Tag Archives: Forgiveness

Does Your Family Lineage Really Matter 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦👵👴 😊🤔?

Hope and Faith, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hey there!

Hope you had a blessed and fruitful week indeed! Well I thank God for my life even as I spent most of this week unwell and had to take time off work. The headache still present as I type this but I know my God is faithful. I guess that is what is called encouraging yourself in the Lord 🤒😇😉!! So here we go! Karibu sana (You are welcome in Swahili)

As I finished the Book of Ezra in my personal reading, I felt the Spirit move me to proceed to the New Testament instead of the next book of Nehemiah. It was a push to help me also appreciate the life of Jesus on earth just as I have done with the kings and events in the Old Testament. So obedience was a virtue that needed to rise to the occasion 🙂😊!!

Did you know that there were 42 generations from Abraham to Jesus? Distinctively, there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to Christ…Matthew 1:17.The first chapter of Matthew clearly details them by name. Moving to chapter two and three only made me more curious and thus took me back to chapter one, specifically to the genealogy of Jesus. There should be some significance to this list as it begins the history of a new era. A new dispensation of the impact of the Son of God here on earth 🙌🙏!!

It was quite conspicuous to me that the end of each set of fourteen generations, began and ended with such a significant happening or descendant. The first set began with Abraham, the Father of Faith and ended with Jesse, the father of King David who was the man after God’s own heart. The second set began with David and ended with Josiah at the time of the exile to Babylon. Remember King Josiah was the one stated in 2 Chronicles 35:18 as: The Passover had not been observed like this in Israel since the days of the prophet Samuel; and none of the kings of Israel had ever celebrated such a Passover as did Josiah, with the priests, the Levites and all Judah and Israel who were there with the people of Jerusalem. He was key to many reforms in his time and the Book of the Law given through Moses was found during his time. The third and final set began with Jeconiah (Jehoiachin), son of Josiah and ended with Jesus Christ.

It is without a doubt that God orchestrated this list for His glory. Yes, it does point out that God is in control of our lives and He knew us before being created in our mother’s womb but what else does the list show us? That God’s ways are better than ours. Yes, what else? That He is the Creator and Giver of all things; that He is mindful of man despite our failures; He still works out a plan for our salvation. That it was never a mistake that we were born in the family lineage we currently come from, whether evil or good, whether rich or poor, whether famous or unknown, whether religious or not. Rahab was the prostitute in Jericho who aided Joshua’s spies to bring down its walls and she became the great great grandmother of David. Am sure you heard a preaching of Rahab by now but that is not entirely my focus in this post.

What is the message that the word of God exactly trying to pass across by deliberately listing down the family lineage of Jesus Christ even before it details his birth and life? After reading this post, it confirmed my thinking that genealogies were important to Hebrews as it served as identification for them as Jews and the related inheritance of their specific tribes. I now recall Ezra 2:61-63
61 And of the children of the priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai; which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name:62 These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted, put from the priesthood.63 And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.

Yes, it was that serious then 😱😨😮😉😊!! What of today? Do we know our ancestors past our grandparents names’? Of what importance would it be to know your family lineage? It is vital to note that the ancestry line of Jesus was not full of perfect people. Not all of them had their lives detailed past the mention of their names. Your family lineage does not have to be perfect, for me it matters that it is a line. That is what stands out for me. Let the line of history exist whether of good people or not. As long as I am confident in God’s wisdom in placing me in that specific lineage, then I choose to remain hopeful. Hopeful for significant happenings in my lineage. Hopeful of the future. Since I have no control of my ancestor’s actions, my heart believes in hope for my descendants.

God is my witness of the number of times I have prayed for my generation who will come before me one after another until the day Jesus comes. That is how far my faith and my eyes see. I see my descendants being used of God way after my death and the lineage will never be cut even after the last trumpet call 🙌🙏!! My purpose in life will transcend from generation to generation, all the to the glory of the Author and Finisher of my faith. My purpose needs therefore be combined with actions to keep this hope alive. Tragedies will come for sure but the victories will definitely override the pain and loss💃💃!! What do you desire for your descendants?

