Lord, I'm coming home Part II

2. Luke 15:15-19a
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4. 15 So he went and forced (glued) himself upon one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed hogs.
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6. 16 And he would gladly have fed on and [h] filled his belly with the [i] carob pods that the hogs were eating, but [they could not satisfy his hunger and] nobody gave him anything [better]. (B)
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8. 17 Then when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father have enough food, and [even food] to spare, but I am perishing (dying) here of hunger!
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10. 18 I will get up and go to my father, and I will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight.
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12. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; [just] make me like one of your hired servants.
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14. 20 So he got up and came to his [own] father. 
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16. (AMP)
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18. I don't know about you but thus sounds so familiar to me. 
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20. This young man left home and to a strange land. Be wanted to have fun. He desired to be 'free' from the rules of home!  He imagined how exciting it would be to spend and make merry. And that without a boundary! 
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22. So he wandered far away from. He squandered all he had. He forgot that this was limited. How often we get deceived and want away from home. We spend time to get the lusts of the flesh. Then we soon discover it does not satisfy. We feel empty and we dig deeper into wayward living hoping we'll find satisfaction. Then we realize it is an empty cistern we are digging. Often, we will have spend a fortune and much time before we "come to ourselves".
23. 
    
24. Lord, I am coming home.
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26. Let's meditate with the singer on the Chorus.
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28.                         Coming home, coming home,
29.                         Nevermore to roam;
30.                         Open wide Thine arms of love,
31.                         Lord, I’m coming home.
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33. Indeed, let's sing the whole song. Allow the Spirit to minister to you. In which areas have you wandered away from the Lord? Are you roaming away from home? Won't you turn back to Him and repent run into his open arms today--the Father is waiting for you at home. He is ready to welcome you, who is "dead" because you will have come back to life. Come home today.
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1. Lord, I'm Coming Home | William J. Kirkpatrick
2. 
   
3. 
   
4. I've wandered far away from God,
   Now I’m coming home;
   The paths of sin too long I've trod,
   Lord, I’m coming home.
   • Refrain:
     Coming home, coming home,
     Nevermore to roam;
     Open wide Thine arms of love,
     Lord, I’m coming home.
5. I've wasted many precious years,
   Now I’m coming home;
   I now repent with bitter tears,
   Lord, I’m coming home.
6. I’m tired of sin and straying, Lord,
   Now I’m coming home;
   I’ll trust Thy love, believe Thy word,
   Lord, I’m coming home.
7. My soul is sick, my heart is sore,
   Now I’m coming home;
   My strength renew, my home restore,
   Lord, I’m coming home.
8. My only hope, my only plea,
   Now I’m coming home;
   That Jesus died, and died for me,
   Lord, I’m coming home.
9. I need His cleansing blood I know,
   Now I’m coming home;
   Oh, wash me whiter than the snow,
   Lord, I’m coming home.

Lord, I'm Coming Home!

Luke 15:18-20



This word "home". What is it?

Sweet home.

That word is so sweet. Home.

We have all heard of someone say that "East or West" home is best. We also are familiar with the sentence, " "I feel home sick."

One dreary afternoon, many years ago, my Mum made up her mind. "I am going home." We knew Mum was not happy. Dad had been drinking a lot. Things were not better because he would turn violent. So we got ready and started the trek. No car. It was probably 20 kilometers away. We made it to "home" later that evening just as it was getting dark.

Let's get a definition of the word.

A search of define:home on google yields a useful definition:

home

həʊm/

noun

1. 1.

   the place where one lives permanently, especially as a member of a family or household.

   "the floods forced many people to flee their homes"

It is a place where a member of the family or household lives.

Why is home so important for us?

One, home is where we get acceptance. We are confident everyone in our family will accept us. However difficult the members of the family may be, we know that we will be accepted. It is especially important when we know the father will accept you.

Two, we are confident we will get forgiveness at home. The members will understand us and will offer forgiveness if we failed them. If I go home and say I am sorry, they will believe me.

Thirdly, there is someone always waiting for us at home. Mum will call to know when you are going home. Dad will be waiting whenever you make up your mind to go home. Is it any wonder we feel "home-sick"? We will be readily received whenever we go home.

Fourth, is about confidence. My confidence is never diminished when I am home. When we visit other unfarmiliar territories, I may loose my confidence. I may be treated in a way that people think I am a "no-body". But when I am home, my confidence is intact.

Fifth. Fellowship. Don't you miss just going to sit with dad or mum and chatting the whole night?  It has happened to me often. We start chatting. It is 7.30pm. We take supper. We chat on. We catch up. We hear the cock crow and we wonder where the time went. We scurry to bed and wake up next day a little late. Then we catch up again more in the day. We have genuine fellowship. It doesn't matter that Dad or Mum spanked you when you were younger. The fellowship is just sweet.

Tomorrow let's explore what happened to the young man we find in Luke 15.

But before I close, I will say this. No matter how far away you have gone, Dad is waiting for you. He will welcome you Home. Sing with me this stanza and chorus. Come back Home today. Repent of your sin and run back into the arms of the Everlasting Father. His hands are wide open to receive you and to take you in...

11.  I've wandered far away from God,
Now I’m coming home;
The paths of sin too long I've trod,
Lord, I’m coming home.

o    Refrain:
Coming home, coming home,
Nevermore to roam;
Open wide Thine arms of love,
Lord, I’m coming home.

to be continued...

LOVE AN AMAZING JEWEL

I JOHN 4. 7-21

Today we embark on long journey of understanding love from the context of God's word and not as has bee misused in the various forms it appears. Love is one of the treasures that is impossible  to quantify but can qualified. Every one needs to be loved and there is a feeling that it is difficult to describe in words when you know that you are loved and not only loved but also valued. Jewel when this word is mentioned our minds quickly connect with treasure, value or worth. Indeed a jewel is a precious ornament. Jewels are ornamental in nature and majorly worn for personal adornment. Jewel can be a person who is highly prized. Are you a jewel to somebody or someone? do you have the qualities worthy to be loved?

Love is a jewel. As  jewel, love is a basic building block to any cohesive relationship. Your love life (Agape) cannot be primed as strong and attached horizontally if your love life relation wise is skewed. Relation wise here implies family, friends, workmates, neighbours etc. That is why Jesus in 1 John 4.20 says " If any one says i love God yet hates his brother , he is a liar, for any one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God who he has not seen. And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God MUST also love his neigbour". Thus, from the foregoing  scripture and these excerpts of the words of Jesus who is the very living word of God, then it must be understood that love is by two ways:-

1. Love by choice and
2. Love by by compulsion

As a believer there are no two ways about it. Our God is a jealous God, Exodus 34.14. He is also a consuming fire, a jealous God, Deuteronomy 4.24. he demands or requires and expects our n-biased attention by anyone. This is why Jesus said in Mathew 6.33 "Seek you first the kingdom of God and its righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well". For my prayer to be answered and for me to experience a rewarding relationship, vertically or horizontally, the first choice without batting an eye is to seek the kingdom of God and thoroughly understand the principles of love:

 PRINCIPLES OF LOVE 

1 Corinthians 13.4-

Love is patient

Love is calm, able to endure pain or any provocation, perseverance, forbearance: quite and self preserved, waiting for something.
Politely, this means that love will be called names. True love will be provoked to anger and sometimes unfounded allegations. It therefore means that love has to be practiced everywhere and shown to everyone irrespective of your office, rank or file. Your status in society not withstanding . Patience can only be evidently practiced in relation to who is seated on the throne of our heart. From your stand point who is in-charge of the throne room of your heart? The brother of Jesus says to us that a stream cannot produce both fresh and salty water at the same time, James 3.11. Patience cannot happen selectively. It is a principle and principles cannot be be varied for convenience or otherwise.. The best thing that we can do is to be seen and not just heard practicing patience.

