the following devotion came as a huge challenge to me..i always feel like is my obligation to voice my opinion on any given issue..sometimes its mindlless comments that end up hurting people or a modification of the truth, whatever..
Proverbs 10:19, The Amplified Bible"In a multitude of words transgression is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is prudent."
We believers need to start watching our language! We need to quit
throwing words around like they weren't important and start using
them like our lives depended on it--because, according to the Word
of God, they do!
(Prov. 18:21).Too many of us have what Proverbs 19:1 calls a perverted mouth.
Having a perverted mouth means more than lying and using
profanity. It means having a disobedient mouth. It means saying
things that are out of line with the Word of God.
Just use the wisdom God has given you. Train your mouth to be
obedient to His Word. Then, when you need it most, you'll find
that Word dwelling richly in you.
The Psalmist says, " may the words of my mouth and the mediations of my heart, be pleasing to you, oh Lord"
blessings y'all!
Thursday, 28 August 2008
For God so loved the world..
Today's scripture is John 3:16"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son."
For God so loved the world that He gave...and He gave...
and He gave.That is the message the Bible brings us from beginning to end. It
sounds simple enough. Yet few of us really comprehend it.We can understand the idea of a God of power. We can understand
a God who desires to be served. But an Almighty God who loves
us so much that He desires, above all, to give to us? That can be
hard to believe.For thousands of years, God has been working to drop the
revelation of His love into the hearts of men.
He's made loving
promises of blessing and protection. But He's always faced that
same obstacle--human beings who just couldn't bring themselves
to believe those promises were true.
Get a revelation of God's love for you by meditating on the
covenant He's made with you. Get out the bread and the cup. Go
before the Lord with them and take Communion thinking about
the body and blood of Jesus that enables you to be a
blood-covenant member of the family of Almighty God.
Let them settle forever the question of God's love for you.
You'll never again have to doubt His promises once you believe in His love.
be blessed!
For God so loved the world that He gave...and He gave...
and He gave.That is the message the Bible brings us from beginning to end. It
sounds simple enough. Yet few of us really comprehend it.We can understand the idea of a God of power. We can understand
a God who desires to be served. But an Almighty God who loves
us so much that He desires, above all, to give to us? That can be
hard to believe.For thousands of years, God has been working to drop the
revelation of His love into the hearts of men.
He's made loving
promises of blessing and protection. But He's always faced that
same obstacle--human beings who just couldn't bring themselves
to believe those promises were true.
Get a revelation of God's love for you by meditating on the
covenant He's made with you. Get out the bread and the cup. Go
before the Lord with them and take Communion thinking about
the body and blood of Jesus that enables you to be a
blood-covenant member of the family of Almighty God.
Let them settle forever the question of God's love for you.
You'll never again have to doubt His promises once you believe in His love.
be blessed!
The Lord is my helper..
Hebrews 13:5-6"He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we
may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what
man shall do unto me."
Self-consciousness is a major problem in the Body of Christ today.
It keeps us from doing the things God tells us to do. Instead of
simply obeying Him, it makes us start to wonder, "Now what will
people think of me if I do that? What if I command that person to
get out of the wheelchair and he doesn't get up?
What if I start believing for prosperity and go broke? What about that, God? I
won't look too good, will I?"If you've ever been through that, let me tell you something: It
doesn't matter how you look!
It's obeying God that counts. When
it comes to obeying God, your own reputation doesn't count; and
the sooner you forget it, the better off you'll be. After all, He has
promised He will never leave you or forsake you. Grab hold of
that. Believe it. Act on it. Once you do, you'll realize there's
really nothing to be afraid of anymore!
AMEN!
may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what
man shall do unto me."
Self-consciousness is a major problem in the Body of Christ today.
It keeps us from doing the things God tells us to do. Instead of
simply obeying Him, it makes us start to wonder, "Now what will
people think of me if I do that? What if I command that person to
get out of the wheelchair and he doesn't get up?