Am amazed at how much grace has been released for me as I type this on my bed this Friday morning. Read a Biography on Queen Victoria and Lee Kuan Yew, great leader in Singapore yesterday and I guess their resilience is rubbing on me. It may also be my current reading of the expeditions of Alexander, the Great of Macedonia which inspired me so very much this morning. Hope to write a post once am done. Was actually tempted to repost a previous post or share another blogger’s post but God is faithful!! Thank you Jehovah Rapha for your healing over my body. Am grateful for you are ever watching me to ensure your word that you sent fulfills its purpose in my life. You have brought me from this far, my Ebenezer and greater is my future in you Oh Lord. Thank you for being my Heavenly Father who never gives me a stone when I ask for bread or a snake when I ask for fish. After all is said and done you still remain to be God.

Am a lover of tea and need I mention the main ingredient of milk is vital☕🤣😂😁😊!! So the kitchen is where am heading next after clicking “Publish Now” on this post. Thank you for your time. God bless and see you next week Friday🙋😉🤗😇!!

#Hopeforyouandme #FamilyLineage #Geneology #Abraham #David #Jesus #Abraham#UnchangeableGod

What If You Could Have Back What You Lost🌼🎄🎁💜💖💗🤔?

Hope and Faith, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Have you ever lost something dear to you ? That pained you when it got lost ? That treasure that left some empty space in you ? Well, what if I told you, that you could get it back ? That there is hope for restoration ? What would you give to have that loved,precious, valuable treasure back in your possession? How wonderful does that sound ? Definitely music to the ears if you ask me🙋😇😊!!

Before I get misquoted, there is need to point out that some things and some people are just best left where they are. God in his wisdom has clarified that for me in my own life. He has helped me differentiate between what I have lost that deserves to be lost from what I need to have back in my life. The latter sometimes stays lost out of my own pride or lack of effort and some times even lack of desire/will. As I worked on this post, a former close friend called and my pride definitely did not allow me to pick. And I know and I know and I know that God has been speaking to me about walking in the path of forgiveness and reconciliation and this friend is definitely on that list. The long paragraph is evident of how much emotion this topic raises in me. And how much my heart desires to see this process to the end. Can I say this is where the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak 🤗😇? I stretched out of my comfort zone and did call back..Story to be continued😉 !!

This week in my church has been a prayer and fasting one seeking for revival/renewal/restoration. The theme is based on Psalms 85:6…Won’t you revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you ? It is evident between the Holy Trinity and I that a special part of my spiritual life was lost and my mind has knocked on that door of old memories quite often. So this week for me served as such an opportune moment for me to pour out my desires for restoration to God, my Heavenly Father for what I lost.

Loss brings with it sadness, tears, regret, pain, anger, resentment and even depression. For the loss brought by death, hope lies in meeting the dear ones in the afterlife. Others have lost materially for what they have worked so hard for. Some have experienced emotional and spiritual losses while others have lost parts of their bodies through sickness or accidents.

Focus for me this week has been to admit and confess that I did lose a former precious part of me that I truly need back to help me fulfill the purpose of my life. Am more than convinced that my purpose lies in a revival in the insides of me. From my thoughts, my mind, my heart, my words and in relation, my life. My inner man desires a renewal that can only come from the fire of the Holy Spirit. And as a result every sphere of my life will be positively impacted.

I am taking the step of faith on this mountain for repentance and confession of my sins combined with rebuking every wicked scheme of the evil one. Am taking the minutes to whisper my a thousand and one prayers combined with shouting of praise and worship to the Kings of Kings.

So what makes me so sure that my prayers will be answered ? Well, the beauty about this is that am asking from the source of all things. The Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End, Yahweh, the Great I am. He is God of Abraham, God of Jacob and God of Isaac. He is the Author and Finisher of my faith. And am very much aware that God remains to be God. He is Sovereign and I trust His wisdom. His ways have always been better than mine. The truth be told, whether I receive or not, God still remains to be Jehovah. He is changeless. I might as well be grateful that my actions have moved me closer to Him. And maybe that was the whole idea in the first place 🙃😉😊🙂!! You see, I told you, God knows what exactly He is doing. He got this !! He got me !! He got you !! Isn’t it better to walk with the Creator of all things than the things themselves ?

