Better Pt 3

https://ojrozzay.wordpress.com/
School was a rush when it resumed. Everybody was trying to get everything ready at the same time, and one could literally hear the buzzing in the air because of all the activities.
Rachel had determined to make this her best semester, and so she decided to face her studies like never before. Most of her determination came from the fact that she did not want to see the sacrifices her mother made on her behalf to go to waste.
Rachel, being the 3rd out of 5 children, had lost her eldest brother and her father to a fatal car accident when she was in ss1. It was a devastating blow, and for a long while, it seemed their world had ended. Her mother was inconsolable for the first three weeks, and then almost retreated into a shell afterwards, but then they found God, or rather, God found them. A completion they never thought they lacked filled them, and they had never turned back.
They were well to do, because their father owned an establishment that her mother was now running. But the hole caused by their absence was so large that sometimes she still found herself waking up in the middle of the night to cry. She had found it very difficult to forgive the driver of the truck that ran into her father and brother's vehicle, but after Christ found her, he gave her a strength to do what she would normally have been unable to do.
She had promised her dad when he was alive that she would do well, and she still intended to keep her promise.
The first few weeks of school was uneventful, but one day as she was leaving the hostel to go to class, she looked and saw about 6 girls gathered at a corner, giggling. Of course, she had learned to realise this probably meant a rich looking, handsome man was nearby, so she promptly turned he other direction and started walking.
The sound of her name made her turn round, and she saw Makeela's cousin walking towards her. She also heard the disappointed groans of the girls. She ignored it.
"Rachel, right? " He asked, walking up to her.
"Yeah, you're ... Makeela's cousin. Sorry, I don't remember your name."
"That's not important right now. Have you seen Makeela of recent? "
Rachel looked up thoughtfully.
"No. In fact, now that you mentioned it, ..."
Makeela usually had a bad habit of running off during the semester for a few days at a time. Normally she would call Rachel, or one or two other persons to inform them where she was, but then Rachel realised that she had not heard from Makeela in over a week.
Peter was tense, and he bit his lower lip. Makeela used to call him too whenever she went on any of her escapades, because she trusted that he'd keep it from her parents. He really did want to, but he knew that more than half of what she told him were lies, and he didn't even know how to introduce the topic to his uncle and aunt. He had confronted her on the issue various times, but she'd simply brushed him away. At least he had been relieved she called him, because at least, he'd know she was okay.
But now, unlike her calling him once every two days, she had not called him in almost two weeks. Anybody he asked of her where abouts didn't know where she was. He had prayed and trusted her safety to God, but he could barely hold the panic rising in his chest. And he also felt guilty for not informing her parents. He resolved there and then that he would try and raise the issue when next he saw them.
God, he prayed, keep her safe. He had been trying to preach to her, but she didn't want to become a christian. She had mentioned some of the people who called themselves good christians, and Peter winced.
He hadn't stopped trying though, but right now, what was most important was her safety.
He looked back at Rachel.
"Do you know of anyone who might know where she is? "
"No", she replied.
Peter was silent for a while.
"Anything wrong? " Rachel asked.
"I hope not", he said softly.
"Anyway, here is my number. Please call if you hear anything from or about her. Oh, and please I'll need yours. I don't particularly like answering unknown numbers."
"Sure ", Rachel replied.
They exchanged numbers, and then he turned and left.
Rachel took a deep breath.
Lord, I pray Makeela is safe. Please keep her safe.

