Wednesday 20 December 2017

GOD CAN STABILISE YOUR LIFE

Instability, constantly changing scenarios, a kaleidoscope of experiences - this is what life is like for many people. There is nothing they can be sure of. Good things are here one moment, gone the next. A seemingly perfect marriage ends in bitter separation and court battles, a business that was about picking up sinks due to unforeseen factors, one health challenge is replaced by another with tiny reprieves in between.

This is the life that sin in the Garden of Eden plunged humanity into. It wasn't meant to be so at first. But we can have some assurance in life when we come to the One who created all things and they were certified good.

"And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good ..." - Genesis 1:31.

We call Him the Rock of Ages because nothing can move Him and the Bible says the same of the world we live in.

"Tremble before him, all the earth! The world is firmly established; it cannot be moved." - 1 Chronicles 16:30 (NIV)

He can bring the same stability to our lives and give us an immutable testimony. We have clear promises in His word on this:

"They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever." - Psalm 125:1

Contemporary English translations say they shall not be "moved" or "shaken". 

"The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms ..." - Deuteronomy 33:27

The arms referred to above are God's. Visualise Him holding you and tell me what can toss you about. 

"1. Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments.
6. Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance. 
7. He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord." - Psalm 112:1, 6-7 

Faith in God is a source of confidence in life. Like Job, we have a hedge about our lives and are not open to every vicissitude.

"Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land." - Job 1:10 

I want to add this scripture from the most popular psalm in the Bible:

"Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever." - Psalm 23:6 (KJV) [emphasis mine]

Some people say Old Testament scriptures don't apply to us today. I say they do because God has not changed and His word abides forever. Our circumstances are not different from those of the Israelites. When we accept God through Jesus, we become Abraham's children entitled to the same promises and blessings.

"89. For ever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven. 90. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: thou hast established the earth, and it abideth. 91. They continue this day according to thine ordinances: for all are thy servants." - Psalm 119:89-91

"26. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. 29. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." - Galatians 3:26-29  

We need not live our lives like yo-yos. We can enjoy stability: stability in our faith, in our health, in material blessings, in fruitfulness and success. As Isaiah 37:31 says, God's people whom He has delivered (in this context you and I that are saved) shall "take root downward, and bear fruit upward", not for a season but all through the rest of our days. 


Let us appropriate this in prayer by refusing the contrary and agreeing with God's word in every circumstance. God shall uphold His word in our lives to the glory of His name. But this does not mean that trials shall not come. If indeed they are trials sent by God, He will grant us the grace to endure. Otherwise, everything in our lives that opposes the will and good purpose of God should be made to bow to the name of Jesus. 

We need a stable life, especially in our faith. We can't keep moving from sin to sin with little or no fruit of the Spirit in our lives when we have been saved. We should agree with God on this and He will make it happen, not only with respect to our spiritual walk but in every other area of our lives as well. 

Amen in Jesus' name.

If you have not accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, pray this short prayer:

PRAYER FOR SALVATION
Almighty God, I repent of my sins and ask you to forgive me. I receive the work Jesus did for me by shedding His blood for my sins. Write my name in the Lamb's Book of Life and send your Spirit to live in my heart and teach me your word. I receive the grace to live a life that honours you henceforth in Jesus' name. Amen.

Now, you are born again. Join a Bible-bleleving group of believers to help you learn, through studying the word of God and prayer, how to live and practise your faith. You are blessed in Jesus' name. 

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Monday 18 December 2017

"IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL!" (A Reflection on the Inspired Hymn)

I'm sure you know the popular Christian song, "It is well with my soul." It has such a calming effect on the soul. Life can really be like a roller coaster, with tumultuous experiences. And after grappling with problems during the day, worry causes sleep to flee at night.

Take a deep breath and tell yourself, "It is well with my soul. God is still on the throne and He alone determines the final outcome of whatever I'm seeing now, as unpleasant as it may be."

The song itself was written in 1873 by Horatio G. Spafford, an American Christian, in the midst of great personal tragedy. Spafford had lost his huge investments in real estate to fire in 1871, then his four daughters died at sea while on a voyage with their mother to England. 

Let's see the original lyrics of this immortal song. I offer some thoughts on each stanza in brackets under it.

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll; 
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to know
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

(May God help us to know, not just to say, that it is well with us come what may.)

Refrain: It is well, (it is well),
With my soul, (with my soul)
It is well, it is well, with my soul. 

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul. 

(God has done the highest thing needed to answer the devil and every challenge we will ever face. Christ "hath shed His own blood for" our souls.)

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! 

