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.