This is what Jesus practiced. Mark 15.15, patience can only be achieved at the level of excellence. in this scripture, Jesus was flogged without slapping someone or even calling on heaven for divine intervention, yet he had the power to do so. They twisted a crown of thorns and put it on his head and Jesus even didn't raise a finger. He was called names, struck on his head. They spat on him and mocked him before leading him to crucifixion square.You have just gone through some tumultuous moments and you believe the whole world should get to know that God does not love you. Beloved, Jesus just wants you to practice. Go out today and shine out for the Lord. The momentarily trials that you are going through cannot be compared with the glory you are yet to received. Patiently do the work of God and believe him to come through for you at his own perfect time. Believe it, Act it and Live it. Hallelujah to the humble lamb of God, the sovereign love himself who teaches us to love even when we struggle to do so.

 

WHOM ARE YOU LOOKING UP TO?

Luke 19.1-19
The bible speaks of a man who was well endowed. He had all that life had to offer. To him money was not the problem rather how to spend. If it a name he had and so was he revered and feared in equal measures. To the ordinary eye trust me he was doing more than average. The physique looked okay but deep within his spirit he was a pale shadow of himself. There was a deep void that needed quick attention like yesterday.

As I write this morning you could be travelling a similar road. Allow me to declare that success in life is not measured by what we have acquired. In contrast success is the presence of the Lord in ones life. You have tried psychological counselling and this are not adding up. Let me introduce you to the secret Zaccheaus can to realize as the remedy to his challenge. Zaccheaus had another problem and to him it was the mother of all his troubles, his height. Bluntly spoken he was short. You may not be short in height, ideas or even intellectual capacity. But truly speaking how tall are you spiritually?
And so when Zaccheaus realized his short comings  he decided to climb up the Sycamore tree. Today why I are looking up to as the solution to your pertinent and persistent spiritual challenges. To be open your spiritual case cannot be solved by your thought life, pastor or any body else. It you to realize where the malnutrition is hurting and stand up to it. Jesus is the one I direct you to. Climbing up to Jesus necessitates coming down to yourself and realize your spiritual inefficiencies. Zaccheaus did and behold the wonderful statement from Jesus, verse 5 "..come down; for today I must abide by your house". You have desired the presence of the Lord in your life to no avail. Beloved I have the courage to introduce you to this man Jesus.

When he comes in your life, you will never be the same again. N sooner had he gotten into Zaccheaus' house than the change in Zaccheaus' life started to show. Zaccheaus' eyes were opened and he realized that with all that he had no spiritual peace could be actualized. Th is the source of peace and joy.Invite him in your heart right now and start enjoying life everlasting. He declares that "behold I stand at the door and knock. Whosoever shall open his heart he will come in dine with Him and"

This invite is yours. It is time you stopped looking elsewhere and started looking onto Jesus. He is the author and finisher of our faith

Amen and may God's blessing fire you into new horizons as you welcome him into your heart.

JESUS IS PASSING THIS WAY TODAY

Luke 19.4
Behold there was a man called Zaccheaus as the bible indicates. As we saw yesterday, he was well endowed in various fields. But today I want us to reflect on some amazing things about this man. You know he lived in a world just as we do. His emotions were just as yours and mine.The good book mentions that he was limited in height. What could it be that is your limitation today. May be the year has become and as days go by you look at the resolutions you jotted down and all seam like a pipe dream. I encourage you not to look at your limitations. Zaccheaus had good ears and made sure he confirmed that he heard right anything that come by his ears. He purposed not to be limited or even intimidated by his lack of height. He made up for it by climbing a sycamore tree. And this tree he was not climbing as a by the way. Deep within his mind and heart of hearts he was total sure Jesus was passing that way

Today Jesus is passing your way. What is that you are holding on or is bogging you down? The bible declares that a righteous man may fall seven times but will still rise.  Indeed you have fallen but that is no licence to remain there. Beloved there is no excuse of remaining down, whining and nagging everyone. Zaccheaus knew his short comings. From what he had heard is that whoever met  Jesus never remained the same. And saw he alone because he understood where the pain need, desire or prayer request was climbed the tree with the sole purpose of connecting with Jesus.

This Jesus is passing your way today. Do not drown yourself in your problem. There is no problem that is bigger than a heart that is determined to find Jesus. Your situation does not determine who you are but the opposite is true. The grace is available today. May be people have counted you out and you fill that you are a nobody.If Zaccheaus had thought this way we could not be reading about him today. My friend it is you to write your history. Do not be cheated by your surrounding. It is possible to break the limits if you go the way the Lord is passing today. Make a resolve today and go the way the Lord is passing. Please remember that for you to leave a mark here Jesus is beckoning 'come this way".

Those who laugh at you will only do so when you are down but when you decide that enough is enough and come the way of Jesus, there will be transformation. You will become a new creation, the past is gone. And you know what nobody will ever refer to you in the past. You have become a precious gem before the eyes of your maker. Believe it, act live it and practice it.
Amen

WRITE YOUR OWN STORY

Luke 19.1-11
The bible records that Zaccheaus was a well known man. People understood his character. To those he had confiscated there wares he was a person to detest. Them who had been conned by him just a mention of that name aroused very bad memories. But Zaccheaus never looked at how bad he was. Rather he envisioned what Jesus could translate him into. Instead of sitting pensively and wondering at what became of you why not pick yourself and run to Jesus. This will be the end of your old story and beginning of a new one. The goodness is that you will not struggle in this case, for the Holy Spirit will be your companion, he will lead you in all truth and will counsel and encourage you.

When you come down from the tree at Jesus command, blessings are bound to follow. It is encouraging that as much as you might be wondering whether there is any door of hope, Jesus understands and even knows where you are and what you are going through. When he came where Zaccheaus was he commanded him to come down. Today it is time to come down from your lawlessness. Come down from drug addiction. Come down from sexual sins for Jesus has purposed to make abode at your house today.
Just like Zaccheaus' case when people come to hear of you experience there will be murmuring. Some people are bound to complain in fact others will point fingers at you as a reminder of your dark past. But take heart child of God, it is His son Jesus Christ who has stopped by to beckon you come. Jesus has come to where the problem you have been experiencing is. He is saying close the old book pick a new pen and book and start writing your story.

I need to remind us that Zaccheaus was so loaded with challenges that when he heard that Jesus was passing that way could not help but run to the nearest vantage point to access the master. You have tried so many methods even religion has no aided you. I have an announcement come to Jesus . Things will never be the same again.Yo know what? you might be wondering and how will it turn out?
 The bible says immediately Jesus reached where Zaccheaus was, He made a stop and called out Zaccheaus, come down. In fact he said make haste and come, for today I must abide at your house today. This is the announcement I am here to make today.