What if I start believing for prosperity and go broke? What about that, God? I
won't look too good, will I?"If you've ever been through that, let me tell you something: It
doesn't matter how you look!
It's obeying God that counts. When
it comes to obeying God, your own reputation doesn't count; and
the sooner you forget it, the better off you'll be. After all, He has
promised He will never leave you or forsake you. Grab hold of
that. Believe it. Act on it. Once you do, you'll realize there's
really nothing to be afraid of anymore!
AMEN!
Friday, 22 August 2008
Soldier
2 Timothy 2:3"Endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ."
Times of hardness are inevitable. You need to know that. It's true that we've been redeemed from the curse, and there's nothing Satan can do to reverse that, but he is going to challenge you on it.So don't be surprised when things get tough. Times will come when you have to stand strictly by faith, when you'll have to speak and act as though what God says is true even when you can't feel it or see it happening around you. There will be times when everything looks terrible.
That's when you must endure hardness as a good soldier.
This will help your christian walk in future times and you will be glad for the experience.
Keep on marching in this army!
Times of hardness are inevitable. You need to know that. It's true that we've been redeemed from the curse, and there's nothing Satan can do to reverse that, but he is going to challenge you on it.So don't be surprised when things get tough. Times will come when you have to stand strictly by faith, when you'll have to speak and act as though what God says is true even when you can't feel it or see it happening around you. There will be times when everything looks terrible.
That's when you must endure hardness as a good soldier.
This will help your christian walk in future times and you will be glad for the experience.
Keep on marching in this army!
God looks at the heart..
1 Samuel 16:7"For the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the
outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."
Too often we ask God to fix the problems around us when what He
really wants to do is solve the problem within us.
this is someone's testimony:
I did that myself for years where my weight was concerned. I prayed and prayed for
God to help me lose weight. Yet I experienced repeated failure. I
lost literally hundreds of pounds, only to gain them right back again.Finally one day, I made a firm decision. I told God, "I am not going one step further until I find out what to do about this!" Then I went on a fast, shut myself away from everyone, and determined to hear
from God.During that fast the Lord revealed the real source of my problem.
He showed me that I wanted to lose weight, but I didn't want to
permanently change my eating habits. I was like an alcoholic who wants to be able to drink constantly and not be affected by it. I wanted to eat nine times a day and still weigh 166 pounds!Suddenly I realized God wasn't content simply to rid me of the extra pounds on the outside of me--He wanted to rid me of the sin of gluttony on the inside of me. So I repented of that sin right then and there. (It was then that I realized just how hard it is for a man who drinks to face the fact that he's an alcoholic. It hurts to admit something like that.) Then, instead of asking God for deliverance from my weight problem, I asked Him for deliverance
from my food problem.Sure enough, He did it.If your prayers don't seem to be changing the problems around you, maybe it's time to take a look inside. Maybe it's time to ask God to
go to work on the heart of the matter.
You should try it today.
Blessings!
outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."
Too often we ask God to fix the problems around us when what He
really wants to do is solve the problem within us.
this is someone's testimony:
I did that myself for years where my weight was concerned. I prayed and prayed for
God to help me lose weight. Yet I experienced repeated failure. I
lost literally hundreds of pounds, only to gain them right back again.Finally one day, I made a firm decision. I told God, "I am not going one step further until I find out what to do about this!" Then I went on a fast, shut myself away from everyone, and determined to hear
from God.During that fast the Lord revealed the real source of my problem.
He showed me that I wanted to lose weight, but I didn't want to
permanently change my eating habits. I was like an alcoholic who wants to be able to drink constantly and not be affected by it. I wanted to eat nine times a day and still weigh 166 pounds!Suddenly I realized God wasn't content simply to rid me of the extra pounds on the outside of me--He wanted to rid me of the sin of gluttony on the inside of me. So I repented of that sin right then and there. (It was then that I realized just how hard it is for a man who drinks to face the fact that he's an alcoholic. It hurts to admit something like that.) Then, instead of asking God for deliverance from my weight problem, I asked Him for deliverance
from my food problem.Sure enough, He did it.If your prayers don't seem to be changing the problems around you, maybe it's time to take a look inside. Maybe it's time to ask God to
go to work on the heart of the matter.