(What would have separated us from God, what would have spelt eternal doom, is sin. But God has taken that away. We are the chosen ones, the elect of God. Halleluyah! Every other problem we have pales in comparison to that.

Romans 8:33-34 (KJV)
"33. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth.
34. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.")

For me, be it Christ, be it Christ hence to live:
If Jordan above me shall roll,
No pang shall be mine, for in death as in life, 
Thou wilt whisper Thy peace to my soul.

(Do you know that God in us helps us to be resilient? You remember Paul and Silas singing hymns in prison [Acts 16] and Peter sleeping in bonds the night before the day Herod planned to execute him [Acts 12]? Our disposition should not be determined by our situation. Listen to what God is saying to you in your heart.)

But Lord, 'tis for Thee, for Thy coming we wait,
The sky, not the grave, is our goal;
Oh, trump of the angel! Oh, voice of the Lord!
Blessed hope, blessed rest of my soul. 

(We should never forget that this world is not our home. We are citizens of heaven and over there, there will be no pain or sorrow. Everything will be perfect. The knowledge that our troubles here are temporary should keep us strong and hopeful.)


"3. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
4. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." - Revelation 21:3-4

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, 
A song in the night, oh my soul!

("For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" - 2 Corinthians 4:17 

"16. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 18. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us." - Romans 8:16-18 

I don't know about you, but I can't wait for that glory to appear! Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!)

I want to conclude by reminding us that in everything, "we are more than conquerors" through Christ who laid down his life for us and is with us always (Romans 8: 37, Matthew 28:20).

INDEED, IT IS WELL WITH OUR SOULS!

Source of original lyrics:
  web.archive.org

Here is a link to a rendition of "It is well with my soul" by Audrey Assad.


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The scriptures used in this post are from the King James Version of the Holy Bible except where otherwise stated.
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Thursday 14 December 2017

TROUBLE DOES NOT LAST FOREVER, BUT GOD DOES

When difficulties surround one, they have a way of getting worse and seeming insurmountable. A sickness may bring complications, low wages may translate to unemployment and a bad marriage may lead to separation or divorce. It is at such times that one is tempted to ask, "Where is God?"

If you're going through any such negative cycle, I want you to remember this: Trouble does not last forever, but God does. When the enemy starts an evil project, he boasts and may seem to be very successful. Don't be dismayed because eventually, God will step in and crush him. 

Remember how ISIL overran territories in different nations just lately claiming it would build the ultimate Islamic State. It meted out brutality and was so sure nothing could stop it. Now, it barely exists in one or two pockets, surrounded and bombarded. 

In your personal life, hold on to God and put your confidence in His word. Don't lose courage because of the threatenings of the enemy. This was what the prophet Isaiah told Ahaz, king of Judah, who was panicking because of his desperate situation. Pekah son of Remaliah (the king of Israel) and Rezin (the king of Aram) were planning to conquer Judah and install a puppet in his place.

"3. Then said the Lord unto Isaiah, Go forth now to meet Ahaz, ...
4. And say unto him, Take heed, and be quiet; fear not, neither be fainthearted for the two tails of these smoking firebrands, for the fierce anger of Rezin with Syria, and of the son of Remaliah.
5. Because Syria, Ephraim, and the son of Remaliah, have taken evil counsel against thee, saying,
6. Let us go up against Judah, and vex it, and let us make a breach therein for us, and set a king in the midst of it, even the son of Tabeal:
7. Thus saith the Lord God, It shall not stand, neither shall it come to pass." - Isaiah 7:3-7 

When the Lord brings you relief, it shall be like what Isaiah prophesied to the children of Israel. 

"18. In your heart, you will ponder the former terror: 'Where is that chief officer? Where is the one who took the revenue? Where is the officer in charge of the towers?'
19. You will see those arrogant people no more, those people of an obscure speech, with their strange incomprehensible tongue." - Isaiah 33:18-19 (NIV)

Many of us have no idea how terrifying it is to live under a foreign power. The taxes are crippling, rights trampled on. The Israelites knew this firsthand but Isaiah was telling them they will look for their oppressors and not find them. Moses had said the same thing to the Israelites when they left Egypt and were hotly pursued by Pharaoh and his army.

"And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever." - Exodus 14:13 

God has won the victory for us in our Lord Jesus. We should, therefore, stand firm no matter what we see. Every power and situation on earth is subject to the name of Jesus. And although they may strut about for a while, they will finally bow to Him.

"He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him." - Colossians 2:15

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." - John 16:33 

"9. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10. That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11. And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." - Philippians 2:9-11 

Continue to speak to that situation in the name of Jesus and you might just find yourself asking shortly:

"Where is the pain? Where are my debts? Where is the shame? Where did the sleeplessness and fear go?"