This post is to acknowledge loss does occur in each one of us. Is there hope for recovery ? God has the full answer to this. You can choose to ask of Him and let His Sovereignty reign in your life or you can choose to continue with life as it comes. The former does seem wiser and really is the best for you. Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be open unto you (Matthew 7:7). One thing is certain God hears and answers prayers, sometimes not the way we want, but the fact remains is that He does. Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!(Matthew 7:9-11)

My hope is renewed that my Creator is truly my Heavenly Father. Am not sure what you have lost or what you desire back. One thing that am confident of is that God knows and He desires for you to talk to Him about it. Let Him be your light. Let Him make your paths straight to your destiny. Let Him lead you to your purpose. Be encouraged that He has the best of intentions for you 😊😊😇!! It is written that many are the good thoughts He has for us that they would outnumber the sand.

God bless as you take time to seek for restoration, revival and renewal in all areas of your life !! See you next week Friday🙋!!

#Hopeforyouandme #UnchangeableGod #Restoration #Revival #

……….God Remains To Be God 🙌🙌!!

Hope and Faith, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

My spirit desires to commence by acknowledging that the far I have come is ONLY possible through the Sovereign Power of the Almighty God, my Creator. My heart is filled with so much gratitude as the memory lane increases in years. You have been so faithful to me Oh Lord 🙏!! You have seen me through tough times in my life. The sorrowful times my pillow stayed wet through the night. The desperate times I regretted life itself. You wiped my tears and granted me peace and joy beyond measure. Not that all my requests have been answered right now but because your love has penetrated the inner depths of my heart and shone a light so bright!! My soul testifies of the many valleys and mountains that Yahweh,the Great I AM has seen me through! Who am I that you are mindful of me Oh Lord? Won’t you receive all the praise and thanksgiving that I pour out today?

My beloved reader, have you recently taken time to literally write down the blessings in your life…the positives? Even the obvious that we take for granted like having time to read this post. Or the two eyes to read anything at all. Many are in wartorn countries or desperate situations unable to utilize such precious privileges.

As I read the two books of Chronicles (now in Chapter 16 of 2 Chronicles), I noted eras of various kings, some evil indeed, others who sought to please God. Notable names I came across ran from Adam to Israel (Jacob) to Saul to David to Solomon to Rehoboam to Abijah to Asa to Jehoshaphat and Ahab and the list continues. Some who began so well but then lost focus along the way. Others who sinned but later corrected the err of their ways. A famous quote talks of the only constant thing in life is change. Well, I think the only constant fact in life is that God remains to be God 🙌🙌!! Tempted to add a smiling emoji there but I choose not to share in God’s glory lest the lightning strikes my head… hehehehe….now the emoji can come in….😊😊😇🙃!!

Looking back at the all the stories of people whose lives were selected to serve as examples for future generations, you truly note that as years passed by, we had different individuals but still the same Heavenly Father! People were born, some had short lives, some long, others meaningful lives while others wasted themselves. There are those who died in battle, some through calamities and others whose details were never revealed. They differed in character and purpose. But one thing remained, God knew each one of them by name because He remained in control of all the universe. Not one moment did He sleep or slumber…NOT ONE!!!!!!!

This message is in no way to ignore that people go through difficult moments. No, that is not my aim as that is part of every human being, rich or poor, tall or short, fat or thin, black or white. That is just the way it is. It is life. What am saying is that no season so painful or so joyous in a person’s life will change who God is. No circumstance will be so disastrous to an individual that God will choose to be different than what the word says He is. Who then is God?🤔 Well, I choose to say who He is to me:-

  1. He is my Creator and Heavenly Father
  2. He is Jehovah Jireh, my Provider
  3. He is Elohim, the Source of my Strength
  4. He is my Guide
  5. He is my Protector
  6. He is Jehovah Rapha, my Healer
  7. He is my Fortress and Refuge
  8. He is my Redeemer
  9. He is the only one who loves me unconditionally
  10. He is the lifter of my head
  11. He is the source of my joy
  12. He is faithful even when am faithless
  13. He is the source of my blessings
  14. He is the source of my victories
  15. He is the source of all the favor in my life

