Thursday, 14 June 2012

Help!!! Please help, I am in a fix!!!

This is the dilema of a young Christian lady who needs your comment and counsel. Please be sincere and honest in your judgement as it could go a long way help make serious decision...

Consider urself in this shoes and tell me ur opinion...u date a guy for about 4 years,he doesn't have any formal certification bcos he fell ill for a year in his penultimate class in uni n was expelled.he is born again(very spirit-filled).loving,caring,can never hurt u,attends to ur need s and never wants u to cry aldo he doesn't v a job buh has experience in his field,yet no capital to establish a private establishment since he doesn't v any certification to get a career job.he is also somewhat unexciting and doesn't seem to av appeal for outgoing activities e.g cinemas,eateries, beach etc. U meet this new exciting guy and u v watched his consistency @ getting to marry u for over a year.he is educated,funloving...highly romantic,outgoing,takes u to d cinema, karaoke,beach,buys u lunch buh appears in ur subconscious to be a cassanova.goes to church buh not as spirit inclined as d other unexciting guy.drinks like 2 bottles of beer in a week.he is sweet and also caring..works in a big establishment,comfortable and has all d potentials of a presentable n honourable elite in d society buh u smell traces of trouble in ur subconscious about him. CONSIDERING the fact that u came from a humble background,although,u aint freaked about money cos u have a well paying job too buh u crave for a financially secured future which he has unlike d other uneducated dude who can't pay ur bills,rather u spend for him buh assures u happiness in d future buh not financial security.who wud u rather marry.

Thank you for your comment and contributions.

Saturday, 9 June 2012

DANA Plane Crash on 3rd June 2012 - Living is a Privilege

I was at a birthday get together when the news first hit my phone, I disregarded it as one of the numerous postings that end up being pictures with baloon planes upside down. After disregarding with a hiss, another message came in with the same information but different content. Then a friend sent a message asking if I was receiving any messages of a plane crash on my BB. That was when I realised it was true and many lives have probably been lost again.
The details of the crash started coming from different angles and my heart switched from everything around. I started losing interest in everything and automatically my mind started taking a roll call to confirm all my friends and family for any that might have travelled but nobody I knew told me s/he was travelling. Soon after, I began another roll call of people I knew who lived in that neighbourhood- I couldn't think of any. My heart was still unsettled and despaired for the many lives that would have been lost in that crash.
The whole event still appeared distant to me but from past experience of serious mishaps you can't be too sure about that. From that night on, I started hearing of varying people who were saved from the crash. By the next morning, it was the story of the different people involved in the crash that hit a densely populated neighbourhood with residents also killed. The famous, rich, poor, sick, bride, mother, infant, foreigner, cherished, faith-full, shepherd, sheep etc all died in the crash. Please do not forget that the same morning there was a bomb blast in another state killing Christians in church and the suicide bomber. A tragic day you would want to say.
My submission to all these after weighing all that has happened is that Life is a privilege. The living(now) should consider him/herself privileged to be alive. This is not to say that the believer can die anyhow or without God's knowledge, neither is it to put fear in our hearts that our life can be cut short anytime. Not at all.
My point clearly is that we should live our lives as poeple who are privileged to have them. And we ought to make the best of every moment. We should be "redeeming the time because the days are evil...finding out what pleases the Lord.." and committing ourselves to it.
It could have been anyone who flies or has ever flown on a plane. The plane could have crashed in any community within or outside its route. so by all implication it could have been you reading this piece (by extension to other parts of the world-disasters/accidents happen anytime unannounced, it is why they are called that).
In summary, live every moment of your life here as one who is privileged by God to have that time; find out what pleases God that should be done and commit to it; make the best use of every moment and put away all strife, bitterness & anger; reach out to as many as you can around you making the most of every opportunity.
Do remember that life is short and only the purposeful maximises what is to be explored. Do not forget - Jesus has overcome the world. Live a privileged purpose full life.

Ephesians 5v15 - 20
15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

I extend my condolence to the family and friend of the departed(in the plane crash and various bomb blasts around the world), weeping with you and Praying for you. I pray that God will comfort you in every way by the Holy Spirit. Only God can comfort you adequately.