You should try it today.
Blessings!
Exceedingly, abundantly..
Ephesians 3:20"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all
that we ask or think, according to the power
that worketh in us."
As a believer, you have the power of the Holy Spirit inside you.
But that power won't go to work until you put it to work! The
Holy Spirit won't just muscle in on you. He won't come in and turn
down the television set and jerk you up off the couch and say,
"Now you listen to me." No, He's a gentleman. He's sent to help
you to do the will of God, to strengthen you, to counsel you...but
He won't do a thing until He's asked. That's why the book of
James says if you're in trouble or afflicted, pray. It's prayer that
puts the power within you to work.The Holy Spirit has some things He wants to show you--things you've been trying to figure out on your own. He's waiting there
with the power to overcome every obstacle in your life. Take time to pray.
Pray in the Spirit. Pray with understanding.
Pray and activate the power that worketh within you today.
Blessings y'all!
that we ask or think, according to the power
that worketh in us."
As a believer, you have the power of the Holy Spirit inside you.
But that power won't go to work until you put it to work! The
Holy Spirit won't just muscle in on you. He won't come in and turn
down the television set and jerk you up off the couch and say,
"Now you listen to me." No, He's a gentleman. He's sent to help
you to do the will of God, to strengthen you, to counsel you...but
He won't do a thing until He's asked. That's why the book of
James says if you're in trouble or afflicted, pray. It's prayer that
puts the power within you to work.The Holy Spirit has some things He wants to show you--things you've been trying to figure out on your own. He's waiting there
with the power to overcome every obstacle in your life. Take time to pray.
Pray in the Spirit. Pray with understanding.
Pray and activate the power that worketh within you today.
Blessings y'all!
Tuesday, 22 July 2008
Prayerline: In Heavenly Places
If my people who are called by my Name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land 1 Chron 7:14
When I was a young and ambitious cop in high school, I remember we had daily targets to meet. These were labor targets, basically in the form of the number of students we would catch doing a mistake and book for punishment. Often we would hide around corners and in dark spots and like the devil lurk, awaiting a fellow with stockings not pulled up, pocketing, or such other petty offender. With joy and achievement we would book the poor fellow and ensure he spent his lunch time on punishment, cleaning this or that room or corridor around the school.
Happily for us, God is not like that. In fact, He draws us to Him. He understands we are sinful and that our vile natures war against us, and He softly and tenderly beckons us. And when we finally get to Him, He forgives us and wipes us clean. He holds us gently but firmly, that none may take us away from Him. He lifts us that we may dwell with Him in heavenly places. He becomes our Father and we become His children, heirs of all heavenly goodness together with His Son and our Lord Jesus. What amazing grace, what wonderful love!
Today hear His voice and draw to Him. Today give Him your all. He is able to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory. Today bring Him your supplications and your all. Lay them down at His feet. Be still and know that He is God.
This post is for the purpose of sharing prayer requests and testimonies. Use the comment box to place a request or share what God has done for you. A team has committed to pray and fast over these requests, meeting every Sabbath. Pr. Okioma and Pr. Akali will also be praying for special requests during the week. You may make anonymous requests or give your name.
May the Lord bless you abundantly and enrich you with His Spirit.
When I was a young and ambitious cop in high school, I remember we had daily targets to meet. These were labor targets, basically in the form of the number of students we would catch doing a mistake and book for punishment. Often we would hide around corners and in dark spots and like the devil lurk, awaiting a fellow with stockings not pulled up, pocketing, or such other petty offender. With joy and achievement we would book the poor fellow and ensure he spent his lunch time on punishment, cleaning this or that room or corridor around the school.
