Tag Archives: Hope

Only One Denarius For The Last And First!!

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

Hello! Hello!

Yes, the last shall be first and the first shall be last. Let the one with ears hear this trumpet loud and clear!! The owner of the vineyard will give each of his workers one denarius. It will not matter the time the worker began working, as long as by the end of the day, all were found toiling the land. He will give whatever is right. Matthew 20 :1-16 says:-
The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard
20 “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.

3 “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ 5 So they went.

“He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. 6 About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’

7 “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered.

“He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’

8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’

9 “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. 10 So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. 11 When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’

13 “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? 14 Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. 15 Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’

16 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

Let us be honest for just one second here. Do we as believers act like those hired early in the morning or those that came one hour to end of the day’s work? Do we feel so justified for more blessings from God because we were raised in Christian families and got born again at very early stages in our lives? Do we feel that others are more sinful than us and when they finally receive Jesus Christ, we are envious of the great work of the Lord in them?

I once was. At least the one that felt was so righteous because of my “good deeds”. The one that felt entitled to all the blessings the heavens could pour on a human being here on earth. I may have not said it out loud but just because my thoughts were filled with such a horrible mentality does not make it any better. It may actually be the same if you ask me. I still wonder where I got the standards/benchmark to match myself against. I feel I need to slap myself silly sometimes for such a stinking attitude. So here I am confessing my sins that I may be healed.

The plan today is to have a short post, so let me see if my objective will be achieved!

What is really the source of such a scenario in the church? in the Body of Christ? in God’s Kingdom? I will not speak for others but only for myself. Mine was pride which I shared in a previous post some time back including the video below.

When I look back, am grateful that I was gracefully broken. That I was disciplined by my loving father. He loves me enough to correct me. Did you notice in the passage above that the owner of the vineyard did not take back the denarius from the workers that complained? Rebuking them he did, but did not take back what was already given to them, their reward. I want my reward of eternal life but I want to receive it with the right attitude. It matters to me that I please my Father in all that I do, even in the small things that are not so popular. Pride blinded me to the right path of living. The right way according to God. No matter how great our gifts are, without love we are nothing. Let my gifts match how much love I show unto others. God has been gracious to me over the years and I should praise Him more for being the same to others. Gracious, Just and Faithful!! Most of the time for me this is easier said than done but that is the Jesus way!! Love is the Jesus way! Is it yours?

Be Blessed! See you next week Friday!

Biblical Responses to Masturbation (Originally Posted on Pen Strokes)

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

Hey there!

Am truly excited about sharing this post today. It has some profound truth that needs to be spread all over the world. I heard the pleasure of sitting and listening to him share from his heart (on another sermon) and I was blessed. So here is a recording that spoke to me of PastorErnest Wamboye, an author of Pen Strokes, a Christian blog run by the Wamboyes.

I trust you will like more of his posts!!

Be blessed!!

IS CHURCH OPTIONAL?

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

Becoming His Tapestry

Good day friends, how are you today? How was your weekend? The sun finally came out this morning and with it comes warmer weather.  Our weekend was a tad bit chilly, we were in the 60°s, all weekend long and that was our high temperature.  Yesterday was cloudy, wet and cold; very ‘fall’, if I do say so myself.  We had such a great summer, that I think I had forgotten that along with the absolute stunning beauty of the fall season, comes rain, clouds and much cooler temperatures.  ‘Much cooler’ is really an oxymoron in my neck of the woods; it either hot or cold, we rarely get the in-between temperatures.  As far as most of us are concerned, winter is here.  Fall does not usually stick around long enough for us to enjoy it. james 1 2That’s a good verse, isn’t it?  Sometimes as Christians, we believe God makes suggestions…

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Jesus: The Only Way?

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A Word In Season

Jesus made a statement, recorded in John 14:6, that puts all who would seek to sincerely believe in and follow him in a precarious position with the world! He said: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 ESV) Now sometimes, when we read the Bible, the various other translations have variations of the text that leave room for different interpretations, but that is not the case with this text! Sometimes, a difference, such as a definite article used in one language as opposed to an indefinite article used in another language might leave room for a slightly different interpretation, but that is not the case with this text! With this verse; all of the English translations and versions agree with the various Greek texts, as to what Jesus said! He didn’t stutter! Jesus said he was…

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Jesus Is Able To Calm Not Only The Waves But Also The Winds💯🙌🌩💃💃!!

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

Hello Brethren!

