IN THE WORLD BUT NOT OF THE WORLD 1

It is a profound and critical message that every child of God must always be conscious of, we must be aware of who we are, our identity, the citizens of which nation we are, our customs, principles and way of life.
When we examine and meditate on what the scriptures teaches about how a child of God should live, we would realize that we are strangers (sojourners) here on earth and hence must preserve our identity and character while we are here and not allow the way of life of this world to corrupt us.
Looking at the Hall of Fame of Faith written in the book of Hebrews 11 from verse 13, God was trying to pass across the special attributes of these men and women of faith, the consciousness they had that helped them through their stay and journey
All these people died still believing what God had promised them. They did not receive what were promised, but they saw it all from a distance and welcomed it. They agreed that they were foreigners and nomads here on earth. Obviously people who say such things are looking forward to a country they call their own. If they had longed for the country they came from, they could have gone back but they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them .
They realized that they were foreigners so they didn't behave like the people of the world neither did they imbibe their way of life , culture or language, they didn't long for their formal way of life or practices (i.e what was obtainable in the former country). Also, as children of God, we must leave behind our former ways of life, what is obtainable in the kingdom of darkness should no longer be desirable to us because we have changed citizenship but rather long for all that God has made available for us in His kingdom. We are no longer in darkness hence our ways of life should not be linked to darkness.
We are the light of the world. The city that is set upon the hill that cannot be hid. This shouldn't be just in words only but also in action.
                         ...to be continued

When you are faced with difficulties and challenges, do not look at how seemingly big they are but look up to the Big God that surmounts big mountains and challenges and you will receive miracle

OUR HIGH PRIEST

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to understand and sympathize and have a shared feeling with our weaknesses and infirmities and liabilities to the assaults of temptation but one who has been tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning. Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy(for our failures) and find grace to help in good time  for every need (appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it.
                                Hebrews 4:15-16

For we have an high priest who has gone ahead of us and we should emulate him and let him be an example to us in regards to every aspect if our lives. Jesus has gone through whatever we may be going through even that which we will still go through yet without sinning and because he was able to do this, he is also ready to help as many that wants to be like Him. The requirement is coming boldly irrespective of what has happened, irrespective of the failures in time past to the throne of Grace.  It is an open call to where mercy flow and He is ready to those who sincerely desire to receive grace and mercy.
You might have failed at critical points in life and the devil is already suggesting to you to give up, our High Priest says he has not given up on you. Out of that hopeless situation, he is ready to turn it into a testimony, it doesn't matter how deplorable it may be now.
Christ gives hope to the hopeless and He is always ready to save those who call to him with a sincere heart and acknowledge that they cannot help themselves and will allow him to be in charge.
He is ready to change your story today. Call upon him now.

HEART OF THE FATHER 5

Put off concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness
                           Ephesians 4:22-24 (KJV)

My brethren count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of you faith produces patience.
                             JAMES 1:2-3

THE ANOINTING

The proof that a man is anointed is not just in the laying on of hands and people falling under the anointing. The anointing of the Holy Ghost should not be limited to that. The anointing is bestowed for specific purposes not for a show or display.
When a man is anointed he is endowed by the Spirit with the ability to produce results that a natural man can never get no matter how much he tries or labours. God does not want the anointing in the  life of His children to remain at the potential level but should begin to reflect in all areas of life.
The anointing is giving for Kingdom business and should be directed as such. God is not a waster of resources he expects results from us. The anointing is to make a difference and we must indeed be different.
We should not struggle to get things done and carry out the father's Assignment.

ALL FOR ME

He gave his life for me what a wondrous thing.
Though not easy, he went through it all because of me
He did not think of the consequences though he knew them all when he took the decision
He endured the cross just because of me.
Wondrous love
I can't tell it all
He set me free
He gave me life
He gave me joy
Words cannot express this great sacrifice
The Lamb of God was crucified
The devil was confused
Alas, my victory was bought
He purchased it with his blood
I am free
Free indeed
Free from death
Never to die again
He gave me eternal life - His very life
I rejoice in this victory
The victory Christ bought for me
It cost him all he had
He left his glory and splendour just because of me
He was beaten
He went through the shame
ALL FOR ME

THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY TO OBTAIN THE PRIZE 3

We must endure hardships, disciplines and chastisements as a good soldier and athlete so that our aim would be achieved. The beautiful thing is that it is just for a while.

