“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,.." NIV 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

We constantly do good deeds to others while we also enjoy same from people we know and sometimes from strangers. Most times Christians attempt to secretly carry out such sublime gestures in order to avoid being at the center stage. But good deeds are just too hard to hide. After Jesus had performed healing on people, sometimes He gave strict orders they keep it a secret (Matthew 8:4; Mark 7:36). To Jesus there was something much more important to make public.

At a point in time the apostles were sent out by the Master and they came back with great jubilation for casting out demons. It was a good thing they had done and there was nothing wrong about their euphoria. After all, those in bondage had been set free. But the Lord Jesus cut the celebration short by placing it at the right place. The apostles were to rather be joyful for having their names written in Heaven (Luke 10:17, 20). It is the first thing required. Have you done what it takes to get your name written in Heaven? (by God’s standard?)

Regarding the worries of this life : what to eat, what to wear and shelter (Matthew 6:31) the Lord still mentions that something still occupies the top of the needful list of life-the basic spiritual need of God’s kingdom and the accompanying righteousness. In brevity, He stated “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33) The Lord’s emphasis here again is “get the first thing done”. Are you faithfully a member of the Kingdom of God?

It is written, “Good deeds are obvious and those that are not cannot be hidden” (1 Timothy 5:25). We are surely rewarded for our efforts in good deeds and God does not overlook any good deed done. Regarding the man Cornelius, “He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly” (Acts 10:2). After having an angelic visitation, he still needed to do the first important thing. The Gospel message was to be of first importance and its obedience, without delay. (Acts 10:47-48). Have you speedily responded to the Gospel message like Cornelius did?

The beauty is that, while the first thing is first sought, good works are still encouraged to be maintained (Titus 3:8).The death, the burial and the resurrection of Christ because of our sins, is the Gospel message for you and I. It is the most important and of first importance. God is calling for you today.

The Lord is on His way!!! || More

“4 But when Jesus heard about it, he said, “Lazarus’s sickness will not end in death. No, it happened for the glory of God so that the Son of God will receive glory from this. 5 So although Jesus loved … Lazarus, he stayed where he was for the next two days…17 when Jesus arrived at Bethany… Lazarus had already been in his grave for four days.” John 11: 4 – 17

This write up has been put in my spirit for some time now but how to relay the message in simple terms has resulted in its delay. As Christians, it is important to know that we are constantly being challenged by the level of Faith we put and profess in God. So no matter what we find our hands doing, let’s ensure we do it to the best of our ability because it will bounce back at us.

I have been writing for some time now for the Lord and each time, I am faced with my own words either in good or difficult moments. Since last year, I have been working on deepening the principle of total surrender to God in my life. That it gets to the point where I say more of you Jesus and less of me – Surrendering all to Christ and totally depending on Him whether good or bad; whether I understand the passing of events in my life or not. Basically just trusting and obeying Him.

And I must say all was going well from beginning until a sudden storm passed my way. It crippled me and brought to my knees. I called on the Lord to deliver me (Jeremiah 33:3) but there was no answer. Instead, I received strength from His word to sail. Songs of inspiration whispered to me “the Lord is on His way”. Minutes turn to hours; hours to days; days to months; and the list unending.

There were seemingly short moments of rest house along the way but they could not hold for long. I had to move ahead if I wanted to thrive. Foggy days filled with tears made it difficult to see the clear path but my heart belonged to Him who is breaking me for His good work. Oh! If only the Lord will be here! I am sure to smile at the storm and surely I will know thy way, the right path to follow.

It is past the time of humanly expected deliverance and my Lord is still on His way am told. There is a crowd of eyes staring in dismay at me but my heart is not at all faint. Yes, I have had deep moments of silence and withdrawal but they have been shared in His presence. In His presence where I look at Martha and Mary burry Lazarus because the Lord was on His way. Four days He was late, but He was on time to resurrect Lazarus for His glory (John 11). My heart is glad and my eyes are wide opened at the sight of my Lord at a distance in my seemingly hopeless situation. Indeed, there is hope for me in Christ (Colossians 1:27).

