Heathen's rage

"Pastor X of Ever faithful Ministries just bought a Lexus jeep. His wife travels abroad 5 times a year. His children wear very expensive clothes. Do you know many mansions he has in Lagos? As for me, that is why I don't pay tithes o. Offering ke? So that it will enter his pocket? Me, am still trying to feed my family."

What is the contention? "Why do the heathen rage and the people imagine a vain thing?" Ps 2:1 Caution! I say, caution!
You see, it is very easy to deprive yourself of the blessings of God, simply because you choose to place your eyes on the wrong things. Peter began walking on water, as soon as He took his eyes off the Master, he began to sink.
There are so many distractions in and around the body of Christ. We must strive to fix our eyes on Jesus and cut off all distractions.

There are so many dimensions to this message but I choose to focus on the call to obedience.
Now, who said christians should pay tithes and bring offerings to the church? Was it the pastor? Or was it the Lord?
Why pay to the pastor? In the old testament, the people paid their tithes(10percent of earnings) to the priests, and the priests paid 10percent of all they received to the High Priest. That was the order of things.
"The best of all the firstfruits and of all your special gifts will belong to the priests. You are to give them the first portion of your ground meal so that a blessing may rest on your household." Ezekiel 44:30

You don't get to choose what to obey in the Word of God, which is what so many people do.
" I am fornicating, but at least I don't commit murder"
"I will give offerings once in a while, but 10percent of my income? I don't think so. I will rather give to the poor"

The bible clearly states
"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it." Malachi 3:10
"Obedience is better than sacrifice." 1 samuel 15:22
You would rather give to the poor and offer humanitarian service than pay tithes.

It is a spiritual principle and like every spiritual principle, you do not logicalise, you don't apply the wisdom of the world. This is why God chose to use the foolishness of the world to confound the wise men of this world.
"For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.
Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?"1 cor 1:19-20
Yes, you have a Ph.D and you studied economics. But you don't understand why you should give 10 percent of your earnings to the Lord and how that principle works.

I once heard a christian ask sarcastically, "is tithe paying like ATM? Will it double my money? Nonsense"
You analyze the fact the pastor receiving the tithes is wealthier than you are and you feel cheated. Giving your tithes looks so foolish in your reasoning. You are the wise man of this world, choosing to disobey kingdom principles because you must know better than the God who created you.

Every man will give account on judgment day. Have we really thought about what that day would be like?
You will say to the Lord that you didn't pay tithes because your pastor didn't build schools and hospitals with the money, but instead his clothes became more expensive and his garage increased in size.
What do you think His response will be?

"If you love me, you will obey/keep my commandment." John 14:15
It is not up for negotiation.

Friends, can you not trust the Lord to know that He has good intentions for you? Now unto Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that you could ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. Eph3:20
What is that power that works in us? The same power that raised Christ from the dead. The power of the Holy Spirit.

Choose to obey the word of God because your faith is in Christ. That is the very essence of your christianity. Faith in Jesus Christ is the reason why you are saved and Abraham's blessings are yours.
It is that same faith you profess when you obey the Lord even when it seems foolish and you don't understand.

Stop looking at your pastor and fix your eyes on Jesus. Take your eyes off his Lexus jeep. Don't count how many pieces of chicken he eats. Pay your tithe and see if God will not open the windows of heaven, and pour out a blessings there will be not enough room to contain it.

Without faith, it is impossible to please God but without works, it is dead. You are holy and righteous by virtue of your faith in christ which worketh love. "For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love" Gal 5:6
If you love me, you will obey my commandments.

Choose the way of obedience.

God bless you.

Boys' scout....unprepared!

Have you ever gone to write an exam and realized you forgot to buy your pen? Can you imagine the panic that would cause?
Can you go into a battle unprepared and expect to win? That, my friend, is madness. Many christians are fighting without their swords. Some misplaced theirs. While some never had theirs.
We are continually engaging in battles.

The Word of God rightly says "for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this worlds, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Eph 6:12

I must confess that when I first got born again, I was told that that was the end of the long fight between the devil and I to send me to hell and that Jesus had already won the battle. And that everything would be rosy from then on. Halleluya!!! I shouted "Amen" with so much joy.
So amazing to hear that I would not 'struggle' any more.