Please drop a prayer in the comment box for friends and family. Thank you.

Thursday, 31 May 2012

RELATIONSHIPS and You

Often times when we mention the word relationship, the expectation is a love relationship between a lady and a guy. While this column might pay some attention to that kind of relationship because of the many issues that spring from it, we will be looking at it from a broad perspective in this edition. Everyone in a relationship usually has certain attributes or qualities they are looking for. A relationship could be in different forms as parent-child, friendship (age peers, older to younger), siblings, co-workers, employer-employee etc. Whatever form it is, it is usually defined by different events and circumstances which maybe natural, contractual or chance.
Everyone in a relationship has some expectation from the relationship considering an input he or she also brings into and this is irrespective of the form, type or circumstance. We have tried to make an acronym out of the word RELATIONSHIP. Each letter presents something people clamour for in a relationship. Below spells out what people usually want in a relationship.
Real- everyone wants a relationship that is real and not built on false ideas and values. One that is clear on the terms of relating. You know what you are bringing in and taking from it. A relationship that is without false hopes and lies lurking around and bringing deceits. The best thing you can do for yourself and a friend at anytime is to be real, it makes you free.
Expression- we all want to be able to express ourselves at different times and we also want to be in a relationship that the parties are expressive and do not buckle up issues which lead to unpleasant reactions. Whatever the kind of relationship be expressive (not to a fault) because it will keep it actively working. In expressing yourself always make sure you choose the right words, actions and time to do it so that you are not misunderstood.
Love- this is the bedrock of any relationship and it is the most misunderstood concept. We all need to love and be loved. We all react to love in one way or the other and have a strong desire for it. Love is beyond what you express to the opposite (or same) sex for intimacy. Love is an expression that is free of selfishness. Love prefers other above self and wants nothing in return. The best expression of love ever displayed is the offering of Jesus as a sacrifice for you and I. 1Jhn 4v10 is clear on it and by it we know that we can love appropriately when we have embraced that love.
Accountable- every relationship demands that we are accountable to one another. Most times we want to be accountable to people we can trust will give us the best advice and vice-versa. Even though the human is wired to want freedom, he also wants to be accountable. This is why we seek mentors, close friends and lovers.
Timeless- nobody wants anything good to end. An employer would want that extra-ordinary employee to be with him for as long forever even when the employee has grown bigger than the organisation. We all want relationships that will stand the test of time, lasting forever but it is not usually guaranteed. There are moments when we wish momentary experiences of a relationship we are having should last forever especially when we are enjoying the success of being together. The only security for a life together after death is to be on the same side. Heaven or Hell?
Interesting- it is natural that interesting people attract others to themselves. Invariably we want to have interesting people surrounding us. Interest may vary depending on personalities that may be involved. What might be interesting to one might not be to another so we need to be careful not to assume that loud and funny is the same as interesting.
Ownership- often times ladies want to prove or show that they are the one aboard in a relationship. They want ownership of their man and find it difficult to let the guy out of their sight. This is always choking and can be considered to be insecurity. If something belongs to you then its all yours, anybody using time with it is borrowing time. Ownership in a relationship should not make anybody uncomfortable but should bring assurance and security.
Needs- relationships helps to meet our needs and because of that people actually look for relationships that will meet every of their need and down play on one that does not seem to be beneficial to them. The basis of relationships should not be to meet just our own needs. Every relationship should mutually benefit everyone in it.
Sound Judgment- making decisions is part of our everyday life. Good decisions will always likely take us to positions of honour. This is why being in relationships with people who can help make sound judgments and decisions on varying issues of life is important to people. It is always a wise decision to keep a company of people who will be there to give us godly counsels. It will keep us from falling.
Hardworking- even the laziest of men wants a hardworking man as a friend. A criterion for friendship is usually how hardworking the other person is. A hardworking man / woman will likely find favour in the sight of men. It should be note that there is a thin line between being busy and being in business. So be careful to know when a hard worker is just busy or actively in business.
Intimacy- building intimate relationships over a period of time is what is desired but it sometimes elude us. The mistake that people usually make is to assume that it must be there from the beginning. The best way to build intimacy in any relationship is to let it grow. Growth will require some cultivating, weeding, transplanting and harvesting. It is a process that requires diligence and patience.
Presence- much more than presents, we need the presence of people we love in our lives. Presence goes a long way. It is a great gift one can be blessed with at any time. The demise of a loved one will expose us to the reality of what it is to have someone present with us. God blessed us with His presence through the gift of the Holy Spirit.
As interesting and thoughtful as the acronym appears, we should bear in mind that we may never find all of it at a particular time in a relationship. It is also important to know that God is interested in every relationship that we have with other people. There are instructions and cautions in the Bible that calls attention to our conduct in any relationship. The most commonly remembered is “ love your neighbour as thy self” (Mar 12:31). This implies that God wants us to have good and respectable relationships with one another.
Often times we forget the first of the Ten Commandments that says “Mar 12:30 and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength." This is the first commandment.”. It means we should love God with everything we have and can ever be. It shows God deserves to be loved. “ if you can love God whom you do not see, then you will love your neighbour.
An important point to note then is that our conduct and influence in any relationship we enter into or have found ourselves should be defined by God’s love. God’s love can constrain anybody to that point of living right and making the best decisions in any kind of relationship. This is why scriptures talk about- imitating Christ as dear children; if God so loved us then we ought to love one another (1Jhn4:10-11).” the point to start for any good relationship is to be submitted to God, appreciating His love for you and me through Jesus Christ. If He could offer His only son as a sacrifice on the cross so that you will have the opportunity to be a member of His family then you also should count it a priviledge to express the same love to others. If you are forgiven you must forgive, if you have been blessed you must bless, if you have been delivered from your burdens then do not lay burdens on others, if He has honoured you then honour others, if He has trusted you then trust others, if you have been loved then you must love. You may end up being hurt sometimes when people abuse your obedience to God but remember you have also made mistakes with him also. His strength is perfect in all of this. Be a love child and make sure you love that neighbour as God as loved you.