I pray that it won't be long before this happens in your life in Jesus' name. Amen.


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The scriptures used in this post are from the King James Version of the Holy Bible except where otherwise stated.


Wednesday 13 December 2017

WE WERE LIKE THEM THAT DREAM

"1. When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. 2. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among tvhhe heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them. 3. The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad." - Psalm 126:1-3 

This scripture was the testimony of the Israelites who had been carried away captive to Babylon when the Lord brought them back to their homeland. They could hardly believe that they were finally home and were overwhelmed with joy.

But captivity is not only when people are forced into exile. One can be captive to sin, sickness, indebtedness, abuse (toxic relationships), etc. The condition may be so bad the victim hardly sees any room for escape. But if you're a child of God caught in any debilitating situation, the same God who set the Israelites free from bondage in Babylon and brought them home can make you taste freedom again

He can defeat the stranglehold of sin in your life. He can help you sleep peacefully again though your body has been tortured by pain. He can bring you out of debt into having enough and surplus. He can keep you safe from the abuser who has been tormenting you. Whatever, the case, God Almighty can handle it. 

This is why He sent His dear Son, Jesus, to pay for your freedom through His death on the cross. The problem may have been in your family for ages but Jesus has fully paid to end it.

"18. Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19. But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" - 1 Peter 1:18-19. 

Believe that God has taken care of the problem through our Lord Jesus and that you will soon testify like the Israelites:

"1. When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.  2. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy ..."  - Psalm 126:1 & 2 (ESV)

Amen in Jesus' name.


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The scriptures used in this post are from the King James Version of the Holy Bible except where otherwise stated.
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Tuesday 12 December 2017

3 ENCOURAGING TRUTHS FROM GOD'S DEALINGS WITH ISRAEL

A glance at God's relationship with Israel
The nation of Israel grew from the descendants of Abraham, whom God had called out of his native land, Ur of the Chaldees, to move to a land He would show him. During a time of famine in Canaan, Abraham's grandson Jacob carried his entire family to live in Egypt on the invitation of one of his sons, Joseph, who,had become the prime minister there. 

After the death of Joseph, the tables were turned and the Israelites went from being favoured to being enslaved by the Pharaoh. They suffered this servitude in Egypt for centuries. As far back as many of them and their grandparents remembered, they had been second-class and oppressed residents of Egypt. But they heard that God would someday take them out of Egypt to the land he had promised their forefathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. That land was so beautiful and rich it was called the land of milk and honey. Besides, everything was readymade there. This is how Moses described it to them:

"... great and goodly cities, which thou buildedst not, And houses full of all good things, which thou filledst not, and wells digged, which thou diggedst not, vineyards and olive trees, which thou plantedst not" - Deuteronomy 6:10-11

But generations lived and died without any change in their situation. And even when Moses came with the claim that he had met with God and was about to lead them out of bondage, it only made Pharaoh furious and he tightened his grip on the Israelites.

Notwithstanding, they eventually left Egypt and after mistakes that lengthened their stay in the desert, they overthrew the nations in Canaan and took possession of the land. Everything was as fabulous as God had promised. They only needed to exercise faith to get them.

Unfortunately, when their circumstances became easy, they forgot God and enemies overran them and sent them into exile away from the promised land. Seventy years later, as prophecy predicted, they were restored to the land. 

3 ENCOURAGING TRUTHS FROM GOD'S DEALINGS WITH ISRAEL

1. Some of the promises that God makes to us are almost incredible. They seem way beyond our reach and our station. That was how David felt when God promised in 1 Chronicles 17:7-14 to make him very great and establish his dynasty over Israel. But in His faithfulness, God fulfills His words. In the case of the Israelites, they went from being brutally oppressed migrants to having a nation of their own. 

What has God promised you? Do not look at your own abilities or the enormity of the task involved in appropriating it. Just trust God and He will do it. Pharaoh absolutely refused to let Israel go, Canaan had fortified cities and giant inhabitants but God defeated them for Israel.

"Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?" - Jeremiah 32:27 


2. God never forgets His promises. Neither should you. From the time, God led Abraham to Canaan, He would often come to remind him of His promise to make his descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the sea shore. Even when it seems delayed, remember that God never forgets His promise.

"He remembers his covenant forever, the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations" - Psalm 105:8 (ESV).

Be assured that God remembers you and your condition.