Was I deceived? Yes! Because in fact, from the moment you decide to take a stand for God, the enemy will not be pleased with you at all. He has just lost a soul and he would do just about anything to get that soul back.
So while you scream halleluya and go to bed, he is plotting his next move.
But why do you think the bible says "be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:" 1 Peter 5:8?
That is his aim. He seeks to devour.

Friends, brothers and sisters, we must not be ignorant of his devices. Christianity is not a walk in the park like you think. That is the reason why we have people who have been Christians for many years still struggling with milk. They can't chew bread, they will choke. Meat? Don't even go there. They will require resuscitation. It is what I call "spiritual kwashiokor", but that is a matter for another day.

Just like any other battle, spiritual battles must be prepared for. You must have your weapons and armour.
"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.....stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:" Eph 6:11-17 KJV

I would love to talk about all the elements of the whole armour of God, but I want to focus on the sword of the Spirit.
The sword is the weapon of warfare that is used to pierce the enemy during battle. This weakens the enemy and ensures that he would have to nurse his wounds for a while.
How can you then go to battle without your sword, child of God, seeing as it is so important?

The Word of God is the sword of the Spirit. It is not enough to read your bible sometimes, or when you feel like. You must have it in you, ready to use it as the slightest opportunity. But you can not use what you don't have.
When the enemy tells you you can't succeed, you tell him you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Aha! You just shut him up.
When he tries to remind you of your past sins and tells you his famous lie that you can't come before God, you tell him you can go boldly to the throne of grace. You tell him "there is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit, for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me FREE FROM THE LAW OF SIN AND DEATH." Romans 8:1. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new." 2cor5:17
You know what you have just done? You have pierced him where it really hurts.

So many christians come to church without a bible. And if we want to be honest, most don't even open the bibles until we get to church, if we do go to church.
Some may argue the need to take a bible to church when the verses would be displayed on the church screens or written in pamphlets. I know a man who told his wife that she should not read her bible because she would get confused and that the verses she needs for each Sunday would already be included in d church pamphlet/missal. Wow!
Do you know that searching your bible for scriptures helps you to know your bible more?

The Bereans in the bible were known because they would always go back and research all that they were taught. You must realize that even pastors make mistakes sometimes. When you go back and study the word for yourself, you will not be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine. Read the word for yourself.

Dear friends, study the word of God, read it, eat it, chew it, meditate upon it day and night. Joshua 1:8
For when the enemy strikes, you may not have the time and patience to go through your bible trying to locate scriptures that you have no clue about in the first place.

There is a word for every situation we may face.
Let us get to know our bibles more. Let's get familiar with the scriptures.
For the Word is living. And the Word is God.
Perhaps, you don't know where to start from. It's alright. You can decide to use a devotional with a well laid plan on how to study your bible. Or you can decide to go book by book. It is an exciting journey.

You may know the word, but it has lost its meaning and power to you, or it was just something you memorized without understanding.
Remember that the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword. Heb 4:12
The letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life. Invite the Holy Spirit to give you understanding of the Word. He is ever willing to teach. You cannot do this on your own. That is why Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit to help us.

Dear brothers and sisters, let's get the dust off our bibles and go on an adventure with the Word.

You can thank me later because I know you will be glad you did. :)

God bless you.

Show me what you've got

Now, this is something that has been on my mind lately.
On twitter, there is this lady I follow, and mostly because I was always getting a lot of her tweets being retweeted into my timeline. She is very outspoken about politics, and women's rights.
Then I noticed a trend...on some mornings, she would literally have her bible study on my timeline, with scriptures and all. But as soon as the 'morning devotion' is over, she becomes a completely different person...tweeting a lot of vulgar stuff, down to even teaching men and women how to be good in bed sometimes. She doesn't hesitate to use curse words. she is a good writer, and even has a blog that has a lot of sex talk in it.
Did I forget to mention that she is single and claims to be #teamnosexbeforemarriage?

Aha....I see some of you already pointing fingers at me for being judgmental. Well I beg your pardon but the bible says wrong must be reproved. "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them." Eph 5:11 KJV

If we say we are christians, that has a lot of implications for us. We are soul winners, trying to win as many people as we can to Christ, especially by the lives that we live. We are children of light and darkness has no place in us.

