Thank You Ravi

Ravi Zacharias (Jeff Morehead/The Chronicle-Tribune via AP, File) from Ksat.com

There he goes...

To join the cloud of witnesses...

To mount Zion, the city of the living God, to the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels.

To the general assembly, to the church of the firstborn which are written in heaven, to God the judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect.

Paul, Peter and the other Apostles must be excited... "here comes a saint, one who plied the trade expertly".

We feel the pain of loss but rejoice because we know we would yet meet again. Heaven must be ecstatic however.

The question is... What would be your story?

Would there be rejoicing as you lay trophies at his feet? Or would you be meeting your saviour empty handed?

Which line of the patriarchs would be eagerly waiting to receive you and possibly have conversations over your work here on earth? 

When all is said and done, would you be counted faithful or be found wanting?

How well are you running your race? Are you carrying out your task? Do you even know what it is?

Every new day is more time allotted. Arise and be earnest. Make it count. So that at the end of the day, both heaven and earth would rejoice.

Ravi Zacharias (March 26. 1946 - May 19. 2020)

#ThankYouRavi

That Keke Guy

On this faithful day, we went to do some shopping at the market or was it to eat, I can't really remember. But the striking thing about that day was the trip back to school.

We flagged down a Keke as usual, and we were on our way. As against the usual custom of silence or some private gist, my friend decided to kick start and follow up a conversation with the driver and then we all started talking. We somehow got into his 'private' life, got to know a couple of stuff and encouraged where we could. He was already born again, and was in a church, so we just talked about life essentially until we got to the front of school. Then when we were like, "this is where we'll be dropping", he didn't just stop on the opposite side of the road and continue on his journey as usual, he without asking turned his Keke and crossed us over to the gate so all we needed to do was to walk in. We said our 'thank yous', bid farewell and walked in. 

Quite some time later, my friend was going out again, and then a Keke stopped to pick her, so she got in and sat behind. This time around, the driver started the conversation and then, it was like "hello, do you remember me? I'm this person..., how is your brother..." and so on and so forth. And then she realized this was the guy she met quite some time ago. So they talked until she got to her destination (end of story).
🙋

Now, there have been multiple instances where we have all entered and re-entered Kekes (sometimes the same Keke twice in one day). 

But have we ever considered the fact that God could through us affect these lives? Create a mark for eternity?

There's so much going all around, and witnessing involves our everyday lives and contacts, not just the organised outreaches which occur occasionally.

Within just 5mins, a conversation with someone you probably haven't ever met before (no matter how casual , it doesn't have to be a serious one) could bring about a transformation that would make both heaven, the individual, and you yourself rejoice.

So today, tomorrow or whenever, say hi to that Keke guy, say hi to the guy at the shop, say hi to the guy you meet at the gate or on the way and don't just stop there, make an extra effort two more lines.... 

You would be surprised what God is set to do with just that 'hi'.

God bless you!!!

NB: You could just replace the 'Keke' with 'Taxi' or 'Uber' or 'Whatever means of transport you regularly use.

Love???

In recent times, certain things have plagued the church, seeming like Goliaths that presented in the Davidic times… and as presented in those times, the conventional ‘army’ (church) has not and cannot rise up to the challenge though some have tried to stay off the onslaught. We need Davids that would arise to confront, challenge, and slaughter these Goliaths, as they present.

However, that’s not the bone of contention in this discourse. Of recent, with the presenting conditions and Goliaths that have plagued the church, both internally and externally, a lot of Christians, both prominent and non-prominent have given in, with some, blatantly pitching tents against God, yet retaining the ‘title’ Christian. I don’t really see how you can claim to be part of a Kingdom, yet wilfully go against the righteous tenets of Kingdom and join in an attempted annihilation of that Kingdom.

Then comes the concept of ‘love’ and do not judge’ that everyone, (‘Christians’) bring up to defend certain wrongdoings by others, or even those completely outside the Kingdom. But then we fail to realise that the love we keep talking about or we should actually be talking about does not in any way cohabit nor condone, nor consider sin.

We’ve gradually began to rewrite the laws of God, and take His love and mercy for granted, that we make clear biblical ‘Thou Shall Nots’ options, and wilfully go against God’s desires, to suit ourselves or gain public acceptance. And then we hide behind a barrage of people (permit me to say confused) that would cover us up with a lot of ‘who made you the judge’, ‘love’ and all the likes.

God’s love again, does not in any way condone sin. Yes, it loves the sinner but then, Hates the sin. With style though, we’ve remodelled it to love our sins and us at the same time. A cause which is against the Kingdom is against the Kingdom. Love does not cover up for that cause. The people entrapped within, and propagating the cause should be loved and prayed for and talked to or sued or something, but sin, should never be, can never be, and would never be loved by God’s love! We begin to create our own kind of love when we step out of the confines of God’s love.

The LGBT issue is gradually rising (or rather, aggressively rising). Some might think it remains in the West, but we forget that once one finger gets soiled in oil, the others follow. The propagators, and the victims of this terrible sin (Romans 1:24-32) should be loved and prayed for, but then I think it’s satanic to enforce sin on anyone (Matthew 18:6, Mark 9:42, Luke 17:2), and then when we as Christians throw our weight behind laws that would enforce such, in the name of granting freedom for all, I think there’s a lot of big question marks looming around our Christianity and love for God and other brethren (2 Timothy 3:5).