Happily for us, God is not like that. In fact, He draws us to Him. He understands we are sinful and that our vile natures war against us, and He softly and tenderly beckons us. And when we finally get to Him, He forgives us and wipes us clean. He holds us gently but firmly, that none may take us away from Him. He lifts us that we may dwell with Him in heavenly places. He becomes our Father and we become His children, heirs of all heavenly goodness together with His Son and our Lord Jesus. What amazing grace, what wonderful love!
Today hear His voice and draw to Him. Today give Him your all. He is able to supply all our needs according to His riches in glory. Today bring Him your supplications and your all. Lay them down at His feet. Be still and know that He is God.
This post is for the purpose of sharing prayer requests and testimonies. Use the comment box to place a request or share what God has done for you. A team has committed to pray and fast over these requests, meeting every Sabbath. Pr. Okioma and Pr. Akali will also be praying for special requests during the week. You may make anonymous requests or give your name.
May the Lord bless you abundantly and enrich you with His Spirit.
Monday, 21 July 2008
HUMILITY
One of the earliest memory verses I remember vividly is from kindergaten days, when i hurried everyone out of the house lest i miss my sunday school teacher..(oh how time flies..) but i digress.i recited it over and over again till i got it.the verse comes from the book of James chapter 4 verse 10 "humble thyself in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up...." Being humble, being like Moses is a hard task for most of us. we may carry around a pious look of false humility while deep inside, our pride can put Jezebel to shame. we are proud for many reasons, including the sin in our hearts.we think some things/ people are beneath us, we judge others without hearing their story, we gain information about others, not to help them but to castigate them, and the list goes on. Remember Moses being give advice by his father-in-law Jethro? Here was a person who didnt understand any of what Moses was going thru in the desert with the rebellious and petty Israelites.. Jethro came thru telling him to divide the people into groups and appoint leaders for the groups, making his admin work easier. As well-meaning as Jethro may have been, he didnt start off politely, something which would have angered Moses and given him a bad attitude to anything Jethro was going to say. Moses remained meek and calm and stood to gain from the advice he received, making him a great leader of God's people.. What about us, do we have issues with pride and humility? do a self-examination(privately and honestly) and ask God to help you do His will. You will surely be lifted up..
P.S True humility doesn't consist of thinking ill of yourself but of not thinking of yourself much differently from the way you'd be apt to think of anybody else.
-Frederick Buechner
P.S True humility doesn't consist of thinking ill of yourself but of not thinking of yourself much differently from the way you'd be apt to think of anybody else.
-Frederick Buechner
Wednesday, 16 July 2008
My favourite poem
And I can't even remember who wrote it! I learned it while a member of Strathmore University's drama society. I hope I am doing justice to the script. It goes like this:
As far as children are concerned
Is never, never let
Them near your TV set!
Or better still just don't install
That idiotic thing at all!
In almost every house we've been
We've seen them gaping at the screen -
They loll and slop and lounge about
They stare until their eyes pop out!
Last week in someone's house we saw
A dozen eyeballs on the floor!
Oh yes, we know it keep them still
They don't jump out of the window sill
And was the dishes in the sink
But, did you ever stop to think,
To wonder just exactly what
This does to your beloved lot?
It kills imagination dead
It clogs and clutters up the mind the mind!
His brains becomes as soft as cheese
His mind begins to rust and freeze!
It leaves your child so dumb and blind
He no longer understands:
He only sees!
"Oh yes", you cry; "Oh, yes", you say!
"But if we take the sets away,
What shall we do to entertain
Our loved children please explain!"
I'll answer this by asking you:
What did the loved to do?
How used the keep themselves contented
Before this monster was invented -
Have you forgotten,
Don't you know!
I'll tell you loud and slow -
They used to read
They'd read, and read
And the proceed, to read some more!
The nursery shelf was cluttered with books -
The nursery shelf held books galore!
