Tag Archives: History

The Certainty of the Promise

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

royalnzioka

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Have you ever gone through a disappointment as a result of broken promises, or unmet expectations?

It is said of a certain commander that when he was marching to help a friend, his troops faltered:

“It can’t be done!”

His answer was, “It must be done! I have promised to be there – promised, do you hear? You would not have me break my word!”

He would not be hindered, for his promise had been given.

We all admire men and women who keep their promises. Out tendency and proclivity is to trust and confide in people who have a track record of keeping promise!

The truth is that the promise of man is not foolproof…

Even trusted friends can disappoint!

….and I am realizing that sometimes disappointment is a blessing in disguise…

..Because it teaches you to expect little or nothing from man while fully depending on God!

In…

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Victory For Mind Battles!!🌩💥🔥😱😓🙌😇

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

Hello there!

Hope you are mind and hearts are well guarded in Christ Jesus😄!!

I have been well myself. Got some time off work this week to refresh for the final phase of this year. Am truly grateful to God’s faithfulness this far🙏🙌!!

Today, am moved to talk about a personal struggle that I desire victory daily. There are many times I have set my mind to accomplish a task, prayed about it and experienced both victory and failure at times. There are also times am filled with so much doubt that robs me of joy lasting several days or weeks and sometimes longer periods. The latter are the moments I no longer desire to be a part of me. Other times, it is not really about doubt, just negative thinking of my circumstances and thoughts that really do not please God and end up quenching the Holy Spirit.

After some soul searching, I have realized what my problem is when my mind is filled with doubt. The following explains it best:-

In an article entitled “Trust and Obey,” Pastor Charles Stanley wrote the following: “When the Lord calls you to a task that seems unreasonable, you have two options. You can obey Him even though you don’t understand what will happen, or you can become fearful and attempt to find a way out. Joshua chose the first option. Because he trusted the Lord, he disregarded all his military experience and adopted God’s bizarre battle plan. Over the years, he had learned that the Lord is trustworthy.
The way we respond to God’s challenging assignments reveals our level of commitment. We may feel as if we’re right in step with Him–until He proposes a change of direction. That’s when our resistance kicks in, and with it, the realization we aren’t as close to Him as we thought. At that point, our decision determines whether the Lord will be able to use us as He desires. Because Joshua never lost his commitment, he continued to serve the Lord for the remainder of his life.
At times obedience is a struggle, as your mind runs through all the reasons God’s path is illogical. Fear dominates and your will battles to comply when everything within is screaming to run the other way. But obedience is always the best choice, because the Lord is trustworthy and wise.”

Yes, I tend to doubt whether I heard God in the first place. And this is not a place pleasing to God. Are there any scriptures that can guide on the battle of the mind when we have so much fighting in our thoughts between what is good and what is evil. Yes, we!! As I believe there are many fighting with their thoughts to stay righteous before our Heavenly Father. Not just doubt, but many other areas that are not according to God’s will. And if you already have full victory in this area, then let all praise, honor and glory be to our God! I am confident we can find the solution in the word of God. Christ has all the answers to all life’s questions. So, let us explore a few scriptures for guidance and may the good Lord grant us victory! Amen!

1) Philippians 4:7-8...7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

2) Ephesians 4:22-24 ..22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put offyour old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self,created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

3) Romans 12:2.. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

4) 2 Corinthians 10:5.. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

5) Romans 7:25-26..Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature[a] a slave to the law of sin.

6) Colossians 3:2-5.. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your[a] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. 5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

7) Romans 1:28.. Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done

8) Matthew 22:37.. Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’

9) Romans 12:3.. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.

So how important is the status of thr mind in the life of a Christian? Can you imagine the mind of the individual guiding the team below?🤔

In the spring of 1943, American troops were deployed in Tunisia, North Africa. Just as Passover was about to occur, a US Army Division was preparing an all-night mobilization to attack the German Lines. Jewish Chaplin Rabbi Earl S. Stone gathered his Jewish troops in the desert and offered a fascinating Passover service. He remembered: “In an open field that night, I stood before some 300 hardened veterans of six arduous months of battle . I asked them to sit on the ground and to conjure up in their minds the memory of the Seder at home. I recited the Kiddush (the prayer over the wine) with an imaginary cup of wine in my hand and had everyone break an imaginary matzo (unleavened bread). At the end of the service man after man, with tears flowing down their cheeks, bade me Gut Yontif (Happy Holiday).”