posted from Bloggeroid

Better Pt 3

https://ojrozzay.wordpress.com/
School was a rush when it resumed. Everybody was trying to get everything ready at the same time, and one could literally hear the buzzing in the air because of all the activities.
Rachel had determined to make this her best semester, and so she decided to face her studies like never before. Most of her determination came from the fact that she did not want to see the sacrifices her mother made on her behalf to go to waste.
Rachel, being the 3rd out of 5 children, had lost her eldest brother and her father to a fatal car accident when she was in ss1. It was a devastating blow, and for a long while, it seemed their world had ended. Her mother was inconsolable for the first three weeks, and then almost retreated into a shell afterwards, but then they found God, or rather, God found them. A completion they never thought they lacked filled them, and they had never turned back.
They were well to do, because their father owned an establishment that her mother was now running. But the hole caused by their absence was so large that sometimes she still found herself waking up in the middle of the night to cry. She had found it very difficult to forgive the driver of the truck that ran into her father and brother's vehicle, but after Christ found her, he gave her a strength to do what she would normally have been unable to do.
She had promised her dad when he was alive that she would do well, and she still intended to keep her promise.
The first few weeks of school was uneventful, but one day as she was leaving the hostel to go to class, she looked and saw about 6 girls gathered at a corner, giggling. Of course, she had learned to realise this probably meant a rich looking, handsome man was nearby, so she promptly turned he other direction and started walking.
The sound of her name made her turn round, and she saw Makeela's cousin walking towards her. She also heard the disappointed groans of the girls. She ignored it.
"Rachel, right? " He asked, walking up to her.
"Yeah, you're ... Makeela's cousin. Sorry, I don't remember your name."
"That's not important right now. Have you seen Makeela of recent? "
Rachel looked up thoughtfully.
"No. In fact, now that you mentioned it, ..."
Makeela usually had a bad habit of running off during the semester for a few days at a time. Normally she would call Rachel, or one or two other persons to inform them where she was, but then Rachel realised that she had not heard from Makeela in over a week.
Peter was tense, and he bit his lower lip. Makeela used to call him too whenever she went on any of her escapades, because she trusted that he'd keep it from her parents. He really did want to, but he knew that more than half of what she told him were lies, and he didn't even know how to introduce the topic to his uncle and aunt. He had confronted her on the issue various times, but she'd simply brushed him away. At least he had been relieved she called him, because at least, he'd know she was okay.
But now, unlike her calling him once every two days, she had not called him in almost two weeks. Anybody he asked of her where abouts didn't know where she was. He had prayed and trusted her safety to God, but he could barely hold the panic rising in his chest. And he also felt guilty for not informing her parents. He resolved there and then that he would try and raise the issue when next he saw them.
God, he prayed, keep her safe. He had been trying to preach to her, but she didn't want to become a christian. She had mentioned some of the people who called themselves good christians, and Peter winced.
He hadn't stopped trying though, but right now, what was most important was her safety.
He looked back at Rachel.
"Do you know of anyone who might know where she is? "
"No", she replied.
Peter was silent for a while.
"Anything wrong? " Rachel asked.
"I hope not", he said softly.
"Anyway, here is my number. Please call if you hear anything from or about her. Oh, and please I'll need yours. I don't particularly like answering unknown numbers."
"Sure ", Rachel replied.
They exchanged numbers, and then he turned and left.
Rachel took a deep breath.
Lord, I pray Makeela is safe. Please keep her safe.

posted from Bloggeroid

Better Pt 2

Makeela smiled as her phone rang.
“One second. Hello?”
Her face broke into a beaming smile.
“Really?... When?.... Wait, you’re where?..... Now?”
Makeela turned to look, then spotted somebody and began to wave furiously.
“Turn around……. Yeah, I’m waving. Come over. Okay.”
She hung up.
Rachel looked towards the direction that Makeela had been waving in, and saw someone strolling towards them. She squinted, then looked at Makeela.
“Who?”
“Cousin.”. Makeela said as the person’s face came into view.
In fact, there were two persons. As they walked towards them, Rachel studied their appearances. The taller one was dark skinned, and the other one, who was just one or two inches shorter than the darker one, had very light skin. Both men were very good looking. One of them entering the room was likely to turn a lot of heads. Both of them entering a room would definitely turn a lot of heads. The lighter skinned one had a pair of glasses balanced oon his nose. They both were well built and had broad shoulders.
Rachel assumed the lighter skinned one was the cousin, until Makeela turned and hugged the other one.
“ Hey there, how are you doing?” he asked.
“I'm good, Peter. Hello Ayo.” Makeela replied.
The glasses guy waved and smiled slightly.
Peter turned to look at Rachel, then spoke to Makeela.
“Well, won't you introduce us to your friend?”
Makeela smiled.
“Rachel, this is my cousin Peter, and this is his good friend, Ayo.”
Rachel smiled as she shook hands with both men, Peter’s hand holding hers a beat longer than necessary, she thought. However, she had long learnt not to take people at face value, and her face showed nothing.
Makeela looked at her and sighed. Turning back to her cousin, they started talking and walked off a little ways, leaving Ayo and Rachel at the car. Rachel blew a gust of air and set her jaw against the roof of the car,, trying to see if she could hear what the pair were discussing.
Ayo had been looking at her, because she looked strangely familiar, but he could not place where he had seen her. Suddenly it hit him.
“Um, excuse me, but you wouldn’t happen to be Rachel Babatunde, would you?”
She looked at him
“Yes, I am”
He smiled as he remembered. In fact, he wondered why he had ever forgotten.
“Five years ago. ‘Strait Out’ Mathematics competition. The, um, guy you defeated in the last round.”
Rachel squinted at him, then smiled as she remembered
“Oh yeah. You’re that guy that interchanged the ‘+’ and ‘-‘ signs.”
They had been to a Maths competition when they were in secondary school. He had been in SS3, while she was in SS2. At the finals, only he and she were left, and were given a question to solve out.. Somewhere in the calculations, he had exchanged a ‘+’ and ‘-‘ sign. He quickly ran to submit before she did, and was shown his error.She had finished at that moment and won the competition. He had been so sad, he broke down in tears in front of everybody.She walked up to him, they talked for a while, eventually settling things amicably before they left.
“You remember?” he asked.
“Why won't I? Ive never seen a boy cry before, and over such an issue. No offense.”
“None taken. I was the best Math student in my school, and the subkect itself was my passion.It really hurt to have the prize I set my eyes on snatched from me by some random geeky looking SS2 girl. No offense.”
Rachel laughed.
“None taken”
Ayo was still looking at her.
“ Wow you’ve changed. You really did look like a geek then though.”
Rachel shrugged.
“But you changed. How did you meet Makeela?” Ayo continued.
“ We’re roommates and coursemates in the same school.”
“Mhmnn”, he replied, just as he saw Makeela and Peter coming back.
“Nice talking to you.” He said, stretching out his hand.
“You too” she replied, taking his in a firm grip.
He looked down at her hand, and smiled with a corner of his mmouth
“What?” Rachel asked
“Nothing”, he replied, letting go.
Then he took a deep breath.
“You still shake hands like a boy”
Rachel raised an eyebrow.
Makeela chose that moment to interrupt their conversation.
“Hey Rachel, Ive got to go. Can you please drive me to my house? “
“Sure”, Rachel replied as she opened the dor and plopped down into the drivers seat.
Makeela entered the passengers seat and shut the door.
“Bye Pete!”
He smiled.
“Bye M. Good bye Rachel”
“Goodbye”
Ayo caught her eyes at that moment and nodded at he smiling. She nodded back, and started the engine as the men began to walk away.
As they pulled out of the parking lot, Makeela turned to face Rachel.
“Soooooooo?” she asked expectantly.
Rachel glanced at her, her own face an expressionless maskl.
“What?”
With an exasperated sigh, Makeela slumped in her seat and turned to face the road.
“You’re hopeless.”
Rachel grinned as she drove away from the church into the busy road.

