How are you doing? How is your faith?

I have not been here in a while. I have been busy. Yes-- bee-z like a bee. Let me make a confession: I think in a desperate measure never to run on empty again [thank you 2014!] I became too full-- but full of self. Good. Now that this is out here, I need to retrace my steps to the fountain of GOODNESS and drink from the main source of life- Jesus Christ!

Sometime last week, I picked up my Bible, dusted it and started reading again. I started with the book of Acts, purposefully.

So far, some things that jumped out at me:

1. The disciples experienced the mighty move of the Holy Spirit when they walked together in unity and with one purpose. Nothing beats unity of purpose! Be it in a relationship, marriage, friendship, family, workplace, country -- where people are united, things happen!
2. After the disciples received the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, people came wanting to know what happened to them. Peter in his message mostly shared his testimony. Those who heard the message surrendered and turned from their evil ways. If you really want to win souls for Christ, tell your story-- share your testimony. Of course, it is the work of the Holy Spirit to turn hearts to God. Our role? Share the testimony, the good news. No theory, no doctrine, no philosophy. Your testimony!
3. Simon. Not Peter.
4. Simon. The magician. Incredible man. He heard/saw the miracles that God was doing through the apostles and decided to turn from his magic and followed them. He walked closely with them. But one day, he couldn't hide his pretence anymore. He offered the disciples money so that he too can work miracles. Incredible right? Trust the disciples. They rebuked him! The power of the Holy Spirit is not for sale. 
5. Simon. It sounds like he humbled himself. He asked for them to pray for him.
6. Simon. My take? Not everyone who comes to "church" or looks like "church" is truly saved. Jesus knows those who are his! We must keep praying for one another. 
7. The Apostles suffered sha! Persecution here and there. Threats. Beating. Imprisonment. Being a follower of Jesus or a believer does not mean that your life will be easy. It will be tough. But God will always send you help.
8. Saul. After he got saved stayed close to the disciples before he was later sent out. It is important not to try to grow in isolation when you receive the gift of salvation. It is also important not to stay in the position that will cause you to backslide or turn back to those things that God delivered you from. Stay close to other believers and trust the Holy Spirit to help you grow.
9. Stephen. He was stoned to death because of his faith. He prayed for these enemies as they stoned him to death. Amazing! A heart like Jesus!
10.  Great signs and wonders did follow those who believed. Just as Jesus said in Mark 16:17!

I am still reading...I am feeling very challenged by these testimonies. It is not enough to carry the title of Christianity up and down without any fruit to show. 

How are you doing? How is your faith?

My prayer for this month-- 

Empty me of self and fill me up, Lord.

Shalom!

Do you stand on your knees?

We can't fully enjoy the fullness of Christ Jesus revealed in us until we are ready to bend to our lowest position for Him to rise to His highest position in us.

Once on my knees, I felt like I was standing in full height. On the outside I looked all surrendered but deep down within I just would not submit. I didn't know how. I felt my strength wanting to play god before the Almighty. Many times, on my knees I stood. I held back so much. But God sent me help. I experienced some level of suffering. It was in this suffering that I learnt what it means to be broken. And what it means to kneel before God. I learned to surrender. God will always send us help in the language each of us will understand.

Do you sometimes find yourself standing on the inside while on your knees?

In our walk with God, we need to really learn to experience what it means for Jesus to be increased in us. And like we know, we can't raise shoulder with His presence in our lives. We have the Holy Spirit to help us.

"He must increase, but I (must) decrease" John 3:30.

Shalom!

War Room: This Is Not Just About Christianity

For such a time as this-- we have "War Room", a movie with a powerful message that is impacting lives in a way no other movie has done in a while.

"War Room" is not just about Christianity. It addresses the decaying nature of the foundation of every society-- the family. And from that position touches on other key issues that affects you and me-- ethics at the workplace, friendship, finance, forgiveness, repentance, personal responsibility, personal values etc.

It also points out the role we all need to play to awaken the sleeping giant in us, the body of Christ. People gather every Sunday in church and disperse the same way they came. All lukewarm. No power. As long as we can all manage a plastic smile, life is good but the devil is having a great time dealing. Until we get angry as Elizabeth did, take a stand and pray the devil back to hell, nothing will move. Wait, but first, there has to be a Miss Clara... that will help us become a Miss Clara for others.

I have to confess that during the first few minutes into the movie I felt a bit uncomfortable. Am I going to spend two-hours of my life watching a movie about couples struggling with their marriage? But no. The plot did unfold into other key areas that I, a single lady in the academia, bootstrapping a business idea could relate with.

Winning in life is all about having the right strategy. It does not matter who you are or what position you are in at the moment, "War room" is the movie to see this season! You won't leave the cinema the same way-- something will give. Something will spring up.

This review is nothing compared to the actual experience. 

I thank God for Alex Kendrick and the team. Amazing storyline, amazing movie in honor of an AMAZING GOD! You MUST see/watch it!

On a lighter note, is it just me or did Elizabeth [Priscilla Shirer] look like Michelle Obama in this movie?

I give you all the credit, God

Psalm 30The Message (MSG)

A David Psalm

30 I give you all the credit, God—
    you got me out of that mess,
    you didn't let my foes gloat.

2-3 God, my God, I yelled for help
    and you put me together.
God, you pulled me out of the grave,
    gave me another chance at life
    when I was down-and-out.