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory
While we look not at the things which are seen, but the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal
              2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (MSG)

Another wonderful thing is that we are not alone in this journey, we have also with us a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us, cheering us on so that we won't be discouraged, telling us we can make it, but there is a very important instruction that we shouldn't leave out and that is Laying down of weight and sins that easily besets us.
Weights slows down
An athlete in a race runs as light as possible, he wants to make sure there is nothing hindering him from running with all his/ her might even the clothing.
Let us imagine an athlete who wants to run a marathon with a backpack full of heavy materials, the race in itself may not make him as tired as the burden that comes with the backpack he is carrying.
If the coach is calling our attention to any distraction, weight or sin that is slowing us down in our race, what he expects if for us to lay it down even if it is seemingly appealing or luxurious. If it is a sin, he expects repentance and forsaking. He knows better.
We need a  patience, perseverance and endurance to finish the race, we are not to look back.
We need to keep looking unto Jesus, the author and the finisher of our faith, our greatest model, we must not allow our gaze to leave him, we must learn from his own sojourn here on earth. His experiences were not palatable.

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered, and being made perfect he became the author of eternal salvation unto them that obey him (Hebrews 5:8-9)

He didn't give up, he endured the cross, he despised the shame and eventually he was able to say IT IS FINISHED. He finished strong and he is waiting for us at the other side.

So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision - you'll see it yet!Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it. Stick with me dear friends. Keep track of those you see running the same course, headed for the same goal. There are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them many times; sadly,i'm having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ's Cross. But easy street is a dead -end street.
                   Philippians 3:15-18(MSG)

THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY TO OBTAIN THE PRIZE 2

lets check out how the Amplified version puts 1 Corinthians 9:25
Now every athlete who goes into training conducts himself temperately and restricts himself in all things. They do it to win a wreath that will soon wither but we (do it to receive a crown of eternal blessedness) that cannot wither.
Here we are being compared to an athlete. I was trying to imagine what athletes who desire to win in the Olympic games have to go through to ensure they win. Some of them train in the sun, some on the mountains, in the rain, when it is convenient and when it is not, they are ready to follow instructions giving by their coach(trainer), sometimes they deny themselves of food or certain types of food and sleep because they know that the training is expedient for them to be prepared for what lies ahead and they do this to obtain a gold medal and a wreath that will soon wither, for an honour that is only momentary. An athlete may be able to explain better from his/her experience. so much efforts, pains and sacrifice just for something corruptible but that is very important to them, that is their treasure and they are ready to give whatever it takes to achieve it.
God expects much more from us because we have a better hope, a better goal - Crown of Eternal Blessedness. He does not want us to live a trivialized life, live like there is nothing at stake and expect a crown. He has given us a coach/ trainer so that we can win - the precious Holy Spirit.
An athlete who refuses to obey his/ her coach is destined for failure.
The Holy Spirit knows what is in the heart of the father, he knows what the requirements entails and he is ready to help as many as are willing to fulfill the requirements of the father to obtain the crown. He expects obedience and yielding to his leading.
You cannot do it your way and obtain the crown. To obtain the prize, you must do it God's way.
The Holy Spirit helps, coaches, teaches, instructs, comforts, encourages is so that we would take our training serious, there is a limit to which a coach can push an athlete to train if he/she is not willing to do so. No matter how much he loves him/her he needs his/her cooperation to achieve the aim. The Holy Spirit needs our cooperation so that we can obtain the CROWN.
When we learn to submit and yield to the Holy Spirit, when we allow him to take us through the trainings, correct us when we go wrong and lead us. No one else knows better. This must be a personal decision:
I don' t know about you, but i'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself
                 1Corinthians 9:26-27(MSG)
...to be continued

THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY TO OBTAIN THE PRIZE 1

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the the affairs of this life, that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. The husbandman that laboureth must be first partakers of the fruits
                         2 Timothy 2:3-6 (KJV)
Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? so run, that ye may obtain. And any man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air, But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
                        1 Corinthians 9: 24-27(KJV)
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let is lay aside every weight and the sin that doth easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the  author and the finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradictions of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood striving against sin.
                       Hebrews 12:1-4(KJV)
As children of God we must realize that we are in a race and there is a goal, a crown, a glory that awaits us and we await. The realization that there is an expectation of God concerning our lives.
God had an expectation concerning Jesus Christ when he came to the world and that was to save the world from sin, though the  process to achieve that was not palatable, but Jesus Christ stuck to it, despite the fact that he had to lay down his glory, his fame and his very life and he felt rejection from his father who had called him for the assignment when he was on the cross that he had to cry out My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46b). He felt apart from His father and that for an  offence he didn't commit.
There is a price to pay to obtain the prize, without the payment of price there is no prize.
We desire to end our journey here on earth in glory with the father, we desire the crown of glory and the mansion that the father has prepared for us, we desire to hear  thou good and faithful servant enter thou into the joy of thy lord; all these come with a price.
Apostle Paul by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost compared us to a soldier (2 Timothy 2:4) who has been enlisted to please the one who has called him, to be enlisted in the military is not for trivial reasons, a soldier must be ready to lay down his life if that is what is required of him by his commander ; he must be ready to endure hardships, trainings, scolding and punishments so that he can stand when the time comes for him to go to war. He doesn't think or behave like a civilian. He has been specially trained.
We must realize that the same applies to us, we have been enlisted in God's army and our primary aim is to please the one who has called from darkness into his kingdom, we should no longer think and behave like unbelievers. we must not entangle ourselves with sins anymore.
For a man in the worldly military he is looking forward to a National honour and that is only a corruptible prize that could only give momentary joy or fame and yet he is ready to lay down his life for that but we are striving for something incorruptible, something that cannot be destroyed, something eternal that nothing in this world can be traded for. Money, fame, power cannot buy it, it is invaluable. The prize is sure and this means we must do much more than what a worldly soldier will do. We must be temperate in all things.
                                ...to be continued

