I recall a few years ago when my friends and I embarked on a relaxation tour of South-western Nigeria. We visited some notable tourist attractions. We were at some waterfall- a chilling and thrilling experience it was! We also had a swim in a pool from a warm spring. There we saw one of nature's numerous mysteries- a warm and a cold spring flowing down, meeting at some point but never mixing up! The whole trip was, to say the least, refreshing!
But this is by no means comparable to a refreshing experience that comes directly from God. Acts 3:19 talks about these "TIMES OF REFRESHING". The privilege, chance and ability to enjoy these times are however, hinged on REPENTANCE.
Yes, repentance.
This simply implies a change of heart that brings about a change of life. It entails a turn around from a old sinful life to a new one filled with the spirit of God.
Shunning sin gives us that great opportunity to enjoy the innumerable beautiful blessings from the throne of God. He cannot dwell in a sinful temple. We, therefore, need to cleanse ourselves, expunging all evil, and present ourselves as holy temples before Him.
Indeed, seasons of refreshing await all who choose to forsake evil and resist the devil. This spiritual refreshing cannot be matched by any fleshly or physical satisfaction derived from earthly pleasures.
Accept this offer and you'd be exceedingly glad you did!!!
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
FORGIVENESS..how does it work?
so we're here having our first interactive session..and the issue is an important one..
FORGIVENESS.
What should be a christian's approach to forgiveness?
Man-to-man...For instance, when someone has wronged you, do you have to wait until he/she comes to beg for forgiveness before you forgive?
or you should just forgive and move on?
Do you think being easily forgiving lets people take advantage?
God and man - for instance, when we continue in wrongdoing and keep going back to God, do you think there are times He gets fedup with our constant sins and refuses to forgive us, because, afterall, we will go straight back to do that same thing..
another thing: What is the place of retribution? Scenario;if someone stole, after he has repented, does he have to give back all he stole for his forgiveness to take effect?
What about consequences..when God forgives, does He always make us suffer the consequences of our previous sins?
And lastly, when the Bible says that God will remember our sins no more, Does it really mean that God absolutely obliterates sins and it is eternally forgotten? or do the labels of those sins stil apply.
please, we look forward to a beautiful interactive session with y'all. Let's know the philosophy that guides you on this matter. let others learn from what you have to say..yes, say ur mind even if anonymously.
God bless you!!
FORGIVENESS.
What should be a christian's approach to forgiveness?
Man-to-man...For instance, when someone has wronged you, do you have to wait until he/she comes to beg for forgiveness before you forgive?
or you should just forgive and move on?
Do you think being easily forgiving lets people take advantage?
God and man - for instance, when we continue in wrongdoing and keep going back to God, do you think there are times He gets fedup with our constant sins and refuses to forgive us, because, afterall, we will go straight back to do that same thing..
another thing: What is the place of retribution? Scenario;if someone stole, after he has repented, does he have to give back all he stole for his forgiveness to take effect?
What about consequences..when God forgives, does He always make us suffer the consequences of our previous sins?
And lastly, when the Bible says that God will remember our sins no more, Does it really mean that God absolutely obliterates sins and it is eternally forgotten? or do the labels of those sins stil apply.
please, we look forward to a beautiful interactive session with y'all. Let's know the philosophy that guides you on this matter. let others learn from what you have to say..yes, say ur mind even if anonymously.
God bless you!!
Joy in the Morning ... After the Mourning
"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5)."
True, it's easy to believe the principle when we don't need it! But for heart-broken people it can seem that "joy in the morning" is a far way off.
The reality is that disappointment, heartache, grief, and sorrow come to all of us at some time or another. Sooner or later we are all going to lose an opportunity, our job, our investment portfolio, or a loved one.
And, as the poet said:
"When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
And the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When funds are low and debts are high,
You have to smile but you want to cry."
It takes time to work through and resolve our grief (and we need supporting friends to help us do this). But when we do, we can come out a more understanding and caring person ... and better able to support others who are going through sad times. And, in time, joy in the morning will replace our mourning!