Books covered up the nursery floor,
And in the bedroom by the bed...
More books waiting to be read!
Oh what lovely tales they used to know
These children living long ago!
So please I beg I pray:
Go through your TV sets away!
And in its place you could install
A lovely bookshelf on the wall
And the proceed to fill it up with books
Ignoring all the angry looks
And children hitting you with sticks!
Fear not, because I promise you
That in about a week or two
Of having nothing better to do
They'll slowly begin to feel the need
Of having something good to read.
And once the start , oh boy, oh boy -
You'll watch the slowly joy -
They'll grow so keen!
They'll wonder what they'd ever seen
In that ugly television screen -
In that foul, nauseating, repulsive television screen!
Then each and every kid will come to you
And thank you more for what you did.
TV
The most important thing we've learnedAs far as children are concerned
Is never, never let
Them near your TV set!
Or better still just don't install
That idiotic thing at all!
In almost every house we've been
We've seen them gaping at the screen -
They loll and slop and lounge about
They stare until their eyes pop out!
Last week in someone's house we saw
A dozen eyeballs on the floor!
Oh yes, we know it keep them still
They don't jump out of the window sill
And was the dishes in the sink
But, did you ever stop to think,
To wonder just exactly what
This does to your beloved lot?
It kills imagination dead
It clogs and clutters up the mind the mind!
His brains becomes as soft as cheese
His mind begins to rust and freeze!
It leaves your child so dumb and blind
He no longer understands:
He only sees!
"Oh yes", you cry; "Oh, yes", you say!
"But if we take the sets away,
What shall we do to entertain
Our loved children please explain!"
I'll answer this by asking you:
What did the loved to do?
How used the keep themselves contented
Before this monster was invented -
Have you forgotten,
Don't you know!
I'll tell you loud and slow -
They used to read
They'd read, and read
And the proceed, to read some more!
The nursery shelf was cluttered with books -
The nursery shelf held books galore!
Books covered up the nursery floor,
And in the bedroom by the bed...
More books waiting to be read!
Oh what lovely tales they used to know
These children living long ago!
So please I beg I pray:
Go through your TV sets away!
And in its place you could install
A lovely bookshelf on the wall
And the proceed to fill it up with books
Ignoring all the angry looks
And children hitting you with sticks!
Fear not, because I promise you
That in about a week or two
Of having nothing better to do
They'll slowly begin to feel the need
Of having something good to read.
And once the start , oh boy, oh boy -
You'll watch the slowly joy -
They'll grow so keen!
They'll wonder what they'd ever seen
In that ugly television screen -
In that foul, nauseating, repulsive television screen!
Then each and every kid will come to you
And thank you more for what you did.
One bright morning!
Think of this:
That one bright morning, on a day like today, mysterious things will happen. The sky will roll up like a sleeping bag, revealing an open tunnel of endless depth going up all the way to the Throne of God. Down this tunnel shall descend a mighty King, with all His glory and with thousands of His troops. Not with swords, not with guns, not with armour, but like the ancient armies of Israel in the Battle of Jericho they shall bear only trumpets. The atmosphere will suddenly be filled with the most wonderful music, distilling straight from the lips of these wonderful celestial beings.
Consider this:
That on that day all who live on this earth will behold this King and His mighty army. No reports, no Eye-Witness news, no CNN, no headlines, no word-of-mouth: everyone will see for himself. No one will be able to avoid Him, when this almighty King descends to the planet earth.
Imagine this:
The King will yell with a mighty roar! The roar will be so loud that the very foundation of the earth will be shaken. The hills and mountains will be flattened, the rivers and seas will overflow, the valleys will be filled: the whole planet will be in distress! Moreover, the same mighty roar will not only reach every ear on the earth but also penetrate to the very depths of hades. They shall hear the roar, them who are dead and on that day they will arise immortal and glorious, just like their King.