TABITHA - an epitome of love and kindness

This great woman was mentioned in the book of Acts chapter 9:36-43 because of her impact. Her existence and life was felt by everyone around her. When she was to be described, the scriptures says ' a believer always doing kind things for others especially the poor'. She was just a believer not any title holder but even the poor around her benefited from her walk with God. She was a reflection of the person of her maker. She was known for her kindness and when she  even died, the people around her could not just let go of her, they could not accept that their benefactor was gone. They sent for Peter, they wanted a miracle. They sought for a miracle for her when it was impossible for her to do so. Our life must live indelible marks of love in the life of others that is when we have actually LIVED. As a believer, a question is pertinent to ask from the life of this woman - Can the people around us go to any extent to make sure we recover from an illness or see to it that we get a miracle?. we must learn to dispense the love of God freely to those around us by giving that seemingly little token in love to others and we'd be amazed by how much it means to them. We must love not just in words but in our actions.

REPENTANCE

Sometimes we drift away from his presence
thinking that his weight is burdensome
but we soon discover that it is light compared to the yoke that the world bestows
Worries and cares are endless
Pains and sorrows unending,
time is far spent
and the day gradually drawing to an end,
but the saviour gives a second chance
to those whom his face will seek again
with true repentance and open heart
like the lost sheep in the wilderness
it is time to return home
to the one who cares all day long.

CHOOSE MEDITATION

In life, we are always faced with choices everyday and in fact every moment. On one side is worry and the other worry. When we are faced with challenges of life and unpleasant situations stares us in the face, we can either choose to worry about the circumstances around us or meditate on the word of God and confess the promises of the Almighty. We can choose to say what the word of God says about the situation or declare woes based on the circumstances. Each of them has results but no one really likes or enjoy that of worry although many choose that most often. Most want the results of what the word of God says and want the word to be a reality in their lives, there is desire to see that his promises are their momentary experiences but have chosen worry over meditation. God wants us to choose meditation. God's word to Joshua is one we should hold on to Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do. This is my command - be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
JOSHUA 1:6-9 (NLT)
All that you need to get out of that mess and turn the ugly situation to a testimony is the Word of God . God has given you all that is required, put it into use and you will be amazed at the results. CHOOSE MEDITATION, WORRY WEARS OUT

THE WISE

It is not the number of books you have read that makes you wise but how much of God you know. A wise man seeks GOD

God wants us to be spiritual not religious

NO MORE WORRIES

When we think of the things that we need to do and we look at the natural self to achieve them, worry sets in because human strength cannot achieve Divine callings. Only divine strength can complete divine assignments, any man that tries to fulfill divine calling by human strength is on the path of failure.
God wants us to trust him daily and in every instruction he gives us to do that which he wants us to do. Worry means you are not cooperating with God on the assignment.
Whenever worries seems to surface in your life, check if your focus is still on Jesus and your trust in him has not the shaken.
In the book of Matthew 14:29-31 , Peter started walking on water because he obeyed Jesus instructions to come when he asked if he could. As long as his gaze was on Jesus  he was walking on water but as soon as he shifted his focus to the fact that he was on the sea and the waves churning beneath his feet , he started sinking until he cried Master, save me. God does not want us to sink in the ocean of worries or be taken over by fear, he wants us to remain focus on him, casting all our cares on him for he cares for us
Yet amid all these we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through him who loved us.
(Romans 8:37)
We are more than conquerors in him no matter the battle we might be facing, our victory is a done deal.
Go on and live in the reality of this word, no longer tormented by worries or cares but living in the victory that Jesus has purchased for you and completing the assignments he has given you