That must have definitely been a powerful experience. Beautiful indeed!!💯💝💖. How did the Rabbi even think of trying out such a scenario? Was he completely sure of the results? My apologies, I have more questions than answers. But I think I know where to find more answers. 🙋 The Bible!!💃💃💃. So here are more scriptures:-

1) 1 Chronicles 28:9.. “And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.

2) Nehemiah 4:6.. So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.

3) Psalms 7:9.. Bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure—you, the righteous God who probes minds and hearts.

4) Psalms 26:2-3.. Test me, Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; 3 for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.

5) Isaiah 26:3.. You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast,
because they trust in you.

6) Jeremiah 17:10..“I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.”

7) 2 Timothy 1:7.. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

8) 1 Peter 13-16.. 13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

9) Philippians 3:18-21.. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

10) Philippians 3:14-16.. 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

I am truly encouraged that there is hope for my situation. That there is hope to have my mind fully under the control of our Lord Jesus Christ. He has the power to bring everything under his control and can transform my lowly body so that I will be like his glorious body! This is an area am still trusting God for complete victory and am glad that I have his support in this journey. We serve a holy God who commands of us a willing mind to serve him. We have to be mature enough to focus on the status of our minds and hearts as this is where our Heavenly Father focuses the examination of His children. Remember how David was chosen and anointed as King when Samuel went to Jesse’s home. God looked at the heart of the one He desired to be king while people looked at the outward appearance which can definitely be deceitful. Let us stop giving the world superficial acts and fool ourselves that it is enough even in the eyes of God. He knows us all too well and He should be the top priority of the ones we seek to please. When that is done, then all these other things shall follow!!🙏

Then dear brethren, may you be encouraged by any of the verses above just as I have been. And encouraged enough for you to deliberately strive to let your mind be transformed to God’s will. May we have a desire to show more commitment to fulfilling God’s purpose on this earth. This can only be achieved if our minds and hearts are set right with Him.Finally, may we always call upon the assistance of our Helper, the Holy Spirit. He knows the thoughts of God and the deep things of the mind of God. Let us tap into this provision to enable us bear fruit in each season. And let it all be for God’s glory!! Be amazingly blessed and thank you so much for your time!! See you next week Friday!!😇🙏

#BattleoftheMind #Victoryformindbattles #HolySpirit #Hopeforyouandme

What Would You Tell Your Sixteen Year Old Self?🤔😇🙃

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

Once upon a time, in a small village in the countryside, there lived a girl called Eglyne Esther. She very much enjoyed indoor activities as her personality was more of a quiet and shy one. Her parents adored her as she was not so much trouble raising as a child. Eglyne grew up as a God fearing young lady who always kept her parents, three brothers and sister in much prayer. How do I know all this? Well, I know her.

So, I happened to meet Eglyne last week to just catch up about life. We had not had a girl talk for quite some time and I had really longed for one with her💃💃. She shared how much she is grateful for the far that the Lord has brought her. Her birthday was actually on the day before we met. So the curious me poked this lost friend of mine to open up of what resolutions she set herself now that she was one year older. It was amazing to listen to her share of what she would have done differently in her life instead of the future plans I inquired about. To be precise, she talked of what advise she would give her younger self…a sixteen year old Eglyne Esther?🤔🤗 She would tell her have her always remember Matthew 6:25-34

Do Not Worry

25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you— you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Wow!! I starred with amazement as she beamed, her eyes twinkling with pride, her mouth moving with utmost confidence. “This must definitely be out of experience given such vigour and assurance of the word”, I thought to myself. Whom am I kidding? My poking self could not just keep calm and so I gave into the temptation of asking to hear more of the inspirational sharing🙃😉!! As she opened I realized how much she focused on verse twenty nine that says “ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these”. It really struck me that Solomon with all the wealth he had was not as beautifully dressed as the lilies of the field. I hope we are all on the same page of how wealthy Solomon was. Or do we need to do a lifestyle audit?🤔😂😂. Oops, seem to be digressing here. I know my countrymen understand 🤣😉!!

Okay now going back to the man who asked God for wisdom when He handed him a blank cheque. The Bible says in 1Kings 10:21, “All King Solomon’s goblets were gold, and all the household articles in the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon were pure gold. Nothing was made of silver, because silver was considered of little value in Solomon’s days“. 1Kings 10:23 also says, “King Solomon was greater in riches and wisdom than all the other kings of the earth”. Did you also know that during his time, silver was common in Jerusalem as stones?😱🙄🥈💰🤑. Come read 1 Kings 10:27, “The king made silver common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as plentiful as sycamore-fig trees in the foothills.” I guess we now all know. Forbes would have definitely loved this guy💯😎💃🕺!!