Hope your minds and hearts have been well guarded in Christ Jesus!! Am personally grateful for God’s grace and mercy so sufficiently provided in my journey day in day out!🙏 I testify that the Lord has been good to me and my soul is a witness of his faithfulness and love😇🤗!!

So I have been trying to move past chapter eight of Matthew in my personal reading but I keep on being drawn back. So much so that I feel the urge to write another post on the same chapter. The previous post was based on verse 1-4. For this post, let us please focus on verse 23-27

Jesus Calms the Storm
23 Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. 24 Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. 25 The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”26 He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.27 The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!

The first thing I notice about this specific passage of scripture is that the storm began suddenly. The NIV hard copy I have states “Without warning, a furious storm….”. So the disciples had decided to follow Christ but trouble came upon them as they were in the Good Shepherd’s presence. So this for me, implies that just because we confess Christ as Lord and Savior does not exempt us from various trials and tribulations in our lives. We should actually expect them even the more as a result of being in Christ. I mean the devil is not pleased of this fact. Remember in the previous verses from 18-22, some of the disciples wanted to leave and attend to personal matters before giving their full devotion, but Jesus encouraged them otherwise.

The Cost of Following Jesus
18 When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. 19 Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”20 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”21 Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”22 But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

You may have severally heard sermons about these two passages of scripture and its interpretation and implication in our earthly lives. My focus, however, is on the first passage, and it is interesting how there is repeat of the words winds and waves. Geography enthusiasts know that wind is caused by differences in the atmospheric pressure. When this difference exists, air moves from the higher to the lower pressure area, resulting in winds of various speeds. The cause of the difference in pressure across the globe is the uneven heating of the earth’s surface from the sun. The Sea of Galilee (also known as Sea of Tiberias or the Sea of Gennesaret) is known for sudden storms. According to Dr. Donald B. DeYoung of Creation Research Society, it lies 680 feet below sea level with its greatest depth being just 200ft. Then the topography of Galilee contributes to the vicious and sudden storms. On the east are hills about 2000 feet above sea level. In the hills the air is relatively cool and dry, whereas on the other sides of the sea the climate is semitropical with warm, moist air. This, therefore causes considerable difference in air pressure, which in turn causes air to move from high pressure to low pressure creating wind. The greater the pressure difference, the stronger the winds. These winds are funneled through the hills and cause tempests on the sea.

Scrutinising the above passage, one will note that verse 24 describes the problem causing fear of drowning in the disciples was the waves that were sweeping over the boat. If the storm occurred with the absence of strong waves, would they have woken Jesus up? But is there really such a thing as a storm in a water body without water waves? So, when Jesus woke up, he rebuked not just the waves but the winds too. He saw the importance of addressing the problem from its source, which in this case was the winds that actually caused the waves. It is my belief that when he rebuked the winds, this calmed the difference in the atmospheric pressure in that time and hence, the total calmness. The disciples saw the waves, the physical result of the various changes in the atmosphere, but Jesus saw what was behind the physical result.

Am tempted to talk about the ‘rebuke’ interpretation on the disciples, but let me focus on the winds and waves for today!! Typical me, my thoughts going ahead of myself 😇😊🤣!!

My message to you and me today is that our Lord Jesus is willing and also able to calm both the winds and waves in our lives. He has the ability to bring everything under his control. So what are the waves you see today and in the future that are causing fear? Can you trust our Good Shepherd to solve both what you can see and what you cannot. Sometimes, it maybe matters within us that need sorting out or the wicked schemes of the evil one. Whatever it is he is able and willing to bring peace in the midst of any storm🙏🙌💃😇!!

So what is our role in all this? Asking through prayer..Yes. Is that all? What about desiring to perceive the winds and tap into the power in us to rebuke both the winds and waves? Is rebuking only meant for Jesus? This verse comes to mind as I write this..Luke 10:19.. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. My prayer is that we desire to discern the winds in our lives that cause the waves we see as a result. This will then guide us to pray with understanding of the real source of our problems. May the Holy Spirit truly take his place as our Helper in this journey of faith. Amen!! Thank you so much for your time and God bless. See you next week Friday!!🙋😊

#SeaofGalilee #Jesuscalmsthestorm #Peace #Hopeforyouandme

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

Lord, If You Are Willing, You Can Make Me Clean🙏!!

