Don’t Do It!

27 Feb 2017

So Sarai said to Abram, “See now, the LORD has restrained me from bearing children. Please, go in to my maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram heeded the voice of Sarai. Genesis 16:2 NKJV

Isn't it interesting that sometimes when we want to do something that we know is not right, we conveniently blame God for our problems? To justify her actions, Sarah told Abram God had prevented her from having children. It was thereby justifiable to seek an alternative. Despite God's promise to Abram he accepted. For a man who was quick to make sacrifices there was none recorded that he did between the ages of 85 and 99. There also was no recorded conversation between him and God.  Why was that I wonder?

A lack of trust in the word of God leads to a barrier in our relationship with Him. Waiting might be difficult, but going out of the will of God will bring difficulties into our life.

Are you about to give up in God's promise concerning your situation? Don't! He is never late. Taking that step out of faith will destroy many lives and generations to come.

Those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like an eagle (Isaiah 40:31). 

#LifeLessons: Rose tinted glasses?

(The forgiveness Series 2)

5 June 2016

Have you ever been hurt before? I sure have, devastatingly so. It's easy to advice someone to forgive and forget. But reality is, forgiveness is one of the most difficult things in life - not when your heart had been ripped apart with betrayal, pain or loss.

I went through baptism of fire in forgiveness when I was hurt in the Christendom. As Christians we have (very) high standards and expectations of each other - after all we are meant to be holy and righteous. We put people on pedestal.

We expect people to be righteous because God says He has made us so through the blood of Jesus. You know what, I have reflected and mused and come to the conclusion that only God can see people as righteous. He has to, for Him to be able to relate with us. I see people including myself as fallible, imperfect as long as we are still in this human flesh.

Going back to my baptism of fire. It was a journey. I must confess, I would have left the Christendom if I was a new babe in Christ. My rose tinted Christian glasses was knocked off and it shattered into many pieces never to be put together again. I had expectations of how Christians should behave - Christ like and my expectation was cut short.

I thank God for His Holy Spirit that used this experience as a training process for me. I needed to work on myself. Was I reflecting Christ in my own behaviour? Maybe, maybe not. I became more conscious of Christ's expectation as a Kingdom citizen. Remember Jesus' teaching; take the plank out of your own eyes before complaining about others.

I began to work on my character. It was and it is not easy. It's a lifetime process. The experience thought me that it is easy to see other people's short coming but we all have it. Was I reflecting the expectations I had of other people? Irrespective of what people do to me, I will be judged for my own actions not theirs. If I don't forgive and let go, I will be judged for it.

Never put anyone on any pedestal. They will fall. I am learning to shrug things off. Life is too short to fill it with offence.

Lastly and something that requires consistent prayers is seeing people not through the lens of righteousness (leave that to God) but through Christ eyes - with agape love. It is only through this agape lens that love can cover a multitude of sin. Not by ourselves but through the power of the Holy Spirit. No matter what people do to you, Jesus still loves them.

Yep, He does because He died for those that committed that unforgivable sin in our eyes. So, who am I not to forgive?

I pray the Holy Spirit will fill us more and with abundance of grace to love with agape. Remember, if your heart is filled with un-forgiveness, there will not be any space for agape love. Empty it of offence and fill it with agape love.

How about you?

#Lifelessons: Being content

Have you ever wished your sister was more like you, your dad like your friends dad or mum as glamorous as your friend's; maybe you wished you were someone else.

When I was growing up I used to wish my parents were richer, so that I could have anything and everything I wanted!

It is so easy to see our own limitations and wish for more. God created each one of us unique. Our physical structure fits the internal design perfectly. Our gifts and abilities have been given in the measure for the use it was intended.

When we wish to be someone else, it brings a discontent that leads to envy, which leads to jealousy and when this is given space to grow could lead to hatred and God forbid murder like in the case of Cain and Abel.

Wishing for what others have makes you overlook what you do have, under-utilize the potential in you and prevent you from being the best you could be.

I have learnt to be content. Nothing anyone has or is can make me want to be them. I have learnt to be comfortable in my own skin, thankful for the measure of faith and gift. I have learnt that being content in Jesus brings peace of mind, and with peace comes joy from within and a life of thankfulness for the blessings I have been given.

How about you?

#Lifelessons: What are you afraid of?

“Then they said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.””

Exodus 20:19 NKJV

Many Christians are like the Old testament Israelite - afraid to hear God for themselves so they depend on their Pastors, some Prophets or other wo/man of God to be their intercessors - talk to God on their behalf and tell them what 'God is saying' concerning their lives. 

This is a pity because many by so doing, remain a baby Christians still being fed milk. They miss the glorious personal relationship with Jehovah in their lives. They forget that Jesus had paved the way for us to enter, boldly, into the presence of God to obtain mercy and find grace in our time of need.

Whatever anyone else tells you should be an affirmation of what God has already communicated with you whilst you were in His presence.

Fear or laziness will not stop you from standing in the presence of Jehovah on the day for judgement. 

As I continue to grow in the Lord, I am not satisfied just hearing about Jesus from someone else. I want to know Him myself. I want to hear Him for myself. Second hand knowledge is no longer satisfying. It is now a lifelong desire.

Start enjoying His presence and get the fullness of  His mercy and grace.

#Lifelessons Grow Up!

A matured person knows what to do and is not afraid to take (tough) decisions to get things done. A matured person takes responsibilities for their decisions and actions irrespective of the consequences. Whenever you look for someone else to blame for your mess, you are demonstrating childishness. 

As a child, you get things done for you, decisions made for you - it was someone else's responsibility to feed, clothe and provide for you. Life was all about your own desires. You cry when things didn't go your way. You sulked in self misery. It was all me...me...me...

A child that refuses to grow becomes stunted - mentally, physically and emotionally, an abnormality. There is a saying that a fool at 40 will be a fool forever. 

How long have you been a Christian? How has your life been transformed by the word of God? Seek to increase in wisdom, knowledge and understanding of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Grow up!

“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”
‭‭I Corinthians‬ ‭13:11‬ ‭NKJV‬‬