Dearly beloved in Christ, no matter your challenge or struggle in the Lord, do not be dismayed. I remain a living testimony for the Lord’s glory because He has said He will come and see me (John 11:15) and never will He leave me (Hebrews 13:5b – 6; Matthew 28:20). And until He comes, I will forever behold His beautiful glory in the land of the living. Wait!!! For the Lord is on His way.

Be strong|| More

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.” NIV (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)

In his recount of the apostolic ministry at his time, Paul gives a packed depiction of what it means to obey God and not a man and the experiences this may bring. He tells of how fragile we are physically, and yet how indescribably rich we are endowed on the inside (spiritually). Thus when we avail ourselves to Him we become a treasure pot fitting for every good work. God may be glorified in several areas of our lives. For Paul and his apostolic companions, there was still a reason to keep focused on God to the end amidst being hard pressed, in perplexity, in the time of persecution- not to mention being down stricken.

• As an example to us today, we can also step into the world every blessed day with much assurance and new strength. The walk and the journey may be full of distractions and varying difficulties. But we need to be strong.
• There are things we may plan for due to our anticipation of them. However, many others may only elude us and may be beyond our scope of control. We are to be strong.
• Are you bedridden for a short or very long time due to some ill health? Be strong.
• Have you suddenly incurred a grave loss of your livelihood and shelter? Be strong.
• Are you bereft of a loved one? Be strong. 
• Have you trailed in an exam you wrote? Be strong.
• Do you have to cope with some marital challenges? Be strong. 
• Did you have to suffer some abuse or unfair treatment? Be strong.
• Are family disputes eating you up? Be strong. 
• Do you have to see some dear one go through a terminal illness? Be strong.
• For the homeless, and rejected-be strong. 
• Are you troubled in choosing a life partner? Are relationship break ups tearing you down? Be strong.
• Are you yet to have the fruit of the womb? Stay strong.
• Has destitution kicked you on every side? The Lord will not leave us helpless, for all things work for good for those who love God (Romans 8:28) -be strong.

On the other hand, let us be strong against the following spiritual enemies: the moments of temptations, the deceitfulness of compromise of our faith in God, the allurement of the pleasures of sin, the vanity of pride and self-aggrandizement. The list could be endless since we may all have an area of struggle of a sort -but we must be strong. If we strive to go God’s way then we can assuringly exclaim, “…For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:10)”. The God of all strength will give strength through to the end. In becoming responsive to the Lord’s call, we are also reminded to let every feeble arm and weak knees be strengthened (Hebrews 12:12). Lastly, when we listen to God, we walk to glorify Him even in the terrain of the unknown. “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16). Let us be closer to the Lord to draw constant strength even in the darkest time in our lives. Stay blessed.

Following Our God || More

"My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires."(NIV) James 1:19-20

Bible Reading: Ephesians 4:31, Psalms 4:4

Most often than not we mortal men take offense at the slightest provocation. In relationships, we always expect the other to do things 'our way' and failure to do so makes us angry and we feel we have the right to react.

But you “angry man” have you considered the severity of God's anger? It is as severe as His goodness. Before you get angry, remember God's wrath that is coming upon you. We are guilty of the same things we accuse others of. So why won't we escape God's wrath by learning to control our anger and sowing the seed of forgiveness and long-suffering? Always remember, the word ANGER is only a letter away from dANGER.

Anger puts one in danger of hell, Matt. 5:21-22 ". The Holy Spirit admonishes us to refrain from anger in Ephesians 4:31. It is often spontaneous to speak likewise it is to wrath, but God through James 1:19-20 teaches us to be transformed to the state where we will think through before we get angry. The wise man also teaches that we will win battles if we keep our calm in times of provocation, Proverbs 16:32. Worshiping God should not be a momentary affair, thus we must live in the awe of our maker every moment of our lives. Psalms 4:4 advises us to commune with our heart and be still.

Let us learn to surrender all unto Jesus for vengeance is His and concentrate on building an intimate relationship with God and one another. One surest way to do this is by letting go for the sake of Christ who is in us all.

Following Our God || More