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

Hello, beloved creation of God,

How is your heart today? What about your thoughts? What is your mind filled with today? What song are you singing? This is my way of asking the usual question “How are you?” or “Hope you are well” greeting that receives the “expected” superficial answers like “I am doing well, thank you”. Hope there will be honest answers😇🤣😉!! Thank you for your time and may God meet you at your point of need even as you read to the end of today’s post🙏 Someone say Amen!!🙋

Please turn with me to the book of Matthew 8:1-4. It reads as follows, from the NIV version:

Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy

8 When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. 2 A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”3 Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!”Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. 4 Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” I am very much drawn to the humility this man portrayed. It is this humility and faith expressed by kneeling, that makes him stand out of the crowd. It is clearly stated that it was not a large crowd that followed Jesus down the mountain but large crowds. This was after he finished his teachings in Matthew chapter 5 to 7 on topics like the Beatitudes, fasting, divorce,murder, adultery, oaths,prayer,love for enemies,judging others, giving to the needy and others. It was also out of faith that he took further steps of first inquiring whether Jesus would be healing to him. It almost feels that he was not sure whether it was going to happen. Or maybe more of acknowledging the power Jesus displayed in how he conducted himself? Did you notice that even before Jesus answered him, he reached out and touched the man’s hand? This must have felt amazing for that man. Okay then, he received a touch of assurance even before the answer was given. He received peace even before his eyes could see the answer he needed. It feels like there was need for a peace of mind in the heart of the man more than the actual healing of the flesh. It was important for Jesus that this man appreciates the need to be at peace and not anxious about his situation. That if his trust was truly in God, then all his requests would be granted according to God’s will. I like the courage/curiosity of this man.

This post is for those in need of healing. In need of a touch of assurance. In need of peace. Peace that will position them in a place to help them understand that Jesus can within seconds calm the storm in their lives. Peace that will assure them that despite their many sinful deeds, that Jesus is able to purge them with hyssop and make them clean. These are guaranteed when we abide in him. I am very much speaking to myself. I write every week on this blog not because am holy or so knowledgeable. It is not even that I write so good. Am ever reminded by my faults and desire for grace in this journey that it is all about Jesus. I have come this far and will go far only because Jesus, my Lord is willing. My part to play is to take time to listen to his teachings and then choose to stand out of the large Sunday congregations by kneeling daily in his presence to ask for his will. Many crowds follow Jesus in churches all over the world, attend weekly services, listen to TV and online preachings, but how many are curious or willing enough to truly believe that the power in the word is found in him too? That the word can come alive in their lives if they allow it to truly touch them in the areas that they really need healing and not the ones they think and even ask of. Jesus sees the deepest parts inside of us and sometimes or most of the times our prayer requests do not fully reveal those needs in our hearts. We ask for shoes and clothes, yet we actually need a higher self-esteem and better self-image, we ask for a Godly spouse, yet we need self-control and discipline, we ask for higher salaries, yet we need to know our purpose in life. You get the drift? 🙋

I join the leper by telling Jesus, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean”. Am in need of revival and restoration. My heart, my thoughts and my mind are in need of his assurance and peace. He is after all, the Prince of Peace!!! How I pray that I will not forget to show myself to the priest and offer a gift as a testimony🙏😇. May we all not forget all the healing we have received in this race. May we all not forget that he is willing!!

What are you in need of? What do you desire for our Lord to do for you? What cleansing do you need? He is willing to grant your request according to his will. And he is able to top it up with peace and assurance to allow you live life to the fullest.

God bless you and see you next week Friday, same place!!

#Peace #TheManWithLeprosy #Jesus #Healing #Faith #Humility #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

What Do You Do When You Lack Peace?

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

Peace. What is peace? Well, Merriam Webster dictionary has five definitions:

(1) A state of tranquillity or quiet: such as
a : freedom from civil disturbance. For example, Peace and order were finally restored in the town.

b : a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom. For example, a breach of the peace.

(2) Freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions. For example, I have been in perfect peace and contentment —J. H. Newman

(3) Harmony in personal relations. For example, the sisters are at peace with each other.

(4) a: a state or period of mutual concord between governments. For example, there was a peace of 50 years before war broke out again.

b: a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity. For example, offered the possibility of a negotiated peace.

(5) —used interjectionally to ask for silence or calm or as a greeting or farewell
— at peace: in a state of concord or tranquillity. For example, the problem was settled and his mind was at peace. The peace am referring to in this post today is that of freedom from disquieting or oppressive emotions. Peace despite facing volatile circumstances. How do you have such in your life? Well, the Word of God says in Philippians 4:6-7

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. How often do we allow ourselves to want to solve matters our own way? Or want to ache our minds with worry, yet there is nothing much we can do to change the situation?