Eglyne (whom I call Queen Esther) really got me thinking. Isn’t God just amazing? What is impossible with Him? Nothing, absolutely nothing 🙅. He has everything under control. Eglyne wishes her younger self would not have wasted so much time worrying about how things would turn out. Rather she would have purposed to fix her eyes on things above, be at peace and enjoy life in Christ. Anxiety and worry just bursts the fun out of the life balloon. Nearly three decades on this earth has taught her that if she surrenders control to her creator, the giver of all things, then she is certain of God’s will being fulfilled in her life. Some answers to prayers may not turn out exactly how she wanted, but then time proved that truly God’s ways were better than hers. Not as easy as it sounds, and that is where the Helper comes in, the Holy Spirit. To teach us all things.

So what would you tell your sixteen year old self today?😕😎😍🙋💖💜💝

It is obvious that it is only after time passes by that some things start to make sense. You get to understand and appreciate the crooked turns and bends, the mountains and the valleys of your past life. But most of all God’s faithfulness. This is my personal testimony. That I serve the God of Abraham (Covenant keeping God, the God of Isaac (God of Impossibilities) and the God of Jacob (God of change/transformation). Amen and Amen and Amen!! So what would your advise be to your younger self?

See you next week Friday and God bless!!!😇🙏

#Hopeforyouandme #UnchangeableGod #QueenEsther #Eglyne

Are You A Joseph🤵🙋😇🙏?

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

Image by Walter Chavez via Unsplash

Hey there!

I trust that our God who never sleeps nor slumbers has been watching over you. Am glad you have taken the time to not only read but also hear from Him. May He truly meet you at your point of need! Amen

So am still stuck in the first few chapters of Matthew and today’s post is really on Joseph’s first actions. Am truly intrigued by the role he played in Mary’s life and by extension in Jesus’ life thereof. At first, my curiosity was where he disappeared to as I moved on in reading but my eyes opened to the great value he brought instead. So am back to chapter one, specifically verse 18 to 25.Did you know he was only mentioned in Matthew and Luke seven times each while twice in the book of John? Did you also know that an angel of the Lord appeared to him, and not just any angel, one of the three in the Bible mentioned by name. The three angels mentioned by name are:

(1) Michael, the Archangel in Jude 1:9

9 But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses,did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”

(2) Abaddon in Revelation 9:11

11 And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.

(3) Gabriel in Luke 1:19

19 The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.

He was actually recorded as the first man to see an angel in the first book of the New Testament. Of course the Old Testament had several others such as Abraham, Hagar,Lot,Joshua, Gideon, Balaam, Zechariah, Manoah and his wife who were parents to Samson.

Given that I do not believe in coincidence or luck I write with absolute awe of God’s perfect ways in Mary’s life. Imagine if Mary would have been betrothed to another man, would that man have taken the path that Joseph did? Or what if Joseph chose not to marry her even after an angel spoke to him? Why was Joseph chosen to assist Mary in fulfilling her purpose in giving birth and raising the Son of God? Well my personal response would be in Matthew 1:19..Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and… I want to truly believe that Joseph’s way of living prepared him for the journey ahead of him. It allowed his heart and spirit to be in a position ready to discern what and when God is directing him in a certain path. I do not feel that the appearance of an angel changed who he was but rather confirmed the fear of God in him. His mind may have conceived to divorce Mary quietly but his heart and spirit made a complete turn around upon receipt of the direction he ought to take. And that was to marry Mary….ululation please🙌🙌😊😆😃🤗!! This was not only courageous but obedient too. The Bible states that when he woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and he took Mary home as his wife...verse 24.

Verse 20 of Matthew chapter one states that the angel called Joseph(Mary’s husband) the son of David while his father was actually called Jacob. I guess the culture of calling children after their forefathers was existent from long ago😉. I find the angel to be very intentional with his choice of words. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you hear or read of King David? Well for me, it is the fact that he was a man after God’s own heart. So out of all the names of Joseph’s ancestors that he was a “son of”, the angel chose to pick out David. I want to believe there was something inside of Joseph that was also in David that was significant enough to call for such relation and distinction in who he really was….as God saw him. A righteous man. A man faithful to the law!!