posted from Bloggeroid

Better Pt 1

https://ojrozzay.wordpress.com/

posted from Bloggeroid

Better Pt 1

Rachel looked at the procession again as Janet passed by, beaming with smiles and looking radiant. Her arm was interlocked in her husband's, and she looked the epitome of overjoyed in her beautiful white gown. She waved at Rachel, who smiled a little sadly, as she entered the car after her husband, laughing and trying to put her dress into the vehicle after her.
Rachel kept looking as the car with the 'just married' sticker on the bumper reversed and drove away. They were going straight from the wedding reception to their honeymoon in South Africa.
She took a deep breath as she spun round, headed towards the church building, thoughts roaming her head. She was just 22, but that was the third time she had been called to be a bridesmaid for her friends wedding that year, and seeing her friends getting married off had always tugged at a corner of her heart.
Rachel entered the church, trying to find the rest of the people she came with. She told one of them, who happened to be her roommate in school, to help watch her bag as she went outside for the final procession.

"Rachel!"
She spun at the sound of her name, and smiled to see who it was. Makeela bounced down the aisle as she came to meet Rachel with her handbag.

"Thanks, Keela! " Rachel said, taking the bag from her, but Makeela wasn't even listening, her head in the clouds.

"Sweetheart, did you see that? "
Rachel laughed. Makeela had been going on and on about the wedding since it began. She could never contain her excitement for anything once she took interest in it. The current list included chocolates, telenovelas, anything beige, clothes, shoes and now weddings.
Rachel and Makeela, though roommates, were not close friends. However, having her around almost always seemed to cheer Rachel up, or at least make her smile. As of recent though, Makeela had been becoming more distant. Rachel prayed her roomie wasn't getting herself in trouble.
Makeela was still talking.

"Oh, did you see Janet's dress? It was exactly like the one from the movie 'Wedding Bash'. It was so gorgeous! I'll be sure to have one better than that in my own wedding though. I would order one for yours, but I doubt you are getting married. Ever."

"Be sure to invite me for yours. " Rachel said, still smiling.
She turned and started walking towards the church entrance, Makeela behind her.

"Yeah right. You're not dodging this. You are too strict, you know. I've told you to loosen up more than once. Have a life! Date somebody! Anybody! " Makeela said. She flipped her long black hair and stared at Rachel as they walked. Makeela was a beautiful halfcaste, with her mother being American, but she sometimes felt that Rachel was prettier than she, with her profiled face, high cheekbones and cream chocolate skin.
"You'll always be the bridesmaid and never the bride,"she continued.

"Hey, we're still in the university, I'm still 22, and I still have a long way to go in many things I have to do. Besides, speaking of university, what are you going to do when projects begin? "
Makeela mock glared at her.
"Don't change the subject. "
Then she smiled and continued.
"But I have no idea. I'm not worried though."

Both Makeela and Rachel were studying petroleum engineering in the same university. They were on holiday and just about to resume their final year.
They started walking down the church compound towards the parking lot when Makeela started talking again.

"But seriously, are you ever going to get married? Sure, maybe some guy is going to find you attractive, but you'll probably drive him back with your lack of emotion. Or preach him to death."
Rachel laughed.