You cannot write a new story without opening a new page. The invite of Jesus is very simple "hastely come down". We have to be ready to forsake the past to to be able to attract new things in life. Allow the old selfish and barbaric practices to die and come down and abide with the Lord in your own house. He declares that he will come in, dine with you and you with him. Take an example from Zaccheaus and start writing your story. This is not a story for the electronic or print media, it is the story of the heart condition.

Blessings in Jesus' name as you walk onto your new life.

YOUR PETITION IS GRANTED Esther 7.1-10

1. What is the petition you have? It shall be granted
2. What is your request? It shall be performed.

Allow me to declare from the outset that your enemy has been besieged
Your troubles are coming to an end
This is all because you have found favor in the eyes of the King, Jesus.

People could have ganged up against you just as Hamman summoned his strength with the support of the edict from the king. The Hamman's of this world will not give you peace so long as you the living God the Lord over your life. From this Scriptures Modercai refused to bow to any other God save Jehovah.And for this solid obedience to the living God he paid a dear price. But because his focus and trust was in the living God, time for remembrance came. The bible records in Esther 6 that one night the king could not find sleep at night. So in the morning he ordered for the book of remembrance to be read unto him. This is when the truth unfolded to him

There had been a conspiracy to kill the king, Ahuesero and guess what? It is Mordeccai who saved the king's life by blowing the whistle, Yet nothing had been done to him. As if this  was not enough, this was also the day Hamman had determined to ask the king to kill Moredaccai. What a coincidence. Today there could be so many conspiracy to get you demoted or even loss your job. There could be the extremes if even killing. But I have good news for you. Just as the king asked, 'What should be done to such a man who saved the king's life". Hamman the enemy of the Jews new that he was the only one tipped to be feted by the king. May be you are surrounded by people who never imagine any new or worthwhile idea coming from you. Any good suggested is only bound to come from them. Today I am here to announce a shift in this status.
The king ordered Hamman then what you have said be done to Mordeaccai and he Hamman was to do it. Do not be concerned about the people making life too difficult for you. Your God and my God will sort them out at the right time.I can imagine you clad in the King's clothes, riding on the king's horse and wearing the king's crest on your head and your very enemy leading you out in the city announcing to all and sundry, "Behold the beloved of the king" You know child of the Most high this was not a very comfortable position for Hamman to find himself in, but as the adage goes, "whatever you so the same shall you reep".

STOP, stop looking at how people have ganged up against you. Desist from loosing sleep because of them that hate you are planning. Take note of this. You are a child of the King. To them as things stand now you may not project any signs of kingship but let me jerk your mind. Deep within you flows royal blood and nothing can change you from this.It is from this background that I ask you to rise you head above your shoulders chest forward like a great soldier of the Lord and march on to victory.
As a servant of the Lord Jesus and a prisoner of Jesus I stand here today to speak breakthrough in the name of Jesus Christ. I declare freedom from every oppression from every negative though and scheme of the devil and his merchants in Jesus' name. I now speak success and great victory in the precious and beloved name of Jesus.That you shall not travail for nothing. God has heard your cry, and prayer. He has seen your afflictions and knows your sorrow and has now com to deliver you.

Beloved God has com e down to deliver you out of the hand of the Egyptians"enemies" i.e oppressors, persecutors, torturers. For you to partake of this, believe it, Act like it, Talk like it  and may the good Lord fire you into greater blessedness today in Jesus' mighty name!

ARE YOU IN A PIT?

Genesis 37.1-36
The bible introduces us to One of the young sons of Jacob, namely Joseph. Joseph was a birding young man of 17 years the son of Rachael the beloved wife of Jacob the brother of Esau.
The name Joseph according to the bible means Increase or Addition. A person with such a name has an inner desire to inspire others in a higher cause and to share their own strongly held views on spiritual matters.Typically, this describes who Joseph was

When he saw a dream he thought it worthwhile to come and share it with his siblings. But not knowing that his inspiration could lead him he dire trouble, he went ahead and shared a second one with his entire family. This is what broke the camel's back. And this is what leads us to the topic of today. Could it be possible that you are or may be in a pit?

What is a pit?

It is a deep down underground
It can be described as a place of destiny and forgetfulness.
I call it a dungeon

Why a pit?

A background about Joseph will suffice.
Joseph was the second last born of his mother Rachael
He was the beloved son of his father
To cap this love, his father gave him a coat of many colors that never augured well with his brothers.
He was blessed with great dreams that he was ready and willing to share
Joseph was endowed with great leadership skills as exemplified by his job as a shepherd boy.
All these added together contributed to a plot being hatched by his brothers who threw him in a pit and eventually sold him off to Egypt.

A pit is not a good place to be.It epitomizes the following:-

• It is meant to erase memories of the past
• It is meant to eradicate completely
• Removes competition or threat
• And helps secure one's place

AS CLEAN AS A BABY

2 Kings 5.1-15
Naaman was the captain of the host of the King of Syria. He was a great man with his master, and honourable because by him the Lord had given deliverance to Syria, hew was also a mighty man in valor. These are distinct qualities. They describe a man that had reached the pinnacle of his life. He had what it takes to be called successful.
The bible calls him Honourable, great captain with great success to his name. He was also a very courageous man and for all this he was greatly respected. According to worldly standards you expected him to be at peace with himself. This is the same situation most of us find ourselves. It had been sank seep into our minds that money and wealth are the key to social acceptance and hence "SUCCESS". This measurement of success is negatively skewed.Today you might look yourself in the mirror and congratulate yourself for your achievements. Surprisingly it may not measure up to the standard of Naaman. Whichever the case the bible declares than unknown to very many people this successful man had a deep nagging problem that he knew not how to sort out.

Just like Naaman you might have tried so many methods in solving your spiritual challenges. You have tried observing religious rituals to no avail. Tried traditional culture and incantations and this has yielded nothing.Lucky enough for Naaman, there was a young Jewish slave girl who was ready and willing to offer relief to her master. She put through her suggestion through Namaan's wife,"Verse 3 would God my lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria for he would recover him of his leprosy" This sounded very well and we like Naaman do not consider the word of God as spoken out to us until or unless we witness from some one else. Indeed Naaman took time to consider his stature and just wondered who was supposed to be bowing before who.Many at times God speaks to us in various situations just as He is doing right now, but the best we do is to procrastinate, postpone or even forget about it terming it being disturbed or we well call it "making noise"

Naaman could not help going to Samaria let alone bowing down to a prophet. But his big position could not sort him out, neither could it send the leprosy away. There is one place, just one place where all are humbly made equal regardless of the status life has given us. At the feet of Jesus.And so when Naaman realized that the more he continued pretending that there was a problem, the more the disease ate into his flesh. Could it be possible that you been ignoring the voice of Jesus for quite some time? Is it possible you have been playing hide and seek with this precious gift of life. Today is a great day for you to humbly fall down before his feet and he will lift you up with his gracious hands.
May be your problem is pride, envy, strive, malice, gossip or even lack of forgiveness. Today I take the position of the servant girl as a servant of the Most High God to point you to Jesus. He is the total solution to your problem. You have stayed here for quite long and it is time you gained your freedom. Your status will not remedy the situation, it will only worsen it."One positive thought this day can help you re-write your story.