Joseph can be any of us in the present time. Righteous. Faithful. Obedient. Courageous. It must have made the angel’s work much easier to deliver that kind of overwhelming message to a person whose heart was ready to obey despite previous considerations. Joseph’s response to the message from the angel must have put a smile on our Heavenly Father 😊😇!!

This post today is a calling to you and me to possess more of Joseph’s attributes. Those that will position you to be ready to not only hear but act as God instructs. Despite our past failures, it is still possible to get back up again and continue running the race once more. This is a calling to desire more of what the Spirit says rather than our own understanding. This sometimes can be difficult given what the physical circumstances are presenting but Joseph’s actions and the results thereof are a proof that God’s wisdom is no match for any mortal. His plans are perfect. So won’t you be encouraged that there is hope and great fulfillment in obeying God?He is calling us with a desire to plant us in various parts of this world to display his splendour. May we be counted faithful!!

God bless and see you next week Friday 🙏🙌🙋🤗😇!!

#Joseph #David #Jesus #God

#Hopeforyouandme

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

Why Was Cyrus, The King Of Persia (Iran) Important In The Bible🙄 🤔🕵😇?

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

Ever read names in the Bible but never paid much attention to who they really were and the implications thereof? Ever read the below verse before?

1“This is what the Lord says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of,to subdue nations before him, and to strip kings of their armor,
to open doors before him, so that gates will not be shut: 2 I will go before you and will level the mountains. I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron. 3 I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name. 4 For the sake of Jacob my servant, of Israel my chosen, I summon you by name and bestow on you a title of honor, though you do not acknowledge me. 5 I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from me there is no God. I will strengthen you, though you have not acknowledged me,6 so that from the rising of the sun to the place of its setting people may know there is none besides me. I am the Lord, and there is no other. 7 I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things...Isaiah 45:1-7

Yes, Cyrus, King of Persia (today known as Iran) or commonly known as Cyrus, the Great was the one being referred to in the paragraph above. His name struck me as I read through the last two paragraphs of the last chapter of 2nd Chronicles. The first mention of this prophecy is actually in Isaiah 44:28. I must confess my ears have not heard of preachings about this king neither paid attention to his name in the Bible before. Or perhaps I just never paid much attention🤔😨😱😉!!

In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the Lord spoken by Jeremiah, the Lord moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing: “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: “‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Any of his people among you may go up, and may the Lord their God be with them.’” 2Chronicles 36:22-23

Am not sure if by reading the two portions of the verses above, you see what I see or feel what I feel right now. The prophecy detail continues in Ezra 1:1-11.Weren’t there Israelite kings available to build the Lord’s temple, keeping in mind he was a “heathen”? Isaiah 45:4-5 clearly states twice that Cyrus did not acknowledge God. Did God have to put in the effort to send a prophecy about this man many years before his birth? What was so special about him? The two books of Chronicles have detailed out various kings with different histories as I pointed out in a previous post. So to have this king as the last one mentioned in the very last chapter must be of some significance, I believe.

The internet has various accounts of this king plus the prophecy interpretations but I choose to speak out on what I think based only on the Bible verses. Am not a theologian or anything, just a curious being and lately, having an inclination to history. Some accounts refer to him as the “messiah”.Well, the verses clearly call Cyrus the “anointed” and the only non-Jewish to be called so in the Bible, I must say. For God to call you by that name only means that definitely you are as He is the source. Messiah can be translated as a deliverer or saviour. But specifically in the Bible, Cyrus was to be the “messiah” of the Jewish people. Please note this was the era when the Israelites came out of captivity in Babylon under the rule of Nebuchadnezzar. So the remnant that were taken to exile stayed in captivity for 70 years as per God’s word through Jeremiah.

What stands out for me is God’s Omnipresent and Omnipowerful attributes. It did not matter how many years it took, but He ensured that His word does not go back to Him in vain. For the fact that He speaks, He then fulfills. So it was not about how special Cyrus was but it was how favoured the people he was helping were, the Israelites, the descendants of Abraham and Jacob. God had covenants with these two that needed fulfilling which truly did and presently is still being fulfilled.