Then comes the part of divorce and remarriage. I’ve never been married (yet) nor divorced, but if the bible says it’s wrong, I think there’s no other explanation for the whole thing. I’m of the opinion that that these things might not be as easy as they may look from the outside, and at times, your love and understanding for each other might not be able to keep you together and all that, sometimes, it even seems like the option that would help you love and serve God more… then we get into divorce. I think that’s enough sin on its own without us and a lot of ‘Christians’ trying to justify the act. Sin is sin! But when it’s been done, there’s no need crying over spilt milk, and then God has made a provision for restoration via the death of Christ (oh, it’s Easter season… Happy Easter!!!). So I suppose we should just go back to God and cry and all, and get restored, without any space for guilt. But no, nowadays, there’s a barrage of other ‘Christians’ who would rather help us justify the sin, and then wade much deeper into worse stuff. Now condemning sin is prohibited, because in their own bible, love permits it, and then no man is meant to judge, so any thing you do is between you and God et al….

I believe the Lord would purge His body, at the right time. There’ll be pruning, and realignment and all there needs to be. We’ll by his mercies truly understand what it means to be Christians and live like it. But, Galatians 6:7-9 “be not deceived, God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap…”. The second coming is fast approaching (whenever the Lord desires) and the judgement promises to be scarier than some fairy tale read in a book that talks about a lot of stuff from the ancient times….

Now, this is just from a concerned heart, which hasn’t gotten any inch close to perfection…. With that said, I’m ready to take the judgement and venom from all them ‘love’ and ‘who are you to judge’ Christians, and everyone else.

Thank you!

NB: Don’t mind the soo much ‘buts’ in the write up. Just get the talk.

The Abuse Of Office - Part 1

I suppose a lot of you would think this refers to a political or government office by the title. However, that is not the case at the moment. By this, I’m making reference to the 5 spiritual offices of the church listed in Ephesians 4:11 – And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; (KJV) – and mentioned in 1 Cor 12:29. And yes, Spiritual things get abused too. A gargantuan lot at that.

By general assessment, Nigeria is one of the most religious, if not the most religious country in the world, boasting the largest religious gatherings in the whole world. Whew... that’s some record. I suppose by this, all our problems, should have been solved, but that is not to be the case, as the great ‘religiousness’ in itself is also a problem. 

People just run around to anywhere they can find power, or a display of it, whether it be real, or stage-managed acts, not caring what or where the power stems from (the root of the power) in other to solve their problems (of which down here, there is some trailer load of). 

So rather than live the life which would have been required as a member of a particular ‘religion’, the whole populace runs after the supposed few individuals that have, or can display some form of power (as a result of them living that required spiritual life), and other individuals who can produce acts of great power, whether through stage-managed moves or some other (counterfeit) spiritual means. We give this people a lot of money (because we have a lot of it to throw around), so they can help us live the kind of life we should have lived as members of a particular religion (because we have become incapable of doing that), acquire the powers that accrue from living the required type of life, and then in return, help us solve our problems! 

In other words, in Nigeria (and many parts of the world too), there is God, who is Almighty, then our Pastors and other members of the offices listed above, and other "custodians and producers of some form of power", are the middle men (intermediaries), while the rest of us are the consumers!!!

Religiousity Map

TBC...

P.S: Read carefully, to get proper meaning... Thank you!

Images from www.colindye.com and en.wikipedia.org

"Politicking Ministers???"

Some weeks ago, I watched on tv where a well known Rev. Fr., endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for a second term in office (with Patience Jonathan sitting in the front row of the church), and now I hear he has 'unendorsed' him, saying he should resign... something about "from good luck to bad luck". What happened over Christmas??? Did God all of a sudden speak to him on the matter? Or God suddenly changed His man for the Presidency??? Well well... All these questions never really get answered and if they ever do by the involved parties, who can really know the truth???

To our Revs. and Pastors n Bishops et al., please stop trying to mess God's name up! You stand in serious positions. If He don't speak to you about a matter, there's something about "keeping your own mouth shut" in English and "briddling your tongue" in the Bible!!! If you decided to accept the call, or called yourself, speaking on your own volition ain't allowed!!! The people want God's counsel, not yours anymore!!! Thank you!!!

P.S: Don't get me wrong. This isn't in support or in antagonism of anyone. Just saying some things should be done carefully especially when in an exalted position. And if you see a spade, call it a spade right from the onset. If it isn't, don't change your mind on what it really is for any reason!!!

P.S.S: You can follow the links embedded above to read the transcripts.

Image from bluebirdofbitterness.com

Christmas Gift or Not?

RCCG Pastor Prof Yemi Osinbajo named APC's Vice Presidential candidate (Buhari's running mate). Right decision??? Is this a Christmas gift to the Church and Nation or otherwise???
#ChristmasPresentorNot???

The Gift

It's the Christmas season, and there's a great rise in consumer demands for various products, gift items ranking topmost on the demand list. And I'm sure if you've not already gotten some yourself, you're planning on doing that. But pause for a moment, let's think a bit. What gave rise to all this gift giving? What was the first ever gift? What prompted the giving? Was it a tech gift, a home appliance or a doll? How was it wrapped? Was it packaged in red paper? Was there a bow on it? #QuestionsOnMyMind... Let's find out...

#ShareTheGift...