It is time for God to intervene and take over fro your leprosy. There are so many kind of leprosy varied from spiritual bondage to financial missteps or even marriage challenges and spiritual ineptness.You can reckon as I did sometimes back that this is a thorn in your flesh. The joy you used to exude is no more. Problems are written all over you. Today try Jesus. When you taste and realize how he is sweet you will never to go back to the vomit that is sin.It is only when Naaman accepted to go to Samaria and met the man of God that a solution was crafted for him. My friend take note that you do not come to Jesus at your terms. Here things are done differently. You might be calling shorts out there, but when you come to Jesus the word is "HUMBLING" It is impossible to experience the grace of God with a lofty self will and pride. Naaman considered what his position entailed and going to was seven times in the murky river Jordan. And just the same way we behave, he said no, it cannot happen. But notice one amazing thing that non of his antic worked either. Only when he sank deep under the murky Jordan's waters did he get cleansing.
Sometimes God will require you to sink in the blood of Jesus several times before a breakthrough comes your way.It is important to know that we are serving a mighty God. Only when Naaman put down his pride did cleansing come his way.

Today dear child of God, what could you be holding on that is dragging you away from the love of God. Could it be your new job posting and financial muscle so you think your spouse has nothing to say. May it the chama members who have recruited you to new bussiness ventures so that church has become secondary and even God understands so you think. Who is it has swayed you from the family church such that only your new discovered place of worship is headed heaven word? That only your pastor hears from God and whatever he says can only be believed. Friend your are having your own kind of leprosy and the time for deliverance is nigh. This is the time of salvation, time for real change, renewal and transformation. It is time to be as clean as a baby

Every time Namman drenched himself he came out and looked at his skin and nothing happened. Until the seventh time did total healing happen. Seven is the number of completion. I declare a full stop to all your misfortunes and miss harps. I declare freedom in the name of Jesus.What is hindering you from gaining you second chance success? If it is your tongue this is the moment to reign on it. If it is pride that is killing you, then accept to die in Jesus and resurrect a changed person.

The bible declares in Isaiah 1.18 and this is a great and most sincere invite to freedom. "Come now,and let us reason together, says the Lord, though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red as crimson they shall be as wool". Seize this glorious opportunity and encounter the saving power of Jesus that leads to TOTAL freedom. Like the prodigal son in Luke 15.17, make up your mind. GOD DESIRES TO LISTEN TO YOU

THE BROODING SPIRIT

GENESIS 1.1-2

The bible speaks of the beginning. We are introduced to God.That if there was anything made, then it was made by God. He is the Almighty, the maker of heaven and earth.But before this story is unveiled we are treated to some very unsettling introduction.
The bible says that when the heaven and the earth were created something picks out the earth as extraordinary. The earth was formless, void and darkness pitched tent every where. When we talk of something being formless, the impression created is that of:-

1.Worthlessness
2.Empty i.e unoccupied
3. Desolate or vacated
4. Nothing or
5. Wilderness.

It epitomizes confusion, unreality and emptiness. That order was not existent and in its stead, confusion reigned.
This is an exact representation of who you and I were before we met the Lord and savor of our lives, Jesus Christ.We, like Zaccheaus were tainted with over taxing people and like Saul of Tarsus were zealous for the wrong course. This is when Christ came in to our lives and restored order. I may not know the condition of your heart this morning or even what you are going through, but allow me to interject and ask you how do you rate your self. Indeed the word of God says the earth was without form and also void. What form have you taken on this day as it opens up to you. Could you be carrying with you the formlessness of bitterness, anger, rage and malice. Is it possible the person who hurt you yesterday is still part of the parcel on your back. Jesus taught us that before we remove the speck in our neighbor's eye we first remove the log in our ours.I am just wondering could it be possible that you are empty today because you taken over the cares of this world and forgotten the word that exhorts us to cast all our burdens unto Him for He cares for us?
The accuracy that the writer of Genesis 1. uses to rate the earth in its formative stages as formless is worth thinking about It speaks of how accurate the word of God is is determining our stand point.

As a child of God, whom the bible declares in Psalm 139.14 to be fearfully and wonderfully made, what is this foreign body you have taken on that is changed your form. I can envision when you first received Christ, the enthusiasm you exuded, the burning fire to read the word of God and give a testimony even when not called upon. Something could have given way and that is why this blessed day God is drawing our attention back to his word. It is not talking about history or a good bible story. This is the story of your life and my life. If Christ were to come today what are the probability that I would take or not take his form.

Verses 2 introduces us to a critical turn around point. The bible says and The Spirit of God was upon the face of the deep.This is what brightens my face this great day of the lord. It does not matter what form I might have taken on this morning, distance to Jesus is not an issue. May be you are pondering and wondering that what shall be with my present predicament? That is not a tall order for my savior.Behold he stands at the door and knocks and says that whosoever shall open his heart for him, he will come in and sup with him and he with him. He is calling out  out loudly to you this morning come unto me all ye that labour and are heavily laden and I will give you rest. He goes ahead and speaks of how light his burden is and his yolk easy. God will not allow any of his creation to go to waste. Like the prodigal son, this is the perfect moment to sit down for some serious self stock take.

Beloved, come to self realization that the form you have currently is not the one the lord is proud to show case about.You might be considering yourself as nothing, that thought is not first emergent fro you. Other people have also thought the same. May be you consider yourself irreparable and totally out of shape. The bible says that Jesus never came for those who are lost or clean. He is looking for one just like you and you are the one. Jesus loves you with the love of the father, true love, which gives himself for the sake of other. Just when it seemed that the earth's hope was all lost, the bible declares of the hovering Spirit of God over the deep. Today the Spirit of God is hovering over your life to transform you. Are you ready for a make over? He is willing and ready and just as ho spoke to the void and desolate earth, He is ready to speak life into you. Jesus is in the business of transforming people. From a lost wretch to a faithfully, love filled believer

Together with me join hands and allow the lord Jesus speak life, change, forgiveness, a new beginning, hope and above all the joy unspeakable that comes from his throne of grace.As it were in the beginning you will begin afresh with all conviction that he will walk you through the challenges of this life's journey.Receive it in Jesus name!

THE EXPERT IS IT?

Luke 10.25-37

An Expert is:-
-A person having special skill or knowledge
-A person trained by practice
-Skillful
-Scholar, well learned and versed in scripture.

This man we are introduced to as an expert in law. I do not know neither am I interested in knowing in which field you are an expert, but have you ever thought about it? Could it be that it is this expert in you that is killing you if not slowly but quickly? You are so engrossed in the trade you learnt, the methodologies, rules and practices. Ever at once thought that these are but only acts of men, articulated and fashioned by men for to massage their selfish egos.

And many at times we have come to Jesus parading the eloquence and familiarity of our expertise with an expectation of fulfilling God's agenda. We are not told how old this man was, the only key outstanding point is that he was an expert in interpreting the law. He was also well versed in scripture, but amazingly he was grappling with a simple question of which his scholarly works could not help provide. He was just an expert and that is all. Expertise, takes time, energy and money to attain. So I can say with some confidence that this was a seasoned man. By worldly standards, he was endowed with wisdom. But wait till he opens his mouth, that is when his naivety and ignorance is laid bare for all sundry to sample.

