, give your child something (me negotiating again). That was the battle in my mind for a while, and I had to tell God to teach me to fully surrender. Surrender to the point that even when His purpose wasn't comfortable, I'll still smile and go with it. You think that was tough, it was tougher learning, especially learning to let go of my pride, but that's a story for another day.

As weeks went by, I learnt various lessons and got more understanding on walking in God's purpose. Taking insight from the story of Jesus, and how He surrendered His life on the cross. That was God's purpose for Him, and boy it was uncomfortable. That was one crazily tough example that God used to explain to me, but in learning to imitate Christ, He is the best example. The more I learnt, the more I understood. I was seeing things from a new perspective and learning to give way to God's purpose. It was a tough but educative adventure, but as God is, He has a lot of surprises. He gave me an additional line to insert into the initial statement, which transformed me.  What he told me,  "I don't care about your comfort, I care about my purpose, for your comfort is embedded in my purpose."

Now this new statement was like breeze to me, it made more sense. But then in the actuality and reality of things, it doesn't seem that way. How was there comfort in Jesus dying on the cross? How is there comfort in being persecuted? My human mind might have said, I guess we'll never know. But I thank God for the Holy Spirit. He made me understand, that it had to do with seeing things from a Godly perspective. He made me understand that though we didn't see Jesus being comfortable while at the cross, He had great comfort in knowing that He was the remission of sin for millions, including you and I. Same goes for most other situations, while we may not see the comfort in His purpose physically all the time, there is always a beautiful, heavenly and spiritual comfort we get.

It is a new year, and that time we have a list of resolutions, I don't think I have any of those. But one thing I'll like to run with for the year, is to walk in my God given purpose all through, not just this year, but till the end of my life. I'll wish we all do the same, but as I went through the process of learning, I'll like you to let God convince you personally.

Happy new year, and have a prosperous new year.

Lead me Lord, to follow you diligently like a little child