A story is told of a member of a famous orchestra group who approached the great Italian conductor with an expression of sheer terror on his face. This was shortly before a major concert before a standing-room-only audience. “Maestro,” the musician fretted, “my instrument is not working properly. I cannot reach the note of E-flat. Whatever will I do? We are to begin in a few moments.” The great conductor looked at the man with utter amazement. Then he smiled kindly and placed an arm around his shoulders. “My friend,” the maestro replied, “Do not worry about it. The note E-flat does not appear anywhere in the music that you will be playing this evening.”

My confession today would be to admit that the orchestra player and I share something. In such moments, I tend to ignore the still small voice that says everything will be all right. I figure it is better to worry then afterwards nothing happens than not to worry and then something bad does happen. A complete lie from the devil. That is such a waste of time and emotions that could be used more positively. The author of “The Waste of Worry”, Brad Stevens wrote the following: “If we were to keep a record of all the things we worried about during a given period of time, we would discover–in reviewing them–which the great majority of our anticipated problems or troubles never come to pass. This means that most of the time we devote to worrying, even the constructive kind that prompts us to try to come up with a solution to what is troubling us, is wasted. Thus, we not only caused ourselves unnecessary mental anguish, but also took up valuable minutes and hours that could have been spent elsewhere. To avoid this, it is often necessary to subject potential sources of worry to the coldly objective and analytical light of reason.

So How Do You Have Peace In Volatile Circumstances?

Many self-help ideas tend to focus on deep and long breathing exercises, Yoga, others talk of taking a walk, reading a book, walking away from the volatile environment, counselling, and going to the gym, cooking or really doing something to take your mind off the problem. When you come to a church setting, solutions vary from praying, singing, opening up to the Pastor or close confidant or even taking time to serve in church or the needy. The latter two stem from the idea of taking focus from yourself and help out others who may actually be in a greater dire situation than you.

One of the great reliefs I have discovered recently is to just praise God. Praising Him with actual utterances from my mouth. Not necessarily singing but speaking out praises to the Kings of Kings. I had to work on the inner me to avoid the temptation of doing so in expectation of reciprocation of immediate blessings or sudden solutions to my problems. It is important for me that my motives are pleasing to my Heavenly Father in all that I do. One morning in the past few weeks as I made a few steps in my bathroom, I was overwhelmed by intense pain in my body. Mobility was completely not possible as a tiny movement of my legs brought excruciating pain. I believe neighbours must have heard my screams. As I was standing still for about twenty long minutes in pain, I sang and praised God. I told Him that He was good and I was glad to rejoice in the day He had made. I recall calling out the name of Jesus so many times. In my mind, whether God took away the pain that moment or not, He remains to be God. His throne remains to be in heaven and earth His footstool.

As I digress a bit, my personal testimony of my journey in writing since February 2018 has created events in my life that test the word that I actually share. It comes back to test whether I would do exactly as my post say. And that experience in the bathroom was one of them. It was a test of the post “…God remains to be God”. What I did in that bathroom did not take away my pain immediately. Taking a bath, heading to work, and working through the day, I was still in pain. But guess what? Something changed inside of me that gave me the strength to take the next steps of the day. There was the option of calling in sick and not go to work, but my mind and heart had changed despite the circumstances not changing much.

What then is the use of praising God if the current circumstances do not change immediately?

Well, in my experience they will change. It may not be at the time or the way you desire but the promise is that they will change. It is not a matter of if, but when. Whatever has a beginning on earth has an end. It is only Jehovah who is the same yesterday, today and forever. It is not easy when the flesh is fighting back with anxiety but that has been a sure way for me to receive peace in my not so interesting moments. Remember 1 Corinthians 10:13..No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 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 endure it.

The fiery furnace may not be the most exciting place to be in life, but it sure does make one grow. So, maybe our prayers should focus on allowing God to be glorified in the valley and ask for grace and strength to see us through. One prayer I have been making this week as I thanked God for my birthday is to use all my pain and suffering in my past for His glory. That it would not be in vain and the results of the fiery furnace be used to expand His Kingdom. Just noticed I have no emoji today and am not sure what that means. All I know is that God remains to be God. Our environment does not change who He is. He deserves worship and adoration no matter our circumstances. My prayer is that He shows Himself strong in and through our lives even as we purpose to do exactly what we were created to do. To worship Him!!!!

Thank you so much for taking time to read. May the Good Lord lead you in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Amen and God bless. See you next week Friday!!!!!!!

#UnchangeableGod #Peace #PraisingGod #Worship #Hopeforyouandme

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