Dear child of the Most High God, against this mirror of the word of God where do you place your self and how do you rate yourself? I am awe stricken that sometimes I have pursued my person, selfish interests at the expense of blessing the lord. When this man fronts his eloquence and exuberance before Jesus, he expects to engage the Lord in some candid, professional discourse.The Lord is not interested in my reserved high esteem. He is after the welfare of my heart. He does not shudder at the weight of my academic excellence. He listened carefully to the expert and in his characteristic lovely approach. He took on to a journey, giving him a story of a man who had been robbed and left for the dead. Jesus said the first person on the scene was another expert by the name priest.

A Priest in this case I will call him a Pastor.
This is highly regarded and esteemed man in society. Today because of the rank and file in society, man of God as they we are so called, lead lofty and high end lifestyles, drive lavish cars, live in leafy suburbs and enjoy the privileges of a driver and security. Getting to see a pastor today is like an armature climbing a coconut tree. This is just the same way this priest acted. He saw nothing and felt nothing for the injured man. In fact to him this injured man was a bother and sheer waste of time. He was so committed to his assignment and thus wanted no distraction and full of himself that the priority action at that moment was to look aside.

A re-look at the roles of a priest will help us appreciate this example from the Lord.

1. They are intercessors
2. Mediators and
3.Consecrate the body of Christ. as found in Exodus 19-20, 24, 33-34.

THIS MAN LAZARUS

LUKE 16.19-31

God is knowledge and His knowledge is not manipulative. When you are endowed with His knowledge you become a resource worth tapping into by the universe he created. We are here to show case the very power and ability God has invested in us since the creation.

Today we look at man Jesus introduces to us by the name Lazarus. Just as there are different callings so are there different responsibilities.Lazarus was not called to be a rich man. And with his disposition as a poor man fate would have it that he was posted to the rich man's house.Amazingly Jesus goes ahead and tells us the name of Lazarus and the other one just calls him the rich man. I wonder if you could have been comfortable with an introduction like this. Jesus simply says he was rich. True as it may sound this is a loaded statement. Many of us have amassed the riches of this world such that there is no available room for the master of our lives.

Though maimed, pained and detained to filling his stomach with the crumbs from the rich man's table as his daily portion, Lazarus had fulfillment. As the church of today would love it said, he was "blessed". I know some will be troubled with relating blessing with the poor man.This word most often has been quoted out of context.To be blessed is to be much more happy, full of joy and abounding in favor ensuing from God. Reading this scripture reveals an awesome spectacle. Lazarus, Jesus says was dead and when he died we are told he went into the bosom of Abraham. On the other hand when the rich man died, Jesus said he went to hell.The official title of Lazarus was a beggar, but this could not determine the destiny of Lazarus. your situation or what you are going through need not deter you from serving God. The battle is only taken by foot soldiers who have had enough tough and hardening sessions in the training ground. The lord is using your situation to set you up for the glory that is yet to come.Like a student with a dream to achieve, this is your time to deny yourself lavish and luxurious expenditure of your time and study, both hard and smart.

The picture of a beggar reveals a horrible, miserable and pitiable person. This is what you could have thought of Lazarus. But the story of Jesus tells of a man who knew his spiritual place. May be you are facing a situation. You could define it as scaring or just difficult. Though the the beggar Lazarus was, he did not allow this to come in between him and his eternal destiny. What are the resources God has blessed you with and how are you using them.Many of us act as elephants when God lifts us up. we have a large input that is not directly proportional to what our bodies require. We amass everything so that no one may seem equal to us. The appetite to acquire wealth today has led to various people loosing the vision of their lives.Today the measurement of your blessing is the kind of car you drive, the number of services in your church and whether it is mega or not. The location also influences who the patrons are. Aren't we playing the rich man without knowing?

When Lazarus died, the bible says that he went to the bosom of Abraham. He was well nourished and provided for. Yet the opposite is said of the rich man who was in hell yelling and gnashing his teeth. The experience was quite telling and yet this is not the experience he was used to. I may not know, but there is a possibility your life has taken an about turn of what it used to be. Looking at your life objectively you will realize when you turned from beggar and became rich. Many of us look down upon brethren who come to church all year round with one shirt. Some of us do not want even to great some members, they may contract you their disease of lack.After all what can a pastor from the slums of Mathare in Nairobi tell me? And does God really speak to him as he does with me?

Your current lifestyle against the mirror of the word of God and the vocation God gave you do they align together or they are running parallel? Could it be that you became so "blessed" that even your calling changed? Like these two people so are our lives. In this divide where do you stand? You have the room and time now to remedy the situation. The place you will spend eternity will be determined not by your riches but by how you related with your staff, employees, church members and even your family. Have you ever thought of eternity. In our world today we are in a rush to achieve what we purpose, make a name and create wealth. Where will you spend your eternity? But thanks to the word of God. It is the ultimate equalizer.

Will you end up like Lazarus or the rich man?

The Lord open up our hearts to enable us embrace the TRUTH, for his word is truth and HE is the TRUTH.

May the Lord add blessings to His word, Amen!

THE GOD WHO NEVER CEASES TO AMAZE

2 SAMUEL 2.1-11
The people who know their God will be strong and do not exploit.
knowing God is the easier part said than practiced. Many at times we want to be strong- praying without ceasing laying hands on the people and they fall. Making decrees which come to pass. Many of us do not know the making process of knowing. it involves ceasing from yourself. Jesus said "whoever will want to follow me must deny himself, he must love God with all his heart , mind and body". Knowing God involves seeking him and the promise is true. Mathew 7.7 "Seek and you will find" the Kiswahili saying puts this scripture into perspective. "Atakaye cha mvunguni sharti ainame", interpreted  whoever wants to pick up something from the ground must bend down to pick it.

Every man who has ever shone for God has had a time of which he faced dark moments. I call them the learning and knowing times :Abraham had to learn trusting God for 25 years before his son Isaak arrived. Moses had the dessert experience, David had to practice his Kingship in caves and Hannah who is our focus today learnt knowing God the hard way. What is your learning experience?

Hannah teaches us about the God who never ceases to amaze. I know from the outset you are wondering cease to amaze. The name Hannah in Hebrew means favor. I know from here you are wondering can the experience of Hannah relate with her name? The experience of Hannah could be what you are going through.Remember you are not in it for eternity. But how do you decide to go through will determine your destiny. Psalm 23.4 "Yes even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thy rod and thy stuff and comfort me".
When you know God, you will rebut any name calling, delete any Spirit of belittlement , jealousy, envy, strife and malice. It is while here you learn to know that the just shall leave faith and not by answering back to prove themselves. You realize that the battle is not yours but the Lord's. Vengeance belongs to the Lord.

During this experience even those closest to you will not understand you. For they cannot relate to the challenges or suffering you are going through in relation to the amazing grace you confess to enjoy. This is what makes Christianity tick. It is not a religion, but an encounter. Truth be said, it is an experience.Jesus said "If you know the truth, it will set you free and you will be free indeed". it Is is you who is in Christ that fully comprehends the joy you have in the Lord. Yes, joy unspeakable, for this is not like happiness that can be quantified.