"14.But Zion said, The Lord hath forsaken me, and my Lord hath forgotten me. 
15. Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb? yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.
16. Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me." - Isaiah 49:14-16 

3. God will not forsake you when you err. Rather, He will punish and restore you if you repent and fulfill His word to you. Israel messed up in the desert and in Canaan. Their biggest problem was idolatry copied from Egypt and the earlier inhabitants of Canaan. But every time they repented, God sent relief. God is a merciful Father. He punishes sin but He also restores the sinner.

"Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." - Isaiah 55:7

God sometimes shows us what's ahead and warns us to help us escape sin and its disastrous consequences as He did for Israel through the song of Moses in Deuteronomy, chapter 32. If we heed the warning, we spare ourselves much pain. But even if we fail, we should pick ourselves up and come back to God. He will forgive and build us up again. 

I hope you have been encouraged by these truths about the mercy and faithfulness of God. You are lifted in Jesus' name.

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The scriptures used in this post are from the King James Version of the Holy Bible except where otherwise stated.
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Friday 8 December 2017

KEEP PRAYING (God is hearing you)

There are times when we ask ourselves the point in praying any more when we haven't seen the results from our previous petitions. It can be discouraging when we have believed God for many years for the salvation of loved ones, healing or provision, etc. and nothing seems to be happening.

Our situations may not be pleasing but we shouldn't doubt the faithfulness of God because of them. God sometimes takes time to respond to our petitions and even when He does, the answer may not be exactly what we asked for. But we can be assured that whatever He does for us is the very best whether it seems so or not.


"O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come." -  Psalm 65:2

Besides, that we are not aware of the answer does not mean that God has not done anything. I once read of a woman who was praying for her wayward daughter and worrying that God wasn't responding, not knowing that the Spirit of God had convicted her daughter where she was drinking in a bar in a distant city and she was in the process of turning her life around. 

Do you know that some people go home to be with the Lord before the answer to their prayers manifest? Abraham and the other patriarchs, for example, were gone for centuries before their descendants took possession of Canaan, their land of promise. 

"These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth." - Hebrews 11:13 

God knows when and how best to deliver the answer to our petitions. Remember David's anguished cries to God because of Saul's pursuit to kill him?

"1. O LORD my God, in you do I take refuge; save me from all my pursuers and deliver me,  
6. Arise, O LORD, in your anger; lift yourself up against the fury of my enemies; awake for me; you have appointed a judgment."  - Psalm 7:1 & 6 (ESV)

David prayed for the destruction of His enemies, and who was a greater enemy than King Saul who was hunting him down with an army? Yet whenever Saul fell into David's hands, he spared him. (I Samuel chapters 24 & 26) And when eventually Saul died in battle, David mourned him profusely as shown in the verses below taken from 2 Samuel, chapter 1.

"19. The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!
21. Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil.
22. From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.
23. Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions. 
24. Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel.
27. How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!"

That is the kind of heart David had. He really didn't want Saul to be destroyed, he just wanted to be safe. I'm tempted to think that God delayed judgment on Saul because of David's love and respect for him. Sounds weird, doesn't it? But these are the kind of complicated calls God makes when he answers prayer. He takes into account what our mouths are saying and the often discordant tunes from our hearts. Eventually, He does what will be for the ultimate good of everyone involved.

So do not give up, child of God! Maintain your right standing with God and keep praying. God is surely hearing you and in His due season, the answer will manifest.



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The scriptures used in this post are from the King James Version of the Holy Bible except where otherwise stated.
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(Those I'm calling children of God are those who have accepted Jesus as their Saviour and Lord.

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" - John 1:12 

Ask Him into your heart today and become a partaker of the assurances in this post and in the Bible. God bless you richly as you do that in Jesus' name.
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Friday 1 December 2017

GOD IS OUR PROVIDER

There is a beautiful verse in the Bible that brings a smile to my face whenever I remember it. It is Psalm 68:19.

"Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation."

We have needs, all kinds of needs. Sometimes, our earnings are not enough to meet these needs. We may feel harassed and overwhelmed. We may feel desperate. But let us remember we have a Father who cares for us. Let us lay those needs before Him as He has asked us to in His word and believe that He will meet them for us.

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." - Philippians 4:6

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you." - 1 Peter 5:7 

"... my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:19

King David understood God's role as our provider so well he wrote a special song about it. The first verse says:

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." - Psalm 23:1 

David knew the special relationship between a shepherd and his sheep. He knew the shepherd will go to any length to find good pasture for his sheep. He himself was such a shepherd and because he had that sort of heart, God appointed him the shepherd of His people.

"He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds: From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance. So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands." - Psalm 78:70-72

If David, a mere man, could get such a commendation from God for how he cared for Israel, how much more will God care for us, the apple of His eye? This position is clearly stated in these words of the Lord Jesus.