"I told you, I still have a long way to go. I got studies and other stuff, though who knows what God has planned. "
Makeela bit her lower lip, still smiling.
"Are you sure you are even a girl? I've never even seen you look at a guy."
Rachel shook her head in exasperation. Makeela was out to get her today.
"I don't want to enter a relationship. "
"Cuz you hate guys? "
"No, but think about it. If I'm not intending to marry someone, why enter a relationship with the person? Sure, a girl wants to be loved, but what's the point of starting a relationship that'll go nowhere? " Rachel asked.
"Sure. That's just an excuse given by a scared girl."
"No. Not scared. Not just ready, and it's not time. When it's time, you'll be the... um, one of the first to know. "
Makeela smiled as her phone began ringing.

posted from Bloggeroid

Truth- an excerpt from Frank Peretti's " Veritas Project "

"And therin lies our hope. We are a free people because we live according to what we know is right or wrong. If Truth is taken from us, then Right and Wrong are taken from us as well. If we don't know Right and Wrong, then we can't, we won't control ourselves, but will look to someone else to bring order through brute force and raw power. We will be controlled by a tyrant, and we will no longer be free- and don't count on that tyrant to be kind or merciful. He has no sense of right or wrong either and will do to us whatever he wants.
The Knight-Moore project was an experiment to discover what would happen to people when there is no truth, to observe and record what people can do when pushed to the extreme with no ultimate moral foundation. It was an attempt by people hungry for power to find the most effective way to rob people of their freedom. The conclusion: take away Truth, and a tyrant will rule.
Small wonder then that Jesus said,'You shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make you free'.
And where else can truth, real Truth, come from, than from God, who is Truth by his very nature..."

posted from Bloggeroid

From the diaries of...

From the diaries of Jeremiah.
I sit in a caravan, on my way to the city of Chaldea, the land of the Babylonians. I have not seen Baruch since I left, but I believe the Lord that he is well.
It has been three days since the fall of Jerusalem. Blood and fire painted her streets as the word of the Lord was fulfilled.
I weep for my people. For more than twenty three years, I spoke to them, warned them of the coming destruction. Their sin had gone up as a stench before the Lord's throne. I spoke to them, but they thought that maybe because they were of the chosen seeds of Abraham, the children of Israel, of the promised branch of Isaac, that the Lord would overlook their sins.
My eyes flow with tears.
Oh Jerusalem. Jerusalem!
The blood and bodies of your princes and prophets, of your priests, children, young men and maidens fill the streets, unstaring eyes gazing on the face of unseen assailants.
The Lord warned you, Jerusalem. He spoke, but you did not listen. Your royalty and priesthood could not save you from his wrath unleashed against sin and disobedience.
Oh Jerusalem.
Jerusalem...

posted from Bloggeroid

Light.

She was was a light to me. When she was near me, she drove the darkness and the creatures that lived In it away.
I did not desire the light, but I thought, as long as she is with me, I have nothing to fear.
I had forgotten that wherever light is not, darkness is.
I indulged in my darkness, thinking that her light would drive away the monsters of the dark.
Until the monsters began to grow inside me.
I began to hate her, for in my heart I loved the creatures.
I feared the creatures.
Her light was insistent, shining where I desired not.
Revealing what I wanted not.
The creatures loved the dark. I loved the dark.
The creatures hated her. I hated her.
I wanted that light snuffed out.
Out of my life, out of my home. Out of my heart.
And so, I killed it.
And so, I went dark.
And I began to fear, for I realised one more thing the creatures wanted.
My death.
But I would not admit it, for I loved the creatures.
I feared the creatures.
I screamed for salvation. I revelled in darkness.
I SCREAMED FOR SALVATION!
And then, at my heart's door, the light was knocking.
It knocks still.
He knocks still.

posted from Bloggeroid

Would you stand?

First off, this isn't mine. I worked on a post written by my junior brother, and it came out like this. I hope it blesses you and makes you think. Here goes.

2014, May 3.
11:47 am. Nigeria, Kano.

" The pastor stood before his congregation of 47 children, speaking of the goodness of the Lord, as that day was his only daughter's 9th birthday. A few biscuits and drinks were arranged on the small side table, which was also serving as the pulpit for his short message.
'We will like to thank God for keeping us alive to see today...'
His words were interrupted by a small knock on the door. As he walked closer to open it, an explosion took the door off its hinges, throwing him back to the opposite wall like a ragdoll. Wood splinters showered the room, and as the smoke subsided,three men clad in black entered into the room shouting in an unknown language.
The leader stepped forward and pointed his gun right at the pastor, speaking in a thick northern accent.
'Denounce your god and accept Allah, or you die! '
The pastor edged back. He was extremely worried, not for himself, but for all the children in the room. He would never denounce Christ, but he was afraid for the children and was trying to find a way to save them.
Suddenly, Hafiz, his daughter's 8 year old best friend, stepped out, his voice clear in that room.
'For whoever is ashamed of Jesus in this world that has sin, Jesus will be ashamed of him when he comes back with his holy angels.'
The man was taken aback by the sudden outburst, bt he recovered quickly, swinging his gun towards Hafiz's head.
'Are you willing to die for this so called belief that you have?'
He looked around the room, swinging his gun and talking to no one in particular.
'You and your people will all die! You and this belief of yours will all...'
'Do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God', another child said loudly, as loud as a seven year old could be. That was the last thing he said before a bullet went through his skull, dropping him to the ground.
A scream went round the room as the man shot twice more- one into Hafiz's head and another into the pastor's leg.
As the pastor screamed in pain, the leader looked at him. Seeing the look in the man's eyes, he made his decision. This one would not change. Another bullet dropped him to the ground.
There was dead silence in the room, being broken by only a few children sobbing.
The man's face twisted in a dry throaty laughter as he swung the gun around, then put another bullet in the pastor's head.
'You see? Your god and pastor are not watching any more. Deny your god, and will let you go home safe to your families'
A little 10 year old child got up and stepped forward hesitantly, tears streaming down her face. She looked up as she said
'I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life which I now live is lived by faith in the one who loved me and gave himself for me...'
The man went wild with anger and started firing wildly into the crowd of children, his men following suit. Bullets struck flesh as the children continued speaking, not flinching despite the gunfire."
The man telling the narrative stopped for a while to gather his breath.