And so, Hannah knowing from the depth of her heart that she was called favor, never allowed any form of intimidation to come in between her and God. Not even the intimidation of  lack of children, a stubborn  co-wife, rank and favor form her husband could deter her fro pursuing her mission. Today I may not know what is proving to be a match for you, the warning I throw your way is beware of the small foxes and wary of the leaven of the Pharisees. Who is it that is antagonizing you? What is it that has come between you to deter you reaching the goal of your calling? Are you standing at cross roads and do knot know which route to take.

The bible records in Psalm 25.3, "No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame but they who are treacherous without excuse". Want to experience to God who never cease to amaze? Listen to David, the man after God's own heart: Psalm 25.4 " Show me your ways O Lord, teach me your paths : guide me in your truth and teach me for you are God my savior and my hope is in you all day long". Hannah experienced what you are experiencing today. But the way you take on your challenges will determine how you come out, wounded on unscathed at all. Take your challenges to God. Stop sharing and discussing your problems with mortal men. The singer sang and said " take it to the Lord in prayer". That is is the place of solace and problem solving yielding solution. These are not just mere words in a loose sentence. This is the power that differentiates between a person seeking to experience the God who never ceases to amaze or the mere miracles performed by this awesome God. When Moses sought him intimately, he told him "I AM WHO I AM" Exodus 3.14. He is Jehovah Elyon, the Most High god Psalm 17.2

Could it be that you are listening to every comment, advice or challenge being passed your way? You are not the first on. Hannah was tormented by Penninah, scolded by friends, called barren, his husband tried to cover the void by offering love and double portion of food rations. These are just but some of the ways we try to address our serious desire to encounter God the God who never ceases to amaze. Your focus will determine how high you scale up. Knowing this, Hannah decided to connect vertically and do away with horizontal connections that are time bound and are subject to limitations. Hannah sank in God. She sought God while He might be found. Instead of being commended to be a prayer warrior, she instead received more provocation. Have you traveled a similar road to Hannah's? Has bitterness driven you into  spiritual overdrive to seek answers fro the master of the planet?

Today you can make a vow just like Hannah did and this is where things start to build up in your favor. Look at Psalm 1.18 "May your servant find favor in your eyes" Beloved you can sing together with Hannah. It all begins with prayer. Pulling Right All your Energy Resolutely i.e Seeking God while He is near. When Hannah prayed, these were the results. A similar promise is awaiting you. An answer just fashioned to address your case. God is not an architect  of duplication, imitation and or manipulation. He is the source of the originals. You are an original, so expect him to amaze you with an original answer. He never ceases to amaze. He will come through for you in an awesome way never ever experienced by any other living being. Trust Him to perform.

Hannah after the encountering God, then burst out into song. There is noway God will come through for you and you sit down. You arise to praise and worship the Lord. After all you were created to be worshiper.There should be some rejoicing before the throne of glory. Friend whom are rejoicing before? Your spouse, employer, business or your job? She had good enough reason to boast over her enemies. You know when the Lord God who never ceases to amaze visits you, the maze is carried over for all and sundry  to see. And when you testify,  of what Jesus has done to you, to your enemies it is as if you are boasting. But this is the nature of my God. But this is the nature of my God. He never ceases to amaze. Remember, Jesus is the resurrection. They tried to cover up the resurrection story, but the power of God cannot be immersed in the the theories of man. Hannah testifies , that when God visits you, do not keeping talking proudly, for it is not by works that we have been saved but though the grace of God. She says for the Lord is a God knows and by him deals are weighed.

Even through that record, of your deeds are being watched. Hannah goes ahead and declares in 2 Samuel 2.8, " He raises the poor form the dust and lifts the needy from the ash. He seats them with princes and has them inherit a throne of honor". My dear, allow me point you to him who is able to do the amazing. Jesus declares in Mathew 6.22 " He is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of the full of light". Lift up your mountains and all hindrances whatever name you call them unto him. He says He who says humbles will be exalted. Do this and welcome to the Gd who never ceases to amaze. Amen! Remember He whose house is on fire is the one who cries the loudest.
Blessings and remember clear the bush around you before you begin to speak.

THE COST OF FOLLOWING JESUS

LUKE 9.57-62.

Better be prepared to go to God alone with the weight of your cross. It is true salvation has been granted us free of charge, but going to heaven will require some active energetic participation from you. Carrying your cross every day, denying yourself everyday, walking a righteous life are part and parcel of the game.

Though you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood and  a holy nation , the cost of following Jesus is demonstrated in how you declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Jesus puts it succinctly clear Luke 9.26 for whosoever shall be ashamed of me and my words, of him shall the son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory and in his father's and of the holy angels..

Carrying the cross is one of the symbols of following Jesus. Notice it is not just an issue of carrying a piece of something, but embracing the love of God both in word and deed daily. As 1 Peter 2.11 puts it, "MY ACTIONS SHOULD MATCH MY WORD ". Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lust, which war against the soul. Could there be a struggle in your walk with Christ in the area of your attitude, character or general well being and behavior? As you stand before the mirror of the word of God, what reflection do you see? Paul in Romans 8.35 "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?, Shall tribulations or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword?" Dear child of God, what is this that has come between you and your walk of faith that is hindering you follow Jesus?

Paul considers all the tragic scaring as they may seem that are bound to derail our walk with Jesus, the Lord of glory. Are you undergoing troubling times and hardship experience, persecution of the just luck of provision? These the times to push hard. This is the time to pray until something happens. The man who conquered before us never had rosy all through.Elijah after calling from heaven found himself next holding in the cave. David had not long been crowned king, than he found out what it means to be favored of God. Saul tormented him properly. And what about Paul, Corinthians. 11.25, "Thrice was I beaten rods, once was I I stunned thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and day , I have been in the deep.

Following Christ has a cap cast on it. This involves my life. I must be ready to die in the natural just as Christ died and resurrect just as Christ resurrected from the dead. Before I go to Paul kindly walk with me through the requirements by Jesus himself to follow him.It is not just a matter of identifying with this name, but taking practical steps to talk the talk and walk the talk. You cannot follow Jesus for convenience, for a feel good experience or to pursue personal selfish fulfillment. For a serious following of Jesus, there must:-
1. Personal sacrifice
2. Total denial  of self ad the rest, remember what he told his mother and brothers.
3. Commitment to live by the standards of the word pf God.
4. Surrender totally without any destruction, loosing self to the instruction and direction.
5. Be an imitator of God. Ephesians 5.1-2
6. Live in the light, a changed life, Ephesians 4.17

Paul gives a living personal account of himself. There are things that will happen to you simply because you follow Jesus. Just as they say, necessity is the mother of invention. Challenges will be availed your way to prune you and prepare you to meet the opportunity awaiting you. This will be paid with your life, resources and much more. You cannot follow Jesus , for a feel good experience, please someone or even lure someone. As it were, do you really know who called you? Do you know He is the original who is in the business of producing originals?
Paul takes us through, hair raising experiences.He call them the training grounds. This is the how recruits are turned from civilians and turned into professional soldiers. Sometimes the training is so rigorous that other recruits tend to slip out and run-away. How prepared are you to undergo to undergo the training?. Amazingly after undergoing some pains, Paul declares that some occurred more  than 3 times and others 5 times. You may wonder why all this? But this is how God refines us.gold.There is a lot of heating, panel beating, refining, polishing before a final product is laid out on the shelf for display

For we are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared for us in advance to do. Following Jesus calls for perseverance James, the brother of Jesus exhorts us to count it all joy when we fall in diverse trials and temptations;For this has a positive side to it. The testing of our faith is what helps us develop, grow and understand perseverance. Perseverance is that state in which the gold withstands the hot temperatures, knowing that after all it is jut a matter of time and I will be refined, polished and shining. When displayed on the shelves, the allure to be with me cannot be withstood even at any dear price. And when purchased , I will be treasured and kept securely. This is who you are in Christ Jesus. Believe it, practice it and follow it .There is no turning back. After all the pillar that were the wife of Lot is warning enough.