"7. Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 
8. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 
9. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? 
10. Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? 
11. If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" - Matthew 7:7-11 (emphasis mine)


To ensure that the devil does not claim rights over you and frustrate your blessings, make Jesus your Lord and Saviour today. That way, you can confidently call God Father and enjoy His gracious provision. 

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" - John 1:12.

PRAYER:
Almighty God, I put my trust in You. You are my Jehovah Jireh. Provide for me according to the promise of Your word. Open doors of favour to me. May I not live my life in debt and destitution. And as you bless me, dear Lord, help me to always remember to extend the same kindness to others. This I pray in Jesus' name.

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The scriptures used in this post are from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.
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http://edithohaja.com/do-not-be-anxious/

http://edithohaja.com/god-will-see-you-through-today/

http://edithohaja.com/our-god-is-faithful/



Thursday 23 November 2017

YOU ARE SAFE IN THE LORD! Do not live in fear

The world we're living in is a dangerous place: conflicts, accidents, natural disasters, violent crimes, you name it, abound. It seems that wherever we turn, there's something to make us afraid and potentially hurt us. 

When we listen to the news, this feeling is magnified because calamities and misfortunes get reported much more than heartwarming events. We call it the journalism of exception in mass communication. The bad, or as one scholar called it, "the odd, eccentric and bizarre", which may likely be unusual, makes it faster into the news than the good, (most likely) commonplace stuff.
Contemporary events, especially as reported in the news, create a climate of fear.
If you dwell on these things so much, you will be trapped in fear day in, day out. While you shouldn't neglect to be careful to avoid danger where possible, don't allow the perception that evil prevails cripple your life.

Fill your heart with the word of God and look out for the good in the world. Believe me, it's out there and you will see it. Do your share of good as much as you can too. 

Know that irrespective of the evil in the world, God is still in control. You can make Him your shelter and have peace of mind. That is not the same as living in a bubble. We as believers know that nothing can be petfect this side of heaven. But we also know that if ever we encounter anything untoward, God will be with us and help us through it. None of these things that people fear should break us. Rather, they should make us stronger because of the grace of God.

Irrespective of the evil in the world, God is still in control and He is our banner.


We know that the troubles in the world come directly or indirectly from the sin of humanity. I want to briefly share a Bible story in this regard. In Genesis, chapter 20, Abraham claimed that Sarah, his wife, was his sister because he thought he would be harmed by other men who would desire her.

"And Abraham said, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will slay me for my wife's sake." - Genesis 20:11 

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Well, someone did take Abraham's wife, the king of the land no less, but God scared the living daylights out of him and he returned Sarah with apology and costly reparation. You can read the entire story and know that the God, who defended Abraham and his wife in Gerar (and it wasn't the first time, He'd done it in Egypt too - see Genesis 12: 10-20), the same God is your Father and He is watching over you.

Take the words of God to heart:

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler. Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence  that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday." - Psalm 91:1-7 

Keep fear at bay because you are safe in the omnipotent and omniscient God.

Read that entire psalm and others like it. Many of them were written by a man whose life was in peril for a long time: King David. Generally, the Bible is full of such encouraging words. Do not live in fear, my dear, because you are safe in the Lord. Amen in Jesus' name.



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The scriptures used in this post are from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.
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Tuesday 21 November 2017

GIVING BRINGS UNPARALLELED JOY!


I can't count how many times I've felt like I was on cloud nine, just singing one song after another and dancing. You might feel I must have received a windfall. On the contrary, I'd just blessed someone and the joy was like God overshadowing me with His presence as a result. Remember what the Bible says, "... in thy presence, there is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." (Psalm 16:11)

No wonder the Lord Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." - Acts 20:35 There are many more benefits from giving, like receiving and having our prayers answered. These scriptures show some of them.

"God loveth a cheerful giver." - 2 Corinthians 9:7

"Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days." - Ecclesiastes 11:1 

"Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. The Lord will preserve him, and keep him alive; and he shall be blessed upon the earth: and thou wilt not deliver him unto the will of his enemies. The Lord will strengthen him upon the bed of languishing: thou wilt make all his bed in his sickness." - Psalm 41:1-3



But the benefit that thrills me most is the opening of the fountain of joy within us. Do you want to be happy like you've never been before? Do something nice for someone today, especially for a person who is very needy and who likely can't pay you back, ever. 

I know that God loves us all unconditionally. But if you want to have a strong witness of it, if you want to live with that conviction everyday, the conviction that God is excited about you, lend a helping to the destitute today. And do it again and again till it becomes your lifestyle. And your joy will know no bounds. Amen in Jesus' name.


All scriptures used in this post are from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.

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You are blessed in Jesus' name.