For whatever encouragement it may be, try to remember that no matter how disappointed you are feeling or how much you are hurting right now; know that every heartache and loss has within it the seeds of opportunity. Hidden within each disappointment is a pearl of great price, which, when found, will dwarf your problem. The greatest success stories are written by people who, against seemingly overwhelming and often insurmountable odds, have accepted their trials and turned them into opportunities for personal growth and stepping stones on their pathway to success.
With God's help you and I can do the same. Trust him and choose friends who will empower you to do so.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, in every disappointment, heartache, sorrow, and trial I experience, help me to always keep trusting my life to you and, in the process, will you please make something beautiful out of my life. Please do this for your glory, and thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
True, it's easy to believe the principle when we don't need it! But for heart-broken people it can seem that "joy in the morning" is a far way off.
The reality is that disappointment, heartache, grief, and sorrow come to all of us at some time or another. Sooner or later we are all going to lose an opportunity, our job, our investment portfolio, or a loved one.
And, as the poet said:
"When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
And the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When funds are low and debts are high,
You have to smile but you want to cry."
It takes time to work through and resolve our grief (and we need supporting friends to help us do this). But when we do, we can come out a more understanding and caring person ... and better able to support others who are going through sad times. And, in time, joy in the morning will replace our mourning!
For whatever encouragement it may be, try to remember that no matter how disappointed you are feeling or how much you are hurting right now; know that every heartache and loss has within it the seeds of opportunity. Hidden within each disappointment is a pearl of great price, which, when found, will dwarf your problem. The greatest success stories are written by people who, against seemingly overwhelming and often insurmountable odds, have accepted their trials and turned them into opportunities for personal growth and stepping stones on their pathway to success.
With God's help you and I can do the same. Trust him and choose friends who will empower you to do so.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, in every disappointment, heartache, sorrow, and trial I experience, help me to always keep trusting my life to you and, in the process, will you please make something beautiful out of my life. Please do this for your glory, and thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
Thursday, August 6, 2009
BE PREPARED
"Ants are creatures of little strength, yet they store up their food in the summer" (Proverbs 30:25, NIV).
Sometimes the seemingly simple things in life can teach us some of the most important lessons. Take ants for example. Even though their "brain" (central ganglion or nerve) is less than one-tenth the size of a pinhead, ants live in highly organized social colonies. Some collect food, others build the nest and keep it clean, and some look after the queen ants. Nurse ants clean and feed the larvae. Soldier ants guard and protect the food-collecting ants. No wonder the Bible says, "Go to the ant ... consider her ways and be wise (Proverbs 6:6)."
Among other lessons, the ants "who store up their food in the summer" teach us the importance of being prepared ahead of time for whatever might come our way. The Chinese proverb, "Dig your well before you're thirsty" makes the same point. Children and teenagers need to be prepared for life, for entering the work force, and for taking care of themselves. Those who are planning to be married should be prepared ahead for it; unfortunately too many aren't. And among taking care of various responsibilities, adults need to be prepared ahead for retirement and old age.
And most important of all, we need to be prepared for life after death when we will meet our Maker face to face. As God's Word says, "Prepare to meet your God (Amos 4:12)," and as Jesus taught about his return to earth, "Be ready; for when you least expect it, I will come (Matthew 24:44)." How tragic beyond all measure for those who aren't prepared for life after death. Whatever you do, don't let this happen to you.
Sometimes the seemingly simple things in life can teach us some of the most important lessons. Take ants for example. Even though their "brain" (central ganglion or nerve) is less than one-tenth the size of a pinhead, ants live in highly organized social colonies. Some collect food, others build the nest and keep it clean, and some look after the queen ants. Nurse ants clean and feed the larvae. Soldier ants guard and protect the food-collecting ants. No wonder the Bible says, "Go to the ant ... consider her ways and be wise (Proverbs 6:6)."