Ponder this:
That the King will call up His own, they will hear His voice and will rise up in the air. What a wonderful reunion for the King and His friends and so long separated! On that day it shall be evident who the King's friends are. They shall sing with a mighty chorus, and their voices shall be sweeter than the sweetest carols ever sang. The name of their song is the name of the King: "Jesus". And the name of the song will be even sweeter than the music of the song.
Understand this:
That those who are not friends with the King will be so stunned with His sudden appearance that they will fall. They will attempt to run but will soon fall. What with rivers and volcanoes and earthquakes to their impediment! And on that day the enemies of the King will remain dead on the breadth of the whole earth, from America to China, Japan to Alaska, Yugoslavia to South Africa, Latvia to Chile. They shall remain dead. And no one will bury them, well, because the dead can't bury themselves! But the King's friends will join the King and His armies and they will ascend up and up into the same canyon He descended through, into the glorious land on high.
Won't it be a wonderful thing to be amongst the King's friends on that day that is soon to come? It will be pure joy. I long for it.
That one bright morning, on a day like today, mysterious things will happen. The sky will roll up like a sleeping bag, revealing an open tunnel of endless depth going up all the way to the Throne of God. Down this tunnel shall descend a mighty King, with all His glory and with thousands of His troops. Not with swords, not with guns, not with armour, but like the ancient armies of Israel in the Battle of Jericho they shall bear only trumpets. The atmosphere will suddenly be filled with the most wonderful music, distilling straight from the lips of these wonderful celestial beings.
Consider this:
That on that day all who live on this earth will behold this King and His mighty army. No reports, no Eye-Witness news, no CNN, no headlines, no word-of-mouth: everyone will see for himself. No one will be able to avoid Him, when this almighty King descends to the planet earth.
Imagine this:
The King will yell with a mighty roar! The roar will be so loud that the very foundation of the earth will be shaken. The hills and mountains will be flattened, the rivers and seas will overflow, the valleys will be filled: the whole planet will be in distress! Moreover, the same mighty roar will not only reach every ear on the earth but also penetrate to the very depths of hades. They shall hear the roar, them who are dead and on that day they will arise immortal and glorious, just like their King.
Ponder this:
That the King will call up His own, they will hear His voice and will rise up in the air. What a wonderful reunion for the King and His friends and so long separated! On that day it shall be evident who the King's friends are. They shall sing with a mighty chorus, and their voices shall be sweeter than the sweetest carols ever sang. The name of their song is the name of the King: "Jesus". And the name of the song will be even sweeter than the music of the song.
Understand this:
That those who are not friends with the King will be so stunned with His sudden appearance that they will fall. They will attempt to run but will soon fall. What with rivers and volcanoes and earthquakes to their impediment! And on that day the enemies of the King will remain dead on the breadth of the whole earth, from America to China, Japan to Alaska, Yugoslavia to South Africa, Latvia to Chile. They shall remain dead. And no one will bury them, well, because the dead can't bury themselves! But the King's friends will join the King and His armies and they will ascend up and up into the same canyon He descended through, into the glorious land on high.
Won't it be a wonderful thing to be amongst the King's friends on that day that is soon to come? It will be pure joy. I long for it.
Tuesday, 15 July 2008
Hello blogger world!
Hello blog-world!
I had to start with this - I am a programmer after all, you know! You know, I have always envisioned myself writing something - sharing my thoughts with the world out there (yea, that's you!). This blog thing looks like it will make this possible. Thank you, Blogger.com!
I hope I will look back years hence to this first blog and be happy I made the step.
Keep posted, keep reading this blog. I suspect good things will be showing up here
From,
The Newest Blogger
I had to start with this - I am a programmer after all, you know! You know, I have always envisioned myself writing something - sharing my thoughts with the world out there (yea, that's you!). This blog thing looks like it will make this possible. Thank you, Blogger.com!
I hope I will look back years hence to this first blog and be happy I made the step.
Keep posted, keep reading this blog. I suspect good things will be showing up here
From,
The Newest Blogger
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