Amen!

WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?

1 KINGS 19.1-11

Is this question familiar with us?
Does it ring any bell in our lives?
The bible clearly indicates and proves that the word of God is Active and Alive, an ever present help in time of need. When this question is asked it signifies deterioration. It signifies failure or coming from a high point to almost a low one. Just take your self momentarily and ask the same question. How many times have you found yourself in wonderland? Considering your status it is like you are a nobody. You are not the first one child of God, neither does this condemn you to a lesser blessing. It is just those instances the lord uses to shape us as He would love us be.

Elijah was in a similar situation. May be your case is not so much on you as was that of this prophet of the Most High. His name means " The Lord is my God". Yet the circumstances indicate otherwise. I can see what you feel and even envisage the painful questions flying in your mind. This were elephant, but a midst all this, the bible says that God told Elijah 1 Kings chapter 18 a couple of things to be done.
1. Present yourself to Ahab who is married to Jezebel an idol worshiper and declare after 3 years it is going rain.
2. Meet Obadiah, means "servant of God" who was in-charge of the palace. 1 Kings 18.3-4. I love this man Obadiah, he is quite outstanding. Working for Idol worshiper yet not bowing down, but serving God faithfully.Does this sound familiar with you. It does not matter who you are working for, your stand and faith are the determinants. 1 Kings 18 says that Obadiah had hidden 100 prophets in caves whom he fed every day without any one knowing except God,.

The message that Elijah sent to Obadiah was very precise in 1 Kings 18.8. "And he answered I am, go and tell Ahab here is Elijah". In verse 13 Obadiah tells Elijah of what he has been doing feeding the prophets of God.But there is an interesting part to this story in verse 17 " And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubles Israel"? May be that is your nickname. They call you the one who cries or any other name. Remember the disciples were called " they who have turned the world upside down" Do not be annoyed by the nickname you have been given. You are not the first or even the last to be called names. So long as you call on the name of the living God, this will be part of the walk with the Lord. And as usual there is that self preservation. Elijah tried it in 1 Kings 18.18 "I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father's house, in that you have forsaken the commandments of the Lord, and you have n followed Baal.

How we easily loose focus.of God"s helping hand 1 Kings 18.22. Elijah's assumes he is the only prophet remaining. He has forgotten what Obadiah had informed him earlier. How many times have you cried foul, claiming that God has forsaken you. In verse 40, Elijah commanded that all the prophets of Baal be taken to the brook Ki'shon, and be killed. This is where today's encouragement begins. Friends any distraction elements must be dealt with. Don't keep them, destroy them completely. What are the Baal idols in your life? Could it be your house, job, business or even family? It is time everything must be surrendered to Christ. It dose not matter how dear and close it is to your life.One thing is for sure that do not celebrate for long the victory the Lord has brought your way. Chances are you may go through the wilderness experience jus as Elijah and Jesus did.It was when Jesus was full of the Holy Ghost that He was tempted by the devil. It is when enjoying the grace and blessing of God that trials, tribulation, tests and challenges will come your way. It is important that while here you get to understand where your help comes from. It is important to understand that it is not by might or by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord that you are what and who you are. That is why there is no room for boasting. After all if there is any boasting we should boast that we are in the Lord. Be ready and for-warned. There will be counter attacks. It may not be easy, but you have to know who called you and the hope that is in you through Christ Jesus.

What are you doing here? This is the question that God asked Elijah. And may I ask you what are you doing here? Is this the place that God called you to serve? Are you in the ministry of the Lord or you are pursuing your own personal agenda.The mission you are fighting for, is it the mandate God gave you or your own perception. So the Lord asked Elijah the question I ask you child of God. What are you doing here? Our actions as believers have to be more action oriented than speech related. No need to give good lectures and we fail the test of being good examples. The results of confrontation leads to hiding. And this is what Elijah did and so are many of us experts of the same.

1.Elijah exemplified fear 11 Kings 19.3
-there was loss of focus from God and he looked at his individual self
-he started considering himself and his prevailing situation.
Sin leads to fear. Be sure any of these issues are quickly rebuked, forgiven and forgotten.

2. Elijah was full of anxiety.
Fear lead to uncertainty. Many of us are not sure of our next course of action. This has led to people getting lost in sin yet practicing Christian lip service.When anxious, confusion and disorientation. Plans are rendered useless. Satan and his cohorts are masters of disorganization. Elijah cannot even remember how God down in a great way. But thinks only of I, ME and MYSELF. He is so myopic and egocentric but be careful or he will bring you to your lowest ebb.

3. Elijah was hiding from the truth (Jesus is the truth)
During tough times people fear facing the truth. In fact we are living in times when believers tell lies without batting their eyes.In this case, Elijah cannot dare face Jezebel with the truth. This is the man who believing God had declared it was not going to rain for three and a half years and it did not. He is the same person who gave command to Ahab to run very fast because it was coming to rain. This Elijah did call out for the God who answers by fire and He came through for him. Yet within a twinkling of an eye he is hiding deep in the cave with a pulsating throb of his heart. My friend what is it the you trusted God for, he came through for you and now here you cursing and calling God all the names in the world. Can you compare your sufferings to what the apostle Paul went through.God has helped you conquer this question and here there comes another and you start rattling. Fear of the truth leads to maintaining status quo and  a don't care attitude.

When you run from the truth you wear out very fast.This is  a weapon the devil knows well how to use.When we hide the truth, we think we are helping ourselves. How weak we expose ourselves and open ourselves to the devils manipulation
In 1 Kings 19.4 is a prayer we normally pray when hiding from the truth. "God you know, just see and understand the circumstances are beyond my scope, I am trying to live my level best. And these are the tricks we apply. Hide under a tree "shed as Elijah did, Take my life and die, thinking I am no better than my ancestors and why suffer any way? Could this be talking about you? You've come to a place where you think there is no need living. Consider Elijah confronting God and telling him. God, this you do not know. "All the prophets have been killed only I who is alive" Probably you can identify with this story very clearly. Yo have cares and concerns of this world that are weighing you down, try Jesus. He say come to me all that are heavily laden and I will give you rest . Trust me, there is TRUE rest in Christ Jesus

Come taste and see that the lord is GOOD. Come out of hiding. What are you doing there? Look up the lamb of god is beckoning you come. Come to him, He is the friend that sticks closer than a brother. Give him your situation and the rest will be history. Believe it and live it. Amen!