Among other lessons, the ants "who store up their food in the summer" teach us the importance of being prepared ahead of time for whatever might come our way. The Chinese proverb, "Dig your well before you're thirsty" makes the same point. Children and teenagers need to be prepared for life, for entering the work force, and for taking care of themselves. Those who are planning to be married should be prepared ahead for it; unfortunately too many aren't. And among taking care of various responsibilities, adults need to be prepared ahead for retirement and old age.
And most important of all, we need to be prepared for life after death when we will meet our Maker face to face. As God's Word says, "Prepare to meet your God (Amos 4:12)," and as Jesus taught about his return to earth, "Be ready; for when you least expect it, I will come (Matthew 24:44)." How tragic beyond all measure for those who aren't prepared for life after death. Whatever you do, don't let this happen to you.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Are Our Days on Earth Numbered?
Life is fleeting and our days on earth are limited, so we need to do the best we can with the one life we have been given.
King David prayed to God: "Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life." (Psalm 39:4) Furthermore, God said to Solomon in a dream, "If you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life." (1 Kings 3:14) This indicates that if we live in harmony with God's Word, will, and ways (which includes healthy living habits), under normal circumstances we can lengthen our life. Also the fifth of the Ten Commandments says, "Honour your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you." (Exodus 20:12)
On the other hand, there is no doubt that we can shorten our life by not living in harmony with God's ways, through an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, nursing grudges, an unforgiving spirit, unresolved super-charged repressed negative emotions, impaired relational conflicts, too much stress and anxiety, addictive behaviours and/or substances, and any of a score or more of other unhealthy habits and ways of living.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to so live in harmony with your will and the principles for healthy living as found in your Word, that my life on earth will be healthy, long, and fruitful for the glory of your Name. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
King David prayed to God: "Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life." (Psalm 39:4) Furthermore, God said to Solomon in a dream, "If you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life." (1 Kings 3:14) This indicates that if we live in harmony with God's Word, will, and ways (which includes healthy living habits), under normal circumstances we can lengthen our life. Also the fifth of the Ten Commandments says, "Honour your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you." (Exodus 20:12)
On the other hand, there is no doubt that we can shorten our life by not living in harmony with God's ways, through an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, nursing grudges, an unforgiving spirit, unresolved super-charged repressed negative emotions, impaired relational conflicts, too much stress and anxiety, addictive behaviours and/or substances, and any of a score or more of other unhealthy habits and ways of living.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me to so live in harmony with your will and the principles for healthy living as found in your Word, that my life on earth will be healthy, long, and fruitful for the glory of your Name. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Seeing Beyond The Now
Look around! The lush green vegetations bathed regularly by the soothing rains; the whistling noise of cars and sirens; the houses, castles, mansions of varying sizes and shapes; the unending human traffic along the streets and market places; and the various forms of development that westernization has brought.
These are all evanescent and transient.
As we enjoy these earthly blessings, we should remember that there's more to come after this life...
Col. 3:2 says we should set our minds on things above where God's throne exists. He beckons on us to lead holy lives in the midst of a wicked and tumultous world. Standing out, shining as bright as ever, should be our aim and watchword.
Jesus is our ever perfect example. Read Hebrews 12:2. Even when He was tempted by the devil, He did not see the glories of the world as anything to hold on to.
Therefore, be strong and determined not to lose sight of what lies ahead... a shining crown on your brow as a token for a job well done and a life well lived!
Looking forward to seeing you on the other side of town! God bless you...
These are all evanescent and transient.
As we enjoy these earthly blessings, we should remember that there's more to come after this life...
Col. 3:2 says we should set our minds on things above where God's throne exists. He beckons on us to lead holy lives in the midst of a wicked and tumultous world. Standing out, shining as bright as ever, should be our aim and watchword.
Jesus is our ever perfect example. Read Hebrews 12:2. Even when He was tempted by the devil, He did not see the glories of the world as anything to hold on to.
Therefore, be strong and determined not to lose sight of what lies ahead... a shining crown on your brow as a token for a job well done and a life well lived!
Looking forward to seeing you on the other side of town! God bless you...
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