4-5 All you saints! Sing your hearts out to God!
    Thank him to his face!
He gets angry once in a while, but across
    a lifetime there is only love.
The nights of crying your eyes out
    give way to days of laughter.

6-7 When things were going great
    I crowed, "I've got it made.
I'm God's favorite.
    He made me king of the mountain."
Then you looked the other way
    and I fell to pieces.

8-10 I called out to you, God;
    I laid my case before you:
"Can you sell me for a profit when I'm dead?
    auction me off at a cemetery yard sale?
When I'm 'dust to dust' my songs
    and stories of you won't sell.
So listen! and be kind!
    Help me out of this!"

11-12 You did it: you changed wild lament
    into whirling dance;
You ripped off my black mourning band
    and decked me with wildflowers.
I'm about to burst with song;
    I can't keep quiet about you.
God, my God,
    I can't thank you enough.

Bible Gateway

No need for the false purity... His love is enough

One of the things that lead us to the path of false purity as christians is our attempt to earn God's love. We think we have to be in a particular way to be in God's good book. We appear holier than thou. We do all the good when others are watching [like they are the ones who will appraise us before God] but our hearts are filled with filthy intentions and values- strife/bitterness, hatred, jealousy, anger. We molest others with our gossip and fault-finding tongue. We play the favor-game [help only people who can return the favor/who we can benefit from]. Then we judge others who are struggling with their faith, for not being good-enough christians like us.  We forget that God is God who sees all the hidden things men cannot see. We forget that God created us and He is all-knowing.

There have been many times in the past when, like many young christians, I thought that I have to be PERFECT to earn God's love. The thought of Him just loving me, despite being born in iniquity is sometimes overwhelming. You know, the thought of Him loving me without me earning it does not make sense. Each time I fall short of certain standards, thanks to Mr. Flesh, I get very hard on myself. I feel like hiding from God, forgetting that He is omnipresent.

Yet I feel and hear Him tug gently at me, saying: it is okay... no need for the false purity my love is just enough.

God sent His only begotten son, Jesus, to die for our sins. Not just the sins of the people in the generation of St. Peter or St. John. He died for the whole world, including our unborn children, in order to reconcile us with Himself. This means, we need to stop trying to redeem ourselves by playing the goody-two-shoes with God.

Our righteousness [especially when we try to earn it] before God is compared to a filthy rag-- it was compared to a woman's menstrual rag [yup, you know how that stinks]. We don't need the false purity. What we need to do is to consciously embrace the love and grace that God has made available to us. It is through the sufficiency of this grace that we are able to grow in faith. Of course, we are not to keep falling and falling into sin because Jesus is interceding on our behalf. The grace is to empower us to live above sin and trump the baby-christian lifestyle, while helping others up, while lighting the lamp for others to see the light.

This morning, a new song came to me-- it is a new love song to God. It is not enough to say thank you to God for opening my eyes. My inadequacies are no disqualification for who God has called me to be. Today, I choose to embrace His love and grace, in all its fullness.

God is God all by Himself, yet He has called me by name--unto a higher ground. I hope you share the same testimony?

LORD I THANK YOU:

I thank you Lord

for loving me just the way I am 

I thank you for loving me

despite who I am 

Lord I thank you

Lord I thank you

Lord I thank you

Lord I thank you [x2]. 

You love me I cannot say why

Lord you love me I cannot say why. 

Lord I thank you

Lord I thank you

Lord I thank you

Lord I thank you [x2].

I thank you for loving me despite who I am

Lord I thank you for loving me despite who I am [x2]

Lord I thank you

Lord I thank you

Lord I thank you

Lord I thank you [x2].

Shalom!

31 - I Give Thanks

If you refuse to tell ur story or share your testimony, others will do it for you. And most times, they don't tell it right! So always testify!!!

I give thanks:

I'm thankful for God's mercy, 

extravagant grace and love! 

I'm thankful for life.

I'm thankful for light.

I'm thankful for my lovely family,

and good friends.

I'm thankful for wisdom.

I'm thankful for every boy, girl,

man and woman,

Who invested in me,

and gave me a lift.

I'm thankful for the Klines.

I'm thankful for my Pastor,

the Church and gospel of Christ.

I'm thankful for the valleys that

has helped me grow stronger.

I'm thankful for Nigeria.

I'm thankful for #CSJ16.

I'm thankful for heartfelt love,

cheerful laughter and safe travels.

I'm thankful for provision and

protection so divine!

I'm thankful for beauty,

and patience.

I'm thankful for talent, 

opportunities and favour.

I'm thankful for you.

May you always find a reason

to give thanks too.

I'm thankful for the best,

which is to come.

Light Up Your World With The Word

More than even before, I feel we are in the season of Daniel 11:32 "...but the people who know their God shall prove themselves strong and shall stand firm and do exploits [for God]." What is your spiritual condition? Is there a hole in your armor (Ephesians 6:10-18)?

The strategy of the enemy these days is to keep us busy. To consume us with all sorts of activities so that we can barely have time to have an individual fellowship with God.

Dear friend, as we transition into the 2nd half of the year 2015, please increase your communion level. Increase the number of hours you study your Bible and pray.

Daniel 11:32. To know God, we have to seek Him. The Bible is a good place to start. As well as the place of prayer.

For someone who has experienced great deliverance from the power of darkness, I have learned that life is very spiritual and by the power of Jesus Christ in us, we can slay any giant. But we have to stay connected to God and remain charged through His Word.

Arise and light up your world with His Word!

Shalom.