The bible says "obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes...these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God.....don't be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins...don't participate in the things these people do. For your hearts were once full of darkness, now you are full of light from the Lord, and your BEHAVIOUR SHOULD SHOW IT. For the light within you produces ONLY WHAT IS GOOD and RIGHT and TRUE." Eph 5:4-9 NLT

It's a trend in this generation to use 'curse' words, with reckless abandon. You might feel the need to 'join' the trend. But remember this, that the light in you produces only what is good, right and true.

Another lady on twitter talked about a woman who always had something good to say. Quite frankly, she was amazed. She wondered how anyone could always be joyful and thankful. I told her it was the work of the Holy Spirit. She still could not comprehend. Now, she identified something in a christian that was not in her. And she could not understand it. The christian lady caught her attention with her light to the point that she asked "what is it that always makes this woman so happy? Does she not get depressed?"

Do not be a contradiction. Don't keep people guessing whether you are a christian or not. It's either you are, or you are not.
Someone may say, "well, my christianity is personal and I don't care what people say". Honey, the truth of the matter is that as christians, we live to please God and showcase Him to the world.
The unbelievers are watching closely. They want to understand what makes us different.
We are different. We have the Spirit of God who is with us and in us. Let us not grieve the Holy Spirit. You don't have to live a lie. You cannot give what you don't have. The love of Christ dwells richly in our hearts and that is what we emanate.

You may be a christian who uses vulgar, reckless words and try to argue that it's what's in the heart that matters. Remember however that "evil communication corrupts good manners".
It is not what goes into a man that defiles him but what comes out.

Let's take some time to reflect on our conversations. Are they seasoned with salt? Do they edify and encourage others?
"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." Eph 4:29. KJV

We live in a dark world and people need to be encouraged by our words.
Let's go on and showcase the love of God to the world.
If you are a christian and you find yourself saying things that you ought not to say, it's never too late to turn to the Lord for help. He says come boldly to the throne of grace. He is our present help in times of need.

Decide to speak life today and you will reap the fruit thereof.

God bless you, richly.

E go beta

I often say I don't have any regrets in my life....and then I look closely and say 'dis one thing'.
But I believe firmly that nothing happens by chance.
It is evident in my life and in the life of others I know. And for Christians, even more so for 'all things work together for the good'...not some things but all things.

Wondering what I am on about?
I am like a pregnant woman at term and just about to deliver my baby...just when she feels she can't handle it anymore, out comes the baby.

I am certain dat e go beta.

Loud thoughts

It's saturday night and am wide awake in bed having my 'me' time.
Thots keep racing through my mind....
I smile as i recall.

Years back, a friend of mine said to me, 'women hav fish brains'. I was offended but didnt show it. I laughed out sarcastically wondering why he made such a statement because i certainly didnt think i had a fish brain.

After a few years, i think i now understand what he was trying to say back then.

Women are moved by what they hear. A man would say tell a woman what she 'wants' to hear and she is all yours.

Women have the ability to believe and trust easily.
When a woman is in love with a man, she does not listen to the voice of reasoning, and no matter what you tell her about the man, she will not leave him easily.

So she starts dating him and one day they have an arguement and he raises his voice at her. She does not take note of that. The next time, he hits the wall with his fist.
She still does not take note. The next time, he attempts to slap her, but he refrains. She stil does not get the cue....and the next arguement lands her in a hospital. He apologizes with roses and sweet words and she takes him back.....only to begin a vicious circle.

I would not say she is weak and cant fight for herself. But i say Lord may i not cross paths with a man like that.

As i ponder on this trait, i realise that Jesus was surrounded by women in His ministry who seemed to believe what He said more than the men. Mary believed the resurrection and went to the tomb of Jesus that morning. When she went to inform the disciples, it was clear that they had some doubt(john 20:8-10).

A believing heart is not equal to stupidity and naiveity. But experiences have a way of hardening the heart. As for me i would keep my believing heart, learn lessons of life from the lives of other too, love whole heartedly, laugh always(even at myself), forget the things which are behind, always smile and do good, say i love you every chance i get, remember the Lord in my youth, and live a happy life.