I was more touched by this story to see that all the events happened to fulfill this prophecy was because of one thing and one thing only. El Shaddai moved each person. For the sake of fulfilling His word and promises, the Great I AM moved the heart of a man who did not even worship Him. God also moved some of the Israelites to believe Cyrus proclamation that Yahweh had sent him and they obeyed the instructions to build the temple of Jerusalem. At this point there is need to acknowledge that Jesus, the Messiah of not only the Jewish but the whole world had to leave his heavenly glory to come to earth to accomplish the ultimate saving plan. Can this mean you cannot save yourself that someone else with a special anointing is the one who can help you out of a pit? Or even when the times you do have the strength and will, where will it come from if not from the Creator and Giver of all things? I mean how can you deliver yourself if you are the same person with the problem? Am reminded of directors in companies who believe consultants’ reports and recommendations other than their own managers in solving of crisis. What about local companies that hire expatriates to move them to the next level of growth or from a poor performance? Can we say that the verse “…no prophet is honored in his own hometown” applies here then?

After all is said and done, am left with hope for me. For my life and future even after this world comes to an end. That Jehovah never sleeps nor slumbers. We may have a strong enemy but God is way way greater. He creates and was never created. He is both merciful and faithful no matter how low I fail in life. He is the Alpha and Omega. My prayer then becomes that He moves in me. I pray that my heart is moved so strongly to empower me fulfill the purpose of my life. Undoubtedly my own flesh cannot get me to my destination. Am in need of more filling of the Helper to guide me through this journey. All am saying is that I need the move of God in my life. He is my deliverer and my portion. He is my salvation. What of you?

God bless and see you next week Friday 😊🙃🤗😇!!

#CyrustheGreat #UnchangeableGod #Hopeforyouandme

……….God Remains To Be God 🙌🙌!!

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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

Has Your Heart Ever Flooded..Is There Hope?

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Last week in this country, we observed several areas experiencing heavy rainfall as predicted by the Kenya Meteorological Department. This led to flooding that destroyed property and loss of lives.

My sincere condolences goes to the family of the bereaved during this time and I pray for grace and restoration for those that lost their property.

Even as the heavy rains fall on our land, I think of the times our lives have felt flooded by life experiences. Just like the water filling those houses, you feel suffocated by the experiences in your life.

Just like the vehicles getting crushed by the weakened trees, you also feel the burden of the previously strong anchors in your life that are now weighing you down. Just like the property in the homes getting carried away, you also feel helplessly swayed by every painful occurrence in your life.

Rains are normally welcomed by those practising farming as they are glad that their efforts in planting will bear much fruit during harvest. Without the water, most farmers incur great losses and that is when we hear of increased food importation in the country.

However, when this same eagerly awaited season arrives and the water is too much, then such losses are experienced as a country…yeah a double edge sword indeed!

When the trials in our lives are too much for us to bear, we tend to hear of suicidal incidents, family members killing one another, adultery, too much debt financing, some resorting to sorcery and witchcraft, some to drug abuse, all in an effort to find solutions to their flooded lives.

Is there a way as a country we could have avoided the losses? If yes, why haven’t we? Are there other countries in the world we can emulate in such related disaster management?

Before we can point our fingers to the Government, what about our own personal lives? For the current “flood” in your life, was there a small chance the damage could have been avoided? Is there a possibility that you could have made that decision differently?

Back to our country, now that lives and property were destroyed, how can we improve our infrastructure to be better prepared for such a calamity? Some depend on us as citizens during our property investment decisions with regards to location.

In the same way in our personal lives, we may need to learn from other people’s experiences and how else if we do not seek help? Aren’t there people you know or heard of that have gone through the same or can offer advise on your issue? If not, may God guide us to people that can hold our hands through this journey of life.

1 Corinthians:10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Did you notice that even as the houses were filled up with water, the water actually found a way out? The water cannot last forever in that house no matter how high of a level it may have reached. If it found a way in, then there is a way out!! I love this! Am actually preaching to myself. If no one gets this, at least I have 😊

I feel it is time that I express my deep gratitude to those that stood by me when my own heart felt flooded. To those who moved closer to ensure that I did not drown or get carried away, despite not having the full details at times.

I needed to come to a place where I would not allow pride to prevent me from seeking help. I needed to find people that I could open up to and would not laugh at me, judge me or run away but rather hold my hand.

I deeply bless God for I found such people! I must confess I was in a really dark place! Did I just say “I was”? Didn’t think I could ever say that. I do not know about you, but during my flooded season, it didn’t seem the water would ever clear away.