Who is God to you? What has He seen you through? What do you want Him to see you through? There is nothing He cannot do, nothing He cannot change, nothing He cannot turn around. We can be assured of His Omnipresent and Omniscient character never to change. One thing that I currently challenge myself is to recognize that my needs and wants will always be present, different in every season, but El Shaddai remains the same. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

Whether am happy right now or sad. Whether am hungry or full. Whether am clothed or naked. Whether am employed or have no prospective jobs. Whether I get married or not. Whether I get children or not. Whether I buy the latest car or not. Whether I own a posh house or not. Whether I become famous or not. God remains to be God. So why not fix my eyes on Him and let Him take control here and now. Not so easy I must confess. But I must acknowledge some peace seems to overcome my ever running mind upon this realization. And force/push me into a place of calmness in the midst of this world’s storms.

Because as I focus on Him, His never changing faithfulness remains in my life. My prayer is that I be counted faithful in fulfilling my purpose. God bless and see you next week Friday😇🙂🤗!!

#UnchangeableGod #Hopeforyouandme

What Are Your “Big Four”?…🤔🤔🤔😇

Hope and Faith, , , , , , , , , , ,

On Wednesday, May 2, 2018, President Uhuru Kenyatta delivered his State of Nation address to a joint session of the Senate and the National Assembly. He expressed his dream of transforming Kenya through the Big Four Agenda that includes Universal Healthcare, Manufacturing, Affordable Housing and Food Security. This comes as a priority in his second term in office.

In the same way companies, whether private or public, set objectives aligned with time deadlines that would go along way in meeting their goals of success. This is mostly done at the start of a financial year or specific projects. Coming a bit closer to the aim of this post is the existence of the common trend of setting resolutions for individuals and even families which often occurs in the beginning of a time period like the calendar year. This is quite similar to the objectives set in an annual staff performance appraisal in the workplace.

In a few months I will be turning one year older and I must admit the address by the President stirred my thinking….all political inclinations aside!! My bedroom has plenty of sticky notes with things I desire God to fulfill in my life. A bit more of such reminders are in the living room and kitchen too…😊.

For those now thinking, this post’s aim is to emphasise the need to focus on what you could do for God instead of vice versa, well, please lower your expectations….though not to diminish the vitality of this aspect in anyone’s life. So, the focus today is really to narrow down on the individual’s goals to those that can help one grow to a better version of themselves….sort of a self-help theme!

In the spirit of leading by example, my “Big Four” agenda as I look forward to my birthday include:

  1. Love Me More. Yes, I want to love myself more. One way I plan to do this is to actively filter my thoughts. I desire to see more positivity in my thinking pattern. In addition, increase my answers to NO if I truly feel that is the right and true answer…All the best to me😀.
  2. Show The Real Me. Many people truly think am an extrovert because of my talkativeness and sometimes loud personality. This has been a coping mechanism to the outside world that has been perfected over so many years. I often go home feeling very tired of the smiling and laughing and especially the talking. I recall watching a movie once years back of Sandra Bullock where she worked indoors throughout. Can’t recall its name but I remember wishing for such a job where I would not have to meet people and do much talking. Life has not allowed me to do so and hence the adjustment 😊.
  3. Forgive More Often and Quickly. Yes, this holding grudge business tends to take a toll on someone. My greatest concern has been on my spiritual walk and my desire to grow even more. The more need to shed this off me for the greater purpose of my life.
  4. Take Things Easy. Those who have watched my videos or heard me speak, do know that am a fast talker. Sometimes too slow for the speed of my thoughts. Yes, my thoughts tend to outrun my words leading to my assumptions sometimes that I have actually spoken what is in my mind in the midst of a conversation. Other times, I proceed to speak the second sentence in my mind assuming that I already spoke the first one…Oops! Been trying to get control of this if I am to become a good public speaker. This definitely has to be under better control.

Once again, all the best to me on my agenda 🙏. So what are yours? What is it that the inner you needs to improve on? If you desire some guidance on how to come up with yours, I believe the Fruit Of The Holy Spirit will do. Please note it is not the fruits but rather the fruit!!
Galatians 5:22-23

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

All the best in drafting yours and many more wishes of grace in their achievements. God bless and see you next week Friday!😇🤗😊

#BigFourAgenda

#Hopeforyouandme

The F Word – This Post Is Only For Me!