Already published in Living Letters, March 2012 editin.

Sunday, 20 May 2012

What would you do if...?

This is a piece that requires your honest and sincere opinion and response. It might just help keep someone in the right perspective. Thank you.

A wife asked her husband to drop her at her friend's house, where a wedding was taking place. He said he would be too busy in the office and gave her some money for taxi. He left for office. Later at the wedding place, she met a fine girl and they got talking to each other. Soon they became friends. In the evening when everyone was leaving, the girl asked the woman how she was going home. She replied dat her husband was too busy in d office, so he can't come to pick her and she was going in a taxi. Then the girl said,
'My boyfriend who brought me here is coming to pick me up. I just spoke with him on phone and he's on his way to pick me. Why don't you join me in his car and we drop you at your house?' The woman agreed. A few minutes later, her husband's car arrived. The girl entered the front passenger's seat of the car and asked the woman to sit at the back, which she did. The girl introduced her new friend to the boyfriend. When he turned round to greet the woman, he discovered it was his wife but could do nothing but play along. They dropped the wife at home and left. She said "THANK YOU" with a big grin on her face and waving good night to both of them

If you were the wife, what would you do when your husband returns... If you were the husband what will you say to your wife when you return?...!!!!

Monday, 7 May 2012

The Gift of presence.

God is ever faithful.. He's always constant, remains the same no matter how far we drift away, become unaware of His presence, person and power available to us.. He proves this each moment we realize the power of His presence HE (the mighty God) has blessed us with.
His promise is that "He will never leave nor forsake you". It means He never left you...No, not for a moment but we just always get submerged in the activities and cares of this world till we become numb to the presence of our Lord in our lives.
The time of fellowship and communion with our Lord, Maker, King, Lover, Creator, Healer, Provider, Redeemer....is very important to our effectiveness and fulfilment of purpose. He rejuveniates us every moment we spend with Him and makes us blosom in our expressions of the life He has richly blessed us with.
See then that you do not neglect the gift of His presence that He blessed you with. It cost the sheding of the blood of the lamb but it was pleasing to God that you be brought nearer so that you can enjoy the beauty of being in His presence without fear,timidity or any feeling of shyness.

He has brought us near and made us His people, we who were far away and were not a people. He did these through the blood of JESUS.