“How many have you heard of that die because of troubles/worries unless they were killed or killed themselves?” is the voice I hear right now of what my mother once asked me. “For how long have I heard of people complaining of troubles yet they have grown to old age?”, I later thought to myself.

Recently, I shared with her how it felt like am now out of a bottle and my eyes see much further than they used to.

I am moved to recall this common quote used in times of adversity, What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger. This quote was originally used by the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche in his book, Twilight of the Idols (1888). And for the history lovers, you will note it was quoted as a motto by the Nazis in the Hitler youth training centers in the 1920s.

With that in mind,I write this post as an encouragement to those troubled by the worries of this world, no matter how big or small they may seem.

I am writing to remind all of us of 1Corinthians 10:13 stated above. As you read this verse, may it be the last of my words and the beginning of God’s comfort and guidance to you. I hand over to you Lord from here!

#Godwillprovideawayout

#Hopeforyouandme

What Do You Do After Deep Disappointment In Life?

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I would ask all of us to take just a few seconds to visualize the efforts of a child learning how to walk…standing,seating down hard, stand again, make few steps, fall, stand,increase in number of steps, holding onto a table/chair for support, tripping, hitting the head, standing..this goes on till he/she finally walks on their own.

Except for those born with certain disabilities or severe illnesses, we all did pass through this stage. Well, that in my opinion was a hurdle of a much lower level and perhaps God’s way of preparing us for the much higher trials in our future. Preparing us to apply the same principle of trying again and again and again until the door of success opens.

A story that may encourage us is that of Frederick Douglass who was born into slavery in Maryland, United States in 1818. He, however recalls it to be either that year or the year before due to lack of records in those times. And yes, I read his narrative book from Amazon Kindle.

Despite his status as a slave, he yearned to read and write much much later in his life when he was around 12 years old. This desire grew when he moved to a new master’s home in Baltimore and the wife of his master began teaching him the alphabet. He felt it was a vital key to his freedom and better future.

It was an offence during his time to look for such knowledge as a slave and being of black descent yet he devised his own ways to get the fulfillment he longed for despite the consequences it posed and the discouragement the journey came with.

His masters later got rid of any reading material that he had for fear he would become unmanageable and no longer desire to be a slave. The more they acted in this manner, the more curious he became of the wisdom that lay in learning to read and write. He formed friendships with little white children in the streets as he went out for errands that were willing to teach him.

Frederick had already been much disappointed by the life he lived and the related inhumane conditions, not only to his physical self but to his inner emotional man vital for true living.

Any human would get affected to see their loved intensely whipped while bound, some even to death, some get shot, women sexually abused and impregnated, forced separation of mother and child soon after birth, forced separation of family members, denied basic needs like food and shelter in really cold weather and also forced to work long hours and in harsh conditions. But despite those very deep wounds, he was able to recognize a path to his freedom and a better future for himself and fellow slaves.

Not only did he see the chance but grabbed it to see it change his life as he desired. He later gained his freedom and became a Great African American social reformer, abolitionist, orator, writer and statesman before his death on 20th February 1985.

Emphasis for Reflection What are your desires, your longings? What are those fears/concerns that our Father in Heaven cannot deal with? Don’t we ought it to Him for the gift of life and thus not give up? Isn’t He a rewarder of the works of our hands? The lesson to draw from Frederick’s story is the desire to try again despite past disappointments in ones’ life.

This post is for those who desire children and that path has proved unsuccessful for several years now. This is also for those entrepreneurs who have struggling start ups and financial stress is kicking in. Won’t you try again and see that the Lord is faithful?

This post is also for those who on the outside look like everything is working out well, yet deep wounds lie within them that make them lead a life of bondage and slavery. This is for those who put up a face that all is well yet their life experiences have made them feel unworthy of being alive. This is for those who desire freedom!

Yes, disappointments are real and I like every other mortal acknowledges so. It is, however, the steps we take afterwards that will determine the compass direction of our ship called life. For some of us, the fears are only perceived and seen by only us and we end up becoming our own enemies. Noting very well I fall in this category several a times, if not many, God being my witness.

I choose not to focus on the discouragement that past disappointments bring us but to direct us all to the great possibilities that lie ahead if only we take the extra step to stand up again. How beautiful it would be to look back at our trials and realize that God was with us all through even though it may not seem that way currently.

That while we felt hopeless, His grace was sufficient and while we felt helpless, His mercy was new every morning for us. That while we waited, we were actually getting stronger and our faith was forced to increase.