Most High

People always ask me why I seem to always be on some sort of high. My classmates say am hyper n have sooooooo much energy in me....a friend once asked me to give her some of the 'good stuff' I smoke every morning as soon as I get out of bed, the stuff dat seems to have a high blood/gas coefficient and potency...lmao!!
Another close friend recently said to me: 'you are the bubbliest person I have ever known'. Shocked, all I could say was 'really?? Pls say anything else but don't lie' was having a conversation with yet another friend who told me I always have a smile on my face. Am like Lord have mercy! What does the smile look like?:)
This got me thinking a bit.
See, In the twenty something years I have been existing on earth, I would never have called myself 'fun' or 'bubbly' or 'smily'...these are just words I would never have used to describe myself.

Growing up was not very fun. Living in a house with two brothers(have 3, the last wasn't even a zygote or a yolk sac at the time), I was always alone because they always used to play rough games and I didnt want as much as a scratch on my skin.
It was basically a lonely childhood. Little wonder most of my friends stare at me in disbelief when I admit I don't know how to play most of the games they all grew up playing( including the popular 'ten ten')

I was never timid..or shy, but would not consider myself a sanguine.
Always had a measure of seriousness in all that I did.

So, what happened? What happened to the loner, 'not so fun', quiet girl?

It happened 4years ago. Yes!! That was when the transformation happened...when I said a prayer to the Lord accepting Him as my Master.
Then I noticed the comments. Depression was a stranger to me. I didn't need alcohol or weed or sex to get me high.
I was on some high and still am....the God kind of high..

Smiling became so natural, laughing...an inseparable part of me...oh!!!the joy that filled my soul...words can't describe.

Nothing has changed, its been like that ever since. Some doubt its real and think I am not being exactly honest about why I am always happy....
In times of sorrow, the joy never diminishes..its a fruit of the spirit. It is here to stay:) and am loving it.

The bible says in the presence of the Lord there is fullness of joy...words can't describe.
People would do anything to be happy all the time. Comedians are making a lot of money because they make people happy and laugh for only awhile.

If you want to know the secret, you can do what I did 6years ago.....He is waiting to put that joy in your heart..the kind of joy that makes you stand out

Lonely Path

When I hear 'certain' people mention a 'lonely path', I am usually very quick to think that such a person is probably in the ministry or really just a loner:)

I have been on quite a few lonely paths, but I seem to find myself on d one called 'self discovery'...yeah, I know it sounds like
a road I should have been on a long time ago.
Let's just say I was on it and I skidded off the road, but now I find myself there again.
But why lonely? I look around and I see just a few passersby, ditches and potholes called criticism, sarcasm and mistakes....oh!the mistakes. Just when I think I have dodged all the potholes, I see road blocks of fear, doubt, cowardice, rejection and manipulation. Wow! What a road!!
Been walking for miles and miles and but then I notice that at every point, there is a man dressed in white, so tall and huge with a bright smile, handing me a drink. The first man gave me a drink called faith, the second a drink called determination, the third handed me a drink labelled gumption, the forth called patience, the fifth called boldness and courage and the sixth called focus.
As I progress in my walk, I can see that I have come a long way...suddenly there are no more potholes...

To be continued!

The brevity of life

Sometimes, I can understand why some people don't save. But to the world, they seem stupid and highly unwise.
Save, save, save! Pile up more. Keep them for the rainy day.'

We save our best clothes for a special day when we would get to wear them.
We buy clothes and keep them in our wardrobes for several months, waiting for that wedding invitation.
We save our best shoes for such occasions and some of us have as many as 100 pairs of shoes, but we save 98 for special occasions and wear 1 or 2 every single day till d soles come off.

We have been dying to go to that Chinese restaurant in town, but we plan to go when we have 'enough' money.

Friend, that day may NEVER come. The wedding invitation may come a day too late. All we have is now. Enjoy the life God has given you now.
Appreciate the ones who are dear to you NOW.
Do what you have always wanted to do NOW.
Love like tomorrow will not come, NOW.

Everyday it hits me how short life is. Most who die, never expect death at that time.
Life's lesson today: live, love, breathe, savour every moment, laugh! 'No regrets'......may those be the words I speak on the day I die.

The Hiatus

So I took quite a long break. Didn't mean to stay away for too long.
However, during my period of absence from blogging, so many interesting life changing events took place in my life....like getting married!!!
What a shocker, I know!!!!
I couldn't agree less. Will definitely write all about that.
I certainly have missed writing and I promise not to stay away for too long again.

I went through my notes on facebook and thought I should share them here as well.

Enjoy!!