"He... I stared at the last child for what seemed like an hour, as she sat on the ground, saying he same message over and over, burning it into my mind forever.
'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him will not perish, but have everlasting life. '
After a while, she turned and looked me straight in the eyes, and smiling weakly, she said one thing I will never forget.
'I forgive you. '
I pulled the trigger. Then I threw up."

I took a deep breath and bowed my head as the tears finally came. I had gotten born again five years after that incidence. I had considered my self, I had known, that I was hopeless, lost, dead and doomed to condemnation; but by the act of those children I had been saved, and I would save, yes, save as many as I could, even until my own death.

What Pastor Says?

Pastor James was sitting in his living room, preparing notes for his Sunday sermon the next day. As he was pondering over the sermon notes, the doorbell rang.
He got up and went to open the door.
'Phillip! ', he greeted.
'My pastor', Phillip replied.
'Pastor Phillip!'
'My pastor! '
'Haha! Come in '
Pastor Phillip entered James' house and sat down.
'Eunice! Eunice!! ' James called, wondering where his wife was.
'Yes?'
'Bring something for pastor Phillip'
'My pastor! ', Phillip hailed as James started laughing.
'Ah, how life dey? '
'It is good joh. What are you doing now? ' Phillip asked, looking at James' notes.
'Preparing for tomorrow's sermons. The account balance is low, oh'
'Ah ah! Why are you worried? Just preach a prosperity message! That is the way forward nowadays. Just tell them God said they should empty their pockets, and take three or four offerings'
'I know my brother, but some people are beginning to be suspicious.' James said, sighing.
'Use bible. That passage of, em... ehen, give and it will come back to you in good measure'
Pastor James laughed.
'Will it come back to them? '
'How is that one my business? ', Pastor Phillip scoffed.
'Oh, and besides, don't forget to tell them how important you are in their lives and how much worse off life would be without pastors. She the bible for that one is, believe in your prophet and you will prosper, or something like that? '
'Yeah, I will find that one later', pastor James said.
Suddenly, Phillip started laughing.
'What?', James asked.
'Sometimes, these church people no get sense oh.'
'Ah ah, what happened? '
Phillip sat up.
'I told them to say -zeluzelah- last Sunday, and it was a spiritual word that would bring blessing. That they should shout it seven times a day for the next seven days, and the -blessings- will fall upon them. See them shouting! '
James frowned.
'Zeluzelah? What does it mean? '
'I know? Ask me now.'
They both burst out laughing.
'Phillip, you are not well! '
'Ah, James, I have to be going. I have to prepare tomorrow sermon. There are those that think they can question their pastor. I will finish them. After all, I can't allow rebellion to occur in my church oh.'
'I feel you. Alright now, goodbye oh. '
Phillip got up and left, after hugging James.
After Phillip left, James sat down and laughed to himself.
Zeluzelah.
I'll try that one tomorrow, he thought, as Hw went back to his notes.

1Jo 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

Act 17:10 Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews.
Act 17:11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.

posted from Bloggeroid

Bad News?

Do you realise that the prophets of old almost always carried "bad news"? Judgment against Syria and Moab and Samaria and also Israel and Judah?
Some christians are averse to such because they believe Christianity is not to be associated with such ' doomsday seers' .
But that's exactly what we need. A doomsday is coming. Some refer to it as the day of the Lord, others as the great judgement day. It is a day when God will reward the righteous (not the good, I'll tell you the difference) and punish sin wherever and in whatever way it may be found.
Any pastor or privileged teacher that tells the church that they can live in sin in the name of ' new found liberty' is not only placing them in trouble, but also placing himself in trouble as well, because if they fall based on what you have told them (though part of it may be their fault- the exception to me being children and maybe some other few), part of the punishment will be on you. If you couldn't pay the price for your own sin, what makes you think you can handle their's?
Speak the truth. Judgement is coming, and it is coming on the house of God. Some .Christians don't know we will be judged, but when the bible mentions》 'it is appointed unto man to die, and then judgement '(Heb 9:27) and ' we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ' (2 cor 5:10) and ' we shall all stand before the judgement seat of Christ' (Rom 14:10) it was written to the Christian church and not to pagans.
Judgement is coming. We should not sugar coat it, and we should prepare.
Now as to the difference between a good person and a righteous one, a good person bases his status on the things he does, but a righteous person bases it on his everyday relationship with Jesus Christ.
As we study God's word, may his Holy Spirit grant us understanding in Jesus name.

posted from Bloggeroid

The unprofitable servant

When studying about the parable of the unprofitable servant, we are so quick to condemn him. But let us go back to Matt 25 and see exactly what he said.