MAKE EVERY EFFORT

HEBREWS 12.12-14

Therefore lift up the hands that are hanging down and the feeble knees; And make straight the paths for your feet, but let  that which is lame be healed . Follow peace with all men, and holiness without which no man shall see God.

We know the story of the hare and the hyena. There was famine that resulted in such a great and extended season of hunger that all food to be eaten was all gone. And so hare and hyena agreed to both kill their mothers and eat them before they finally die. However, hare was cunning enough and convinced the hyena to first kill his mother and this went as planned. But when it the turn for the hare to do the provision, she hid her mother and the story can be picked up from there. Bottom line of the story selfishness and egocentricity.

For you to make every effort , it means that there must be any area of weakness. And because they are well identified, the best you can do is to fix them. Fixing them requires effort and not just effort but much effort. James the brother of our Lord Jesus Christ would love us to look at these two areas, which are:-
1. Wavering faith e.g. Peter in Mathew 26.69-75
2. Personal zeal The I can do it all by myself, Acts 8.1
Acts 22.10 Paul when confronted by Jesus asked, "What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said to him, Arise, and go to Damascus; and there you will be told what you are supposed to do".
3. Overconfidence and Spirituality Philippians 3.4
4. Learn to forget yesterdays glory Philippians 3.7-10

Look at these words Therefore v.12 of our main scripture. It is an adjoining word, expounding what has been previously mentioned. For me and you to produce a harvest of righteousness Hebrews 12.12 has to be a daily application. The feeble arms (extremely weak, not very good or effective) have to be strengthened, Exodus 17.8-13
When spiritual fatigue sets in, friend you are exposed. Take care you are vulnerable. You need to make effort and every effort for this matter counts

Hebrews 12.13 Make level paths for your feet. Take cue from King David Psalm 119.105, " Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path". This same David declares, " I have made an oath and confirmed it that I will follow your righteous law". All these David promises God not withstanding the effects of resistance and body fatigue. This is a call for upright conduct that will help rather than hinder the spiritual and moral welfare of others especially the "lame" who waver in faith.

Hebrews 12.14, Make every effort to live in peace with all men and be holy. This is not an easy plan, it calls for resilience, a heart of forgiveness and above all love. Love of yourself is the foundation of loving others. You can only forgive someone knowing you will require the same level of love somewhere.Your testimony should not be held back by any scandal. Neither should your walk of faith be determined by your surrounding. It needs to be total. You need to be a faithful servant of God equally diving the word of God.There is no choice to this verse, either embrace it or you live it. Hallelujah!

Let us look critically at what it means to Holy living.
Holy means consecrated ,sacred, morally and spiritually perfect. It means belonging to , empowered by or devoted to God or of high moral excellence.
Holiness is not a choice. On the contrary, this is a way of life 1 Peter 1.15-16, Because you and I have been called of God there is no exception to living a holy life. The bible clearly says that without Holiness no man will see God. Who does not want to see God? With this desire burning in your heart, therefore, Make every effort to live a holy life.

Isaiah 35.8 "And a highway will be there. It will be called the way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it. It will be for those who walk in that way. Their speech and actions are in sync with what they purport to profess. They suffer no guilt nor are repentant of who watches and sees what they are doing. Do you live such a kind of life, Or your testimony is dictated by who is around you?

1 Corinthians 1.12 "Now this I say to everyone of you. I Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you. Love is a force of desire  but is generated by choice. Decide today to follow Jesus. Stop looking at the challenges besetting you. Forget about the forces trying to pull you down. Stand up and live for Christ. It is a daily duty of making effort. The effort you made yesterday was meant for the business of yesterday, today you will need to work hard and stretch forth the feeble arms and straighten the weak knees. The goodness with life is that I will not struggle alone. The Holy Spirit is my guide, teacher, trainer and also empowered to correct me. Therefore I can manage t live on the straight and narrow.

Beloved, because there is no justification in the law, therefore make every effort to live at peace with all men. Amen. Receive it in Jesus' name. Grace!

The dark origins of abortion

'Oh, NO! I cannot be pregnant again. No way.  This cannot be the hindrance to my success. I'll not allow it'

That conversation rings in many minds than we are willing to admit.


Immediately after the woman will get this off the  'obstacle'.

Our worldly culture has taught us that we must succeed at all cost and a mere foetus must not hinder that especially if they intrude and show up somewhere on your trajectory of success.

So what is the origin put this? Walk with me we inquire.

Molech!  That's were it starts.

History has it that there was a valley just outside Jerusalem where mothers offered their newborns to Molech the goddess of Prosperity.  Loud drums could be heard drowning the the wailing of mothers and paid babies as they zizzle to death on the hands of Molech.

The mothers were assured that the newborns were not human. But by offering the spirit of that 'thing' would be made better in the next child. It became an accepted practice to burn babies in the hands of Molech.

Do you see a similarity between this and abortion? We are told the woman's health is more important and they have a right to make choices of the kind of 'health' they want.  They say out outs their basic right (read perversion).

So the society is free to engage in sexual perversion unhindered!

That it's the sad history of abortion.

It's my orientation, give me a break!

Should I bother you if you have a gay orientation?

This is the buzzword nowadays. I was born this way. What does God expect me to do? I did not make me. You surely cannot expect me to act otherwise.

I invite you to think with me over this issue. It is so important that the record is set t straight.

So there was this man. A Kenyan. He was captured in a vivid description by the media as the man who derived pleasure in breaking the bones and killing human beings! He said he could not resist the temptation to kill, especially the young ones. Here is his confession found on Youtube:

Is it far-fetched to say the said serial killer has an orientation to kill?

This of course is not the only person who has described themselves deriving pleasure from heinous acts such as these.

What about Kleptomania? Ever heard of that? Wikipedia defines it as "is the inability to refrain from the urge to steal items for reasons other than

personal use or financial gain. First described in 1816, kleptomania is classified in psychiatry as an impulse control disorder." So we have people who have an orientation, if I may borrow that term, to steal!

You already know what I am driving at. Am I justified to live by impulse? Do we allow the serial killer and Kleptomaniacs to carry on with their trade u
ninhibited? Is it just to bring the serial killer to books for unwarranted killing? Aren't you infringing on his rights when you jail them for an impulse (read orientation) to steal or to steal?

The Book of Romans tackles this subject. Please read with me Romans 1:24-27:


24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their [own] hearts to sexual impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves [abandoning them to the degrading power of sin],

25 Because they exchanged the truth of God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, Who is blessed forever! Amen (so be it).

26 For this reason God gave them over and abandoned them to vile affections and degrading passions. For their women exchanged their natural function for an unnatural and abnormal one,

27 And the men also turned from natural relations with women and were set ablaze (burning out, consumed) with lust for one another—men committing shameful acts with men and suffering in their own [d]bodies and personalities the inevitable consequences and penalty of their wrong-doing and going astray, which was [their] fitting retribution.
Indeed, we have an orientation to sin. But we cannot justify this. Indeed, that is the very reason the Son of Man was manifested, to destroy the power of sin in our lives (1 John 3:5:

5 You know that He appeared in visible form and became Man to take away [upon Himself] sins, and in Him there is no sin [essentially and forever].

Won't you turn to Him to deliver you from your orientation?