Maybe we just need to hang in there a little bit longer and let the fire refine us to enable us handle the greatness ahead. But also remain hopeful of the day when we will finally fully accept that all things are working out for our good!🙏

“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness”Desmond Tutu

#Principleoftryingagainandagainagain

#Hopeforyouandme

Have You Survived To Fulfill Your Purpose?

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

Did you know that George Washington was born on 22nd February 1732 in Virginia? Not that am a historian myself or anything like that but was rather a finding while I sought to satisfy my recent desire for history knowledge.

First, I downloaded Amazon Kindle to my phone to enable me read free ebooks on my way to work every morning. This is something I have come to truly enjoy especially as it also serves to prevent my mind from indulging in unproductive thinking. And may I note that the aspect of “free” did attract. Anyone there?🙋

Secondly, I subscribed to emails from History that is also a TV and Youtube channel that has a variety of history content. So the daily update informs you what happened in history on such a day which is what prompted me to note his birthday.

Thus I have come to understand the purpose for that inner desire to read more and that is to reignite the culture of reading in me to fulfill this specific assignment in my life. This blog is my small way of sharing what I come across which I do hope and pray will result into a positive change in someone’s life.

Now back to the 1st President of the United States of America. One particular incident in George Washington’s life while he was serving in the army which was before becoming President, is what has remained boldly imprinted in my brain.

This, I came by as I read Uncommon Character by Douglas Feaval. This eBook narrates stories of ordinary men and women who did the Extraordinary. It was in the aim of writing this post that also led me to read George Washington by William Roscoe Thayer also downloaded from Amazon Kindle.

It was on 9th July 1755, serving as a Colonel that he survived an intense attack from very well trained Indian forces who only managed to leave his coat with four holes and some on his hat. All of the officers who used horses while fighting were physically injured and the rest dead. The only exception was George Washington. This battle was so deadly that rumors spread that he was dead but he later refuted them.

In 1770, he purposed to revisit that battlefield where the Battle of Monongahela briefly described above occurred. There he met a council chief introducing himself as the one who instructed the Indian shooters to severally aim at him but had no success of physically harming him, leave alone kill him.

The chief confessed that there must have been a Great Spirit protecting him given that he had no doubt about the great expertise and training of the best of his shooters. If you ask me, it definitely had to have taken the Hand of God to explain such a scenario.

The chief then went ahead to prophesy that George will fight and win a great war and become the chief of a nation that he will found. All these came to pass and he finally became President in 1789. Yes, I know I cut the story short but if I were to detail everything, that may turn out to be a sermon and I wouldn’t do it much justice as Doug did in his book.

I must say am very grateful for Doug’s blessing to share this story which i found through reading his book. It is readily available for a free download on Amazon Kindle. Please also follow his blog including other ways to get the book.

Emphasis for Reflection – How many times have you survived circumstances in your life whose victory is not humanly possible to explain? You do not have to have been in the army to say yes. You may have been in an accident and got injured but you are still here and very much alive for that matter.

You may have survived an abusive relationship or are free from drugs/alcohol addiction. We have definitely gone through various personal battles. How often do we overlook what these circumstances speak to us and our purpose on earth thereof? Have you taken time to revisit those places/seasons? Maybe the prophesies of your future lie therein.

Some may call it fate but I call it Purpose. Each one of us was created with one. What is yours? Are you so bogged down with life you fail or are so blinded not to see the good that may come out of your situation?

The purpose may not be that of becoming a President (though I do not hold a single doubt of the possibility if that is God’s will in your life), what I mean is that the events in your life may not be favourable or are outright fatal but what I plead with you is to take a moment to embrace the possibility of something positive being birthed from all of the turmoil. Would you? at least think about it?🔜⏳

I strongly believe that you are reading this article today because you, just like everyone else in this world, was born with a purpose and the eye opener should be that God has allowed you to survive difficult moments to ensure you fulfill it. Just thinking about it, your purpose may actually be as simple as telling your story 🤔

How i pray that you get the motivation to not only think about it, but also receive the grace and strength to actualize it. Maybe then, we would see less greed and selfishness in our society as we purpose to use our gifts to profit those around us.

Thank you for taking your time to read this piece and it is my prayer that your life will never be the same again. I hope you are touched enough to share this with those you believe need to receive a message of hope in their journey of life.

#Hopeforyouandme

#Purpose