Mat 25:24 "Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.
Mat 25:25 'And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.'

The servant in essence was afraid. He told his master that he was a hard man, telling him to risk his neck for a business that was not his own.that the master will reap where he himself (the servant) sowed. And that was unfair. So he minded his own business.
How many christians think God is unfair to tell us to speak out, to suffer persecution for the sake of righteousness? And instead of you to do what is right, because you fear persecution or ridicule, you choose to mind your own business?
Well, we all know what happened to that servant.
Though it was sad, we should remember that as a christian, our business is not to mind our own business, but to do the will of he who sent us. Fear should not make us hold back- fear of losing comfort or job or friends. Only those who risk in business ever get a reward. You can't get a reward with Christ Jesus either if you don't risk sth, because the christian life is about risk.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
I pray that the Holy Spirit gives us insight as we study his word in Jesus name.

posted from Bloggeroid

Trust Issues- Case Study- Job

I realised when studying the book of Job that the arguments given by his friends are the ones being used now my majority of believers- it is either you are suffering for your sins, or if you are not, what right have you to question God anyway? 
But the issue was about trusting God. There are times it seems the wicked prosper and the righteous are forsaken. And believe me, it is not all the time we see the evil person die for his sins in the way some want to- sometimes the wicked die peaceful deaths, surrounded by their family. However, the major lesson I learned from Job's life was to trust God. In the end, God may save you, or he may not- not in the way you want him to at least.
Daniel's friends made a statement- know oh king that our God we serve is able to save us from the furnace. BUT EVEN IF HE DOES NOT, KNOW THIS OH KING, we wont serve your image.
God will save you in times of trouble, but even if he does not, trust him. Job 13:15 though he slays me, yet will I trust him.

The Confusing Battle between Real Christianity and its Counterfeit

Actually, this is a link to another research website. I'll put the link here, but for those of you who'd rather not leave this website, I'll put the message here.
PS. THIS IS NOT MY WORK. No really, it isnt.

http://www.rockofoffence.com/SPcntfeit.html

The Confusing Battle Between
Real Christianity And
Its Counterfeit

Rock of Offence Special Commentary

       We currently live in perilous times. America (and the rest of the world) is removing the God of the Bible from every aspect of life. Generally speaking, religion is a "system of faith" that demands a righteousness acquired by self effort (also known as self-righteousness) or some type of "earned worthiness". Personal salvation (as defined by religion) is achieved through good behavior, church affiliation and some regiment of spiritual service and works. Some of these character attributes are good and acceptable for many reasons. Yet, radical changes took place in the spiritual world after Christ's crucifixion. The sacrifice of Christ began what the Bible calls "a new and living way" (Hebrews 10:19-23). When a "NEW WAY" starts, it's immediately understood that the "old way" is no longer valid. Under the previous Old Testament religious system (Judaism), God required a certain level of spiritual performance and obedience to laws in order to obtain salvation (eternal life). However, under the "new and living way" THAT BEGAN AFTER THE CROSS, God forbids these attributes to be used as a way to "earn or achieve" salvation (Galatians 1:6-8, Galatians 3:10-12, Galatians 5:4, Galatians 2:19-21, Romans 4:4-8). He forbids their use because His Son fully satisfied the performance and righteous requirements FOR US AS OUR SUBSTITUTE AND SIN-BEARER. According to Galatians 2:19-21….if we attempt to "earn or achieve" salvation through obeying law, religious performance and good behavior, IT CANCELS (VOIDS) WHAT JESUS PROVIDED AS OUR SUBSTITUTE. Yet, as previously stated, good works, good behavior and certain character attributes should be practiced by all Christian believers for other reasons. Salvation (or eternal life) takes on the new role as God's gift AFTER THE CROSS. It is received only through faith in the finished work of Christ. Romans 10:8-13 tells us how this valuable Divine gift is received.
The salvation that Christ now provides through His "new and living way" is extraordinary news. The Bible calls it "a great salvation". Yet, it doesn’t make everyone happy. Some religious leaders were upset because they used the requirements of the "old way" to exercise authority over their followers. To combat this loss, they attempt to reinsert tenants of the previous system into their gospel message (Saint Paul condemned the practice because it "perverts the gospel"). By allowing eternal life to take on its new role as God's unmerited gift, Jesus effectively destroyed a powerful "authoritarian tool" of religion -- and it angered many leaders who didn't want to lose this dominating power. The battle between the new way of Christ and the previous way of Old Testament Judaism still rages in the world-wide Christian Church today.