You are saved to enjoy His ever abiding presence that makes power available for you to shine and reign in victory in this dark world. Enjoy the beauty of being in God's presence.

HALLELUYA!!!!!!!

Monday, 23 April 2012

The cost of ignorance

I opened my wallet this morning to keep a business card I had collected from a new contact, neatly folded in it was a N1000 note. It made me realize one more time how ignorance or being unaware of something could cost so much. The previous day, I had to beg unfamiliar faces for money because I believed I had no money on me after a disappointing trip to receive money for a job I had done. The different reactions I got from people amounted only to insults. I have not been humiliated like that before. After a bucket full of humiliations without success, I decided to take a very long stroll home from my unfruitful journey. It was a long and stressful work under the scorching sun that baked every inch of my skin. During my unplanned adventure (walk), a nasty impatient driver ran into a pool of water that was splashed on my body. It felt so irritating and degrading. The thought that ran through my mind was “how did I find myself in this situation” and “just N50 would have saved me from all these humiliations”. I was battered and felt crushed. I got home and transferred all the aggression on loved ones. It was so pathetic. Most of us go through various crushing humiliations like this because we are ignorant of the things God has freely given us. This is the position that a lot of Christians have found themselves in life. It is a situation where we suffer humiliations, trauma and defeats because of our ignorance to God’s blessings in Christ. Such blessings that have been freely given to us which we often do not realize and live in are found in these scriptures: John1V12 & 13; Ephesians 1V 3; Colosians1v 13; Hebrews7v25; Romans3v 23 & 24 etc. The believer has been crowned with loads of privileges which he often times does not benefit from because of ignorance to them. You will likely fall prey to sin until you realize that you are dead to sin in Christ Jesus. You will feel powerless and empty of authority if you are not aware that you received “power” after you received the Holy Spirit. In simple terms, the Holy Spirit came with power since the day of Pentecost. Ignorance will cost you a lot and being aware and knowledgeable will always keep you a step ahead of your game. It brings confidence in all you do. Since that incident, I make sure I check my wallet and pockets every morning before I step out of the house so that I am aware of my financial strength for the day. In the same way we should keep ourselves reminded of the things that Christ has freely given unto us every day of our lives by studying and meditating on scriptures daily. The bible describes the person who does this as someone who will be “fruitful in all he does” psalm 1; “perfect not lacking anything”; “blessed in all his deed” James 1v25. It is a choice we all have to make, whether to live in ignorance or knowledge. Make up your mind how you want to live.

Tuesday, 25 October 2011

Pray without ceasing!!!

Pray without ceasing
How do I pray without ceasing?
How do I stay persistent in praying?
I cannot kneel by my bed all day
My strength would fall to the lure of the moon
should I try by night

What other way might I try
My morning prayers appears below standard of not ceasing
My bed time prayers often end up with snores
Do I give up all activities to fulfil this instruction?
Do I assume it’s just an ironical presentation?

I will pray to my God – always
Commune with Him as much as I can
Be open to His friendship to share all my experiences
Make Him my Lord to receive His counsels
Allow His discipline ‘cos He’s my father
Pour into Him as He pours into me
Be spent in prayers at every opportunity that appears
I will share my best moments and intimate Him of the worst and challenging ones
Openness will be my guide to sharing my moments with Him
After all He sees and knows all things...

His praise will not depart from me
Thanks giving I will always bring
I will worship Him without reservations and pour my love on Him
For He deserves more than I can bring
My soul will appreciate His death for me
The gift of life that made me whole
Saved eternally by His love
Free access to approach Him any time, place or situation

I will praise Him every morning
Will talk about my day’s expectations
In the shower I will bless Him
While walking I will thank Him
On my job, we will share minds
At lunch breaks, looking through scriptures will by inspired with prayers
In the gym, I’ll keep my heart stayed on Him ‘cos He is my strength
At dinner time, every bite will be a delight ‘cos He’ll be there to brighten the moment
Among friends, I will let Him in on every gist we share
Every minute must count with a word, phrase or thought to commune with Him
Just before sleep, I will thank Him for sharing the day with me
And being there at those low moments to urge me on
This way I strive to pray without ceasing!!!