Hope and Faith, , , , , , , , ,

This is the hardest topic for me so far! I have had an intense struggle within my spirit about what to say. I feel scared and ready at the same time!

Ready to speak, ready to explore these feelings and find out what it’s like on the other side of this tunnel. They say curiosity killed the cat…well this cat has eternal life which is set to begin after the end of the nine lives.

They scream out “No” but I choose to push on. They get hold of my hands and try to pull me back but I loosen myself from their grip and forge forward. I choose the light of my Saviour above my emotions!

They say I am not safe and cannot trust anyone but I keep walking. They say I will be judged and no one will truly understand me. I hear them scream louder but I choose to focus on the light I see ahead of me. The louder they scream the greater the indication that they are actually losing the battle…beware of the kicks of a dying horse!!

The light is stronger and the path is becoming clearer. The more I move forward, the less I hear them. The force ahead of me seems to deem down the voices behind me. And after all the struggle, I finally get to the end of the tunnel. And this is what I see.

“It is much more agreeable to offend and later ask for forgiveness than to be offended and later grant forgiveness” a statement by the Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche

I look at the statement and start evaluating within myself all the times I have been offended and have had to forgive and the times I offended someone and had to offer them forgiveness. I will be honest with myself when I say that I agree with the Philosopher.

Why is the former so difficult? Why do I feel so justified to stay angry and bitter and sometimes revengeful? How come it has taken me so long to forgive those I once considered loved ones?…are questions that I ponder through.

Jesus himself evidenced this in the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant that my choice is very much a reality. It caught my attention that Peter was the one who prompted this with a question.

His choice of brother or sister to me indicates that conflicts are not to be considered so foreign in believers’ fellowships, especially their own families. He actually went to Jesus with the number of times he thought was reasonable to forgive them. Curiously enough, his question focuses on how many times the brother or sister sins against him and not the vice versa.

The beauty of this parable to me was the way Jesus responds to Peter. He does not start with a rebuke or judgemental comment on how Peter should know better. Even despite the conclusion of the parable bearing great consequences on him and the rest of us.

This parable told me that am indeed human. A human with selfish intentions. A human who only wants to take the path of personal gain. If not, then there would not be so much talk of loving each other and finding our purpose to benefit the rest of humanity.

One thing that helped me through this tunnel is not to bother looking for justifications for my hardened heart but rather first accept that I can actually be unforgiving to those who wronged me…am only human!

Just because it is written in the Bible and am a believer does not mean I automatically become so perfect. Even more, I personally would want to do the opposite…at least Paul shares the same sentiments!!!

Take a few seconds and picture yourself peeling off a ripe tangerine or banana. Do you see the color? Can you smell the sweetness? That is how I felt when I got to the end of this tunnel. A person who was already so ripe inside but the hard coverings (unforgiving heart, anger, bitterness, negativity) served as a great hindrance to my full potential….my full purpose!

It took me time and sometimes I still do cringe at the mention of a name. But one thing is for sure, that I am committed to running this race. And if that means doing what the Good Book says, then let it be so.

If it means that I have to confess the places I feel that my human nature cannot make it, then I should allow God’s grace and mercy to take their place…this I must confess, is in most cases more than I can actually count.

Today, I have no pictures in this post. As I had mentioned, this post is only for me😉. I do not need pictures to remind me of where I have come from. All I need to do is press on the rewind button and a movie series will be set before me!

My commitment to my Heavenly Father is to tap into the power of the Helper that was sent to me as I await my Saviour’s return. To ask Him daily what I need to do to please my Creator..make Him smile!

And not only acknowledge that Grace and Mercy is available but allow them to work in me. To allow them to remind me that I am not perfect and I will never be…the word to focus here is “allow”. I have heard of these words over and over again but I needed to let them into the deepest insides of me.

I needed the reminder not to be too hard on myself on this perfection business. Reminder that I have failed before and will fail again and again. And then accept that there is hope for me. Hope that has been there for over two thousand years!! 😘😘Love this!! May I always hear this song!

I will conclude this piece by saying the Grace. And now, “May the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Love of God and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us now and forever more! Amen!”😇

#TheFWord

#Hopeforyouandme