      Jesus Christ did not come to establish another world religion. TRUE NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIANITY IS NOT A RELIGION BECAUSE IT’S ESTABLISHED ON GOD'S UNMERITED AND UNDESERVED GIFT OF SALVATION (ETERNAL LIFE), WHICH IS ENTIRELY BOUGHT AND PAID FOR BY CHRIST. CONTRARY TO SOME POPULAR TEACHING, IT IS NOT BASED ON A "RELIGIOUS" TYPE OF SALVATION -- EARNED BY BEHAVIOR, SPIRITUAL SERVICE OR GOOD WORKS (Carefully read Titus 3:4-7, Romans 6:23, Ephesians 2:4-9, Romans 4:4-8, Romans 5:17-19 and Romans 3:24-26). Jesus condemned a similar type of corrupt theology when He said :

"...this people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME, TEACHING FOR DOCTRINES THE COMMANDMENTS OF MEN." (Mark 7:6-7)

The Old Testament Book of Proverbs warns of the eternal consequences of being fooled by good-looking counterfeit religion :

"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." (Proverbs 14:12 KJV)

These Scriptures illustrate why Saint Paul commanded all believers to "examine and test themselves" to make sure they possessed authentic faith in Christ (Read 2 Corinthians 13:5). Similar to the deceptive nature of counterfeit money, counterfeit religious faith is a constant unrealized danger specifically designed to fool even the most educated Bible believer AND THEIR SEMINARY-TRAINED LEADERS.

Since the birth of the Church in the first century, many influential and popular spiritual leaders and their devoted followers have successfully redefined the redemtive program of Christ (eternal life) into a misleading religious system of faith, skillfully established on deceptive out-of-context Scripture. THE NEW TESTAMENT WARNS THAT GOD DOES NOT HONOR OR RESPECT THIS SYSTEM (Galatians 1:6-8, Galatians 3:1-3, 2 Corinthians 13:5, 2 Corinthians 11:12-15 and Proverbs 14:12). Protestants and Catholics are two major groups (approximately 70-80% of the world-wide Christian Church) that have fought over their interpretation of Scripture and the true nature of salvation for more than 500 years. Yet, both these groups (and the countless sub-groups and various para-church movements related to them) are strongly influenced by the same misleading theological tenants of religion that continue to go unnoticed by the average church member. (Note: This is true for most of these groups, but thankfully not all.)

To a certain extent, authentic salvation (or eternal life) has little to do with the denominational label we choose to wear. The New Testament Scriptures (specifically the Epistles of Saint Paul) warn us that real salvation depends on whether you’ve placed your faith and trust “in the correct Jesus”. It has nothing to do with attending a particular earthly institutional church, especially the ones that claim to be "God's true church". The world is not necessarily rejecting the authentic Jesus of the Bible. The world is rejecting the counterfeit Jesus of "Christian religion". This involves one of the most horrific warnings given in the New Testament. We repeat the same warning in our commentaries to the point of sounding excessively redundant. Why do we take this risk? A vast majority of professing Christians are programmed to ignore the serious eternal consequences. They are wrongly taught that these different beliefs about the gospel are only personal opinions, which should be ignored and set aside to avoid controversy and division. Yet, the apostles of the early church believed that sounding a warning about the "counterfeit christ" (Paul calls him "another Jesus and his different gospel” in Galatians 1:6-8 and 2 Corinthians 11:3-4) was a necessary part of preaching authentic New Testament salvation.

Redemption's Song

I haven't written poems in a while, but God gave me the inspiration for this. Be blessed as you read.

                            "Redemption's song"

In perfection one was made, two existed in the glade
By the twisted serpent's verse, one deceived, both bore the curse
Sword of light to guard the tree, from the man who once was free
Man were they of Life's full breath, man were they who tasted death
Poison fruit of sin matured, birthing death in time assured
So corrupted was man's race, no way to the throne of grace
And man couldn’t pay the cost, to regain paradise lost

To redeem this worldly clan, Son of God turned Son of Man
And resisting Satan's pull, drank the cup of wrath to full
Now a man, was once the Lord, Jesus Christ the Son of God
Three days in Gehnenna's tower, broke the bands with fiercest power
Through the death of the Just One, life could be found in the Son
And man who in death was shorn, in the Son could be reborn
But some eyes still remain closed, but some lie in state reposed
Some have heard with ears shut tight, some see nothing in the light
To deliver, we must care, we must not be slaves to fear
"Veritas must be our creed, In their hearts we plant the seed
That light may in darkness bloom, Son-light in shadows of doom
Those whose eyes and ears were closed, to them truth will be exposed
So those blind may once more see, so those capive may be free

The Stanley Covenant

I saw this story on a website (rockofoffense.com), and I'd like to share it with you.
Happy reading, and God bless you.

The following story is from the exploits of two famous British missionary/explorers named Stanley and Livingstone who traveled the continent of Africa from the late 1800's and early 1900. The story is actually about Stanley. It illustrates how a blood covenant can heal even a hopelessly hostile situation. Whether we realize it or not, a "hostile" situation existed between man and God. In the Garden of Eden man rebelled against God’s revealed will. Where a love relationship once existed—eternal death, judgment and division took its place. God's response to this unacceptable situation was to cut a blood covenant that would end forever the enmity and would bring eternal reconciliation between Himself and the human race.

Stanley set out on his missionary journey to Africa with no idea of the circumstances he would face and the strange customs he would encounter. Upon entering Africa, he ran into trouble with different African tribes. One Chief in particular was very determined that he should leave and not return. Stanley had a guide and advisor during his travels. Being familiar with the customs, this guide suggested that Stanley make a "blood covenant" with the Chief. This involved a ceremony where incisions were made on the wrists of both men. Drops of blood from each man was mixed in some kind of drink (either wine or goats milk) and both drank from the cup. They then clasped hands as in a handshake allowing the blood from the wounds on their wrists to mix together. Drinking the wine mingled with the two bloods and the handshake symbolized the two men becoming one blood, one life, one new man. A substance was applied to the wounds that left an indelible mark where the cut was made. Wherever these men went they bore the "mark of the covenant." At this point, these two men were considered "blood brothers." The ceremony concluded with an exchanging of gifts where each gave the other something of great value. What the Chief wanted from Stanley was the goat he owned. As he had a stomach disorder, Stanley needed the milk from this goat and didn’t want to give it up. The guide persuaded Stanley that it would be wise to give up this goat. In exchange, the Chief gave Stanley his spear that had a large copper coil near the head. Stanley thought to himself, "Great! I give up my only source of food and relief and all I get is this spear!"

At that time, Stanley didn’t know that this Chief was the head of the most powerful tribe in all of Africa—and this man was now his blood brother. He soon discovered that everywhere he went in Africa that spear was recognized as "the" symbol of authority. Whole tribes would literally bow their knee to it. That spear was the key that opened up the whole continent of Africa! Any tribe that chose to stand against Stanley knew they had to deal with this Chief, Stanley's blood brother.

Stanley and Livingstone stated that to their knowledge a blood covenant was never broken on the continent of Africa. To break a blood covenant made you a condemned man. A broken blood covenant caused your own family to hunt you down and kill you. The thing I find interesting in this story is reconciliation. These two men start out as being enemies. The blood covenant turned them into committed friends.

Black or White?

Sorry I have been away from my blog for a while. Been working at school.
First of all, this isnt a song by Michael Jackson! :D 

A question- 

What do you do when you are stuck in a room with lotsa black tiles and a few white tiles, and the objective is to walk across the room on only the white tiles...
(if not you fall down a deep chasm to your doooommm)
... or something like that.

YOu could do two things:
1. Avoid all the black tiles- this'll be quite hard as you are basically surrounded by them.
2. Aim to walk on the white tiles. This is a whole lot easier (i think)

anyway, that's why Paul tells us that if we want to live as God's children, we should avoid all the works of the flesh????? Nope. He says we should walk after God's spirit.

And believe me, when you aim to walk on the white tiles, you avoid the black tiles as well without going too much trouble.
Shalom and have a good day.

Why obey God's Laws?

Deut 6:20-end
Deu 6:20  In the future, when your son asks you, "What is the meaning of the stipulations, decrees and laws the LORD our God has commanded you?"
Deu 6:21  tell him: "We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand.
Deu 6:22  Before our eyes the LORD sent miraculous signs and wonders--great and terrible-- upon Egypt and Pharaoh and his whole household.
Deu 6:23  But he brought us out from there to bring us in and give us the land that he promised on oath to our forefathers.
Deu 6:24  The LORD commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the LORD our God, so that we might always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today.
Deu 6:25  And if we are careful to obey all this law before the LORD our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness."

God had told the Israelites, -When your children grow up and ask, what are the meaning of the laws and decrees given by God? That they should reply- we were once slaves in Egypt but God delivered us with Almighty hand and great signs from Egypt. He brought us out to the land he has promised us. If we obey his laws, it will give us prosperity and life. If we obey his laws, that will be our righteousness.
Well, the laws have changed, but the God is the same.  God through Christ delivered us from the kingdom of darkness, through great and terrible wonders.
His new law is summarized as thus- Love the Lord your God with all your heart and strength and mind, and love others as yourself.   God's law is found in Christ when he tells us to love.'
Love is not a feeling. I stress that over and over again. Love instead is doing what Christ would have done in a particular situation- and I add, even if you did not feel like it. Love is doing the will of our Father in heaven.  Love is not about what you feel, but what you do.
And when you obey God's laws of love, which is himself (God is love), then he becomes your prosperity, he becomes your life, he becomes your righteousness.
Shalom and have a good day.

Choose Wisely

When Man took of the tree of Death (Knowledge of Good and Evil), it sealed him away from God, and cast in him in an irrevocable concrete decision. He had chosen to defy God, and would face the consequences. The problem was that man did not know just how large those consequences will be. God saw it though, and in order to revoke it, he broke the cast, and reset it with his blood, bringing each and every man right back to that point where he was once again faced with the choice to choose between the tree of life, or the tree of death.

Man, I ask you, now that you have seen the consequences of death, will you still choose it, this time never again to be revoked [for God will NOT shed his blood again for mankind], or will you choose LIFE?

Choose wisely, for our time is almost up...